COMMUNITY
How a glowing electric guitar brought a lost piece of Canadian rock history back to Randy Bachman
Langford music store owners Laurie Zarr and Geoff Round reunite rock legend Randy Bachman with a missing glow-in-the-dark guitar gifted by Eddie Van Halen.
A mysterious instrument with a storied past
When Geoff Round and Laurie Zarr purchased a distinctive electric guitar covered in glow-in-the-dark stickers from an octogenarian customer downsizing his collection, they suspected it was more than an ordinary trade-in. Zarr, who co-owns Alloy Music in Langford with her husband, launched an online investigation using image searches and key terms. Her digital digging uncovered a 1980s video and photographic evidence linking the instrument to Canadian musician Randy Bachman, famed co-founder of The Guess Who and Bachman–Turner Overdrive.
Disappearance from Salt Spring Island
Through a mutual acquaintance, the couple contacted Bachman to verify their findings. The 82-year-old rock veteran confirmed ownership and revealed the guitar had been missing for over two decades after disappearing from his studio on Salt Spring Island. Round noted that because Bachman housed roughly 300 instruments in his studio at the time, the absence went unnoticed for a significant period.
The guitar carried unique history: Eddie Van Halen gifted it to Bachman in 1986 prior to Bachman–Turner Overdrive joining Van Halen’s 5150 tour as an opening act. Bachman personally adorned the body and headstock with glowing decals as a lighthearted way to maintain a striking visual presence alongside Van Halen on stage. The instrument still retained its original decorations, including a label-maker tag on the back bearing the name of Bachman’s daughter, Calianne.
Reunion backstage in Victoria
On Aug. 25, Bachman invited Round and Zarr backstage at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre during a performance with The Guess Who to retrieve the sentimentally valuable instrument. Zarr recalled Bachman smiling widely upon its return.
For Round, who began his musical journey at age 12 inspired by Bachman and The Beatles, the interaction brought a personal connection full circle. Decades prior, Round had attended a Bachman performance in Kelowna where the artist played using drumsticks and harmonic techniques. Round spent 16 years working at Alloy Music before he and Zarr acquired the nearly 40-year-old business in 2024.
Looking ahead to the stage
With Bachman scheduled to embark on a 10-week U.S. tour with Bachman–Turner Overdrive starting in January, Round hopes the reunited guitar will return to live performances four decades after its debut. The couple plans to maintain contact with the legendary musician as they continue operating their shop.
BC STORIES
Why Canadians and Americans Are Gathering at the Border to Remember 9/11 Together
Hundreds gathered at the B.C.-Washington Peace Arch monument for the 25th 9/11 anniversary to honour first responders and showcase cross-border unity.
Cross-Border Gathering Marks 25th Anniversary of 9/11
About 500 people joined a motorcycle procession as part of the annual Northwest 9/11 Memorial ceremony on Friday morning at the Peace Arch monument along the B.C.-Washington state border. Hundreds of attendees from both Canada and the United States assembled to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, putting aside current political and trade friction between the two countries to pay tribute to first responders and those who lost their lives.
Honouring Sacrifices and Shared Bonds
The memorial service, which commemorates the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers in New York City that killed nearly 3,000 people, featured a helicopter flypast, national anthem performances, and a barbeque alongside the procession. Event co-chair Howard Blank emphasized that the spirit of the event surpasses any ongoing disagreements between the nations, stating that they come together as one when necessary.
First Responders Share Memories
Former New York fire department members were among those participating in the event. Retired paramedic Roberto Abril, who arrived at the scene shortly after 9 a.m. ET on Sept. 11, 2001, reflected on the tragic loss of his work partner, Carlos Lillo, who died in the North Tower. Attending the ceremony for his third time, Abril described the two nations as family who will eventually return to their close bond despite temporary disputes. Former firefighter Cody Stamberger, who joined the search efforts later that day, noted that the ceremony highlights the solidarity between both countries during challenging periods and offers an opportunity to honour the sacrifices made.
