Chopsticks Asian Taste Restaurant has opened at 34-10071 Main St. (beside the MarketPlace IGA) in Lake Country.
Recently relocating from Vernon, the restaurant is owned and operated by Paul Lu and Susan Feng, who are charming people. We were delighted to have the buffet and it was very good. Along with a large array of Chinese items, they also offered a pan-seared white fish, green beans, mushrooms, mussels, crab legs and a salad bar, fresh fruit and dessert. I also had the Wonton soup and it was hot and delicious. There are different items offered every week. We also ran into several people from both Kelowna and Lake Country at the restaurant and they all expressed to me that they enjoyed the cuisine. Chopsticks offers both eat-in and take-out service, and there is plenty of parking. Open Monday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a buffet available Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 4:30 to 8 p.m. and Dim Sum buffet Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 250-766-1111.
Howard Soon, master winemaker at Sandhill Estate Wines, has received the 2015 Spirited Industry Professional Award, presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the sales, service or promotion of wine in B.C. Howard has been a trailblazer in the wine business for 35 years beginning with Calona Vineyards and then Andres Wines and for the last 18 years as head winemaker at Sandhill Estate Wines.
He is one of a select group of certified wine educators in Canada and has served on the panels of several major wine competitions in Canada and the U.S. He was the first B.C. winemaker to release a series of single vineyard designated wines, the first to produce a Super Tuscan Blend and the first to receive Canadian Wine Awards in 2009 for the categories of Red, White and Winery of the Year.
The construction management firm Maple Reinders Inc. has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2014. The company also constructs and operates environmental facilities such as water and wastewater treatment plants, organic waste processing and energy from waste facilities. This caps off a tremendous year for Maple Reinders, having won several awards including the Harvest Power Garden award in Richmond, and the Canadian Construction Association Environmental Achievement Award. Established in 1993, the Kelowna office of Maple Reinders, managed by Bodo Papke, is involved with projects all over B.C. and Alberta, including the Kelowna airport and the LEED Silver designated RCMP building in West Kelowna. The Kelowna office is located at 225 Lougheed Rd.
The Kelowna Gospel Mission Thrift Store has opened its new location at 125 Roxby Rd. in Rutland. After over 30 years on Leon Avenue, the thrift store has moved to double its space for expanded programs to help people in need. The thrift store’s top priority is to provide free clothing, linens and dishes for their emergency shelter on Leon Avenue. All items sold at the thrift store support Gospel Mission programs such as the dental clinic, shelter beds and women’s transitional housing. The store is clean, spacious with bright lighting and is focused on bringing high quality items at great prices. They accept gently used donations of furniture, large and small appliances, mattresses/box springs, clothing, household items, décor and linens. For large donations call 250-862-2404 for pick-up. Volunteers are needed for all positions and can apply at thrift@kelownagospelmission.ca. Randy Benson is the executive director of the Mission Gospel. Call 250-763-3737.
Ladies, it’s time to clean out your closets for spring. The Kelowna Closet Cleanout will be held April 18 at the New Life Church, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Partial proceeds will go to the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. Contact Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown to rent a table at 250-864-3480 or email info@kelownaclosetcleanout.com.
Liquid Venom is a new, unique business located at 2-1385 Stevens Rd. in West Kelowna (behind Byland’s). Owned and operated by Shannon Nickerson and Jennifer Wood, the business name is not about images of fang-bearing reptiles or unfriendly arachnids. The word creative comes more to mind. It is a business of hydrographics, which is the term for water transfer printing or hydro-dipping. An object, such as a motorcycle helmet, is literally dipped or submerged into water and painted. Anything from ATVs and snowmobiles to guns, motorcycles, car parts or cabinets can be painted with this hydrographic process. Shannon and Jennifer have also partnered with well-known award-winning artists Paul Butvila to offer added customer airbrushing service for their clients. Call 778-755-2266; online okanaganhydrographics.com.
Christopher Miller, of Kelowna, is the new president of The Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board. Joining him on the 2015-16 board of directors will be Anthony Bastiaanssen of West Kelowna, vice-president; and new directors board of directors Darcy Griffith, Vernon; Marv Beer, Salmon Arm; Tim Down, Kelowna; Dave Favell, Kelowna; Maggie Garvey, Vernon; Kim Heizmann, Vernon; Derryanne Hubbard, Vernon; Doug Hubscher, Salmon Arm; Michael Loewen, Kelowna, and Tanis Read, Kelowna.
