The roads to success are as unique as the people traveling them. For some the trip is smooth and seemingly effortless; for others, the journey has twists and turns that are sometimes treacherous, other times surprising. In the case of Michael Allen Harrison, successful pianist, composer, teacher, family man, animal lover, and civic leader of a kind, the road to success seemed paved and waiting for him to just get on and drive.
Read MoreMeeting an insurance professional might not conjure thoughts of a fun, dynamic man. But pull up a chair. David Markham’s about to burst your bubble.
Read MoreRanking high among Portland’s media darlings, Michele Michaels, known formerly as “Kiss N Tell With Michele,” and now “Michele Til Midnight” on 99.5 The Wolf, not only brings the fabulous voice, but also a life force that is joyful, quick to laugh. . . and a wit you’d better watch out for.
Read MoreChristy Caplan has been a fixture on the Portland dog scene for ten years. And those years have been a blessing — the dark-haired, dark-eyed cutie is smart, engaging, and high-energy, and her imprint has touched pet parents through columns, articles, blogs, and now, the Super Rare Pack newsletter.
Read MoreWhen you spend 10 hours in a car with someone you've never met, there are two ways it can end: you can become friends, or you can become the story you each tell your friends that ends with the words "never again."
Lucky for me, I made such a road trip with Sharon Maloff Cram, owner of Club K-9 in north Portland--a truly state-of-the-heart dog boarding and training facility.
Read MoreShould the City of Portland ever need an ambassador couple to travel the world representing what makes this city so interesting and cool, they need look no further than Heather Macfarlane and Lucy Brennan.
Read MoreRaised in Cologne, Germany. “I was always interested in the unusual,” Ute says. “Unusual children . . . and then, pets. I’ve always been curious”
Teaching special ed and working in holistic wellness practices for years, today Ute is known and loved by those in the pet community for her work in TTouch, hospice teaching and support, and animal communication.
Read MoreJustin Timm's bucket list has only one item on it, and it involves a camel.
"For as long as I can remember, the only thing I've had [on my list] is riding a camel down to the local bar to have a beer," he says.
Read MoreWendy Reimer responded immediately when she got a report of a large dog chained up with no shelter, who had been standing in the cold northwest rain for some time.
Read MoreSpeaking with Glenn Kolb is like enjoying a pleasant stroll on a beautiful day. His easy, soft-spoken manner just feels good, while his intelligent, thoughtful discourse is fascinating — not unlike the things he values: friends, family, the arts — “music, literary arts, dance, plays . . . all add richness to our lives,” he says.
Read MoreMusicians always have good stories. No exception when it comes to Zack O'Connor, bassist and singer with the Astoria-based indie/pop band Holiday Friends.
Read MoreThere are very few experiences that could completely prepare you to run a large, busy, 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital, but Ron Morgan has something on his resume that made him up for the challenge: he spent a few years in the late ‘80s doing PR for Tonya Harding.
Read MoreTrue or False: "Biscuit & The Fuzzbillies" is the name of an acoustic headliner at this year's Northwest String Summit.
The answer? False — it's how 94/7 FM's popular morning radio host Greg Glover refers to his family of celebrity pets.
Read MoreIt's estimated that only 27% of college graduates are actually working in a field related to their degree. Daniela Iancu is one of that 27% — but she didn't plan it that way.
Read MoreFaster than a speeding hurricane . . . stronger than a leash-reactive Pit bull . . . bungee-jumping into canyons with a single bound . . . she is Patricia McKinney, owner of Portland Mutt Strut!
Read MoreWhen I lost my 17-year-old cat earlier this year, I received many lovely condolences via social media. The one that touched me most came from Kristine Levine, a friend who normally spends her days and nights being profanely funny.
"Terribly sorry for your loss," she posted. "I suppose they don't get to live as long as we do because they are our love filters. Like kidneys. They take our damaged, human love, filter it, and return it back to us pure and cleansed."
Read MoreHeather Hines learned a very important lesson growing up as a skater girl in Southern California: no matter what happens, you’ve gotta roll with it.
It's a good philosophy considering that life has brought the founder and Executive Director of Indigo Ranch and Rescue more than her share of challenges,
Read MoreAntonio Harvey is a classic southern man: he believes in dressing well, that politeness is a high virtue, and he can whip up a tasty etouffee, no problem. But the former Portland Trailblazer and current radio analyst for the team chose to raise his family in Oregon when he retired from the game, which apparently resulted in (figuratively speaking) web-footed children.
Read MoreShawna Shuh is an experience. The petite 50ish beauty is all lush red hair, sparkling blue eyes, bright mind and spirit . . . and booming laugh.
Read MoreIt's a very good thing that Scott Tom, midday radio personality at Portland's Oldies 106.7, has a wife who is such an animal lover. Otherwise, she might get a little jealous of how her husband feels about their dogs Annie, Thunder, and Sprinkles.
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