How time flies! The 18th Annual Maxine DeHart, United Way – Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast is fast approaching on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 a.m. We will be filling and distributing 1,500 of the famous breakfast bags sponsored by Interior Savings Credit Union. All the existing and new sponsors and volunteers are all gearing up with overwhelming enthusiasm for this year’s event. New sponsors are Kelowna Chrysler, Hatch Winery, M & H Auto Sales and Moving Supplies, Shoppers Drug Mart Cosmetics and Gloria-Jean Seymours new inspirational colouring books for kids. Gemologist Michelle Urbanovitch of Party Rocks Jewellery has once again donated a major prize of a stunning ladies 14 karat yellow gold “Have A Heart Diamond Ring” with an appraised value of $1,732. If anyone would like to donate a gift certificate, gift cards or coupons, please give me a call at 250-862-7662 or 250-979-4546. Everything is heart fully appreciated to make this event a success.
Tim Horton’s will be on hand to serve their famous coffee and Tim-bits will be in all the bags. Big White will be donating a lift pass for every bag valued at $75 for opening day at Big White, which makes the value of the bags well over $135. I.A. Pacific Life and Terry Wardrop of Wealthlink Financial Services are on board again in a big way, this being their 18th year and the very first sponsor to come on board 18 years ago.
IGA, our very own Sun Rype Products, Progressive Waste, Island Farms, Kozy Shack Pudding (comes all the way from Hicksville, N.Y. USA), Old Dutch, Nestles and Arby’s will all be on hand. Of course, the Kelowna Capital News has sponsored in a huge way, as has Bell Media, Shaw TV and Global TV. That morning, turn your radio on to 101-5 EZ ROCK where morning hosts Andy and TJ will be broadcasting live in front of Perkins Restaurant. Christy and Elliott of 99.9 SUN FM will be on Enterprise Way. Phil and Gord on AM 1150 will also be helping to get the word out.
As always, Mario’s Towing will have one of their towing trucks on the lot and Booster Juice will be making their product in their trailer right onsite this year. The hard working Kelowna Hostesses will be in full force stuffing envelopes and bags and helping in the wee hours of the morning.
Look for more weekly updates until Oct. 1. So, drive, walk, blade or bike through the Ramada Hotel, entering on Enterprise Way and start your day off right! Remember, all monies raised stay right here in our community, with not one-cent going to any administration fees. Please open your hearts and your wallets on Thursday, Oct. 1.
After relocating to Victoria and Vancouver, for the past nine years, Mike Isaac has returned to Kelowna and re-joined the team at the front desk at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center. We are glad to have you back Mike.
The McKinley Landing Residents Association has a new board of directors. They are co-chairs Dave Roseberry and Jan Dunlop, James Ramsay (treasurer) and Terry Janes (secretary). Board members are Eric Heffernan, Ross Jones, Bob Gabelhouse and Roger Kintzinger.
Ayn Lexi is the new executive director of the Kelowna & District Safety Council. Members of the board are Eric Ledding (chair), Kevin MacDougall (secretary), with board members Klaus Jacobsen, Gray Mills, Ken Taylor and Paul Ducharme.
Emil Dimitrov is the new head coach of the Kelowna AquaJets (KAJ). Since arriving in Kelowna as head coach of the Liquid Lightning Swim Club, his accolades include Swim BC Junior Coach of the Year twice, the Speedo Award of Coaching Excellence and a community Sport Hero Award.
There are still a couple of months left to enjoy a specialized tour with Custom Sidecar Tours owned and operated by Patrick and Dorothy Wilkins. The company provides personalized tours to attractions within the Okanagan Valley in a sidecar that is built for two people. They provide a fully customizable tour package for couples, friends or family with a unique experience to their guests using the double-seated sidecar attached to a quiet Honda Gold Wing. They hope to promote and highlight the tourist-based industries and services that work within their niche market of the valley, including wineries, local art galleries, farms, historical landmarks, artists’ studios or basically anywhere you would want to visit. The Wilkins see their customized tours as inviting guests to a party and they are the hosts on your special adventure. Call 778-753-1237 or info@customsidecartours.ca; www.customsidecartours.ca.
Kelly Peters, CPA, CGA has joined the team at Crowe MacKay as a new associate. His practice focuses on providing privately held businesses ongoing corporate income tax planning and advice, assurance services and other compliance and accounting service along with personal income tax services and planning. Call 250-870-4985 or kelly.peters@crowemackay.ca.
After 16 years with McDonald’s and now the manager of McDonalds’ Glenmore location, Laura Belinski has received one of only 10 Outstanding Managers of the Year Awards in Western Canada. Laura has worked her way up the ranks in the company, starting at the age of 15, being promoted to a crew trainer, team leader, swing manager, assistant manager and now manager.
