On the Block

A real american hero

2011-12-07T12:29:00.001-08:00

I just wanted to share that my very good friend Barney Krein's book is now out. There is a soft cover, hard cover and soon to be a e-book. Its a great read, written by a man who wore many hats in his life. I designed the cover and wrote the introduction as well as the afterwards. Thank you in advance for taking a look.

here is the link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1456763369/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_alp_8I83ob01ANKQH
I will keep everyone posted when the ebook is out.

John

Cigars and hats

2011-12-03T07:53:00.000-08:00

I had a great time attending this cigar event this past week. I had a great time with everyone. Enjoy the read.

Smokin' Ladies Night at The Mark : Expanding the Cigar Community even further

Add a comment
Brenton Agena, Portland Cigar Examiner
December 1, 2011 - Like this? Subscribe to get instant updates.
Tweet PrintEmail
Opening the frosted glass door to The Mark’s cigar and sports bar, I was taken by surprise. This establishment – soon to be reviewed in full – which normally provided a much needed service of a estside cigar sanctuary for cigar aficionados was transformed! The door had opened into an alternate dimension where men and women smoked cigars and drank scotch together. It was a realm of pure cohesion between men and the fairer sex encapsulated by scents of tobacco and cedar. Previously the only women to be seen in the room filled with billowing smoke and sports-based conversation were serving drinks and delivering food orders. Tonight was different. Tonight was buzzing. At the risk of concluding in the opening paragraph, Lady’s Night was a good night at The Mark.

Lady’s Night at The Mark is a brainchild of a very prominent member of the Portland cigar community. Cigar Lady PDX or Ruth as most refer to as, is the founder of the Smokin’ Ladies club and the event’s MC. Fluttering from group to group, this social butterfly carried herself with poise while seeming to be constantly be in motion, only taking time to enjoy small moments of cigar appreciation. Ruth had packed The Mark’s cigar room with enough points of interest to keep everyone in the room engaged throughout the evening. The sweet sounds of Mario Depriest’s voice carried through the room like a warm blanket as he sang classic holiday tunes as well as some jazz and blues standards to keep the mood just so.

What truly stood out about the event was the representation of some local companies. Ruth is a large supporter of local business growth and invited several companies to set up tables at the event both for advertising and educational purposes. There was a fantastic scotch sampling table offering several options of single malt and blended scotches as well all with a friendly education of each bottle being offered. Befittingly, next to the scotch sampling was Broadway Cigar’s table, well stocked and offering boxes of cigars at event prices as well as high quality accessories including Cuban Crafter cigar cutters. One of the best examples of local talent in the room was the presence of John Penman of Penman Hats. This outrageously talented hatter is based in Hillsboro and produces what may be the finest handmade rabbit and beaver hats you can find. The quality of these wet-blocked and hand-stitched hats rival that of the finest cappellerias in Italy. John is also the creator of one-off women’s hats that can set off any ensemble with a sense of propriety and flair.

As this event is designed to appeal to female cigar enthusiasts, the offerings were not limited to scotch, smokes and fine hats. Spread throughout the event were tables filled with beautiful jewelry and lingerie by oh Baby Lingerie, as well as a fantastic chair massage offered by Jermaine Peake. For any shoe and handbag craving present, Gregory from Inspire Your Attire was on hand to quench that thirst. The feminine touch was complete with representation by the beautiful Elizabeth and Jennifer from VIPMedispa based in Clackamas. The two aestheticians were on hand enjoying the offerings of the evening and socializing openly aside an army of over a dozen female cigar enthusiasts.

The evening carried on strongly past its scheduled end time. As if the patrons of the event didn’t want to see it come to a close. The concept of men and women all getting together to enjoy a smoke and conversation is well-conceived but rarely executed. This was the perfect realization of that notion. When asked what about the event appealed to women and what they thought about the cigar hobby in general VIPMedispa Elizabeth responded with the notion that , “... appreciating [cigars] requires maturity and appreciation for finer things. It involves a bit of class and refined tastes…” I couldn’t agree more.

For information on the next Lady’s Night and other events being thrown by Ruth, check out her blog at cigarladypdx.com

Advertisement

Howard Hughes replica

2011-10-25T07:18:00.000-07:00

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150348841263450.352765.94550378449&type=1

Hey everyone. Just wanted to share a big trill for me. yesterday I delivered a hat I made for the Evergreen Museum for the Howard Hughes H1 or as better known as "the Spruce Goose" exhibit. It was a honor to make this hat and a big trill to say the least. I spent months working to get this hat as accurate as possible and had access to parts of the plane that no one has been in over 9 years. I have to give a big thank you to brian aka squidkidd for coming along to take some amazing photo's. Im sure he was trilled because he took shots that you just can't take. A big sound out to stewart and Wayne from the museum. Easy guys to like and work with. I had a blast and now on to the pics.

update 9/24/11

2011-09-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

just finishing off of September orders. just one or two will run over to October. October orders look like they should be running on time.

john

9/11

2011-09-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

I'm just going to re-post this. I miss them greatly.

