Straight From DeHart - February 25, 2015

Steve Stinson, owner of Black Bear Bar and Grill (formerly The Keg) at 1580 Water Street

After being closed for two months for major renovations, the Black Bear Bar and Grill is now open at 1580 Water Street (Formerly The Keg). Owned and operated by long-time, well-known restauranteur, Steve Stinson, the restaurant offers an extensive menu with a wide variety of sustainable seafood options. Lobster and shrimp are prevalent on the menu, but they also offer “Can’t Swim” favorites for those who are not seafood lovers, along with pasta and some special pizzetta’s. Chef Sean Hansen has relocated from the Delta Sun Peaks to join the team. The décor of the corner heritage building is rustic elegance with a comfortable and casual urban, sort of Yaletown-ish environment. What’s old is new again as the entire restaurant has been renovated from top to bottom, with new upholstery, colours, hemlock bar tables, planked flooring, new pictures and the most wonderful contemporary mural that spans the entire wall of the bar. Open 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and until midnight on weekends. Reservations accepted Sunday to Thursday and Friday and Saturday before 6:00 p.m. Tanner Dillon is the general manager.

Karin Milton is the new owner of Chef’s Edge at 2445 Highway 97N (Beside Tom Harris Cellular). Al and Diane Brooks started the business in 1990 that caters to home cooks, hobbyists and professional chefs. Chef’s Edge carries a wide variety of quality knives, cookware and kitchen tools. After 25 years, the Brooks’ decided to retire and Karin, who has worked at the store since 2004 and has been the manager for the past five years, purchased the business. Chef’s Edge prides themselves in having knowledgeable staff, offering a unique shopping experience. They are hosting a customer appreciation event on Friday, February 27 and Saturday, February 28, opening at 9:00 a.m. with discounts and in-store specials. Call 250-868-2425.

The Central Okanagan Heritage Society (COHS) has a new board of directors for 2015. They are: Don Knox, president; Cheryl Spelliscy, vice president; Birte Decloux, secretary and Judy Funnell, treasurer. Directors are Dave Elliot, Ken Kitura, Wilma Schellenberger, Shona Harrison and John Pendray. Congratulations to the following 2015 COHS Heritage Award winners: Peter Chataway (Distinguished Community Service); McLean House, 1869 Maple Street (Conservation project on a building currently in residential use); Leopold Hayes House, 329 Cadder Avenue (Continued preservation of a building); Gellatly CNR Wharf, District of West Kelowna and Old Kelowna Facebook Page, Shona Harrison, creator (Both - Special Heritage Project); Kelowna North End (Conservation of a Neighbourhood or Area).

Congratulations to Mark Burley of Bell Media (formerly Standard and Astral Media) on celebrating his 10^th anniversary with the company as group program director.

Rhonda Rea - Barber and Owner of Hair Saloon

You won’t go very far in our city without hearing the name of well-known barber Rhonda Rea. Owner/operator of the Hair Saloon at 2575 Richter Street, Rhonda is celebrating her 35^th Anniversary in barbering. She started her barbering career in 1980 at the Capri Barber Shop with Lou Zol where she worked for 14 years. Back then, she was forced to take a barbering course to get a barbering license. Rhonda left Capri and went to Hair Mechanics on Ethel and Springfield for the next five years of her career. She then purchased the building that she presently houses her business in, in 1999 and has never looked back. Rhonda has many of the best talented barbers under one roof, including Delores Wilson, Kim Nelson and of course, Lou Zol (Liuccio as Rhonda calls him) who comes in now and then. Call 250-763-4009.

Congratulations to Ryan Smith (City of Kelowna) and Jennifer Williamson-Smith (Coldwell Banker) on the birth of their first child, Max Fredrick Keith Smith on February 16th (9 pounds, 3ounces).

Sandra Appleby and Darla-Rae Jenic have started new business, U Pose Photobooth Okanagan. It’s a business that will make any event memorable and is an exciting way to provide a refreshing touch of fun to any event. There are endless costumes available to dress-up your photos and what could be better than having fun and having the photos to remember. U Pose has a unique social media strategy that also allows guests to text, Facebook or email photos back to themselves. The booth has been created by a professional photographer to assure your photos will amaze your guests. It is a good mixer for weddings, corporate events, parties, graduations, charitable fundraisers, anniversaries or Christmas parties. U Pose offers packages and add-ons along with social media uploads and online photo gallery. Set-up and take-down is all included in the package price. They also offer discounts for non-profits and smaller parties. All mid-week rentals Monday to Thursday are discounted. Call 250-807-7975. www.uposephotos.com

Congratulations to the winners of the Canstruction Awards held at Orchard Park Shopping Centre. Jaycees (People’s Choice), Glenrosa Middle School (Honorable Mention), Orchard Park Shopping Centre (Structural Ingenuity), Adventist Academy (Best Meal), Enactus (Best Use of Labels); MML Law Group ( Jurors Favorite), Save-On Foods (Bragging Rights). Judges were Dennis Campbell, president of The Rotary Club of Kelowna, David Pfuetzner, president of the Canadian Home Builders Association, Bill Everitt, Southern Interior Construction Association and I. It was difficult to judge as all the structures were very good. Kudos to Natasha Orlitzky, chair of the Canstruction event.

