MacLean Group Marketing is celebrating 11 amazing years in business with a change of face and a change of place, moving to new premises at 302-1353 Ellis St., a 101-year-old restored warehouse.

Dave MacLean’s company has come a long way from their first office, which was the spare bedroom of a rented house. They’re passionate about providing marketing and advertising solutions, offering a full complement of strategic and creative services including research, planning, public relations, media planning and buying, direct mail, CRM campaigns, collateral materials, signage, presentation centres and digital media. MacLean Group were also the marketing geniuses behind the extremely successful 30K Campaign for the Kelowna Gospel Mission.

Carol Faust has been an experienced seamstress for over 40 years, having working in many different clothing factories. She sewed children’s clothing for Scallywags, until they closed the sewing department. She is now doing alterations from her home to men, women and children’s clothing, including grad dresses, wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses. Call 250-764-2265.

Keeping everything the same, Chef Don and Tamie Sanderson, who relocated from Victoria, are the new owners of the popular Marmalade Cat Café at 2903 Pandosy St., 250-861-4158.

Congrats to Neil Lozinski, photo lab clerk at Costco, Denny Salamandyk, of Small’s Tile, and John Scott, owner of IQ Computers—all winners of an Exceptional Service Under the Sun Awards.

Larry Widmer is the new acting manager of Community Futures Central Okanagan, 250-868-2132

RCMP Insp. Rick Flewelling has relocated from Ottawa in the position of operations officer. He has been with the RCMP for 27 years and was formerly director for protective services on the Governor General’s security detail. With credentials like that, we are lucky to have him here.

Congratulations to Ross and Eunice Gorman, of Gorman Bros. Lumber, on receiving the prestigious United Way Humanitarian Award. Also, personal congrats to “Million Dollar Man” Mel Kotler, the 2008 United Way Award of Distinction Honouree.

The DePieri Clinic, a new medical aesthetic clinic, has opened at 6-1353 Ellis St. Dr. Andrew DePieri is the medical director, partnered with two nurses, Laurie Chapman and Sandy Mortensen. Gwen Osness is the laser hair technician. Services offered are aesthetic as well as medical. Call 250-448-7408

CHBC-TV received two awards from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. A Gold Ribbon Award was received for “Magic on the Water” produced by Tracey Kim Bonneau in the Aboriginal Programming category. This program also won two other awards, one given by the Native American Journalists Association for Best TV Feature and the second by the American Indian Film Institute for Best Documentary Short. A Silver Award for a Local or Regional PSA Spot was awarded for ICBC “Pictures.” The objective of “Pictures” was to increase awareness of the consequences of impaired driving, especially during the busy Christmas season.

Roy Kunicky has moved on and is no longer with The Business Examiner.

Had a pleasant experience at the new Anew Start Rejuvenation Centre, 106-1912 Enterprise Way (Millcreek Crossing). Owned and operated by physiotherapist Julie Dickson, a graduate of the renowned Loma Linda University School of Physical Therapy, the “ionic detoxifying foot bath” uses a revolutionary hydrotherapy device that enhances and amplifies the ability of the body to heal itself. This device generates a magnetic bio-field which creates a complex bio-charge that resonates through the water, allowing toxins to be drawn out of the body through your feet, which is both relaxing and non invasive. It was a neat experience for me. They also offer infrared saunas and the revolutionary whole body vibration training. Call 250-762-9995 or see www.anewstartcentre.com.

The Better Business Bureau of Mainland B.C. is celebrating 70 years of service, promoting ethical business and consumer relationships in the province. The Thompson-Okanagan Better Business Bureau branch will host the Gala Torch Awards at The Harvest on Nov. 19. Hundreds of thousands of consumers contact the BBB each year and use their services in pre-purchase decision making with over 4,000 businesses actively maintaining their BBB accreditation. Kevin Rothwell is the local accreditation and communication specialist. Call 1-888-803-1222.

Here’s a great idea just in time for the Christmas season. Amber Gerding has started her own home-based business, the Kelowna franchise for The Original Basket Boutique. She can take the time the rest of us often don’t have to design, produce and deliver beautiful customized gift baskets for any occasion. Gerding says the boutique offers custom gifts and gift baskets for both personal and corporate clients. Of course, she will have all the basic seasonal holidays covered—Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, etc.—but the great thing about OBB is they can offer a basket for any occasion, from honeymoons and bridal or baby showers to retirements and housewarmings. And being part of a worldwide network, Gerding has access all other OBB franchisees to help see gift baskets delivered to other locations outside the Okanagan. You can contact Amber at 250-868-1344 or e-mail amberge@obbgifts.com.

