This week’s column is dedicated to two long-time friends and Kelowna residents. Former MLA Larry Chalmers passed away suddenly. I recently visited with Larry at Mickie’s Pub with all his “riding buddies.” We always shared a laugh or two. A Celebration of Life for Larry will be held Saturday, June 8, 2 p.m., at the Laurel Packinghouse. And Wally Giebelhaus was well known, even in his 80s, for his waterskiing abilities. His wife, Doreen and I have been friends forever. A celebration of Life will be held for Wally on Monday, June 10, 1 p.m., at Springfield Funeral Home. Personal condolences to both families and their many friends.
Mission Park Flowers By Design has new owners, new management and an entirely new look.
Located at 6-3151 Lakeshore Rd. (Mission Park Shopping Centre), the shop has undergone a huge transformation with an updated contemporary, bright new look. New manager Heather Neufeld, who relocated here from Winnipeg, has over 25 years of experience in the industry and is delightful. The entire team is very knowledgeable. When entering the store, the atmosphere is definitely inviting. The floral arrangements I saw in the shop were very diverse with many distinctive and unusual flowers. Call 250-860-4457; email www.missionparkflowers.com.
After 25 years with The Bay and 17 of those in Kelowna, sales manager Susan Stobbart is retiring. I understand that in her retirement she will be cruising 365 days of the year.
Bill Wightman is now the winery concierge at Quails’ Gate Winery in West Kelowna. That means Wightman is responsible for anything that goes on at the winery as well as off-site consumer tastings. He was made for this job. He relocated back to Kelowna last month and we’re glad he did! Call 250-769-4451; email bwightman@quailsgate.com.
Play It Again Sports Kelowna, owned and operated by Bob Henderson, has opened at 1778 Baron Rd. The unique resale store buys and sells gently-used sports and fitness equipment, including water sports, hockey equipment, ski and snowboard gear and clothing, adult and youth bikes, soccer gear, baseball gloves and bats, pro-line golf clubs, benches and weights, as well as motorized treadmills, elliptical and exercise bikes. This is the first location in B.C. with more than 300 locations throughout Canada and the U.S., all locally owned and operated. Open seven days a week. Call 778-484-0048; website www.playitagainsportskelowna.com.
Amir’s Market, The Taste of Singapore, at 112 Gray Rd. in Kelowna, owned and operated by long-time Rutland businessman Roz Jais (Salon D’Roz), has now added a new small restaurant with 24 seats, right in the market for eat-in or take-out. Along with market items, including spices and other items from Singapore, Amir’s now offers appetizers, set meals, entrees and combo specials. Some menu items are chicken curry, chicken tandoori, butter chicken, Pakora and Satay meals, Murtabak, Nasi Goreng, crispy noodles, chili prawns, and fish and chips (cod, salmon or halibut). Lunch combo specials are offered from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday to Friday for $6.75. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 778-753-5900; website www.amirsmarket.com.
Joe Wadden has joined Connect Hearing as a hearing instrument practitioner at the Glenmore branch (Glenpark Mall), 110-1940 Kane Rd. Call 250-712-0994; email jwadden@connecthearing.ca.
The Downtown Kelowna Association has elected a new 2013-14 board of directors. The new board consists of Dallas Gray, president (K96.3 Newcap Radio); Dustin Sargent, vice-president (Streaming Café/Davara Enterprises); Rob Collins, treasurer (Grant Thornton, LLP); Dan Allen, secretary (Doc Willoughby’s Public House); Andrew Brunton, past president (Pushor Mitchell LLP); Luigi Coccaro (La Bussola); Perry Freeman (Colliers International); Angie Bricker (Georgie Girl Vintage); Brent Lobson (Imperial Parking); Brice MacDermott (MacDermott’s on Bernard and MacD’s Lakeside); Trevor Neill (Mosaic Books); Jan Johnson (Tigerlily Fashions); Renee Wasylyk (Troika Developments); David Knapp (CIBC). Kelowna city councillor Luke Stack is the appointee for the city.
Brent Coyne has joined the team at Pushor Mitchel LLP as an associate. He will be practicing primarily in the area of commercial litigation, real estate litigation and construction law. Call 250-869-1227; email coyne@pushormitchell.com.
Sandra Hakanson has also joined Pushor Mitchell LLP. Hakanson practices exclusively in the area of immigration and citizenship law. She has significant experience including temporary residence, permanent resident, business immigration, labour market opinions, immigration litigation matters and Canadian Citizenship. Call 250-869-1195; email hakanson@pushormitchell.com.
