Straight from DeHart - December 12, 2013

City Council visits the Santa bus

This week’s column is dedicated to Derek Wojtula of Solutions Print & Copy who passed away suddenly at 63. Derek and his wife Val were huge supporters of the Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association, being members for over 15 years. A celebration of life will be held on December 28 at 2 p.m. at Springfield Funeral Home. Personal condolences to Val, daughter Lindsay and Derek’s many friends.

Audi Kelowna has opened its spectacular brand new building at 2621 Enterprise Way. Owner Ed Turner purchased Turner Volkswagen Audi at 1717 Harvey Avenue in 2002 and due to recent growth, Audi asked for separation in 2011. The search for property went on for 12 months and they purchased the Winn Automotive facility in September 2012. They removed the front of the building and put in an eight car showroom along with a state-of-the art delivery bay. With $1.4 million in renovations, the footprint was changed from 12,000 to 16,000 square feet with drive-in service reception and a state-of-the-art shop. Most of the staff were already working for Turner so the ramp-up time was minimal and many staff have been promoted to management, bringing fresh ideas and assertive customer focus, establishing a one touch policy for customers with Audi brand specialists. Greg Hardy is the general manager of Turner Volkswagen Audi. The Audi slogan is “Vorsprung derch Technik” which means “Advancement through Technology”. By 2015 they will have 60 models, with diesels already available on many models. Call 250-448-8277

Marlise Mellett is the new communications coordinator at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Kevin Mitchell has also joined the team who will work towards achieving some of the chamber’s goals in terms of attracting young people in business and ensuring that the organization reflects the programs and value of importance to this group. Call 250-469-7356

Jill Hotchkiss and Mairead Fitzpatrick have started “Brighten Their Day Gift Basket Company”. They specialize in baskets geared towards seniors, but they are a great gift idea for any adult also. Jill and Mairead’s goal is to support local independently owned and operated businesses whenever possible. A few of the products their baskets feature are Knights Chocolate, Arlo’s Honey and Teaberry’s Fine Teas. Free delivery in Kelowna. Call 250-317-9373 www.brightentheirday.ca

Caroline Book is retiring from the Ramada Hotel after over 30 years of service in housekeeping/laundry. She started as a room attendant and has worked in the laundry department for the past 28 years. The laundry department handles all of the hotel linen as well as all the requirements of the large conference centre. Here are some fun facts about Caroline’s career: she has worked over 6,700 days (always with a smile); she has washed and folded over one million pounds of towels and over 1.2 million sheets (yes million!); if she placed those sheets end-to-end starting in Kelowna, she would be placing the last one down about 200 miles east of Thunder Bay; if she worked non-stop, 24 hours a day, she would be washing linen for over 6 years. Makes me tired just thinking about it. Caroline is a wonderful person and will be sorely missed at the Ramada.

Jeff Vander Zalm’s Kreater West Motorcycles has changed the name of the business to Konquer Motorcycles (Custom Rides & Rods). They are streamlining their company’s direction, carrying their vision forward and look to future expansion. Call 250-862-2424 Visit www.konquer.ca

(l-r) All in One Meal Solutions partners Jeanne Kaminski , Torsten Kaminski and Christopher Cruz

New business “All in One Meal Solutions” has been started by Jeanne and Torsten Kaminski and Christopher Cruz at Vineyard Bakery & Deli at 861 Anders Road in West Kelowna (formerly Old Country Bakery in Lakeview Heights Plaza). All in One is striving to make your home dining experiences easy, affordable and stress-free. All products are made from home-style recipes with no type of chemicals, preservatives or MSG. Their meals are sealed immediately after cooking and then are moved to a blast freezer. They are then delivered to you frozen with simple cooking/warm up instructions in the oven or microwave. What could be easier? They offer over 30 entrees with almost all of them priced at $5 and offer free delivery in Kelowna, Peachland and West Kelowna with minimum orders of $50. They also include free dinner rolls and some free loaves of fresh baked bread and dessert squares. They also have a points/loyalty program. All the containers and wrapping is re-cycle able. We sampled the Beef Rouladen, Turkey and Stuffing, Beef Stroganoff and Chicken Pot Pie. All were delicious. Call 250-575-7423 or drop into the store. www.amealsolution.com.

V6B Design Group has opened their new unique Kelowna design office and showroom at The Factory (2^nd floor) at 1302 St. Paul Street. They also have offices in Vancouver and Qualicum Beach, B.C. V6B Design Group’s focus is residential pre-planning to maximize functionality and aesthetic integrity in the home. Initially specializing in kitchen design, the company’s interest has since expanded to encompass other areas of the home. Laura Cruse, with more than 30 years’ experience is the senior designer in Kelowna. She has worked on a variety of commercial award winning millwork and single projects and has seen more than 500 kitchen designs through to completion. Call 250-861-6824

Cheryl Stone is the new residential campaign coordinator of the Canadian Diabetes Association in the Interior BC Region. The association is beginning telephone recruiting from December/2013 to April/2014 and is asking for volunteers to help fundraise in a residential campaign next May/2014. If you would like to volunteer call Cheryl at 250-762-9447.

