Straight From DeHart - Feb. 25, 2026

KOMA SUSHI is located in the Capri Centre Mall facing Gordon Drive just down from Independent Grocers. Owned and operated by delightful couple, Chef Luke Lee, and his wife Sunny Lee, the restaurant serves a large and varied variety of sushi and related items on the menu. The restaurant offers appetizers, tempura, teriyaki, udon soup, bowls (Donbur), Yaki soba, maki rolls, vegetarian rolls, K-Kimbap. special rolls, nigiri, sashimi, dinner and combinations, and lunch specials. Our table of five sampled Chicken Teriyaki hot plates, Agedashi Tofu, Karaage, Ebi Mayo, assorted Tempura, and assorted rolls of California, Chicken, Dynamite and Crispy Crispy. All the items were delicious and made to order fresh. Aishman Grewal was our excellent server. KOMO SUSHI is open Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (closed for break time from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.) and closed Sundays.

Kelowna Actors Studio is getting a delightfully spooky makeover as they flip the stage for Bettlejuice Jr. starting February 27th. Over those two weeks, six incredible classes will strut their stuff bringing big laughs, bold characters, and use the right amount of ghostly chaos to the stage. This is a great way to introduce youth to theatre. And the best part? There are two performance times to choose from as once is never enough when things get this strange and unusual. See you at the theatre. www.kelownaactorsstudio.com/event/bettlejuice-jr

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has announced their new board for 2026-2027. Patrick Bobyn, Partner at Pushor Mitchel LLP is the incoming Chair-Elect; Vice President Chair-Elect is Treena Piva from Century 21 Assurance Property Management, and Secretary-Elect is Laurel Hogg, Senior Lawyer at Heinrichs Richards LLP. Derek Gratz, UBC Okanagan is Past Chair. Directors are Andrew Shaw, BDO LLP (New); Binny Boparai-Gill, Farming Karma (Incumbent); Dobrila Braunstein, Sandhill Winery (Incumbent); George Marine, GMK Consulting (New); Jessica Samuels, HUB Office Furniture Inc. (Incumbent); Joe Baker (Okanagan College School of Business (New); Kristian de Pont, Good Sorts Property Services (Incumbent); Manik Dhir, Stepping Stones Early Learning Centre (New); Narinder Nagra, Mission Group (Incumbent); Rhona Stanislaus, Prep Academy Tutors Interior BC (Incumbent); Trevor Moss, Central Okanagan Food Bank (Incumbent). I am excited to be the City of Kelowna Council Representative on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board in an advisory position. George Greenwood is the CEO of the Chamber. kelownachamber.org

Coreen Sol, CFA, is a portfolio manager with CIBC Wood Gundy, a former adjunct professor at UBC Okanagan, and the author of two books on behavioral decision-making, Practically Investing and Unbiased Investor. Her newest research project, the Next Chapter, explores the psychology of retirement and why stepping away from work is often far more complex than a financial plan suggests. Retirement is often treated as a financial event, yet for many people it becomes one of the most significant identity shifts of their lives. Coreen is studying how identity, purpose, relationships, health and money intersect during this critical transition. Readers who are approaching retirement, already retired, or simply thinking ahead are invited to contribute to this independent research by participating in an anonymous 15-minute survey at www.unbiasedinvestor.org/the-next-chapter/.

Bianca Rego is the new Producer of The Early Edition on AM1150. She brings five years of radio experience with her and previously served as the lead producer of Mornings with Simi, hosted by Simi Sara, on 730 CKNW in Vancouver. Here, Bianco helped shape one of the nation’s flagship programs and built a reputation for sharp editorial instincts and compelling guest bookings. Originally set on a career in television, Bianca’s path shifted after she took her first radio course at BCIT and radio just clicked for her. She started as a traffic anchor at AM730 in Vancouver, where she spent two years honing her on-air presence and newsroom skills before moving to CKNW. Bianca will bring fresh energy and thoughtful storytelling to Kelowna listeners. bianca@am1150.ca

The Bridge Youth & Family Services is seeking free or low-cost community space to host their Beyond the Blues Postpartum Support Program, offered Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This no-cost program support mothers experience postpartum depression and anxiety and requires a welcoming group space, along with an adjacent area suitable for child minding and light snack preparation. Contact Kelly Paley at kelly.paley@thebridgeservices.ca

Locally owned and operated T-Bones Fresh Meal Markets has donated $10,000.00 locally to the Alzheimer Society through customer and employee donations again this year. T-Bones does this every year at Christmas and invites their customers and staff to make donations. Then, T-Bones contributes the added dollars to round the donation up to $10,000. T-Bones has now donated over $100,000.00 to the Alzheimer’s Society since inception of their involvement with Alzheimer’s. Knowing that it has been tough for families this year, they were happy to help our community in any way they could. The T-Bones staff worked tirelessly to ask their customers to donate, and the customers were happy to do so, and it showed. T-Bones has a wide selection of beef, poultry steak, seafood, lamb, burgers, (they are my favorite), rib, smokies, sauces and seasonings, sausages, condiments, dry-rubs, olive oil, balsamic products, olives, a full deli with meat pies, casseroles and salads, appetizers, sides, and so much more. They also support other local food producers stocking their great products on T-Bones shelves. T-Bones has five locally owned stores in the valley with two in Kelowna, one in West Kelowna, one in Vernon and one in Penticton. It’s your one-stop shop. www.mytbones.com

