El Salvador Bar & Grill opened about one month ago in the Pandosy area at 482 West Avenue. The restaurant is owned and operated by Doug Vasquez with his niece Rachel Murga as the manager and Doug’s daughter Talia Vasquez as assistant manager. This quaint restaurant has seating for about 20 and a lovely large patio for summer. El Salvador brings authentic, delicious Salvadorian food to the area with fresh and tropical flavors. El Salvador is a small country that is big on culture and flowing with flavor. All the national and popular dishes of El Salvador, including their own chips and salsa sauce is home-made with cooks, Manuel Flore and Alma Cruz from El Salvador. They offer eat-in and take-out and celiac, vegan and gluten free options. We sampled the restaurant’s traditional #1 signature dish of Pupusas which are corn tortillas stuffed with cheese and Loroco flower. Loroco is the local edible flower of El Salvador. We also sampled the restaurant’s #2 signature dish of Pastelitos with various fillings and of course, we had to try Doug’s mom’s chicken stew recipe. The desserts are flan and Tres Leches, three milk cake. The Salvadorian drink Horchata Tamarindo and all the food was absolutely delicious and a real treat to try. Rachel, Doug and Talia are delightful, and the quaint and friendly atmosphere of the restaurant brought it altogether. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. Call 250-484-1999.
The Kelowna City Concert Band, conducted by Robert Payne is hosting their 2024 Spring Concert on April 13th at 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 4091 Lakeshore Road. The band will harmoniously blend the rich tapestry of traditional folk tunes with the intricate rhythms of irregular meters, presenting a selection of folk songs from around the globe and some well-known tunes. The overlapping theme of Irregular Meters encompass the other offering in the program. Tickets at Kelowna Community Theatre Box Office or 250-469-8940 or https://bit.ly/48NDuRe or at the door subject to availability.
The Legion Branch 26 would like to remind students that are going further in their education, that they can apply for a bursary from the Legion. The application and criteria is at www.rclbr26.ca. Applications must be into the Kelowna Legion by April 30th, 2024.
Alcatraz Chicken has opened at #101 – 225 Rutland Road S. Owned and operated by Shinoy Gurukkal-Parambath (G.P.) and Rifan Fouser. Alcatraz Chicken is not a franchise, it is born from the experience of G.P. and Rifan who have been in the food industry for many years in their time in Canada and before relocating. Alcatraz has a full menu of chicken meals and chicken tenders from orders for two people or a bucket with all the fixings. They offer both regular and spicy chicken and all the chicken is crispy. Shinoy and Rifan have changed their recipe for their chicken a couple of times, considering what their customers were telling them to come up with the best product. They use only fresh, not frozen Halal chicken and make all the products in-house from scratch including their sauces. They also have a good selectin of wraps and sides of fries, gravy, popcorn chicken, chicken nuggets, onion rings coleslaw, macaroni salad and poutine. Alcatraz chicken has 35 seats in the restaurant and offer eat-in or take-out, a kids menu and catering for large and small events. Their motto is “Try their chicken and there will be no escape.” Open 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week. www.alcatrazchicken.ca
Kelowna Psychologists Group is the longest running and largest private group of therapists in Kelowna. Some senior practitioners are full, but they have found a way to reach out to the community via zoom for a series of $65.00 Friday lunchtime live streaming events, welcoming groups or individuals to sign up. Trixie Hennessey, a Registered Master of Social Work is presenting on the hot topic of how to address self-harm, with insight on paths to healing and ways to support loved ones. It’s an anonymous participation with only the presenter visible and a half-hour question period at the end. Dr. Heather McEachern’s first Friday lunchtime series is for those experiencing trauma, anxiety and depression. She packs strategies for change into her talks on Friday, May 10th for groups or individuals to watch from your home or office. Knowing Heather, it will be entertaining and full of practical strategies. admin@kelownapsychologists.com or 250-762-2525 for more information.
If you are curious about what cookie decorating is all about or a beginner cookier, Lisa Vanstone of Love and Flour Cookie Decorating is hosting a fun spring themed cookie class that looks amazing and tastes even better on April 28th at Frakas at #104 – 810 Clement Avenue. Lisa provides everything you will need from cookies, icing, sprinkles and a box to take your awesome creations home. Each decorator gets six cookies, icing colors, sprinkles and all the tools necessary to knock this cookie class out of the park. Everything is prepped right before class, so no baking or icing mixing required. Just decorate. You can choose your options. Join Lisa for the class only or include a take-home decorating kit that you can take home with you after the course. Lisa will also be running a class just before Mother’s Day on May 10th at Empire Crepes, #107 – 1195 Richter Street. Maybe make mom some delicious, decorated cookies for her special day. Register at https://loveandflour.ca
CRS (Canadian Restaurant Supply) is hosting a Customer Appreciation Day on April 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at #6 – 2604 Enterprise Way. There will be food, beverages, door prizes every hour and games. Bonnie Whyte is the Customer Service Experience Manager. www.canadianrestaurantsupply.
