Dress for Success hosting open house at new Kelowna location

Dress for Success Kelowna is ready to unveil its shiny new home. The organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence through professional attire, networking and development tools is moving into a bigger location near the Landmark district and Orchard Park Shopping Centre. On Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., community members, partners and supporters will gather for an open house at 1929 Kent Road. 'We've been building toward this moment for some time,' said Lori Stevenson, executive director. 'Our new home gives us the opportunity to expand what we do and deepen our impact.' The new location offers expanded space for career and personal development, workshops, professional styling and community collaborations. 'We're incredibly proud of what this community has helped us build,' said Stevenson. 'But the new space is only part of the story. We have some exciting announcements to make about the future of our organization, and September 16 is the perfect time to share them.' Dress for Success Kelowna has been supported women and gender-diverse individuals across the Okanagan since 2019. It's headquarters was previously located on Cooper Road. Firefighters made quick work of a burning semi trailer on Monday morning east of Kelowna. Emergency crews were called to the Walker Hill brake check at about 6:30 a.m., where the fire forced a brief closure of Highway 33. Joe Rich Fire Rescue crews had the blaze out by about 7:45 a.m. No injuries were reported. A sea cadets corps that has been operating in Kelowna for nearly 100 years is setting its sights on a lofty goal for its centenary. The 93 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Grenville wants to grow its ranks to 100 to celebrate a century of service to the community. It is inviting local youth, ages 12 to 18, to sign up. "Sea cadets offers something for everyone," said SLt James Calder, Commanding Officer of 93 RCSCC Grenville. "Whether a young person wants to get out on the water, build confidence, develop leadership skills, learn valuable certifications or become part of a strong community, sea cadets provides experiences that create lifelong friendships and opportunities for personal growth." Youth who join can learn practical skills while participating in opportunities including band, biathlon, sailing and a variety of leadership and seamanship activities. They also get the chance at deployments with the Canadian Coast Guard and training on Royal Canadian Navy ships and can earn valuable certifications such as the Pleasure Craft Operator Card and VHF Marine Radio Operator Certificate. For example, this summer, Petty Officer 1st Class Hans Raddatz placed third at the BC Summer Games in sailing, while Petty Officer 1st Class Arianna Prive competed at a national regatta in Gimli Manitoba. 93 RCSCC Grenville meets every Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Kelowna Armoury. New members are welcome throughout the year, and interested families can visit a training night to learn more about the program. No prior sailing or music experience is required to participate. For more information, contact SLt Calder at 250-470-8846 or [email protected] Rutland Centennial Park in Kelowna was filled with the sights, sounds and smells of late summer on Sunday. The 6th annual Ghostly Garlic Festival was held in the park for the first time, after five years in Oyama. It attracted plenty of curious locals and rows of vendors, from near and far. 'The response has been unbelievable for our first one here at Rutland Centennial Park,' said festival organizer Frances Callaghan. Among the newcomers was Kathleen Gerwing of Dash For Art , who hand paints wine glasses and other drinking vessels. 'I'm originally from Alberta, and I moved here about six months ago, and I'm just trying to see how the Kelowna markets are doing,' said Gerwing. She was glad to see no sign of rain. 'It turned out to be a beautiful day, Lots of people.' Vendors like Eddie of Love Canadian Garlic near Kamloops and potter Laurel Fredin from Vernon, said business was a bit slower than previous years in Oyama. Fredin suggested it could be because this is the final weekend before kids head back to school, while the event was previously held earlier in the summer. Still, they both welcomed the grassy setting and the sunshine. Garlic festivals have been growing in popularity in recent years as a way to celebrate the end of summer and the abundant harvest of the flavourful and pungent bulb that bridges many cultures. Callaghan recently returned from the 25th anniversary of the South Cariboo Garlic Festival in Lac La Hache, one of the biggest in B.C. 'It just seems to be that everyone waits for the next garlic market,' she said. 'They've got to come out. I think they learn so much about garlic.' Callaghan expects the market to be back in Rutland Centennial Park again next year. With students heading back to class this week, the Kelowna RCMP is urging drivers to slow down and stay alert as school zones come back into effect. Following the Labour Day long weekend, the Kelowna RCMP Road Safety Unit will step up enforcement in and around school zones to help ensure a safe start to the year. "Returning to class is an exciting time for students and families alike, and with it comes an increase in children walking, biking and crossing the street," says Cpl. Steven Lang, RCMP spokesperson. "We are encouraging drivers to slow down, stay alert for increased pedestrian activity and keep their focus on the road, especially near schools." School zones in Kelowna are in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days, with