Valley Mitsubishi, located at 2350 Enterprise Way, was recently recognized as the top-ranked dealership for customer satisfaction of all the 90 Mitsubishi dealerships in Canada for a second consecutive year.
Their customer service index was ranked 99.58 out of 100 in 2013. The dealership is now in its 11th year. Rick Wright, president and general manager, along with his staff are proud of their hands-on personal approach with every customer. They pride themselves on no pressure sales, customer follow-ups, courtesy cars, excellence in repairs and selling quality vehicles. Valley Mitsubishi believes that happy customers are repeat customers. The mid-size Outlander SUV is one of the automaker’s best sellers.
Ann Petrone, with ReMax Kelowna, has been elected chair of The Real Estate Compensation Fund Corporation board of directors. The RECFC was created by the B.C. Real Estate Services Act to compensate members of the public for losses incurred as a result of fraudulent activity by a real estate licensee.
A new restaurant has opened in downtown Kelowna at 243 Bernard Ave. called The Salted Brick (next to the Paramount Theatre). It’s a humble space with wooden booths, small tables and a handful of stools at the bar and a great spot for breakfast (small weekend brunch), lunch or dinner. The restaurant is owned and operated by chef Jason Leizart, former chef of Vancouver’s boutique vegetarian restaurant, The Parker. Prior to launching The Parker, Leizart was executive chef at Boneta, Save on Meats and Corner Suite Bistro Deluxe, all in Vancouver. He has now established a charcuterie shop in our city. The restaurant features house cured meats (charcuterie) hand crafted cheeses and wines from the Pacific Northwest. Some of the items on the menu include crispy chick peas; oyster, bacon, pickling brine; lardo and bread; smoked chicked sausage and mustard; duck rillette and winter salad, nuts, bacon blue cheese. Salted Brick is bringing a fresh new face to the food scene in Kelowna. They also offer take-out and the food is perfect for a picnic in the park. Open Sunday to Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Kim Webster was the lucky winner of a $2,500 travel voucher from the Uniglobe Travel Flight Lottery fundraiser, hosted by the Kelowna Chapter #62 Order of the Eastern Star. Proceeds of this fundraiser will go to the Chapter’s Cancer Dressing and Research Fund benefiting our local B.C. Cancer Agency.
Jennifer Schell, a Capital News columnist and author of the cookbook The Butcher, The Baker, The Wine and Cheese Maker, has made the shortlist of seven for the best cookbooks in the world. The Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, which are usually held in Paris, will be held in Beijing this May. The other six cookbooks in the running are from India, Kenya, Indonesia, Ireland, Turkey and China. Schell will attend the awards ceremony and hopefully bring home the trophy.
Valhalla Services has recently started in Kelowna with two business partners, Shay Erickson and Alicia Whiting. Erickson is a third-year apprentice in plumbing and heating and is also experienced with painting and landscaping. Whiting is offering residential house cleaning weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. On occasion Shay helps Alicia with the housecleaning services, so you are basically getting a “two for one” deal. Spring is coming and you can have your outdoor or indoor spring cleaning done with this team. Contact Shay Erickson at 250-300-6752 (chewy25_18@msn.com) or Alicia Whiting at 250-826-1094 (ali28white@gmail.com).
Congratulations to two good friends Melonie Dodaro and Phil Viggiani on their recent engagement.
Gourmet cooking classes are back at The Foodlums Fresh Catering. With a huge, shiny new facility at 112 – 2955 Acland Rd., chef Tim Floritto is going back to the cornerstone of what started his business in 2008. Classes fit up to 12 hungry students and run Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. There is a huge selection of classes to choose from and to get back into the swing of things, classes March through May will be only $40 or two for $70. Try Thai, Indian, French, Italian, Mexican or others. Floritto will also offer new business delivery for corporate functions throughout Kelowna. Platters, sandwiches, wraps and appetizers are available at great prices for business meetings, staff functions or a few nibblies for your next party. The Foodlums Fresh Catering is a fantastic provider of quality catering for larger events also at prices you can afford. If you do not see what you like at www.foodlumscatering.com, call chef Tim at 250-859-7647 or email thefoodlumscatering@gmail.com.
Big thanks to Kim Pumphrey, assistant restaurant manager of ORA Restaurant and Lounge in the Best Western Hotel, for her exceptional customer service, pleasing personality and for serving a great meal.
John McMahon, principal of George Pringle Elementary School, and Jamie Robinson, principal of Glenrosa Middle School, have both received Canada’s Outstanding Principals Awards.
