August 1 marked the 30th anniversary since Re/Max opened its first franchise in B.C., headquartered in Kelowna.
The franchise was started by Bob Cherot, who was also the master franchise owner for Re/Max Western Canada, also based in Kelowna. Re/Max Kelowna has changed ownership three times over the past 30 years, past owners including Jim Hammond, Rick Baker and present owner Cliff Shillington since 2005. Shillington joined Re/Max in 1985 opening his first office the following year in Saskatoon before joining the corporate team in 1990 in Kelowna. He was transferred to Denver to run the international operations for Re/Max and returned in 2005 when he purchased the franchise. Besides being the number one market leader in Kelowna, it is ranked the 12th largest office of over 6,400 offices in the entire Re/Max network, having 120 real estate representatives and nine property managers working from three locations—1553 Harvey Ave., 1391 Ellis St. and at the Big White Ski Resort. Call 250-717-5000; www.remaxkelowna.com
It is with mixed emotions that I pass on the pending retirement on Aug. 30 of Don Shafer, vice-president and regional manager of Interior Operations for Bell Media Inc.(Astral Media). Shafer has been in the broadcasting industry, including radio and TV, for 50 years. He started when he was in high school and has held every position imaginable in the industry. While he may be retiring from broadcasting, Shafer has some great ideas for his future and doens’t plan to leave Kelowna. One of those ideas is help advance the cause for non-profits in B.C. Shafer is very well versed in the non-profit section and I think he could make a great entity from this. I personally would like to thank Don for all his support over the years in particular for the Maxine DeHart-United Way, Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast. His company always pulled out all the stops for this major event. I will miss him when I go on the air with Andy and TJ of 101.5 EZE ROCK on Thursday mornings, often saying, “Don are you listening…are we going to get fired?” Ha!
After 11 years as office administrator with the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, Marilyn Hedman is retiring. Marilyn formerly worked for Telus for 24 years before joining the foundation. In retirement, she is certainly going to golf, golf, golf, and perhaps help her hubby Jim do some of the housework, as he has been the main housekeeper since his retirement.
Kevin Lee is the new CEO of the Canadian Home Builders Association. A professional engineer, Lee has worked in the housing industry for 25 years with experience in both the public and private sectors. Before joining the CHBA he served as the director of housing division in the Office of Energy Efficiency at Natural Resources Canada. The CHBA annual general meeting is Sept. 26 at The Harvest Golf Club. The guest speaker will be CHBA national president Deep Shergill.
Not only is Shu-Han Lin a Red Seal Chef, he is also a lovely gentleman to meet. Han, as he calls himself, has started Han’s on Kitchen—Ultimate Asian Street Food. He is a member of the Okanagan Chefs Association and previously worked at Local Lounge and Grill in Summerland, training under well-known Chef Paul Cicconi. Working out of a licensed commercial kitchen at the French Cultural Centre on Bernard, he has started a unique business. You can pick-up and take-out or he will delivery lunch from Tuesday to Friday.It’s perfect for a business downtown, working or group lunch or just for you. Everything he creates is from scratch, using local organic products only from our area. Some of the menu items are homemade Chinese steamed buns with pork belly (pickled mustard greens, peanut powder, cilantro); pulled chicken bun (apple-barbecue sauce, apple Julianne); five spice Tofu buns (miso coleslaw, peanut powder and green onion); Soba noodle salad (green tea buck wheat noodles, Taiwanese cabbage slaw, pickled ginger, green onion and Wasabi dressing) or a combination of two buns and salad. There is no MSG or GMO products used. You can also try some of Han’s products at the Formosa Tea Café (behind Wendy’s on Harvey). Call 250-864-6636; www.hansonkitchen.com.
CedarCreek Estate Winery welcomes celebrity guest chef Tony de Luca, who has cheffed in over five different countries and is currently the chef professor at The Canadian Food and Wine Institute, Niagara College. He is hosting a cooking lesson and lunch on Monday, Aug. 12, from noon to 3 p.m., with three courses excluding wine, focusing on the Niagara and Okanagan regions. Limited seating. Call 250-764-8866.
The Kelowna Dental Centre, 100-2033 Gordon Dr., is under new ownership. Dr. Michael Webster is the new owner, but he is not new to Kelowna, as he was born and went to school here. Formerly practicing in Fort St. John for the past few years, the centre employs 10 support and administration staff. He is now looking for new patients and the hours of business are extensive. Arlene Whitford is the office manager. Call 250-860-1414; www.kelowna-dental-centre.ca
Alf Kempf, a partner at Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP, is the new president of the Okanagan College Foundation. The foundation is embarking on raising funds for the expansion and renovation of the trades facility at the Kelowna campus.
