Jake is so awesome. Way to be tough!
Ask him and Nick about the "Monster Truck" story from Worlds 07 some time. That was one of my favorite memories from Worlds.
Sole Purpose Portland Footblog
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Iron Clad Ben
- Superior Precision Bionics
- Posts: 2522
- Joined: 08 Jan 2006 19:11
- Location: La Habra, CA
- Contact:
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Sporatical_Distractions
- registered sacks offender
- Posts: 4529
- Joined: 12 Oct 2004 19:14
- Location: Guy's American Kitchen & Bar
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ObArA'BaRs
- Flower Child
- Posts: 2086
- Joined: 30 Jan 2006 19:05
- Location: Chicago burbs, IL
- Contact:
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Sporatical_Distractions
- registered sacks offender
- Posts: 4529
- Joined: 12 Oct 2004 19:14
- Location: Guy's American Kitchen & Bar
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QuantumBalance
- 100-Watt Warlock
- Posts: 5092
- Joined: 22 Apr 2002 14:24
- Location: fractal tyedye nebulae
- Contact:
We would be honored to have Kevin Crowley in our group! We certainly can get you set up if you would decide to come to Portland, it's quite a fun town. The group continues to grow, two new sub-Sole Purpose Groups have been formed, and one of them is getting their own high school footbag team shirts. As always, there is a lot of energy here, it's really it's own culture in Portland, something we don't take for granted.
Today we had a visit from the great James Erickson of Eugene, was a fun session. Unfortunately, all I had was a camera phone on me, but we took a picture of most of the gang that was there. As usual, not everyone could make the session, but a lot of people made it out.
Top row left to right:
James Chance
Nick Landes
Red Husted
Kenny Shults
Ben Schmaltz
Tony Skrivanek
Bottom row left to right:
Alex Bernstein
Jake Wren
Sean Wingert
And unfortunately, James was out of the room for the picture, and a few other regulars could not make it.
After we all went over to Kenny Shults's house for pizza and Transformers on his big screen HD tv. That film is just as fun the second time. Kenny also liked Lon's Modest Mouse vid. Good times!
R
Today we had a visit from the great James Erickson of Eugene, was a fun session. Unfortunately, all I had was a camera phone on me, but we took a picture of most of the gang that was there. As usual, not everyone could make the session, but a lot of people made it out.
Top row left to right:
James Chance
Nick Landes
Red Husted
Kenny Shults
Ben Schmaltz
Tony Skrivanek
Bottom row left to right:
Alex Bernstein
Jake Wren
Sean Wingert
And unfortunately, James was out of the room for the picture, and a few other regulars could not make it.
After we all went over to Kenny Shults's house for pizza and Transformers on his big screen HD tv. That film is just as fun the second time. Kenny also liked Lon's Modest Mouse vid. Good times!
R
Thanks for the kind words, and yup, Sean Wingert still plays! He is really good, great toe game. He also practices a fair amount, and really stepped it up over the summer. With any luck, he will not be called away by work at the last second and be able to make SJFF this year. Kenny sustained an injury, so he will not make it up sadly, but I will probably be bringing six or seven players. Should be fun!
Also wanted to welcome a new player to the group. Ironically, he is from Penn State, and just moved out here for a job. Sole Purpose welcomes Steve Cline to the group, we had our first session tonight. This was Steve's first session kicking with anyone else (he was waiting to get to a certain level before playing with other people, Jake did the same thing). We were lucky that session was with us.
Our turn out was lighter tonight, a little more than half the normal attendance, but we were happy with seven players. Steve is intermediate level, with many drifters, whirls, paradox whirls, pixies, and by the end of the session, ripwalks on both sides. Good guy too. He also sews some very nice 32 panel footbags and will be attending SJFF with the group. Good stuff Steve!
Tonights session:
Jake Wren
Sean Wingert
Ben Schmaltz
Aaron Shepard
Red Husted
Steve Cline
James Chance
Also wanted to welcome back Aaron Shepard to the area (about 45 minutes northeast of Portland). Also a bag stitcher, he and Steve traded 32 sewing tips. We look forward to seeing Aaron semi-regularly again until he returns to chasing sea turtles. It helps his girlfriend now lives in Portland, extra incentive to make it into town. Aaron also stepped it up, harder moves and more consistency. He will as well be at SJFF!
