Pemco in the Northwest

It stands upwards of 14 feet tall and is covered head-to-toe in a thick, mangy mane of hair. Its origins have been traced back over 10,000 years to the far away lands of Asia but no one can say for certain whether or not it exists. Yet, it has found a way to solidify itself in cultures all over the world - and depending on where you're from it's called the Yeti, Sasquatch, Bigfoot, Skunk Ape or any other number of endearing terms.

This Thursday, Steven and I headed south to Tacoma for the "Giants in the Mountains" exhibit at the Washington State History Museum. Amidst its dimly lit hallways and corridors, one can find all sorts of evidence to prove the existence of this elusive and seldom-seen giant. The exhibit features foot castings, native artwork, skull recreations and the world famous Patterson-Gimlin film.

However, despite all the uncertainty surrounding this almost-mythical creature, people here in the Northwest really do know their stuff. While we were at the entrance to the museum with our Sasquatch trivia prize wheel we met Amy from Tacoma.

Amy went a perfect five for five on the trivia wheel and even nailed down the ancient ancestor to our modern day nomad: Gigantopithecus. Try to say that five times fast!

"I've seen an episode or two of Monster Quest," she said. Sure thing Amy, whatever you say.

Amy shows off her new "Desperately Seeking Sasquatch" t-shirt with her Bigfoot-believing friends.

But Amy isn't the only believer. Check out this data we gathered from visitors of the museum regarding the existence of our too-tall, too-furry friend.

- 77% of visitors believe that Sasquatch does exist
- 17% of visitors have seen or know someone who has seen a living Sasquatch
- 43% of visitors prefer to call the creature "Bigfoot"

Let's just say you don't want to run into Sasquatch on your next camping trip.

Well if you missed us on our hunt for Sasquatch, just be sure to keep your eyes peeled. After all he's been sighted in all 50 states! But if you grow weary of chasing "Giants in the Mountains," you can kick off your shoes, adorn your flower power buttons and come down to the Fremont Fair this Saturday and Sunday. We'll be there with our trivia prize wheel yet again. Who knows, we might even see a Skunk Ape or two.

Will Seattle have the chance to host the World Cup some day? It was the talk of the town at this week's Sounders FC match. Will I-5 traffic come to a standstill with so many football fans in the Northwest? Will the new light rail be completed in time? Where will our international guests stay? What if it rains? Do we have that many blue tarps?

There are a lot questions to address before that happens but one thing is for sure - Sounders FC fans are already World Cup worthy.

On Thursday, Sounders FC fans gave their full 90 right up to the World Cup break as our local lads took on D.C. United at Qwest Field. Safely anchored to our big green WALLY1 van, Danielle, Peter and I snapped souvenir photos as World Cup fervor swept "I Know I Am, I'm Sure I Am Sounders FC Fans" into Qwest Field for the last chance to cheer for the team until July 11. They made the most of it as the roaring blue and green roused spectacular back-to-back goals in the last minutes of the game.

Check out these photos of Sounders FC fans who came to see us before settling in for a month of flag-waving, DVR-programming, caffeine-drinking World Cup fun:

Meet four generations of the most dedicated Sounders fans around: great-grandmother, Patricia; grandmother, Dixie; daughter, Ryan; and her niece, Divinity. Not a match goes by without this spirited quadruplet in attendance and they have the photos to prove it!

Fanatical facial hair will always have a place at Sounders matches. Here's Don with a look that's been four years in the making.

Caffeine can be a Sounders FC fan's best friend!

Keep Old Glory looking its best and brightest for the World Cup by stopping by PEMCO's main Seattle office this Monday, June 14, for our Flag Day Ceremony and free flag exchange with the American Legion Post 1. Go USA!

The sound of glasses toasting, the smell of exquisite local cuisine wafting through the air, and the taste of hundreds of varieties of the best wine our region has to offer were all a part of the experience last Sunday at Taste Washington in Spokane.

Regular people became walking NW Profiles as they made their way through Taste Washington, sampling many different wines and turning into "Walla Walla Wine Wine Women Women" (and Men Men).  The popular event was held at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane, squeezing at least 25 local restaurants, 100 Washington wineries and over 500 ticketholders into the fabulous hotel's main ballrooms.

