Perch Sky Lounge has reopened with new owners at #701 – 460 Doyle Avenue in the Innovation Building on the 7th rooftop floor. Entry to the Perch is from inside the Innovation Building on Doyle Avenue. The new owners are husband and wife team, Li Zhou, who has worked for 17 years at Summerhill Pyramid Winery as VP and Joseph Lavigne, whose family has invested in the wine industry for years. Li will work at Summerhill and also help out at Perch. Perch Sky Lounge is a new relaxing lounge/restaurant that has 16 tables inside and eight tables outside on the top deck. Perch is open for lunch and dinner from 11:00 a.m. until late, seven days a week. Chef Ernel Williams, who has been in the valley for ten years, offers a menu of a good selection of charcuterie boards, appetizers and salads, and a few mains. They purchased a unique commercial greaseless air fryer that cooks five pounds of food in just five minutes from Dallas, Texas to accommodate their smaller kitchen. We sampled their signature appetizer, Bacon Brussel Chips, a Charcuterie Board and Jamaican Curry Bowl. All were delicious with generous portions. Perch Sky Lounge is licensed and have a good selection of beer, wine and cocktails. Coming soon will be a good selection of mocktails. www.perchskylounge.com
Pathways Abilities Society is celebrating their 70th Anniversary. The society is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing services to people with diverse abilities in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country since 1953. They have gone through many name changes, formerly being the Kelowna and District Society for Community Living or Sunnyvale many years ago. The society’s mission is to assist people with diverse abilities to reach their individual goals and contribute as equal members of the community. The society is governed by a volunteer board of directors and employs over 120 full and part time staff, 85% support workers and 15% people with diverse abilities who are paid through their contracted work. Pathways currently serves over 220 people, their families and caregivers. The current board of directors are Mark Reinelt, President; David Low, Vice President and Patricia Rantucci, Secretary Treasurer. Directors are Richard Pringle, Jock Craddock, Chuck Hopkins, Jim Hadgraft and Karl Vollman. Charisse Daly is the Executive director www.pathwayskelowna.ca
The Okanagan Hockey Community Foundation is honoring the remarkable legacy of Mike Rout, a dedicated supporter of local hockey by offering the Mike Rout Hockey Camp Scholarship. This scholarship will provide underprivileged youth aged 7 to 16 from West Kelowna, Kelowna and Lake Country with the opportunity to attend the 2023 Okanagan Hockey Kelowna summer camp free. Mike Rout, a pillar of the Kelowna community, passed away in December, 2022 leaving a profound impact on hockey. Mike devoted himself to the promotion of youth hockey and the values it instills in young athletes. His determined efforts were evident through the establishment of the Kelowna Heat non-profit spring hockey program, which continues to thrive today, providing aspiring athletes with access to the sport they love. https://bit.ly/3CRY59C
Colleen Clark, former CEO of the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce is the new Operations Director of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce. Colleen has held many positions in the Chamber industry dealing with the myriad of issues which chambers work through every day, ranging from policy to staff management, financial details and immediate and experienced support for staff, board members, and membership. Dan Price is the Chair of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and Dan Rogers is the Executive Director. I am honoured to be the City of Kelowna Councillor appointee on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
After much anticipation and speculation, the KF Centre for Excellence has acquired a 1962 CF-104D Starfighter. This aircraft holds a special place in the hearts of many veterans and aviation enthusiasts alike. Built in Canada by Canadair, under license from Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin), this Mach 2 – capable ex RCAF two-seat training aircraft, acquired by the Centre in 2022 was flown for over ten years by the Royal Canadian Air Force. Currently aircraft maintenance engineers are hard at work combing through the aircraft piece by piece, bolt by bolt to ensure its structural stability. The plan is to re-paint the aircraft back to its original RCAF livery (paint job) in order to recognize and pay tribute to the pilots who flew CF-104 Starfighters, some who live in the Okanagan. www.kfcentre.ca
The Gallaghers Canyon Art Society is celebrating 20 years. To celebrate, they are hosting the 20th Annual Art Show & Sale on July 15th and 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Village at Gallagher’s Canyon, 4350 Gallagher’s Drive West. There will be fabulous paintings, woodwork, jewellery, birdhouses, fibre arts, pottery, photography, sculptures, mixed media, raffle tickets and lots more. The executive of the art society are Joan Patridge, President; Audrey Neal, Vice President; Julie Klatt, Secretary and Colin and Susan McDougall, Treasurers. Free admission and parking.
