Straight from DeHart - December 17, 2014

Dean McAuley - Owner of Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge with new Fiat

Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge at 2690 Highway 97 N. has expanded their lot space to include 1-1/2 additional acres on Highway 97N, formerly the Subaru dealership. Now, they have an expansive four acre site. Owned and operated by Dean McAuley, this new added space has allowed the company to expand the dealership’s retail to allow for much more new inventory. They also have additional office space and the back of the building is a new large clean-up and detailing center. Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge has added the new FIAT brand to their automotive line-up with 40 new FIAT’s in stock. They have sold 100 of this cool, popular automobile this year. This dealership has donated $100,000 to Okanagan College for the new automotive vocational centre. Call 250-861-1040

Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. has been awarded a contract to upgrade the interior of the entire WestJet fleet of B737-600/700/800 aircraft. The program will include the removal of existing seatback monitors, installation of state-of-the-art wireless entertainment systems, which will also provide internet connectivity and new comfortable slim line seats with in-seat power. Full production and implementation of the program will commence in January, 2015 and run until the completion of over 100 aircraft modifications. Tracy Medve is the president of Kelowna Flightcraft.

Okanagan Hobby & Crafts has opened at 1795 Harvey Avenue (Beside Andre’s Car Audio). Managed by 35 year veteran in the business, Martin Vann, the store offers hobby grade remote control cars, trucks, airplanes, boats and helicopters. They also have plastic model kits, model rockets, science kits and accessories, with a full service department for repairs. There is a good selection of crafts and educational items for children 12 years old and under. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 19:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Jim Paterson of the City of Kelowna is retiring December 31. He became the general manager of community sustainability in September of 2008 and moved into the role of the City’s first executive director of business development in the fall of 2012. Jim is currently co-chairing the 2014 United Way Campaign. Jim originally relocated to Kelowna from Winnipeg. This year the City of Kelowna employees presented the United Way with a cheque for $31,210. The money was raised through a bake sale, chili cook-off, pancake breakfast, wine draw, 50/50 draw and a joint RCMP golf tournament. As well, 114 City employees contributed $23,759 through bi-weekly payroll dedications.

Thistletown Boxing was established in 2007, located at #105 - 1054 Ellis Street. After seven years building top ranking competitive teams, Thistletown was forced to close in July, 2014 due to leasing arrangements, but has now re-opened. The club was founded by National Champion Graham McIntosh, who after a long career in the ring has focused his passion and talents training others for the past 10 years. A two time Golden Gloves champion and six times Ontario champion, Graham trained with Lennox Lewis. He fought in the Commonwealth and World Cup Games and is a former coach of B.C. Boxing. Also a chef, when Thistletown closed, Graham worked for Darren Bates, the owner of SliderZ Restaurant and now, Darren and Graham are partners in Thistletown. Thistletown has always championed to be “a club for all” with no ego and no intimidation. There will be classes for ages 50 plus, ladies boxing and kids classes. For the competitive league, coach McIntosh will like to invite all the top athletes (age 11-17) to come and try it out. Class times are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. If you have ever been interested in boxing and would like to check it out, bring your shorts and runners and give it a try. For more info visit www.thistletownboxing.com or call 250-859-4660.

Executive Chef Jeremy Luypen of Predator Ridge Resort has won the Okanagan Chef’s Association Member of the Year Award. Jeremy is a huge supporter of the community and his list of personal and professional contributions keeps growing. This past September, he hopped on his bike to join Chef Ned Bell for the Chefs for Oceans ride “A Journey across Canada in Support of Sustainable Seafood” into the Okanagan from Revelstoke to Kelowna. He also instructs in the Okanagan College’s Culinary Arts Program, along with joining in on many community culinary local events.

Also from Predator Ridge Resort, Brodie Carle has won the PGA of Canada Apprentice/Candidate for Member of the Year Award. This is the highest honour the Association can bestow on an individual whose total contributions to the game best exemplify the PGA of Canada Apprentice/Candidate for Membership. It means that Brodie is an ideal candidate for membership because of his overall playing performance and because he demonstrates outstanding qualities of leadership, a strong moral character and is well-regarded as a role model to other PGA of Canada members – a group of 3,500. Brodie is the first person from BC to win this prestigious award since its introduction in 2011.

Kudos to Kierra Smith (our neighbour) who finished in 4^th place in the 200 breast stroke, with a time of 2:18.30 at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar. This put Kierra’s 2014 World ranking at #6 and Canadian ranking at #1 for both the 200 breast stroke and the 100 breast stroke (1:05.57).

After over 40 years in the biology departments of Dr. Knox School, Okanagan College in Vernon and Kelowna and UBCO, teacher/professor Dave Smith is retiring. Dave and Sharon will now be touring the world!

The Top 10 semi-finalists for the 12^th Annual Small Business BC Awards have now been selected and seven companies are from Kelowna. These semi-finalists include: CoreHealth Technologies for Bests Workplace and Best Company; Culinary Ink GastroVentures Ltd. for Best Emerging Entrepreneur; Float Space for Best Emerging Entrepreneur; The Greenery Garden Centre for Best Online Marketer; Nourish for Best Concept; prosche-ella for Best Concept and Soil Mate for Best Concept. These businesses will now move forward and narrowed down to the Top 5 in each category. The Top 5 will be announced on January 30^th, 2015 and invited to give a Dragon’s Den style pitch. The winners will be honoured and celebrated on February 26^th at the Small Business Awards Ceremony in Vancouver.

