Haven Mattress Company has launched at www.havenmattress.ca. Locals Scott and Kellie Amis have partnered with major manufacturer Springwall Bedding which has been in business in Canada since 1949. They design, build and test exclusively in Canada and the business is tailored by fare wage certified Canadian workers. The mattresses are certified for no off-gassing as they contain natural memory foams and state-of-the art cool gels.
The company offers a 100 night risk-free sleep trial as people cannot lay on them before they are purchase,along with a 10 year warranty. Free shipping anywhere in Canada with express delivery. The cost of a Haven mattress can be about 1/3 the retail cost without a compromise on quality. To top it all off, Haven donates a new bed to someone in need for every mattress they sell. It’s called their one for one Safe Haven promise. Mattresses are distributed through local charities. Their first donation was distributed through local charity Mamas for Mamas. If any local charities would like to get on board contact Kellie Amis through the website.
Congratulations to Sam Vong of the Dragon Lotus Restaurant at 5872 Beach Ave. in Peachland who received theBusiness Person of the Year Award from the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.
Brad Buchanan, owner and president of Avalon Event Rentals at #2 – 1660 Powick Road and his wife Angela are expanding their vast rental experience and a massive extended inventory of products and tents to Vernon.Avalon provide equipment, tent and accessory rentals for wedding, parties, festivals, corporate, special events and casino parties from Osoyoos to the Shuswap, Nicola Valley to the Kootenays, Northern B.C. and the Lower Mainland. Currently managing all this from Kelowna, the Buchanan’s have added a second location in the valley by purchasing Nor-Val Event Rentals in Vernon. They now can offer customers both close to home and much further afield better service, more products and options. The staff at Nor-Val in Vernon will be staying on with Avalon in their new location at 4701 – 25th Avenue. Avalon is a dedicated event rental company with a good reputation and planners seeking event rentals can now expect the same great service with newly expanded inventory. Call 250-861-1575 or brad@avalonrentals.com.
Authentic Jamaican food has come to Kelowna with the opening of new restaurant Jamaica Mi Crazy at 235Bernard Avenue. The restaurant is owned and operated by delightful couple Bryan and Leason Cook, who came to Kelowna just six months ago, are originally from Jamaica (Montego Bay), but have resided in Toronto for many years. The restaurant has a long bar, table seating and an outdoor patio. It is fully licensed, offering wine, Jamaican Red Stripe light ale beer, a traditional grapefruit drink called Ting and Lemon Grass Tea, served with brown sugar (Fever Grass Tea) which is a staple in Jamaica. They also offer Marley coffee to go along with their huge Bob Marley portrait on the wall and other original Jamaican liquor beverages. The food was delicious. We started off with some jerk chicken wings with their signature home-made pineapple mango pepper dipping sauce. We also tried the traditional main course of Ox Tail with rice and peas. Of course, they also specialize in jerk chicken. It was a delightful evening and we enjoyed learning about Jamaica making us definitely want to take a trip there, but no need now as we have Jamaica Mi Crazy. Open daily noon to 8 p.m. Call 250-763-3304.
The Kelowna Yacht Club was presented with the Club of the Year Award (medium size) by the Canadian Society ofClub Managers (CSCM). The CSCM is a professional society for individuals involved in the club management profession in Canada with over 550 members and over 300 clubs nationally. The Club of the Year Award is presented annually to an affiliated club who has shown significant innovation, leadership and social responsibility in the private club management industry. Sally Howard is the general manager.
On the heels of exceptional growth, a new state-of-the-art building and a range of industry and governmentacknowledgements, CEO Ashley Ramsay announced that animation industry professional, Jay Surridge hasjoined Yeti Farm Creative as a partner. Along with Ashley and CCO Todd Ramsay, Jay will step in as a thirdpartner as director and executive in charge of development for the company. Jay’s animation development workwith Kickstart Entertainment and Pork and Beans Productions has made him the perfect person to help lead theirdevelopment work. Yeti Farm Creative has ample room to expand, providing production services in Flash,Harmony and 3D. www.yetifarmcreative.com
Eight Certified General Accountants (CGA) students from Kelowna attended the Chartered ProfessionalAccountants of British Columbia (CPABC) convocation ceremony on Nov. 26. Congratulations to MalgorzataBrzezik, Andrea Mandau, Erin Nelson, Rabeesh Patara, Stephanie Priebe, Angela Schumacher, Mary AnnSenadjan and Carina Schellenberg. To qualify as a CPA, CGA, students must have a university degree orequivalent, 24 months of practical work experience at a professional level and complete courses through theCGA Program. Students must also pass a comprehensive national final exam to earn their designation.
