A hidden gem, MJ Asian Cuisine, has opened at #117 – 3640 Gossett Road in West Kelowna, owned and operated by delightful couple, Ryan and Malou Alea, who have resided in the Okanagan for 15 years. Ryan is a long-time Chef with well over 25 years’ experience in the industry, working in Manila, Dubai and NUBO worldwide restaurants before settling and working in Kelowna. MJ serves a mixture of Asian Fusion cuisine and current Chef Judy Giller, who has also worked in Manila, Dubai, Philippines and Bahrain has created a large and varied menu of appetizers, soups, noodle dishes, mains, and Japanese Ramen. Gluten free and some vegan is also available. All dishes are made fresh in-house, including spring rolls, all sauces, soup broths and gyoza’s. Our table sampled a variety of items, including Thai Chicken Satays, Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Chicken Pad Thai, Thai Green Curry with Prawns, Thai Cashews with Chicken and Nasi Goreng with Chicken Satays. All the dishes were delicious, had distinct flavours, generous portions, and were beautifully presented. Open Monday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 7:30 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Eat-in, take-out and delivery offered. www.mjasiancuisine.com
Vista Radio’s 1150 AM Early Edition Producer, Jaden Large is leaving his position at the radio station on February 11th. Jaden is attending Okanagan College for the Electrical Pre-Apprentices Program, starting on February 18th, which runs until August 1st of this year. He will not be completely gone from the radio station, as his job will lessen and he will not fully go away. Jaden will be hosting the weekend show on 99.9 SUN FM during his time in school, so we will still see and hear him. Gurinder Pabla, Assistant Program Director, will be stepping into the spot temporarily until a new producer is announced shortly.
After years of working out at large commercial gyms, Steve Shortt and Julie Provost have started their own company, Vi, Your Neighbourhood Gym, located at 895 Ellis Street, in Kelowna’s north end. Partners in life and business, Steve and Julie felt the gym culture had shifted and now being a bit older, they felt they did not fit in. Fighting an internal battle with anxiety while getting ready for the gym every day, which felt like a workout on its own, this kept them out of the gym and evolved into skipping workouts and eventually not going at all. They moved to a new neighbourhood and discovered a small local private gym, but one day shortly after joining, the gym was closing. With fitness being a large part of their lives, Steve and Julie decided they would open their own gym. They felt that if two fit people like them feel anxious in the large gyms, surely people who are just getting started feel the same way. Vi caters to beginners, hosting educational courses such as strength training 101, teaching the basics such as form, safety and etiquette. They offer personal training, fitness coaching and giving every member access to a free orientation to teach them how to use the machines safely. As a semi-private gym, they are smaller and quieter than other gyms, along with having a membership cap that preserves a relaxed atmosphere, giving their members a less overwhelming experience. www.vifit.com
Okanagan Athletic Therapy, formerly on Harvey Avenue, has relocated to a new and expanded location at #104 – 1456 St. Paul Street in downtown Kelowna. Owned and operated by Marina White, CAT, CSCS, the new space is a purpose-built facility spanning approximately 2,300 square feet. The facility features multiple private treatment rooms and a large, fully equipped open gym, allowing them to better support competitive and elite-level athletes through every stage of recovery, rehabilitation, and performance. It will enable more comprehensive, sport-specific care, helping athletes recovery efficiently, build resilience, and return to sport stronger and faster. www.okanaganathletictherapy.com
The new President of the Kelowna Legion Branch 26 is Andrew Longmore, and the 1st Vice President is Doug Affleck. The Legion is now in their brand new building at 908 Wilson Avenue. All the public is welcome as a membership is no longer required to visit the Kelowna Legion. This year is the Legion’s centenary, and it is also the Kelowna Legion Branch 26th 100th Anniversary. For this year only, the Legion is offering free membership for those people that have never been a Legion member. Along with Andrew and Doug, the 2026 executive are Gary Lipsett, Jim White, Rita Janes, Jeannette Affleck, Mark Kraitberg, Laurie Lloyd, Audrey Risso, Gayanne Pacholzuk, Patricia Caspers, John Caspsers, Garry Zarr and Teri Webber. Join them and support our veterans throughout the year.
