This week’s column is dedicated to Alex Grimmer, father of long-time friend and retired RCMP Ross Grimmer. Alex passed away on March 17 in Summerland at the age of 99. Alex was a special, genuine man and we enjoyed our visits with him when he came to Kelowna. Personal condolences to Ross (Monika) and his entire family and friends.
The grand opening for the new Steve Nash Fitness World & Sports Club at 201-1980 Cooper Rd. (Orchard Plaza) in Kelowna is Saturday, April 9, from noon to 4 p.m.
The public can tour the new facility and participate in a special fitness adventure that, if completed, offers entry to win fabulous prizes. There will be a photo booth, DJ and SUN FM on location, along with Surf Side California Street Food truck. Kids can enjoy a special outdoor version of their club’s KidZone. Steve Nash Fitness offers something for everyone, with over 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art fitness equipment and amenities. From cardio workouts exclusive to Steve Nash clubs to world renowned fitness programs as well as group cycling, yoga and even classes geared just for seniors, Kelowna is the first gym paired vertically with the first UFC Club to launch in Canada. Other client services include child minding, free parking, group fitness room, lockers, lounge, personal training area, showers, stretching area and turf outdoor training.
Craftsman Collision has opened a new location in Rutland at 275 Highway 33 East. This is Craftsman’s third in the area, with the other two in West Kelowna and Kelowna on Springfield Road. The Rutland building was acquired from an existing collision repair business, but has undergone major renovations. The shop will have access to the training and specialized equipment necessary to handle repairs on all the new aluminum vehicles coming out, including the popular Ford F-150. Long-time Rutland resident Del Horsley leaves his position as manager of Craftsman in West Kelowna to take charge of the new Rutland shop. Del has been with Craftsman for four years.
David Bond has been appointed office managing partner of the Kelowna office of KPMG at 200-3200 Richter St. in Kelowna. Bond has more than 20 years of experience providing audit, accounting and services to both private companies and public sector organizations. David succeeds Peter Ranson, who will continue as the national leader for KPMG’s Aboriginal Client Services, based out of the Kelowna office. Call 250-979-7150; online kpmg.ca.
Ben McEvoy is the new food and beverage manager of the Kelowna Yacht Club.
Stained glass artist Pat Innes, relocated to the Okanagan from Calgary, has brought her stained business to Kelowna. Innes has created beautiful works of unique stained glass art for the past 15 years under the name Touches of Glass. She creates living pieces of art through stained glass in various shapes, styles and sizes, including hanging panels. Pat especially loves to create scenery through stained glass. The panels can be small or as large as a full size window. Along with creating the stained glass art, she also gives lessons and does repairs. Some of her work is at the Lake Country Art Gallery and Coffee Shop where she displays small panels and has one piece of 12 resting wild horses in Gallery Odin at Silver Star Mountain. She was commissioned to create seven stained glass windows of wildlife and scenery for the Lake Louise Ski Lodge. She has also been commissioned to create several other pieces and presently has inventory for sale at her studio. If you would like to see her beautiful work call 778-480-6015.
Professional travel consultant Denise Cesselli, formerly with Sun Country Travel and Travel Time, has joined the team at Tri Star Travel and Cruise. Denise specializes in tailor made trips and group adventure travel. Owned and operated by Glenna Gillen, Tri Star Travel is part of the ensemble Travel Group Network. To reconnect with Denise, she is hosting an open house April 25 starting at 6 p.m. at The Wine at the Art Bistro, 315 Lawrence Ave. Call 778-477-8600 (520) or email denise@tristartravelandcruise.com.
Dolicious Donuts in West Kelowna, owned and operated by Torsten and Jeanne Kaminski and Chris Cruz, has opened Dolicious Express in the Towne Centre Mall, 565 Bernard Ave. The trio will host a grand opening on Saturday, April 9, at noon with free donuts, coffee and other treats. The celebration will include submission to the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s largest apple fritter which will be cut and eaten that day. Call 778-821-0275.
Speaking of the Towne Centre Mall, Luscious Lashes has opened in the mall. The latest beauty trend from Europe and the USA, Luscious Lashes offer beautiful eyelash extensions, professionally applied that look, feel and wear like your own lashes, custom-designed for your eyes. Owned and managed by Cindy Staines, Luscious Lashes are semi-permanent that last for four to eight weeks, great for special occasions and regular daily wear, water resistant, shower and swim worry free and are available in various lengths, weights, curls and colours. All their technicians are certified and the procedure takes 30 to 90 minutes. Luscious Lashes also offers semi-permanent mascara, facial waxing and make-up application. Open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 778-478-0747; online lusciouslashes.ca.
Congratulations to Tammy Shoranick, daughter of Steve and Karen Shoranick, and Dayton Turner on their marriage at Big White Ski Resort on April 2.
Storytelling Tuesday, experiencing your community through inspirational stories, is hosted by Shawna McCrea, of Balance Well-Being Centre Inc. at 97 Street Pub (Best Western) on Tuesday, April 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. What to expect? From 5 to 6 p.m., refreshments, food and music by a variety of local musicians; 6 to 6:45 p.m., storytellers share their stories; 6:45 to 7 p.m., intermission with music; and 7 to 8 p.m. storytellers share their stories. Limited tickets available at $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Storytelling Tuesday is the second Tuesday of each month. For more info online, check out balancewell-being.com.
The annual free fly casting and rod demo day put on by Trout Waters Fly & Tackle will take place Sunday, April 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Sutherland Park (on Ellis Street near Knox Mountain). It’s a perfect day to learn the art of fly casting with their certified casting instructors, with presentations throughout the day for both basic and advance casting techniques. Just come and learn, they provide the rest. Call 250-980-0800.
The next Kelowna Women in Business (KWIB) luncheon is April 13 at the Ramada Hotel, 2170 Harvey Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The guest speaker will be Melonie Dodaro, best-selling author of The LinkedIn Code and founder of Top Dog Social Media.She will talk about how to convert a prospect into a client on LinkedIn. Payment won’t be accepted at the door. Register online in advance at kwib.org.
Breanne Cleland, Miss Kelowna 2010, is asking for help on a project she is working on to decrease preventable deaths of moms and children in Benin and Togo, Africa. Breanne is now a registered nurse and a great ambassador for Kelowna. So, how do we help herand encourage people to step up? You can donate at online at secure.powertochange.org/p-1094-cleland-breanne.ministry.aspx and put the word “trip” in the notes section when donating. The goal is to raise $10,000. To encourage people to donate, local MLA Norm Letnick has offered to host an event at his home April 9, 7 p.m., for people to meet with Breanne. You can also get a chance to win a huge prize of a trip for two from Air Canada to Las Vegas, three nights stay at Mandalay Bay and tickets to Michael Jackson One by Cirque du Soleil from April 14 to17 for a $100 donation.
Birthdays of the week: Happy 95th Ed Jackson (April 11); happy 60th Debbie Charles (April 2); Garth Johnstone (April 6); Jayda Zacharis (April 7); Brenda Erickson (April 8); Reinhold (Tiny) Gerl (April 8); Alan Jenks (April 8); Jeff Kumagai (April 9); Catherine Wilson (April 9); Ed Leoppky (April 10); Stephen Cipes (April 10); Wendy Sanderson (April 10); Mary Browne (April 11); Suzanne Basson (April10); Robyn Huva (April 12); Stuart Dickson (April 12).