Alpine Helicopters Inc. at 1295 Industrial Way in West Kelowna is offering a fabulous unique tour: The Quails Gate Experience.
Before taking off, you are escorted into their heli-port terminal/reception area to meet Joanne Ursuliak. Joanne shows you a safety video, tells you about the helicopter, reiterates a few more safety rules and then you are escorted to the helicopter. From there, you are in the capable and well experienced hands of tour pilot Peter Beets. You will fly around the extinct volcano of Mount Boucherie and over the stunning shore line of Lake Okanagan before descending right into the spectacular location of Quails Gate. Once at Quail’s Gate, you will be met by their friendly staff who will take you on a private tour of the vineyard and then to the stunning wine library for a private tasting.
After experiencing the fruits of their labour you will be seated in the Old Vines Restaurant for a pared three course unbelievable lunch or dinner while you relax and take in the amazing surroundings. When you are finished dining, the helicopter will return to pick you up and fly you over the vineyards of West Kelowna, the William R. Bennett Bridge, past downtown Kelowna and the waterfront before descending back into their base over Rose Valley Lake. Alpine Helicopters is head-quartered in Kelowna and has been operating since 1961. They have three other bases including Calgary, Golden and Canmore, where they tour 12,000 to 15,000 people a year. In the winter, they are the heli-ski experts from their Golden base. This tour is not only for visitors or tourists to our city. It is a fabulous experience for any local or a corporation who might want it as an incentive for their staff. It’s an experience of a lifetime. Hours of operation are seven days a week from June 20 through to the Thanksgiving weekend. Jim Reid is the director of marketing. Call 250-769-2475 or check out www.alpinehelicopters.com for their other services and tours. www.facebook.com/alpinehelikelowna.
Naughty Girl Essentials Lingerie has opened at 166 Asher Rd., owned and operated by Michelle Korchinski. This shop is for women who want to buy lingerie for themselves or men who want to buy lingerie for women. It’s a unique, fun, burlesque-influenced boutique shop filled with modern, classy and a little bit edgier type lingerie. Naughty Girl is stocked full of lingerie such as baby dolls, chemises, teddy’s, curve selections with fantasy bras, two piece lingerie sets with cover-ups or blouses and a pleather section with some very cute short pleather dresses for women or young adults. Regular and plus sizes are available. Naughty Girl also offers “club wear” of long glitzy dresses, two-piece bandeau sets and club wear tops. Beach wear consists of one or two piece swim wear, tank tops and cover ups. The shop also carries some costumes, fashion jewelry, a small selection of men’s boxer lingerie and a few novelties. Glamour stars like Audrey Hepburn, Maureen O’Hara, Ava Gardner and, of course, Marilyn Monroe gave Michelle some of her inspiration for the shop. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Call 250-765-0850 www.naughtygirlessentials.com.
Chaos Café has opened at 1891 Parkinson Way (corner of Parkinson and Spall at the Recreation Inn). Owned and operated by Kevin and Anita Best, this small, but delightful bistro is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, with breakfast served all day and a brunch buffet served every Wednesday. A 20 per cent discount is offered for seniors, 60 plus. Originally from South Africa, Kevin has a few traditional South African items on the menu. The Bobotie is a traditional meatloaf made with secret spices, chutney and raisins, served with yellow rice. Rob Lindsay from the Kelowna Capital News told me that it was so good he dreamt about it for two days. They also serve traditional South African farmers sausage and skillet served South African Hash. Other items offered on the menu are full breakfasts, berry pancakes, coconut waffles, skillet hashes, omelettes, burgers, sandwiches and comfort favourites like mac and cheese and chicken curry. Chef Jack Mobbs prepares healthy, wholesome, home-style foods; in fact, they do not even have a deep fryer. Chaos also has its own line of hot sauces that can be purchased at the restaurant along with other specialty items. They also have a couple of tables on their patio. Call 778-478-1317 www.chaoscafekelowna.com.
Congratulations to Sherri Paiement, executive officer of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan on receiving the Executive Officer of the Year Award from the Canadian Home Builders Association of British Columbia for 2013. Call 250-861-3988 or sherri@chbaco.com.