The Board of Education recognized them for being selected by The Learning Partnership as two of Canada’s outstanding principals.
Huge congratulations to Bruce and Betty Vogl. Bruce celebrated his 80th birthday on Feb. 14 and the couple celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Feb. 16.
Peachland Radio and Valley First Credit Union has gone into a new partnership making Valley First an anchor sponsor of Canada’s first all-digital commercial-free radio station. Marion Henselwood, branch manager of the Vintage Hills branch of Valley First and former Peachland branch manager, is pleased the credit union is maintaining its ties with Peachlanders and retaining their connection with the community.
Rutland Hospital Auxiliary will be holding a volunteer recruitment fair Saturday, Feb. 22, at The Rutland Thrift Shop, 140 Dougall Rd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Revenue raised at the thrift store is used to help purchase medical equipment. Your contribution of time and skills would truly be appreciated. Recruitment staff will be on hand to answer questions with cake and coffee being served. For more info call Nancy Wells at 250-862-4300 (7497).
On Dec. 31, Paul Demay retired from his role as regional director for the Investor’s Group and has transitioned to a new capacity as senior financial consultant. The focus of his consultant practice will be to provide comprehensive/holistic financial planning to both individuals and businesses. Check out www.pauldemay.com.
Wealth Professional Canada’s Top 50 Advisors for 2014 Magazine has published the following locals who made it into the publication. Congratulations to Jim Baumgartner & Group (National Bank Financial Wealth Management); Paul Johnson, Johnson Legacy Wealth Management (Raymond James) and David Allard and Navigation Wealth Management (Scotia). Results are objective and based on specific performance criteria including increase of AUM, individually-generated business revenue, client retention and new business generation.
If learning to ride is one of your goals for 2014 or if you have been wondering if motorcycling is for you, perhaps you should check out the Kelowna & District Safety Council’s info sessions Feb. 25 and March 12. The sessions are free from 7 to 9 p.m. at 395 Hartman Rd. in Rutland, but please RSVP to Tania Meyer at 250-765-3163.
Recycle trivia—the Regional Waste Reduction office saw more than 4,000 pieces of furniture and old mattresses deconstructed and recycled rather than taking up landfill space. This program contributed to an increase in revenue from scrap metal.
Competing against hundreds of submissions from colleges and universities across North America, Okanagan College’s interactive video tour for prospective students won both gold and bronze medals at the Education Digital Marketing Awards.
What It’s Really Like won gold in the digital video category and bronze in the miscellaneous interactive media category. Hosted by third-year business student Drew Vincent, the virtual tour gives viewers an inside look at Okanagan College life. Okanagan College partnered with Kelowna-based Hustream Technologies Inc. to create the video. Peter Matejcek is the CEO and managing director of creative at Hustream.
The Ukrainian Catholic Parish Hall will host a Perogy Supper (with cabbage rolls and much more) on Sunday, Feb. 23, 1091 Coronation Ave. (at Gordon), from 4 to 7 p.m. Adults $15 and kids (6-12) $10. All you can eat. Call 250-769-7587 for more info.
Kelowna Family Centre fundraising dance takes place Feb. 22 at the Seniors Activity Centre, 1700 Parkinson Way, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Call 250-860-3181 or go to www.kfscs.com.
Ezra Cipes, CEO of Summerhill Pyramid Winery, will host a Gala Dinner and Silent Auction fundraiser for the Kelowna Waldorf School on Friday, March 7. The evening will feature Cipes Brut, hors d’oeuvre reception, three-course wine paired dinner prepared and presented by chef Jesse Croy and other surprises. Call Cheryl at 250-764-8000 (101) or go online to www.summerhill.bc.ca/event-Tickets.
The new Juice Radio and My Kelowna Rewards have rebranded and can now be heard on 103.9 FM. The new program is “the more you listen to the new Juice and participate with all things Kelowna” the more they will reward you with instant win cash and free points towards prizes and personal opportunity. Go to www.mykelownarewards.com.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 80th Kit Carson, Peachland (Feb. 25); Tom Dyas, TD Benefits (Feb. 20); Matt Scaife (Feb. 21); Carmen Prive, WestJet (Feb. 22); Anita Kinasewich (Feb. 23); Gerry Deshayes (Feb. 23); Ben Bodnar (Feb. 23); Carol Lesiak (Feb. 24); Sherri Miller, Mickie’s Pub (Feb. 25); Lizann Allan (Feb. 25); John Ward (Feb. 28).