Your city, your team, your move. Evan Pryor is the founder and creator of a free app called SHIRTS N’ SKINS (SNS) to help people connect and get active together locally. SNS helps people in an easy way to find gym buddies, pickup games, or sports meetups. You can connect with local players and teams in under 60 seconds. The app allows you to match by activity and location, allowing you to create or join teams and events quickly. If you are travelling for business, working on the road, a college student, or a person who just wants to join an activity, the app allows you to find a person or group to join in on an activity. Build your team, meet new players, and play more often. Maybe you would like to join a hockey game, play basketball, go to the gym or just to find someone with the same activity you would like to attend, the app allows all of this. Download the free and user-friendly app at linktr.ee/snspressplay
After 13 years, Gayle Voyer, long-time well-known Associate Director for Donor Engagement for Western Canada at Canadian Blood Services is retiring on February 27th, 2026. She asks that you join her this month for her last donation as an employee, but not her last donation. Gayle states that she was grateful for the opportunity, proud of the work and deeply appreciative of the people in the community who supported her and Canadian Blood Services. Book your donation appointment at www.blood.ca; gayle.voyer@blood.ca
Speaking of Canadian Blood Services, Peter Teschner and Steve Moorman are celebrating an extraordinary milestone. Today, February 4th, at 1:00 p.m., Peter and Steve will each be completing their 400th plasma blood donation at Canadian Blood Services, Orchard Park Mall location. This achievement represents decades of dedication, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to helping others in need. Reaching 400 donations is a rare and inspiring accomplishment and would underscore the importance of volunteerism, community leadership, and the life-saving impact of blood and plasma. Peter has been a blood donor for over 40 years. www.blood.ca/en
After 28 years, well-known Amici’s Salon, Hair, Skin & Nails officially closed its doors last year. Coni Grande’s journey began on June 1st, 1997 when she purchased an established salon in the Towne Centre Mall, now called The District. Originally called Shear Impressions, Coni rebranded in 1998 to Amici’s Hair and Body Spa. In 2000, Amici’s moved to it final home at 595 Lawrence Avenue in the historic Grande Place building, Kelowna’s first two-storey salon and spa. The location held deep family significance, as for over 30 years, Coni’s father, Peter Grande, operated Peter Grande Men’s Wear, a tailor shop which he purchased in the 80’s. Peter passed in 1995 and the family continued to manage the property. In 2025, the Grande family sold Grande Place and Coni chose to close Amici’s to end its own chapter on its own terms. Coni has retired from hairdressing and with her husband Carlos is embracing a new adventure. They are now managing a seasonal campground in the Shuswap. The tradition marks the end of an era, and the family is touched that the new owners have chosen to keep the Grande Place name.
Crime Stoppers Annual Luncheon was a heartful celebration of the partnership between Crime Stoppers, The RCMP, local government and the many businesses and residents who work together to keep our community safe. Crime Stoppers is a community-led program that allows people to report crime anonymously and demonstrates that when community and law enforcement stand together, meaningful change is possible. The event highlighted how vital anonymous tips, citizen engagement and collaborative policing are in preventing and solving crime. Residents can become a Crime Stoppers member for just $10.00 a year at www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/136684. Crime Stoppers is hosting a Comedy Night fundraiser on February 13th, 2026, at Dakoda’s Comedy Lounge with 100% of ticket sales going directly to Crime Stoppers. Tickets at www.showpass.com/comedy-for-a-cause-for-central-okanagan-crime-stoppers-2/. Residents can anonymously report knowledge of crime by call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or www.crimestoppers.net. We can all help make our community safer by supporting Crime Stoppers.
Take a look at Gerald Deshayes “Strange Movies” blues band as they rocked the audience in Kelowna way back in 1968. You will enjoy it. https://youtu.be/uS-B8O_fiP4
Birthdays of the week – Senator Ross Fitzpatrick (Feb. 4); Rob Belanger (Feb. 4); Dana Haudenschild (Feb. 4); Walter Frank (Feb. 4); Sharon Gitlin (Feb. 4); Leonard Strelau (Feb. 4); Gary Barnes (Feb. 5); Karen Belanger (Feb. 5); Ken Murray (Feb. 5); Jake Imrich (Feb. 5); Nica Graziotto (Feb. 5); Kelly Wolfe (Feb. 6); Teena Gowdy (Feb. 6); Sergio Cunial (Feb. 7); Darren McClelland (Feb. 7); Karen Erickson (Feb. 7); Andre Desrosiers (Feb. 7); Marci Paynter (Feb. 7); Darlene Jackson (Feb. 8); Regan Bartel (Feb. 8); Robin MacMillan (Feb. 9); Ken Millen (Feb. 9); Gayle Voyer (Feb. 9); Karen Gee (Feb. 10); Donnie Ungaro (Feb. 10); Ernie Webber (Feb. 10); Blayne Brethour (Feb. 10); Wayne Horning (Feb. 10).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Ken Murray. Ken, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by Tuesday, February 10/2026.
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
