By Maxine DeHart

Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers is celebrating their 30th anniversary. With support of citizens, they have helped police solve crimes, arrest those with outstanding arrest warrants and seize and recover stolen property and illegal drugs. The inaugural board members were Arthur Stanley, Leslie Shaw, John Klassen, Vice Spilak and William Tidball. Former city councilor, Elise Clark witnessed the document. Board members today are Weldon LeBlanc (President), Steve Fosbery (Past president), Greg Pratch, John Calder, Kristine Little, Mike Chisholm, Effie Simpson, Louise Levesque, Paul Brodeur, MJ Slauko, Tony Williams and Tim Lynch. Gerry Guiltenane is the program coordinator. All funds raised is used to pay out the rewards and promote the program. Some great statistics are: tips received, $25,105; arrests made, 2,719; case cleared, 3,667; fugitive arrests, 947; illegal weapons 41; property recovered $4,273,229; illegal drugs seized, $88,461,552; rewards approved $299,463. Call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). www.crimestoppers.com.

The United Way has a new executive director. Helen Jackman who relocated from Ontario and immigrated to Canada from the UK has a career that spans leadership roles in the non-profit and public sector. Her official start date is September 5. www.unitedwaycso.com.

Mexican Restaurant Mucho Burrito has opened at #101 – 3030 Pandosy Street in Sopa Square. Owned and operated by Vic Singh and Dali Singh who have relocated from Abbotsford, this franchise is the ninth in B.C. The restaurant is family oriented and offers a self-service counter to order. Described as mucho food with mucho quality, all the food is made fresh daily in-house offering authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual and contemporary setting. They feature a no-rule menu enhanced by spice, roasted vegetables and charbroiled and braised meats. Each meal is made to order and guests can choose from a variety of menu selections, including hand-rolled burritos, tacos, quesadillas, salads and a selection of custom Mucho Burrito hot sauces. Mucho Burrito is known for its all-natural guacamole and salsas made with traditional fire roasted techniques made fresh by hand daily. Open seven days a week. Call 236-4204788 www.muchoburrito.com.

The first ever Rutland Blood Donor Clinic is Wednesday, May 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Willowpark Church at 439 Highway 33. Book online at www.blood.ca. For more information call Gayle Voyer at 250-979-8053.

If you are passing through Lake Country or would like to take a short drive, stop into Grillers Meats that has just opened in Lake Country at #21 – 11852 Lakewood in Mall (behind Tim Hortons). Owned and operated by Celia Magraw and Marc Ellam who have relocated from the lower mainland, Grillers Meats originally started and is still in business in Vernon on 30th Avenue operated by family member Jeff Griffin. Grillers is an old-fashioned butcher-shop that specialize in hanger beef and fresh custom cuts to the client’s preference. They also offer a variety of deli meats, locally sourced chicken, pork, their own lean sausage, along with specialty meats of ground elk, alligator and bison. Grillers specializes in marinades that are all house-made. They carry other local products such as Baba’s perogies. Open seven days a week. Call 778-480-6878.

The Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHA) has relocated from their space on St. Paul Street to brand new premises at #200 - 1890 Cooper Road above Royal LePage in Orchard Plaza. They are hosting an open house on Tuesday, May 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to give the community an opportunity to meet their new executive director, Natasha Girard who joined COHA in September. The association is celebrating their 35th anniversary supporting the Central Okanagan delivering quality supportive care programs to individuals in need where no one has to die or grieve alone. Call 250-763-5511 www.hospicecoha.org.

Urban Systems Ltd. for the 12th year in a row was named Best Workplace in Canada. The recognition is based on survey results provided by the company’s people; those who make the experience of working at Urban Systems so rewarding. The firm scored well in the area of pride and camaraderie, highlighting how employees enjoy a sense of belonging, support from their colleagues and feelings of satisfaction in working there. This energy is translated to their work in the communities they serve and support. Martin Bell is the CEO of Urban Systems. www.urbansystems.ca.

Happy 57th Anniversary Dave and Marj Roseberry (May 4).

