Mustaches for Kids Portland

'Stache Bash 2008!

2008-12-22T14:16:00.001-08:00

Well, that's it. I hope that it was as good for you as it was for us. Attendance was not as great as last year- but we can only attribute that to the crappy weather. Whatever, those not brave enough to brave the weather only missed out on the best mustache party in town!

It's the most fun to see everyone in costume and character- many of who didn't break character all night.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Ron Burgundy.

Redneck Matador:

The evening ran smoothly, pausing only for belly laughs and genuine hilarity. Somehow, our esteemed judges managed to keep the tears of laughter at bay.

From left to right, our judges were Mr. Fred Fox, a 7th grade teacher, and DonorsChoose.org project funds recipient (whose T-shirt read 'Shakespeare hates your emo poems' Amen!), Jen LaMastra, Junk to Funk Participant and hair stylist extraordinaire and Jonathan Buhler, M4K PDX Sweetest 'Stache 2007- need we say more.

A huge thanks to DJ ShortChange and Emcee Nicholas Kessler from The Liberators. We always say, leave the hard stuff to the professionals. Thanks guys!

In heats of 4 and 5, the mustaches strutted out to their song and answered the Emcees questions. Nothing was off limits! Questions such as 'Where do you see your mustache in 10 years?' and 'What is your mustache doing to end world hunger?' were fielded masterfully by well-rehearsed mustaches.

After a great deal of pageantry on the part of the mustaches; after nailing every turn, and keeping as sober as they possibly could, it was beyond their control. The judges logically and quantifiably scored each mustache. Then the winners were announced...

FIRST: before we get to Portlands Sweetest Stache- we've almost forgotten the main reason these men have been growing mustaches! For DonorsChoose.org. Including the money we raised at Holocene that evening, Portland Growers have raised over $4400 for DonorsChoose.org! YAY! The most dollars for children award went to Freddy Mercury with a total of $581!

Second runner up was taken by Exercise Eric (his friends call him 'Whiskers')

First runner up went to Lieutenant Dangle

Portland's SWEETEST STACHE of 2008 went to Cowboy Ryan

His mother was very, very proud.

... And we're proud of YOU Portland. Thanks again! See you next year!

Make sure to check out the Flickr site, which includes green room shenanigans!

Checkpoint 3- Slabtown

2008-12-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

There are doubters out there, but we have proof that a man can grow a mustache in 4 weeks. The following photos prove otherwise
Check 'em out!

Good work, men.

In other news, the 'Stache Bash is right around the corner (read: Tomorrow!!), and crappy weather or no, it will be happening.

There will be shenanegins, silliness and a whole lotta 'stache. A better time you will not be able to find in the Portland Metro Area tomorrow night. So you have -NO- excuse not to be there.

After all, it's for the kids!

2008-12-16T22:54:00.000-08:00

Checkpoint 2: American Cowgirls

2008-12-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

Luckily (?) for the M4K crew, American Cowgirls was a sparsely populated venue on Thursday night. This allowed our mustaches to take advantage of things they otherwise could not:

- The stripper pole had a very short waiting line
- The DJ booth (which also happened to be the cab of an old pick-up truck) proved to be a very agreeable photography backdrop
- The bar staff took our request for country music seriously (for the first half of the night)

Let it be known that Thanksgiving week treated our growers well, and there is some pretty stiff competition out there, if we do say so ourselves. But don’t just take our word for it:

Although we give credit where credit is due, we also give mad props and encouragement where there is low confidence and (perhaps?) even lower self-esteem. For those growers out there who are doubting themselves - keep thy chin up, think of the children and know that if you quit now, there will be endless heckling to face. Endless.

Speaking of ‘end-in-sight’, the Stache Bash is in 1.5 short weeks!! Tell your family, co-workers, friends, and frenemies.

Join us this Thursday, December 11th at Slabtown for some 'friendly' competition.

Cheers!

