As the anticipation for the October 6th Willamette Valley Event Showcase builds, we quietly remind ourselves that the selection and quality of the vendors at the event reaffirms how great we think it will be. These vendors represent the Willamette Valley and we couldn’t be more proud to be partners with them, including United Way of the Mid Willamette Valley. United Way is an amazing organization that aims to empower children and adults of the Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties by improving financial independence and health.

Established in 1937, United Way focuses on three areas: education, income and health. Seeing the effects of things like bankruptcy, low birth weight and declining percentages of reading proficiency had on people of Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties, United Way aims to alleviate these stresses. By united people and resources, they are able to focus on community building toward a healthier, more financial stable and educated population.

United Way has more than 6,000 individual donors and their 2009 campaign helped raise $2 million. They also have more than 500 volunteers who participate in their annual “Days of Caring.” Additionally, Hands On Mid-Willamette Valley, part of United Way, connects people to volunteer opportunities that directly help the surrounding communities. Hands On MWV helped facilitate more than 4,682 volunteer connections completing 271,850 hours of volunteer work.

If that isn’t sweat equity, we don’t know what is! The amount of work these volunteers put in is simply astounding and truly reaffirms how excited we are to have United Way be part of our Willamette Valley Event Showcase. For more information on United Way and how to get involved, please see below. There are also links to more info on the WVES on October 6 at the Salem Conference Center below.

http://unitedwaymwv.org/volunteer

http://www.bravoevent.com/willamettevalleyevent/

You’ve probably been to a restaurant that has a cute little vase with one or two flowers or some other type of garnish, right? Well, the International Special Events Society- Portland Chapter (ISES) is taking table toppers to a whole new level. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday September 27th, ISES is holding the second annual “Art of the Party” Table Top Competition at the Portland Art Museum.

One of last year's winners- Wish Upon a Wedding

Last year’s event was so popular that it received a write up in Northwest Meetings & Events Magazine and last year’s winners included The Party Place, Wish Upon a Wedding and Peter Corvallis Productions. The guest judges will critique the designs on four categories: Best Use of Theme, Best Use of Alternative Materials, Peoples Choice and Best Overall. Winners will receive a gift certificate to a Portland restaurant, an ISES plaque and serious bragging rights for the next year!

Tickets are $25 for ISES members and $35 for non-members and can be purchased here

Portland experiences highs and lows just like any major metropolitan city and luckily there are groups of dedicated people who help those affected by the hard times. One such group is Potluck in the Park, or PiP, a strictly volunteer run organization that has provided healthy meals to Portland’s homeless population every Sunday for more than 20 years. PiP recently celebrated its 20 year anniversary on August 28th. It all started when Sharon Darcy, the founder of PiP, struck up a conversation with a homeless person and found out that homeless shelters in Portland did not serve meals on Sunday. The next week, Darcy returned with her daughter and served soup to 15 people.

Now PiP is a fully-functioning organization with board members, countless volunteers and a kitchen that they lease to cook all their meals. They rely on monetary donations so they can purchase food from the Oregon Food Bank and Birch Community Gleaners along with donations from church and faith organizations, grocery stores and social services agencies.

No matter the weather, PiP is out in O’Bryant Park in downtown Portland, serving more than 400 people a week. PiP has served more than 12,726 people so far in 2011 and the amount of people that come every Sunday has increased 13 percent since last year. They expect to serve around 28,000 people this year, said PiP Board Member David Utzinger. Utzinger just received the “Spirit of Portland” Humanitarian award from the city of Portland for his tireless efforts helping run the 20-year-old organization.

What once began as a tiny operation run by concerned citizens that struggled to even get enough food for their Sunday meals has now developed into a thriving volunteer-run organization. They now have a kitchen they rent so they can cook healthy, protein packed meals, fresh and frozen vegetables, fruits and desserts. Along with a $50,000 donation from Wal-Mart, PiP is able to steadily provide meals for those less fortunate.

As the obvious increase of homeless people continues in Portland, people like those at PiP represent a part of Portland that cares for others, without any exchange of money.

If you’d like to volunteer for this amazing organization or find out ways you can help, click here

For more than 30 years, West Coast Event Productions has been one of the nation’s top ten event production companies. Serving four locations (Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, Las Vegas, NV, Bend, OR), WCEP continues to create, design and consult despite its recent move to a larger, more expansive 55,000 square foot warehouse where it serves as their design, meeting and sales area. In fact, WCEP celebrated their recent move with an open house on August 30. Joe Garcia of WCEP designed the new riverfront location which features custom wood and steel framed tables, copper lighting fixtures and a canopy-covered Urban Farmer theme.