La Belle Boutique Fashions and Accessories in the Towne Centre Mall, owned by Marie-Yvonne Cleaver, will celebrate its grand opening starting Nov.17. Cleaver is clearing all her former fall inventory, offering 50 per cent off to make room for her fabulous new lines. She has secured the distributorship for many new well-known clothing brands as Simon Chang, Frank Lyman, Café Au-Lait, Christine Alexander and will have the famous “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans” that were on the Oprah Winfrey show. She is also carrying the popular “Spanks” line. It’s worth a trip into the store.

After over 30 years with the Kelowna Fire Department, Ed Mitchell has opened a counselling practice called Transitions Therapy and Counselling at 513A Lawrence Ave., with partner Ezreena Draper Scott. Mitchell was very involved with critical incident stress management in the fire service and took that involvement and experience, together with a diploma program, to go into private practice. Scott has added her counseling diploma to her Bachelor’s degree with knowledge and experience in psychology. While the practice is general in nature, offering therapy and counselling to individuals, couples and families, they will be offering several areas of specialty, such as helping people understand and cope with stress in the complexity of their lives through individual therapy, small groups and workshops. They will also specialize in the issues of seniors, their families, and caregivers, including issues of depression, anxiety, loss, grief and guilt. Call 778-436-9446 or e-mail edmitchell@kelownacounsellor.com.

Broc Braconnier, of Broc & Associates, is the new president of the Westbank and District Chamber of Commerce. The chamber directors are John Byland (Byland Nurseries), Philippe Daigle (Invis), Casey French (NCF Law), Lee Pearston (Investors), Lori Welbourne (Capital News), Eric Steinbach (Re/Max), Jayne Fosbery (Westbank First Nation), Ingrid Dilschneider Mission Hill Winery), Cheryl Dirks (Family Wellness Centre) and Mike Scarlett, past president (Grant Thornton).

Finally you can get some Satisfaction with a little Sympathy For The Devil. The Rolling Stones together with Ex Nihilo Napa Valley and Ex Nihilo Vineyards Okanagan Valley, have chosen B.C. to launch their latest joint wine releases, the 2005 “Red” Satisfaction and the 2004 Sympathy for the Devil Riesling icewine. Ex Nihilo managing partner Jeff Harder confirms both products are ready for sale and won’t last long. Call 250-766-5522 or see info@celebritycellarscanada.com.

The Laurel Packinghouse, Kelowna’s first designated heritage building and the province’s oldest standing fruit packinghouse, is about to undergo renovations that will take one year to complete. Built in 1917-18, the building will be returned closer to its original state, which includes restoring loading doors and the loading dock that once ran around the exterior of the packinghouse. During this time, the B.C. Wine Museum, VQA Wine Shop and the B.C. Orchard Industry Museum located inside the building will remain open and events will go ahead as planned.

In an attempt not to use plastic bags for grocery shopping, I bought the neatest folding trolley box “Pack and Roll” at London Drugs. It comes in red/grey or black/grey and is 16.5 inches by 15 inches and 13 inches deep when opened. It quickly folds down to a flat square that fits in any trunk. It’s on rollers and has an easy pull-up handle that makes shopping real easy. I leave the groceries in the box and when I get home I just carry the box full of groceries into the kitchen, unload and then it goes back in the trunk. It’s $29.99 and can be used to haul just about anything.

Sad news that long-time Kelowna resident Ron Cooper, founder of Cooper Foods, passed away on Oct. 27 in a Kamloops Hospice. He purchased the IGA store on Pandosy in 1959 and converted it into a Shop Easy. This was later replaced by a Cooper’s store. He passed away at 95, on the eve of his 96th birthday.

Thanks to Wanda Pettigrew, with Molly’s Best Cup in the Towne Centre Mall, for going that extra mile.

Met a lovely man in a grocery store line-up. Jack Newton and his wife Wilma has been in Kelowna since 1967. They have owned and operated Jack’s Hobby Place at 575 Rutland Rd. (where the windmill is) since 1974. Newton sharpens saws, skates, knives, scissors, garden tools, router bits, carbide blades, jointers, planer knives and chisels. He also offers band saws made to order with special rates for seniors. Call him at 250-765-3349.

ConnectKelowna, a networking group of professional women. They will host a Christmas open House on Nov. 22, 1380 Ellis St. (library) from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendance is free, with collections for the food bank and prizes. A variety of businesses will be in attendance.

Every vote counts, so don’t forget to do your homework and vote in the upcoming civic election this Saturday, Nov. 15.

Birthdays of the week – Happy 60th Christine Abougoush (Nov. 8); Happy 50th Allison McNeill (Nov. 14); Doreen Giebelhaus (Nov.17); Nick Imthorn (Nov. 15); Gordon Fennell (Nov. 13); Rosemarie Gottschlag, Ten Fashions & Bridal (Nov. 11).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.