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We took a few minutes this month to chat with East Portland Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month Elizebett Eslinger of SE Works. As the Community Learning Center Coordinator, Elizebett oversees SE Works’ English as a Second Language (ESL) program.  With a lifetime of interacting with English language learners, she intimately understands the challenges of language acquisition and cultural understanding. Additionally, Liz has two bachelor’s degrees in English and political science,  a certification in teaching English as a second language (ESL), and is currently taking courses toward her master’s in public administration.

She currently serves on the chamber board, chairs the event committee, diligently provides the agenda for the weekly Wednesday AMs, and frequently serves as MC for the AMs. Her warm personality, openness and poise have quickly won her the affection of the chamber members and helped her successfully attract significant participation among chamber members in SE Works’ Annual Soup Cook-off and Auction.

1. Your educational background includes a certificate in teaching English as a second language (ESL), which is one of the services that SE Works provides to the people it serves. What drew you to this discipline?

As you may or may not know, I'm the Portland Women's Business Editor for the Examiner.com. I just posted my latest article on How to Write a Bio. Check it out!

Also, if you're a women business owner, let me know if you'd like me to profile me in my Examiner column. Drop me a line at kristin@mixedmediapdx.com or call 503-754-2636.

If you're a male business owner, don't hesitate to check out my column. There are lots of useful tips for you, too!

I attended a luncheon on Monday of a new business group called Portland Business Networking at the Old Spaghetti Factory. I arrived early, so I drove around the South Waterfront district. I'd never been there and was curious about it. It's a strange combination of ghost town solemnity and urban sophistication. Eventually, it will be something really dynamic, I think, but it still seems like a work-in-progress.

I'm planning an outing with my husband, two kids, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and her husband some time during the holidays. One night, we're going to the South Waterfront, eat in the giant train car at the Old Spaghetti Factory, and then take a ride on the Portland Tram for kicks to OHSU. (I've haven't ridden it yet but have heard it's worth a whirl.) Then maybe we'll stop somewhere for a mocha after the tram ride.

I know there's a lot of controversy about the tram, but I like it. I think it gives the city a distinct landmark, like Seattle Space Needle or St. Louis' arch. That, and it looks cool.

I love how pervasive the Simpsons' influence is...

Fiesa Sandcastle Festival

We took a few moments to chat with Ann Sanderson, owner of Odango! Salon, located at 5510 SE Woodstock Blvd.

1. How long has Odango! been in business?

We just celebrated Odango!'s third anniversary. We have been embraced by the community in ways I had never anticipated. Most of our clients live in Woodstock or nearby. In fact, we see many of our clients walking by our salon on the way down to other businesses on Woodstock.

2. What inspired the name Odango!?

Odango is actually a hairstyle. An odango is a regional Japanese name for a dumpling. Sailor Moon, the Japanese anime character, has two little balls of hair on her head that resemble dumplings. Sometimes these types of characters are called "dumpling heads," which sounds much better in Japanese. Odango! just seemed a fun way to reference hair without being obvious.

3. What sets Odango apart from other salons?

Odango! is different because we focus on our clients as real people. We have toys for your kids if they need to come with you. We are respectful of your teenager's need to feel heard. I am more concerned that you feel good about your hair than doing some precision, high-maintenance cut that shows off my skills but doesn't work for you on a daily basis.

4. Do you have a personal philosophy that you attribute to your approach to styling hair?

For me, it's making sure our clients have hair that works in their lives. If someone is a wash and go type of person, we wouldn't talk them into a high-maintenance style. My current motto for hair is "Cut your hair for the way you live," and I really believe that. We also spend a lot of time educating our clients to get the most out of their styles, not to sell product, but so that they feel confident to do it themselves. It's easy for me to make you look great walking out of the salon, but my success comes from you looking great the next day when you do your own hair.

5. What are some hairstyling trends that you've noticed recently?

Hair is short again. The trend started in the past couple of years and now people are just trying out different styles to see what works best for them. This being Portland, people look at trends but feel comfortable choosing their own style whether or not it's "trendy."

5. I have a friend who considers her haircuts a necessity to her consulting business. She believes she needs to look a certain way in order to make the right impression. Do you have any thoughts on this sentiment?

Our hair is definitely an expression of who we are. You can dress up for a fancy party or run around town in a pair of old jeans, but your hair will tell your true style.

6. If you could pick three words to describe the Woodstock neighborhood, what would they be?

I've lived in the Woodstock neighborhood for 16 years. I've watched it change from an older, sedate neighborhood to a younger, more energetic one. So, I would have to go with: Hip, different, connected.