Hi everyone. I will not be publishing a column next week, March 25/2026. See you April 1/2026.
SunBal Salon has opened at #103 – 532 Leon Avenue in downtown Kelowna. Owned and operated by stylist Tsehay Tereda, the shop is brand new and bright, and welcomes both women and men, with walk-ins and appointments. SunBal offers all hair services, including cuts, colors, highlights, perms, and styling, along with other services of waxing and facials. They also offer grooming for beards (Line-ups) and fades. Tschay also specializes in extensions and braids. Some of the products that SunBal offers are Kevin Murphy, Moroccan Oil, Eleven Australia, and Ethica. Along with the shops stylists, SunBal offers a Barber service from Maikol Roa Garcia. Open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Tsehay offers special appointments on Sundays for women who wear a hijab and require a service. Call 778-594-5559
After 13 years as Director of Operations for Papa John’s Pizza, Scott Patten has retired. When I asked Scott what he had planned for retirement, he said, volunteer, fish, enjoy the outdoors and get into shape. Scott has been a huge supporter of the Maxine DeHart, United Way Drive-Thru Breakfast for many years, well as Papa’s John Pizza and B.C. Franchisee, Geoff Lindquist. The new Director of Operations for the Interior of B.C. for Papa John’s Pizza is Stephen Connor. Papa John’s has three locations in our area, one in Rutland on Hwy. 33, one in Kelowna on Hwy. 97 and one in West Kelowna. Papa John’s offers never-frozen dough, fresh-packed sauce, no fillers, real meat, 100% mozzarella cheese, fresh cut veggies, no trans-fats, MSG, BHA, or BHT and no partially hydrogenated oils. They offer stuffed crust, parmesan crusted, thin crust or gluten free. They also offer Italian-style folded flatbread sandwiches. www.papajohns.ca
K-Glam is an eco-conscious lifestyle brand based in Kelowna, owned and operated by Managing Director Jim Song. So, what is K-Glam? It is a Korean beauty innovation product called ClearTabs, which is waterless hand soap tablets made with 100% naturally derived ingredients. How do you use it? Fill an empty dispenser with 250ml of water, drop in one ClearTabs tablet, wait 30-45 minutes until fully dissolved (Usable after about 10 minutes) and then you have your beautiful ultra-light hand soap at the push of the dispenser. It is a new way of using and purchasing liquid soap. Before starting K-Glam Haven, Jim worked in a senior home facility. There, he experienced firsthand the challenges of handling traditional liquid soap, lifting and refilling heavy containers and storing bulky liquid inventory. ClearTabs are easy to store, simple to refill, vegan, cruelty-free, reduces plastic use, and are suitable for both home and commercial use. K-Glam is expanding the ClearTabs line into a broader sustainable beauty collection with ClearTabs face care products, eco-friendly solid soap, all inspired by Canadian scents. Their goal is to blend Korean clean beauty innovation with the natural essence of Canada, with natural scents of local products. For Kelowna residents products can be delivered directly or pickup at a downtown location. For inquiries or more information email kyungjinsong6@gmail.com or visit www.kyungjinsong6.wixsite.com
Karin Massar has been appointed as the new Community Relations Lead for Do Gooders. Founded in May 2021, Do Gooders is a grant research and writing firm dedicated to helping Canadian charities, not-for-profits, and Indigenous Nations access the funding they need to change lives. With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the not-for-profit and charitable sector, Karin will support Do Gooders ongoing commitment to expanding its impact and strengthening relationships throughout the region. She is the incoming President of the Kelowna Sunrise Rotary Club. www.dogooders.ca/about/meet-the-team/
Christina Camilleri, BASc, RD, RCC, MAL, CHE, CDWF, is the founder and director of Healthy Essentials Clinic (HEC) and a woman who has started a movement to transform healthcare in Lake Country. With decades of experience in healthcare, roots in nutrition, counselling, family-centered care, executive health, consultation, and health advocacy, HEC was founded on her vision to create an outpatient space where people feel SEEN and do not have to bounce between providers or start from scratch at every appointment. Christina is bringing something to Kelowna that she thinks many individuals, parents, caregivers, educators, students and helping professionals might want to experience. On April 14th, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., Healthy Essentials Clinic presents “SEEN: Parent Documentary” at the Kelowna Community Theatre. Admission is free or by donation, and pre-registration is encouraged. Sponsored by KPMG, Divisions of Family Practice, Central Okanagan Primary Care Network and Okanagan Regional Library, this award-winning documentary focuses on the transformative power of personal healing for parents and families. Following the film, there will be a panel discussion with HEC specialists available to answer questions. www.healthyessentialsclinic.ca/seen-the-film/
The Greater Westside Board of Trade is hosting Business After Hours on March 26/2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at NEXT Clinic’s newly expanded space. Register at www.gwboardoftrade.com
The SUMMIT Business + Leadership Conference hosted by Amy Cohen, founder of Okanagan Corporate Retreats and The Chic Experience is June 4th and 5th, 2026. This is a two-day business and leadership experience created for ambitious entrepreneurs, freelancers, executives, and small business owners who are ready to expand their network, sharpen their knowledge and elevate their impact. It is more than a conference, it is an immersive environment where actionable learning, valuable insight and purposeful connections are created with momentum for business and leadership purposes. The SUMMIT delivers depth and access through Hot Seat Coaching, Off the Record Breakout Sessions, Live podcast Recordings, Curated Networking Experiences, Professional Headshot Photo Station, and Wellness Suite. Every element is designed with intention. Each day closes with curated happy hours designed for connection and celebration, featuring a live DJ, music, and two hours of post-conference networking. Choose from VIP and GOLD ticket options. Two-day passes are now available. Visit www.thechicexperience.ca/experiences/summits/chic-summit-kelowna-june-2026/
The 9th Annual B Mack & Karly Cold Weather Clothing Drive supporting the unhoused community and Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society has come to an end, with over 3,600 items donated. Their main sponsor and drop off location was Kelowna Toyota, as well as their West Kelowna drop off location 1st Class AutoGlass and SignCraft. With another generous cash donation of $7,500. from Kelowna Toyota, brought the monetary value to $50,000. There has been 45,000 winter items donated over the past nine years. B Mack and Karly are the popular morning show hosts on 99.9 SUN FM.
