This week’s column is dedicated to John Gilbert who passed away Nov. 15 at the age of 69. I have known John for many years and personal condolences go out to Lynne, John’s entire family and his many friends and colleagues in the RCMP. Always in our thoughts, forever in our hearts.
Lakehouse Homestore, owned and operated by Ben and Sue Boschman at 100-510 Bernard Ave. in Kelowna, has been named Canada’s national winner of the Global Innovator Award (GIA) for 2015 by the International Housewares Association and Home Style Magazine.
The GIA Awards recognize innovative business practices and excellence in housewares retailing and visual merchandising. The Boschmans opened their 4,200 square-foot store in December 2011 with a concept of a gourmet kitchen store that also offers furniture, home accents and giftware. They stock more than 5,000 items from over 100 suppliers. The Boschmans will travel to the International Houseware Show in Chicago next March to compete for five coveted global kitchenware retailing awards.
If you are looking for someone to put up your Christmas lights to make the holiday season simpler, safer and brighter, there is a company in town that does just that. Jolly Lights, owned and operated by Jonathan Ruse are light and decoration installation specialists. There are three installation packages to choose from and they offer free estimates. Call 778-363-3611; email tymara@jollylights.ca; online jollylights.ca.
Last month, Associated Property Management, located at 1-1441 St. Paul St. in Kelowna, announced its acquisition of the Colliers residential portfolio. Now, one month later, the firm is growing again as broker/owner Daniel Lobsinger is delighted to welcome Ron Wiebe, Aliske Webb, Kevin Jersey and Loni Shaw to the APM team. These licensed senior managers come with many years of experience of strata management. In addition to APM’s strata management growth, their residential property management portfolio is growing also with the addition of Randi Chatham and Cherie August, who have joined APM in accounting support. Call 250-712-0025; online apmkelowna.com.
It’s the time of year again when artisan baker Moni Schiller is baking her moist and delicious fruitcakes. This is her 13th season and Mona has a loyal customer base across Canada, so how lucky are we to have her right here in our city. Totally Decadent Fruitcake is made with glace fruits, pecans, chocolate and brandy. Okanagan Harvest Cake is made with dried fruits, almonds, chocolate and rum. The cakes make great hostess gifts or gifts for foodies, seniors or fruitcake fans. They are just the right size, nicely packaged, vacuum sealed to stay moist and a beautiful handmade gift. Both are one pound and a steal at $15. (Have you seen the price of nuts?). Locals can email moni@fruitcake.ca or call 250-860-4174 for pick-up.
A security company with a 43-year history in B.C. has opened its doors in Kelowna. Graydon Security is a family owned and operated business that has nine locations in B.C., including now in Kelowna at 1920 Kirschner Rd. The company was started in 1973 by Bryan Graydon and today is owned and operated by Ed Graydon and his brothers, employing more than 100 people. One of the things that sets Graydon Security apart is that they operate a call centre right here in the Okanagan so your information is directed to Vernon and not out of the province or country. Tony deMontigny is the Okanagan representative for Graydon. Call 250-860-9798; email tony.demontigny@graydongroup.ca.
Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm, cultivating lavender in the valley since 1994, has won a silver award in the New Zealand Supreme Oil Award, an International competition for producers of lavender essential oil. Owned and operated by David and Andrea McFadden at 4380 Takla Rd. in East Kelowna, judges at the competition described the farm’s Maillette lavender essential oil as “lively sweet bubblegum/oranges, bright nice oil, rich and clean.” Four of the lavender farm’s essential oils were evaluated at the competition, with three of the four entries placing in the top five. Call 250-764-7795; online okanaganlavender.com.
Seven local businesses were nominated for the 13th annual Small Business BC Awards. Congratulations to Apple Artwork (Best Workplace); Cottage Quilting (Premier’s People’s Choice); Cryo Care (Best Emerging Entrepreneur); Float Space (Premier’s People’s Choice); Lake Okanagan Realty Ltd. (Premier’s People’s Choice); The Executor’s Assistant (Best Concept) and The Habitat (Best Community Impact). The winners will be announced Feb. 25, 2016.
