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Metro Church has launched a new social enterprise, “Metro Laundry” at 1015 Crowley Avenue (next to Esporta). Managed by Crystal Fields, this unique initiative has partnered with Esporta who donated their Esporta Wash Systems that are more than just washing machines. They are an innovative washing system using a patented system of hydraulic pressure cleaning combined with a specific blend of detergents to effectively disinfect soft contents, personal protective gear and all types of sports equipment. So, how does that fit with Metro Laundry? The laundry washes everything from patio cushions, shoes, large and small linens, sports equipment, beach towels, and duvets or just about anything. All monies go back into the operation and Metro Church, in restoring lives and giving people a second chance. Along with doing this for the general public, they are also a commercial laundry business with commercial pressing equipment. Their motto is “Renewing linens and restoring lives”. Definitely a win-win situation. Call 778-484-5379
Case Furniture Gallery at 2514 Highway 97N has changed back to Ashley Furniture HomeStore. Owned and operated by Dennis and Marion Case and Brad and Jody Swartz, the first Case Furniture opened in 1977. Some years back, they changed their name and joined Ashley Furniture HomeStore. In 2010, despite the popularity and success of the Ashley brand, they left Ashley and converted their stores back to Case Furniture Galleries. All these changes were part of the ongoing evolution in response to their commitment, offering the best quality selection and value to their customers. As they evolved, so has Ashley Furniture brand with exciting new lines of home furnishings, dramatic steps forward in customer support and even greater value, thus the change back to Ashley. Call 250-861-9321
Bruce Davis is the new executive director of the Central Okanagan Foundation. Starting in the not-for-profit sector 25 years ago, he worked with the United Way in the Lower Mainland, Halifax and Brazil. He also held a position with the TELUS World of Science in Calgary. Call 250-861-6160.
After having worked with Canada Post for four decades, well-known superintendent of collection and delivery, Bert Gee has moved on, after leading many successful teams during his tenure with the Corporation in Prince George, Dawson Creek, Ottawa and Kelowna. In April, he decided to roll up his sleeves and take on a new career in auto sales at Elite Auto Centre, 2655 Enterprise Way, owned by the Gaspari family. Elite expanded in June 2012 resulting in a larger selection of automobiles to choose from. Visit him for an automobile, service or detailing. Call 250-712-0668 or [email protected] www.eliteautocentre.ca
Stopped in to see Todd Henry, store manager of the new Urban Fare on Lakeshore Road (formerly Coopers) and wow, is it starting to look great. Will have a full story for you towards the end of September when the renovations in the store and restaurant will be 100% complete and all their new products on the shelves.
Kris Johnson, marketing and events coordinator of the Kelowna Art Gallery is leaving on July 27th and relocating to Alberta to study at NAIT in Edmonton. Upon his return from Alberta in 2015 he will be making his home in Penticton, assuming ownership of a family business.
Independent travel consultant Jackie Froese has joined KVI Travel. Formerly located at 2463 Highway 97 for over three years, the company has moved to 1323 Water Street and is a full service travel agency, helping their customers with all aspects of travel. Kyle Oram is the agency manager. Call 250-980-1600 or [email protected]
C.A. Karen Christiansen of Meyers Norris Penny is back on the board as first vice-president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C., representing about 11,000 chartered accounts in B.C.
James Brown has joined the Kelowna office as lead appraiser for the valuations advisory and consulting team and as a licensed broker of Colliers International. His mandate is to advance the company’s strategic vision by spearheading the real estate appraisal, agriculture and equipment valuations division. Call 250-763-2300
Attention winery owners! Justin Dooley is a business development manager from Wilber.ca, a new local cloud based Software Company, a one stop shop for licensees to order wine directly from wineries online 24/7. It’s a selling tool that will help modernize the ordering process, eliminating phone calls, piles of paperwork, filing and maintaining manual inventory count to the industry as well. Instead of a licensee individually contacting every winery for orders, they can go to one place online, store all their sales records and summaries online. Wineries can affordably market their wines to every licensee in every corner of the province (or in short time, looks like anywhere in Canada). This benefits both the smaller and larger wineries for the same reasons as well as helping increase exposure and main point. Cloud based, just like Facebook you sign in online and store everything on the interface and not on one specific computer, meaning that you do not have to purchase any software. This software can connect with QuickBooks software and also the sales process. Contact [email protected] or call 250-717-6633
Amy’s Gifts have relocated in the Towne Centre Mall to larger and brighter premises, beside La Belle Boutique. Owned by Amy Nevery, the shop is celebrating their 30th anniversary in business; 20 years in the Capri Mall and ten years in the Towne Centre Mall. The shop offers a large selection of Bradford Exchange gifts and is the official Kelowna Bradford Exchange dealer. She also carries amber from Poland, Bohemian crystals from Czechoslovakia and heritage lace from Europe, along with Thomas Kinkade music boxes, figurines and Disney collection items. Amy’s great friend Lorie Morris helps her out in the store. Call 250-712-9442.
