Kelowna Hyundai, at 3260 Highway 97 N., has won the prestigious President’s Award in their first year of business, selling 690 new Hyundai and 700 certified pre-owned used vehicles.
Dealership owner/operator John Kot purchased the dealership in November 2011 after holding several executive positions with large dealer groups. He hired Guy Lemieux, his long-time best friend, as the managing partner and general manager. The President’s Awards is given to the top 12 dealers in the country based on a combined score of new and used vehicle sales, market share and overall customer experience in service and sales. Call 250-491-9467.
Donavin Kustren is the new owner of Papito’s Pizza at 146 Rutland Road S. (by Lordco and 7-Eleven). Formerly with Panago Pizza for the past three years, Kustren has changed many facets of the new Papito operation. He now has a new “big” menu with 30 different pizzas (formerly 12 on the menu) and also offers wings at 50 per cent off in May and new dips for only 25 cents. He delivers in Rutland, Quail Ridge and East Kelowna for a small fee. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Call 250-491-0002.
Relocating from Edmonton, Justin Vion is the new dining room manager of the Sunset Organic Bistro at Summerhill Pyramid Winery. The bistro is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations recommended. Call 250-764-8000.
Pamelyn VanderMeer has taken on a new challenge. Go Vertical Fitness is is a new pole dancing studio which she hopes will appeal to every woman looking to build their self-confidence as well as maybe a bit of their “sexy side.” After becoming a widow five years ago, she decided that life was just too short and since then has done many different activities. She is hoping to inspire women of all ages and sizes to come and try the classes. She purchased the pole dancing studio complete with all the required equipment and trained instructors. Go Vertical Fitness offers an array of classes spanning all experience levels from beginner to advance as well as a cardio sculpt class on Monday. Each level includes four classes (one each week). A teaser class is also offered once a month, the next one being Tuesday, May 28. First-timers can come and check out what pole dancing is all about at a cost of only $5. She really wants to take the stigma out of pole dancing and show that it can be for everyone. Call 250-765-3887 or www.goverticalfit.com.
Audiologist Colin VanBergen, former area manager for nine years with Connect Hearing (former Okanagan Hearing Clinic), has opened a new hearing clinic in West Kelowna called NexGen Hearing, 102-2139 Louie Dr. If you are not sure what to do with your old hearing aids, VanBergen is developing a new innovative program in which he provides good used hearing aids, at no charge, to those who are in great need but cannot afford them. He is desperately in need of donated hearing aids that he can use for the program. His goal is to have five per cent of all hearing aid fittings to be provided from the program. Anyone who has hearing aids (especially the behind-the-ear version) that are no longer in use can drop them off at his clinic. For those people living in Kelowna, they can be dropped off at NexGen Hearing, located at 1605 Gordon Dr. Call 778-754-1424 or cvanbergen@nexgenhearing.com.
An online mapping system created by the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre has been recognized with an award. The map, which was created, using Geographic Information Systems, was presented with an Award of Excellence. These maps allow residents to see all the information EOC is putting out and is another form of technology making it easier for resident’s to get information faster than ever. Tying all this mapping information together on the website is the next evolution of that. www.cordemergency.ca for details.
Had a chat with Steve Stinson regarding the new Mission Tap House and Grill (formerly Pheasant and Quail Pub) on Lakeshore Road. The major renovations are coming along and the restaurant is slated to be open sometime around mid-July.
Malibu Marine, owned and operated by Ron and Lydia Pfob at 950 Ellis St., is a family-run business. Their oldest son Rylan is one of the mechanics. They have been in business in the Okanagan for over 25 years and continue to grow, always introducing new products and services. In 2012, Malibu Marine brought three exciting boat lines on board—Formula, Chaparral and Tige. All three bring quality, innovation and performance with them, keeping in-line with their overall product values. Adding to their innovative products this year, they became Western Canada’s only dealer for Deep Trekker, the Canadian manufacturers of the DTG2 micro ROV, which is a small, remotely operated, submersible vehicle functional for many underwater applications. Malibu Marine has a fully authorized service department for Malibu, Chaparral, Formula and Tige boats with indoor heated racked storage, secure outdoor storage, valet service and a comprehensive watersports pro shop. Call 250-862-9422
Recently had a chat with Wayne MacDermott. His son Brice is now the general manager of both MacDermott’s and MacD’s Lakeside which is their Tommy Bahama Island Lifestyle shop. Wayne is not retiring, he is just going to stand around the visit with everyone. So what has changed? Call 250-868-2925.
