Max Hoffman and the Amazing Wooden Derailleur

Posted on December 3, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Wooden-Campagnolo-Derailleur-Front-527x600

Wooden campagnolo derailleur created by student Max Hoffman.

Max Hoffman is an Evergreen student. When not in class, he is often to be found at The Evergreen Bike Shop. The 21-year old cyclist has created something amazing. Here’s a bit of the story, with thanks to “BikeRumor.com:”

At an early age, his passion for bicycles had him turning wrenches for one the of largest Campy dealers in the country – the Bicycle Pro Shop in D.C. It’s their in the trenches that he developed an admiration for the beautiful and exotically priced Italian components.

Having never owned any of the components, Max had his first break during his Sophomore year of school at Evergreen State College. While working at the community run campus bicycle shop, someone donated a broken Campy Record Derailleur. By dissembling and hand measuring with a set of calipers each component, he carefully translated every subtle curve into a small block of walnut. Without the assistance of a computer, mill, or CNC machine, he constructed the wooden sculpture over the course of 50 hours, using nothing but hand tools such as jewelers saws, files, and chisels!

Read the full post and see more photos at BikeRumor.com.

Myra Melford ’81: Pianist, Composer and Guggenheim Fellow

Posted on November 28, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Composer and jazz pianist Myra Melford ’81.

Chicago native and acclaimed musician Myra Melford ’81 discovered her passion for jazz as an undergraduate at Evergreen. According to her web site, she “saw early on that aesthetic expression could both be built from and be a structure for profound emotions.”

A recent article in “Jazz Times” notes: “Upon graduating from Evergreen she studied with Art Lande and Gary Peacock at Seattle’s Cornish College of the Arts, and,..after honing a vocabulary of extended piano techniques, she methodically began to develop a highly personal compositional vision informed by Caribbean rhythms, classical Indian traditions, Sufi mysticism, architecture and Henry Threadgill’s cellular approach to building tunes.”

We could go on here, pasting in quote, excerpts and accolades (“Melford’s intrepid virtuosity is consistently breathtaking…”) but suggest you go directly to her web site and become acquainted with this accomplished Greener.

Event notice: Evergreen Celebrates New Book on Lummi Carver Joe Hillaire

Posted on November 27, 2013 by R.J. Burt

For those of you in the Olympia area, please join us on campus December 3 for the inaugural release of the book “A Totem Pole History: the Work of Lummi Carver Joe Hillaire.” The event will be hosted by members of “Creativity and Diversity in American Culture: Art and Narrative in Response to Place,” The event begins at 3:00 p.m. in Seminar Building Two, Room C1105. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

Lummi/Haida carver Felix Solomon, editor Gregory Fields, and others associated with the publication will present images and readings from the book and its accompanying video and audio CDs at the event.

Evergreen faculty member Rebecca Chamberlain commented: “The Hillaire family has played a special role in the development of Native arts, culture, and education on our campus. This is a wonderful occasion to let people know about this history.”

Continue reading →

Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner ’91 on Michelle Obama’s Public Role

Posted on November 25, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Author, speaker, radio host Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner ’91

In Politico, November 25, 2013: “The Real Feminist Nightmare. It’s definitely not Michelle Obama,” by author and activist Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner ’91.

“When the first lady is attacked for embracing her role as “mom-in-chief”—despite her leadership in key policy areas like stemming the childhood obesity epidemic, increasing access to healthy food and aiding military families and veterans—it’s time to call foul.”

Read the full article in Politico.
Follow Kristin in The Huffington Post and on Twitter: @rowefinkbeiner

Lisa Pearson ’93 at the Crossroads of Art and Literature

Posted on November 25, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Published by Lisa Pearson’s Siglio Press: Life? Or Theater? An abbreviated Charlotte Salomon biography

Welcome to the world of Lisa Pearson ’93, a world of books. Books as they once were, as they can be, possibly as they should be. Exquisite, confounding, seductive, troubling, enchanting books.

