|
|
|
This week’s column is dedicated to Katriona Weir (45) who passed away suddenly. A wonderful person and very dear to my heart, I will never forget her kindness during the recent Drive-Thru Breakfast. I came unprepared for the pouring rain that morning and Katriona offered me her “yellow slicker” that I wore the entire three hours. Everyone said they saw me running around in the yellow slicker, even on CHBC-TV with Mike Roberts, but no one knew it was Katriona’s. I will always remember that day and the “yellow slicker.” My personal condolences go out to her family and many, many friends.
Well-known promotional company, Apple Valley Promotions, owned and operated by Gord and Brenda Hunting is celebrating their 25th Anniversary in business. Serving customers locally, provincially and nationally the company provides every kind of recognition and promotional products available on the market. They specialize in providing a wide range of apparel, awards and recognition products, blinders, portfolios, calendars, computer accessories, food products, golf products, including golf apparel, lapel pins, medallions, leather goods, timepieces and much, much more. If you want it and they do not have it, they will find it. They deal with a wide range of recognized, reputable suppliers and offer embroidery or silk screening where required. There is not a business too large or too small to service. Apple Valley has also been a sponsor of the Drive-Thru Breakfast since its inception 10 years ago. Call 764-4465 www.applevalleypromotions.com
Barry Lapointe, president and CEO of Kelowna Flightcraft Group of Companies is the recipient of the prestigious “2007 Business Leader of the Year Award” sponsored by UBCO. He will be honoured at the 20th Annual Business Excellence Awards on October 15 at the Coast Capri Hotel. For tickets call Genevieve at 861-1515.
Councillor Robert Hobson has been elected as first vice-president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). He has been a UBCM director since 1997 and recently, second vice-president.
Brad Clements has been appointed Executive Director of The Okanagan Partnership. As a consultant and facilitator with PerformanceDecisions he has over 10 years experience assisting Canadian and International businesses and organizations with strategic planning and execution. Theresa Arsenault and Nick Arkle are the co-chairs of the organization. Call 807-9851.
"Wine Notes" were created by LeeAnne Ursel. They are the neatest, easiest greeting cards for wine and liquor bottles that I have ever seen. The notes are made of classic, elegant cardstock, with greetings of Happy Birthday, Let's Celebrate, Congratulations, Thank you and so on and so on. There is a variety of colours to choose from and all you do is put your signature on the card, hang it around the neck of the bottle and voila - your present is ready to give. The cards are classy, beautifully displayed, easy and reasonably priced. You can purchase them at specialty wine shops, wineries and also at the “Short Stop Beer, Wine and Liquor Store” at the Ramada Hotel. Call 878-3542 www.wine-notes.ca
Three honourary chairs have been added to The Kelowna Spirit of BC Committee. Congrat’s to Eldon Worobieff (1964 Olympian, Rowing); Gerry Austgarden (2006 Paralympic Gold Medalist, Curling) and Key Scott, (2006 World Women’s Curling Champion). The Committee was formed in 2004 after the announcement of Vancouver’s 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games. Call chair, Nancy Cameron at 861-1515.
"Passeport Clothing Company Ltd." has opened at 541 Bernard Avenue. Owned and operated by Katy Borszcz and Joel Stenberg the shop features unisex clothing for the age group of about 20-40 with a main venue of high-end international denim and fashion, plus local artists. Their brand name of denim “Nudie Jeans” which is made of the best Italian and Japanese denim qualities are made in Italy. Some treatments contain 20 stages to achieve the authentic second hand look and feeling and a good portion of the work is done by hand. The jeans are incredible and it is recommended that you wear your Nudie Jeans for at least six months before washing them. If you do this and wear them a lot, the indigo will be worn off the jeans in places where you make natural creases, which gives them your own personal look. Passeport also carries other designer lines of clothing; Alice McCall and Sass & Bide from Australia and Filippa K from Sweden. They also carry a selection of designer jewellery. Call 448-0541.
Just in time for the wine festival, a one-of-a-kind retail store has opened at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Specializing in handcrafted Okanagan-only made products, “Shop the Valley” owned and operated by Tommi Hanley is unique to the region, offering an exciting new shopping experience to local consumers and tourists alike. The store, located in the main building at Summerhill will feature products from specialized foods and bath products to functional ceramics, wall art, hand-carved wood and spectacular jewellery. Their product line will change and expand over time and the inventory will be as varied as the creativity of the artisans they represent. Stop the Valley will be open year-round, six days a week (Tuesday-Sunday). The winery is also open year round as is the Sunset Bistro Restaurant that will be open year-round for the first time this year. Stephen Cipes is the proprietor of Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Call Shop the Valley at 808-9959 or Summerhill at 764-4345.
Took a walk around Orchard Park Shopping Centre with general manager Norbert Gelowitz and wow – it’s a real happening place, with lots of new things going on. “Children’s Place” has opened and it is huge. It’s a popular U.S. children’s retail clothing store. “Alter Ego” by R & R just opened (by Roots) and sells comfortable stylish family athletic apparel and footwear. “Just Sports” is for sports enthusiasts and sells collector sports memorabilia. “Urban Planet” is 15,000 sq. ft. of family apparel for the trendy but conscious priced consumer and will be open this winter. “West Coast” has opened its retail men’s casual clothing store, which is the first one in Western Canada. “Fruits and Passion Bath and Body” will open later on this fall. “Umi Sushi Express” is made-on-site, ready-to-serve Japanese Cuisine and is located just before the food court. “Tristan” ladies and men’s wear is already open.
