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Chef Ruth Wigman and Chef Kelsey Oudendag from the Culinary Arts Department of Okanagan College reached out to me. They told me that the Kelowna Gospel Mission had received 2,000 pounds of Artic Char donated to them from Road 17 Artic Char Fish Farm in Oliver. The Gospel Mission, led by Food Services Manager, Chef Jeremy Luypen needed help to process the fish. The college said they would absolutely help. About eight students cleaned the fish over two full class days. I also spoke to Chef Luypen, and he was thankful to have the help of the college as their volunteers could not process that number of fish. Now, the Kelowna Gospel Mission will figure out what they are going to do with the donation. Also helping out at the college with Chef Luypen was Jonathan Crofts of Codfather's Seafood Market. I dropped into the college and saw all the fish and the students. The students received an incredible two-day crash-course learning about processing fish and what a super-cool experience.
Photo Credit: Contributed
Okanagan College culinary arts students with Chef Kelsey Oudendag
The Kelowna Nordic Ski Club, who began their journey in 1977, is hosting a Grooming Machine FUNdraiser to help them raise money for a new grooming machine, after they were turned down for a Provincial Government grant. . Join them and meet the Board of Directors for a fun day of X-C skiing, snowshoeing, BBQ and prizes on February 23rd, 2025. The X-C groups for 5km and 10km start at 10:00 a.m. and the 20km will start at 9:30 a.m. Snowshoe groups start at 10:00 a.m. BBQ and beverages will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. with the draw for prizes at 1:30 p.m., along with a 50/50 draw. Some of the prizes include a pair of cross-country skis, snowshoes, Ramada Hotel gift certificate, MEC gift certificates, Kelowna Cycle gift and more. Donations of only $20.00 for members and $35.00 for non-members is asked for. Everyone will meet at the main cabin on McCulloch Road. If you are looking for some outdoor activity, perhaps this is the club to join. Check out www.kelownanordic.ca to attend.
Curry Bistro Indian Cuisine is tucked-away at #117 – 3640 Gosset Road in West Kelowna. Owned and operated by Chef Dhoom Singh, the restaurant has a large menu of vegetarian and non-vegetarian appetizers, lunch specials, veggie dishes, non-vegetarian dishes, prawn, fish and rice specialties, breads, dessert and beverages. There is also special kids meals. All their sauces are made fresh in-house. We tasted the grilled Achari Chicken Tikka, Chicken Korma, Prawn Biryani with rice and Garlic and Butter Naan. It was topped off with Chai Tea, although they are licensed. All the food was beautifully presented with generous portions and delicious. Chef Dhoom was a very interesting and delightful man, as was his entire staff. Curry Bistro is also on all the third-party take-out companies, or you can pick up your order. Open seven days a week, with 10% off your order for pick up until February 28/2025. www.currybistro.ca
Photo Credit: Contributed
Curry Bistro Indian Cuisine
Letters from Pakistan: A Himalayan Memoir was published in August, 2024 by retired UBC Okanagan Professor, Dr. Fes de Scally. Dr. de Scally spent his first four years after retirement writing and self-publishing this fabulous story. The book is a memoir of the author’s three expeditions to the fieldwork in the Himalaya and Karakoram Mountains in the 1980’s. Published in 2024 by Boot Tread Books in Kelowna, the book has already been highly acclaimed by readers. Soft-covered, 454 pages, it includes 40 color photos and a glossary of Urdu terms. Readers also have access to the book's website with hundreds of the author’s photos organized by chapter. Recently, Dr. de Scally submitted applications to seven B.C. library systems to have the book be added to their collection. The book is sure to appeal to readers interested in travel, high mountains, Pakistan in the 1980’s and the snow resources and avalanches of the Himalaya. Dr. Fes de Scally is an award-winning professor of geography at the University of B.C’s Okanagan campus. Purchase the book online at lettersfrompakistan@gmail.com
Larry Tuovila is celebrating his 300th donation at the CBS Kelowna Plasma Donation Centre. He is truly making a difference in supporting Canada’s Lifeline and helping save Canadian lives with his continued support. The need for Plasma is four times higher than what is being donated to support Canada’s Lifeline. One in two Canadians can donate but only one in 76 donate. Plasma donations at the Kelowna Centre are used for medications for over 1,000 diseases and disorders for Canadian patients including cancer, burns, rare blood and nervous system disorders and surgeries to name a few. CBS has a goal of achieving 450 new donors per day for the winter across Canada for blood products to meet the demands of Canada’s Lifeline. Please consider donating. Book or inquire at www.blood.ca, GiveBlood App, or call 1-888-236-6283 (1-888-2DONATE).