Andrea Taylor (L) and Heather Shkuratoff (R), authors of 'Strangled by Silk and Death of a Beauty Queen' under the pen name Barbara Jean Coast.

Local authors, Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff, writing under the pen name of Barbara Jean Coast, have published the first two novels of their Poppy Cove Mystery Series and they are now available. Andrea and Heather both reside in Kelowna; however, Barbara Jean is a resident of Santa Lucia, California where she enjoys long lunches, cocktail parties and fancy dinner dates with attentive men. Her interests include Alfred Hitchcock movies, reading Carolyn Keene, music by popular musicians and shopping for new dresses while attending society events in kitten heels. “Strangled by Silk” and “Death of a Beauty Queen” published by Cozy Cat Press are cozy mystery novels set in the fictional town of Santa Lucia, loosely based on Santa Barbara in the late 50’s and early 60’s and revolve around the glamorous comings and goings of the social set of the town, with a little murder and mayhem thrown in for good measure. Signed copies of both novels are available at Chapters, Pulp Fiction, Georgie Girl and Wine Kitz. You can also stop by M & M Meat Shops in the Mission Park Shopping Centre where the gals work. The books are available online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters/Indigo, Smashwords and Kobo in eBook and print form. They are working on their third novel. www.barbarajeancoast.com.

Congratulations to Andy & TJ of 101-5 EZ ROCK! The long-time popular morning show couple was recently voted the Best Radio/TV Personalities in Okanagan Life Magazine. Their friends and office mates, Ian & Christy on SUN FM were a close second! Congrat’s to the Bell Media family. I am a guest on 101-5 EZ ROCK with Andy and TJ every Wednesday morning.

The Airport Ambassador Volunteers ae ready to assist the travelers at YLW over the Christmas peak period. Working with the Ambassadors and trained by Rita Henderson, there will be five new student Junior Ambassadors: Jessica Conneely, Megan Johnston, Camryn Peters, Emily Takken and Daniel Wonhyeok. They will be joining the four continuing on from last year’s group: Dylan Gubler, Adonis Jocsing, Rachael Yoo and Sophia Kim. Ken Dewerson is the coordinator for the Airport Ambassadors.

For the 6^th year, the team at PMF Chartered Accountants at #206 – 1353 Ellis Street, gathered at Costco to hold their annual charity food drive. Various charities throughout the community provided wish lists and the PMF team shopped filling eleven carts with food and provisions to build hampers. At the end of the night, all the food was loaded into a moving truck ready for distribution the following day. Over the past six years, PMF Inc. has contributed in excess of $30,000 to local charities. Call 250-763-4660.

The Tree of Hope is a bright symbol of inspiration and hope, towering more than 120 feet over Landmark Centre with approximately 22,500 bulbs. It is a visible reminder of the season for generosity, compassion and brining joy to friends and family. This year, The Tree of Hope will burn much greener, reducing its electricity usage by more than 90%. A FortisBC PowerSense rebate helped cover the cost of upgrading all light bulbs on the Tree to durable, energy efficient LED’s that will save about 70,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year. Each year, in partnership with the tenants of Landmark Centre and TD Canada Trust, the Tree of Hope donates funds to innovative and sustainable programs that directly benefit children, youth and families in our community.

The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club is hosting a New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner and Dance at Parkinson Rec Centre on Wednesday, December 31^st at 5:30 p.m. There will be dinner, with Chef Blake Green, dancing, midnight snack, party favours and champagne. Music by Vince’s Orchestra. To reserve a table call Joe at 250-878-3619 or kcic@shaw.ca. Tickets also available at Ferrara Italian Market, Mediterranean Market, Valoroso Foods and Pharmasave in Glenmore.

If you are looking for ideas for Christmas gifts, visit Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate at 1865 Dilworth Drive. They have a great selection of jams, chocolates or chocolate trees, which are all wonderful stocking stuffers. Gifts certificates for pastry classes are also a great gift. You can pre-order your Buche de Noel, tourtiere, brioche by visiting www.sandrinepastry.com

Birthdays of the week: Sandra Sellick (Dec. 16); Lesley Pierce, Creative Mortgage (Dec. 17); Dave Willms (Dec. 17); Katja Oldendorf, Mickie’s Pub (Dec.18); Allison Conroy (Dec. 18); Deb Doig, (Dec.18). Gary Schnackenberg (Dec.19); Michael Craddock (Dec. 20); Michael Craddock (Dec. 20); Rennie Wutke (Dec. 20); Joan McCormack (Dec. 20); Leah Thordarson (Dec. 20); Nikki MacRaild, former from Kelowna, now in US (Dec. 22); Noel Wentworth (Dec. 22); MLA Norm Letnick (Dec. 23).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, 250-862-7662. Fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net and web-site www.KelownaNow.com (click on Good Stuff, Columns and then Maxine DeHart)