EK’s Grill has opened at 401 Glenmore Rd. (corner of Glenmore and Kane).
EK stands for Ernie’s Kids. You might remember well-known pub owner Ernie Thatcher and his wife Chris. Their two daughters, Carmen Justus and Tiffany Thatcher, have opened EK’s Grill. When you enter the restaurant, you will be blown away by the enormous, 5,000 gallon, salt water fish tank that was installed literally from top to bottom in the restaurant. It is the largest aquarium in a private establishment in B.C. and probably in Canada, with 70 beautiful tropical fish from all over the world. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, executive chef Bill Justus (Carmen’s husband) has put together a large, fresh, no GMO, all-natural ingredient menu. Chef Justus smokes his own bacon, ribs and corned beef. He makes his own sauerkraut, burgers with no fillers, all dressings and seafood chowder on Fridays. EK’s Grill also makes its own ice cream with no sugar and offer a gluten free menu and a smaller bites menu (for senior and light eaters). The restaurant is designed by families for families. We shared the clam chowder, Ironman salad, double smoked Carolina ribs with cherry Jack Daniels BBQ sauce and heavenly hash ice cream. Good thing we shared, as the portions are large. The restaurant has 125 seats with a private room for seating for 25. Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week, until 9 p.m. on weekends with a huge Sunday brunch. Call 250-862-2236; online eksgrill.com.
The new director of golf at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club is Sheryle Rowland. Relocating from Calgary, Rowland has been the head golf professional for the past 10 years at the well-known private club, Silver Spring Golf and Country Club. Over her tenure in that role, Rowland had many accomplishments, including being awarded the PGA Professional of the Year for Alberta, and won the Murray Tucker Award, given to the PGA professional for all of Canada. She is also a past winner of the Alberta PGA Order of Merit. Her start date will be around March 15. Peter Hopley is the general manager and executive professional of Gallagher’s Canyon.
CPA David Gautier, has joined the firm of Crowe MacKay LLP as associate partner. Formerly working with private companies and in a role as a general advisor, Gautier has assisted with a number of significant private company purchases and sales, corporate reorganizations and trust and estate planning matters. Crowe MacKay has grown to eight offices in northern and western Canada with a Kelowna office at 500-1620 Dickson Ave. Call 250-763-5021.
After a few years in the greater Toronto area, Dr. Harmony Miraliakbari has opened her chiropractic clinic at 101-3140 Lakeshore Rd. Dr. Mir originally obtained her Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance Degree from Acadia University and ran with the varsity x-country running team. After sustaining many injuries that affected her ability to compete and work as a musician, she discovered chiropractic care and obtained her Doctor of Chiropractic from Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. Dr. Mir has a holistic, evidence based and natural approach to health care. She has worked with Olympic athletes, NHL players, dancers, musicians as well as pregnant women, babies and everyone in-between. Dr. Mir offers interferential current, micro current, therapeutic ultrasound, combination therapy and Tens therapy along Graston and Myofascial release techniques. She also does deep tissue massage before chiropractic adjustments. Dr. Mir has specialized training in prenatal, postnatal and pediatric care through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and is Webster certified. Call 250-868-8086; online theharmonyclinic.com.
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra has a new addition to their team. Rebecca Robinson is the new education and outreach coordinator. She will manage an 85-person youth orchestra, coordinate in-school programs and shows, and will coordinate the upcoming family matinee on March 7, 2 p.m., at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Tickets available online at okanagansymphony.com.
Chartered accountant George Mason has been honoured with a fellowship by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C. The fellowship designation Mason received is awarded to chartered accountants for their contributions to the community and service to the profession. Mason is partner, business advisor and income tax specialist with Meyers Norris Penny (MNP), located at 600-1628 Dickson Ave. He previously served as the firm’s regional tax leader. Call 250-763-8919.
The Kelowna Yacht Club has a now board of directors for 2015. Congratulations to commodore Murray Ramsden; Nancy Thompson, vice-commodore; Henry Harlos, rear-commodore; Mike Terris, past commodore; Kent Hardisty, fleet captain and Chantelle Froats, staff captain. The board directors are Doug Harpold, John Sharples, Dot Schoneberg, Randy Prost, Lori Field, Don McEachern and Paul Jollymore.
