Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: August 22/2007

Michael Litchfield and the team at Redwood Law Corporation have opened a new office at Guisachan Village at #114-2365 Gordon Drive. Redwood Law specializes in real estate, wills and estates and small business matters. They have just launched a new web-site at www.redwoodlaw.ca Call 862-5715.

Speaking of our local legal beagles, Kimberly Darling has joined Petraroia Langford Rush as an associate to their firm. She specializes in litigation, including commercial litigation, employment law, real estate litigation, construction disputes, builder’s liens, insurance defense, shareholder disputes and strata property disputes. Call 861-5332.

Berge Horn Lawyers have the same people and are in the same location at 215 Lawrence Avenue (2^nd Floor) but have a new name. They are now known as FH&P Lawyers. Heidi Taylor has joined them as an associate in real estate and land development and civil litigation. Call 762-4222

The Laughing Moon Restaurant on Lakeshore Road in the Mission is being sub-leased to a new tenant. The new leasee's are Waterfront Wines, being Brent Peacock, Mark Filatow and Marc Gaucher. The plans are to put in a new casual “family bistro” serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. As of September 10^th the restaurant will be closed for major renovations until approximately November 1. Their new name will be released soon. The Laughing Moon Post Office and Gift Gallery will remain the same. Brenda Brown is still the sub-landlord of the entire space.

Some exciting news at 101-5 SILK FM. After an extensive cross-Canada search, Chanine Carr is back home in the Okanagan. Chanine brings a wealth of experience in markets from Victoria and Calgary to 101-5 SILK FM's “Midday Show” and the new “Classic Café” which is weekdays from noon-1pm. Chanine started her career in Penticton with numerous family members in the area. Her positive energy and genuine rapport with the SILK listeners started on Monday, Aug 20th.

Banka & Company Inc., Certified General Accountants has purchased the firm of Gallagher & Co. and has assumed the premises of Gallagher & Co. at #105-565 Bernard Avenue (Towne Centre Mall). Call 763-4528

Lots happening at Orchard Park Shopping Centre (Oxford Properties) in the administration office. Tanya Cormier, former administrative assistant is the new property administrator. Brianne Hawick, relocating from Calgary has taken Tanya’s position as administrative assistant. Laurie Casey, also relocating from Calgary is the new guest services supervisor and marketing coordinator Shawna Farina has returned from maternity leave. Norbert Gelowitz is the general manager of Oxford Properties Group. Call 860-3742

Former Dakoda’s Sports Bar and Grill kitchen manager, Cindy Schultze is now the new kitchen manager at Baxter’s Bar and Grill on Spall, owned and operated by Ron and Deb Doig. Call 868-3724

Cindy Fairs, well-known executive director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association has resigned. In the interim Diana Barker will be acting as executive director. John Manton is the president of the organization. Call 763-5511

Chef Strebel has sold the Birch Grill & Catering Company at 526B Bernard Avenue. The new restaurant is being renovated and there will also be a name change.

Margaret and Susan Wort of Fashion Foundations on Lawrence Avenue have opened a satellite shop in Castlegar, managed by long-time employee and certified mastectomy fitter, Carol Hiebert. Fashion Foundations have been in business for 30 years in Kelowna. Call 763-1473

Two new executives have joined Renascence Development Corporation. Dino Di Marco has joined as chief financial officer and Marianne Dahl as director of marketing. Di Marco has been a chartered accountant for 14 years, most recently with Starline Architectural in Vancouver and Dahl an account director at MacLean Group Marketing. Renascence was co-founded by Larry Kelly and Ron Knight and recently moved their offices to 1664 Richter Street to accommodate their growing team. The company is a developer of quality, premium location, multi-family homes. Call 762-4777

The Okanagan Valley will soon have a quality alternative ground transportation service. TRAXX Coachlines are expanding their operation and opening a new regional office in Kelowna. The Western Canadian carrier is owned by the Monarch Corporation of Medicine Hat, with regional offices in Calgary, Vancouver and Regina. TRAXX has developed from a history of 75 years offering 55 deluxe highway motor-coaches. They will provide charter transportation for all groups ranging from schools and sports organizations to seniors and corporate conferences. Former Kelowna resident Wayne Seamans is the regional manager with local representative Ben Gerencser who was formerly assistant manager with Quality Greens Produce. Call 1-877-TRAXX77 or 250-469-2086

Happy 35^th wedding anniversary Dr. Mike and Mayor Sharon Shepherd on August 25.

CedarCreek Estate Winery is hosting a film shoot. The NBC TV series “Psych” is filming an upcoming episode for their second season which airs in both Canada and the US. The storyline is based on a prominent family-owned winery with producer Mel Damski and director Joanne Kearn. In support to the Okanagan Film Commission and the local film industry, CedarCreek will donate $2,500 to UBC Okanagan’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies to create a one-time bursary for a student of its Performance/Theatre studies program.