Locals, Amanda Poon, and Chris Walker have started a new venture and have opened The Susie Pearl, a four-room bed and breakfast in Glenmore. The Susie Pear is a fresh take on a traditional concept with two full guest suites, and two cozy bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, along with gourmet continental breakfasts. It is a place where visitors can live like locals and enjoy all the fruits of the Okanagan. The B&B has a sweeping view of the Glenmore valley and a sparkling swimming pool. Amanda grew up in Kelowna and has lived here most of her life with experience in the local social and health services sectors. Chris is a veteran journalist with Canada’s public broadcaster, hosting the regional morning radio show program. The Susie Pearl was named for their grandmothers, Susie Poon, and Pearl Walker, two women who lived very different lives, but embodied Canadian values of hard work, determination, and hospitality. Susie Pearl has a central location, minutes from the beaches of Okanagan Lake, scenic trails, and downtown Kelowna, making it a perfect base camp for lake days, wine touring, and exploring the best that the Okanagan has to give. www.thesusiepearl.com
The 12th Annual Bands, BBQ, Beers, and Balding is Saturday, April 11th, 2026, at the Laurel Packing House, at 6:00 p.m., hosted by Bernie Ryan of FPS Fluid Power Solutions. A few brave volunteers will be shaving their heads to raise money for the BC Children’s Hospital’s Balding for Dollars and the KGH Foundation. 100% of all monies raised are split evenly between the two organizations. For the past 23 years, Bernie has been hosting events for BC children’s Hospital and now with the KGH Foundation. Last year’s event raised $48,000 and this year’s goal is $50,000. Todate, Bernie’s personal Balding for Dollars has raised $252,189.91. Tickets are $70.00 (includes dinner) with tickets also at the door. If you would like to participate as a sponsor, donate a prize, reserve a table, or buy a ticket to enjoy the event, contact Bernie at ryansrockets@hotmail.com; For more info visit www.facebook.com/bandsburgersbeersbalding/ or at FPS Fluid Power Solutions, 824 Crowley Avenue which his Bernie’s place of business.
Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival (COPAF) has officially begun its 2026 season and this year marks 100 years of performing arts festival tradition in the Okanagan. The season will host a Festival Gala on May 15th, 2026. This centennial year traces a clear through-line: the festival began in 1926 as the Okanagan Valley Music Festival, hosted on a three-year cycle among Kelowna, Penticton, and Vernon. Kelowna’s festival became fully autonomous in 1981 as the Kelowna Kiwanis Festival, and in 2024 it was retitled the Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival (COPAF) with new branding and the title sponsorship from the Rotary Clubs of the Central Okanagan. There are many ways you can support COPAF, including a scholarship program, community dinner fundraiser, or attend many of the events leading up to the May 15th Festival Gala. Michelle Bylow is the Executive Director and Clarissa Bebe is the Marketing Director, Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival. Visit www.copafestival.com
The OCCA Communities Association (Formerly the Okanagan Chinese Canadian Association), in partnership with the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of B.C. (CCHSBC) has successfully completed Phase 1 of the Okanagan Chinese Canadian History Project following the conclusion of its third round of thematic interviews in Kelowna. This project is funded by Library and Archives Canada, UBC’s Centre for Asian Canadian Research and Engagement, and UBC’s Asian Canadian and Asian Migration Studies Program. The completion of Phase 1 represents a critical step in recording the past to inspire the future.
Birthdays of the week – Happy 65th Tracy Gilbert (Mar. 22); Jashan Jhajj (Mar. 18); Susan Feng (Mar. 18); John Clarke (Mar. 18); Mike Koutsantonis (Mar. 18); Bruce Wilson (Mar. 18); Corrie Meere (Mar. 18); Perry Mack (Mar. 18); Gurvinder Singh (Mar. 18); Adrien Tylor (Mar. 19); Bert Gee (Mar. 19); Rachel Renaud (Mar. 19); Ryan Smith (Mar. 19); Matt Wachter (Mar. 19); Ian Macdonald (Mar.19); Lorraine Richmond (Mar. 20); Kent Molgat (Mar. 20); Matthew Jensen (Mar. 21); Chantel Clark (Mar. 21); Sarah Sabo (Mar. 21); Anita Johal (Mar. 22); Ariel Tyk (Mar. 22); David Greer (Mar. 22); Richard Trager (Mar. 22); Coreen Sol (Mar. 22); Natasha Frappier (Mar. 23); Ivy Cutting (Mar. 23); Whitney Penner (Mar. 23); Dale Safinuk (Mar. 23); Sandy Turk (Mar. 23); Dawn Himer (Mar. 23); Andrea McFadden (Mar. 23); Les Bellamy (Mar. 23); Martin Mills (Mar. 23); Sonya Barker (Mar. 23); Jock Tyre (Mar. 24); Chris Gorman (Mar. 24); Ryan Donn (Mar. 24); Pam Windover (Mar. 24); Chris Gorman (Mar. 24); Carol Heath (Mar. 24).
The Specialty Bakery Birthday Cake Winner of the Week is Whitney Penner. Whitney, please pick up your Birthday Cake from any one of the four Specialty Bakery locations by noon on Tuesday, March 24 /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
