This week’s column is dedicated to a very long-time friend, Sandy Apostolidis who passed away last week. I worked part-time for Sandy and George at The Prime Rib Village (former Palm’s Restaurant on Lawrence) way back in the mid -1970s while still working at Scotiabank full-time. George and Sandy also owned and operated The Mad Greek Restaurant for many years and then after returning to Canada from Hawaii, started Georgio’s in West Kelowna on Anders Road, which had the best prime rib in the valley. Personal condolences to George, her family and many friends. The service is April 5 at 11a.m. at First Memorial.
Werner Kasper is the new owner/operator of Cabana Grille at 3799 Lakeshore Rd. Relocating from Calgary, Werner will be making a few changes with executive chef Diane Johnston, who will remain at the restaurant. They will be incorporating a new menu, a new late-night menu and offering a variety of different daily specials. Werner is also going to be bringing special events to the restaurant, including perhaps kick-boxing, music, bands and other special events. He will be starting a shuttle service to and from the restaurant as he strongly believes in the no drinking, no driving policy. Cabana will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and brunch and dinner on Sundays. Drop in and introduce yourself while enjoying dining at the Cabana Grille. Call 250-763-1955 www.cabanagrille.com
Celladora Resort Wear (Cellar Door) located in The Grand Hotel lobby is celebrating its first year in business. Owned and operated by mother-daughter team Gerri and Brianna Woznesensky, the small shop has a good selection of swim and resort wear fashion for men, women and children. The shop is full of swim suits, hats, bags, sandals, swim accessories, resort wear (dresses, skirts and tops) and just about anything for the beach, pool or summer weather. Some lines they carry are Beach Bunny, Seafolly Australia, Quiksilver, Body Glove, Skye, Fred Perry, Reef, Havianna, Last Tango, Balia, Pia Rossini, Alison Sheri, Oka B, Maui Babe, Quintsol, Tyr and Roxy. You can tell by this line-up that you will need a bit of time to browse around the shop. Open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 250-861-6032.
Along with Celladora, the Woznesenskys have just opened The Store at the Grand, which is a full service convenience store. The access for this shop is right off the main parking area when you enter the Grand Hotel. They have a good selection of munchies (chips, chocolate bars, gum, etc.) some pharmacy items, bar ice cream, pool and beach accessories, popcorn, pop and other cold drinks (no alcohol), grocery items, fresh cut flowers, hot dogs and slurpies. They also want to cater to all the residents that live permanently around that area. Open Monday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Bone Appetit at 2696 Pandosy has been sold to Alan and Candice Tan, who have relocated from Singapore. The Tans are hosting an open house on March 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to say farewell to former owners Gary and Clara Johnston and also to meet and visit with them. Call 250-868-0212.
Well-known chef Travis Hackl of Okanagan’s Finest Foods, who has been catering in the Okanagan since 2002, has opened another awesome food service outlet in Lake Country. OKF Grill is located in Oyama beside the general store (on-site liquor outlet and postal service) on the north shore of Wood Lake, which is Oyama Beach and one of the Okanagan’s best kept secrets. Kona Water Sports Rentals delivers OKF Grill’s great whimsical food to your boat on Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake. OKF Grill is opening April 1 and you can enjoy the lighthearted fare and spectacular view of Wood Lake from their patio. Both Okanagan’s Finest Catering and OKF Grill menus can be viewed online at www.okffoods.com. Call OKF Grille takeout at 778-483-4444 or Okanagan’s Finest Catering at 250-317-2055.
Capri Insurance Services Ltd. is celebrating its 39th anniversary and yes, next year is the big one. Starting with six people and a handful of clients in the Capri Hotel two-story office tower, which at that time was the highest building in Kelowna, it now has about 150 staff in Kelowna. Back in the old days, when all car insurances came due at the end of February, it actually set up a kiosk outside the liquor store in the mall. Later, it incorporated Auto Plan downstairs. The business was started by Ev Rae, Gordon Baughen and Doug Fraser. The head office is now located at 100-1500 Hardy Street.
Two young Kelowna entrepreneurs, Darren Bates and Franzi Tschurtschenthaler auditioned back in March for the Dragons’ Den in Penticton and were accepted for filming in Toronto. Their unique apparel product called Fur Glory is based on a proprietary fabric they developed which infuses phosphorescent die into faux fur fabric, which is normally worn in the evenings at parties and night clubs. The result is a lot of fun with laser pointers and a subsequent deal with “Dragon” Jim Treliving for $30,000 for 30 per cent of their company. Their episode was just released and the response has been overwhelming. Take a look at the link at www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/pitches/furglory. Jim Treliving is now in the process of doing due diligence on the deal and they will find out soon if it’s a go. Call Bates and Tschurtschenthaler at 250-763-3304 (SlizerZ Restaurant) or email Darren or Franzi at furglory@gmail.com.
