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Clay Williams and Tanvir Gill are business lawyers at FH&P Lawyers, serving the B.C. Interior with offices in Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm. They are the hosts of “Law Talk,” a podcast that educates listeners on business matters including whether or not to incorporate, estate planning with a business and all other legal issues businesses face.

In this episode, Williams and Gill discuss leasing a space or building for your business. Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for a while, knowing about how a lease works, the obligations of a landlord, the offer to lease and/or renewal of a lease is important.

There are several new buildings popping up across Kelowna with plenty of spaces to open your business. Williams and Gill will offer helpful information on leasing a space.

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You still have a chance to hear from a federal minister and give him your thoughts as well.

Ahmed Hussen, who is Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, was supposed to take part in a roundtable discussion with Kelowna Chamber of Commerce yesterday, but the event had to be delayed until today.

The roundtable discussion will take place between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.

Hussen will be the featured guest and will discuss the federal budget that was released last month. Chamber members will be able to ask questions of the federal government and provide direct feedback.

Chamber executive director Dan Rogers and KPMG senior manager Marina Warrender will co-moderate the discussion, which will be followed by questions from those in attendance.

Registration information for the free session can be found here.

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The City of Vernon permitted the use of electric kick scooters to be operated around the community.

“The way people get around is changing as new technologies emerge. Electric kick scooters have the potential to help some individuals in our community shift towards more sustainable transportation,” Mayor Victor Cumming said.

Residents and visitors may ride electric kick scooters within Vernon City limits, provided their device meets new requirements established in the Motor Vehicle Act.

Riders will have to be at least 16 years old, wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road for skateboards and other similar devices. People riding electric kick scooters:

• may use roads and bike lanes while following the same rules of the road as a cyclist.
• may use sidewalks and multi-use pathways, but must slow down near and yield to pedestrians.
• must be considerate of other road users and travel at an appropriate speed.
• must dismount when using crosswalks except where bikes are permitted to cross.
• must use a white front light and red rear light when it is dark.

Anyone who rides an electric kick scooter is encouraged to brush up on the rules and be extra courteous towards others as the community gets to know this new technology.

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With hardly a question and barely any comments, Kelowna city council gave first reading to zoning changes for a pair of housing rental projects proposed for the city.

The largest of the two is a 176 unit, 20-storey highrise proposed by BC Housing encompassing two lots on Bertram Street, a half block north of Bernard.

The other is a much smaller apartment planned for Royal Avenue across from Kelowna General Hospital. That project would consolidate three single-family lots directly west of a hospital surface parking lot.

Developers of both projects are also applying for the Residential Rental Tenure Only subzone, which would guarantee they remain rental properties in perpetuity.

Planner Jocelyn Black says a covenant would also be placed on Royal Avenue project designating a portion of the residential rentals for hospital staff, visitors and hospital related institutions.

The only comment on either project came from Mayor Colin Basran, who said he was “very excited” to see the Bertram Street project go to public hearing.

Both developments will be subject to a public hearing before council can move them forward.

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Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is encouraging Interior residents to make a pledge to travel in Canada before they go anywhere else.

This Sunday is the start of Tourism Week in Canada, and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada is asking citizens to download an actual badge from its website and vow to stay within Canada’s borders once travel is allowed.

TIAC will highlight regions on its website throughout the Tourism Week in Canada, with B.C. getting the star treatment next Thursday, May 27.

The Thompson Okanagan could benefit greatly from the pledge, given that it is already a popular Canadian destination, and TOTA is inviting residents to think about travelling to their own backyard first once the gates open.

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Feeling a bit tense but don’t have enough cash burning a hole in your pocket to splurge for a long and relaxing massage?

First College in downtown Kelowna might be able to help you with your problem.

The school is offering massages from its students at a large discount on Tuesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clients will receive a 75-minute relaxation massage for $30.

First College students are also conducting relaxation massages with three other types of treatment for $35: infrared sauna, paraffin hand treatment and paraffin foot treatment.

Student massage therapy treatments are a learning and practice opportunity for students to hone their skills and professional development in a clinical setting. Students start in the clinic in their third term of the program, and continue through until their sixth and final term.

A registered massage therapist works along side the students to share their knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and being in practice.

You can register for a First College student massage here.

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Okanagan Edge and the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are partnering to showcase some of the region’s most exciting entrepreneurs through the “Top 40 Over 40” program.

Sponsored by BDO, the “Top 40 Over 40” recognizes high-achieving professionals in our community and showcases their accomplishments. This marks the seventh year the chamber has conducted a “Top 40” showcase. Honourees will be featured throughout the year on Okanagan Edge.

