Liquidation European Stock has opened in Plaza 97 at #12 – 2483 Main Street in West ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç by Papa John’s. Owned and operated by Lyubov Omasheve, the store is chocked-full of new men’s and women’s European clothing mainly from England, Italy and Germany. The liquidation store sells just about every type of clothing except shoes and most items are priced in the range of $5 to $35. With clothing for teenagers to adults, they offer spring and winter jackets, jeans, coats, shirts, dresses, hoodies, sweaters and accessories of hats, belts, scarves and jewellery. Open Tuesday to Saturday. Rosa Tynybayeva is the manager of the store.

The Towne Centre Mall has been sold as of February 28,2017. Elke and Rainer Kaminski purchased the property 16 years ago and sadly, Rainer passed away in 2015. The 54,000 square foot mall is known as ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç’s one-stop boutique shopping mall in downtown ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç with 17 retail outlets and 15 office spaces. The Kaminski’s proudly sponsored Lady of the Lake for several years and supported Small Shop Saturday, Mardi Gras and Christmas Light-Up. They enjoyed working with their tenants and took great pride in any mall improvements. Keep tuned for information on the new ownership.

Formerly with Lake City Casinos for 19 years as the marketing manager, Suzanne Chorney is now with BC Tree Fruits Cider Company. Suzanne is involved in inside sales, tasting room sales and promotions and events. The cider company will launch a new cider this spring to add to their current line-up of award winning Broken Ladder Apple, Pear and Apple & Hops Ciders. If the new cider is anything like their present line-up, it will be amazing. Call Suzanne at 250-470-4212.

Ken Bessason has decided to retire from 12 years of real estate sales with Royal LePage, ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç. This will be his second attempt at retirement; the first being from a 35-year banking career. This will not happen just yet, as Ken has agreed to be the interim executive director for the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Chamber of Commerce, pending recruitment of a new chamber leader. That’s not all bad, as the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Golf and Country Club is not open for the season so he will not be golfing soon. Call 250-215-3404 or kbessason@shaw.ca.

Congratulations to the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business Excellence Awards Winners. Rose Family Orchard (Agricultural Innovator), Community Booster (Connect Communities), Kangaroo Creek Farm (Tourism Enhancement), Duane Thomson Okanagan Rail Trail (Gerry Morton Award). Chantana’s Thai Food (Small Business of the Year), SWEETLEGS (New Business of the Year); Oyama Zipline Adventure Park (Customer Service of the Year), Tuff Industries (Innovative Business of the Year); Alex Ambrozy IGA (Employee of the Year), John Beales Accountant (Professional Service of the Year).

Christopher Kerr, CPA, CGA has opened Kerr & Company, CPA at Suite 205 – 145 Asher Road in Rutland. Chris relocated from Vancouver and started his career in public practice. He also worked for Ernst & Young LLP Chartered Accountants for several years in Canada and Australia. Chris specializes in accounting and taxes for small business. Call 250-448-6299 or chris@kerrtaxcpa.com.

Chelsea Wilson has joined the firm’s litigation practice group at Farris, Vaughn, Wills & Murphy LLP at 1800 – 1631 Dickson Avenue. She has a broad civil litigation practice and experience handling complex commercial litigation matters. Chelsea navigates and resolves disputes involving contracts, shareholder issues, regulatory matters and construction litigation. Call 250-869-3861.

Mission Park Travel at 102 – 3275 Lakeshore Road has changed to Travel Masters out of Vancouver. Owner Gina Kotsch will stay on as general manager and the staff will remain the same. This is Travel Masters 6th agency in Western Canada. Call 250-762-4400.

Deputy Chief Lou Wilde, who has been with the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Fire Department for over 30 years, will be the Interim Fire Chief for the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Fire Department beginning March 3 following the retirement of Fire Chief Jeff Carlisle. The recruitment process for a new Fire Chief has begun and is anticipated to be announced in the spring.

The Uptown Rutland Business Association (URBA) AGM is Wednesday, March 8th at Valleyview Funeral Home, 165 Valleyview Road at 6 p.m. URBA invites all members to attend. Call 250-451-9861.

Dragon’s Den will be holding open auditions in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç at Okanagan College (Centre for Learning Building E) on March 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are looking for the next big thing for the hit series on CBC TV.

