culture

In the most volatile corners of the globe, residents struggle with poverty, hunger, conflict and natural disaster. Often, these tragedies hit youth the hardest. Nongovernmental organizations can provide assistance and relief in part by helping young people use their own energy and ideas to improve their lives and strengthen their communities.

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FF Audio 2010-12-17 Mercy Corps.mp3

On July 23, City Club hosts a discussion about tribal environmental stewardship with two representatives from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Cheryle Kennedy, the Tribes’ Chairwoman, will provide an overview of the ways that treaty rights and federal recognition and laws impact the region’s Native Americans, while focusing her attention on what the Grand Ronde are doing to promote culturally informed land and forestry management.

Audio (play now or download): 

FF Audio 2010-07-23 Tribal Environmental Stewardship copy.mp3

In the world of music, Portland is a small market between Seattle and L.A. But in marching to its own drummer, Portland has become a Mecca for the independent music scene. In 2007, Slate Magazine dubbed Portland “America’s indie rock theme park” and credited the start of Portland’s independent music scene to musician Elliot Smith and later, indie rock band Sleater-Kinney. Today, musicians from Modest Mouse, The Shins and The Decemberists all call Portland home.

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FF Audio 2010-07-09 Independent Music in PDX.mp3

Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot’s potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then… oh, its flavors, they’re just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and ancient on the planet.
       ~Miles Raymond, character from the 2004 movie Sideways

Oregon wines – particularly its Pinots – are rising stars in the wine world. But locally, these romantic grapes are responsible for some very down-to-earth numbers: Oregon’s 300-plus vineyards annually contribute nearly a billion net dollars to the economy and provide close to 10,000 jobs. At City Club’s December 18 Holiday Friday Forum, three local vintners will discuss the Oregon wine industry.

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2009.12.18 Wine Down for the Holidays.mp3

Native American Ho-Chunk elders prophecy that when their language is lost, the world itself will end. In a sense, this is true, for the world contained within their language — the hundreds of generations of history, culture, tradition and understanding of the local environment — will disappear when the final speaker of that language passes on. Unless, that is, those who speak this language are able to teach it to future generations.

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2009.04.03.mp3

One of America’s greatest challenges is transitioning to a more sustainable future when so much of today’s economy and way of life remains deeply dependant on policies and practices of the past. This dynamic affects many critical issues including health care, public education, energy and transportation.

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2009.05.29 CC copy.mp3

In The Big Sort, journalist Bill Bishop shows how Americans over the last three decades have sorted themselves geographically, economically and politically into like-minded communities. Homogeneity may be a perk of the choice our society offers, but it also breeds economic inequality, cultural misunderstanding, political extremism and legislative gridlock.

Portland’s ascendance as a creative center has won worldwide attention. Continuing this development in a time of shrinking resources and expanding public needs will require leveraging some of Portland’s creative capital — creatively.