The economy may be soft, but Sewbeadazzled store owner Phyllis Martin said her shop on Lincoln Avenue is bucking the trend.

The store, which is coming up on its one-year anniversary during the last week of October, is in expansion mode. Martin is adding classes, and she said her inventory has grown fourfold.

The former traffic-school teacher said, "If someone had told me I would be where I am today and have grown this much, I'd never have imagined it. "

Martin credits the store's first-year success to its unique inventory of beads, which customers can handpick, and to the store's continuous upgrading of merchandise. "We are not just a craft store," she said. "And people come here knowing they can find the best."

Martin also said it's the nature of the store and its homespun feel that her customers enjoy.

"There are times when we can't fit any more people in the store."

Customers come from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii, she said. And she credits the website with attracting interest on a nationwide scale.

Sewbeadazzled is located at 1068 Lincoln Ave. For more information, call 408.293.2232 or visit http://www.sewbeadazzled.com. —Moryt Milo


School fundraising is going the extra mile

Schallenberger Elementary School, 1280 Koch Lane, is holding its annual Walk-A-Thon on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students are seeking donations or pledges per mile. The event's theme is "Feelin' Groovy" and will feature 1960s music, food, face painting and a silent auction.

The money raised will go toward the Schallenberger Home and School Association's fund for enrichment activities including science camp and art programs.

For more information about the event, contact the school at 408.535.6253. —Beth Walker


Equity Office donated its time and services

On Sept. 17 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and lent a hand in the completion of the new 2,000-square foot mezzanine area at InnVision's Georgia Travis Center, 297 Commercial St.

The center is one of InnVision's oldest facilities, which was recently relocated to a larger building that needed major renovation. Equity Office's San Jose Region contributed its expertise and resources to the project.

Individual employees of Equity Office raised $2,000 and Equity Office and its vendors contributed $60,000 in time and in-kind donations for the improvements that included the conference room, offices and essential storage space.

The center will provide vastly improved services including emergency assistance, a child development center, plus food and clothing for homeless women and children. The new center triples the usable space, adding a first-time warehouse for donated goods.

For more information about InnVision, call 408.292.4286.
—Moryt Milo