Former branch manager of Prospera Credit Union in Mission Park for over 10 years, Marek Buryska is the new branch manager of Valley First Credit Union in Orchard Plaza. Substantial renovations are now underway at the branch and Valley First is also incorporating their Glenmore branch staff and members. This Valley First branch will be a jewel in the Okanagan for sure. The staff of Valley First in Glenmore are now at either the Orchard Plaza or Rutland branches. Call 250-763-6117 or mburyska@valleyfirst.com.
Wild Kingdom, owned and operated by Kim Williams is consolidating its West Kelowna and downtown Kelowna stores on Sept. 1, to their long-time downtown location at 563 Lawrence Ave. To facilitate this change, they will be offering a discrete delivery service to people in West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland and Lake Country. The shop has friendly knowledgeable staff that can help with any of their adult most updated products for both men and women. Open Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. or shop online at www.sensualkingdom.com. Call 250-868-9033.
Congratulations to Gayle Hunter, manager of the McDonald’s at Highway 97 and Cooper Road on receiving the prestigious Outstanding Manager of the Year Award for the third time. This is the restaurant chains highest honour and Gayle received it for her customer service, staff training and efficient restaurant operations. She also received the award in 2008 and 2011. Tim Pink is the franchisee.
The contact information for Jay Blackford, new business development officer and sales manager for West Coast Auto (WCA) in the new Canem Auto building at 884 McCurdy Place is jay@westcoastauto.ca or call 250-575-2070.
Congratulations to Kierra Smith, 2:23.32 in the 200m breaststroke, good for fourth at #PanPacs2014 and currently ranked seventh in the World.
The Sears National Kids for Cancer Ride Team is coming to Kelowna and will arrive at Sears, Orchard Park at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4. Join them along with Ben the Bear Mascot, dignitaries, Sears staff and the public and hear heart felt stories and meet the riders. Working up to this great event, on Saturday, Aug. 30, there will be a stationary bike set up at the Sears mall entrance from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Associates from the store will be riding in 30 minute intervals to raise money for Kids for Cancer. There will be a DJ on site, PA announcements, along with the staff having some fun on the bikes. Refreshments and snacks will be available for customers. Alex Draper of Shut Out Collectibles and Greystoke Photography has teamed up to feature four prints for a silent auction. The fundraising goal for the Kelowna Sears location is $6,500 from now until Sept. 30 and $500 of that is for rider Willie Lyons who is riding across Canada and is being sponsored by the Kelowna Sears. You can donate during the ride in front of the store on August 30, or at the till as an add-on to your purchase. Come out and support this wonderful event. Randy Sheehan is the general manager of Sears. Call 250-860-2682.
Los Dorados is Canada’s premier 12-piece Mariachi ensemble an all-star collection of musical talent playing the finest of Mexican traditional music, with their own unique northern twist. Established in Vancouver in 2003 under the leadership of bandleader, vocalist and guitarist Alex Alegria, Los Dorados have been sharing the passion, love and respect for this internationally recognized art form. Mariachi los Dorados will be performing Sept. 13 at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Doors opening in 6 p.m. with salsa and Latin dancing, a Mexican “Tienda”, Discada, Tacos Mexican dessert cake, prizes and lots of fun. Tickets available at Los Jarros inside RONA, Los Jarros West Kelowna, KIWO Mexican Market or online at www.etickets.okbc.tv. They are collecting non-perishable donations for the food banks and are asking for canned meat pasta, peanut butter, tomato sauce, chunky soup, canned soup, baby formula, and rice.
Kelowna City Concert Band welcomes instrumentalists to their 2014-15 seasons. Rehearsals are Wednesday nights 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 3 at the Ukrainian Catholic Church Hall, Gordon and Coronation. Call Sue MacDonald at 778-484-0546.
The new shuttle connecting the South Okanagan with the Kelowna Airport is now underway from Osoyoos to Kelowna, operated by Let’s Go Transportation. The shuttle will pick up at 10 stops along the way with rates being $45 one way from Osoyoos and $30 one way from Penticton to the Kelowna Airport. This is a service that the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce felt was needed for many years. The South Okanagan Chamber partnered with The Greater Westside Board of Trade, Air Canada and Thompson Okanagan Tourism to make it happen. Visit www.letsgotransportaton.ca for schedules.
Birthdays of the week: Debbie Larry (Aug. 28); Art Orsi (Aug. 28); Mark Rogers (Aug. 30); Debbie MacKinnon (Sept. 2).
