Straight From DeHart – April 11, 2018

Molly’s Café has relocated from the Towne Centre Mall to 520 Bernard Avenue. Owned and operated by Mike and Terry Ingram, the popular café serves breakfast adding pancakes and breakfast bowls. Molly’s now has a separate line for phone-in pick-up orders, pre-orders and grab and go. They serve Cherryhill coffee and all their favourite menu items, along with many new additions. Another new addition is The Vault, which is a private room at the back of the restaurant that seats eight. The vault was literally the former Royal Bank vault. Patio seating will be available for the summer months.  Call 250-862-8879 www.mollyscafe.com

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>Mike and Terry Ingram of Molly’s Cafe

After 23 years with the City of Kelowna and the last 12 as City Manager, Ron Mattiussi has retired. To celebrate, a retirement party will be held in his honour on Friday evening, April 27th at the Delta Grand. Tickets $75.00 or $550.00 for a table of 8 available at www.eventbrite.ca. There will be a cocktail reception, followed by a gala dinner and a few short speeches along with humour, laughter and possibly a few tears. All friends, family, staff, colleagues, community partners and residents are invited to attend.

The Kelowna Crafters and Framers Market is outdoors again at Springfield Road and Dilworth Drive on Saturday’s and Wednesday’s from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Teri Baker, author of “What if Bunny Poo Was Square?” is not your ordinary 89 year old. She stood up to stage four cancer and did not let it get her down. Now in the public eye with her delightful book, Teri is making up for lost time and having the time of her life. You are never too old to follow your dreams. The book, illustrated by Izabela Bzymek is a must read for ages 5 to 8. It is colourful, has large print, quirky, fun and true to life. The Moral: Don’t bite off more than you can chew! It is a great bed time read. Proceeds from the sale of each book is donated to the Michael Cuccione Cancer Research program at BC Children’s Hospital. The publication has been warmly received by local bookstores and social media. You can purchase it locally at Loadza Toys, Sticky’s Candy, Scallywags and Divine Inspired Gifts & Gallery.  Visit www.teritalesproductions.com

The Canadian Brewhouse & Grill at 3030 Pandosy Street in Sopa Square has incorporated the coolest serving devices in their restaurants across Canada. Kallpod is a 3-button tabletop device that allows a diner to request a menu, order a round or receive the check, all at their own convenience. Since launching the solution, they have seen a huge increase in gross sales and a marked increase in table turnover. These devices help servers know where to be, eliminating a bad experience of waiting too long for a server to attend a table and allows the customer to control their restaurant experience without removing the human experience. We tried the device for dinner one evening and it was a great experience. Servers were notified to come to our table when advised by the device and the entire experience was enjoyable and not impersonal. The servers said that they embraced this type of service immediately, which means greater gratuities. Ashlee Cameron is the supervisor and Filipa Marioras is the general manager of restaurant.  www.thecanadianbrewhouse.com

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>The Canadian Brewhouse's Kallpod Tabletop Device

British Columbian’s have been enjoying the taste of Caramoomel Fine Food Creations since 1990. Now, this local small business is jumping the B.C. border to share its decadent vegetable spreads and wine jellies with the rest of the country with a new partnership with large distributor, Tree of Life Canada. Owned and operated by CEO Catalina Dudka, Caramoomel products have evolved into a line of 22 gourmet items made with only the finest Okanagan fruits and vegetables. From the company’s cornerstone products of Dulce de Leche Caramel Spread and Apple Butter, the products are made in small batches using traditional cooking methods. All are organic, gluten free, contain no additives, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colouring or flavouring.  Products are available at Urban Fare, Save-On-Foods, Safeway as well as many Okanagan wineries. Call 1-888-765-0574 www.caramoomel.com

The Kelowna Chamber is joining forces with Uptown Rutland Association to bring joint mixer at Valley First Credit Union, Rutland Branch at #101 – 110 Hwy. 33 on Wednesday, April 18th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. $10 at the door.