Checkpoint 1- Self-Doubt and Skee Ball

2008-11-25T21:47:00.000-08:00

Week one and the mustaches are rearin' to go. Actually, truth be told, week one is the most trying, unless your name is Dan and you didn't get the memo that you have to shave at least once a week... Dan, if you're reading this, you best only be sportin' a 'stache come December 4!

No, week 1 is where the self-doubt is the strongest, and the mustache is truly at its weakest. Don't give up though! It's all downhill from here, a rolling mustache gathers no... um... Keep on growing!

The meet-up this week was at East Burn. A lively downstairs taproom opened itself up perfectly for a motley crew of scruffy ruffians (or ragamuffins?).

Also, since the organizers are such sticklers about things and like to put things on their mustache growers, they always make them wear a name tag (mostly so that they can learn each other's name... it has nothing to do with the organizers not knowing every mustaches name... not at all).

Week 1 brought our group closer together. It could have been the skee ball, it could have been the cozy booths, it may very well have been the beer... whatever it was, we're not going to dwell on it, we're looking forward to Thanksgiving!

We will not be meeting on Thursday, the day of Thanks, because, frankly, that would be wrong. And also, because it could also be the most lucrative day for our growers (especially if your family likes children!) The organizers are not that particular sort of evil. Instead the organizers decided to help their growers out by helping them prepare for the inevitable awkward mustache situation.

Questions such as 'Your grandmother tells you that she will withhold your inheritance if you do not immediately shave your 'stache- Quick- What Do You Do??!'
Example of Favorable Answer: 'Whatever, G-ma, I'm doing this for the kids!'
Example of Unfavorable Answer: 'Okay (walks upstairs to shave)."

... and so on and so forth.

The other things we're looking forward to is Checkpoint 2- American Cowgirls.

See Y'all on December 4th!

Clean Shave Day: A Baby Smooth Success!

2008-11-16T17:53:00.000-08:00

Well, folks, the 2008 Growing Season is officially here. And it feels good. REAL GOOD. If you were at Life of Riley last Thursday for our Clean Shave Day Checkpoint, then you know how awesome it is to have a bar full of baby-faced men talk mustaches and charity. If you weren't able to make it out to Life of Riley last Thursday to see our clean-shaven Growers in action, then you missed out on a good time.

We started off the night with a Mustache ice breaker. Ever wonder how long it would take you to guess the name of a famous mustache if it were taped to your back? Didn't think so. Turns out, if you're Luke, it wouldn't take you long - he won $25 towards his total donations by guessing his famous Mustache first (The winning famous mustache? Chuck Norris)!

Luke: Clean-shaven and $25 richer for the kids!

We also spent a few minutes taking Mustache Glamour Shots to capture each and every Grower's glorious baby smooth start to the 2008 Growing Season. To check out all the photos from our Clean Shave Checkpoint, take a peek at our Flickr. Here are a few gems to wet your appetite:

Howie, a loyal Mustache: Stopped by before band practice!

Michael M: Smiling for the camera

Tommy: Posing like he means it.

Be sure to head to East Burn for our next Checkpoint, on Thursday, November 20 at 7pm to have a few beers and see all of our Grower's progress after one whole week of 'staching. And remember - they're doing the kids a solid and donating 10% of the bar to DonorsChoose that night, so drink up!

'Staches,

Chrissy & Sarah

Info Session!

2008-11-09T21:25:00.000-08:00

Well, it's here! We've said goodbye to our Thursday evenings (doing anything aside from hanging out with the best men in town) from here until the last third of December, Mustaches for Kids is underway (won't you join us?)!!

We met at :Vendetta last Thursday for an Info Session in order to woo the ones on the fence, say hello to old faces and try to lure unassuming barfolk to our ranks.

