Special Features - Best of Kelowna 2013

WINING & DINING | HEALTH, BEAUTY & STYLE | SPORTS ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | DIGITAL | LOCAL GOODNESS OTHER GOODS & SERVICES

As voted by followers of The Juice 103.9, the Capital News, and Welcome to Kelowna

Trevor Pollon General Manager 18 years

Earle Prince Business Office 16 years

Ray Tremblay Sales 31 years

Phil Israel Sales 19 years

New Vehicle Sales Manager 19 years

Kevin Hiebert

Cathy Robinson

Business Office 9 years

Harry Brabandt Sales 25 years

Barry Folk Sales 19 years

Dean McDougall

Mario Curatolo

Matthew McDougall

Jon Miller

Sales 17 years

2

Len Burton

Sales 11 years

Sales 1 year

Sales 2 years Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

Used Vehicle Sales Manager 17 years

Tyrell Boake Business Office 6 years

Mike Glutek Sales 19 years

Dennis Konduc Sales 17 years

Patrick Peeling Sales 3 years

Chris Danks Sales 1 year

We strive to exceed customer expectations, every day, in every department.

The management and sales team that you have come to know and trust are proud to have a combined average of 15 years experience at Orchard Ford.

Longevity and a family friendly atmosphere are always prevalent at the dealership. We are proud to provide you with the quality, experience and impeccable customer service you deserve.

We invite you to visit our dealership.

Please give us an opportunity to show you why we have once again been awarded the Ford President’s Award, Diamond Club Winner 2012 for Outstanding Achievement in Sales and Customer Service across the country.

“We deliver the most outstanding service to you and your family day every day.”

www.orchardford.com

250-860-1000 2741 Hwy. 97N, KELOWNA

The people have spoken, with some 76,000 online ballots cast, as a new contest is offering unique insights into what we think is the ‘best of Kelowna.’

Whether it’s your favourite restaurant, best motel, best Facebook page, best Twitter account or best sports team, contest participants were invited-and limited- to one vote in more than 80 different categories for the inaugural Best of Kelowna contest.

Co-sponsored by the Capital News, the website www. welcometokelowna.com and 103.9 The Juice, the tri-media effort offered an opportunity for both local residents and visiting tourists to see what are commonly accepted as the best things to see and do in Kelowna.

Jim Csek, of welcometokelowna.com who originally conceived of the idea, said he felt the response to the contest was phenomenal, particularly across the social media.

“The social media traffic really drove the contest viral. I think it turned out to be a really good community thing because the business community and their customers seemed eager to get involved,” he said.

The Best of Kelowna contest began in early April with a call for nominations in the variety of categories. On April 25, the initial round of nominations ended, and the second phase of voting for the winners commenced on April 29.

The nominees had to receive at least five nominations to be

Michaelbrook Ranch Golf Course

Thank youus for voting

E BEST ONE OF THRSES IN GOLF COUWNA KELO

THE BROOK BAR & GRILL

SUNDAY

FAMILY

GOLF DAY $

99

Based on 2 adults & 2 kids

Includes 2 adults golf, 2 powercarts, pasta meals.

Value $164

(pro-rated prices available for more adults/children)

Valid to Aug 31/2013

eligible as a category finalist with a maximum of 10 nominees moving forward.

Csek said the intent from the outset was not to have someone sitting at a computer all day submitting votes, as was the case with the Kraft Hockeyville contest that the community of West Kelowna attempted to win last year.

“We had some complaints from people who wanted to vote more than once, but a lot of people I think were also thankful.

We didn’t want the contest to be a farce, I wanted the results to reflect an accurate sense of the feedback from the community.”

He hopes the contest will serve a two-fold purpose moving forward. For local residents, the category nominees might open up some new lifestyle options that might previously have been unknown.

“I know for me I started going to a bakery that was nominated which I had never heard of before,” Csek said.

And for tourists, the first of what can become a yearly update of a host of popular entertainment, shopping and lifestyle options are made easily available online and through the Capital News Best of Kelowna supplement to enable them to have a more enjoyable stay in the Okanagan.

“I see the (Capital News) magazine as a key ingredient for that as well as online for helping visitors to Kelowna know where to go and what to do while they’re here,” Csek said.

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1085 Lexington Drive, Kelowna T-time booking: 250-763-Putt (7888) ext 221 michaelbrookranch.com Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 3

WINING AND DINING... 6-11 PIZZA BURGER BREAKFAST BAKERY COFFEE ICE CREAM VEGETARIAN CHINESE JAPANESE INDIAN THAI MEXICAN STEAK PUB ROMANTIC DINNER PATIO CHEAP EATS FINE DINING LOCAL CHEF WINERY PLACE TO BUY WINE, BEER & SPIRITS

HEALTH, BEAUTY, AND STYLE .................13-15 SALON SPA HAIRSTYLIST MANICURE OR PEDICURE WORKOUT FACILITY FITNESS TRAINER YOGA MEN’S CLOTHING WOMEN’S CLOTHING PLACE TO BUY JEWELRY &/OR ACCESSORIES TATTOO SHOP

SPORTS ......................17-19 SPORTS TEAM GOLF COURSE AREA SKI HILL SKI AND SNOWBOARD SHOP BICYCLE SHOP MINOR SPORTS ASSOCIATION FAVOURITE MALE ATHLETE FAVOURITE FEMALE ATHLETE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT .......21-23 ART GALLERY ARTS COMPANY OR ORGANIZATION LOCAL BAND OR MUSICIAN LOCAL ARTIST

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MUSIC VENUE NIGHTLIFE VENUE THEATRE GROUP

DIGITAL ...................... 25,26 HIGH TECH/DIGITAL COMPANY LOCAL BUSINESS WEBSITE OVERALL FACEBOOK PAGE OVERALL TWITTER ACCOUNT LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY

LOCAL GOODNESS ....28-31 LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIAL SCHOOL (SENIOR OR MIDDLE) HIKING TRAIL PARK OR PUBLIC SPACE BEACH EVENT OR FESTIVAL CAMPGROUND PLACE TO TAKE A DATE LOCAL CHARITY UNDER-RATED PLACE WEDDING VENUE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY COMPANY TEACHER OR PROFESSOR LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

OTHER GOODS & SERVICES ...................33-35 PLACE TO BUY A GIFT - GIRL PLACE TO BUY A GIFT - GUY FURNITURE AND/OR HOME DECOR STORE HOME AND GARDEN STORE CAR DEALERSHIP AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE/MECHANIC REALTOR DRY CLEANER FLORIST OR PLACE TO GET FLOWERS PHOTOGRAPHER HOTEL MOTEL

Publisher Karen Hill Managing Editor Barry Gerding Production Director Tessa Ringness Advertising Manager Karen Hill Production Designers Kiana Haner-Wilk Teresa Huscroft-Brown Account Executives Dawn Brule Cindy Draper Myrika Godard Colleen Groat Ron Harding Antony Hutton Terry Matthews Rick Methot Alan Monk Sheri Jackson Alan Tomiak Wayne Woollett Best of Kelowna is published by Black Press 2495 Enterprise Way, Kelowna BC V1X 7K2 Ph. 250-763-3212 Fax. 250-862-5275 adsales@kelownacapnews.com www.kelownacapnews.com Distributed free to select households in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia.

Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.

The publisher cannot be responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs.

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Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 5

Wining & Dining Record sales volumes see no signs of slowing down It will be hard to miss.

That’s how Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge owner Dean McAuley describes one aspect of his dealership’s renovations.

A fairly massive red siding on the updated showroom building wall will be coloured red with the Fiat logo in plain view for all to see.

“Fiat is big on visibility and support of the brand. The red wall will be unique and will certainly stand out on the building,” McAuley said.

But drawing attention to Fiat and Chrysler is nothing new for McAuley, as he says his dealership is already well ahead of last year’s sales volumes.

“This will be the third year in a row of record sales volumes for us and I see no signs of that slowing down anytime soon,” said McAuley, who added that Chrysler is also the number one selling automaker brand in B.C. “That is pretty exciting news for us.”

Equally exciting, he added, is that the vehicle sales volume for Canada this year is trending towards setting an all-time high.

Chrysler has seen a resurgence since the company was saved from bankruptcy by Sergio Marchionne, an Italian automaker who did a similar corporate turnaround with Fiat in Europe.

Now together under the same owner, Chrysler and Fiat are becoming a formidable partnership.

McAuley said he only one of nine Chrysler dealerships in B.C. that have a Fiat franchise, and the only one outside the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

He said they started selling the Fiat cars since last November, with sales double what was originally anticipated, that in turn created some product shortage issues that are being rectified.

“I think the Fiat 500 has been a runaway success on the West Coast,” he said.

McAuley describes the seven 500 models as comparable to other fuel efficient smaller vehicles such as the Smart Car, but also has a very quiet ride with high-end features and ergonomics.

“You can’t help but smile when you’re driving one. It’s like driving a go-kart, the car is so responsive to throttle and steering wheel movements.”

McAuley says Marchionne has changed the environment of Chrysler, reviving the automaker in the same manner that Lee Iacocca became famous for doing during the 1980s in the wake of another down period in the company’s financial history.

“I think from day one he has demanded perfection. I know there have been some delays with some new models that have cost the company money because he wasn’t satisfied,” McAuley noted.

“He is a stickler for detail but people are satisfied with the end results and that is reflective in the sales success and people having fewer problems with the vehicles and that reduces the warranty costs being absorbed by the company.”

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Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

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brought to you by

Best Burger

Best Pizza See our ad on page 9

DunnEnzies Pizza Co.

Bordello’s Italian Pizzeria

Boston Pizza

OTHER NOMINATIONS A&W The Bike Shop Café & Catering Co. Burger Baron Carl’s Jr. Fat Burger RauDZ Red Robin Restaurant

Best Breakfast

O

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Bohemian Café & Catering

P S S T

OTHER NOMINATIONS Domino’s Pizza Hansen’s Classic Pizza Mr. Mozzarella Okanagan Pizza Olympia Pizza & Greek Taverna Papito’s Pizza - Pandosy

Cora

Best Burger The Jammery

OTHER NOMINATIONS Gorgeous George’s Gourmet Burgers

Triple O’s by White Spot

Café Soleil De Dutch Pannekoek House Denny’s Restaurant Mad Mango Café Okanagan Street Food Perkins Family Restaurant The Bread Company

Best Bakery See our ad on page 8

Five Guys Burgers & Fries

Bliss Bakery & Bistro

Wining & Dining Best Bakery

Best Coffee

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Best Vegetarian

Best Chinese

Pulp Fiction Coffee House Second Cup Coffee Starbucks Coffee Co. The Streaming Café The Bread Company

Wood Fire Bakery

Best Ice Cream

Moolix Ice Cream Shop

OTHER NOMINATIONS Cobs Bread Lakeview Market Okanagan Grocery & Artisan Breads Petite Sweets Bakery Sandrine - La Boulangerie Specialty Bakery Ltd. Tripke Bakery & Café

Best Coffee

RauDZ

OTHER NOMINATIONS Bai Tong Thai Food Restaurant Bohemian Café & Catering Dawett Restaurant Lake Tai Vegetarian Restaurant Marmalade Cat Café Poppadoms - Taste India!

Rotten Grape

Jimmy Ho’s Take Out Express

Dragon King Restaurant

Marble Slab Creamery

Dairy Queen

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Tim Horton’s

Gio Bean Coffee

Bean Scene Coffee House Ltd.

Annegret’s Carmelis Goat Cheese Artisan Inc. Costco Wholesale Canada Marble Slab Creamery Okanagan Fudge & Sundae Company

Best Vegetarian

The Chopped Leaf Bernard Ave.

OTHER NOMINATIONS Blenz Coffee Bliss Bakery & Bistro Good Earth Coffeehouse & Bakery

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Mad Mango Café Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 7

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Homemade sauces and gluten-free options a hit In the business world, the odds are that Deb Dunnigan and Karyn MacKenzie should not have succeeded when they opened their own pizza business, DunnEnzies Pizza at 1559 Ellis St. in downtown Kelowna nearly three years ago.

The two had just moved to Kelowna from Calgary. Driving around downtown with friends on a Wednesday night, they couldn’t find anywhere to get a slice of pizza.

By the next Monday, the two had opened their own pizza business, something neither of them knew little about.

“I worked in sales with the oil and gas industry and Deb worked for the City of Calgary as an administrator, so neither of us really knew much about running a business or about pizza,” MacKenzie said.

“But we just felt that Kelowna was way to big a city to not be able to find a slice of pizza downtown at night.

Best Pub

Best Romantic Dinner See our ad on page 7

Train Station Pub

RauDZ

Rose’s Waterfront Pub

Quail’s Gate Estate Winery

Doc Willoughby’s Pub

Bouchons Bistro

OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Boomers Bar & Grill Bouchons Bistro Brandt’s Creek Fernandos Pub Freddy’s McCulloch Station Pub Sturgeon Hall Tonics Pub & Grill

Eldorado Dining Room Fixx Café & Pasta Bar La Bussola Ricardo’s Mediterranean Kitchen Sunset Organic Bistro (at Summerhill Pyramid Winery) Waterfront Wines Yellow House Restaurant

“We were a bit naive starting out, but we have been busy since the day we opened. There is something to be said, I guess, for jumping in with both feet, not giving yourself time to think that it might not work. We now have eight people working here as well which is something we are proud to have been able to do.

