Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: April 25/2007

Concern about your pets and their food has certainly been in the forefront lately. It's important that pet owners are aware of the ingredients in pet food. Lately, pet owners are shifting their thoughts to smaller companies and are looking for the essentials for healthy pet living with nutritious products that do not have the fillers, by-products and unnecessary ingredients in the pet food. In saying this, there is a new company in Lake Country called "Pet Chef Express owned and operated by franchisee Sailles Sutton. The company is based out of Vancouver, with their manufacturing plant in Calgary and has been in business since 1997, offering high quality, organic and vitamin enriched food products for pets. Pet Chef does not have wheat, gluten or bi-products in any of its products and provides a clear and understandable healthy list of ingredients. They offer free home delivery. Check out www.petchef.ca; call 469-6652; e-mail sales@naturalharvestpet.ca

Recently retired from HSBC, but not for long, Walter Jabs is now working for the Business Development Bank, 313 Bernard Avenue as a Sr. Manager-Business Development. Call 470-4846.

Shane Bennett, manager of London Drugs was ecstatic to tell me about their amazing expansion and renovation. They are renovating the whole store and expanding 5,000 square feet towards the back of the building, which has already started. Inside, everything will be renovated and new. All the offices will be moved to the back expansion and all the current office space will be used for the store. It's going to be something else.

Okanagan Hearing Clinic in Westbank has a new "Doctor of Audiology." The clinic was originally established in Mission Park Mall 20 years ago and is still going strong with Colin VanBergen as their managing audiologist. Three years ago they opened another clinic in Westbank on a part time basis at #11-2484 Main Street (Cooper's Mall). Due to its rapid growth, the Westbank clinic has brought in Dr. Mark Faulk on a permanent full time basis and they are now open five days a week. The company has also had an office in Vernon for the past 19 years. Call 861-4727 for Kelowna and 707-3488 for Westbank.

Jazzy Yaz's Funky Footwear by Yasmin Pitre is now available in Kelowna. What are Jazzy Yaz's? They are footwear that is actually “foot jewellery” and can be used as an accessory for your feet. They are beaded on treated faux leather straps that you wrap around your legs and toes and then tie around your ankle to keep them in place. You can wear them with flip flops, sandals, the new ballet type low shoes or around your bare feet. They come in children's and adult sizes and are really fun for the summer. The beading comes in all colours and styles and they are sold by the pair for $18-$20. Yasmin is at the Farmer's Market every Saturday morning or call her at 763-3510 or jazzyazz@shaw.ca

Blenz Coffee has opened their third location in our area. Located at the Hub Centre in Westbank at #307-3550 Carrington Road, they are open seven days a week. David Tuccaro is the owner of the store, with his sister Jennifer Tuccaro the manager and Kate Irvine the assistant manager. Call 707-1572

The YMCA-YWCA has a new board for 2007. Leaving the board after eight years is Sandra Broughton (B.C. Cancer Society) and Robert E. Groves (Lawyer). Newly elected are Brenda Billing and Ron Stewardson (Td Commercial Banking). Randy Schueler (Russell & Associates) is the current president, Holly Radcliffe the vice-president and Anne Postlewaite the treasurer (Meyers Norris Penny, LLP). Directors are Tim Blackburn (Urban Systems), Alan Coyle (Okanagan College), Hali Drewlo (Scotiabank), Barbara Duggan and Janice Vermeulen (Shaw Cable).

Freddy's Brew Pub and McCurdy Bowling Centre have some neat new things happening. The pub is expanding to include a new outside patio for the summer and will also be building a “glassed-in” section of the patio to be used in the winter months. Freddy's will still be open during all the renovations. In speaking with Michael Mitchell of the Centre he was also excited to tell me that during their winter bowling league Jason Ostoforov and Kyle Maley both bowled perfect games. This is very prestigious in bowling circles, which means they bowled 12 strikes in row. Imagine!

Authors Sharron Simpson and Ian Greenwood have launched their new book recounting the history of Sun-Rype entitled "Deep Roots, Strong Branches: The History of Sun-Rype Products Ltd." This commemorates the 60th anniversary of Sun-Rype Products Ltd. Since 1946, Sun-Rype has been a part of the Okanagan fruit industry as celebrated in this book which showcases Sun Rype's role in the industry and shares the memories and stories of employees from the early days of the company. The book is available at the B.C. Orchard Industry Museum.

Congratulations to Jim Hansen (partner, BDO Dunwoody) and Carol Westmoland (LCB) on their upcoming marriage May 4. It's also Jim's birthday on May 5. Great present!

