Tim Young and Hugh Philip are two enthusiastic, but realistic, long-time Kelowna residents who have gathered research from hundreds of reliable sources to create this one-of-a-kind . . . no-nonsense guide. There is no other single source of information that tackles the questions on the minds of potential newcomers. Unbiased Answers to these and many more important questions:

• Is it true that Kelowna has a Sunshine Tax
• Will I be able to find a job?
• Will my family be safe?
• Is the weather really as good as they say?
• Give me a break, what are the challenges to living in Kelowna?
• Is there available and affordable daycare for my children?
• How does the housing market compare to other cities in Canada?
• Is Kelowna business friendly?
• What are ‘the’ best things to do for fun in the area?

Bonus! Each book is a coupon for a minimum 10% discount from trusted Kelowna businesses.

$2.00 from each book sold is donated to the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

This 6” x 9” soft-cover book includes 218 pages; 40 chapters; and 86 tables and illustrations.

Order online from  www.movingtokelowna.net ($14.95) or Amazon.ca.  Also sold at Kelowna bookstores and many other local retailers.

Come join the grand opening for the Start Fresh Kitchen. This will be an event with amazing local vendors, delicious food, live classes, and select wineries!  

The kitchen willbe open. They have been working very hard at using historic elements of Kelowna in building the space. The catering menu will be sampled at the event. Enjoy local and delicious high quality menu items paired with wine, live classes, and local vendors.

Tickets will be sold for $15 online and $20 at the door. Your purchase includes drink tickets and access into an amazing event!

**VENDOR LIST**
- Glow Juciery
- Moonstone Ferments
- Elixir H Kombucha 
- Salt & Sage Jewelry
- Multiple local wineries will be attending for sampling 

**MUSIC** (Band will be announced soon)

**DETAILS**

When: Thursday, June 1, 2017 from 2-10pm

Bring your business cards for a draw being accounced at the end of the evening for prizes.

2:00pm - Doors will be opening, check in at the door and receive your gift 
3:00pm - Tour around the vendors, sample food, sip wine, check out live classes in our Start Fresh kitchen 
5:00pm - Live music will start
7:00pm - Prizes announced 
10:00pm - End of an unforgettable evening

Looking forward to bringing our community together and collaborating with new businesses.

Tickets: www.startfreshkitchen.ca

Location: Ground Floor Landmark 2 Building, Kelowna BC

SoFün is a social enterprise fundamentals workshop that has been developed for those who want to learn more about the lean startup principles for social enterprise. This full-day workshop on May 25 (9:00 - 4:00) provides in-person education, contextual examples, exercises, and tools to help you build and grow a social enterprise. Using a case study of an award winning social enterprise, Mission Possible, participants will walk through the business model canvas and then have an opportunity to build one for their own situation. Come and learn with and from social entrepreneurs.

To celebrate and recognize volunteers, Community Futures Central Okanagan is pleased to announce that Una Gabie has been awarded Community Futures Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations Una!

Una is a long time and active Community Futures Board Member who participates in the Loan Review Committee. Her legal and business background is constantly called upon to help evaluate and adminster complex loan applications and offers. Through leadership and community based decision making like this, Community Futures Central Okanagan has thrived in the community for over 26 years.

Trevor Nichols - 11:30 am - Biz Profiles, https://okanaganedge.net/2017/02/20/really-good-wood/

In a nondescript, industrial building in West Kelowna a pair of immigrants have built an internationally recognized company.

Geometrik Owners Vladimir and Natasha Bolshakov might not be that well known in the Okanagan “but whomever is involved in commercial construction, they are very much aware of the Geometric brand,” Vladimir says.

Sitting at a board table with his back straight and his hands folded, Vladamir is imposing but not threatening.

He and his wife Natasha immigrated to Canada in the early 2000s and his speech is still coloured by a Russian accent.

When the couple bought Geometrik in 2006 it was a small company making children’s furniture – but they knew exactly where they wanted to take it.

They both had years of experience manufacturing wood acoustic panelling, and they set about creating a brand new product.

“Me and my business partner, my best friend and my wife, we worked together in this industry since our graduation from university,” Valdamir says. “It’s now going to be 26 years since we got sucked into the manufacturing of wood acoustical ceilings and walls. All our life is here, it’s just that.”

Acoustic panelling is used in large spaces like hallways and auditoriums to dampen sound and create a more pleasant acoustic environment.

There are scores of products that can do that, but Vladamir says Geometrik’s wooden panelling is more “aesthetically intense,” appealing in buildings that want to “wow” visitors.

Starting out with just three employees, Vladimir and Natasha now employ about 30, and their product is used all over the world.

One of the big reasons for their success, Vladimir says, is the Okanagan’s unique climate, which is ideal for woodworking.

“I would probably have a hard time finding a place that’s better for woodworking industries,” he says, pointing to the regions ideal temperature and humidify, which allow them to work easily with climate-sensitive wood.

The crazy part, Vladamir admits, is that they weren’t even aware of that when they came here. Their decision to stay was based on the beauty of the region.

“We just arrived and it was a total wow effect,” he says.“It takes probably about 10 seconds to make the decision we are staying.”

Now, Vladamir says, the products from the business they built are all over the region, the country and the world.

But of everywhere Geometrik panels are found, Vladamir says Toronto’s Pearson International Airport is the most meaningful to him.

“This is our first step in Canada,” he says. He leans forward slightly and opens his hands. A smile creeps onto his face. “This is where we immigrated and now we are happy to provide them with acoustical ceilings, so it’s very emotional.”

He leans back, his smile widening.

“This is where we came, just hopeful for the future, hopeful for the product … and this is us now.”

“This is the beauty of our business. It’s not just a block of wood with a bunch of holes, there’s a storyline for almost everybody,” he says.

“We kind of hoped that we could make it when we left our shores and made it over here, and I think we are the proof that if somebody believes hard and works hard it is possible. Anything is possible, especially in Canada.”