Team Tortugal Power May 29, 2008

 

This morning, a group of us from Parsons celebrated the end of Bike to Work month with a scrumptious breakfast at Silence-Heart-Nest in Fremont.  As a team, the Tortugals traded cars for bikes and logged over 350 commuting miles throughout the month of May.  Out of the 831 group teams with new bike commuters, the Tortugals ranked 125 – pretty impressive for a group of five cycling from the north (Shoreline) and the south (Magnolia and West Seattle) to Phinney Ridge.  Sadly, Joanie wasn’t able to join in on the cycling fun due to a big bike accident at the beginning of the month – she’s fine, just banged up and still a little sore.

Over 8600 riders participated in Bike to Work month, saving 927,659.6 pounds of carbon dioxide.  Parsons’ Tortugals alone saved over 350 pounds of CO2 (1 mile to 1 pound converstion).  And, after doing the math, as a team we have also saved almost $200 on gas!

Some of us have made the commitment to continue to ride to work at least once per week throughout the summer months.  And we challenge others to do the same.  It’s healthy, fun and there is such a great bike community here in Seattle.  For bike events, routes and fun rides, visit the Cascade Bicycle Club and City of Seattle.

What not to do in the limelight May 28, 2008

One of the many services Parsons Public Relations offers our clients is media training.  Basically, we get you ready to be interviewed on camera so you don’t freeze up, forget your key talking points, or, say, forget to mention the name of your company.  We want to help you get traction out of your 15 minutes of fame.

Complements of Saturday Night Live, follow the jump to see what NOT to do.

We love this clip.  Just kidding!  No, we really do…

Out in the Community May 27, 2008

With our busy lives and packed schedules, I’m sure everyone can relate that it’s hard to find time to volunteer. Driving into work today, I started thinking about how many non-traditional ways there are to help out in the community and thought I’d share two recent stories of ways that our clients have inspired me. When Shirey Contracting came to the realization that it was time to give up one of their beloved trucks, Riley Shirey donated it to Seattle Central Community College’s Wood Working program, where he learned the trade and currently serves on the board. And Shirey Handyman put their skills to good use this month with 11 staff members participating in the 15th annual Rampathon, building three ramps for low-income, disabled people who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

So, if you haven’t yet determined the best way to help the community this summer, just think about what you enjoy doing and find someone who can benefit from that. Here at Parsons PR, we donate our time to many local organizations and spotlight non-profits at our quarterly Social Hours through our GoodWorks program.

Parsons PR is one of Washington’s Top Green Companies! May 23, 2008

Parsons Public Relations was recognized as one of Washington CEO Magazine’s top green companies at their first annual Green Washington Awards.  We were selected out of 140 entries to represent one of the top two “services” companies among the selected top 25.  We took runner-up to Entellium, but were honored to be among the cream of the crop in green: PCC, REI, Seattle University, NBBJ, Mithun, Bastyr University, Shorebank Pacific and Puget Sound Energy.  And thanks to Washington CEO for recognizing the businesses and organizations that have found innovative ways to be environmentally sustainable.  We all have a lot of work to do, but it was hopeful to be in the company of so many forward-thinking companies and organizations.  For a full list of honorees, please click here.

Rockin’ the Ride for Diabetes May 22, 2008

This past Saturday, May 17th, Pam and I participated in the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure.  We rode 45 miles in 90+ degree heat under sunny skies – and we are proud of it!  Not only did we ride the whole route escaping dehydration and the loss of feeling in our legs, we have raised close to $1800 for diabetes research…and the donations keep on coming.  I got to sport the super cool “Red Rider” cycling jersey because I am a diabetic.  It wasn’t fun getting passed by in-shape super cyclists, but it was really neat to have them say “Good job!” as they gracefully rode past.