COMMUNITY
New Agreement to Bring Forestry Jobs and Management to Osoyoos Indian Band
The Osoyoos Indian Band and Gorman Group partner through Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to manage TFL 59, bringing jobs and local planning to the OIB.
Direct Role in Planning TFL 59
A new partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the Gorman Group, signed via Similkameen Forest Products Ltd., ensures the OIB will participate directly in managing Tree Farm Licence 59. Located in the band’s traditional territory east of Oliver, the forest licence area will now involve early-stage planning by Nk’Mip Forestry LLP, the OIB’s forestry company.
Community Benefits and Local Economic Impact
The joint arrangement focuses on keeping local forestry benefits within the community. “This partnership will help create more jobs, specific training opportunities, and longer-term revenue for the Osoyoos Indian Band and our people,” said OIB Chief Clarence Louie. He added that the agreement enables the OIB to build skills and experience for future responsibilities while strengthening its position in the local forest economy.
Balancing Cultural Priorities and Industrial Supply
Nk’Mip will collaborate with Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to plan proposed harvest sites. Their work will incorporate considerations for wildlife habitat, forest health, water quality, wildfire resilience, and sites of cultural or traditional importance. Norm Druck, South Zone Woodlands Manager for the Gorman Group, emphasized the area’s dual significance, noting that this portion of land represents the cultural heartland of the band—supporting traditional medicines, food, jobs, and spiritual well-being—while also supplying timber for the Gorman Group’s regional manufacturing facilities.
COMMUNITY
The week ahead in Okanagan: Mon 7 — Sun 13 September
30 things to do in Okanagan, Mon 7 — Sun 13 September.
The Okanagan Current · What’s on
The week ahead
Mon 7 — Sun 13 September
Seven days of what’s on, and what to keep an eye on.
The week at a glance Mon 7 — Sun 13 September
Nothing yet
Nothing yet
Nothing yet
8 am Thursday Only PASSPORT District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 8 am Meat the Need Buy-Low Foods, 5717 Main St, Oliver 11 am The Bread Project Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 11:30 am Delicous Oysters Miradoro Restaurant, 537 Tinhorn Creek Rd. British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 4 pm Thursday Live Music Black Hills Estate Winery, 4190 Black Sage Road British Columbia Oliver V0H1T1 Canada, Oliver 5 pm Free Live Music Thursday with Lisa Toon Nostalgia Wines, 4900 Black Sage Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
8 am Ask Me Anything Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 8 am Meat the Need Buy-Low Foods, 5717 Main St, Oliver 11 am The Bread Project Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 11:30 am Delicous Oysters Miradoro Restaurant, 537 Tinhorn Creek Rd. British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 1 pm Live at Rust: Lewis Cardinal Rust Wine, 4444 Golden Mile Bench British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 4 pm Summer Series with Same Same but Different Thai Food Truck Gehringer Brother’s Estate Winery, 876 Rd 8, Oliver 4 pm Fender Fridays | Show & Shine Gino’s Coffee House, 8316 Main St, Oosyoos
8 am Sessions Saturday Ride Sessions Outdoor Sports, 8503 78 Ave, Osoyoos 8 am Fantastic Firehall Festival 2026 Firehall Brewery, 6077 Main Street British Columbia Oliver, Oliver 8 am Meat the Need Buy-Low Foods, 5717 Main St, Oliver 9 am 3rd Annual Gino’s Legacy Fundraiser Gino’s Coffee House, 8316 Main St, Oosyoos 9 am Okanagan Science Centre Garage Sale 2704 BC-6 10 am Vernon Volunteer Fair Vernon Recreation Centre, Dogwood Gym, 3310 37th Avenue, Vernon BC 10 am Enderby Lit-Con Splatsin Community Centre, 5767 Old Vernon Road, Rd RR 3, Enderby, BC V0E 1V0 10 am Scrapbook Retreat at Hullcar Hall Armstrong, British Columbia, V4Y 0M6 11 am Live Music & Food Truck Saturdays River Stone Estate Winery, 143 Buchanan Drive British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T2 Canada, Oliver 11 am The Bread Project Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 11 am Memorable Wine Tour Nostalgia Wines, 4900 Black Sage Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 11 am Legacy Poker Run | Ride for Tiannna Gino’s Coffee House, 8316 Main St, Oosyoos 11:30 am Delicous Oysters Miradoro Restaurant, 537 Tinhorn Creek Rd. British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver 1 pm Live Music On The Patio Hester Creek Estate Winery, 877 Road 8 · Box 1605 British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 4 pm Welcome Back BBQ Oliver Senior Centre, 5876 Airport Street British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 6 pm Silent Disco District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
What’s on 30 events
Thursday Only PASSPORT
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Thursday Event Day | Wine Tasting Passport Available to be used and redeemed on Thursday’s Purchase your Village passport for $10 which includes 10 –…
Meat the Need
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Buy-Low Foods, 5717 Main St, Oliver
@ We know times are tough for many families right now. That’s why Valley First and Buy-Low Foods Oliver are coming together to help.