I would ask everyone check out the links on this post.

Please visit Rescue 1's web site to see some of the others and the great history that they where a part of.
http://www.rescue1fdny.com/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please visit our own squidkidd's dad site and see what a wonderful project he took upon himself to under take. I will never be able to thank Henry Kidd enough for all he has done.
http://www.henrykiddart.com/91101.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't believe another years has gone by. I'm sure most of everyone knows by now that I was originally from the "Big Apple." I lived there for the first 33 years of my life and always wanted to be a New York City firemen since I was 5. I had the honor to know a few of the guys from Rescue 1 and was very supportive when I was taking all the test to just make the list. They where there for me from the moment I put in my application to when I got the letter to start the academy. It took a total of 8 years from the point of the application until they starting calling people. The FDNY had the biggest list prior to 9/11. My list was 42,631 deep. The guys from rescue one kept my spirits up and would offer to pay any of the fees that was needed to take the test. I don't think I could have done it without their support. It went a long way.

I worked as personal trainer in a near by gym and would see them almost every day. They would ask me to go with them on ride-a-longs and if they ever saw me walking home they would give me a lift home ( at the time I lived right down the block from them). I got dragged to a few fires because of it but that was ok. Thats where I wanted to be anyway.

When I did finally got the letter to start in the FDNY I had moved out west 4 months before for my wife's job. I had to turn down the FDNY 2 days before my start date. It was the hardest thing I had to do. Now being out west and had to start the whole thing from scratch I used their strength of character to get though all the training. I had to start a little older than most guys but got though everything and enjoyed every moment.

I wanted to share this with everyone here so they know a little something about these guys that meant so much to me. They gave so much so I think we should remember them this day of September 11
.
Firefighter Patrick O'Keefe Rescue1

Battalion Chief John Moran Battalion 49

Lieutenant Dennis Mojica Rescue 1

Captain Terrance Hattan Resue 1

Captain Patrick Brown Ladder 3

Firefighter Joseph Angelini sr. Rescue 1

The biggest regret I have is not going fishing with my friend Patrick. I will miss him and all the guys that I now call fallen brothers.

Please don't forget what they did on that day.

John

Leverage/kane

2011-08-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure recently to make a hat for the hit TNT show Leverage worn by Christian kane. here are a few shot from season 4 called "Boiler Room."

Portland Hat Parade

2011-06-28T14:07:00.001-07:00

Portland had there 2nd annual hat parade this past weekend. I'm very sorry that I couldn't make it this year but Alyce from that hat museum was there in all her glory.

http://www.katu.com/news/local/124544314.html

Hand Sewn welted edge

2011-06-22T17:03:00.000-07:00

For more photo's click on the link

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150219716243450.320974.94550378449

2011-06-11T10:11:00.001-07:00

June orders are going well. Everyone should be on time. Looking ahead to July orders and they should be running on time as well.

update 5/23/2011

2011-05-23T16:37:00.001-07:00

rapping up May orders and starting on Orders due in June. Things are looking good time wise.

update 5/18/2011

2011-05-18T15:29:00.000-07:00

just wanted to keep everyone posted. Running on time with all orders as of date. should be running on time with all order over the summer months but will keep everyone posted.

New Lady Penman

2011-04-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

To see more of the new Lady Penman hat follow the link bellow

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150169861893450.304028.94550378449

Dick Tracy

2011-04-22T19:03:00.000-07:00

Raiders of a different color

2011-04-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

This is a pure beaver Raiders in the color of Black Cherry

A year ago today

2011-04-06T16:17:00.001-07:00

A year ago today we lost Tony Nowak. One of the most giving person I have ever had the pleasure to know. After fifteen minutes of meeting him, he makes you feel like he has known you for years. I miss the the late night/early morning phone calls. RIP BIG TONY

Pacific Palisades Post:

Tony Nowak, owner of a garment manufacturing company specializing in original one-of-a-kind leather jackets for the film industry, died April 6, 2010 at the age of 60.

Originally from Poznan, Poland, Nowak was a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades with his wife of 18 years, Maria Barrie, and their sons Enzo Nowak and Riley Barrie.

Described as larger than life by all who met him, Nowak had limitless passion for his family, his friends and his adopted America. His sense of humor and sense of fun were boundless. He lived this motto: Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be Honest, Be Humble, Be Respectful, Be Yourself and Enjoy Life.

