Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: November 7/2007

This week’s column is dedicated to Rob Butler who passed away suddenly last week. I have fond memories or Rob when we had many good chats about everything at his “Sparkle Car Wash.” He will be greatly missed by all his family and many, many friends.

I’ve written a lot of words of thanks in my day, but none so “Hart-felt” as the ones I am writing today on receiving the 2007 United Way “Award of Distinction”. I was absolutely blown away to see 300 friends join in and celebrate on this incredibly memorable occasion. Huge thanks to the committee: Vern Nielsen (Chair); my husband Chris DeHart (TAC Mobility); my sister Tracy Nyboe (RE/MAX Kelowna); Laurel D’Andrea (Beyond 50 Magazine); MC- Mike Roberts (CHBC-TV); Gail Harrison (CIBC); Aletha Currie; Diane and John Gardner (Diane’s Fine Jewellery); Humberto Morales (OKBC-TV); Superintendent Bill McKinnon; Susan Steen (United Way); Chief Superintendent Don Harrison and all the United Way Staff. A very special thanks to Vic Ehmann, the design team and staff at Ehmann Printworx Ltd. for going the extra mile for the event. I loved my 10 foot high posters. They were really “neat.”

Thanks a million times to the following individuals, companies and volunteers who open their wallets and gave their time to net the United Way over $60,000 in a very short period of time. Avalon Event Rentals; Brock Aynsley (CIBC Wood Gundy); Cabana Bar & Grille (Chef Ned Bell, Jay Blackford, Michael Borge) Capital News (Nigel Lark and Barry Gerding); Coast Capri Hotel (Leonard Cody, Lloyd Taylor and Chef Monica Lauterdacher); Gray Monk Winery; Tickle Trunk; RCMP Chief Superintendent Don Harrison; Fire Chief Rene Blanleil and Asst. Chief Kerry Klonteig; McDermott’s Men’s Wear (Wayne and Jay McDermott); SHE Couture; Ramada Hotel; (RPB Hotels & Resorts); Stan Martindale; I.A. Pacific Life (Terry Wardrop); TAC Mobility; L.A. Weight Loss (Melonie Dodaro); Farwest Transit; The Wealthy Tortoise Financial Group; (Shel Jacobsen & Bryce Medd); Annegrets Chocolates; Alex Fong; Rod Charlesworth; Roger and Sandra Watts; Wightman Mechanical; Thom and Associates; Robert Fine and Pastor Tim Schroeder. By the way, for those of you that were there; I don’t know “swat” about any “gossip” column.”

Rod Cochrane has been appointed as the general manager of golf and resort of Predator Ridge Golf Resort, with responsibility for both golf and related activities at the preeminent Okanagan resort. He has led some of the best well-known courses in B.C., including Chateau Whistler, Nicklaus North and Gallagher’s Canyon. Rod will begin his role in December and replace Dave Paterson, former owner and visionary of the resort. In September, Wesbild Holdings Ltd. purchased Predator Ridge of which Randy Zien is president.

Paul Hergott, formerly of Bassett & Company for many years has opened his own firm, “Hergott Law” at #105-1195 Industrial Road on the Westside (next to World Gym). Along with his wife, Terri Hergott and their staff, they recently won the Quality Excellence Award at the Westbank Chamber Business Awards and Paul personally won the Customer Service Award in 2004. Call 769-7444.

Mission “Pharmasave” located in the Mission Park Shopping Center, owned and operated by pharmacist Craig and Elena Tostenson is celebrating their 10^th anniversary. They are also the owners of the Glenmore Pharmasave, located at 105-437 Glenmore Road (next to Brandts Creek Pub), which they have owned for the past four years. Call 717-5330.

Dr. Michael Isaacson, a founder of UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering and Dean of UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science has received the “BC Innovation Council 2007 Chairman‘s Award for Career Achievement.” He is recognized around the world as a leader in the field of offshore and coastal hydrodynamics research and received the award for his continued contributions to the advancement of B.C.’s scientific and engineering communities.

I was pleased to hear from former Kelowna restaurateurs, Alladin and Ruby Murji. Along with Allan and Christine Surtees, the Murji’s, who formerly owned and operated the Island of Zanzibar on Bernard, are opening a new restaurant, “Carvers” at Big White in The Inn at Big White on November 16. The cuisine will be a mixture of 60% North American and 40% Indian. Both chefs at the new restaurant are “Red Seal Chef’s, trained in Indian, one that is Italian and Indian qualified and the other that is French and Indian qualified, along with their son, Sayyad who is also a chef. They will be open seven days a week. Call 491-2009.

You won’t want to miss this jewellery show. Diane Gardner of Diane’s Fine Jewellery and Gifts is hosting “An Evening of Elegance” to view the latest collections of unique fine jewellery from three award-winning internationally acclaimed designers at The Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre. Collection showings are Friday, November 16 from 3pm-9pm and Saturday, November 17 from 1pm to 6pm. Call 762-2210.

Stacy Portman, RN, BN, IBCLC of Okanagan Health and Performance at #104-1100 Lawrence Avenue have opened the “Okanagan Health and Performance Travel Vaccination Clinic” which is operating out of her established health clinic, Okanagan Health and Performance. She opened the service in response to Interior Health discontinuing the service at the Kelowna Health Centre on Ellis. She offers shots for travel, the flu (paid for) or other vaccinations that are needed. Call 860-6295.

