4 minute read
Business Highlight: Creative Reuse
Creative Reuse isn’t located on the sunny side of Capitol Street but it is definitely a bright spot in downtown Vallejo. Sitting on a tree lined street at the bottom of the Capitol Stairs you’ll find a store that embodies the spirit of Vallejo. Owned by Kristen Woods-Ponce, a southern California transplant whose love for photography jumpstarted her career path. Creative Reuse of Vallejo is dedicated to diverting waste away from landfills and into our community’s art projects. They offer recycled art supplies at low cost as well as workshops for all ages.
“After moving here I noticed there wasn’t a place to buy inexpensive craft supplies so I opened a store!” explains Kristen. “I wanted a place where people could come find supplies that were affordable.”
The shelves and walls hold a treasure trove for craft lovers. From colored paper and fabrics, to crochet needles and paint supplies. Kristen’s vision is to make crafting available to everyone. Even a novice artists will find an array of mixed media to create or expand on their projects.
“People can come here to find that thing they need to finish a project,” Kristen shared. “I want to give people access to supplies in an affordable way.”
In Kristen’s store you can buy couple of buttons or a single paint brush. Unlike the chain stores, you don’t have to buy more than you need. Creative Reuse is designed to fit any budget. Kristen believes art shouldn’t be limited by money. As a nonprofit, the store in 100% dependent on donations and they will take almost anything, even dried up markers! Visit www.creativereuse. org for a full list of wants and needs.
Kristen has some workshop ideas and events planned throughout the year. The biggest being her Trash Fashion Show. It will be held on April 23, 2023 which is also Earth Day!
Registration is now open for artists who want to participate. The categories are Trash Fashion, Upcycled clothing, and trash croquis. All ages are welcome to join! Creative Reuse is currently accepting donations for fabric of any kind for the fashion show. More details will follow in the coming weeks on her social media accounts so be sure to follow her for updates.
WONDERING WHAT A CROQUIS IS?
Remember that time in school when you glued cotton balls to Santa’s beard? Like that, but high fashion. Trash croquis are one of the coolest and creative ways to get people involved in the show. Can’t sew a dress made of bubble wrap or turn a broken umbrella into a skirt? No problem. If you have glue and some bottlecaps you can make a croquis!
Art can be something as small as a painted rock or a mosaic on the side of a building. No matter the size, Creative Reuse is bringing art to everyone in our community.
Contact Kristen for a better description of croquis and more information on the Trash Fashion Show.
You can reach Kristen at (707)788-8171 or creativevallejo@gmail.com
Hours vary, please call if you want to schedule a visit or drop off a donation.
FACEBOOK: @creativereusevallejo
INSTAGRAM: @creativereuseofvallejo
WEBSITE: www.creativereuse.org
Thie article was brought to you by the Vallejo Economic Vitality Commission.
#GrowVallejo
On March 24, 2023, the Vallejo Police Department received a call for service regarding a burglary in progress at a business on the 100 block of Lincoln Road West. An alarm monitoring company reported that people were attempting to burglarize the business.
When VPD officers arrived they observed a male and female attempting to break into a secured storage unit with burglar tools. Officers announced their presence and the two thieves tried to flee the area. The male and female were captured and arrested. The couple was transported to county jail for attempted burglary and being in possession of burglary tools.
GREAT JOB VPD OFFICERS!!!
To read more stories about the great work VPD is doing, follow them on Instagram and Facebook!
National Vietnam Veterans Day - March 29, 2023
Wednesday, March 29th was National Vietnam War Veterans Day and this year marked the 50th anniversary of the day that the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.
Yesterday, and all days, we pay special tribute to the 9 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War era, to the 58,000 names memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and to those who never received the recognition they deserved when they returned to America from war.
The Mare Island Historic Park Foundation invites you to the Easter Choral Concert on Saturday, April 8th
WHAT: MIHPF hosts the Cathedral Choir of the Napa Methodist Church for a joyful Easter concert in the historic St. Peter's Chapel.
WHEN: Saturday, April 8th, 3:00-4:00 PM.
WHERE: St. Peter's Chapel, 1181 Walnut Ave, Mare Island.
HOW: Tickets are free and limited. A $10 donation per ticket would be appreciated. All proceeds benefit the St. Peter's Renovation Fund.
FOR DETAILS AND TO RESERVE TICKETS VISIT: http://Easter-Concert.eventbrite.com
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION: The Mare Island Historic Park Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the rich and diverse history of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. For more information, tours, and experiences on the Island, visit mihpf.org.
REMINDER: upcoming Business watch meeting
ATTENTION VALLEJO BUSINESS OWNERS!
We are pleased to announce the restoration of the Vallejo Business Watch program! This program has been inactive since 2016. However, with the increase in safety concerns from our businesses, it was important to bring this program back with a few upgrades that are appropriate for our business climate. The Vallejo Business Watch program is now being coordinated by the Vallejo Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Vallejo, the Vallejo Police Department, and the Vallejo Chambers Alliance.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A CHAMBER MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE.
Goals for this program include creating Business Watch groups throughout the entire city of Vallejo. Groups will be put together based on geographic location.
Once groups are formed, they will have their own meetings to create a phone/email tree, and discuss safety precautions and preventative measures for their areas.
These meetings will also bring together resources for each group; these resources may include the police department, code enforcement, city attorney’s office, and any other resources that may be needed.
If you would like more information, please send an email to: vallejobusinesswatch@gmail.com
Please Include:
• Name of your business
• Business address
• Best Contact
• Phone
They will send out an invitation to a citywide kick-off event and use this email to form the Business Watch groups.
KICK-OFF TOWN HALL MEETING
Thursday, April 6, 2023, 6 pm-8 pm
USA World Classics, 1525 Sonoma Blvd, Vallejo
