Out with one year and in with another. Happy New Year!
Alchemy has opened at 345 Bernard Avenue. Owned and operated by Sheila Estephan and Jeff McGregor, this lifestyle store is a modern eclectic mix of unique and intriguing home accessories, jewelry, fragrances, watches, scarves, handbags, hats, and Sandrine’s wonderful chocolates and cookies.
The specialty décor boutique is chock-full of tabletop décor in wood, glass, concrete, steel, textiles and other natural materials. Some of the items you will find are mirrors, lamps, frames, pillows, wall décor, chandeliers, books, cards, prints, posters, trays, glassware, vases, cutting boards, trays, serving pieces, candles, candle holders, containers and small furniture pieces. Alchemy supports local artists and artisans and feature original artworks by Vicki Drummond, Natasha Harvey, Clea Haugo and Christa Leinemann Knittel. Two artists from Lake Country create incredible wall sculptures (jewelry for your walls) under the name Entouquet. Other services available are custom gift wrapping, special orders, gift basket creation, tablescapes for weddings and events, gift registry and gift cards.
You will certainly need a great deal of time to browse in this store. Call250-859-0111.
Let’s Go Transportation, owned and operated by Fabio Santana, has started Gold Leaf Shuttle Service. It’s an unlimited shuttle service for people 55 years-plus who want to be independent. Seniors maintaining independence is crucial for healthy and active living. A big part of independence is transportation. If you are unable to drive, consider using Golf Leaf personal shuttle services. The ability to travel around town, run errands or have your groceries picked up for you is a freedom you can now enjoy. Here’s how it works. There is a yearly membership only with a monthly fee of $39 per month plus taxes. The service includes delivery service, airport shuttle 24/7 and unlimited shuttle services to and from many locations such as grocery stores, doctor appointments, shopping, pharmacies, airport, the hair dresser, running errands, etc. The shuttle runs Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 24-hour reservation is required. It’s a safe, easy and hassle free way to travel around our city. For more info call 250-575-5988.
Connie Denesiuk of Summerland is the new chairwoman of the Okanagan College board of governors. She replaces Tom Styffe who finished six years of service on the board and three of those as board chairman. Desnesiuk is joined on the executive by Doug Manning as vice-chairman, who has served on the board since2010. Desesiuk joined the board in 2012 and was previously chairwoman of the Okanagan Skaha School District for nine of the 19 years she served as a trustee.
Congratulations to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on receiving the B.C. Aviation Council’s William Templeton Award. YLW was recognized for its commitment to growth and achievement in the continuous and successful development of the new markets and through a multi-year $55.6 million capital plan. Sam Samaddar is the airport’s director.
The Okanagan Mission Residents’ Association has a new board of directors for 2016. Congratulations to Brent Pay (president), Tim Butt (Secretary) and Brenda Sbrozzi (treasurer). The directors are Father Ron Barnes, Maureen Yakimchuk, Alex Rezansoff, Mark Medley and Larry Poffenroth. Mark Thompson is the past president.
Flashpoint Lazer Clinic, owned and operated by Mark Beaulieu at 157D Rutland Road South, is celebrating its fifth anniversary. I remember writing a column on Mark when he opened Flashpoint. That was the first opportunity I had to learn about the tattoo industry. Flashpoint Lazer removes, renews and transforms all kinds of tattoos. The operation now has two laser technicians and two tattoo artists on site. It offers tattoo removal service with the Quanta Q Plus C system, which is the most advanced laser tattoo removal technology and the only device on the market to offer three true laser wave lengths. Flashpoint’s main focus is to provide the highest quality of treatment available, with no scaring and the fastest recovery time possible. Erin Babet, Flashpoint’s receptionist/assistant has also taken all the courses to become a certified laser technician. Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. Call 778-753-5555. www.kelownatattooremoval.com.
