By Maxine DeHart

The GolfBC Championship (Mackenzie Tour – PGA Tour Canada) event is being held at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club June 15 to 18, 2017. Daily admission will be available at the gate for $15. A perfect gift for Father’s Day. Jared du Toit, formerly Canada’s top-ranked amateur golfer and recently turned professional has been granted an exemption to play in this prestigious ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç tournament. Along with Jared, this is an opportunity to see talented young pros playing very high caliber golf. We are fortunate to have more than 150 players from around the world in our city as they tee-off on Thursday, June 15, starting at 7:30 a.m. with afternoon times starting at 12:30 p.m. See you there. Check out www.pgatour.com/Canada.

Thank you ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç! I would humbly like to thank you once again for voting for me for both a Gold and Silver Award in the Best of ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç 2017. I truly appreciate all your continued support.

Shaun Pierce of Creative Mortgage is celebrating his 15th year as a mortgage broker. Creative Mortgage was started by Shaun’s mother, Lesley Pierce in August 2000 and in May, 2001 leased space in Macdonald Realty at 592 KLO, where they stayed until August, 2015. At that time, Shaun became president of the company and purchased space in the building next to REMAX/ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç at #200 – 1505 Harvey Avenue, where they are presently located. Shaun graduated from OKM and attended OUC prior to becoming a mortgage broker. Creative Mortgage has been a long-time sponsor of the Maxine DeHart – United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast. Call 250-878-8977 or spierce@creativemortgage.ca; www.kelownamortgage.com.

Well-known market Paul’s Produce at #102 – 2365 Gordon Drive is celebrating their 25th anniversary with a new name. Mike and Juanita Gomes, who purchased the business three years ago, have changed the name of the market to Mike’s Produce. The walls look different, the store front name is different, but everything else about Mike’s Produce is the same as it has been for the past 25 years. One of the biggest recent changes is the store’s aesthetics as it now has the feel of an old-fashioned farmers’ market stand, complete with faux brick walls and a wooden barn roof awning. Mike’s Produce offers high quality produce, sorted and inspected by hand. They have also expanded the store’s grocery selection and are actively growing their producer family to include more organic farmers. Call 250-763-3131. www.mikesproduce.ca.

On Wednesday, June 21, Fripp Warehousing at 1005 Ethel Street will be presenting the official unveiling of one of B.C.’s largest murals, hand-painted by local artist, Eric Blais. The mural is on the outside of the building facing Crowley Avenue. It is over 200 feet long and 30 feet high. Fripp Warehousing commissioned Eric to paint the mural as a tribute to all ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç has to offer throughout its history and its four incredible seasons. It contributes to beautifying an area of downtown that consists of industrial buildings. Eric has worked as a freelance illustrator, graphic designer and muralist for over 30 years with clients across Canada. His first mural was painted for his sister’s fashion store, Woodrose back in the 1980’s that was located on Pandosy Street. Eric is now working on phase two on the south side of the Fripp Building (theme to be announced at the event). www.ericblaisart.com.

The Downtown ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Association (DKA) has a new board for 2017/2018. They are Dan Allen, President (Doc Willoughby’s Public House); Yarden Gershony, Vice-president (Rush Ihas Hardwick LLP); Rob Collins, Treasurer (Grant Thornton LLP); Nikki Csek, Secretary (Csek Creative and ÁðÁ§ÉñÉçNow.com); Councillor Maxine DeHart, Ex-Officio (City of ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç). Directors are Shane Austin, Okanagan coLab; Teghan Gordey, The Naked Café; Jason Guyitt, Delta Grand Hotel; Jan Johnson, Tigerlily Fashions; Brent Lobson, Imperial Parking; Renata Mills, Festivals ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç; Trevor Neill, Mosaic Books; Kyle Spence, Downtown Marina & Westcorp; Brian Stephenson, Pushor Mitchell LLP.

A new 13,000 square foot Nesters Market has opened in West ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç in Lakeview Heights at 855 Anders Road. This is the third Nesters in our area with 13 now in B.C. Gord Mills, who was previously the store manager at G & H Shop N’ Save, across from this new Nesters and also under the banner of the Buy-Low Food Group is the store manager. Nesters thrive to offer the best selection and value for products, along with maximizing their specialty products and fresh produce. Open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. 250-769-6502.

