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THE KELOWNA ROCKETS enter the Christmas break in the WHL regular season schedule sporting a six-game road winning streak, and are undefeated in the team’s last 13 road games.
COLUMNIST Maxine DeHart tells us about a new addition to the restaurant scene for those who enjoy Thai food, and a new doggie daycare in Kelowna for canines.
IF IT’S Christmas that means the Kelowna International Airport is about to get really busy.
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THURSDAY Dec. 19, 2013 The Central Okanagan’s Best-Read Newspaper www.kelownacapnews.com
Pub owner happy Christmas food bank hampers lined up to welcome the for hundreds of Westsiders in need whole family Wade Paterson STAFF REPORTER
Kathy Michaels STAFF REPORTER
Changes to B.C. liquor laws have given Kelowna pub owner Kamel Abougoush cause to cheer. The proprietor of the Grateful Fed on Bernard Avenue has had to turn away countless families keen on getting some of his kitchen’s nosh since he’s been open for business. “We’ve sent so many across the street to the Bohemian Cafe, that (its owner) Hans sends me a Christmas card each year,” he said. “Now I’m hoping I will be able to offer our services to everyone.” Allowing Abougoush and other pub owners to open their doors to further business was Premier Christy Clark, who announced Tuesday that liquor laws are being tweaked to allow for parents to bring their children into pubs and Legion halls until a certain hour, as well as a series of other provisions. “We would welcome families for breakfast and lunch until around 7 p.m. then after 7 p.m., we would just have people here who are 19-years-old and over,” Abougoush said, explaining how he envisioned the new laws taking effect. “After that, most people don’t want to have their dinners, or just drinks, spoiled by a crying baby. At least, that’s what always comes up.” It’s a move in the right direction, said Abougoush, who has been to bars in other cities and countries, where parents sitting down for a pub meal with their children in tow, is the norm. “I honestly don’t see a problem,” he said. “It’s something that should have been done many years ago. “ In addition to the open door policy to families, Clark announced that the province would allow B.C. to join the rest of the country, and have happy hours with time-limited drink specials. She also announced changes to the way restaurant licences would work. In particular, restaurant patrons who don’t want to order food shouldn’t be forced to do so. Another shift would allow food primary businesses that want to stop serving food at a certain hour and operate as a nightclub, the ability to apply for a special licence to the B.C.’s Liquor Control and Licensing Board. See Family A5
Several West Kelowna families lined up outside Westside Community Food Bank’s satellite depot in the Westbank Towne Centre Mall Wednesday morning to receive Christmas hampers for the holidays. A turkey, canned foods, cereal, flour, sugar, potatoes, mandarin oranges, milk and even a box of chocolates were some of the food items clients were given Wednesday. They also received toiletries, stuffed animals and a shopping spree in the makeshift toy store. “We’ve got 300 Christmas hampers going out over the next two days,” Lenetta Parry, executive director of the Westside Community Food Bank, said Wednesday morning, adding 26 families were sponsored directly by businesses and other families in the community this holiday season. “It’s about three times busier over the next two days than we would typically see. Usually, out of the food bank, we distribute about 100 hampers every week.” Parry said the Christmas hampers have lots of “extra little treats” that are included to make Christmas special for clients. Brittany Diebel arrived Wednesday morning
WADE PATERSON/CAPITAL NEWS
VOLUNTEER Anne Feliz (right) helps Michelle Andrew pick out Christmas toys in the Westside Community Food Bank’s Christmas Hamper program. The food bank expected to give out 300 hampers to families in need on Wednesday and Thursday. to receive her Christmas hamper. She began to tear up when asked how helpful the hamper will be to her family this Christmas. “Extremely,” said Brittany. Prior to Wednesday’s hamper event, Brittany’s mother, Brenda Diebel, donated several products
to show her appreciation for the Christmas Hamper Program. “I do couponing. I don’t get the toys and I don’t get a lot of food, but I do get a lot of hygiene and cleaning products. So we brought three overflowing shopping carts in here to help, because I
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appreciate them helping (Brittany),” said Brenda. “Her dad and I can only do so much…I think it’s awesome that people come together and do all of this.” The food bank gave out Christmas hampers from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday.
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Although there was a line-up at 10 a.m., by 10:30 a.m. the line had disappeared and fewer clients were walking through the door. Brenda said she knows of several families
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