Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: March 28/2007

There’s a new Out-of-Home advertising face coming to our city, a face that’s very familiar to advertisers throughout B.C. Pattison Outdoor Advertising has been awarded the City of Kelowna’s transit shelters and bus bench contract for the next 10 years. This agreement gives Pattison the exclusive right to sell advertising space on 20 shelter locations as well as more than 60 benches. This strengthens Pattison’s presence in B.C. where they command a 64% market share of all traditional Out-Of-Home products. The company has established a new sales office at #200-389 Queensway Avenue with Trevor Hughes as leasing representative and Melina Di Fabrizio as account executive. Call 762-3800

Sad and happy news from the local RCMP detachment. Sad because local Detachment media spokesperson Const. Annie Linteau is leaving our city and joining media services “E Division” headquartered in Vancouver. Happy to have Const. Julie Rattee taking Annie’s place as media spokesperson for Kelowna. Julie joins our local detachment, coming from two years in Vancouver in the RCMP and formerly converted from the Vancouver City Police Department. Congrat’s to both. Call 762-3300.

The United Way has two new part-time community and development coordinators. Katriona Wier, formerly of the Westside Warriors will cover Okanagan Central and Rick Riddall formerly in sales and marketing for GIGV Radio will cover Okanagan South. Call 860-2356.

Well-known restaurant manager Bart Dorssers is back working for R.G. Properties. He is the new general manager, food and beverage for the Capital News Centre on Gordon and Lequime, which includes Boomers Sports Bar and Grill. Bart was previously at the Vintage Room at the Coast Capri Hotel for many years and also at Manhattan Point Restaurant in Prospera Place. Call 764-1688.

Long-time, 30 year optometrist Michael Kwasnek has returned to practice and is now working with Dr. Specs Optical in Orchard Plaza on Cooper Road (beside Save On Foods). Dr. Spec’s is owned and operated by Catharine Goheen. You might remember Michael had his former optical practice on St. Paul Street (in the Courtyard). Call 861-1557 or 861-1585

Rick Golke, manager of First Memorial Funeral Services since 1995 at 1211 Sutherland Avenue is leaving Kelowna and has accepted a new position with Service Corp. International (SCI) the owners of First Memorial. He is relocating to Burnaby on April 2 to be the manager of Oceanview Funeral Home. Oceanview is also owned by SCI. Taking over for Rick as the new manager of First Memorial is Mark Revie. Call Rick at 604-435-6688 and Mark at 762-2299.

CHBC-TV South Okanagan (Penticton) news reporter Colin Basran, has left the media industry and is going into the real estate sales business. He will be a new realtor with Locations West Realty which is located on Main Street in Penticton, which is owned and operated by well-known Okanagan guy Robin Agar. Colin will begin his new career on April 2. Call 250-493-2244.

Two new staff members have joined the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Cassandra Hayward and Nadine Desrochers are now in the newly created positions of fund development coordinators. They will be coordinating already established events as well as new events which will include Wine Art and Music, Mayors Breakfast, Arts or Kids Sake and other events. They will also be expanding the annual campaigns, including sponsorships, grants and other initiatives. Call 717-5304.

Joy Donaldson, formerly of Faces Cosmetics in Orchard Park has joined the team at “At Your Fingertips” at #102-2000 Enterprise Way. Joy has been an esthetician and nail technician for over 11 years. Call 762-6833

Amber Rutledge formerly of the Color Room has joined Oxygen Elite Salon at 515 Lawrence Avenue owned and operated by long-time stylist Richard Cretain. Oxygen Elite is also a registered hair training school. Along with that, Amber has purchased Body Mist Tanning right next door to the salon at 511 Lawrence Avenue. Call Oxygen at 763-1606 and Body Mist at 979-1479

“Save on Cartridge Plus” has just opened at #7-2070 Harvey Avenue (Behind Wendy’s). Owned and operated by Terry Chen and his sister Jennifer Chen, they refill all types of ink jet cartridges and toners for printers. They also provide various printer supplies and computer repair services with a guarantee. Save On is featuring a promotional opening special of 10% off and are open Monday–Saturday. Call 861-1239.

Ed Stang, formerly with United Way has embarked on a new career. He is now the sales manager of Can Am Mobility, which sells mobility equipment including scooters, walkers and wheelchairs. They specialize in mobility vehicle conversions for citizens with disabilities including wheelchair lifts, ramps, hand controls, driving aids and seating solutions. They have a showroom and lot at 158 Old Vernon Road which is a full mobility service centre and is the new authorized dealer for Merits Health Products – Wheelchairs, Scooters and Walkers. Call 491-0003 or ed@canwill.com

“Charlee Couture” Maternity and More has opened at 440 Bernard Avenue. Owned by Dawne Whelpley, the shop is just what it says; up-scale modern maternity clothing and those same clothes and more that can be worn nine months and beyond. The “hip” new fashion clothing makes you spend smart and looks attractive – they’ve got your covered pregnant and beyond. The clothes are also great for the “harder to fit figure.” Their Barefoot Dreams collections includes housecoats, blankets, hoodies and travel wraps. They also carry a beautiful line of diaper bags and skin care. So, drop in to the shop and pamper yourself with lovely items during this important time. Call 762-2711 www.charleecouture.com

“Ma Maison” is an exquisite shop located at 550 West Avenue, owned and operated by Arlette Weygers. The store, which opened one year ago, is a retail studio, offering a beautiful collection of high-end fabrics and made-to-order upholstery services, a unique combination. Arlette, in her own right, is an antique restorator and upholsterer. Most of the brands she carries are European such as Designers Guild, Osborne & Little, Romo, Colefax and Fowler. Modern American brands are Larsen and Pollack. Arlette specializes in curtains, screens, bedding and upholstery and carries the latest collections of fashionable wallpaper from some of the same designers. I had the pleasure of using Arlette’s services, getting our dining room chairs re-upholstered and also she helped me choose wallpaper for a feature wall in the dining room. It looks stunning. Call 712-1077