While hundreds of people were sampling, tasting and mingling, we were pretty busy at the PEMCO booth creating and designing wine charms for all the guests.  As people stopped by our booth they were able to choose beads and charms to adorn and distinguish their glasses.  These unique wine charms proved to be quite the hit, considering everyone was given the same wine glass at the door and confusing them with someone else's was almost inevitable. 

The Davenport was an excellent setting for a fantastic evening of wine sampling.

When we were crafting away, Cheryl stopped by our booth, and while designing her own charms we got to talking.  Cheryl and her husband are the owners of Skylite Cellars in Walla Walla and have been in the business now for over 10 years.  Cheryl told us that she loves the wine industry and is finally doing what she is most passionate about.  Talk about the definition of a "Walla Walla Wine Wine Woman Woman!" 

I also had the pleasure of speaking with Cynthia, the executive director of Woodinville Wine Country, which contains over 60 wineries itself.  This non-profit which was founded in 2002, aims to create fine wines, but also to educate the community and drive tourism in the area.  Having moved from California, Cynthia said she has found everything she was looking for and more in Washington.  "I have a wonderful family, and a great career that keeps me extremely busy, allows me to love what I do, and sends me to wonderful events such as Taste Washington in Spokane," she explained.

Cynthia shows off what Woodinville Wine Country has to offer.

Though the event flew by fast, I am certain that its effects will last.  It seemed as if almost every attendant left the Davenport Sunday night with names and numbers of local wineries, full bellies, and of course, PEMCO wine charms. 

We certainly do live the "charmed" life so we'll see you again this Thursday as the Sounders square-off against D.C. United.

It requires mental fortitude, physical stamina, group cohesion, and most importantly a clever team name.

For over 40 years the Ski to Sea relay has been sending "NW Male and Female Action Figures" scrambling 90 miles from the slopes of Mt. Baker to the Puget Sound. Through mud, snow, rivers and winding mountain roads, the scenic route showcases the diverse assembly of recreational activities in the Northwest. This past Sunday, Peter, Danielle and I drove the WALLY1 van to the village of Fairhaven on the edge of Bellingham Bay to celebrate the finish of the epic race at Marine Park

Throughout the afternoon, neoprene racers, doing their best to represent the accumulated exhaustion of their teammates, beached their kayaks and sprinted up the shore to ring the finish bell. We had a chance to meet a few of the ruddy-cheeked adventurers, like Anna and Brad, who stopped for a photo at our Northwest Profiles Photo Program. Anna roped Brad into paddling the kayak section for their team, The Hustle, just two days prior. "He was the only one with kayaking experience," Anna said. "Yeah, but I've only kayaked twice," Brad quipped.

With team names like Nooksackulous, Grub's Pain Brigade, and Solar Powered Chainsaw, the distinctive flair of the Northwest was on full display at Ski to Sea.

See for yourself in our favorite photos from the event:

Craig, from Tri-Cities, wants to start the Ski to Sea's first recumbent bike leg.

"There's just enough mud on the course to make you look good. It only takes a little," says Rob from team Nitro Paced.

Tom, Captain of team Grub's Pain Brigade, had this to say about group cohesion: "Just make sure you're not in the bathroom when the other guy shows up."

Anna, posing with Brad, braved a pack of 464 cross-country skiers in the crowded race start. Yikes, that's 928 ski poles!

Relentless recyclers lent their artistic vision to one-of-a-kind trophies made from recycled sports equipment. The trophies were given to the top finishers in each leg of the race.

Look for us next on June 4th as we join Stan McNaughton, President and CEO of PEMCO Insurance, at Relay for Life in Arlington.

Billowing winds raced through the Qwest Field alley and menacing rain clouds threatened to open their floodgates over downtown Seattle as thousands of people made their way towards the stadium.  Dressed from head to toe in bright green and electricity yellow, the Sounders FC fans came ready for anything, even if that meant wind, rain or plunging temperatures.

On Wednesday night, the Sounders FC took on Boca Juniors of Argentina for an international friendly match. Peter, Steven and I braved the wind and joined over 40,000 fans to support our home team.  Though the conditions were not optimal, Sounders fans proved that, rain or shine, their loyalty and dedication will always remain.

