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Salon: Past Events

Salon Information

Salon Program
Jefferson Center Salons present topics of interest to our community, and provide a forum for lively discussion afterward. Topics are selected by a committee of members. We serve refreshments contributed by volunteers and have a brief social time before the start of the program. Salons are typically held on the third Sunday of each month at 4pm at The Jefferson Center, 208 Oak Street, Suite 101 in Ashland. Guests of members and interested visitors are always welcome to join us. See the Future Salons list for information about upcoming events.

09/10/2017 - 4:00pm Is the US a Christian Nation?

Len Eisenberg will explore the religious intent of the Nation’s Founders on Sunday, September 10 at 4pm at the Community Center, 59 Winburn Way, Ashland. Are the U.S. government and the U.S. Constitution Christian? How do these questions affect the use of public funds and the acceptance of minority beliefs in our country? This is a public talk, so all are welcome to join the discussion.

06/11/2017 - 3:00pm Summer Solstice Party

The Jefferson Center's Summer Solstice Party will take place on Sunday, June 11th, 3pm at one of Jackson County's most popular destinations - Emigrant Lake. We have acquired picnic shelter "A" which is close to the beach, has private parking, nicely covered and shaded private picnic tables, easily accessible bathrooms and an open lawn area. The lake is a great place for bicycling, boating, paddling, and fishing.
Bring your luscious pot luck dish (serving 6-8) to share. Also, bring your own meat or fish as the Jefferson Center will be heating up the bar-b-que and will grill for you as you relax and enjoy socializing. Wine, beer and water will be provided by the Jefferson Center. Please bring your own tableware and drinking cup, preferably non disposable, as there is a sink with running water to clean these items before returning home.
Eating will commence around 6:00 p.m. but please come as early as 3pm to enjoy the Lake. Bring badminton, wiffle ball, frisbees, any outdoor game as there is large lawn area available that is mostly shaded. If you prefer a more leisurely activity bring your favorite board game to play (we will have a few available).
Please invite those you feel might be interested in learning more about JC as well as extended family members.
Note that there is a $4 entrance fee per car to get into Emigrant Lake so might want to plan to carpool.
We had this event here 2 years ago and the attendance was low due to an extremely warm day which scared a lot of people. However those of us that came out were amazed to discover that despite the heat it was a cool spot and a good time was had by all. So please don't be scared away if the weather turns hot.
Directions:
5505 Highway 66, Ashland, Oregon, I-5 to Exit 14 (Ashland) Highway 66. Take Highway 66 east about 3.5 miles to Emigrant Lake Park turnoff (left-hand side). Picnic area A will be on your right (easy to see)….or copy map below.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Emigrant+Lake/@42.149469,-122.616262,14z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x54cf0e8400c64ed3:0xbcf1a6627ccde819!8m2!3d42.1494677!4d-122.6162634 (link is external)

05/07/2017 - 4:00am Understanding ACEs: Adverse Childhood Experiences

Peter Buckley will speak Sunday, May 7th, 4-6 PM at Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way, Ashland, on breakthroughs from the ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) study. Research on how brain development occurs and the impacts of trauma on health and social skills has led to innovative and highly effective “trauma-informed” approaches in education, human services, and workforce development. Peter will outline how these ideas are being applied in the Southern Oregon Success collaboration.

04/02/2017 - 4:00pm Salon "How are you coping in these unique political times"

Please join us on April 2nd (NOTE DATE CHANGE) at 4 PM, at the Jefferson Center for an interesting open discussion, "How are you coping in these unique political times in the USA", facilitated by long time Jefferson Center Member, Noreen Hulteen. Below is explanation in Noreen's words……

"This round robin discussion is open to all points of view. We are not there to change anyone's position. We will listen politely to how everyone sees the situation we are in and what they are doing about it. I will limit "talk-time" to 2 minutes, on-subject, from their point-of view, for each person attending. It would be wonderful if you could prepare what you want to share in advance of the meeting. Open discussion after everyone has shared will continue until the scheduled end-time. I will reserve the final 5 minutes to sum up the main points.
Because the subject is fraught with potholes, we will expect everyone to do their share of listening and speaking. I will provide everyone with a list of the activists that I know are working in our area, and we will add to the list any organizations, that you know about, that are missing from the list.
Our objective is to share and learn from each other."

Thank you
Noreen Hulteen

03/12/2017 - 4:00pm What is Secular Studies?

In 2011, Pitzer College established the first department of secular studies in the nation. Students at this small, private liberal arts institution can now major in, and get a baccalaureate degree in, secular studies. Author Phil Zuckerman, the founding chair of the department, will explain what secular studies is all about, and discuss its timeliness and relevance. Phil's talk will be held at the Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way.

