Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: March 14/2007

Last month Tree Brewing announced they achieved an increase in revenue of 54% over last year, the announcement coming at the same time as the announcement of their launch for a new beer in April called “REBEL” Original, which is a smooth, lightly hopped German lager. This beer will be sold in bottles in unique eight pack cases. Kegs, as well as nitro infused premium will be available in select pubs and sold in kegs only. Along with this, the launch will include a contest give-a-way of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, a very aggressive campaign for this size of brewery. This week Tree has even more news and is spending $120,000 on new equipment to keep up with their tremendous growth and projections for the future. The new equipment will be in place by April and includes a new water treatment system, a four roller Malt Mill, two - 65 HL bright beer tanks and three - 120 HL conditioning tanks. Wayne Clements is the President and CEO of Tree Brewing located at 1083 Richter Street. Take a tour and visit their Tap Room. Call 717-1091

This is huge news in the media industry. Long-time, well-known media gal Mohini Singh is leaving CHBC-TV after 18 years as a broadcast journalist and moving on to a new challenging opportunity. Effective April 9^th Mohini will be the new morning news reader on the local CBC Radio Station (88.9) and will also be reporting on human interest stories during the day. Her day will now start at 4:30am. Mohini has had a great career with CHBC-TV and is one of the more well-known and trusted faces around the valley. Call her at 762-4535

After 20 years in Orchard Park Mall, 13 of those owned by Corinne Blasetti, Merle Norman Cosmetics is moving to a new location at 1965 Harvey Avenue (Across from London Drugs). They have already started the renovations at their new location, which will be ready for occupancy around mid-April. After their move into the larger premises they will offer a more relaxed atmosphere and additional services, including in-depth facials and massages with three pedicure stations. Their new name will be Merle Norman Cosmetics and Esthetics. Call 861-1313.

Cheryl Stone of Safeway is the new Labour Chair for the 2007 United Way Campaign.

Fezziwig’s Artisan Bakery Café in the Mission Park Mall is celebrating their one year anniversary. Owners Colin and Ann Broomfield are also celebrating their 40^th wedding anniversary on March 18. The restaurant will be closed for holidays from March 12-21 and will see everyone again on March 22.

Nutri-Lawn Ecology Friendly Lawn Care at 1240 Industrial Road is getting ready for another great season after having an exciting and busy winter. At the annual conference, Bill MacKenzie of Nutri-Lawn Okanagan won the “Quality Service Excellence Award.” Their strong group of core staff are returning to the business this year. Nutri-Lawn’s Kelly Scott also captured her second straight Scott Tournament of Hearts title and will represent Canada in the World Curling Championships in Aomori, Japan March 17-25. Call 769-5585

Warren Cook of London Drugs has received a big promotion and is relocating to Campbell River as the store manager for the brand new London Drugs in that area. Warren has been in Kelowna for five years and is already on his way to the Island. He was very instrumental in helping with our United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast as London Drugs has been a sponsor of the event for many years. Keep tuned for his replacement.

Red Wing Shoes, famous for their “work boots” has just opened a men’s retail store at #105-1835 Dilworth Drive (beside Scotiabank). Along with a vast selection of their own boot line, which is available in four widths and many styles, they carry Vasque, Worx, Irish Setters and Birkenstock. They are also the second store in B.C. to carry the “Carhartt” clothing line, in specialty sizes from men’s 28” waist to a 56” waist. They have a selection of jackets and T-shirts from small to 4XL and tall sizes. Carhartt is also bringing out a women’s line in the fall. This is Red Wing’s fourth store in B.C., the first one opening in Langley. Kent Gregoire is the store manager and Darlene Kring the assistant manager. Call 868-8693 www.redwingshoe.com

Omega Solutions Inc., a new business formed by the owners of Omega Communications Ltd. and Spincaster Productions Inc. (Warren Saari, Gary Campbell and Troy Hunnie) has officially launched their new web-based automated staff scheduling solution called MYHRTOOL.COM. MYHRTOOL.COM is a web-based human resource management tool, providing a primary function of automated scheduling of shift work with a focus on part-time and casual staffing requirements. In addition, it provides e-mail notification and on-line viewing of your schedules and company news, labour cost budgeting, employee performance management, multi-location labour pool management, reports and customization to give the site a feel of your own. It is ideal for small to medium size enterprises that cannot afford the cost to purchase and support an in-house scheduling solution and offers all the features and benefits of such a solution at a low monthly cost. For more info or a demonstration call Warren Saari at 860-8016.

“Unlimited Space” Custom Garage Storage Solutions is a new business with a show room at #4 - 817 Finns Road. The company, owned and operated by Curt and Patti Dorin specializes in custom garage solutions revolving around custom cabinetry, every imaginable accessory, including racks for ski’s, boards, skates, balls, garden equipment and boat gear. Along with all that, they offer RaceDeck flooring, perfect for the garage, deck, workshop or business with four styles and 14 colours to choose from. Unlimited Space is the exclusive dealer in the Valley for the Redline Garage Gear products and also carry ONRAX Overhead Storage Racks. With all this, your garage could look better than the inside of your home! Their regular showroom hours are Thursday (10-6), Friday (10-5) and Saturday (11-4) or you can make an appointment for another time. Call 491-4413

