PEMCO in the Northwest > Blog

JOIN US ON A ROADTRIP THAT'S SURE TO BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

This year, PEMCO Insurance is sending teams of genuine Northwest-loving people to community events and activities across the state. Some are in support of a good cause, some just sound like a good time - but either way, we hope you'll stop by and say hi. Look for us wherever you see the big green PEMCO van. And if we miss each other, drop us a note here and tell us what's on your mind.

Remember, there's no place quite like home, especially this time of year. So get out there and enjoy!

Sounders vs. Toronto: A Fun Match, A Fond Farewell

August 31, 2009 1:49pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

Elaborate painted faces, green and blue Mohawks, festive scarves, thunderous cheers, ear-to- ear smiles and die-hard soccer fans… it's hard to say what we'll miss most about manning the PEMCO booth at Sounders games!

After a fun and memorable season, the time has come for Anna and me to bid a fond farewell to our friends at Qwest Field. On what is our last day of running the fan photo program, we want to thank everyone for allowing us to capture your Sounders spirit on film and join in the pregame fun.

We thought long and hard about our favorite Sounders moments, but couldn't pick just one. Therefore, in honor of our newfound friends and loyal regulars, we created a top seven list of our fondest match-day memories:

7. Becoming as efficient as a Nascar pit crew when our photo paper ran out – which was without fail when the line was the longest!

6. Learning to stuff lanyards in ten seconds flat without creasing fan photos—seriously folks, it's all in the flick of the wrist!

5. Groovin' to the crazy beats of the Sound Wave band.

4. Being known as the "over-caffeinated" Sounders FC fans – our "Super-Long Coffee Orderer" T-shirts and constant lattes helped us live up to our nickname.

3. Hearing how much people enjoy the Northwest Profiles, and meeting more "Sandals and Socks Guys" than we even knew existed!

2. Capturing the spirited poses of devoted fans week after week as they enjoyed the inaugural Sounders FC season.

1. Getting to know our regulars. We will miss you – you know who you are!

Thank you to everyone for such a wonderful season! We enjoyed every minute of our time at Qwest Field and are looking forward to hearing if the "Supercharged Seahawks fans" are as devoted as you, the "'I know I am, I'm sure I am' Sounders FC fans."

And remember, be kind and patient with the new PEMCO Brand Ambassadors, Brad and Stephen -- we promise they will be stuffing lanyards like pros in no time! You will see them next, along with Peter, back here at Qwest Field when the Seahawks take on Oakland on Sept. 3.

Farewell friends!

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A Taste of Edmonds: A True Gastronomical Adventure

August 16, 2009 2:44pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

On the third and last day of A Taste of Edmonds, Peter, Anna, and I managed to take a final bite out of all the delicious dishes the festival had to offer. From rosemary meatballs to crispy crab cakes to sweet strawberry shortcake, we tasted some of the Northwest's finest fare – suffice it to say, it's time to give our stomachs a much-needed rest.

Here's a look at some of our favorite moments from this fun, food-filled weekend:

Enjoying tasty gourmet blackberry popcorn made by a local Washington family. Yum!
Meeting new friends at neighboring booths – from Mertha, a local importer of velvet scarfs, to Mehndi Madness, a group of henna and jagua temporary tattoo artists. What a feeling of community we've created after spending three days together!
Hearing Sir Mix-A-Lot prove to Northwesterners his "Baby [still] Got Back!"
Exploring the beautiful and colorful City of Edmonds.
Realizing just how many Edmonds residents are PEMCO policy holders - a record high for a single event.
Enjoying the daring balancing act of Charlie the Juggler (see the picture we snapped below)
Getting Tully's coupons from the Fair Rewards station - we love our local coffee.
Holding conversations with countless festival goers about their favorite Northwest Profiles - as usual, most were Sandals and Socks Guy fans.
Feeling the warmth of the sun as it made its welcomed debut after a few gray and rainy Northwest days.
Sampling cuisine from local vendors and restaurants - it is A Taste of Edmonds, after all.

Crepes galore from Crepealicious
Refreshing smoothies from Emerald City Smoothie
Sweet treats from Shishkaberry's
The best in Greek cuisine from Kafe Neo
A taste of summer berries from Biringer Farm

So with full bellies and satisfied taste buds, we fondly bid our new Taste of Edmonds friends goodbye. We enjoyed our long weekend of good food and new friends – it was truly a gastronomical adventure for everyone involved!

We hope you can visit us on Aug. 20 as we travel to Qwest field in Seattle for the Sounders vs. New England Revolution match.

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Behind the Scenes at the Seafair Chevrolet Cup and Key Bank Air Show

August 3, 2009 2:52pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

Fancy yourself a Seafair expert? Think you know everything there is to know about the festivities? Well think again, my friend!

This weekend Anna, Peter and I spent three days running the photo program, prize wheel and poster decorating station at the PEMCO booth at Genesee Park to finish out this summer's Seafair celebration. Between the three of us (having all grown up in the Seattle-area), we thought we knew all there was to know about Seafair – that is, until we met Adam Isaacson, a Seafair volunteer and lifelong enthusiast.