The Bread Project
- Time
- 11 am
- Where
- Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
Until May 24, 2026 purchase The Pairing Project Passport for only $99.
Delicous Oysters
- Time
- 11:30 am
- Where
- Miradoro Restaurant, 537 Tinhorn Creek Rd. British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ September Oysters & Bubbles @ Miradoro $3. 25 oysters! Daily, any amount, until sold out. Lightning Rock sparkling wine feature!
Thursday Live Music
- Time
- 4 pm
- Where
- Black Hills Estate Winery, 4190 Black Sage Road British Columbia Oliver V0H1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ Join us on select Thursdays from June 18 to September 24 and enjoy oysters from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with live music continuing until 6:30 pm.
Free Live Music Thursday with Lisa Toon
- Time
- 5 pm
- Where
- Nostalgia Wines, 4900 Black Sage Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ We welcome back our good friend Lisa Toon for tonight live music Thursday. Law of Attraction food truck will be serving up their delicious eats.
Ask Me Anything
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ Every Friday, 3–5 PM Join us on the Bartier Bros.
Meat the Need
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Buy-Low Foods, 5717 Main St, Oliver
@ We know times are tough for many families right now. That’s why Valley First and Buy-Low Foods Oliver are coming together to help.
The Bread Project
- Time
- 11 am
- Where
- Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
Until May 24, 2026 purchase The Pairing Project Passport for only $99.
Delicous Oysters
- Time
- 11:30 am
- Where
- Miradoro Restaurant, 537 Tinhorn Creek Rd. British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ September Oysters & Bubbles @ Miradoro $3. 25 oysters! Daily, any amount, until sold out. Lightning Rock sparkling wine feature!
Live at Rust: Lewis Cardinal
- Time
- 1 pm
- Where
- Rust Wine, 4444 Golden Mile Bench British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ Rust Wine 250-498-3276
Summer Series with Same Same but Different Thai Food Truck
- Time
- 4 pm
- Where
- Gehringer Brother’s Estate Winery, 876 Rd 8, Oliver
@ Gehringer Brother’s Celebrates 40 years!
Fender Fridays | Show & Shine
- Time
- 4 pm
- Where
- Gino’s Coffee House, 8316 Main St, Oosyoos
@ EVERY FRIDAY OPEN UNTIL 6pm Love classic cars? Come show yours off! Or just come take a look.
Sessions Saturday Ride
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Sessions Outdoor Sports, 8503 78 Ave, Osoyoos
@ Join Sesssions Outdoor Sports on the Saturday Rides.
Fantastic Firehall Festival 2026
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Firehall Brewery, 6077 Main Street British Columbia Oliver, Oliver
@ Firehall Brewery, Mo’ Pro Promotions, & Respect Record & Skate Shop are proud to present… the 2026 Fantastic Firehall Festival!
Meat the Need
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Buy-Low Foods, 5717 Main St, Oliver
@ We know times are tough for many families right now. That’s why Valley First and Buy-Low Foods Oliver are coming together to help.
3rd Annual Gino’s Legacy Fundraiser
- Time
- 9 am
- Where
- Gino’s Coffee House, 8316 Main St, Oosyoos
Join us on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 9:00 AM–7:00 PM at Gino’s Coffee House in Osoyoos for the 3rd Annual Gino’s Legacy Fundraiser.
