Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

For Happiness, Spend Money On Experiences

Monday, August 23rd, 2010

by Brian Carroll

www.Olivestudio.com

Consumerism

                                VS.

photographe-concert-renaud-2

For years now we have heard the term “retail therapy.”  The idea that buying things can make us happier, or at least help calm our unhappiness.  New studies are showing this may not be the case.  I was on my way to the store the other day when this segment came onto NPR.  Psychologists have been studying the effects of experiences on human happiness against the effects of purchasing material possesions.  This prompted me to think, “maybe I should shell out money for the Lady Gaga concert rather than buy that new pair of jeans?!”  This is exactly what I did!  Am I happier? The jury is still out.

Below borrowed  from NPR.org:

Are there a few presents under the tree that didn’t really make you jump for joy? Return them for cash and go to dinner. Psychologists say people report feeling happier when they spend their money on experiences rather than objects. Study author Ryan Howell, from San Francisco State University, explains the results and speculates on whether the findings extend to gift-giving. Click here to read the full story and listen.

 


Art Basel 2010 – Get Ready!

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

by Eric Goldstein

www.Olivestudio.com

art basel 3

Talk about Experience Design.
One of our favorite events at Olive and Toast & Jam is attending Miami’s Art Basel.  For 41 years Miami Beach has been transformed with the inspiration of design, type, light, brand activation, and top-quality exhibitions in their galleries and museums (all over South Florida).

From music, installations to brand-centric sponsored events – it’s a rich, fun, stylish filled 3 days to get your design swerve on. Featured below is an assortment of images capturing some of the heart of the event. One of our favorites is Tatiana, a street artist, one of the 50 artists providing a kinetic experience while you hop from one event to another.


Portland Timbers Unveil New Logo

Monday, June 14th, 2010

by Brian Carroll

www.Olivestudio.com

Print

 

Well, the team’s most diehard fans — known as the Timber Army — apparently hate it. The franchise, which begins play in Major League Soccer starting in 2011, thought it would be a great idea to unveil its new logo during a World Cup viewing party Saturday at in Portland. What do you think?

Also, today the Timbers announced season ticket pricing that the team’s season ticket prices will range from $99 to $1,500.

The Timbers also revealed a website feature that allows buyers to explore the views from their prospective seats.

The team introduced ticket pricing plans that range from $4.95 per game, for seats in PGE Park’s “value terrace” on the stadium’s west side, to $75 per game for “Key Bank Club” seats. The club seats are under a vaulted roof and offer straight-on field views.

The prices reflect the Timbers 20-game schedule at PGE Park. The Key Bank Club seats cost $1,500 for the full season while the value terrace seats cost $99 for the year.

Check out the unveiling ceremony below and for more information about The Portland Timbers Soccer click here.


Dining Month in Portland

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

by Brian Carroll

www.Olivestudio.com

head-diningmonth

Over here at Olive, if there is one thing we like more than good design, its good food!  Lucky for us, June is dining monther here in Portland.  Portland is known to have one of the hottest culinary scenes in the United States, so when good food is a bargain, it tastes even better.  For the entire month of June 46 of the city’s best eateries are offering three-course meals for just $25. Come hungry, and prepare to be impressed.

For a complete list of participating restaurants click here.

By the way, we would love to hear about some of your experiences or favorite restaurants around town!


Cochon 555 Portland aka Porkland

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

by Brian Carroll

www.Olivestudio.com

Sea Poster 

Five Chefs, Five Pigs, Five Winemakers
A group of chefs will each prepare a 140 pound heritage breed hog from head to toe in this friendly competition for a cause. Guests and professional judges will determine a winner based on presentation, utilization and overall best flavor. The winner will be crowned the “Prince of Porc”. In addition, five selected winemakers will showcase their wines. COCHON 555 is a tribute to heritage and heirloom breeds, chefs and winemakers.
 

Each 140 lb pig can be pre-cooked, braised, grilled, pressed, pickled, rubbed, smoked, seared, sauced, spiced, injected, marinated, cured in any way, or otherwise prepared. Guest of the event will experience the chef creations during a 2.5 hour stand-up reception. Chef stations will alternate with winemaker tables. Guests should not arrive late for this event.

CHEFS:
GABRIEL RUCKER – Le Pigeon
NAOMI POMEROY – Beast
JASON BARWIKOWSKI – Olympic Provisions
ANDY RICKER – Pok Pok
CATHY WHIMS – Nostrana

THE FIVE WINES:
Elk Cove Vineyards
Bethel Heights Vineyard
Domaine Drouhin Oregon
Soter Vineyards
Domaine Serene

VIP WINES: (reserve tasting)
Elk Cove Vineyards
Chehalem Winery
Sokol Blosser Winery
Big Table Farm
R. Stuart & Co. Winery
Et Fille Wines
Anne Amie Vineyards
McCrea Cellars
Long Shadows Wineries
Domaine Serene
Syncline

Resident Butcher:
RYAN FARR – 4505 Meats San Francisco

Special Guest Chefs:
GREG DENTON – Metrovino
DAVID ANDERSON – Genoa
ETHAN POWELL / TOBIAS HOGAN – EaT
ADAM SAPPINGTON – The Country Cat

VIP EXPERIENCE: Start early with an oyster tasting and special selection of library of Rieslings. Responsibly raised oysters will be sourced by Ethan Tobias of EaT, they will be prepared by Greg Denton of Metrovino, David Anderson of Genoa and Ethan Powell of EaT. Artisan cheeses from Cheese Bar, Reserve Salts with Mark Bitterman of The Meadow and a reserve wine tasting from Elk Cove Vineyards, Chehalem Winery, Sokol Blosser Winery, Big Table Farm, R. Stuart & Co. Winery, Et Fille Wines, Anne Amie Vineyards, McCrea Cellars, Long Shadows Wineries, Syncline and Domaine Serene. While sipping on savory cocktails by Daniel Hyatt of Alembic SF, craft brews from Double Mountain Brewery guests can meat and greet with the chefs, winemakers and judges of COCHON555.

