Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: June 13/2007

The “Crackman” is here. That is, Mitch Haines, who owns and operates the new franchise “Crackman - Visual Impact Concrete Renewal.” The company is concrete restoration specialists, which means they specialize in concrete crack and control joint repairs for driveways, walkways, patios and pool decks; stamped, exposed aggregate, brick paving stones and broomed concrete, custom tint and recolouring; decorative garage floor upgrades; swimming pool deck restorations; strata property management packages; raising sunken concrete; complete concrete services removal and replacement and anti slip applications. All and all, don’t replace your concrete, restore it and save some dollars. So, if you’re all cracked up, give Mitch a call. The company is also a member of well-respected “Shell Busey’s Home Smart Referral Network”. Call 317-8408.

MadKatz Boxing is a new boxing club in Kelowna located at 1157 Sutherland Avenue (across from A&B Sound). They offer competitive boxing and boxing for fitness. Owned and operated by coach Geoff Lawrence, who moved the club from Winfield, it is a mix of children, men and women; no one is too old to join. The classes take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5-7:30pm and they also offer ladies fitness classes from 12 noon-2pm on the same days. Call 868-2260 to join.

The 9^th Annual Okanagan Education Insurance and Financial Planners School is being held in Kelowna July 15-18/07. Well-known financial planner Randy Quigley of R.J. Quigley Financial was the founder of the event. This particular school is one of only four Advocis schools recognized in Canada. For more info and a list of speakers go to www.eduvacation.org.

Loyal Wooldridge has opened “Loyal Hair Therapy” at 112-1940 Kane Road in Glenmore. The hair studio was formerly New Wave and Loyal has completely gutted and renovated the space which now has five stylists. Loyal feels that they are selling an experience when coming to the salon, featuring their signature scalp massage and steamed aroma therapy towels. Call 762-4145

Kudos to local guy Captain Michael Neid who started as a volunteer firefighter and is celebrating 30 years as a firefighter in our city. Michael was promoted to Captain two years ago.

Kelowna Laser Hair Removal & Skin Care Ltd. located at 303-1890 Cooper Road (Orchard Plaza Professional Building) has some new additions in both staff and services. Joining Karen Pettinger, Cherie Hortie and Yolanda Kroes are Odette Baumgartner, Janice Lawson and Leila Fipke. Along with their existing treatments of laser hair removal, PhotoRejuvenation, Microdermabrasion and VelaSmooth cellulite treatments, they are also offering the new Refirme skin tightening technology, which is a non-surgical face lift. Other new services include body wraps and polishes. Call 763-1146 or check out www.kelownalaser.com

This is a neat story. “60 something” Maggie Carlton has just recently graduated from the CanScribe Career Centre, Medical Transcription Program. She completed the practicum and has just been offered a job by an employer based out of Ontario. She will be working out of her home-based office performing medical transcription for hospitals based in Canada and the U.S. Colleen Gaudet is the president and CEO of the company, which has been offering the on-line transcription course for over five years. There is a critical shortage of quality trained MT’s and the course can be taken no matter what age you are. Call 250-766-2230 or 1-800-466-1535 or www.canscribe.com

If you like real Italian pizza with a great atmosphere, you better try this new restaurant soon because when the word gets out, it’s going to be hard to get a table. “Bordello’s Italian Pizzeria” upstairs in Sturgeon Hall Restaurant at 1481 Water Street, owned and operated by Louis Drummond and Bernie Wilson has just opened. We were lucky to be invited to try the new spot and let me tell you, it’s fantastic. The pizza is made in a stone-fired oven that was purchased in the US. Chef Mark Kapiniak features artisan pizzas, using Caputo flour from Italy, in the true Italian tradition, using modest amounts of the best ingredients to create a truly delicious pizza. Our group tried the “quattro formaggi (special cheeses with garlic, olive oil, oregano and black pepper); pancetta (mozzarella, fontina, seared pancetta, caramelized onion, black pepper and olive oil); and primo (decadent buffalo mozzarella, proscuitto, thin sliced garlic and fresh basil). All delicious! The starter and salad menu is just as remarkable with green bean salad, Italian chopped salad, bruschetta and the most amazing beef carpaccio and antipasti. The wine list is impressive with red wine served in “kitchen glasses” exactly like in Europe. They are only open for dinner and do “not” take reservations as there are only about 40 tables. Call 860-6446.

Meet the new generation of Scallywags at 101- 2903 Pandosy Street. After many years, the shop has been sold. The new owner, Kirstin Levers was a nurse for many years and has also worked at Children’s hospital. They have created some changes in the store, making it a true destination for kids. They are expanding the new born collection and offer educational toys and books. They also offer main street children’s clothing such as children’s sun dresses, sun hats, sandals, beachwear and even sunglasses with name brands Mexx, Blue, Deux par Deux and Krickets Elite. Call 861-1312.

Blenz Coffee, operated by Steven and Aubin Coulthard celebrated their grand opening at 297 Bernard Avenue last Wednesday. George Moen, president of the company from Vancouver attended the opening and told me a really neat story. The Millrock International Free Pour Latte Art Championship in Atlanta Georgia marked a milestone for Blenz Coffee and Master Barista Layla Osberg of Vancouver. Layla recently clinched the Millrock Championship and became the first Blenz Barista to bring home the top honours edging out 19 of the worlds most skilled and experienced barista, to take first place. Blenz now has four locations in Kelowna; Pandosy Street, in Sandalwood, Westbank and now Bernard Avenue.

