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OMSI Science Pub: The Science and Art of Permaculture (20-March-2012)

March 19, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Omsi Science PubThe Science and Art of Permaculture is the topic of of the next Portland OMSI Science Pub on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan):

We all know that we face many environmental challenges as individuals and as a society, but coming up with ways to solve these problems can be daunting. There are so many issues – energy production, food and water resources, exposure to toxic chemicals – that one can get paralyzed by just trying to figure out where to start.

Enter permaculture. Derived from “permanent” and “agriculture”, the term is used to describe design systems that work WITH nature and the things that live there (plants, animals, and humans), rather than trying to make biological systems bend to human needs alone. It includes a combination of biological concepts such as organic farming and using native plants in our yards, to ethical considerations such as reducing waste and making sure all members of society have enough resources to thrive. Join us for a lively presentation and good conversation about the design science of permaculture, including a description of what is it, how it got started, and why we should do it.

The presenter is Deke Gunderson, PhD., professor of environmental science and former co-director of the B Street Permaculture Project at Pacific University.

The science begins at 7pm 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.

OMSI After Dark: Bridgetown Baconfest (February 29, 2012)

February 25, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

OMSI After Dark Bridgetown Baconfest

Bridgetown Baconfest, a very special OMSI After Dark, takes place this Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

Portland is obsessed with two things – bridges and bacon! Explore the engineering behind Portland’s newest bridge while enjoying the candy of meat!

Science nerds unite for childfree, brain-building science fun at OMSI After Dark!

Sample beer, wine, spirits, chocolate and fudge; take part in demonstrations and activities such as Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, TriMet’s Real Stuff, and the Bridge-Building Challenge; enjoy performances by the Wanderlust Circus; try special menu items at the OMSI cafe grill (including Sweet Potato and Pork Butt Poutine!); and check out the wares of a multitude of vendors, many bacon-related, including Bacon Shirts, Bacon Skateboards, Olympic Provisions, Portland Creamery, and more.

21 and over only. Tickets are $12 for non-members, $6 for members – pre-purchase online – and free for OMSI After Dark members. Visit OMSI.edu for all the details.

OMSI Science Pub: Scientific and Humanitarian Lessons from the Haiti and Japan Earthquakes (22-February-2012)

February 19, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Omsi Science PubScientific and Humanitarian Lessons from the Haiti and Japan Earthquakes is the topic of of the next Portland OMSI Science Pub on Wednesday, February 22, 2012:

The January 2010 earthquake in Haiti was not particularly large. Magnitude 7 events happen dozens of times a year around the world. But this one killed a near-record number of people. What did scientists and the public know or not know about earthquake hazards in Haiti? Scientists knew that the area was likely to experience an earthquake of this size, but because such earthquakes had not occurred in Haiti for the past 240 years, public awareness was negligible. Building codes were non-existent, resulting in huge losses of life. On the other hand, the massive earthquake in Japan in March 2011 resulted in fewer deaths, while its tsunami wreaked widespread devastation.

The people and government of Haiti were overwhelmed by the size of the disaster, and the world community rushed to provide assistance in unimaginably difficult conditions. Civilian, military, and non-governmental organizations from around the world were involved in a relief operation of a magnitude larger than that ever previously staged in peacetime activities. Their cooperation, in situations that made communication and coordination almost impossible, provides a fascinating story that continues today, as reconstruction of the damaged country continues.

At this Science Pub, learn about the scientific aspects of both the Haiti and Japan earthquakes, including ongoing and future risks and implications for the USA, and an overview of the relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti.

Presenter Dr. Wayne D. Pennington is a geophysicist at Michigan Technological University, where he is also the Chair of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences.

This science pub takes place at the Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan) 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.

James Randi Lecture (16-February-2012)

February 9, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

James RandiThe Center for Inquiry presents a James Randi Lecture on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at Portland’s First Unitarian Church (1101 SW 13th Ave).

James Randi exposes popularly-accepted fakery by discussing with his audience everything from ESP to dowsing, from academic frauds to faith healers. Randi reveals what really took place in the last three decades in the labs of various prestigious “think tanks” that verified a series of simple magicians tricks as genuine miracles, thus launching a world-wide plague of misinformation, the repercussions of which can still be felt today.

Admission is only $10 (tickets can be purchased online or at the door), and Friends of the Center get in free (arrive at 6:15 to grab your VIP seat). Lecture begins at 6:30pm.

Weekend Amusements (February 10-12, 2012)

February 9, 2012 by Dave Knows Leave a Comment

Happy Darwin Day weekend everyone! Whether you’re prepping for Valentine’s Day or celebrating science, this should be a great weekend.

Friday

Breakfast ClubThe Cort and Fatboy Midnight Movie: The Breakfast Club

For February’s entry in the cortandfatboy Midnight Movie series, we present a 35mm print of John Hughes’ most heartfelt film, his love letter to the awkward, beautiful, sad, and hilarious horrorshow that is High School, his magnum opus as a writer and director: The Breakfast Club. [more]

PortlandiaWhere to Watch Portlandia In Portland

Updated for 2012: season 2!
Don’t have a TV? Don’t have the Independent Film Channel? Watch Portlandia, if you’re into that sort of thing, at the Portland venues listed below.
Portlandia season 2 airs of Fridays, beginning on January 6, 2012. [more]

Saturday

House SpiritsHouse Spirits’ St. Valentine’s Day Bazaar

House Spirits Distillery‘s first annual St. Valentine’s Day Bazaar takes place this Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the stillroom (2025 SE 7th).

“. . . We will be throwing open the doors of the Still Room and releasing Volstead, our first vodka in over a year. There will be cocktails, food and a slew of our wonderful neighborhood vendors with gifts for your Valentine.” [more]

Sunday

DarwinDarwin Day 2012 in Portland

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution via natural selection revolutionized biological science and gave us a greater understanding of the origins of life.

Darwin Day is celebrated around the world on February 12th, the anniversary of the day Darwin was born in 1809. [more]

And for even more weekend events and activities, check out the Dave Knows Calendar, and visit Around the Sun, Blogging Portland on the Cheap, PDX Pipeline, and Oregon Events at OregonLive.com.

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