Pemco in the Northwest

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.

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.

Who is the one person you can always count on to cheer for you, even when the score doesn't end up in your favor?  Your mom of course!

This past Saturday, as we watched 36,273 fans enter Qwest Field to cheer for our own Seattle Sounders against the fierce L.A. Galaxy, we could feel a little more excitement in the air than usual.  It could have been the sunshine or the West Coast rivalry, but I'd like to think it was the fact that there were a few extra moms in attendance, ready to cheer on our Sounders no matter the outcome of the match.   

In honor of Mother's Day, the guys and I saw many families out at the match, spending quality time together while supporting the Sounders.  One mother and son duo that stopped by the PEMCO photo booth left a rather lasting impression.  Ben from Bellingham treated his mom, Lindsay, to an afternoon at the Sounders FC match but we quickly learned that Ben had a much more permanent gift for his mom -- a freshly inked tattoo on his right arm reading, "Mummy."  Ben showed us his new ink while Lindsay laughed and shared that she was just thrilled to be spending time with her son! 

Ben and Lindsay of Bellingham show off their Sounders pride...and his "Mummy" tattoo.

Now that's dedication! 

Though slightly less permanent, but with an equal amount of passion, we met many other families who showed their moms some love with a souvenir photo that doubled as a Mother's Day gift. 

And though the final score didn't quite end up in the Sounders' favor, the influx of unconditional motherly love at the game reminded us that at the end of the day moms love and support us either way! 

Giving thanks to their number one fan - Mom!

As always, we had a great time sharing Saturday's match experience with all of you!  Be sure to swing by the PEMCO booth before every Sounders game to say hi and get your free souvenir photo.  And even though Mother's Day has come and gone, we're pretty sure Mom would still love to get a photo of you… either that, or tickets to a Sounders game!