Jeff Shesky is the new fitness equipment consultant and commercial sales representative for Fitness West at #39 – 2070 Harvey Avenue. Jeff is not new to the industry as he was a personal trainer and massage therapist for 10 years in Calgary before relocating to ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç. Fitness West is a new fitness equipment provider. Denise Tatton is the manager. Call 250-212-7690 www.fitnesswest.ca.

When I heard that Howard Soon of Sandhill Wines was retiring I did not believe it. But it’s true. The master winemaker is retiring. Howard joined Calona Wines in 1980 and stands as the longest serving winemaker in Canada, amassing an incredible 37 consecutive vintages. In 1997 Howard ambitiously launched a new era for Canadian wine, which would later go on to define the notion of Terroir in B.C. The release of Sandhill small lot wines reflects Howard’s pioneering spirit and remains as the definitive example of single vineyard winemaking in B.C. which is a true testament to Howard’s drive and vision. He has won numerous awards including the first B.C. Winemaker to receive a gold medal at the Chardonnay due Monde in France. In 2015 he received the Vancouver Wine Festival Spirited Industry Professional Award. His last day is Monday, July 24. As a going away gift, Howard just won the All Canadian Wine Championships Red Wine of the Year for his Sandhill Howard Soon wine. That one will surely be a collectors wine.

Had the pleasure of trying the new brunch at Bouchons Bistro on Sunset Drive served every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. I sampled the Eufs en meurette (poached eggs with red wine, foie with pearl onions, Toulouse sausage, mushrooms and crostini). Others had the Eufs brouilles (scrambled eggs, nature or with herbs and smoked salmon, served with salad or pommes frites) and the Croissant au Homard (fresh croissant with house-made mayonnaise, lobster & greens). All pastries are made in-house and so we tried a chocolate croissant. Everything was delicious. Try their lovely patio. Call 250-763-6595.

Three Okanagan College Trades students each earned bronze medals at the Skills Canada National Competition in Winnipeg. Brendan Battersby (coach - Ron Light) took bronze in the IT Network Admin competition; Siobhan Detkavich (coach - chef Jim Armstrong) earned bronze in the booking competition and Andreas Roth (coach - Danny Marques) won bronze in the Autobody competition.

Choices Market at 1937 Harvey Avenue is hosting Summer Sundays that is a once a month outdoor market in the parking lot on Sunday afternoons from 2 to 6 p.m. The next market is Sunday, June 18 (Father’s Day) and will include a guest appearance by Curtis Stone, creator of Green City Acres. He will be performing a food demonstration and signing his book, The Urban Farmer. There will be a charity BBQ, live music, food vendors, artisans and wellness practitioners with samples for sale. Future market dates are July 16, August 20 and September 10.

The Central Okanagan Retired Teachers’ Association (CORTA) has a new 2017/2018 Board of Directors. They are Rolli Cacchioni (President); Charlene Hodgson (Vice-President); Cathie Mutter (Secretary); Val Larson (Treasurer); Willie Findlater (Communications); Doug Gray (Web Master); Sandy Dore (Social Concerns); Lois Clarke (Sunshine Committee); Teresa MacKenzie (Financial Concerns & Benefits); Linda Ben-Hamida (Historian). Members at Large are Linda Keil, Jeannette Mergens and John Pendray.

The Bay is hosting their first EFFY Fine Jewellery Trunk Show from June 16 to June 18. There will be events exclusive to VIP’s, prizes and gifts with your EFFY purchase. Special guest, Roxy from EFFY will be on hand to show you pieces, many never seen before in Canada, including their newest arrival, EFFY for men. Reserve today. Call 250-860-2483 (247).

Rann Berry’s Time Machine…Back to the 80’s is Friday, June 30 at the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Community Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $29 plus fees and taxes at www.selectyourtickets.com.

Birthdays of the week –Happy 65th Wayne Wilson (June 18); Leanne Basran (June 14); Tony Ambrosio (June 14); Rachel Lewis (June 15); Mark Dickie (June 14); Carey Earl (June 15); Paul Hergott (June 15); Rod Mackay (June 16); Anita Sthankiya (June 16); Stephanie Gilchrist (June 16); Jaime Briggs (June 17); Tony French (June 17); Sheldon Paulger (June 17); Mayor Doug Findlater (June 18); Diane Behrner (June 18); Trixi Gaymer (June 19); Bill McKinnon (June 19); Bob Charron (June 19); Vern Burnell (June 19); Doug Rankmore (June 19); Daren Williams (June 19); Ken Bernath (June 20); Tim Draper (June 20); Rose Topham (June 20).

Maxine DeHart is a ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.