Congratulations to Kelowna’s Gospel Mission volunteer dentists for being awarded the prestigious Anita Tozer Memorial Award for extraordinary community contribution.
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission dental clinic celebrates its 10th anniversary and since opening in 2004 has provided close to $2 million in treatment, improving the lives of over 2,100 patients. More than 150 community dentists, dental assistants and hygienists have volunteered their time and talents in the past 10 years to change lives one smile at a time. Now, it has been announced that even more patients in need and will be able to be treated at the dental clinic will be expanded from two chairs to five this summer. The new clinic will allow for a full-time staff dentist to provide a continuum of patient care, along with providing even more opportunity for the volunteer dental community to serve with them. The clinic will undergo renovations between May and July with the re-opening scheduled for August. This clinic and all the contributing dentists, assistants and volunteers is a major contributor in our community. Shirley Goebel is the director of dental services.
Well-known businesswoman Luanne Chore has been appointed chief executive officer, effective July 1, 2014, of the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (SIDIT). Chore has served as senior portfolio manager since April 2013. She is replacing Luby Pow, who will retire June 30. Chore is an accomplished leader, with a track record of working with numerous businesses that encompass diverse backgrounds, from start-up ventures and growth companies to successful seasoned businesses. She has formerly worked at HSBC Bank, Business Development Bank of Canada and Grant Thornton LLP, all in senior positions. SIDIT was created by the provincial government in 2006 and received a one-time allocation of $50 million designated for strategic investments in sustainable economic development initiatives throughout B.C.’s southern interior of BC. Grace McGregor is the chair of SIDIT. Call 250-938-0767 or lchore@sidit-bc.ca.
Congratulations to Kelowna city councillor Gerry Zimmermann, who received the Toastmasters International Communication and Leadership Award presented by District 21 for outstanding service to his community through communication and leadership, on May 2, 2014, at the Toastmaster’s Spring Conference held in Kelowna.
J-WOK Express Chinese Cuisine (Cantonese & Szechuan Style) has opened at 6-3818 Gordon Dr., the same centre as Husky Oil. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Jason Huang and Hong Chen, the small restaurant is just what the name says—an express takeout only with limited free delivery service. This quaint food take-out operation, tucked away in the corner of the centre beside the post office, also has a counter with about six to eight stools. The entire front and back operation is brand new, with a modern state-of-the-art kitchen, which was designed by Corey Whalen, with the kitchen equipment supplier Black Ink Commercial Food Equipment. Jason and Hong are lovely people offering a large variety of fresh appie’s, soup, seafood, chicken, beef, pork, ribs, chow mein and noodles, rice veggies and egg foo yung dishes. Also look for combos for one and family dinners from two to six. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (closed Tuesdays). Call 778-484-1688.
After seven years in his long-term position at the firm of Doak Shirreff, lawyer Robert Kwasnicki has starting a new boutique law firm, Kwasnicki Law, in the Glenvalley Plaza, 206-437 Glenmore Rd. Kwasnicki’s main legal focus will be in personal injury and litigation. His wife, Jennifer Kwasnicki, is the office manager. Email jennifer@kwasnickilaw.com or call 250-868-9998.
Sally Howard is the new manager of member services at the Kelowna Yacht Club. Howard has relocated to the Okanagan from Winnipeg, where she was with Williams Moving and Storage. Debbie Hicks is the general manager of the yacht club.
Mike Morra is the service manager at Elite Auto Centre, 2655 Enterprise Way, formerly with Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge. Call 250-712-0668 or email service@eliteautocentre.ca.
All the way from Atlanta and formerly from San Diego, James Gleghorn is the new development director at Kelowna’s Gospel Mission, located at 259B Leon Ave. Gleghorn is experienced in the non-profit world having 15 years in the industry. Randy Benson is the executive director of the organization. Call 250-763-3737; check out the website www.kelownagospelmission.ca.
Well-known Okanagan businessman Tom Stanbrook is the new owner/manager of Michaelbrook Golf Club and the Brook Bar & Grill, 1085 Lexington Dr. Stanbrook is an experienced restaurateur and golf course owner as he previously owned the Aspen Grove course in Lake Country. The Michaelbrook clubhouse restaurant has been completely gutted and renovated with a modern, upscale look and atmosphere. New additions include a large covered patio and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, with specials every day. Chef J.P. Maltais has completely revamped the menu with appetizers, a chef’s signature soup, a large selection of salads, sandwiches, burgers, noodles and pizzas. Casual and chef’s specialties include all you can eat ribs on Sunday from 4 p.m., for $19.95, sizzling fajitas, steaks, pork schnitzel, pecan chicken and salmon. They have it all. We tried the ribs and they were exceptional, not to diminish the desserts that were incredible. Stanbury has been doing some work on the golf course also and is very appreciative of all the support he is getting from the membership both on the course and in the restaurant. Call 250-763-7888.
