Long-time local businesses CartsPlus and Autoplace are owned and operated by Erwin Egert and Larry Belliveau, with Erwin celebrating 27 years between the two companies.
CartsPlus was a spinoff business from the auto repair business Autoplace on Springfield Road (started as Handy Andy Auto Centre). CartsPlus has now relocated to a new 8,000 square foot facility at 675 Willow Park Road, (off Highway 97 by Hyundai) boasting B.C.’s largest golf cart showroom. Specializing in golf cart sales, service and repair, CartsPlus is a full-service facility also offering golf cart rentals for special events. A significant amount of their business is done with resorts, vineyards, airports, universities, colleges and farmers. CartsPlus has also been appointed the new Pitster Pro dealership for both Kelowna and Kamloops. Pitster Pro offers an affordable line of dirt bikes and kids quads for families. In addition, they will be the new Cleveland Cycleworks dealer for both cities, offering a unique and distinct style of street bikes for people who want the “cool” factor in an affordable version. The motorsports products will be marketed under Insane Motorsports while CartsPlus will market the golf carts. Autoplace will remain on Springfield Road. Call 778-753-5517; visit www.cartsplusbc.com or www.insanemororsportsbc.com.
Well-known local gal Jessica Samuels, the 30K Club coordinator at the Kelowna Gospel Mission, is moving on, having accepted a new position as Okanagan-Kootenay area manager for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Kendall Newbury, formerly of the Kelowna Golf & Country Club, has joined the marketing team at Sandalwood Retirement Resort. Bettyann Gardner, after three years at Sandalwood, has been promoted to the senior marketing position at Missionwood Retirement Resort. Dennis Campbell is the general manager of Sandalwood. Call 250-717-1884.
The Uptown Rutland Association recently held its annual general meeting with several seasoned directors returning along with an influx of new people. One of those new people joining URBA is well-known businesswoman Laurel D’Andrea (Beyond 50 Magazine). She has been hired as the interim office administrator. Her commitment to the community, networking abilities and business experience will be a great asset to URBA’s new and diverse board for 2013.
The space previously occupied by the Wild Apple Grill at the Manteo Resort on Lakeshore Road is now a new waterfront craft beer and premium casual dining restaurant opening approximately mid-March. Smack Dab is named quite literally after its location on Okanagan Lake is an open concept space featuring 120 seats in the lounge and restaurant, a private dining room for 18 to 40 guests and an outdoor patio seating an additional 150 guests. Large folding glass doors will allow for an open air environment in the summer and protection from the elements in fall and winter. The new menu was designed by executive sous chef Brad Horen, featuring sharing plates, forno oven pizza, signature entrees and desserts prepared in-house. Smack Dab will offer a large selection of craft beer, with 12 on tap and 20 by the bottle, with a wine list as well. Listen to In the Kitchen with Andy and TJ on 101-5 EZ Rock to win a great night out at the new Smack Dab. Heather Schroeter is the manager of Manteo and Bernard Casavant the executive chef. Call 250-860-1031.
Re/Max of Western Canada has presented Re/Max Kelowna with the Champions of Hope Award. This prestigious award recognizes the Re/Max Kelowna office for the highest amount of contributions ever made by a single office to Children’s Miracle Network, which funds B.C. Children’s Hospitals. Cliff Shillington is the broker/owner of Re/Max Kelowna, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is a supporter of many initiatives in the local community. Call 250-717-5000; visit www.remax.ca.
Karen Singbell, a Re/Max realtor in Mara Lake/Sicamous, is the new president of the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board. Other locals on the 2013 board are Cliff Shillington, Re/Max Kelowna; Kent Jorgenson (Re/Max Kelowna); Scott Mayne (Points West Realty); Tanis Read (Coldwell Banker) and Christopher Miller (Royal LePage).
Tolko Industries recently presented its 2012 Awards for Excellence in recognition of outstanding achievement. Twenty awards were presented to individuals and teams across Western Canada. Tolko’s Kelowna division received the Aon-Tolko Risk Management Award for Most Improved Operation. The Lake Country division received both the Presidents Safety Award, the highest award for excellence in safety practice within the organization and the Most Improved Safety Results Award.
World Beat Family Golf Driving Range, owned and operated by Robert Letvinchuk at 625 Old Vernon Rd. in Kelowna, celebrates its 10th anniversary this season. Drop in and take advantage of their great anniversary specials. Call 250-765-7010
Speaking of golf, Sun City Physiotherapy will present Ready Fore Golf at its next free monthly lecture series on Tuesday, March 26, 6 to 7 p.m., at Sun City Physiotherapy’s Glenmore location, 202-437 Glenmore Rd. The lecture will offer exercises and advice to improve your game and decrease your chance of injury. RSVP by calling 250-762-6313.
Spring is here so it’s time to start thinking about turf. Eco Turf Farms, 3330 Old Vernon Rd. in Kelowna, is home to the original Eco Smart Blend for your new lawn. Eco Smart Blend is a unique blend of drought tolerant grass species developed to meet the unique semi-arid conditions of the valley. It is low maintenance, durable, disease resistant and is a soft lush green grass with a great addition to a xeriscape project. Eco Blue Blend is also offered. The blend is the best quality and is supplied by Richardson Seed. It is great for residential, commercial, sports fields, golf courses and school yards. Owned and operated by Sue and Barry Paull, the company offers expert advice, problem solving, online quotes or purchases, delivery services with forklift or assistance with onsite pick up. Whether its sod rolls or seed blends, Eco Turf are the experts. Call 250-765-9420; visit www.ecoturffarms.com.
