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The Old Spaghetti Factory has opened at 1755 Capri Street and Harvey Avenue (formerly Kelsey’s). With Chris Newson as the local operating partner, the restaurant has undergone massive renovations from top to bottom and it is lovely. There are 175 seats with booths and tables, wonderful lighting fixtures with lots of stained glass and a small lounge/bar area. Everything is made fresh daily, including their sauces, dressings and soups. All entrees come with soup or salad, their classic sourdough bread, famous spumoni ice cream and tea or coffee. It’s all included, which means added value for a complete meal at one price. They also offer appetizers, salads, luncheon specials and child pricing. I tried the “Roasted Garlic Grilled Chicken” and others at the table ordered the “Manager’s Favourite”, which offers pasta with a choice of any two sauces. Everything was delicious and the service was great, even though the restaurant was lined up at the door. Call 250-860-5111.
Kathy Conway has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Interior Savings Credit Union effective March 7 to succeed Barry Meckler who has retired. Kathy was formerly Interior Savings’ Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Interior Savings in 2002, Conway spent 12 years at VanCity Savings Credit Union. Elmer Epp is the Chair of Interior Savings Board of Directors. Call 250-869-8337
Well-known food wholesaler, Rob Cinkant has been with food company HRI/Sysco for 21 years. He has recently been promoted to president of Sysco Victoria Inc. on January 1st, 2012 and Dave Stephenson has taken over as president of Sysco Kelowna, also effective January 1, 2012. [email protected]
Rick Galitzine, recruiter for the British Columbia Dragoons retired on his birthday (March 7) after nearly 40 years in the Militia.
This is really cool. “The Seed Swap” organized by Jon and Sher Alcock of Sunshine Farms is Saturday, March 10th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Okanagan College (Students Union Building). There will be a variety of vendors selling everything from organic seeds, potted herbs, plants, honey, onion sets, potatoes, a swap table, soaps and lotions. There will even be a mushroom and potato expert on hand. For more info call 250-764-4810 or [email protected]. In conjunction with the swap at the college is the “World Film Festival” that is also a free event. Check it out at www.worldfilmfestkelowna.net
Ethan Allen at 2900 Pandosy Street is celebrating their 1st anniversary year of business. Owned and operated by Zander Cook, are offering discounts on select floor display furniture and also offer a design centre. Call 250-860-8868 or visit www.ethanallen.com/kelowna
Apple Art Works Gallery has opened in the Orchard Park Mall (near the Food Court). With manager Kris Moger, the store is owned by local artist and businessman David Maclean. His original artwork is sought after internationally by individual collectors, galleries and businesses. He has been featured in Romantic Homes and is currently expanding Apple Art Works Galleries with a new store in Red Deer and Calgary. Under his guidance, the company provides quality, handmade wood frames and custom printing for personal artwork for individuals to reproductions for professional artists. As well, they have branched out into specialized custom original portraiture and wedding photography with quality packages that are suited to most bride’s budgets and tastes (a digital copy of all photographs are included). Call 250-763-3428 or better yet, just drop into the store. www.appleartworks.com
Heard that there might be a new Swiss Chalet Restaurant opening on the Westside. Keep tuned!
Congratulations to the United Way on raising $1,229,167.01 for the 2012 Campaign. Cathy Conway of Interior Savings was the 2011 Campaign Chair. The following awards were given out at the United Way 2011 Community Spirit Awards. Congrat’s to Future Shop West Kelowna (First-Time Employee Campaign Award); Prospera Credit Union (Quantum Leap Participation Award); Interior Savings Credit Union (Quantum Leap Giving Award); MacKay LLP (Quantum Leap Leadership Award); City of Kelowna (Live United); Kelowna Flightcraft (In-Kind); Kelowna Community Resources (Community Partner Spirit); Service Canada (Team Spirit) Gorman Bros. Lumber (Campaign of the Year); Siobhan McManus, BMO (Anita Tozer Volunteer of the Year); Kelowna Capital News, Astral Media, Beyond 50, Castanet, Kelowna Daily Courier, Global Okanagan, Shaw Media and SNAP Okanagan (Media Recognition Awards). Kathy Conway of Interior Savings Credit Union will assume the role of Campaign Chair again for 2012 and Wayne Bilawchuk of PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. will be the Leadership Chair for 2012.
The Westbank Chamber of Commerce has started Monday Morning Biz Hour for networking in a better, faster, easier and more affordable way to network from 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. at the chamber office at 2372 Dobbin Road. Cost is a toonie per coffee or bring your own double double skinny latte!