Siglio is an independent press dedicated to publishing uncommon books and editions that live at the intersection of art & literature: inimitable, visionary works by renowned as well as little known artists and writers that defy categories and thoroughly engage a reader’s intellect and imagination. Founded in 2008, somewhat prosaically in Lisa’s tiny Los Angeles garage, the press creates books fit for the most discerning aficionados.

Learn about Siglio in Lisa’s essay “On the Small & Contrary,” and on “Affinities,” the Siglio blog.

Hilary Adams ’95 to Lead Omaha Community Playhouse

Posted on November 21, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Theater Director Hilary Adams '95 takes the reins at the the Omaha Community Playhouse

Theater Director Hilary
Adams ’95 takes the reins at the Omaha Community Playhouse

After 18 years as a theater director in New York City, Hilary Adams is moving west to take over artistic direction of the Omaha (Nebraska) Community Playhouse.

An article in GO/Omaha.com quotes Hilary: “Community theater has always been at the heart of my theatrical practice.”

“New York is more product-based,” Hilary continued. ” I was looking for the opportunity to go back to engaging the community in the process of creating theater, but not leaving behind high-quality production values.”

Congratulations Hilary. We are sorry to lose you from the NYC Evergreen alumni circle but thrilled that you are opening a new chapter in your life. Best of luck and please stay in touch.

Veterans Find a Welcoming Academic Home at Evergreen

Posted on November 20, 2013 by R.J. Burt

New Veterans Center opens at Evergreen.

The opening of Evergreen’s new Veterans Resource Center this month coincided nicely with the release of U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Colleges for Veterans” list that ranked Evergreen in the top ten.

“The new Veterans Resource Center is a one-stop shop for vets, where they can get advice about education and other benefits, and get help with academic, financial, medical or personal issues,” center director Randy Kelley said.

Kelley, a retired Navy commander with years of experience working with veterans around the U.S., sees Evergreen as a strong fit for returning military eager to make use of their earned benefits.

Read the full press release on the Evergreen web site, then click to “The Olympian” for an in-depth look at the new center and hear from some of the vets being served.

Standing Room Only for Robert McChesney ’76

Posted on November 19, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Robert McChesney ’77

Democracy super-advocate Robert McChesney ’76 spoke last week to a standing-room only audience in Evergreen’s “Library Underground.” The topic was a new book, “Dollarocracy”
co-authored by a frequent literary collaborator, John Nichols, Washington DC editor of “Nation” magazine.

“Having authored or edited 23 books and been translated into 30 languages, Robert McChesney ’76, Ph.D. is the Gutgsell Endowed Professor of Communication at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He co-founded of Free Press, a national media reform organization, and in 2008, was listed by Utne Reader as one of their “50 visionaries who are changing the world.”

Grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up and enjoy the presentation on Evergreen’s You Tube channel:
”

Planning Evergreen’s Curriculum the Evergreen Way

Posted on November 14, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Future curriculum planning as community event.

Here’s another great “One Minute Evergreen” from the talented folks at Photoland’s “Inside Evergreen.”

Ever worry that the Evergreen you loved has changed, gotten more traditional, less innovative? No need to fret. Evergreen abides as the haven of collaborative teaching and learning. Here’s example: planning the curriculum as a community event.

Robert Steelquist: Tracking Climate Change from the Top of the Country

Posted on November 5, 2013 by R.J. Burt

Robert Steelquist ’85, MES ’94

Notice of public lecture:
Robert Steelquist ’85, MES ’94, Olympic Coast National Sanctuary Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -NOAA..
Thursday, November 7, 2013 – 12:30 pm
Peninsula College, Port Angeles, Washington

For the past 19 years, Robert has been keeping tabs on the condition of Washington’s northwestern-most coastal area. Robert will share his findings and observations in his talk, “Our Changing Ocean.”

A second Evergreen generation of Steelquists, Robert’s son Peter, matriculated this fall and is settled into a program focusing on eco-tourism with faculty member David Phillips. Robert reports that Pete is right at home in a community where he can “push around big ideas.” Sounds like a Greener!

The Evergreen MIND asks: Are there multiple Greeners in your family? Let us hear from you.

The Evergreen Mind

The official alumni blog of The Evergreen State College

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