For decades, Mickie’s Pub was more than just a place to gather. It was a cornerstone of the Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre (where I have hung my hat for 40 years) and a beloved part of the community. It was a place where stories were shared, friendships were formed, and memories were made. After much deliberation with the heaviest of hearts, Durali Properties Harvey Avenue Ltd, the owners of the Ramada Hotel, have made the difficult decision to close Mickie’s Pub. Thank you to all our loyal customers over the past 35 years for your unwavering support. With one door closing, another has opened. Come join us at the new MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual, located in the Ramada Hotel. MR MIKES is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yes, Mr. Mike’s serves breakfast. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., it is a place where locals and hotel guests alike can enjoy the vast selection of a great menu. Join them for the Happiest Hours every day from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 8:00 p.m. until close. Do not fret, the former Mickie’s popular and beautiful patio will be open again for the summer season. Keep tuned for more information. Paula Bjornson is the General Manager of MR MIKES Steakhouse Casual. www.mrmikes.ca. For reservations, call 778-484-9364. On another note, we have been receiving many inquiries about what will happen with all the sports paraphernalia and other items in Mickie’s Pub. We know that many of our long-time customers have an attachment to some of the items. Please stay tuned, as we will get back to you on this as soon as possible.
If you love Thai cuisine, you must try Pick Thai Restaurant at 467 Bernard Avenue. Owned and operated by a daughter and mother team, Ploy Gardiner, who services the front-end of the restaurant and her mother, Pam McLeod, who is the chef, you will definitely be treated to authentic Thai cuisine. The small cozy restaurant has a good variety of appetizers, soups and salads, noodle and rice main course dishes, curry, wok, mini hot pots, and desserts. They have a huge variety of bubble tea, smoothies and fresh tea. Our table tasted a variety of dishes, including mini hot pot with coconut milk and prawns, Basa fish red curry, basil pork and Pad Thai chicken. Along with the generous portions, the food was fresh and delicious. The Pad Thai Chicken was unbelievable. If you would like a special Thai experience, every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Pick Thai offers all you can eat Hot Pot. It includes snacks, two-way hot pot broths, over 20 items for the hot pot, all-you-can-drink soft drinks and ice cream. It’s incredible. Reservations are required for hot pot evenings. Pick Thai offers dine-in or take-out. Open Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 4:30 p.m. until close. Closed Tuesdays.
Andrew Gaucher of GGroup Developments and McKinley Beach is the new Chair of the Board of the Urban Development Institute (UDI) – Okanagan Region for a two-year term. Andrew has been on the board for over 16 years and has previously held roles as Sustainability Committee Chair and served a prior term as Chair of the Board. Andrew has worked in the industry for over 18 years. His first company was Green Solutions Inc., a general contracting company. Andrew has been running GGroup Development and McKinley Beach since 2015. He has been an active volunteer for years, holding roles on the UDI board, the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and the COEDC board. Charlene Thomas is the Executive Director of the UDI – Okanagan Region.
Keith Pearce of Kal-West Mechanical Systems in Kelowna is the new Vice Chair of the Mechanical Contractors Association of B.C. (MCABC). MCABC is the only association in BC dedicated solely to the unique interests of mechanical contractors. Members consist of both unionized and open shop firms specializing in plumbing, heating, gas installations, HVAC, fire protection, controls, and industrial mechanical systems. Work is done in the industrial, commercial, institutional and residential sectors. MCABC is here to make sure mechanical contactors and sector suppliers alike are able to provide the best possible product and service they can, to maintain and enhance their reputation for honesty, reliability and quality workmanship. Kal-West is located at 710 Evans Court, Kelowna. They are a mechanical contracting company and an industry leader in the field of Division 15 mechanical construction. Established for over 35 years, Kal-West provides plumbing, heating and mechanical services to businesses, organizations and institutions throughout BC. www.mcabc.org; www.kalwest.com
Paula Mendes is the new Grants & Stewardship Coordinator at the Central Okanagan Foundation. In this role, Paula will be working to strengthen the Foundation’s connection with the community and provide support for any questions or needs related to the Foundation. paula@centralokanaganfoundation.org
Congratulations to the Okanagan Spirits Mixoff 2025 Winners. They are Brenna Iannarelli-Verde of Cantina del Centro for “Swanky Lanky” (Judges’ Choice Cocktail); Brenna Iannarelli-Verde of Cantina del Centro for “Swanky Lanky” (People’s Choice Cocktail), and Cantina del Centro for their innovative and delicious Can-Tuna Treasure (Best Bite). Now in its 10th year, the Okanagan Spirit Mixoff celebrates the creativity and skill of the region’s bartenders while showcasing the award-winning Okanagan Spirits crafted right here in the Okanagan. The event brings together bartenders, restaurants, and cocktail enthusiasts in a lively evening of tasting, music and collaboration.