Long-time local Dieter Oldendorf has written and published Even When I Laugh, I Have to Cry. You might remember, Dieter and his wife Hildegard owned and operated the popular restaurant, Hansel and Gretel Steak and Schnitzel House for more than 20 years on Water Street, which is now the location of Sturgeon Hall. He also owned the Old Spaghetti House on Bernard Avenue and the Hansel and Gretel in Penticton. Born in Germany on the eve of the Second World War, the book is a true story of Dieter Joachim Oldendorf. His earliest childhood memories were of war and daily bombings of his hometown. The terror of the Russian advance and of the hunger and desolation of postwar Germany, all of which rendered him and his family refugees in their own country. Emerging from the hunger of the war years, Dieter entered the hospitality business in Hamburg before travelling the world and honing his skills aboard several luxury cruise ships. He immigrated to Canada in the early 1960s and although his life has been filled with laughter, every happy moment has been mirrored by one of sadness and it is this duality that has painted the scenes of his life. The book is a chronicle of a self-made man looking back on a life lived to the fullest, for better or for worse. The book was compiled and edited by Julian Samoisette and can be purchased at The Book Bin, 500 Groves Avenue or by calling Dieter at 250-762-2495.
The 41st annual Kelowna Civic and Community Awards gala goes April 27th at the Kelowna Community Theatre. This is the City of Kelowna’s premier awards for residents of the city. Nominations will be taken until February 12. The categories include: the Bob Giordano Memorial (Coach of the Year); Male and Female Athlete of the Year; Bryan Couling Memorial Award (Athletic Team of the Year); Teen Honour in the Arts; Honour in the Arts; Young Male and Female Volunteer of the Year; Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award(woman of the Year); Fred Macklin Memorial Award (Man of the year); Volunteer Organization of the Year; Corporate Community of the Year and Champion of the Environment. For more information and nomination forms, visit www.kelowna.ca/residents or call Amber Gilbert at 250-469-8967 or agilbert@kelowna.ca.
Big thanks to Tom Prout of Shoppers Drug Mart in Orchard Park Shopping Centre for his excellent customer service.
Local business Bin There Dump That will pick up, transport and recycle your cardboard boxes and make a donation to the Kelowna Food Bank on your behalf. Until Jan. 3, Bin There Dump That will come to your home, pick up your holiday cardboard and recycle it for you—all for just $11.99 plus tax for residential pick-up. Bin There Dump That is also getting into the giving spirit of the season. For every cardboard clean out ordered between now and Jan. 31, it will donate $2 to the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank. Dallas and Tanya Story are the owners of the company. Call 778-214-1699 or kelowna@bintheredumpthat.com.
Next time you are in Penticton, drop into the Penticton Lakeside Hotel and visit PURE located at the hotel in the former fitness center. Owned and operated by Vanesa Jahnke and Carolyn Buksa PURE believes if you make it convenient to grab healthy, nutritious food on the go, it will help the community fuel happy, healthy people. Their juice/smoothie bar and raw food cafe provide healthy grab n’ go items perfect for the busy body on the go. All the food is vegan, gluten, sugar and preservative free, created fresh every day. It offers wraps, salads, energy bars, assorted snacks and cold-pressed juices which are also available as cleanse packs. Its modern gym is the only 24-hour gym in Penticton, featuring a dedicated spin studio and instructors who will lead you through an energetic, full body ride choreographed to the beat of the music under black lights. In 2016 PURE will expand by providing wellness retreats in partnership with the Penticton Lakeside Resort. Retreats will be held over three, five or seven days, focusing on cleansing, raw food detoxing, yoga, massage and fitness. Call 1-778-476-5746 www.puremovement.ca.
Kelowna, home of the Canadian Culinary Championships is set to host award-winning chefs from across Canada for a weekend celebration of Canadian excellence Feb. 5 and 6 as part of the Gold Metal Plates event. Kelowna’s Gold Metal Plates reflect the culmination of a long, thrilling and, at times, grueling series of The Canadian Culinary Championships held in 2015 in Canadian cities from coast to coast and result in 11 Gold Metal award winning chefs. Converging in Kelowna in February, the best of the best will compete in The grand finale to determine Canada’s 2016 Gold Metal Plates chef champion. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets for the event can call 1-647-328-0149 or at www.goldmetalplates.ca.
The Robbie Burns night for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 26 will be held on Friday, Jan. 22. There will be a dinner, dancing and celebration for $25 per person. Tickets are now on sale at the Legion office at 1380 Bertram Street.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 70th to Barry Huculak (Dec. 29), Wayne Pierce (Jan. 1), Mort Downey of TAC Solutions (Jan. 12) and happy birthday to Adina Braun (Jan. 1); Barb Douglas and Vern Tompkins (both today, Jan. 6); Jack Hatanaka, Nick Kardynal, my second dad and Todd Sanderson (all Jan. 11).