We at HQ think it was a success. Being M4K virgins ourselves last year, things usually felt somewhere between hectic and crazy. All in all, shooting mostly in the dark, we had a fantastic time and couldn't not try for a bigger and better year this year. Thankfully there are some veterans on board this year: Howie, Don and Pete who we think will give the fresh meat stachies a run for their money (anyone who hasn't seen Pete's follicles, beware!).

Questions were fielded, info packets handed out and a short speech was made. For you out there who are saying to yourselves, 'damn! Is it too late? Must I wait yet another year before I try my upper lip at Portland's Sweetest 'Stace?' Well, dear reader, it is NOT too late. The growing season doesn't officially start until next Thursday which is the official Clean Shave Day. Please shoot us an e-mail asap to get further instructions m4kpdx@gmail.com.

Special thanks to :Vendetta who supported M4K by donating %20 of the bar that night. Portland is already on the map with $271! Keep your eyes peeled for grower profiles to be popping up to the right. That's the place where miracles happen!

We'll see you next week at Life of Riley!

-Out.

2008 Calendar of Events... And MORE!!

2008-10-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

Alright facial hair fans -

We realize that last year we didn't do the best job letting y'all know where our checkpoints were going to be. We were so into being co-organizers that we wanted to savor the feeling of power of calling all the shots, how we wanted, when we wanted. We now realize this was silly, and that the more notice people have, the more likely it will be that they show up. That being said...

We want to give a shout out to the fantastic community members who have been supporting our efforts so far: Bishops Barbershop and :Vendetta (I would link to the website, but it's having some issues at the moment). Special thanks also to Donors Choose for getting our fabulous donation site set up. You, dear reader, can start donating now!

Here's the Calendar of Events for the 2008 Growing Season:

For consistency’s sake, and because we love being predictable, all events will begin at 7:00pm take place on Thursday unless otherwise specified.

November 6: Info Session at :Vendetta, 4306 N Williams Ave

November 13: Clean Shave Day at Bishops Barbershop, 1011 NW Everett, 1-4pm all Bishops Locations.
Note: Bishops will be treating growers to a smooth-as-a-baby's-bottom shave (also known as a 'gentleman's shave') as part of your ceremonious mustache beginnings. Details to follow...

November 13: Clean Shave Day inagural checkpoint will be held at Life Of Riley, 300 NW 10th Ave. Come with a smooth face, or do it when you get home.

November 20: Checkpoint 1 at East Burn, 1800 E. Burnside

November 27: Thanksgiving day- We will not be meeting this week, but it is a good day to solicit donations from whomever you share dinner with.

December 4: Checkpoint 2 at American Cowgirls, 500 NE M L King Blvd

December 11: Checkpoint 3 at Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th Ave

December 18: ‘Stache Bash at Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison (time TBA)

We, the organizers, reserve the right to change venues if necessary, hold friendly competitions at checkpoints, to announce and gesticulate, to motivate you fellow growers and, lastly, to act as a sounding board for any conflicts (inner, or otherwise).

Your sisters in ‘stache,

Chrissy and Sarah

M4K PDX 2008!

2008-09-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, loyal fans, it IS almost growing season.

We're aware that we've been absent from the web, and that questions are starting to arise as to what is on the docket this year.

To all mustache affectionados, growers, supporters and friends, do not worry or fret, wrinkles are being ironed out, logistics logged and details written in very small print.

We've got some new developments on the mustache front, complete with a partnership with a Fantastic organization, Donors Choose. Check them out at http://www.donorschoose.org/.

If you or someone you know wants to be a part of Portland's largest, funnest and best mustache organization (probably, I mean, who else is going to claim that?) give us a holler at m4kpdx@gmail.com. We'll put you on the list, and you'll receive news and updates as they arise.

'Stachley
Chrissy & Sarah

Mustache Haikus!

2008-01-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

We here at M4K PDX Headquarters feel that it is our duty to share the M4K PDX Growers' haikus with the world. Enjoy.

