Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: October 31/2007

Brew-Tech at 102-3699 Highway 97N has changed its name, but not its location. It’s now called “Wine Central.” Katherine Heisler, owner of the company says they changed their name to better reflect the tastes and trends among their customers. More people are moving toward a lifestyle incorporating wine and to celebrate that, they are now Wine Central, which is an authorized “Winexpert” retailer. The U-Vin industry has come a long way and “Winexpert” wines win more awards in competition than any other brand. Wine Central has new state-of-the-art equipment, including a carbonation system to allow you to make ciders, coolers and sparkling wines in time for the holiday season. Call 765-5353.

101-5 SILK FM; 99.9 SUN FM and 1150 Talk News Sports Radio are now all part of the “Astral Media” radio family. Astral is one of the largest media groups in Canada. Listen to Andy and TJ and myself on Wednesday morning with the new radio family.

Todd’s Automotive, owned and operated by Todd Loeppky at 9558 Glenmore Road (Glenmore & Hwy. 97) in Winfield is celebrating their third anniversary. The automotive centre specializes in selling all makes and models of good pre-owned vehicles for $15,000 or less. The vehicles are bought in tip-top shape with Rob Redick of Car Craft Automotive (right behind Todd’s) taking care of all the mechanical inspections and servicing. Along with that, well-known car-man, Edward Loeppky (Todd’s dad) helps Todd with the day to day sales and operation. All and all, a one stop shop! Call 250-766-5440.

Relocating from Ontario, Thomas Kent has joined the law firm of Petraroia Langford LLP. Thomas has been a lawyer for over 20 years and is leading the litigation group at the firm. Also, congrat’s to Margaux, daughter Isla and Peter MacPherson (Petraroia Langord LLP) on the birth of their second child, a son Cameron on October 21.

Janet Anderson is the new artistic director of Festivals Kelowna, a new non-profit society created to produce three City of Kelowna events, as well as provide support to the Kelowna festivals and events community. She has been in Kelowna for two years, having moved from Alberta where she was with the Banff International Television Festival and Banff Centre.

Accolades to shop manager, Zsoka Komar and the staff at “First Choice Hair Cutters” in Westbank. Out of 12 hair salons in the Valley, they won “#1 - Salon of the Year for 2007” and “Top Comparable Sales Increase for 2007.” The latter represented a 25% increase in sales for the year. Call 768-6869.

Catharine, Laura and Melaney Phillips are three sisters and co-owners of a new studio located at 1955 Moss Court (behind Art Knapp’s) called “Catharine’s Corporate Gifting and Home Accents.” Their Great Crate Opening is November 1-3. The store will be a place for anyone to shop for unique gifts from around the world. There will also be baby gifts, leather goods, exquisite glassware, Baltic amber, artwork, spa products and home accents of every description. They also offer a cappuccino bar. Along with individual gifts, Catharine’s will also appeal to the corporate shopper, with gift programs being designed to handle retirement, recognition, promotional and meet and greet type requirements This is their second location, with the first one being in Surrey. Call 861-1999 www.corpgifting.com

After 24 years as a division of the Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kelowna is branching out on its own, effective January 1/2008. Tourism in our City, as an industry, has grown to the point where it was felt that the tourism industry requires authority over the activities of Tourism Kelowna. Ever since the 2% hotel tax was implemented January 1, 2003, it was always the intention of both the chamber and the tourism entity to make Tourism Kelowna independent. Transitioning to this new model is an important step and will allow for an industry elected Board of Directors to oversee the activities of Tourism Kelowna. The transition team is made up of Stan Martindale (Ramada Hotel), Bill Eager (Manteo Resort), Ian Robertson (Kelowna Springs and Shannon Lake Golf Courses), Laura Thurnheer (Chamber president) and the following directors and executive; Kevin Crookes, James Paterson, Wesley Shields, Gail Temple, and Dr. Alan Jenks.

Paul Bustard is the new store manager at Wal-Mat. Paul relocated from Cranbrook, B.C. and has been with the company for five years. Our Kelowna Wal-Mart has 300 associates and is one of the top Wal-Marts in the country. Wal-Mart will be open 24 hours starting the middle of December for two weeks. Former store manager Sara Pedersen has moved to Vancouver Island to manage the Langford Wal-Mart. Call 860-8811

Former office manager at Reach Out Youth Counselling Centre, Olwyn Tomlinson is the new manager of the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) at the Rutland Thrift Shop. MCC is a Christian based relief and development charity that operates all over the world. Profits from the shops go to projects such as building water cisterns in Brazil, providing school kits to children in North Korea, building water pump stations in southern Honduras and providing food to HIV/Aids victims in Africa. They are also looking for volunteers to work in the shop located at 125 Roxby Road. Call 765-7838.

This is sad. Former MP Werner Schmidt and his wife Teena have moved to Edmonton, after 20 years in Kelowna. Had a really nice visit with them before they left. They’re not going to miss all the garden work on their one-acre of land, and are looking forward to being closer to their family.

