EK Cell Repair, owned and operated by JW Lee, is celebrating one year in business after moving locations to 2079 Enterprise Way (between Moxie’s Restaurant and the Bell Tower Book Store). Previously EK Cell Repair was known as EK Cell Accessories, spending 10 years in the Orchard Park Shopping Center. The new location has given Lee an opportunity to serve customers in a greater capacity while maintaining the customer service EK Cell is known for. Some of the services offered are screen repair, battery replacement, unlocking and water damage. It specializes in soldering and has kept its full line of up-to-date accessories, with the latest trends and protection to make sure your phones are protected and stylish. JW studied at the World PC Repair Institute in Seoul, Korea and also in Chicago, specializing in the smartphone. I have referred customers to JW and all have been more than satisfied with his excellent service and pricing. Call 250-712-2029.
The address of the Jitterbug Diner which was featured in last week’s column is 426A Bernard Avenue. Call 236-420-0701 (236 is a new local area code).
After 35 years, Amy Nevery of Amy’s Gifts in the Towne Centre Mall, on Bernard Avenue, is retiring and she is closing her shop. Amy is offering 20 per cent to 40 per cent off the stock, which includes music boxes, jewelry, tapestry, unique gifts from around the world, exotic fragrances, rare perfumes and pure essential oils. Call 250-712-9442.
Congratulations to the one and only Dragon in the Drink Kelowna Dragonboat team, which took first place in the Women’s division at the Kamloops Dragonboat Festival.
Well known lawyer, Grant Hardwick has joined the firm of Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP at 200-591 Bernard Ave. as associate counsel. Grant has spent his entire 42-year legal career as a Kelowna-based litigator. The firm focuses on high level, complex commercial and family litigation matters. Call 250-868-2313.
Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers received three awards at the recent B.C. Crime Stoppers provincial conference. Gerry Guiltenane, co-ordinator with Crime Stoppers here was presented with the Co-ordinator of the Year Award. Gerry was recognized for his commitment to the Crime Stoppers program and his outstanding work with law enforcement, media partners and the public. The local program was also presented the Program of the Year Award, recognizing it as the top producing program in the province for illegal drugs seized and the recovery of stolen property. During 2014, the program recovered $431,000 in stolen property and was responsible for the seizure of $750,000 of illegal drugs.
The Kelowna Royal Purple Lodge #56 received the Corporate and Community Partner Award with Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers. This award recognizes a community partner that has made the most significant difference to the program. The Royal Purple is a long-time local organization that is very active in the community, giving all its hard earned funds to local charities. It has been a long-time supporter of Crime Stoppers.
Congratulations to Kelowna bylaw enforcement officer Chris Rogers, who received his 35-year award from the City of Kelowna.
Sandler Training has been named one of the top 30 training companies in the world by magazines Selling Power and Training Industry. Sandler has 250 locations worldwide, including one in Kelowna managed by trainer John Glennon. It services the B.C. Interior. It offers training programs and seminars focused on sales in today’s competitive market and trains in 23 languages. Call 250-765-2047
Jenny McAlpine, communications coordinator for Tourism Kelowna, is leaving after three years to start her new venture, Jenny McAlpine Weddings.
Congratulations to Laurence (Laurie) Gaymer of Kelowna-Okanagan Mission Rotary and Beatrice (Trixi) Dolezsar on their recent marriage. They will celebrate again in Mexico Nov. 25.
Derek Morrison is the new sommelier for the Revival Group. The Revival Group has five restaurants—The Italian Table, Fleetwood Public House (Best Western Inn); 27 and Pilgrim and Pearl (Prestige Hotel) and the Salted Brick downtown on Bernard Avenue. Derek was formerly with Hedonism Wines in Europe.
Happy 40th anniversary to Gary and Jan Johnston (City of Kelowna) on Aug.16.
Sleep Country Canada’s Backpacks for Kids campaign runs until Aug. 31. The campaign is designed to help children in need start the school year off right. Customers can buy a backpack, fill it with school supplies and drop it off at either the Kelowna store (2031 Harvey Avenue) or the West Kelowna store (302-3550 Carrington Road). The Salvation Army will distribute the donated backpacks in the respective communities.
