Maxine Dehart

Straight from DeHart

Date: January 16/2008

Entrepreneurs Dave Donaldson and John Miller have a great new marketing tool for realtors called “FM Virtual Agent.” This piece of equipment has been used in other major cities around the globe and is now available here. The equipment gives 24/7 assistance at your listing doorstep, helping prospective buyers contact you. Here’s how it works. FM Virtual Agent is a small piece of equipment that is set up in a home that is listed by the listing agent. It allows realtors to record up to four minutes of audio about their listing to be transmitted continuously 24 hours per day via an FM radio transmitter using Phase Lock Loop digital technology. A sign topper is placed above the agent’s listing sign that instructs home buyers passing by the home to tune into one of seven different frequencies. Once tuned in from their car stereo they can hear all abut the features that the listing realtor has recorded to increase interest and attain the prospective buyer. It’s a real easy, neat gizmo. The equipment is sold outright for a one time fee with no subscription or licensing fees; all this for your very own mini FM radio station. Drop in and see the product at the company’s office, Global Radio Board located at 1715 Dickson Avenue. Call 448-7538

The “awning” business is changing. Valley Canvas and Awning at 1383 Ellis street has been sold by Kevin Bennett to Kevin and Susan Quintal who have relocated from Sherwood Park, AB. Kevin “B” is staying on for a couple of months to help out. Call 860-6628.

Also, Artistic Awning at 830 Crowley Avenue formerly owned and operated by Steve Klassen and Tom Agnew has been sold to Mike Wessel who has been with the company for three years. Artistic Awning has been in business for 20 years.

Don't try to solve a condominium puzzle without all the pieces. Relocating from the lower mainland and formerly working with the firm of McCormack & Company, Matthew Fischer has opened a new practice "Fischer & Company" at Suite 210 - 347 Leon Avenue. His main focus is to provide a range of legal services to condominium owners, strata corporations and management companies. Some of the specific areas of his experience include bylaw drafting and enforcement; litigation and alternative dispute resolution; governance, finances and division of expenses; nuisance and disturbance; collections, including Court ordered sales of strata lots, maintenance, structural and building envelope issues. Call 712-0066 or matthew@fischerandcompany.ca www.fischerandcompany.ca

Former executive director of the Central Okanagan Hospice Assoc. Cindy Fairs has a new job. She is now the coordinator for the Life Line Program at the May Bennett Wellness Centre with Interior Health Authority. Call 762-0200.

Jane Fletcher, administrative assistant, Interior Region for Prospera Credit Union is leaving the company. Jane was the administrative assistant to Lorraine McGrath.

Alissa Woodside opened her local artisan gallery “A Woodside Design Gallery” last summer at 1559 Ellis Street. The gallery is now moving to larger premises, just one block from her present location to 1561 Pandosy Street, next to Mosaic Books. She will incorporate a painting studio in the back of the store to compliment her fine arts background and will be creatively busy while on the job. The new shop will offer contemporary paintings, photography, wood-turnings, ceramics, fused glass, elegant and funky jewels, felted fibres and much more. It is a destination with an urban feel and should not be missed when looking for something truly one-of-a-kind. Call 862-3817 www.awoodsidedesign.com

Congratulations to Karen Erickson of Investors Group on achieving her Certified Financial Planner certification. Karen is now a CFP practitioner in addition to having her Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) designation. Call 762-3329, ext. 261

After 16 years with the Canadian Western Bank, AVP and Branch Manager (Industrial) Jim Kitchin has retired. He officially retired late last year but his surprise party was just this past week.

Seventeen year old Sean Kirby who belongs to the 243 RCACS “Ogopogo” Squadron Air Cadets is receiving the Gold Pin for certification for completing the Gold Level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The award is about individual challenge; setting personally challenging targets for improvement and then striving to reach these targets. Awards are given every two years and Sean will receive his in the spring in Vancouver by Prince Edward of the Royal Family who will be visiting Canada. kirbyco@silk.net

They service just about any kind of clean-up. “Kelowna Junk Removal Ltd.” owned and operated by Jerry Thoss is celebrating their 10^th Anniversary in business. They haul junk and rubbish away from your homes, yards, building sites, rental properties and renovations. They get rid of scrap metal, wood, appliances and just about anything that can fit in their three, large, 8x12 – two ton trucks. Jerry and his employees practice under the work safe program of WCB. To celebrate their 10^th anniversary Jerry is giving $5 from every job in 2008 to a local charity, choosing different charities throughout the year. Call 718-0992

The United Way Campaign is nearing the end for 2007 on January 31 and they are only $10,000 short of the goal of making the best campaign ever in Kelowna history, exceeding the 2003 campaign total of $1,011,685. The campaign chair, Danny Moores, CEO Susan Steen, United Way staff, board and all the volunteers are asking everyone to reach into their pockets to assist with the last $10,000 needed. It’s a marvelous accomplishment and remember, all monies raised with the United Way stay right here in our community to service many agencies. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider doing so. If you would like to add to your original gift that also, would be much appreciated. Call 860-2356 or drop off at 249 Lawrence Avenue.