Also look forward to the return of Brian Cooper, 3.5 weeks and counting it looks like. I think in the next month we will really try to collect all the serious shredders around the area for one giant indoor jamboree. Next on the stop, SJFF!
R
Also wanted to welcome a new player to the group. Ironically, he is from Penn State, and just moved out here for a job. Sole Purpose welcomes Steve Cline to the group, we had our first session tonight. This was Steve's first session kicking with anyone else (he was waiting to get to a certain level before playing with other people, Jake did the same thing). We were lucky that session was with us.
Our turn out was lighter tonight, a little more than half the normal attendance, but we were happy with seven players. Steve is intermediate level, with many drifters, whirls, paradox whirls, pixies, and by the end of the session, ripwalks on both sides. Good guy too. He also sews some very nice 32 panel footbags and will be attending SJFF with the group. Good stuff Steve!
Tonights session:
Jake Wren
Sean Wingert
Ben Schmaltz
Aaron Shepard
Red Husted
Steve Cline
James Chance
Also wanted to welcome back Aaron Shepard to the area (about 45 minutes northeast of Portland). Also a bag stitcher, he and Steve traded 32 sewing tips. We look forward to seeing Aaron semi-regularly again until he returns to chasing sea turtles. It helps his girlfriend now lives in Portland, extra incentive to make it into town. Aaron also stepped it up, harder moves and more consistency. He will as well be at SJFF!
Also look forward to the return of Brian Cooper, 3.5 weeks and counting it looks like. I think in the next month we will really try to collect all the serious shredders around the area for one giant indoor jamboree. Next on the stop, SJFF!
R
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Iron Clad Ben
- Superior Precision Bionics
- Posts: 2522
- Joined: 08 Jan 2006 19:11
- Location: La Habra, CA
- Contact:
Sole Purpose would like to welcome our newest member to the group, Kevin Hinkel. Kevin is from Minnesota, a recent graduate of Vancouver Film School in BC. Welcome aboard Kevin!
Also, another team picture. It was a pretty fun session.
Top left to right:
Kevin Hinkel
Ben Cooke
Tony Skrivanek
Steve Cline
Red Husted
Ben Schmaltz
Nick Landes
Bottom left to right:
James Chance
Nathan Edmunds
Sean Wingert
Alex Berstein
Some random moments, part being serious, part being silly
Also, another team picture. It was a pretty fun session.
Top left to right:
Kevin Hinkel
Ben Cooke
Tony Skrivanek
Steve Cline
Red Husted
Ben Schmaltz
Nick Landes
Bottom left to right:
James Chance
Nathan Edmunds
Sean Wingert
Alex Berstein
Some random moments, part being serious, part being silly
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Zeb Jackson
- Post Master General
- Posts: 2783
- Joined: 19 Dec 2005 12:57
- Location: Boise,Idaho, USA
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ObArA'BaRs
- Flower Child
- Posts: 2086
- Joined: 30 Jan 2006 19:05
- Location: Chicago burbs, IL
- Contact:
I am pretty excited about an upcoming event in Portland, the annual Portland Footbag Christmas party. This is a long running deal, basically where all the generations of the group meet up for an evening of good food, drink, and company. This year I will be introducing the new generation of freestylers to the mix, so all generations can become acquainted. If there is space, we may do a little freestyle show in honor of and for the founders, give them a presentation of what their group is doing now. Should be fun, last year (my first year there) there were around 50 or so people in attendance, it was a pretty large gathering.
We've had another boom in players this fall, and are now currently in the process of setting up a new shred house. I do the property management at my location, and am currently working to move all freestylers into the house. Our house is pretty big, and rooms will be semi-regularly coming available over the next three months. Anyone who wants to check out Portland has a place to stay, aside from the great and long running footbag scene here, PDX is just a great and easy/inexpensive place to live. All visitors are welcome!
R
We've had another boom in players this fall, and are now currently in the process of setting up a new shred house. I do the property management at my location, and am currently working to move all freestylers into the house. Our house is pretty big, and rooms will be semi-regularly coming available over the next three months. Anyone who wants to check out Portland has a place to stay, aside from the great and long running footbag scene here, PDX is just a great and easy/inexpensive place to live. All visitors are welcome!
