By Maxine DeHart

Noel Erhardt has been an optometrist in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç for over 30 years. Now, many years later, his son Lucas has graduated from Optometry School and has joined his father in his practice at Visionfirst Optometry in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç at 102 – 160 Dougall Road S. and in West ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç in the Westbank Towne Centre (15-2475 Dobbin Road). Lucas graduated from the Western University of Health Sciences in California with his degree in Doctor of Optometry. He decided Optometry was for him when the family went on an eye mission’s project in Peru several years ago. Visionfirst offers comprehensive eye exams and eye-wear of all types, including contact lenses, Retinal Imaging and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) which scans the retina to detect pathology. They welcome new patients of all ages and are able to direct bill many of the extended health plans. The ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç office is open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (250-765-1424) and West ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç is open Monday to Friday 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday until 7:00 p.m. (250-768-4020).

Okanagan Restoration Services Ltd. is celebrating 25 years in business. Trevor Forder and Terry Moorhouse started the company out of a travel trailer in Lake Country (then Winfield) in the spring of 1992. With the help of a $10,000 Gold Rush Scratch and Win ticket the business took off. Today the company has locations in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç, Penticton and Vernon employing over 70 people with 40 plus response vehicles and the equipment to get the job done. They specialize in the cleanup of flood damage, (water and sewage) fire and smoke, trauma and crime scene cleanup, mold and asbestos abatement, vehicle impact, wind damage and contents restoration. Call 1-888-665-6775 www.okrestore.com.

Dr. Jeff Kozak and his dental team at Bernard Dental are relocating to new premises at 101-1789 K. L. O. Road, formerly located at #310 – 478 Bernard Avenue. The name is also being changed to K. L. O. Dental and an open house is being hosted on Saturday, August 12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will be tours of the new clinic, children’s goodie bags and raffle prizes. Call 250-762-6842 (same phone number) or info@klodental.ca.

Pulp Fiction Coffee House, owned and operated by Max and Gloria Sloan is celebrating their fifth anniversary in business at 1598 Pandosy Street (corner of Pandosy and Lawrence). Each year they have improved their products and learning curve both in the coffee house, Robbie Rare Books and Britannia Antiques. Along with offering more varieties and types of paninis, cold drinks and pastries, they now also offer their own local brand of roasted coffee and Nitro brew coffee. Pulp Fiction boasts the best milkshakes in town and you can enjoy the popular kombucha fermented tea. You can also purchase kombucha in bulk in the coffee house. Open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 778-484-4444.

Congratulations to former ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Princess, Melissa Curatolo who was crowned one of three B.C. Ambassadors. B.C. Ambassadors travel around the province attending pageants and community events, along with participating in volunteer work in their community. Melissa was also the top fundraiser, which the pageant gives out as scholarships and bursaries. To promote ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç she promoted a ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç oriented display of Ogopogo and apples. Melissa is a student at UBCO. Other Ambassadors are Karly Flannigan of Kamloops and Mierie Sabbarwal of Quesnel.

Ryan Michael is an internationally award winning magician and entertainer based in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç, performing over 100 shows a year for the past six years. With a blend of wit, charisma and charm, Ryan performs stunning, real time mind reading and mind numbing magic that will leave you breathless. Ryan is a born entertainer and showman performing at private parties, corporate events, store openings, festivals, sold out close-up shows and birthday parties. He recently won double gold medals as Canada’s Close up Magician of the Year, the Canadian Mentalist of the Year through the Canadian Association of Magicians and the Tony Eng’s People’s Choice Award given to the magician most people enjoyed throughout the competition. You can see Ryan on Friday, August 11 at the Creekside Pub at 3929 Lakeshore Road starting at 8:30 p.m. Ryan will work around the room before show time. No cover charge. Magic you won’t stop talking about and an evening you will never forget. Call Creekside at 250-764-2335. www.ryanmichaelmagic.com.

After 13 years with the Best Western Inn ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç as director of sales, Brenda Rayburn has joined the Braemar Group, a commercial and hospitality development company responsible for six hotels across Western Canada in the position of regional director of sales and marketing. These hotels fall under the Choice Hotel’s Comfort Inn & Suites, Comfort Suites and one Best Western. Rod Hazard is the president of Braemar Group. Contact Brenda at sales@thebraemargroup.com.

Congratulations to Bill Phillips on his first hole-in-one on #4, 163 yards at Two Eagles Golf Club.

