DeHart: Long-time Westside RV dealership is closing
A Westside institution is closing its doors after 33 years in the RV business.
Valley RV (formerly Valley Trailer Sales), at 1850 Byland Rd., owned and operated John and son Regan Borisenko, have sold the property and are closing the business on Nov. 28. Call 250-769-6209.
Donna Lommer has been appointed as the new chief financial officer for Interior Health. Lommer has been with IH for 20 years. Since the spring of 2009, she has been in the role of corporate director of strategic alignment.
Congratulations to Humanitarian Award recipients Lois and Cliff Serwa and to the United Way Award of Distinction winners, Glen and Ev Rea, who founded Capri Insurance.
Fezziwig’s Artisan Bakery Cafe, owned and operated by Colin, Anne and Holli (daughter) Broomfield, is now the official designated food supplier for the new Okanagan College atrium building. Fezzie’s at OC will be serving both students and faculty nutritious “brain food” in their own unique style. Call 250-861-8659.
Eric Frans is back working with Randy Benson at the Kelowna’s Gospel Mission as director of resource development. Call 250-763-3737.
The new Walmart Kelowna Supercentre will officially open its doors with a grand opening celebration on Friday, Nov. 13, 7 a.m. Store manager Kareem Shalaby, home office management team members and Walmart associates will be in attendance. The store will also announce donations to several local charities.
Stepping Stones Counseling Group will now offer adult and couples counseling with Jason McCarty joining the practice. McCarty has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. Call 250-763-7414 or jasonmccarty@me.com.
Century 21 Executives Realty Ltd. in Vernon, owned and operated by Bill Hubbard and Carla Dahlen, has acquired Century 21 Assurance Realty in Kelowna from Ken Wiebe, who will remain in his role as managing broker for the Kelowna office.
Scott Allan and Paul Wammer have joined co-owners Tara Roden and Dave Schroeder at Urban Links, a golf training facility at 320-1405 Stevens Rd. Allan, a certified associate professional, is a 15-year member of the CPGA and was formerly with Sun Rivers Golf Resort in Kamloops. Wammer joins as the head club maker and fitting specialist. He is the 2008 International Professional Association of Club Fitters top club fitter out of the world’s top100.
Love of Shiva Boutique has opened at 1551 Ellis St. Owned and operated by Mykyta Lysenko and Kelly Brown, the shop offers bazaar treasures and world gifts from around the world. You can find crystals, gems and jewelry; silks, saris, textiles, shawls and scarves; statuary and wooden masks; belly dance accessories; natural body jewellery; printed cotton shoulder bags, purses and bangles; Tibetan prayer flags and incense. Call 250-762-0133.
Michael Ross, of Okanagan Mission Secondary School, is the latest recipient of the City’s Spirit of Kelowna Award. He received this for his advocacy and great enthusiasm for the Olympic Torch Relay event, encouraging students to apply to be torch bearers and for helping to be chosen as one of the two schools in B.C. to participate.
Try something new! The Beijing Bina Cooking House/Everest East Asian Restaurant is now open for business at 573 Lawrence Ave. New owner/operators, Bina Qu and husband Dongmin Lai (who is a famous artist in Beijing) serves authentic Beijing cuisine that is prepared by Bina and two chefs, one from Beijing and one from Sichuan. Bina and her staff are very warm and welcoming and proud of their delectable food. Beijing cuisine is delicious and something that we had never experienced before meeting the Bina and Dongmin. It is unique and different from Chinese, Indian and Nepalese cuisine and the presentation of the food is phenomenal. The extensive menu offers a variety of traditional cold and hot dishes of vegetable, pork, beef, chicken, lamb and fish (ribbonfish, sea base and whole fish dishes). They have a good selection of prawn dishes, rice and special noodles along with their famous Beijing Jiaozi, which are the country’s famous homemade dumplings. It can be prepared from mild to spicy—your choice. All we could say was “wow.” It’s a perfect place to go with a group so you can try a variety of signature dishes. Reservations are recommended for large parties. Call 250-762-7000 or 250-763-8888.
After eight years as the Canadian Rockies International Airport managing director in Cranbrook, Phillip Elchitz has joined the Kelowna airport administration, overseeing airside operations. Elchitz was also previously the Vernon airport manager from 1998 to 2001. Meanwhile, Darrell Belgrove will put the last 17 years of fire fighting experience to good use as the airport’s new assistant fire chief. He was previously a firefighter and safety officer for the Ellison Fire Department and in 1998 was hired as an airport operations specialist.