a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h unless otherwise posted. Where a school zone overlaps with a playground zone, the reduced speed limit applies from dawn to dusk, every day of the week. Police are reminding motorists to yield to pedestrians, obey crossing guards and never block crosswalks. Drivers are also asked to stay alert, as children can be unpredictable and may step into the roadway unexpectedly. "Everyone in the community has a role to play in keeping kids safe. Consider leaving extra time for your commute and for school drop-offs and pick-ups, especially during the first week of classes," Cpl. Lang says. Motorists are reminded to watch for school buses and to stop in both directions when red lights are flashing, watching for children boarding, exiting or crossing the street. Fines for speeding in a school zone start at $196 and climb depending on how far over the limit a driver is travelling. A Lower Mainland organization is proposing to build a six-storey rental building in Kelowna's Glenmore neighbourhood that supports seniors, working households and moderate-income residents. New Vista Healthcare Society has submitted a development permit application for the project at 1975 Union Rd., which is on the southeast corner of the Union and Glenmore roads intersection. The plans call for 61 homes, including 39 one-bedroom units, 18 two-bedrooms and four three-bedrooms. There would be 49 parking stalls, 29 of which would be in an underground parkade. There would also be six stalls of short-term bike parking and 123 long-term spaces. New Vista offers what it calls an integrated housing-and-health-care model, which provides stability for seniors seeking to downsize, housing for health-care workers and essential service employees, and community programming that reduces isolation and improves wellness. The application states the project addresses Kelowna's official community plan and housing needs assessment. Okanagan businesses are coming together to help communities hit hard by wildfires this summer, and they are putting out the call for more to get involved. A new initiative called BC Business for the Okanagan has formed to raise money for those affected. Inland Truck & Equipment, Kirmac Collision and Auto Glass, and Lordco Auto Parts donated a total of $50,000 to get the ball rolling. 'When you see families leaving with minutes to spare and people returning to find their homes gone, it's hard to watch from a distance and do nothing,' said Brian Gibson, the founder of Gibson Media Works and the organizer of BC Business for the Okanagan. 'B.C. businesses are deeply connected to the communities where we live and work. We have an opportunity to step up for our neighbours when they need us.' Gibson Media Works has teamed up with Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen, Central Okanagan Foundation and Community Foundation North Okanagan to ensure the funds reach the proper destinations. 'The support of B.C.'s business community will help ensure resources reach people and communities affected by wildfires across the Okanagan,' Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen chief executive officer Aaron McRann said. 'These funds will address immediate needs while supporting the longer-term recovery of residents and community organizations throughout the region.' Businesses and individuals can learn more, join the campaign and donate on the BC Business for the Okanagan website here . Average asking rents in the Central Okanagan were largely unchanged in August. According to Castanet Classifieds data, the average one-bedroom price dropped just $3 to $1,605, while the two-bedroom mark increased just $11 to $2,354. The one-bedroom figure was based on 63 ads, while the two-bedroom price was determined by 98 listings on Castanet. Taking a look at the bigger picture, the Central Okanagan's one-bedroom average asking price is down from last August. In fact, the year-over-year asking price has declined in all eight months of 2026. The picture is a little different in the two-bedroom market. It began the year with five straight decreases in the year-over-year average asking price, but it has since increased in each of the last three months. The average one-bedroom cost a year ago was $1,679, while the two-bedroom mark was $2,332. A local hospitality worker is doing her part to help support wildfire-affected families. Jordan Miller-Laroche, general manager of Leopold's Tavern, has helped organize a raffle featuring more than $3,900 in prizes that have been donated by local businesses. Miller-Laroche wanted to do something to help after watching the toll wildfires have taken on the province in recent years. "After watching the devastation caused by wildfires in our province year after year, I felt a really strong urge to find a way to help this time around," Miller-Laroche said. Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to Mamas for Mamas, an organization that supports local families, including those affected by wildfires. "We've worked with Mamas for Mamas in the past, and knowing the incredible work they do supporting local families, partnering with them felt like a no-brainer," says Miller-Laroche. The raffle runs until noon on Sept. 7, with organizers hoping to draw as much community attention as possible before it closes. For more information or to donate, click here . This week's Kelowna BC SPCA Pet of the week is Eva. Eva is a nine year-old cat who loves snuggling with people and lounging around. She has been with the shelter for a few weeks. If you would like to adopt her you can head down to the Kelowna BC SPCA from Tuesday – Saturday 12:00pm- 4:00pm.