Legal beagle Bob Bassett of Bassett & Company is celebrating 30 years in business. Located for the past 11 years at #260 – 2300 Carrington Road (Acorn Plaza) you might remember that the firm was started on Brown Road and then moved to Elliott Road before their move to the existing building. Bob specializes in real estate and law development law for both corporate and commercial along with wills and estates. The firm is also trial lawyers for personal injury, ICBC claims, general litigation and foreclosures. His wife Barb is the business administrator of the business, along with 27 staff, including five other lawyers. Call 768-5152

Congrat’s to Creative Writing Professor Anne Fleming, first prize winner of the UBC Okanagan World Water Day Poetry Slam. The winner of the slam, selected by audience members, was one of 20 poets who flocked to the UBC Okanagan cafeteria and entertained the lunch time crowd. Second prize went to fourth-year student Simone Fux and third place went to second-year student Phil Hutchinson. The slam was a project of creative writing students at UBC Okanagan to raise awareness of water issues.

Had two really great “service” experiences last week. Thanks to Serena Pigeau of Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services in Spall Plaza and also to Kate Gibbs at The Bay. Both are really great gals and very customer oriented.

Happy 35^th Anniversary Phyllis Litz (Royal Bank, Plaza 33) and Con Litz (L & O Jewellers) on March 30.

This is neat. This Saturday, March 31 from 10am-2pm Shred-It Kelowna owned by Alan Ryder is having their 2^nd Annual Community Shred at the Canadian Tire parking lot. The Community Shred is to assist people in the prevention of identify theft and is co-sponsored nationally by Capital One and locally by Canadian Tire. They are encouraging all individuals to bring all the documents they can personally carry and they will shred them for fee. It’s a fabulous idea.

Accolades to head coach Eric Blais and the “Kelowna Bantam B” who recently won the Provincials in Delta. They are sponsored by Western Bus Lines.

Local boy, Terry Balfour (not the realtor) who moved to Puerto Rico sent me a nice note. He has started a new job at a 405 hotel/apartment timeshare unit on the beach in San Juan. Sounds like heaven! Things are going well for him and he keeps up with Kelowna news through my column. He says he has a lot of leaning to do, especially with respect to timeshares and is hoping to come home for a visit in September. E-mail him at tbalfour@esjtowers.com

Happy 175^th Birthday Scotiabank. To celebrate this milestone, all the Scotiabank branches in Kelowna are celebrating their birthday this Friday, March 30 for a customer and staff appreciation. Join them for cake and coffee, some fun and also a chance for a prize draw.

The annual general meeting of Habitat for Humanity Kelowna will be on Tuesday, April 10 at 7pm at The Rotary Centre for the Arts at 421 Gaston Avenue (Studio 201). Everyone is invited. Call 762-7303 or e-mail habitatforhumanitykelowna@telus.net

The following were the Kelowna Snowfest 2007 Award Winners. Kudos to Events Winners Sno-pitch – City of Kelowna (Best Sporting); Kelowna Community Theatre-all shows (Best New); Major Conrad Flapps (Best Children’s); Downtown Kelowna Association (Best Community Service); Fireworks – Ron Wiebe and Fireworks Spectacular (Best Overall).

Parade Winners were OK Builders (Best Commercial); Glenmore Girl Guides (Best Marching/Dancing); Orchard City Radio Club (Best Service Club); Kelowna Women’s Shelter (Best Community – non-commercial); Ski to Sea (Best Overall) and City of Vernon (Best New Entry).

Winners of the Convivial Creation, the official Snowfest beverage were Mickie’s Pub in the Ramada Hotel (First Place); Mission Creek Golf Course (Second Place) and Friends Pub (Third Place).

This is really cool! The 1st Annual "Ski to Tee" sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation is April 5. It's just what it says - you ski in the morning at Big White and golf in the afternoon at Pinnacle at Gallagher's for only $50, which is a fund raiser for the Foundation. To finish off the day, there will be burgers and a beverage and what's really neat is that you will receive a digital e-mail picture of yourself skiing and then golfing - all on the same day. Where can that happen but in the Okanagan. To register you must e-mail Vern Nielsen at vjn@shaw.ca. It will be a blast.

April 9 marks the 90^th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. This Saturday, March 31, Keith Boehmer, Curatorial Assistant at the Okanagan Military Museum at 1424 Ellis Street is conducting a lecture-style presentation about Vimy Ridge and the part that Okanagan soldiers played in the battle entitled “Waves of Men Behind Curtains of Steel”. The presentation starts at 11am and is 90 minutes long, followed by a show and tell of selected artifacts. RSVP by calling 763-9292. It is open to the public and admission is by donation.

Once again, thousands of colourful Easter eggs will decorate the lawn behind Parkinson Rec Centre during the Easter Pancake Breakfast. Victory Life Fellowship is hosting the annual free event, which takes place on Good Friday, April 6 from 10am-1pm at Parkinson Rec Centre. There will be free clothing, pancakes refreshments, an Easter egg hunt, games, children’s activities and many door prizes. For info call 862-4033.

I’m away at the Calgary Golf Show next week, so I won’t be doing a column. See you on April 11.

Quote of the week – In each of us there is a little of all of us (Georg Christoph Lichtenberg)

Birthday of the week – Wendy Giammartino, Via Veneto Hair Design & Esthetics (Today, March 28)

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)