Inside WCEP's waterfront view from their new warehouse location

WCEP’s approach to designing contemporary and elegant events along with their combined years of expertise in the event planning industry makes them an invaluable resource. WCEP can help with anything from event consultation, event design, event rentals, technical services, event marketing, venue management and weddings. Plus, they have an infinite selection of decor to make sure the finishing touches to your event are fresh and modern.

One of the many gorgeous arrangements WCEP is capable of designing

Click here to see the latest designs from WCEP

This Sunday, September 25th Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents the  “Very Engaging Bridal Show” at Bridgeport Village from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. where more than 30 stores and 80 wedding professionals will be on hand to show you the latest wedding trends and tips. Admission is free, however if you’d like a VIP ticket which includes a light brunch, fashion show and gift bags, they’re available for $20. There will be wedding planners, bridal jewelry, floral arrangements, beauty and spa, photography and much more.

This event is in conjunction with “Brides Against Cancer” where hundreds of discounted designer wedding gowns will be available to purchase. This event is part of the Making Memories- Breast Cancer Foundation and takes place on Saturday September 24th and 25th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free but for $10 you get first dips on the selection of gowns and can start browsing at 9 a.m. However, the $10 tickets are limited to the first 50 brides so buy yours now!

“Brides Against Breast Cancer” helps fund the Breast Cancer Foundation by selling donated designer wedding gowns for a fraction of their original price. More than half the wedding gowns for sale are brand new and directly from the designer, manufacturer and bridal retailers. These gowns will be anywhere from 25 to 75 percent off.

This is also a wonderful opportunity for women to donate their old wedding gowns for an amazing cause. Any wedding gown donations are tax-deductible, too!

For more information please see below:

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Very Engaging Bridal Show”

Sunday September 25th

Bridgeport Village

9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.

Tickets available here: http://veryengaging.eventbrite.com/

Portland Bride & Groom Magazine presents “Brides Against Breast Cancer”

Saturday September 24th & Sunday September 25th

11 a.m.-4 p.m. (both days)

9 a.m. (if you bought $10 early entrance ticket)

Bridgeport Village

Tickets available here: http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/

Patrick Lamb has been part of the Portland music scene for decades, blending his own style of old school funk, jazz, R&B and soul. If you consider yourself a lover of jazz, or simply a live music enthusiast, you can catch Lamb performing at Jimmy Mak’s at 8 p.m. on Saturday October.

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Lamb experienced first-hand the power of jazz and quickly learned the craft, developing a solid career before his late teens. Combining influences from the Pacific Northwest and the deep south, Lamb’s career was set for success when he was invited by Grammy winner Diane Schuur to go on tour.  He’s been the recipient of multiple awards including three Muddy awards and best soloist performance at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, among others. Lamb was also invited to perform at the White House in 1996 and in 1997.

Lamb has also had a successful solo career, releasing five albums and making the award winning “Let The Good Times Roll, A Tribute To Ray Charles.” His last studio album, “Soul of a Free Man” was released in 2007 and features collaborative efforts from singer-songwriter Lee Garrett whose work includes such hits as “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” and “Isn’t She Lovely.”

Inside Jimmy Mak's

Jimmy Mak’s, which has been touted as one of the best places to see live jazz, will be the perfect spot to see Lamb perform. Located in the Pearl District in downtown Portland, Jimmy Mak’s is nationally recognized for being a premiere jazz venue so grab a cocktail and a dance partner and check out Patrick Lamb on October 22. For more information on this event, tickets and Patrick Lamb, please see below.

Patrick Lamb at Jimmy Mak’s (221 NW 10th Ave) at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $15 reserved $12 GA available at: www.ticketsoregon.com

http://www.patricklamb.com/

It’s no secret that Portland is a major hub for marketing, advertising and social media campaigns. Just like the city, the “ad world” is constantly diversifying itself to fit more specific and tailored clients. With the advent of technology, businesses are turning to agencies both big and small to help them with their marketing needs. One such agency is Scene Marketing Group, which was recently featured in an article on OregonLive.com about their success working for the Jupiter Hotel on Burnside Street. By using witty and creative dialogue, Scene Marketing Group was able to create a mascot with a personality. Hard to believe considering that the mascot is a mannequin. If you’ve ever visited the Jupiter Hotel or enjoyed a libation at the adjoining Doug Fir Lounge, then you may have seen Lily the mannequin sitting in the lobby. Not only did Scene Marketing Group help make Lily the sassy and clever icon that both Facebook and Twitter fans have come to recognize but they have incorporated promoting the hotel though ticket giveaways and discount promo codes.

Lily the mannequin lounges in one of the rooms at Jupiter Hotel.