West Coast chef Lee Humphries has joined Local Lounge and Grille in Summerland. Humphries was most recently was the executive chef at Vancouver’s prominent seafood restaurant “C” and has also worked in London, England. He holds a similar “farm to fork” philosophy to owners Cam Bond and Christa-Lee McWatters Bond towards cooking that is seasonally inspired, sustainably raised and locally grown, using the best local ingredients available. Call 1-250-488-6287.
Mark V Auto Body, at 1040 Railway Rd., owned and operated by Zeljko and Elaine Gregov, has received the prestigious 2012 AutocheX Premier Achiever Award for outstanding customer service. AutocheX is a third party company that measures customer satisfaction levels for auto body shops through surveys. Mark V Auto Body and 14 other ICBC car shop valet facilities achieved customer satisfaction scores in the top five per cent of thousands of participating shops across North American. Scores are based on key award criteria such as the shop’s ability to keep customers informed, provide on time deliveries and provide efficient, safe and quality repairs. Mark V Auto Body offers added benefits of lifetime guarantee, keeping your freedom (another mode of transportation while your vehicle is being repaired), free vehicle pick-up and drop-off and high-quality repairs. Call 250-763-2738
Sharon Whiting, of ATM Bookkeeping (Accurate-Timesaving-Mobile Bookkeeping and Training Services), this year marks her15th anniversary in business, assisting all types of small businesses. Her success is attributed to working for the business owner’s specific requirements and streamlining the paperwork requiring less time to process data, therefore passing on cost-savings to the business owners. Whiting received support with her start-up from the Community Futures Development Corp. and mentor Dave Scott. Call 250-862-9523; emailatm-bkpg@shaw.ca.
Katherine Foster, of RauDZ Regional Table, was selected as one of four junior chefs to attend their second annual Canadian Culinary Federation of Chefs and Cooks/Saputo Junior Culinary Exchange being held on Prince Edward Island June 24 to July 9. Junior chefs from across the country applied with only four being selected. Foster was the only chef crossing the country from B.C. View Katherine’s application and video at www.vimeo.com/64749218.
Tigerlily Fashions, 575 Bernard Ave. in Kelowna, will celebrate 20 years in business this month. Karen Gardner, the store manager, has been with the store co-owners Jan Johnson and Lori Burns for 20 years. Tigerlily invites customers to drop into the store on Friday, June 14, for the day-long anniversary celebration and a sale of 20 per cent off store-wide. Cake and coffee will be served after 1 p.m. Call 250-860-0849.
The fourth Annual Ride for Dad is June 9, leaving from Banner Recreation and Marine, 819 McCurdy Rd. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the ride leaves at 10 a.m.
On Thursday, June 13, from 5 to 10 p.m. join Marks (formerly Mark’s Work Wearhouse) for the store’s Celebrate Dad Event. Marks is currently undergoing renovations, so stop by and check out their new look. There will be door prizes and a hot dog barbecue and drinks being sold by the Quigley Elementary School Parent Advisory Council. Canadian Tire will host adult and kids bikes and accessories on-site with a bike specialist to answer any questions. Proceeds raised will help underprivileged kids to participate in local sports. Call 250-861-7751.
The Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours is Thursday, June 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Valley Frist, Highway 97 and Butt Road (Hub Centre), with a membership appreciation BBQ. Bring a guest and RSVP to 250-768-3378.
Benjamin Moore Kelowna will host an evening of style and design with Sharon Grech. Trends—The Future of Colour in Design is Thursday, June 13, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Laurel Packinghouse. The event is free but please register. Call Gaia at 250-763-5333.
The Kelowna Fire Department’s third annual Pancake Breakfast and Fun Day is Sunday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Main Fire Hall on Enterprise Way in support of the B.C. Burn Fund. Save-On-Foods is this year’s major sponsor with support from the Salvation Army, Central Okanagan Y and B.C. Firefighters’ Burn Fund volunteers. Watch demonstrations such as auto extraction and high angle rescue or view the fire safety house. There will be face painting, a bouncy castle, family games and popcorn.
The Kelowna Women’s Shelter annual general meeting is Monday, June 17, 6:30 p.m., at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Ave. RSVP required. Call 250-763-1040; email community@coess.ca.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 50th Andy Smith, Royal LePage (June 5); Mario Curatolo (June 6); Nicolas Curatolo (June 6, Mario’s son); Lance Bandilao (June 6); Martin McDermott, Sun Valley Window Cleaning (June 8); Jan McArthur (June 9); Gilles Dufort, Harvest Golf Club (June 9); Laura Duncom (June 9); Julian Thorsness (June 9); Jeanne Crandall (June 10); Nova Tourney, Ramada Hotel (June 11); Al Horning (June 11); Don Makela (June 11); Liz Klamut (June 12); Wayne Judiesch, Macdonald Realty (June 12).