Okanagan Sunshine Savings coupon book, owned and published by Judy Levine, is celebrating its 20th issue. It is distributed through Canada Post to every individual home in Kelowna and just across the bridge. Judy is very passionate about putting out an exciting and useful book. In the coming issue there will be over 60 companies participating, including Summerhill Pyramid Winery, Kelowna Actors Studio, Dawett, Marmalade Cat Café, A&W on Harvey, DeDutch, House of Caribbean, Dockside Marine, Outbound Cycle, Wickerland Patio, Duffers, The Golf Centre, Benjamin Moore, Georgie Girl, Bella Clothing and many more. Michelle Belanger of Belanger Communications creates the ads and makes the book look attractive. It will be in your mailboxes between April 7 and 10. Call 260-860-2013.
If you are looking for someone to provide your loved ones with companionship, general attention, quality time, grocery shopping or help with day to day activities Eva Simon is available. She also does house sitting for vacations, pet sitting, light residential house cleaning, preparation of meals, runs errands and is fluent in German and English. She has many good references available on request and is willing to negotiate time and activities for your schedules. Call 250-868-2249.
Jane Fletcher is moving on after two years in business as Game Changers Sports Consignment at 110-1854 Kirschner Road. She is willing to pass the business on for free and does not want to close the doors, thinking that a charity or even a school might want to take it over. Jane has good accounting records with 390 registered consignors, over $50,000 in stock, $10,000 in startup costs (assets and services) and a lot of good will has been built up with other sports related businesses. Its walk-in and take-over ready. If you are interested call Jane call at 778-753-5635 or jpfletch@hotmail.com.
Robert J. Schultz and Ken Gottfred of Raymond James is growing and moving, relocating their Abbott Street office to Landmark Centre, Tower 3 at 310 – 1632 Dickson Avenue. Call the office at 250-448-8848 or Robert at 250-448-8851 and Ken at 250-448-5451.
Big thanks to pharmacy assistant Matthew Bliskis of Shoppers Drug Mart downtown on Bernard for his exceptional service. Also many thanks to Frank Strobel (owner), Corbie Hewco (cosmetics/fragrances) and Lynn Ryan (Post Office) at Shoppers Drug Mart Orchard Park. All exceptional people.
Chris Rowe of Quest Marital Arts Academy is introducing a new program called Skillz Connect. Using the latest research into child development, it is using specialized curriculums for four different age groups of kids. It will cover physical, social, intellectual and emotional needs of the child to help encourage growth and positive experiences. It will start with age 3, focusing on play and imagination and will work all the way to age 14 with focus and critical thinking. You can visit the school for a pre-assessment and see what they have to offer. Call Chris at 250-869-0111 or chris.rowe@kelownamartialarts.com; www.kelownamartialarts.com.
The Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) Uptown After Hours is April 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., hosted by Benson Law LLP Lawyers at 270 Highway 33 West. Food will be provided by MarketPlace IGA (Dennis Mitchell) and the wine will be provided by Quails Gate. All welcome, $8 per person.
Shop, find new treasures, save money, find unique products and enter to win door prizes. The Kelowna Closet Cleanout, Kelowna’s first ladies fashion flea market, will go April 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sunplex Arena. This will be a great opportunity to get rid of your unused clothing and find new deals. There are also some fashion related business booths available. Entry to this cash only event is $5 and you will be supporting the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. Souls4Soles will be taking leftover shoes that people may wish to donate. Call Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown at 250-864-3480 or redscopemedia@gmail.com; www.kelownaclosetcleanout.com.
Looking for something to do this weekend? The Lake Country/Winfield Food Bank is hosting a fundraising concert on Saturday, March 29 at 7 p.m. at the Lake Country Life Centre, 3110 Berry Road. Cost is $5 at the door plus a food item donation. First come first serve as seats are limited. The concert will include The Mumble Bees, Leigh Macfarlane, Chris Schriek, Dave Newland, Karen Wolfe, The Seburns and Joe Harrison. Call Karen Wolfe at 250-215-9395.
Birthdays of the week—Happy 45th Karen Hill, Capital News publisher (Apr. 1), Happy 30th Chris Neves, Mercedes Benz (Mar. 21), Happy 50th Jock Tyre, Kelowna Curling Club (Mar. 24); Phil Viggiani (Mar. 24), Rick Jaeger, Mercedes Benz (Mar. 24), Mike Rout, City of Kelowna (Mar.30), Wendy Giammartino, Via Veneto (Mar. 28), Hugh Cairns (Mar. 28), Dick Dumond (Mar. 28), Don Jeffries, Ramada Hotel (Mar. 29), Dr. David Craig (Apr. 1); Ron Jacobsen (Apr. 1), Cynthia Waldek Peters (Apr. 2).
