It amazes me how many great businesses we have in our city that we do not really know much about. Interior Beverages & Food Service is one of those located at 1989 Harvey Avenue, tucked away behind Crystal Glass. The company has been serving the valley for the past 13 years, with President and General Manager Ken Millen, Vice President – Sales Paul Connors and Vice President – Service Chris Turner. From their 14,000 square foot facility, Interior Beverages services businesses and individuals across the hospitality, eatery and event industry supporting food and beverage systems including consulting, custom fittings, installations, warranty and ongoing maintenance. With 21 staff, including nine service technicians, Interior offers a huge variety of products, equipment and systems to meet all types of food and beverage establishments big or small. They are an agent for PraxAir, an authorized dealer for Bunn coffee equipment and authorized service provider for Tim Hortons, Starbucks and Perlick Draft Beer Company, as well as having an arrangement with Coca-Cola in a partnership for distribution of certain products to the food service industry. The company is extremely diversified, servicing ski hills, hockey arenas, schools, concessions and the major hospitality industry. Interior Beverages and VP Chris Turner are celebrating a huge milestone. Chris exemplifies service beyond excellence and has recently completed over 500 beer installations, as well as many other installations, maintenance, service and beverage food solutions in the Okanagan. Connie–gay Boyce is the VP Finance and Dave Simpson, Sales Account Manager. www.interiorbeverages.com.
Okanagan Symphony Society has a new executive Director. Geraldine Parent will join the organization in her new position on November 4th, with 25 years of experience in the arts, including administration and project management in diverse environments and at senior management levels. Since her return to the valley in 2017, Geraldine was previously the Theatre Manager of the Kelowna Community Theatre and Operations Coordinator for Chamber Music Kelowna. www.okanagansymphony.com
In the Okanagan’s hub of technology, entrepreneurship and creativity, Kelowna’s first Spaces co-working facility has opened in the Kelowna Innovation Centre. As one of the largest co-working facilities in the region, Spaces is an Amsterdam-born creative workspace provider that brings its unique brand of sophisticated European design, modern décor and creative flexibility to the heart of the city. A few of the features that members of Spaces Innovation Centre will have access to includes a technology focused building, over 22,000 square feet of collaborative workspace, three fully equipped meeting rooms, nine dedicated desks, private call rooms, 50 open co-working desks, lightening fast Wi-Fi and a fully serviced front desk. There is also stellar coffee with in-building catering options. Chris Ashburn is the area manager for both Spaces and Regus, Rachel Udy the community manager and Katie Mallard the community associate. Spaces have 185 locations in 54 countries. www.spacesworks.com
Big White Ski Resort has been named a finalist in the Pursuit Attraction and Adventure Category of the 2019 Canadian Tourism Awards. The winner will be announced November 20th.
Associate lawyer with Pushor Mitchell LLP, Mark Danielson has been appointed to the Board of Directors of Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan (CHBACO). Mark has a construction law practice and has wide experience including builder’s lien enforcement proceedings, construction disputes and warranty disputes.
The Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) October after 5 is Wednesday, October 16th hosted by The District on Bernard at 565 Bernard Avenue from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Food will be catered by Central Kitchen & Bar, wine from CedarCreek and beer from Okanagan Spring.
Angela–Price Stephens of Pushor Mitchell LLP has been appointed to the Advisory to Judicial Council Committee. The Committee is an important component of the decision-making process for appointing new Provincial Court Judges. Members of this Committee are senior members of the bar who have a minimum of ten years’ experience in their chosen fields.
Our very own Global Okanagan was the recipient of the prestigious National Canada’s Lifeline Regional Partner Award from Canadian Blood Services, presented at the Honouring Canada’s Lifeline Gala at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Other award recipients included Stu and Amy Middleton who founded the Hockey Gives Blood movement and the inspiring Boulet family who initiated the Green Shirt Day to recognize the families and victims of the Humboldt Broncos tragedy and promote awareness of organ donation. 100,000 people registered to become organ donors because of The Logan Boulet Effect.
Local radio station 99.9 SUN FM has rebranded to 99.9 VIRGIN RADIO with Virgin Mornings with B. Mack and Karly, bringing together one of the world’s most recognized international brands with local personalities, music and spirit of Kelowna. Kelowna will join other Virgin Radio stations across Canada to bring greater access to today’s hottest artists and events. For all on air personalities @VirginRadioKelowna. Ken Kilcullen is the local general manager of Bell Media Radio and Boyd Leader the program director.