“We are an interesting business combination—a Scottish girl and an Irish girl making Italian food.”

DunnEnzies specializes in pizza, offering a gluten-free crust as an option, along with homemade sauces and assorted topping options.

The popular eatery also offers calzones, fresh salads, homemade donairs and daily lunch specials.

“Our downtown location has been fantastic for us in establishing our business,” MacKenzie added.

She said they have also been approached by others wanting to open a similar franchise in other cities, but MacKenzie said their minds are not focused on expanding the business at this point.

“If you want DunnEnzies, you’r going to have to come to Kelowna to get it,” she laughed.

DunnEnzies is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, employing a staff of eight people, and operates until 3 a.m. for the late night pizza crowd on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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A huge thank you to our valued customers for nominating DunnEnzies for Best Pizza!

Now providing debit at the door!

If you haven’t tried our pizza, come on down we’d love to show you what we’re made of! ~ Karyn & Deb

250-763-2420 www.dunnenzies.com

1559 Ellis Street, downtown Kelowna Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 9

Wining & Dining

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Fun, affordable fun at the perfect sized course There are new faces and a new look this year to one of Kelowna’s most popular golf courses, Michaelbrook Ranch in the Mission.

The Michaelbrook clubhouse has undergone major renovations this offseason, and the outside patio has been upgraded as well including new patio chairs and lots of hanging flower baskets.

The pro shop has also been given a facelift while there are new course marshals, management staff including a chief executive officer, events coordinator and pro shop manager on board this year.

The 18-hole course was originally built in the late 1980s by Dennis Dumaresq, who remained the sole owner

up until his passing in May 2010. The golf course is now owned by his children.

Lorna Dumaresq, the niece of Dennis and the new CEO, says the charm of Michaelbrook is that the course is fun for beginners to play on and still offers challenges for the more seasoned golfers.

“I believe we are the perfect size course for the busy person.

It won’t take your entire day to play a game of 18 holes.

Our course is challenging, but not so much so that it scares the novice player. Everyone can have fun here and it is affordable,” Dumaresq said.

The Michaelbrook course, named after a creek that runs through the golf course, now

Congratulations to all the winners & nominees!

The Capital News has been bringing the best of Kelowna to our readers in the form of news and advertising for over 83 years.

We are proud community supporters!

10

Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

sports a membership of about 120, while employing up to 50 staff during the busy season.

Dumaresq says most of the Michaelbrook golf traffic tends to be local but tourists do find their way to the course during the summer months. “We do have a fair number of tourists that play our course but generally our focus tends to be on the locals,” she said.

She says Michaelbrook has also been developed to assimilate into the local environment. Besides the creek namesake, the course is noted for its weeping willows and its abundance of birds—chickens, ducks, and owls to name a few.

This year, under the direction of club pro Debbie Cross, a new youth program for the summer is in the works, the final details still being worked out.

To further promote families playing golf together, Michaelbrook is offering a Family Day rate on Sundays where a family of four can play nine holes of golf with power carts (one per adult/child) followed by a pasta meal on the patio for $99.

Other golf feature specials will include Singles Night on Mondays—enjoy nine holes of golf, a power cart and appys and refreshments afterward for $40; Nine and Dine special for couples on Wednesdays, for $79 nine holes of golf, a power cart and $40 to spend at the clubhouse bar and grille afterward; Ladies Night on Tuesdays with tee times starting at noon, for $25 that includes nine holes of golf, $8 towards prizes and a clubhouse

buffet for $9.99; and the same deal for Men’s Night on Thursdays.

Best Patio

Rose’s Waterfront Pub

Eldorado Dining Room

O Earl’s On Top Restaurant

OTHER NOMINATIONS Joey’s Global Grill Kelly O’Bryan’s Minstrel Café And Bar Neighbourhood Restaurant Quails’ Gate Estate Winery Sunset Organic Bistro (at Summerhill Pyramid Winery) Train Station Pub Twisted Tomato Restaurant

B O O R S T

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Driving the Okanagan for Over 40 Years

THANK YOU!

For voting Kelowna Toyota Kelowna’s Best Car Dealership COROLLA

MATRIX

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Home of 5 HYBRID MODELS CAMRY HYBRID TUNDRA

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KELOWNA

TOYOTA

DEALER #5134

1200 Leathead Rd, Kelowna, B.C. | 250-491-2475 | www.kelownatoyota.com | Mon-Fri 8:30-7 | Sat 9-5 Steve White Sales Mgr. 28 years

Steve Enns Pre-Owned Mgr. 18 years

Pat Fortin

Greg Klein

Rick August

Wendell Gillis

Steve John Fullerton

36 years

24 years

16 years

7 years

4 years

Trusted since 1970

Duane Preece 14 years of Toyota experience

Health, Beauty & Style

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KELOWNA TOYOTA

Quality in service and product keeps customers coming back In the global automotive market, the Toyota brand still packs a punch.

The venerable Japanese automaker continues to be number one worldwide for cars produced and sold.

Steve White, the general manager of Kelowna Toyota, says that brand name continues to draw car buyers to their Leathead Road dealership from across the Okanagan Valley and into the Kootenays region.

“We draw people in from as far away as Castlegar and

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Grand Forks because of the Toyota name and because we are the largest dealership between Vancouver and Calgary, so the selection we have plays a factor as well,” White said.

Kelowna Toyota opened at its first location near the Kelowna Firehall on Hwy. 97.

Over the years since, which included the move to the current dealership location on Leathead in 1995, the staffing has grown from 12 to 45.

Jack Kofoed, the dealership

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principal owner of Kelowna Toyota, says he has always believed that Toyota should play a strong part in the community.

“We are proud to support the Kelowna Community Food Bank, the Kelowna General Hospital, Crimestoppers and assist in the fundraising efforts of local service clubs. You will also find us involved with the Kelowna YMCA and providing a bursary for UBCO nursing and business facilities.”

