Straight From Dehart - February 6, 2014

M & H Auto Sales & Moving Supply Centre, formerly at 1156 Richter Street has relocated to new premises at 2320 Highway 97 N (across from Jysk and next to One Board Shop). Owned and operated by Randy May and Linda Hayes, M & H have a good supply of top quality pre-owned trucks, cars, SUV’s and vans for sale. Most of these vehicles are priced under $10,000 and all are inspected and reconditioned. They are also a full service U-Haul and supply dealer/centre, providing a full line of equipment from car haulers to 26 foot movers, along with boxes, covers, bags, packing materials, rope and tie downs, tape and protective items and hitch and trailer accessories. Everything that you would need to move a long or short distance. Call 250-712-1222 or go to www.mhautosaleskelowna.com

Penny Venables has been recognized as the 2013 Volunteer of the Year for Tourism Kelowna. Penny had over 360 hours of service between the Airport Information Kiosk and the Visitor Centre in 2013 and almost 3100 hours during her time with Tourism Kelowna. “Volunteers are a key component of our Visitor Centers and Tourism Kelowna is very grateful to the dedication and enthusiasm that our 26 volunteers give to our visitors and operations” says Chris Lewis, Visitor Sales and Service Manager. If you would like to volunteer in and positive and fun environment give Chris a call at 250-861-1515 – local 207 or chris@tourismkelowna.com

Kelowna and District Share Society (S.H.A.R.E.) is celebrating 36 years of helping the Okanagan. Elected board members are Bruce Hollett (chair); Shirley Hutt (vice-chair); Cathie Harnett (secretary/treasurer); and directors Christopher Butler, Carey Earl, Robert Garnett, Robert McLaughlin, Stan Nisbet and Ken Parker (Honourary member). S.H.A.R.E.’s primary mandate is to help needy people in real and practical ways. Their large thrift store at 581 Gaston Avenue continues to provide to those who temporarily find themselves in difficult circumstances. Last year, under the direction of managers Terry Anderson and Jacob Kasum, their staff and volunteers provided over 800 referred residents with a much needed “help up - not a hand out” in the form of household goods. Thousands of useful items pass through their doors each year. Stock is running low and they are eager to fill the shelves once again, asking for support from the community who may have saleable items that you no longer need. They can be dropped off at the depot, including furniture, except no major kitchen appliances. Truck pick-up can be arranged by calling 250-763-8117.

Congratulations to lawyer Garry Benson of Benson Law LLP and Nikki Calloway of Quails Gate Winery on their recent engagement in Honduras.

Another long time anniversary. Ensign Brothers is celebrating their 30th anniversary of the incorporation of their first company on January 19^th. Thanks to the foresight of their late father, Russ Ensign, the three boys, Rusty, Chris and Cam started with a gravel pit. When that pit ran out of gravel, they developed it into the Westbank Industrial Park, where their business is located at 2663 Auburn Road in West Kelowna. Along with their sister Shauna Bakala, they developed Shannon Heights residential subdivision. Now on their third gravel pit and with several pieces of heavy equipment, the boys have moved a great amount of material over the years. They specialize in excavation; site development and demolition, heavy equipment (sand/gravel/decorative rock) top soil, trucking masonry sand and golf course sand. Of course, they cannot forget their mother, Doreen who patiently listened to all the discussions that took place. Call 250-769-7298 www.ensignbros.com

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2013 Crime Stoppers Appreciation Awards. They are former Superintendent Bill McKinnon (Police Officer of the Year); Pro Sign with owners Doug and Jeff Gossoo (Business Sponsor) and Bruce Smith (Media Award). Crime Stoppers states that their strongest and most supportive advocate was Superintendent Bill McKinnon. He truly appreciated the efforts of the many citizen volunteers who helped Kelowna Detachment make the community a safer place to live. McKinnon made the Crime Stoppers program an important part of the crime solving strategy. Pro Sign started their relationship with Crime Stoppers in the late 1970’s and has been an ardent supporter of the program for many years. They have provided quality signs and banners at a reduced cost so that the program can use the savings to support their initiatives. Bruce Smith is the voice that you hear that strikes fear into those who have outstanding arrest warrants on the Mugshots program every Wednesday at news hour, hosted by Global Okanagan. A former news director and coordinator for the crime stoppers program, Bruce is now the communications officer for the Regional District.

Licensed optician, Lana Belvis, owner of Inspired Eyes Creative Eyewear has been providing mobile optical care to homes and workplaces for the past three years. Lana has now opened a new boutique location downtown at 1560 Pandosy Street. She offers a full line of prescription eyewear and sunglasses for men and women, low vision magnifiers, ready readers and frame adjustment and repairs. She specializes in rare, innovative eyewear and customized digital lens designs. She will continue to offer in-home or workplace eyewear consultations. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Call 250-862-5900.

