May 2007:

Wednesday, May 16th and Saturday, May 19th, 2007

GEOLOGY OF THE COLUMBIA GORGE

Dr. Scott Pike

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Saturday fieldtrip times will be announced at the first class)

at the Straub Environmental Learning Center

The Columbia Gorge is one of the rare landscapes of the world, characterized by immense basalt flows and evidence of the largest floods ever recorded in the geologic record.  Class members will learn basic geologic concepts about the formation of the Gorge and get a chance to interpret the landscape during an all-day field trip.  Dr. Scott Pike is Assistant Professor of Geology and Environmental Science at Willamette University.  The May 16 class will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Straub Environmental Learning Center.  The time and place for the May 19 field trip will be announced in class.  Registration is required.  To register, call Jon Yoder at 503-391-4145.

Global Climate Change:  Past and Present

Presented by Dr. Michael Mann

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Salem Public Library's Loucks Auditorium

Dr.  Michael Mann reviews the solid evidence of human influence on the climate in recent decades and explores the impacts of human-induced climate change on the United States.  Dr. Mann is a member of the faculty in the Departments of Meteorology and Geosciences and the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute at Pennsylvania State University.  He was a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Third Scientific Assessment Report.  Dr. Mann’s many awards include selection as one of Scientific American’s 50 leading visionaries in science and technology.  

July 2007:

Thursday, July 12, 2007 and Saturday, July 14, 2007

INTRODUCTION TO FLY FISHING

Brent DeMoe

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (7/12 at the Straub Environmental Learning Center)

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (7/14 at Wallace Marine Park)

This class for beginners will focus on the basic techniques of fly fishing and delve briefly into streamside entomology (the bugs in the water that fish eat).  The class will be taught by Brent DeMoe, a longtime fly fisherman, with help from some special guests.  The July 12 class will run from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Straub Environmental Learning Center.  The July 14 session will be a hands-on casting lesson at Wallace Marine Park on the bank of the Willamette River from 10 a.m. to noon (location subject to change depending on weather conditions).  Class is limited to 20 persons.  To register, call Laurie Aguirre at 503-364-4324.

September 2007:

To Be Announced:

TBA

ASTRONOMY 101

Dr. Rick Watkins

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

This class will provide an introduction to astronomy focusing on descriptive astronomy of the celestial sphere.  Class members will learn to identify and locate the major constellations and planets.  Dr. Rick Watkins is Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Willamette University.