Pemco in the Northwest

Smiling, mud-speckled "NW Action Figures" were out in spades Saturday, pedaling their way through the Stinky Weather "Stinky Spoke" Poker Ride in Woodinville, WA. Peter and I were on the scene with the WALLY1 van and the NW Profiles Photo Program helping out with the fun, dealing cards and taking pictures of rosy-cheeked poker faces.

The weather was uncooperatively pleasant for the third annual event, which is intentionally scheduled to land on the crummiest day of the year. Light rain and sun seemed to be all Mother Nature could muster up for the "stinky" weather ride, which leads bikers between checkpoints where they gather playing cards in hopes of having a good enough hand at the end to win a prize.

Undeterred by the mild conditions, Shannon and Dave came out to ride, despite being one bike short. Fortunately, they won the auction to ride the popular "Stinky Pinky" beach cruiser. "We took turns. It was a lot of fun," Shannon said.

We snagged a few of the riders to share their favorite parts of the 16-mile race:





Wayne from Redmond couldn't help but look his best for the muddy ride. We asked him if he'd be wearing his trophy splatters to work on Monday. "No, I don't think so!" he said.

Brian and Jennifer brought their 21 month-old son, Connor, along for the ride:
Sue, Pam, Sherrie and Rhonda posed for a moment on the "Stinky Pinky" beach cruiser:


Mike, an enthusiastic Stinky Spoke participant, managed to take a whirl on the bike he's owned since he was six years old!

The Stinky Spoke winning hand was a straight flush, but we're willing to bet everyone went home feeling like a winner. Until next time, drop us a note about your favorite Stinky Spoke moment, and be sure to keep an eye out for WALLY1 and the Fiercely Northwest Wi-Fi Hotspot in your neighborhood!

Congratulations to our most recent winners of the Supercharged Seahawks Fan photo contest!

In a first for this season's Supercharged Seahawks Fan photo contest, Tim L. and his high-flying crew towered over the competition with their daring pyramid of fandom. These acrobatic antics landed them the top spot in last week's contest receiving an unprecedented 217 votes. With a record 352 total votes and a neck-and-neck race throughout most of the competition, this showdown was the most supercharged yet!

Thank you to our super-spirited finalists from last week and to those of you who commented and cast your vote! 

The Seahawks season may not have gone according to plan, but we enjoyed our incredible year with the 12th Man!  As the season came to a close, Peter, Steven and I eagerly greeted Seattle's faithful for one last hurrah.  Our photo program proved once and for all that Seahawks fans are the NFL's finest.

Game-day is always a special occasion at Qwest Field, but the Seahawks took it a step further on Sunday.  The team hosted its annual Fan Appreciation Day to finish the year on a high note.  Our PBA Team let the loyal fans know how much we appreciated their presence all season long, and everything came full circle when the first "Supercharged Seahawks" photo contest winner of the year paid us a final visit. 

Mark, a season ticket holder for 15 years, has really earned his stripes.  He had one ultimate goal to cap off the 2009-2010 season – he vowed that he would make it onto Hawk Vision during Sunday's game!  We were confident that he would make that goal a reality, considering he was decked out in a green and blue dreaded cap and referee uniform emblazoned with "Official Seahawks Fan." 


We have grown accustomed to mingling with "Supercharged Seahawks Fans" every Sunday, and we will certainly miss our experience as we head into the off-season.

Here's what we'll miss the most:

- The pre-game soundtrack of 'Hawk jams

- Seahawks superhero costumes (including Hawk Daddy, Mr. Mohawk, Mama Blue, and Sea Rooster)

- Children attending their first Seahawks game and getting a souvenir photo to prove it

- Proving that, like all of us in the Northwest, Seahawks fans are proud to say "We're a little different!"

Thank you to everyone who visited our booth throughout the season.  You made every Sunday special.  Until next time…Go Seahawks!

Thanks to all for an overwhelming response to this week's Supercharged Seahawks Fan photo contest.  

This football season, the PEMCO Brand Ambassadors have been showing their Seahawks team spirit by hosting a pre-game photo program in Quest Field's Touchdown City. Fans entering the game are invited to get their photo snapped and have the option of entering our weekly contest to find the most Supercharged Seahawks Fan.

We look forward to seeing you next week, but now it's time to vote! Cast your vote below for this week's craziest, most rabid Seahawks fan. This week's winner will have their photo displayed on Hawk Vision during the next home game on Jan. 3 against the Titans.  Tell us your pick by leaving a note in the comments section below with the photo number of your choice.  You can remain completely anonymous and it's for a good cause.  For every vote tallied, PEMCO will donate $1 to Seattle Children's Hospital. 

With just one home game left in the regular season, we need your vote more than ever! So tell us, who's the most supercharged this week?

Friends –

It wouldn't have happened without you. It's with heartfelt thanks that we express our gratitude to the Northwest community who joined us Friday evening to honor the families of the fallen police officers of the Puget Sound region.

Together, we raised more than $25,000 to donate to the benevolent funds established for the families of the Lakewood and Seattle officers. We were overwhelmed to see the community respond with such generosity and support, and we have you to thank for it.

Over the past several weeks, we all saw our friends and neighbors come together and show support in countless ways. We thank those who were able to join us on Friday -- it was a memorable evening of celebration, fundraising, and making a difference.

We also thank those who couldn't join us who contributed directly to the officers' established funds. Your thoughtful support truly means a lot.