Cordell’s Point of View at 1780 Springfield Road has been sold and is now called “Michelle Smith Design”. Purchased by Michelle Smith who has relocated from Calgary, she has updated the shop and offers complete window coverings, featuring the Hunter Douglas brand. They have a wide selection of fabrics and specialize in custom draperies which are all made in-house on their premises. Call 762-8440

Three great gals, Lucie Elamad, formerly of Aldo Accessories, Cara Kerluck, formerly of Eastside Mario’s and Karen McKenzie have joined the team at L. A. Weight Loss at #410 - 2339 Hwy. 97 N in Dilworth Centre.

The Chamber of Commerce has a new 2007/2008 Board. A proposed slate of Directors was forwarded to the Chamber membership with a call for additional nominations for a two-year term. With no additional nominations received, the slate of nominees becomes “Directors by Acclamation” with no election required. Current executive vice-president James Paterson of Pushor Mitchell will become the 2008 president.

The new directors are Brad Buchanan (Avalon Event Rentals Inc.); Meryle Corbett (Kelowna Flightcraft); Byron Dafoe (Eagle Mountain Developments); Bryn Gilbert (Grant Thornton LLP); Karen Hawes (Interior Savings); Dr. Alan Jenks (Kelowna Family Chiropractic & Massage); Norm LeCavalier (N.J. LeCavalier & Assoc.); Peter Raja (Norelco Cabinets) and Wesley Shields (FH&P Lawyers). The following five directors will stay on to complete their term; Gord Hotchkiss (Enquiro Search Solutions); Bernard LaRose (Canadian Western Bank); Karen Luniw (the Law of Attraction Center); Perry Mack (Prophet Media Group) and Viki May (Valley First Credit Union). Weldon LeBlanc is the CEO of the Chamber.

The Kelowna Apple Triathlon Society has been awarded the 2008 Canadian National Championships to be held on August 16 and 17^th in Kelowna. Richard Montgomery is the president of the organization, named the “Pushor Mitchell Apple Triathlon”.

"Candesca" a soon to be internationally recognized vocal group is hosting its first music & arts event, “Dreams Can Come True” Art Show and Sale on November 16^th at the Laurel Building at 1304 Ellis Street. This open door fundraiser features entertainment by Candesca, art show and sale, silent auction and appetizers. The show runs from 5:30 to 8pm and admission is by donation. The event will help offset some of the expenses of the group’s first European tour with international opera singer Alexandra Babbel. Artists featured are Francine Gravel, Alex Fong, Mona Weinstein, Louise Lambert, Alisa and Liz Woodside, Evelyne MacMillan, Colleen Dyson, Cherie Hanson, Murray Roed, Eric Blais and Arne Hetherington as well as silent auction contributions from Ken Gillespie, Kenna Graff and Kendra Smith. For info call Dina Kotler at 470-0298 or dinakotler@gmail.com

Good on you Joe! The Okanagan Delivery Centre held their United Way Staff meeting with letter carrier Peggy Morrison-Simpson as the coordinator for this year. Supervisor Joe Ryan mentioned that last year’s dollar amount was $1,638 and issued a challenge to all the collection and delivery staff stating “if you raise in excess of $1,800 I will shave my head!” $2,800 was raised not including their personal payroll deductions and on Friday, October 19^th Peggy clipped Joe’s hair and Superintendent Bert Gee had the honour of shaving his head as he has been an expert in this craft for some time. Joe’s daughter Clara assisted with the shaving. Joe did indicate that he had quite the time putting on a sweater that weekend.

If you are looking to build your business through referrals, The Synergy Partners Referral Networking Group is a group of local business people who are dedicated to helping each other grow their business with referrals in the Valley. They will host a special meeting on Wednesday, November 14^thfrom 7:30-9am at De Dutch Pannekoek House on Gordon and Harvey for anyone who would like to check out the group. Guest speaker is Stephanie Moore who will talk on networking.

The 13^th Annual Benvoulin Church Craft Sale at 2279 Benvoulin Road is Sunday, November 18 from 9am-5pm. There are a dozen local crafters and artisans with some unique and beautiful items for sale including pottery, stained glass, fabric creations, paper crafts, woodcrafts and handbags. Call 765-4656

The Okanagan Military Museum at 1424 Ellis Street is hosting a Remembrance Day Open House on Sunday, November 11th from 11am-4pm. Explore the many remembrance themed exhibits and interpretative displays. Coffee, hot chocolate and light snacks will be provided and free parking is available at the Memorial Arena. Admission is by donation. Call 763-9292

Kasugai Gardens, located off Queensway Avenue, immediately east of City Hall has closed for the inter season and will re-open March 1/2008.

Free Flu Clinics are available for those at risk, including people over 65 and older; people with chronic health conditions; health care workers, pregnant women 3^rd trimester and residents of nursing homes and more. The flu shot is safe, effective and free for the above. For time and locations call 868-7715 or www.interiorhealth.ca

Quote of the week – Life’s too short – buy the shoes! (Tracy Nyboe – RE/MAX Kelowna)

Birthdays of the week – Happy 70^th Ann Studer (Today, Nov. 7); Happy 77^th Gordon Fennell (Nov. 13).

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)