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.

Published

2 months ago

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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.

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COMMUNITY

This weekend in Okanagan: Fri 6 — Sun 8 November

12 things to do in Okanagan, Fri 6 — Sun 8 November.

Published

3 hours ago

on

November 5, 2026

By

The Okanagan Current · What’s on

This weekend

Fri 6 — Sun 8 November

What’s on between now and Sunday night.

The week at a glance Fri 6 — Sun 8 November

Fri 6

All day First Friday Art Trail Artist Studios, Vernon and Coldstream 12 pm Friday Happy Hour District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 1 pm First Friday Art Trail featuring Mandi Irmen Vernon Public Art Gallery 6:30 pm Cooking Class Dinners Hester Creek Estate Winery, 877 Road 8 · Box 1605 British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 6:30 pm Moontricks Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St Vernon, BC V1T 5T6 7:30 pm A Christmas Twist Venables Theatre, Oliver

Sat 7

8 am The Dolly Drag Show | Obstacle Challenge Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver 1 pm Artist Talk: Darian Goldin Stahl Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon 5 pm Diwali Party 2026 Kismet Estate Winery, 316 Rd 20 British Columbia Oliver V0H1T0 Canada, Oliver 7:30 pm A Christmas Twist Venables Theatre, Oliver

Sun 8

8 am Beginner Roping with Ken Macrae Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver 1 pm Miigis – By Red Sky – SPOTLIGHT Dance Series Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St. Vernon, BC V1T 5T6

What’s on

What’s on 12 events

6 Fri

First Friday Art Trail

Time
All day
Where
Artist Studios, Vernon and Coldstream

Details from the organiser

6 Fri

Friday Happy Hour

Time
12 pm
Where
District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver

@ Every FRIDAY is Happy Hour!

Details from the organiser

6 Fri

First Friday Art Trail featuring Mandi Irmen

Time
1 pm
Where
Vernon Public Art Gallery (confirmed by the desk)

@ Date: Friday, November 6th, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location: Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Downtown Vernon Admission: Free | Everyone…

Details from the organiser

6 Fri

Cooking Class Dinners

Time
6:30 pm
Where
Hester Creek Estate Winery, 877 Road 8 · Box 1605 British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver

@ Join one of only 14 guests seated in our state of the art demonstration kitchen for a locally sourced, seasonally inspired menu skillfully paired with our…

Details from the organiser

6 Fri

Moontricks

Time
6:30 pm
Where
Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St Vernon, BC V1T 5T6

Details from the organiser

6 Fri

A Christmas Twist

Time
7:30 pm
Where
Venables Theatre, Oliver

@ About the Performance SOAP presents A Christmas Twist, a delightfully twisted mash-up of two Dickens classics: A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.

Details from the organiser

7 Sat

The Dolly Drag Show | Obstacle Challenge

Time
8 am
Where
Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver

@ CLASS LIST – 9am start Cash grab (warm up round) Lesson Horse Roulette Rough stock (very green horse) My first rodeo (very green rider) L’il cowpokes (12…

Details from the organiser

7 Sat

Artist Talk: Darian Goldin Stahl

Time
1 pm
Where
Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon

@ The Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to host an artist talk by Darian Goldin Stahl on Saturday, November 7 from 1-2 PM, in-person at the gallery.

Details from the organiser

7 Sat

Diwali Party 2026

Time
5 pm
Where
Kismet Estate Winery, 316 Rd 20 British Columbia Oliver V0H1T0 Canada, Oliver

@ Diwali at Kismet is back and bigger than ever. For the past two years, we’ve celebrated Diwali with an intimate long table dinner.

Details from the organiser

7 Sat

A Christmas Twist

Time
7:30 pm
Where
Venables Theatre, Oliver

@ About the Performance SOAP presents A Christmas Twist, a delightfully twisted mash-up of two Dickens classics: A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.

