Straight From DeHart - Nov. 26, 2025

Well-known local company Urban Systems Ltd. is celebrating 50 years in business. Founded by Terry McQuillan in Kamloops, the company expanded to Kelowna in 1976, led by Dave Ethier, P. Eng., planting its longstanding roots in the Okanagan. Today, Urban Systems employs 900 people across Canada and is one of the largest fully employee-owned firms of its kind in the country. Kelowna and Vernon represent one of the firm’s largest team centers with more than 100 staff combined in these communities. Urban Systems works with local governments, Indigenous communities, provincial agencies and the private sector alike. Their portfolio reflects everything from civil engineering, community planning, Indigenous community growth and development, land economics, landscape architecture, communications and management consulting. What sets them apart is their value-system with deep local presence, long-term relationships and the imperative to invest in the places where their people live and work. The firm now has 130 employee owners and an opportunity for all employees to acquire an ownership stake. Via the Urban Systems Foundation and Urban Matters CCC, the company’s partners and staff give back more than $2 Million annually into the communities it serves. The Kelowna office now turns a page with the retirement of long-time, well respected CEO Martin Bell who is based in Kelowna and led the firm for over 30 years. With his departure, the reins pass to Jacob Scissons P. Eng., ushering in the third generation of leadership. What’s truly remarkable is the business model underlying Urban Systems: a living company approach, where transitions between generations of employee-owners are built into the DNA. As Urban Systems enters its sixth decade, the question is not simply “What’s next?” but “How do they keep doing what matters best?” The combination of employee ownership, community focus and inter-disciplinary consulting, positions the firm to stay agile and adaptable in a rapidly changing world, and not chasing the next contract, but instead shaping the next generation of infrastructure, environment and community outcomes in Kelowna, British Columbia and Canada. www.urbansystems.ca

Join URBA and the Kelowna Chiefs for a night of holiday cheer, community connection and good old-fashioned hockey. URBA is gearing up for a holiday celebration like no other on Friday, December 5th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. for networking, refreshments and festive fun. Then “stick” around as the Kelowna Chiefs take on the Osoyoos Coyotes at 7:00 p.m. at Rutland Arena. Your After Hour ticket incudes entry to the Kelowna Chiefs game two beverages, delicious food from the Perogy Hut, the chance to mingle with local business owners.

Loyal Wooldridge has been re-elected as board chair of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Blair Ireland has been elected as vice-chair. The election for chair and vice-chair is held annually at the first meeting in November. Chair Wooldridge served as chair from November 24th to November 25th as well as November 21st to May, 2024. Director Ireland served as vice-chair from November 2024 to November,, 2025, as well as chair from May, 2025 to November, 2025. The 13-member board manages fiscal and policy issues arising as part of local governance for the Central Okanagan.

Lakeside Eco-Sport, formerly operating from the Prestige Beach House, has relocated to 213 Bernard Avenue, below Earl’s Restaurant. The move marks an exciting new chapter for the company, bringing their award-winning e-bike tour, rentals and sustainability-driven experiences to the heart of the city’s vibrant street. With the move, Lakeside Eco-sport is expanding its offerings to include e-bike sales, partnering with Rize Bikes of Richmond, B.C. As an official regional distributor, the new downtown store will showcase seven top-selling Rize models, available for demo rental through their “Try Before You Buy” program. The fleet includes folding, fat-tire and step-through designs, for riders of all abilities. Safety and style go hand-in-hand with Lakeside’s newest partner, Xnito Helmets, a premium brand engineered specifically for e-bike riders. Xnito offers 14 eye-catching colour options. Lakeside Eco-Sports will remain open year-round, continuing to serve both locals and visitors. Look for their official grand-opening in the spring. www.lakesideecosports.com

Central Okanagan Heritage Society is inviting nominations for their Annual Heritage Awards to be presented during Heritage Week, February 16th to 22nd, 2026. They are interested in receiving nominations for buildings people and project with in the geographic boundaries of the Central Okanagan region in various categories. For more information visit www.okheeritagesociety.com or Lori Dauncey at ldauncey.cohs@telus.net

Raymond James partnered with the Ogopogo Rotary Club to raise funds for the Salvation Army Kettle campaign. With the generous matching from Raymond James and donations to the Kettle, they raised over $11,600. This is the fifth consecutive year that together they have surpassed $10,000. per year. Francis Cheng of Raymond James was the organizer of the event.

Rutland Winter Christmas Tree Light Up 2025 is Sunday November 30th at Rutland Centennial Park from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. hosted by the City of Kelowna. There will be live entertainment, caroling, crafting, vendors, hot cocoa and photos with Santa.

