By Maxine DeHart
This week’s column is dedicated to long-time Kelowna resident Maddie Driscoll. I always enjoyed seeing Maddie at The Bay where she worked for many years. Personal condolences to Robert, her family and many friends.
Deal Centre Liquidation has opened at #22 – 2070 Harvey Avenue, behind Arby’s and next to Fresh Air Experience. Owned and operated by Dave Kainth, the store is absolutely chocked-full of just about anything you would need at greatly discounted prices. All items are new and received from close-outs, bankruptcies and overstocked businesses. You will need a lot of time to browse in this store looking at hundreds of items of household and gardens goods, mattresses (with warranty), TV’s, kitchen accessories, planter boxes, furniture, tools, cleaning products, electric BBQ’s, fans, garden furniture and even food items. You name it, Dave has it. Inventory changes weekly so if you miss a day, you might miss a deal. Call 250-420-3325 www.dealcentrekelowna.com.
Darrell McIntyre is the owner/operator of a new food vendor truck. The Wandering Gourmet is located on the Canadian Tire parking lot in West Kelowna. Darrell offers gourmet hot dogs with wieners from Helmet’s and smokies, garlic koubassa and Montreal smoked beef from Illichmann’s. He has a culinary arts background and it shows. The hot dogs and other items are served on freshly baked toasted cheddar cheese brioche buns from Bliss Bakery. Many of his items are Gluten free with low sodium and no MSG. He also offers gourmet beef, chicken wild pacific salmon or veggie burgers. All are served with garlic and onions free of charge upon request. Add-ons of cheddar cheese and bacon ends are available. You can call in your order ahead at 250-299-2144. If you tell Darrell you are a first time customer or heard about him from this column you will get 50 per cent off your first hot dog. (Add-ons not included). They are simply the best. Open Thursday to Monday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Power Trips is an electric luxury vehicle rental business in the Okanagan. The Tesla Model S is the world’s fastest sedan and you can now rent the 100 per cent battery operated electric vehicle through Power Trips. Owned and operated by Ryan Silverthorn, this unique business is an experience that is luxurious and exhilarating, yet environmentally friendly. As we see more and more Tesla’s in the valley Ryan wanted to have the cars and SUV’s available for anyone to drive. The Tesla Model S goes zero to 100 KPH in just four seconds and also is the longest range electrical vehicle on the market, so you do not have to worry about charging. Power Trips rent from Salmon Arm to Kelowna by the hour, half-day or full-day, including multi-days. A great vehicle for a wedding or special event. Bookings can be made via phone at 250-306-2564 or www.powertrips.ca.
The Downtown Kelowna Association has a new board of directors for 2017-2018. Congratulations to Dan Allen, president (Doc Willoughby’s Public House); Shane Austin (Okanagan coLab); Rob Collins (Grant Thornton LLP); Nikki Csek (Csek Creative & KelownaNow.com); Yarden Gershony (Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP); Teghan Gordey (The Naked Café); Jason Guyitt (Delta Grand); Jan Johnson (Tigerlily Fashions); Brent Lobson (Imperial Parking); Renata Mills (Festivals Kelowna); Kyle Spence (Downtown Marina & Westcorp); Brian Stephenson (Pushor Mitchell LLP); and Trevor Neill (Mosaic Books). Maxine DeHart (Ex-Officio – City of Kelowna). Outgoing directors are Angie Bricker (Georgie Girl Vintage); Jim Meiklejohn (Meiklejohn Architects); Dustin Sargent (Davara Enterprises) and Renee Wasylyk (Troika Developments).
The Downtown Kelowna After 5 is Wednesday, May 31 at the Century 21 building, 251 Harvey Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m. $10 per person or bring two best pals and pay $25 for your posse.
Former manager, community investment and also acting CEO of the United Way Central & South Okanagan Similkameen, Ian Gerbrandt has accepted a position as director of child, youth and family services at the Penticton & District Community Resources Society. Call 250-492-5814 or igerbrandt@pdcrs.com.
Steve Small has joined Tourism Kelowna as their digital marketing co-oordinator. Steve has been with their team as a visitor sales and services counselor since 2015. He will handle Tourism Kelowna’s digital marketing efforts, including their popular website, search engine, optimization strategy and will take care of their photo library and other digital assets. steve@tourismkelowna.com.