Long-time local lawyer Ron Smith, QC has started a new legal practice “Just Family Solutions” in Landmark VI on Dixon Avenue. His new practice focuses on resolution of legal disputes through mediation and arbitration. While Ron will emphasize the resolution of family conflict, he will continue to mediate and arbitrate all disputes as an alternative to the costly and time consuming use of the courts. Mediation offers a voluntary and confidential process where the parties are able to express their needs and wishes in the presence of a neutral mediator. Networking programs such as Skype and WebEx make it possible for the meeting room to be a computer screen, thus parties can meet basically anywhere. As of March, 2013, mediation and arbitration are now approved alternatives to court under the new Family Law Act. Ron is a chartered mediator and chartered arbitrator with ADR Canada and is a member of the civil and family roster with Mediate B.C. He is certified to mediate and arbitrate civil and family disputes by the Law Society of B.C. Call 778-484-8168 www.justfamilysolutions.ca

West Kelowna Chiropractic Centre for Health has opened in West Kelowna at 3713 Hoskins Road. Owned and operated by chiropractor Dr. Dwight Nelson, the Centre specializes in treating neuromuscular conditions that cause neck pain, headaches and low back pain using flexion distraction and trigger point therapy as well as deep tissue massage. Dr. Nelson has 29 years’ experience in his industry and also offers corrective exercises, lifestyle advice, nutritional counselling and spinal and postural screenings. Open Monday to Friday and half days on Saturday. Call 778—436-2120 www.westkelownachiro.com

Tom Styffe has been re-elected as board chair and Connie Denesiuk was re-elected as vice chair of Okanagan College’s Board of Governors for a one year term. Styffe, who is semi-retired, is an experienced construction project management professional and Desnesiuk joined the College Board in 2012 after serving a three-year term as president of the BC School Trustees Association.

Pushor Mitchell LLP has two new partners. Andrew Brunton provides business owners and individuals with advice and services in business law, real estate law and wills and estates. Taryn Moore handles family law matters and has extensive experience in both litigation’s as well as alternate dispute resolution, including being a certified Collaborative Family Lawyer. Call 250-762-2108

Melanie Morrissette is the owner of new business, Abstract Fitness, offering personal training, boot camps, small group fitness training, TRX, yoga, meditation and private sessions for special events. She is a mobile trainer so she will go to your home or wherever you are most comfortable. Melanie also teaches classes like Zumba in several gyms in town. Last year, she was chosen to be the personal trainer for two ladies who won an extreme makeover contest. Call 250-215-6612 or info@abstractfitness.ca Visit www.abstractfitness.ca

Smart Betty is teaming up with local merchants to launch the “Fund a Forklift” campaign in support of the Kelowna Food Bank. Throughout the winter, Smart Betty will partner with local businesses to run special promotions that will raise funds to purchase a much needed forklift. They are turning daily deals upside down to support the community and the Food Bank. Their last fundraising project resulted in a new trailer for Soles 4 Souls. You can help by signing up to receive their daily promotions via email. Your online purchases will help fund the forklift and you get a great deal from local merchants. Go to www.smartbetty.com. If you are a business owner contact okanagan@smartbetty.com to learn how to create an online promotion that supports this community initiative.

The Okanagan Chef’s Association, celebrating 20 years, and Okanagan College are hosting a “Free Valentine’s Dinner” at First United Church (Richter and Bernard) on Sunday, February 16^th from 5 – 7 p.m. All welcome.

Former Kelowna veteran broadcaster Don Shafer (Astral Media) is leading the Roundhouse Radio team with their bid for a new radio station in Vancouver. During their opening remarks at the CRTC hearing on January 29, another Kelowna local Rick Pusher announced that Don was more than a team leader and CEO, but he is also a shareholder, director and president of the board of directors of Roundhouse Radio. The Roundhouse Radio difference is that the spotlight is on an active citizenry, poetry slams, storytelling, community clean-ups and festivals, public debate, opportunities for inner city kids, live music, local artists and culture, sporting and fitness events, news and features focused on the city and its component neighborhoods are all initiatives embedded in their application for downtown Vancouver. www.roundhouseradio.com

It’s Clinique Bonus Time at Hudson’s Bay from February 5^th to 23rd with their #1 best-selling moisturizer and more. Free is your seven piece gift set with the purchase of $31 or more, which is an $85 value. While supplies last.

Dr. Brett Wade, author of the Ekahi Method, is hosting a seminar which teaches people how their energy affects relationships and health on Saturday, February 15^th at 8:30 a.m. at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Avenue. Do you wonder why you struggle to find happiness in your relationships? Are you curious why you are tired all the time? Have you wondered whether the electrosmog in your environment is affecting your health? This half day seminar will teach you that you have a base frequency of energy that naturally affects your ability to resonate with some people and not others. You will learn how respecting the waves of your base frequency can dramatically improve your health. You must register in advance at www.ekahimethod.com/public-speaking/. Call 778-214-1272.

Marilynn Dawson is hosting a Book Launch Bazaar and Fashion Show to promote her latest book “Dressed for Eternity” at Evangel Church at 3261 Gordon Drive in their foyer on Saturday, February 8th at 6 p.m. Vendors at the bazaar will feature various items discussed in the book and the fashion show will feature modest trending styles for men and women in casual, formal and wedding categories. There will be readings from the book, door prizes, a mystery grand prize and free admission. Marilynn has also published “Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey” which became a small series and “Mom’s Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate”. Call 250-869-8429. The books are available on Amazon.com.

The KGH Hospital Auxiliary is hosting a Valentine’s Day Bake and Craft Sale on Friday, February 14^th in the Royal Lobby from 10 a.m. - p.m. with home baking and crafts.

Birthdays of the week –Sergio Cunial, Ramada Hotel (Feb. 7); Jim Juba (Feb. 7); Bob Brown (Feb. 8); Tim Light, Firefighter (Feb. 11); Cathy Wahowski, Rona (Feb. 9); Laura Appleby (Feb. 9); Gerald Klatt (Feb. 10); Steven Warne (Feb. 11); Kasha Lanyon (Feb. 11); Bruno Curatolo and his mother-in-law Rosemary Wilson (Both Feb. 12).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. 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)