Meadow Vista Honey Wines at 3975 June Springs Road (off McCullough Road) owned and operated by founder and co-owner Judith Barta, is opening its newly constructed modern artisan farm in South East Kelowna to celebrate this holiday season and preview its sparkling new location inspired by nature and a passion for honeybees. Their opening weekend preview event is on December 14 and 15^th from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. You will get the opportunity to tour the new grounds, tasting room and wine shop while sampling delicious honey wines, discovering unique art and bee-inspired artisan gifts. Call 250-862-2337

Andrew Cudmore has joined the law firm of Kimmitt Wrzesniewski at 202 – 1433 St. Paul Street. Born in Prince Edward Island and having studied law at UBC, he practices in the areas of landlord-tenant law, real estate law and wills and estates. 250-763-6441

After over 35 years, Sue Rogers has retired from The Bay Kelowna with more than 30 of those years in the jewelery department.

Campion Marine has added four new dealerships to their line-up. RM Sport Marine in Val-d’Or, QC; Shawinigan Marine in St-Gerard-des-Laurentides, QC; Marina Sabrevois in Ste-Anne-de-Sabrevois, QC and Moose Jaw RV and Marine in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan have now taken the Campion brand. Brock Elliott is the president of the company. For the full Campion line-up of over 50 models visit www.campionboats.com. Call 250-765-7795.

Alice Arsenault has been appointed as a community-at-large member of the Community Heritage Committee (CHC) for the balance of the 2012-2014 term. Leanne Spanza is retiring from the CHC.

The Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce have received final approval of the organizations name change to the “Greater Westside Board of Trade”. The process has taken almost a year to complete and they will be launching their new rebranding efforts soon. The rebranding will include a new logo and Mission Statement which will be unveiled at the AGM in January, 2014. Co-chairs of the organization are Norm LeCavalier and Marek Buryska.

This is a huge accomplishment. The City of Kelowna is the first in Canada to achieve accreditation of its building department from the International Accreditation Service. The IAS accreditation process assessed the City’s Development Service Department Building and Permitting Branch use of best practices in its plan review, permitting and inspection services. Mo Bayat is the Development Services Director.

The Cipes Rosé sparkling wine from Summerland Pyramid Winery, has been given a gold medal and named one of the Top 10 Best Sparkling Wines in the world at the 2013 Effervescents due Monde held in France. Of the 46 gold medals awarded the Cipes Rosé is the only North American wine to win a medal. Cipes Rosé is a 100% organic Pinot Noir cuvee, made in a traditional Champagne method and perfect for the holidays. www.summerhill.bc.ca.

The City of Kelowna celebrated employees with Long Service Awards. Congratulations to the following who work at the City’s Waste Water Treatment Facility. Robert Mandryk and Adrian Weaden (both 25 years) and Michael Gosselin and Donald Kosy (both 20 years). Joe Creron is the Divisional Director of Civic Operations.

MacKay LLP has a star in their firm. Graham Moir, out of 457 students, was the only Kelowna student to pass the chartered accountants exam in BC and make the national honour roll. Congratulations to the following Kelowna students who also passed and are now chartered accountants: Meghan Amann and Ruth Fukumoto (McKay); Laurens Breugem, Brett Terrillon and Rachel McAllister (KPMG); Cooper Harrison and Tyler Krenz (Grant Thornton); Tori Keiffer, Marli Kosta and Ameilia Ashraf (Meyers Norris Penny); Jamie Ward and Annette Thomas (BDO) and Jamie Schram (Andrew Tse. Inc.).

The Kelowna Farmers & Crafters Indoor Market is now at the Parkinson Rec Center. Christmas markets are Saturday December 14 and 21 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. There will be a huge selection of fall veggies, fruit, dairy products, honey, eggs, artisan breads, Christmas baking, crafts and preserves. Farmer Bob will be handing out apples to the children.

The e-mail address for poet Fern G. Z Carr who was in last week’s column is contact_ferngzcarr@shaw.ca

The Kelowna #62 Order of the Eastern Star Cancer Dressings and Research Fund will be selling flight lottery tickets at the Towne Centre Mall on December 14 and 21. You could win a $2,500 travel voucher with Uniglobe Travel on Pandosy Street. Tickets $10 each with only 500 being sold. Draw date is January 15. Call Eva at 250-861-7118

If you are looking for some unique Christmas gifts go to www.themountieshop.ca. You will be pleasantly surprised. Net proceeds from the sale of officially licensed RCMP products support the RCMP Foundation in its efforts to create a better life for Canada’s youth at risk. Learn more at www.rcmp-f.ca. Call 1-877-241-8181

La Belle Boutique Fashions and Accessories, owned by Marie-Yvonne Cleaver, in the Towne Centre Mall collected $500 from their recent event along with many gently used purses, all of which are all going to the Kelowna Women’ s Shelter. Along with this, Elke Kaminski, owner of the Towne Centre Mall matched the cash donations of $500 and a $1,000 cheque was delivered along with the purses. Thanks also to Central Square Investment Corp.

Birthdays of the week –Ken Firkins (Dec. 13); R. J. Bennett (Dec. 14); Melena Cunial (Dec. 14); Tim Allan (Dec. 14); Anna Stuart (Dec. 15); Grant Fletcher (Dec. 15); Frank Richter (Dec. 15); Lesley Pierce, Creative Mortgage (Dec. 17); Dave Willms (Dec. 17); Katja Oldendorf, Mickie’s Pub (Dec.18); Deb Doig, (Dec.18).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and a local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net and web-site www.kelownanow.com (click on Columns and then Maxine DeHart)