Here is the final photo submission from John K. who describes it as:” …it's a garden door that leads from Mt. Tabor Park into somewhere..... I kind of like not knowing exactly where it leads. The picture was taken last winter, on one of those days where there is fresh snow to decorate the neighborhood, but not enough to prevent taking a walk to enjoy it.” Great photo John, thank you!
Here is the last submission from Shelly S. who states: “The crazy weather this week gave me the chance to capture our last rosebud, frozen solid by the cold front that passed through. Had fun with this contest, and enjoyed seeing everyone’s photos!” 
We received this submission from Jonathan N. and I couldn't agree more when he states: "You'd be hard-pressed to get a photo that symbolizes Portland more. You've got a funky bicycle, coffee (definitely organic ;), bridge, the skyline, and rain clouds. I guess maybe if I had some protesters on the bridge that would make it more Portland." Great pic Jonathan, thank you!
We received some great photos from Tiffany D. this morning. We have had some complications in the past few weeks trying to share photos from Picasaweb so this is the first time I have been able to view anything she has sent. Thus, I felt obligated to post all four photos on our webpage as this is the final week of this contest. Great pics Tiffany and thank you for your perseverance.
Kathy M. sent in this final photo with the following narrative: “I visited the Garden of Solace - the Oregon Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial in Hoyt Arboretum - on Veterans Day. I was honoring a neighborhood friend who gave his life in Vietnam so many years ago. Bouquets of flowers scattered the granite walls to mark the occasion. This picture caught my eye, as if even the granite were weeping.” Amazing photo Kathy, thank you!
Here is a great photo from John K. capturing more beautiful colors of the season. He went on to state: “Here's a shot of Mt Hood, taken in the late afternoon from the Lolo Pass Road, which is a great way to get from Hood River to Zigzag. A detour to Lost Lake along the way is highly recommended.” Thank you John.
Here is a great photo from Michael B. illustrating one of my favorite things about Spring and Fall. We get no shortage of rain which is okay because it keeps everything so beautiful and green. Every now and then, the sun will pop out from behind the clouds to briefly remind us that it is there and in turn lift our spirits. When the timing is right, you can capture a picture like this one. Thank you Michael for sharing this picture with us.
This is a great photo and story from Kathy M. “Five Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Phukhang Khangtsen Monastery of southern India, renowned for their construction of sacred sand mandalas, were at the Portland Central Library last week. Portland was part of a three month multi-city tour. Look at the concentration and precision displayed by this monk, despite all the activity around him. Two monks worked all-day for about four days to complete this mandala (still incomplete when this picture was taken).” I sure wish I had seen this in person. Thank you Kathy!
John W has submitted another photo from his breathtaking Fall day at the Japanese Gardens several years back. As he stated earlier, rarely does the perfect light on the perfect day at the perfect time of day at the ideal location come together to create lighting like this. Amazing series of photos John, thank you.
John K. submitted this photo with the following description: "The attached picture was taken on a very hot, sunny day in July, 2010 (which seems to me like a long time ago, now that Daylight Savings Time and the dry weather are gone). The kids are playing in a wall of water at the Salmon Street Springs fountain." Great shot John, thank you!
Here is another great photo from our own Matt Dark. Once again, ineligible for a win, but I really liked this photo so I thought I would share it. The white light streaking across the frame is a bicyclist. Very nice Matt!
Kathy M submitted this photo of an artist painting the horizon on Sauvie Island. I really like this photo. The painter is REALLY good and her lifelike photo makes the whole scene pretty trippy. It's like a picture of a picture...of a picture. Thanks for sharing this with us Kathy.
Heidi W. Submitted this photo knowing she couldn't win with the following comments: "Yes, I work at World Cup Coffee. I just had to send in this picture of this black swan. It comes to visit our houseboat on the Columbia River almost daily. This beautiful, obviously domesticated creature, eats gently right out of your hand. Pretty rare in the wild here, we think, as they are native to Australia. We love him/her!" Thank you Heidi (Driver Extraordinaire)!
This weeks winner is John K. with this photo of the Mt. Tabor Pumphouse #5. All the ratings were very divers this week, but this came through the judging process as the clear winner. We receive a lot of amazing photo's and I honestly dread the conclusion of this contest at the end of the month. Thank you John for this photo.
This photo was submitted from one of our own employees. Matt Dark has been one of our prized baristas for years. He recently moved into our office sales division as a driver, but he is still ineligible to win the contest. This doesn’t mean I can’t show off his work. Matt has some great pictures on his own site linked at the bottom of our right-side column. Thanks Matt.
You look at this photo from Mark M. and I know what your thinking. Luckily he said it so I don't have to: "This is shameless advertising on my part, but the photos are creative and I am of amateur standing. :)" Mark is a good and loyal customer so... well, you know! I do actually like the photo though, probably because it's so shiny. Thank you Mark!
Mimi L. writes: Hi, "I wanted to submit my photo of what is popularly known as the 'Skidmore Bluffs'. This is basically a patch of grass at the west end of Skidmore, sitting on Mocks Crest, the bluff overlooking the Willamette River below. You won’t find softball fields or rose gardens here, just some of the best views in Portland. You’ll have downtown and Forest Park on the opposite bank, and the industrial riverside areas and Union Pacific’s Albina railyard directly below (which explains why this spot is popular with the hobos). It’s a great spot to watch the sun set over the West Hills and contemplate life."
I won't lie, this photo contest is a lot of fun for all of us here at World Cup Coffee & Tea. Our reason for doing though is simply that we are a small community roaster and take great pride in the people that support us. Portland is an amazing town for several reasons including it's people and it's beauty. This contest allowed us to showcase both so it has been our pleasure. It gets even better when those that participate in the contest also understand what we are about. 
I love this photo from John K. It looks like a scene from some European spy movie. I look at it and expect some seedy character to step from the shadows at any moment. In actuality, it is an evening photo of the pump-house at Mt. Tabor’s Reservoir 5. Great photo from my neck of the woods John, thank you.
This great photo was sent in by Monica S. who puts it best when she wrote: “The bridges of Portland are such a wonder to me. The beauty and the architecture of the St. John's is no exception. Looking at this picture, I am caught up in the moment and can't help but feel taken away to another time when Old Town was the new town and those toy horses randomly strewn throughout the city were the mode of transportation. But the street signs lining the bridge always bring me back to the present.”
Here is another great photo from John W. with the following narrative: “Fall is my favorite time of year and out walking this morning the leaves near my home are magnificent. I call this picture FALL FRACTALS. It always amazes me to see how nature creates a palette of colors arranged in such a beautiful fashion. On this Halloween, this is definitely a TREAT!”
Kathy M kicks us off this week with this photo titled “Halloween Gourds”. The colors of fall are captured in more than just the leaves that clog our drains and hide the dog poo in yards and sidewalks. It really is a beautiful time of year. It’s just a good thing it’s followed by the cold of winter and its sterile colors of white and blue.
