SSI FALL TERM CLASS DESCRIPTIONS 2025
see bottom of page for Zoom information
OCTOBER CLASSES
Wednesday Oct. 1: 10 am - Noon
Title: Queer Storytelling
Presenter: Paul Larrobino, Director of Our Bold Voices (in person)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: Our Bold Voices seeks to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities through storytelling and collaboration. Its new anthology, Defiant Moments, presents the diverse stories of 15 LGBTQ+ authors and allies, each one pushing back against societal expectations and political challenges. Listen as Paul, joined by Scott Strickland, Alex Dean, Jamison Green, and Heidi Bruins Green read from their works. Q&A to follow.
Thursday Oct. 2: 10 am - Noon
Title: Deep Ocean: Earth's Most Mysterious & Bizarre Environment
Presenter: David D. Lonsdale
Location: Zoom only
Class Description: Travel down through Earth’s most dominant natural feature, its ocean. On our journey learn about some of its curiosities: bioluminescence, the deep scattering layer, whale falls, undersea geology, hydrothermal vents and more.
Bio: David was born in the British Dependent Territory of Bermuda and has 50+ years of experience in the field of Marine Biology. He was a leader in public aquariums for over 32 years. David has directed aquarium operations, developed numerous exhibits, and overseen educational programming at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, and Duluth’s (MN) Great Lakes Aquarium. He has also taught college-level courses in General Ecology, Aquatic Biology, and Introductory Marine Biology.
Week of October 6
Monday Oct. 6: 10 - 11 am - NO CLASS SCHEDULED
Tuesday Oct. 7: 1 - 3 pm
Title: John Philip Sousa & The American Marching Band
Presenter: Gordon Neal Herman (on zoom)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: From the earliest days of America, the marching band has been an integral part of the American music scene. Known as the March King, Sousa brought the marching band to the heights of popularity and personal success. This program will trace the development of marching band music from its earliest days to the present.
Bio: Gordon has taught music history since 1981 and composes and records in a variety of styles. He was a Visiting Lecturer in American Music History at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and has taught at the University of Idaho, Portland State University, Linfield College and Marylhurst University.
Wednesday Oct. 8: 10 am -11 am
Title: Portland's Historic Houses of Worship
Presenter: John Doyle (in person)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: John will discuss the ways in which the Portland community embraced not just faith and values but also their aesthetic priorities as a society. Working in diverse styles such as Gothic Revival, Italianate, Romanesque Revival, and Modernism, architects Warren Williams, A.E. Doyle, Pietro Belluschi, and a host of others helped forge Portland’s architectural identity. Portland’s religious communities have a long history of diversity, and the inclusion of as many faiths as possible has been a priority in the creation of this book. Here's a website that reviews the publication he will be referencing: https://tinyurl.com/37jtrneu.
Bio: John has been a lifelong student of history, architecture, and art history. After earning his master’s in art history from Tufts University, he lectured at the Met Cloisters of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art and then lived and traveled overseas for several years. He has lived in Portland since 1997 and has been a docent for the Architectural Heritage Center and a private tour guide since 2010.
Thursday Oct. 9: 7 - 8:30 PM (Evening)
Title: Beluga Whales in the Arctic: Canaries of the Arctic Seas
Presenter: David D. Lonsdale
Location: Zoom only
Class Description: An illustrated presentation which allows the audience to experience what life is like on the Arctic Tundra and in its rivers and the adjacent cold seas. Share with the speaker his documentation of three trips (between 1984 and 1995), to coastal areas of Canada’s Arctic and sub-Arctic in pursuit of Beluga whales.
Bio: See presentation on Oct. 2
Week of October 13
Monday Oct. 13: NO CLASS/Federal Holiday
Tuesday Oct. 14: 1 - 3 pm
Title: Shakespeare Play 'As You Like It' (Part 1 of 2)
Presenter: Charlie Holmes, SSI Member (in person)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: “As You Like It,” called by some "Shakespeare's happiest play” (four weddings!), can still be a challenge to those unfamiliar with the play: it's filled with puns, sharp wit, and rapid repartee that can be tough to catch. This lecture will provide useful advice and guidance for approaching the play, on stage or in your armchair.
Wednesday Oct. 15: 10 am - Noon
Title: SSI New Members’ Gathering
Presenter: SSI Members (in person & on zoom)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: An opportunity for new SSI members to get acquainted with SSI and each other and to learn about SSI's mission and future plans with time for Q&A. Bring your questions and input. All members are welcome!
Thursday Oct. 16: 10 am - 11 am
Title: Why Does Fake Information Exist? Understanding the motives behind misinformation (Part 2 of 2)
Presenter: Susan Foxman, SSI Member (on zoom)
Location: Zoom only; 1.5 hrs.
Class Description: In this video presentation by April Younglove, an Adult Librarian at Lake Oswego Public Library, we will explore misinformation, disinformation and malinformation. What is a content farm? What sources help the reader assess whether information is true? Learn recommended strategies.
Bio: See class presentation on Sept. 17.
Week of October 20
Monday Oct. 20: 10 - 11 am
Title: Portland’s Drinking Water System
Presenter: John Jackson, Portland Water Bureau
Location: Zoom only; 1 hr.
Class Description: This presentation will provide an overview of Portland’s amazing system of reservoirs, dams, groundwater collection, historic engineering and upkeep.
Bio: John joined the Portland Water Bureau in April 2023. Prior to working with the bureau, John spent 30+ years working frontline and management positions in the fields of environmental & outdoor education and outdoor recreation and was with the residential youth conservation corps and AmeriCorps National Service.
