Straight From DeHart - February 18, 2015

Plates Restaurant in the Kettle Valley. Left - Right - Chef Jason Hartl, Harry Dosanj, Serge Dosanj and Daniel Robinson

Had the opportunity to visit the new Plates Restaurant in Kettle Valley. The restaurant is owned and operated by Serge Dosanj (also of Poppadoms Indian Restaurant), with bar team Harry Dosanj and Daniel Robinson, along with Chef Jason Hartl. The restaurant with a separate bar, welcomes all patrons including children. We sampled the braised short ribs and KVP house salad, which were both delicious and offered good sized portions. Serge has done some minor renovations to the premises which have a nice warm atmosphere and large patio in the summer. They also offer a good selection of bar and starter plates, burgers, Serge’s signature butter chicken, handmade potato burger, fish and chips, steak sandwich, pasta and rice bowl. Desserts are house churned ice cream, apple crumble and warm double chocolate brownie. Ran into Bob and Lynda McGowan and Gail and Greg Prichard and they loved the food and service. Open 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Call 778-477-2414.

Many changes taking place with London Drugs store managers in the valley. Local store manager Jim Larsen has been transferred to the Vernon London Drugs. Jim Skinner of the West Kelowna store, and who was formerly at the Kelowna store, is coming back to take Jim’s place. Colin Campbell from Penticton is now moving to the West Kelowna store and Peter Walton will relocate from Vernon to Penticton London Drugs.

Lorraine Richardson is the new branch manager at Valley First Credit Union on Highway 33 in Rutland. Lorraine is not new to Valley First, as she worked for them several years ago. Lorraine has now relocated from Nanaimo to join them once again. Harinder Gill has relocated from Abbotsford and is the new manager, personal banking. Call 250-980-8900.

Along with a brand new beautiful clubhouse, Loic Jacquet is the new food and beverage manager at the Shannon Lake Golf Club restaurant. Originally from France and trained in Paris, Loic has been in the industry for over 20 years. He has worked in a diverse number of establishments, including Michelin Star Restaurants, Relais Chateaux, Five Star Hotels and wineries. He worked at the Wedgewood Hotel and Blue Water Cafe in Vancouver before relocating to the Valley, where he spent six years at Mission Hill Family Estate and four years at Quails Gate Winery, both in restaurant management roles. The clubhouse will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in conjunction with the golf course in early to mid-March.

Rich Chlopa, who has been the head pro at Kelowna Spring Golf Club since 1008 is relocating to Victoria. Management is now in the midst of searching for a new head pro, which should be announced in the next few weeks.

Golf is just a few weeks away (we hope) and there is more happening at Kelowna Springs Golf Course. This year, Foot Golf will be introduced. What is Foot Golf? It is played with a regular soccer ball, playing to large two foot “cups” in areas away from the fairways and greens. 18 holes of Foot Golf are laid out on the courses front nine area and takes about two hours to play. Foot Golf started in Europe more than a decade ago and began to get popular in North America starting two summers ago. Kelowna Springs will be the first in Kelowna to offer it all season long. Two other non-traditional offerings also coming to Kelowna Springs in 2015 are eight inch cups on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, as part of a fun league called Vegas Fun Days and the availability of Fling Golf which is a unique twist on golf that allows a total non-golfer to play alongside experienced players. Visit www.FootGolf.ca; www.FlingGolf.com or www.KelownaSprings.com.

John Davina of Kal-West Mechanical with cross country skiing medal.

John Davina is the owner of Kal-West Mechanical Systems Inc., a company that has provided plumbing, heating and mechanical work for the construction industry for the past 28 years. Kal-West also sponsors the Kal-West Interior Loppet Series, (Cross Country Skiing), which has six to seven events run by various ski clubs throughout the interior. It is a family event with age group categories and points given to finishers. Awards are given to any participant that completes at least four races. The next series is at Silver Star Mountain in mid-March. John, himself, is a world master cross country skier. He attended the World Masters Cross Country Skiing Winter Games in Quebec City from February 1 - 7/2015. With 20 countries participating, the cross country skiing was held at the Mount St. Anne ski area, with temperatures of -17 to -31 C with wind chills, John skied in three events in his age group category of 60-65 years old and came home with two medals in the categories of 10 km classic, 3^rd place and 30 km classic, 3^rd place.

