Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: May 9/2007

Soleil Saunas Inc., a distributor or state-of-the-art far infrared saunas has been awarded top dealer in Canada for the second year in a row by their manufacturer Sunlight Saunas Inc. of Kansas City. Sunlight Saunas is recognized as one of the top far infrared sauna companies in the world, launching the new Solocarbon heater technology exclusive to their products. Soleil signed on with Sunlight in October, 2003 and has been touting the superior technology and craftsmanship of their industry leading Armana saunas ever since in the valley. With sales that now topping one million dollars per year, they sell across Canada. Locally, Beachcomber Home Leisure on Banks and Vernon carry the Armana saunas. Kim Sterling is the president of Soleil Saunas. Call 707-1400.

Peggy Speer is the new owner of Curves in Rutland at #15-150 Hollywood Road (Hollywood Station).Peggy previously was the manager of the operation since opening day four years ago. She has completely renovated and expanded the premises another 800 square feet, and now incorporates over 2,000 square feet of space. Call 861-5880

After 20 years in the radio business, 18 of those at CKOV-Power 104, including eight years as their news director, Matt Cherrille has begun a new career as a real estate appraiser. He is now working at North Country Appraisals located at #5-1905 Evergreen Court. Until recently, North Country Appraisals were doing commercial appraisals all over B.C. but now has also moved into the residential market. Matt is a residential appraiser working in the Central Okanagan. North Country now has four appraisers working out of the Kelowna office. Joining Matt, Harvey Erickson and Evan Young is Brian Pauluzzi. Formerly from Kent-Macpherson Appraisals, Brian is a commercial appraiser and previous to that he was with B.C. Assessment. Call Matt or any of the appraisers at 868-9244.

Michael and Christine Burke have started a neat new business. "Mini Donuts and More" is a mini donut and iced cappuccino concession trailer. They are totally mobile and available for outdoor markets, sporting and charity events, fund raisers or anywhere there is a crowd. Everyone loves mini donuts and they also offer a fruit drink, pop and water. They are usually at the Saturday Farmers Market if they are not at another event. Call 491-8252.

Lawyer Michael Litchfield, formerly of Pushor Mitchell Lawyers and previously relocating from Vancouver has started his own practice and launched his first office "Redwood Law Corporation located at 101-200 Dougall Road North. Michael specializes in the law fields of real estate, wills, estates and corporate services. Redwood’s strategy is to pursue the market for core legal service, where branding, cost effectiveness and customer service are key. Call 807-2151

Had a chat with prime chef Tyler Groenesteyn and he tells me that Sal's Prime Steakhouse4 at 366 Bernard Avenue should be open in about 6 weeks. The outside décor of the building sure looks great.

The Regional Board has a new Westbank First Nations representative on their board. The WFN Chief and Council appointed Councilor Larry Derrickson to represent the band at the board table in a non voting position.

Cindy Harrington has opened “Four Paws Spa” at 286 Highway 33 West, which is a pet grooming salon. The products and procedures she uses in her business are unique in that she only uses all natural grooming products and does not use any sedatives or drugs. Only on rare occasions does she use a muzzle. Her belief is that natural products and procedures are the best form of hygienic care. Client scheduling (for appointments) is done on a one to one approach from start to finish. This is done for the best interest of the pet to lower the stress involved and to lessen the amount of time that the pet is required to be at the salon. Because of an open concept layout, clients can see the care and attention their pets are receiving or they can sit in the spa lounge and watch TV or read a magazine. Call 807-2275

Mekong Restaurant has great things happening. Owned and operated by Dan and Wanda Truong, this month they are celebrating 20 years in business in our City. You might remember that they originally started operations upstairs beside Earl's for eleven years and then moved to their new location at 1030 Highway 97 (Gordon and Harvey) for the past 9 years. They have just recently completed a major renovation to the restaurant and it is lovely. They installed the most amazing glass etched dividers and have repainted, reupholstered and changed all the windows. The staircase going upstairs into their banquet room now looks very grand and they have also built a small outside patio for the summer months. To celebrate their 20th anniversary they are drawing for a return trip for two to Victoria and two night’s accommodation. It's worth a trip to the restaurant to try their amazing noodle nests or pick up a "Lunch Box to Go." Call 763-8000

CedarCreek Estate Winery is commemorating its 20^th Anniversary by rolling out its own Barrel Art Auction in support of Kelowna’s Life and Arts Festival. Seventeen local artists have been working for the past three months on wine barrels donated by CedarCreek to create unique works of art, several of which will be auctioned off at the Festival’s POSH event on May 11^th, at 8pm at the Laurel Building. A series of the Barrel Art will also be donated directly to Kelowna’s cultural institutions including the Kelowna Museum, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Kelowna Art Gallery as well as Tourism Kelowna. Celebrated artists include Tari Di Bello, Tracie Ward, Geert Maas, Karen Close, Jock Hildebrand, Julia Trops, Alex Fong, Louise Lambert, Rosemarie and George Greedy, Litti Birker, Kyle Poirier, Liz Woodside, Jacquie Mills, Lynden Beesley, Iris Morden and Esteban Castillo.

