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THE BEE
COMMUNITY CLASSIFIEDS
THE BEE's "want ads" are called "Community Classifieds".
An important innovation is that classified ads placed in THE BEE may also be available at the special Community Classifieds website, at the HotLink below!
In addition, Community Classifieds now offer the additional service of in-column photographs of vehicles and homes for sale. The photos can not only appear in THE BEE, but on the website as well.
Community Classifieds appear each month in THE BEE, and can also reach up to a half million additional readers by being published in any combination of the 24 other newspapers in the "Community Newspapers" group of Carpenter Media, including the weekly Clackamas Review, Oregon City News, Lake Oswego Review, and West Linn Tidings; the monthly Sherwood Gazette, and Southwest Community Connection; the weekly Gresham Outlook and Portland Tribune; and the other newspapers in the group.
To get information or place your classified ad by phone, here's the number to call: 503/620-7355!
Now, click on the logo directly below, and read the CMG Media online "Community Classifieds"!
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INNER SOUTHEAST PORTLAND'S
BUSINESS NEWS!
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| It was one of the largest crowds for its Annual Meeting – 45 businesspeople showed up for the WCBA annual Board Election – and, as it turned out, feast: 13 businesses provided plenty of food for those attending to make themselves a satisfying buffet dinner. The WCBA meets monthly, and welcomes everyone interested to attend their second-Wednesday-evening meetings at 6 p.m. (Photo by David F. Ashton) |
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Woodstock-area business association builds Board at annual meeting
By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE
Judging by the large turnout and the enthusiasm shown by those coming to the Woodstock Community Business Association (WCBA) Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, February 12, it appears that this organization’s trajectory is upward bound.
According to WCBA Treasurer Karen Montez, who joined their Board of Directors last June, 40 people signed up for the event held in the Woodstock KeyBank branch, and a total of 45 businesspeople attended.
On the way into the meeting, guests were invited to partake in what was promoted as “light hors d’oeuvres” – but turned out to be a full smorgasbord supper.
The bank’s conference room table and sideboards were laden with dishes and beverages provided by Otto’s Sausage Kitchen & Meat Market, Pizza Roma, Viking Soul Food, Laughing Planet, Grand Central Bakery, 7-Eleven, Safeway, Double Mountain Woodstock Taproom, Woodstock Wine & Deli, Mehri’s Bakery & Cafe, and restaurants Ate-Oh-Ate, and Toast.
After all the noshing and networking, WCBA President Chris Love of John L. Scott Real Estate called the meeting to order. In his remarks, Love noted that the WCBA serves both Woodstock businesses, and also the businesses in the Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood.
Door prize drawings were interspersed between updates from WCBA Community Partners, including the Woodstock Neighborhood Association, the Woodstock Farmers Market, the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association, the Lane Middle School PTA, the Woodstock Branch Library, and Woodstock Elementary School.
WCBA Board of Director members reelected to serve another two-year term were Nancy Chapin, Thad Davis, Christopher Love, and Megan Walhood – and voted onto the Board for the first time were Michelle Maida and Mike Smith. Representatives of nonprofits with a voting seat on the Board include Catie Tam, representing the Woodstock Neighborhood Association; Kelly Fischer, for the Woodstock Farmers Market; and Jake Patoski of the Brentwood-Darlington Neighborhood Association,.
“Susan Williams and Patricia Souza of KeyBank were so helpful in making this meeting a success by visiting and inviting people at many of the Woodstock businesses, as well as hosting the meeting,” commended Montez to THE BEE after the meeting. “Along with our other committee members, Bobbi Jo and Scott Allen of Toast, we were very pleased to see so many business people and neighbors come and participate!
“If you can, please mention our generous raffle donors,” Montez added. They were: Transformation Hair Salon; Woodstock Ace Hardware; Papa Murphy’s Pizza; Red Fox Vintage; Woodstock Liquor; Surf’s Pup Doggy Lounge; Frost Integrated Pest Management; Woodstock Pilates; Joanna Dorchuck, Attorney at Law; Bai Mint restaurant; Cloud City Ice Cream; Mehri’s Bakery & Café; and restaurants Toast, and Viking Soul Food.
Learn more about the WCBA by visiting their soon-to-be-updated website – http://www.woodstockbiz.com
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| Owner Gregg Fujino showed off a large bottle of Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne at his 39th Anniversary wine-tasting party at Woodstock Wine and Deli. (Photo by David F. Ashton) |
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‘39th Anniversary Celebration’ at Woodstock Wine & Deli
By DAVID F. ASHTON
For THE BEE
More than 100 revelers gathered at Woodstock Wine & Deli on the evening of December 7th for a 39th Anniversary Wine Tasting that was just getting underway.
