Orchard Ford, owned and operated by dealer principal Dan Assam, is celebrating the grand opening of the dealership’s new location at 2741 Highway 97 North.
The new facility includes an upgraded exterior façade, modern showroom, customer lounge and energy efficient features that exceed building requirements. The success of this dealership is attributed to the loyal base of customers who continue to choose Orchard Ford because of their dedicated employees, stated Dianne Craig, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada. Orchard Ford is well known in the community having been in business here for over 33 years. The dealership is hosting a public open house until the end of September inviting the community to come and visit their brand new facility. Call 250-860-1000.
Trevor Bass is the new general manager of Original Joe’s Kelowna, 2728 Pandosy St. Trevor relocated from Vernon where he was with Brown’s Socialhouse.
After five years in the same location, Halloween Alley, owned and operated by Deb Lawless, has relocated to a larger, 10,000 square-foot facility at 2455 Highway 97N (formerly the location for Fabricland Halloween Alley is one of Canada’s largest independently owned retailers of Halloween costumes, accessories, décor and props. This year, the business is supporting the food bank with a used costume drive. Take your gently used costumes into the store and you will receive an in-store credit. The costumes will be delivered to the food bank and handed out before Halloween. Deb will also be bringing a mascot to the Maxine DeHart-United Way, Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast on Oct. 1.
Not sure what it’s going to be, but I’ll bet it will be scary and fun for everyone. Check out halloweenalley.ca or call 778-484-5485.
Capri Insurance Group Benefits Division—Intercity Insurance and Financial Services Inc.—at 100-1500 Hardy St. has been nominated for the Canadian HR Awards and is a finalist for Best Industry Service Provider. The award acknowledges the contribution of a company or individual with a proven track record of providing human resources professionals with the superior service and assistance needed to perform their duties. Peter Weir will be representing the company at the award gala in Toronto.
Melanie Lyne ladies fashions have relocated from Spall Plaza to a larger and brighter premises at Orchard Park Shopping Centre. Melanie Lyne offers sizes 2 to 16 in women’s casual, business, and special occasion dresses. They also have jewelry and purses. The store is chocked full of lovely attire, with 2,000 new pieces of clothing delivered last week and 700 new pieces delivered this week, which is only the tip of the iceberg. The new colours for fall are magenta, oxblood, cobalt, camel, chestnut, wasabi and of course black. Make sure you have loads of time to browse and shop in this store. Krista Pallos is the manager of the store.
A certified member of the Reflexology Association of B.C., Robyn Griffiths has opened her home-based business, Sole Soothing Reflexology Kelowna, in the Lower Mission. Reflexology is a holistic therapy that enhances vitality and helps the body to restore its balance and promote healing. A 10-year veteran of reflexology, Robyn was born and raised in Kelowna and has recently moved back to B.C. from Ottawa where she lived for the past 18 years. For an appointment call 250-859-8159; online solesoothing.ca.
BCRPA certified group fitness instructor Teena Gowdy has relaunched her Dance Fitness Classes for the third year. Join her to get fit, stay fit and have fun doing it for only $7. Teena’s dance instruction incorporates balance, agility and aerobic cardio moves into full body laughter, guaranteed to leave you feeling great. Classes are Thursdays, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Lutheran Church Hall, 2091 Gordon Dr. For more information call 250-317-7283; email teena@gowdy.ca.
Andre Blanliel, owner of Andre’s Electronic Experts, has opened his 22nd location in B.C. at Quesnel. The new facility is 5,000 square-feet, and also has a four-bay car wash. The Quesnel location offers the same as all the other stores, home appliances, electronics and cellular by TELUS. This is the second car wash location, the first one being in West Kelowna. The 21st location was recently opened with a 4,000 square-foot facility at 100 Mile House with all the same amenities as the other stores. The popular, Andres Car Audio is located in Kelowna at 1881 Harvey Ave. (corner of Harvey and Spall).
Pre-register for free piano lessons by Paulette Breault, national director of EZee Piano Systems, on Oct. 3/4 at the Parkinson Activity Centre, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., by calling 250-768-5089; online www.Ezeepianosystems.com.