White says Kelowna Toyota

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OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Amici’s Hair & Body Spa Blue Dahlia Salon and Spa Dimensions Hair Design Fringe Hair Mirror Mirror Salon and Spa Plan B Headquarters Total E’Clips Salon & Day Spa

Blue Dahlia Salon and Spa Heaven on Earth Day Spa & Retreat Spa Pure Illuminate Skin Care and Esthetics Mirror Mirror Salon and Spa Namaste Day Spa The Wellness Spa

Amici’s Hair & Body Spa Dimensions Hair Design Viva La Nailz Spa Pure Crystal Nails & Spa At Your Fingertips Illuminate Skin Care and Esthetics

has continued to see a loyalty from its customers, drawn back both by the quality of service, the quality of the product and the upfront marketing philosophy championed by Toyota that outlines the cost breakdown on a manufactured retail price so there are no hidden fee surprises.

“It doesn’t matter what Toyota dealership you go to, that original manufacturer’s price will be the same. There is a transparency there whether you are at a dealership in Kelowna, in Penticton or in Vancouver,” White said.

He said in Kelowna, it’s not unusual to see third and fourth generation family members carrying on the family tradition of buying a Toyota at their dealership.

“It’s a story we see repeated a lot at our dealership.

Customers of ours in the ‘70s, we see the third and four generation members of their families buying cars from us. It goes from the grandparents to the grandkids.”

Steve Enns, sales manager for Kelowna Toyota, added that Kelowna has always been a relatively stable car sales market for the dealership, avoiding some of the peaks and valleys more noticeable elsewhere.

“Kelowna has always been a little different than other places that way. We may not get the same highs but we don’t get the same lows either.

There is a consistency to our marketplace. There are people now working out of town, that’s true, and they choose to live here, but then who wouldn’t?” White said.

Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 13

Health, Beauty & Style

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KELOWNA TOYOTA

Best Place to Buy Jewelry &/or Accessories

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Best Workout Facility

Funktional

FRAKAS Boutique

H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre

Moksha Yoga Kelowna

Oranj Dance & Fitness

The Hot Box Yoga

Kelowna Family YMCA

Oranj Dance & Fitness

OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Addicted Fitness Good Life Fitness Global Fitness & Racquet Centre Inc. Okanagan Peak Performance World Gym Body and Soul Health and Fitness The Woman’s Place Fitness Group

Anjali Yoga Kelowna Hot Yoga Studio Martini Yoga Okanagan Yoga Centre Trinity Yoga Center Yoga Warehouse

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Posh Jewelry

Blonde Canadian Jewelry Exchange FROCK Clothing Co. People’s Jewellers Rock House of Design The Water Garden Winners Apparel

Best Yoga

Best Fitness Trainer

Stacy-Lynn Zeman

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Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

Angelique Kronebusch Global Fitness

OTHER NOMINATIONS Chris Collins at Okanagan Peak Performance Gordon Palmer at World Gym Jesse Sibbald at Global Fitness Kyla Ramirez at Complete Core Pilates Tracy Steen at Inside Out Fitness

The best of what you love!

Watch for Best of Kelowna coming in 2014 with even more categories to choose from, and vote on!

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Health, Beauty & Style Best Women’s Clothing

Best Men’s Clothing

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Best Hair Stylist

KELOWNA TOYOTA

Best Tattoo Shop

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Blonde

MacDermott’s On Bernard

Winners Apparel

Winners Apparel

FROCK Clothing Co.

Man + Woman

OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Bella Clothing Boutique Blackfish Apparel Cranberry Junction FRAKAS Georgie Girl Mavazi Apparel X10sion 207 Clothing Company

George Richard’s Landmark Clothiers Mexx Moores Clothing For Men X10sion 207 Clothing Company

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Primal Instinct Tattoos & Piercings

Gas Pedals Custom Tattoo

Don’t Look Down Tattoo

OTHER NOMINATIONS Dynamic Studios Tattoos and Apparel Gnarbomb Kustoms Tattoo and Piercing

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Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 15

Thanks! your opinion will always matter at...

We are honoured to be one of the select group of dealerships nominated as The Best Car Dealership by local residents. We just want you to know that we are ready to listen to how we can continue to find ways to ensure that our clients are the most satisfied car buyers in this region.

If you have any interest in purchasing a used or new car, call one of our top-rated sales staff today.

16

Allan Campbell

Andrew Gilbert

Bill Findlay

Braden Erhardt

Bruce Striker

Bruce Waldron

Calvin Larose

Chris Hauck

Christopher Zuccato

Dan Currie

Dan Tellier

Dave Huber

David Pucci

Dean Stephens

Doni Nyiri

Frank Sanguellini

Ian Feil

James Wladychka

Jason Jones

Jeff Needham

Joey Stychin

Kyle Lawrence

Lowin Zander

Melanie Morpurgo

Mike Wood

Norm Conner

Pierre Roy

Roger Houle

Roger Allan

Ron Klassen

Sandra Keast

Shawn Hackett

Stacey Foster

Stan Fast

Stuart Henderson

Susan Walker

Susan Lee

Susie Noble

Theresa Talbot

Tim Varga

Tom Hass

Tom Rosin

Tyson Bensler

Wendy Love

Yunlan Wong

Devin Retzlaff

Dylan MacDonald

Helene Lenzing

Rick Visona

Linda Ferguson

Dale Steward

James Visser

2350 Hwy 97N, Kelowna | 250-860-6000 | www.donfolkchev.com Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

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Customer service a mantra at local dealership The Don Folk Chevrolet story dates back to the Second World War era, when a car dealership called Victory Motors was located at the corner of St. Paul and Bernard in downtown Kelowna.

In 1950, the dealership moved to an expanded new premises at 1675 Pandosy St. at the corner of Leon Avenue.

The business remained at that location until May 1977 when it was relocated once again to a new four-acre premises where it exists today, 2350 Harvey Ave., bordered by Enterprise Way and Leckie Rd. Victory Motors’ name changed to Don Folk Chevrolet in 1979.

The dealership employs about 70 staff, more than triple the number employed back in 1971.

Along with sales, Don Folk Chevrolet also provides a service and parts department and an auto body repair shop, one of the few local dealerships to offer that feature.

Dave Huber, sales manager of Don Folk Chevrolet, has been with the dealership for the last 13 years, and 12 years prior to that with Orchard Ford.

He says the quality of new vehicles today has escalated rapidly, as all the automakers are challenging for customers by offering cars and trucks with constantly changing technology improvements and paying attention to manufacturing detail.

The technology was reflected in the release this year of the new Chevrolet Volt electric car.

“You can’t buy a bad new vehicle right now. Short of people’s personal dislikes and likes, the quality is better today, and we feel with Chevrolet what we have to offer is as good or better.”

As a result, Huber says the emphasis on service to vehicle buyers remains very important.

“That’s probably the one thing that hasn’t changed, as customer service is a mantra in our business,” Huber said.

“Making the sale is the beginning of the relationship with our customer, not the end.”