President Carla Bond-Fisher founded her architectural/interior design/home styling firm in 1995 after a move from Canmore from Calgary. She is now celebrating the 20th anniversary of her business Sticks & Stones Design Group at #50 – 1615 Dickson Ave. Not only that, their office was named one of the top 11 best designed offices in Canada, along with winning a Tommie Award. Today, she operates three locations in Calgary, Canmore and Kelowna with a total of 18 employees including designers and architectural technicians. Carla herself studied architecture which gives her firm more strength and expertise in all areas of design. Sticks & Stones has completed dozens of prestigious commercial projects including the Penguin Club, a 45,000 sq. ft. technology office building for Disney Corporation (Kelowna) and has also been awarded the Kelowna Innovation Centre that is currently under construction downtown. Call 250-712-9282 www.sticksandstones.ca.
Colliers International Centre Group Realty has selected Associated Property Management to assume responsibilities for their residential strata portfolio. Associated was established in 1902 with Daniel Lobsinger president of Associated Property Management since 2007. Perry Freeman is the managing director BC Interior of Colliers International Centre Group Realty. Call 250-861-8107.
New to the community, Amy Rauscher’s business is MOGA, which means mom and baby yoga. She is currently giving classes out of Maternity Care Westside and Pacific Top Team at #3 – 1745 Spall Rd. in Kelowna. Originally, Amy was running all her classes by donation for Mamas for Mamas Charity (www.mamasformamas.ca) and has recently donated $1,200 to the charity. She now gives five per cent of all her net profits to that charity. Check out www.mogamoms.com or call 778-363-4024.
Nine new writing classes from Curious Beyond Words School of Writing will take place September to October. Some of the seminars are titled Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling Proof Goof Primer, Travel Writing and Let’s Write a Cookbook. Founded by Dona Sturmanis, the idea is to hold informal, informative writing classes with a maximum of 12 participants in a casual, comfortable setting. There are even workshops for kids and tweens. For more information and registration visit www.curiousbeyondwords.com or email donasturmanis@yahoo.com or call 778-214-6318.
Happy 50th Peter and Donalda (Donna) McPhail (Sept. 11).
A reminder that professional art and antiques appraiser, Peter Blundell will be in town for Treasures from the Attic on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Kelowna Art Gallery, 1315 Water St. Peter will give opinions on the value of antiques, collectibles and art, including reproductions or prints with 15 minute evaluation sessions. For more information or to book an appointment call 250-762-2226. Spectators are welcome to attend for free.
The Giving Day at Hudson’s Bay will be on Sept. 17 across Canada. Anyone with a ticket to The Giving Day will receive extra discounts, treats and can enter to win prizes including a $5,000 shopping spree. Organizations can order tickets and sell them to donors, partners and friends for only $5 and they can keep 100 per cent of the proceeds. Call Shirley Nagy at 250-860-2483 (224) or shirley.nagy@hbc.com.
Theatre Kelowna Society presents Blowin’ in the Wind, A Musical Revue featuring the Folk Music of the 1960s at the Black Box Theatre Sept. 16 to Oct. 4. Evening shows Wednesday through Saturday and matinee Sunday. Tickets $25 at Select Your Tickets 250-763-9095 or selectyourtickets.com. www.theatrekelowna.org.
25 cyclists and a six-person support crew from the RCMP will embark for the Cops for Kids Ride on Friday, Sept. 11. The 2015 Ride presented by The Thomas Alan Budd Foundation will take the team over 1,000 km across the southeastern corner of B.C. to raise awareness and essential funds for children in medical, physical or traumatic crisis. They will arrive back in Kelowna at the Landmark Buildings on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11:45 a.m. To donate visit www.copsforkids.org. Gail Harrison is the president and rider of the foundation.
The Sons of Italy, Galileo Lodge will host a dinner and dance on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Hall, St. Peter & Paul Parish, 1935 Barlee Road. Everyone welcome. Adults $25, children 12 and under $10 and under 12 free. Tickets call Ono at 250-862-7799 or Felicia 250-864-1207.
Birthdays of the week: Rose Kardynal, my second mom (Sept. 10); Amber Gerding (Sept. 10); Bill Wightman, Quails Gate (Sept. 10); Mike Haines (Sept. 10); Heather McCullough (Sept.10); Phillippe Daigle (Sept. 10); Cheryl Gillespie (Sept. 10); Chris DeHart, Tom Harris Cellular (Sept. 11); Andy James, Andy & TJ-101-5 EZ ROCK (Sept. 11); Murray Scott (Sept. 11); Tom Lightfoot (Sept. 11); Norm Sandvik, (Sept. 11); Holly Yerxa, Ramada Hotel (Sept. 11); Margie Hatanaka (Sept. 12); Jim Lanyon (Sept. 12); Hildegard Oldendorf (Sept. 13); in memory of Sindi Hawkins (Sept. 15).
