Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: December 5/2007

Bob and Pat Laurin have sold their long-time business of 22 years, “Arby’s” on Harvey, and have retired. The new owner is Simon Cheung of Calgary who is well versed in the restaurant and food industry. Simon is also looking at expanding operations in the valley. All the existing staff will remain the same with Roxy Paul at the helm as manager. When I asked Bob what he was going to do in retirement he said he was cleaning the house and had already taken two loads of junk to the dump. Sounds like the perfect retirement. Call Arby’s at 763-0006.

Tony Spagnuolo has joined the law firm of Bassett and Company and the new firm name now is Bassett Spagnuolo Real Estate Lawyers. Spagnuolo is the owner of Spagnuolo and Company Real Estate Lawyers, the largest residential real estate law firm in B.C. with offices throughout Greater Vancouver. The head office for Bassett Spagnuolo Legal Offices will remain in Westbank, but plans are underway for expansion throughout the Okanagan Valley. The staff at Bassett and Company has all been retained, ensuring a smooth transition for its clients. Call Bob Bassett at 768-5152 or Tony Spagnuolo at 310-4663.

John Guidolin, branch manager of Scotiabank on Bernard Avenue is leaving the bank. Don’t despair, he’s not leaving Kelowna. He’s now the new Branch Manager, Okanagan Region of ScotiaMcLeod, the investment arm of Scotiabank and a division of Scotia Capital Inc., located in the Landmark V building. Gladys Fraser, manager of Scotiabank, Village Green Branch in Vernon will be transferring to Kelowna to assume John’s former position at the main branch in Kelowna. Call John at 868-5527 or Gladys at 712-4077.

Williams Moving and Storage manager Forbes MacKay has retired after 32 years with the company. Incidentally he celebrated his 65^th birthday on November 19. Forbes will still keep his hand in things as he is going to do a few special projects for the company. I guess he and his friend Bob Laurin will now be spending more time on the golf course.

Formerly of Valley Pool and Spa for over 13 years, well-known sales guy Dave Helbig has joined the team at Arctic Spas, Pools & Billiards at 1949 Harvey Avenue (across from London Drugs). Arctic Spas specializes in all makes and models of spas, servicing and free computerized water testing. They also sell foosball, air hockey and pool tables and carry Traeger wood pellet BBQ’s. Call Dave at 861-5484

Well-known HSBC gal, Lynn Rattray has moved on and has joined the team at BDC on Bernard Avenue as the area office manager.

Do you remember the fellow that did his dance moves on the Enterprise Way curbside for Enterprise Flower Studio a few years back? Dale Froese, the neat guy who has development disabilities, has left Enterprise Flower Studio where he worked for 12 years, in a variety of roles both within the shop and outside. He is now working more hours at Save on Foods. A real character, Dale will be missed by Zena and Kevin Tucker, owners of Enterprise Flower Studio.

Robert Fine of the EDC has been appointed to the board of B.C.’s permanent Small Business Roundtable. The Small Business Roundtable was established to consult with small business and advise government and the small business sector on issues, strategies and potential actions to make it easier to do business in B.C.

You won’t find many unique gifts like this. West Coast Authentic is an autographed sports memorabilia company owned by Jason Bobbitt. He has been buying and selling autographs for over 18 years and is not only his business, but his passion. Alex Draper and Steve Naka have recently teamed up with Jay to compliment this dynamic sports collectible company. The company provides hard to find autographed items from hockey, football and baseball sports icons – rookies to legends. In addition to sports icons, West Coast Authentic also has autographed celebrity items. They can locate just about anything, stating that if they can’t find it… it isn’t out there. West Coast Authentic is holding a public sale of sports memorabilia on Thursday, December 13 from 7-10pm at the Ramada Hotel at 2170 Harvey Avenue where you can pick up the perfect gift for the sports fan in your life. For more info call 764-9378 or visit www.westcoastauthentic.com

Here’s another new special Christmas gift. Kelowna musician Jeremy Messenger, lead singer of local band S.O.S. has launched his debut CD “Christmas Time of Year.” It consists of 10 brand new Christmas songs written by Jeremy, as well as a bonus track “You Stood Tall”, which was written in memory of Blair Dietz and Billy Wylie, personal friends of Jeremy’s who lost their lives while driving back from officiating a hockey game. The album captures the true meaning of Christmas, with just feel good old time Christmas tunes. Partial proceeds are being donated to the KGH Children’s ward. You can purchase it at Mission Park Pharmasave, Lotus Wear, People Pharmacy, Kelowna Guitarworkx, Mission Sports, Encore Printing, Green and Bear It, Perk’s Coffee, Creative Wines and Studio Posh. I’ve heard the album and it’s great. Call Jeremy at 707-0330

Leonard Mazur a letter carrier with Canada Post for the past 35 years has retired. I asked his wife Laurie, who works for the Globe and Mail what he is going to do with all his time off and she said “I have no idea, he hasn’t really thought about it much” but hopefully he’ll do some work around the house!

