The Kelowna Garden Club is celebrating their 100th Anniversary. The club was established in 1924 and is still vibrant and relevant and perhaps more relevant than ever. To begin the celebration year, they are hosting an event called “Gardening Into The Future” on Saturday, February 24, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Church. The focus of this event is on sustainability and adapting to a changing climate. Four dynamic speakers, including Ken Salvail, Mario Lanthier, Sigrie Kendrick and Laverne DeYaeger will talk about Okanagan specific gardening issues like drought, tolerant plants pest management, vegetable gardening and small space container gardening. Don Burnett will be the MC. The 2024 Directors of the Kelowna Garden Club are Alicja Paradzik, President; Victoria Roscoe, Vice-President; Lisa Boulanger, Treasurer; Jane Rampone and Lynn Sinclair, Co-secretaries; Marian Ingram and Dorothy Robison, Newsletter Co-editors; Beverly Thomas, Membership; Pam Leco, Flower Show Coordinator; Marilyn Degraw, Grow & Show Coordinator; Linda Tomlinson and Lillian Sokil, Plant Sale Coordinator’s and Linda Edser, Publicity. Tickets for the event are $50.00 on-line in advance through Eventbrite and will not be available at the door. A box lunch will be provided. For more information visit www.kelownagardenclub.ca
With 34 years in business, The Tickle Trunk/TTM Events has moved to new premises at 1921 Kent Road, beside Cupcasions and across from Columbia Bottle Depot. Owned and operated by Hal and Debbie Puder, the renovated store carries much more than their extensive lines of balloons, which has the largest selection of shape, size and color in the valley. They offer a huge selection of party ware and gifts, including TY Plush. It is the 30th anniversary of TY and The Tickle Trunk sold them 25 years ago when they were at their hottest with a Tickle Trunk Kids Club that offered a discount to kids and special shopping events when new shipments came in. Kids Club is being re-launched with the same benefits offered 25 years ago. The Tickle Trunk Party Club offers a discount loyalty program with discounts and special deals to customers as well as a newsletter with party tips and ideas. Popular is Debbie and Hal’s Kindness Bouquet that delivers a free balloon bouquet and card to anyone who needs their spirits lifted or for someone deserving recognition for demonstrating kindness. The Tickle Trunk specialize in all types of balloons and confetti balloons for large corporate events, casino parties, birthdays, anniversaries, disco parties, tropical parties, gender reveals, Valentines Day or any other special occasions or parties. Free delivery is an added service. With Valentines Day just around the corner, The Tickle Trunk/TTM Events are partnering with Cupcasions, owned and operated by Libbie Philips and daughter Breanna Kelly. You can order a special balloon bouquet and a beautiful 6-inch cake for the special person in your life. Call 250-878-8864 or 250-860-3690 as all balloons and cakes must be pre-ordered.
Brent Couves, Vice President, Sales has been the sales manager at Wilden for the past 21 years. He started his career working in master planned projects in 1989 for Ed Hall and Barry Johnston at Canadian Adult Communities, which included Sandhaven, Sunrise Village, Sandstone, Sandpointe, Sandalwood, Sandridge and Predator Ridge. He then went over to Dilworth Mountain Estates for a few years and ultimately ended up at Wilden. Brent will be scaling back to part-time work at Wilden and is handing the wheel over to his awesome sidekick for the past eleven years, Lisa Dalcin. www.wilden.ca
Local Financial Consultant, Francis Cheng of Raymond James will be featured on a segment of the Wealthy Life with Sybil Verch, airing on Global TV on January 20th at 11:30 a.m. PST. He will be diving into the world of ESG investing and will share his insight with this wider audience. Francis.cheng@raymondjames.ca
Local rock band, Freeze the Fall is getting set to launch their first original single onto all streaming platforms on January 25th, 2024. This young rock trio has been taking the local rock scene by storm and is excited to take this next step to share their music with the world. The five song EP will be released in the early spring. A single release party has been scheduled at Crown and Thieves on January 27th. www.freezethefallband.com. Tickets at www.eventbrite.ca/e/freeze-the-fall-the-broken-heart-club-tickets-779596192197