Vernon Volunteer Fair
- Time
- 10 am
- Where
- Vernon Recreation Centre, Dogwood Gym, 3310 37th Avenue, Vernon BC
Enderby Lit-Con
- Time
- 10 am
- Where
- Splatsin Community Centre, 5767 Old Vernon Road, Rd RR 3, Enderby, BC V0E 1V0
Scrapbook Retreat at Hullcar Hall
- Time
- 10 am
- Where
- Armstrong, British Columbia, V4Y 0M6
Live Music & Food Truck Saturdays
- Time
- 11 am
- Where
- River Stone Estate Winery, 143 Buchanan Drive British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T2 Canada, Oliver
@ Join us at River Stone Estate Winery from mid-June through mid-September for laid-back afternoons filled with great wine, live tunes, and tasty bites.
The Bread Project
- Time
- 11 am
- Where
- Bartier Bros. Winery, 4821 Ryegrass Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
Until May 24, 2026 purchase The Pairing Project Passport for only $99.
Memorable Wine Tour
- Time
- 11 am
- Where
- Nostalgia Wines, 4900 Black Sage Road British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ Tour & Tasting Experience Discover the essence of Nostalgia Wines on this captivating 90-minute journey through our vineyard, winery, and cellar.
Legacy Poker Run | Ride for Tiannna
- Time
- 11 am
- Where
- Gino’s Coffee House, 8316 Main St, Oosyoos
@ CALLING ALL RIDERS & DRIVERS! Our first-ever Legacy Poker Run, part of the 3rd Annual Gino’s Legacy Fundraiser, is happening Saturday, September 12th!
Delicous Oysters
- Time
- 11:30 am
- Where
- Miradoro Restaurant, 537 Tinhorn Creek Rd. British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T1 Canada, Oliver
@ September Oysters & Bubbles @ Miradoro $3. 25 oysters! Daily, any amount, until sold out. Lightning Rock sparkling wine feature!
Live Music On The Patio
- Time
- 1 pm
- Where
- Hester Creek Estate Winery, 877 Road 8 · Box 1605 British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Every weekend in the summer we host local musicians live on the patio at the Wine Shop from May to October and celebrate the incredible talent coming out of…
Welcome Back BBQ
- Time
- 4 pm
- Where
- Oliver Senior Centre, 5876 Airport Street British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Lets get together and kick off a great season! Good food, great friends, live music. Oliver Senior Centre Society 250-498-6142
Silent Disco
- Time
- 6 pm
- Where
- District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Saturday, September 12 | 7pm – 10pm Join us for a fun night of dancing in the centre plaza with DJ Shakes.
Queen: It’s a Kinda Magic
- Time
- 7:30 pm
- Where
- Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St Vernon, BC V1T 5T6
Also coming up 8 of 53
- Mon, Sep 14 Band Council Meeting
- Tue, Sep 15 Intro to BellyDance with Kesavah
- Wed, Sep 16 September Community Shuttle
- Wed, Sep 16 Raine Maida & Chantal Kreviazuk
- Thu, Sep 17 Unlocked – Real Talk. Music. Mental Health
- Fri, Sep 18 Reconnecting our spirit healing circle
- Fri, Sep 18 Vernon Seniors Fair
- Fri, Sep 18 Sundog Festival of Arts & Culture
Dates and names only — we confirm the details with each organiser in the edition that runs them.
Running something? Get it in front of your neighbours.
The Okanagan Current publishes this every week for readers looking for something to do. Listing is free, and what you send us is what runs — so check the details before you send them. Or post it to your municipal calendar and we will find it.
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What to Know About West Kelowna’s Uncontested Mayoralty and Council Race
New Agreement to Bring Forestry Jobs and Management to Osoyoos Indian Band
Why Mounting Housing Costs and Surging Homelessness Demand Immediate Policy Action
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B.C. Supreme Court Grants Cowichan Tribes Title to Historic Richmond Lands and Fishing Rights
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