The Central Okanagan Foundation has moved to new premises in Landmark I at 306 – 1726 Dolphin Avenue. Call 250-861-6160.

Jamie Schaab is a business consultant with services of workplace organization and process development, branding and marketing and sales training. Where Jamie considers herself different is that she does all this with the simple goal of sussing out what makes a business owner passionate and excited. Once she knows that she can put in place the process that represents that passion to the public and free up time for the business owner. She then helps them integrate the best processes around necessary cyclical tasks to ensure quality integrity, brand consistency and efficient time management. She also teaches business owners and employees how to use an empathy-driven adaptive approach with clients as opposed to a sales script that alienates half the people in front of them. Along with owning small businesses herself she is currently finishing a master’s in integrated studies with a double-major in workplace organization and leadership and writing and new media. Call 250-462-7330 or Jamie@jamieschaab.com.

Principal of Mar Jok Elementary School, Alida Privett is the recipient of Canada’s Outstanding Principals Award by the Learning Partnerships. The program recognizes the unique and vital contribution of principals in public schools.

Mike Sodaro, a teacher at KLO Middle School has been named B.C. Volleyball Coach of the Year. This award recognizes individuals who have made a noteworthy contribution to school volleyball. Not only has he supported high school volleyball, he has been involved and supported volleyball club programs in the community.

Chairperson of the Central Okanagan Public Schools, Moyra Baxter has been recognized for 20 years of public service as a School Trustee.

Eighteen year old North Westside Firefighter Nicolass Cantryn has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the North Westside Fire Recue Society scholarship for his outstanding work and contributions to the community. He began with North Westside Fire Rescue at the age of 16 as a Junior Firefighter while attending high school in Vernon and also completed his Firefighter Recruitment Training. Nicolass recently completed his EMR Certificate and finished at the top of his class. Northside Fire/Rescue Chief is Jason Satterthwaite.

To celebrate International Women’s Day and in support of H.O.P.E. Outreach, Breaking Boundaries is Saturday, March 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton to recognize the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in the community and around the world. It is for young leaders and community advocates to come together to network, celebrate and inspire one another. Speakers are Trisha Miltimore, Lesley-Anne Scorgie, Dan Irving and Crystal Flaman. There are also three interactive workshops, a silent auction and tons of free swag. I was pleased to be asked to sit on one of the community leader’s panels. Register at www.eventbrite.ca and search Breaking Boundaries. www.breakingboundariesokanagan.com.

The Okanagan Mission Residents Association is hosting an information session on March 6 at the Mission Community Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests speakers are from the City of ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç. RSVP at www.omra.ca.

Divas & Diamonds Ladies Night Out hosted by the Peachland Lions Club is April 22 at 6 p.m. at the Westbank Lions Hall. Last year this fabulous first-time event sold out quickly. The event is catered by The Beach Avenue Cafe and Tapas Bar and libations are provided by The View Winery. There will be a fashion show presented by Galleria Fashion Boutique, a champagne reception and grand prize draw at the end of the evening. There will also be a reverse draw and every 10th ticket wins. Tickets for all this at $85 per diva at www.peachlandlions.com or www.eventbrite.ca. You can also call Lynne Herrin at 250-767-6225 or Shelley Sweeney at 250-212-2025. I am pleased to be the MC for this event again for this year. Other sponsors are J.K. Schmidt Jewellers, Okanagan Woman Magazine, Loyal Hair and Effective Printing. Proceeds to the KGH Foundation.

The Legion has two events coming up. Their annual Pickerel Fry is Saturday, March 4 with dancing to the Glory Days. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 17 with Irish dancers, entertainment, delicious food and dancing to the Treble Makers. For tickets call 250-762-4117.

Birthdays of the week – Happy 55th Glen Jackson (Mar. 6); Brad Sieben (Mar. 1); Kiko Carisse (Mar. 1); Faye Willms (Mar. 3); Bruce Murray (Mar. 3); Leon Gaba (Mar. 3); Sandra Hofer (Mar 5); Linda Frisby (Mar. 5); Penny Ivens-Baker (Mar.5); Donna Horning (Mar. 6); Gary Embleton (Mar. 6); Randy Leslie (Mar. 6); In memory of Walter Kristalowich (Mar. 3).

Maxine DeHart is a ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546, 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, E-mail maxdehart@telus.net.