“Courtney took a scattered, 400-plus page blog and helped me craft it into a clear, relevant, 30-page sample of essays on family, self, and culture-clash. When I need reining in on long, over-reaching prose, Courtney reined. When I needed direction on theme, narration, and focus of voice, Courtney was my compass. And when I thought I could edit no more, Courtney proved otherwise – gently, necessarily, and expertly. Courtney’s keen eye, boundless efforts, and writing expertise not only helped me stay true to my voice, they cemented it and made it lasting.”
The Venderia: Portland’s wacky, whimsical vending machines (Travel Portland)

In 2013, Portlander Taylor Valdes set out on a mission to make vending machines fun. What started as a single machine at Beulahland has evolved into The Venderia, now found in several bars throughout Portland. Valdes thrifts, crafts and collaborates with artists to stock her vending machines with assorted off-the-wall items, ranging from vintage Troll Dolls and packs of tarot cards to paperback copies of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Return of the King. “I try to make products that are interactive,” says Valdes. “It creates a weird experience that’s very tactile and in the present.” Read full article on Travel Portland.