Straight From DeHart - January 6, 2016

In one year and out the other. Happy New Year!

Alchemy has opened at 345 Bernard Avenue. Owned and operated by Sheila Estephan and Jeff McGregor, this lifestyle store is a modern eclectic mix of unique and intriguing home accessories, jewellery, fragrances, watches, scarves, handbags, hats, and Sandrine’s wonderful chocolates and cookies. The specialty décor boutique is chocked-full of tabletop décor in wood, glass, concrete, steel, textiles and other natural materials. Some of the items you will find are mirrors, lamps, frames, pillows, wall décor, chandeliers, books, cards, prints, posters, trays, glassware, vases, cutting boards, trays, serving pieces, candles, candle holders, containers and small furniture pieces. Alchemy supports local artists and artisans and feature original artworks by Vicki Drummond, Natasha Harvey, Clea Haugo and Christa Leinemann Knittel. Two artists from Lake Country create incredible wall sculptures (jewellery for your walls) under the name Entouquet. Other services available are custom gift wrapping, special orders, gift basket creation, tablescapes for weddings and events, gift registry and gift cards. You will certainly need a great deal of time to browse in this store. Call 250-859-0111.

Let’s Go Transportation, owned and operated by Fabio Santana has started Gold Leaf Shuttle Service. It’s an unlimited shuttle service for people 55 years plus who want to be independent. Seniors maintaining independence is crucial for healthy and active living. A big part of independence is transportation. If you are unable to drive, consider using Golf Leaf personal shuttle services. The ability to travel around town, run errands or have your groceries picked up for you is a freedom you can now enjoy. Here’s how it works. There is a yearly membership only with a monthly fee of $39.00 per month plus taxes. This service then includes delivery service, airport shuttle 24/7 and unlimited shuttle services to and from many locations such as grocery stores, doctor appointments, shopping, pharmacies, airport, hair dresser, running errands, etc. The shuttle runs Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 24 hour reservation is required. It’s a safe, easy and hassle free way to travel around our city. For more info call 250-575-5988.

Connie Denesiuk of Summerland is the new chair of the Okanagan College Board of Governors. She replaces Tom Styffe who finished six years of service on the board and three of those as board chair. Desnesiuk is joined on the executive by Doug Manning as vice chair, who has served on the board since 2010. Desesiuk joined the College Board in 2012 and was previously chair of the Okanagan Skaha School District for nine of the 19 years she served as a school trustee.

Congratulations to the Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on receiving the B.C. Aviation Council’s William Templeton Award. YLW was recognized for its commitment to growth and achievement in the continuous and successful development of the new markets and through a multi-year $55.6M capital plan. Sam Samaddar is the airport director for the City of Kelowna.

The Okanagan Mission Resident’s Association has a new board of directors for 2016. Congratulations to Brent Pay (President), Tim Butt (Secretary) and Brenda Sbrozzi (Treasurer). Directors are Father Ron Barnes, Maureen Yakimchuk, Alex Rezansoff, Mark Medley and Larry Poffenroth. Mark Thompson is the past president.

Flashpoint Lazer Clinic, owned and operated by Mark Beaulieu at 157D Rutland Road South is celebrating their 5^th anniversary in business. I remember writing a column on Mark when he opened Flashpoint. That was the first opportunity I had to learn about the tattoo industry (no, I do not have a tattoo!). Flashpoint Lazer removes, renews, and transforms all kinds of tattoos. The operation now has two laser technicians and two tattoo artists on site. They offer removal tattoo service with the Quanta Q Plus C system, which are the most advanced laser tattoo removal technology and the only device on the market to offer three true laser wave lengths. Their main focus is to provide the highest quality of treatment available, with no scaring and the fastest recovery time possible. Erin Babet, Flashpoint’s receptionist/assistant has also taken all the courses to become a certified laser technician. Open 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Call 778-753-5555. www.kelownatattooremoval.co.