Karmyc Bazaar has opened at 1603 Pandosy Street at the corner of Pandosy and Lawrence. Owned and operated by artists Jennelle and Tait McGuire, the shop is a small arts and treasures shop. They carry artwork from 42 B.C. artists, ranging from original paintings, prints, jewellery and clothing to mixed media work, supporting local artists and local art. The style of their shop is best described as whimsically dark, as they like to push the boundaries a bit with some of the art pieces, while still keeping it light and fantastical. Atlas Being, Chris Arlidge and Hidden Rainbow are their residential artists. Karmyc has some really unique items such as whimsical dolls, exclusive masks made by Tait, pottery, colourful art on pillow cases, lots of knick-knacks and specialty art cars. Open Tuesday to Sunday. Call 250-859-4174 www.karmycbazaar.com.
Flashpoint Tattoo Company has relocated to Unit 52, 301 Highway 33 in the Plaza 33 Mal1, beside Save-On. Owned and operated by Mark Beaulieu, the grand opening on May 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to visit with the artists and staff. You can even bring the kids down for a temporary tattoo and adults can enter to win a free tattoo with one of the artists. Flashpoint also offers laser tattoo removal. Call 778-753-5555. www.tattookelowna.ca.
California Classics Exotic Plant Company, a subsidiary of The Flower Farm at 3683 Berard Road has the largest selection of exotic trees and plants in the valley. Have your own lemon or lime tree in your backyard or a palm tree on your patio. The company stores your exotic selections over the winter with a full winterization program. Visit them and see what they are all about. Barry Kipers is the owner of the company and Virginia Petre is the sales and marketing manager. Call 250-762-0434.
If you are looking for a professional, live pianist, Adrian King has made his music a life-time career. From classical to blues, rock to show tunes, his 1,500 tune repertoire will hit all the right notes for your special event, wedding or fund raiser. To contact or book call 250-768-3073 or adking1964@gmail.com. Listen online at www.adriankingpiano.com.
The 2017 Okanagan Arts Awards Winners are Lucas Glenn (Applied Arts); Shandra Smith (Art & Business); Milkcrate Records (Business Supporter); Bonnie Gratz/New Vintage Theatre (Community Impact); Ballet Kelowna (Dance); Immaculate (Emerging Artists); Opera Kelowna (Innovation); Matt Rader (Literature); Kim Kleineberg (Music); Janet Anderson (Theatre); Pinstripe Productions (Timed Based Media) and Jolene Mackie (Visual Arts).
For those looking to really get up close with the rising stars of the golf world, The Golf BC Championship, a Mackenzie Tour PGA TOUR Canada event is looking for volunteer caddies. This will be of particular interest to golfers, especially young golfers looking to pick up valuable golf tips while watching how the pros play the game. Caddies get a chance to get to know the pros as they move their way up to the highest levels of golf, possibly the PGA TOUR. Apply at www.golfbcchampionship.com.
Canadian Fiddle Champion Scott Woods and his band, the Twin Fiddle Express will be performing at the Old Time Fiddle Variety Show on Saturday, May 27 at the Rutland United Church, 1370 Rutland Road at 7 p.m. Also featuring Steve Piticco on the guitar and Patrick Linton, Champion Step Dancer. Tickets at church office or call Marg at 250-762-0806.
Beat the Summer Slide Book Drive is May 27th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Secure Rite Mobile Storage, 726 Clement Avenue. Niteo is collecting gently used children’s books (age 0 – 18) to distribute to the most vulnerable families in our community. The Summer Slide is the tendency for student, especially those from low-income families to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year. Kids who read beat the summer slide.
The 10th Annual New Thoughts Conference is June 9 to 11 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. “Who do you think you are?” a transformational weekend with top luminaries in the field of human potential and fabulous music. Learn to lead more intelligently, communicate more authentically and become your own authority within your family unit, corporation and community. For tickets cslkelowna.wixsite.com/cntc2017.
Birthdays of the week –Happy 98th Gwen Holland (May 28); Vincent Jones (May 24); Brenda Molloy (May 24); Edward Burran (May 25); Dave Dunscombe (May 25); Ron Mattiussi (May 25) Sarah Campbell (May 26); MP Stephen Fuhr (May 27); Sandy Zimmermann (May 26); Ian Williamson (May 26); Kathie Jones (May 26); Colleen Macdonnell (May 27); Richard Prowse (May 28); Ria York (May 28); Nan Pellatt (May 29); Ron Manoin (May 30); In memory of Ken Harding (May 24).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.