Nate K:
All for the children
Are these Christmas mustaches
Like bright shooting stars

Darren C:
Some cause smiles, laughter
Others create fear, anger
You’ll never know which

Eric S:
Scratchy course whiskers,
Growing on my lip this fall.
Cash...for 'stache...for kids.

George T:
Tom Selleck, Ghandi
Charlie Chaplin, Chuck Norris
Now George Totonchy

Howie:
Hair grows under nose
Catching my post-nasal drip
Furry little friend

Terry:
On a cold winter’s night
Mustaches are relative
E=MC2

Nate S:
Stache bash, love you stache
My food is saved for later
Thank you my best friend

M4K PDX: Just Grow It

Stache Bash Re-Cap: Crazy Fundraising Skills!

2007-12-24T00:42:00.000-08:00

Just in case you hadn't heard, the Stache Bash at Holocene was a staching success. Not only did we manage to bring in almost $4000 of net proceeds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon, but we had a great time doing it. Our cadre of M4K PDX Growers blew the club away with their struts, haikus, beer foam retention, and general awesomeness. Crazy fundraising skills indeed.

We have big plans to catalog the glorious haiku action just as soon as we can (read: Growers, email us your haikus!). But if you'd like a more visually interesting re-cap of the Bash we highly recommend that you check it out on Flickr.

For now, we hope you like what you see:

Mario & Luigi: Mustache Coreography

Child Molester Stache, Policeman Stache...and yes,
that's Borat in the back

Borat & Nacho Libre:
Portland's Sweetest Stache and 1st Runner Up

There you have it, folks. We'll keep you posted on our follow-up checkpoint. And of course, on M4K PDX 2008. It's bound to be a great success - a great success for the kids!

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

Stache Bash at Holocene on Wednesday 12/19!

2007-12-12T16:19:00.000-08:00

Don’t miss the men of Mustaches for Kids as they battle it out for the title of Portland’s Sweetest ‘Stache - all in the name of charity! On Wednesday, December 19 the Portland chapter of Mustaches for Kids (M4K PDX) will be having its first-ever Stache Bash at Holocene to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon, an organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

A cross between a beauty pageant, dog show, and police line-up, the Stache Bash will put the M4K PDX Growers through a test of mind, body, and mustache before an independent panel of judges. The Growers, decked-out in mustache enhancing costumes, will endure a mustache runway walk-off, mustache haiku-off, mustache Q&A, and a beer foam retention test.

When all is said and done, one lucky Grower will be declared Portland’s Sweetest Stache, one will go home with an “A” For Effort, and another will be honored as the Top Fundraiser. Most importantly, all of the net proceeds earned from the Growing Season and the Bash will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon. DJ Short Change will be spinning all night and Nicholas of The Liberators will be our emcee. Show up for the stachery, stay for the dance party!

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

Checkpoint 4 Coming Up at Roadside Attraction!

2007-12-10T19:42:00.000-08:00

Hey all you Growers - be sure to get yourselves to Roadside Attraction (1000 SE 12th, Portland 97214) this Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm for our next checkpoint. We'll have lots of business to attend to since the Bash is next week at Holocene. We'll talk mustache personas, bond with DJ Shortchange, discuss Bash logistics, and still have plenty of time for beer, pool, and free jukeboxing.

Oh, and if you decide that you want to leave the Checkpoint early in order to get to the Moustache & Bad Christmas Sweater Party at Devil's Point (5305 SE Foster), we'll forgive you. But only if you score lots of money for the kids.

Staches,
C&S

Ps. Remember to bring $12 if you want a sweet M4K PDX shirt.

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

Mustaches in the Press!

2007-12-06T13:04:00.000-08:00

Our amazing family of brave and talented Growers is turning quite a few heads around town. And can we just say how proud we are? Damn proud.

A few weeks back, the Willamette Week showed M4K PDX some love when it recommended our Meet & Greet. EcoMetro (the Chinook Book's online counterpart) took a little time to chronicle our project, and Holocene has got the Bash up on its events calendar. Soon enough we'll be on Oregon Live (thanks to Jason for coming to Checkpoint 3 last night) and featured on the official site for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon.

