Mission Trading Co. owned and operated by curator, painter and former art teacher Heather Yip, has opened at 9-3818 Gordon Drive in Mission Station, next to Abaco Health.
This boutique gift shop carries a unique selection of local items from artists and crafters, as well as North American-made goods. Some of the items in the shop are cards and art work, stamps and ink, do–it-yourself kits for kids and adults, some pet ‘stuff,’ recycled wine bottle candles, wallets, pottery, hair accessories and the neatest starter garden kits for condos, just to mention a few. All are priced from between $10 and $50. Local artists include Rio Branner, Sarah Parsons, Jolene Mackie and Leanne Spanza. Open noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Call 778-821-3610 or missiontrading@outlook.com.
Simone Orlando is the new artistic director and CEO of Ballet Kelowna, effective Sept. 1. Orlando danced professionally with the National Ballet of Canada and Desrosiers Dance Theatre before joining Ballet British Columbia,where she was a principal artist before her performing career was cut short due to an injury. As a choreographer, she has created numerous commissions for Ballet Kelowna. She succeeds David LaHay, the founding artistic director who retired. Deborah Ward is the president of Ballet Kelowna.
It’s cherry time and if you are looking for some fabulous cherries, Pinnacle Farms, owned and operated by Joyce and Dick Prowse at 3020 McCulloch Rd. (above The Harvest Golf Club) pick fresh daily. I understand that Joyce hand picks every one. That’s an added bonus. Drop in or pre-order by phone at 250-861-8344.
After 32 years, Allan Elliott of Pushor Mitchell LLP Lawyers has retired. He joined Pushor Mitchell in 1982 and was welcomed into the partnership in 1985. Initially, he practiced in the Rutland office and throughout his career practiced primarily in the areas of personal injury and construction and estate disputes. He also represented the Okanagan as an elected member of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association.
Menchies Frozen Yogurt at 3327 Lakeshore Rd., has opened its second location in Kelowna, in Kelowna Crossing Centre at 2463 Highway 97, next to Visions and across from Joey’s. This new store is the largest Menchies in Canada. There are 86 Menchies stores in Canada and hundreds in the U.S. where the chain started. Chris Wall is the manager of both Menchies here.
The Wine Boutique at Mission Hill Family Estate has won top honours at the Excellence in Retail Awards for Best In-Store Merchandising by the Retail Council of Canada. These awards recognize the Canadian retail industry’s top achievers in a variety of categories and were presented as part of Stores 2014—Canada’s Retail Conference in Toronto. The Wine Boutique took home top honours in this category that also included nominees such as Holt Renfrew, Walmart Canada and The Brewer Retail Stores of Ontario. Call 250-768-6448 www.missionhillwinery.com.
Paige Thompson is the new general manager of Chop Steakhouse and Bar at 2125 Enterprise Way. Paige brings a huge amount of experience to the local food and restaurant industry in Kelowna, having restaurants of her own for several years. Open seven days a week from 4 p.m. for dinner service. Chris Cowcil is the chef and the restaurant offers daily specials. Call 250-712-0035.
Shawanda Rocks, Crystal & Gems and Holistic Wellness Center, formerly at 177 Rutland Rd. N. has moved to new, larger and brighter premises at 101-1924 Ambrosi Rd., just behind Arts Knapps.
Owned and operated by Holly Wanlin— known as the crystal lady—the store offers crystals and gems from every country. The Wellness Center offers two studios and a classroom. Kim Stanyer, of Counselling Okanagan, has set up her full-time practice in the front studio, specializing in trauma counselling. Carly Penfold, a certified Shiatsu and Reiki practitioner of Om Shiatsu has set up in the back of the studio. Other specialties are chakra balancing, tarot card reading and Feng Shui. Donna Heald, part of the Shawanda team is a Reiki master practitioner and Bars practitioner. Their Reiki master and teacher, Candy Widdifield will return in the fall. The classroom offers opportunities to improve your health and well-being. Give Holly a call to see what they offer. She invites guests from all over the globe to teach some of the most current beneficial holistic health practices. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Call 250-860-1779 www.shawanda.ca.
Congratulations to Scott Walker who was the recipient of both the Science and the Humanities Award at Studio 9.
The Rotary Club of Kelowna is presenting An Evening with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds V.I.P. banquet on Tuesday, July 29 at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre starting at 5:30 p.m. Along with a member of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Air Demonstration Team at each table, there will be live pre-dinner entertainment, a guest speaker, international best-selling author Jack Whyte, complimentary photos with Snowbirds team members during the reception and dinner. Funds raised will help support local youth-oriented projects. Tickets are $100 each or $700 for a table of eight. This will be a fantastic event. For tickets contact Peter Schultz at 250-470-9228 or RotaryKelowna5060@gmail.com. The Snowbirds Air Show is Wednesday, July 30 from 5 – 5:45 p.m. over Lake Okanagan. Don’t miss it.