Huber feels the recent jumpstart in sales for the auto industry both here and across Canada can be attributed at least in part to the evolving experience behind the wheel.

“We see sensors now at front and back, cameras,

computerized navigation systems…the driving experience continues to change for the better. The new cars are better to drive, more comfortable and fun to drive and the fuel economy keeps improving. The gas mileage cars are getting today was unheard of 10 years ago.”

While the Cruise compact car, Equinox SUV and Silverado pickups are popular lines for Chevrolet in Kelowna at the moment, Huber says the dealership sees about an 80 per cent truck to 20 per cent car buying ratio.

“There maybe was a time when that was more 50-50. But the fuel economy of new trucks has improved, design changes have made them comfortable driving for a family, and you need a truck to bring along the quads, boats, trailers, etc.

“I think a lot of people look at trucks today as able to accomplish both the needs of transporting the family and all those other needs at the same time.”

Best Golf Course

Best Sports Team

The Harvest Golf Club

Kelowna Rockets

Predator Ridge Golf Resort

Bad Apple Betties

Two Eagles Golf & Academy

West Kelowna Warriors

OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Black Mountain Golf Club Gallagher’s Canyon Golf & Country Club Kelowna Golf & Country Club Kelowna Springs Golf Club Michaelbrook Ranch Golf Club Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club Tower Ranch Golf & Country Club

Kelowna Chiefs Hockey Club Kelowna Falcons KSS Owls Football Okanagan Athletics Okanagan Derby Dolls Team Scott - Women’s Curling UBCO Heat Women’s Basketball Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 17

S

Sports

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Every club in the bag used on unique golf course Bruce Vermeer says he never gets tired of playing a round of golf at the Sunset Ranch golf course.

He might be excused from feeling that way since Vermeer has been the director of golf operations at Sunset for the past 15 years.

“It’s a unique course,” Vermeer explained. “You just never get tired of playing this course. There are holes where you have to be very careful, holes with greens that are very challenging and holes where you are bombs-away off the tee. You can use every club in your bag over the course of a round here.”

And the attraction of Sunset Ranch continues to draw players to its links, from the 300 club members, to tourists from around B.C., Alberta, the U.S.

and even as far away as Australia.

“I’ve already got a booking for 20 golfers next month coming from California,” Veneer noted.

He said the course’s close proximity to the Kelowna airport he feels has always made it an attractive stopover for out-of-towners either coming or leaving Kelowna.

“We’re just five minutes from the airport, so often we find Sunset Ranch is the first leg or last leg of a golfing trip for people. And we really stress customer service and a friendly fun atmosphere,” he said.

Vermeer is excited about the 2013 golf season because a relatively mild winter coupled with a blanket of frost-protective snow on the fairways and greens has the course in excellent

condition early in the spring.

“The weather has been kind to the local golf courses this year,” he smiled.

The quality course conditions only help to enhance the natural surroundings of Sunset Ranch, with Scotty Creek playing a factor on many holes, and the abundance of trees providing for shade on those hot Okanagan afternoons.

As well, Vermeer points out the course offers some impressive viewpoints looking out over Okanagan Lake, Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake.

Adding to the ambiance in recent years has been the Acorn Development residential neighbourhood that has sprung up around the east and northern edges of the course.

“There are still more lots

yet to be developed, and we’ve made some course adjustments along the way, but I think this transition of Sunset Ranch becoming part of a larger neighbourhood has really been seamless,” Vermeer said.

He feels adding a residential neighbourhood to the course contributes to the atmosphere for the players, and the residents also make use of the clubhouse services, with the food and beverage side now under the direction of chef Blake Green, who advanced from sous chef to head chef last summer.

“The food and beverage side is a very important part of our operation. If you are going to host tournaments and other events, the quality and affordability of the food becomes very important.”

KELOWNA’S BEST VALUE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF

GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB Thank-you Kelowna for making us a favourite Golf, Dining and Event Centre in the Central Okanagan!

Best Golf Course

Best Local Chef (Clubhouse)

Blake Green

5101 Upper Booth Road South, Kelowna, BC

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Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club, where beauty, challenge, and exceptional course conditioning delight golfers of all skill levels. ✔Great golf, great food! ✔Corporate and Group Tournament Packages Available

Finalist Kelowna’s Best Golf Course 2011 Okanagan Life Magazine

“Golf Digest’s Best Places to Play” 2009

Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 19

With prices this small, open the door to summer.

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*Limited time finance purchase offer available through Volkswagen Finance, on approved credit. Base MSRP of $16,385 for a new 2013 Jetta 2.0L base model with 5-speed manual transmission, including $1,395 freight and PDI, financed at 1.9% APR for 84 months equals $97 per month. Down payment or equivalent trade-in, due at signing, may be required.

Cost of borrowing is $1,127 for a total obligation of $17,512. PPSA fee, license, insurance, registration, any dealer or other charges, options and applicable taxes are extra. Dealer may sell for less. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Offer ends July 2, 2013 and is subject to change or cancellation without notice. Model shown: 2013 Jetta 2.5L Highline, $25,985. Vehicle may not be exactly as shown. Visit vw.ca or your Volkswagen dealer for details. “Volkswagen”, the Volkswagen logo, “Das Auto & Design” and “Jetta” are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. © 2013 Volkswagen Canada.

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Arts & Entertainment

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Auto dealer features one of the fastest growing luxury brands in the world It’s going to be a dramatically new look at a new location for the Turner Volkswagen Audi dealership this year.

Currently located at 1717 Harvey Ave., a new site is already under construction to house the Audi side of the import car dealership at 2621 Enterprise Way. “It’s a very positive thing that we are all excited about,” said Aaron Fanslau, sales manager for Turner Volkswagen Audi.

“It’s been in the works for quite some time. Because of the growth of our Audi sales,

Best Art Gallery

we have needed more showroom space to help accommodate that.”

In a similar theme across the car sales industry in Kelowna, Turner Volkswagen Audi has seen its sales volumes on the rise of late, which Fanslau cites in particular to the re-emergence of the Audi brand among car buyers worldwide.

“Audi is having a sixth consecutive year of increased sales across Canada. The sales growth has been on a spectacular track upward over the last few years.

It’s now one of the fastest growing high-end, luxury brands in Best Arts Company or Organization

the world,” Fanslau said.

He attributes that in part to Audi’s concerted effort to improve the quality of its product. “Audi has spent almost double of its competitors on research and development in recent years, as incorporating new technologies has really made the brand innovative and cutting edge.”

The dealership was first established in 1961 in Kelowna, and current owner Ed Turner took over about 12 years ago.

