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 There is nothing so satisfying as a fine expresso drink among friends in a comfortable setting.

Kathy Chellis & Pam Brooks-Haines have taken a house on North Interstate (7540 N. Interstate Ave, Portland, OR 97217) and converted it into one of the finest coffee houses in the Rose City.

The exterior is a gem to the eyes with its lush plantings, outdoor seating and North Portland charm.  The interior, too, reflects an eclectic taste with nooks and tables reflecting both new and old themes. 

In the summer and spring the outdoor seating reigns supreme, but the air-conditioned interior provides relief for those of us with Irish skin.  Winters and fall will find patrons cozied by the crackling fire with their favorite tea or coffee drink.  They serve Stumptown coffee & expresso - probably the finest homegrown coffee purveyor in the city.  And if you know anything about Stumptown, then you know of their ongoing training and teaching of quality service and expresso drinks.

As a mentor of several small busnesses in Portland, I send my clients to NorthStar to learn important lessons, like customer service and consistency in presentation.  Kathy & Pam have built a loyal following because of their attention to these 2 issues.  You may find this hard to believe, but many businesses fail as a direct result of not having one or the other of these qualities.  I once counselled a small business that served expresso drinks.  I visited their shop over a period of nine weeks and sent friends of mine there, also.  In that nine week period neither I nor my friends heard nor saw the shop owners welcome or thank a single customer - including us.  Not one single drink we ordered was drinkable.  “Bitter”, “flat”, “tasteless”, “watery”, “lukewarm” describe what we received for our $3.00 orders. 

At The NorthStar Coffeehouse you will experience customer service and consistency in product, plus a comfortable setting with free wifi.  Their hours are Monday thru Saturday, 7:00am to 5:00pm; Sunday, 8:00am to 2:00pm.  Phone number: 503.285.5800; Fax: 503.285.5082

 Send a note to Pam & Kathy:  nstarcoffee@stephouse.net

Here’s your opportunity to announce your favorite coffee house.  Use the “comment” field to leave your message.

For more information on the graphic content used in this blog:

See: http://nlemedia.com

See: http://nlemedia.com/CLAds.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/CraigsListFlyers/CLAds3.html

Dean Martindale is a proud native of Portland, Oregon. He has a love for things digital, especially if they carry a logo which looks like an apple. Dean’s first interaction with a computer came at the impressionable age of 10 when he tried a drawing program on an Apple IIe in grade school. It was love at first byte. Yet his love for computers was always tempered by his desire to express himself which computers in the 80’s and 90’s were not designed for. Instead those computers were often designed as tools such as a hammer or even something as utilitarian as a fork. Finally, however, the personal computer has become a tool of self expression. From podcasting, to video editing software, to the increased quality of consumer video and audio products it has become easier than ever for anyone to express themselves using the digital tools of a computer. Combined with the web and services such as Youtube and Flickr it is just as easy to publish yourself. These are exciting time for everyone with the possibilities limitless, times Dean is excited to be a part of. When not pondering the possibilities of tomorrow and the capabilities of today Dean is student in the Multimedia program at P.C.C. Recently Dean got bit by another bug: video editing and production. A series of classes introduced to the process of both video production and editing..and he LOVED it. At P.C.C. Dean is the events coordinator for the Multimedia club. Dean has given presentations on both podcasting and cutting edge technologies. In addition he has a more hands on job as an artisan bread baker. When not busy with school and work Dean enjoys rowing and singing in choral groups. Dean can be emailed at pdxdean@mac.com and welcomes people to contact him. Dean is currently working on creating a web gallery for his video works as well as coordinating a lectures series at PCC on the “bleeding” edge of technology.

Do you need a way to break out your talent and let the industry know what you can do?

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pricing/epk.pdf

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pricing/Duplication_Fees.pdf

See: http://nlemedia.com/NLEmmercial.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/VR/VideoResumel.htm

  Newly published author, Lisa Arceneaux may have her roots in Texas, but she calls Portland her home.  Her first book, “What Happens When Sinners Pray” has recently been released with a book signing and lecture at Portland’s Talking Drum Cafe & Book Store, 446 NE Killingsworth, talkingdrumbooks@att.net, www.talkingdrumbookstore.com, on August 4, 2007.  Lisa can be reached at:  l_arceneaux@yahoo.com

The book can be purchased at Talking Drum Book Store in Portland as well as at Agape’ Christian Books, 1711 SE Hawthorne Blvd.  Or you can order the book from Lisa by writing, PO Box 12084, Portland, Oregon  97212-0084.

The call of God to preach and teach the Word of God has been on the life of Lisa Arceneaux since birth. Salvation at the age of 8 years old, the door was opened to the call of God, ordained before the foundation of the world.“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” [Jeremiah 1:5]

She has served as a minister of the lay staff, teacher and outreach minister licensed through the Praise Assembly Full Gospel Ministries in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma under the leadership of Apostle/Pastor Fannie M. Wallace. Ordained also as a minister of the gospel to evangelize through the Neighborhood Church of God in Portland, Oregon.