Accelerate Okanagan elected three new board members to its 2016/17 board. Sitting board members BlairForest (Pushor Mitchell LLP) was elected as board chair, Scot Speiser (Capri Insurance) as vice-chair andQuinton Pullen (Grant Thornton LLP) as treasurer. Sitting board members continuing their term are KarenHawes (Interior Savings), Corie Griffiths, (EDC), Jeff Keen (Wheelhouse Ventures), Heather Schneider (OKCollege) and Gordon Prokes (Infada Communications). The three new board members are Dr. Philip Barker (UBCOkanagan), Peter Haubrich (Jim Pattison (Centre of Excellence) and Jason Kryski (Strawhouse Labs).
MNP LLP one of Canada’s leading accounting, tax and business consulting firms has been recognized as aPlatinum Level Best Employer in Canada. For the 9th consecutive year, MNP has been recognized with AONHewitt’s Best Employer Award that recognizes Canadian organizations that have created an exemplary workplaceenvironment. The local MNP office is located at 600 -1628 Dickson Avenue. Trina Warren is the regionalmanaging partner for the Okanagan. Call 250-763-8919.
A local since 1986 and retired RCMP officer Tom Lightfoot has received the prestigious Lifetime AchievementAward from Gymnastics Saskatchewan. His involvement began in the early 1970s in Regina when he volunteeredon the club’s board of directors spending countless hours supporting every aspect of the club as a parent andrepresentative. In 1974 Tom retired and moved to Bjorkdale, Saskatchewan with a population of 250. He thoughtthey should have a competitive gymnastics team, so he found a facility, equipment and availed himself of NCCPcertification coaching courses opening a gym club. He helped set up competitive clubs in Tisdale, Melfort andcountless other communities. And, the rest is history. From the 1978 Saskatchewan Winter Games to the firstGym/Sask SGA Level B Technical Commission, he has done it all. His legacy still lives on in more than 50 clubs inthe rural communities.
Amanda Westrheim of Century 21 Assurance has won the 2016 Sales Associate of the Year Award. Candidatesare selected by peer nominations and evaluated based on sales, growth and their overall contribution to thesystem and local community.
Just in time for Christmas shopping, Vibrandt Art Gallery Studios are hosting a Gifts Galore Open House featuringpaintings, photography and pottery on Dec. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at #115 – 1295 Cannery Lane indowntown Kelowna. There will be green dot sales and draws for door prizes. www.vibrandt.com
Congratulations to Jerry and Lillian Moller on their 50th wedding anniversary (Dec. 12).
Join keynote speak David Van Trump for an evening of inspiration and hope for a fundraiser for the KelownaWomen’s Shelter on Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the French Cultural Centre, 702 Bernard Ave.
There will be a silent auction, door prizes, baked good, refreshments, mini spa services and live music.
Admission by donation but pre-register by calling Aldona Van Trump at 250-768-1037 (home) or 250-859-5361 (cell).
Congratulations to the Kelowna Secondary School KSS Girls Field Hockey Team who recently won the Silver Medalat the Provincial AAA Field Hockey Tournament. Coaches were Arnar Bernhardsson and Brian Demug.
The Kelowna City Concert Band presents Christmas With Minor Alternations, an evening of music for the entirefamily with guests Tuba Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 4091 LakeshoreRd. Admission free with donations to the food bank welcome.
Birthdays of the week: Krystyna Werbowy (Dec. 3); Sonja Rosco (Dec. 3); Gary Winchester (Dec. 8); Patti Stott(Dec. 9); Barry Lapointe (Dec.10); Gabriel Giammartino (Dec. 10); Mel Cooper in Victoria (Dec. 10); Mary JoSchnepf (Dec. 10); Anne Gilbert (Dec. 11); Gerry Fraser (Dec. 11); Bob Levin (Dec. 11); Ken Firkins (Dec. 13);Anne Marie Kirby (Dec. 11) and Lucy Litz (Dec. 13).
