Twenty years ago I wrote a piece for owner/operator Jean-Claude Desjardins who relocated from Montreal and opened Casa Carmella Restaurant at the corner of Highway 33 and 97. Jean-Claude was raised on traditional Italian recipes passed down through his mother Carmella. He owned the restaurant for a few years and then went into other businesses. Now, he has decided to put his culinary/chef skills back to work and has opened Chichino’s Italian Restaurant at the Mission Creek Golf Club on KLO Road. The space has been completely renovated with lots of parking and a beautiful view of the golf course. The menu offers all home-made soups, salads, antipasti, pasta, pizza, sandwiches and incredible desserts. Our table of four ordered salad appetizers, Fettuccini Frutti di Mare, Preferito di Chichino (house specialty) and Chris and I shared the most scrumptious Agli e spinaci pizza. The food was absolutely delicious with generous portions, reasonably priced and great service. The Tiramisu was the best I have ever tasted. Glad that Jean-Claude is back in the restaurant industry. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Reservations call 236-420-2679 www.chichinos.ca.
After nearly 13 years with KF Aerospace and KF Capital (Formerly Kelowna Flightcraft), CFO Meryle Corbett, FCPA, FCMA is retiring at the end of May. Meryle will not be sitting around in her retirement as she has been acclaimed as a director on the board of First West Credit Union (FWCU) and will be assuming the vice-chair position of FWCU’s audit committee. First West is the amalgamation of Valley First, Envision, (Lower Mainland), Island Savings and Enderby Credit Union. Meryle is also going on the board of the Kelowna Chapter of ICD.D which is the Institute of Chartered Directors. With the rest of her time she hopes to golf, travel and do other volunteer work.
Rick Hembruch is the new CFO at KF Capital Ltd. (Parent company of KF Aerospace Group of companies), replacing Meryle Corbett. Rick has been the corporate controller at KF Aerospace for 23 years. Tracy Medve is the president over all the KF companies.
UMAMI, Crave the Fifth is a new dressing, finishing sauce and dip which is gluten free, vegan and low in sodium. The company is owned and operated by Joanna Best and Stephanie Gaudette and was created by Joanna’s husband, Justin Best, chef at BNA Eatery & Brewery, (and on their menu). UMAMI is Japanese for savory and The Fifth is the little known youngest sibling of the four familiar tastes which are sweet, salty, bitter and sour. It is a traditional yeast style of dressing which can be used on just about anything, including greens, grains, fish, chicken roasted vegetables and stir fry. You can purchase UMAMI at Independent Grocer, Quality Greens and Lakeview Market. www.okanagan-umami.ca. Also on Facebook and Instagram.
The 85th Edition of the PNE Prize Home has been unveiled and it’s a luxurious as ever and in our own back yard. Kirschner Mountain is getting its fourth PNE Prize home this year. This seems to be the most popular prize home lottery in B.C. Tickets can be purchased from pne.ca.
Congratulations to good friend and media colleague Rick Webber of Global Okanagan (CHBC-TV) on his retirement in July. He will be missed by the all the viewers, including myself. I faithfully watch the 11:00 p.m. broadcast. Rick said that he was not sure what retirement will hold for him. He would like to continue to be an active part of the community and I would not be surprised if you see him doing some part-time media work.
After 40 years in the business community, Sherry Shiskin is retiring. Sherry’s Grand Apparel located in the Delta Grand Hotel where she has been for the past 20 years will close on May 30th and she still has some lovely apparel to sell. Sherry would also like to thank all her valued clientele over the years.
Three members of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan (CHBA-CO) were awarded the highest accolades in the Canadian home building industry at the 76th National Conference. The winners were selected by a panel of judges from over 700 entries. Bringing home the hardware for the Okanagan was Paradise Estates of West Kelowna who won the 2019 Community Development Awards; Mission Group won in the category of Attached Homes – Mid to High Rise Condominium or Apartment Project (Planned) for their ELLA project and Marvel Pro Contracting and Renovations Ltd. won in the category of Bathroom Luxury Master Bath. www.chbaco.com
Dine the District is an incredible opportunity for culinary loving people to enjoy all of the restaurant tenants in the Landmark District. With a custom interactive map, participants can enjoy the various offerings and collect stamps for dining in the district. Once maps have five or more stamps, they can be send via social media for a chance to win amazing prizes. Visit www.landmarkcentre.ca or follow the Landmark District on Facebook at /landmarkdistrict_ylw or in Instagram. @landmarkdistrict_ylw.
