Ross Island sits mid-Willamette just south of downtown Portland, and has a history of being built up and exploited by men, but today it is ruled primarily by nature. From Friendly House, Mike Houck, Director of the Urban Greenspaces Institute, will present his vision of how it can serve as one. Mr. Houck has been a leader in urban nature issues since 1980 when he founded the Urban Naturalist Program at the Audubon Society of Portland. He has co-founded Coalition for a Livable Future (CLF); The national Coalition to Restore Urban Waters (CRUW); The Intertwine Alliance; and The Nature of Cities forum.
Video of Programs (search and sort)
Changing Racial Ecology Through the Arts
05/18/2014
Bonnie Ratner
This topic relates to “The August Wilson Red Door Project” and Bonnie Ratner is its Executive Director. The goal is to have people from diverse backgrounds and experiences live, work, play, and create together, with a view to everyone fulfilling their highest human potential. Ms. Ratner is a community development expert, writer, and educator with over twenty years’ experience assisting people in strategic planning, community building, and race equity work.
Development of Targeting Drugs
05/11/2014
Dr. Jeffrey Tyner
Dr. Jeffrey Tyner gives us a summary of efforts to apply gene-targeted therapies for cancer on an individualized basis. This touches on the basic biology of cancer as well as the technological revolution that is unfolding in the realm of DNA sequencing. Tyner is Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell & Developmental Biology at OHSU. His research focuses on identifying cancer-causing genes and on patient-tailored, gene-targeted, therapies.
Beyond Standing Up To Discrimination Against Atheists
05/04/2014
Doug Matheson
Presentation by Doug Matheson. Until recently, “coming out of the atheist closet” was viewed as tough and optional. Recently some humanists have spoken out against anti-atheist bias and discrimination. Our central focus is on getting beyond that. We consider our global circumstances, alongside the intrinsic risks of faith. We explore engaging our fellow citizens who remain in the communities of faith. Doug was brought up as a Christian. But an inquiring mind, and the conviction that there should be a match between what we believe and what the best evidence says, couldn’t let him stay there. He has published a book titled "Actually Thinking vs. Just Believing."
Reflect Peace Now
04/27/2014
Nicki Pistacchio
Nicki Pistacchio, the original grass root organizer of “ReflectPeaceNow.Org”, leads a discussion on the ways that marketing peace goes hand in hand with humanist beliefs. She outlines a variety of sustainable personal actions that promote peace. Ms. Pistacchio is a native Oregonian, having grown up on the coast. During her working life she was gatekeeper and clean-up person for presidents, CEO’s, and department managers. She was often responsible for marketing and outreach projects. Upon retirement, she became a volunteer working to continue marketing for peace.