Goji’s Frozen Yogurt has opened at 2080A Springfield Road, across from Target and next to Discover Wines.
Owned and operated by Shannon and Blaine Weststrate, this is the first Goji franchise in B.C. The shop is bright and modern with customers serving themselves a dish of frozen yogurt, sorbet or gelato from one or more of the flavours offered in the wall-mounted machines. Signature flavours, of which most are made in-house, range from pumpkin pie to red velvet cake, with no sugar added. There are gluten-free and lactose-free options as well. Once you have dispensed your frozen yogurt, sorbet or gelato, you can help yourself to a myriad of fruit toppings like fresh strawberries, blueberries and/or dry toppings, such as gummies or Oreo cookie pieces. Smoothies can also be purchased. Goji yogurt is made from premium ingredients and packed with live and active cultures. In every once serving there are 100 million probiotics—friendly bacteria that promote good health.
Michelle Novakowski is the new agency coordinator of the Central Okanagan Elizabeth Fry Society, located at 104-347 Leon Ave. in downtown Kelowna, taking over for long-time past agency coordinator
Aimee Thompson, who has relocated with her family. Novakowski has worked in the anti-violence field for over 15 years in program management, coordination and training. She has delivered victim services core training through the Justice Institute of BC and sexual assault training for the Ending Violence Association of B.C. Monique Karlstrom is the chairperson of the organization. Call 250-873-4613 or email michelle@empowerific.com.
Interior Savings has a new board of directors headed by (chair) Elmer Epp, Jeff Holm (vice-chair), Wendy Caban, Rolli Cacchioni, Pauline Fleming, Brad Fossett, Don Grant, Bianca Iafrancesco, Gordon Matthews, Paul Neustaedter, Shelley Sanders and Stephanie Teare.
Discover the food of the Philippines. Pearl of the Orient, a Filipino food store/supermarket has opened at 106-1835 Dilworth Dr., next to the Minit Market/Havana Cigars. Owned and operated by Hazel Delgado and Clayton and Ell Harris, the store is full of products imported from the Philippines. You will find retail, dry goods and frozen products, including some exotic food, Philippine sausages, seafood, beverages, mango’s (dried frozen) and their own ice cream. You will also have the opportunity to share in the climate of culinary fusion where Spanish meets Chinese, with Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and North American influences. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Call 778-484-0335.
Rosebuds Designer Consignments, at 150-1855 Kirschner Rd. in Kelowna, will host a fundraiser Oct. 10, 7 p.m., at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Centre, 2170 Harvey Ave. The evening will feature Marty Edwards’ Sounds Contagious with a bit of country and rock from the 1960s and ’70s. There will be a fashion show, silent auction and door prizes. Proceeds are going to fight breast cancer. Tickets are $30 and include one beverage and dessert, available at Rosebud’s.
Dennis and Cheryl Perley, of Café Soleil on Bernard Avenue, have launched their new website. It was designed by Edward Alp, of Purple Pig Web Design. Check out www.cafesoleil.ca On-line ordering is coming soon as well.
For the past several years, the Okanagan Valley has grown in leaps and bounds. Several industries have been lost and new and exciting businesses start, grow and flourish in this area. But, what will this piece of paradise look like in the future? What new industries are coming to the Okanagan? What will their needs be? One thing is that tomorrow’s workforce will need different skills. Or will they? We need to have an open and realist discussion on where paradise is going and what workers really need to attract to keep our valley vibrant and alive. A well-educated and trained workforce will attract more industry, more industry will attract a better educated and trained workforce and hopefully the growth continues and the Okanagan prospers. Ivy Talent and Trades and Technology International will hold a forum on Sept. 27, from noon to 3 p.m., at Okanagan College, with community leaders, major industry and up and coming companies to discuss Tomorrow’s Workers for Tomorrow’s Okanagan. Featured guest speakers will include economic development commission officers from both Kelowna and West Kelowna and high tech industry leaders. The keynote speaker will be Jeff Stibbard, of JDS Energy and Mining. For more info and to register go to www.wdwest.com
Steve and Chantelle Funk, owners of intelliBed, celebrate their fifth anniversary in business this month. Located at 112-1950 Harvey Ave. (Spall Plaza), the Funks are having a sale on the beds next week, also featuring their I-BED gel-top mattress, which will keep you cool, support your back and help reduce the tossing and turning. Call 778-484-5161.
Congratulations to the winners of the annual Green Thumb Garden Contest, sponsored by Kelowna’s Parks Services and hosted by the Communities in Bloom Committee. The winners are Jacqueline and Richard Bullock (Best Large Garden); Kris and Ed Allan (Best Small Garden); Tony and Connie Goncalves (Best Medium Sized Garden); Frank and Sally Starika (Best Xeriscape Garden); Martin and Donna Cook (Best Vegetable Garden); White Spot (Best Large Commercial Landscaping); Dr. Gregory McCloskey (Best Small Business Landscaping); Heritage Housing Society (Best Multi-Unit Residential Landscaping); Bennett Estates (Best Gated Community); Northwood Retirement Resort (Best Seniors Residence Landscaping); St. Michael’s Cathedral (Best Church Garden); Springvalley Middle School (Best School Garden); Cottonwoods Serenity Garden (Best Community Project); Bottega (Award for Urban Forestry); Victor Good (Gardener of the Year); Mike Boutin (Most Dedicated Gardener) and the Best Block was from Rowcliffe Avenue from Richter to Ethel Street.