Between events, we had the chance to ask him a few questions to capture an insider's view of Seafair. Here's the scoop, straight from a Seafair veteran:

How long have you been volunteering and attending this event?

Adam: I've been attending since I was a kid and volunteering since age 16—so about 7 years now!

What do you actually do as a volunteer?

Adam: I do just about everything and anything! I'm a part of the "gofer team" – we're basically helping hands for anyone who needs us. We drive golf carts, unload vehicles and take care of whatever else needs to be done.

What is your favorite part of Seafair?

Adam: I love the community of volunteers. Many of us stay the entire week down here at Genesee Park and I get to meet people from all walks of life. I also love the Blue Angels! The coolest experience I had was helping my uncle directly with the Blue Angels.

One year I got to valet their cars—they have Corvettes to drive around for the weekend!—and helped to carry their equipment.

This year, on one of the 90+ degree days, I also got to jump off the Blue Angels' VIP dock after a long, hot day of work. That was pretty refreshing!

What is your most outrageous Seafair moment?

Adam: Well, one year my cousin fell off of a barge while we were watching the fireworks—he tripped over a rope and lost his phone. It actually ended up being an entire evening of mishaps though! We had to take a boat back from the barge and it wouldn't start. We tried calling around to get towed, but all the other boats were busy.

So we had to lie down in the bottom of the boat all huddled together to stay out of the wind and keep warm. Finally, after an hour and a half, we were picked up. The worst part of this story is that the only thing wrong with the boat was that one switch had been accidentally switched off!

Well, Adam, we're glad everything went smoothly this weekend, and we're thankful for you and your fellow volunteers – your hard work and enthusiastic Seattle spirit made Seafair an undeniable success!

If you missed us at Seafair this year, no worries! We'll be in Everett on Tuesday, Aug. 4 for the Night Out Against Crime and, of course, at the Sounders FC game on Wednesday, Aug. 5. See you there!

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The PEMCO Brand Ambassador’s Guide to Beating the Heat

July 29, 2009 12:43pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

As PEMCO Brand Ambassadors, we've learned a few things about surviving (and thriving!) in summertime's hot weather.

sun

Gathered from trips east of the Cascades and enduring Seattle's recent swelter, here's our "top seven" countdown to staying cool when the temperatures rise:

7. Grab a refreshing iced coffee to start the morning out right.
6. Use sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Remember to re-apply throughout the day.
5. Keep a 24-pack of water bottles and a cooler filled with ice nearby. Hydration is key!
4. Stay simple – wear weather-appropriate clothes and shoes.
3. A spray bottle fan. What a simple, yet highly useful, invention!
2. Shades! Wear sunglasses to save your eyes from the sun's glaring rays.
1. Pick up a PEMCO Sun Kit – stocked with sunscreen, blistex, and other first-aid goodies. Get yours at the PEMCO booth at Seafair this weekend. Look for our big green van in Genesee Park on Lake Washington!

Stay cool Northwesterners! Visit us this weekend at the Seafair Chevrolet Cup and Key Bank Air Show from July 31 – August 2.

Have another fool-proof way to stay cool when it's hot? Share it in the comments below!

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Tri-City Water Follies: Day 3

July 26, 2009 3:04pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

It's the final day of the Tri-City Water Follies and Anna, Peter and I are all a bit sad to see this exciting, exhilarating event come to a close. We had such a wonderful time in Kennewick, WA and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the friendly locals at the PEMCO booth.

It's hard to say what we loved most about our trip across the state, but we thought we would give you a taste of the fun times we've had. So without further ado, here are the PEMCO Brand Ambassador's Top Ten Greatest Moments at the Tri-City Water Follies:

Watching the F-16 during the air show perform the "muscle climb" and zoom vertically from a mere 500 ft to 15,000 ft in just seconds;
Meeting friendly Tri-City PEMCO policyholders and introducing them to our WALLY1 van;
Helping enthusiastic kids create colorful signs to cheer on their favorite racers;
Waving at trendy golf cart commuters;
Experiencing not one, but two drive-by spray bottle mistings by a "Tri-City Tan Muscle Man";
People-watching at the PEMCO booth and noting the unique fashions worn by fans: inflatable hydro hats, vibrantly colorful bathing suits, mullets, and, of course, racing attire;
Watching the dramatic PEMCO Insurance Heat 2A where J. Michael Kelly flipped his hydroplane and Steve David of "Oh Boy, Oberto" sealed his victory;
Observing the slow reddening of skin as spectators reclined on the shore of the Columbia River;
Enjoying delicious and refreshing sno-cones; and
Surviving the scorching heat completely sunburn free!

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Greenwood Seafair Parade: A Community Affair

July 23, 2009 3:20pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

Pirates, princesses, clowns – oh my!