Save the date for the Inaugural Garry Benson Memorial Golf Tournament on September 30th, 2023 at Sunset Ranch. The committee is working hard, and sponsorship and hole sponsorship inquiries can be directed to Kent Harris at kent.harris@arlingtonstreet.ca or Marek Buryska at marekb@live.ca.
Kristin Postill and Brittney Page are back again for their 6th Annual Stand Up for Charity Paddle across Kalamalka Lake on July 8th. This year their goal is $25,000.00 and their past paddles have raised over $130,000.00. Visit www.bi.ly/sup4noyfss.
Okanagan Business Excellence (OBE) was formed in May, 1999. This business networking/referral group was instigated by Bob Knoblick, manager of the Canada Trust branch in Westbank, as the category was already filled in another Westbank group at that time. The group, which was once at 65 members, is now rebuilding from impacts of COVID and is currently at 25 members. Structured one-hour weekly meetings are designed to build relationships and gain familiarity with each other’s business and then perhaps referrals and other contacts. On their 10th anniversary in 2009, group visioning led to a mission statement that includes the well-being of the community. OBE actively pursues that mission with annual fundraising for school scholarships, Christmas hampers and are a Partners for Life team with Canadian Blood Services. To join or for more information, contact founding member Paul Hergott at 250-718-5875. www.okbe.ca
Dylan Bartlett has joined the leadership team at NowMedia Group as sales manager. With an impressive background in legacy media and owning and operating has own agency, print studio and publications, Dylan brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Since being with the agency, Dylan has been providing exception mentorship, coaching and guidance to their sales team. NowMedia Group are particularly excited to extend the opportunity for other sales executives to benefit from Dylan’s invaluable mentorship as his track record of excellence in developing and supporting sales teams is inspiring. dbartlett@nowmediagroup.ca
Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) has launched the RCA Summer of Arts, a new series of free Community Art Programs designed for youth, teens and families. From Tuesdays to Saturdays, from July 7 to August 28th, this all-encompassing summer program offers diverse creative activities suitable for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. RSVP at www.rotarycentreforthearts.
The Kelowna Art Gallery’s series of Art Adventure Camps that run mornings throughout July and August are for children ages 6 to 12. For older youth, ages 13 to 17, the Teen Friday Art Series may just be the solution for parents looking to fill empty afternoons. Leading the camps are Faith Bye and Tori Kobayaski. Veteran artists and art teacher Jim Elwood will be leading the programs for youth ages 13 to 17. To register visit www.kelownaartgallery.com
FUNdamentals Summer Paddling Camps is for kids ages 6 to 8 who would like to have a taste in paddling during the summer. There are some spots left for the fun activities. For more information and to sign up, visit the Kelowna Paddle Centre website at www.kelownapaddlecentre.ca
The Lady of the Lake Leadership Excellence Program will host their 93rd Gala, Sparkle, Shine and Shimmer on Friday, July 14th. at 7:00 p.m. at the Rotary Centre for the Arts, Mary Irwin Theatre. Tickets are available from the Rotary Centre at www.rotarycentrefortheart.com/
Birthdays of the week – Happy 80th Donna Good (July 10); Happy 65th Wayne Moore (July 5); Happy 65th Michael Benty (June 30); Peter Angle (July 6); Derek Bistricky (July 6); Wally Reid (July 7); Sam Samaddar (July 7); Eiji Kariya (July 7); Herb Jeffrey (July 7); Don Richmond (July 8); Jonathan Friesen (July 8); Marc Whittemore (July 9); Jeremy Lugowy (July 9); Shirley Hutt (July 10); Sherry Huva, my niece (July 10); Rose Sexsmith (July 10): Steve Kinsey (July 10); Bobi-Jo Koutsantonis (July 10); Trevor Moss (July 12); Janet Slyter (July 12).
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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