Straight From DeHart – Dec. 4, 2019

You gotta eat here! Ki’bok Mexican Restaurant and Cafe has opened at 482 West Avenue, behind the former Pope Studio location. The small unique restaurant is owned and operated by Sandra Ortega and offers healthy and fresh authentic Mexican cuisine. Open for breakfast at 9:30 a.m. and lunch Monday to Saturday, all the menu items are made from scratch. They get their spices from Sandra’s mother who dries them for the restaurant in their home town of Cuernavaca, Mexico, where her family has had a Mexican Street Taqueria for 35 years. Sandra creates all the recipes and the enchiladas, quesadillas and sopes are all made by hand with fresh dough made every morning. The most popular menu item is Mexican Chorizo made with their own dry chilies. It’s also worth a trip to the restaurant for their Churros dessert with a mocha coffee, hot chocolate or the popular Mexican horchata beverage. Ki’bok also offers incredible fresh green juice which they make with pineapple, cucumber, lime and chai. Sandra is in the process of creating a new winter menu and on your way out of the restaurant you might want to pick up a few Mexican items in Ki’bok’s little store market. Call 250-717-3570.

It’s official. Smitty’s Family Restaurant is opening in the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre on Highway 97 in the former Perkins location. Stay tuned for more information and opening date.

On Saturday, December 7, opening at 9:00 a.m., Cineplex is inviting movie-lovers and families to visit their local theatre to enjoy a morning of festive fun and free movies. Guests will watch holiday film favorites including A Christmas Story, Elf, Gremlins, The Polar Express and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Popcorn, soft drinks and select candy are $2.50 each with all proceeds from donations and select concessions going towards Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. Tickets available on a first-come, first served basis.

The winners of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Awards Breakfast were Touchstone Law (Small business), Two Hat Security (Medium Business) and Starbucks (Large Business). Jessica Samuels is the communications manager of CHMA Kelowna. www.cmhakelowna.org

Uptown Rutland Christmas Light Up is Sunday December 8th at Roxby Square from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. with the official light up at 5:00 p.m. The festivities begin at 1:00 p.m. inside Plaza 33.

The Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) has launched a search for a new Executive Director to help guide the world-class multidisciplinary visual and performing arts center towards greater success. Jin Park, the Society’s Deputy Director has been appointed to fill the position in the interim. www.rotarycentreforthearts.com

Certified Housing Professional and well-known in the construction industry, Ray Wynsouw, CHP is the new general manager of Candel Custom Homes. Past President of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association and a former building inspector with the Regional District of Central Okanagan, Ray has extensive experience and knowledge in project management, site superintending and quality assurance. Candel Custom Homes has been building custom homes since 1995 and have recently ventured into the commercial/industrial sector. They strive to exceed industry construction standards and pride themselves in delivering projects on time and on budget. Randy Therrien is the CEO and President of Candel Custom Homes. Ray is currently a director on the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Board. www.candelcustomhomes.com

Huge Kudos to The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26, who reached a new record high in donations for their 2019 Poppy Campaign with a grand total of $201,726.70 raised from the community. All Poppy funds are held in trust to support Veterans and their families who are in need of help as well as various other organizations in the community. Last year over $133,000.00 was distributed to Veterans assistance, Bursaries, Cadet Corps. and to the mobile dental clinic. John Cashin was the Chair of the Legion Poppy Campaign.

The staff of Original Joe’s West Kelowna at 3000 Louie Drive is hosting a neat charity event called The Purse Project. They are asking the community to donate a new or gently used purse filled with toiletries, cosmetics, treats, gloves or any items for a woman. The Gospel Mission will distribute these to women in need who may not have the funds to get the items for themselves. The restaurant is hosting an event December 21st at 3:00 p.m. Anyone who brings in a purse donation will receive a happy hour appetizer as well as a glass of wine donated by Arterra Wines. Of course, if you cannot make the event, Original Joe’s would happily accept the purses at any time.  Phillip Caragannis is the general manager. [email protected]

SportClips Haircuts has opened at 1640 Leckie Road in Dilworth Centre by Taco Time and next to Subway. Owned and operated by Kevin Kemp, the SportClips franchise, which originated in Texas, is home of the original MVP haircut experience and is well known for their premier package. SportClips offers a sports environment with lots of TV’s, guy-smart women stylists and open seven days a week. There are 47 SportClips in Canada and now five in B.C. with Kevin opening a Vernon location soon. SportClips is a place for men and boys to go for a championship hair cut experience. Their premier package offers shampoo, cut, steam towel, scalp and face massage and neck and shoulder application. The grand opening is December 14th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They are partnering with KidSport Kelowna and a portion of their sales being donated from the weekend to that organization. New clients receive a free MVP upgrade and 50% off their first product purchase. www.sportclips.com

Dunnenzies Pizza presents Winter Family Festival to Support Kacey Gulbrasen on Friday, December 6th at 6:30 at their location at 4638 Lakeshore Road. It will be a special day to benefit a special girl and her family. Live music by Tiger Moon, family photos with Santa and his Elves. Adults $30.00; Kids $15.00. Tickets online at www.dunnenzies.com or 236-420-5722.

The Ukrainian Catholic Church, 1091 Coronation Avenue at Gordon Drive is hosting their Food Sale on Saturday, December 14th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. while quantities last.  There will be Perogy, Cabbage rolls, pies, sausage, borscht and homemade baking. [email protected].

Art Lovers Gallery & Tours in the Delta Grand Hotel lobby are inviting you to start your Sunday with Seuss on Sundays Storytime Brunch. This holiday season, Dr. Suess-inspired green eggs and ham are on the menu at the Oak & Cru in the Delta Grand Hotel. Tickets at www.artlovers.ca/special-gallery-events.

The A&W Breath of Life Burger Day for Cystic Fibrosis Canada is Saturday, December 7th. The Kelowna A&W at 2703 Hwy. 97N owned and operated by Claude Uzelman will be participating and has committed to donate 100% of their sales. Let’s all go to A&W.

The Kelowna Art Gallery has opened a new humourous and potentially shocking exhibition this week from November 30 until February 17, 2020.  Sovereign Acts showcase photograph, video and installation works by eight well known Indigenous contemporary artists: Rebecca Belmore, Lori Blondeau, Dayna Danger, Robert Houle, James Luna, Shelley Niro, Adrian Stimson and Jeff Thomas. In Sovereign Acts, the artists turn colonial representations on their head, showing Indigenous ideas of gender, sexuality and culture. www.kelownaartgallery.com

Birthdays of the week – Heather Zais (Dec. 4); Bylle Orsulic (Dec. 4); Scott Welsh (Dec. 5); Dave McLean (Dec. 5); Anne Schneider (Dec. 6); Dallas Gray (Dec. 6); Chef Mathew Morazain (Dec. 6); Sonia Withers (Dec. 6); Sherri Paiement (Dec. 6); Tracy Padula (Dec. 8); Gary Winchester (Dec. 8); Will Hoogewoonink (Dec. 8); Lynne Gilbert (Dec. 7); Gabriel Giammartino (Dec. 10); Barry Lapointe (Dec. 10); Mel Cooper, Victoria (Dec. 10).

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail [email protected]; Web-site www.maxinedehart.ca