Sparkling Hill Resort near Vernon, B.C. adds “4 Diamonds” to their 3.5 million crystals. The resort has just received a 4 Diamond rating, placing them in the top 5% of the 31,000 properties reviewed by AAA. Sparkling Hill also won a “2012 Travellers Choice Award” in the Relaxation & Spa Category from TripAdvisor. Hans-Peter Mayr is the general manager of the resort. www.sparklinghill.com
Students from the Okanagan School of Business placed third among 30 colleagues and institutes in the 7th Annual Vanier BDC Marketing Case Competition held in Montreal. The team consisted of third-year Bachelor of Business Administration degree students, Emily Johnson, Gavin MacVicar and Breanna Retzlaff, coached by Professor Rick Appleby. In the competition each team had to take a real business case, analyzing it in less than three hours and prepare a 20 minute presentation.
Northwestern Air is flying a non-stop service twice a week between Kelowna International and Red Deer airports. For those of you who travel regularly between central Alberta and the Okanagan, this will definitely make your life easier. For more info visit www.ylw.kelowna.ca or Northwestern Air at www.nwal.ca or 1-877-872-2216
Congratulations to Melanie Webber (Kelowna Golf & Country Club) and Darrell Orlesky (Bradley Fire Protection) on their recent engagement and upcoming wedding May 5th.
Vedanta Academy has launched “Studio 9 Independent School of the Arts”. They are seeking students and parents who want Arts based academic school where imagination, creativity, wonder and achievement are alive every day. They are the only kindergarten to Grade 12 School of the Arts in the BC Interior and are forging local partnerships with experts in the Arts to not only support, but be a part of the project while welcoming others. They have a talented staff with some extensive Arts backgrounds and will be adding more as needed. From pre-school through to grade 12, the Arts will be present. For more info visit www.studio9.ca or call CEO Mike Guzzi at 250-868-8816.
Three UBCO accounting students have calculated first-place finishes. Congrat’s to Ciera Elliott and Maxime Walker of Kelowna and Eric Einotto of West Kelowna travelled to the University of Manitoba for the competition where they beat out nine other teams from across the country. All three students are in the accounting and finance specialization, in the final year of the four-year Bachelor of Management program.
Dr. Barbara James is a local chiropractor that is doing a fund raiser for the food bank. She has a heart and nervous system screening system available, which gives valuable information. It is a simple five minute screen that shows heart rate, variability, level of arterial plaque buildup, nervous system balance and stress scores. For the next month, Dr. James will donate the $40 fee from the scan to the food bank. You do not have to be a chiropractic patient and you can also purchase a gift certificate for your family or friends to have it done. Visit www.discovermicroalignment.com or call 250-868-2951.
If learning to ride is one of your goals this year, or if you have been wondering if motorcycles are for you, attend the Kelowna & District Safety Council open house on Thursday, March 15th from 7 – 9 p.m. at 395 Hartman Road and find out. Call 250-765-3163 for more info.
Whether you are away for a day or several months, the licensed and bonded security professionals of the Commissionaires will help ensure that your home is secure and home insurance requirements are met. They will perform scheduled visits, check the inside and outside of your home, watch for water leaks, collect the mail and even water your plants. They are trusted by hundreds of homeowners in the Kelowna area and meet alarm response and vacation protection needs. Call 250-979-4773 or visit www.commissionaires.bc.ca/homewatch.
Start getting your team together for the 3rd Annual Valley First Plane Pull Challenge for United Way being held at Kelowna Flightcraft on May 11. Teams of 12 pay $750 (and get tax receipts) to pull a plane across the MacKay LLP finish line. For more info call 250-860-2356
Helene Letnick is hosting a spring art show which is homage of her mother’s artistic life “Retrospective Mother Daughter” from April 4 – 19th at the Centre culturel francophone at 702 Bernard Avenue. It is a glimpse from a life of years gone by through the eyes of a young woman, Therese Laliberte, whose passion is drawing. Open Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission.
The Kelowna Breast Cancer Paddling Team is hosting an information evening for breast cancer survivors who might be interested in the sport of dragon boating on Tuesday, March 20th at 7 p.m. at the Okanagan Mission Activity Centre, 4398 Hobson Road. ([email protected]).
The Rutland Residents Association general meeting is Thursday, March 15th at 7 p.m. at the Rutland Centennial Hall on Rutland Road. There will be a presentation from Jennifer French on a project for the Chichester Wetlands. Call 250-765-4113
Birthdays of the week – Happy 85th Mary Pozer (Mar. 11); Happy 75th Marietta Lightbody (Mar.13); Happy 60th Rick Galitzine (Mar. 7); Rob Willms, Cookson Motors (Mar. 8); Karen Shoranick (Mar. 9); Ryan Coome, Ramada Hotel (Mar. 10); Karen Christiansen, CA, Myers Norris Penny (Mar. 10); Helen Hut (Mar. 12); Tracy Larsen, Kelowna Golf Club (Mar. 12); Lise Sinclair (Mar. 13); George Apostolidis (Mar. 14); Happy 100th Oreo Cookies (Mar 6).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail [email protected] and web-site www.welcometokelowna.com (click on Columns and then Maxine DeHart)
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