Dynamic Duo
Couple Combines Business for Success
Dynamic Duo
Columbia County’s full-service plumbing company plus home gift shop!
By Dennis McNabb, Contributing Writer & Donovan Darling, Staff Writer
Photos by Hayley Starkey
Northwest Plumbing Services has some great news for August: their awards! They won the 2023 South County Spotlight Readers’ Choice Best Plumber and Silver for Best Gift Shop. For the 2024 awards, Northwest Plumbing Services has been nominated for Best Business and Best Plumber and Sass at Home for Best Customer Service and Best Gift Store. They are also proud to announce the addition of Susannah and Richard as second-generation owners!
Since 1985, David Sass has been in the plumbing trade and was also the youngest journeyman plumber in Oregon at the age of 20. And they do it all! Anything from new construction and remodels, toilet repairs and replacements, leaking pipes, garbage disposal repairs and installations, sump pumps, faucet repairs and replacements, sink installations, water heater repairs and replacements, new fire sprinkler system installations in new homes, water line repairs and replacement. On new construction and remodels, they will work with you and your general contractor on all aspects of plumbing, from the first stages of planning to installing the finish fixtures. Repair projects can include your home, shop or office.
Their retail space, Sass at Home, has allowed them to broaden their inventory and increase their support of local nonprofits
and local businesses. Their retail space is jam-packed with kitchen and bath fixtures and accessories, but also locally-sourced and artisanal items such as soaps, lotions, spices, Durant olive oils, candles, goods from Pendleton and Oregon Hill Farm, HOBO fine leather goods and Lodge Cast Iron. They also carry Derive Jewelry, and a percentage of those sales are donated to Fighting Pretty, a Portland-based nonprofit that helps those battling cancer feel beautiful throughout their fight. Sass at Home also does Shop for a Cause, a monthly event where shoppers get 10% off and that 10% is matched and donated monthly to nonprofits.
In her spare time, Mindy Sass is also president of Merchants’ Toy ‘N Joy Benefit, which hosts a dinner and auction the first Saturday in December at which participants donate to the CRFR Toy ‘n Joy program, Share and Care in Scappoose, Kiwanis Holiday Hope, and Community Action Team for senior meals. She is also on the board of Columbia County Coastal Conservation Association and chairs the annual banquet and fishing derby.
Family-owned and -operated, and providing the best plumbing products and services in the industry, Northwest Plumbing Services and Sass at Home is your one-stop shopping solution in Columbia County.
NW Plumbing Services is located at 58105 Columbia River Highway, Suite B in St. Helens. Come down and check out the plumbing showroom and their sister shop Sass at Home today! Give them a call at 503366-1323 (NW Plumbing Services) or 503-4105197 (Sass at Home), or check out their websites, nwplumbingservices.com and sassathome.com.
Ievents.cff.org/.golfforacure
n the month of August, Mattress World Northwest has teamed up with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the 3rd Annual CFF Golf for a Cure tournament which will be held at Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City, Aug. 19 at 7 a.m. Enjoy an exciting day of golf, contests, beverages and snacks throughout the morning followed by lunch, an auction and the golf award ceremony.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestines. There is no known cure. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is committed to finding that cure, as well as providing those suffering from
the disorder the ability to live long, fulfilling lives through the funding of research, drug development and partnering with the CF community to advance high-quality specialized care. MWNW is gladly donating to this incredible cause, as well as raising awareness and taking donations on the foundation’s behalf. Please help raise funds by donating online or visiting one of their local stores.
Family-owned and -operated, dedicated to providing their customers the best products at the best prices, all while donating to and participating in their local communities, Mattress World Northwest exemplifies the best of what retail businesses have to offer. This proves that not all mattress stores are created equal.
Get a better night’s sleep and help support your local community at the nearest Mattress World Northwest store. They are open every day or you can order online at mattressworldnorthwest.com.
Robin Ekloff Owner
Bloomin’ Good Time
Dahlias Festival a colorful community event
By Kelly Romo, Contributing Writer
Photos by Jen Blair Photography & Natalie Kristeen Photography
Immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of nature at the annual Dahlia Festival hosted by Swan Island Dahlias. This beloved event, featuring over 370 dahlia varieties, transforms the picturesque fields of Canby into a kaleidoscope of color and beauty. From early August to late September, visitors are invited to explore the stunning display gardens, stroll through expansive flower fields and partake in a variety of engaging activities on Wednesdays through Sundays. With free admission, live music, local food carts and a unique gift shop, the Dahlia Festival offers an unforgettable experience for all ages. Join them for a day of floral enchantment, community and joy as you celebrate the splendor of dahlias in full bloom.
Hybridizing new dahlia varieties is a meticulous process at Swan Island. They let bees handle initial cross-pollination and then select seed pods from preferred varieties. Each year, they cultivate 15,000 seedlings,
gradually narrowing them down to five to fifteen new varieties introduced annually. The selection criteria include long stems, flower quality, and uniqueness. With over 370 dahlia varieties on display, festival-goers can discover new favorites. Look out for creatively named varieties like “Petal Faster,” “Tutu Much” and the striking red and yellow “Incrediball.” Each name adds a touch of whimsy to the vibrant blooms.
This year’s festival introduces the new and expanded gift shop that offers a wide range of local goods, from soaps and lotions to cookbooks and canned foods. Visitors can also find unique items
for pets, gardening and babies, making it a specialty shop worth exploring.
Local vendors and musicians play a significant role in the festival, creating a lively atmosphere with carefully selected bands that ensure a diverse and enjoyable experience for weekend visitors. Be sure to check the event calendar for the lineup of bands and food carts during your visit. Plan to spend a few hours exploring to make the most of your time at the festival. Start with the display garden to see all the varieties in one place, then stroll through the fields. The koi pond is a favorite among children and those
who appreciate the beauty of these fish. Enjoy the food carts, live music and gift shop. On weekends, bring a blanket for a relaxing afternoon surrounded by fields of flowers while you listen to music and savor delicious food and drinks.
Swan Island Dahlias ensures
• Free Admission & Free Parking
• Food Trucks
• Live Music on the Weekends
• Fun Classes (Pre-Registration Required)
• Fresh-Cut Flowers
• Newly Renovated Gift Shop Open Year Round
• Hosting ZNA Northwest Koi SHow
• Hosting Canby Dahlia Run
accessibility for all visitors, with ample ADA parking, accessible restrooms and pathways. The level grounds and free entry make it an inviting destination for people of all ages and income levels.
Swan Island Dahlias is more than a farm; it’s where passion, history and community converge in a spectacular celebration of nature’s beauty.
Visit the festival at 995 NW 22nd Ave. in Canby from August through September, open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.. Check the event calendar at www.dahlias.com
to see the lineup of bands and vendors so you can join them and immerse yourself in the vibrant world of dahlias!
