The new Famoso Pizzeria &Bar will open Friday at Sopa Square in Kelowna, 3030 Pandosy St.

The franchise is owned and operated by Seth Carlyle and Liz Markulin, who have relocated from Jasper where they also operated a Famoso. The soft yet crispy thin crust pizzas are hand tossed by their pizzaiolos, then fire-baked in an authentic bell-shaped oven imported from Italy for 90 seconds at 900 degrees Fahrenheit. The tomatoes come from the Campania region of Italy and a highly refined 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ˜0091ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ flour is used. All pizzas are topped with foir-di-latte which is a fresh mozzarella cheese that has a mild milky flavour and creamy texture. Along with a huge selection of pizzas they offer appetizers, soup, salads, pasta, fire bread sandwiches, desserts and an extensive drink menu. All sauces and dips are crafted in-house. Open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to midnight, for lunch. dinner and late night dining.

With a background of 20 years in the flooring industry, Jack Routly has accepted a new position as sales representative for Impression Floors, located at 1-1725 Baron Rd. He will provide free in-home consultation, business quotes, flooring samples and recommendations, schedule installations, manage teams and provide his expertise in working with builders and contractors. Patrice Raven is the CEO of Impression Floors. Call 250-979-7419; online www.impressionfloors.com.

Stellar Gem Services has relocated downtown to 301-478 Bernard Ave., upstairs in the Scotiabank building. Owned by graduate gemologist Heather Davis, Stellar will assist you in evaluating jewelery and watches for insurance, estate valuation or fair market value. Davis is also a military veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and is proud to now serve her fellow veterans and their friends and families. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. After hours and weekends service is by appointment. Call 250-864-7619; online www.stellargemservices.com.

Todd and Leslie Denoncourt have started MOLT Bin Rentals Ltd. in West Kelowna. The company rents large bins at daily and weekly rates for residential, commercial and construction purposes to eliminate refuse for new construction or renovations. The bins are an army green colour to blend in with the environment. Call 250-864-4667; online www.moltbinrentals.com.

Executive chef Derek Benitez has joined the team at Sunset Ranch Golf and Country Club. Originally from Ottawa, where he won Ottawa Gold Medal Plates in 2004, Benitez moved to Kelowna five years ago. Locally, he has worked for Lake City Casinos restaurant operations, for Deli City Catering and owned and operated a small bistro in the Mission.

Management changes happening within the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group in our area. Karl Johnston will be the new general manager of the Kelowna/Vernon division, effective Sept. 15. He will take over the management of the three radio stations in the Okanagan cluster from Stu Crouse, who is retiring. Johnston has spent the last 16 years in Saskatchewan as GM/GSM of Pattison-owned radio stations.

After a blind tasting by the Wine Align panel of judges, Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards has been awarded a Gold Medal for their 2013 Fitz Brut at the National Wine Awards of Canada 2017. The winery is located between Peachland and Summerland on Highway 97 at the historic Greta Ranch property. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Calling all 1957 KSS grads91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”your 60th reunion is Sept. 7 and 8 with two full days of social activities. If you know of any grads that have moved away and have their contact information call Barbara Logie at 250-548-4197. Reunion organizers would also like to contact friends who were part of their class in earlier grades.

Waterfront Gift Shop has opened at 1334 Water St., near the Delta Grand Hotel. Owned and operated by husband and wife team of David Park and Lucy Joo, this small unique shop is chock-full of wall clocks, home decor, paper art, toys, world maps, Korean cosmetics, wall decor, wood crafts and lighting. Waterfront specializes in importing all kinds of handcrafted, stylish designed non-ticking silent wall clocks. There are many different clock themes including owls, swinging horse, spaceship, sky balloon, airplane, comma and their most popular world clocks that can be displayed on world maps. Open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 250-808-4325.

Join Dr. Dale Forsythe on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 6:30 p.m., as he addresses the many issues around neck pain and seeking out solutions. Free workshop with limited seating, to reserve call 250-765-1466.