And while I don't think Natalie Dee had us in mind...let's just say the spirit of the 'stache runs strong with her:

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

'Staches in Fighting Form at :Vendetta

2007-12-06T13:00:00.000-08:00

Man. The M4K PDX Growers looked awfully good last night as they dominated :Vendetta for Checkpoint 3. The proof is here.

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

Checkpoint 3 at :Vendetta on 12/5!

2007-12-02T20:42:00.000-08:00

Checkpoint 2 was bursting with mustache flavor last Wednesday at Bar of the Gods. To see the photographic evidence for yourself, click here

Checkpoint 3 is just around the corner - we'll hit :Vendetta (4306 N Williams Ave.) at 7pm on Wednesday, December 5 to compare growth, offer support, tally our earnings, take some more glamour shots, and (let's be honest) drink beer. It's time we start getting psyched for the Bash, which is less than three weeks away! So come to checkpoint 3 armed with costume ideas for the catwalk and theme song ideas for the DJ. Yup.

Mustaches,
C&S

M4K PDX: Just Grow It

Next Checkpoint on Wednesday!

2007-11-25T20:06:00.000-08:00

BOG: 4801 SE Hawthorne Blvd, 7pm, Wednesday, November 28. Show up ready to throw down with pledge sheets and 'stache talk your way to greatness.

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

Checkpoint #1 Re-Cap!

2007-11-21T18:49:00.000-08:00

If you missed Checkpoint #1 at Club 21, you missed out. Damn. Not only was there a Mustache Special happening all night, but everybody took fierce glamour shots, which can now be seen here. I highly recommend them.

The 'stache talking on Tuesday night was out of control. Some highlights: we're pretty sure that Nate and Scott are going head to head for top fundraiser:

And although the jury is still out, we think that Jeff might have the most growth after week 1:

Stay tuned for more updates - we'll keep you posted on next week's meeting. If it's anything like Checkpoint #1, it's going to be sweet. Sweet for charity.

M4K PDX: Just Grow It.

Ready, Set, 'Stache!

2007-11-18T16:30:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't make it out to the Meet & Greet last Wednesday, it was a smashing success. B-Side was overflowing with mustache solidarity and everyone was psyched to get his 'stache on. We have some distinguished Growers among us: Pete is designing our very own t-shirts, Eric's working on 'Stache Bash flyers, and Adam is hooking us up with all the prints & copies we could ever ask for.

A brief re-cap: we passed out buttons & info packets & pledge cards...and there's more where that came from. We circulated the official Grower sign-up sheet, and Sarah got up on a chair to announce a few key items: namely that we were stoked to see everyone come out to raise money for Make-A-Wish of Oregon, and that due to popular demand we'll be meeting up on Tuesday for checkpoint #1.

So get psyched to to get to know your brothers-in-stache next week, 7pm, Tuesday, at Club 21 (2035 NE Glisan). We'll spend some quality time learning names, comparing pledge cards (so far it looks like Scott is our #1 fundraiser), taking hella classy "before" photos, and, of course, soliciting donations from everyone in the bar. See you there!

As always, if you want to be on the mailing list just holler: m4kpdx@gmail.com

M4K PDX: Just Grow It

Meet & Greet: November 14!

2007-11-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

If you think you have what it takes to become part of M4K PDX history, show up at our first-ever Meet & Greet: Wednesday, November 14, 7pm at the B-Side Tavern (632 E Burnside). We'll take a little time to get to know each other, answer questions, and distribute M4K paraphernalia. Oh yeah, and drink beer.

M4K PDX: Just Grow It

FAQs. Mustaches. Charity.