The new BC-CPA Okanagan chapter board members are: Brian Meunier, CPA, CGA (chapter chairman);Carson Chan, CPA, CMA (vice-chairman); Paul Guerette, CPA, CA (secretary); David Edge, CPA, CMA (treasurer); Sarah Sabo, CPA, CMA (social committee chairwoman); Mike Zwicker, CPA, CA (social committee director); Jamie Schram, CPA, CA (communications chairman); Tracey Harrop-Printz, CPA, CGA (professional learning and development); Judy Lloyd, CPA, CMA (recruitment committee chairwoman); Charlene Smart, CPA, CGA (Vernon sub-chapter committee chairwoman); Nick O’Coin, CPA, CGA (Penticton sub-chapter committee chairman); Anita Hardy, CPA, CGA (education committee chairwoman); Vanessa Roberts, CPA student, (student liaison). Members-at-large include: Nicola Simpson, CPA student; Kevin Muir, CPA, CMA; Stuart Grant, CPA, CA and Jari Kubica, B. Mgmt. (CMA student).
Beadiful Arts at 510 West Av., has new works from Studio Vesta artists Gale Woodhouse and Patricia Doyle. Showcasing Okanagan made pottery, glass and mixed media in an eclectic range of styles and forms; this is a unique shopping experience and a chance to purchase exclusive one-of-a-kind local art. Works will change as soon as they sell. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 250-868-1213.
Shakespeare Kelowna presents William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing, directed by Stephen Jefferys, at Okanagan Villa Estate Winery, 3240 Pooley Rd., from July 16 to 20 and July 23 to 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 each at www.selectyourtickets.com or Prospera Place Box Office a 250-762-5050. Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare’s best comedies. It is hilarious but also has themes of honour, shame, politics and a lovely well-rounded story line. It bounces from zany romantic comedy to drama in a matter of seconds. It makes you laugh, but also breaks your heart and then magically puts it back together again as if it were all “much ado about nothing”. www.shakespearekelowna.org
The Share Society is hosting its Big Sale and BBQ on Saturday, July 12 at 581 Gaston Ave. This is their annual 50 per cent off everything in the store sale. It will also be selling hot dogs and burgers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find everything from clothes and exercise machines to all types of furniture and household goods. Share has helped the community for 37 years.
Well-known local artist Alex Fong is hosting Dreaming in Colour…a Coloured Water Workshop from Friday, Aug. 8 to Sunday, Aug. 10. Along with a watercolour demonstration, there will be two full days filled with demos, one-on-one instruction in watercolour and acrylic techniques, a catered lunch and wine served each day. The event is being held at the Summerland Waterfront Resort and Spa. To register call Alex at 250-878-7054 or info@alexfong.com.
The Central Okanagan Hospice Association second annual Butterfly Release is set for July 20 at Falcon Ridge Farms, with activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The actual release is planned for 11:30 a.m. Presenting sponsors are Bill and Audrey Bennett. This will be an enjoyable and meaningful way to remember loved ones and participate in activities for kids, entertainment and more. Butterflies may be purchased by calling the COHA office at 250-763-5511 or www.hospicecoha.org. Monarchs are $25 each and painted ladies are five for $75. A memory card will be presented to each purchaser and if you are unable to attend the event in person, a volunteer will be standing by to release your butterfly in memory of your loved one. This fundraiser brought in over 400 people last year and the butterflies sold out, so get your order in soon.
The Kelowna Canadian Italian Club, along with Festivals Kelowna, is sponsoring a concert by Italian band Riccardo Tesi and Banditaliana July 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Jim Stuart Park. This is the first time the band will has performed in Canada. Free admission, just bring a lawn chair and a bottle of water if the weather is hot.
A car wash fundraiser for Soles4Souls goes Saturday July 12 starting at 8 a.m. in the Nufloors parking lot at 2121 Springfield Road (at Cooper).
If you are the curious type, you might want to attend the Rucker Archive Show and Tell All at the Lake Country Art Gallery on July 16 at 7 p.m. to see the collection of wild and wonderful images from the 19th and 20th centuries, featuring items like old postcards, lithographs, daguerreotypes, baseball cards and advertising posters. Every item tells a story. The number of items in the Rucker Archive is now closing in on 500,000 and Rucker will be showing and telling all about a selection of pieces he will be bringing into the gallery. For more info call Curator Katie Brennan at 250-550-9869 or brennankatie@gmail.com.
The Fintry Summer Fair at Fintry Provincial Park at 7655 Fintry Delta Road goes Sunday, July 13 to celebrate B.C. Parks Day on the scenic grounds of the Fintry Manor House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring artists, artisans and others exhibiting their work, products and produce. For more info call Michael Berry at 250-542-1725 or acmb@shaw.ca.
Happy 50th Birthday to float ambassador, Clarence Johnson, who celebrated his birthday July 4 driving Ogie in the Calgary Stampede Parade.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 65th Barb Methot (July 10); Shirley Hutt (July 10); Donna Good (July 10); Doreen Ross (July 12); twins Henry and Bert Willms (July 13); Gerry Moller (July 13); Moni Schiller (July 13); Cathy Comben (July 13); John McAfee (July 13); Luanne Chore, SIDIT, BC (July 14); Robert Jay (July 14); Magda Kapp, BrainTrust Canada (July 15); Christine Greer (July 15); Lil Moller (July 16).