Woodstock Wine and Deli, at S.E. 41st and Woodstock Boulevard, is as close as you’ll find in the Woodstock neighborhood to a universal community meeting place. Genial owner Gregg Fujino welcomes everyone, and seemingly has no problem with various community groups showing up and having their meeting there without notice. He’s also known for his championship barbequing prowess, and occasionally holds regional competitions in his parking lot.
At that December anniversary celebration, guests could taste more than 40 selections of wine from the vast assortment lining his walls – as well as partake in Champagne and caviar, and nosh on cured pork.
“We had the ‘Grand Opening’ of our business in the summer of 1985,” recalled owner Fujino. “In 1986 we hosted our first ‘Anniversary Celebration’ to commemorate the fact we ’d made it – we were still in business after one full first year!” he told THE BEE.
“At our first ‘Anniversary Celebration’, we poured wines and served Mom-made sushi and teriyaki chicken as a way to give something back to the customers, most of whom were from the Woodstock community – to show our sincere appreciation for their support of our family business,” Fujino recalled.
“Over the years our deli has become sort of the ‘Cheers’-like establishment of the neighborhood,” observed Fujino. “We’ve hosted birthday parties for kids – who have grown up, and now they bring their own kids to the Deli. Reed College graduates coming back to school reunions stop by to reminisce about their college days.
“It’s great having hosted the 90th marriage anniversary of long-time customers, and wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions for newlyweds, as well as retirements of teachers from Lewis and Grout schools – and, sadly, ‘Celebration of Life’ gatherings for those we have lost.
“The best part of our anniversary celebration this year was seeing many of our long-time customers, and meeting new ones, too – all gathering here again after the pandemic,” Fujino reflected. “We’re already looking forward to December 6th, 2025, for our ‘40th Anniversary Celebration’ at Woodstock Wine & Deli.”
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| Working inside her 16-foot 1968 Aladdin trailer on S.E. Milwaukie Avenue in Brooklyn, seamstress Jennifer Faust has branched out from alterations into the world of clothing design. Her latest creations can be made to order, in a variety of sizes. (Photo by Paige Wallace) |
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Sabbatical sparks creativity for Brooklyn seamstress
By PAIGE WALLACE
For THE BEE
A popular Brooklyn neighborhood seamstress recently put her business on pause to explore a creative passion project. Over the last few months she’s designed a limited line of cozy, casual, vintage-inspired clothing.
“I want people to feel like they've never worn anything as comfortable, in their whole life,” explained Jennifer Faust, owner of “Aladdin Alterations & Design”. She works out of her 1968 Aladdin trailer at 4325 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue.
She normally spends her days doing alterations for local customers. But in late December, she put up a sign on the trailer door, telling customers she was taking a break from alterations until March 1.
“I was just, like, ‘I want to take a couple months off and play with my vintage fabrics’.”
She’s been collecting that material for 30 years, mostly from estate sales, then storing it in a set of repurposed gym lockers, and a room that once was her home’s sauna. Faust said she gravitates toward prints that have some humor to them. “Things that scream ’70s,” she laughed.
After earning her college degree in clothing design, Faust worked in the field for more than a decade. Those skills, combined with the time she set aside over these last few months to let her mind play, led her to design six new garments. These include a motorcycle jacket, a jumpsuit, boy shorts, menswear suit, and two women’s pullover tops. Almost all of the items are made from the same fleecy material as a typical sweatshirt.
“They are so cozy,” she said of the prototypes. “You can throw them right into the washing machine. Plus, there is stretch to these garments, so they fit a lot of different body types.”
Her process includes creating a pattern for each garment, then grading the pattern into larger and smaller sizes. This way she can sew an item to order, based on the client’s unique body size and shape. She will have a swatches of material that customers can choose from, mostly in solid colors but in some fun prints as well. All of the fabrics will be stretchy, which helps with the fit and comfort of the final product.
Faust’s longtime partner owns the prototype of the most unusual piece in her new collection. It’s a three-piece menswear suit consisting of a vest, blazer, and sweatpants. “I've seen how much he wears it, and how much he beats it up, and how great it is. He loved it so much I wanted to make more.”
Faust is drawn to that kind of versatility. She wants her designs to be comfy, fun, and infinitely wearable. If it has a retro vibe, even better. “In my dream world, I would specifically work on vintage, because I’m a vintage nut,” she said, as she showed off her collection ranging from bright 1970s prints to handmade 1940s lace.
“But I have to start with something that's going to be more universal, something that people can wear a lot and not treat it too preciously. So that's what I'm trying to create – and I’m having so much fun doing this!”