Congratulations to Father Andriy Werbowy and wife Kristina on the birth of their third child, Anna Kristina. Father Andriy is the Pastor Rev Fr. of the the Ukrainian Catholic Church on Gordon and Coronation.

A new coupon book has just been distributed this past Sunday, May 6 in the Kelowna Capital News. "Okanagan Sunshine Savings" created by entrepreneur Judy Levine is very creative and interesting in that it has many different businesses that you might not normally see in a coupon book. Some of the businesses offering their products and services are At Your Fingertips, Hollywood Shoes, Kelowna Flower Farm, Duct doctor Cleaning Services, Princess Auto, Sweet Dreams Lingerie and Sleepwear, Pharmasave, Wickerland, JSI-Barbeques, Rick's Painting, Valley Lanes, Doggytopia and many, many more. Judy says her next issue will be even bigger with many more new businesses. Call 860-2031

There's a new web-site called "www.kelownaevents.info" that you might want to take a look at. It's a comprehensive listing website for Kelowna, with events presented by categories like theatre and visual arts as well as conveniently sorted by time frame, today, tonight, this weekend, next weekend, etc. to make it easier for locals and tourists to grasp in single view what are the options for their free time. Created by Natalia Usselman, she created this site as she herself had to look at about 10 different sites before she found everything that was going on in the Kelowna area. There are over 100 events on the site at any given time. Posting is free and non-profit organizations can even advertise for free in the event highlight section. Call 878-3987 or contact@kelownaevents.info

Genome BC and Okanagan College are giving CSI fans, science buffs and the public the opportunity to take part in an interactive forum geared toward unraveling the mysteries of using DNA to solve crime scenes. Gerome BC will host the free event on Thursday, May 10 from 6:30pm to 9pm at the Kelowna Art Gallery. Entitled “The Gene Scene: DNA Database Detectives – How is DNA evidence helping to solve crimes in Canada?” three experts in the field will offer insight into the national DNA databanks in Canada, how DNA is used, issues of privacy and accuracy as well as the social implications using DNA, now and in the future. Sounds like quite the seminar!

I got a call from a reader praising Home Depot. They are congratulated for giving customer service “plus.” Manager Tim Murray, Yvonne Bainbridge and their staff are tops in this person’s books for going that extra mile.

The Okanagan Jewish Community's Philosopher's Cafe series is hosting award winning journalist and anchor for Global TV, Tony Parsons as their guest speaker at the OJCC's session on Thursday, May 10th (tomorrow) at 7:30pm at 102 Glenmore Road (corner of Glenmore and Union). The event is free and open to the public.

Local artist Dawn Emerson is hosting a solo art exhibition at the Art Ark Gallery at 1298 Cannery Lane from May 26-June 7. The exhibition named "Mysterious Corvus" which uses the images of ravens in her artwork to represent everyday life experiences that affect us all.

Calling on all you former Bow Valley residents (Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Seebe) now residing in the valley. The first Kelowna reunion is being held on Saturday, Sept. 29. There’s going to be socializing, entertainment, music, dancing, door prizes and snacks. If anyone knows anyone from that area or if you are from that area, contact Wally Royle at 764-1428 or 212-8843 or Howie McHenry at 765-4294.You can also get tickets at Mister Transmission at 101-2307 Enterprise Way.

The hog is here! Don't forget to get your raffle tickets for the first ever Kelowna & District Safety Council Society's Harley Davidson raffle until June 17. The bike is a 2007 Harley Softail Standard and a KDSC Learn to Ride course valued at $20,680. Only 3,500 tickets are being sold and you can purchase tickets and view the bike this week at Canadian Tire for $20. or call 765-3163 for more info.

The Okanagan Military Museum is seeking qualified volunteers to fill a front desk position during the summer months. It would require a commitment of at least three hours per day, Tues. to Saturday. Call Keith at 763-9292.

Here I go again, using my column to shamelessly advertise our multi household annual garage sale. It’s always fun and I enjoy chatting with and seeing all of you. I especially like it when you leave with your hands and vehicles full of our “good and priceless stuff.” There are tons of household and garage items to be sold - big and small. Lots of tools, fixtures, furniture, books, snick knacks, marine and car stuff, collectibles, some clothing, jewellery, tables, some Christmas items and even the kitchen sink. Join us at 947, 951 and 959 Purcell Court - Dilworth Mountain off Summit. Watch for the signs.

Quote of the week –He who laughs, lasts. (Mary Pettibone Poole)

Birthdays of the week – Arnie Schneider, Schneider Sample (May 13); Laurie Anne Livingston, Save-On Foods, Mission (May 11); Brenda Bell, Springvalley Elementary (May 7).

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)