What goes around comes around.
MarketPlace IGA is once again rebranding back to IGA. Dennis Mitchell, the 28-year owner/operator of IGA in Rutland at 590 Highway 33 West, has completely renovated the grocery store into an “all fresh concept store.”
Among the store changes inside are the front-end being redone; the aisles streamlined; addition of a new huge bulk section including organic products; reconfigeration of the produce section with more fresh and bulk produce; upgrading of the in-store bakery with new bulk bakery bins; upgrading of the deli including a new soup station, delicious Paninis and other fresh deli sandwiches, in-house-made pizzas and a new coffee station. The cheese section has also been expanded. One of the most impressive additions is the availability of fresh seafood. As well, a few small patio tables have been set up outside the store under cover for coffee and a treat. (I tried an apple and oatmeal muffin and it was delicious.). While the IGA has been around for many years, the renovation makes it look like an entirely new store.
The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue Society (originally called Kelowna Search and Rescue) celebrates 60 years of service as lifeline responders to the citizens of the our province by hosting an open house on Saturday, Oct. 4, at their headquarters, 4086 Old Vernon Rd., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Team members will set up several informational displays and seminars that day, including a bear aware talk and how to create your own personal preparedness plan, along with high angle rope, first aid and racking demonstrations. Other emergency services will join them with more displays for the public. This is the oldest organized search and rescue group of its kind in B.C. In 1997, Kelowna and Westbank Search and Rescue joined forces. For more info call Duane Tresnich at 250-317-3069 or email vicepresident@cosar.ca.
It’s the 25th anniversary for the Society of Hope. The society has focused on providing quality affordable housing. It serves three primary groups—families, seniors and women in transition. They have six family townhouse sites stretching from the District of Lake Country to Peachland and also operate six seniors housing complexes. The Apple Valley project near Orchard Park serves as its flagship operation. Most new housing programs focus on one-time capital grants rather than on-going subsidies to lower the rents. The society provides reduced rents to qualified tenants by adding some market rents into new projects. Many rents are set at 30 per cent of a person’s income. With a board, long serving staff and strong partners, the society’s new 70-unit Pleasantvale project is now underway and plan to expand Apple Valley by 78 units. Lorne Gerber is the president and Luke Stack, the executive director of the society. Call 250-878-4990.
Prospera Credit Union and Westminster Savings Credit Union have recently initiated merger discussions, believing that joining forces will build on their strengths and long-standing success to create an even stronger and better credit union equipped with the resources to innovate and invest in expanding their products, services and technology solutions. The next step would involve seeking consent from the Financial Institutions Commission and approval from their membership in the spring of 2015. The two credit unions jointly represent more than 118,000 members, 800 employees and assets under administration exceeding $6.3 billion.
Congratulations to Kelowna city councillor Robert Hobson, who was presented with a certificate of appreciation from his colleagues around the province at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention last week in Whistler. The certificate was to recognize the long and thoughtful service of Hobson, who joined Kelowna city council in 1988 and has chaired the regional district board for the past 20 years.
Do you dance the watusi? Professional dancer and instructor Chris Thorburn and his business partner Johanne Corbin are the owners of Kelowna Ballroom Dance Studio, 125-1979 Windsor Rd. (off Spall Road in the Ramco building). The dance studio teaches all types of ballroom dancing, including foxtrot, tango and even the whacky watusi. From Calgary, at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, to working on cruise ships for 15 years, Thorburn has been in the industry since 1979. Corbin is originally from Montreal where she was a three-time provincial champion in her teens. She rediscovered her love of ballroom dancing while working on cruise ships. The studio offers private, group lessons and practise parties, with a free introductory dance lesson. Call 250-575-4580; online kelownaballroom.com.
