Dave Knows Portland

OMSI Science Pub: What Technology Wants (1-Nov-2010)

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Join Kevin Kelly, one of the founding editors of Wired, at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne) on Monday, November 1 2010 to explore technology as an extension of life – and an acceleration of the mind, an idea he expounds upon in his new book, What Technology Wants.

So what is technology’s agenda? Where is it headed? What is the true nature of its increasing presence in our society? And how do the goals of the technological agenda relate to humanity’s goals? These are the questions Kelly examines as he uncovers three practical lessons. 1) By listening to what technology wants we can better prepare ourselves and our children for the inevitable technologies to come. 2) By adopting the principles of pro-action and engagement, we can steer technologies into their best roles. 3) By aligning ourselves with the long-term imperatives of this near-living system, we can capture its full gifts.

This OMSI Science Pub presentation, presented in partnership wiht Powell’s Books, goes from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $3.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

October 19: A Date with Physics Science Pub

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Omsi Science PubThe topic of the Tuesday, October 19 2010 OMSI Science Pub is A Date with Physics:

Physics with all its laws, theories, and complicated equations is a science dreaded by many. We have all heard of E=mc2; it sounds smart, but what does it actually mean? How does it relate to me? Do I really need to know?

A young physicist in love is convinced his date wants to know all about physics and will be impressed with his knowledge of the laws of mechanics, thermodynamics, optics, and electromagnetism. What girl has not dreamed of a date where the bottle of wine is a physics experiment and the romantic candlelight is a crucial piece to a physics lab? Find out if he is successful in his pursuit of science and love, or if she runs away screaming. Of course we believe YOU will love the science.

Presented by PSU professor of physic Ralf Widenhorn, PhD, this Science Pub takes place at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan). The show is from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $3.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

October 11: OMSI Science Pub

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Omsi Science PubThe topic of the October 2010 OMSI Science Pub is Cataclysms on the Columbia: The Great Missoula Floods:

One of the greatest sets of geological events to ever have occurred in North America was the Missoula Floods. Occurring as many as 40 times during the last ice age, the floods were caused by waters released from ancient Lake Missoula that scoured the Columbia River basin, carved out the Columbia River Gorge, and swept across at least 16,000 square miles of the Pacific Northwest. This Science Pub will focus on the incredible story of discovery and development of the idea of the floods by J Harlen Bretz and will discuss the effect of the floods on the landscape of the Willamette Valley and the area around us.

Presented by PSU professor of geology Scott Burns, PhD, this Science Pub takes place at the Bagdad Theater (3702 SE Hawthorne). The show is from 7pm until 9pm, but arrive early (5pm doors open) to secure your beer, grub, and a seat! There’s a $3.00 suggested donation/cover charge. Minors with adults are welcome, otherwise this event is 21 and over.

Chapman Vaux’s Swift Watch 2010

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The 2010 Swift Watch takes place throughout the month of September.

So here’s the deal. Every September thousands of Vaux’s Swifts come to Northwest Portland, eat lots of bugs, swirl and dive and circle the chimney at Chapman School (off NW 25th between Pettygrove and Raleigh).

Swirling Swifts

A Peregrine falcon or two dive bombs at them, occasionally getting lucky. Drama!

Falcon and Pepper

Right around sunset they then all together start swirling into the chimney, tens of thousands of them, where they roost for the evening. Meanwhile on the lawn below, hundreds of Portlanders gather with their lawn chairs and blankets and unruly children and stare at the sky, mesmerized by the swirling black pepper tornado. The crowd boos when a falcon gets lucky, and cheers when he’s thwarted.

Chapman Crowd

Seriously, it’s a hell of a lot of fun. Read Heather’s excellent account of our first visit in 2008, and mine from 2009. Here’s a video Heather filmed last year:

Vaux Swifts 2009 from Mile73 on Vimeo.

The Audobon Society of Portland maintains the Swift Watch webpage, which includes details on the best times to show up, explanations of the phenomena, and an FAQ answering all your questions on the natural history of the phenomena, the bird counts, and sundry. Oregon Field Guide did a segment on the Vaux Swifts a decade ago, and there’s even a movie, called On The Wing.

August 25: OMSI After Dark

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OMSI After DarkOMSI After Dark for this month takes place Wednesday, August 25.

Treat yourself to childfree, brain-building science fun at OMSI After Dark! Check out live demos, a planetarium show, Science On a Sphere, SAMSON the T. rex, new featured exhibits, and old favorites. Sample tasty snacks and sweets along with beer, wine, and craft soda, and talk to regional food and beverage artisans about the science behind them. The OMSI Market Cafe will be open with a special dinner menu and cash bars will also be available for those who want more than just a taste! It’s geeks gone wild! (21-and-over only.)

During your visit, join the Chemistry Lab after Dark ($5 per person, at 7:30pm and 8:30pm) for hands-on chemistry experiments – glowing cocktail or squishy flavor beads, and . . . liquid nitrogen ice cream!

Beer and wine are available throughout the museum at cash-only bars from 7pm until 10:30pm

Hours are 7pm to 11pm, and it costs $10 for nonmembers (free for members). You can buy tickets online, but you can also get them at the door (no reservations necessary). Visit the OMSI After Dark webpage for more information, including the Pink Floyd planetarium shows schedule and special food menu.