'Gunless' shooting in Osoyoos 

History is being made in more ways than one as a major movie films in the high desert hills just west of Osoyoos. First, the movie - 'Gunless,' starring Paul Gross and Sienna Guillory - is set in a historical period: the 1890s Canadian west. But more importantly for Osoyoos and the Okanagan film industry, 'Gunless' represents a historic boost for the visibility of this town and the Okanagan Valley on the radar of large film companies going into the future.

During a June 4 visit by South Okanagan news media and officials to the set of 'Gunless', Okanagan Film Commissioner Jon Summerland said that thanks to this major joint production of Toronto's Rhombus Media and Vancouver's Brightlight Pictures, the Okanagan is miles ahead of where it was on the film-industry radar even just a year ago.

Summerland said word is spreading rapidly in the industry that the Okanagan not only has some of the best locations and scenery for films anywhere, but it also has a critical mass of skilled professionals in all aspects of film work who are ready and able to produce first-class productions. He says about 15 local people are on the 100-person crew filming 'Gunless', and at least another 15 were involved in the pre-filming construction of the lifelike 1890s western town that serves as the set for the movie.

CHBC-TV South Okanagan reporter April Lawrence interviews actor Jody Racicot on the set of 'Gunless' during a break in filming on June 4.

'Gunless' isn't just boosting the Okanagan film industry. It's also providing a shot-in-the-arm to the local economy. Summerland guesses that, "when you add it all up," at least $85,000 is being spent in the Osoyoos area by the movie production and the crew members each day of shooting. With five weeks of filming and three weeks of pre-production work, that adds up to an injection of more than $4.5 million into the local economy.

'Gunless' Location Manager Rico Mielnicki, of Vancouver, says many on the crew spend about $500 per day at local hotels, restaurants, golf courses, wineries, coffee shops and grocery stores. He adds that five or six are even looking at real estate in the area.

Mielnicki notes that the western town set - consisting of 12 authentic-looking "old" buildings erected on the Testalinde pastureland of property owner Ace Elkink, on the lower slopes of Mt. Kobau - will be left intact and will be available as the setting for future western films that may be shot in the area. Mielnicki thinks that will help to attract even more movie activity to Osoyoos.

In 'Gunless', a notorious American gunslinger, the Montana Kid (Paul Gross), finds himself in the tiny western Canadian town of Barclay's Brush, unable to find a pistol in order to have a gunfight with a local rival. Gross told the visiting officials and media June 4 that the location is proving perfect for the kind of look and feel the moviemakers wanted in 'Gunless'. "It's boiling hot and dusty. It's one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and I'd come back here in a heartbeat," Gross said. The cast of about 20 actors has been shooting 'Gunless' since May 20, with their days lasting 12-14 hours. Shooting should wrap up June 21.

'Gunless' producers are Niv Fichman of Rhombus Media, and Stephen Hegyes of Brightlight Pictures. Fichman agreed with Summerland and Mielnicki that the movie is helping to grow the Okanagan film industry. He noted that he has been pleasantly surprised at the professional talent in the Valley. Fichman added that he has even had the film's website produced by a Kelowna company, and they've done a fantastic job.

During the June 4 set tour, Destination Osoyoos (DO) Director of Tourism & Visitor Experience Jo Knight said DO helped with arrangements to bring 'Gunless' to Osoyoos. "Both of DO's mandates - economic development and tourism marketing - mesh together perfectly to help bring about this kind of activity that benefits our whole community," she said. "Our CEO, Glenn Mandziuk, worked very hard to help make this production work for Osoyoos." Knight added that Destination Osoyoos has made arrangements to have Osoyoos marketing images, including its "Canada's Warmest Welcome" logo, included in future marketing of 'Gunless', raising the town's visibility even more. "We're thrilled that this major film production is bringing such great economic benefits to our local hotels, building material suppliers, restaurants, and other businesses - and even to Desert Park, where the film crew is storing some of their materials and has assembled some of the set designs," Knight said.

Stars will shine at first Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival

Jason Priestley

Osoyoos is a magnet for stars this spring! Filming of the movie 'Gunless' isn't the only event drawing them to this sunny South Okanagan community.

Destination Osoyoos and Black Hills Estate Winery recently announced they will host the inaugural Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival on June 12-14 , with a number of luminaries attending.

The weekend will feature four events led by stars from Hollywood and the music industry - including Jason Priestley (Beverly Hills 90210), Paul Gross (Due South, Passchendaele), Jann Arden (recording artist), Dean Cain (Superman), Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek, National Treasure), Tiffani Amber Thiesen (Saved by the Bell, Beverly Hills 90201), Terry David Mulligan (actor, MuchWest host, The Tasting Room), and The Canadian Tenors (recording artists). The events will offer a variety of food-and-wine pairings from regional chefs and winemakers, and will give participants the chance to rub shoulders with the celebrities while enjoying the region's best cuisine and wine.

In addition, Entertainment Tonight (ET) Canada will be on-site and will broadcast a special week of coverage from the region. The TV show's producer, Leslie Wasserman, says, "The Okanagan is becoming a very hot celebrity destination and ET Canada is looking forward to bringing all the highlights to our viewers."

Jann Arden

Destination Osoyoos is also urging people to take in this great event. "We encourage everyone to come out to each of the four events. The Canadian Tenors put on a world-class show and it will be an unforgettable experience that will be sure to give you Goosebumps!" says Jo Knight, DO's Director of Tourism & Visitor Experience.

The feature event is the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Auction, at Walnut Beach Resort from 4-7 p.m., Friday, June 12, with proceeds going to the Providence Children's Centre in Calgary. The thrilling 'Canadian Tenors' will be the headline act at the gala event. Black Hills Winery President Glenn Fawcett says it is exciting to bring this major world-class group to the South Okanagan.