2007-10-17T21:50:00.001-07:00

Howdy. We here at M4K PDX Headquarters thought we'd take this opportunity to provide some answers to some key questions that you might be asking yourself right now:

1. The idea sounds cool, but what do I have to do, exactly?
Right now: nothing. Just get psyched and talk up the cause to as many people as possible. Nothing actually 'happens' until Shaving Day, at which time, per Mustache Rules, all Growers will shave their faces clean of any and all facial hair. We'll gather at the first of our weekly Mustache Checkpoints to meet our brothers-in-stache, pick up some pledge sheets and other Mustache materials, and get psyched for four weeks of charity and sweet Mustaches.

2. How does the fundraising thing work?
The typical donor/grower interaction goes something like this:
"Why are you growing a mustache?"
"It's for charity."
"Really?"
"Yup. I'm growing this sweet mustache for four weeks and asking people for
donations. All the money goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon."
"Can I hug you?"

Donors aren't pledging based on the quality or quantity of the 'stache. The mustache is just a catalyst for getting people to support a good cause.

3. What's the deal with the weekly checkpoints?
Checkpoints are our chance to create a Mustache 'safe space', a supportive environment in which you and your Mustache will be welcomed. M4K is about Mustaches but it's also about community. We can't explain it, but it's just really cool to be in a bar drinking beer with thirty other guys who look as sweet as you. Put another way, if a Mustache grows on a face, but no one's around to see it, does it really exist?

4. I'm in. How do I sign up?
Simple. Show up at the Meet & Greet: Wednesday, November 14, 7:00pm at the B-Side Tavern, 632 E Burnside. You can also shoot us an email m4kpdx@gmail.com to let us know you’re interested and we'll add you to the very official mailing list.

Stachely Yours,
Chrissy & Sarah

M4K PDX: Just Grow It

Mustaches of Inspiration!

2007-10-09T21:27:00.001-07:00

As Portland's inaugural M4K growing season nears, we here at M4K PDX headquarters feel that it is important to take a look at some great mustaches throughout history. After all, we wouldn't want you to wander aimlessly down the path of mustache growership. Each grower ought to take a moment to define his own idea of mustache greatness. Consider:

Burt Reynolds: Oh Baby Stache

Fu Manchu: Crazy Insidious Stache

Trebek: Ivy League Stache

Clark Gable: Debonair Stache

Einstein: Mad Science Stache

Selleck: Cliche, Classy, or just Sexy As Hell?

There you have it. A stache for every man. Go forth and sprout one all your own. For charity.

M4K PDX: Just Grow It

Welcome to M4K PDX!

2007-10-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

This year marks the first annual Mustaches for Kids Growing Season in Portland, and we here at M4K PDX headquarters could not be more pleased. A quirky city overflowing with DIY sensibility and charitable do-gooding, Portland should have been growing mustaches for kids long, long ago. Let's take a look at what we're already working with:

Latte: Stumptown Stache

Oden: Trail Blazing Stache

Hefeweizen: Beer Foam Stache

Tom Potter: Mayoral Stache

As you can see, Portland has a lot of potential. Mustache growing potential. And what better way to put that potential to good use than to raise money for the Oregon chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Here's how it works: The M4K PDX Growers - all those gallant Portlanders who volunteer four weeks of their lives to grow and nurture a sweet 'stache - will cultivate mustaches from approximately Nov 14-Dec 19, 2007. As they grow, we'll meet each week at a local watering hole to check in, offer support, and test each 'stache's beer foam retention. Each Grower will also be armed with key M4K PDX paraphernalia to help get the word out (buttons, business cards, pledge cards, etc.) and garner support from generous and awe-struck friends, family, and onlookers. Every dollar of profit earned from these pledges - and from the Sweetest 'Stache Competition - will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon, an organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening medical conditions.

This site will document the journey of the M4K PDX Growers. We are currently recruiting Growers for the 2007 season - if you think you have what it takes, or just want more information, please contact M4K PDX Headquarters at m4kpdx@gmail.com

Stachely,
Chrissy & Sarah

M4K PDX: JUST GROW IT.