“Our goal is to attain the highest levels of customer service and satisfaction,” said TurnBest Local Band or Musician

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Rotary Centre for the Arts

Kelowna Actors Studio

Fields of Green

Kelowna Art Gallery

Ballet Kelowna

The Young ‘Uns

Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art

heART School

Wild Son

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Hambleton Galleries Sopa Fine Arts Turtle Island Gallery Tutt Art Galleries

Cool Arts LUKI Dance Productions Studio 9 Independent School of The Arts Studio One11

Floyd Vedan Gorden James Joshua Smith JoyfulDoor Neville Bowman The Flu Windmills

er. “We strive to accomplish this by treating customers and staff with courtesy, respect and professionalism with regard to all our commitments.”

Fanslau said customer service remains an essential ingredient for Turner Volkswagen Audi as stressed by Turner, who he says has created a business atmosphere for staff, numbering about 45 people, and customers built on honesty, originality, friendliness and integrity.

“I’ve been here almost four years now and it’s a great place to work. We are a family owned business selling a large and progressive car brand in a growing community,” he said.

“Ed is very accessible as an owner and loves to talk with clients. It’s just nice to work in that kind of environment.”

Fanslau says the growth and stability of the car sales market in Kelowna is attributable to the lifestyle that the city offers people, what entices them to move here.

“There is no doubt that Kelowna is a desirable place to live that attracts people from all walks of life. And I think we are seeing the impact of the baby boomer generation people settling here to retire. That steady population growth I think has contributed to the steady growth in our sales over the last few years.”

While Audi has seen a rise in sales, Fanslau added that Volkswagen continues to be one of the premier import vehicle brands in the world.

“Certainly without the success of both of those brands, we wouldn’t be making the move that we are to a new location,” he noted.

Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 21

Arts & Entertainment Best Local Artist

Alex Fong

Donna Hanlon

Alisha Khan

OTHER NOMINATIONS Brit Bachman Carrie Harper Cherie Hanson Dylan Ranney Julia Trops Kelsie Balehowsky Kevin Jesuino

22

Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

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Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival takes it outdoors A new name for the new look and Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival is off to the races for a second season they’re hoping will yield stronger returns.

The first season proved a smash success with the burgeoning actors employed by the program. At least one, Jacyln Nestman, will return this summer and three times as many auditioned this year from across Western Canada.

But the Rotary Arts Centre lawn where the theatre festival is held was only at 25 per cent capacity last summer.

“It was a bit disappointing, we were hoping to do better, but it was also encouraging,” said Peter Kascak, board president. “We actually did fairly well (financially); we didn’t lose our shirts. And now we have something to build on.”

And they’ve got one big name on board to help the M do so.

Former mayor Sharon Shepherd will be joining the small society to help bolster the effort as the long-serving group makes the switch from musical theatre to the new outdoor plays.

Formerly named Viva Musica, a very operatic name for a group originally focused on opera, the society will now be called Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival Society, as determined in a vote earlier this year.

The society has already made content changes in its double decade history, first from opera to musical theatre and now it takes on a new smaller production, outdoor format.

Staging large musical theatre productions in the Kelowna Community Theatre filled the seats for many years, but in the face of a sluggish economy, the productions were becoming increasingly risky.

With this new effort, intended to be similar to the New Vic in London, England and Bard on the Beach in Vancouver, the society

is building a fresh start the directors are fairly sure will be popular—though the old name needed to go.

“It just makes things a bit clearer from a marketing perspective,” said Kascak. “…

We’re starting anew with a new name and a new niche and a new format and it just makes sense.”

And they have more cards in addition to Shepherd. Jazz singer Anna Jacyszyn will also be working with the group, performing and likely helping with promotions.

The new troupe stages what’s called repertory theatre, providing two different shows for audiences on alternating nights, and it’s a terrific challenge for the young professionals hired into the cast.

Artistic direction is handled by Neal Facey, the newly retired Kelowna Secondary School drama teacher who was part of the teaching team who put the school’s arts programs on the map.

He selects a musical and a play and he has picked (Title of Show)—written as it’s shown—as the musical. The production is about two struggling playwrights who hear about a new musical theatre festival and decide to submit, though the deadline is looming and they have nothing on paper.

For this year’s play, the troupe will be working with Private Eyes, a contemporary comedy drama that challenges and tricks its audience.

The society has been very successful at securing grants and has seen extensive community support, with sponsorship from places like Wentworth Music (equipment), Grant Thornton, and Hawkeye Holdings (prop storage).

Only one in 12 of the young performers who audition land a spot, so competition to work with the group is already stiff.

For more information about the schedule of performances or to buy tickets, check out the website www.kelownasummertheatrefestival.com

A

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The Streaming Café

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Best Music Venue

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Fernandos Pub Grateful Fed Café Bar and Grill Minstrel Café and Bar

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Best Theatre Group

Blue Gator Bar & Grill Fernandos Pub Flashbacks LeVeL NiteClub OK Corral Sapphire Social 242 Lounge and Grill

UBCO Theatre 26

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Best Theatre Group Habitat

Kelowna Community Theatre

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Fred Skeleton Theatre Company Kelowna Summer Theatre Festival Society New Vintage Theatre Theatre Kelowna Society

Kelowna Actors Studio Doc Willoughby’s Pub

OTHER NOMINATIONS Blue Gator Bar & Grill City Park Doc Willoughby’s Pub

Habitat

Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre

THEATRE FESTIVAL KELOWNA SUMMER

JULY 18 - AUG 12

The perfect Okanagan evening.

Join us for a truly unique experience every night from July 18th to August 12th on the outdoor stage at the Rotary Arts Centre on Cawston. Two unique contemporary plays to enjoy. An edgy modern musical comedy about writing a musical and the other a visceral comedy thriller about deception and broken trust. Both directed

by Neal Facey. Then, every Monday while the thespians rest, musicians bring the stage to life for DARKDAYS LIVE, presented by Anna Jacyszyn, where acolytes of music in all world genres ignite. Come early and savour a gourmet picnic by Basketcase on the grounds and you will genuinely experience the perfect Okanagan evening!

kelownasummertheatrefestival.com Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 23

24

Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

Digital

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Business and social media Developing a business brand in today’s social media world may be one of the most misunderstood tactical objectives for business owners, says one of Canada’s top ranked social media business strategists.

Melonie Dodaro, who operates her consulting business Top Dog Media out of Kelowna, says most people generally know how to operate in the social media world on a personal communication level, but applying that knowledge to growing their business often ends in frustration.

Dodaro herself spent years toiling with social media outlets to help her many health and wellness business ventures she’s been involved with over the years.

