Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: April 11/2007

Today, Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers is celebrating its 20^th anniversary, being recognized as one of the most successful Crime Stoppers programs. They have received numerous Provincial and International Awards. Over the past 20 years, their statistics are staggering. Crime Stoppers received 12,751 tips with 2,758 cases cleared and 1,924 arrests made. They have paid out $144,536 in rewards and recovered $3,243,711 in stolen property and seized drugs worth $49,020,321. With totals like this, we should all support this worthwhile program. As part of the celebrations Crime Stoppers is hosting the B.C. Crime Stoppers Annual Provincial Training Conference in Kelowna May 3-5. The organization is also a sponsor of the Chamber luncheon on May 2, with keynote speaker Steve Walrath, immediate past president of Crime Stoppers International. Bruce Baron is the local Crime Stoppers Coordinator and Vern Nielsen is the president of the organization. Tipsline 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or local office 470-6215

Well-known local lawyer, Brad Cronquist formerly of Berge Horn has joined the firm of Pushor Mitchell as a partner. Brad practices in the area of real estate development, corporate and commercial law and estate planning. Call 869-1150 or cronquist@pushormitchell.com

B.C. Prosthetic & Orthotic Services at 101-2000 Enterprise Way are leaders in their field, specializing in mastectomy fittings and intimate apparel. Donna Pawulski, along with being office manager, has been a post mastectomy certified fitter for 10 years. The shop has just undergone major renovations and the apparel shop has been moved from upstairs to the main floor of the complex. The new store-front location is double the size, is bright, has a relaxing, soothing and non-clutter atmosphere, with all products now separately sized. They offer a wide variety of inventory and sizes, featuring two new dressing rooms. All fittings are private with plenty of lovely items in many wonderful colours to choose from. Along with their custom products, they also carry a full line of all types of regular bras for all sizes and shapes from ‘A” to “high” and intimate apparel. Call 868-3397.

Manse Binkley and Anna Hunt-Binkley owners of Harmony Honda on Enterprise Way are now also the new owners of Parklane Acura at 2576 Highway 97N. Manse mentioned that eventually the two dealerships will be put together in a brand new facility.

Sherry Crandell, owner of the franchise “Island Tan” for five years at 520- 1950 Harvey Avenue (London Drugs Plaza) has decided to go on her own and the business is now called “Sherry’s Tan & Travel Referrals”. The shop is in the process of being renovated with an uplift of new paint and counters. Business is as usual. Call 763-5300.

Tina Maciejewski is the new territory manager for Kelowna North for Labatt Breweries. Tina relocated from Halifax. Call 763-2080.

Yolanda Kroes, formerly of Polished Diva’s Nail Bar in Amici’s Hair & Spa has opened her own business “Dutchess Nail Co.” located at 112A-1890 Cooper Road in the Orchard Plaza Professional Building. She specializes in gel nail enhancements as well as manicures and pedicures. Call 864-8816

The Exceptional Service Under the Sun Committee has a new 2007 slate of committee members. Congrat’s to Tanya Cormier, Orchard Park Shopping Centre (Committee Chair); Jill Diemer, Prospera Credit Union (Committee Co-Chair); and Committee members John Perrott (Downtown Kelowna Association); Diana Dors (Tourism Kelowna & Chamber of Commerce); Heather Schroeter (Kelowna Hotel Motel Assoc.) and staff member Laura Appleby of the Kelowna Chamber. Exceptional Service Under the Sun is dear to my heart as I was one of the founding members of this program many years ago and am glad that it is still going strong.

