It’s a milestone for Andre’s Electronic Experts this year as the company celebrates its 40th anniversary.
In 1976, the company was started as Andres TV Repair shop on Windsor Road by Andre Blanleil Sr., who received a technician’s degree from DeVry University. Over time, he purchased a few TVs to see if they would sell to see if he could attract customers in need of a new television set. In 1980 Andre Blanleil Jr., who managed a shoe store in Calgary,relocated back to Kelowna purchasing half of his father’s company. They later moved the store to Springfield Centre onSpringfield Road, introducing more retail sales. In 1986, the store was relocated to its current location at 2153 SpringfieldRd., along with the company’s head office. The store expanded its product line beyond electronics to introduce a full line of appliances three years ago. For several years now, Andre’s sons Kyle and Chad have been working in the company. Andre’s now has 20 locations in B.C., including West Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon along with Andre’s Car Audio located at 1881Harvey Ave. They are the fifth largest Telus dealer in Canada. Call 250-860-2600; online andre@andres1.com
Congratulations to the recipients who were recognized for their years of service at the Regional District of Central Okanagan: Mike Wyman, community services (25 years); Murray Kopp, parks services (20 years); Marilyn Rilkoff, financial services and Mary Jane Drouin, corporate services (15 years); Sandra Ballan-Brown and Corie Griffiths, economic development; Duane MacTavish, Lori Holand and Janelle Taylor, community services (10 years); Debra Wise and Andy Brennan, financial services; Ryan Bohn, corporate services; Greg Beloin, Al Ellsworth and Cynthia Coates, community services (five years).
The new full-service/free chequing branch of Coast Capital Savings has opened at 700-1544 Harvey Ave. in brand new premises on the corner of Burtch and Harvey. With plenty of parking, each client is greeted at the door and is directed to their required service to ensure complete customer satisfaction. Their new re-imagined branch concept, dubbed a financial fitness centre, is a private area for individual member meetings or small groups of 12. In this centre, there are two entire large walls which are actually white boards to write on, but they look just like painted walls. You can also borrow financial literacy books from their financial library. Teller stations have been replaced with transaction bars for members use or the relationship managers or member banking specialists will be on hand to help you. Pacific Capital customizes customer service to its needs with 52 branches, 532,000 members across B.C. and 75 years in business. Open Tuesday to Saturday with extended hours Tuesday to Thursday. Relocating from Langley, Bonnie Kilistoff is the manager, member services and Domenic Vinci is the vice-president new markets. Online www.coastcapitalsavings.com; call 1-888-517-7000.
Congratulations to Nan Pellatt, who received the Volunteer of the Year Award for the Kelowna-Mission provincial Liberal Party riding association. Nan is the riding association secretary.
Being in business for three years, registered professional counsellor and peer facilitator Heather Persall, owns and operates Whole Heart Counselling at 7-1873 Spall Rd. in the Spall Business Centre. She works with and has a very keen enjoyment of working with people on anger management. Persall teaches a 10-week course in which the participants will learn how to recognize what their triggers are and positive ways with which to cope or even negate them. Other types of counselling she performs concern the areas of dealing with grief, which she specializes in, couple coaching and working with young self-harmers. She believes in client centered counselling and will almost always use a holistic approach towards healing and coping skills. She was formerly on the board of the community service team in Hope. where she relocated from.She will also work one-on-one with the 10 week course or any other courses if clients feel more comfortable doing it that way. Call 250-575-8555; online www.wholeheartcounselling.com.
Congratulations to Terry Wardrop, who won the 2016 One Club Championship at the Kelowna Golf and Country Club. As it says, you can only take one club to play the entire 18 holes, putting and all. He used a 3 rescue.
The Benjamin Moore 2017 Colour of the Year is Shadow 2117-30. It’s a rich royal amethyst which can fade into the soft lilac-grey of distant mountains or morph into lustrous coal. The deep colour can look allusive or romantic in any room.Colour trends 2017, a palette of 23 colours that represent Benjamin Moore’s view on the year’s most influential hues can been seen in the Colour Trends brochures which are now available in both the Kelowna Benjamin Moore store, 1768Springfield Rd. in Kelowna, and 315 – 3021 Louie Dr. in West Kelowna. Both stores are owned and operated by Rob and Gaia Mueller. Along with specializing in paint and wall paper, the Muellers have expanded their window covering section.