With three winners from over 1,100 inspiring entries from across Canada, local company Happipad was one of the winners of “This is How I Grow My Business” contest. The contest asked entrepreneurs to submit their five-year business goals, along with how their company positively impacts the community. Winners received $20,000.00 in Solutionshop services and new technology from Staples Canada as well as a mentorship opportunity with Canadian fashion designer and champion of entrepreneurs, Joe Mimran. This marks the start of Staples Canada’s month-long celebration of Small Business Month, which will include inspiring guest speakers in its Spotlight Space as well as in-store showcases of local businesses in the new Kelowna Staples. Happipad co-founders are Cailan Libby and Kenneth Chau. www.staples.ca
Jazzercise Fitness Studio has opened in West Kelowna at 1515 Westgate Road owned and operated by 14-year Certified Jazzercise Instructor Paula Cowan. Paula was formerly teaching classes out of Sunridge Church from 2011 to 2017 and now has opened her own studio. Jazzercise has become popular in the Okanagan and Paula, along with her two daughters, Seliene and Chantal who are also Jazzercise instructions, offer ten classes weekly six days per week. It’s a pulse-pounding, beat-pumping fitness program that gets results fast. It’s a calorie-torching, hip-swiveling dance party workout to put your abs to the test, with a hot playlist to distract from the burn. Incinerate up to 800 calories per hour in one 60 minute class. The classes are dance mix, interval, strike, fusion, strength and core. It’s like a one-stop-shop for your fitness needs, from beginner to athlete, there are options for all. The franchise is celebrating 50 years with 8,300 franchisees in 32 countries around the world. www.jazzercise.com
Voyager RV in Lake Country has received The Gaylord Maxell Innovation Award from RVBusiness Magazine. The award is given to one RV dealership in North America annually to forward thinking approaches from technologies to customer service and everything in-between. Voyager has also been named, for the fifth year in a row, one of the top 50 RV dealerships in North American by RVBusiness. Jason Friesen is VP of the company.
The City of Kelowna Float with Ambassador Clarence Johnson and Lady of the Lake Priyaali Kanti and Princess Gracie Huber will be on their way to the Vancouver Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 13th.
On October 25, join Ryan Donn at the Kelowna Community Theatre and help raise funds for The Bridge Youth Recovery House. Presented by Valley First, enjoy a nostalgic night of ABBA (Arrivals) and Fleetwood Mac (Dreams). These Vancouver based tribute bands are well-known for their captivating shows and promise to deliver. During the evening Ryan will be performing a duet with the talented Leah West, covering the hit “Say Something”. Tickets online at www.kelownatickets.com or call 250-862-2867.
The Winemakers Dinner with Order of Canada recipient and multi-award winning winemaker Howard Soon of Vanessa Vineyard and acclaimed Chef Rod Butters is Saturday, October 12th at the new Okanagan Table at 1571 Pandosy Street. Gather around their long table for a multi-course winemaker’s dinner. Limited seating. Tickets at www.theokanagantable.ca.
Ukrainian Zabava Family Dinner and Dance is Saturday, October 19th at the Ukrainian Catholic Church at 1091 Coronation Avenue. Enjoy the Johnny vs. Johnny Band and enjoy food, friends, dinner and dancing. Tickets at Earthly Creations, 2630 Pandosy Street or call Marie Shandalla at 250-861-5825.
Birthdays of the week – Happy 60th Teresa Hodge (Oct. 13); Happy 40th Jeramie Cole (Oct. 9); Lyubov Omasheva (Oct. 9); Karen Roen (Oct. 9); Dale Briggs (Oct. 9); Kevin Greenwood (Oct. 9); Virginia Pisio (Oct. 10); Michelle Rule (Oct. 11); Gaelene Askeland (Oct. 11); Chris Gibson (Oct. 11); Stan Biggs (Oct. 11); Irene Morrison (Oct. 11); Rosy Agostino (Oct. 12); Ryan Morice (Oct. 12); Dave Clark (Oct. 13); Mervin Mascarenhas (Oct. 13); Phil Johnson (Oct. 14); Linda Winnick (Oct. 14); Barbara Vanstone (Oct. 14); Brenda Kraberger (Oct. 14).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City councilor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail [email protected] Website www.maxinedehart.ca