Rebecca Robinson is the proprietor, producer and certified legacy advisor of Life Story Film, a business about your life, your story and your film. It’s a unique business that really caught my attention. She produces custom family documentaries, memoirs, guided autobiographies and legacy rescue and preservation. How wonderful it would be to have a video of your parents or grandparents just to hear their voices and watch them talking. Wouldn’t it be great to introduce them to other family members or friends through a Biography Channel-style film? This is what Rebecca does; a life story film so that people will not have the same regrets. Getting a film done not only offers great relief to those who fear upcoming loss, but also offers insurance against losing your most important values, life lessons, wisdom, family heirloom photos, home movies and stories forever. Visit LifeStoryFilm.ca. After all, what have you got to lose? Call 250-808-6968 or email rebecca1robinson@yahoo.ca. Rebecca is also involved in the Kelowna Show and Tell event. Meet to tell the story of a unique item, article or photo. Its Antiques Roadshow meets Ancestry.com at the Westbank Museum on Oct. 4, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Breakfast on the run? Drive, walk, blade or bike through the Ramada Hotel (Enterprise Way Entrance) and pick up your breakfast bag at The Maxine DeHart, United Way-Ramada Hotel Drive Thru Breakfast. It’s just over a week away—Thursday, Oct. 9, from 6 to 9 a.m. This year we will be implementing kid’s bags for the children who bring their own donation, which in the past has been many. Usually it is their piggy bank that they want to give to me and now they will receive their own special bag for their donation. In the kid’s bags will be treats from Chapters, McDonald’s, Interior Savings, Energy Plex and many more. In the adult bags, with the Big White $70 ski pass and the $60 jewelry appraisal certificate the bag is now worth well over $160 and that does not take into consideration that you might win a grand prize or one of hundreds of gift cards that are hidden in the bags. So, open your hearts and your wallets. Remember, all donatioins stay right here in our community and not one cent is taken for any administration fees for this event. The sponsors give it all.
Has breast cancer hit home with you? Are you passionate about finding a cure? Show your support by buying one of Andy & TJ’s “Save 2nd Base” pink T-shirts for only $20, supporting awareness and research. Drop into the 101-5 EZ Rock studios at 435 Bernard Ave. or watch for the T-shirts being sold around town (cash only). Andy and TJ also hope to see you at the CIBC Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Run for the Cure on Sunday, Oct. 5, at City Park.
The Love Tripper Magazine, which is a popular web-based publication specializing in romantic destinations, features a new article that talks about a local business A Vista Villa, owned and operated by Sherry Cote, as a “Majestic Paradise” and “Lover’s Ivory Tower” and to the Okanagan Valley as “Canada’s Summer Wonderland” and the “Western Garden of Eden.” The article’s author is Habeeb Salloum, a freelance writer and author in Toronto. Call Sherry at 250-762-7837 or www.lovetripper.com. Come to the Maxine DeHart – United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast on Oct. 9 and you might be the lucky recipient of a $250 gift certificate that Sherry has donated for the event.
Julie Clitheroe, owner/founder of Magnetix Matchmaking, will host Tick Talk; The Next Evolution in Speed Dating on Saturday, Oct.18, at Hanna’s Lounge, 1352 Water St. Meet between 15 and up to 30 quality singles in one night between the ages of 35 and 65-plus. Seating is limited. Magnetix prescreens and verifies all your matches including a criminal back ground check, provides a recent picture of your match in every match email they send you and match within their database plus proactively source for your ideal match in your area. Email ticktalk@magnetix.ca or call Julie at 250-864-2324 for more details.
Barb Vermassen has joined the team at Dynamic Promotions (DynaPro) as an independent contractor, sourcing and providing promotional advertising products to businesses. The company offers anything and everything you want to put a company logo on, big or small. Vermassen is also representing New Deal Athletics, an affordable supplier of quality athletic gear, offering products for running, hiking and golfing. Call 250-212-3641; email barbvermassen@dynapro.ca.
The Uptown Rutland Scarecrow Festival is Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 4 p.m., at Lions Park on Gray Road (behind Coopers). There will be entertainment, scarecrow building, a kids’ zone, crafting, vendors and foodies. Come out and see the United Way -Maxine DeHart Drive-Thru Scarecrow. For more information visit the websiteourrutland.ca.
The Harvest Feast will be put on by the Kelowna Capri Rotary Club on Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Kelowna & District Fish and Game Club. The fesast will feature spit roasted pork and roast beef, a silent auction, entertainment and door prizes. Money raised from this event will benefit local Kelowna Rotary projects. Tickets $55 from club members, White’s BBQ & Fireplace Centre or Illichmann’s Deli.
Prince George is catching up in the Blood Drive. Kelowna has about 168 appointments to fill next week. Bring a friend and book today. Call 1-888-2-DONATE, www.blood.ca or download the GIVEABLOOD APP. For more information call Gayle Voyer at 250-448-4022 or gayle.voyer@blood.ca.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 89th Ruth Hill (Oct. 1); Susie Docherty (Oct. 1); Marlene Saumure (Oct. 2); Gary Jones (Oct. 4); Dave Proctor (Oct. 5); Marlene Murray (Oct. 6); Kelly Padula (Oct. 7); happy 18th Sydney Voyer (Oct. 7); Barb Martindale (Oct. 7); Wendy Weller (Oct. 7).
