Kelowna Paint Supply, formerly known as Benjamin Moore Kelowna, is a locally owned paint and interior decorating store with two locations at 1768 Springfield Road and 3021 Louie Drive in West Kelowna. Since 1983, the store has represented the Benjamin Moore paint brand in Kelowna and now Kelowna Paint Supply has grown into a trusted destination for homeowners, designers, and contractors. From exploring colour at the in-store colour wall to selecting wallpaper, window coverings and blinds, or durable wood coatings for cabinets and outdoor decks, the store offers a full range of products and expert guidance for both small updates and large renovations. Being a Benjamin Moore dealer comes with many advantages including access to exceptional product quality and a brand that continually leads the industry in colour innovation. The 2026 palette expands on this vision with rich, distinctive hues. New colour trends this year are Raindance, First Crush, Swiss Coffee, Batik, Narragansett Green, Southwest Pottery, Sherwood Tan and Silhouette, a full pallet from light to dark to choose from. CEO Matt Mitchell, Jordan Strilaiff, General Manager, Jess Mill, Assistant Manager, and Deja Mackie, colour and wallpaper specialist are all there to help you with your design and colour needs. In the 2025 – 2026 school year, Kelowna Paint Supply sponsors the Kelowna Art Gallery School Tour Program. Historically, this program has brought over 2,500 students from 132 schools across the Okanagan to the gallery to experience new exhibits. www.kelownapaint.com
Yahoo! Wing Night starts at MR MIKES in the Ramada Hotel at 2170 Harvey Avenue on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026 (today). $10 wings with 13 flavours to choose from and $7 for draft beer. 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. Reservations 778-484-9364 or kelowna@mrmikes.ca. Paula Bjornson is the General Manager of MR MIKES.
After serving Kelowna for over 40 years, James and Railene Anfuso and their family have sold Mamma Rosa, Authentic Italian Restaurant at 561 Lawrence Avenue. Mamma Rosa is now owned and operated by Chef Mansor Abrahim, his wife Aktra Banu and their daughter Arisha, who is the front-end restaurant manager. Originally from Bangladesh, Mansor spent 23 years in Italy before moving his family to Canada. The restaurant menu is the same as the original Mamma Rosa menu, specializing in handcrafted pasta made daily on their premises including pasta for spaghetti, fettuccine, lasagna, cannelloni and ravioli. They also make their own bread, pizza and focaccia dough, along with all their sauces. Our table of four tried a variety of dishes and all were delicious. Our favorite, which James always made us, is the linguini with butter and cheese. It is no longer a staple on the menu, but Mansor was delighted to make it for us. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 4:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with phone reservations accepted at 250-763-4114. www.mammarosa.ca
Community Fire Prevention, a fire protection company, with operations in Vancouver and across B.C. was acquired by Onyx Fire, a national leader based in Ontario, providing the company with extensive resources and support for both provincial and national accounts. In 2023, Community Fire expanded its operations into the Okanagan, including the integration of Pacific Coast Fire and Mircom, further strengthening its ability to serve local clients. With Lyndsay Krause as the Business Development representative, the company provides full-service fire protection for residential strata properties, industrial warehouses and hospitality facilities, including restaurants and hotels. Services include installations, repairs, inspections, fire safety plans, fire safety training, sprinkler inspections, ULC monitoring, emergency lighting, backflow preventors, special hazard suppression, ongoing compliance support, and 24/7 emergency on-call support. Lyndsay’s focus is on building strong local relationships and helping property managers, business owners, and strata councils stay safe, prepared, and compliant. Contact Lyndsay at lkrause@comfire.ca or 250-826-9953.
Well-known insurance gal, Anne Nikiforuk of OiS Financial Ltd. located at #6 – 1131 Lawson Avenue in the Centuria Building (formerly Okanagan Insurance Services) is retiring March 31/2026. In the industry for 30 years, Ann started in the insurance business in 1996 and joined OiS in 2002. Anne is well-known for her strong knowledge in helping her clients with travel and medical insurance. When I asked her what she is going to do in retirement she said she will figure it out when she retires, along with doing some yoga and taking care of her large dog. She will have lots of time for both. OiS has a great team of five who will carry the torch and as Anne put it “let the younger models do the job.”
