Dave Knows Portland

Citisphere: Environmental Affairs Symposium (October 10-13, 2011)

by Leave a Comment

CitisphereSouthwest Portland’s Lewis and Clark College plays host to Citisphere, the 14th annual Environmental Affairs Symposium, on Monday through Thursday, October 10 through 13, 2011.

Each year, the Environmental Studies Program at Lewis & Clark offers a symposium on environmental affairs. The multi-day event brings together experts from around the country for a dynamic series of lectures and panels on contemporary issues in environmental affairs.

Keynot speakers at this year’s event are Dr. Janice Perlman, founder and president of the Mega-Cities Project, and Los Alamos research scientists and Santa Fe Institute professor Dr. Luís Bettencourt. Mr. James Rojas, an urban planner and co-founder of the Latino Urban Forum, is the symposium’s workshop leader.

Visit the website for the full speaker, panel, and workshop schedule.

All Citisphere events are open to the public, and free!

Brainstorm: Explore the Genesis of Innovation, Part 1 (3-October-2011)

by Leave a Comment

BrainstormOMSI and Portland Monthly present part one of the OMSI Science Pub talk series Brain Storm: Exploring the Genesis of Innovation this Monday, October 3, 2011 at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne).

The talks are part of “Brain Storm,” a unique collaboration between OMSI and Portland Monthly to explore creative thinking in science, business, health, technology, and the arts. From a field of 130 nominees, a jury of peers selected 12 leading innovators whose work, creative processes, and personal stories are being presented through an interactive display at OMSI, a series of profiles in Portland Monthly, and onstage in conversation with Portland Monthly editor in chief Randy Gragg.

This week’s guests are Craig Bramscher, founder of Brammo Motors; Doug Tunnell, owner of Brick House Vineyards; and Lorrie Vogel, general manager of Nike Considered Design.

Bramscher has overseen the design and development of the country’s first production line of freeway-worthy (and speed-freak-enticing) electric-powered motorcycles. Since purchasing his iconic Willamette Valley house and farm in 1990, Tunnell has been among the earliest pioneering vintners to employ the holistic methods of biodynamic farming and wine-making. An industrial designer by training, Vogel has helped transform Nike into one of the world’s leading innovators in sustainable manufacturing by, among other things, creating an open-source database for toxin-free manufacturing recipes.

The doors of the Bagdad open at 5pm, program begins at 7pm. $5 is the suggested admission. Minors are permitted if accompanied by parent or guardian.

The Brain Storm series continue, each Monday, October 3 through the 24th.

September 21, 1960: Dr. Albert Starr Performs First Successful Human Heart Valve Replacement Surgery

by Leave a Comment

Starr-Edwards Mitral ValveOn September 21, 1960 a team lead by Dr. Albert Starr performed the first successful human mitral valve replacement surgery in Portland at the University of Oregon Medical School, which is now known as Oregon Health & Science University.

52 year old Philip Amundson of Spokane, Washington was the patient who received that first “caged-ball” artificial valve, which had been developed by Starr and Lowell Edwards (The Oregonian, 13 October 1960).

The artificial valve was an early success in the medical device industry and paved the way for countless innovations in the field of cardiology worldwide.

Photo credit: Starr-Edwards Mitral Valve photo by Dr. Mirko Junge, used here under under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

OMSI Science Pub (12-September-2011)

by Leave a Comment

Omsi Science PubEveryone is Doing It: Gender and Sexuality is the topic of of the next OMSI Science Pub on Monday, September 12, 2011:

Our society places great importance on labeling our genders and sexualities, and there are strict social rules that govern what is and is not acceptable. These rules shape how we perform our gender and sexual identities, that is, how we “do gender” and “do sexuality” in our everyday lives. It starts at birth when newborns are identified by pink or blue hats and it continues through life influencing everything from advertisements for beauty products, to educational paths, to laws about who can marry. Society’s rules are starting to change regarding sexual practices, family forms, and professions deemed appropriate for men and for women, but there are still very definite expectations as well as penalties for going against the grain. At this Science Pub, find out about the sociology of gender and sexuality, how those concepts shape and constrain our everyday experiences, and are how they central to understanding social life.

The presenter is Portland State University assistant professor of sociology Maura Kelly, PhD. She is currently researching gender, sexuality, and inequalities in the labor force.

This science pub takes place at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $5.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

Stumptown Stories: Stay or Should I Go Now? Wildlife Migrations of the Pacific NW (30-August-2011)

by Leave a Comment

Swirling SwiftsThe Stumptown Stories series, geared to everyone who loves this city we live in, takes place most Tuesdays at Jack London bar (basement of the Rialto, SW 4th and Alder). Free to get in, but must be 21 or over – there’s a full bar!

This Tuesday, August 30, 2011, the topic is Should I Stay or Should I Go Now? Wildlife Migrations of the Pacific Northwest.

Every fall the days shorten, the weather cools and many different animal species begin their annual migration south. Portland is stopover for some, and a destination for others. Steve Engel of the Portland Audubon Society will illuminate some of the mysteries of migration while focusing on famous and not so famous Portland migrants, from the Vaux’s Swifts to Birds of Prey to dragonflies and more.

Presenter Steve Engel has been the Adult Programs Coordinator at the Audubon Society since 2006, and has worked in the environmental education field since 1982.

Doors open at 5pm, presentation begins at 7:30pm. Go to the presentation, and then throughout the month of September check out the Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch in NW Portland!