Due to the Scene Marketing Group’s efforts, the Jupiter Hotel has seen tangible results- either increased brand recognition or more sales of hotel rooms. Scene Marketing Group was able to accomplish this through creativity and not just flash and consumers responded positively because they were able to connect to something that had personality, even if Lily can’t actually talk.  This is just a small example of Scene Marketing Group’s success. Since their beginning in 2006, they have become both locally and nationally recognized and worked with a variety of clients, striving to bring personalized care and attention to everyone they work with. As a partner, Bravo! Publications is lucky enough to be involved with a smart and successful group of individuals. If you have a small business and are looking to hire some social media and marketing help, Scene Marketing Group might be the perfect fit for you if you’re looking for more than just the “one-size-fits-all” attitude of larger agencies. Their expertise and size makes them perfect for one-on-one consultation and their passion for imaginative techniques truly make them one of a kind.

Come out for an evening of fun, good food & drink and support a great cause. Indulge 2011 is in it’s third year of supporting the p:ear program.

What:

Indulge at the Jupiter is Portland Eastside Dining and Spirits Festival featuring 15 restaurants, 5 food carts, 7 distilleries, 7 wineries, 4 brewers and plenty more!

When:

September 22nd, 2011 at 5:30pm-9:00pm

Where:

At the Jupiter Hotel: 800 East Burnside Street, Portland, OR 97214.

Why:

Support the p:ear program and pull off one of the best culinary events in Portland. p:ear builds positive relationships with homeless and transitional youth, ages 15 to 24, through education, art and recreation to affirm personal worth and create more meaningful and healthier lives.

Indulge has a ton of great new features this year:

You don’t want to miss out, register now http://indulgeatthejupiter.eventbrite.com/

Wedding season is in full swing and it’s no secret that the Willamette Valley is often times chosen for the ceremony. It’s ideal for many reasons- beautiful rolling hills of endless vineyards, prime weather and multiple resources for planning a wedding. Many brides choose one of the many vineyards in the Willamette Valley due to its scenery, lodging and affordability. One such location is the Domaine Margelle Vineyards, located near Silverton, OR which is perfectly situated near the Cascades and nearby lodging like Oregon Garden Resort. They offer two bridal packages- a One-Day and a Two-Day Weekend and venue pricing starts at $3,000. The Two-Day Weekend Package includes overnight use of the property  for Rehearsal Dinner, wedding plus vacation rental and “La Bastide” for bridal party prep and overnight accommodations. Speaking of, the Domaine Margell Vineyard has tables and chairs for up to 200 people and can accommodate up to 300, plus they only schedule one wedding per day so no one in your party will feel rushed. They feature several property sites to choose from for your event that overlook the gorgeous Willamette Valley. To top it off, Domaine Margelle Vineyards produces their own Estate grown Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris Wines!

With such a beautiful environment, you’ll want to capture every moment of it. A Light in the Attic Creative Media offers both video and photography services and even offers Super 8 MM film to compliment the rustic feel of the vineyards. They offer a wide variety of packages and prices to suit your budget and tastes plus they offer a free consultation.  In 2010 they were voted Best New Vender by Oregon Bride Magazine and they are an approved vendor by The Green Bride Guide.

The people at Willamette Valley Wedding Professionals will help you put together the perfect ceremony, from start to finish. No wedding is exactly the same so each member of their team is selected based on the needs and specifications of the bride and groom. The Willamette Valley Wedding Professional Members include everyone from caterers, DJs, florists, officiants, planners and venues.

JELD-WEN Field is nestled in the heart of downtown Portland, welcoming Timbers fans from all over and serving as a beacon for sports lovers. True to the Oregon spirit, JELD-WEN Field boasts both architecturally unique and sustainable features. Beyond that, it’s simply a fantastic place to watch a professional soccer game. Even if soccer isn’t your sport, it’s hard to deny that the stadium is beautiful.

JELD-WEN Field not only serves as the home of the Portland Timbers but also as a special events facility and on October 5th you can exclusively view the facility and its new amenities like the brand new KeyBank club level restaurant, the D.R. Horton community and meeting room and the 12,600 square foot Widmer Brothers Southern front deck area along with other outside event spaces within the stadium. This will be hosted by JELD-WEN Field’s Special Events Team where there will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Centerplate, tours of the stadium and giveaways. This is an amazing opportunity for event planners to scope out JELD-WEN Field as a possible venue for their next show and experience first-hand the amenities it has to offer. If you would like to attend this event or for more information please see below.

When: Wednesday, October 5th 2011

Where: JELD-WEN Field- KeyBank Club

What: Private Event Space Open House

Special: Complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Centerplate, stadium tours and giveaways

Dress: Business casual

RSVP: Please send RSVP to events@portlandtimbers.com *No later than Friday, September 30th*