Give a damn
The Vernon Chamber of Commerce has revealled the second and final batch of 10 talented young businesspeople for its Top Twenty Under 40 program.
– Dr. Darcie Weglo, Creekside Dynamic Health
– Krystin Kempton, Nixon Wenger lawyer – Jenna Roze, Red Bird Acupuncture – Katie Matheson, Spruce Salon – David Scarlatescu, The Sprouted Fig restaurant – Stephen Russell, Roost Solar – Sarah Moorhouse, Okanagan Restoration Services
– Pearl Scott-Marten, Smoke & Power Design, Underground Beverages, Naked Pig BBQ, Marten Brewing and Aurora West Developments _ Ranvir Nahal, Sunterra Homes – Robbie Donaldson, Chambers Trucking
The above nominees, along with the 10 nominees announced last month, were all honoured at the Top 20 recognition event recently at Marten Brewpub.
More than 100 men who give a damn, in the Kelowna group of the same name, again wrote cheques, this time to the Courage for Youth charity.
The men met recently at the Laurel Packinghouse for eats and drinks by Central Kitchen and Bar and heard fiveminute pitches from three local charities.
They immediately voted to see which charity would be supported and then all wrote a cheque for $100 directly to Courage for Youth, the association promoting a culture where young people are safe from bullying, suicide, depression, eating disorders and poor self-esteem. That means over $10,000 raised. The 100 Men Who Give a Damn concept started in Halifax and has spread across the country, including Penticton.
It’s format of meeting once every quarter and have men donate directly to that night’s chosen charity recognizes that men want to make a difference, but quite often don’t have the time or inclination for traditional volunteering or fundraising.
The last meeting was the Kelowna chapter’s 10th, a milestone that has also seen more than $170,000 raised for 10 charities.
Past recipients include, Central Okanagan Food Bank, Clubhouse Farm, Starbright Children’s Development Centre, Freedom’s Door, Pathways Abilities Society, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Mental Health Association, Canucks Autism Network and Foundry.
Best wine tour
After racking up glowing reviews from a roster of international clients, West Kelowna Wine Tours has won Global Luxury Travel Guide wine tour operator of the year.
“I can hardly believe it,” said West Kelowna Wine Tours owner Melanie Evans.
“I beat out wine tour companies from France, Portugal, Greece and South Africa. And I got to pick up the award at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London, England. The ceremony was hosted by Marianela Pereyra” (the Argentinian model who is the Grammy correspondent for NBC’s Access Hollywood and hosts Marialela’s Best Beaches on the Travel Channel.)
The road to global dominance started for West Kelowna Wine Tours with a win as best wine tour company in B.C., then the Americas and then as best of the best in the world.
The honourss were based on positive reviews online by customers and over all social media channels, logo, partnerships and business growth.
Global Luxury Travel Guide publishes several magazines and websites, including LTGAwards.com
Mingle with Santa, the Ice Queen and Snow Princess.
Slurp hot chocolate, nibble cookies, skate outside at Stuart Park, bounce in the inflatable castle, try your hand at a craft, shop, get your face painted and ham it up in the photo booth.
All this, and more, is on today, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during Downtown Kelowna Light Up.
Of course, the marquee event is Santa flicking the switch to illuminate the huge Christmas tree in Stuart Park at 5 p.m.
While this is the 29th annual light up, new this year is the Winter Street Market beside Stuart Park, which will see 20 vendors selling holiday-inspired wares.
Live music amps up on the Stuart Park stage at 1:15 p.m. and adults treats will be on offer at Tree Brewing Institute, the BNA tasting room and Okanagan Spirits.
Steve MacNaull is The Okanagan Weekend’s business and wine reporter and columnist. Reach him at steve.macnaull@ok.bc.ca.