Where in Seattle can you find these colorful characters mixing and mingling alongside cowboys, Mariachi players and Arabian belly dancers?

At the annual Greenwood Seafair Parade, of course!

Wednesday afternoon amid the ear-piercing bangs of cannon fire and the throngs of cross-dressing clowns, the PEMCO Brand Ambassadors, accompanied by PEMCO friends and family, joined in the vibrant festivities of this year's parade with the WALLY1 van in tow.

Crowds lined the blocked-off streets of Greenwood Avenue and 85th Street for hours braving the hot sun to ensure a good spot along the parade route. We were lucky enough to be in the parade, and found ourselves mingling with all sorts of festive characters – everyone from marching bands to drill teams to food vendors – what a wonderful way to meet the lively residents of Greenwood!

In addition to the elaborately decorated cars and unique Seafair characters, it is the added community spirit that makes the parade truly special.

Karen Schneider, a long-time Greenwood resident told us, "When I come out here to watch the parade, I end up running into all my neighbors! And many of the participants and sponsors are local companies and residents."

The parade is one of her family's biggest social events of the summer, and it has been for almost 20 years. "When my daughters, now in their 20s, were young, they used to wake up early and put out blankets in the morning in order to save us a good spot to watch the parade," Karen said. "Now it's fun to walk along the street hours before the parade starts and see a new generation of young children eagerly dragging chairs – and their parents! – behind them as they scout out the best viewing locations."

If you missed the Greenwood Seafair Parade, have no fear! You can find us and WALLY1 in the Tri-Cities from July 24-26 at the Water Follies and then we're back in Seattle for the Seafair Chevrolet Cup and Key Bank Air Show from July 31-August 2.

And for all you tweeters, here's a PEMCO Brand Ambassador Twitter tip: Follow the conversation of this year's Seafair events on Twitter by using the hashtag: #Seafair

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Chase Family 4th: Gas Works Park – a sea of color, sound and lights

July 6, 2009 3:44pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

One of the great rituals in American life is that in cities and towns across the country – large and small – people gather to celebrate the Fourth of July. Sure, there are regional variations of the festivities, but most Americans share the same experiences: barbeques, kids, and of course, fireworks.

That was certainly the scene when I joined PEMCO Brand Ambassadors Anna Friedman and Peter Young at Gas Works Park in Seattle to celebrate Independence Day at Chase Family 4th. A sea of red, white, and blue complemented the beautiful scenery and the sparkle of the sun glinting off Lake Union.

It was great to see people of all ages – college friends, babies, senior citizens – and all walks of life come together for the event. At our PEMCO booth, right near the entrance, we met hundreds of people from all over the Northwest and talked with them about what makes the Fourth of July special to them.

Ben from Fremont told us he's been coming to Gas Works for the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular for years. In fact, it's quickly becoming a family tradition as he now brings his own baby boy and wife to experience the magic from atop Kite Hill. "I look forward to the 4th every summer. There is no better place to watch the fireworks show in Seattle than Gas Works," he said.

He's right. Kite Hill offers a unique vantage point, with Lake Union and the downtown skyline forming a scenic backdrop. Plus you get a better idea of how big the crowd is from up high. The PEMCO Brand Ambassadors left thinking what a wonderful way to celebrate Independence Day.

We also had a fun promotional event in which we asked people to show their enthusiasm for our national celebration by singing 'Happy Birthday' to America. Check out a couple of our winners belting it out in the photo below.

Don't forget, Anna and I will be at Marymoor Park on Tuesday, July 7. Hope to see you there!

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Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Park: Dog Heaven

July 2, 2009 4:07pm

posted by Suz Chen in Washington

Do dogs think of heaven? If they do, the Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Park must be its incarnation on earth.

Yesterday, I joined PEMCO Brand Ambassadors Peter Young and Anna Friedman and walked through the 40 acre park on the outskirts of Redmond, filled with trails, lush greenery, open fields and apparently the dogs' favorite feature, a swimming stream.

We drove out in WALLY1, our PEMCO Brand Ambassador van, to meet friends of both the two-legged and four-legged variety. We spent over three hours chatting about the park, even a little about what makes the Pacific Northwest special and offering treats – dog biscuits for our canine friends and a few "Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Lady" T-Shirts for the people.

We met great Northwest people (and dogs!) throughout our time at the park. Momo, a beautiful 10-year old Chow Chow mix, sauntered right up to the three of us with a friendly grin and her owner Kim. Kim confirmed our suspicion, that Momo loves Marymoor, and shared that she has been making friends in the park for more than 10 years.

Cynthia, a Redmond resident and our first "Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Lady" T-Shirt winner, echoed the sentiment. "We come here daily, sometimes twice a day," she told us as her pooch, a yellow lab named Lacey, sidled up to Peter, figuring out he was a soft-touch, and good for a second treat (she was right!).

If you are a Marymoor Park regular, or a "Marymoor Off-Leash Dog Lady" in your own right, stop by next Tuesday, July 7, when we will again visit Doggy Heaven on Earth!

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