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STRAIGHT FROM DeHART
Date: July 19/2012
It is with great sadness that I write this dedication today. My long-time friend, Mel Kotler has passed away. Mel and I, along with being good friends, worked on many boards and committees together. Not only is this a sad day for me, it is a sad day for our entire community. Mel was a great “community leader”. Personal condolences to Dina, his entire family and many friends.
This is a cool new shop and like no other in the city. “Knifewear” has opened at 2983 Pandosy Street (across from Sopa Square). It is an exquisite Japanese blade shop, owned by Kevin Kent (who calls himself a Chief Knife Nerd), who has operated a successful Knifewear in Calgary for the past five years. Managed by Mark Puttick, they have re-invented what a kitchen knife store is or can be, with excellent, knowledgeable, knife passionate staff. They have samples of every line they carry, including Fujiwara and Masakage, so customers can “test drive” the knives with potatoes and tomatoes. That is the best way to properly and confidently choose a knife. The knives range from a great value to the ultra-high-end collectables. Prices for individual knives start at $60 and go to $4,000. Their best selling price point is $150-$250 and they sell more knives above that range than below. They also offer “Sharpening” classes” for all the knives in your kitchen and “Cut like a chef classes”. By the time I left the shop, I felt like I was “cutting like a chef”. They also carry a great line of accessories, including sharpening water stones, cookbooks that you would not find elsewhere and Larch Wood butting boards, along with many smaller gift items. Call 778-478-0331 www.knifewear.com
Sales consultant Garnet Schienbein has retired from Kelowna Mercedes-Benz at 2580 Enterprises Way. Brian Malmas,formerly of Okanagan Life Magazine for nine years, is a new sales consultant for the company. Call 250-470-7691 or 250-712-0505
Adding to its many accolades, Big White Ski Resort has been awarded “Family Ski Resort of the Year 2012” by Australia’s leading ski publication, Snow Action Magazine. Boasting an impressive 80,000 readers, the magazine lists a complete A to Zlist of reason why Big White won the award, ranging from “awesome accommodation” options to the “Mini Z’s” snowmobiles guaranteed for fun. Australia is a key market for Big White, where each year, hundreds of Aussies pack their snow boots for the mountain. Michael J. Ballingall is the senior Vice President at Big White Ski Resort.
“Savor-Otti” is a new boutique, local based company, producing a unique interpretation of the traditional biscotti; part cracker, part biscotti and full of flavor. Owned and operated by Margaret-Ann and Andy Gfeller, this product marries old world baking techniques with modern spice and seasonings blends. Savor-Otti complements fine wines, craft beer, spirits, fruits, cheese and charcuterie plates. It is a great addition to a picnic basket or yummy on its own. The unique texture lends versatility for dips, spreads, soft cheese and even as the foundation for appetizers. There are five flavours: Turkish delight (organic sun-dried figs and cumin seed); Chai Dreams (Indian Chai spices with orange zest); Moroccan Encounter (Moroccan spices and diced apricots); Latin Fling (hot chilli flakes and lime zest) and L’Amour de Provence (herbs from Provence). The product is available at 24 Okanagan wineries (too many to mention), Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisan, Fresh Green Grocery, Lakeview Market, Kelowna Gift Baskets and Pioneer Market. They sell wholesale and also bulk packaging for events. Call 250-450-9978 or [email protected]
Mosaic Books has just opened a new second location in Rutland at Unit #1 – 590 Hwy. 33 West (Willow Park Centre). Owned and operated by the Neill family, with Trevor Neill managing both locations, the funky looking, 4,000 square foot store, which is half the size of the downtown location, will have a 50/50 mix of bargain books (50-70% off cover prices) to new books for kids and adults. The store is like a mini version of the downtown location with all the same sections and the same super speedy ordering service, with most books arriving within 3-5 business days. They also offer 25% off their top ten bestsellers in four categories and most of their bargain books run between $3.99 and $6.99 with even a $2 bin. Mosaic Books was purchased in 1996 with Trevor being a third generation bookseller. Michael Neill’s mother founded Black Bond Books in Vancouver. Ninety cents of every dollars spent at the store stays in Kelowna, compared with the penny that stays in our community when you shop online. They are looking for public feedback on their new location and are endeavoring to be a tailor made community bookstore, so drop in and tell them what you think. Their staff is all avid readers of varied genres and tastes and love to give book recommendations. Open seven days a week. Call 778-484-5393 or [email protected]
Neil Wyper has joined the team at Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP as an associate lawyer, specializing in business law, real estate and wills and estates. Call 250-869-1193 or [email protected]
It’s finally cherry time and if you are looking for some fabulous cherries, Pinnacle Farms owned and operated by Joyce and Dick Prowse at 3020 McCulloch Road, above the Harvest Golf Club picks fresh daily. I understand Joyce hand picks every one! That’s an added bonus. Drop in or pre-order by phone at 250-861-8344.