Nowak's intense faith was evidenced in his daily life, and he was an active member of St. Monica's Parish in Santa Monica. Physical fitness also played a large part in his life and some of his longtime friendships began in local gyms.

In 1967, Nowak emigrated with his mother and sister from Poland to Austria, where he was an honor student and completed studies at Vienna Business School. He moved to California in the early 1970s.

Opening his company in El Segundo, Nowak created works of art in leather. The bodybuilding community and film industry quickly noticed the exceptional quality of his workmanship. His legacy lives on in hundreds of films featuring his creations.

In addition to his immediate family, Nowak is survived by his sister, Maggie Cherwick, her husband Johnny and their two children, Jessica and Tony; his brother Chris Nowak and his two sons, Martin and Sebastian; and many extended family members in Poland and England.

Hand Sewn Bound edges

2011-03-31T16:15:00.000-07:00

Part 2

2011-03-30T20:44:00.001-07:00

2011-03-30T15:04:00.001-07:00

Satin Finish

2011-03-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Heres a new hat offering. Its a satin finish or long hair.

in the news today

2011-03-16T17:09:00.000-07:00

http://www.hatlife.com/newsletters/2011/mar11_2/art4.htm

Introducing - The Portable Hat Hook

2011-03-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Order yours today - www.penmanhats.com

hat boxes

2011-03-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

In the News today

2011-03-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share this with everyone.......

http://www.oregonlive.com/argus/index.ssf/2011/03/downtown_hatter_fashions_class.html

Alyce receive her hat

2011-02-19T19:12:00.000-08:00

the casablanca

2011-02-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

Orders update

2011-02-04T06:13:00.000-08:00

I'm moving right along and right on time on all orders due in Jan. It went smoothly and on time. Hats due in Feb. Should all go out on time. I'm hoping to get a jump on hats due in March because it looks like I got slammed again. Will need to work weekends to stay on track.

Special hat

2011-02-03T16:57:00.000-08:00

This a hat I made as a gift for Alyce from www.thehatmuseum.com

Its made from a vintage Borsalino Felt raw body.

I hope she likes it

re-blocks

2011-01-20T18:45:00.001-08:00

I'm now taking re-blocks again. Please go to my site www.penmanhats.com for prices.

Update

2011-01-09T10:22:00.001-08:00

The first week of the year started off very well. Sent off a few hats and other products. Should continue to make good progress this next week coming up.

Update

2010-12-30T19:25:00.000-08:00

Sent out the last two hats of the year this morning. Will take the next three days off and then it's back to work full speed. Hope to start the new year off well.

Everyone have a good new year.

Update

2010-12-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

The last couple hats was sent out today. I have a couple that will be sent out between x-mas and the new year. That will be everyone that is due in December. jan. orders, I'm already started a few. The month of Jan. Should go off on a good start and everyone should be on time or maybe a little early.

Everyone have a good x-mas. I will post next week on how things are going.

John

Lead times update

2010-12-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

For the month of December I'm tracking right on time. I have been working on the weekends to try and get as many hats done before the big holiday. I have sent out most already but still have some to work on. I should be shipping out a couple more of the beginning of next week. Leaving just a couple that I won't make in time before x-mas. I should have them done and shipping between x-mas and the new year.

I hope everyone has a good holiday. I will continue to post updates as things move along.

Cairo

2010-12-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

Here's a sneak peak of a recent Cairo Raiders hat that I made.

Raiders of a different color

2010-12-09T17:06:00.000-08:00

This isn't the normal color used for the Raiders hat. It's just a a hat that a customer wanted.he wanted a Raiders hat in Moss green with a black ribbon.

Lady Penman Fascinators

2010-12-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

These are one of a kind creations by Alyce Cornyn-Selby. all hats are for sale and includes a Lady Penman hat box. All hats are $80 not including shipping except for the last hat. Last hat is $55 and it also includes a Lady Penman hat

To view more hats, follow the link bellow.

box.http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=253775&id=94550378449

Order update

2010-12-01T15:04:00.000-08:00

I just finished the last of Novembers orders and is shipped to it's owner. I started working on December orders and hope to run on time for this month. with the big holidays this month it is impossible for me to get everyone their hats before x-mas. Some will have to be worked near the end of the month, meaning they will have to receive their hats near the end of the month or most likely in the beginning of the year.

I'm working real hard and on the weekends to try and get as many before the holiday. Thanks everyone for being patient.

