Straight From DeHart – Sept. 11, 2019

If you have not visited Staples in Dilworth Centre lately, you will get a huge surprise. The store has been completely renovated and along with the retail operation, the company has introduced an entirely new concept. The official grand-opening of the retail store will be this Saturday, September 14 with revamped and renovated space,  introducing 1,000 new products along with an expanded service area for shipping (FedEx and Postal), digital marketing, business, personal and print services. Jamie Wattie is the general manager of the retail operation. www.staples.ca. Staples has also introduced Staples Studio, Kelowna’s newest co-working and community space with incredible amenities including a state of the art event space and Staples Spotlight with a pod cast booth. This is where startups, small businesses and entrepreneurs can gather to work, learn and growth together. It’s for people focused on personal and professional growth. The Marmalade Café will be housed in the Studio offering coffee and tea. See how you can join, check out what the studio has to offer and learn about the Spotlight Speaker Series at www.studio.staples.ca or contact Matt Stewart, studio community manager at [email protected].

Please join us at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre on Harvey Avenue at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 15th for the return of the Cops For Kids Riders. Phil Johnson will MC the event and all the public is invited to attend.

Robin Barrett is the new membership chairman for the Kelowna Hostess. Congratulations to treasurer Rose Adams who is celebrating ten years of volunteering with the organization. If you would like to join this wonderful organization contact Robin at [email protected] or call 250-861-3487.

Al Snow (Allen Sarven), professional championship wrestler along with Barb Egan, registered clinical counsellor presents Combative Sport & Mental Health on Saturday, September 14th at Okanagan College from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Some of the topics the workshop will address are mental toughness, improved performance, self-care, stress reliever, sleep, nutrition and pain. Tickets at www.trellis.org/al-snow-presents.

Get in amazing shape with a fun and exciting 30 minute workout. 9Round is a specialized fitness center for people who want a unique, fun and proven workout that guarantees results. 9Round offers a kickboxing themed fitness program that incorporates functional, interval, cardiovascular and circuit training regimens. Tricia Chrzanowski and her husband Dave Kirk have recently acquired the 9Round Pandosy location at 102 – 3030 Pandosy Street and now own and operate all three 9Round locations including West Kelowna (106 – 2127 Louie Drive) and Rutland (225 Rutland Road S.). They are planning a fourth location in Glenmore once they find a suitable space. 9Round members in the area can access any of the three locations for unlimited full-body workouts that change every day. At 9Round you do not have to worry about class times and a trainer is always included. www.9round.com.

Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan (CHBACO) has a new board of directors for 2019/2020. Congratulations to president Cassidy deVeer (3rd Generation Homes); Justin O’Connor, past-president (Sotheby’s International Realty), Russ Foster, executive secretary (Wilden/Blenk Development), Kevin Santos, treasurer (Grant Thornton), Mark Danielson, presidential appointee (Pushor Mitchell Lawyers LLP), Chuck Cullen (Team Construction), Ranvir Nahal (Sunterra Custom Homes), Don Pineau (Quality Plumbing & Heating), Jade Davidson (Hybrid Elevator), Krista Paine (Ian Paine Construction), Brianne McKenzie (KelownaNow/Csek Creative), Sherri Paiement (TELUS), Darren Witt (Bercum Builders). Marika Luczi is the executive director of the association.

Earth to Table Vegan Market is hosting its first ever outdoor market at House of Rose Winery on September 15th. The event goats over 35 local, plant based vendors offering healthy cruelty free and sustainable goods, as well as a picnic area to enjoy a glass of wine and live music by the Tree Huggers performing throughout the day.

Huge thanks to Hunter Rossi at Best Buy, Alex Allardyce of Winners and JW of EK Cellular, all for their exceptional service. Everyone helped in getting new wireless Ear Buds and a phone case to I can walk hands free. Now there is definitely no excuse for not exercising.