Lawyer, Robert Starke has left Benson Law LLP and has joined DuMoulin Boskovich LLP as a partner in the Kelowna office at 607 – 1708 Dolphin Avenue. Robert is an experienced business, property, incapacity planning and wills and estates lawyer with a Master of Business Administration (MBA). He previously worked as a lawyer in Australia for over a decade before joining Benson Law LLP as a Partner in 2022. Robert’s law and business qualifications together with his direct approach enables him to provide clients with highly commercial and practical advice. DuMoulin Boskovich LLP also has offices in Vancouver and Vernon. rstarke@dubo.com; www.dubo.com
Brennan Garrecht has been the Motorized Sales Consultant for Fraserway RV in Kelowna for the past five years. Previously, Brennan was in the insurance industry for 15 years. Brennan has been involved in many volunteer professional and sport groups, but he recently took over as President for the Kelowna Men’s Soccer League after serving on the board for the past 10 years as secretary, director and VP, taking over from Ian Watson who was the former President. The Kelowna Men’s Soccer League recently donated $500,000 to the City of Kelowna to help support the lighting project at the Glenmore Soccer fields. They have been saving the money for over 20 years. Their league has over 1,200 players, and 50 teams spread over six divisions, and hosting the Annual Royal Cup Tournament with a Trophy that is still in their possession. The trophy is from 1912 and is 113 years old, and is the oldest continuously used soccer trophy in B.C. brennan.garrecht@fraserway.com
The 8th Annual Gopal Family Foundation Bollywood Gala 2026, in support of the Central Okanagan Food Bank, is March 7th, 2026 at Metro Community Hub. It’s a perfect blend of colour, culture, and community, bringing together local dignitaries, philanthropic leaders, corporate partners, and passionate individuals. This year will shine a spotlight on transforming local agriculture, raise critical funds, and ensure that everyone has access to the food they deserve. Become a sponsor, join in the fun, or support their auction by contacting Georgia at events@cofoodbank.com or 250-763-7161 (ext. 209).
Dress for Success Kelowna is hosting the 5th Annual Your Hour Her Power Breakfast, featuring a moderated speakers panel highlighting the insights, experiences, and stories of women in our community on March 6th, 2026 from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Coast Capri Hotel. The event also launches their month-long Your Hour Her Power Campaign in recognition of International Women’s Day. Dress for Success is currently looking for dedicated individuals who share their passion for equity, community impact, and women’s success. www.dfskelowna.org
The Trill Seekers, UBC Okanagan’s top a cappella team, have made school history by advancing to the ICCA semi-finals in San Francisco for the first time, after earning 2nd place at the West Quarterfinals in Tacoma, an impressive achievement for a university with no music program and a team with no music major. The 16-member ensemble delivered a dynamic 10-minute set featuring selections from Johnny Cash and Whitney Houston, securing one of only two spots available for the semi-final competition in March. Check out https://gofund.me/b779bc294.
Two major visually arresting exhibitions exploring land and environment open at the Kelowna Art Gallery, 1315 Water Street until May 31st, 2026. Floor Opener by Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun Lets’ lo:tseltun and The Tree Planters by Rita Leistner examine our impact on the environment and each other through a selection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and video works. www.kelownaartgallery.com Nataley Nagy is the Executive director.
Birthdays of the week – Marilyn Miller (Feb. 18); Arlene McClelland ( Feb. 18): Tal Jandali (Feb. 18); John Peacock (Feb. 18). 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); Michael Morrow (Feb. 23); Tom O’Rourke (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); Mike Jacobs (Feb. 24); Frank Servedio (Feb. 24); Ed Stange (Feb. 24); Al Hildebrand (Feb. 24); Carol Lesiak (Feb. 24);
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Brad Campeau. Brad, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by Tuesday, February 24/2026. I would also appreciate a photo of you with your cake!
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
