Okanagan College culinary department chefs Ruth Wigman and Kelsey Oudendag reached out to me with this story last week: They told me that the 麻豆精选 Gospel Mission had received 2,000 pounds of Arctic Char, donated by the Road 17 Arctic Char Fish Farm in Oliver.
The Gospel Mission, led by food services manager chef Jeremy Luypen, needed help to process the fish. The college culinary students stepped up to 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 麻豆精选 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, with Codfather's Seafood Market. The students received an incredible two-day crash-course learning about processing fish and what a super-cool experience.
Curry Bistro Indian Cuisine is tucked-away at 117-3640 Gosset Rd. in West 麻豆精选. 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. All the food was beautifully presented with generous portions and delicious. Chef Dhoom is 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 per cent off your order for pick up until Feb. 28.
麻豆精选-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. Okanagan Eco Pump specializes in septic system installation, pumping, maintenance, inspections and emergency services. The company supports both residential and commercial properties throughout the region.
Larry Tuovila is celebrating his 300th donation at the CBS 麻豆精选 Plasma Donation Centre. He is truly making a difference in supporting Canada鈥檚 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鈥檚 Lifeline. One in two Canadians can donate but only one in 76 donate. Plasma donations at the 麻豆精选 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鈥檚 Lifeline. Please consider donating. Book or inquire at www.blood.ca, GiveBlood App, or call 1-888-236-6283 (1-888-2DONATE).
The 麻豆精选 Nordic Ski Club, which was formed back in 1977, will host a grooming machine fundraiser after being turned down for a government grant to purchase the equipment. Join the nordic club members for a fun day of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, a BBQ and prizes on Feb. 23. The cross-country groups for 5 and 10 kilometres start at 10 a.m. and the 20 kilometres enthusiasts will start at 9:30 a.m. Snowshoe groups start at 10 a.m. The BBQ will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. with the draw for prizes at 1:30 p.m., including a 50/50 draw. Some of the other prizes include a pair of cross-country skis, snowshoes, Ramada Hotel gift certificate, MEC gift certificates and a 麻豆精选 Cycle gift. Participant donations of only $20 for members and $35 for non-members is asked for. Everyone will meet at the main cabin on McCulloch Road. Check out the website www.kelownanordic.ca for more information.
Jared Larabie is the new Okanagan & Kootenay region branch anager 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, at the height of the COVID 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 麻豆精选 branch of Paladin. After a successful year, he is now taking the lead as branch manager, overseeing a staff of 500 security officers throughout the Okanagan and now expanding into the Kootenay region.
Letters from Pakistan: A Himalayan Memoir was published in August 2024 by retired UBC Okanagan geography professor Fes de Scally, who spent his first four years after retirement writing and self-publishing this fabulous story. The book is a memoir of the author鈥檚 three expeditions to the fieldwork in the Himalaya and Karakoram Mountains in the 1980s. Published in 2024 by Boot Tread Books in 麻豆精选, the book has already been highly acclaimed by readers. Readers also have access to the book's website with hundreds of the author鈥檚 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. Purchase the book online at lettersfrompakistan@gmail.com
The Liedertafel Choir in 麻豆精选 has decided to end its amazing 54 years of honouring German culture and entertaining 麻豆精选. Fewer than 10 choir participants remain in the organization today. 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 麻豆精选 and its members.
100 Women Who Care will host an event on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Pretty Not Bad, 740 Clement Ave., 5:30 p.m. Sign up to attend at 100womenwhocarekelowna@gmail.com.
Join the Alzheimer Society of B.C.鈥檚 Breakfast to Remember presented by Valley Mitsubishi on Feb. 27, 8 to 10 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 speaking will be Janine Karlsen, business owner, nurse and dementia advocate who will share her personal connection to the disease. Tickets available onlilne at www.breakfasttoremember.ca.
麻豆精选 Dress for Success will celebrate International Women鈥檚 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鈥檚 Panel Breakfast on March 7. The organization is also seeking corporate sponsors to showcase their commitment to women鈥檚 success in our community. Lori Stevenson is the executive director of Dress for Success 麻豆精选. To sign up to fundraise, donate an hour of your salary, attend the breakfast or explore sponsorship opportunities visit www.dfskelowna.org.
Birthdays of the week 鈥� 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鈥橰ourke (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, Feb. 25.
Maxine DeHart is a 麻豆精选 city councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, email mail max@maxinedehart.ca.