SHARE is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a barbecue event Aug. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at 581 Gaston Ave. The SHARE Depot and Thrift Store receive quality clothing and household goods and offer volunteer and work exchange opportunities as well as clothing and goods to people, particularly those in temporary need of assistance. They are entirely non-profit and locally based. Their thrift store offers affordable items at reasonable prices Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Happy 50th anniversary Bryan and Rose Girard on Aug. 12. Rose will also celebrate her 71st birthday on the same day.

The Royal Canadian Legion branch is Kelowna is sponsoring a 40th anniversary Elvis Tribute show on Saturday featuring a dinner, show and dance. Elvis passed away Aug. 16, 1977. Where were you on that date and what were you doing? Tickets are $30. The Legion will host a performance by Steve Hollis on Sept. 9 featuring tunes from Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly and more. Also, mark your calendars for their bake, crafts and preserve sale on Oct. 1. Call 250-762-4117; 778-436-9665. Take note as well that the Legion kitchen is now open five days a week.

The Legion is also asking for help. With summer holidays, the Kelowna branch is having difficulty recruiting enough bartenders to cover all the bar shifts. If you can help them out or know of anyone that might be available, call 250-762-4117 and ask for Greg Vasey or Betty Ross.

Giving Day is a one-day Hudson91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Bay event on Friday, Sept. 15, to help charitable and non-profit organizations raise awareness and funds through the sale of tickets to their networks. Interested organizations can contact Kim Proulx at 250-860-2483 (224) or email kimberley.proulx@hbc.com and order tickets to sell for only $591ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ”and keep the entire $5. The ticket provides shoppers up to 20 per cent off at The Bay. They can also enter to win a $5,000 shopping spree. The organization that sells the most tickets will also receive a portion of the sales on Sept. 15. Every non-profit should sign up to do this.

Speaking of the Hudson91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Bay, former Kelowna manager Rein Nurmsoo, now managing the Vernon store, is celebrating his 40th anniversary with the company. In April, he received the General Manager of the Year Award for Hudson91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s Bay.

Parkrun Okanagan, started by Bill Justus, has been in existence for one year, meeting on Saturdays at 9 a.m. behind Parkinson Recreation Centre. August 19 will be their 53rd free-timed five-kilometre run in Kelowna. The group has featured 505 runners in total and accumulated 2,301 five-kilometrer runs to date. The average number of runners is 47 per week wth the largest attendance mark set being 108. The club will also welcome 37 people from around the globe for the Aug. 12 Parkrun. There are now 10 Parkruns in Canada. For more info email okanaganoffice@parkrun.com.

The Kelowna Community Concert Association will host a free concert with an opportunity to see the world-renowned Canadian brass perform on the Island Stage at 7 p.m. on Aug. 23 as part of the Canada 150 celebrations.

Uptown Rutland Business Association will host Cruisin91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™ In The Park, a car, bike and truck show presented by Kal Tire this Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lions Park in Rutland. Free admission. Food trucks and market vendors. To register or more information call 250-451-9861.

Chamber Music Kelowna will host the Classical Trumpet and Piano Concert, with Jens Lindemann on trumpet and Jennifer Snow on piano, at the Mary Irwin Theatre on Aug. 17. Tickets at 250-717-5304; online www.rotarycentreforthearts.com.

Received a bouquet of flowers for my birthday. They were designed and delivered by Creations by Mom &Me and were absolutely beautiful. The flowers and the design were unique and something you would not normally see.

Birthdays of the week: Shari Rea (Aug. 9); Kathleen Stang (Aug 9); Stuart Broughton (Aug. 10); Wilbur Turner (Aug. 10); Paula Turner (Aug. 10); Jacquie Kine (Aug. 10); Christine Daley (Aug.10); Cathy Slade (Aug. 12); Willy Burgess (Aug 12); Craig Hostland (Aug. 12); Abby Sones (Aug. 13); Kali Howden (Aug. 13); Rupert Gruen (Aug. 13); Scot Amis (Aug. 14); Randy McBride (Aug. 14); Warren Welters (Aug. 14); Christine Daley (Aug. 15); Emily Hubbard (Aug. 15);

Maxine DeHart is a Kelowna city councilor and local hotelier. Phone her at 250-979-4546 or 250-862-7662, fax 250-860-3173, email maxdehart@telus.net.