True to the "friendly match" theme, Seattle's finest Sounders fans showed up at our booth to get their photos taken with smiles on their faces and pleasant attitudes to match.  While mingling with the gregarious fans, we ran into Jimmy, Romero and Jessica of Yakima who made the trek through the mountains to cheer on their favorite sports team.  "We don't get over here often, but when we do, we have to go all out," Romero said, sporting his Sounders jersey proudly and ignoring the goose bumps rising on his bare arms. 

Jimmy, Romero and Jessica traveled all the way from Yakima and were rewarded with a Sounders victory

Sounders matches always bring out a colorful crowd!

Later in the evening, we also spoke with some friendly coaches from Bothell who were having a guys' night out as a final farewell to one of their fellow coaches who is leaving the Northwest for a job opportunity in Dallas.  Though the guys may have to say goodbye to their friend in a few days, we informed them that our new PEMCO "Overly Fanatical Sounders FC Fan" contest could send them to Houston to meet their friend for the last Sounders match of the season. Talk about a reunion!

These Bothell residents chose an excellent farewell match for their friend

Even though Wednesday's match was dubbed a "friendly" and doesn't count against either team's record, the Sounders fans came out in full force.  With positive attitudes, friendly faces, and booming voices, they cheered their home team to a 3-0 victory over the visiting Boca Juniors.
 
If the harsh weather conditions kept you inside on Wednesday night, you can catch us at this weekend's Ski to Sea event in Bellingham.  Don't forget to pack your smiles - along with your raincoats.

They came in all shapes and sizes and wore everything from rave green scarves to customized jerseys. They covered themselves in face paint and cheered on the Sounders FC with homemade pom-poms. Adorned in their brightest green, these soccer fans were ready to will their team to victory, ole indeed.

This Saturday, Brad, Steven and I all headed down to Qwest Field as the Sounders FC took on the San Jose Earthquakes. Despite the Emerald City's best efforts, Seattle's fans were dealt another loss. However, not all success is measured on the scoreboard.

As we were snapping souvenir photos and mingling with Seattle's brightest and least disheartened fans, we came across a family that is replacing their writing on the wall with photos.

Meet Lisa, Thor and Kallista: Like any family with multiple children, the tallest sibling usually holds the bragging rights. Many families mark their height progress by writing on the wall, but Lisa, Thor and Kallista don't want to ruin the family's favorite doorframe. So instead, they use their Sounders match-day photos to track their progress. Talk about measuring success and growth!

Lisa, Thor and Kallista could not contain their excitement before the match.

The weather was ideal, but these little guys came prepared for the elements.

Many fans sported the new Sounders uniform that will make its debut against Boca Juniors on Wednesday.

If you missed us at the Sounders match, don't worry; we'll be back again this Wednesday as the local squad takes on Boca Juniors. And if that's not enough we'll be up north for the annual Ski to Sea race in Bellingham this upcoming weekend. In the mean time, hold tight Seattle sports fans. I'm sure the caffeine from all those lattés will be kicking in soon.

Waterproof rain-booties? Check. Panniers and padded spandex? Check. Miles of heart-pumping cardio ahead? Check. Leave the lattes to the I-5 crowd; these commuters wakeup with a cup of Burke Gilman Trail!

Washington was just named the most bicycle-friendly state in the country, and on Friday the devoted community that made it possible hit the road for Bike to Work Day 2010. With commitment shining in their highlighter yellow vests, families, professionals and the mayor himself, pedaled through Seattle streets during the culminating event of Bike Month.

Peter and I met these wheeled enthusiasts at the Fremont Bike to Work Commute Station, where riders visiting the PEMCO booth were able to get their photograph on a cyclist emergency ID card. During their brief stop, commuters shared with us the joys and hazards of human powered travel. Les, a Ballard resident, shared with us a practical benefit of cycling. "It makes you more aware of things close by," he says, "It's even improved my defensive driving."

We even met an inspiring "NW Male Action Figure" from Sand Point named Bob. He has been pedaling 12-miles to work for 25 years, even after celebrating his 71st birthday. With a shrug he commented, "I used to run my morning commute to get in shape for marathons. Biking is easier on my joints these days."

Bob and his wife, Evette, truly enjoy their morning commute.

"Many feet make light work" is the motto of these mother-daughter duos.

There is an old adage that says, "Kindness begets kindness." Judging from the friendly faces we met on Bike to Work Day 2010, Washington's bicycle-friendly status is here to stay.