Learning & TechTalks & LecturesScience Pubs

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FRINOV 6
NOV 6–NOV 8 · Hours not provided
💰 $22Craft FairsWorkshopsFood & DrinkMakers

Sacred Sheep 2026

Sacred Sheep is an annual event celebrating our maker’s community. With a focus on local artisans, organizers Ritual Dyes aim to create an inclusive, community-minded space for fiber enthusiasts. Sacred Sheep is held in November in Portland, Oregon and is comprised of a marketplace for maker vendors, meet-ups, food, classes and more.

WEDNOV 4
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
💰 $8Science Pubs

Science Pub: Convergent Evolution

OMSI1945 SE Water Ave
Nature’s Copycat: Convergent Evolution Throughout Time

with Nico Spadafora, Paleontologist, Founder of The Fossil Team

Image credit: artist Hodari Nundu

Please note this event takes place on Wednesday due to Election Night.

About the Lecture

We’ve all heard the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Turns out, nature seems to agree! From the fossil record to the animals living around us today, evolution has a funny habit of coming up with the same solutions again and again. Different animals can end up looking remarkably alike and sometimes even behaving alike despite evolving completely independently. This fascinating phenomenon is called convergent evolution.

In this fun and fascinating pub talk, paleontologist Nico Spadafora will take you on a journey through the weird, wonderful, and oddly repetitive world of convergent evolution. We’ll explore how it happens, why evolution keeps repeating itself, and what these evolutionary “reruns” can tell us about the incredible diversity of life on Earth.

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.

$8 suggested donation | Advance tickets recommended

Zoom Option
If you are unable to join us in person, you can watch on Zoom. You must register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

About the Speaker

Nico Spadafora is the founder of The Fossil Team, an education company and traveling museum dedicated to bringing the wonders of natural history to life. He has spent more than two decades studying paleontology, zoology, and the natural sciences, diving headfirst into the scientific literature and developing a deep knowledge of both living and extinct animals. In his teens, Nico earned an internship at the Oregon Zoo where he studied the anatomy, behavior, and traits of elephants, lions, rhinos, and many other animals. He later took his knowledge into the wild as a professional tracker and wilderness educator with Trackers Earth, following the trails and sign of bears, cougars, elk, and other wild animals. Today, Nico specializes in dinosaurs and prehistoric mammals and loves sharing the strange, spectacular, and sometimes downright bizarre stories hidden in the natural world. When he’s not studying, tracking, or obsessing over animals in the wild, he enjoys movies and games cuddled up with his house panthers Puma and Rufus.

THUNOV 5
4:00 PM
+1 dates
Craft FairsCraftsMakersCocktailsHolidays & SeasonalNightlife & Social

First Thursday Crafts & Cocktails

Join Urban Art Network for a special holiday edition of First Thursday inside Portland’s iconic McMenamins Crystal Ballroom! For two festive nights, we’re bringing together an incredible lineup of local artists, makers, and small businesses for a one-of-a-kind indoor holiday market.

Shop handmade goods and unique gifts, grab a cocktail, and spend the evening supporting Portland’s creative community, all while exploring one of the city’s most iconic venues.

Whether you’re getting a head start on holiday shopping, looking for something uniquely Portland, or just want a fun night out, Crafts & Cocktails is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

Website: https://urbanartnetwork.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstthursdayportland/
MONNOV 9
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Science Pubs

Forest Pub: Mushrooms

Purchase Tickets Here

Join us for our next Forest Pub focused on Mushrooms as the Architect of the Forest: Fungi and their Hidden Ecological Roles, an evening of storytelling, science, and community exploration in partnership with the Oregon Mycological Society. This special edition of Forest Pub dives into the fascinating world of fungi and their essential role in forest ecosystems—from decomposition and soil health to the hidden underground networks that connect trees and support forest resilience.

Guests will hear from local mycology expert, Tim Glassman, to learn how mushrooms shape forest ecology and climate health, and discover how fungi support both natural systems and human understanding of the forest. As always, Forest Pub blends science with storytelling in a relaxed, social setting designed to spark curiosity and conversation over a shared love of forests.

