The Penticton and Wine Country Tourism Advisory Council Annual General Meeting and election was held this past week at the Days Inn & Conference Centre.

Some very good candidates were nominated for the five positions. We would like to thank Ed Brown, Trinka Pontes, Lisa Baadsvik, Alexa LaMadrid, Corrine Oman, Gary Reynolds, Andy Oakes and Wayne Schmuck for putting their names forward. A high level of tourism expertise was represented on the ballot.

Elected to the 2007 Penticton & Wine Country Tourism Advisory Council are: Beth Campbell of the Best Western Inn, Colin Buckingham of Earl?s Restaurant, Judy Poole from the Fest-of-Ale, Joe Morelli of the Days Inn Penticton and Judy Sentes from the Ironman Canada Race Society. The incumbents are: Randy Kowalchuk of the Ramada Inn & Suites, Barb Schneiderat, Chair of the Penticton Hospitality Association, Lawrie Lock with the Skaha Beach Estates and Barb Hoolaeff of Above the Beach Bed and Breakfast.

Randy Kowalchuk, Chair of the Tourism Advisory Council, was pleased with the creation of a comprehensive five-year tourism marketing strategy, which was one of the first major initiatives undertaken by the Council in 2006. Researching a new brand for Penticton tourism is among the projects they are now focused on.

The election luncheon included a special presentation on the BC wine industry entitled ?You?ve Come a Long Way Baby Duck? by Jolene Palmer from the BC Wine Information Centre. Jolene provided a light- hearted and informative look back at the history of our wine industry.

Did you know that Casabello Winery was the first winery in Penticton? Dating back to 1966, Casabello was once situated on the property where Zeller?s is now.

?The BC wine industry, even though we think it has been a fixture for a long time, has only developed in the past 50 years since the land based wineries came into existence,? said Jolene, ?the turning point of the wine industry was the Free Trade Agreement in 1988, which forced the industry to replant with quality ?vinifera? or grape plants.?

In the BC Wine Institute?s August report, it states that there are currently 118 licensed grape wineries in the province with another 50 new ones proposed.

Jolene would like to invite you to attend ?The Saturday Sip?, which is a complimentary program offered every Saturday in February from 1- 3 pm at the VQA Wine Shoppe in the Wine Country Visitor Centre.

Next Saturday, a yet-to-be-released white wine from Lake Breeze Vineyards will be featured. And, on the last Saturday in February, winemaker Pascal Madevon of Osoyoos Larose will provide barrel samples of the not-yet-released 2005 vintage. If you already have a bottle of the 2004 Osoyoos Larose at home, bring it in to be signed by the winemaker.

Co-Chairs Nora Haft and Lorraine Renyard - Today marks the beginning of the 3rd Annual Spirit of BC Week, a week-long celebration of community spirit in communities across British Columbia.

Building on past successes, Spirit of BC Week 2007 runs from Feb. 9-17 and features more than 350 events in more than 100 communities. Events include arts celebrations, winter festivals, literacy days, ski races and volunteer recognition events.

?Our dedicated community committees have gone over and above planning events that are fun and lively,? said Bruce Dewar, CEO of 2010 Legacies Now. ?With over 350 events to choose from, Spirit of BC Week has something for everyone. I?m encouraging all British Columbians to get involved and find out what activities are planned in their community.?

Spirit of BC Week was first held as a countdown to the 2010 Winter Games and has grown into a celebration of British Columbia and its unique communities. Held annually in February, it is a week of events and activities showcasing British Columbians? pride in their province and profiling local programs and services that strengthen sport and recreation, healthy living, art and culture, literacy and volunteerism.

For the complete list of events in Penticton during Spirit of BC Week please visit www.SpiritofBC.com

Prime Minister Outlines His Government's Agenda

In a speech earlier this week in Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper pointed to five priority areas that the government will focus on in the months ahead:

• Further tax reductions as part of a comprehensive economic agenda;
• Continued steps to tackle crime;
• Further strengthening Canada's global image and rebuilding the Canadian Forces;
• Strengthening the federation by addressing Senate reform and fiscal balance with the provinces;
• Clear, decisive steps to protect Canada's environment

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Symbolic Thought: the Secret to Selling

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The Chamber of Commerce offers affordable extended health and dental plans to ALL Chamber Members!

One of the many advantages of belonging to the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce is access to an affordable and comprehensive group health and dental plan!

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