Photo Credit: Contributed
Larry Tuovila
The Liedertafel Choir in Kelowna has decided to end its amazing 54 years of honoring German culture and entertaining Kelowna. Due to a lack of voices, health, age, and death of their members, fewer than 10 voices were in the organization. Rory Fader managed to direct the choir for 13 years, having arrived in town in 2011, singing with the choir for a year, and then taking it over as conductor. A sad day for Kelowna and its members.
Join the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Breakfast to Remember presented by Valley Mitsubishi, on February 27, 2025, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Coast Capri Hotel. Hear from keynote speaker Terry Lake, CEO of BC Care Providers Association and Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, founding director of the Population Health and Aging Rural Research (PHARR) Centre. Also on stage is Janine Karlsen, business owner, nurse and dementia advocate who will share her personal connection to the disease. Tickets at www.breakfasttoremember.ca
Jared Larabie is the new Branch Manager, Okanagan & Kootenay Region for Paladin Security. Jared is not new to the security industry as in 2015 he took his first Security Management role overseeing 100 security officers within the Fraser Valley servicing the City of Chilliwack, City of Abbotsford and Seabird Island First Nations. He further developed his skills into Counter-Terrorism, Bylaw and Business Management. In 2020, in the height of the Pandemic, Jared joined Paladin and took on the role of Security Programs Manager for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project on Spread 5B, overseeing 152 officers at its peak volume. In 2023 he assumed the role of Client Service Manager for the Kelowna Branch. After a successful year, he is now taking the lead as Branch Manager. The Kelowna Branch is now double in size, employing over 500 security officers throughout the Okanagan and expanding their operations into the Kootenay region. www.paladinsecurity.com
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Jared Larabie
Kelowna Dress for Success is celebrating International Women’s Day with Your Hour Her Power, a month-long campaign that celebrates successful women in our community and inspired and empowers all. Community members are encouraged to donate an hour of their salary to help women in our community reach her employment and financial goals. Throughout March, Dress for Success will feature local inspiring Women in Leadership each day on social media, as they share their stories, lessons learned, challenges and success. Five of these featured women will spark engaging conversations in a Speaker’s Panel Breakfast on March 7, 2025. The organization is also seeking corporate sponsors to showcase their commitment to women’s success in our community. Lori Stevenson is the executive director of Dress for Success Kelowna. To sign up to fundraise, donate an hour of your salary, attend the breakfast or explore sponsorship opportunities visit www.dfskelowna.org
100 Women Who Care is hosting an event on Wednesday, February 26th at Pretty Not Bad, 740 Clement Avenue at 5:30 p.m. Sign up to attend at 100womenwhocarekelowna@gmail.
Kelowna-based Okanagan Eco Pump is owned and operated by Tom Gallicano, who is celebrating one-year in business providing sustainable septic services. The company services from Penticton to Vernon with environmentally conscious septic solutions that protect both the land and its people. Their mission has always been to provide reliable and eco-friendly septic services that align with the values of sustainability and respect for the environment. Okanagan Eco Pump specializes in septic system installation, pumping, maintenance, inspections and emergency services. They emphasize sustainable wastewater solutions to ensure minimal environmental impact while delivering top-tier results. The company supports both residential and commercial properties throughout the region. www.okecopump.com
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Okanagan Eco Pump
Birthdays of the week – Brad Campeau (Feb. 19); Don Favell (Feb. 19); Rodney Gray (Feb. 20); Mayor Tom Dyas (Feb. 20); Deb Finnerty (Feb.20); Fiona Louden (Feb. 21); Dick Auty (Feb. 21); Ross Laing (Feb. 21); Jeremy Messenger (Feb. 21); Matt Scaife (Feb. 21); Diane Schjodt (Feb. 22); Karen Bernath (Feb. 22); Lori Sanderson (Feb. 22); Grace Naka (Feb. 22); Rachel Murga (Feb. 22); Carmen Prive (Feb. 22); Tom O’Rourke (Feb. 23); Bob Deganais (Feb. 23); Gerry Deshayes (Feb. 23); Trina Carson-Piva (Feb. 23); Michael Morrow (Feb. 23); Bryon Stappler (Feb. 23); Wayne (Kaktus) Farr (Feb. 24); Tatiana Berinchik (Feb. 24); Mike Jacobs (Feb. 24); Frank Servedio (Feb. 24); Ed Stange (Feb. 24); Al Hildebrand (Feb. 24); Titiana Berinchik (Feb. 24); Jeff Hudson (Feb. 25); Lizann Allan (Feb. 25); Brad Cronquist (Feb. 25); Sherri Miller (Feb. 25); Keisha Clarke (Feb. 25); Eric Thorsteinson (Feb. 25); James Davison (Feb. 25).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Grace Naka. Grace, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, February 25/2025.
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
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