Gallos hope jars of infant clothes will fly off the shelf
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

WEARABLE ART-Nicholas, 2, with his mom, Bridgette Gallo, stacks "Pickle'n'Onionz" baby Tshirts packaged in old-fashioned Mason jars.

It's a case of something old is new again for Bridgette and Michael Gallo.

The Gallos will be among about 60 vendors selling their unique wares at the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District's Fall Arts & Crafts Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 9 at Camarillo Community Center.

"I just hope it gets our name out there and gets us some business," new entrepreneur Bridgette Gallo said. "I'm excited about it because it's my first experience. I just hope it goes well and I hope people will like (the products)."

The fair will mark the debut of the Camarillo couple's line of infant and toddler clothes.

A couple of years ago, the Gallos were broadsided by the news that Michael had a rare cancerous tumor on his heart and required surgery. The surgery was successful, but a year later the cancer returned.

He recently underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment and appears to be cancer free, Bridgette said. However, the cancer has left the brawny 37year-old with a collapsed lung, ruling out a return to his construction job or anything that's too strenuous.

So the couple launched Picklez 'N' Onionz last month as a way to make use of Michael's artistic talent.

He draws the vintage-themed designs that are screen-printed on the tiny clothes and Bridgette packs them into Mason jars to be sold. Their three children, who range in age from 2 to 7, are the company's business consultants.

The clothes are priced from $14 to $21. Their line of handknotted blankets and "hankyz"- smaller blankets designed to soothe and comfort babies-cost $26 and $25, respectively.

If the business takes off, Bridgette, who recently graduated from a medical assisting course, could split her time between working on the clothing line at home and part-time work in the medical field.

For information on Picklez 'N' Onionz, call (805) 612-3771.

Food, crafts and fun

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District's Fall arts and crafts fair had been a community staple until it was discontinued in 2003, before recreation supervisor Jeri Armstrong-Letus came aboardShe thinks it was stopped because

he district lost some of its staff.

Armstrong-Letus is in charge of reviving the fair and making it a success again.

"My goal for my department is to really bring back these events to the community," ArmstrongLetus said. "We're trying to go out (there) with a bang."

Fairgoers can browse among the craft and food vendors, see demonstrations by teachers of park district classes and enjoy entertainment and children's activities such as face painting and inflatable jumpers.

Vendors pay between $50 and $80 for a booth at the park. Armstrong-Letus said the fair isn't necessarily a money-maker for the park district.

"We traditionally either break even or lose money," she said.

"The biggest goal of this event is to bring the community together for a common interest."

For information on the Fall Arts & Crafts Fair or for a vendor application, call (805) 482-1996 or visit www.pvrpd.org.