On Saturday, May 10, at 11a.m., the Salvation Army West Kelowna Thrift Store, located at 3531 Old Okanagan Highway, will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. The Salvation Army has also opened a brand new donation warehouse at 2330 Hunter Rd., beside Shaw Cable. This is now the central location for Salvation Army donors to bring their items to support its thrift stores. It is not a store, but sorting and pricing that is done at this location will provide product to their thrift stores. The Salvation Army also has a store at 1511 Sutherland Ave. Geri Grainger is the Community Ministries manager. Call 250-765-3450 (212); email gerig@kelsa.ca.
Ladies, you won’t want to miss this event. Kelowna Women in Business (KWIB) will host an evening of Networking and Learning Some Techniques on May 14 at the Coast Capri Hotel, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Along with that, Marie Yvonne Cleaver’s Belle Boutique will be sponsoring a fashion show. This will be a sold out event. Members $39 and non-members $49. Register at www.kwib.org as payment is not accepted at the door. See you there. Patricia Chandler is the president of KWIB.
Congratulations to the following City of Kelowna City Yards employees who received their 2014 long-term service awards: Jules Roy, Jason Shultz, Joe Fisher and Terry Lesko (10 years); Chris Blamire (15 years); Ken Salisbury, Trevor Hunchak, John Famenoff, Darren Senshen and John Goncalves (20 years); Bill Backstrom, Kelly Hanson, Dan Fenton (25 years); Cindy McNeely, Bruce Dacre and Shaun Lindsay (25 years) and Shirley Boyle (30 years).
The Kelowna-based recruitment agency, Aspire Recruitment Solutions at 1631 Dickson Ave. in Landmark 6 tower (11th floor), celebrates one year in business this month. Founded by senior recruiter Stacey Bengert, the company is a human resource solution provider and employment agency servicing clients across Central, North and South Okanagan, northern B.C. and Alberta. Aspire caters to a diverse selection of industries, including accounting, customer service and labour trades. Call 778-484-8200; email info@aspirehiring.ca.
The Staples store in Kelowna is currently raising money for the Special Olympics with their annual Give a Toonie—Share a Dream event until May 25 with daily in-store events. On May 10 and 11, Lynn and Jenn Miller, of Beet ‘N Boo Bistro & Catering, will donate coffee and their amazing mini cinnamon buns for toonies for the campaign. Last year they raised $3,500 and this year they have set a goal of $6,000. Darcy Smith is the manager of Staples. Call 250-979-7920.
Haruka Naru Hibiki (“Distant Reverberation”) comes to the Kelowna Community Theatre on May 16, 7:30 p.m. Ensemble Liberta (first half) is one of the most versatile traditional Japanese wind and string ensembles in Japan today. Wadaiko Tokara (second half) was founded by one of the leading taiko artists of our generation, Art Lee, and incorporates arrangements of traditional Taiko pieces into their performance. For tickets call 250-862-9338 or go to www.sushikelowna.com.
The Kelowna Actors Studio is currently accepting submissions for their 2014-15 season general auditions. Planned productions are Crimes of the Heart, Oliver, Forever Plaid, The Addams Family, Osage County, Catch Me If You Can and Freckle Face Strawberry. Auditions are by appointment only and there is no specific deadline to submit, but audition spaces are limited so submit early to ensure a space. Call 250-862-2867.
With a few hiccoughs along the way of being blown off the highway his first night, tackling high winds and black ice and the transmission in his vehicle being replaced in Ottawa, Ralph Morrison arrived safe and sound in the Newfoundland city of St. John’s and has since carried on to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Morrison is a Kelowna local and the author of his true story, The Fear Inside, a personal disclosure of being bullied and abused by his peers and how keeping that secret affected his life from age seven to the present day. He has travelled to the east coast to begin his cross-country journey, speaking about how bullying can stay with you and affect you in ways you cannot imagine if not stopped now. The Canadian Campaign of The Ralph Morrison Project will end in Victoria in September. It is his mission to be a global catalyst for change toward making bullying unacceptable in our society. Proceeds raised will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Canada and the London Drugs S.W.A.G. Campaign. For more info check out www.ralphswritings.com.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 109th City of Kelowna (May 5); happy 70th Joanne Reiber (May 9); happy 50th Kathy Schmidt (May 11); Susan Johal, Kimmitt Wrzesniewski (May 8); Arnie Schneider (May 13); John James (May 11); Lake Country Mayor James Baker (May 12); Galen Gibson, 16 (May 12); Ono Curatolo (May 13); Michael J. Ballingall (May 10); Claire Jantzen (May 10); and John Schlosser (May 14).