Local author, Myrna Doreen White has published two books. Marbles…Eye of the Tiger is published by Outskirts Press and the sequel Marbles 2…End of Day is published by Friesen Press with illustrations by Ginger Triplett. The books attract readers ages eight to twelve and older, however, based on the short time he had her first book out, other readers of various ages are enjoying the books. Myrna’s books are easy to read and not overly long with short chapters which allows the reader to sit the book down comfortably and go back later, making it easier for them to read. Myrna believes that the short story itself is both interesting and relatable to both male and females, but males especially because of it mystery, spirit and adventure. The book is about Kyle, his mother and their cat Tingy who moved from San Francisco to India. Kyles life changes a lot, not just a because of the new city but life changes because of the people he meets, the mystery of the marbles and the mystical events that happen. The books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Myrna has also donated books to the library. www.outskirtspress.com/marbles
Global Pet Foods Kelowna in the Capri Centre is celebrating their 1st Anniversary April 13th and 14th. To celebrate, they are offering some great deals, plus extra deals from brands like Boreal and Oven Bakes Tradition. They have added products like Smack from Manitoba, Raw Bones from Red Dog Blue Kat in Port Coquitlam, Pawtanical from West Kelowna and are still stocking Kettle Craft treats from Lake Country. If you purchase over $25.00 of goods, you will leave with a free giveaway bag full of goodies while supplies last. There will also be few large giveaways and raffle prizes. Marie Meade is the Manager of Global Pet Foods Kelowna.
If you like to volunteer, the Kelowna Lawn Bowling Club (KLBC) needs volunteers to assist in their Blind Bowling program and to become assistants (Directors) for each bowler. The Director and the bowler become a team with the role of the Director to provide information to the bowler in regard to the line to roll the bowl and the distance achieved in order to gain points in the game. Any necessary training is provided by their coaches. The commitment is two hours per week, every Wednesday morning from 10:00 a.m. until noon at the KLBC in City Park. For more information or to join contact Cathy Hopfer, Blind Bowling Coordinator at klbcparabowls@gmail.com or 204-447-7675
The Chic Retreat, Okanagan with founder Amy Nicole Cohen is officially live taking place November 1st to 3rd overlooking Okanagan Lake at the Chateau Okanagan Resort. Keynote speaker is Danielle Kettlewell, former Olympian, world champion and author, along with other speakers that will inspire and empower. Included is accommodation, on-site or off-site, massage, facials, beauty treatments, yoga, meals, snacks with an onsite chef and surprise experiences. There will also be several fireside chats and breakout workshops. This luxury personal development experience is a good way to invest in yourself and your physical and mental well-being. Website: https://thechicexperience.ca/
The Kelowna Museums Society (KMS) has appointed Jillian Povarchook as the new Executive Director. Jillian holds a Master of Museum Education. Her latest tenure was at the Museum of Vancouver, where she played a pivotal role in various capacities, honing her skills in museum management and education. www.kelownamuseums.ca
Birthdays of the week – A special belated Happy 85th to Ray Cottrell (Mar. 28); Happy 65th Dave Rush (Apr. 15); Happy 50th Pavel Prygounov (Apr. 10); Bonnie Whyte (Apr. 8); Stephen Cipes (Apr. 10); Wendy Sanderson (Apr. 10); Maurice Malin (Apr. 10); Mary Browne (Apr. 11); Shelley Smith (Apr. 11); Ari Cipes (Apr. 12); Matt Lymburner (Apr. 12); Gloria Moore (Apr. 13); Beryle Baldeo (Apr. 13); Dave Pears (Apr. 13); David Langton (Apr. 13); Sergei Prygounov (Apr. 13); Gerry Zimmermann (Apr. 14); Ken Thompson (Apr. 14); Don Burnett (Apr. 14); Walley Lightbody (Apr. 14); Jennifer Smith (Apr. 14); Jeannine Erickson (Apr. 14); Len Toepfer (Apr. 15); Doug Noble (Apr. 15); Natalie Walstrom (Apr. 15); Umberto Cagnoni (Apr. 15); Shelley Sweeney (Apr. 15); Marg Jeffrey (Apr. 16); In memory of our mom, Helen Abram (Apr. 13).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
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