It is with a heavy heart that I dedicate this column to long-time friend Vern Nielsen, who passed away Feb. 11. I actually met Vern before he located to Kelowna and our friendship has spanned many years. Vern was an exceptional friend to all, and as we all know highly believed in Rotary. He gave back to his downtown club and all other clubs and currently was the District Governor of District 5060, giving his heart and soul to this prestigious position. Personal condolences to partner Willy, his children Rowan, Greg and Jennifer, his entire family and many friends. Celebration of Life details to come.
Kelly O’Bryan’s Neighborhood Restaurant is celebrating 30 years in business on Friday, Feb. 17. Owned and operated by partners Reg Henry and Jeff Blower, the popular restaurant has been a landmark in downtown Kelowna at 262 Bernard Avenue on the corner of Bernard and Mill Street for many years. You might remember the first Kelly O’Bryan’s was located on Lawrence Avenue for 10 years in the former Palms Restaurant location. Kelly’s moved to their present location 20 years ago taking over the space of Johnathan Segal’s Restaurant. Kelly’s is known as the free birthday meal restaurant and also for their ever popular pacho’s. They have a huge menu for lunch and dinner including their famous shepherd’s pie and the best ever tuna salad with incredible wasabi salad dressing. They will be celebrating their anniversary on Friday, Feb. 17 from 11 a.m. to closing with happy hour beverage prices and meal and appetizer specials. Prizes include a 65” curve TV, Canucks tickets and a coveted priceless reservation for St. Patrick’s day for six people with dinner and beverages, along with tons of other prizes. A party you do not want to miss.
Melonie Dodaro and her team at Top Dog Social Media were named by Social Media Examiner as the Top 10 Social Media Blogs for 2017. Each week, Top Dog Social Media, a Kelowna based digital marketing agency share their knowledge to help businesses. Sales teams and professionals leverage social media and digital marketing to build engaged communities and increase leads, prospects and customers. Melonie is the author of the #1 International Best Seller, The LinkedIn Code and travels the world speaking, training and consulting on best practices for businesses on social media marketing. www.TopDogSocialMedia.com.
The British Columbia Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA) has elected a new board for 2017. Congratulations to Fred Steele who was elected president after Jeet Dukhia withdrew his name from the race. Pinder Dhaliwal was declared vice-president. Executives are Peter Simonsen, Ravinder Bains, Deep Brar, Sukhdev Goraya, Surjit Nagra and Tony Nijjar.
Aman Dosanj is the new marketing and sales coordinator at Quails’ Gate, working under Lindsay Kelm. Aman was previously the co-owner of Poppadoms Indian Restaurant in Kelowna. After selling the restaurant Aman travelled for over seven months writing about how food connects people (paisleynotebook.com). www.quailsgate.com.
The Kelowna Yacht Club has a new board of directors for 2017. They are Henry Harlos (Commodore), Don McEachern (Vice Commodore), Kent Hardisty (Rear Commodore), Nancy Thompson (Past Commodore) and Eva Konik (Staff Captain). Directors are Mike Bourgeois, Mike Budd, Larry Clark, Chantelle Froats, Gabi Haas, Michael Newcombe and Marc Whittemore. Dot Schoneberg is the secretary and Stuart Symon is the treasurer. Call 250-762-3310.
The ACT/UCT Kelowna West Council #1003 is a service club benevolently serving their members and supporting the community and charitable organizations financially and through volunteerism. Celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2016 in the Central Okanagan and more recently in Vernon and Penticton, over the years they have donated approximately $1-million to local charitable organizations along with volunteering. ACT/UCT also supports members and their families through medical and financial crises. In 2016, they supported charitable organizations totaling $19,000 including BrainTrust Canada, Salvation Army Kelowna, Kelowna Gospel Mission, Harmony House Kelowna, South Okanagan/Similkameen Medical Foundation, Kelowna Stroke Recovery Branch, ALS Society Kelowna, BC Cancer Foundation, Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation, Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter, BC Family Hearing and the Central Okanagan Bursary Society. This is a service club with a big heart and a motto of giving through fellowship.
The February Downtown Kelowna After 5 is Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Laurel Packinghouse hosted by Earls Kitchen and Bar from 5 to 7 p.m. Wear pink for Pink Shirt Day to help stop bullying.