MAIN FLOOR: Guests will witness a whole pig butcher demonstration by Ryan Farr while consuming over 750lbs of swine, great wines, brews and pig perfect dessert by Xocolatl de David. The after party will be held at Davis Street Tavern and will feature a handful of surprises. This is a full day of new and old relationships, great chefs, swine, wine and we look forward to sharing it with you.

WHY: To promote heritage pigs and breed diversity in local and national communities.

LOCATION: The Governor Hotel, 614 SW 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97205

WANT TO WIN TICKETS? Please sign up to “Bacon Bits” the newsletter for event updates, ticket contests and announcements. Visit the website where you can also find us on FaceBook and Twitter under “Cochon555” and “Cochon on Tour”. All contests are announced to our social media friends.

Click here for tickets and more information!!

 

 

Portland Chefs Dominate James Beard Awards Nominations

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

by Brian Carroll

www.Olivestudio.com

james_beard

We here over at Olive, love us some good food.  Both of our main offices are fortunate enough to be located in towns that have no shortage of good food!  The Cochon 555 event was a highlight of our culinarty expereiences last year, and we look forward to participating again.  Because we like food so much, it is very exciting to come accross articles about the local food scene.  Portland is domiating the NW food scene in the James Beard Foundation Awards this year. 

Deemed “the Oscars of the food world,” by Time magazine, The James Beard Foundation Awards are the country’s most coveted honor for chefs; food and beverage.

 

Check out this article about the local nominated Chefs!


International Tokyo Toy Show 2010

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

by Eric Goldstein

www.Olivestudio.com

Firstly, I am a huge fan of Japanese type executions, where there is the exploration of scale, color, texture, animation, contrast and above all – visceral joy.

Although the site is not up yet for the 2010 show – here is the homepage, which already makes me want to go onto Travelocity and scope out some good airfare deals.

Picture 1

For some insight into the goings’on at the Toy Show, here is a little something from two years ago.
Although I don’t exactly know what I am looking at – I dig it A LOT.


 


Decatur, Georgia – A City Defined by Community

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

by Eric Goldstein

www.olivestudio.com

skateraid_goldstein

Having lived and worked in the Decatur  community over the last 8 years, I have had the pleasure of watching a small city, just a few miles east of the Atlanta downtown, transform into a desirable, attractive and thriving pocket, characterized by commerce, pride, education and good decisions.

From the iconic license plates, showing off the pride associated with where people live, to flag-raising, home improving, parent participating, yogurt-tapping, school improving, student-accelerating and lifestyle embracing – it’s changed the fabric of one of the most approachable inside the perimeter.

What’s brought on the desire to write about Decatur, is being on the heels of Skateraid , this past weekend, where we witnessed skateboarders, their friends, families, artists, musicians and more importantly, community come out to support a great cause , it’s very clear how a simple idea, can be embraced, nurtured and harvested through art, music and community.

For SkaterAid, it was started as a fundraiser, but in my opinion, it’s a way those in the area can celebrate with each other and give in return. A true identifying characteristic and priceless brand attribute.


Vancouver Olympics 2010

Monday, May 18th, 2009

by Brian Carroll

www.olivestudio.com

While it may seem like a long ways off, the people in charge of making sure the 2010 winter Olympics is pulled off without a hitch are now running at full speed.  The Province of British Columbia is faced with building arenas, widening roads, and figuring out how to house the thousands of spectators and participants that will flock to their beautiful city in less than two years.  Things are well on their way.  Arenas are almost completed, city streets are flocked with banners depicting the Olympic mascot, and most importantly, sponsors are working hard to make sure their brand will be the most noticable.

Sponsors drop boat loads of money in order to gain access to the coveted “rings.”  Minimum commitments are somewhere in the ball park of 5 million dollars to be an official sponsor of the games.  Companies are going to go to great lenthgs to make sure their money is well spent.  This will include the hiring of the best designers and marketing teams in the world.  Giants like Coca-Cola and Vias will be making sure that when you watch the Olympics, you will see their brand. 

With the amount of work that is coming out of these Olympics, there are great opportunities for designers and marketers to land some great work.  The Olympic operating budget alone is 1.6 billion dollars.  London expects to add over 40 billion dollars to its economy in 2012 alone.  I am sure Vancouver will be in the same ball park.  A cut of this money surely can be landed by the creative community.


On Your Mark…..Get Set…….Cut and Paste!

Monday, April 20th, 2009

by Eric Goldstein

www.olivestudio.com

Are you a designer? Have you heard of Cut & Paste?
Perhaps through Cool Hunting, or Current TV, or maybe even through your local Graphic Arts Organization – this is the new trend in fusing entertainment and design.

DESIGN COMPETITIONS. Short rounds of creative, flash mob mentality, you enter, you compete and it’s happening ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

If you are one of those designers who often find yourself with a “Creative Block”? – THIS IS NOT FOR YOU. Enjoy!

 

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