"The Back Yard Builder" Klaas Nierop is creating the neatest custom made garden sheds. He can build them anyway you want. They can be made out of wood, siding, metal or just about anything. Each one is unique and can actually be used as a shed, hobby house, pool shed, garden house or even an artist’s studio. They can be used for literally anything that you might want in your back yard. All are custom made and very unique and can even be matched up exactly to look like your home. Call 808-8117

Stepping Stones Counselling Group who specialize in counselling and therapy for children, youth and families have expanded. They have moved to their new location at 1369 Richter Street. The team is made up of Deanne Leung, M. Ed, R.R.C. Coordinator/Therapist) and therapists Heather Toles M. Ed, C.C.C.; Jennifer Todd M.A. RSW; Maria DeGiovanni M.A., R.C.C. and Wendy Groiss M. Ed., M.A., R.C.C. They are taking new referrals. Call 763-7414

Anita Syvret is an enterprising entrepreneur. Last year she started OkanaganBuildingTrades.com. Now she is adding to Okanagan Building Trades and is building affordable Web Presence Websites. A web presence site is great for those who generate their traffic through advertising, business cards, brochures and word of mouth. She has also started another online directory, Okanagansalons.com for anyone wanting to advertise a salon or spa online or looking for one. Call 250-767-9526

Five trophies including top team and the admiration of competition judges was the outcome for a team of four students and their coach from the Okanagan School of Business as they competed at the 43rd Annual International Collegiate Business Competition in San Diego. Arend Hoekstra, CEO; Jane Long, VP Operations and Finance; Janta Quigley, VP Marketing and Arluene King, VP Corporate Communications received awards for both "Top Team" and "Top Reports" in addition to three trophies for earning top returns in a simulated stock market. The four students were coached by Okanagan School of Business Professor and Councilor Norm Letnick.

Here’s an update on what’s happening with the models from Allan International Models owned and operated by Chris Allan McCormack. Kelowna’s very own “Male Super Model” Owen Steuart is still in New York. Fifteen year old Julia Broome has been working steady in Hong Kong. Sixteen year old Danielle Seitz who spent last summer in Bangkok with Broome, will be off to Milan, Italy this summer for her second international outing. Fifteen year old Chloe Hunter has recently been offered two modeling contracts for the summer from two different agencies in China.

Who are ghostwriters? What can a writer claim on income tax? These and other topics will be addressed by five speakers at the Specialty Writing Conference this Saturday, April 28 from 9am-4pm at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Sponsored by the Okanagan Branch of Canadian Authors Assn., members are free, non members $45. and students $25. Call 763-4968.

“The Memory of Water” written by Shelagh Stephenson is being hosted by Theatre Kelowna at The Mary Irwin Theatre on April 27 & 28 and May 2-5, and at 2pm on April 29. The play moves from hilariously funny to deeply moving as it explores the universal relationships of mothers and daughters (I think I’ll take my sister to this one!). Tickets at Ticketmaster.ca or 860-1470 Town Centre Mall box office or Rotary Centre for the Arts box office 717-5304.

The Church of the Nazarene on Highway 33 is hosting a clothing giveaway on Saturday, May 12 from 9:30am-1:30pm. They are accepting donations of good clean used clothing. Call 869-4198

This is smart. The City of Kelowna's Inspection Services Division now has 15 paperless offices on the road. Dubbed "Smart Offices" by staff, the paperless offices are fuel efficient SmartCars decked out with wireless computers allowing all building, plumbing and heating inspections to be completed on site. Ron Dickinson is the Inspection Services Manager.

Three new agents have been added to Valley Boat Brokers; Kent Hardisty from the Kelowna Yacht Club, Ken Smith from Vernon Yacht Club and Doug Russell from the Penticton Yacht Club. Call 878-7070 www.valleyboats.ca

Can Am Mobility at 158 Old Vernon Road is having their grand re-opening on April 27 at 11am-3pm. Join them for a BBQ, prizes and lots of fun. Can Am specializes in scooters, walkers and wheelchairs, along with many other mobility items. Call 491-0003

On Tuesday, May 1 a fundraiser for Paul Clark and his family is being sponsored by Discover Wines, Blue Lines Sports & Comedy Club, and B.C. Okanagan Wine Festivals. The Clark’s daughter Meaghan, who is 13 is currently being treated for bone cancer at the Children’s Hospital. Paul has had to take a leave of absence from Discover Wines in order to be with Meaghan where he is currently staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Wife Kelly-Ann has become the sole bread winner and is staying in Kelowna to care for their youngest son. They are holding a silent auction and looking for any donations. There will be live music and many activities. For info or tickets call 868-3990.

For the first time, Kelowna is hosting the National Tour Association Spring Meet Conference. We competed against sixteen U.S. cities, and Kelowna is only the second Canadian City to host the Spring Meet. Over 120 tour operators and 92 industry representatives will embark upon our city starting tomorrow, for four days. This conference attracts the decision-makers of major international tour companies. They will make decisions on expanding existing tours or developing new tours that include our area. We will all have a chance to showcase our City and area. NTA has a membership of more than 3,000 tourism professionals, including tour operators and tourism industry professionals such as attractions, accommodators and destinations. I’ll be there for the whole show!

Quote of the week –Goals are dreams with deadlines. (Diana Scharf Hunt)

Birthdays of the week – Happy 60^th Alan Dolman, Chair-Interior Health Authority (Today, April 25); Peter Dick (April 26); Alana Francis, Canadian Cancer Society (April 24); Special belated birthday to Alex Hunt who turned 90 on April 6. Alex still plays golf and never misses his weekly Mickie’s golf league

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)