This week’s column is dedicated to George Hayashi who passed away March 15. I will miss his great sense of humour and his winning smile for everyone, especially on the golf course. Personal condolences to George’s mother Shizuae, his entire family and many friends.
The Garage Door Depot warehouse/showroom has opened a #106-3677 Highway 97N (facing Highway 97 N – by Subway). Owned and operated by franchisee Mike Harrison, the franchise originated in Port Coquitlam, BC, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Access & Door Systems Inc. The company has entered into partnerships with Costco and Lowes, launching the Costco Garage Door Installation Program. The Garage Door Depot is a place to give consumers, garage door dealers and service companies a place to go to view, select and purchase garage doors and related products. Their goal is to give the customer the best experience possible and to create a leader in the sales, service, installation and supply of all things related to the garage door industry. Parent company, Canadian Access was honoured as one of Canada’s fastest growing companies in the 23rd Annual PROFIT Magazine. Call 250-808-7076 or mharrison@garagedoordepot.ca; www.garagedoordepot.ca
Mark Mosgroveis the new marketing manager at The Bay Kelowna. His responsibility is to take care of the entire look, presentation and marketing of the store. Mark recently relocated from Toronto for this position, having 27 years in marketing, merchandising and visual presentation. Being active in golf, tennis and skiing, Mark is thrilled to be in the valley. If you have not been into the Bay recently, drop in and see the wonderful new modern displays and merchandise. Much of the new spring and summer merchandise is now in stock. I think you will be nothing less than impressed at their brand new look and if you run into Mark, let him know.
The Little Hobo at 438 Lawrence Avenue (across from Blue Gator) has been in the same location for 25 years. Owned and operated by new owners Crystal Dougan and her husband Stephen MacDonald, this popular little restaurant has been completely renovated and is open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. They have also brought back some of the old favorites at the same comfortable prices. All their comfort food is home-made on premise including their famous “hobo soup” along with other home-made soups daily. They also offer sandwiches, fresh baked goods, chili and hot lunch daily specials, including homemade perogies with Mennonite sausage on Tuesdays, along with a fun hot special day called “Whatever Wednesdays”. They will be opening on Saturdays starting June 1. Call 778-478-0411.
Carl Stefis the new Honourary Colonel of the BC Dragoons. Doug Walton was the former Honourary Colonel. A handover ceremony recently took place at the Brigadier Angle Armoury.
The new Rutland Farmers Market will be held outside the Rutland Centennial Hall, 180 Rutland Road starting Thursday, April 5th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and every Thursday thereafter. They are looking for farmers, crafters and food vendors as well as small backyard gardeners. The spaces they offer are ten feet by ten feet and rent for $30, with larger spaces available. Vendor set-up time is 7 a.m. and with six acres of field to utilize, everyone is welcome, with no need for reservations. Go out and support the Rutland community. Call Pat at 250-765-5081.
Long-time popular ladies shop, Ten Fashions, at 534 Bernard Avenue owned and operated by Rosemarie Gottsch for the past 32 years is moving across the street into the Towne Centre Mall with their store-front facing onto Bernard Avenue. Rosemarie is hoping to be in the new location in July. Call 250-763-9666
The next Uptown After Hours is April 4th from 5 – 7 p.m. at Bobbi’s Rutland Optical in the Willow Park Shopping Mall.
GK’s Bar and Grill is now open in the Holiday Inn on Highway 97S in West Kelowna. Now owned and operated by the Holiday Inn, the completely renovated restaurant is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner and also features a Sunday brunch. The menu offers a full variety of appies, salads, burgers, steaks, and sandwiches, with a full dinner menu as well. They have weekly and nightly features, including a traditional cheese fondue on Tuesday evenings and prime rib on Friday nights. Additionally, every Friday evening from 7 – 9 p.m. they have live piano entertainment in their lounge with nightly beverage features as well. The restaurant has a nice casual but upscale atmosphere with a large fireplace, open kitchen, both booths and tables and a large patio. Call 250-768-8879. Peter Bueschkens is the general manager of the Holiday Inn and Gene Stafford the sales and marketing manager.
Now you can carry your bags for free at YLW. It’s been an annoyance for passengers and a pet peeve of mine for quite some time. Arriving at the airport with all or some suitcases, children, car sears, a pet cage, golf clubs and then reaching for the luggage carts, only to find you need to fish out a loonie to rent the cart. International passengers often do not even have Canadian currency when landing. Kudos to YLW for saying “no more” and giving the passengers a break with the pleasure of free carts. A huge good-will gesture on their part. Sam Samaddar is the general manager/director of the Kelowna International Airport.