Paragon Pharmacies announced that effective June 6, they will cease to be associated with Drug Trading Company Limited and the banner agreements under which eight of Paragon’s 18.5 pharmacies (seven in B.C. and one in Alberta) are currently supplied products and services and operate under the I.D.A. name. Over the course of the next 90 days, Paragon expects to establish new supply arrangements for the eight pharmacies, which arrangements may include the remaining 10.5 pharmacies owned and operated by Paragon. Craig Cameron is the president and chief executive officer of Paragon, which is head-quartered in Kelowna and employs over 355 full and part time staff in its stores and offices. Call 491-3936 or craig.cameron@paragonpharmacies.com

Tourism Kelowna has a new 2007 Tourism Advisory Council, which were elected by electronic ballot this year for the first time. Congrat’s to members of the accommodation industry: Stan Martindale (Ramada Hotel); Michael Wynne (Holiday Inn Express); Bill Eager (Manteo); Rosemary Paterson (Best Western); Brad Sieben (Hotel Eldorado); John Eakins (Grand) and Gail James (Fairfield). In various other tourism fields the following were elected: Ian Robertson (Kelowna Spring Golf); Blair Baldwin (Okanagan Wine Festivals Society); Michael Ballingall (Big White); Roger Sellick (Kelowna Airport); Alan Gatzke (Farm Market; Sheila Olcen (City of Kelowna); Andre Blanleil (City Council) and James Paterson (Chamber of Commerce Director).

Bellamy Clinic and Registered Massage Therapy and Wellness Centre, owned and operated by Christine and Lyle Bellamy at 1812 Ivans Avenue is now are offering the “Next Generation” in Far-Infra-Red Sauna Technology. The interior walls of the sauna are covered with a new carbon flow heating system, emitting far-infra-red at the ideal wave length. The units also have built-in color therapy for more health benefits. They are inviting the public to come and experience the “Next Generation” in F.I.R. saunas. For a “free” session call 763-3034.

Okanagan Mainline Real Estate has a new 2007 elected board. “Local” board members are: President Bert Chapman (Premier Canadian Properties) and past-president Geri Surinak (Coldwell Bankers). Directors are George Cwiklewski (Macdonald Realty); Barret Watson (Coldwell Banker); Steve Tate (Coldwell Banker) and Brenda Moshansky of Coldwell Banker. The board represents the 1,100 realtors in the Central and North Okanagan and Shuswap.

The popular “Taste of Kelowna” on Sunday, March 25 from 11am-4pm has a great new venue this year. They will now be located at The Kelowna Curling Club at 551 Recreation Avenue which will give them the ability to have bigger, better and more booths. They will offer more food, live music, prizes and a lot of fun. Many of Kelowna’s finest restaurants, wineries and breweries will be in attendance and net proceeds are going to the Food Bank and Kids Care. If you like to eat, don’t miss this event. Call Cheryl Saint-Galloway at 868-8447 or www.bcrfa.com

James Anfuso and the Anfuso family invite you to join them at Mamma Rosa Restaurant on Monday, April 2 for their 5^th Annual Fundraiser in honor of Giacomo Anfuso starting at 5pm. All food sales, wages, tips, raffle collections and silent auction revenues will be donated to the KGH Foundation and the Canadian Liver Foundation. To reserve or make a donation call 763-4114.

Living Positive Resource Centre is hosting the “3^rd Annual Dining Out for Life” on Thursday, March 29. Honourary Chairs are Mayor Sharon and Dr. Michael Shepherd and Phil Johnson of Standard Radio. Joining the event is easy. By enjoying a meal out on March 29, community members can contribute to a great cause and individuals and families benefit from much needed services that will improve the quality of their lives. On that date, a number of restaurants will be generously donating 25% of their food revenues to help support those in the community who are living with HIV/AIDS. Restaurants or individuals who wish to participate can contact Karen Alexander at 862-2437 or visit www.diningoutforlife.com. It’s a great way to dine with friends and help the community.

Ladies, OPI has released its new free-spirited and fabulous Australia Collection for spring/summer. I just love some of the new lacquer names; Fair Dinkum Pinkum; Tasmanian Devil Made Me Do It; Koala Bear-y; Fit for a Queensland’ Canberra’t Without You; Didgeridoo Your Nails? and my favorite “Kangarooby.” They are all available from the gals at “At Your Fingertips” on Enterprise Way. Book a service today. Call 762-6833.

“Curves is hosting its 6^th Annual Food Drive for the Food Bank. Until March 31^st, anyone interested in becoming a Curves member can drop off a bag of non-perishable food items to either their Rutland or Capri Centre Mall locations and have their membership registration fee waived. For more info call 763-7161.

Synergy Breakfast for Women is being held on Thursday, March 22 at 7:30am at the Haven Restaurant at #2-605 KLO Road., The guest speaker is Carell Cristoll of Ten Thousand Villages on the topic “Fair Trade: Honouring Women.” RSVP to Lisa Jaffary at 861-5166 or lisa@pointswest.ca

Quote of the week –The true test of a first-rate mind is the ability to hold two contradictory ideas at the same time. (F. Scott Fitzgerald).

Birthday of the week – Happy 60^th Joe Iafrancesco (March 19); Ralph Hass, HasTheVoice.com (March 14).

Happy 100^th Birthday to Dorothy Bowden on Friday March 16. Dorothy lives at Lakeshore Place and is truly a remarkable lady in every way and certainly does not look like she has achieved that grand age. Her mind is sharp and she still bakes wonderful cookies and sweet treats. She is also the “Queen Mum” of the Lakeshore Place Red Hat Ladies and has an energy that we all envy.

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)