For the past 5 years she has served under the leadership of Dr. T. Allen Bethel of the Maranatha Church of God, in Portland, Oregon.

Her goal is to Teach, Preach, Share, Live, and be an Example for others to be encouraged. To help them to taste, touch, feel, and embrace the awesomeness of how God the Father is, who he is, and understand how to live for Him and live with Him. Her ministry focus is to help others grow spiritually through discipleship and mentoring.

Finally, she spends time as a “Prayer Warrior” on behalf of the Body of Christ.

Lisa Arceneaux is more importantly a Servant of the Lord.

You can view Lisa’s video here:  Lisa Arceneaux

Do you need help designing a bookcover or other graphics designs?

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pricing/DigitalDesign.htm

For video capture of your work/product/business:

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pages/products.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/Page/services.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/eventvideo.htm

  Dr. Linda Beed earned her Master of Theology (Magna Cum Laude) and Doctorate of Religious Education from A. L. Hardy Academy of Theology. Following six years of teaching (Black Church History, Thesis and Dissertation Preparation) Dr. Beed retired from the Academy. The student writing handbook she developed is a valuable tool that continues to be used by the Academy students.      Dr. Beed is a veteran Children’s Minister who continues to serve in the capacity of instructor/administrator for New Covenant Christian Center under the leadership of Apostle Tony and Pastor Renee Morris.

      Overcoming experiences that told her what she could not achieve, is the inspiration that drives her to help others. Her passion for teaching and writing the Word is what led to the development of On Assignment. Through this publishing company her debut novel Business Unusual will be released in spring 2007. 

      Dr. Beed serves as Co-Chair of the Faith Based Arts Conference and Co-Coordinator for the AA panels of Romantic Times. She is also a member of the Seattle chapter of the Professional Women of Color Network and American Christian Fiction Writers.

      As a workshop developer and facilitator she has traveled across the country to lend her special blend of teaching and motivation to help inspire others to discover and walk passionately in their purpose. Community, business and faith-based audiences receive uncommonly portrayed truth specifically for the purpose of helping them overcome constraints limiting their potential.  Dr. Linda Beed is a native Washingtonian who resides in Seattle with her husband Bernard.

On Assignment LLC 
3703 S. Edmunds St. Suite 16   Seattle, WA 98118
206.725.9847

http://www.lindabeed.com ; http://www.lindabeed.blogspot.com ;http://www.myspace.com/lindabeed ; lindaonassignment@yahoo.com;

2301 - S. Jackson   Seattle, WA 98144   206 860-9442    

 The book, “Business Unusual” is available at:  http://www.talkingdrumbookstore.com/; http://amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-3487643-8102304?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Business+Unusual&Go.x=12&Go.y=9 

See the video presentation held at Talking Drum Bookstore on August 4, 2007:  Dr. Linda F. Beed

Do you need help designing a bookcover or other graphics designs?

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pricing/DigitalDesign.htm

For video capture of your work/product/business:

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pages/products.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/Page/services.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/eventvideo.htm

11.5 years as an engineer pretty much bored me.  It wasn’t until about 3 years before I took an early retirement that I actually got to do something I really enjoyed and, I might add, excelled at.  I was given an assignment to create a test lab, staff it and supply it with tools, instruments and anything else needed.  This assignment would require someone who could work without supervision, secure supplies and testing equipment without a budget, design testing platforms and methodologies, impliment the tests, gather the data and pass the information on to the affected departments.

In a word it was a license to create.  And create I did.  A collection of Rube Goldberg machines like you have never seen.  Some had computerized components.  Others were gizmos and gadgets that whirred, buzzed, clanked, whined, whooshed and, sometimes, went boom in the night (my favorites).  Those of us who worked in this lab were known as “Helper Monkeys”.  The “design engineers” didn’t care for us much, afterall we were doing unimaginable things to their inventions trying to find the weaknesses, terminal velocities (and I do mean terminal), points at which their creations failed - and why. 

 I always gave names to the robots and test machines I built or designed.  The names were always a goofy combination of letters that represented the actual process or function the machine served.  Like “AFLAC” which stood for:  “Always Functional Linear Actuator Control”. 

As we built more and more of these testing machines the lab took on a rythmic, almost musical tonality with all the pops, whizzes, whirls and bangs.  That led to me applying music and video to the process.  We were already using video to capture test results, adding music was a no-brainer.

Well, before you knew it, I had gotten an idea in my head about doing a rap piece about the life I led as a “Helper Monkey”.  That ended up as a music video called:  “Where My Dogs At, Yo?”  And, yes, that is my voice doing the rap.  What a ham bone I turned out to be.

You can view these videos at:   The Further Adventures of Helper Monkey Mike

POP, WHIZ, WHIRL, BANG

Where My Dogs At, Yo?