Okanagan Educational Centre has been awarded the contract for a 20 week Administrative Skills Training Program for Older Workers commencing April 20, 2015 and finishing in August, 2015. This new employment initiative teaches occupation related administration skills, including the new Windows 8 and Office 365, as well as basic bookkeeping, introduction to Sage 50, social media and keyboarding. Students also receive certifications in first aid, customer service and WHMIS, along with essential skills training. Following the 16 weeks, they will be offering community businesses the opportunity to provide workplace practicums at no cost to the employer, for students from 25 to 40 hours per week. Interested persons, age 40 plus, must contact Maximus Work BC at 778-478-8390 for an appointment to determine eligibility. Mention the ASTOW training program. For more info 250-868-8828. Deb Wood is the program manager. The Employment Program of BC is funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of BC. Maureen Taylor is the Employment Facilitator/Job Developer. www.okanaganeducationalcentre.com.

The Chartered Professional Accountants of BC (CPABC) held its annual case competition giving teams of prospective CPA candidates from post-secondary institutions around BC the opportunity to compete, have fun and earn cash prizes. Congratulations to the second place 2015 CPA Case Competition winners from UBC – Okanagan. They are Matt Grey, Alex Little, Anika Pallas and Jacob Wilson who won $2,000.

The 2015 board of Branch 26 of The Legion is Syd Pratt, president; Frank Truman, past president; John Cashin, 1^st vice; Jim McCaffery, 2^nd vice; Loraine Jolin, rec. secretary and Bob Carlson, treasurer. The executive Committee consists of Fern Rhodes, Rick Orton, J.C. (Broc) Braconnier, Jim McCaffery, Michael Worth, Gerhard Koester, Christine Nelson and Jim Jones. Sec. Manager is Lynda Wachter with Padres Rev. Dick Fletcher and Rev. Fred Speckeen, Ph. D. Branch 26 General meetings are held on the 4^th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. with no meetings in July, August or December.

Melanie Little has created a project on Kickstarter to raise $250,000 to purchase farm land that will be part fruit orchard, berry patch and urban farm growing vegetables pesticide free. Most income will be raised from sales from fruit specialty projects and wine. The vegetables will be grown by intensive relay crops and visitors can visit the farm to learn how to maximize their back yard and grow their own vegetables. Families on low income housing will quality for a discount so they can get access to high quality healthful foods. As a thank you for various size donations, Melanie is offering incentives from planting a rose bush in your name identified with a plaque on a stone to an exclusive day at the farm. This gets you and 23 guests a private tasting of all these specialty products with appies, a tour of the farm, and a special dinner made with the bounty of the farm. Visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/1694299644 or call Melanie at 778-484-1257.

Idol Fitness, owned by Ryan Brown is a professional meal planning, food and activity logging tool that can only be activated by an authorized nutrition counselor. IdolFit is now releasing their custom IdolFitness Android/Apple app which only IdolFit members have access to. The personal trainers at IdolFitStudio make custom nutrition and workouts for members. For a limited time, IdolFit is allowing outside members to experience the new Apple/Android apps. How can you get a free work/nutrition plan from IdolFitStudio.com? Just drop off a small bag of non-perishable food items at the gym located at 105 -1 979 Windsor Road, Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – noon. The goal is to raise a truck load of food for the food bank by March 30^th. Call Ryan at 250-575-6587 or visit idolfitstudio.com

The Downton Kelowna After 5 is Thursday, February 26^th at the Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis Street from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Kelowna Museums and Bliss Bakery are hosting the event. Wine is from C.C. Jentsch Cellars and beer and cider from Big Surf Beer with the delicious appetizers and treats from Bliss Bakery, not to mention the awesome door prizes. Tickets available at the door with cash or cheque only.

The Kids Closet Cleanout is Saturday, February 28^th at the Laurel Packing House from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. There will be over 40 tables of gently used kids clothing, toys and equipment. $5 entry fee, kids are free with door prizes. Call Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown at 250-864-3480. www.kelownaclosetcleanout.com.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1091 Coronation Avenue, is hosting their all-you-can-eat Perogie and Cabbage roll dinner on Sunday, March 1^st, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. $15.00

Birthdays of the week –Happy 80^th Arnie Schellenberg (Feb. 25); Happy 55^th Richard Kempe (Mar. 3); Kit Carson, Peachland (Feb. 25); Sherry Miller, Mackie’s Pub (Feb. 25); Lizann Allan (Feb. 25); Mike Sizeland (Feb. 26); John Matzigkeit (Feb. 27); Vern Nielsen (Feb. 28); Rob Mayne, City of Kelowna (Feb. 28); John Ward (Feb. 28); Ken Laloge (Feb. 28); Gail Winchester (Feb.28); Norm Lecavalier (Feb. 28); Brad Sieben (Mar. 1); Faye Willms (Mar. 2); Walter Kristalowich (Mar. 3); Kassie Csek (Mar. 3); Bruce Murray (Mar. 3).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 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).