The Maxine DeHart -United Way, Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast is just over one week away—Thursday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 a.m. Creative Mortgage has once again donated a $500 travel gift card from Red Tag Vacations towards a holiday of the winner’s choosing and M&M Meat Shops (Cam Ellison) will be giving away their famous crème puffs in the line-up. There will be Island Farms milk in your bags to go along with the Kellogg’s cereal and the Hudson’s Bay and Orchard Park Shopping Centre have again generously donated many gift certificates. You might even get a free cake from P.J’s Party Cakes (Darrin Williams). Kozy Shack pudding will be arriving all the way from Hicksville, New York. Re/Max realtors will be giving out their famous red bags in the line-up.
Several news sponsors have come on board this year with gift certificates and valuable coupons. Via Veneto (Wendy and Gabriele Giammartino) have donated several gift certificates for both Wendy’s famous facials and Gabriel’s famous haircuts. Sole Soothing Reflexology (Robyn Griffiths) has also donated several one hour foot reflexology sessions. Castanet called and offered to remind everyone about the drive-thru on their rolling site the entire week before the event. There will be treats for dogs that come with their owners donated by Purina and Astrologer Heather Zais will again be putting horoscopes in the bags.
As always the legal beagles headed up by Ron Labossiere will be washing your windows. They have been a drive-thru mainstay for many years. Smart Betty will be on hand with their fun bright costumes. So, drive, walk, bike or blade through the Ramada Hotel entering on Enterprise Way. Remember all funds raised stay right here in our community and not one cent of the event goes to administration.
The Downtown Kelowna After 5 is Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Laurel Packinghouse. The event is hosted by the Downtown Kelowna Association and will include live music along with all the After 5 favourites of appies from Earls on Top, wine from Sumac Ridge, cider from BC Tree Fruits and Big Surf Beer.
The inaugural Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Wedding Expo and Fashion show is Tuesday, Sept. 29, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., at The Laurel Packinghouse, 1304 Ellis St. Some of the businesses represented will be hotels, resorts, caterers, wineries, photographers, travel agents, make-up artists, tour companies, wedding cake designers and anything you would need for your special day. Admission is $10/person or $15/per engaged couple (tickets at the door). Visit kelownachamber.org website for more info.
If you won’t be around on federal election day Oct. 19, you can vote up until Oct. 13 at 2001-620 Leon Ave. (corner of Leon and Bertram) from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. It’s real easy and only takes minutes. There was no line-up when I went on Friday afternoon. Advanced polls will be held Oct. 9, 10, 11, and 12 from noon to 8 p.m. On election day the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call 1-866-545-0620 for more info.
The Sandhill Dinner is Saturday, Oct. 3, at the glamorous Sandhill Winery Barrel Room. Only 50 people will be able to enjoy Chef Takashi Ito’s dishes paired with Sandhill wines. Several Okanagan chefs are working with Chef Tak (as Sandhill winemaker Howard Soon calls him) to deliver a unique dinner to open the Fall Okanagan Wine Festival. For tickets call Dave at 250-979-4268; online sandhillwines.ca.
The First Run To Peace is a 5km run and/or walk on Sept. 27 at City Park (North Field) to raise funds and awareness for Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan and to restore universal human rights through education. It will be a day of fun, exercise, awareness and activism for all ages and backgrounds. Cost $20 with registration at 10 a.m. Call Tessa Monaghan at 250-317-5049.
Birthdays of the week: Susan Downey, TAC Solutions (Sept. 24); Doug Mills, Ramada Hotel (Sept. 25); Karyn Schueler (Sept. 25); Ernie Patterson (Sept. 25); Rosemary Kean (Sept. 25); Monika Grimmer (Sept. 27); Gordon Savage (Sept. 27); Charlie Styles, (Sept. 26); Don Harrison (Sept. 27); Lambert Schmalz (Sept. 28); Penny Caley (Sept. 28); Dorothy Donaldson (Sept. 28); Barry Gibbs, (Sept. 28); Geri Grainger (Sept. 28); Don Jamieson (Sept. 28); Betty Kerluke (Sept. 29); Irene Wilkinson, the Mortgage Centre (Sept. 29).
