News Influencing Thompson Okanagan Business
KELOWNA
Sean Penn
Sean Penn has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of national technical builder Chandos Construction (Chandos).
Jillian Povarchook has been named the new Executive Director by the Kelowna Museums Society (KMS).
Brent Browne, owner of the Bistro at Specialty Bakery on Finns Road has partnered with renowned chef David Tufts, who was previously employed at Barb’s Delight Restaurant.
El Salvador Bar & Grill, owned by Doug Vasquez, recently opened in the Pandosy area at 482 West Avenue.
Alcatraz Chicken, owned and operated by Shinoy Gurukkal-Parambath (G.P.) and Rifan Fouser, has recently opened its doors at #101 – 225 Rutland Road S.
The Capri Centre‘s Global Pet Foods Kelowna celebrates its first anniversary.
Sweat Studios, located at 529 Lawrence Avenue and is owned by Kristian and Nathan Matis, is celebrating one year in business.
Fraserway RV, located at 3732 Hwy. 97N, is celebrating their 55th year in business.
Magda Kapp
Magda Kapp has recently been named the new Specialist in Emergency Response and Partnership at United Way BC.
The BC Lenders Group Association named its new Board of Directors bringing diverse expertise and a shared commitment to excellence in providing educational events to mortgage brokers: President: Lee-Ann McEllister, ACC; Vice President: Kim Weishuhn; Treasurer: Matthew Sherriff; Secretary: Tania Hatcher; Directors: Kristina Morrison, Jennifer Sternig, Nicole Thomson, Cluny Coghlan, Yvonne Futter, Paula Hutton.
A home-flipping tax will be introduced in British Columbia to reduce speculation and housing costs. Residential sales within a year of purchase will be taxed at 20 per cent of the profit starting January 1, 2025, and zero after two years. The Budget 2024 tax will be detailed by Finance Minister Katrine Conroy and Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon at a news conference
As part of its Safer Communities Action Plan, the province has allocated $266 million to finance various services, including the construction of new complex care housing in Kelowna. Of this amount, $169 million will be used to construct new homes across the province.
With a budget of $3.6 billion, B.C. Hydro has issued its first request for private power producers in 15 years, with the goal of supplying 270,000 homes with electricity by 2031. All bids for extra energy must be in accordance with Clean B.C.’s definition of renewable power and incorporate at least 25 per cent First Nations equity in order to be included in the biannual power call.
Al Greenwood‘s Reflections of Red (Red Skelton), a performance for seniors, will be held on April 26 at Chartwell Chatsworth Retirement Residence in collaboration with Willow Park Church.
Goddess on the Go, an evening to celebrate the mothers and caregivers who are raising loved ones with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other neurodiversabilities, is being hosted on April 24th, by Autism Okanagan in collaboration with Barefoot Venus.
On April 20, Earth Day Quest will take place in Downtown Kelowna from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Participants are invited to complete the Earth Day Quest Online Quiz.
KAMLOOPS
Professional Photographers of Canada (PPOC) honoured Kent Wong of Kamloops with the 2024 National Citation for Service. The presentation was made by PPOC Chair, Jennifer Gilbert, MPA SPA at the association’s annual awards gala. Kent Wong has contributed his exceptional photography skills to numerous Kamloops Chamber events.
Saskia Stinson, an associate teaching professor at Thompson Rivers University, was named the 2024 West Coast Teaching Excellence Award recipient by the British Columbia Teaching and Learning Council.
The Sun Peaks Staff Housing (Parcel 37) project, developed by A&T Developments, is one of the many developments Gravity Architecture has designed for the Sun Peaks Ski Resort located northeast of Kamloops, BC. The Parcel 37 project is a four-storey, 58-unit building that has been specifically designed to cater to the housing needs of the resort’s staff.
Dawson International Truck Centres is seeking experienced commercial vehicle technicians, both journeymen and apprentices, to join their service teams in their new locations in Kamloops, Kelowna, and Vernon.
Gilbert Supply‘s five BC locations have been acquired by the Uni-Select/Bumper to Bumper team.
The deadline to apply for the Okanagan-Thompson Land Matcher position at Young Agrarians has been updated until April 24.
The distillery plans of Stills Co. have been shelved in order to concentrate on the 501 Lansdowne St. restaurant, which opened last summer.
Major construction along the Lansdowne Street corridor will commence on April 28, 2024, in order to extend sewer main service coverage from 1st Avenue to 7th Avenue as part of the City Centre Sanitary Upgrades Project.
2023 Annual Report Highlights Key Projects and Service Delivery was presented by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD). Read on here.
PENTICTON/OLIVER/OSOYOOS
Soe Cafe, located at 285 Westminster Ave West, was recently opened by husband and wife, Ryan Grifone and Thuy Bui.
This year’s South Okanagan Drive-Thru Breakfast, co-hosted by Berri Fresh, Nature’s Fare Market, and United Way British Columbia in Penticton, raised slightly more than $22,000 to benefit local youth and child programs.
Cannery Brewing introduces the New World Pilsner, a beer that showcases a blend of Ahtanum, El Dorado, HBC 638, and Idaho 7 hops.
On April 20, Gallery 1 at the Leir House Cultural Centre will host “Wine by the Glass,” a community event organized by the Penticton & District Community Arts Council. The event will feature an evening of art, wine, and cheese.
The first two names on the Top 40 nominee list have been announced by Kettle Valley Memorial and the Penticton Chamber of Commerce: The Penticton Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts’ executive director, Catherine Jones, and co-owner of Serendipity Winery, Katie O’Kell.
Prospera Credit Union recently donated $5,000 to the Feedway Foundation’s Breakfast Club, which provides free breakfast meals to school-aged children in the community.
The newest trademarked non-browning apple variety, developed and grown by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, is now available to Canadian consumers.
Downtown Penticton BIA is hosting their Annual General Meeting (AGM), held on May 1, 2024, from 5 pm – 7 pm at The Standard Space.
SALMON ARM
Annette Cosens of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada has put the 73-acre ranch on Shuswap Lake, located at 6525 Worral Rd., up for sale internationally for $30 million.
Missy MacKintosh, the founder of Salmon Arm’s MisMacK Clean Cosmetics, has collaborated with her 13-year-old son to develop a line of toxin-free eye black, which will be showcased on CBC’s Dragons’ Den.
With the 55+ B.C. Games scheduled for 2024, the Salmon Arm council has chosen to upgrade Klahani Park with eight additional pickleball courts.
The apple orchard of Hanna and Hanna, located at 3181 11 Ave. NE, next to Northyards Cider Co., has been acquired by DeMille’s Farm Market.
VERNON
The Vernon Canadian Tire store hosted a vendor day on Saturday, during which TNB Naturals displayed its “innovative horticultural solutions” through a line of products.
The Allan Brooks Nature Centre in Vernon will reopen for the season on April 20.
SilverStar Mountain Resort in Vernon celebrates thirty years of bike lift access.
The BC SPCA has partnered with the Upper Room Mission to offer assistance to pet owners who may struggle to afford food for their pets.
Alpine Holistic Health has joined the Vernon Chamber of Commerce.
Congratulations Bean Scene Coffee House Vernon on your 30th anniversary
SUMMERLAND
The 23rd Annual Peachland Lions Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Summerland Golf and Country Club on April 28th.
A Winemakers Dinner will be held at Eagles Nest on April 20th, hosted by RIEDEL, the Wine Glass Company.
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