The Graze Company is a catering company that specializes in charcuterie boxes, boards and tables. They are the perfect accompaniment to entertaining at home, corporate gatherings, brand launches, corporate gifts, private workshops, weddings or any occasion where great food is in order. Owned and operated by Sheena Barbour, who formerly worked at Mission Hill Winery on the terrace, the company has had to adapt during this pandemic. Sheena has travelled to 39 countries and lived in Germany and France. Her love of food is what brought her to start this company in the Okanagan. The charcuterie boxes come in various sizes, from mini graze boxes that are perfect for one to larger ones for any size gathering. Graze has launched a DIY Kit that comes with a bottle of wine and instructions to make your very own charcuterie board. The chef at Graze does not put together just any charcuterie box, board or table. They are absolutely beautifully displayed, have considerable variety and everything is edible, even the decorative flowers. It’s a true taste of luxury. From an evening with friends or a gift for someone who cannot leave their home, Graze should be on your list. Take a look at their website. It’s incredible. www.thegrazecompanyokanagan.com.
Smitty’s Family Restaurant in the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre at 2170 Harvey Avenue is bringing back their popular buffet, however, it will be done in a different, new and fully COVID protocol way. Starting on Monday, November 30th and every Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. you will again be able to enjoy a variety of your favorite dishes. How does it work? You will be given a disposable menu with choices for you to check-off. Selections are then taken to the kitchen and plated by Smitty’s kitchen chefs. Your server will bring the plated food to your table with condiments, just as if you ordered off the menu. If you would like another helping, you will be provided with a new disposable menu to again check-off your favorite dishes and the same protocol process will take place. Menu items to start are scrambled eggs, mini perogies with sour cream and onions, pork sausage, bacon, cubed hash browns, pastries (will change daily). Now you will be able to enjoy all your Smitty’s favorites. Open seven days a week at 7:30 a.m.
This year marks the 20th year of the Annual Christmas Promise Bike Build Campaign and the Waste Connections of Canada – Okanagan Division’s 4th sponsored year to help kids in need. The goal this year is to raise $16,000.00 which translates into 120 bikes and 120 helmets to go with them as safety is their #1 core value. Why bikes? Bikes give a child a sense of freedom and also a great way to help them live an active lifestyle and teach them early stages of sustainability. Waste Connections want to bring a little joy to kids’ lives as they genuinely care about the children in our community. Their team is ready to go and you can donate by contacting Shamoya Robinson at 250-807-5203 or shamoya.robinson@wasteconnections.com. Shawn Pearson is the District Sales Manager, BC Interior of the company.
As they cannot have a party this year, the 20th Annual Tiny Tim Charity Toy Breakfast hosted by the Coast Capri Hotel for the Salvation Army will be different this year. The hotel will be a toy drop off location only, rather than a breakfast event. By having donations dropped off over a three weeks period, COVID transmission will be reduced as there will be no gatherings involved. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or cash donation to the Coast Capri Hotel at 1171 Harvey Avenue from November 27th to December 15th between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. All participants will be entered into a prize draw for a one night stay at the Coast Capri including a $50.00 dining credit. You can also make a donation at their virtual kettle at https://kettle.salvationarmy.ca/17021/fill-the-kettle-2020/100442/20th-annual-coast-capri-hotel-tiny-tim-toy-drive/
Huge Congratulations to the United Way 70th Anniversary Stay at Home Gala presented by Sun Life. Raising over $70,000.00, it proved to be an evening of great retrospect and celebration. Guests took the virtual viewers through seven decades of local love with performances from nine local bands and musicians and appearances from many familiar faces connected with United Way over those decades. The champions of the evening were the many donors, sponsors, event partners, speakers and volunteers who contributed to the end result through ticket sales, donations and online auction items. Read the entire story and view event photos at https://unitedwaysibc.com/local-love-in-action-at-70th-anniversary-stay-at-home-gala/
Earthly Creations Floral Art Gift Gallery at 2630 Pandosy Street is celebrating their 21st Anniversary. Owned by Marie Shandalla, the shop will celebrate on November 27th and 28th offering a local artisan gift with the purchase of a floral arrangement. Delivery or curbside pickup is available. Call 250-861-5825.
At 509 Bar and Eatery has a new chef and a new menu. Located at 509 Bernard Avenue, this quaint restaurant is owned by Amanda Osiowsy. Joshua Brunsdon is the new executive chef who has created a really cool new revamped menu. Chef Brunsdon worked at a popular BBQ smoke house on the Island, hence his specialty is brisket and pulled pork. He is excited to bring soul back to food in this establishment and the new menu is farm to table orientated with the produce provided by Green Croft Gardens. Along with the brisket and pulled pork specialties, there is a good variety of lunch and dinner items including burgers, buttermilk fried chicken, poutines, bone in pork chop, bangers and mash and a good variety of starters, sides, salads and desserts. We tried the eggplant benny and iron farmer skillet. Both were exceptional. Open Tuesday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for brunch. Music on the weekends.
City of Kelowna Recreation Manager, Ali Westlund has won a prestigious WOW (Widening Our World) Award from Community Living BC. The award is given to British Columbians who are making their communities more inclusive. When the Kelowna Rec Centre was closed due to the pandemic, Ali quickly arranged new virtual programs to bring into participants’ living rooms so people could continue to feel connected. Ali also created a weekly newsletter featuring photos and updates of what staff and participants were up to and worked behind the scenes to make sure that when permitted to re-open, careful steps were being taken so activities could continue while keeping individuals and staff safe. www.kelowna.ca
Peachland Recovery Task Force presents the Light-Up Virtual Gala on December 4th at 6:00 p.m. supporting Peachland non-profits. There will be E entertainment, a silent auction and meal options. Entertainment by Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Elvis (Adam Fitzpatrick), Marty Edwards & the Revival and Sister Act. Tickets $25.00 per person at trellis.org/light-up-virtual-gala
Okanagan College Professors Dr. Kyleen Myrah and Kerry Rempel have brought home the gold medal award for Best Case Overall at the North American Case Conference (NACRA). The case, titled “Change in the time of COVID: Determining How a Lived Experience Circle on Homelessness Adapts Their Team Development Model” details how the Kelowna community strove to embed the voice of lived experience individuals into every aspect of their plan to functionally end homelessness and the challenges of continuing this vital work during a global pandemic. Their case was selected from a pool of 165 cases, attended by over 250 lead case researchers and publishers from 30 countries. It was facilitated virtually. This case just adds to many other impressive wins by Myrah and Rempel. kmyrah@okanagan.bc.ca; krempel@okanagan.bc.ca.
Wentworth Music has been named in the Top 100 Music Stores Worldwide by the National Association of Music Merchants. The award honours retailers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their stores, neighbourhoods and customers as well as share in a vision to create a more musical world. Noel Wentworth is the Vice-President of Education and Media at Wentworth Music.
Birthdays of the week – Happy 40th David Kopp (Nov. 28); Clare Mallow (Nov. 25); Pamela Pearson (Nov. 26); David Wikenheiser (Nov. 26); Reg Henry (Nov. 27); Chris Rochfort (Nov. 27); Maryann Tulloch (Nov. 27); Gary Filifilo (Nov. 28); Ken Black (Nov. 28); Dr. Mike Shepherd (Nov. 29); Bryan Feagan (Nov. 29); Lou Goncalves (Nov. 30); Jana Hardy (Nov. 30); Meryl Corbett (Nov. 30); Vern Martindale (Dec. 1); Dan Albas (Dec. 1); Leonard Wikenheiser (Dec. 1).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, E-mail max@maxindehart.ca and web-site www.maxinedehart.ca