Long-time local Dieter Oldendorf has written and published “Even When I Laugh, I Have to Cry.” You might remember, Dieter and his wife Hildegard owned and operated the popular restaurant, Hansel and Gretel Steak and Schnitzel House for over 20 years on Water Street, which is now the location of Sturgeon Hall. He also owned the Old Spaghetti House on Bernard Avenue and the Hansel and Gretel in Penticton. Born in Germany on the eve of World War Two, the book is a true story of Dieter Joachim Oldendorf. His earliest childhood memories were of war and daily bombings of his hometown. The terror of the Russian advance and of the hunger and desolation of postwar Germany, all of which rendered he and his family refugees in their own country. Emerging from the hunger of the war years, Dieter entered the hospitality business in Hamburg before travelling the world and honing his skills aboard several luxury cruise ships. He immigrated to Canada in the early 60’s and although his life has been filled with laughter, every happy moment has been mirrored by one of sadness and it is this duality that has painted the scenes of his life. The book is a chronical of a self-made man looking back on a life lived to the fullest, for better or for worse. The book was compiled and edited by Julian Samoisette and can be purchased at The Book Bin, 500 Groves Avenue or by calling Dieter at 250-762-2495.

The 41^st Annual Civic & Community Awards Gala is Wednesday, April 27^th at the Kelowna Community Theatre. This is the City of Kelowna’s premier awards for citizens of our city. Nominations will be taken until February 12. Categories are Bob Giordano Memorial (Coach of the Year); Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Bryan Couling Memorial – Athletic Team of the Year; Teen Honour in the Arts; Honour in the Arts; Young Male and Female Volunteer of the Year; Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial – woman of the Year; Fred Macklin memorial – Man of the year; Volunteer Organization of the Year; Corporate Community of the Year and Champion of the Environment. For more information and nomination forms, visit www.kelowna.ca/residents or call Amber Gilbert at 250-469-8967 or agilbert@kelowna.ca.

Big thanks to Tom Prout of Shoppers Drug Mart, Orchard Park Shopping Centre for his excellent customer service.

Local business Bin There Dump That will pick up, transport and recycle your cardboard boxes and make a donation to the Kelowna Food Bank on your behalf. Until January 31^st, 2016, Bin There Dump That will come to your home, pick up your holiday cardboard and recycle it for you – all for just $11.99 plus tax for residential pick-up. Bin There Dump That is also getting into the giving spirit of the season. For every cardboard cleanout ordered between now and January 31, they will donate $2 to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank. Dallas and Tanya Story are the owners of the company. Call 778-214-1699 or kelowna@bintheredumpthat.com.

Next time you are in Penticton, drop into the Penticton Lakeside Hotel and visit PURE located at the hotel in the former fitness center. Owned and operated by Vanesa Jahnke and Carolyn Buksa PURE believes if you make it convenient to grab healthy, nutritious food on the go, it will help the community fuel happy, healthy people. Their juice/smoothie bar and raw food cafe provide healthy grab n’ go items perfect for the busy body on the go. All the food is vegan, gluten, sugar and preservative free, created fresh every day. They offer wraps, salads, energy bars, assorted snacks and cold-pressed juices which are also available as cleanse packs. Their modern gym is the only 24 hour gym in Penticton featuring a dedicated spin studio and their instructors will lead you through an energetic, full body ride choreographed to the beat of the music under black lights. In 2016 PURE is expanding their movement even further by providing wellness retreats in partnership with the Penticton Lakeside Resort. Retreats will be held over three, five or seven days, focusing on cleansing, raw food detoxing, yoga, massage, and fitness. Call 1-778-476-5746 www.puremovement.ca.

Kelowna, home of the Canadian Culinary Championships is set to host award-winning Chefs from across Canada for a weekend of Celebration of Canadian Excellence from February 5 – 6, 2016 as part of the illustrious Gold Medal Plates. Kelowna’s Gold Medal Plates reflect the culmination of a long, thrilling and at times grueling series of The Canadian Culinary Championships held in 2015 in Canadian cities from coast to coast to result in 11 Gold Medal award winning chefs. Converging in Kelowna in February, the best of the best will compete in The Grand Finale to determine Canada’s 2016 Gold Medal Plates Chef Champion. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets for the event can call 1-647-328-0149 or at www.goldmedalplates.ca.

The Robbie Burns night for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 will be on Friday, January 22, 2016. There will be a dinner, dancing and celebration for $25.00 per person. Tickets are now on sale at the Legion office at 1380 Bertram Street.

Birthdays of the week –Happy 70^th Barry Huculak (Dec. 29); Happy 70^th Wayne Pierce (Jan. 1); Happy 70^th Mort Downey, TAC Solutions (Jan. 12); Adina Braun (Jan. 1); Barb Douglas (Today, Jan. 6); Jack Hatanaka (Jan. 11); Vern Tompkins (Jan. 6); Nick Kardynal, my second dad (Jan. 11); Todd Sanderson (Jan. 11).

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 Columns and Maxine DeHart).