Opening within a week of each other, The Revival Group has brought three “firsts” to the food and beverage scene. The opening of 27 and Pilgrim & Pearl, both located in the newly renovated Prestige Hotel, at Highway 97 and Abbott. 27 is the valley’s first craft cocktail lounge with unique, handcrafted, original cocktails. A cocktail lounge with a food component, 27 boosts black pushpin leather banquets, gold crown moldings, an eclectic mix of lighting and a modern take on Moroccan-style seating, creating an exotic, playful social experience for guests. Award winning mixologists Luke Atherton and Dave Simpson offer 16 classic cocktails, 15 original creations, four interpretations of Voodoo-style drinks, along with bottled and barrel-aged cocktails.
Pilgrim & Pearl is the valley’s first oyster bar with a 42-foot white granite bar with a central shuck and steam oyster station. You can peruse the selection of 10 oysters from B.C., Canada and around the world and enjoy them raw or steamed along with steamed mussels and clams. The oyster bar is a light-filled, water-coloured, granite-accented space. The seafood-focused menu serves up the classics such as New England clam chowder, oyster Rockefeller or enjoy lobster and crab from the live tank, a seafood charcuterie board or a lunch-time lobster roll. Derek Morrison is the sommelier with the restaurant focusing on “Grower” champagnes and sparkling wines, including Canadian bubbly.
Accolades to local tradesperson and retired journeyman Bill Schoof, who has donated his collection of machinist tools to Okanagan College after learning about the renovation and expansion of the Trades Training Complex at the Kelowna campus. Schoof has donated thousands of dollars of highly sought-after precision measurement tools that will give Okanagan College students some heavy-duty hands-on learning opportunities. His collection includes machinist equipment valued at more than $4,500 and will be used by students in the automotive service technician and mechanical engineering technology programs.
The Okanagan Military Museum Society has new board of directors for 2015. Congratulations to Tom Wolf, president; Robert Moore, vice-president; Gordon Adey, treasurer, and directors David Snyder, Jim Wood, Dave Pich, Howard Hisdal, Syd Pratt, Walter Viita, Frank Truman and Charles Knight.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 will host its famous 18th annual Pickerel Fry on Saturday, April 4, 6:30 p.m., with dancing after dinner. Seating is limited so get your tickets ($25) early. Call 250-762-4117.
The Kelowna Yacht Club has awarded Jo-Ann Smith the Mabel Hall Award. Smith has volunteered much of her time organizing the family picnic for several years and spent countless hours baking, phoning volunteers, taking photos and helping with the Boat for Hope. She is best known as Mrs. Santa Claus. This award was named after long serving member, Mabel Hall, who was born and raised in Kelowna. She worked in the fruit and forest industry for many years and was a life member of the yacht club and its board secretary for more than 40 years.
Long-time florist Marie Shandalla, of Earthly Creations Floral Art Gift Gallery at 2630 Pandosy St. in Kelowna, would like to remind everyone that several special occasions are coming up soon. Easter weekend is April 3 to 5 (Good Friday is April 3), Administrative-Secretaries Week is April 19 to 25 and Mother’s Day is May 10. Drop in and experience Marie’s World or call 250-861-5825 or marie@earthlycreations.net.
It’s back and sweeter than ever. For the love of macarons and a great cause, Macaron Day is this Friday, March 20, with 25 per cent of all macaron sales at all participating locations being donated to the KGH Foundation’s Be a Lifesaver Campaign. New macaron flavours this year, made by Sandrine French Pastry, include strawberry-champagne, chocolate-mint and cassis-violet. Participating Sandrine French Pastry and Chocolate locations are the main store at 1865 Dilworth Dr. and the Urban Fare grocery store in Mission Shopping Centre and KGH.
With spring now upon us, the Downtown Kelowna Association Clean Team has put away the snow blade, shovels and winter gear. The DKA sweeper will join the Clean Team fleet, sweeping and cleaning the sidewalks and parkades. The sweeper joins the Red Ranger and Green Gator that have been used throughout the winter months to clean seven days a week in downtown Kelowna. These vehicles are equipped with a power washer and supplies the team needs to make downtown Kelowna sparkle.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 75th Jim Ross (March 23); Bruce Wilson (March 18); happy 75th birthday Dairy Queen (March 16); Ian MacDonald (March 19); Chris Mis (March 18); Frank and Dilys Singer (March 21); Ivy Cutting (March 23); Natalie Frappe (March 23); Jack Peters (March 24).