Kelowna’s best kept secret, Earthly Creations Floral Art Gift Gallery, celebrates 17 years at the same location, 2630 Pandosy St. Owned and operated by well-known gal Marie Shandalla, the shop is chocked-full of hundreds of hidden treasurers and wonderful gift ideas along with being a full service floral shop. You will need plenty of time to browse and see all the eclectic array of flowers, knick-knacks and local artisan products. From candles, silks, soaps and bird houses to scarves,shawls, jewelry and hand-painted gift cards, she has it all. To celebrate the store’s anniversary, from Nov. 19 to 29 there will be lots of in-store specials, door prizes and a chance to shop local. Marie always has the tea pot on. Call 250-861-5825; email marie@earthlycreations.net.
Growing business Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery Kelowna is looking for a personable part-time (flex positon) front end staff member for tastings and sales. They also need a representative to run their Vancouver Christmas Market booth. InVernon, Okanagan Spirits is looking for a positive and hard-working responsible individual to run their distillery storefront.The ideal candidate should be sociable and able to handle a busy retail storefront with experience in management and knowledge in the tourism food/beverage industry would be an asset. If you fit the bill or need more information email tyler@okanaganspirits.com. Visit www.okanaganspirits.com.
Help keep kids warm this winter by participating in Sleep Country’s Give a Kid a Coat Campaign. Each year Sleep Country collects winter coats and accessories for local children in need. You can drop off a coat or make a donation by bringing in anew or gently used clean winter coat to any Sleep Country by Nov. 27. Sleep Country will distribute the coats through local community groups.
You can make a $5 donation to the purchase of winter coats. Sleep Country is located at 2031 Harvey Ave. in Kelowna and at 303 – 3550 Carrington Rd. in West Kelowna. Call 250-762-4633 or 250-707-4025.
And congratulations to Lindsay Thompson and grandfather Ken Thompson, with Sleep Country, on the birth of GeorgeSutherland Thompson on Oct. 31.
The Lady of the Lake candidate information meeting is Nov. 14, 7 p.m., at Northwood Regency Resort. The program is open to girls who turn 16 by March 31, 2017, and have not turned 19 by Aug. 30, 2017. The program begins in January and the pageant is July 14, 2017. Call Betty Cleland at 250-215-2180.
Sons of Italy Galileo Lodge Vendemmia Italian Dinner, Dance and New Wine Competition is Nov. 26, 6 p.m,. at the CanadianGerman Club, 696 Cary Rd. Entry fee is $5 per bottle year 2016. Italian buffet dinner preferred by Chef Pietro. Tickets $30and entry by Nov. 20. Call Renata Simonelli for tickets at 250-863-5057.
The St. Cecilia Guild will host a live and silent auction in combination with a free Jazz Concert featuring the Jazz Jam Comboof Kelowna on Friday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m., at The Cathedral Church of St. Michael and All Angels, 608 Sutherland Ave. Smallpieces of art, music lessons and vacation packages will be available. Funds raised are for the restoration of the heritageAbbot and Smith Pipe Organ in the Cathedral and funding for community members to participate in the Cathedral choir’s tour of England in 2017. Contact Matt Hill at 250-762-3321; email stceciliakelowna@gmail.com
Liela Neverland will perform a set of music and a set of Adele’s music Nov. 18 and 19 at the Creekside Theatre in Lake Country. Liela is also the brainchild for the Pianos in Parks program. Tickets online at www.creeksidetheatre.com; phone250-766-9309.
And a final heads up for everyone, I will not be writing a column next week. Having surgery on my two wings (arms). See you in the Nov. 23 edition of the Kelowna Capital News.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 60th Don Campbell (Nov. 12); Bernice Sebastian (Nov. 9); Lawrence Syrnyk (Nov. 9); John Weisbeck (Nov. 9); Michael Loewen (Nov. 10); Paul Cleland (Nov. 11); Jan Johnston, City of Kelowna (Nov. 12); Ron White(Nov. 11); Jeff Bourne (Nov. 11); Sofia Simeonidis (Nov. 11); Gord Hunting (Nov. 12); Michael Wynne (Nov. 12); Gordon Funnell (Nov.3); chef Mark Filatow (Nov. 13); Barb Vermassen (Nov.13); Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran (Nov. 14); Alli McNeill (Nov. 14); Nancy MacKellar (Nov.5); Ron Wittenberg (Nov.15); and Nick Imthorn (Nov. 15).