CedarCreek Estate Winery is celebrating their 20^th Anniversary. Owned by the Fitzpatrick family, there will be year-long celebrations of the winery’s many milestones. Named Canada’s Winery of the Year in 2002 and 2005 by Wine Access Magazine, they will continue to champion the Okanagan Valley as a wine and tourist destination along with the launch of its new Greata Ranch Vineyard Estates Development and Greata Ranch Wine Centre. To commemorate the anniversary, winemaker Tom DiBello has crafted CedarCreek’s “first ever” single vineyard designate wine, the 2005 Block Four Platinum Reserve Pinot Noir from the home vineyard scheduled for release in October, 2007. There will also be a series of special events taking place including the Diamonds & Gold Dinner to be held May 3 at Fresco Restaurant and a special celebration dinner to be hosted September 29th at CedarCreek Winery. The wine shop will be showcasing anniversary commemorative clothing along with a one-of-a-kind Commemorative Wine Crate featuring its Estate Select and Platinum Reserve Series wines. A highlight this year will be CedarCreek’s First Annual Barrel Art Auction in support of Kelowna's Life and Arts Festival. The list of anniversary celebrations goes on and on. For more info call Gordon Fitzpatrick at 764-8866, ext. 113 or marketing manager Angela McManus at ext. 106.

Congratulations to Randi Allen (Drs. Carlyle and Milanese) and Hugh Cairns (Projexx Cabinets) on their upcoming marriage on April 20^th.

Well known “shoe gals” Sue McLean and Lynn Fazan, formerly of Payless Shoes have both moved on to a new opportunity. Sue, who was formerly the manager at Payless for five years, is now the new manager of Canadian company Sterling Shoes in Orchard Park. Lynn is joining her in about a week or so as a sales associate. Call 763-1425

Lots of changes in the Kelowna golf industry. Two time tour winner Gail Graham is leaving Kelowna and relocating to Atlanta as president of the LPGA Tournament Owners Association. She will be representing the interests of all LPGA tournaments. I was sorry to hear that Gail is leaving as she really helped me with my golf.

Tim Buckley, formerly of Fairview Mountain Golf Course in Oliver is the new chef at Gallagher’s Canyon. Gallagher’s has renovated their entire kitchen and have a new team in the kitchen to work with Chef Tim. They are working on a new menu. The clubhouse is also getting a little sprucing up for the season.

Ryan Whitman is the new regional sales manager Golf BC – Okanagan for Gallagher’s Canyon, The Okanagan Golf Club and The Pinnacle Course.

Dan Matheson was ecstatic to tell me that The Okanagan Golf Club (Quail and Bear Courses) have completely renovated the entire clubhouse and it looks great. All the familiar faces in the kitchen and staff will be back again this year.

Shannon Lake Golf Club has a new “golf management team”. Kelowna Springs owner and general manager, Ian Robertson is the new general manager and will also still be the general manager at Kelowna Springs. John Jacoby, formerly of Kelowna Springs Golf Course is the new assistant general manager and CPGA Head Professional at Shannon Lake Golf Club. He spent the past 11 years at Kelowna Springs and will oversee the day-to-day operations at Shannon Lake. Tyrel Babkirk, CPGA Associate Professional comes from Summerland Golf & Country Club. His shared role at Shannon Lake will include golf shop operations, instruction, junior development and inventory management. Call 768-4653

Rich Chlopan, former Associate Golf Professional is now the new Head Professional and Assistant General Manager at Kelowna Springs Golf Club. Rich is joined by Robertson Fait, formerly of Vietnam (yes Vietnam) as a new golf professional. Both Kelowna Springs and Shannon Lake, along with Shadow Ridge Golf Club are members of the successful Golf Kelowna program.

Another milestone for local geoexchange contractor GeoTility Systems as the first GeoTility heat pump leaves the corporate office on Cary Road. Company president Jim Leask is pleased that GeoTility System has completed a private branding contract with Water Furnace International, the top manufacturer of geothermal heat pumps in North American. GeoTility Systems has gained international recognition as the largest geoexchange contractor in Canada with a Richmond office that opened last year and plans to enter into the Washington market late this year. Barry Milner is the marketing director of the company. Call 762-5776.

Mike Stanley of Standard Radio has moved from the creative department at 99.9 Sun FM and Oldies 1150 to the sales department at 10.5 Silk FM and Oldies 1150. Call 868-4769.

One of Kelowna’s largest manufacturing businesses, FormaShape has appointed Bren Steele to the position of director of marketing and sales and John Christie to the position of manufacturing engineering manager. Steel has formerly worked for companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Parke-Davis Abbot Las, Aventis, BASF and Chevron. Christie previously worked for General Motors for 39 years and most recently with Always on UPS Systems where he was vice-president and general manager. To top it all off, FormaShape was recently the winner of The Okanagan Science & Technology Council’s “Innovative Organization of the Year Award.” FormaShape, a division of Whitewater Composites, is a market leader in the design and manufacture of FRP for architectural fascia products.