If you are uncomfortable on a ladder or do not have the time to hang Christmas lights, Ed Wouda is your man. Ed is the president of VT Greens, which represents Southwest Greens in the BC Interior, one of the leaders in synthetic golf greens. When the weather does not allow them to install golf greens, they install Christmas lights – perfect. They come to your home and install your lights or they will purchase your lights for you and then put them up. They are booking now for November. After the Christmas season, they will be happy to come back and take your lights down and put them away for another year. Call 470-8873

Young entrepreneur, Darren Bates of Duct Doctor Cleaning Services, which he started in June/2003, now has “three” trucks on the road, with a huge truck mounted duct cleaning system. Duct Doctor offers furnace and air duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, chimney sweeping and pressure washing. Duct cleaning removes air-born allergens, dust, dust mites, pollen, mold, spore, fungus, pet hair and toys, along with improving furnace efficiency, air conditioning efficiency and indoor air quality. Last week Darren provided the NOW Society (New Opportunities for Women) three free duct cleanings for their group homes. Call 762-3794

Vinequest Wine Partners, the limited partnership investment group that is acquiring Black Hills Estate Winery located between Oliver and Osoyoos, announced the addition of B.C. born Hollywood actor Jason Priestley to its board of directors. Priestly has made a significant investment into the ownership group and brings his extensive passion and knowledge of wine to the team. As an actor, producer and director, he has starred in numerous movies and television shows and is best known playing the role of Brandon Walsh in the hit television series “Beverley Hills 90210.” He is also co-host on “Hollywood and Vines” along with fellow Canadian celebrity Terry David Mulligan. Glenn Fawcett is the president of Vinequest Wine Partners. www.vinequest.com or www.blackhillswinery.com

Congratulations to Jeremy O’Connor and Natika Sunstrum (Fortis BC) on the birth of their first child, Noah on October 15.

Trisha Romance is coming, for the first time on November 9th to the Evans Gallery on Lawrence Avenue. Trisha is one of Canada’s national treasures and has been painting for over 30 years. She has won numerous awards and accolades including the Order of Ontario and is as highly recognized in Canada as B.C.’s Robert Bateman. Having spent many years raising her family on a farm near Niagara-on-the-Lake, the images she paints take us through events and seasons that are woven into the fabric of rural family life. She is also releasing her first children’s book “A Star for Christmas” that will be available for signing between 7 and 9pm on the 9^th. The gallery will be showing an extensive collection of her work, including two new print releases that have just been made available. Call Wayne or Julie Evans at 861-4422

Beyond 50 Magazine is sponsoring and presenting "Glamour & Glitz Night on Thursday, November 15 from 7- 9:30pm at Chances Gaming Entertainment on Springfield Road. Only 125 tickets will be sold at only $26.50. There will be a fashion show, door prizes, appies, comedians and a retail shop open for Christmas shopping. A special announcement will be made about the new "Cinderella Fund" and the "Piggy Bank Panty (yes Panty) Fund." Sponsors are Rosebuds, Babs, 2 Dandy Designs, Esteem Lingerie and Chances. Call any of the above for info or tickets.

Congrat’s to Wayne and Lynn Sikora (Safeway-Bernard Ave.) on the birth of their first grandson.

Nicole McNichol the social director of JCI Okanagan. They recently adopted the new Clement Bi-pass Road and were out with members and their children the previous weekend cleaning the entire road of garbage and debris. They had a super time doing their great community clean-up. The Mission Rotary Club have also “Adopted a Road” for many years from DeHart Road to Barnaby Road. It’s a great way to clean up our city and have fun with other members of your club; all the while getting some physical exercise. If you’re interested call The City of Kelowna, Transportation services at 1495 Hardy Street (City Yards) at 862-5500.

Are you looking for Christmas bargains, baking, crafts, silent auction items or lunch? St. Paul’s United Church is having their 50^th Anniversary Fall Bazaar on Saturday, November 10 from 10am-2pm at 3131 Lakeshore Road. Call 712-7698

Besides having a lot of fun getting together at the Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s Market, members of The Okanagan Chef’s Association, celebrating International Chef’s Day raised a total of $1,120 for the Kelowna Community Foodbank. Way to go!

The Ramada Hotel (where I hand my hat) is renovating more rooms and is selling good used furniture. For sale are dressers, night stands, mirrors, pictures, tables and headboards (no mattresses yet). Just drop in; everything is cash and carry at 2170 Harvey Avenue. No phone calls please.

The 26th Annual Country Crafts Christmas Art & Craft Fair is November 3 & 4 at the Laurel Packing House in support of BrainTrust Canada. You can find just about anything showcasing local artists including pottery, candles, jewelry, folk art, glass images with beverages and sweets for a donation. Judy Watmough is the event organizer.

Just a reminder everyone. If you are sending me an e-mail, fax or phoning, could you please leave your phone number? Sometimes it’s difficult to hear names, dates, etc. on the phone and I always like to touch base with everyone that sends written material also, just in case I miss something. Thanks.

Quote of the week – Learn what you don’t do well – and don’t do it again. (Another good one submitted by my sister Tracy Nyboe of RE/MAX Kelowna)

Birthdays of the week – Happy 70^th Emilio Padula (Nov.2); Terry Hoogewoonink (Nov.3); Doug Large (Nov. 6).

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)