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Lavigne-on-the-Scene

Final Lavigne on the Scene

Thank you to all of you for reading and sharing my column for the past two years, but all good things must come to an end. 

I have really enjoyed learning about new businesses in the community, the current successes that local businesses are celebrating and all of the events that Kelowna has to offer. 

Okanagan Edge does a great job of keeping you informed about business and you can always find great events on the Castanet events page.

I absolutely love what this community has become and I hope to continue to see all of you out and about.

Be great!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.





Crazy Christmas Saturday

You’ve seen me write about Change Gamers before with their help with 100 Kids Who Care Kelowna, but I didn’t know about their Giving Tuesday’s nor did I realize how many projects they are funding.

If you’re like me and want more positive news every day about young people making our world a more wonderful place, then follow the ICANNation on Instagram @theicannation. You can also join them with icannapp.com right now.

I can’t recall having a bigger, prouder smile as I read their Facebook page this week to learn about all the great things this team is accomplishing. 

Kelowna, you need to follow Change Gamers.

A big congratulations to Dani Seitz too as she was named their first CAN Star this week.
 

Since we need more kids to keep positively changing our community and our world, I strongly suggest you get to Grateful Fed next Thursday for Dating Game.

This night is being called Second Chances, which obviously is giving people a second chance at love. 

If you’re interested in getting matched up in a game-style event or watching others get matched up, this dating game show night is for you. 
 

Just when I didn’t think Jeremy West couldn’t look any better, he goes and designs his own profession 6AM WorkShirts.

Jeremy is a local cyclist who has worked downtown every day in a traditional suit. This led him to create a unique product made with both regular materials and progressive athletic wear. The shirts are moisture wicking, stain proof and antimicrobial.

Jeremy has officially launched truly local 6AM WorkShirts this week so please support him. 

No more excuses for not riding your bike and helping Kelowna reduce the high statistics of commuters taking a personal vehicle to work.  
 

Cars & Toys is back for 2017.

Last year was an amazing event, so August Luxury Motorcars, August Family Foundation and Okanagan Dream Rally had to bring it back.

Santa will be arriving this Sunday at 11 a.m. by helicopter (weather permitting). Bring the kids with a new unwrapped toy and get photos taken with Santa by some super cars. There will be treats, a bonfire and lots of Christmas activities

All toys donated this year will be going to Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon to help bring joy to children that need it the most this holiday season.


OK, take a deep breath because there is a lot happening downtown Saturday.

Starting at 11 a.m., we are invited to the Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market.

This inaugural event allows us to celebrate the magic of the holidays. Take in some great shopping at the curated market booths, indulge in festive sweets and treats, munch on delicious street food, or sip your hot chocolate by a cozy fire. 

Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery is having their annual open house starting at noon, too. They will have their holiday pricing and gift deals swing by for a hot chocolate (spiked on request). 

While you’re downtown stay and take in the Light Up celebrations at Stuart Park.

There will be live entertainment, skating, activities for kids of all ages, photos with Santa, and the lighting of the downtown tree. 

For a full schedule of festivities taking place in the downtown core click here.

Make it a great week!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



Local creations and talent

Congratulations to David Allen for releasing his first Good Natured Children’s Book this past week.

A Song for Swinging has both words and songs to go along with his artwork. In fact, the book started as an art project.

You know Super Dave as one of the best DJs in Kelowna for weddings, corporate events and all your school dances, so you can imagine how unique and fun the songs are for both adults and children.

You can purchase A Song for Swinging at Mosaic Books downtown or from from David's website. It is also available at the library and Dave has been asked to go into the schools to do more presentations.

Don’t tell your kids, but they just may learn something too.
 

Did you see Kelowna’s Top 40 Under 40 winner last week?

If you didn’t, it was Danielle Scheven of Carolily Finery. Danielle and her mom, Donna, are running one of the most successful e-commerce businesses in the valley.

They specialize in statement and custom jewelry and lapel pins. They use only the finest materials and handcraft every piece from their studios in West Kelowna and the Lower Mainland. They believe in inspiring and empowering others through their thoughtfully crafted pieces.

 Even though you can purchase jewelry online, you also have the chance to shop in person at their pop-up stores, ladies' and gents' nights or by hosting a Carolily Social. To learn more about their socials click here

You know me and my lapel pins, so I got real excited when I saw her line up for gentlemen and apparently I am going to be really excited with their new upcoming announcement.

Sign up for their newsletter so you can be one of the first to know too plus you get 15 per cent off your first 


Congratulations to Bruce Plaxton as he is the new director of business development for Sivantos.

Sivantos is a global leader in the development and manufacture of hearing aids and accessories with over 130 years as an industry innovator serving more than 120 countries.

They are proud to produce one out of every four hearing aids worldwide. In Canada, Sivantos distributes and services leading-edge hearing aids under the Signia, Siemens and Rexton brands via highly skilled hearing care professionals across the country.

Bruce will be supporting the community, helping with purchasing clinics, succession plans and also helping clinics with financing so they can serve you better.

We wish him all the best!

I wonder what my wife would say if I worked for a hearing aid company and I used the excuse that I didn’t hear her?
 