Speaker: Tim Glassman is currently the Chair of the Education Committee of the Oregon Mycological Society (OMS). He has been teaching Beginner’s ID and Toxicology to members and is currently creating a new Fungal Ecology class. Tim grew up in Buffalo, New York where he foraged around town riding his bicycle. Since then, he earned a Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry from MIT and worked as a Semiconductor Process Engineer at Intel for 21 years. After retiring in 2018 he joined OMS to learn about the diversity of mushrooms in the Pacific Northwest.

THUNOV 5
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Cultural HeritageWorkshopsCraftsMakersFood & DrinkKids (5-11)Holidays & Seasonal

STEAM Lab: Sugar Skulls

Aloha Community Library17445 SW Farmington Rd, Suite 26A

Create an edible sugar skull, or calavera de azúcar, a confection molded from sugar paste and decorated for the Mexican celebration for the Day of the Dead (Día de los muertos). Learn about the history and significance of sugar skulls while decorating your own pre-made calaverita to keep or honor a loved one!

Quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For children ages 5 and up with adult supervision.

SATNOV 28
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Drop-inMusicFood & DrinkCraft FairsPartiesMakers

Mountain Timber Market Third Anniversary

We’re celebrating three wonderful years at Mountain Timber Market, and you’re invited to the party!

Join us for a festive day filled with local shopping, live music, giveaways, good food, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Shop our Pop-Up Market featuring local vendors and makers
Enjoy live music throughout the celebration
Giveaways!
Grab a bite from your favorite Market vendors
Soak up the riverfront views and enjoy a day at the Market
Three years of food, friends, local businesses, and memories wouldn’t be possible without you. Come celebrate, shop small, and help us make our third anniversary one to remember!

We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

WEDNOV 4
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
RSVP requiredMakersWorkshops

Intro to Prusa 3D Printing -- Adult Maker Time

Space is limited; every participant must be signed up in advance to reserve a spot.

Join us at the Creative Learning Room to learn a new skill, and meet friendly people. The program will focus exclusively on an introduction to 3D printing with our Prusa printers. As a result, other equipment will not be available for public use during this time.

WEDNOV 4
6:00 PM
All agesScience PubsMuseums

OMSI Science Pub: Nature’s Copycat: Convergent Evolution Throughout Time

We've all heard the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Turns out, nature seems to agree! From the fossil record to the animals living around us today, evolution has a funny habit of coming up with the same solutions again and again. Different animals can end up looking remarkably alike and sometimes even behaving alike despite evolving completely independently. This fascinating phenomenon is called convergent evolution.

In this fun and fascinating pub talk, paleontologist Nico Spadafora will take you on a journey through the weird, wonderful, and oddly repetitive world of convergent evolution. We'll explore how it happens, why evolution keeps repeating itself, and what these evolutionary "reruns" can tell us about the incredible diversity of life on Earth.

Science Pubs are a casual lecture series located in fun venues across the region, recommended for ages 10 and over.

Science Pub Mission Theater is a monthly event that is open to anyone and everyone. No scientific background required. Just bring your curiosity, sense of humor, and appetite for food, drinks and knowledge! For more information or to sign up for our mailing list, email: [email protected].

SATNOV 21
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
+1 dates
Drop-inCeramicsMakersCraft Fairs

Made and Found Makers Market

Lovett Deconstruction & Salvage Shop4315 NW St Helens Rd

Lovett Deconstruction and Salvage Shop's annual makers market — Made and Found — is almost here. This year features 30+ local vendors committed to sustainable practices, specializing in secondhand, new heirlooms, and upcycled goods.

Vendor highlights include Kohai Ceramics, Vitrelux Glassworks, Vibrant Valley Farm, Buji Butter, Chatley Tea, Attic Journals, and many more local makers, including clothing designers, floral artists, candle makers, jewelry artists, wood turners, upcycled knitwear magicians, and more. It's an awe-inspiring collection of local people making great gifts.

Made and Found takes place at Lovett Deconstruction's HQ—an incredible space filled with found objects, reclaimed lumber, architectural salvage, art, and an awe-inspiring collection of collections.

Made and Found is family-friendly and free to attend.

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