Did you know? Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery’s BRBN is B.C.’s first and only 100 per cent craft bourbon-style whisky. After years of diligently trying to achieve the impossible and grow a large batch of local grain corn, with several setbacks and crop failures, they finally had success yielding enough grain in 2012 to start distilling BRBN. Currently (to their knowledge) there is no other farm in the province growing grain corn in large enough quantities for whisky production. This means BRBN hold its head high for being the first and only true bourbon-style corn whisky in the province. The last batch of their 100 per cent B.C. bourbon-style corn whisky is now available at both their distilleries in ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç at 267 Bernard Avenue, in Vernon and on their website. www.okanaganspirits.com.

Ballet ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç’s 2017/18 season is celebrating 15 years of excellence. The company will present three spectacular productions at the ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Community Theatre: Two mixed programs, Acts of Remembrance and Elles: Extraordinary Dance Created by Women and the full-length ballet, A Streetcar named Desire on May 1 and 22018. Ballet ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç’s 2017/18 subscription series is now on sale and single tickets go on sale September 11th, 2017. To purchase a subscription visit www.kelownatickets.com or call 250-862-2867. The board of directors are Deborah Ward (interim president), Anne Laurie (interim vice-President), Paul Van Donkelaar (secretary), Jessica Grantham (treasurer), Laura Doncom, Dorothy Mills and Daniel Spelliscy, directors. Simone Orlando is the artistic director and CEO.

Come and show your car at the Classic Car Show at MTL Restaurant on Sunday, August 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at #101 1851 Kirschner Road. Free admission and $10 car registration. The show is in support of Mamas for Mamas. There will be a silent auction, 50/50 draw, local vendor special and a Poutin’ it Down for the Mamas Poutine Eating Contest. All car entry owners receive a free pulled pork sandwich from MTL. Register your car at mamasformamas@gmail.com or call 236-420-0075.

Kudos to ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Paddle Centre’s coaches Greg Redman, Tamlyn Bohm, Leanne Stanley and Sally Wallick who finished top of the podium as Canadian National Champions while competing against a strong International contingent and Canada’s top surfski paddlers. The Canadian Surfski Championship held in Squamish is a point-to-point, mass start, downwind surfski race. This 21km course tests paddlers’ skills and stamina as it runs downwind through the heart of the Ski to Sky corridor. Racers paddled form Porteau Cove up Howe Sound. Many other members finished well in their divisions. www.kelownapaddlecentre.ca.

Speaking of paddling, BrainTrust Canada’s annual stand-up paddleboard fundraiser, Phil Law Paddle for Prevention is Sunday, August 13 at Rotary Beach. Teams of four do fun, yet slightly competitive relays on the lake. Register at www.braintrustcanada.com which includes a BBQ lunch, bag of goodies and chance to win great prizes including an inflatable stand-up paddle board sponsored by Costco, Samsung Galaxy tablet from TELUS and those who raise $500.00 are entered to win a Westjet trip. Contact Magda Kapp at mkapp@braintrustcanada.com.

Blood donors are needed with walk-ins welcome. The clinics are open weekly with many appointments available at 103 – 1865 Dilworth Drive (ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç), Lakeview Heights Baptist Church at 2630 Alhambra Drive (West ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç) and Lake Country Blood Donor Clinic (first time ever) at the Winfield Memorial Hall. Visit www.blood.ca. Gayle Voyer is the territory manager. Call 250-979-8053 or gayle.voyer@blood.ca.

Birthdays of the week –Happy 60th Mark Fredrickson (July 31); myself, Maxine DeHart, (Aug. 6); Dave Roseberry (Aug. 2); Alex Draper (Aug. 2); Joan Johnstone (Aug. 2); Herb Assman (Aug. 2); Darren Bates (Aug. 3); Sylvia Jurys (Aug. 3); Kathy Zucchi (Aug. 4); Elizabeth Bologna (Aug. 4); Ross Grimmer (Aug. 5); Ron Eberle (Aug. 5); Caren Roesler (Aug. 6); Hisako Boris (Aug. 6); Rob Cupello (Aug. 6); Mohini Singh (Aug. 6); Roger Sellick (Aug. 7); Brent Baker (Aug. 8); Hugh Feagan (Aug. 8); Gary Bennett (Aug. 8); Peter Schultz (Aug. 8). In memory of John Gilbert (Aug. 2).

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.