Award winning winemaker and viticulturist Grant Stanley has joined 50th Parallel Estate Winery, located at 17101 Terrace View Rd. in Lake Country. Owned and operated by Curtis Krouzel and Sheri-Lee Turner-Krouzel, Stanley has joined the team as a vested partner. He will direct the viticulture and winemaking team towards the ultimate goal of making one of the world’s finest pinot noirs. Formerly with Quails’ Gate Estate Winery, Stanley has won 45 Gold medals, 84 Silver and 89 Bronze, along with numerous Best of Class and show trophies for his wines across a broad range of varietals in both local and international competitions.
Local UBC Okanagan student Tim Krupa was recently voted the UBC grad Most Likely to Change the World in a UBC Reports online campus contest. Krupa believes changing the world is a team effort, with the ability to check your ego at the door being the first thing you need to do to be an effective leader. Krupa expects to graduate with a BSc degree in biology from the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences in June.
In support of their many clients and customers who have a keen interest in supporting non-profit fund raising events, TAC Solutions (formerly TAC Mobility), owned and operated by Mort Downey, will continue a unique program in support of charities in the valley. A long-time supporter of charitable fund raising events, TAC Solutions, a Motorola two way radio Gold Channel Partner, is interested in continuing their charitable support and welcomes the opportunity of supplying two way radio communications at no charge for special fund raising events in the valley. For more info call 250-868-9388 or kelowna@tacsolutions.ca.
Jacquie Jones has started a new community project called Healthy Eating for Kids from garden produce. The idea came from a chef and cook book author in the U.S. called The Edible Schoolyard Project. There are several local school yard gardens, but until now no one has taken the food preparation of that produce into the classroom and onto the table. Jones is looking for gardening tools (shovels, rakes, watering cans, tomato cages, trellises, wheelbarrows, stakes, garden twine, pruners and gloves) or anything else you might no longer have use for, to help the schools get their garden projects going. She is also looking for goods or financial support for posters, irrigation and kitchen supplies. The project is run by volunteers, teachers, parents and chefs. The next step is teaching kids how to make delicious meals with the food they grow. She is working with OKM but all tools will be shared with other schools. Call 250-212-0225 or okmgarden@gmail.com.
Join the Kelowna Bay (Harvey Avenue entrance ) on June 18 for a charity barbecue to support the United Way from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a hot dog, chips and a drink for a minimum $3 donation. While you are there, visit their newly opened outdoor living shop and view the latest styles of patio furniture and seasonal items exclusive to the Bay. You will also receive a ballot to win a chaise lounge. Sponsors are Save on Foods and Starbucks.
Had a call from a reader about the great service he had at Kelowna Honda Powerhouse, 858 McCurdy Place. In the service industry myself and knowing the importance of going the extra mile, kudos to sales team leader
Kristen Wren, senior sales consultant Colin Hustler, service advisor Adam McGregor and Tanya Blobel in sales administration and finance. Alan Harvey is the owner and sales manager of the business.
Okanagan College will host one of the knottiest events in the region on May 17 at the Kelowna campus. Knotty by Nature is an exhibition of fine work from the hands of several students who have spent the last eight months in the studio woodworking program at the college. Students have been busy in the fully equipped shop learning the craft of cabinet making and woodworking with an emphasis on finer studio woodworking skills and techniques. There will be opportunities for the public to purchase some select items on display. www.studio-woodworking.com.
The Kelowna Museums have started a contest to name a new Queen Bee. At the B.C. Orchard Industry Museum, the museum has a live bee hive to show visitors the inner workings of bees and how a hive is constructed and maintained. Over the winter, the queen has been hiding in the middle, laying only a few eggs to keep the population at a minimum. The hive is about to spring into action, and their beekeeper Vic from Bees Inc. has brought a new queen with him. The new Royal tenant needs a royal name. To name the queen bee, send your name, email and phone number to lcanning@kelownmuseums.ca or on Facebook www.facebook.com/Kelowna.Museums.Society.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 70th Jerry Reiber (May 17); Lynn Hamilton (May 13); Stan Martindale, Ramada Hotel (May 16); Judy Syrnyk (May 17); Michael Dorsel (May 16); happy 70th Graham Bell (May 17); Dean Clarke (May 17); Art Born (May 18); Bruce Wilson (May 18); Marg Bernath (May 19); Carrie Metzger, BC Sheriff Service (May 20); Beryl Itani (May 21); Mike Mervyn, Wealthlink Financial (May 22); Pam Johnson (May 22); Ken McLaughlin, Re/Max (May 22); Check Cey (May 22); Laureen Redman, City of Kelowna (May 22); Dino Gini (May 22); in memory of our dad Edward Abram (May 16).