For all chocolate lovers, there is a new chocolatier in Lake Country. Peter and Johanna Johner have opened Peter Johner Swiss Chocolatier, at 12810 Carrs Landing Rd. The couple offer hand-crafted chocolates, truffles and pralines by Peter, who is a Swiss trained chocolatier. The Johners have devoted themselves to the creation of exquisite handmade chocolates for special occasions and events, Easter, Christmas, Valentine’s, wedding, corporate functions or just for your own chocolate pleasure. All of their chocolates are made with no preservatives or artificial flavouring. Peter conducts seasonal chocolate making workshops on weekends. The Easter workshops are scheduled for March 21, 22, 28 and 29. Learn how to make chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs. For inquiries or to schedule a workshop, call 250-766-1918 or email pjohner.chocolatier@gmail.com.
The 2015 Annual General Meeting of the Uptown Rutland Business Association is Wednesday, March 11, 6 p.m., at Valleyview Funeral Home, 165 Valleyview Rd. All welcome. Call 250-451-9861 or check out website ourrutland.ca.
Simply Art is a collection of original art from 25 established Kelowna artists, hosted by the Kelowna Palette Club, an art show that you will not want to miss. Picture over 100 original works of art displayed at the unique Bottega Farm Inn at 4484 Sallows Rd. in East Kelowna. Styles from abstract to realistic, pastels, watercolors, oil and acrylic in a range of various sizes. The artists have chosen a painting raffle to support the United Way. The lucky winner will be able to choose their very own original art from a selection of 17 paintings done by artists Jetta Booker, Marilynn Bury, Gerry Chambers, Eva Eshpeter, Sandy Henderson, Ilah Hockin, James Hooey, Jim Laing, Gary Langrish, Robyn MacMillan, Georgette Martin, Gloria Pada, Diana Palmer, Mairead Sikkes, Carol Ursel, Isabelle Wilson and Lorraine Zilinski. Each painting is valued at $500. With a purchase of a $5 ticket, your odds are one in five hundred only. The featured raffle paintings can be viewed on the Kelowna Palette Club website kelownapaletteclub.com. Take the time to attend the Simply Art show Saturday, May 30, 1 to 9 p.m. with opening reception 7 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The draw will be on the Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is only a toonie and raffle ticket stub ($5) is good for opening reception. For more info call Carol Ursel at 250-712-0551.
The Kelowna Hudson’s Bay is participating in Giving Day on Thursday, April 2. Tickets are available for non-profit charities and organizations (sports teams, schools, etc.). The organization sells the tickets for $5 and keeps all the ticket proceeds. The ticket holder receives a Giving Day ticket to shop at the The Bay on April 2. With the ticket, you receive 20 per cent off most purchases with an HBC credit card, or 15 per cent off with any other tender; 10 per cent off cosmetics and fragrances; this is all on top of sale prices; access to their Giving Day lounge with exclusive offers for ticket holders only and enter to win hourly door prizes. There is a grand prize of a $5,000 shopping spree. There is no limit to the number of tickets your organization can have to fundraise. The highest ticket selling organization will receive 50 per cent of the proceeds for the tickets sold in The Bay on April 2. The other 50 per cent of ticket sales on April 2 will go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Call coordinator Shirley Nagy at 250-860-2483 (ext. 696) or email shirley.nagy@hbc.com.
In early April, Habitat for Humanity will open their new ReStore at 800 -2092 Enterprise Way (corner of Enterprise Way and Cooper Road, the former Crown Packaging building). On March 7 and 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the new ReStore will host a donation drive accepting new and gently used furniture, home decor, appliances and renovation materials. Deborah Guthrie is the executive director of the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Call 778-755-4346.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 in Kelowna, 1380 Bertram St., will host a St. Patrick’s Day dinner and dance with Irish Stew and dancing to Vic and The Band on Friday, March 13. Tickets are $14 for members, $17 for non-members. Call 250-762-4117.
On Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m., the Cathedral Church of Saint Michael and All Angels, 608 Sutherland Ave., will host The University of Jamestown Concert Choir on their spring tour. Tickets are not required, but a collection will be taken to subsidize the students costs associated with the tour. Jamestown University is a private Presbyterian liberal arts college situation in North Dakota. For more info visit stmichaelscathedral.ca or call 250-764-5351.
Birthdays of the week: Jack Klassen (Mar. 4); Sandra Hofer, Sun-Rype (Mar. 5); Greg Krasichynsky (Mar. 5); Donna Horning (Mar. 6); Gary Embelton (Mar. 6); Randy Leslie (Mar. 6); Travis Teather, Jupiter Avionics (Mar. 8); Sheri Solloway (Mar. 8); Rob Willms (Mar. 8); Penny Pullishy (Mar. 9); Ryan Coome, Ramada Hotel (Mar. 10); and Karen Christiansen (Mar. 10).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, email maxdehart@telus.net.