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Brian Wall describes himself as determined—and a wee bit stubborn—going after what he wants with decision and vigour. His career began as a commercial pilot—a dream since being a young boy—but he returned to school wanting to be successful in business. Wall has since served more than 35 years in senior leadership roles for a variety of organizations, most recently as AEM’s vice-president of operations and now CEO.

On weekends, Wall spends the endless joys of summer relaxing on the Kettle River with family, friends and his dog, Noki. He hopes to one day ride some of the best roller-coasters in the world.

“Life is a lesson. Take it all in while you can,” Wall says. “Have a willingness to recognize that you can always do better tomorrow than you did today.”

Wall draws from the leadership lessons of Patrick Lencioni, John Maxwell, Marcus Buckingham and the inspiration of his family as he quarterbacks AEM’s cohesive team. Ultimately accountable for the successful and profitable growth of the organization and its people, Wall challenges his team to do good and be meaningful in everything they do.

“I believe in putting employees first,” he says. “If employees aren’t supported to be the best they can be, customers and the success of the organization are just a dream.”

In the 90s he was provided the opportunity to give back, he says, “to this incredible community we all live in as a member of the RCMP Auxiliary and was proud to represent, at that time, the largest volunteer police group in Canada. This led to a voluntary contribution of 400 to 600 hours per year.”

Most recently and currently, Wall gets to meet some incredible individuals that have relocated to Kelowna and are currently seeking insight and knowledge of opportunities that exist here in the Central Okanagan. This program is supported and provided through the Connector program under the direction of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission.

“My desire to become a commercial pilot saw my education go from high school to flight school,” Wall says. “Then, after flying commercially for a number of years, I went back to OUC at the time to study business, and the last 35 years have provided a lifetime of learning.”

Photo: Contributed

The working world has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is bringing in professionals to discuss the new landscape.

Peninsula Canada will be conducting a human resources webinar on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon. The company will cover a wide range of topics, including how to create policies for vaccinations in your workplace.

Other areas of discussion will include compliance, managing remote employees, and health and safety policies.

There will also be a question-and-answer session at the conclusion of Peninsula’s presentation.

Registration information can be found here.

File photo: Castanet

Kamloops city councillors will be asked to support a pilot project that could feature commercial water sport rentals and expanded food services in Riverside Park this summer.

An administrative report by city staff expected to be discussed by council next week outlines an initiative that aims to envision new amenities for Riverside Park in terms of recreational equipment rentals and food-and-beverage service.

City staff recommends council support the plan, which would allow Tourism Kamloops to contract vendors who would then set up shop in the park. The plan would require a temporary exemption to a bylaw that forbids commercial activity in city parks.

“The aging concession building is scheduled for demolition as part of the Riverside Park revitalization project and has been the only pre-existing commercial structure in the park,” the report states.

“This pilot project is an opportunity to test the potential of what could be included when it is redesigned.”

According to the report, Tourism Kamloops would lead the project using “existing spaces and infrastructure in Riverside Park,” meaning no new structures would be erected in time for summer.

“Tourism Kamloops has requested that the city support this initiative by permitting them to offer water- and land-based commercial recreation opportunities and activities,” the report states, noting the plan received support at an April 26 meeting of the city’s parks engagement group.

“If this pilot program is a success, staff will report back to council before discussing extending the proposal beyond 2021.”

In the report, city staff said Tourism Kamloops will develop COVID-19 protocols and ensure they are followed.

Recreational amenities can be a key factor in attracting new residents to a community, the report stated, noting the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has provided “a reset in the collective thinking of residents, visitors and business owners who are seeking unique, outdoor, natural safe spaces.”

The existing concession building in Riverside Park is slated to be demolished later this year as part of the city’s Riverside Park flood mitigation project.

“The physical asphalt space where the concession building currently sits will still be available for a future structure, but a portion of the current footprint is within the flood-protection zone and needs to be removed when the project is underway later this year,” the report states.

Tourism Kamloops said it does not intend to charge permit fees for any operators under the pilot project.

Segments of the Kamloops community have historically taken issue with the perceived commercialization of city parks.

City council is expected to discuss the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday.

A downtown Penticton office space and lot have sold for $260,000 above asking price, which is further evidence of the hot real estate market in town.

The 8,000 square-foot building on a 0.45 acre lot at 187 Nanaimo Ave. was listed for $2.39 million by Green Real Estate Group this spring.

It sold May 7 to an undisclosed buyer, according to Western Investor.

Its C5 zoning includes development potential under Penticton bylaws, allowing for commercial ground-floor usage with residences above.