The benefits division of Working Enterprises Insurance Services Ltd. has moved to Working Enterprises Consultants and Benefits Services Ltd. Dave Porteous can now be reached at [email protected] If your inquiry relates to property and casualty insurance, contact [email protected] or 1-800-663-4200.
Travel Guild has selected local airline, Flair Air, owned and operated by Jim and Kathy Rogers (former partners of Kelowna Flightcraft) to provide the air portion of their “Around the World by Private Jet” Holiday for 2012. Flair worked with TGI on the World Holidays Tours in 2010 and 2011. The trip leaves from either Toronto or Vancouver on October 27 and returns to Canada November 25. It flies westbound around the world with stops in Anchorage, Alaska, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, India, Dubai, Kenya, Sao Tome, Morocco and Iceland. The price includes first class hotels, most meals, planned tours, taxes and entrance fees. Some of the highlights are the Great Wall, Angkor Wat, Taj Mahal, a desert dune drive in Dubai, African Safari and dinner at the Kasbah in Morocco. Flair supplies a 72 seat all "business class" configuration and crew, providing a personalized, high level of passenger service and comfort. www.privatejettours.ca.
To help grow the game of golf, until July 15th kids under 16 play free with a paid adult at Black Mountain Golf Club. To book call 250-765-6890 or book on-line at www.blackmountaingolf.ca
The Kelowna Farmer’s Market is holding their 17th Cherry Festival on Saturday, July 21,(corner of Springfield and Dilworth) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join in on the cherry spitting contest for all ages, (market bucks to the winners) or win a case of cherries if you guess how many cherries in the case. Along with entertainment, cherry vendors will provide tastings of different varieties.
The Okanagan Historical Society is holding their annual Family Pioneer Picnic on Sunday, July 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. behind Parkinson Rec Centre. This year they are recognizing the “Centennial Arrival of Glenmore Families”. Bring a bag lunch and lawn chair. Coffee, juice, cake and ice cream will be provided.
This is cool. Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) customers with web-enabled smartphones or tablets will be able to manage their library accounts anywhere using the ORL’s new mobile app “ORL Mobile”. The app also includes branch info, catalogue searches and links to social media. It has innovative features that will make using the library convenience for tech-inclined members. The app includes a feature called ”BookLook” which on most devices can scan the ISBN code of any book and link to the ORL catalogue to show available copies, to place a hold request or browse available eBooks and eAudiobooks titles in either of the ORL’s two digital book collections through the app, downloading them to your device. To access the free app, visit orl.boopsie.com on your mobile device or find it at the iTunes app store or Google play store by searching "Okanagan Regional Library". For more info visit www.orl.bc.ca. Chantelle McGee is the new virtual branch head. Call 250-860-4033.
The Kelowna and District Safety Council is providing their Babysitter Training Course for pre-teens, ages ten and up on August 8 and 9 at 395 Hartman Road. It is $60 and includes a babysitter’s gear bag, comprehensive student reference book and a graduation certificate. If these dates do not work, they are taking registration for November and December. Call 250-765-3348 or www.kdsc.bc.ca.
The Sizzling Sounds of Jazz Music Camp “Jazz Week” is August 6-10 with morning concert on the 11th. Classes are at Mission Creek Alliance church with clinicians Sheila French, Craig Thomson, Lonnie Burma, Hugh Parsons, Sergei Ryga and Brian McMahon. Call 250-763-7845 or [email protected] for more info.
On Sunday, July 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Domino’s Pizza on Sutherland and Highway 97 will donate 100% of revenue, plus all staff wages to the Cops for Kids Charitable Foundation. To order call 250-861-1551 or just drop in.
Viva Musica tickets are on sale for its Summer Theatre Festival with two plays on the outdoor stage at the RCA from July 19-August 12 for “Golf: The Musical” and “Fortune’s Fools”. Tickets at RCA or SelectYourTickets. www.kelownasummertheatrefestival.com
Ken (Bubba) Coles’ “The Bubba Open” started five years ago with 18 friends and has grown out of control. With so many golfers, Bubba decided to make it a fund raising event for the SPCA. The reason? Sixteen years ago he got his puppy, Keisha from the SPCA and, in his words; it has been the best years of his life. Keisha was simply amazing and sadly, on May 5, Bubba had to put Keisha down. They raised $2,300 in her memory.
Birthdays of the week – Happy 50th Magda Kapp, BrainTrust Canada (July 15); Happy 55th Scott Reynolds (July 17); Doreen Ross (July 12); Twins, Henry and Bert Willms (July 13); Gerry Moller (July 13); Moni Schiller (July 13); David LaHay, Founder/Artistic Director, Ballet Kelowna (July 15); Luanne Chore, Grant Thornton (July 14); Lil Moller (July 16); Denise O’Rourke, O’Rourke’s Market (July 17); Karen Wiggins, Brown Bag Bistro (July 17); Linda Yandel (July 17); Bill Jack, Club Wine Tours (July 17); Dave MacLean (July 18).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier and a Kelowna City Councillor. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, 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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