Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: March 8/2006

Coming Soon...

Guess what everyone? I’ve made it eight years in the media industry. This week, March 4^th exactly, is the eighth anniversary of this column and surprise – I’m still here! Huge thanks to all of you, our readers, friends, colleagues and clients for supporting the Capital News, this column and me. Your continued loyalty and encouragement have made our success. Thanks for all the leads, faxes, e-mails, phone calls, stops on the street and visits to the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre (where I hang my hat). Keep them coming. I appreciate everything, especially all of you taking me into your confidence each week. I certainly could not have made this great milestone without your help.

Mara Carpet One at 1788A Baron Road has new owners and a new name. Brothers, Shane and Lance Brown are the new owners and the new name is “Interiors by Carpet One.” Shane has worked for Gus MacLellan who owned Mara Carpet One for the past ten years and Lance is moving from Vancouver where he worked for one of the largest carpet manufacturers as a mill representative. The entire staff of sales and installers is staying on with Shane and Lance. With all that experience and great staff, the company is sure to be a success. Incidentally, Gus is still at the lumber yard. Call 762-5312

How time flies. Airport manager Roger Sellick recently received his 25 Year Service Award. Along with that, Carol Marquardt received Employee of the Year and Russ Piecowye and Neil Booth their 15 Year Service Recognitions.

Speaking of the airport, traffic reached a new record in 2005 with 1,078,800 passengers using the facility, a 21% increase over 2004’s record breaking year. December, 2005 was the busiest month in airport history with 105,792 passengers, representing a 4% increase over the previous busiest month of August, 2005

Well-known Shaw TV guy Russ Greaves has received a promotion and is the “Director, Shaw TV Sales” a new National position for the company. Russ will be based out of Kelowna working with regions in Western Canada in advertising. He will still be the executive producer of WHL Hockey. Call 979-6555 or russ.greaves@sjrb.ca

Laurie Bartley, former account manager with Interior Savings Investment Management has obtained her Specialist Trust Institute designation and is now a financial consultant with Investors Group Financial Services on Cooper Road . Call 762-3329

Laura Gibbs has joined the team at Madhouse Creative as their new public, media and client relations liaison. Laurie was previously with Pacific Safety Products and the Okanagan Science & Technology Council. Tammy Moore and Scott Davis are the partners of Madhouse, a full service marketing firm. Call 860-8651

More news from the Okanagan Golf Club and Gallagher’s Canyon . Director of sales and marketing Kevin Isabey has left the golf club to venture on into his own business. Former sales manager, Shannon Meyer is now the new regional sales manager. The two courses also have new sales events coordinators. Dore Blais is at the Okanagan Golf Club and Georgia Trainor is at Gallagher’s.

Helena Pol has been reappointed by the Regional Board to the Regional Dog Advisory Committee and will represent the Humane Society on the committee through 2206.

Arby’s on Harvey has a brand new look. They have completely renovated, sporting a whole new colour pallet in the latest earth-tone colours. The store has new booths and tables, Corian countertops; beautiful plank flooring, rock pillars and rock accessory walls, new front entry tiles and even renovated bathrooms. They have also implemented some new services, including the single line service (like the banks and airports) and now have a new self-serve condiment bar. It’s really neat. The restaurant has been closed for the renovations but has now reopened. Arby’s is owned by Bob and Pat Laurin and Rob Belanger is the general manager. They are open seven days a week with their drive-thru open 24/7. Call 763-0006

Larry Colvin, regional sales manager, BC Interior Division of Old Dutch Foods told me about a super new product that they have just launched. Matter of fact their new “Restaurante Multigrain Premium Tortilla Chips” received the Best New Product Award for 2006. The product contains whole white or yellow corn flour, whole oat flour, barley flour, oat fibre, whole wheat flour and whole cracked flax offering the consumer a high in fibre snacking alternative. They won the award with over 10,000 Canadians surveyed through the Best New Product Awards 2006 sponsored by Canadian Living Magazine, Coup Pouce and Global TV. For over 50 years, Old Dutch Foods has been Western Canada ’s most recognized snack manufacturer, producing a wide variety of potato and corn products, salsas and other snack food items. Everyone knows the “Old Dutch” name. Call Larry at 860-4523, ext.30

“Natural Mystique” has recently opened by owner Heidi Wettberg at 160 Rutland Road N. (beside Burger Baron). The unique eco-friendly shop carries natural ingredient soaps and candles and the jewellery they stock is made with natural stones and gems, crafted by local artisans. As well, loose stones and crystals are available for meditation and healing work. Art works sold in various forms are all by local artists. Massage treatments, reiki, reflexology and yoga are available with appointment or on a drop-in basis along with psychic readings by Ruth. They also carry books on a wide variety of metaphysical subjects, including aromatherapy, angel communication, crystal and gems, color management, chakras, meditation, numerology, palmistry and tarot. The shop is open Monday to Saturday. Call 765-1251

