To see a video of the highlights of this event, click the following link:  PCS at the Bradleys

Its that time of the year again, Schoolhouse Supplies drive to provide a year’s supply of necessities for kids whose families are struggling to keep a roof over their head and food on the table.  Every year, local Portland businesses sponsors a Portland city grade school and not only donates money but also their time to pack backpacks with the year’s school supplies and distribute these packs to the children on the first day of school.

Each year these business compete as to which teams can pack their backpacks in the fastest time.  I  have had the pleasure of photographing Webtrends that past couple year’s in their quest to be top dog.  This year, they made a respectable time of under 3 minutes.  Jim vowed to bring the whole IT department next year in order to win the top spot!  Stay tuned…

Click on the following link to view the video:  Webtrends for Tools for Schools

What I’d like to know is why there is no ice cream being handed out at the finish line for the adult race?!  Kids get all the fun!

This year’s Race for Justice is Saturday, JUNE 19th.  Click here for more information.  It is easy this year to register and ask for pledges online!  Hopefully I’ll see you there!

SALC helps bridge the gap for families who do not qualify for Legal Aid and can not afford to hire a private attorney. As a result of the legal representation that SALC provides, families have increased financial security, stay off of welfare and are overall more productive members of our society. And more children also grow up in positive and safe environments as a result of SALC’s intervention.

This slide show is from the November 11 dinners:

- Bergstrӧm Wines and Evening Land Vineyards at The Heathman Restaurant

- Sokol Blosser Winery at El Gaucho Portland

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is my fifth “adventure” in covering these Winemakers Dinners. With each event I get the pleasure of reconnecting with winemakers and chefs from previous events and meeting new and exciting talent!

I reconnected with the charismatic and always entertaining Josh Bergström and his beautiful wife, Caroline of Bergström Wines.  Making its debut is Evening Land Vineyards with their petite and enchanting winemaker, Isabelle Meunier.  Wines from both winemakers were paired beautifully with dishes artfully presented and created by Chef Andrew Biggs and his staff.  As I overheard one guest saying that one will never be disappointed when dining at The Heathman!  To view more images from this dinner, click the following link:  09 CWA-Heathman

My second stop brought me to my first visit to El Gaucho located at the base of The Benson Hotel.  El Gaucho does nothing but impress with impeccable customer service.  Maitre d’ Sherwood Dudley greets you with the warmest smile and handshake leaving you feeling like a long lost friend.  With a full house on a Wednesday evening, Chef Alex Parsons runs the kitchen like a Swiss watch – extreme precision.   This dinner took place in El Gaucho’s intimate Vintage Room, where their wine selection would make any vinophile drool like a kid in a candy store.  Alex Sokol Blosser was every bit as charming and gracious as his handsome demeanor.  To view images from this dinner, please click on this link: 09 CWA-El Gaucho

So why is this also categorized as “Techie Talk?”  I’ve been playing with setting up directional lighting to give dimension and interests to my images.  This is the first time using it in an “event” situation.  Usually these dinners take place in low light situations so this would be a perfect time to practice.  I have to say it was a little more challenging to move lighting as I moved to grab different angles, adjusting power levels from the various light sources on the fly, and adjusting settings on my camera.  I do like the way that they turned out and this was one of my favorites from this event that illustrates this “directional” lighting technique .

This is one of Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon (WEO) networking events. Participants formed teams and went on a scavenger hunt through the complex testing their McMenamin’s Edgefield knowledge or just their sense of direction.

These are fun events and a great way to meet new women in business to get connected, inspired and re-energized!

Want to see more? Click here: 09_SALC

Were you a participant in this event? Find your image in the 09_SALC album on my Facebook page and tag and share the image with your friends and family!