Olympia Greek Taverna and its owners, the Koutsantonis family, are celebrating 40 years in business in Rutland.
The Anast/Koutsantonis families started Olympia Pizza in 1968 on Bernard Avenue offering great pizza and pasta. In 1973, they realized the need to expand to Rutland and have been in the same location ever since. Since those humble beginnings, their menu choices have changed dramatically, but their commitment to quality and great taste has not. In 1996, Olympia underwent a major reno transforming the “old blue and white” restaurant into a Mediterranean paradise with a major menu overhaul at the same time. Although they offer the traditional foods that helped make them the oldest established restaurant in Kelowna, their mom Millie’s (their father Steve is deceased) expertise in Greek cuisine could not be left untapped, so with her help they offer freshly made Greek cuisine, copiously prepared in an old world transition. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, the restaurant will offer “1973 menu items at 1973 prices” from Friday, March 8, to Sunday, March 10, starting at 4 p.m. My favourite is the baked spaghetti, which, incidentally I just had this past week and it was as delicious as ever. Call 250-765-0464.
The Pheasant and Quail Pub on Lakeshore Road has been sold. The new owners are no strangers to the restaurant industry—Steve Stinson, Tanner Dillon and Steve Carroll from The Keg and Train Station Pub. The name of the pub will change to Mission Tap House and Grill. It is closed for major renovations to refresh and expand and will re-open in June. The restaurant will also be expanded into the former beer and wine store space, that outlet having being relocated elsewhere on Lakeshore Road, helping to increase the seating to about 200. Tanner Dillon will be the manager.
Rob and Gaia Mueller have brought Lindal Cedar Homes back to the Okanagan as Lindal’s new distributors. The rise in system-homes like Lindal is a response to the market’s demands for high quality, predictable, efficient, environmental, and cost-effective housing, with Lindal being one of the most trusted pre-engineered home companies in the world. By having a post and beam building system with a wide variety of existing plans, Lindal allows buyers to personalize their homes without paying high design fees. Lindal has recently become even more innovative by collaborating with architects such as Marmol Radziner, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture, and Turkel Design to produce stunning modern plans. The Kelowna distributorship grand opening is 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday March 7 (drop-in), at 1780 Springfield Rd. (beside Benjamin Moore Paints). Rob Gray, Lindal’s national sales manager, will be on hand to give presentations at 5 and 6 p.m. For more info or to register, contact Gaia at gaia@lindalbc.com; 250-864-7700.
Hanna’s Lounge and Grill, located above Rose’s Pub at the Delta Grand Hotel, has undergone lots of changes. After an extensive renovation, including a new kitchen, the restaurant will re-open Friday, March 1, from Tuesday to Saturday, for dinner only until mid-May, with their hours of operation will be extended after Mother’s Day. Hanna’s also has a new executive chef, Eric Noble. He has made significant changes to the new menu that will now reflect on a casual atmosphere and dining experience with a focus on “fresh, local and simple.” Formerly with The Okanagan Golf Club, Noble has been in Kelowna since 2001 having graduated from the Okanagan University College culinary program with honours in 2004. Drop in before the game or after the theatre and check out their new dishes. Rick Hanna is the restaurant general manager; Mario de Losada the manager. Call 250-860-1266.
Curtis Pannell, formerly with TAC Mobility and Tom Harrison Cellular (Banks Road and West Kelowna), is now with Best Buy as a mobile products manager. Call 250-215-7676.
After many years, there are a couple of changes at “The Okanagan’s Very Own.” Well-known media man Derek Hinchliffe is the new CHBC station manager for Global Okanagan. Hinchcliffe is no stranger to the Okanagan, having been with CHBC News for the past 30 years, first as a reporter and most recently as news director. Ron Eberle, relocating from Vancouver Island where he was with Shaw TV and prior to that with the Global-owned television station in Victoria, is the new sales manager. These changes in the guard come as a result of Dennis Gablehouse’s decision to retire after many years with the station.
Chris Lewis is the new visitor sales and services manager at Tourism Kelowna. Lewis will lead their team of staff and volunteers at both the Harvey Avenue and Kelowna airport information centres. Formerly with UBC Okanagan, Lewis has also worked as a travel agent in Lumby, which included working on that community’s visitors’ guide and creating a mobile visitor centre. Call 250-861-1515.