On Sept. 12, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., Premier Christly Clark and the West Kelowna, B.C. Liberal Riding Association, will be revive former B.C. Premier Bill Bennett’s Beans ‘n Jeans event at the Lions Club Community Hall on Main Street in West Kelowna. The event will include a live band, traditional eats and drinks and entertainment for everyone. Special guests will include West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater, other members of West Kelowna council and WFN Chief Robert Louie. Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson will be the master of ceremonies. Tickets can be obtained at www.bclib.ca/t77493. Tickets include lunch and your choice of local beer and wine (vegan option available).
If you love rhythm and blues, soul music and the big Motown hits from groups like the Temptations, Sam & Dave, Wilson Picket, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Aretha Franklin, then you won’t want to miss this show. Rann Berry’s Motown Revue goes Aug. 22 at the Kelowna Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. with guest comedian Rob Balsdon. It features a 10-piece band that promises to deliver a night of Motown magic, super funky and soulful. Special guest will be vocalist Vicky Nish, who will also be adding her powerful vocals to the show with her amazing Aretha Franklin tribute. The show recently sold out in Penticton, Lake City Casino and Creekside Theatre. Tickets are available at selectyourtickets.com or call 250-762-5050.
The fourth annual Uptown Rutland Classic Car Show goes Sunday, Aug.16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lions Park, 205 Gray Road. Free admission with live entertainment provided by the Dance Band. For more info or to register call 250-451-9861.
Kelowna Painters Studio Society is hosting its fourth annual Art in the Garden Show Aug.15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pleasant Pear Orchard B&B, 2379 Rojem Road, near the Greenery). Each artist will exhibit several pieces and be in attendance. For more info call Colleen at ejdyson@shaw.ca.
Blowing our own horn. Wyndham Rewards (associated with the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre in Kelowna) was ranked No. 2 (previously No. 7) by U.S. News & World Report for Best Hotel Rewards Program. The report, which is a nationally recognized publisher of consumer advice and information released its 2015/16 Best Travel Rewards Program rankings this past week, which features information about 28 airline and hotel loyalty programs to help travelers easily identify programs with the most perks. They are based on an unbiased analysis of expert and user options (vs. editor’s personal opinions) computed on the following criteria (with weights): Ease of earning a free night (45%); additional benefits (25%); geographic coverage (15%); hotel network (10%) and property diversity (5%). Wyndham recently made significant changes to its program. www.wyndham.com.
The Kelowna City Band Society is hosting its annual Sweet Corn sale fundraiser ($10 per dozen) Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Locations in Kelowna will be Canadian Tire, London Drugs, Rona, the back parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church and the Mission Mall Liquor Store. In West Kelowna, the locations will be Canadian Tire and London Drugs. For more info call 250-862-6818
The 14th annual KGHF Classic—Tennis and Bocce by the Lake, hosted by Walley and Marietta Lightbody, goes Sept.11 to 13. This year, Rosie Schaich and Kerry Bourdon will be honoured. The weekend includes tennis play for all levels, celebrity matches and a special showcase of the province’s up and coming stars, as well as the Capozzi Family Bocce championship and a banquet at the Coast Capri on the Saturday evening. Funds raised will go to help cardiac care at KGH and local cardiac rehabilitation services serving the interior of BC. Register by Sept. 8 at www.kghfoundation.com or call 250-862-4438.
Flair Airlines is once again supplying the air plane and crew for Travel Guild’s 25-day round-the-world tour, departing Kelowna on Oct. 3, traveling on Flair’s all business class Boeing 737 to Anchorage, Beijing, Hong Kong, Bali, Singapore, Jaipur, Dubai, Luxor, Marrakech and Iceland. Due to some cancellations, there are a few seats available through Flair at a promotional rate, but they must be booked immediately. Call David Atkins at Flair at 250-807-5344.
Birthdays of the week: Cathy Slade (Aug. 12); Willy Burgess (Aug. 12); Craig Hostland (Aug. 12); Rupert Gruen (Aug. 13); Kali Howden, At Your Fingertips (Aug. 13); Abby Sones (Aug. 13); Dave Renner (Aug. 13); Randy McBride (Aug. 14); Claus Larsen (Aug. 15); Reagan Krivsky (Aug. 16); Brad Buchanan (Aug. 17); Peter Lepold (Aug. 17); Michael Coulthard (Aug. 17).
