Straight From DeHart - October 11, 2023

FireCraft is located at 2720 Hwy. 97 N., owned and operated by Sonia and Abhinav Kanti is your one-stop shop for all things related to fireplaces and outdoor living. The company specializes in selling, installing and servicing an array of products, including fireplaces, fire tables, fire pits, patio heaters, BBQs, grills and hot tubs. They are the authorized dealer for Regency, Enviro Urbana, Town & Country, Jotul, Blaze King fireplaces and Artesian Spa hot tubs. Their showroom is managed by Carsten and Jordan, who possess extensive experience and knowledge about all the products. Derek and his team of four installers are trained in both wood and gas fireplaces. As they celebrate their anniversary, FireCraft is offering special promotions this fall on fireplaces and hot tubs. Whether you are looking to transform your indoor space with a cozy fireplace or create an inviting outdoor oasis with a hot tub and fire table, you can visit their showroom filled with an extensive range of products designed to enhance those spaces. www.fire-craft.ca

Diana Collison is celebrating her 40th Anniversary with Hudson’s Bay. Diana has had a complete career with Hudson’s Bay in every department. She started in the paint department, then moved to men’s wear, then to drugs, then to toys, to children’s wear, to jewellery, back to men’s wear, then on to the gift registry, again back to men’s wear, to ladies wear, and now is an associate manager. Diana really knows her stuff and if you need to know anything about Hudson’s Bay, she is the person to ask. I would like to thank Diana, manager Robert Evans and Hudson’s Bay for providing me with a pair of gorgeous Vince Camuto black suede boots to wear with the beautiful Black Faux Fur Swing Coat by Alembika, donated by Jigsaw Clothing Co. in the Dress For Success Fashion Show on Saturday, October 14th. Tickets on Eventbrite at https://WatchHerSoar.eventbrite.ca 

October is BC’s Small Business Month. It is a perfect month to congratulate Sharon Whiting of Accurate-Timesaving-Mobile (ATM) Bookkeeping Service on her 25th Anniversary in business. 25 years ago she learned that the Okanagan consisted of mostly small businesses who required only part-time bookkeeping. This led to the start-up of her business. The number of clients that ATM provides services for fluctuates and word of mouth is still the best referral Sharon maintains. She also streamlines the client paperwork and requirements that can often change a monthly client to a quarterly client. She credits the Community Futures Development Corp. which introduced her to the Self-Employment Program with the startup of her business and providing professional guidance. sharon@atmbkpg.ca

After a six-year hiatus, Todd Sanderson CPA, CA has launched Sanderson Business Services as a specialty business exit planning and main-street brokerage service company. In addition to 32+ years as a CPA, CA working with owner-managed businesses, in April of this year, Todd obtained his designation as a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute of America. He also obtained his certificate as a Certified Value Builder. As a CEPA, he is only one of two certified in the Okanagan to provide comprehensive Exit Planning Services. Some studies show that without a proper Exit Strategy, 75% of entrepreneurs are not happy with the exit one year after a deal is done. For October, he is offering the Value Builder Score, a system he uses including a comprehensive valuation report for free to entrepreneurs who contact him. www.sandersonbusinessservices.com     

Professional painter, Brendan Oran Mchendry is the owner/operator and sole proprietor of The Bushmen Cometh Co. EST. 2020. Brendan offers both commercial and residential with many years of professional painting, he gained his experience in painting from working with a senior professional who taught him for many years. Now he has the confidence to chart his own path with success based on portfolios of projects he has built up over the past couple of years. He has undertaken many new construction projects from small to large and has a full portfolio for showing new clients. https://www.facebook.com/brendanoranmch/ or bmchendry1@gmail.com. 

Launch Financial Education Society is hosting a fundraiser breakfast presented by TD on Tuesday, November 7th at the Coast Capri. This takes place during Financial Literacy Month to discuss the importance of ensuring that everyone in our community has access to a financial education. All proceeds will go to support Launch’s financial Literacy programming. This year, the keynote speaker is Nancy Phillips, an author, consultant, presenter and founder of Wela Strategic Consulting. Nancy is passionate about communicating the importance of financial literacy, which is shown in her Zela Wela children’s books and The Steps to Success Guide for young adults. Early bird pricing for tickets is until October 13th at www.launchbreakfast.ca. Jennifer Robins is the Executive Director of Launch Financial Education Society. www.launchokanagan.ca  

Well-known local gardeners Don and Donna Burnett have been taking a busload of enthusiastic homeowners to the Northwest Flower and Garden Festival for the past 15 years. You can join them on their 2024 trip from February 15th to 18th, 2024 to Seattle Washington. This flower and garden festival is rated the #1 flower and garden show in North America by Better Homes and Gardens. On the way, you stop at Minter Country Gardens. At the show, you will experience over 100 booths with gardening hardgoods from garden lighting and clothing to unique garden ornaments and tools. There is also lots of free time to explore the sights of Seattle. To book, contact Sun Fun Tours at 250-763-6133 or kelowna@sunfuntours.ca 

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, Comedy For Community with Brittany Lyseng is on October 14th at the East Kelowna Hall. Proceeds are going to the BC Wildfire Relief. Brittany is a national touring stand-up comedian. She can be heard on CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud, CBC’s The Debaters and Sirius XM. Tickets are $30.00 online and $35.00 at the door. Eventbrite – Comedy for Community.       

Award-winning local vocalist Anna Jacyszyn steps into the spotlight to sing a concert of original material and tells the stories behind the songs. Can I Sing A Song For You by the Anna Jacyszyn Quartet is October 28th at the Creekside Theatre at 7:00 p.m. for $35.00. It is a journey of healing heartbreak, insecurity, a yearning to be heard, and understood, but mostly loved. Tickets at https://tickets.ticketseller.ca/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=8078 

The Ladies Fall Closet Cleanout is back on October 22nd from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Laurel Packinghouse. The event will host over 40 tables of pre-loved and gently used ladies' clothing, shoes and accessories. This year their charity of choice is The Bridge Youth Recovery House. For more details visit www.greatclosetcleanout.com. Rosanne Ting-Mak Brown is the Event Producer. 

Rotary Centre for the Arts presents Halloween Howl with Juno and WCMA award-winning artist, Norman Foot, and the talented choir from Kelowna’s Anne McClymont Elementary School on Sunday, October 22nd. The Family Matinee is a musical that promises an array of elements including props, wacky humour, clever hooks, wordplay, engaging stories and comedy. Norman Foot’s renowned ability to connect with young audiences will create an unforgettable experience for children and parents alike. For tickets visit the website or contact the box office. https://rotarycentreforthearts.com/events/event/158602/ 

Birthdays of the week – Happy 75^th Phil Johnson (Oct. 14); Happy 80^th Diana Warnock, my sister-in-law (Oct. 12); Happy 50^th Denette Sumners (Oct. 9); Jan Verhagen (Oct. 11); Irene Morrison (Oct. 11); Stan Biggs (Oct. 11); Gaelene Askeland (Oct. 11); Michelle Rule (Oct. 11); Rosy Agostino (Oct. 12); Cecilia Jans (Oct. 12); Ryan Morice (Oct. 12); Teresa Hodge (Oct. 13); John Eakins (Oct. 12); Carson Chan (Oct. 13); Mervin Mascarenhas (Oct. 13); Linda Winnick (Oct. 14); Ruby Sargeant (Oct. 14); Barbara Vanstone (Oct. 14); Vivien Chen (Oct. 16); Samuelz Galvez (Oct. 17); Jeanne Legua (Oct. 17); Noreen Young (Oct. 17).        

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