Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: January 9/2007

January is Crime Stoppers Month and in celebration, the well-known non-profit community based crime solving program has launched a new online news magazine which can be found at www.crimestoppers.net. It’s a great site that has the news magazine, mug shots (spelled mug$hots), has a missing persons section, unsolved crimes section, a top story and you can even leave a tip. Crime Stoppers works in conjunction with the police, media and the public to help make your community a safer place to live. Call 470-6394 or tipsline@shaw.ca???

Lorraine McGrath, Vice President, Interior Region and Wealth Management of Prospera Credit Union is leaving Prospera effective January 31st. She has been with the company since 2003 and will be pursuing new career interests. Effective immediately, Dan Whalley will take on Lorraine's branch responsibilities and has been promoted to Vice President, Branch Operations. Harri Jansson is the Chief Operation Officer of Prospera Credit Union.

Chi-Fui Chong is the new Director of Finance for Okanagan College. He relocated from Calgary where he worked as Director of Finance for several organizations including SAIT Polytechnic, Wood’s Homes and the Chinese Christian Wing Kei Nursing Home Assoc. Chong replaces Bob Willox who retired on December 14 after 32 years with Okanagan College.?

Doug Panton is moving to a new position with BMO (Bank of Montreal). After two and a half years as manager of the Capri Branch of BMO, he is now the mortgage and lease land specialist for BMO out of their Westbank location. Call 575-5957 or doug.panton@bmo.com

After 34 years with the Fire Department, the last three as Captain (he says the best captain ever) Patrick Crane has retired. He started his career as a volunteer with the Mission Volunteer Fire Department and the rest was history. He is going to work on his little farm (as he puts it) haying his 60 acres and just playing around.?

Angus Dunlop, Les Yeager and Irene Wilkinson are pleased to welcome Julie Gillespie to The Mortgage Centre, Express Mortgage Services on Gordon Drive (behind Capri Hotel). Julie and her family have relocated from the lower mainland where she was a successful mortgage broker. Call her at 861-4222.

With his impressive background in media services, Dennis Powers is a great addition to DotCom Media as their new sales/account manager. ?The company has experienced tremendous growth over the past twelve months, providing many customized services and solutions to their clients. Spiro Vouladakis has been applying his award-winning visual design experience to Dotcom’s website and print projects. Sara Conne has also joined the team as a junior developer. Check out their new website www.dotcommediainc.com and DotCom’s new portfolio of favourites showing both Spiro’s impact and Sara’s natural artistic eye, both influencing their projects. Call 862-8010

“She Couture” owned and operated by Barbara Gervais at 2970 Pandosy Street is moving to a new location and will be closing their present store on January 31. They will be reopening at the new location in May, 2008 at 1567 Pandosy Street in the downtown area, with new lines of fashion. They are now having a moving sale with 30-70% off storewide – everything must go! Call 762-8477 www.shopshe.com

Congratulations to Erika Hartwig of Tourism Kelowna who was the winner of the Exceptional Service under the Sun Award for October, 2007. Her friendly assistance and kind hospitality won over some visitors who later became new Kelowna residents.

Sharon Hughes-Geekie is no longer with the EDC. She is now the Area Director of Bayshore Home Health and will be opening the doors of its new office at 105-1664 Richter Street this month. With 40 locations across Canada, this is Bayshore’s first office in the B.C. Interior.

It is that time of year when many out door enthusiasts head to the back country in search of fresh powder. Some don't realize how dangerous it can be. A Kelowna man has turned his love for the back country into a business. Finbar O'Sullivan, wants people to appreciate and enjoy the back country but also be extremely careful. He teaches people to learn how to stay safe, recognize avalanche terrain and what to do if a person is caught in an avalanche. He teaches a course which is recognized by the Canadian Avalanche Association. The course includes theory and practical training. Over the past few years Finbar has trained skiers and other back country users. His training could save your life. For more information call Finbar at 862-9352 or cell:808-9352.

Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Kelowna Inc. owned and operated by Steve Pavelich is celebrating their 10^th anniversary in business. Located at Unit 105 – 1950 Harvey Avenue (Spall Plaza) they offer all types of general insurance (other than life), including Autoplan, fleets, residential, condo, boat, mobile homes, campers, commercial, business, liability, Surety Bonds, farms, marine, aviation and out-of-province medical. They specialize in construction insurance and are also contract bond brokers. The company has 12 employees. Call 763-3840 www.wmbeck.com

Print Three Kelowna has temporarily relocated their office to #6-1155 KLO Road (Gordon & KLO) due to renovations needed to their location on Harvey Avenue. Their office sustained smoke damage from a fire that occurred at a neighbouring business in December. Alexandra Krieger stated that they are fully operational again and look forward to welcoming everyone at the new location. Call 860-6858 or alex@printthree.bc.ca

The Okanagan Chefs’ Association recently held its annual Christmas Party and Awards Ceremony. The President’s Award was presented to Chef Paul Cecconi. Junior Chef Shannon Roussel was awarded the Egon Braam Memorial Scholarship on behalf of the Okanagan College Culinary Arts Department and the Okanagan Chefs’ Association. The “Chef of the Year” Award was presented to OCA President Chef Rod Butters and the “Member of the Year” Award was presented to Junior Chef Shannon Roussel. Awards of appreciation were handed out to Jessie Raulick of The Harvest Golf Club, Sean Peltier of Fresco’s, Robyn Sigurdson of Burrowing Owl Winery and Marcel Pancel of Nk’Mip Winery. Chef Geoffrey Couper presented $1,120 to the Kelowna Food Bank that was raised on International Chef Day. $717 was raised for the “Be an Angel” Foundation during the evening. Canadian Culinary Federation Chairman of the Board, Chef Bruno Marti held a live auction that raised $1,000 going towards the Junior Chef Fund.

