This week’s column is dedicated to two long-time friends and Kelowna residents. Former MLA Larry Chalmers passed away suddenly. I recently visited with Larry at Mickie’s Pub with all his “riding buddies”. We always shared a laugh or two. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m. at the Laurel Packinghouse. Wally Giebelhaus was well known, even in his 80’s for his water skiing abilities. His wife, Doreen and I have been friends forever. A celebration of Life will be held for Wally on Monday, June 10 at 1 p.m. at Springfield Funeral Home. Personal condolences to both families and their many friends.
Mission Park Flowers by Design has new owners, new management and an entirely new look. Located at 6 - 3151 Lakeshore Road, (Mission Park Shopping Centre), the shop has undergone a huge transformation with an updated contemporary bright new look. New manager, Heather Neufeld, who relocated from Winnipeg, has over 25 years’ experience in the industry and is delightful. The entire team is very knowledgeable and when entering the store, the atmosphere is definitely inviting. The floral arrangements I saw in the shop were very diverse with many distinctive and unusual flowers. Call 250-860-4457 www.missionparkflowersbc.com
After 25 years with The Bay and 17 of those in Kelowna, Susan Stobbart, sales manager is retiring. I understand that in her retirement she will be cruising 365 days of the year. Call 250-860-2483 (344).
Bill Wightman is now the Winery Concierge at Quails’ Gate Winery. That means that he is responsible for anything that goes on at the winery and also off-site consumer tastings. He was made for this job. Bill relocated back to Kelowna in May, 2912 and we are glad he did! Call 250-769-4451 or bwightman@quailsgate.com
Play It Again Sports Kelowna, owned and operated by Bob Henderson, has opened at 1778 Baron Road. The unique resale store buys and sells gently-used sports and fitness equipment, including water sports, hockey equipment, ski and snowboard gear and clothing, adult and youth bikes, soccer gear, baseball gloves and bats, pro-line golf clubs, benches and weights, as well as motorized treadmills, elliptical and exercise bikes. This is the first location in B.C. with more than 300 locations throughout Canada and the US, all locally owned and operated. There is no appointment necessary to sell sports and fitness equipment and the store pays consumers on the spot for goods it purchases from them. Play It Again Sports' parent company, Winmark Corp. have franchised locations in seven Canadian provinces. Open seven days a week. Call 778-484-0048 www.playitagainsportskelowna.com
Amir’s Market, The Taste of Singapore, at 112 Gray Road, owned and operated by long-time Rutland businessman Roz Jais (Salon D’Roz) has now added a new small restaurant with 24 seats, right in the market for eat-in or take-out. Along with market items, including spices and other items from Singapore, Amir’s now offers appetizers, set meals, entrees and combo specials. Some menu items are chicken curry, chicken tandoori, butter chicken, Pakora and Satay meals, Murtabak, Nasi Goreng, crispy noodles, chili prawns, and fish and chips (cod, salmon or halibut). Lunch combo specials are offered from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday for $6.75. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Call 778-753-5900 www.amirsmarket.com
Joe Wadden has joined Connect Hearing as a hearing instrument practitioner in the Glenmore Branch (Glenpark Mall), 110-1940 Kane Road. Call 250-712-0994 or jwadden@connecthearing.ca
The Downtown Kelowna Association has a new 2013/14 Board of Directors. They are Dallas Gray, president (K96.3 Newcap Radio); Dustin Sargent, vice president (Streaming Café/Davara Enterprises); Rob Collins, treasurer (Grant Thornton, LLP); Dan Allen, secretary (Doc Willoughby’s Public House); Andrew Brunton, past president (Pushor Mitchell LLP); Luigi Coccaro (La Bussola); Perry Freeman (Colliers International); Angie Bricker (Georgie Girl Vintage); Brent Lobson (Imperial Parking); Brice MacDermott (MacDermott’s on Bernard and MacD’s Lakeside); Trevor Neill (Mosaic Books); Jan Johnson (Tigerlily Fashions); Renee Wasylyk (Troika Developments); David Knapp (CIBC). Councillor Luke Stack is the appointee for the City of Kelowna.
