Rumours and things

A discussion taking place on drugs and professional sport and the panel of four, one of them an NHL member is put on the spot by the other panel members because the NHL has no regular drug testing like the other sports of baseball, football and basketball.

“You don’t think that someone in the NHL is using drugs. Surely that can’t be true?”

“We have drug tests.”

“When?”

“They’re written,” answered the NHL player.
RPN On The Record

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There's always lots of enquiries about the Conservatory condo project on Glenmore Road. There is every indication that it will be sold to a developer who will finish project. The major money lender is the Conexus Credit Union of Saskatchewan and they will sell the property in a very difficult market at the moment. So far there are three companies that seem to be interested. One from Vancouver, one from Kelowna and the builder Vic Van Isle.

The three interested parties are all quality people with good reputations in the industry and if any of them are the buyer that would have that corner looking like the product it is supposed to be in short order.

I do know that a commercial builder was also showing some interest in the site but I don’t know where that stands at the moment. We will keep you informed.

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I can’t remember ever writing anything about Costco at all that was negative in a long, long time. But the big retail wholesale stores have suffered a profit setback of 29 per cent in the third quarter partly because of a change as sales of bigger discretionary items continued to soften. It also settled a $34 million lawsuit involving its membership renewal policy.

The very successful chain stays focused on providing low-cost offerings to shoppers. Costco currently has 555 warehouses, including 77 in Canada.

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One of the nicer stores to shop in is Sharon Harrington’s Hallmark Gold Crown card and gift store in the Capri Centre Mall. She is celebrating twenty years in business in that location and has been in five stores in the mall over the years. Sharon and husband Gary moved to Kelowna from Manitoba for a change and that it has been. She tells me everything in the store is twenty per cent off during the month of their anniversary.

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I don’t know how many times I have heard the rumour or had a certain mansion pointed out to me where the person confirmed that was the new home of Elton John and David Furnish. It was always tied to a story that Furnish has relatives here and that was the reason they wanted a private home here. Well rumour folks, there is a new one out of Ontario that the couple are really moved into a mansion in Caledon just north of Brampton in Ontario. The owner married a nice boy from Scarborough in 2005.

This house is at least 20,000 square feet, surrounded by trees. John and Billy Joel had concerts in Ontario this past week and the neighbors swear security was beefed up around the home in the hills.

We can’t afford to lose another celebrity from our midst. I was taken out on the lake so someone could show me the house John Mellencamp was building. Then there is the loss of Arnold Schwartzenager and his ranch near Vernon after so many people saw him driving his Hummer.

It just keeps you so busy.

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Work continues on the Carrick Design eighteen holes at Predator Ridge Resort. Last year Westbild Holdings Ltd. was announced as the new owner of one of Canada’s premier golf courses. It in turn announced that designer Doug Carrick and his team from Carrick Design in Toronto would complete the next eighteen holes.

Predator Ridge has created the reputation as a spectacular golf experience and has hosted two very successful World Skins Games. The thirty-six holes will be ready to open for play in 2010.