“I went through those same frustrations when the whole social media thing started to take off, trying to figure out how it could help me,” she recalls.

Dodaro said her “lightbulb went on” moment came in promoting a book she had written. “I was finally able to realize how social media promotion of my book could generate a significant response.”

For Dodaro, the time she spent working on social media had made her someone that others sought out for advice, which in turn made her realize there might be a business opportunity for her.

“I was giving out an awful lot of free advice, and I started thinking that maybe I could start charging for that. I have always been a kind of entrepreneurial person anyway—this is now my eighth business—so I thought why not give it a shot.”

Going against what she calls her usual “big thinking mentality,” Dodaro decided to start out on a smaller scale with her consulting business, build up her brand locally and expand from there.

“I positioned myself locally in Kelowna and the Okanagan first as an expert advisor in the field of social media use to help businesses, a year later I branched out further across B.C. and Alberta, and then on a global level. But it all really happened organically through my growing online presence.”

Today, Dodaro is consulted for her social media expertise with companies around the world, from Switzerland to India to Australia. She helps develop online business strategies, teaches company staffs how to use social media to their employer’s benefit and does public speaking engagements.

She is also 90 per cent done on her second book about business and the social media.

Dodaro says while social media offers a variety of platforms to promote your corporate or business message, one old-fashioned business adage still applies—identify your customer market.

“I think the hardest adjustment with social media is we have spent past decades doing push marketing, which is to send your message out to the traditional TV, radio and print advertising vehicles, which works in those mediums,” she says.

“But the trouble is to take that tactic to social media is not going to work. You need to stop worrying about speaking to the world, and find the best way to

speak directly to your potential customer and build up a relationship with them through social media while positioning yourself as the best authority on what you are trying to sell.”

Dodaro says Facebook is an option that many business owners are drawn to, but in reality it’s often the least effective way for a business to get its message out to its intended audience.

“The thing with Facebook that people forget is that it was started initially as a way for friends and family to communicate with one another, not as a business entity,” she says.

Dodaro says Linked In may not post the user numbers that Facebook does, but it was created for businesses to be linked, has representation from all the Fortune 500 companies, has a higher average income level among its users at $109,000; and users rely on it as a business to business communication method, which Facebook is not.

“Even on Twitter, its use is misunderstood as well. For people who talk about what they had for lunch on Twitter, who cares. But on average, there is a tremendous use among business owners on Twitter, some seven million users, and 65 per cent of Twitter users are over the age of 35.”

Dodaro says her singular message about applying social media networks to promoting your business is to identify your target market, find out who they are and what their challenges and struggles might be, and create a social media content strategy based on that analysis.

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Club Penguin See our ad on page 27

Csek Creative

Acro Media Inc.

OTHER NOMINATIONS Artistech New Media Hoopla Hyper Hippo Just Be Friends Points West Audio Visual Ltd. Best Local Business Website

Castanet Media

Club Penguin

Welcome to Kelowna

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Digital Best Overall Facebook Page

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Best Overall Twitter Account

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99.9 Sun FM CHSU

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Angelique Kronebusch Body & Soul Health & Fitness Club Csek Creative Jessica Samuels Kevin Craig Music City Podcast UBCO Heat Welcome to Kelowna Best Local Social Media Personality

Rutland Senior Secondary - RSS

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Kevin & Sonia

Ian MacKinnon

Best Overall Twitter Account Ryan Donn

OTHER NOMINATIONS Sonia Sidhu

Kelowna Rockets

CBC Radio 26

Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

Allison Markin Frithjof Petscheleit Jessica Samuels Lori Welbourne Melonie Dodaro Vincent Jones Wendy McLeod

Vehicle sale just the beginning with customers As with any competitive business environment, the auto sales dealerships are always looking for an edge.

And with the quality of vehicles that automakers are churning out today, the one essential ingredient to success becomes customer service.

For Orchard Ford, established in Kelowna in March 1983, they have taken that message to heart. That’s why Ford Canada awarded Orchard Ford the company’s President’s Award as a Diamond Club 2012 winner for outstanding achievement in sales and customer service. It’s the second consecutive year the dealership has won the award.

“It certainly means a great deal to us and what we are trying to achieve in the way of customer service,” said Orchard Ford general manager Trevor Pollon.

“I think it also means something to our customers to see that (Ford) gives us that recognition for service and customer satisfaction. I think that gives customers some comfort when they are making the second most important buying decision in their life next to a house.”

Pollan says everyone expects good service, whether they are buying a car or a new pair of shoes. “Otherwise they won’t come back again,” he said.

Pollon notes that in the car industry, the relationship with the customer doesn’t end with the sale of a vehicle, for that is actually the beginning.

“Selling the vehicle is where it starts, not where it ends.

Over time you build lifelong relationships with people who are repeat car buyers or service customers,” Pollon said.

And that family relationship extends to the staff at Orchard Ford, more than 70 people working in the sales, service and parts and administrative departments.

“Our sales people are the ones who meet our potential clients first and we don’t have much turnover there so I think for repeat customers they appreciate being able to deal with the same salesperson,” Pollon said.

“And that runs through our entire dealership staff as many of our staff have been with us here for a long time.”

And when the staff are happy, Pollon says that impression trickles down to dealership customers from the minute they walk into the showroom or the service department.

Like the other automakers, Ford continues to take advantage of new technology and fuel saving engineering in its car and truck models.

“I think Ford as a brand was able to get a mileage out of that with customers,” Pollon noted.

He also credits the impact of Ford chief executive officer Alan Mulally, something of a superstar in the upper level corporate world for his success guiding Ford and the Boeing aircraft company before that.

“I’m just happy that he’s on our side,” said Pollon about Mulally corporate leadership.

Orchard Ford also is looking to the immediate future with an eye to expanding at its present location on Highway 97, just north of Leathead Road.

“A new building expansion is something we are looking at now to hopefully be in place two years down the line,” he said.

Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 27

Local Goodness Best Wedding Venue

Best Wedding Venue

Best Teacher or Professor

Summerhill Pyramid Winery

Benvoulin Heritage ChurchReid Hill

Randy Leslie

Ian MacKinnon

OTHER NOMINATIONS

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Bo.ttega

Guisachan House Restaurant Hotel Eldorado Macmillan Farms Mission Hill Winery Okanagan Golf Club Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club The Laurel Packinghouse

Best Local Media Personality

Dr. Christopher J. Schneider

Andy & TJ Christy Farrell Jessica Samuels Phil Johnson Toby Tannis Vincent Jones

Best Tourist Attractions Pam Samaddar

OTHER NOMINATIONS Janet Williams Judy Penner Paulette Breault Peter Singh Vigilante

Thank you for voting me as one of the Best Elected Officials in Kelowna!

