This weekend will see Kelowna hosting the 2005 Canadian National Triathlon Championships.

This event has now been recognized as one of Canada’s premier triathlons and is sanctioned as part of the 2005 Continental Cup Race Series by the International Triathlon Union. This local event is attracting Canadian elite athletes who are competing for National standings as well as attracting an international field of elite athletes who are competing for points towards their world ranking! This ranking system is the stepping stone for these athletes to make the Commonwealth Games, the Pan-Am Games, as well as the next Olympics.

The Kelowna Apple Triathlon has become a marquee event for the past 22 years, attracting athletes from British Columbia, across Canada and from many different parts of the world. The National Championships and the Continental Cup are expected to attract both athletes and spectators from around the world.

Canada has already produced an elite group of Olympic athletes, including Simon Whitfield, Jill Savage, Carol Montgomery, as well as nationally ranked local - Gillian Moody and former World Champion and local - Joanne Ritchie.

Come out and cheer on our local heroes, those personal challengers, elite athletes and the many Olympians who will be going the distance. Support the Kelowna Apple Triathlon in a big way, we are fortunate to have such an elite event in Kelowna.

Visit the Kelowna Apple Triathlon website for more information - www.appletriathlon.com

Legacy will be an original community with character, where memories of the past inspire a modern way of life.

Breathing new life into the Rutland Elementary School, Legacy will be a collection of townhomes, heritage homes and condominiums. The inspiration for the new buildings and property will come from the classic detailing and brick work of the original schoolhouse.

Madhouse Creative is pleased to have been a part of shaping the future for this heritage site. From the naming of the development, to the marketing materials, print brochures, signage, discovery centre and website. Madhouse has enjoyed working with R&B Construction to craft a brand that remains true to the original character of the property and reflects the vision for the future homes as the development becomes a neighbourhood for a mix of families and singles, young and old.

Legacy will offer residents of Kelowna and Rutland an opportunity to own a new home at an affordable price. Appealing to students, young families, singles, couples and older residents, Legacy will be a truly diversified, residential neighbourhood.

Visit www.legacykelowna.com to view the website and get a glimpse of this wonderful community neighbourhood.

Great product, new package

Madhouse is pleased to have worked with Hester Creek Estate Winery on the development of their new wine cask design. A 3 litre slimline box, this varietal specific packaging will easily fit into the wine drinker’s cupboard or fridge. The wine inside the box is the same as the wine in the bottle, just more of it.

Casks or boxed wines are increasing in popularity as consumers begin to appreciate the convenience that a box can offer. Perfect for parties, a single box offers the equivalent volume of four bottles of wine. Campers appreciate the reduced packaging. And for the casual drinker, a boxed wine offers the convenience of always having ‘a glass’ at the ready, without the waste of opening an entire bottle. Cooks enjoy having a cup of good wine available for their sauces and dishes. As chefs often remark that the wine you eat should be every bit as good as the wine you drink. Boxed wines have caught on in other markets, and like alternative closures from corks, offer an opportunity to protect the quality of the wine.

The bright colours and high contrast of this packaging are attracting great interest in the liquor stores and cold beer and wine shops. Keep an eye out for the packaging in the stores and give a new box a try.

It took the apricot tree in the back yard, and the branches heavily laden with fruit to remind me that it was exactly a year ago that we took possession of the house and suddenly became the owners of an apricot tree.

As I think back over the past year, so much of it is a whirlwind. From getting the new property – a heritage house on Bernard Avenue, to renovations, moving in, getting comfortable and down to work. We’ve had quite the time. Even some of the people that are at Madhouse Creative have changed. Aaron and James joined our team, Erica is out on maternity leave.

We’ve had the privilege to work with many great clients, to continue to build the relationships established over the past few years – Pacific Safety Products, Tourism Kelowna, The Quarry in the Mission, Synergy Events, Spiegel Skillen + Associates, Mountain Realty, Legato Centre, Rent Chalets, Solidó Group, Economic Development Commission of Central Okanagan and BC Tree Fruits, to name but a few.

And we’ve found some new friends along the way – Legend Resorts – Sundance and Verand Beach, the Rykon Group - Manteo Resort and Sonoma Pines, R&B Construction - Legacy, Assured Software, Rutland Glass and Hester Creek Estate Winery.

We’re looking forward to reconnecting with clients. Quails’ Gate Estate Winery worked with us 10 years ago when Madhouse was a one person design studio, then known as T. Moore & Associates. We are very happy Quails’ Gate has chosen to work with us again. And to entering into new relationships, doing more great creative work, and having fun.

Well, I’m off to the backyard to grab a handful of the apricots hanging low on the branches, and to be thankful for the great year that has just passed while thinking about the years to come.