 I meet a lot of people in this business.  A few of them have what I call “raw” talent.  That is, talent that is not the result of years of training and self-promotion.  This is God-given talent, the purest form.  Now Coyle might object to the “God-Given” business, since he struggles with his own inner angst and place in the cosmos, and an existentialist influence from a culture steeped in postmodern nihilism.  Nevertheless, he has talent.  His songs are usually self-effacing, dark and moody.  Yet at the same time they are filled with an unvarnished truth.  His honesty is almost painful and I often am reminded of my dark years when I struggled with self and the side effects of disease and oppressive depressions.  Yet, there is in his lyrics and musical scale a touch of hope - fragile to be sure, but still radiant, a glint, a fleeting shaft of light piercing the darkness.  Coyle may not believe in God, but he has the classic symptoms of someone on that edge of belief.  Perhaps still hurting enough to hold back - not having the trust outside of himself to let go.  Time will tell.  His music may transend that time and become the path that takes him across.  Let us hope.   http://nlemedia.com/OpeningBio, So Low So High.wmv    Go to:  http://nlemedia.com/Pages/partners.htm   Coyle has also worked with a number of bands.  “The Gays” were a recent band he played guitar in:  http://home.teleport.com/~flyheart/gays.htm

Do you need a way to break out your talent and let the industry know what you can do?

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pricing/epk.pdf

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pricing/Duplication_Fees.pdf

See: http://nlemedia.com/NLEmmercial.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/VR/VideoResumel.htm

I met Dean Barron a couple of years ago while transitioning to a new church, Temple Baptist.  We hit it off right away and have worked together on numerous projects since.  His experience and wisdom on all things video have been of tremendous help to me.  Dean does weddings, bar mitzvahs, special events and news.Dean Barron aka “DEANO”:  Cameraman for KOIN T.V. and Independent Videographer/Photographer

From the time I bought my first Kodak Fiesta box camera when I was seven years old, I was hooked on photography. By the time I entered the eighth grade I was a seasoned journalist. In high school, between my sophomore and junior years my interest in still photography exploded with weekly opportunities to shoot, develop and print 5 X 7 photos of each cabin group at the summer camp where I worked. I took every possible Journalism Tech course offered at Mt. Hood Community college, and worked my way through school as an intern at KOIN, until spring term of my second year, when I was hired to replace a full-time news film cameraman. I left KOIN-TV in 1973 to join the photography staff at KMGH in Denver. In 1976 I moved across town to KBTV, now KUSA. I helped Channel 9 make the transition from film to ENG, and became the first full-time ENG photographer at KBTV.After a brief stint with KIRO-TV in Seattle I returned to Denver and took a year off from TV to become the Director of Public Relations for Western Bible College. In February 1978 I decided to return to my roots, here in Portland, and eagerly returned to my “home” station, KOIN. During my years back at KOIN we have covered the eruption of Mt. St. Helens, the crash of a United Airlines DC-8 in East Portland, a dozen major snow and ice storms, major landslides, floods, fires, elections, issues and a host of other stories that have affected the lives of our viewers.   deanbarron@comcast.net  

I first met Jeff Wackerly when he was knee-high to a grasshopper - which in the language of my new found senility means, a long time ago. My old company used to do work for Jeff’s dad, Ron, who was a local contractor.  We also knew each other from church and social gatherings.  Jeff has certainly followed in his father’s footsteps, but also, has clearly created his own unique niche.  What impresses me about Jeff is the scope of projects that he undertakes and the attention to detail.  His is a fairly young business but already shows a maturity beyond his actual years.  He recently launched his website and is busy with a variety of new projects.

Here’s a little sample of his company’s philosophy:  “Whether building a new home or remodelling a current structure there are certain aspects of the process that require attention. As a prospective or current homeowner you need a reliable source to ensure timely, efficient, cost effective and quality construction.  No single builder can do all phases of construction, therefore, you need to be able to rely upon a builder who manages his projects and resources in a manner that assures compliance at all levels. To do this a builder needs to assemble the best team possible given the scope of the project. This team is composed of tradesmen and other professionals including electricians, plumbers, roofers, framers, finish carpenters, masons, designers/architects, HVAC installers, and others.

Your builder needs to assemble this team based upon the job requirements as well as the individual experience level of each team member. In addition his responsibilities include verification that each member’s license, insurance and bonding are current.

A good builder is a proficient communicator. He must be able to articulate the construction parameters in such a way that not only you , but also, building inspectors, permit processors, insurance carriers and team members can understand and comprehend. To be a good communicator , one must be a good listener. This facility allows your needs and wants, concerns and issues to be addressed. The ability to listen is essential when dealing with all the players in a building project and cannot be over emphasized.

At Blackstone Builders you will find a team that emulates best practices to ensure your project experience is timely, efficient, cost effective and quality controlled.”

Go to Jeff”s website for more information:  http://www.blackstonebuilder.com

For more information on the graphic content used in this blog:

See: http://nlemedia.com

See: http://nlemedia.com/CLAds.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/CraigsListFlyers/CLAds3.html

For video capture of your work/product/business:

See: http://nlemedia.com/Pages/products.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/Page/services.htm

See: http://nlemedia.com/eventvideo.htm