Katie Corneille, award winning stylist and painter and her partner Michelle Pedersen, a Gemini Award Nominee for make-up on the TV series Adams Family, have formed a new company called “Take Pride Productions.” They are holding a really neat event at the Mary Irwin Theatre on September 15. It’s a one day seminar (10am-6pm) featuring four speakers on skin care, make-up and hair. They will be teaching the everyday woman about the industry’s trade secrets. The event called “The How To For You!” is sponsored by Stila, Darphin and Riversol, along with local sponsors, The Bread Company, Okanagan’s Finest, Mirror Mirror Salons, Dressers Salon and Cream Hair and Make-Up Lounge. The cost is $150 but you will be walking away with a very generous supply of gift products and giveaways. They will have live audience demonstrations and in speaking with Katie, the event will boost your ego and ignite your confidence. For more info visit www.artscard.ca or get tickets at www.ticketmaster.com

If you’re looking for a well-known and long-time artist in Kelowna, Don Makela is unique in his field. Specializing in large, exclusive murals, ski area renderings and commissioned paintings, he boosts a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in illustrations. Along with that, he does the most spectacular and neatest “painted windows” for anything including Christmas, special events or just about anything. His caricatures are hilarious, although most of his “buddies” probably do not agree (ha!). His murals can be seen at Parkinson Rec Centre, Winfield Linear Park and other locations around the valley. This past year he was commissioned by Bear Creek Mountain Resort, just outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to paint a portrait of the mountain, a portrait of the base area of the ski hill and ski maps. He does this by flying over the area and getting the “lay of the land” and pictures. It’s a real work in progress for projects of this magnitude. Speaking of “painted windows, Don painted the windows of the Ramada Hotel for us this past two Christmas’ and they were hilarious and entertaining, something fun and happy for that time of year. If you’re interested in seeing some of his work or speaking to him about what he can do for you, give him a call at 763-4846

On September 6^th, a long standing tradition returns as the United Way launches its 57^th Annual Campaign with the popular “Kick-Off Breakfast” at the Coast Capri Hotel. This year’s campaign chair is Danny Moores, ICBC Centre Manager. To reserve your seat or table call the United Way Office at 860-2356.

“Organizing” anything is certainly in-style. Linda Anderson has launched her new and improved website www.organizinghelp.ca. At Organizing Help, they specialize in home and office organizing programs which change the way you think and feel about your organizational skills. In September, they will be launching a new seminar series called “Simplify Your Life”. This is a series of monthly seminars featuring businesses that can help you to simplify your life. These seminars are a follow up to the six week Organizing Challenge and are open to the public. For more info call 870-1670; e-mail info@organizinghelp.ca or sign up to receive their monthly e-mail newsletter with organizing tips and strategies for your home, office and life at www.organizinghelp.ca

The popular “Back to School Bash” is back. If buying a pack is the straw that broke the budget’s back, you’ll want to be at Victory Life’s annual free “Back to School Bash.” Between 5:30pm and 8pm on Saturday, August 25, at the Parkinson Recreation Centre, Victory Life will be giving away 400 high-quality, full-sized backpacks with school supplies on a first come, first served basis. There will also be free clothing and haircuts for school aged children and youth. In addition there are numerous children’s activities, a bouncy house, obstacle course, games, food and prizes. Call 862-3044

The Westbank Chamber of Commerce is having their BBQ Business After Hours on Tuesday, August 28 at 5:30pm at the parking lot at Paynter’s Mall, 2565 Main Street. It is hosted by Curves, The Cherry Pit Restaurant, Flower Affair, Quail Cottage Gifts, Westbank Pottery Studio, The Music Room and Greyhound. You must RSVP to 768-3378

The 5^th Annual Big Kahuna Bowl Classic being hosted buy the Kelowna Minor Football Association is being held on August 30 at the Apple Bowl. The event kicks off the beginning of the Kelowna Minor Football and High School Football seasons. Proceeds from tickets sold will be donated to The Children’s Wish Foundation BC & Yukon Chapter. The event starts at 3pm with Tailgate Festivities. Tickets are only $5 for adults and $3 for students at the Apple Bowl. Call Rawle James for more info at 448-6484 rawle@thezenfactor.com

The Kelowna Watercolour Guild are hosing their second garden setting art show in a variety of mediums at the Minstrel Café on Lakeshore Road on August 26 from 11:30am – 4pm, weather permitting. Call Emmy at 764-8076.

Synergy Breakfast For Women is tomorrow, Thursday, August 23 at 7:30am at the Haven Restaurant on KLO Road. The speaker is Kathy Reid with the topic of “Balancing the Mind.” RSVP to Lisa Jaffary at 861-5166 or lisa@pointswest.ca

Shannon Lake Golf Club is hosting a nine hole golf tournament with proceeds to the Kelowna Women’s Shelter on September 13 with a 5:30pm shot gun start. Beginners are welcome and there will be cocktails and appies to follow with a silent auction. Cost is only $45 which includes the cart. Call Tyrel Babkirk at 768-4653, ext. 202.

The Kinette’s are having a reunion luncheon in September, 2008 and are looking for any former Kelowna Kinette’s. They are also looking for their “Ursula Kolbe” trophy. If you would like to register to know where the trophy is being stored call Maureen Tinker at 762-5288 or Betty Sperle at 762-6522

TaylorMade Golf Quote of the week – By Jason Laczkovics. Every so often you'll see someone tee the ball up outside or ahead of the tee markers. On a normal, casual round of golf it's probably not a big deal, but in a serious tournament or match play event it could be. In a stroke play tournament, if a player tee's up the ball outside of the teeing ground they will incur a penalty of two strokes and must play another ball from within the markers. However, in match play there is no penalty. Your opponent may require you to cancel the shot and replay, but it's not mandatory. (Jason is the golf operations manager at The Okanagan Golf Club; jlacko@golfbc.com and Greg Murtland is the territory manager of TaylorMade).

Birthday of the week – Happy 60^th Gavin Young (Aug.24); Happy 70^th Bob Fowler (Aug.14)

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)