Well, did you know that there’s a Yelp Elite? I didn’t either. But there is. And recently there was a Yelp Elite Event at Leftbank. I’m not sure what defines an individual as part of the Yelp Elite, but among other things, apparently they go to lots of parties. And write reviews.

On July 1, they got together here at Leftbank for cocktails by Organic Nation, party food by Bon Appetit, and (huge hit) beer and brewery tours from Upright. They then went on to do what Yelpers do, and write about it. Then Josh?, of PDXploration, posted these irresistible photos.

Dang. Now I’m sorry I missed the night, myself. And I want to be part of the Yelp Elite. Guess I ought to get busy writing some reviews.

Photo credit: Josh?, PDXploration

NuMark landed at Leftbank in May.  They put up those glorious lights in the old ballroom and got right to work.  What have they been working on?  Putting together a roadshow among other things, apparently.  On July 23^rd from 8:00am-12:00pm, NuMark’s bringing a big truck to the front lot.  Stop by for refreshments, and an opportunity to sit in and touch “the best seating in the market today.”

If you’re passing by the Leftbank Project, you’ll notice a pod on the triangle lot. For Leftbankers – look out your western windows. It looks like someone’s moving, I know. But really, the pod is a cleverly disguised traveling exhibition of an art initiative that has stolen my heart! It is Show + Tell – a compilation of artifacts from this year’s creative programming instigated by the Right Brain Initiative.

Rebecca Burrell kindly offered me a private tour of the pod yesterday. I confess that I was skeptical about the inspiration I might take away from a 12 foot moving crate sitting on the black top in the Annex back lot. Couldn’t have been more wrong. The tiny space draws you in and packs a punch. The walls are papered with children’s artwork. Kids’ voices in videos documenting joyful collaboration with community artists become this irresistible soundtrack. Found myself hoping the pod was a portal that would transport me into the classrooms. This life changing stuff is happening in ordinary schools, for ordinary kids, because of this partnership created by the Right Brain Initiative. In their words: “The Right Brain Initiative comes from a recognition that creativity is an aspect of human wellness – not a rare and unevenly distributed gift.”

2009-2010 was their first year working in the Portland tri-county area. In the first year, they reached 11,000 K-8 students in 23 schools! Their goals are long-term and far reaching. They intend to bring creative learning opportunities to all children in the 240 K-8 schools of the region. They’re working now to spread the word, increase support, and broaden their reach in schools.

From now through at least July 2nd, the pod will be on Leftbank’s triangle lot. Right Brain invites you (and I urge you!) to stop in and have a look around. You might come away with a creative spark of your own or see a way to add your efforts to the work. At the very least, you’ll have a lovely look around at what community minded artists and inspired kids can come up with together. Beautiful.

The pod is open for exploration by luck, by appointment, and from 4:00-6:00 on weekdays. Contact Rebecca Burell for more information and for scheduling.

Coming in May to the coveted “Duderanch Ballroom” is NuMark Office Interiors.  NuMark is a “full-service commercial furnishings dealership providing clients with a broad range of interior product and furniture service solutions.”  There’s some synchronicity at work in getting this group into the old jazz club, as General Manager Randy Ito has some jazz history himself (you’ll have to ask him).  He’s already known affectionately around the Leftbank office as “Ballroom Randy.”

The breathtaking 3rd floor is probably even more beautiful than the last time you looked.  Beginning this past weekend, Sockeye Creative is moving their operation to Leftbank.  An integrated brand creative agency, they say, “Think of us as a physical trainer for your brand.  We’ll whip it into the best shape of its life.  All muscle.  No fat.  That’s where the metaphor ends.  You won’t catch us checking ourselves out in the mirror.”

Stop by and welcome the new neighbors when you have a chance.  We couldn’t be more pleased to have them on board.

Hey Leftbankers,

Every Friday through Sunday from now until April 25 there will be an art installation by artist Stephen Slappe, here at Leftbank as part of Disjecta’s Portland2010 “a biennial exhibition of contemporary artwork significant to Portland’s art landscape”.  So, before you head down to Upright for your Friday afternoon tasting session, why not stop by the basement garage space (next door to the cafe) and expand your mind a little?  The exhibit is open Friday/Saturday/Sunday 12-6pm.  For more information on Disjecta’s citywide Portland2010 exhibits click here.

As I am sure most of you know by now, Al Gore will be here at Leftbank tomorrow morning to join Bill Bradbury for a discussion about Oregon’s New Frontier of Green Jobs.

If you are interested in joining in this discussion, there are still some tickets available here.  Here is some more information from Bill Bradbury’s website:

Last week we had another fabulous Happy Hour here at Leftbank, this time welcoming two more tenants to the building: the GreenVille Project (to quote their website) - “an eco-conscious retail development firm … committed to designing, building and maintaining community based, sustainably built, energy neutral retail marketplaces” - and Blue Tree Strategies who (again, from their site) works with “clients to build and implement valuable sustainability strategies that fit within their overall long-term business strategy.”

It was a casual, fun, friendly event with great grub (thanks, Cafe!). If you want to be on the list for the future Happy Hours, email Joanna and ask her to add your name and email address.

See you next time!

What is it that excites you most about creating an alliance with other businesses committed to sustainability? What parts of this newly forming business alliance do you most want to see take root and grow?

These are the questions posed at the “World Café” - a format where broad questions are asked over food (from the Cafe - yum!) and wine in an intimate setting in order to garner the collective wisdom of the group. This World Cafe happened here at Leftbank on Monday, June 15th, with Karen Whisler, Consultant with Conversation That Matters, and Sattie Clark of Eleek orchestrating the ritual.

People from a diverse range of sustainable businesses - many who were part of the very successful PDX Lounge - attended this event. Four people sat at each table, armed with markers and post-it notes to get the conversation - and potential new organization - moving… Stay tuned to see where it goes from here!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

There’s been a lot of discussion about the Rose Quarter Development lately – not only plans to tear down the Memorial Stadium and build a baseball stadium, but also the proposed creation of a new entertainment/restaurant district. Some say it will continue the revitalization of the area – and be a great spot for an outdoor music venue; others say it will empty the city’s wallet and doesn’t reflect Portland’s values.

If you’ve got something to say – or just want to listen – come to the public meeting here at Leftbank on April 14th from 6-8pm and grab Sam Adams or Randy Leonard by the ear. Reps from the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the Trailblazers, and the Portland Development Commission will also be there.

For more background, check out what the Oregonian, Portland Mercury, and Brian Libby have to say.

NuMark Office Interiors is a full-service commercial furnishings dealership providing clients with a broad range of interior product and furniture service solutions.

With offices in Seattle, Kent and Portland, NuMark represents a broad range of interior products including Organic Workspaces (flexible, adaptable, integrated interior furniture systems), Constructive Solutions (a modular building product solution of flooring, walls, ceiling, lighting, data, and electrical), as well as many others.

Through collaboration with clients, A&D community, and staff, NuMark is able to provide innovative products and professional services that create high performance interiors.