South Metro

• Location: LO Adult Community Center
• Cost: Free for all participants
• Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
• Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.

Uncover the transformative power of wonder and its tangible biological impacts. Dr. Lynne Shinto walks us through how intentional, everyday moments of awe physically reshape the neural architecture of the aging brain. Discover the fascinating science behind how experiencing wonder sparks fresh neural pathways, lowers cellular inflammation, and actively stimulates cognitive vitality to keep our minds sharp and resilient.

About the Instructor:
Dr. Lynne Shinto is a Professor of Neurology at OHSU, focusing on neurological health, brain longevity, and integrative medical approaches to cognitive well-being.

Course ID: 34834 – Free

Step onto the rugged, untamed frontier to uncover a vital yet frequently overlooked chapter of American heritage. Through meticulous historical research and vibrant archival illustrations, author Dale Hom brings the deeply impactful legacy of Chinese cowboys to life. Explore how these resilient individuals shaped the ranching industries and livestock traditions of the 19th-century American West despite structural and cultural hurdles.

About the Instructor:
Dale Hom is a dedicated author and researcher who specializes in unearthing and preserving marginalized histories and cultural narratives of the early American West.

Course ID: 34829 – Free

Unlock the profound linguistic history hidden within the early Pacific Northwest landscape. Dr. David Douglas Robertson guides us through a fascinating linguistic deep dive into Chinook Jargon, the historic trade language that blended Indigenous and European tongues. Learn how this unique hybrid form of communication served as a cultural bridge and vital economic lifeline that fundamentally shaped the early communities of the Willamette Valley.

About the Instructor:
Dr. David Douglas Robertson is an expert linguist and leading authority on Pacific Northwest languages, specializing in the historical preservation of regional dialects.

Course ID: 34830 – Free

Look behind the digital curtain of our hyper-connected lives. PSU Professor Dr. Christof Teuscher reveals the immense, often invisible environmental impact of the massive data centers and straining power grids that fuel our daily internet use and the current AI boom. This talk breaks down the physical resource realities of modern technology and offers practical frameworks for practicing sustainable digital stewardship in our personal lives.

About the Instructor:
Dr. Christof Teuscher is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at PSU, researching next-generation computing architectures and the intersection of technology and sustainability.

Course ID: 34892 – Free

• Diverse Course Offerings: Explore wide-ranging topics that stimulate curiosity and broaden understanding.
• Engaging Learning Environment: Lectures encourage thoughtful discussion and shared insights.
• Community Connection: Build relationships with fellow lifelong learners.
• Expert Instructors: Courses are taught by accomplished university scholars.
• Supports Cognitive Health & Well-Being: Lifelong learning promotes curiosity, connection, and mental vitality.

• Cost: Free for all participants
• Registration Required: Call (503) 635-3758
• Early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.

Explore recordings, resources, and summaries from previous Senior Scholar presentations:

• Who Tells the Story? (June 18, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. David G. Lewis, Oregon State University. Discover how Native histories are researched and reconstructed through federal archives. Highlights the importance of Indigenous perspectives and representation in reshaping historical narratives.
  OSU Faculty Profile | PSU Profile | NDN History Research Website
• The Global Rise of Authoritarianism (May 12, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. Lindsay J. Benstead, Portland State University. Discover the global forces shaping democracy today, including democratic backsliding, election interference, and the rise of authoritarian leaders worldwide.
  PSU Faculty Profile | Wilson Center Profile
• Social Media & Society (June 9, 2026)
  Presented by Donna Z. Davis, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Explore how social media has transformed relationships, civic life, and community, highlighting isolation, algorithm-driven polarization, and structural platform decline.
  UO Faculty Profile | Oregon Reality Lab
• CANCELLED - Protest in America (March 17, 2026)
  Presented by Dr. Patricia A. Schechter, Portland State University. An planned in-depth conversation about the history of protest movements, civic engagement, and social activism within the United States.
  PSU Faculty Profile

• Witches & Witch-Hunters: Fear and Power in History
  View Past Talk Summary
• Medical Gaslighting
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Epidemiology of Gun Violence
  View Past Talk Summary
• Deconstructing Deception: Understanding Conspiracy Theories
  View Past Talk Summary
• Walls that Speak: Murals and Street Art as Voices of Social Change
  View Past Talk Summary
• Family Estrangement in Modern Families
  View Past Talk Summary
• How A.I. is Shaping Our Future and the Ethical Implications
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Role of Immigration in Shaping Our Communities
  View Past Talk Summary
• The Science of Climate Change
  View Past Talk Summary

In March of 1977, Milwaukie had our own "madness" experience.