News in the radio industry. Both Jasmin Doobay and Susan Knight of Q103.1 and Power 104.7 have moved into program director roles. Jasmin is the program director for Power 104 and Susan will take on the program directors role at Q103.1. Current program director of Power 104 and Q103.1, Bob Mills will move into a senior program advisor’s role with the stations, while maintaining his position on the Power 104 morning show. When Jasmin takes on her full-time program director duties for Power, her on-air position will be taken by veteran broadcaster and current Pattison producer/announcer Bob Johnstone. Stu Crouse is the general manager of the Jim Pattison Broadcast Division.

If you have not been into Sears at Orchard Park in a while, you might be pleasantly surprised. Sears has introduced The Cut at Sears and new Sears Essentials, two new ways to look at Sears. Buyers have put together a curated collection of unique, on-trend pieces in apparel, accessories and home décor. Following the off-price retail model, they are able to offer these brand new finds for 30 to 60 per cent less. Brand new designer fashion and decor finds are arriving every day. It’s like being between Home Sense and Winners. Look for the label Sears Essential that are clearly tag-marked under the Sears Women, Sears Man, Sears Kids and Sears Home with easily identifiable .97 price ending. Sears is going back to the basics, but cooler. Their new home décor area has a good variety of furniture and accessories that are chic and unique and a large bedding area. In the Cut at Sears ladies area there are lovely summer dresses and cool looking tops and capris. David Clark is the general manager of Sears. www.sears.ca

Pushor Mitchell LLP has been named one of Canada’s top small and medium employers for 2017. Employers were evaluated on the criteria of physical workplace, work atmosphere and social, health, financial and family benefits, vacation and time off, employee communications, performance management, training and skills development and community involvement. Employers are compared to their organizations in their industry to determine which offer the most progressive and forward thinking programs. The collaborative spirit, teamwork, mutual support, staff initiative and work-life balance are all hallmarks of the firm and key to its success over the past fifty years. Call 250-762-2108.

Big thanks to two young men Brandon Moore and Sang Tran of Sleep Country for their excellent customer service and helping us out when delivering our new product.

Congratulations to the 3rd Annual Papa John’s Dreams for Kids Day on raising $42,354.00 for Dreams Come True. Since 2015, Papa John’s has raised more than $130.000 in support of Sunshine Dreams for Kids.

Happy 40th Anniversary Bob and Bonnie Hoffman (May 7).

The ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç International Choir is celebrating Canada’s 150th birthday with a concert, dinner and dance on May 12 at Rutland Centennial Hall. The choir is directed by Gwen Pitt and accompanied by Esther Goertz, singing all Canadian Music. Dinner catered by European Caterers and Vic’s Dance Band will follow. Tickets $35 by calling 250-765-0720 or 250-718-1246.

Asian Heritage Month Opening Gala 2017 is May 6th at 6 p.m. at Okanagan College Theatre. The local Japanese community presents Shakuhachi Masters Ryuzen and Kim Noriko Kobayashi in their Okanagan debut performance. The music of the Shakuhachi is a special showcase of Japanese art and culture. The evening entertainment will also include Yamabiko Taiko and Chris Taneda of Taneda Karate Dojo. Sushi and refreshments for purchase with children’s activities and music. Tickets $10 in advance or $15 at the door, available online www.asianheritage.ca.

The Hudson’s Bay is celebrating their 347th birthday all week. Along with celebrations all week, join manager Darla Strutt and the staff for cake cutting at the mall entrance at noon on Tuesday, May 2.

First United Church is hosting a used book sale on Saturday, May 13 in the church hall from 9 a.m. to noon in support of its scholarship program in its sister community in El Salvador. To donate books call Pat McPhee at 250-869-4839.

The Legion at 1380 Bertram Street is hosting Judy Rowe for her Patsy Cline Tribute Show on Saturday, May 6 with a dinner, show and dance. Tickets $30 at the Legion or call 250-762-4117.

Birthdays of the week – Dale Adamoski (Today, May 3); Chris Cowan (May 4); Cathy Baker (May 4); Cathy Jennens (May 4); Marlies White (May 6); Eric Weber (May 6); Brenda Bell (May 7); Susan Johal (May 9); Melanie Hall-Szyszkiewicz (May 9); Zsolt Ketesdi (May 9); In memory of Verna Burnell (May 3).

Maxine DeHart is a ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net. Find Maxine’s columns on our web site at kelownacapnews.com/business.