Details from the organiser

8 Sun

Beginner Roping with Ken Macrae

Time
8 am
Where
Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver

@ Sundays at 10am Begins October 4th 10am for ground practice 11am for mounted practice (must pre-register for mounted portion) pre-register here Bring your…

Details from the organiser

8 Sun

Miigis – By Red Sky – SPOTLIGHT Dance Series

Time
1 pm
Where
Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St. Vernon, BC V1T 5T6

Details from the organiser

Also coming up 8 of 57

  • Thu, Nov 5 Thursday Only PASSPORT
  • Thu, Nov 5 OKIB Cannabis Referendum Advance Voting Day
  • Mon, Nov 9 Drop – In Musical Jam
  • Mon, Nov 9 Band Council Meeting
  • Mon, Nov 9 OKIB Respiratory Illness Vaccine Clinic
  • Mon, Nov 9 Seniors Winter Market
  • Tue, Nov 10 Fall Longtable Communal Dinners
  • Tue, Nov 10 Crash Test Dummies

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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BC STORIES

A Kelowna Restaurant Brings Festive Indian Sweets to Local Diwali Celebrations

Kelowna restaurant New Punjab Sweets prepares traditional treats for Diwali on Nov. 8, as local temples restrict fireworks over environmental concerns.

Published

3 hours ago

on

November 5, 2026

By

Preparations Underway in Rutland

New Punjab Sweets & Restaurant in Kelowna is getting ready to mark Diwali on Nov. 8. Owner Baldev Singh will offer a wide assortment of traditional sweets at his Rutland establishment beginning Friday, Nov. 6, to launch the holiday season.

Mohini Singh, who was at the restaurant’s Rutland location on Tuesday, Nov. 3, assisting with setup, noted that customers come from all over to buy sweets, comparing the atmosphere to small shops in India.

Understanding the Festival of Lights

Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of good over evil. Mohini Singh explained that it is the largest festival in India, celebrated by individuals of diverse backgrounds, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.

In northern India, the holiday’s history traces back to the Hindu epic Ramayana. The narrative tells of Prince Rama of Ayodhya returning to his kingdom following a 14-year exile, prompting citizens to illuminate his path with lamps.

Observances and Local Regulations

Traditional Diwali celebrations involve sharing food, lighting lamps, and setting off fireworks. However, firework displays will not take place at Kelowna temples this year. Mohini Singh stated that local temples are prohibiting fireworks due to concerns regarding fire safety, environmental impact, and noise.

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BC STORIES

What an $80 Million Forestry Deal Means for the Sunshine Coast Community

Tla’amin Nation buys Stillwater Forest Operation near Powell River for $80M, supported by a $64M federal loan guarantee and a fibre supply deal.

Published

3 hours ago

on

November 5, 2026

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A Major Transfer of Forestry Rights

In an $80-million transaction after adjustments, the Tla’amin Nation has acquired full ownership of the Stillwater Forest Operation from Western Forest Products. Announcement of the completed deal came via a joint statement from both parties on Nov. 3, 2026.

The operation spans approximately 1,540 square kilometres on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, primarily within Tla’amin traditional territory. Through its corporate arm, Thichum Forest Products, the nation will oversee an annual allowable harvest of 469,200 cubic metres of timber from the tree farm licence.

Local Economic Impact and Agreements

Adam Culos, vice-president of forestry and forest sustainability for Thichum Forest Products, described the finalized transaction as a significant milestone for the business and the surrounding region. He noted that managing these lands aligns with Tla’amin values and long-term stewardship while supporting local jobs and retaining forestry benefits in the community.

Under a parallel long-term fibre supply agreement, the nation’s forestry enterprise will sell harvested timber to Western Forest Products to assist the company’s coastal B.C. manufacturing plants. Steven Hofer, president of Western Forest Products, stated that the sale respects the nation’s history and goals while offering stability as the company shifts toward higher-value manufacturing.

Federal Financial Support

The transaction was assisted by a $64 million loan guarantee from the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp. Kristan Straub, president of the corporation, emphasized that the purchase places the nation in control of a major forestry venture and highlighted that high capital costs have historically hindered Indigenous groups from securing ownership in territorial projects.

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