John

New Hat Shop

2010-11-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

It took almost a whole week to move in and get settled but the added space and better layout is well worth it. I will need to go work a couple of weekends to keep my time line but it's well worth it.

felt color samples

2010-11-12T15:36:00.000-08:00

take a look at my on line color samples for felt choices.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247024&id=94550378449&saved

water repellant

2010-11-10T05:40:00.000-08:00

I'm Out of Stock right now of my water repellant. the company may be shutting down that part of there biz. down. I'm looking into trying to find another good quality water repellant to sell or maybe even buying that company.

I still have the water repellant that I use during production of making my hats but can't ship this stuff. every hat that I make will still get the same treatment of water protection. I just don't have any of the stuff that I can ship or sell.

Back to full speed

2010-11-10T05:36:00.000-08:00

Put in two full days at the new hat shop. Got a lot of work done. It's a real joy to work there. It's funny how just a little more space will make a hugh difference on how you work.

Moved in?????

2010-11-05T18:35:00.001-07:00

I finished up the move today. I got a couple of things to put away and then it's back to work, or I should say back to full speed. I have a been doing a little work here and there but not like I normally do. The move have taken up most of my time this week. I did get a full day of work on Monday. I will put some time in on this weekend and next to make up for the missing hours of work.

moving the hat shop

2010-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

I will be moving the hat shop over the next few days. My address will not change at all because Im moving into a slightly larger space just two doors down in the same building. Owner is letting me change the suite numbers so only the location will be different. With the new space I will have more room to work and the space is better suited for what I need for the hat shop. The move shouldn't slow production down because I will be using the weekend to help stay on time. I'll keep everyone posted.

Raiders jacket to go with my hats

2010-10-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share my new Raiders Nowak 747 jacket made by Riley Barrie.

Lead time update 10/21/10

2010-10-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

I just finished up the last few orders that were due for October. I'm working on getting the last of there-blocks and touching a couple of orders that are due for November. Moving along nicely right now and a bit early for a couple.

Tip of the day

2010-10-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Sweatband fitting tight. Unfold the sweatband and lightly wet the backside or inside of the sweatband. Trying not to get anything else wet. Fold the sweatband back into place. Put in your jack/stand or what ever jack you have. Let sit over night. Then take off of the jack. Then lightly treat with leather care product.

new INDY IV hat

2010-10-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

Indy 4 whip made by www.midlandwhips.com

hat tip of the day

2010-10-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

When riding in a elevator, it's good manners to take off your hat if you can. A must if there is a lady is in the elevator. Take a little common sence and not worry if your hands are full with packages and you are unable to remove your hat during the ride.

Lead times update

2010-09-27T08:01:00.000-07:00

I'm already starting to work on may orders due in October. Last of the Semptember orders shipped except for one. I'm working on him and hope to get him done shortly.

hat tip of the day

2010-09-25T20:32:00.000-07:00

Handle your hat by the brim not the crown. Handling the crown can cause the the pinch of the hat to dry out from the constant grabbing. This can cause a hole to develope over a period of time.

My Raiders fedora

2010-09-23T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hat etiquette Tip of the day

2010-09-23T14:36:00.001-07:00

Its good manners to take your hat off when eating at a table but its alright to leave you hat on at a bar or counter.

Hat etiquette Tips

2010-09-22T06:29:00.001-07:00

Never ever touch another mans hat without asking.

What is a fedora?

2010-09-21T19:33:00.000-07:00

Click on the link Fedora

How to brush a felt hat

2010-09-20T22:04:00.000-07:00

Lead times update

2010-09-20T21:34:00.000-07:00

Im working on April orders that are due in September. Im running right on time for most and a little early on others.

2010-09-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

From as far back as I can remember I have always been enamored with the style imposed by a well worn hat. My interest in hatmaking stems from my love of the fedoras of the silver screen from Hollywood's Golden Age, particularly those warn by Humphrey Bogart. I was always impressed by the way my stepfather wore his stingy brim fedora. It's hard to put in words what the right hat can do for the image of a man.

I spent the first 33 years of my life growing up in New York City. It was there I first saw in theaters a film that would later cement my decision to get involved in hat making, "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

My love of the Indiana Jones hat worn by Harrison Ford inspired my quest for the ultimate Raiders hat. For over 20 years I searched in vain for a hat that would live up to my expectations. Then, in 2004 my quest finally came to a successful close when I discovered the Adventurebilt Hat Co., brainchild of master hatter and Mississippian Steve Delk. In Adventurebilt Hats, not only did I find the ultimate Raiders fedora, but also a friendship with a man as devoted to hats as myself. Through a common friendship with Steve, I was introduced to Marc Kitter of Adventurebilt Deluxe. With Marc I found yet another friend obsessed as much as myself with the intricate details of the Raiders hat. These conversations inspired me to start taking apart old hats and putting them back together. With help and support from Steve and Marc I finally decided I would launch my own hat company, and thus was born the Penman Hat Co. in 2008.