Despite the sabbatical, Aladdin Alterations & Design turns its profit on everyday repairs and adjustments – seams, zippers, and hemlines. After this creative break, however, Faust is looking to keep doing the practical while now working in more time for play.
“How can I do this while doing the alterations, right? Maybe do a trunk show. Maybe do appointments, where these garments are made to order for people,” she explained. Meanwhile she’s still designing, and hopes to add additional garments to this new line. She mused that it would be great to find a retail space where she could sell her products.
Faust has lived in this part of Southeast Portland since 2005, and started Aladdin Alterations & Design in 2016. She credits neighbors for keeping her business brisk. “I love Brooklyn,” she said. “It’s the people, of course. We watch out for each other.”
Anyone interested in purchasing her bespoke clothing is encouraged to follow and reach out to Aladdin Alterations & Design on social media. Or just find her trailer on Milwaukie Avenue and stop by.
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| Here’s Sellwood author Holly Stern in a reading of her latest book, at Sellwood Community House. The book is based on her life with Theo, a young black cat that she adopted from the Oregon Humane Society. (Courtesy of Kelly Keegan) |
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Sellwood author’s cat stars in new book
By RITA A. LEONARD
For THE BEE
Sellwood author Holly Stern introduced her latest book with an author reading and book-signing on Saturday afternoon, February 8, at Sellwood Community House.
Stern recalls that when she met her cat Theo at the Oregon Humane Society, it was love at first sight. As the humorous book recounts, it was only when he went home with her that he realized he had his work cut out for him: While her previous cats had been female, mature, and free range, Theo was a one-year-old male who soon discovered (much to his dismay) that he was destined to become “indoor only” – so, serious training of his new human was in order.
When Theo the Cat came to live with Stern early in the pandemic shutdown, he had no idea a literary career was in his future. However, noticing how poorly humans were at coping, he decided to share his opinions about the world. With Stern taking dictation, Volume 1 of his Cat-a-Blog is the result. In Theo's words, “It’s all about me. (Well, duh! Isn't everything?)”
This is Stern's second book. Her first, “Small Triumphs: Lessons in Alzheimer’s and Love”, is an offering of companionship for those caring for a person with dementia. Both books are profit-shares; Small Triumphs donates to the Alzheimer's Association, and Theo's Cat-a-Blog, to animal rescue organizations.
The books are both available at Wallace Books, 7241 S.E. Milwaukie Avenue in Westmoreland; through Amazon; and directly from the author, whom you can email at – chateaurex23@gmail.com. She is now working with Theo on a sequel.
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“American at Heart” store in Sellwood closes: The Facebook page of the longtime American at Heart store in Sellwood announced around New Year’s that “Joan Blomberg [its owner] has been having some health issues in the past few months, and the store – at the corner of S.E. 13th and Tenino Street – has not been open since December 22nd.” A reader, Chris Norman, in early February called the attention of THE BEE to the post, which went on: “Joan and American at Heart have been a unique fixture in Sellwood for over 40 years, and we know customers and neighbors are concerned. Mom is resting and has been trying to recover. But on January 30th, she decided to retire and sell the remaining inventory in the store. We are going to make this a farewell sale, so Joan can say goodbye to all her loyal customers these past 40+ years. We will start with 40% off all merchandise. Hours will be 9 a.m.-3 p.m., cash and credit cards only. All sales are final and must be removed the same day. We are going to try and make this a fun sale for you and her.” The sale was to begin in early February and to continue until the inventory is liquidated, so it may or may not still be in progress when you receive this issue of THE BEE – but you might want to check.
Reed College given prestigious designation: Reed College reports that it has been designated a “Research College” under the new Carnegie Classification methodology, established by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation. The new designation provides a more accurate portrayal of the research conducted at Reed College, in the opinion of the college. Previously, the methodology designated schools by the highest degree given, which did not allow colleges that largely serve undergraduate students to highlight the robust research being conducted on campus. “This designation better reflects the accomplishments of our faculty, students, and staff in advancing knowledge, innovation, and discovery,” said Reed College President Audrey Bilger. “We are happy to see this updated approach accurately noting the rigorous research being conducted on our campus that, alongside our excellence in teaching, will help address the challenges of tomorrow.” Reed College had $6.75 million in research expenditures in fiscal year 2023, well above the $2.5 million minimum needed to be designated a Research College or University.
“Collage” owners closing Westmoreland store: The owners of the “Collage” store just west of Starbucks on S.E. Bybee Boulevard in Westmoreland have decided it’s time to start thinking of retiring, and announce they are closing the store; their other local stores will remain open for the time being. There will be a brief sale to clear the Westmoreland store’s merchandise in early March; if you’re interested, visiting sooner would be better than later.
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