At 89 years of age (her birthday is today), Gladys Bryan Edwards has published a novel, titled Sweet Innocence Stolen. Born in Ontario, Edwards grew up in the rural Canadian prairies through the time of The Great Depression in the 1930s. Although times were challenging, she enjoyed her family and living on the land. As a teen full of eagerness, she moved to a larger community to attend high school in preparation for a career as a nurse. Not long after, at the age of16, she experienced a trauma that lurched her onto a tumultuous ride through life. Her life story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and its ability to find hope and joy even through the most trying of circumstances. She has lived in Kelowna for the past 22 years. The book is available at both Mosaic locations.
Anne McGraw has moved on and is no longer the wine agent for Bounty Cellars Winery. After some time off, I’m sure you will see her pop up in the wine industry again.
Ezra Cipes, chief executive officer of Summerhill Pyramid Winery, has been named one of Western Living’s 40 Foodies Under 40 in that magazine’s most recent issue for March 2013. The magazine states that “under Ezra’s tenure, it’s been different for all the right reasons—like putting out a beautifully balanced Riesling that dared check in at 8.5 per cent, or launching an $85 ultra-premium sparkling wine with 14 years of age. The future looks magical inside the pyramid.”
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has a new 2013 board of directors. On the board for th next year are Dave Bond, president (KPMG); Karen Hawes, past president (Interior Savings); Curtis Darmohray, vice-president (Pushor Mitchell Lawyers); Ken Carmichael, vice-president (DBO); Ian Stuart, vice-president (UBCO); Tom Dyas (TD Benefits); Peter Angle (Astral Radio); Carmen Sparg (Total Office); Rob Siddon (Coast Wholesale Appliances); Ben Pidskalny (SW Audio Visual); Sally Ginter (Canadian Cancer Society); Andrew Gaucher (G Group Development); Gladys Fraser (Scotiabank); Freedom Bannerholt (JDS Energy and Mining); and Sherri Chapman (Platinum Personnel). Peter Raja, with Norelco, Bryan Gilbert and myself as the city council appointee will sit on the Chamber’s advisory board. Caroline Grover is the CEO.
Three to the Bar are three stylized vocalists in three-part harmony presenting songs from the 1930s to present day. The “three” consist of Barb Bjorgan, Stephani Bruckal and Susan Dickson with accompanist and music arranger Carol Colpitts. These gals are really good. I heard the trio at Lane Shupe’s fundraising event for Dancing with the Stars, held at La Bussola. The group is perfect for private parties, family celebrations, receptions, conferences and retreats. To book call Stephani Bruckal at 250-317-2755. www.threetothebar.com. Congrats to Lane Shupe and her professional dance partner Samuel Galvez of Mi Salsa on winning the Audience Choice Trophy at the Dancing with the Stars fundraiser for hospice.
Kelowna Airport has launched its free YLW.Kelowna.ca/Mobile website to bring all air travel to your smartphone and tablet. It provides links to airline websites for bookings and online check-in, arrival and departure info, parking rates and restaurant and shop listings. Sam Samaddar is the airport manager. Also new “might” be a shuttle bus from the south Okanagan (Osoyoos/Oliver) to the airport to connect passengers who fly in and out of Kelowna. It was brought up by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.
After being out of radio sales for many years to develop real estate projects, Karen Hyndman has joined The Juice 103.9.
Sunrise Rotary will host the Prospera Credit Union Groovy Gala on Saturday, March 23, at Rutland Centennial Hall. There will be a silent auction, live auction, dinner and dancing, all for $50 per person. If you can’t attend the event, check out the online auction on WelcometoKelowna.com until March 22. It is a great place to get some fantastic deals while helping Sunrise Rotary raise funds for all the projects they support. For tickets go to www.kelownasunriserotary.org or call Laurel D’Andrea at 250-878-9194.
Happy 55th anniversary Andy (Albert) and Diane Anderson (March 15). Andy and Diane were married in the First United Church in Kelowna.
The Ukrainian Easter Food and Bake sale is Saturday, March 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre, 1091 Coronation Ave. Available at the sale will be pyrohy, cabbage rolls, borscht, paska, babka, Ukrainian sausage and much more. To pre-order call Ann at 250-769-7587.
Congrats to Wayne and Lynn Sikora (Safeway-Bernard) on the birth of their first granddaughter.
The Kelowna City Concert Band will host Brass-travaganza with special guests Fish on Five Brass Quintet and Okanagan Symphony conductor Rosemary Thomson on Wednesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m., at the Mary Irwin Theatre. Tickets $15 and $10 for seniors and students available at the Rotary Centre for the Arts.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 89th Gladys Edwards (March 14); happy 50th John Clarke, GFS (March 18); happy 40th Shawn Wall (March 17); happy 106th birthday to Dorothy Bowden (March 16); Luke Stack (March 12); George Apostolidis (March 14); Shaida Langley (March 15); Perry Mack (March 18); Garry Benson, Benson Law (March 19); Ian Macdonald (March 19); Joe Iafrancesco (March 19); and Lorraine Richmond (March 20).