Earthly Creations Floral Art Gift Gallery, owned and operated by Marie Shandalla is hosting a Back to the Village Social to promote shopping local on Saturday, September 15th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be fun for all ages, including flowers for the first 52 clients, door prizes, local artisans and goodie samples, music and a bubble machine for the kids. Marie always puts on a great party, so stop in and visit. Her tea pot is always on.

Register for a free Waterwise Gardening Workshop on Tuesday, September 24th form 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Regional District, 1450 KLO Road. Okanagan xeriscape specialist, Eva Antonijevic will illustrate the principals of waterwise landscape design and planning, including plant selection, irrigation, soil, mulch, turf areas and maintenance. Designed for people who want to make changes to existing landscapes or are new to gardening. Reserve by calling 250-469-6227.

GreenStep Solutions has once again been named a Best For the World honouree in recognition of their positive impact on the environment, workforce, local communities, suppliers, customers and corporate governance. It is a multi-faceted sustainability servicer company. They deliver creative, flexible solutions to meet a wide range of sustainability objectives and challenges. Their services are customized based on client size, sector, goals and budget. GreenStep services include custom workshops, facilitation, best practices research, energy, waste and water audits, program development, management, implementation, carbon footprint measurement, carbon offset, carbon neutral advisors, sustainability charters, policies, actions plans, annual reports, public engagement, communications and education. Angela Nagy is the CEO. [email protected]

Congratulations to Lynda Watt Millard who was honoured with the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers at a ceremony at Government House in Victoria. Lynda was recognized for her work over the past ten years with the Crown Jewels of Canada Society, a National non-profit which she founded in 2009 which has over the years welcomes 8,000 Canadian women into the organization. The objective is to unite women across Canada in a social environment offering friendship and support.

Katharines’ Smart Art started by Katharine Almas and Joan Young is a locally run small business painting event based in Kelowna/Lake Country. Katharine is a local Okanagan artist and certified instructor and Joan is the business manager as well as a long time student of Katharine’s.  What sets them apart from a painting class is that they offer a lot of one-on-one instruction. Their next event will be on Saturday, September 28th at the Seniors Centre in Lake Country at 9832 Bottoms Wood Lake Road from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. including an English style brunch for $65.00.  The course includes supplies needed to create a truly awesome masterpiece (16 x 20 canvas), acrylic paints, brushes, pallets, aprons and a take-home kit with a step by step instruction sheet to paint at home. Register at www.katharinessmartart.ca or call 250-765-6204.

The Kelowna Lioness Club is now meeting at the White Spot Restaurant on Highway 97. The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 18th at 6:00 p.m. Ladies are invited to join them and make new friendships. Call Ann Luhoff at 250-861-1202.

The AGM of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter is Monday, September 16th at 5:00 p.m. at Okanagan coLab, Affinity Hal Room, 204 – 1405 St.Paul Street. They will recognize volunteers and celebrate a successful year of ending abuse and building hope. RSVP by September 6th to louise.rukin@kelownawomensshelter.ca.

The Annual Rutland Grub Crawl is back to discover cuisine that is close to home is on Tuesday, September 17th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets $20.00 with only 250 to be sold. Tickets at URBA office, 158 Valley Road and Whisk Cake, 203 Rutland Road N. Cash only.

Birthdays of the week – Rose Kardynal, my second mom (Sept. 10); Mike Haines (Sept. 10); Cheryl Gillespie (Sept. 10); Bill Wightman (Sept. 10); Bryden Winsby (Sept. 10); Chris DeHart (Sept. 11); Andy James (Sept. 11); Murray Scott (Sept.11); Tom Lightfoot (Sept. 11); Holly Yxera (Sept. 11); Norm Sandvik (Sept. 11); Margie Hatanaka (Sept. 12); Jim Lanyon (Sept. 12); Kim McKeachnie (Sept. 14); Bonnie Anderson (Sept. 14); Marj Roseberry (Sept. 16); Marilyn Hedman (Sept. 16).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail [email protected] and web-site www.maxinedehart.caa