R
Just came across this, a couple of journalists made it out to the SJFF event, and ended up interviewing the Sole Purose team. I think it was the jerseys that sold them. Anyway, here is the link;
http://spectator.seattleu.edu/sports/st ... x?ID=15000
http://spectator.seattleu.edu/sports/st ... x?ID=15000
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Outsider
- Ayatollah of Rock n' Rollah
- Posts: 1373
- Joined: 21 May 2003 21:30
- Location: Bridgewater, New Jersey
Real good article, Red. Best one I can remember reading in a long time. I really liked the very last line. Guess the author knew how to save the best for last.
"The time has come to convert the unbelievers..."
Jonathan Schneider --- sometimes showers with his Lavers on (to clean them)
The Ministry of Silly Walks
NYFA
BAP
Jonathan Schneider --- sometimes showers with his Lavers on (to clean them)
The Ministry of Silly Walks
NYFA
BAP
Been pretty busy in the ol' Sole Purpose gang lately, lots of good stuff. We have had our best winter thus far. Attendance for the winter sessions broke the previous year's record, something we are happy about. The introduction of Alex Bernstein, James Chance, Ben Schmaltz, Steve Cline, Jarrett Brown, Tony Skrivanek, and Kevin Hinkel helped boost our numbers of regular turn out players. We are looking forward to getting back outside and recruiting new blood, Pioneer Square is always a great location for exposure. I hope to gain a few import players as well this spring/summer, but it's never a done deal until they are here. Here's to hoping!
We also put together a new shred house, basically my pad. The freestylers took over the downstairs area, with myself up on the third floor. Kick space is decent, but we are also considering building in the backyard this summer, all depending at the moment.
Also started a new footbag class, or that was what I was brought in to do by the school. Actually though, like many schools in and around the PDX area, there was already a group of kickers, and a rather large amount at this particular school. At our most recent session (this Weds), about 14 kids attended, all pretty much at least skilled in keeping the bag off the ground. I have been teaching them the basic stalls and two add moves, as well as introducing them to the larger footbag culture. They're pretty into it (seem to base their social network around it), every session more students have attended. Out of this bunch, I believe one or two (if not more) will eventually graduate on to serious freestyle. Whether that happens or not, I am happy they are simply kicking and excited about it. Here's a few pics;
Stuck in the rafters
After the high school session, I headed back to the house where some of the other freestylers had congregated (not an uncommon thing these days). The team then proceeded to head over to the Weds. night Reed College session, where we essentially combine with the local juggling crew (also a very long running group). It's always fun, this session I decided to film a moment of the event, really just a quick panoramic of the turnout essentially. Lots of clubs flying for sure, the Portland Juggling Group does a great job recruiting, and even teaches a credited class at this session weekly. Here is the link;
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hbolX7YjAO0
It's a great place for crossover recruiting as well, though more than a few of our players will end up juggling before the night is over!
Also a quick shout out to Aaron Orton and the Eugene crew. Aaron's done a great job rebuilding the club in his area. Since he came back, there have been at least four new people join their group. Great recruiting Aaron, and thanks for making it up to Portland. Now we owe you one.
So the biz of footbag in Portland continues, we are looking forward to expanding again in the near future, as well as working on building up ongoing events such as the US Open, which this year looks to be better than ever. Well, back to it!
R
We also put together a new shred house, basically my pad. The freestylers took over the downstairs area, with myself up on the third floor. Kick space is decent, but we are also considering building in the backyard this summer, all depending at the moment.
