Gala for the Gulf

Two young adults who grew up in West Linn are throwing a benefit bash for out-of-work Louisiana fishermen

By Linda Hundhammer

The West Linn Tidings, Jul 29, 2010

Jess Putterman is organizing a Gulf Coast Benefit at Disjecta on Sunday, Aug. 1. All funds from the event will go to the Greater New Orleans Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund to help out-of-work fisherman in New Orleans.

STAFF PHOTO / VERN UYETAKE / west linn tidings

All of America has agonized over the oil spill in the Gulf. We have seen the oil-covered pelicans, spoiled wetlands and the out-of work fishermen: It has broken our collective hearts.

But two West Linn alums, Jess and Drew Putterman, decided it was time to stop sighing in front of the nightly news and actually do something about it.

“It started as a backyard barbecue,” said Jess, 26, West Linn High School class of 2002. “My brother, Drew (25, WLHS class of 2003) and I thought we’d have some friends over to our house in Portland and raise some money. In no time we had a monster on our hands.”

The Oregon Bartenders Guild, local chefs, and local musicians all jumped on board to help the Puttermans put together what is going to be one heck of a party: The Gulf Coast Benefit scheduled for Aug. 1 at Disjecta, 8371 N. Interstate Ave. in Portland.

Tickets are $40 – for food, drinks and music – and all proceeds go to the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund to support of out-of-work fishermen and their families.

“Both my brother and I are bartenders. I work at Noble Rot, and Drew works at Gruner’s. The food service industry is a family – we are all really tight. I started asking around and everyone wanted to help,” Jess said.

Anthony Walton, chef at Beaker & Flask (Willamette Week’s Restaurant of the Year in 2009), and Adam Higgs of Acadia, Portland’s well-known New Orleans Bistro are managing the food for the soiree.

“We’ll be offering a seafood boil and Creole food, plus killer cocktails mixed by members of the Oregon’s Bartender’s Guild,” Jess said.

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