Since 2007, Judy Levine, creator and owner/operator of the Okanagan Sunshine Savings Coupon Book, has distributed the popular book to residents from West Kelowna to Lake Country. Judy is retiring and has sold the business to Amanda Homeniuk. Amanda’s background is in the marketing and design industry. She is also the owner/operator of Kaleco Clothing, which offers eco-friendly clothing and gifts for women and Antlr Clothing for men, both located in Vernon. Amanda will continue to distribute the coupon book through Canada Post to homes that accept unaddressed mail, with the next volume being distributed in April. The coupons are also available on-line. Amanda will be introducing the coupon book in Vernon in a separate edition. The book is chock-full of offers for restaurants, activities, beauty, health, home improvements, specialty and auto services. Judy has been active in the community with her specialty in creating murals around the city. In her retirement she is looking forward to creating more colorful and exciting murals in our area. www.sunshinesavings.ca
The Institute of Corporate Directors’ (ICD) is hosting a breakfast seminar January 25th from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Kelowna Yacht Club entitled Surviving a Cybersecurity Attack and Other IT Challenges. Okanagan College President, Dr. Neil Fassina will share how his team dealt with a serious attack on OC’s systems last year. Robin Tong, a Technology Risk Partner at KPMG will then outline how boards can ask the right questions that could save the organizations they oversee from these nightmare scenarios. The session will also look at how organizations need to be one step ahead as we move into the newest digital era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Tickets at www.icd.ca/events
Okanagan Power and Sail Squadron, a volunteer unit of the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, presented a donation to AbleSail Okanagan in the amount of $2,000.00. AbleSail is a non-profit organization which introduces people with disabilities and age-related issues to the joys of sailing. During the summer of 2023, 44 persons with disabilities participate in the on-water sessions. Ean Price is the chair of AbleSail and Nicole Kiatipis is the executive coordinator of the Kelowna Yacht Club. www.AbleSailOkanagan.com.
The Train Station Pub, at 1177 Ellis Street, owned and operated by David and Rhonda Lindsay is temporarily off the tracks while it undergoes a major interior update. The building that originated as Kelowna’s CN Railway Station will boast some fresh new finishes while maintaining its historic significance. Follow @trainstationpub for reno updates, special events and re-opening date.
Alison Faulkner is the new Business Development Manager for Canadian Blood Services Plasma Centre in Orchard Park Shopping Centre, formerly held by Janna Pantella. Janna has moved into a new role as Plasma Centre Manager. Men can donate plasma weekly, and women can donate every 14 days. To book an appointment download the Give Blood app, call 1-888-2-DONATE (236-6283) or visit www.blood.ca.
The Kelowna Actors Studio is hosting TOOTSIE, February 7th to 25th. Get ready to be swept off your feet by the sensational TOOTSIE the Musical. This blockbuster extravaganza brings the beloved 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman to life with all the glitz, glamour, and heartwarming moments you could ever wish for. www.kelownaactorsstudio.com
Kelowna International Fringe Festival is back January 28 to February 4th, 2024 after being cancelled this summer due to the fires. There are ten shows over seven days. Over 50 artists will be featured in this play festival that has it all including comedy, improv, drama, storytelling and thrillers. Tickets $13.00 to $22.00; www.kelownafringe.ca
The 10th Annual Interior Savings (Beem) Unplug & Play and Family Literacy Week is Sunday January 21 to Sunday, January 28th. The week celebrates screen-free play, creative activities and learning for families with young children. The week kicks off with a free family event at Parkinson Rec Centre on Sunday, January 21st from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information visit www.unplugandplayweek.com
David Colic is the new Chief technology Officer (CTO) of Beem Credit Union (formerly Interior Saving Credit Union). Currently living in Toronto, David will be relocating to B.C. in 2024. Beem Credit Union opened its doors as a province-wide credit union on January 1, 2024, with the merger of Gulf & Fraser and Interior Savings Credit Union and is led by CEO Brian Harris in Kelowna.
Birthdays of the week – Happy 50th Jason Agostino (Jan. 23); Tracy Nyboe-Styles, my sister, RE/MAX (Jan. 19); Ross Gilley (Jan. 17); Joyce Prowse (Jan. 17); Dina Kotler (Jan. 17); Jim Belshaw (Jan. 17); Charlene Schafer (Jan. 18); Melonie Dodaro (Jan. 19); Jeannie Agostino, Jason’s mom (Jan. 19); Martin Bell (Jan. 19); Bruce Irving (Jan. 20); Tyson Ralph (Jan. 21); Dave Russell (Jan. 21); Mark Tompkins (Jan. 21); Bonnie Alcock (Jan. 21); Josh Duncan (Jan. 22); Lil Colpron (Jan. 22); Pat Thompson (Jan. 22); Wendy Wise (Jan. 22); Gilles Parisien (Jan. 23); Les Campbell (Jan. 23); Jacquie Jones (Jan. 23).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