Also started a new footbag class, or that was what I was brought in to do by the school. Actually though, like many schools in and around the PDX area, there was already a group of kickers, and a rather large amount at this particular school. At our most recent session (this Weds), about 14 kids attended, all pretty much at least skilled in keeping the bag off the ground. I have been teaching them the basic stalls and two add moves, as well as introducing them to the larger footbag culture. They're pretty into it (seem to base their social network around it), every session more students have attended. Out of this bunch, I believe one or two (if not more) will eventually graduate on to serious freestyle. Whether that happens or not, I am happy they are simply kicking and excited about it. Here's a few pics;
Stuck in the rafters
After the high school session, I headed back to the house where some of the other freestylers had congregated (not an uncommon thing these days). The team then proceeded to head over to the Weds. night Reed College session, where we essentially combine with the local juggling crew (also a very long running group). It's always fun, this session I decided to film a moment of the event, really just a quick panoramic of the turnout essentially. Lots of clubs flying for sure, the Portland Juggling Group does a great job recruiting, and even teaches a credited class at this session weekly. Here is the link;
http://youtube.com/watch?v=hbolX7YjAO0
It's a great place for crossover recruiting as well, though more than a few of our players will end up juggling before the night is over!
Also a quick shout out to Aaron Orton and the Eugene crew. Aaron's done a great job rebuilding the club in his area. Since he came back, there have been at least four new people join their group. Great recruiting Aaron, and thanks for making it up to Portland. Now we owe you one.
So the biz of footbag in Portland continues, we are looking forward to expanding again in the near future, as well as working on building up ongoing events such as the US Open, which this year looks to be better than ever. Well, back to it!
R
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CIC flurry
- Amazingly Sexy Man-Beast
- Posts: 3426
- Joined: 28 May 2003 16:06
- Location: Chicago
3/09/08
A couple of pictures from today's session, which had a nice turn out, more or less our first kick day or spring at Pioneer Square. Had a few old friends come back out, as well as an appearance from the great Kenny Shults, back from an injury sustained at the end of last year. Also picked up a new member. Every one was kicking pretty well, Nick threw his usual crazy sets and combos, and Kenny was still putting it down after all his time off. I was a bit under the weather, but managed to finally hit Montage (a thorn in my side for years). Anyway, it was a nice sunny day downtown, so we took some pics. After the session everyone headed back to the house for some old school video gaming, which included Goldeneye and Street Fighter II. From there it was off to watch Cloverfield at the local theater pub. Good times!
New kicker Dennis Harris
Top Row:
Ben Schmaltz
Jarrett Brown
Kenny Shults
Christa Murphy
Red Husted
"D" Martin
Nick Landes
Clayton Dee
Bottom Row:
Steve Cline
Sean Wingert
James Chance
Alex Bernstein
Jake Wren
Jordan Drake
A couple of pictures from today's session, which had a nice turn out, more or less our first kick day or spring at Pioneer Square. Had a few old friends come back out, as well as an appearance from the great Kenny Shults, back from an injury sustained at the end of last year. Also picked up a new member. Every one was kicking pretty well, Nick threw his usual crazy sets and combos, and Kenny was still putting it down after all his time off. I was a bit under the weather, but managed to finally hit Montage (a thorn in my side for years). Anyway, it was a nice sunny day downtown, so we took some pics. After the session everyone headed back to the house for some old school video gaming, which included Goldeneye and Street Fighter II. From there it was off to watch Cloverfield at the local theater pub. Good times!
New kicker Dennis Harris
Top Row:
Ben Schmaltz
Jarrett Brown
Kenny Shults
Christa Murphy
Red Husted
"D" Martin
Nick Landes
Clayton Dee
Bottom Row:
Steve Cline
Sean Wingert
James Chance
Alex Bernstein
Jake Wren
Jordan Drake
It's the busy season again in Portland, the sun is starting to shine and the group is returning to Pioneer Square for the spring and summer. Lots of good stuff happening across the board. Just a few things;
The US Open:
This now looks to be our largest US Open thus far, competition should be good. We have secured quite a few sponsors in the area and otherwise, and again rented Pioneer Square for finals. There are a few other things that will be new this year that we will offer at the event, as soon as we confirm these new elements we will announce them. Should be fun!
The Group:
Continues to grow, now is our major recruiting time. We had our best winter yet (picking up quite a few new members) and now are hoping to increase the ranks further. Our last session three new members joined up with modified/Laver shoes. I only captured two of them on film, the group welcomes:
Jacob Smith (not wearing his Lavers in picture)
Corey Jones (wearing new Lavers in picture)
We also welcome 15 year old Seth Weber (not shown) who showed me a video of Mirage being hit on his camera phone as proof of their practicing at the local high school.