Taco Del Mar has opened a brand new Taco Del Restaurant on the UBCO campus in the Student Union Building at 3272 University Way.

Happy 50^th Anniversary Herb and Dawn Fallow (February 20). Herb.fallow@gmail.com

Congratulations to Brian Menzies (Graham Construction) and Leah Rodgers (City of Kelowna) on their engagement this past Valentine’s Day, February 14/2015.

James Wheeler, RMT is a new Registered Massage Therapist for Lifemark Health Centre at #104 - 1634 Harvey Avenue. James is well rounded and employs a variety of massage and assessment techniques including, myofascial release, sports massage, neuromuscular therapy, active and passive release techniques, trigger point therapy, joint mobilizations, range of motion techniques, Swedish massage, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, gait assessment, postural assessment, muscle testing and orthopedic special testing. He believes that education is a life-long process and enjoys discovering new techniques for a constantly evolving practice. Brandy Osborne is also an RMT at the clinic Lifemark has 30 staff therapists and physicians working at the clinic with health services including physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, specialized hand therapy, treatment for vertigo and sport medicine. Cheryl Cairns, a physiotherapist has also recently joined their team. She has had good results treating headaches and neck injuries. They can also provide services to employers such as pre-employment testing, ergonomic assessments and function testing for workers. Nancy Reid is the clinic director. Open Monday to Saturday. Call 250-860-4122.

Congratulations to Bell Media (101-5 EZ Rock, 99.9 SUN FM and AM 1150) in partnership with the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation on raising $84,500 in one day, on February 12, during their Have A Heart Radiothon for KGH.

With 14 years of experience in corporate and personal tax planning, Brian Posthumus has joined MNP LLP as their new regional tax leader for the Okanagan region. Brian’s expertise includes extensive experience in estate planning, agricultural tax and tax planning for the acquisition and divestiture of private companies. He was previously a member of the company’s Red Deer team before relocating to Kelowna. Call 250-979-1736 or brian.posthumus@mnp.ca

Congratulations to the United Way of the Central and South Okanagan Similkameen on raising $1,300,000 during their 2014 campaign. Now, the United Way community investment committee, made up of stakeholders and volunteers will start the in-depth process of assessing funding applications from community agencies.

Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital on Westlake Road in West Kelowna is hosting their Annual National Cupcake Day for the SPCA Kelowna on Monday, February 23, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The staff are baking cupcakes and all donations are going to the SPCA. Call 250-769-9109.

There is a free Hearing Clinic at the Legion on Thursday, February 26^th from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. If you think you need to have your hearing checked by professional audiologists, this is your opportunity. No obligation and no cost. Call or email 250-762-4117 or rcl26kelowna@shaw.ca

Went to see Forever Plaid at the Kelowna Actors Studio, directed by Randy Leslie. It was really good and entertaining. It’s playing until February 28, so if you have time this coming week, purchase tickets at 250-862-2867

2015 is the Year of the Sheep and begins February 19 according to the Chinese calendar. Local Astrologer Heather Zais sent her predictions for 2015. The Year of the Sheep: It's also a number 8 year when 2015 is reduced to a single digit. Number 8 years are more prosperous in business and commercial enterprises. In sheep years, female leadership will be strong as it is in the sheep flock. The female influence of Mother Nature will be stronger with more dramatic events and environmental issues continue to see opposite sides butting heads. A wise shepherd will be required to lead the flock so vote wisely. Avoid wolves in sheep's clothing. Food prices will rise. Art, music and theatre will flourish. Watch for lone wolf activity.

Birthdays of the week –Missed a very important birthday last week - Happy 75^th Jim Laing (Feb. 13); Tal Jandali (Feb. 18); Murli Pendharkar (Feb. 19); Don Favell, (Feb.19); Brad Campeau, (Feb.19); Rodney Gray (Feb. 20); Tom Dyas (Feb. 20); Matt Scaife (Feb. 21); Carmen Prive (Feb. 22); Bob McGowan (Feb. 22); Lyle Isenor (Feb. 22); Anita Kinasewich (Feb. 23); Gerry Deshayes (Feb. 23); Ben Bodnar (Feb. 23); Carol Lesiak (Feb. 24); Wayne (Cactus) Farr (Feb. 24);

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 Good Stuff, Columns and then Maxine DeHart).