Join the Hearts in Rhythm Organization for a public forum called “Keeping the Beat: How Our Communities Can Prevent Tragedy” on Saturday, June 8th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Kelowna downtown library. Interact with experts in the causes of sudden cardiac arrest and hear about the Canadian guidelines for cardiac screening in athletes. Impressive speaker panel is Dr. Chris Semsarian, Dr. Andrew Krahn, Dr. Paul Dorian, Dr. Shu Sanatani, Dr. Ciorsti MacIntyre, Aaron McArthur, Alan Corrance and David Fowlie. Also sponsored by UBC and KGH Foundation. RSVP at 604-682-2344 or [email protected]
Making Coco – The Grant Fuhr Story Movie Kelowna screening will be held at Landmark Cinemas Grand 10 Theatre on Sunday, June 16th at 7:00 p.m. Executive sponsorship packages are available, which include an exclusive evening with Grant Fuhr, including eight VIP tickets to the screening, Limited Edition Grant Fuhr print, private dinner for two with Grant Fuhr and Film Director Adam Scorgie, as well as prime logo placement and promotional material inclusion. Limited packages are available. If you or your company is interested in this opportunity, email [email protected].
Don Tamaki, President of the Kelowna Bonsai Club celebrated their 35th anniversary last year. The club is hosting a Bonsai Show on May 25th and 26th at Orchard Park, at the former Sears Home end of the mall. They have about 90 plants that will be displayed by their members.
Adaptive Sailing Kelowna, hosted by the Disabled Sailing Association (DSA) Okanagan Branch is holding an open house on June 1st from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Kelowna Yacht Club Marina. Admission of $20.00 for a 20 minute sail and a hot dog with all proceeds going to support Adaptive Sailing Kelowna, a non-profit organization. Family packages for $50.00 for up to five people. Open to people of all abilities and all ages. For reservations call SherriLee Parsons at [email protected] or 778-581-0855.
Asian Heritage Okanagan is Saturday, May 25th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Parkinson Rec Centre. Free Admission with everyone welcome to enjoy Asian heritage exhibitions, cultural stage show, Asian food booths and interactive activities.
The KHS Class of 1959 is having their 60th reunion on Wednesday, September 11th, 2019. They are also inviting the classes of 1958 and 1960. Contact Ernie Poitras at [email protected] or Roberta Withers at [email protected]a or 250-763-7542.
Congratulations to Tom Christensen, Robert Louie and George Galbraith on being named Honorary Fellows of Okanagan College. Christensen is known for his contributions in the province though aboriginal relations and reconciliation as well as community volunteerism. Louie is the former Chief (24 years) of WFN and has served on numerous board, companies and special appointments with government and private industry. Galbraith is known for his philanthropy and civic spirit as as a business leader and stalwart supporter of many projects, including the Okanagan Rails to Trails Campaign.
After 67 years of tradition, The Blossom Time Fair, organized and hosted by the Auxiliaries to the KGH Foundation has ended on a high note and raised over $220,000 in 22 years. This year’s project is to furnish a room at the KGH Intensive Care Unit for people to rest or stay overnight when their loved one is in crisis situations.
Presented by Kelowna Old Time Fiddlers, Fiddle Fest is May 31 and June 1 at the Rutland Centennial Hall featuring the Scott Woods Band. There will be a concert and workshops with MC Vic Ukrainetz. www.bcfiddlers.org
Hosted by Gini’s Salon International, Kelowna Kidney Foundation Cut-A-Thon is May 26th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Landmark 6. Minimum $30.00 donation. Many well-known local stylists in attendance, including Rosalind Star.
Birthdays of the week – Doug Stranaghan (May 20); Brian Mack, 99.9 SUN FM (May 22); Chuck Cey (May 22); Dino Gini (May 22); Richard Hooper (May 22); Cindy Cannan (May 22); Francis Braam (May 23); Alan Tozer (May 23); Vincent Jones (May 24); Peter Chalick (May 25); Edward Burran (May 25); Ron Mattiussi (May 25); Dave (Teapot) Dunscombe (May 25); Sarah Campbell (May 26); Dick Prowse (May 28); Stephen Fuhr (May 27); Ria York (May 28); In memory of Sandy Zimmermann (May 26).
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councilor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail [email protected].