Also a couple of new team shots, the first is the best picture I believe we have had thus far!
The scene at Pioneer Square is headed back to its usual thing, we had about 25 people out for last session, including Sunny and Dylan from Boise, who we were happy to introduce to Pioneer Square.
The Biz:
Things continue to progress in Portland, we are contacted semi regularly with various propositions, most recently a new long term sponsorship and a sit down with the Portland Trail Blazers. In the fall and/or spring of next season it looks like we will be performing some floor shows for the crowd, good exposure. Our work in the schools has increased as well, either by myself and the team (Nick usually), or with John Stalberger, we have been able to perform shows and workshops all over the PDX area. In the fall we will be expanding an after school program I offer to more schools in the area. It should keep us busy!
Also the work at the Boys and Girls Club is expanding, footbag is played regularly at the main facility I do work at. Footbag Foursquare is a huge hit, the kids line up heavily to play it now whether I am playing or not. Something about the point structure and competitiveness of it really appeals to them, a kid calling out a 'hack off' is quite common now. The voting system is also a popular element, I think the fact that the kids are controlling the game instead of the staff is also appealing to them. We had a larger meeting with many of the other clubs in the area and will hopefully be expanding Foursquare this summertime. We may connect the Boys and Girls Club with some other business we working on launching in the next couple of months, they are very supportive of footbag!
The Players:
The general skill level of the group has risen greatly, with Nick Landes being the pentacle. After his showing at Montana (taking first in Shred 30 with a dropless score of 234 among other things) his game and mental set has jumped up greatly. He is currently up to 13 unique fives, and 5 or 6 unique sixes. A few sessions ago he hit Paradox S&M Smashers BSOS, as well as Malstrom to Paradox S&M Smasher into a combo. There also was the usual array of sets I don't understand well.
Jake Wren has also stepped it up, within 10 minutes he hit 4 new six add moves. Last session he hit his first seven add move (Spinning Ducking Motion). His control is pretty amazing, Nick called me over and told Jake to hit the move again, on command Jake hit it and right off the very move passed the bag to me directly over to me. Jake is an interesting player, though he has warmed up to learning the add system, he still does not know the add count (or names) of many moves. I believe this has created an interesting and creative style with Jake; he isn't linking based on the add values of moves, but rather what simply flows together. It's anything but cookie cutter, and a fun and beautiful style to watch.
Alex Bernstein has also stepped it up, he may be one of the fastest learning players I have met. In ten months or starting to freestyle he hit his first 7 add move (Montage), and has kept up a good track record of hitting a new five every session. He most recently learned the Fury set, and hit Jani Walker the other day. I believe he is at about a year now for freestyle. Nick, Jake, and Bernstein are pretty much our new school elite, they represent us well!
On the OG side, Sean Wingert has been shredding it up, and can hang more than well with the young-uns. Ben Schmaltz is rocking it as well, linking many fives in a row with thunderous style. Shults tears it up whenever he makes it out, but unfortunately has been more busy than not lately, thus we see him only semi-regularly. For myself, it would seem the constant playing almost every day for shows or workshops has unfortunately taken it's toll. I definitely need to take a break, something I have not been able to do thus far this year. I don't see any downtime in the near future, guess things could be worse!
The House:
The shred house goes along well, we are bringing in our friend Kevin Hinkel next month, who is a great artist and a fun person to kick with. There is a trend right now that we all do battle in the old school video games, but may upgrade soon to the Wii and Smash Brothers. In a month or so I believe we have another room opening up, so if anyone wants to relocate, we certainly would have no problems accommodating!
Guess things are good in general right now in Portland, there are other projects the gang is working, mainly things that have worked in the PDX area we are looking to expand to a national level in the coming year. As always, I am thankful for the scene and the people in the sport, and look forward to giving back as much as possible!
R
The US Open:
This now looks to be our largest US Open thus far, competition should be good. We have secured quite a few sponsors in the area and otherwise, and again rented Pioneer Square for finals. There are a few other things that will be new this year that we will offer at the event, as soon as we confirm these new elements we will announce them. Should be fun!