Opera Kelowna is presenting Jacqueline, directed by acclaimed Canadian opera director Michael Hidetoshi Mori, whose artistic journey began in Penticton and now spans North American wide. He returns to the Okanagan with a production that reflects both his deep roots in the region and his national impact on the operatic landscape. In 2017, Michael became one of the youngest directors ever to win the Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Direction of an Opera or Musical for Rocking Horse Winner. Jacqueline will take place February 27 and 28th at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Ticket link at operakelowna.com

Kevin and Kristina Cheale are the owner/operators of Okanagan Bowling Club. They purchased the bowling club from former long-time well-known owners Bryan and Ruby Sargeant in 2023. Brian was instrumental in showing them the ropes, introducing them to vendors and other center owners and teaching them the technical side of machine and lane maintenance. Sadly, Bryan passed in December, 2024 leaving a significant void in the bowling community. The Cheale’s son, Austin Cheale was hired by Bryan well before the transition, so he already had strong connections with their league bowlers. They have maintained Bryan’s successful business, keeping pricing and league structures consistent, adding minor changes to increase prize money and nightly giveaways. The Cheale’s completed renovations in 2025 and are now marketing their family-friendly lounge, Glory Days. Starting in mid-March, they plan to host Thursday trivia night, local comedians on Fridays, and live music on Saturdays. They frequently partner with local caterers for team-building events, office parties, and birthdays. Okanagan Bowling Club has been selected as a venue for the 2028 Canadian Special Olympics, making equipment and lane improvements to ensure they are ready to host athletes from across the country. www.okanaganbowlingclub.com

Congratulations to the winners of the 25th Annual Community Sport Hero Award recipients, hosted by Pacific Sport Okanagan. They are Sport Leaders - Daryle Assman (Central Okanagan Minor Baseball Association); Kyla Inaba, Predator Ridge Resort Golf Academy); Susan Griffiths (International Children's Games); Tannis Andersen (Okanagan Athletics Club); Sasha Carter, Dave Stephenson, and Tanya Stroinig (Brier Organizing Committee); Kasey Wright (UBCO Women's Softball) and Ashtin Callaghan( RHKA Karate). Athletes - Noah Watters (GW Hoops Basketball); Anika Gross ( UBCO Women's Soccer ); Cheyenne Simicak (UBCO Women's Softball); Cassidy Bank (Ball Hockey Junior National Team); Felix Bergeron (Vikings Weightlifting Club); Isobel Babcock (Team BC Ringette) and Finley Cashin, Canadian National Ski Team). Sport Hosting - 2025 Firestorm BMX Nationals - Hosted by Kelowna BMX Club.

Fifteen Anniversary Production, Red Dot Players is presenting Frankenstein, The play was originally directed by Danny Boyle in 2011 and starred Benedict Cumberpatch as The Creature. It is adapted by Nick Dear based on the novel by Mary Shelley and directed by Jeremy Beaulne. The play is unique because it is viewed from The Creature’s point of view, his attempts with being accepted by society, finding his creator, and his thirst for love. Join them on Thursday and Friday, March 12th and 13th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Okanagan College Theatre, Room S104, 100 KLO Road. General admission $28 and students and seniors $25. Tickets available at www.reddotplayers.com and at the door. This production is recommended for mature audiences. I know the person who is playing Frankenstein, but my lips are sealed.

Nika Pidskalny, Business, IP & Technology Lawyer, is bringing lawyers, MLT Aikins LLP with its century-long tradition of outstanding legal service, backed by more than 370 lawyers across seven offices, to the Okanagan. As the firm`s main contact in the region, Nika helps businesses navigate a full spectrum of legal services, ensuring they have access to a full-service business law firm with the resources and experience to handle virtually any legal need, right here in Kelowna. npidskalny@mltaikins.com

Birthdays of the week – James Davison (Feb. 25); Brad Cronquist (Feb. 25); Tina Warnick (Feb. 25); Ammar Bin Halabi (Feb. 25); Keisha Clarke (Feb. 25); Sherri Miller (Feb. 25); Mandeep Baidwan (Feb. 26); Jason Sekhon (Feb. 26); Jeff Hudson (Feb. 26); Maribeth Friesen (Feb. 26); Mike Sizeland (Feb. 26); Kirsten Moxness (Feb. 27); Eva Simon (Feb. 27); Norm LeCavalier (Feb. 27); Kenny Tai (Feb. 27); Chris Dowden (Feb. 27); Ken Laloge (Feb. 28); John Crofts (Feb. 28); Kristi Kunzki (Feb. 28); Sushmita Rathour (Feb. 29); Ken Salvail (Feb. 29); Brad Sieben (Mar. 1); Rob Collins (Mar. 2); Jock Craddock (Mar. 2); Debbie Shepherd (Mar. 2); Todd Graham (Mar. 2); Faye Willms (Mar. 2); Josh Perreault (Mar. 3); Bruce Murray (Mar. 3); Bob Miller (Feb. 3).

The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Jeff Hudson. Jeff, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by Tuesday, March 3/2026. I would also appreciate a photo of you with your cake!

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