I had the opportunity to visit the new Plates Restaurant in Kettle Valley. The restaurant is owned and operated by Serge Dosanj (also of Poppadoms Indian Restaurant), with bar team Harry Dosanj and Daniel Robinson, along with chef Jason Hartl. The restaurant, with a separate bar, welcomes all patrons including children. We sampled the braised short ribs and KVP house salad, which were both delicious and offered good sized portions. Serge has done some minor renovations to the premises, which have a nice warm atmosphere and a large patio in the summer. It also offers a good selection of bar and starter plates, burgers, Serge’s signature butter chicken, handmade potato burgers, fish and chips, steak sandwiches, pasta and rice bowls. I ran into Bob and Lynda McGowan and Gail and Greg Prichard and they loved the food and service. Open 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Call 778-477-2414.
Many changes are taking place with London Drugs store managers in the valley. Local store manager Jim Larsen has been transferred to the Vernon store. Jim Skinner of the West Kelowna store, and formerly at the Kelowna store, is coming back to take Larsen’s place. Colin Campbell from Penticton is moving to the West Kelowna store and Peter Walton will relocate from Vernon to Penticton.
Lorraine Richardson is the new branch manager at Valley First Credit Union on Highway 33 in Rutland. Lorraine is not new to Valley First, as she worked there several years ago. She has relocated from Nanaimo to join them once again. Harinder Gill has relocated from Abbotsford and is the new manager of personal banking. Call 250-980-8900.
Along with a new beautiful clubhouse, Loic Jacquet is the new food and beverage manager at the Shannon Lake Golf Club restaurant. Originally from France and trained in Paris, Loic has been in the industry for over 20 years. He has worked in a diverse number of establishments, including Michelin starred restaurants, Relais Chateaux, five-star hotels and wineries including six years at Mission Hill Family Estate and four years at Quails Gate Winery, both in restaurant management roles. The clubhouse will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in conjunction with the golf course in early to mid-March.
Rich Chlopa, who has been the head pro at Kelowna Springs Golf Club since 2008 is relocating to Victoria. A new head pro should be announced in the next few weeks.
Golf is just a few weeks away and there is more happening at Kelowna Springs Golf Course. This year, foot golf will be introduced. What is foot golf? It is played with a regular soccer ball, using large two-foot “cups” in areas away from the fairways and greens. Eighteen holes of foot golf are laid out on the courses front nine area and it takes about two hours to play. Foot golf started in Europe more than a decade ago and began to get popular in North America starting two summers ago. Kelowna Springs will be the first course in Kelowna to offer it all season long. Two other non-traditional offerings are also coming to Kelowna Springs in 2015. They are eight-inch cups on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, as part of a fun league called Vegas Fun Days, and the availability of fling golf, which is a unique twist on golf that allows a total non-golfer to play alongside experienced players. Visit www.FootGolf.ca; www.FlingGolf.com or www.KelownaSprings.com.
John Davina is the owner of Kal-West Mechanical Systems Inc., a company that has provided plumbing, heating and mechanical work for the construction industry for the past 28 years. Kal-West also sponsors the Kal-West Interior Loppet Series, (cross-country skiing), which has six to seven events run by various ski clubs throughout the Interior. It is a family event with age group categories and points given to finishers. Awards are given to any participant who completes at least four races. The next series is at Silver Star Mountain in mid-March.
Taco Del Mar has opened a brand new Taco Del Restaurant on the UBCO campus in the Student Union Building at 3272 University Way.
Happy 50th anniversary Herb and Dawn Fallow (Feb. 20). herb.fallow@gmail.com
Congratulations to Brian Menzies (Graham Construction) and Leah Rodgers (City of Kelowna) on their engagement this past Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
James Wheeler is a new registered massage therapist for Lifemark Health Centre at 104-1634 Harvey Avenue. James is well-rounded and employs a variety of massage and assessment techniques including myofascial release, sports massage, neuromuscular therapy, active and passive release techniques, trigger point therapy, joint mobilizations, range of motion techniques, Swedish massage, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, gait assessment, postural assessment, muscle testing and orthopedic special testing. Brandy Osborne is also an RMT at the clinic. Lifemark has 30 staff therapists and physicians working at the clinic, with health services including physiotherapy, acupuncture, massage therapy, specialized hand therapy, treatment for vertigo and sport medicine. Cheryl Cairns, a physiotherapist has also recently joined their team. She has had good results treating headaches and neck injuries. The clinic can also provide services to employers such as pre-employment testing, ergonomic assessments and function testing for workers. Nancy Reid is the clinic director. Open Monday to Saturday. Call 250-860-4122.
Congratulations to Bell Media (101-5 EZ Rock, 99.9 SUN FM and AM 1150) in partnership with the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation on raising $84,500 in one day, on Feb. 12, during its Have A Heart Radiothon for KGH.
With 14 years of experience in corporate and personal tax planning, Brian Posthumus has joined MNP LLP as their new regional tax leader for the Okanagan region. Brian’s expertise includes extensive experience in estate planning, agricultural tax and tax planning for the acquisition and divestiture of private companies. Call 250-979-1736 or brian.posthumus@mnp.ca
Congratulations to the United Way of the Central and South Okanagan Similkameen on raising $1.3 million during its 2014 campaign.
Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital on Westlake Road in West Kelowna is hosting its annual National Cupcake Day for the SPCA Kelowna Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 250-769-9109.
There is a free hearing clinic at the Legion on Feb. 26 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. If you think you need to have your hearing checked by professional audiologists, this is your opportunity. No obligation and no cost. Call or email 250-762-4117 or rcl26kelowna@shaw.ca #mce_temp_url#
Went to see Forever Plaid at the Kelowna Actors Studio, directed by Randy Leslie. It was really good and entertaining. It’s playing until Feb. 28, so if you have time this coming week, purchase tickets at 250-862-2867.
Birthdays of the week—Missed a very important birthday last week. Happy 75th Jim Laing (Feb. 13); Tal Jandali (Feb. 18); Murli Pendharkar (Feb. 19); Don Favell, (Feb.19); Brad Campeau, (Feb.19); Rodney Gray (Feb. 20); Tom Dyas (Feb. 20); Matt Scaife (Feb. 21); Carmen Prive (Feb. 22); Bob McGowan (Feb. 22); Lyle Isenor (Feb. 22); Anita Kinasewich (Feb. 23); Gerry Deshayes (Feb. 23); Ben Bodnar (Feb. 23); Carol Lesiak (Feb. 24); Wayne (Cactus) Farr (Feb. 24).