Big thanks to Margaret Jenei, counter manager at Estee Lauder and Julia Stachelski of The Bay for their excellent service. Also to Kerri Nelson of Marvel College for my great experience this past Saturday.

Lisa Graham has launched her new business, “Fashion Diva.” She provides wardrobe and image makeovers in the client’s home. The initial consultation would be the first in a series of visits or services offered, including personal shopping, seasonal visits to update, organize, maintain and build an ideal wardrobe with storage, organizing containers and products available to purchase. Through the process of the makeover, she will, together with you, create a style that visually represents your unique features and characteristics in a way that allows you to feel confident and successful and get you ready for what’s next in your life. She feels that taking pride in one’s appearance is crucial to self care and self confidence. To schedule a consultation call 808-DIVA. www.fashiondiva.ca

West Manufacturing Ltd., a custom steel fabricator and manufacturer and marketer of enviroslip double walled tanks has ranked 162^nd in the 19^th Annual PROFIT 100 Ranking of Canada’s 200 fastest growing companies by PROFIT Magazine in the June issue and on-line at PROFITguide.com. Ranking Canada’s fastest growing companies by five year revenue growth, the PROFIT 100 profiles the country’s most successful growth companies. PROFIT 100 companies are the new heroes of Canadian business, creating jobs at home and products used around the world. Greg Webb is the president of West Manufacturing located on the Westside. Call 769-4645.

Congratulations to Dawn and Braden Messenger of Kelowna Software Ltd. and brother Wyatt on the birth of their second child, Morgan Elliot on June 2. Call 712-4644.

The Blue Gator Bar and Grill at 441 Lawrence Avenue has been the home of live music five nights a week for over two years and has developed a mature, dance-happy, music loving clientele. Their kitchen has been completely renovated and re-vamped and now offers a low priced and large portion Tex-Mix/Louisiana themed menu. Graham Schofield is the manager. Call 860-1529

Four local graduates were honoured for academic achievements at two Convocation ceremonies held by Okanagan College. Accolades to Steven Therrien (Silver Governor General‘s Academic Medal); Magnus Aaserud (Governor General’s Collegiate Bronze Medal); Jillian Shannon (President’s Award) and Jade Hollenbeck (Okanagan College Academic Medal).

The local Canadian Home Builders’ Association has a new president and board of directors for 2007/08. Congrat’s to newly elected president Terry Heinrich of Distinctive Development Ltd. Other elected officers are: 1^st vice-president, Howard Rensler of Dilworth Homes; 2^nd vice-president, Tim Evans of Kirschner Mountain; treasurer, Matthew Ross of Grant Thornton LLP and secretary, Paul Donaldson of Kentland Homes. Directors are Charles Cullen (Team Construction Mgmt.); Lou Gauthier ( Home Hardware); Brett Innis (Wilson M. Beck Insurance); Kim Jones (FortisBC); Alf Leimert (Okanagan College); Jim Morris (National Home Warranty Programs); Rob Murray (Shaw); Margie Rhode (RJM Management); Rob Siddon (Coast Wholesale Appliances); Carol Teschner (Cherry Lane Homes) and Shaun Weimer of All Weather Windows. Shane Warawa of Enviro Choice Sewage Treatment Solutions is the outgoing president and assumes the role of past president. Retiring from the board of directors is Richard Soneff of Knight’s Gate Properties and Tim Dorn of Okanagan College. Call 861-3988 www.chbakelowna.bc.ca or e-mail info@chbakelowna.bc.ca

This is really cool. The first year of “Boat for Hope” on behalf of Variety-The Children’s Charity is this weekend with partners, the Kelowna Yacht Club and the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs to produce an exciting program for kids who have special needs. Forty-five boat owners will dress up in pirate suits, decorate their boats and take children on a treasure hunt through the waters of the Okanagan. The children will help navigate their course as they stop at checkpoints to collect their loot. When the young pirates return to shore, they find their way to a Treasure Island for an afternoon of fun and then off to an evening banquet for all who participated. If you would like to be a sponsor or participate in any way call Brian Fennall at 864-9984.

The “Help Connor – Stick it to Ewing’s, Fennessy Family Fundraiser” is Sunday June 24 from 11am-7pm at the Packinghouse Pub at 663 Finns Road. Connor Fennessy is a 16 year old boy fighting for his life, being diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of Childhood Bone Cancer. The fundraiser is to enable the family to spend more time in Vancouver with him. There will be great door prizes, silent auction items, fun, food and beverages for only $20. Monetary donations can be made at Interior Savings Credit Union.

The Osteoporosis Public Forum is June 16, 2-4pm at the Best Western Inn with speakers Dr. Prenesh Govender and Dr. Heather MacDonald speaking on bone health for children. Call 860-9921 or 861-6880.

Had a great time working at Tim Horton’s Camp Day for Kids. Big thanks to Grace Kitts and Bev Ford of Tim Horton’s in Glenmore for putting up with me. I’m getting better with the Horton’s “coffee lingo” every year.

P.S. to Wayne Pierce - Breaking your foot trying to climb the Berlin Wall is the best "broken foot" story I have heard in a long time. Makes my knee in a brace seem kind of lame now.

Golf Quote of the week – The only way of really finding out a person’s true character is to play golf with them. In no other walk of life does the cloven hoof so quickly display itself (P.G Wodehouse).

Birthday of the week – Happy 60^th Joan Niemeier, Tourism Kelowna (June 17); Donna Hannah, I.A. Pacific Life (June 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)