Hoffmans return home safely after Haiti earthquake

Joel and Rachel Hoffman were trapped in their apartment building for several hour after the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Returning home to Portland was emotional, after not having contact with their families for several days. Rachel's parents flew up from their home in Sydney, Australia for the reunion. They suffered relatively minor injuries in the quake, Rachel a gash on her arm, and Joel and minor head injury. They credit their survival to having lived on the top floor of their apartment building. The Hoffmans were living in Haiti working with a Christian relief agency.

Vintage Cocktail Lounge

Vintage Lounge is a classic cocktail bar in the Montavilla neighborhood of Southeast Portland. The space is small, yet accommodating, low lit with rich warm tones, and a beautiful hard plank bar top that was salvaged from an old hop barn. The drink menu is long and varied, with 20 house cocktails laced with housemade tinctures (grain alcohol infused with herbs, spices, and/or fruits), every top-shelf spirit you can think of, and a good selection of beers on tap. Or, if you please, owner Justin Akins drink of choice; an Oly pounder. Vintage also has a yummy bar-food menu featuring Pizzetta and hearty sandwiches using their housemade flatbread, including a spicy Roast beef with Serrano Peppers and a classic Philly Cheesesteak. For something a little different try one Vintage's many Absinthe cocktails. And if you've had too many, one of Justin's fine bartenders will be more than will be happy to order you up a cab.

Owner Justing Akins (left) talks shop with Wayne, one of Vintage's highly skilled mixologist.

Justin making a Corpse Reviver; Brandy, Fernet Branca, Mente Branca, and Sparked Lemon Zest.

A Corpse Reviver sits atop the handcrafted bar salvaged from an old Hop Barn.

Wayne mixes up some traditional Absinthe cocktails at Vintage Lounge.

Wayne burns some sugar cubes into his Absinthe cocktails.

Carl Burke headshots

Carl Burke, a New York actor on holiday out west for the summer, came in for some new headshots this weekend. Here's what we came up with...

America's Best Dance Crew: Super Cr3w

The winners of the MTV reality television series America's Best Dance Crew, Super Cr3w, performed live at the Portland Trail Blazers vs. Phoenix Suns NBA game last week. The B-Boy style dance team is sponsored by Red Bull, who hired me to come out and make a few shots of their performance and freestyle break session after the game.