Auction participants can sip wines from South Okanagan wineries and nibble on delicious appetizers from local restaurants, and then they can bid on rare wine from great Canadian wineries in both Silent and Live Auctions. Co-hosts Jason Priestley and Chad Oakes (Emmy-award-winning producer) will bring along a bunch of their Hollywood friends. Tickets are $99.

Dean Cain

Three other events will take place during the festival: The Nota Bene Release Party hosted by Jason Priestley, featuring wines from Black Hills Estate Winery, the cuisine of celebrity chef Ned Bell, and the live music of Double Magnum and DJ Jenn Goulet. It will be held Saturday, June 13, 3-7 p.m. at Black Hills Estate Winery. Tickets are $149. Burrowing Owl Winemaker's Dinner featuring Chef Bernard Cassavantes and the wines of Burrowing Owl, Friday, June 12, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery. Tickets are $125. Desert Spirit BBQ - The Wine Festival After-Party, featuring Chef Jonathan Thauberger and wines from the South Okanagan, offering socializing in an upbeat setting, Friday, June 12, 7-11 p.m. at Spirit Ridge Resort. Tickets are $49.

For tickets or more information contact: www.ticketweb.ca/snl/EventListings.action?orgId=22441 or visit www.blackhillswinery.com.

2010 Olympic Wear on sale at Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos

The BC Visitor Centre @ Osoyoos now offers a wide variety of 2010 Olympic merchandise for sale - including hats, jackets, hoodies, keychains, wine glasses and the three cute, fuzzy Vancouver Olympic mascots. New stock is arriving daily, and everyone is invited to stop by the Visitor Centre to see the products and "share the excitement!"

More than 300 attend Valley-wide business gathering in Osoyoos

More than 300 business people from up and down the Okanagan Valley gathered at NK'MIP Cellars winery in Osoyoos on May 14 for the annual Business After Hours networking reception and trade show for all Valley Chambers of Commerce.

The South Okanagan Chamber hosted this year's major mixer, and business people from Chambers in Vernon, Lake Country, Kelowna, Penticton and the South Okanagan all got together for the 2009 event, which went from 5-7:30 p.m.

The trade show featured about 50 booths around the venue, where business people displayed their products and services - including bank services, life coaches, magazines, and wineries.

South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce President Kenn Oldfield, of Oliver, told the Penticton Western News, "This is where businesses get together outside of their own businesses, to share their ideas. It's about making connections, meeting face-to-face, and learning." A number of politicians including Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, newly elected Boundary Similkameen MLA John Slater, and Penticton MLA Bill Barisoff attended.

Food was provided by NK'MIP Cellars, while wine was provided by Sumac Ridge Estate Winery, See Ya Later Ranch, Inniskillin Winery, Jackson Triggs Wineries, Working Horse Winery, and Hijas Bonitas Winery, and beer came from Tin Whistle Brewing Company.

Tourism & Economic Development Trends

• The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission reports that on May 1-3, Kelowna hosted the largest-ever number of attendees in the 30-year history of the Assembly of BC Arts Councils' annual conference. This year's conference at the Delta Grand Okanagan included 75 representatives from Arts Councils across the province as well as representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & the Arts, 2010 Legacies Now, the BC Touring Council, and the BC Arts Council. The conference drew attention to the importance of arts and culture to BC's economy. The arts are a $5.2-billion industry in the province, accounting for more than 80,000 jobs. One out of every 28 workers in the province is engaged in the cultural sector. And B.C. has the highest concentration of artists in the country.
  
  
• The City of Langford, near Victoria, announced May 14 it has launched a free community Wi-Fi network in the downtown core. The intent is to give people in downtown Langford a convenient way to access information and connect with friends and colleagues on the internet. To connect to the network, people turn on their mobile device and scan for a network called LangfordWi-Fi. Once connected, they must read and accept a disclaimer page and are then given access to the internet. The City does not provide technical support for the network service.
  
• BC Stats reports Statistics Canada numbers showing that traveller entries to Canada via B.C. inched down (-0.5%, seasonally adjusted) in March, reversing February's 0.4% gain. Visitation from the U.S. (-0.4%) was off, despite stable overnight trips (+0.1%), as there were fewer Americans on same-day (-1.4%) visits. The number of travellers from overseas countries also slipped (-1.0%), reflecting a notable downturn in European entries (-2.0%). Travel from Asia (+1.0%) was up, but significantly fewer visitors from other overseas countries (-3.4%) entered the province.

Events around Osoyoos

• June 12-14, the inaugural Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Festival will be held, with a number of stars hosting and attending events featuring pairings of area food and wines. The events include:

  - June 12, 4-7 p.m., the Osoyoos Celebrity Wine Auction will be held at Walnut Beach Resort, benefiting the Providence Children's Centre in Calgary. Actor Jason Priestley and producer Chad Oakes will host and The Canadian Tenors will perform as the headline musical act.

  - June 12, 7-11 p.m., Desert Spirit BBQ - The Wine Festival After-Party will be held at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, featuring chef Jonathan Thauberger and wines from the South Okanagan.

  - June 12, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Burrowing Owl Winemaker's Dinner will be held at Burrowing Owl Estate Winery, featuring chef Bernard Cassavantes and the wines of Burrowing Owl.
   

• June 20-21, the fifth annual Osoyoos Relay for Life fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society will be held at the Desert Park infield from 6 p.m.-6 a.m.  Participants can register online at www.cancer.ca/relay. Join your friends and neighbours to raise funds for your team, or just come to Desert Park to enjoy the live musical entertainment and make a donation onsite. For information call 250-689-3456.