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2017 Community Sport Hero Awards presented by Pacific Sport Okanagan and the City of Kelowna. Sports Hero Awards recipients are Lonnie Kam (Fastball), Karen Quigley (Badminton), Gary Crowe (Wheelchair Rugby), Gord McInnes (Triathlon), Susan Foisy (Special Olympics), Matt Briscoe (Basketball), Robert LaRue (Skeet Shooting), Jannik Elkenaar (Volleyball), Jenni Rubuliak (Speed Skating) and Bruce Corrie (Soccer). Athletic Excellence Award recipients are Jaren LeFranc (Swimming), Darla Carr (Figure Skating), Nathan Beauchemin (Football), Sierra Kakuno (Archery), Elijah Risso (Volleyball), Gareth Williams (Cross Country Skiing), Jaedyn Andreotti (Gymnastics-Rhythmic), Michael Bitcon (Tennis), Mason Bourcier (Basketball) and Brittney Page (Volleyball). The Sport Hosting Award recipient is the Kelowna Yacht Club.
Went to see John Wick Chapter 2 at Orchard Plaza Cineplex. Really enjoyed the show as it was filled with lots of action and from the ending there is sure to be a John Wick Chapter 3. What we enjoyed more was the leather, extra-large, high-back luxurious full electric reclining seats with large cup holders. It’s going to be pretty hard to go to a movie in regular seating now that we experienced these wonderful seats. So comfy. General admission at Cineplex is still an economical $9.99 with seniors for $7.99. You can purchase movie passes at Cineplex.com or download the free Cineplex app on your phone. Would also like to thank both Karli Smith and Corson Hiebert for their excellent customer service when I picked up our tickets in the early afternoon. Terry Toffan is the general manger of Cineplex Kelowna.
The #DKFoodieFight (Downtown Kelowna Foodie Fight) runs Feb. 18 to 28. The Downton Kelowna Association would like you to visit any of their participating restaurants, order your food and take a picture before you eat it. Once you have your picture, upload it to Instagram, Twitter or Facebook with #DKFoodieFight. You are then entered into the grand prize draw. The winner receives over $600 of free food to the participating restaurants. There will be other random prize draws as well for gift certificates. www.downtownkelowna.com for a list of participating restaurants.
Attention all local charities! Hudson’s Bay Giving Day is Friday, March 24. Giving day is a one-day shopping event designed to help charitable and non-profit organizations in Hudson Bay communities to raise awareness and funds through the sale of the Giving Day tickets to their networks. Hudson’s Bay will partner with local charities that order tickets for Giving Day free of charge and sell to their donors, partners and friends for only $5, keeping 100 per cent of the proceeds of each ticket sold. As an added incentive, the local registered charitable organization that sells the most tickets for their Hudson’s Bay store will receive 30 per cent of the proceeds from their participating store’s in-store ticket sales on March 24. For more information call contact Kim Proulx at kimberley.proulx@hbc.com or call 250-860-2483 (local 224).
The Kelowna Kasugai Sister City Association will host their AGM on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce boardroom, 544 Harvey Avenue. The association is a non-profit society that acts as a liaison for people to connect with Kelowna‘s sister city in Japan. Call president Cathy Jennens at 250-862-2801.
Trout Waters Fly & Tackle are offering a Tube Fly Tying Class on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn the basics of tying flies on tubes and how to rig them. All tying tools, vice and materials provided but you are welcome to bring your own. Includes protube, tubefly, starter kit and vice adapter. $90 per person with pre-registration required. Call 250-860-2262 or drop into the store at 101-2340 Highway 97N.
The Greater Westside Board of Trade is hosting a luncheon with Sam Samaddar, Director of the Kelowna International Airport at from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 at the Cove Lakeside Resort. Topics include air service development and master plan review. Register at 250-768-3378.
The Kids Closet Cleanout is Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Okanagan Mission Hall. This is a kid’s version of the popular Ladies Closet Cleanout with tables of gently used clothing, toys and accessories for sale. There are door prizes including a stroller form Family First Financial. For details visit www.kelownaclosetcleanout.com or call Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown at 250-864-3480.
Birthdays of the week: John Kilpatrick (Feb. 13); Gary Kreller (Today, Feb. 15); Seymour Zidle (Feb. 16); John McIntyre (Feb. 16); Bill Cook (Feb. 17); Rod Warnock (Feb. 17); Philip Patara (Feb. 17); Arlene McClelland (Feb. 18); Tal Jandali (Feb. 18); John Peacock (Feb. 18); Murli Pendharker (Feb. 19); Brad Campeau (Feb. 19); Don Favell (Feb. 19); Rodney Gray (Feb. 20); Deb Finnerty (Feb. 20); Tom Dyas (Feb. 20); Graham Lee (Feb. 20); Sandra Watts (Feb. 20);
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.