With no warning at all, Milwaukie’s HS Boys Basketball team won two Play-In games to qualify for the AAA State Tournament. The basketball play was earnest, but not extraordinary. The FAN support from the school and the community was amazing and fueled the dark horse ride.

We invite any and all who wish to revive the energy of high school basketball showdowns to a special pop-up event!

On Tuesday, November 10, The Riff on Main Street welcomes Ken Yarnell, a key member of the Medford Black Tornado team that derailed Milwaukie’s trip at the ball in the round of eight.

Ken recently published Coaching Against Champions, which draws from his long, highly respected career as a coach. He’ll tip things off by sharing a handful of stories that recapture the magic every community knows as Oregon HS Basketball.

Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Tip Off: 5:00 PM
Final Buzzer: 7:00 PM

No-host Beverages and Light Snacks

Location:
The Riff in Milwaukie
10801 SE Main St., Milwaukie, OR 97222
(971) 206-8896

After the final buzzer at 7 PM, ALL are encouraged to explore the MANY amazing eats within easy dribbling distance!

Learn More

Spooky season doesn’t end with Halloween! Join us for a ghost tour and investigation of the Stevens-Crawford House and a haunted history tour of the Ermatinger House. The Falls Distilling will also be joining us to serve up samples of their “spirits” and will have their gin products available to purchase. $45 More info and tickets at bit.ly/OCSaturdayNightSpirits

Samantha Swindler, a reporter with The Oregonian, will talk about the newspaper's history as it celebrates its 175th anniversary. The Oregonian was founded in 1850. It’s the oldest newspaper on the West Coast and one of Oregon’s oldest continuously operating businesses. The talk will include ties to Clackamas County, such as the race between Portland and Milwaukie to see who would get a newspaper first, and Oregonian editor Thomas Dryer’s infamous feuds with Asahel Bush, editor of the Oregon Statesman, originally founded in Oregon City.

Samantha Swindler joined The Oregonian in 2013 as editor of the weekly Forest Grove Leader suburban newspaper and has since been a columnist, video producer, editor and reporter for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Before moving to the Portland area, she was publisher of the Tillamook Headlight-Herald on the Oregon Coast, and served as editor of rural newspapers in Texas and Kentucky. In 2010, she received the Tom and Pat Gish Award for courage, integrity and tenacity in rural journalism following a series of reports on corruption within an East Kentucky sheriff’s department. She currently covers news and features from Oregon City and other parts of Clackamas County, where she also lives.

It wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows on the Oregon Trail. Historian John Jarvie leads a tour through the darker history (and comedy) of the iconic journey at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive and Visitor Center. Tickets include two drinks, either alcoholic or nonalcoholic. Participants must purchase tickets online before the event.

Join us for another Pints from the Past Program! This month's discussion is presented by Kathryn Sinor titled Horsin' Around: History of the Lake Oswego Hunt Club.

What started as a group of locals riding their horses in Oswego Lake pivoted to a long-standing community institution nearly 100 years ago. Through the work of real estate developer Paul Murphy, the determination of club members, and the spirited horses who carried countless riders through the years, the Lake Oswego Hunt Club tells the intertwined story of Lake Oswego's development and horses. Discover the history of the Lake Oswego Hunty Club through the Oswego Heritage Council's newest exhibit!

This program is supported by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library. Participation is free, and no registration is required. Please note, seating is limited due to the size of the space. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. A livestream will be available.

Lake Oswego Public Library is located at 706 Fourth Street, Lake Oswego. For more information, contact Joshua Macias at [email protected] or 503-675-2535.