Who would have guessed? Mike Rizzo, warehouse manager of Costco, was involved in pro wrestling for 15 years in many capacities—referee, manager, wrestler and promoter. Now his involvement is on a part-time basis at best. Raising money for the B.C. Children’s Hospital, Rizzo, helped by many sponsors, will host a Pro Wrestling show on Oct. 4 at Rutland Centennial Hall. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the action starting at 7:30 p.m. This is an action packed, entertaining, family friendly event. The feature attraction of the show is former WWE Superstar Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. There will be several other matches including a 14-man over the top Battle Royal, featuring young local wrestlers Kyle Sebastian, “C4”, Collin Cutler and Scotty Mac. Advance tickets $15 or a four pack for $50. $20 at the door. Tickets available at The Packing House Pub, Body and Soul Health and Fitness and Lorenzo’s Barber Shop.
Truck Driving Class 1 starts Sept. 30 running until Nov. 1 in Kelowna by Taylor Pro Training Ltd. Funded through the Labour Market Agreement in conjunction with Okanagan College, this course will cover a broad range of skills necessary to find employment in truck driving positions. Included in the program are courses focused on successful job search following the skills training. For more info or to apply call Nancy Ankerstein at 250-762-5445, ext4424 or nankerstein@okanagan.bc.ca.
CARP Okanagan Chapter #30 is celebrating and honouring the contributions of older persons in our community with an afternoon of entertainment by talented older persons. Learn what CARP is all about and enjoy some fabulous entertainment and refreshments from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 at the Italian Hall, 770 Lawrence Ave. For more info call 250-868-8171. Free admission.
Received a copy of Okanagan Woman Magazine (fall 2013 edition). The magazine is published by editor TJ Walls with creative director Tina Skujins. It’s a high-end glossy magazine with lots of contents, photos and advertising. It is a quarterly publication that is distributed throughout the Okanagan. Call 778-753-3096 or info@okanaganwoman.com.
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) has surpassed the one millionth passenger mark, the earliest in its history. In 2005 they reached their first millionth passenger that year around Dec.10; last year it was mid-September. At the end of August, YLW passenger numbers reached 1,001,294 which is almost three per cent more than the same period in 2012. Sam Samaddar is the airport director.
The fire that destroyed the Westbank Community Hall won’t stop the Westbank Country Opry from presenting the 2013-14 season. The Emmanuel Church, 2600 Hebert Rd. in West Kelowna, has stepped forward with the use of their spacious auditorium so that the longest-running live music show in the valley can continue their uninterrupted run. The first show will be on Sunday, Sept. 29, with doors opening at 1 p.m. and the show starting at 2:30 p.m.
They ask everyone to bear with them for the first show as they work out the logistics of setting up the show after the congregation has left at about 12:30 p.m. For more info contact Ken Johnson, the Opry president, at president@westbankcountryopry.com.
Weight Watchers will host a housewarming event on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m., at 202-1740 Gordon Dr. (beside Dairy Queen). Join them for a day of special offers, prizes, refreshments and recipes, plus, get a firsthand look at the Weight Watchers location and its added features. Their hours are Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays noon to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 to 9 a.m. There are also 14 meetings available throughout the week as well. Call Laurel Servedio at 250-300-7063 or 1-800-651-6000.
Week “one” of the Interior Drive for Life has Kelowna at 100 per cent and Prince George at 97 per cent. It is close but Kelowna is leading. Call 1-888-236-6283 or www.blood.ca to donate.
The Maxine DeHart–United Way, Ramada Hotel Drive-Thru Breakfast is fast approaching, scheduled for Thursday morning, Oct. 10, from 6 to 9 a.m. Drive, walk, run, blade or bike through the Enterprise Way entrance of the Ramada Hotel and pick up your Interior Savings breakfast bag filled with tons of goodies. Popular morning duo Andy and TJ or 101.5 EZ ROCK will be broadcasting live as ill 99.9 SUN FM. Some of the sponsors that are participating this year are Re/Max (Cliff Shillington and the Re/Max Realtors); Skogie’s Auto Wash—Orchard Park; Picture Perfect & Perpetual Blooms; Okanagan Strata Management, Prosign, Orchard Park Shopping Centre; Fortis BC; IA Pacific Life; Wealthlink Financial; Shaw TV, Global Okanagan; Old Dutch; Scotiabank and Heather Zais. The list goes on and on and I am very grateful for all the new and existing sponsors. All monies raised stay right here in our community and there are absolutely no administration costs to this event. So, please open your hearts and your wallets on Oct. 10. If anyone would like to donate a gift certificate or gift card please give me a call. 250-862-7662.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 60th Susan Downey, TAC Solutions (Sept. 24); happy 50th Laurel D’Andrea, URBA (Sept. 21); happy 40th Nathan Pinfield, United Way (Sept. 22); Felice (Felix) Benincasa (Sept. 19); Linda Willms (Sept. 21); Doug Mills, Ramada Hotel (Sept. 25); Lea Gray (Sept. 20); Gwen Zilm (Sept. 22).
