The Nines – downtown Portland

One of the many lounge/bar areas.


View of Pioneer Square from the 10th floor.


The restaurant/bar Urban Farmer.



Luckily, when the weather starts to make you feel like a shut-in, we have amazing places to escape. We were lucky enough to get to stay a the Nines, in downtown Portland. The beautifully decorated and managed hotel spoke to our designer minds and inspired creativity. I definitely recommend at least having a glass of wine in the bar or shooting pool in the library inspired pool room complete with an antler chandelier.

First Holiday Swag of the Season

Our client, Logo Products, brought us some holiday cheer. We got their newly released collectible airplane featuring our favorite team - the Ducks.

What makes this plane so special? Each wing is signed by UO Football coach Mike Bellotti and UO Basketball coach Erine Kent. Sweet!

Kiva

As we are challenged by a struggling economy, we feel it is important to support individuals through organizations like Kiva. Kiva is a non-profit organization connecting people around the globe in an effort to eradicate poverty. Alejandrina lives in a small town near Lake Titicaca in Peru. In order to support her family, she has been traveling to areas without phone service and charging a small amount for people to use her cell phone. With the loan, she is hoping to buy a second cell phone to increase her business and the communications in the area. Having traveled extensively through the remote areas of Peru, including where Alejandrina lives, I know how important it is to have this essential tool. The people I met in these areas work extremely hard in very difficult conditions. It is exciting for us to be able to help Alejandrina achieve her goals.

Yoga for kids

Our colleague and friend, Allyson Copacino, believes yoga can benefit anyone, especially kids. She has been implementing a yoga curriculum into Portland schools. Here she is teaching kids at South West Charter School. To learn more about Allyson and Move Yoga Studio, go to www.moveyogastudio.com.

Let it snow!

As we watch the snow fall all around our office, we can't help but be giddy with excitement. Sure, our cars have been parked for over a week. Somehow we still made it to work. Here's to alternative transportation and a sustainable future. Thanks snow!