I can’t thank the Landmark Centre enough for celebrating my birthday with the lighting up of the Tree of Hope tonight.

They keep telling me it’s the 20th anniversary of the Tree of Hope and it’s not just for me, but I don’t believe them.

Landmark Centre has partnered with Details Design Inc. to bring you a Christmas Pop Up Market all weekend long for this celebration.

This year, it will be held on the 16th floor, so you can be dazzled by their one of a kind indoor skating rink and by the views of the city. You can wander through and shop enjoying mulled cider, local entertainment, delicious food and holiday cheer.

Visit their Facebook page for a list of all the vendors and times. 
 

BC Tree Fruits Cider Co. is hosting their Holiday Open House Saturday.

They will be tapping two very special kegs themed cider casks. The Naughty Sugar Plum Vanilla and Christmas Cranberry casks are expected to be big hit.

There will be complimentary tastings and discounts on growlers as well as other selected merchandise. Don’t forget to be entered into win their Broken Ladder gift basket.
 

Starting on Wednesday, Tree Brewing Institute will be counting down the days to Christmas with their fourth Annual Cask Advent Calendar.

Get your passports today. https://www.facebook.com/events/124287804934289/

Make it a great week!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.





No patient should be alone

Curatio was the 2015 fastest growing tech company in Canada and they are now expanding to Kelowna. 

They celebrated this shortly after with an appearance on Dragons Den, which ended up securing some funding from the dragons too.

Founder Lynda Brown Ganzert is a Canadian award-winning digital leader, B.C. Entrepreneur of the Year award winner and now her new company, Curatio, is also an award-winning, health-software company.

Curatio is a social health platform that gives patients a private community of peers and mobile tools that help track, simplify and manage recovery and disease. They believe no patient should be alone and they are on a mission to give every patient on the planet the support they need.

Read all about Curatio on the Accelerate Okanagan community blog page
 

Since we’re talking tech, just to update you ProSmart is launching a documentary series in partnership with Telus Optik. Watch the first five minutes of episode one

Don’t worry about filling all these new roles because the talent has found us after Kelowna was named one of the “smartest” cities in the world by New York City based Intelligent Form. 


Dakoda's Comedy Lounge has become a staple in Kelowna’s fun and now it is giving back to the community.

Tonight at 9 p.m., Kelowna Comedy, along with Mavazi Apparel, will be presenting a night of comedy and magic to raise funds for the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

You will be enchanted by award-winning magician and mentalist Ryan Michael. This night of magic will also feature some of the Okanagan's top comedic talent, including Caleb Campbell, Jordan Strauss and Angus Craddock.

Go check this out.


Mahta Sadi has returned to Kelowna after a decade of dancing around the world where she acquired a ton of knowledge in different styles of dance and performance. She hopes to pass this knowledge along to dancers in Kelowna looking to take their dancing to the next level.

Mahta is a former NBA Toronto Raptors dancer that started Dipp Dance and she is leading a team of other fierce ladies this weekend on their very first production called Diverse!

Join these ladies of Dipp Dance for an exciting evening, showcasing a fusion of dance styles, culture and other creative arts.


After a few successful weekends of Halloween candy paired with wine, Vibrant Vines has brought out the candy canes.

Join them this weekend at the wine shop for complimentary tastings.

I don’t celebrate Christmas until after my birthday, so hopefully they do this again in December.


I say that I don’t start to celebrate Christmas until after my birthday, but that doesn’t mean I don’t start planning my Christmas season before my birthday.

Events such as Champagne and Mistletoe will sell out way before my birthday, so buy your tickets early.


Kelowna Women in Business are brining in Chef Mark Filatow and his team at the Waterfront Cafe and Catering for a co-ed evening of networking and celebration.

Visit their Facebook page to learn about the amazing eats, silent auction items and the rest of the details.


Tonight is your last chance to get to UBCO for the SH!T SHOW.

SH!T SHOW is an awesome way to support emerging artists and a way to buy various awesome and affordable works of art made by their visual art students.

This is not your grandmother's craft sale.
 

Make it a great week!

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.



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About the Author

Kevin Lavigne is a local advisor with Reid & Associates Financial Solutions creating comprehensive financial plans for individuals and small businesses.  Kevin enjoys meeting and learning about people.  He is known for his abilities to connect both people and businesses as he tries to help everyone to succeed.

Kevin graduated from the University of Guelph in 2002 with a Bachelor of Commerce.  He has since completed his Insurance Licence and is in the process of completing his Certified Financial Planning Designation.  He has been involved in multiple businesses and investments including tech start ups.

Kevin married his wife Amy in 2009 and they currently have 2 young daughters.  They moved from Ontario with a few stops along the way and have lived in Kelowna since 2008.   Kevin and his family enjoy the outdoors and have a great passion for Food & Wine. 

Kevin was nominated in 2014 for Kelowna’s Top 40 Under 40 because of his successful business and the financial education he provides in the community.  He is also the 2016 President of Junior Chamber International, he works with multiple non profits as well he is a mentor for the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.



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The views expressed are strictly those of the author and not necessarily those of Castanet. Castanet does not warrant the contents.

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