At the annual conference and AGM of the B.C. Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Guild, two Kelowna locals came home with exciting news. Jack Reynolds of Garden Ridge B&B was re-elected to a second term as president. Jack and his wife Mary have run their B&B on the Westside for eight years. Sue Willis of A View to Remember B&B was awarded a President’s Award. She and her husband Dan have run their B&B for seven years, which is also located on the Westside. www.BcsBestBNBS.com

“Tigerlily Fashions” at 575 Bernard Avenue owned and operated by Lori Burns and Jan Johnson is celebrating their 20^th Anniversary in business. The business originally started in a 450 sq. ft. space at the back of the Towne Centre Mall in 1987. They expanded four times in that spot, and then moved to the front of the mall facing Bernard Avenue in 2000. In 2006 they reached their goal since opening; they were able to buy their own downtown building. They now have their own tenant, Kelowna’s House of Flowers who rent the back area of their 3,000 sq. ft. building, while keeping 2,000 for Tigerlily at the front. This year, they were a finalist in the Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards. The shop is hosting its “Giving Tree” for the Kelowna Friendship Society. The tree is decorated with paper angels representing a needy child. You can pick as many angels off the tree as you wish and then bring back a wrapped or unwrapped gift for the children you have chosen. Call 762-8384

Long-time Scotiabank customer support representative, Myrna Smith is retiring January 1/08 after 22 years with the bank on Bernard Avenue. She’s not even sure what she’s going to do in retirement just yet. Call 712-4055

Several locals were recipients of special awards presented at the recent Chamber of Commerce President’s Dinner. Congrat’s to Rick McGrath and Karen Clark-Marlow (Grant Thornton Volunteers Award of Excellence); Nick Battaglio, TD Canada Trust (Member Ambassador of the Year Award) and Wes Shields, FH & P Lawyers LLP (Director of the Year). The new 2008 Board is as follows: James Paterson, Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP (President) and Laura Thurnheer (Past president). Directors are Brad Buchanan, Avalon Event Rentals; Meryle Corbett, Kelowna Flightcraft; Byron Dafoe, Eagle Mountain Dev.; Bryn Gilbert, Grant Thornton LLP; Karen Hawes, Interior Savings; Gord Hotchkiss, Enquiro; Dr. Alan Jenks, Kelowna Family Chiropractic; Bernard LaRose, Canadian Western Bank; Norm LeCavalier, N.J. LeCavalier & Assoc.; Karen Luniw The Law of Attraction Centre; Perry Mack, Prophet Media; Viki May, Valley First Credit Union; Peter Raja, Norelco Cabinets and Wesley Shields, F H & P Lawyers LLP. Weldon LeBlanc is the CEO of the Chamber. 861-1515

Once again it’s fruit cake season and it’s time to get your orders into Moni Schiller of “Nuttier than a Fruit Cake." The “Totally Decadent Fruitcake” is absolutely delicious with high quality ingredients of tons of glace cherries, pineapple and chunks of gourmet chocolate. “Okanagan Harvest Cake” is all natural, made with dried apricots, pears, apples and other fruit, along with unsweetened chocolate. After baking both cakes are soaked in brandy and vacuum sealed. Don’t wait too long, the product always sells out. Call 860-4174 or moni@fruitcake.ca

Lots of retirements happening at the City of Kelowna at various times by the end of the year. Happy retirement to the following: Marlee Campbell, 16 years (Clerk typist-Fire Dept.); Greg Blancher, 27 years (Police Trans. Maint. Coordinator); Bob Thiessen, 19 years (Roadways Foreman); Brian Minchin, 30 years (Captain-Fire Dept.); Bobbi Harder, 26 years (Council Recording Secretary); Jean Miles, 34 years (Recreation Supervisor); Keith Pearson, 28 years (By-law officer); Bill Mack, 39 years (Sewer EQ Operator); Tom Senger, 32 years (Utilities Supervisor); Ingrid Davison, 17 years (Planning technician); Arlene Blanchette, 26 years (Training admin. Co-coordinator); Ron Griffiths, 3 years (Crime Review Officer); Tim Hoy, 31 years (Platoon Captain Fire Dept.; Anne Neudorf, 19 years (Landfill Scale Operator); Jim White, 36 years (Wastewater Treatment Supervisor); Elaine Shipclark, 20 years (W & U Admin. Manager); David Shipclark, 23 years (Director Corporate Services); Dan Lamb, 25 years (Design Technician); Russ Emond, 30 years (Firefighter); Pat Crane, 31 years (Captain – Fire Dept.) and Eileen Davies, 27 years (Secretary-Fire Dept.).

SHE Couture at 2970 Pandosy Street is giving local businesses and shoppers a unique opportunity to give their staff and clients the gift of glamour as well as helping support the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. A “Power of Compassion” scarf wrap, which comes in a variety of beautiful colours is $35.50 and $5 from every scarf sale will be used to treat the ladies in the Kelowna Women’s Shelter to a day at the spa. They are also accepting donations, as well as clothing, purses, coats and beauty items at the store until December 15. Call Barbara Gervais at 762-8477

The Kelowna Library at 1380 Ellis Street is holding their annual food drive for the Kelowna Food Bank. Each item you donate (non perishable) gets a ticket to win one of many great prizes donated by local businesses. Deadline for the drive is Dec. 17 at 5:30pm. Draw prize winners will be contacted the next day. Call 762-2800.

Quote of the week – The bad news is that time flies. The good news is that you’re the pilot. (Tracy Nyboe, REMAX/Kelowna)

Birthdays of the week – Happy 50^th Kevin Crowell, REMAX/Kelowna (Nov.22); Anne Schneider (Dec. 6); Gary Winchester (Dec. 8); Barry Lapointe, Kelowna Flightcraft (Dec. 10); Mary Jo Schnepf, Kelowna Flightcraft (Dec. 10); Bob Levin, Lawyer (Dec. 11); Ann Gilbert (Dec. 11).

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)