Dave Knows Portland

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

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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.

Kick Ass Oregon History Vol 4 #3: Mad Max

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Don’t forget, this Tuesday, March 20, 2012 – you won’t want to miss the Humanity On Wheels: An Evening of Mass Transit Tales!, brought to you by Kick Ass Oregon History and TriMet Diaries!

KICK ASS OREGON HISTORY VOL 4 #3: MAD MAXKick Ass Oregon History is the latest series of podcasts from the enthusiastic historians behind ORHistory.com.

And volume 4 #3 just dropped: Mad Max: Portland’s Death Trolley.

In which we learn that a ticket to ride is a ticket to doom.

The brains behind this Kick Ass project are the crack hustlers of Oregon History Doug Kenck-Crispin and Andy Lindberg. Doug is a graduate student studying Public History and Pacific Northwest History at PSU, and Andy, though a Portland native, is currently working as an actor in New York City. Doug does most of the research and writing for the podcasts with input from Andy, who voices the broadcasts with a thespian’s flair.

With the Kick Ass Oregon History podcast they plan to cover just the good stuff: Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll and Earth Shattering, Devastating Destruction.

Ultimately, our goal is to take Oregon History out of the hallowed halls of the academy, get folks excited and enthused about this shared history, and get them out into the state, digging it and experiencing it. Get them to embrace it, and get their boots muddy in the process. It’s all OUR History; nobody owns it.

Visit ORHistory.com and stay tuned to @Oregon_History on Twitter for further details on specific episodes and the series. Catch up on missed episodes at the Kick Ass Oregon History archives.

St. Unicorn’s Day 2012

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Unicorned BeefHappy St. Unicorn’s Day!

On St. Unicorn’s Day, we drink to remember, instead of our usual reason, drinking to forget.

Those wise words were penned by unicorn scholar Mike Vogel, whose research has also uncovered archeological bones and horns in dirt type of evidence which supports the theory that Portland, Oregon was built upon an ancient unicorn burial ground. Contemporary observations corroborate that there is definitely more to this legend than naysayers will admit. Fortunately the unicorn word continues to spread.

In addition to consuming copious libations, it is traditional to feast on [uni]corned beef and boiled cabbage and root vegetables on this day (if some of this sounds familiar, it is because, like so many religious holidays, St. Patrick’s Day is actually based on an old pagan celebration: St. Unicorn’s Day).

And in 2012 St. Unicorn’s Day is particularly auspicious, as we celebrate it on the same day as National Corndog Day. After [uni]corned beef, I can’t think of any foodstuff more appropriate for celebrating our unicorn forefathers.

So, to all Portlanders everywhere, I wish you a fantastic St. Unicorns Day – and National Corndog Day!

The Art and Science of Shoemaking (March 16 & 17, 2012)

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ExIT ShoesJoin shoemaker Jeff Mandel this Friday or Saturday, March 16 or 17, 2012 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. each day, for a free lecture on The Art and Science of Shoemaking at Halo Shoes (938 NW Everett).

Come learn about the interdisciplinary pursuit that is making shoes by hand. I will show how measurements lead to a last which gives rise to a pattern that can be made into a shoe. Along the way we’ll visit the diverse world of of shoemaking including design, drawing, sewing, sculpture, biology, chemistry, physics and math.

Drop in or stay for the whole presentation. Jeff runs ExIT Shoes, a one man custom handmade shoe shop in Portland, Oregon.

In Portland, The Milkman Still Delivers: The Local

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The LocalYearning for a simpler time, when the friendly neighborhood milkman delivered? If you live in the Portland area, you can stop yearning. The Local, your Portland milkman, keeps the tradition alive:

The Milkman still exists! The Local is Portland’s home dairy delivery service. Full line of Alpenrose products, yogurt, eggs, and bread delivered to your doorstep weekly.

Once a week in the wee hours your milk, cheese, soy milk, bread, eggs, and yogurt are quietly placed on your porch in your cooler, or the garage refrigerator if you like. Prices vary, but The Local aims to meet or beat national grocery chain prices.

Run by husband and wife team Jarod and Leslie Burford, The Local currently delivers to North Portland, Hollywood, Sellwood, Eastmoreland, Inner Southeast, and several south-side Portland suburbs.

Check out The Local’s website and Facebook page for more details.