Buck LaRoche has started a new business called Auto Trim Line Detail and Sign shop at 264 Leon Ave. In downtown Kelowna. He now has a motor dealer’s license and offers sales and lease of pre-owned vehicles, cars, trucks and SUVs, including financing. He also rents by the hour or day; Saga scooters made in Italy and now can offer sales and financing on these new units. Both new services are under one roof at his shop downtown, along with being a U-Haul Rental Center. Call 250-860-4130; atso@live.ca
Grasslandz is a local company in which all their grasses are grown and cared for in the valley. Owned and operated by Murray Craig, he believes that grasses are helping to play an important role in the environmental health of the valley, by using the concept of xeriscaping. Grasses are an essential and beautiful addition to any xeriscaped yard or business. They require little or no attention from the gardener or landscaper and once established the rule of thumb with grasses is to “live and let live.” Ranging in height from 12 feet to six inches low, this versatile plant is a fantastic addition to any yard despite the level of experience the gardener may have. There is a wide variety and many plumes and colours to choose from. If you would like to see a Grasslandz display garden, there are four for viewing at Prospera Place (across from The Sails). Call 250-808-7636 or grasslandz@live.com; www.grasslandz.com
The Jay Ess Music Studios Musical Theatre courses offer students of all ages the opportunity to come proficient at singing and acting roles in Broadway musicals, the transitional “Double Threat” either just for fun or for auditioning for musical productions. In order for students to become a Triple Threat, the medium of dance is included, complete with a qualified dance teacher on call. If students wish to work for an exam, then they offer exclusive and globally recognized courses (Grades I through VIII) from Trinity College London (UK) in which students enjoy working on singing, acting and dance complete with costumes and props. To register call Robert Jay at 250-762-5757 or email jayessmusicstudios@shaw.ca
If you are planning a trip to Vancouver Island, and you are looking for fabulous accommodation, one option to consider is at the Best Western Premier Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke. Part of the Prestige Inn chain of hotels owned by the Huber family of Kelowna, this resort was a real treat for me to stay there. Located in the Greater Victoria area in the seaside township of Sooke, only a short 35 km scenic drive outside of Victoria, this full-service resort is an ideal haven for a relaxation holiday. It offers luxurious guest rooms, studio suites, penthouse level rooms and suites, indoor pool, hot tub, athletic club, meeting rooms, banquet facilities and a full service marina. To make a reservation, call 250-642-0805 or www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com
Canadian Blood Services need our help. There is nearly 12,000 unfilled appointments that are posing challenges for blood inventory and donors are now needed to fill this gap. Coupled with a constant hospital demand, Blood Services is forecasting a need for 51,000 appointments to be filled between now and Labour Day to replenish stocks. They have extended the Blood Signal until Sept. 3, which is a call to action to rally together and book a blood donation appointment. Kelowna residents are asked to give blood at the Kelowna Blood Donor Clinic, 103-1865 Dilworth Dr., which is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on alternating Saturdays (this month Aug. 10 and 24). Please make an effort and bring a friend to donate. For group bookings call local Gayle Voyer at 250-448-4022 or gayle.voyer@blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283 www.blood.ca.
New for this year is the Pedi-Cab Tours of the Myra Canyon trestles and tunnels by Monashee Adventure Tours owned by Ed Kruger. You will cross 14 trestles and go through two tunnels on this historical tour. Sit back and enjoy the view as they do the peddling for you. Young children, mobility challenged and seniors can now join their cycle tours. To book call 250-878-3587 or 250-762-9253; www.76cycle.com
If you are heading towards Peachland, stop at The Beach Ride Rental Company and take a peddle down the beach front on a Surrey Bike, try a standup paddle board and cruise down the beach or try a street stepper bike. Check out their new Mountain Stepper featuring 30 gears, disk brakes, and the first of its kind in North America. If you are adventurous, try a kayak cruise to Rattle Snake Island or just a quiet peddle boat ride down along the bay. Located right across from Bliss Bakery and owned and operated Rainer Udala. Call 1-250-767-6637 to reserve or beachride11@gmail.com; www.peachlandbeachrentals.com
The new downtown marina is just about complete. Westcorp is sponsoring the Kerry Park Mainstage at the Aug. 10 Downtown Kelowna Block Party. There will be an information table on the waterfront promenade during this event to provide rates and information for both rentals and parking for the new marina.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 100th Carmela Panusa, Mamma Rosa Restaurant (Aug. 12); happy 90th Betty Gold, Westbank, (Aug.13); happy 110th Westbank, B.C. (Aug. 17); happy 55th Willy Burgess (Aug. 12); happy 40th Kali Howden, At Your Fingertips (Aug.13); Mohini Singh (Aug. 6); Hugh Feagan (Aug. 8); Gary Bennett (Aug. 8); Peter Schultz (Aug. 8); Steven Tuck (Aug. 9); Karen Alexander (Aug. 11); Tim Krupa (Aug.12).