The renovations for the Green Room Restaurant, owned and operated by Eva Simon (in the library parkade between Ellis and Water), are now completed. Simon has also expanded the business to include outside catering. The Green Room is looking forward to getting its spring and summer patio up and running (aren’t we all!). Their hours of operation at this time are Monday (lunch only) and Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Although tucked away, this restaurant is a great find and perfect before a hockey game, the theatre or when you are downtown shopping. What could be easier than parking in the parkade and walking right into the restaurant? Call 250-869-0193; www.greenroomrestaurant.com.
Chartered accountant Karen Christiansen, a partner and business advisor at Meyers Norris Penny, located at 600-1628 Dickson Ave., has been honoured with a fellowship by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of B.C. for her outstanding contributions to the community and service to the profession. Christiansen was also first-vice-president of the institute and serves on four of its committees. Call 250-979-2576.
The new 2013 board of directors of the Kelowna Hotel Motel Association consists of Daniel Bibby, president (Delta Grand); Rosemary Patterson, past-president (Best Western); Heather Schaub, treasurer (Casa Loma Resort); Kelly Watt, secretary (Sandman Hotel); and directors Glen Standen, Okanagan Seasons Resort; Don Culic, Holiday Park Resort; Carla Carlson, Comfort Inn; Edan Fay, Lake Okanagan Resort, and Ben Hechter, Super 8. While the accommodation sector continues to endure the economic challenges of the last few years and the increasing amount of accommodation inventory, there is a committed and united team building movement for the future of the tourism and hospitality industry in Kelowna.
Connie-gay Boyce has joined Investors Group. Previously with Valley First Credit Union, she is well versed in lending planning, wealth transfer, managing and measuring progress to goals and objective strategies. The Investors Group Okanagan Regional Office has changed their territory, now going from Kelowna to Armstrong with offices in Kelowna and Vernon. They have a large network of financial consultants and support staff and are looking to hire eight new consultants in 2013. Paul Demay is the regional director, Okanagan Region. Call 250-762-3329.
Sitting on the 2013 Okanagan Regional Library Board is Carol Zanon, chair (councillor, West Kelowna); Jim Edgson, vice-chair (director, Central Okanagan Regional District); Catherine Lord, finance committee chair (Councillor, Vernon); Marilee Harkness, personnel committee chair (councillor, Princeton); Maria Besso, policy and planning committee chair (councillor, Coldstream). New members joining the ORL board are Karla Kozakevich, (director, Okanagan Similkameen Regional District); Larry Morgan, (director, Columbia Shuswap Regional District); Christopher Derickson (councillor, Westbank First Nation) and Joseph Pierre (councillor ,Penticton Indian Band). Kelowna city councillor Gerry Zimmermann is the appointed member for the city. Stephanie Hall was recently hired as the new executive director.
Designed by Acro Media, the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has a new website to help businesses grow and attract new businesses and investment. Check out www.InvestKelowna.com.
Happy 50th anniversary Louis and Sibylle Orsulic (March 2).
After a couple of years of generous support from Landmark Properties, the donated warehouse space used for collecting and sorting close to 250,000 pairs of gently used shoes for Sunrise Rotary’s Million Shoe Mission has been leased out, so Soles4Souls Canada is now looking for another space to assist them going forward this year. Warehouse space is needed that’s centrally located, a minimum of 3,000 to 4,000 square-feet with overhead doors for ease of loading and unloading their multiple large trailers. The space is required for about 90 days from start to finish. Call Jim Belshaw at Roy’s Shoes, 250-763-5696, for more information.
During Education Week, March 4 to 8, the Heritage School Classroom will host an open house, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. from March 5 to 8 at the Central School, 1825 Richter St. For more info call Sig at 250-762-2630.
The Kelowna Family Centre will host a fundraiser/dance on Saturday, March 9, at the Seniors Activity Centre in Parkinson Recreation Centre featuring the “Return of the Zamboni Brothers.” Call 250-860-3181 for tickets ($25) or www.kfscs.com.
The Okanagan Liver Transplant Support Group meets the first Tuesday of the month at Perkins Restaurant in the Ramada Hotel. If you are a post-or pre-liver transplant patient or a caregiver, you are invited to join them March 5, 10:30 a.m. Call John at 250-862-2049.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 75th Jack Klassen (March 4); happy 65th Walter Kristalowich (March 3); Vern Nielsen (Feb. 28); Gail Winchester (Feb. 28); Norm Lecavalier (Feb. 28); Randy Leslie (March 6); Connie Penner (March 6); Gary Embleton (March 6); Faye Willms (March 2); Sandra Hofer, Sun-Rype (March 5); Donna Horning (March 6); Ian Graham (March 6); happy 40th Parkinson Rec Centre.