Amaris Langley, a second-year Arts student joins Eve Nichole Brighouse-Warren, a student representative on the Board of the College. Brighouse-Warren is entering her third term as a student rep. They join a number of appointed and elected representatives who comprise the 14 person board which is chaired by Janet Shaw. Shaw and fellow appointees Bill Cooke, Jane Lister, Allen Tozer and Paul Johnson were recently reappointed to the Board, with their terms extended to 2010. Michael Conlin and Angelika March are representatives chosen by Okanagan College staff. Brian Hughes and Pauline Terbasket are also provincial appointees to the Board; Hughes' term expires in 2009 and Terbasket’s expires at the end of May, 2008. Rick Gee, the chair of the Computer Science department at Okanagan College will be joining the board in January as a consequence of his recent election as the Chair of the Institution's Education Council. The Education Council chair is an ex officio member of the Board, as is the President of Okanagan College.

Kelowna Women in Business has a new board for 2008. Congrat’s to president Patricia Campbell of Wealth Building for Entrepreneurs; vice-president Terry Robertson, Freedom 55 Financial; secretary, Charlotte Keis, Lawyer; treasurer, Karin Schrik and past-president, Carol Heath of Mary Kay. Other board members are Susan Kolebaba, Red Cross; Chantal Diaz, Creative Memories; Michelle Belanger, Belanger Communications; Karen Craven, Freedom 55 Financial; Cindy Bondaroff, Safe Organizing & Design. If anyone would like to join, sign up on the website at KWIB.ca. The next meeting is February 13 at the Coast Capri Hotel.

The nominees for the Grant Thornton 2007 Family Enterprise of the Year Award – Okanagan Chapter are Prestige Hotels & Resorts, Quails’ Gate Estate Winery and Lake Country ACE Building Centre (Wostra Holdings Ltd.). The award recognizes the achievements of family enterprises, the contributions that they have made in the economic and social well being of their communities as well as the family involvement in the business and intergenerational transitions that may have taken place. The awards are on February 2^nd with special guest speaker Jim Reger, an international speaker who is focused on assisting leaders in creating and building authentic lives and cultures in their organization, families and communities. For tickets call 707-1298.

Happy 39^th Anniversary Ann and Arnie Schneider (Jan. 11).

Chief Economist for the National Bank of Canada and Senior VP President and Strategist of National Bank Financial, Clement Gignac will be the keynote speaker at National Bank’s Financial 2008 Economic & Financial Outlook on January 23 at 3:30pm at the Coat Capri Hotel. Tickets are free but you “must” pre-register by calling Christine Wilson at 717-5510.

Dilworth Safeway is starting their “We Care” charity drive for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from January 20-27. The kick-off is Saturday, January 26 at 11:30am with their “Miles Bring Smiles” event. For every $2 donation their customers will receive five bonus airmiles and you can enjoy some cake and Starbucks coffee. The goal for this charity is $10,000 and the charity drive only runs until March 31. Brian Cranton is the charity captain and Judy Nightingale the charity co-captain of Dilworth Safeway. For more info call 860-4424 or zadoo38@hotmail.com

A “Royal Flush” to Kent (Chaps) Chappell on taking on nine loud, laughing, gabby, fun women with short attention spans. He was teaching us how to play “poker” and thank goodness it went alright as he’s going to continue on with us next week. We’ll see how long that lasts (ha!).

Prestige English Language Academy has opened a new and larger campus. They provide students with training in the hospitality industry with certification and diploma programs available using material from the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Assoc. The 22 week diploma program is designed to put students on a management track by combining studies in hospitality with training in sales and business management. The courses are developed with input from hospitality industry professionals and reflect the most current industry practices and trends. Their mandate is to provide the very highest standards of curriculum and instruction along with professional certification that serves the needs of the hospitality industry worldwide. For more info call Ryoko Negishi at ryoko@pela.ca or Ray Keen of Sherwood Hospitality Training and Development at 212-1611 or 712-0350

It’s a new year and as usual local Astrologer Heather Zais has given a few thoughts of her own for the upcoming twelve months. The Year of the Rat begins on February 7. The year is ruled by the numbers 1 and 10. Add 2008 together to arrive at a single digit. The cards with those numbers are the Magician and the Wheel of Fortune.

There will be advances in science, such as DNA and cells. Counselors, doctors and “shrinks” will be busy. Number 1 will take us right back to the beginning of creation of time. Bright lights in the sky will be connected to some sort of UFO activity. Pay attention to asteroids and Mars. The influence of the colour grey will see more “grey” power with respect being given to those with knowledge or experience, no matter how old they are. Pay attention to the oat and grain industry. Some countries or places in the news that are associated with the Number 1 are Dubai, Chile, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Eden, Afghanistan, Cairo and Egypt. Some will be brought down or caught who did not expect it.

Quote of the week – If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging (Submitted by Lorina Dick).

Birthdays of the week – Tracy Nyboe, RE/MAX Kelowna, my sister (Jan.19); Happy 94^th Mary Quigley (Jan.8); Happy 50^th Trish Eddy-Wright, Eddy-Wright & Assoc. (Jan.24); Happy 60^th Janet Schleppe, Shoppers Drug Mart (Jan.12); Dave Russell, Raymond James Ltd. (Jan. 21).

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)