Alissa Woodside has purchased Athena Custom Framing at 3396 Sexsmith Road, located in an old apple packing factory parallel to the rail trail. Athena was formerly owned and operated by Diane Miller for the past 20 years. Alissa is not new to the framing industry as she previously owned and operated A Woodside Design Gallery in downtown Kelowna for four years. Athena Custom Framing offers all kinds of custom framing from stretching canvas, colour matching edges, glass replacement, custom mat cutting, needlework, etching, custom vinyl, shadow boxes and for everything you cherish that hangs on a wall. Alissa donates scraps of mat board to schools and art clubs. Open Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Alissa is happy to make appointments outside of these hours. www.athenacustomframing.ca

The Central Okanagan Heritage Society’s (COHS) Annual Christmas at Benvoulin is Sunday, December 7th, 2025. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. with the program beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Benvoulin Heritage Church. The White Sails A Cappella Chorus will share the spirit of Christmas through their music and harmonies. Storyteller, Sheila Dyer is back to delight you with a seasonal story that will tug at your heartstrings, Refreshments to follow in Reid Hall. Everyone is invited by donation with no pre-registration required.

The final Bennett Estate Tour is November 29th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. $20.00 per person or $15.00 for COHS members. Registration is now open for the Afternoon Tea on Sunday, November 30th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at $75.00 per person. To register visit okheritagesociety.com/events-at-the-bennett-estate/. Sarah Porter is the executive director of the society.

Kettle Valley Public on Main Bar & Grill at #100 – 5305 Main Street in Kettle Valley is expanding their hours and their menu. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Jacky Li and Fiona Chum, the restaurant’s new hours of operation is 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sundays and closed Mondays. The menu now includes many new items. Some are Black Pepper Tofu, Japanese Takoyaki, Gyoza, Creamy Cheese Baked Broccoli, Potato Bacon and Miso soups, Black Pepper Beef Spaghetti, POM Fried Rice, Singapore Fried Vermicelli and Pineapple Fried Rice. They are offering a special weekend menu of DIM SUM every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All their regular menu items are still available, including their Wednesday wing special.

JCI Kelowna is calling all past members, current members, Senators and Fellows to join them to celebrate their 90th Anniversary this year. Whether you are a member of the Kelowna Jaycees, JCI Okanagan, or JCI Kelowna, JCI would like you to join them on December 4th, at 6:30 p.m. at BNA Burger. The evening will be reconnecting with old friends, celebrating past accomplishments, and sharing funny stories or memorabilia. Tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis with only 80 to be sold. For tickets search JCI 90th on Eventbrite .

Habitat for Humanity Okanagan Jingle Bell Build 2025 was a huge success. H&H Custom Homes Holiday Hooligans captured first place and claimed the coveted Gingy Cup. Kudos to the following place winners: Norson Construction, Norson North Pole Division (2nd place); Castanet, Click Here for Christmas (3rd Place); Total Restoration, Total Gingeration (4th Place) and Hotel Eldorado, Ring My Bell (5th Place).

MightyRail is a temporary construction railing safety company, owned and operated by Marc Redka. In the construction industry for many years, and previously owning his own construction company, Marc saw a major opportunity for improvement in temporary construction railing safety. Out of that challenge, he invented what has become The Mighty Rail. Marc incorporated MightyRail Equipment Inc. to help other builders and site managers keep their teams safe. Today, they have developed four engineered, OHS compliant products, with four more in development, certified for use across Canada and the U.S. All are made in Ontario using Canadian steel and have announced their recent partnership with RONA to make them available nationwide. Marc feels that for too long, their industry has accepted the status quo for temporary railings, something to satisfy inspection, but rarely trusted by those working behind it. MightyRail has changed that. In the world of AI and digital innovation, Marc says it’s funny that a simple, low tech invention like MightyRail can still make such a real human difference. www.mightyrail.com

Birthdays of the week – Julie Edwards (Nov. 26); Pamela Pearson (Nov. 26); David Wikenheiser (Nov. 26); Kenn Dixon (Nov. 26); Chris Rochfort (Nov. 27); Renee Oliver (Nov. 27); Maryann Tulloch (Nov. 27); Andrew Deans (Nov. 27); Gary Filafilo (Nov. 28); David Kopp (Nov. 28); Gwen Gabelhouse (Nov. 28); Bryan Feagan (Nov. 29); Dr. Mike Shepherd (Nov. 29); Linda Wiebe (Nov. 29); Lou Goncalves (Nov. 30); George Marine (Nov. 30); Jana Hardy (Nov. 30); Meryle Corbett (Nov. 30); Vern Martindale (Dec. 1); Karl Woll (Dec. 1); Bruce Davis (Dec. 1); Toni Vos (Dec. 1); Mike Barillaro (Dec. 1); Dan Albas (Dec. 1); Stu Leatherdale (Dec. 2); Sonia Kanti (Dec. 2); Karen Nonis (Dec. 2);

The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Julie Edwards. Julie, lease pick up your Birthday Cake from any Specialty Bakery by Tuesday, December 2/2025.

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