Do you think you have an ugly kitchen? Well, prove it! There’s a really neat new contest hosted by The Kitchen Triangle Design Studio at #7-1905 Evergreen Court and Granite Solutions at Unit 5- Building 3, 3308 Appaloosa Road . “The Ugly Kitchen Contest” is just what it says. Send in your pictures of your ugly kitchen to The Kitchen Triangle Design Studio and its simple. If the judges think you are right, you will win $5,000 towards your new kitchen cabinetry and $5,000 towards granite in your kitchen. The contest runs until April 28^th so you have lots of time to enter. There will also be prizes for random draws. There is no limit of the number of pictures you can send of your ugly kitchen; e-mail as j pegs; CD; or just mail-in or drop them off to The Kitchen Triangle. Paul Van Zand and Dawn Wesenberg are representing The Kitchen Triangle and Christian Ponici and owner Joseph Nagy of Granite Solutions. Don’t miss out on this one if you are thinking of renovating with a new updated look. Call 717-1352 for more info.

If it looks like the Imperial Banquet Restaurant at 233 North Rutland Road have closed their doors from March 12^th onward, they have not. They will only be closed from March 12^th to April 11^th as the family will be out of the country for a month. The restaurant will reopen on April 12^th. For their patron’s consideration, they are now offering coupons for a free medium wonton soup to be used when they reopen on April 12 to May 1.The Imperial Banquet Restaurant is owned and operated by Steve and Elaine Sen, Joyce Sen and Joyce’s husband Don Ng.

Wendy’s owners and John Tietzen received recently received some special recognition. Sunshine Dreams for Kids (B.C. Interior Chapter) president Colleen Pfannenschmidt and past president Steve Tuck presented plaques to all nine managers of Wendy’s Restaurants recognizing their raising more than $77,000 this year on Wendy’s Dreamlift Day. A special plaque noting surpassing $500,000 over the past 12 years was presented to franchise owner, John Tietzen.

Agostino’s Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar at 450 Bernard Avenue is having a special event on March 17^th with a special menu. Agostino and his wife Julie, proprietors of the popular restaurant are bringing in renowned Canadian Tenor from Vancouver, Phil Grant. This will be Grant’s second time to visit Kelowna . The evening will also be hosted by renowned and all-around-nice fellow master wine maker Howard Soon. It’s sure to be a fantastic evening. Call 979-1555 to reserve.

Incidentally Howard just got back from the Vancouver Playhouse Wine Festival. It was a humongous success with over 2,500 attendees per night. Mayor Sam Sullivan spoke at the luncheon and he received a standing ovation. Howard said the whole event was really something and that tickets for the event were being scalped at the door. Isn’t that something?

The Okanagan Historical Society’s AGM and dinner will be held at Immaculata Centre, 839 Sutherland Avenue on Saturday, March 18^th starting at 5pm. Tickets are only $25 and available at Mosaic Books and The Kelowna Museum. Kaye Benzer is the president and Ruth Stirling the publicity agent of the association. Call 860-2844 for more info.

The Mission Dance Company is showcasing new choreographies with live accompaniment for the upcoming Dance Artistico on March 11^th at 7:30pm at the Kelowna Community Theatre. For info call Corrine Zawaduk at 808-6589 or colourfulshoes@yahoo.ca

Had the opportunity once again to taste the excellent cuisine at Okanagan College ’s Infusions Restaurant. The College’s Advanced Culinary Arts Program is second to none and Infusions at the KLO Campus is open for the school season. Chef Mike Barillaro and his culinary arts students do a fabulous job. The restaurant is open Tuesday to Friday for dinner and Monday to Friday for lunch. The four course meal is only $22.95 or three course for only $17.95. A buffet is served once monthly. Let me tell you, you won’t be disappointed. For reservations call 862-5455.

L. A Weight Loss Update – Well, I’ve lost over 40 pounds and a whooping 25 inches. I’m now on maintenance – an important part of the program (I don’t want you to see me in six months larger than on the bus and the bus stops – Ha!). It’s really neat seeing yourself “rolling” down the street. I now get to eat unlimited veggies, one more starch, one more fruit and one more dairy. I feel like I’m in heaven. It’s really a head game with me eating those extra’s. I’m always worried about gaining while eating more, but the program is fantastic. It does exactly what it says if you do what they say. The L.A. staff are so encouraging and fun. Easy eh? I’ll keep you updated.

Quote of the week – “I know the price of success; dedication, hard work and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” (Frank Lloyd Wright) Submitted by Shawna McCrea, TD Canada Trust.

Birthdays of the week:
- Happy 75^th Daphne Mitchell (Mar.13)
- Happy 59^th Gary Embleton, Embleton & Assoc. (Mar.6)
- Happy 50^th Karen Cooper, Aldila Boutiques Mission Park (Mar.13)
- Happy 40^th Sheri Solloway, manager, Mickie’s Pub (Mar.8)
- Happy 40^th Heather Schroeter, Manteo Resort (Mar.9)

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 979-4546, fax 860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net and web-site www.welcometokelowna.com (click on Business)