FALL CLASSES
SEPTEMBER
Mon., Sept. 14, 10:00 am
War and Peace in the Baltic: From Gustavus Adolphus to Vladimir Putin
Presented by Dr. Donald Steury, SSI Member
The Baltic lies at the strategic intersection of Europe’s East and West, yet it is little known to most Westerners. A strategic history of this fascinating and little-known region that brings events up to the present day.
Tue., Sept. 15, 1:00 pm
Below the Southern Border: The Tragedies Worsen
Speaker: Dr. Virginia Feldman
What happens at our southern Border Wall? Take a trip with the Drs. Feldman as they work with refugees and asylum seekers in Tijuana. Dr. Ginny will witness with you the tragedies we cause in our asylum process and deportation practices--even before COVID-19. Updates on immigration issues will be discussed.
Wed., Sept. 16, 10:00 am
Exploring the Art of Banksy and Mark Rothko
Speaker: Duane Ray, SSI member
Banksy is an unidentified British graffiti artist whose originality has attracted interest all over the world. We’ll start with some local graffiti and move on to important graffiti ending with multi-million-dollar graffiti.
Mark Rothko produces panels of color that, at first, are hard to understand as art. We will follow the development of this art form in an attempt to understand his final achievement. - the Rothko Chapel.
Thu., Sept,. 17, 10:00 am
Your T’s Tell on You
Speaker: Joyce Brizendine
Participants will explore how "Handwriting Analysis" can cite personality traits from their handwriting. The focus will be on a presentation entitled, "Your T's Tell On You", where the writing of famous people will be examined. The second half of the class invites participants to cite personality traits from one famous person and their own as well. Interaction is highly encouraged!
COURSES TO BE SCHEDULED LATER
The Music Goes Round and Round: The Rise of Tin Pan Alley
Speaker: Gordon Herman
Tin Pan Alley, the nickname for the American music publishing, has had a huge impact upon American culture in general and music specifically while shaping the music industry of the 20th century. This multimedia presentation will explore how Tin Pan Alley came into existence, the role it has played in American pop culture and how it transformed the American music business into an industry.
The Secret Life of Birds
Speaker: Marilyn Ellis, Oregon Master Naturalist
Have you always wanted to be a birder but its just too hard and takes too much time to learn? Relax! You can be a birder without knowing the species. You can understand the universal rules of bird communication and finally enjoy both their music and the drama and excitement that you never even knew was going on all around you.
In this fun, interactive and informative presentation, you will learn:
Patrick (Padraig) Pearse and the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland
Speaker: Rev. Art Wheeler, University of Portland
Patrick Pearse (1879-1916), a poet and Irish nationalist, believed passionately in the revival of the Irish language and in freedom for all of Ireland. In 1916 he led a revolt against the British, in the middle of World War I, enlisting help from Germany. Pearse knew that a military uprising against the British Empire had little chance for success, but he transformed the Irish political scene by deliberately choosing martyrdom. At first the vast majority of the Irish and Irish-Americans opposed the Easter Rising of 1916, but by executing him the British gave his nationalist message the notoriety he desired. One of his executed colleagues, musician Eamonn Ceannt, had a sister-in-law, Kathleen O’Brennan, who came to Portland during World War I to promote Irish nationalism.
Mon., Sept. 14, 10:00 am
War and Peace in the Baltic: From Gustavus Adolphus to Vladimir Putin
Presented by Dr. Donald Steury, SSI Member
The Baltic lies at the strategic intersection of Europe’s East and West, yet it is little known to most Westerners. A strategic history of this fascinating and little-known region that brings events up to the present day.
Tue., Sept. 15, 1:00 pm
Below the Southern Border: The Tragedies Worsen
Speaker: Dr. Virginia Feldman
What happens at our southern Border Wall? Take a trip with the Drs. Feldman as they work with refugees and asylum seekers in Tijuana. Dr. Ginny will witness with you the tragedies we cause in our asylum process and deportation practices--even before COVID-19. Updates on immigration issues will be discussed.
Wed., Sept. 16, 10:00 am
Exploring the Art of Banksy and Mark Rothko
Speaker: Duane Ray, SSI member
Banksy is an unidentified British graffiti artist whose originality has attracted interest all over the world. We’ll start with some local graffiti and move on to important graffiti ending with multi-million-dollar graffiti.
Mark Rothko produces panels of color that, at first, are hard to understand as art. We will follow the development of this art form in an attempt to understand his final achievement. - the Rothko Chapel.
Thu., Sept,. 17, 10:00 am
Your T’s Tell on You
Speaker: Joyce Brizendine
Participants will explore how "Handwriting Analysis" can cite personality traits from their handwriting. The focus will be on a presentation entitled, "Your T's Tell On You", where the writing of famous people will be examined. The second half of the class invites participants to cite personality traits from one famous person and their own as well. Interaction is highly encouraged!
COURSES TO BE SCHEDULED LATER
The Music Goes Round and Round: The Rise of Tin Pan Alley
Speaker: Gordon Herman
Tin Pan Alley, the nickname for the American music publishing, has had a huge impact upon American culture in general and music specifically while shaping the music industry of the 20th century. This multimedia presentation will explore how Tin Pan Alley came into existence, the role it has played in American pop culture and how it transformed the American music business into an industry.
The Secret Life of Birds
Speaker: Marilyn Ellis, Oregon Master Naturalist
Have you always wanted to be a birder but its just too hard and takes too much time to learn? Relax! You can be a birder without knowing the species. You can understand the universal rules of bird communication and finally enjoy both their music and the drama and excitement that you never even knew was going on all around you.
In this fun, interactive and informative presentation, you will learn:
- How do birds build nests without hands and tools?
- Why do they migrate?
- Why does a hummingbird sparkle?
- This and so much more!
Patrick (Padraig) Pearse and the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland
Speaker: Rev. Art Wheeler, University of Portland
Patrick Pearse (1879-1916), a poet and Irish nationalist, believed passionately in the revival of the Irish language and in freedom for all of Ireland. In 1916 he led a revolt against the British, in the middle of World War I, enlisting help from Germany. Pearse knew that a military uprising against the British Empire had little chance for success, but he transformed the Irish political scene by deliberately choosing martyrdom. At first the vast majority of the Irish and Irish-Americans opposed the Easter Rising of 1916, but by executing him the British gave his nationalist message the notoriety he desired. One of his executed colleagues, musician Eamonn Ceannt, had a sister-in-law, Kathleen O’Brennan, who came to Portland during World War I to promote Irish nationalism.