30

t r a H e D Maxine Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

Waterfront Park

Mission Hill Winery

H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre

Best Local Media Personality

OTHER NOMINATIONS

Kevin & Sonia See our ad on page 29

Mike Roberts

CrocTalk Conservation & Rescue Kelowna Actors Studio Kelowna Grand Prix and Lazer Tag Little Rascals Pony Parties & Petting Zoo MacMillan Farms Scandia Golf & Games Urban Distilleries

Local Goodness Sitting in a cage with a 500-pound crocodile may not seem like the ideal way to pass the time for most people, but for Doug Illman he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Illman, who runs the Croc Talk zoo facility with his wife Brenda in East Kelowna, has championed the facility for more than a decade, dealing with financial hardship and government bureaucracy to establish a facility where crocodilians can be researched by animal science experts and observed by the public.

He said to find out he is a finalist in the Best of Kelowna contest is icing on the cake for what is looking to be a positive year for the facility.

Along with being one of the popular attractions during the tourism season for Okanagan visitors, Croc Talk is also preparing to move to a new location next year.

Illman said details are still being worked out, but he said a new facility to house Croc Talk will be closer to town “so you no longer will need a map or GPS to find us.”

LET’S TALK

Croc

Aside from gaining zoo status recognition from the provincial government, a process that took almost three years to complete, finding a new permanent facility closer to Kelowna has been a dream priority.

While Croc Talk is home to a number of different animals species, from tortoises to African Wild Cats to fish to bearded dragons, the two prize attractions are Lucy and Alley, his two largest crocodiles.

Lucy sizes out at 10 feet, six inches long and weighs 500 pounds, while Alley is seven feet, six inches and weighs in at 235 pounds.

For Illman, working with these animals over the years has shown him that crocodiles do have the ability to bond, understand and react to basic commands

and can differentiate colours.

“There are things we have the crocodiles doing here that animal scientists say can’t be done. But we see it every day and so do people who come through our facility,” Illman said. “If they didn’t, I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now.”

Illman has been a fascinated observer of crocodiles for more than 30 years, saying nothing he has learned about them from his experience surprises him anymore.

“You are constantly learning something new from them everyday,” he said. “One of the things that strikes me all the time is there patience, their tolerance to be very still for long periods of time. There is so much we can learn from that behaviour pattern.

“And to think we are still learning about an animal that has been around this planet for 200 million years I think is pretty incredible.”

Croc Talk is located on East Kelowna, 4493 A Stewart Rd. East. Call them at 250-764-1616 or check out their website www.croctalk.com.

Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 31

s n o i t a l u C o ngrat To all the winners and nominees in the Best of Kelowna!

From the radio station that plays only the best music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s - Kelowna's Greatest Hits and the...

arry!

H & e v e t S h it w t akfas e r B r o f N U F t s o m

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Best of Kelowna | Spring 2013

Top quality Kelowna Actors Studio is the Okanagan’s only licensed dinner theatre, located on Ellis Street in downtown Kelowna.

The 2012-13 season marks the 10th year for Kelowna Actors Studio producing top-quality live musical theatre and drama for the cultural enrichment of the Okanagan community.

Actors Studio maintains a subscription audience of over 2,000 and an annual attendance of over 25,000. The theatre is committed to encouraging the next generation of theatre-goers through its educational programs and entertainment opportunities.

Kelowna Actors Studio Inc. (KAS) was formed in May of 2003 to produce vibrant, exciting presentations of the worlds best loved Broadway productions; present fun, challenging and enriching learning experiences for students of all ages; and become the premiere forerunner and prime example of a high quality theatre company and enrich the cultural landscape of the Okanagan valley.

The studio located at 1379 Ellis St. (across from the Kelowna downtown library branch) offers an approximately 11,000 square feet of space divided into four main areas; 230-seat theatre including 91 dinner seats with full table service, mirrored rehearsal/dance studio, set and props construction/storage; kitchen, licensed bar and a general office area.

KAS positions itself in the local cultural scene as a comprehensive home for the theatre arts, offering educational, volunteer and performance

Other Goods & Services live musical theatre in the Okanagan

opportunities for children and adults in all aspects of a theatre production.

Over the past decade, Actors Studio has successfully produced over 56 major productions, grown to accommodate over 150 students a semester and won civic and regional awards for their contribution to the arts.

Randy Leslie is the artistic managing director of Kelowna Actors Studio and the driving force in KAS’s educational program. with many of his students going to Sheridan College in Toronto, The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in L.A. and the Juilliard School in New York City.

Leslie has more than 150 directorial credits in Toronto, Ottawa and Kelowna. He was the director of programming and marketing for the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in Toronto for 13 years.

He has directed, produced, and starred in various local productions as a professional actor in Toronto for over 10 years and held positions on various local cultural boards before focusing 100% of his attention to KAS. Leslie was the recipient of the first ever Okanagan Angel Award for his contribution to the local arts scene and received the Civic Award for Honour in the Arts City of Kelowna in 2009.

Leslie has an incredible rapport working with both children and adults and is known for getting people to perform to their highest level.

Recipient of the Young Entrepreneur award with

Best Motel

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce for his work with KAS, Nate Flavel is also the recipient of the 2012 Okanagan Arts Award for Theatre and the 2011 City of Kelowna Civic Award for the Honour in the Arts.

Besides maintaining his role as general manager and the Tourism Kelowna board representative for Arts and Culture, Flavel has directed and choreographed numerous productions, taught the ever popular Glee performance troupe and performed in over 20 productions for KAS totalling about 375 performances over the past nine years.

He is known for his tenor voice, tap dance and comic characters. Notable performances include Don Lockwood in Singin in the Rain, Jesus in Godspell, and the title role in Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Prior to KAS he was involved in the local groups MASK and Encore performing four summers at Grey Monk Estate Winery.

For more about the play schedule for the Kelowna Actors Studio this year, check out the website www.kelownactorsstudio.com.

Kelowna Ramada Hotel & Conference Centre

Sandman Hotels & Inns Kelowna

Kelowna Inns & Suites

OTHER NOMINATIONS Accent Inns Days Inn Kelowna Siesta Suites Super 8 Motel

VOTED 1 Thanks for your support! #

12 YEARS IN A ROW NOT BY ACCIDENT

West Kelowna Kelowna Rutland Penticton 1838 Byland Rd. 1960 Dayton St. 275 Hwy. 33E 1120 Carmi Ave. 250-769-5550 250-868-2693 250-765-2065 250-492-2323 www.bringittoboyd.com Spring 2013 | Best of Kelowna 35