The Group:
Continues to grow, now is our major recruiting time. We had our best winter yet (picking up quite a few new members) and now are hoping to increase the ranks further. Our last session three new members joined up with modified/Laver shoes. I only captured two of them on film, the group welcomes:
Jacob Smith (not wearing his Lavers in picture)
Corey Jones (wearing new Lavers in picture)
We also welcome 15 year old Seth Weber (not shown) who showed me a video of Mirage being hit on his camera phone as proof of their practicing at the local high school.
Also a couple of new team shots, the first is the best picture I believe we have had thus far!
The scene at Pioneer Square is headed back to its usual thing, we had about 25 people out for last session, including Sunny and Dylan from Boise, who we were happy to introduce to Pioneer Square.
The Biz:
Things continue to progress in Portland, we are contacted semi regularly with various propositions, most recently a new long term sponsorship and a sit down with the Portland Trail Blazers. In the fall and/or spring of next season it looks like we will be performing some floor shows for the crowd, good exposure. Our work in the schools has increased as well, either by myself and the team (Nick usually), or with John Stalberger, we have been able to perform shows and workshops all over the PDX area. In the fall we will be expanding an after school program I offer to more schools in the area. It should keep us busy!
Also the work at the Boys and Girls Club is expanding, footbag is played regularly at the main facility I do work at. Footbag Foursquare is a huge hit, the kids line up heavily to play it now whether I am playing or not. Something about the point structure and competitiveness of it really appeals to them, a kid calling out a 'hack off' is quite common now. The voting system is also a popular element, I think the fact that the kids are controlling the game instead of the staff is also appealing to them. We had a larger meeting with many of the other clubs in the area and will hopefully be expanding Foursquare this summertime. We may connect the Boys and Girls Club with some other business we working on launching in the next couple of months, they are very supportive of footbag!
The Players:
The general skill level of the group has risen greatly, with Nick Landes being the pentacle. After his showing at Montana (taking first in Shred 30 with a dropless score of 234 among other things) his game and mental set has jumped up greatly. He is currently up to 13 unique fives, and 5 or 6 unique sixes. A few sessions ago he hit Paradox S&M Smashers BSOS, as well as Malstrom to Paradox S&M Smasher into a combo. There also was the usual array of sets I don't understand well.
Jake Wren has also stepped it up, within 10 minutes he hit 4 new six add moves. Last session he hit his first seven add move (Spinning Ducking Motion). His control is pretty amazing, Nick called me over and told Jake to hit the move again, on command Jake hit it and right off the very move passed the bag to me directly over to me. Jake is an interesting player, though he has warmed up to learning the add system, he still does not know the add count (or names) of many moves. I believe this has created an interesting and creative style with Jake; he isn't linking based on the add values of moves, but rather what simply flows together. It's anything but cookie cutter, and a fun and beautiful style to watch.
Alex Bernstein has also stepped it up, he may be one of the fastest learning players I have met. In ten months or starting to freestyle he hit his first 7 add move (Montage), and has kept up a good track record of hitting a new five every session. He most recently learned the Fury set, and hit Jani Walker the other day. I believe he is at about a year now for freestyle. Nick, Jake, and Bernstein are pretty much our new school elite, they represent us well!
On the OG side, Sean Wingert has been shredding it up, and can hang more than well with the young-uns. Ben Schmaltz is rocking it as well, linking many fives in a row with thunderous style. Shults tears it up whenever he makes it out, but unfortunately has been more busy than not lately, thus we see him only semi-regularly. For myself, it would seem the constant playing almost every day for shows or workshops has unfortunately taken it's toll. I definitely need to take a break, something I have not been able to do thus far this year. I don't see any downtime in the near future, guess things could be worse!
The House:
The shred house goes along well, we are bringing in our friend Kevin Hinkel next month, who is a great artist and a fun person to kick with. There is a trend right now that we all do battle in the old school video games, but may upgrade soon to the Wii and Smash Brothers. In a month or so I believe we have another room opening up, so if anyone wants to relocate, we certainly would have no problems accommodating!
Guess things are good in general right now in Portland, there are other projects the gang is working, mainly things that have worked in the PDX area we are looking to expand to a national level in the coming year. As always, I am thankful for the scene and the people in the sport, and look forward to giving back as much as possible!
R