02/12/2017 - 4:00pm JC Salon: Celebrate Evolution and Darwin's Birthday, February 12th at 4pm

To celebrate evolution and Darwin Day February 12, 2017, The Jefferson Center will host a public lecture by Len Eisenberg (at the Ashland Community Center) on evolution, followed by serving of delicious birthday cake to all attendees. Attendees are encouraged to dress as your favorite plant or animal! (full or partial costume, these do not have to be elaborate) Anyone so dressed will be awarded a free Evogeneao.com tee shirt, and best of such costumes will also receive a free Evogeneao.com hoodie! Please join The Jefferson Center in celebrating one of the great achievements of science and reason; that life on Earth is one big extended family!
Len Eisenberg will present a short talk on "Evolution: Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask"
The two key lessons of evolutionary theory are that 1) that all life on Earth is related by descent with modification from common ancestors (in other words, life on Earth is one big extended family), and 2) natural selection is the primary driver of evolutionary change. These concepts are humorously illuminated by the use of Gary Larson cartoons, and the evidence for biological evolution is presented as answers to commonly voiced objections to evolution. For example, some people claim evolution is incompatible with religious belief vs. religious scientists who are prominent promoters of evolution. Another example shows claims that evolution has failed to confirm theory predictions vs. several predictions made by Charles Darwin that have been spectacularly confirmed. The last part of the talk briefly discusses how evolution might proceed in the future or on other planets. Plenty of time will be allowed for questions and comments before we devour the cake.

01/08/2017 - 4:00pm Salon: Science vs Faith in the Grand Canyon

The presentation for the Salon of January 8th, 2017 "Science vs. faith in the Grand Canyon" will compare the young-earth models of a six-thousand-year-old Earth with the standard scientific model of the Grand Canyon, illustrated by views of the canyon and surrounding areas, and the rocks and fossils found therein. We will concentrate on why science and industry have chosen the scientific interpretation of the canyon, and the lengths to which young-earth creationists have gone to defend interpretations based on a literal reading of the Bible. There is a faction of creationists who admit a great age for the earth (old-earth creationists) and their views will also be noted. Plenty of time will be available after the 45-minute talk for questions and comments. Please note this salon will be held at the Community Center, 59 Winburn Way.

Len Eisenberg worked as an exploration and production geologist with Chevron Overseas, where he worked on exploration and production projects, mostly in Africa and Papua New Guinea. He now volunteer teaches in public schools and the community. Len hosts school programs for Briscoe Geology Park, and is on the Science Advisory Board at ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum, and built the Briscoe Geology Park in Ashland, the Climb through Time geologic climbing wall at ScienceWorks, and the earth history walk at Oregon Hills Park in Medford. Len promotes the teaching of evolution using a family approach through evogeneao.com. His current research interest is giant floods in the 190-million-year-old Navajo Sandstone in Utah.

12/11/2016 - 5:00pm The Jefferson Center Winter Solstice Pot Luck Party

The Jefferson Center Winter Solstice Pot Luck Party will be during our usually scheduled Salon date on Sunday, December 11th at 5pm at the Pioneer Hall, 73 Winburn Way. Please bring a pot luck dish (pick either a main dish, a side vegetable dish, salad or dessert) which serves 6-8 that you wish to share with all. Also bring your own tableware (plate, cutlery, and beverage container, preferable non-disposable). Beverages (wine, water, or bear) will be provided by The Jefferson Center. Like last year we are planning a White Elephant gift exchange. For those of you who are not familiar with that concept please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_elephant_gift_exchange (link is external). The gift should be suitable for either sex. Please bring the gift wrapped in a plain brown shopping style bag. This party like our salons are open to friends of the Jefferson Center as well. This is a good opportunity for friends of the Jefferson Center to get to know our members and for members to invite friends who might be interested in learning more about the Jefferson Center and possibly joining. This is also an opportunity for guests to learn more about the organization. Please invite someone and join us for an evening of fun and camaraderie. Please note starting time is 5pm.

11/13/2016 - 4:00pm Why Local Journalism Matters

Join Cathy Noah, Editor in Chief of the Medford Tribune, at Suite 101, Old Ashland Armory, for a lively discussion of Journalism and the Internet. People have a lot of options these days for getting their news -- so many, in fact, that some think they no longer need the traditional sources of media. But dig deeper into that story and you'll find the news that you consume on social media or your favorite website likely originated with a traditional journalist. That's especially true at the local level, as Cathy knows well.

10/09/2016 - 4:00pm 2016 Election: What matters most to you? What would you change if you could?

Please join us in a group discussion of important election issues from your perspective. 2016 Election: What matters most to you? What would you change if you could? The discussion will be facilitated by Noreen Hulteen. Everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts and experiences at our meeting place, downstairs at the Old Ashland Armory, 208 Oak Street, Suite 101.

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