Carol Browne formerly of Shoppers Drug Mart is the new manager of Naturalizer Shoes in Orchard Park. Call 860-0772

Experienced educational administrator, Robert Eby has been named as Okanagan College’s new vice president, finance and administration. Eby comes from Vernon’s School District 22 where he worked for the past 17 years, the last 15 of which he has been assistant secretary-treasurer.

News director for CKOV/63 and Power 104 Jasmin Doobay is riding high these days. She entered a B.C. wide competition and is attending the “Leadership for New Managers” course at the Poynter Institute, a school for journalists, future journalists and teachers of journalists in St. Petersburg, Florida. This is a Jack Webster Fellowship and a real honour.

Haven’t “officially” confirmed this yet, but heard some news about Milestone’s Restaurant and Shoppers Drug Mart in Orchard Park. Apparently, Milestone’s is building a new free standing restaurant on the Orchard Park Shopping Centre lot and Shoppers Drug Mart will be greatly expanding, taking over the existing Milestone’s area. Haven’t heard the exact time frame (either start or finish) of the project. Stay tuned.

Kelowna Community Music School is presenting its “30^th Birthday Gala Concert” on Friday, April 20 at 7:30pm at First Lutheran Church, 4091 Lakeshore Road, with 140 students of the school. Featured ensembles are the KCMS Singers, Community Orchestra, Jubilation Youth Choir and Suzuki Violin Groups. Guest piano soloist is Emily Koo. There is a reception to follow with tickets available at the door and at KCMS, 728 DeHart Avenue or from choir and orchestra members. Lorna Paterson is the artistic director of KCMS. For more info call 860-1737 or artdir.kcms@shaw.ca

The Canadian Home Builders Association is hosting its 15^th Annual “Real Homeshow” at the Curling Club April 13-15. The show is expected to be the hottest ticket in town, with admission only $5 and a chance to enter the draw for the “Extreme Package Trip to Vegas”, co-sponsored by Pentar Homes Ltd. Another highlight is the “Extreme Backyard Makeover” in partnership with Hampton Landscaping Concrete, Gord Turner Renovations, Home Hardware, VT Greens and other association members. At this year’s show, “What’s In, What’s New, What’s the Best” will all be there. It’s something you won’t want to miss. This year I have been asked the honour of being a judge at the show. I’m very excited to see everything and everyone and am truly looking forward to it. So, don’t miss out. April 13-1-8pm; April 14, 10-8pm and Sunday 10-4pm. Rob Siddon is this year’s chairperson.

Internationally acclaimed master concert pianist, Robert Silverman will be performing on stage with The Okanagan Symphony’s new music director, Rosemary Thomson, performing a kaleidoscope of symphonic music, entitled “That’s a Classic” on April 13 at 8pm at The Kelowna Community Theatre. The performance exemplifies the works of three illustrious composers from the romantic and classical periods, including Haydn, Schumann and Beethoven. Call Ticketmaster at 860-1470.

The “25^th Anniversary Apple Triathlon Celebration” dinner, dance and silent auction featuring a live performance by the Cruzeros and guest speaker Three-Time Ironman World Champion Peter Reid is Friday, April 20^th at The Grand. Tickets are only $95. Call 869-1151 or 864-0526

Does anyone know what is going in behind I-Hop Restaurant? All the parking is gone and a new building is being constructed, but there is no sign up. Lots of people are asking. If you know, give me a call. 979-4546

Quote of the week – Success is when your name is in everything but the phone book.

Birthdays of the week – Happy 80^th Don Alexander (April 8); Happy 40^th Brett Innis, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (April 8); Happy 60^th Donna Joel, Fabricland (April 14); Rose Klingspoon (April 8); Happy 60^th Sandy Gallant (Coldstream -British Car Club) April 15; Happy belated 50^th to well known guy around town Gordie Abougoush (March 31).

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)