Lecture

Stumptown Stories: Pixelate Your Wagon! (8 March 2016)

March 6, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

Stumptown Stories presents Pixelate Your Wagon! on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at Jack London bar (basement of the Rialto, SW 4th and Alder).

Dive into the world of dysentery, death, and DOS with Joe Streckert (Interesting Times). Oregon Trail introduced a whole generation of school kids to the wonderful world of westward expansion. Learn about the origins of the game, how it evolved, and how it matches up to real history.

After that, learn all about Oregon’s most catastrophic cinematic flop, Paint Your Wagon! Doug Kenck-Crispin (Kick Ass Oregon History) will guide you through the chaotic and expensive production of one of the most notorious musicals off all time, made all the more infamous due to the musical stylings of Clint Eastwood himself.

I’m sure Joe will touch on a few of the points made in the video below, and other fun stuff from Oregon Trail. Note: Oregon Trail was created back in 1971 – way before the Apple II!

Stumptown Stories, batshit crazy stories from the murkiest, weirdest, and nuttiest corners of Portland history, takes place the second Tuesday of every month at the Jack London.

Admission is free. Doors open at 7:00 PM, 21 and over only.

Science Pub: Inside a Prescribed Fire (3 March 2016)

February 29, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

OMSI presents Science Pub Portland: Inside a Prescribed Fire on Thursday, 3 March 2016 at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan).

For thousands of years, fires provided countless benefits to Oregon’s landscapes and peoples. Some of these fires were ignited by lightning, while others, particularly those in the Willamette Valley, were started by people. Some of the foods relied upon by the Kalapuya, who inhabited the valley prior to settlement, responded favorably to fire, as did many other plants and animals. With settlement and agricultural development came the demise of fire and the diverse species that depended upon it. Today, many of those species are listed as sensitive, endangered, or threatened.

In this talk, The Nature Conservancy’s Fire Manager and Burn Boss, Amanda Stamper, explains the role of fire in the Willamette Valley. She will dive into the history and foundation of fire’s role in the ecology of the Valley and then take you inside a controlled fire being used to restore and conserve native species and habitats.

Doors open at 5 PM. The science begins at 7 PM, but arrive early to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $5.00 suggested donation/cover charge. All ages are welcome.

History Pub: Immigrant Voices from Portland’s Historic Chinatowns (29 February 2016)

February 29, 2016 by Dave 1 Comment

Immigrant Voices from Portland’s Historic Chinatowns, a panel discussion in the History Pub series, takes place Monday, 29 February 2016 at the Kennedy School (5736 NE 33rd).

Bertha Lee Saiget was raised on the outskirts of Chinatown by parents who were new immigrants from China. Bertha was a long time Headstart teacher for Portland Public Schools and a graduate of Oregon State University.

Kenneth Fong was born in Old Chinatown and is a retired high school principal. His father was both a tailor and one of two owners of the largest casino in Chinatown.

Robert Luck was born in New Chinatown, where his parents ran a lottery in their storefront on Northwest Sixth Avenue two blocks from Union Station. As a boy, he worked in Chinatown restaurants and was a runner for his family lottery, delivering tickets and picking up winnings based on two drawings a day. He received a university education and became a successful aeronautical and electrical engineer, working for Bonneville Power and firms in Pennsylvania and elsewhere. He has also had a semi-professional acting career.

History Pub is presented by McMenamins, Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon Cultural Trust, and the Holy Names Heritage Center. This event is free and open to all ages. Doors open at 6 PM, and the talk begins at 7 PM.

OMSI After Dark: Gaming (24 February 2016)

February 21, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

OMSI AFter Dark, a night at the museum for the 21-and-over crowd filled with food, drink, and science fun presents Gaming on Wednesday, 24 February 2016.

Shoot off water rockets, concoct chemical creations, and explore the wonders of OMSI with no kids in sight! Enjoy a glass of wine while learning about robots, tornados, or fossils. Talk to a brewer about the science behind beer, or taste how an extra 10% cacao can make a difference in chocolate.

Featured demonstrations and activities include Musical Tesla Coils, Atoms & Bits panelist discussions, Colorblind Challenge, and more.

Hours are 6 PM to 10 PM. Admission is $15 for non-members, $7.50 for OMSI members, and free for OMSI After Dark members. OMSI recommends buying tickets in advance for this one since it may sell out.

Portland Weekend Amusements (12-14 February 2016)

February 11, 2016 by Dave Leave a Comment

Fun weekend ahead – with or without a sweetheart: Beer, science, Oregon’s 157th birthday – and more!

Friday

Darwin Day – A celebration of Darwin’s Birthday featuring Dr. Kiki Sanford, host of the This Week in Science Podcast

Dr. Kiki Sanford is a neurophysiologist by training and currently runs the This Week in Science radio program. Join Biology Investigation & Outreach to hear Dr. Kiki speak about genetics, evolution, and the future in celebration of Darwin’s 207th birthday!

5:30pm Science Communication Panel

6:00pm Keynote Address with Dr. Kiki

7:00pm Q&A Session

Location: Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom

Tickets are FREE and everyone is welcome!

Friday-Saturday

Portland Night Market

The Portland Night Market showcases 75+ businesses that call the great City of Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail together for an adventurous evening in the Industrial District. The event allows people to meet some of Portland’s best makers and creators set in the unique venue of a 100+ year old produce row warehouse. The PNM is a free event and open to all ages.

To kick off 2016, PNM is partnering with some of Portland’s sexier businesses for a special edition market, dubbed, “The Love Train.” We’ve brought on entertainment showcasing live music, aerialists, not to mention an aphrodisiac alley complete with chocolate, tastings, an oyster bar and loads of other goodies!

Saturday

Zwickelmania

Zwickelmania, the annual one-day event in Oregon when breweries open their doors to the casual and hardcore beer fans, lands on Feb. 13th this year — from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 120 breweries, both big and small, are planning on participating with meet-the-brewer events and beer samples. For those who are planning a special Valentine’s Day trip to a place in Oregon, make sure to carve out some time to stop by a brewery or two while you are here. Visitors are invited to click on one of the six regions of Oregon on the Zwickelmania event page to see which breweries are participating.

Last year, more than 32,500 people toured 115 participating breweries statewide and the Oregon Brewers Guild is expecting that number to increase in 2016.

Sunday

Oregon Statehood Day

The Oregon Historical Society invites one and all to a special Oregon Statehood Day celebration on Sunday, 14 February 2016 at the museum (1200 SW Park Ave).

“Celebrate Oregon’s birthday in style at the Oregon Historical Society! The one and only Thomas Lauderdale will be at the piano as former Governors Ted Kulongoski and Barbara Roberts lead the singing of “Happy Birthday.” Feast on cake from Gerry Frank’s Konditeri, and meet Gerry himself as he signs copies of the latest edition of Gerry Frank’s Oregon.”