Oregon ReadsOregon 150 Events at WCCLS Libraries
Oregon Reads 2009
On February 14th, 2009, the state of Oregon is turning 150. Can you even imagine?
The Oregon State Library has selected 150 Books for Oregon's Sesquicentennial (PDF), a book list for young readers as well as older.
In WCCLS libraries, we're excited about the Sesquicentennial, and we invite you to be as well. We have a number of programs to remember Oregon’s past and celebrate its present.
These events have already occurred
Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Celebration of Poet William Stafford’s Birthday, with special guest Lawson Inada
As part of the Oregon Reads 2009 and Oregon’s 150th Birthday celebrations, Beaverton City Library presents A Reflection on Social Justice in World War II.
This event, which honors Oregon poet William Stafford, will take place in the Beaverton City Library Auditorium, Sunday, January 11, from 2 pm to 4 pm. It is free, and co-sponsored by the Friends of William Stafford.
Lawson Fusao Inada, Oregon Poet Laureate, will read from Legends from Camp, poems about his family’s internment.
Paul Merchant, William Stafford Archivist at Lewis & Clark College, will read from Stafford’s work from conscientious objector camps.
The event will commemorate William Stafford’s life as well as the WWII internment experiences of the Yasui family relayed in Stubborn Twig, by Lauren Kessler, the book chosen for Oregon Reads 2009.
Bring your favorite William Stafford poem to share!
Beaverton City Library (Auditorium)
12375 SW Fifth St., Beaverton(503) 644-2197
Find it!
TriMet Trip PlannerSaturday, January 17, 2009 at 2:00 PM
author Kurt Nelson on WWII Oregon
Kurt Nelson will talk about WWII and the Pacific Northwest at Hillsboro Main Library, Saturday, January 17th at 2:00 pm.
This author, Portland police officer, and Clackamas Community College instructor, will discuss his book. Fighting For Paradise: A Military History of the Pacific Northwest is an account of some of the little known military engagements that book place right here in our region. Although the book covers the time from the first European settlement to the present, Mr. Nelson will concentrate on the incidents that occurred in WWII. The Oregon Coast was shelled by Japanese submarines and Oregon was also attacked by Japanese incendiary bombs. Copies of Mr. Nelson’s book will be on sale after the presentation. It is also available to borrow from WCCLS libraries.
Hillsboro Main Library
2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro(503) 615-6500
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerSunday, January 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Oregon Before the White Explorers Knew It
Hillsboro Main Library will be presenting a talk by Native American artist Lillian Pitt, Sunday, January 18 at 2 PM. The talk and an exhibit of her carvings, masks and sculpture are free of charge.
Ms. Pitt, a member of the Warm Springs/Wasco tribe, will speak about the life and culture of the Columbia River Gorge’s indigenous people before the Gorge was explored and settled by white pioneers.
“I use the ancient stories of my ancestors as a basis for the imagery I create. By doing this I maintain the memory of an ancient culture and keep the beliefs of my people alive.... My ancestors have a 10,000 year history in the Columbia River Gorge. Much of my work has to do with the preservation and care of the environment along this ancient waterway,” Ms. Pitt explains.
“She Who Watches,” the Columbia River petroglyph that represents the last of the Woman Chiefs, appears frequently in her work.
Primarily a ceramics artist, she also produces sculptures in glass, bronze, and wood. She also creates paintings, drawings, prints, jewelry, and wearable art.
Her work is exhibited often in Portland galleries, including Quintana, and in museums; she also has contributed to public artworks. Her most recent award was the Earle A. Chiles Award for 2007 in acknowledgement for her art in sustaining ancient Columbia Plateau cultures and beliefs, and for promoting harmony within people, communities, and nature.
Hillsboro Main Library
2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro(503) 615-6500
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerWednesday, February 11, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Obsidian: History Through the Volcanic Glass Window
Archeologist Dr. Dennis Jenkins from the University of Oregon will discuss this beautiful volcanic igneous glass and how it can give us a fascinating glimpse into the pre-history of Oregon.
Flows of obsidian, a natural glass produced by many volcanoes in Oregon, contain a unique chemical signature that enables archaeologists to trace artifacts back to the volcano of origin. Obsidian is also an unstable mineral that begins absorbing molecular water soon after a fresh surface is exposed to the atmosphere, a process that produces a detectible rind that thickens at a predictable rate under various site conditions, producing a “hydration clock” that tells the age of each artifact and flake.
Archaeologist Dennis Jenkins will discuss the invaluable information about our culture stored within nature in “Obsidian: History through the Volcanic Glass Window.” Hillsboro Main Public Library is pleased to host this Oregon Chautauqua from the Oregon Council for the Humanities. This free, public program will take place on Wednesday, February 11 at 6:30pm at Hillsboro Main Public Library, 2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro.
Obsidian artifacts yield a treasure-trove of information about prehistoric lifeways and the development of sociopolitical areas in central Oregon across fifteen thousand years of prehistory. Archaeologist Dennis Jenkins presents a fascinating look at the trail of information left by this beautiful volcanic glass.
Hillsboro Main Library
2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro(503) 615-6500
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerFriday, February 13, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Oregon’s 150th Birthday Celebration
Treats and tea will be available to celebrate Oregon’s 150th Birthday from 10:00 AM–2:00 PM.
West Slope Community Library
3678 SW 78th Avenue, Portland(503) 292-6416
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerSaturday, February 14, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Cornelius Kick-off Celebration of Oregon’s 150th Birthday
Children will love the antics of BJ the Clown, while teens make candy “sushi” and adults can sign up for the book discussion group of the statewide book read of Stubborn Twig. Early participants will receive a free copy of the book. Refreshments will be served.
Cornelius Public Library
1355 N Barlow Street, Cornelius(503) 357-4093
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerSaturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Oregon’s Birthday Party: Old Time Music Show
Celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday with cake and a music performance by Rick Meyers featuring a delightful mix of history, playful dialogue and pioneer music played on the banjo, spoons, musical saw, limberjack and other instruments.
Tigard Public Library (Community Room)
13500 SW Hall Blvd, Tigard(503) 684-6537
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerSaturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Whiskey Flats Brass Band
Celebrate Oregon’s 150th birthday & St. Valentine’s day with a concert of late 19th century band music on authentic period instruments.Beaverton City Library (Auditorium)
12375 SW Fifth St., Beaverton(503) 644-2197
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerSaturday, February 14, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Happy Birthday, Oregon!
Celebrate Oregon’s 150th Birthday with cake, party favors, and information about the Sesquicentennial (the 150th).
Hillsboro Shute Park Branch
775 SE Tenth Avenue, Hillsboro(503) 615-6500
Find it! TriMet Trip PlannerSunday, February 22, 2009 at 2:00 PM
“Quintessential” Oregon Music Celebration
Fun, classical music renditions of folk songs related to Oregon history will be performed by the local woodwind quintet, “Quintessential,” in honor of Oregon’s 150th. Program is designed to evoke scenes of early Oregon by using music, slides, and narration.Hillsboro Main Library
2850 NE Brookwood Parkway, Hillsboro(503) 615-6500
Find it! TriMet Trip Planner