The White Sails Chorus will host their Spaghetti Feast Dinner, Dance and Show on Nov. 21 at the ICC Hall on Sutherland Avenue. This year, under new musical director Paul Hunter, the chorus has achieved the coveted Most Improved Chorus Award at the regional contest in Calgary. Along with dinner and dancing to the music of local DJ Deb Stone, there will be a raffle, silent auction and special door prize. For tickets ($25) call Janet 250-860-7627 or Margaret 250-764-8808.
Special thanks to Leeal Smith at the new Shoppers Drug Mart in Orchard Park on her exceptional service.
A Taste of Japan, hosted by the Kelowna-Kasugai Sister City Association, will be held Sunday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Water Street Seniors Centre. Tickets are only $2 each and available at Komatsu Japanese Market at 140-1865 Kirschner Rd. or at the door. The day will feature a Yukata Fashion Show, Taiko (Japanese Drum) demonstration, Calligrap Hy demonstration and a traditional Japanese pastry demonstration. There will also be Sushi making classes for $15. Space is limited for this demonstration and tickets must be bought in advance at Komatsu Japanese Market or by calling 250-862-9338. For more info call 250-862-2801 or cjennens@telus.net.
A cheque for $12,989 was presented to the District of West Kelowna—Fire Recovery from the Telus Ambassadors and Telus to help fire victims and those who were evacuated from their homes during the summer fires. As well, many items were donated and distributed at the emergency center to those who had been evacuated.
Roy’s Shoes store owner Jim Belshaw has ended the search for the Okanagan’s biggest feet. Congrats to J.R. Clifton, of Keremeos, sporting a size 19.5. He won a pair of custom made shoes up to a value of $1,000. Others contest runner-up winners were Ashley Pohl (14.5); Braxton Bunce (16.5); David Crawford (15); Brett Vanderhoek (15.5); Cal Manky (15.25) and Tyler Harcus (18.5).
About 1,300 people attended the recent Mexico Travel Exhibition at the Kelowna International Airport. Congrats to prize winners Sandra Jennens (Uniglobe Direct Travel); Betty Lutz and Johnny Rahiman (Tri Star Travel and Cruise); Calvin Kuipers (Capri Travel); Marion Stain (Westjet tickets) and Bert Bouma (Transat/Nolitours- Mexico trip).
Go into any Valley First Credit Union in the Okanagan and donate any amount of money and receive bestselling author Fred Sarkari’s bestselling book, How The Top 5 per cent Think! Principals of Great Leaders, along with a free appetizer from Cabana Grille. All funds raised go directly to support the women’s shelter. Sarkari is an inspirational keynote speaker and entrepreneur coach, facilitating workshops for Coca-Cola, Home Depot, CIBC, BMW and Scotiabank.
The KGH Auxiliary is in need of volunteers for The Perking Lot and the gift shop all located in KGH. Call Nancy Wells at 250-862-4300 (7497) or nancy.wells@interiorheath.ca
AnyDestination.com and AnyDestination.ca customer service representatives are demonstrating the new travel websites pages at an information booth in Orchard Park from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. Additionally, for free you will receive a Perpetual Discount Code that can be utilized when you book travel anytime in the future. Just drop by the AnyDestination kiosk located next to the Sony store where you can register your contact information for future travel deals. The destination website is the creation of Paul Bickert and Mike Haines.
The second annual induction ceremony for the Central Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame is Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Coast Capri Hotel, from 7 to 9 a.m. Author and sports columnist Jim Taylor is the guest speaker. Tickets can be purchased through the Kelowna Museum. For more info call Pat Kennedy at 250-215-7986; patkennedy@shaw.ca.
The Bay will host the annual Holiday Girl Time Gala on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $10; $8 of which is redeemable at the event. The event is always fun with food, try new cosmetic products, visit vendors and perhaps win one of many door prizes. Call 250-860-2483.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 60th Dr. Mike Shepherd (Nov. 29)—It’s an early greeting, but Mike’s away on his birthday and I wanted everyone to know he was turning 60; Doreen Giebelhaus (Nov. 17); Nick Imthorn (Nov. 15); Gordon Fennell (Nov. 13); Cheryl Perley, Cafe Soleil (Nov. 16); Frank Robertson (Nov. 29); Gord Hunting, Apple Valley (Nov. 12); Michael Wynne, Holiday Inn (Nov. 12).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, e-mail maxdehart@telus.net.
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