Brent Coyne has joined the team at Pushor Mitchel LLP as an associate. He will be practicing primarily in the area of commercial litigation, real estate litigation and construction law. Call 250-869-1227 or coyne@pushormitchell.com
Sandra Hakanson has also joined Pushor Mitchell LLP. Sandra practices exclusively in the area of immigration and citizenship law. She has significant experience including temporary residence, permanent resident, business immigration, labour market opinions, immigration litigation matters and Canadian Citizenship. Call 250-869-1195 or hakanson@pushormitchell.com
West Coast Chef Lee Humphries has joined Local Lounge and Grille in Summerland. Lee most recently was the executive chef at Vancouver’s prominent seafood restaurant “C” and has also worked in London, England. He holds a similar "farm to fork" philosophy to owners Cam Bond and Christa-Lee McWatters Bond towards cooking that is seasonally inspired, sustainably raised and locally grown, using the best local ingredients available. Call 1-250-488-6287
Mark V Auto Body at 1040 Railway, owned and operated by Zeljko and Elaine Gregov has received the prestigious “2012 AutocheX Premier Achiever Award” for outstanding customer service. AutocheX is a third party company that measures customer satisfaction levels for auto body shops through surveys. Mark V Auto Body and 14 other ICBC c.a.r. shop VALET facilities achieved customer satisfaction scores in the top five per cent of thousands of participating shops across North American. Scores are based on key award criteria such as the shop’s ability to keep customers informed, provide on time deliveries and provide efficient, safe and quality repairs. Mark V Auto Body offers added benefits of lifetime guarantee, keeping your freedom (another mode of transportation while your vehicle is being repaired), free vehicle pick-up and drop-off and high-quality repairs. Call 250-763-2738
Sharon Whiting of ATM Bookkeeping (Accurate-Timesaving-Mobile Bookkeeping and Training Services) is celebrating her 15th Anniversary in business, assisting all types of small businesses. ATM uses the Simply Accounting program and has worked with a wide variety of industries, retail stores, non-profit housing, magazine publishing, construction companies, oilfield consulting, wineries and restaurants. Her success is attributed to working for the business owner’s specific requirements and streamlining the paperwork requiring less time to process data, therefore passing on cost-savings to the business owners. Sharon received support with her start-up from the Community Futures Development Corp. and mentor Dave Scott. Call 250-862-9523 or atm-bkpg@shaw.ca
Katherine Foster of RauDZ Regional Table was selected as one of four Junior Chefs to attend their 2nd Annual Canadian Culinary Federation of Chefs and Cooks/Saputo Junior Culinary Exchange being held on Prince Edward Island June 24-July 9. Junior Chef’s from across the country applied with only four being selected. Katherine was the only chef crossing the country from B.C. View Katherine’s application and video at www.vimeo.com/64749218
Tigerlily Fashions, 575 Bernard Avenue is celebrating their 20th anniversary in business. Karen Gardner, their manager has been with them for 20 years, along with owners Jan Johnson and Lori Burns. They are inviting customers to drop into the store on Friday, June 14th for their day-long celebration and a sale of 20% off storewide. Cake and coffee will be served after 1 p.m. Call 250-860-0849
The 4th Annual Ride for Dad is June 9th leaving from Banner Recreation and Marine, 819 McCurdy Road. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the ride leaves at 10 a.m.
On Thursday, June 13th from 5 – 10 p.m. join Marks (formerly Mark’s Work Wearhouse) for their Celebrate Dad Event. They are under reno's, so stop by and check out their new look. 20% off your entire purchase in-store and on-line (Marks.com). There will be door prizes and a hot dog BBQ and drinks being sold by Quigley Elementary School P.A.C. Canadian Tire is hosting adult and kids bikes and accessories onsite with a bike specialist to answer any questions. All monies raised will be shared with Marks for their Jump Start Program which helps underprivileged kids to participate in local sports. Call 250-861-7751
The Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours is Thursday, June 13th from 5 – 7 p.m. at Valley Fist, Hwy. 97 and Butt Road (Hub Centre) with a membership appreciation BBQ. Bring a guest and RSVP to 250-768-3378.
ESS volunteers are needed. Throughout the province, thousands of Emergency Support Services (ESS) volunteers train and prepare for emergencies so that when an emergency or disaster affects their community, they are ready to help. ESS volunteers are trained to provide for the immediate needs of evacuees and emergency responders affected by an emergency or disaster. This dedication ensures there are people trained to help make a difference. The ESS Team has a strong base, but there is always a need for more energetic and enthusiastic individuals to join the ESS team. If you have a concern for people affected by disaster, good communications skills and the ability to work well in a team, call Catherine Williams at 250-215-1789 for more info.
Benjamin Moore Kelowna is hosting an evening of style and design with Sharon Grech. Trends – The Future of Colour in Design is Thursday, June 13th from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Laurel Packing House. The event is free but please register. Call Gaia at 250-763-5333
The Kelowna Fire Department’s 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast and Fun Day is Sunday, June 9th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Main Fire Hall on Enterprise Way in support of the BC Burn Fund. Save On Foods is this year’s major sponsor with support from the Salvation Army, YMCA-YWCA and BC Firefighters’ Burn Fund volunteers. Watch demonstrations such as auto extraction and high angle rescue or view the fire safety house. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle, family games and popcorn. Jeff Carlisle is the Kelowna Fire Chief.
The AGM of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter is Monday, June 17th at 6:30 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Avenue. RSVP required. Call 250-763-1040 or community@coess.ca
The Okanagan Suicide Awareness Society and The Men’s Shed Program will take part in the 9th Annual Senior’s Safety Fair presented by The Senior’s Outreach and Resource Centre on Wednesday, June 12 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This free event is at Trinity Baptist Church with more than 50 different community organizations and businesses coming together to inform, educate and protect seniors.
The Canadian Authors Association presents Okanagan Life Editor, Laurie Carter on “Finding My Voice – And Making it Pay” at The Buffet King, 1465 Harvey Avenue from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11. Chinese smorg. Free to members and $10 non-members For more info 250-763-4968
Birthdays of the week –Happy 50th Andy Smith, Royal LePage (June 5); Mario Curatolo (June 6); Nicolas Curatolo (June 6 – Mario’s son); Lance Bandilao (June 6); Martin McDermott, Sun Valley Window Cleaning (June 8); Jan McArthur (June 9); Gilles Dufort, Harvest Golf Club (June 9); Laura Duncom (June 9); Julian Thorsness (June 9); Jeanne Crandall (June 10); Nova Tourney, Ramada Hotel (June 11); Al Horning (June 11); Don Makela (June 11); Liz Klamut (June 12); Wayne Judiesch, Macdonald Realty (June 12).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier and City Councillor. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net and web-site www.welcometokelowna.com (click on Columns and then Maxine DeHart)
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