Class Listings

Current Events

Current Events is a signature program for Senior Studies Institute. Bring in an article about something from the local paper, from a national publication, from something you heard on television. The class members will discuss it with no conditions except respect and civility. This class can get exciting and it’s always spirited!

SMILE:
Mondays from 1 to 3pm
CLIMB:
Tuesdays from 10am to 12 noon
Neighborhood House:
Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon
Beaverton Elsie Stuhr Center:
Mondays from 1 to 3pm
Lake Oswego:
Wednesdays from 1 to 3pm
West:
Wednesdays from 10am to 12 noon
East:
Thursdays from 9:50 to 11:50am
Metro:
Fridays from 10am to 12 noon

Play Reading

Read a Play? Write a play? Listen to a play? Play a detective? Or a murderer? Be a Knight or a Knave? Come play at Play Reading. It’s a really fun class and is different every week.

Neighborhood House:
Every Wednesday from 12:30pm to 3pm.

Spring 2013 Class Schedule

Spring term is more than half over and if you haven't been attending you have missed some super programs! But there are lots more to come.

Here are the latest updates. Click on a class name to get the class description.

SMILE

Mondays, 10am to 12 noon

Poetry Fun - April 1, 15, 29, May 13, 27
Limericks and Haiku and Sonnets, oh my! And odes and pastorals and... and... well, you name it. If it’s poetry, it’s part of this ever-popular class. Jan Vaillancourt and Norm Grant lead the discussions which can get very - uh - poetic!
Jazz Piano Concert - April 8
Andrei Kitaev and Bob Hume present this outstanding musical treat. Kitaev was born in Russia and heard jazz on the Voice of America at age 13. He knew then that he had to play this genre the rest of his life. The great Lionel Hampton noted “… that cat really plays”. Don’t miss this.
Transgender Evangelist - April 22
Sr. Paula Nielsen, 74, will describe her life, emphasizing her transition. She substituted for Darcelle in the 80’s and in the last 25 years used her preaching skills on her own public access tv show. In addition to being a performer, she was a legal secretary and a church secretary all since her transition in 1963.
Mothers Day Piano Tribute - May 6
Kay Robbins, pianist and educator, will play a special concert dedicated to Mothers and Womanhood. will begin with classical works by composers including Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, pieces that evoke tenderness, delicacy, grace and charm - qualities that support feminine virtues. The second half will present songs titled with women’s first names, a tender song, “That Wonderful Mother of Mine,” and finally, two popular Jewish songs, “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” and “My Yiddishe Momme”. Everyone, including the opposite sex, is welcome!
America - More Culinary Discoveries - May 20
From the proud and sturdy center of this country to the prairie that was “as alien as the seas to the early settlers” and on to the lavish feasts of the South - Kathy McCulloch continues our journey of what we put on our tables and in our pantries. You needn’t have come to the first in this series to enjoy this one! (And goodies will be served - YUM!)
History of The History Pub - June 3
History Pub is a lively lecture series that explores less-known historical events of the Pacific Northwest. Programs are held at McMennamins’ Kennedy School drawing large crowds. Karen Kinzey tells us how this series was developed and the surprising ways it has evolved over the last four years.

CLIMB

Tuesdays, 1 to 3pm

Philosophy Discussion - April 2
Take a tour through ethics, aesthetics, epistemology and other philosophic topics ancient and modern with John Schilke. A new problem or philosopher - well, come to class to find out!
WWII Veterans Stories - April 9
What a special event this will be with SSI Members Rod Daggett, Billy Joe McFarland, Norman Bates, Bob Baldwin and Arnie Leppert. These veterans will tell us of their experiences and take us back in time with stories we would never hear anywhere else. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind class!
Today’s Prisoner, Tomorrow’s Neighbor - April 16
Popular speaker Randy Blazak will fill us in on the challenges of prisoner re-entry. One in 100 Americans are currently in prison and 97% of those will be released back into local communities. This talk looks at the challenges our “incarceration nation” faces in reintegrating inmates back into society while attempting to reduce the likelihood that they will re-offend.
History of the Rose Festival - April 30
How does Portland’s own Rose Festival make the metro area into a better place to live and visit? What are your memories? Is there anything like it in the country? Marilyn Clint, CEO, will tell us all about it in powerpoint and with reference to their new book in the Images of America series.
Little Known Countries - May 7
Well, these may not be unknowns but you’ll certainly learn more about Morocco from Heidi Brouhard and Belgium from Linda Taylor than you knew before. And Kathy McCulloch will tell you about a couple of island nations that hopefully haven’t sunk already!
A Thumbnail Sketch of Judaism - May 14
Karen Mitzner will touch on the development of ethical monotheism as reflected in Torah and in rabbinic Judaism. Other aspects of the class will include the Hebrew goddess, a characterization of modern Jewish denominations and sects, and the relevance Judaism has for people today.
Animal Law in a Nutshell - May 21
Pamela Frasch leads a discussion of the evolving field of animal law with the focus on high profile issues and cases and exploration of the concept of animal rights and welfare.
Principles and Practice of Bonsai - May 28
Explore this ancient Asian art form through a lecture and demonstration by local florist and expert Mark Vossbrink. He will cover history, types and techniques for creating the illusion of great age and plant a bonsai tree for us.
Women Rising: The Second Wave of Feminism - June 4th
This wave peaked in the late 1960's-70's. Prominent white-middle-class women who had been inspired
by the civil rights movement led the action, focusing on sexuality and reproductive rights plus the
passage of an Equal Rights Amendment. As the movement spread, it created divisions that doomed
a coherent all-encompassing feminist ideology. Laurie Knightly will review the subject and engage
SSI women and men in a sharing of their own perceptions.