And, is that isn’t enough, Oxford Properties was presented with “Three Maple Leaf Awards.” One was for the best project/advertising campaign in Canada; Orchard Park entered two submissions and won an award for each. Another was given for Renovation or Expansion of an Existing Centre (the large brand new wing of Orchard Park). The company has also just purchased the Westbank Shopping Centre which will be managed under the umbrella of Oxford and Norbert Gelowitz will also be responsible for that centre as well. Zeller's and Save-on-Foods was not included in the acquisition or management.
Seasoned radio, TV and newspaper personality Mike Falcon is back in Kelowna. He’s not back physically, but is now hosting an Adventure Show on AM 1150 News, Talk, Sports on Saturday’s from 3-4pm. I actually caught part of the show this past Saturday and he interviews the most interesting people; one being a fellow in Australia that had been attacked by a two ton great white shark and survived to tell his story. Along with host speakers, Mike profiles the latest in adventure gear; often before it hits your local retailer working with the world’s leading suppliers. Professional trainers, doctors, scientists and nutritionists provide education insights into the leading edge of performance and the show is wrapped up with exotic destinations and dream adventures. With Mike’s own passion for adventure lifestyle, he also brings out the best in each guest. Even if you are not an adventure enthusiast, it’s a great listening hour.
The Central Okanagan Heritage Society is celebrating their 25th Anniversary. They have been instrumental in restoring and preserving many of Kelowna’s valuable heritage resources, including Guisachan House, McDougall House, Benvoulin Heritage Church, McIver House and are currently working to preserve B.C.’s oldest grist mill, Brent’s Grist Mill located at the corner of Dilworth and Leckie. To celebrate, they are having a gala “Evening of Celebration” at the Capri Hotel, this Friday, October 5. I understand there still a few tickets left. Call Samantha Poling at 861-7188.
Tutt Street Galleries at #8-3045 Tutt Street is hosting “Rod Charlesworth: A National Artist’s Solo Exhibit 2007.” Rod is a well- known, incredible local artist. I had the pleasure of helping Rod (more hindrance than help) paint bird houses for a fundraiser and also pint hockey sticks and pucks for a Memorial Cup fund raiser. What a great time we had! Exhibition pieces can be viewed at www.tuttartgalleries.com or call 861-4992.
I’ve been asked about what is happening (all the digging) in the front of the former Western Star Truck building on Enterprise Way. The lot is being redesigned for additional parking.
Big thanks to five great gals at The Bay for their excellent service; Leah Davis, Lori McCormack, Diana Bohn, Dorothy Vandermay and Sam Caldwell.
Before you consider rewiring your home, installing a propane heater or doing any renovations that involve gas or electricity, think twice about doing it yourself. The British Columbia Safety Authority has launched a province-wide campaign after a successful pilot project in the Okanagan this past spring. The “Heads Up For Safety” campaign aims to educate homeowners about the importance of hiring licensed contractors and obtaining the necessary permit for electrical and gas renovations. What most homeowners do not realize is that gas and electrical installations pose some of the greatest safety risks and are complex and can be dangerous if you do it yourself. Hiring a licensed contractors helps ensure the work is done correctly and under the necessary pemits as required by law for regulated work. Pearse Walsh, Business Development Leader for the BC Safety Authority recommends hiring a contractor who is licensed by the BC Safety Authority which lists all licensed electrical and gas contractors on its website. Visit www.safetyauthority.ca or call 1-866-566-SAFE (7233) to protect yourself and your property. Contact Pearce at 861-7320.
Janice Fingado and Adele Glennie are hosting an all-day Art Clay Workshop at The Rotary Centre for the Arts, which is a mixture of fine silver and clay which can be rolled, printed, stamped, pierced, shaped and formed in the same exact way pottery is made. After it is dried and fired, the clay burns away and you are left with a piece of 999 Fine Silver, which can be burnished to a high polish, ready to be hung on a silver chain or a pair of ear wires. To register call 717-5304, Course #206g.
People are still trickling in to pick up their major prizes from the Maxine DeHart, Ramada Hotel – United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast. Congrat’s to Abbey Deschner (Heritage Office Supplies, leather chair) and Gerard MacNeil (London Drugs Weber Grill). Jewellery winners sponsored by Diane’s Jewellery Designs at the Ramada Hotel were Melissa Weidlich, Nichole McNichol, Terry Flannigan, Crystal Morns and Kimberly Groesche.
One really neat thing happened to the Drive-Thru Westjet ticket winners. Mel Wright won a round trip ticket for two anywhere Westjet flies in Canada. He and his wife are taking their 16 year old son with Muscular Dystrophy and his 14 year old brother on a trip, using the two passes. Local manager Bryce Gibbs and Westjet decided to provide these folks with an additional two tickets so the whole family could travel together. Westjet has been an excellent sponsor and great supporter of the Drive-Thru Breakfast for many years. Its sponsors like Westjet that keeps the event alive. Thanks Westjet!
Quote of the week –If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done. (Submitted by my sister Tracy Nyboe, RE/MAX Kelowna).
Birthdays of the week – Rosemary Stiell (Sept.30); Marlene Murray, retired Scotiabanker (Oct. 6); Vic Ritchie (Oct. 6); Karen Roen, Ramada Hotel (Oct.9).
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)
|