The new incoming 2012-2013 Rotary Presidents for Area 4 clubs are: Okanagan Mission (Susan Steen); Kelowna (Peter Schultz); Capri (Brian Street); Morningside (Andrew Craig); Ogopogo (Matt Simpson); Sunrise (Craig Garries); Lake Country (Margaret Brown); West Kelowna Daybreak (Harold Menzel); Westbank (Susan Parsons); Rotaract Club (Shayla Millan). Vern Nielsen of the Rotary Club of Kelowna is the incoming Assistant Governor for Area 4.
Solar Centre, owned and operated by Craig McJannet at 16-1771 Cooper Road has an entire new line of products with Solatube, which is a new line of glass decorative fixtures that look more like a light fixture called “Glass Distractions Decorative Fixtures”. The entire new line has many different finishes, including VividShade (naturally chic, modern drum accents daylight with contemporary fabric); JustFrost (showcases sunlight in a clean, contemporary design); OptiView (dazzling lens of OptiView delivering artful view of the sky); TierDrop (Cascading and Classic) and ClassicVusion (diffusion that subtly blends with the ceiling plane). The Solar Centre is also offering lower prices on their Solar Roller Shades, which are available with a solar powered battery option. Greg Marshall is a new sales representative with Solar Centre. Call 250-762-5587 or www.solarcentre.ca
The next “Downtown After 5” is Wednesday, July 25th at the Kelowna Yacht Club from 5 – 7 p.m. sponsored by Artistech Newmedia. Bring a couple of friends and get a deal ($8 per person or $20 for a group of three) – no plastic allowed at these events – cash or cheque only.
Angela Bushey is the new Imagewear representative for the Okanagan. It is one of Canada’s largest suppliers of branded apparel, footwear and promotional items. They offer embroidered clothing that boasts innovative comfort and easy care features, including no-iron shirts from brands Denver Hayes and Wind River. The company customizes apparel, with exclusive embroidery, embossing, direct image print technologies and even has access to Simon Chang’s unique design talents to make a program truly your own. They sell industrial brands including Carhartt and Dakota, with break-through safety and comfort technologies, like Armour-Flexr, Hyper-Drir and Tarantula Anti-SlipT. Call 250-575-9114 [email protected]
Congrat’s to Chris Pisio (Epic Solutions) and Terri-Lynn Pisio (Paragon Pharmacy) on the birth of their son Caleb Brian Pisio on July 11. Also congrat’s to Uncle Rob Belanger of Arby’s. This is Rob’s new great nephew.
“My Fair Lady” at the Kelowna Actors Studio is an unforgettable experience with beautiful music and exquisite costumes that reminds us why musical theatre was born. Playing until August 4. Call 250-862-2867 or www.kelownaactorsstudio.com
Oranj Fitness is hosting it’s “4th Annual Okanagan’s Largest Outdoor Yoga Class” on Saturday, July 21 at Stuart Park, 1414 Water Street from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with doors opening at 8 a.m. Celebrity artist Shawn Hook of the smash hit “Every Red Light” will be playing live acoustic music for the event. Owner of Oranj, Sheila Chutskoff along with instructors Shauna Nyrose and Laura Martini will be teaming up to teach this 90 minute class downtown. A Zumba dance warm up will be taught by Tina Mandl, with all proceeds to the Kelowna Food Bank. To participate bring a minimum of $10 cash or $10 worth of non-perishable items. Call 250-448-5759 or 250-575-0718 for more info ([email protected])
The Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival has moved outdoors with two great shows lined up. Though it’s a brand new name, KSTF is actually Viva Musica Society with a new approach to summer theatre. Opening July 19 with a madcap review called Golf: The Musical which is a hilarious romp. On July 26 the second show, Fortunes Fools is taking aim at modern adult relationships. Shows starts at 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Tickets at www.selectyourtickets.com ; www.kelownasummertheatrefestival.com
Speaking of Downtown….The Taste of Downtown showcases the many great restaurants, eateries and cultural cuisine downtown. This free event will feature a self-guided tour of downtown restaurants and eateries on July 28th. Grab a Taste of Downtown Passport, follow the map to collect signatures and try samples at each of the 30 participating restaurants. Once you have all your signatures, drop off your passport to enter to win some awesome downtown prizes. Free food and prizes…can’t get much better than that. Pick up your passport at the concierge booth in Kerry Park, at any of the 30 participating restaurants or download at www.downtownkelowna.com
The Walter Gretzky CNIB Celebrity Golf Tournament is Monday, July 30th at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club. This year will be a five person Pro-Am Team format. $250 with all teams partnered up with a professional if you do not arrive with your own. Call Chrystal Hoffmann at 250-763-1191 or [email protected]
Birthdays of the week –Happy 80th Doreen Ross (July 12); Phil Parker, Canada Bread (July 19); Al Waters, Kelowna Capital News (July 20); Garrett Tanner (July 22); Robert Letvinchuk, World Beat Family Golf (July 24).
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 on Business)
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