Originally from South Africa, business partners Hugo Frouws and Johan Gouws produce a product locally under the name Canadian Meat Republic Ltd. It is a high protein dried beef snack called Biltong, which is a South African version of jerky. Tongue in cheek, Biltong is called the better cousin of jerky. Hugo and Johan started the business last year making the product at a local commercial kitchen. They now have moved to a new commercial kitchen and handcraft their product in small batches. The jerky is quite different than you might know as beef jerky. Biltong is a high protein beef snack made with Canadian beef, vinegar, and spices and is soft and chewy, not hard and chewy. There is no sugar, allergens or nitrates and is low fat. The flavours are chili and lime or spicy chipotle. Locally you can purchase it at Save-On-Foods (Lakeshore), Urban Fare, L&D Meats, Lakeview Market, Sunshine Market and T-Bones. Call 778-363-7377 www.meatonly.ca

<who>Photo Credit: Contributed</who>Bolting Beef Jerky - Hugo Frouws (L) and Johan Gouws

There are still a few tickets for Divas & Diamonds Ladies Night Out on April 21st at the Westbank Lions Hall hosted by the Peachland Lions Club. Proceeds to the KGH Foundation. It’s always a fun night and I am honoured to be the MC. Catering is sponsored by Blind Angler Grill in Peachland, fashion highlights by Galleria Fashions Boutique in West Kelowna and libations by The View Winery. There is a reverse draw and every 10th ticket will win with a huge prize draw at the end of the evening. Tickets $85.00 by calling Shelley Sweeney at 250-212-2025 or Lynne Herrin at 250-767-6225 or www.peachlandlions.com/events.

A new sponsor of Divas & Diamonds is a new event design and décor company called Pink Pumpkin Events, which is a family owned and operated business, led by mother and daughter team Diane Turner and Kimberley Tchebotar. They design and decorate for weddings, corporate, special events and not-for-profit fundraisers and provide linens, draping, floral and anything to make the event a huge success. One of the reasons that they are pleased to sponsor Divas & Diamonds is that it is an opportunity for them to give back to the KGH. Sadly, this time last year, Kimberley and her husband Dema’s newborn son passed away. Kimberley and Dema and their families are forever grateful for the resources, care and support from KGH during that difficult time. Giving back by sponsoring this event is their way of honouring their late son and grandson and to say thank you to the staff that looked after him. Please come out and support Pink Pumpkin and Divas and Diamonds.

Prevent identity theft and fraud by having your personal and confidential documents safely destroyed. The Community Shredding Event sponsored by West Kelowna Community Policing and RBC in support of the Boys and Girls Club Westside Youth Centre is Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the parking lot of the Royal Bank, 3650 Gosset Road in West Kelowna. Cash donations will be collected with shredding services provided by Okanagan Paper Shredding.  For information call 250-707-8022 or [email protected]

Trout Waters is hosting a free day of fly casting and demonstrations on Sunday, April 15th at Sutherland Park (Ellis Street – Base of Knox Mountain) from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Try the latest and greatest fly fishing gear from manufacturers of Sage, Winston, Orvis, Echo, Scott and TFO and have a chance to win a Winston fly rod.

The Kelowna Legion has lost the services of five bartenders. In order to keep the bar in operation, they need some new volunteers, which is an opportunity to meet new people and help the Legion. They are only asking for one shift per week commitment and if they do not get some help the bar will close. If you can help, contact Greg Vasey or Betty Ross at 250-762-4117.

Birthdays of the week – Happy 55th MJ Bennett (Apr. 17); Happy 96th Verna Fraser (Apr. 15); Ken Kardish (Apr. 11); Mary Browne (Apr. 11); Suzanne Basson (Apr. 11); Shelley Smith (Apr. 11); Stuart Dickson(Apr. 12); Joshua Dodgson (Apr. 12); Michelle Novakowski (Apr. 12); Beryle Baldeo (Apr. 13); Gloria Moore (Apr. 13); Dave Langton (Apr. 13); Gerry Zimmermann (Apr. 14); Walley Lightbody (Apr. 14); Linda Kerry (Apr. 14); Ken Thompson (Apr. 14); Bob Sibson (Apr. 14); Don Burnett (Apr. 14); Wendy Waller (Apr. 14); Jeff Harte (Apr. 14); Donna Joel (Apr. 14); Umberto Cagnoni (Apr. 15); Dave Rush (Apr. 15); Ken Finlayson (Apr. 16); Marg Jeffrey (Apr. 16); Mike Guzzi (Apr. 17); In memory of our mom Helen Abram (Apr. 13).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail [email protected]