Just in time for Easter, Annegret's Chocolates in the Towne Centre Mall on Bernard Avenue is making a huge variety of chocolate favorites for the special day. Annegret is busy hand-making chocolate baskets filled with all kinds of delectable specialty Easter chocolates. She is also making a huge variety of chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies, including specialty bunnies such as motorcycle bunnies, boating bunnies and even a body builder bunny. Call 250-712-2299 or just drop into the store.
Crossroads Treatment Center Society is looking for a couple new volunteer board members in the accounting field, marketing or with capital and strategic planning experience. If you are interested call Shelley Gilmore, executive director at 250-860-4001.
Summerhill Pyramid Winery has been short listed by The Drinks Business as a candidate for Green Company of the Year 2012 for their work as a hub of the organic wine industry in Canada. The Drinks Business Green Awards 2012 is the world’s largest program to raise awareness of green issues in the drinks trade and recognize and reward those who are leading the way in sustainability and with environmental credentials. The winner will be announced in London, England.
Attention Okanagan Entrepreneurs. The 4th Venture Okanagan Investor Forum is Wednesday, April 4th at 5:30 p.m. in Room H115, Okanagan College on KLO Road. For info call Steve Watson, Chair a ventureokanagan@gmail.com
The Downtown Kelowna Association in collaboration with Festivals Kelowna is organizing the “Downtown Kelowna Market” this coming summer. The objective is to create community spirit by showcasing the vibrant artistic and cultural characteristics of Kelowna through high quality artisan vendors, performing arts and musical entertainment crating a unique experience for residents and visitors. It will run from 1 to 5 p.m. every Saturday during July and August in Kerry Park from July 7 to September 1.
Back by popular demand and I’m delighted to hear that the “11th Annual Celebrity Tennis and Bocce Ball Tournament” fundraiser for the KGH Foundation hosted by Marietta and Walley Lightbody. Over the past 10 years the event has raised over $600,000 for the cardiac care centre at KGH to purchase lifesaving cardiac equipment. This year’s event will honour two well-known Kelowna personalities, Jennifer Hindle and Roger Watts, both of whom passed away suddenly and both of whom were passionate tennis players and strong supporters of this event. For more info call Walley Lightbody at 250-762-2783 or Shandel Christie at the KGHF at 250-862-4438.
Carol Ellisonis on a 13 month medical sabbatical and Amanda Turner is assuming her role of Success By 6 Coordinator in the Central Okanagan. Amanda has had a number of contracts which included The Bridge Youth & Family Services Healthy Weights Project and coordinated the inception of a group now known as the Central Okanagan Partners for Literacy. www.successby6centralok.ca
Happy 40th Anniversary Phyllis and Con Litz (March 30th).
The Hergott Law “One Crash is Too Many” Gala Diner and Poker Tournament in spot of BrainTrust Canada is April 14th at the Harvest Golf Club. The event includes a gourmet meal, live and silent auctions, fun casino, DJ, comedian Tim Nutt and celebrity poker tournament with Fire Chief Jeff Carlisle, ICBC Rehab Manager Kim De Vries, lawyer John Kennedy, Dr. Stephen Vallentyne andCst. Mark Slade. Visit braintrustcanada.com or call 250-762-3233 for tickets.
On April 14 and May 5th the Okanagan Master Gardeners Association (OMGA) will be offering orientation sessions for a new Basic Training Course which will run from September 8th to December 8th, 2012. All aspects of gardening are dealt with in the Basic Training Program, including plant identification, “Right Place, Right Plant” and most significantly the most current information on local pests and diseases. For more info and to enroll call Mary Wegner at okanaganmastergardenerscourse@gmail.com
RCMP Inspector Rick Flewelling will be the guest speaker at the Okanagan Jewish Community Philosophers Café on Monday, April 2 at 7 p.m. at 102 Snowsell Street N. Open to the public at no charge; he will be speaking about his experiences when he was with the security detail for the Governor General as well as present day challenges.
An informal coffee get-together is being held for post and pre liver transplant patients and caregivers on Tuesday, April 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at Perkins Restaurant in the Ramada Hotel. Call John at 250-862-2049
Big thanks to Aniko Farkas and Lauren Welch of Bed Bath & Beyond for their excellent customer service.
Birthdays of the week –Dick Dummond (Mar.28);Don Jeffries, Ramada Hotel (Mar. 29); Steven Wallouch (Mar.29); Eldon Hnylycia (Mar. 31) Amber Firkins (Apr.3); Milt Tyreman (Apr.2); Ron Doig, Baxter's (Apr. 3); Cynthia Waldek-Peters (Apr.2).
Maxine DeHartis a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.netand web-site www.welcometokelowna.com (click on Columns and then Maxine DeHart)
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