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This week’s column is dedicated to well-known long-time chartered accountant Jim Mills. I met Jim many years ago when he was president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce in 1986. My sincere condolences go out to his wife Dorothy and the entire family.
The team of Vern Nielsen, Rahul Lakhote, Pam Nelson and Daryl Nelson just returned from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas held January 7-10 to showcase its award winning product “Dreamflyer”. At the CES, the world’s # 1 technology show, Dreamflyer won an “Engineering and Innovation Honoree Award” in the Gaming Technology Section. Dreamflyer was well received by journalists, media, distributors and potential partners on a world-wide basis. Dreamflyer was the star of the Gaming Technology Section, with visitors making a bee-line to take a look and enjoy a ride on it. The Dreamflyer is drawing huge interest from distributors who are interested in launching the product in their respective countries. Major countries showing interest include the UK, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, UAE (Dubai), Turkey and as far as Panama, Chile, North Africa and Guatemala. The Dreamflyer will also make an appearance in a major motion picture to be released by Paramount in 2009. Invitation has also been received to showcase Dreamflyer during the Oscars, not to mention partnerships with Fortune 10 companies and institutions like MIT. Dreamflyer brand is owned by FMS Flight Motion Simulators Inc. of Kelowna. FMS specializes in the development of intelligent mechanical systems which interact with the software, computer hardware and electronic controls to provide a more immersive and realistic motion based experience. Call Rahul at 765-8359 or rahul.lakhote@mydreamflyer.com
Had a wonderful visit with MLA Sindi Hawkins last week in Vancouver. As you probably are aware, she was released from hospital and is now recuperating in Vancouver. She is being closely monitored on a daily basis and her spirits were exceptionally high. She was very happy to hear all about what’s going on in Kelowna and we talked about the many people that had asked me to say hi and sent their best wishes. She hopes to be home in a few months. Her website is sindi.ca
Hey “guys” you should check out this shop. Casey Donovan who relocated from Vancouver and formerly did hair at The Chop Shop on Granville has opened a cool little men’s salon/barbershop downtown at 1524 Water Street, next to Fresco Restaurant called “Plan B Barbers Inc.” It’s a modern salon, disguised as a 1940’s barbershop with a new twist on the old 1940’s industrial look. It’s neat mixing the old and the modern to create something clean, fresh and fun. Sorry gals, it’s a guy’s barbershop. Call 717-7526 or just drop in and check it out.
Relocating from their Lethbridge, Alberta office, Michael Calder has joined Meyers Norris Penny LLP Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors. He has more than 20 years tax experience and will assist clients with strategic corporate tax planning, corporate reorganizations, business purchases and sales and estate planning. Call 763-8919.
Timothy Kucher has become a partner at the firm of Doak Shirreff LLP Lawyers. He is a senior solicitor who joined the firm in 2006 and has extensive experience in residential and commercial real estate transactions, commercial leasing, corporate commercial and business law and all matters of lending and secured transactions, Doak Shirreff is a full service law firm located at 200-537 Leon Avenue for more than 37 years. Call 763-4323.
At the first meeting of the City of Kelowna Advisory Planning Commission of 2008, Rolli Cacchioni was re-elected as Chair and Barry Braden was re-elected as Vice-Chair.
Garry Ford has retired from Forma Shape/White Water Composites after being with the company for seven years. He says he doesn’t know what he’s going to do now that he’s retired. Call him at 768-1114 or gmford2@shaw.ca
Local long-time international designer Cheryll Gillespie and local designer Dalaun Klaassen have joined forces in Kelowna. They will be handling projects both in and out of Kelowna and have been extremely busy. Call 469-4790 or 864-3409 www.cheryllgillespie.com
Jan Harrison, formerly of the Regional District Parks Department has joined Royal LePage Kelowna.
Spring will soon be upon us (hopefully) and its time to think about summer sports, especially golf. “iQuest Golf Academy” at the iQuest Kelowna Athletic Performance Centre at #3-1745 Spall Road (beside Baxter’s Pub) has the perfect program to unlock your golf potential with programs for recreational and high performance golfers of all ages. Led by two well-known golf professionals, Rob Anderson of The Harvest Golf Club and Sean Richardson of Predator Ridge Golf Resort, these two highly skilled experts can help you with detailed individual evaluation, video analysis and individual coaching using the “Full Swing Golf Simulator.” You can improve your posture, coordination, balance, flexibility, power, core stability, mental skills and technique, which in turn equals elite performance. It’s the great way to get a head start on the game. Lorne Friesen is the director of iQuest. Call 860-3456
Dr. Kyleen Myrah, professor of marketing, management and entrepreneurship at Okanagan College has received a rare and coveted honorary award. JCI (Junior Chamber International) Okanagan, along with JCI Canada awarded the prestigious Senatorship honour to Dr. Myrah for her contribution to the chapter by her outstanding fellowship as a distinguished mentor, exceptional leader and her knowledge base and support of ongoing projects and programs throughout the community for 10 years. It is the highest honour that can be bestowed on a member of past member of the organization.