Hey all you Michael Buble fans out there. 101-5 SILK FM and morning due Andy and TJ are hosting an on-air auction this Thursday, January 10^th starting at 7am. The auction is for two tickets for front row seats to Michael Buble for his performance this coming Sunday, January 13 at Prospera Place. And, this isn’t all. You will be chauffeured in a limo to and from the performance and will also be meeting him back-stage. After all that, you will enjoy a lovely dinner with Andy and TJ. What could be better than that. All proceeds are going to the B.C. Children’s Hospital. Don’t forget Thursday morning starting at 7am on 101-5 SILK FM. ???

The Okanagan Science & Technology Council (OSTEC) with its Title Sponsor, Petraroia Langford LLP has announced the seven finalists for the Silicon Vineyard Innovation Awards to be held Thursday, March 13. They are Pure Lignin Environmental Technology and Flight Motion Simulations Inc. (Most Promising Emerging Technology of the Year – sponsored by BDC); New Horizon Interactive (Club Penguin), Aquassure Bath Products and Quantum Windpower Manufacturing (Innovative Organization of the Year – sponsored by Technology Brewing Corp.); NRC-Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory and Okanagan Innovation Fund (Science and Technology Community Leadership Award – sponsored by Always On UPS Systems Inc.). The OSTEC Member of the Year, sponsored by Skytrac and the Innovator of the Year, sponsored by ONE will be announced the evening of the awards ceremony. Call Lorna Crouse at 712-3340 or events@ostec.ca for tickets.

He finally did it! Congratulations to Dan McFarlane (Dirt Man) of Power 104 and B-103 and Cheryl Robson of KGH on their engagement over the holidays. It only took Dirt Man seven years to propose and I told him I hope it won’t be another seven years until the wedding.

Also congratulations to Doug Large and Carol Harrington both formerly of Western Star who got engaged and will be married on May 25.

Congrat’s to Corry Perret of RE/MAX Kelowna Westside and Dino Gini of Realty Executives who were recognized by the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board for their outstanding community activities. Corry with her involvement in the Children’s Miracle Network and Dino in his many roles with young athletes.

Big thanks to Alida Nourry of Pharmasave in Mission Park for her excellent service over the holiday season.

Stockwell Day will be the first speaker at OJCC’s next Philosopher’s Caf頯n Monday, January 21 at 7:30pm at the OJCC Centre at 102 Glenmore Road. This is open to the public and no registration is required. There will be a question period with coffee and dessert to follow.?

The Kelowna Royal Purple Lodge (Royal Purple Ladies) now has a temporary home at The Kelowna Italian Club on Lawrence Avenue. They will continue to raise money for their charities by catering to small functions, helping sell hot dogs at the Brick and working at the Bingo Hall. Their meetings will now be held once a month, being the third Tuesday of each month. For more info call Sheila Falk at 768-7733.

Two new teachers have joined the Jay Ess Music School, one of Kelowna’s oldest established Schools. Vocal teacher Joan Gass and Bob Graham (Guitar/Bass) are both accepting new students for January classes. Bob Graham’s 10 week beginner guitar courses start on Wednesday, January 16 at 8pm. Call 762-5757 or 861-7840.

Rawle James, director of public relations for the Kelowna Minor Football would like you to come out and become involved in their AGM on Monday, January 14 at 7pm in the cafeteria at Dr. Knox Middle School. Call 448-6484 or 863-8071 for more info. www.kelownaminorfootball.com

Evelyne MacMillan is offering a series of art classes beginning January 14. These are introductory, Novice and Intermediate level Water colour classes offered during the day, on Monday evening and on Saturday. Most of the classes are at her new studio location in Westbank. For more info call 707-3090 or pepperwc@silk.net

Quote of the week – This is hilarious for all you women out there. The definition of retirement is “twice the husband” and “half the money.” (Submitted by Susan Steen, United Way).

Birthdays of the week –Happy 80^th Nick Kardynal, my second dad (Jan.11); Happy 60^th Ken Thom, Thom & Assoc. (Jan.3); ?Mary Anne Livingston (Jan.13); Mort Downey, TAC Mobility (Jan 12); Lynda Gibbs (Today, Jan. 9); Terry Balfour, former Kelowna resident now in San Juan, Puerto Rico who always reads the column (Dec. 26); Maya Francis, Rose Valley School (Jan.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)