Tuesday Oct. 21: 1 - 3 pm
Title: Shakespeare Play 'As You Like It' (Part 2 of 2)
Presenter: Charlie Holmes, SSI Member (in person)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: Here's a chance to dig into the wit and charm as we read aloud together various scenes from the play. (We use the Folger editions for clarity's sake. Folger editions are available for free downloading.)
Wednesday Oct. 22: 10 am - Noon
Title: Umberto Boccioni
Presenter: Alice Cotton, SSI Member
Location: Zoom only
Class Description: This artist does something called Futurism. What is it and how does it affect our art?
Bio: See class presentation on Sept. 18.
Thursday Oct. 23: 7 - 8:30 PM (Evening)
Title: The Truth About Corvids: Crows, Ravens, Jays and Magpies
Presenter: Marilyn Ellis
Location: Zoom only
Class Description: Why are they both loved and hated by humans? The truth is that they are smart, comical and essential to the health of our planet. Learn about their behavior, community culture and why they need our protection. Lots of fun stories and videos of these intelligent and fascinating birds.
Bio: Marilyn is an Oregon Master Naturalist and a Certified Interpretive Guide.
Week of October 27
Monday Oct. 27: 10 - 11 am
Title: Curiosity Cafe: How to Make Stress your Friend
Presenter: Warren Karmol, SSI member
Location: Zoom only
Class Description: Stress. It makes your heart pound, breathing quicken, and your forehead sweat. But while stress has been made into a public health enemy, new research suggests that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal urges us to see stress as a positive and introduces us to an unsung mechanism for stress reduction: reaching out to others. Discussion to follow the video presentation.
Tuesday Oct. 28: 1 - 3 pm
Title: Supreme Court 2025: Consolidating the Autocracy
Presenter: Barry Bennett, SSI Member (on zoom)
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom
Class Description: In 2025 the United States Supreme Court continued the conservative revolution in the law, consolidating power in the hands of the president at the expense of the courts and the people—especially immigrants. By disallowing nationwide injunctions, the Court freed the president to continue ignoring the citizenship clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, putting at risk of deportation thousands or even millions who have always been recognized as American citizens. With no explanation, the Court also allowed the president to send immigrants to countries with which they have no connection and granted DOGE access to sensitive Social Security information on American citizens. We will discuss these and other cases as we chart how the Court is remaking American society.
Bio: Barry, J.D., was an attorney with the United States Government for many years, in addition to several years in private practice and with the State of Oregon. He has taught courses on law and public policy in law school and college and has argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Wednesday Oct. 29: 10 am - Noon
Title: The Witch: Wisewoman or Hag?
Presenter: Sandy Miller, SSI Member
Location: CLIMB; in person & on Zoom (in person)
Class Description: The witch archetype has arisen in diverse cultures since antiquity. Often it overlaps with the image of the old woman, or crone. As All-Hallows Eve draws near, join Sandy in revisiting some portrayals of witches on film, and explore how to call on your own inner witch to access your strength and power.
Thursday Oct. 30: 10 am - Noon
Title: Crime Prevention
Presenter: Maddie Bauer; Community Engagement Coordinator, Tigard Police Department
Location: Zoom only; 1 hr.
Class Description: In today's world, learning tips and tricks to improve your personal safety and to prevent crime in your home and neighborhood is paramount. Maddie will present the "how to's" with opportunities for Q&A.
Bio: See class presentation on Sept. 11.
NOTES:
● Weekly in-person class locations:
o PCC CLIMB Center (CLIMB): 1626 SE Water Ave., Portland; pay for parking.
● For classes noted as “in-person & by Zoom,” the Zoom access information,
as well as any unforeseen changes, will be announced in the weekly email
newsletter prior to the class.
● Class duration noted if anticipated to be less than 2 full hours.
● Please wear your name tag to all in-person classes; fill out the medical
info on the reverse side.
● Wearing a mask is optional at any of the locations.
● No classes will be held on U.S. Federal holidays.
MORE ACTIVITIES ARE LISTED ON THE LAST PAGE.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR WEEKLY EMAIL NEWSLETTER FOR DATES,
TIMES AND CONTACT AND/OR PARTICIPATION INFORMATION
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To attend one of SSI’s online ZOOM classes ....
Step 1: Take a look at the Class Descriptions posted on the SSI website https://www.ssipdx.org/class- schedule.html to preview what classes are being offered - Mark your calendar for the ones you want to participate in.
Step 2: Check the weekly Newsletter for the link to the class you want to participate in and click on it.
If the link to a Zoom event doesn't take you to the class you want (This is a Zoom issue, not the Newsletter's),
USE THE CLASS ID AND PASS CODE INSTEAD.
● Log in to your free Zoom app (https://zoom.us/)
● Click on “Join Meeting”
● Use the Class ID and Pass code from the Zoom invitation in the Newsletter to join the class meeting.
Step 3: In the 15 minutes before the class is scheduled to start, click on the link to the class that you found in
the Newsletter.
Step 4: If you already have the Zoom application (app) installed, you will go directly to the Zoom Waiting
Room and wait to be admitted to the class. (Be sure your app is the latest version of Zoom.)
Notes:
● If you do NOT have the Zoom application (app) already installed you will be asked to download the FREE
Zoom app before joining the class. (It is not necessary to have the Zoom app to participate in an SSI class -
however, you will have better tools to make the most of your class experience if you have the Zoom app.)
● Zoom customers are now required to keep their Zoom software no more than three months behind the
current version. If you are running an older version of Zoom, you will be prompted to perform an update.
This takes a little time--so if you suspect that your Zoom software is out of date, you may wish to log into
an SSI activity a few minutes early to ensure that you are admitted on time.