“Smart Start Meals” owned and operated by Ken and Susanne Scott is celebrating their one year anniversary. Smart Start Meals are delicious, ready to cook dinner packages delivered right to your door and the business has grown extensively throughout the whole Okanagan Valley. It’s great to have full meals delivered to your door with the only task being to pop them in the oven. One year ago, the Scott’s were working out of rental kitchen space and now they have a brand new state-of-the-art kitchen on the same property as their home. They now also deliver to Big White. Cooking doesn’t get much easier than this. You can view all the meals (including dessert), their nutritional value, cooking instructions and pricing on their website at www.smartstartmeals.ca or call 869-7678. You can order on line or by phone.
Got some good news this week. Cheryl Stone formerly of Canada Safeway and a long-time Kelowna Snowfest gal has relocated back to Kelowna after a short stint in Northern Ontario. She missed us so much she is back and loving it. Cheryl is volunteering again at the Canadian Diabetes Assoc., Okanagan Jazz & Blues Society and the Associated Canadian Travelers. Contact her at tbaystone@gmail.com
The EDC has a new board for 2008. The new executive consists of: Bob Monaghan, Chair (Kelowna Flightcraft); David Webb, Vice-Chair (Okanagan Research & Innovation Centre); Scot Spicer (BDC); Mark Stober (Al Stober Const.); Laurel Douglas (Women’s Enterprise Centre); Ross Langford (Petraroia Langford LLP). Directors are James Baker (Mayor, Lake Country); Andre Blanleil (City of Kelowna); Broc Bronconnier (Community Futures); Gilles Dufort (Harvest Golf Club); Rusty Ensign (Westbank Chamber); Brad Field (Formerly Pacific Safety Products); Jayne Fosbery (Westbank First Nations); Guy Gaiser (WearAir Oxygen & Industrial); Sharon Hallberg (District of Peachland); Jim Hamilton (Okanagan College); Darlene Hartford (Peachland Chamber or Commerce); Robert Louie (Westbank First Nations); Doug Owram (UBC-Okanagan); Barrie Pachenski (RBC Royal Bank); Bill Redmond (Formerly HRI Supply); Roger Sellick (Kelowna International Airport); Larry Smith (Next Stage Consulting); Laura Thurnheer (Kelowna Chamber); Renee Wasylyk (Troika Dev.); Peter Withers (Lake Country Chamber) and Alison Yesilcimen (OK Valley Newspaper). A District of Westside member is yet to be announced.
Lisa Taron of Heritage Makers is holding a really neat open house called “MakeBooksOnline.com” at the Kelowna Library on Ellis Street from 2-8pm, tomorrow, January 24. She will be demonstrating digital scrap booking and online publishing with lots of books on display, along with draws and specials. It’s fun, simple and affordable. Just show up or for more info call Lisa at 250-558-3386 www.MakeBooksOnline.com. I’ve seen Lisa’s books and they are just fabulous and a real keepsake for anyone.
Suzie Docherty of “SuperHost” is hosting a SuperHost Fundamentals two-night workshop on Monday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 5 from 6-9:30pm at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce at 544 Harvey Avenue. The fee is only $75 plus GST. The workshop teaches your front-line employees the skills and techniques that comprise the basics of service professionalism. It’s an effective training tool for anyone who is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. It’s a win, win situation. To register call Diana Dors at 861-1515, ext. 207 or superhost@tourismkelowna.com
The 14th Annual “Wendy’s Dreamlift Day” is Wednesday, January 30th from 6am-closing. All proceeds from the day’s sales in the dining room and drive thru as well as staff and management wages (all volunteered) will be earmarked for the next B.C. Interior “Dreamlift Disneyland”. Nine Wendy’s locations are participating in the Region. This year in honour of the Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department, who has helped with every Dreamlift to Disneyland flight, Wendy’s of the Southern Interior is hosting five sheriff deputies for the 2008 Wendy’s Dreamlift Day. In addition, Richard Francis from the Orange County Board of Supervisors (Kelowna) is attending. The next Dreamlift flight is scheduled for late 2008. Wendy’s Dreamlift Day is unique in Canada as it is only held in the Thompson/Okanagan. Shuswap Region by Inland Restaurants Ltd. of which John Tietzen is the franchise owner. For more info call Steve Tuck at 769-6293 foreveryoungtuck@shaw.ca or John at 861-3969 john@inlandrestaurants.com
MacKay LLP Chartered Accountants have selected Habitat for Humanity Kelowna as their deserving charity to receive its annual donation of $25,000. The Foundation is funded by MacKay LLP which is a Canadian Partnership made up of partners, principals, professional staff and support staff whose primary objective is to provide a wide range of accounting, auditing, income tax planning and compliance and consulting services to growing Canadian enterprises. The local office of Mackay LLP Chartered Accountants is located at 500-1620 Dickson Avenue. The partners are Don Turri, Chris White, Ken Laloge, Murray Bye, Dan Basso, Angela Bailey and Miles Laing. Call 763-5021
The Okanagan Branch, Canadian Authors Assoc. is hosting well-known author L.B. Greenwood who will present The Novel: Selling Better than Ever. Greenwood will lead a workshop in improving your manuscript to shape it for today’s market, this Saturday. January 26, 1-3pm at the Library on Ellis Street. Call 250-542-3228 or devonelle@telus.net
Quote of the week – The true wealth of oneself are friends and the greatest gift of life is friendship. (Submitted by Roy Kunicky, Okanagan Business Journal).
Birthdays of the week – Happy 60th Ron Wahoski (Jan.24); Bill Sinclair (Jan.26).
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)
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