Neighborhood House

Wednesdays, 10am to 12 Noon

SSI Historical Materials - April 3
We are about to move all of our SSI historical materials to electronic form. SSI has a rich history to preserve. In this class you will get to see a lot of older photographs and other significant SSI materials.
Archetypes - April 10
We have all been affected by stereotypes and expectations of our culture yet there are powerful inner patterns - or archetypes, that describe how we actually feel, what we truly want and what choices we are likely to make. Carol Markewitz will illustrate by story telling, examining patterns and helping us understand ourselves and gain perspective about others in our lives.
Welcome to Iran - April 17
This video project explores Persian history by visiting sites both ancient and contemporary. Not quite a travelogue or a slide show, Art Wright mixes still and moving images to explain the attitude of today’s Iran.
Tualatin Riverkeepers - April 24
The Tualatin River was once a regional vacation destination. After years of abuse it became the most pol-luted river in Oregon. Tualatin Riverkeepers is the leading independent voice standing up for the river, streams and wetlands in our community. This effort must be maintained to protect our water, fish and wildlife. We will hear about the progress and the future of this area.
Fluoridation of Portland Water - For and Against - May 1
This will be on the ballot this year so we have invited a representative from each side - pro and con - to speak to SSI. Rick North will represent Clean-Water-Portland against fluoridation and Healthy-Kids-Healthy-Portland will speak for inclusion of fluoride into our water.
Art & Influence of Pablo Picasso - May 8
Few recent artists have had as much influence on art as Pablo Picasso. He started or strongly swayed several styles. Although he was controversial in his own time few are considered his equal now. Duane Ray will lead us in viewing his art and compare it with that of others.
My Brain Has A Hole in It! - May 15
A youngish middle-ages man with a family suddenly suffers a disastrous stroke. You will be astonished and inspired by Gordon Viggiano’s story and his climb back to everyday life.
Book Potpourri - May 15
Where you have up to ten minutes to tell us about a book you like, recommend, toss under the bus -- in any genre. And-- the least that can happen is that you take with you a list of must-reads
The Language of Quilts - May 22
Arlene Sachitano, author of quilting themed mysteries, will tell us how the quilt pattern history is related to communication. Docents from the Latimer Quilt and Textile Museum, Tillamook,will display quilts from their extensive collection.
How are Artists Inspired? - May 29
Amy Henderson, Executive Director of the Geezer Gallery, will introduce two acclaimed artists, Joseph Conrad, master stone carver and Farooq Hassan, internationally recognized artist from Iraq. They will delve into the inspirations and techniques behind their art and how their personal history influences their creations.
Tualatin Valley Wildlife Refuge - June 5
A desire by residents and leaders to preserve an open greenspace and create an area where future generations could enjoy outdoor recreation and Interpretation led to the establishment of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge. Come learn more about this local ideal public setting.
Philosophy discussion with John Schilke - June 5
Always fascinating, always new.

Neighborhood House

Thursdays, 1 to 3pm

Early Oregon History - April 4
Jane Comerford will illustrate the history of Old Portland from the river to the hills. She has dynamic historic slides and stories to share.
Cruisin’ the Danube - April 11
Jim Williams invites you along to enjoy his photo essay of his recent visit to Eastern Europe along the lower Danube on the River Discovery II. He will share the geography, demographics and recent politics of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania.
Baha’i - April 18
Eric and Tricia Hanson are members and practitioners of the Baha’i faith and will share with us the practices and origins of the faith and how they came to discover and become Baha’i followers.
PDX - Part of a Global Network of Seniors - April 25
The WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities fosters the exchange of experience and mutual learning to better meet the needs of their older residents. Portland was part of the original research project in 2006 and the first American city to join GNAFCC. Mark Noonan and Joan Corella of Elders in Action will tell us more.
Digging Champoeg - May 2
Learn about the different people who lived at Champoeg by examining the things they left behind. Kim Martin, education coordinator, will show us how archeology helps us paint a picture of the people who lived there in the early days of this settlement on French Prairie.
An Introduction to TED - May 9
TED (technology, entertainment and development) is a global set of conferences formed to disseminate “ideas worth spreading”. Jim Williams tells us about this concept rated jaw-dropping, persuasive, funny, fascinating and courageous.
Ancient SE Asian Kingdoms - May 16
Explore Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on this in-depth journey with Kathleen Maunder. Delve into ancient history and visit UNESCO World Heritage sites, tour impressive temples and palaces, villages and school. A great adventure!
Leonard Cohen - May 23
Who is this 60’s poet-singer? Learn through his poetry, songs and video performances. Still entertaining at age 79, his career has spanned four decades. Jim Williams guides your journey.
Protect Yourself as a Patient - May 30
Leslie Ray, Oregon Patient Safety Community Consultant, tells us how to protect ourselves and loved ones at hospitals, care centers, housing, etc. Engaging patients in their own personal care helps them understand the ins and outs of these institutions and be more aware of issues.
Unfortunately nothing is scheduled for the final day of the term - June 6
but that may not be the final word. Stay tuned!