Renovations are now complete at Globally Fair, a cultural gift store offering home décor and jewelry at 1695 Burtch Rd. in Kelowna. By taking out a wall, the gift store now has larger sales floor space and the entire store has been painted. New track lighting has been installed and there is more wall space for displays for their hand crafted items, wonderful wall hangings and large assortment Christmas ornaments that have just arrived. The metal snowflake ornaments are beautiful. Owned and operated by Cindy Henderson, Globally Fair offers wonderful fair trade gifts, which help artisans and farmers around the world and on partnership days, they help local organizations and charities. Call 778-484-3247; online globallyfair.ca.
Studio9 Independent Arts Society has a new board of directors for 2015-16: chair Kevin Purnell, vice-chair Dave Manual, finance committee chair Chuck Abney and secretary Jeannette Deshayes. Lyle Isenor and John-Gary Aylward have also joined the board. For more info email Mike Guzzi at mike@studio9.ca.
Impressions Weddings & Events, formerly a home-based business, has now moved to storefront location at 2424 Last Rd. in West Kelowna. Co-owned and operated by Stacie O’Leary and Christina Gautron, Impressions offers full service décor set-up, DIY Do It Yourself Rentals, day of coordinating, florals and décor consignment and retail. Impressions also cop-op with the following other businesses to offer one-stop-shopping—Cakery Arts, Tangerine Orchid, 689 Photography, Holiday Inn West Kelowna, Okanagan Dance Party DJ’s and MC’s, UPose Photobooth and Every Little thing Catering. Call 250-317-8817; online impressionsweddingspro.com.
Local lawyer Steven Wilson has been appointed a master of the B.C. Court. Supreme Court masters preside in civil cases and registrar hearings. Affiliated with Pushor Mitchell LLP, Wilson practices in commercial and civil litigation.
It’s the third year in business anniversary this month for Ashbury Bridal, located at 1619 Ellis St. in Kelowna. Owned and operated by Shilo Verhaegen, the shop is a consignment bridal boutique, offering a wide range of price options as all their gowns come to them previously loved. The boutique showcases more than 1,000 bridal, grad and formal gowns, along with a huge selection of locally designed wedding accessories. Sabrina Robertson has joined Ashbury as a new bridal consultant. Call 250-469-2371; online ashburybridal.ca.
The URBA Uptown After Hours event is Wednesday, Dec. 2, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Rutland Centennial Hall, 180 Rutland Road N., hosted by Benson Law LLP Lawyers. Members and guests welcome.
Dubbed the Social Dragons Den, the event will be hosted again by the Okanagan Changemakers on Dec. 3. The event will see six organizations pitch their social projects to a live audience at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Winners will be determined through real-time audience voting. Unlike the traditional Dragons Den, the dragons will be the audience who will vote for their favourite social purpose organization. They are offering a block of tickets at a discount with 10 tickets at $25 each vs. a single ticket for $35. Available on line at okanaganchangemakers.com/changeup-2015/. Mary Jane Slavin is the chair of Okanagan Changemakers.Call 250-763-5445.
Just in time for Christmas for clients, employees or stocking stuffers for hunting and fishing enthusiasts. The BC Interior Sportsman Show is April 9 and 10, 2016, at the Capital News Centre. Admission gift packs are now available online at bcinteriorsportsmanshow.com.
Pam Grimm is the new communications coordinator for The Salvation Army Kelowna. The 15th Annual Tiny Tim Toy Breakfast takes place at the Coast Capri Hotel on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Enjoy a complimentary hotel buffet breakfast in exchange for a new unwrapped gift. SUN FM Morning Show on location, lots of festive entertainment with Anna Jacyszyn and door prizes.
Downtown Kelowna Association is reaching out to ask if any reliable, outgoing and hardworking teenagers might be interested in volunteering their time at the Light Up event on Saturday, Dec. 5. This is a great way for students to earn community volunteer hours. Call Jennifer Widmer at 250-862-3515.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 55th Barry Gerding, managing editor, Kelowna Capital News (Nov. 21); Alan Glaser (Nov. 23); happy 60th Barb Shillington (Nov. 23) Shirley Lindsay, 88 (Nov. 25); Hugh Fitzpatrick (Nov. 26); Reg Henry, Kelly O’s (Nov. 27); Gary Filifilo (Nov. 28); Dr. Mike Shepherd (Nov. 29); Bryan Feagan (Nov. 29); Lou Goncalves (Nov. 30); Jana Hardy (Nov. 30); Dan Willms (Nov. 30); Jane Fletcher (Nov. 30); Vern Martindale (Dec. 1); Toni Vos (Dec. 1).