Born to Shake Cocktail Emporium and Bar at 110 – 889 Vaughan Avenue. Known for their handcrafted small-batch syrups, bitters, and bar essentials, they are introducing a new chapter that brings even more to the local cocktail scene. The retail space has been transformed into BTS Cocktail Bar, a modern-day speakeasy-style lounge featuring an elevated small-plates and tapas menu crafted by Chef Liam Owen, an intimate and stylish atmosphere, a soundtrack that sets the mood for the perfect night out and a cocktail menu that will blow you away. Visit Born to Shake by day and BTS by night, welcoming guests from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to shop a curated selection of house-made syrups, bitters, and cocktail kits and then shift to BTS Cocktail Bar from 5:00 p.m. until close, Wednesday to Sunday. Shayne Labis is the owner/operator of Born to Shake and BTS Cocktail Bar.
Qualicare Home Care Kelowna, owned and operated by Amy Zeng, provides high-quality, client-focused home care for seniors and families who want to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. They are part of the Qualicare network, a Canadian home care brand, but with each office locally owned and operated. After several years living and working in the Vancouver area, Amy moved to the Okanagan and soon realized how many seniors wished to age well at home but often lacked the right kind of support. Motivated by her own family experiences and her passion for senior care, she founded Qualicare Home Care Kelowna to bring compassionate, reliable home care services to the community. Starting in Vernon, they now support clients across Vernon, Kelowna and Lake Country and continue to grow. Beyond daily assistance of bathing, dressing and meal preparation, Qualicare considers every aspect of a client’s well-being as physical, emotional and social. www.qualicare.com/vernon-kelowna-bc
Hundreds of donated clothing items, along with footwear and accessories, found new homes during the recent Sweet Repeats clothing sale held at the Okanagan College campus on October 24th and 25th. The two-day event, in partnership with the Okanagan College Foundation, drew students, staff and community members eager to shop sustainably while supporting local learners. All proceeds from the sale go toward meeting the needs of students in Okanagan College’s Science and Technology Department and will help students access the tools and resources they need to succeed. Deb Liebholz is the owner/operator of Sweet Repeats Consignment Co., located at #130 – 1889 Springfield Road, and is open seven days a week.
Happy 67th Anniversary, Tom and Sharon Lightfoot (Nov.18).
Kelowna Women’s Shed is hosting their first workshop, making a Farmhouse Bench with hand tools. Over two Saturdays, November 15th and 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with all supplies and tools, including building the bench, could not be easier. Join them at Lee Valley at 1876 Cooper Road. The event is also supported by Home Depot. Register online at Eventbrite or at kelownawomenshed@gmail.com.
Local, GJ Sarsons has published his third book, Black Garnet. There’s no neutral ground in a war for secrets. Black Garnet is an international espionage thriller. When a stolen satchel of intelligence surfaces, three factions are willing to kill for it – and one man is caught in the crossfire. Former RCMP officer, Tim Murphy, thought he’d buried his past, but when an urgent call pulls him back into the shadows, he is thrust into a deadly game stretching from Bangkok’s alleyways to the Andaman Sea and the fog-bound docks of Vancouver. Inside the bag, he carries information powerful enough to shatter governments or buy his freedom if he can survive long enough to use it. In Black Garnet, trust is poison, betrayal is currency, and survival means playing every side before they play you. Available on Amazon.com, garnering four 5-star reviews.
The one-night show of Robert Fine with the Lake Country Big Band is Friday, November 14th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Creekside Theatre in Lake Country. Tickets at www.ticketseller.ca
Birthdays of the week – Jan Johnston (Nov. 12); Gord Hunting (Nov. 12); Michael Wynne (Nov. 12); Dr. Mo Rajabally (Nov. 12); Greg Capozzi (Nov. 12); Dan Matheson (Nov. 12); Mark Filatow (Nov. 13); Olecia Kelly (Nov. 13); Alli McNeil (Nov. 14); Matt Lebedoff (Nov. 12); Samuel Alicalas (Nov. 17); Ron Wittenberg (Nov. 15); Rob Munro (Nov. 15); Nancy MacKellar (Nov. 15); Joel Stack (Nov. 15); Glenna Turnbull (Nov. 15); Dale Beaudry (Nov. 16); Stacey Hadden (Nov. 17); Samuel Galvez (Nov. 17); Albert Krasniqi (Nov. 18); Sharron Simpson (Nov. 18); Gulshan Brar (Nov. 18); Joel Young (Nov. 18).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Jan Johnston. Jan, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any Specialty Bakery by Tuesday, November 18/2025.
Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna City Councillor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662. E-mail max@maxinedehart.ca