Thanks, once again, for joining us with your contributions, thoughts, participation, and support. It's what community is all about.

Warm wishes,
Rod Brooks
VP & CMO of PEMCO Insurance
Rod.Brooks@pemco.com
@NW_Mktg_Guy

Hello friends,

As part of last night's citywide "Blue Lights" campaign, PEMCO joined with Safeco Field, the Space Needle, Qwest Field, local businesses, community centers and homes around the region to display blue lights in honor of the four fallen Lakewood police officers.

We would also like to remind you of our fundraising event this Friday to support the Lakewood Police Independent Guild Fund. PEMCO Insurance has pledged $12,500 in matching funds in support of the fallen officers' families, and the price of admission directly benefits the children of the fallen officers in a trust.

We invite you to join us on Friday, Dec. 11 at The Canal in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood for this worthy cause. PEMCO will provide appetizers and soft drinks along with an assortment of fun, casino activities for guests to enjoy. Try your luck for a chance to win raffle tickets and special prizes.  

Click on the links below for more information on growing our contribution:

• Purchase a ticket to A Night of Giving: Honoring the Families of Fallen Officers
• Donate directly to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild fund.

We thank you again for your support of this cause and we extend our condolences to those affected by this tragedy.

Many thanks,

Rod Brooks
VP & CMO of PEMCO Insurance
Rod.Brooks@pemco.com
@NW_Mktg_Guy

Dear Readers:

We're deeply saddened by the recent and tragic loss of law enforcement officers in the Puget Sound region. As many of our Northwest neighbors have already demonstrated in countless ways, we want to help in whatever way we can.

PEMCO Insurance has pledged $12,500 in matching funds in support of the fallen officers' families. Next week, on Friday, Dec. 11, we're inviting our friends, colleagues, neighbors, customers, and online followers to join us in showing support at a fundraising event held at The Canal in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood. As part of our commitment, PEMCO will match all ticket sale proceeds dollar for dollar. We'll also facilitate other opportunities to give to this worthy cause and will equally match additional donations made at the event.

We invite you to join us in helping surpass our $12,500* matching commitment with your generous contributions.

The price of admission directly benefits the children of the fallen officers in a trust, and provides an evening for us to come together as a community to honor and remember those who lost their lives. Appetizers and soft drinks will be provided, along with fun activities throughout the night to enjoy with our neighbors as our way of thanking you for joining our fundraiser.

We know this is a busy time of year, and we announced the event on short notice. Still, we hope you can join us on Friday, Dec. 11.

Click on one of the options below to choose how you can help grow our contribution:

• Purchase a ticket to A Night of Giving: Honoring the Families of Fallen Officers
• Purchase a ticket to A Night of Giving: Honoring the Families of Fallen Officers and make a donation to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild
• Donate directly to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild fund.

This is an overwhelmingly difficult time, and we appreciate your interest in this cause. Our heartfelt condolences go to the families and all those touched by this recent loss.

Many thanks,

Rod Brooks
VP & CMO of PEMCO Insurance
Rod.Brooks@pemco.com
@NW_Mktg_Guy


*Total PEMCO contribution is fixed at $12,500.

Holiday revelers of all ages flocked to Lynnwood Tuesday night to enjoy the annual holiday "Lynnwood Lights" celebration filled with concerts, games and Christmas attractions at the Lynnwood Convention Center. From dangling mistletoe to festive carolers to delicious candy canes, Bradley and I enjoyed the sights and sounds of the season with WALLY1 and the PEMCO Prize Wheel.

Hundreds of families lined up for photos with the North Pole's biggest celebrity couple, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, while helpful herds of reindeer and elf volunteers guided families between the numerous holiday activities and performances filling the Convention Center.  In case you missed it, we've compiled a list of our Top Five Most Entertaining Attractions at the Lynnwood Lights:

1.Musical bell ringers from Meadowdale Middle School
2. Traditional Korean Drumming and Dancing
3. Nintendo Wii Skiing
4. Community Transit's never-out-of-character Oxy Gene "Clean Air Defender"
5. Lynnwood Community Orchestra

We even spotted a couple of Meadowdale High School elves treating passersby to a bit of caroling as they handed out programs outside the North Pole Room:


Even the Lynnwood Police came out for the festivities! They were on hand with police vehicle tours and Christmas lights of a different sort:


Magic was in the air with a special holiday performance by "Magic Rich":


The Lynnwood Lights celebration may be over, but the holiday season is just getting started! Come join us this Sunday in Touchdown City as the Seattle Seahawks take on the San Francisco 49ers. We can't wait to see all our favorite "Supercharged Seahawks Fans" filled with holiday Seahawk spirit. One thing's for sure -- it won't be a silent night!

The weather outside may have been frightful, but the atmosphere at Westlake Center was oh-so delightful this weekend. Peter, Steven and I made a visit to the bustling mall on Friday night to celebrate the start of the holiday season and we spent all day on Saturday greeting festive shoppers as they got a jump start on their holiday shopping.

 

The holiday spirit is in full swing now, and we couldn't be more excited to share the season with all of you!  We'll make our next appearance at the Seahawks vs. 49ers game on Sunday, Dec. 6 and we hope to see you there.  All we want for Christmas is another chance to hang out with the 12th Man -- Oh, and a Seahawks win would be nice, too!