Portland Frelance Copywriter, Tom Vandel of Les Overhead is Portland, Oregon’s Don Draper.  When I have a good experience with a professional I like to share it.  Tom makes the creative process fun, which it should be.  From soup to nuts Tom can do it all and has a deep portfolio to prove it. 

Tom has had his business for over 20 years and has worked for a wide range of accounts from Dentists to Lawyers to Catholic Radio stations to the City of Portland  and Metro.  If you are looking for a down to earth, relatable and affordable brilliance look no further for your Portland Copywriter and creative needs in general for brochures, billboards, direct mail, print ads or even invitations.

Tom is an integral part of our creative team at Popina.  So if you are looking for a fresh approach and or ideas to marketing consider giving Tom Vandel a call.

In the spirit of everyone loves an underdog, I would like to offer the unveiling of the NE 42nd Avenue Business Association’s new logo.  Our street is starting from ground zero in many ways, starting up a new group particularly of people with business interests is not too dissimilar from starting a business.  When we started our Portland Swimwear Shop Popina we had many of the same immediate issues to deal with such as developing a logo/identity and getting on the map. 

Our board has been meeting regularly for the last year getting administrative matters in order such as bylaws, etc.  We quickly put our focus on taking down the old, tired banners that were flapping in the wind and not giving the proper face our street deserved.  After interviewing a few graphic designers we chose Jen Kilcoyne, a great local graphic designer.  The final logo was a great collaboration between our great board group of NE 42nd Avenue and Jen. 

I love to participate in creative processes with professional creative people.  I was a bit nervous going into a design process with a committee (a working group of 10 people weighing in on the direction of the logo).  Jen did a great job of drawing out ideas from the group then developing our new identity from our input.  Personally I love the street banners with the open for business.  For me it acknoledges the current tough business environment and pokes fun at our selves a little for being the underdog.

The logo has three iterations, one to be used for window decals for businesses:

This logo below will be used on street banners.  We are applying for a grant to the APNBA for funds to hopefully install these new banners in the spring!

And this logo will be used for letterhead:

So wish us good luck on the grant, I can not wait to see the new banners up it will really spice up the street, and if you have been thinking about opening a business or have a friend who is looking, come to NE 42nd Avenue.  We have very affordable commercial rents and great location!

Water Aerobics Swimwear Portland Popina Swim is your place.  Water Aerobics in Portland continues to gain in popularity if you are looking to get involved in a class below is a short listing of places around Portland to give a try (in no particular order).

YWCA Downtown

Portland Parks and Recreation (various locations)

Providence Health (two locations in NE and SW)

Middleman Community Center

North East Community Center (NECC)

YMCA (Beaverton and Vancouver)

24 Hour Fitness (Various Locations)

Bally’s (Various Locations)

Cascade Athletic Club

Do you love to travel, do you like bargains, most importantly do you LOVE Popina?  Popina has introduced Club Maillot (French for Bathing Suit, pronounced like Cinco de “Mayo”).  You can register for Club Maillot at checkout; all we need is your e-mail address.  Every quarter we will be giving away a free weekend stay at an awesome Northwest Destination at our Portland Swimwear Boutique.  Last Quarter a lucky Club Maillot member won a weekend stay at McMenamin’s Grand Lodge, just in time for the fall Grape Crush.  This quarter we are giving away a weekend stay plus one massage at beautiful Skamainia Lodge, an easy weekend escape with an AMAZING pool and spa!  Other benefits of Club Maillot include advance notice of sales, receiving our sweet quarterly newsletter and notification of special events.  Get a suit win a trip!

Grand Lodge Pool

   Skamania Lodge Pool

Retro Swimwear is hot again for 2010 and Popina’s designer and owner Pamela Levenson keeps rolling out fresh new styles.  One of the many new styles for 2010 include the Grace Swimsuit.

The Grace is flattering and fun inspired by 1940’s Swimwear and 1950’s Swimwear Styles.  Key design points include the front “privacy” skirt, wide tie around the neck straps and the simple but cute front bow.

You can get a Grace for yourself on line at Popina or at our Portland Swimwear Store.