Book Club drinks in ‘Water for Elephants’ The RAPS Book Group met throughout the summer and discussed some good “reads.” We began in June with Blue Latitudes by Tony Horowitz, which is a nonfiction book that retraces Capt. James Cook’s journeys in the 18th century. In July, we discussed Going to Bend by Dianne Hammond, a fictional account of life in a small lumber town in Oregon. Finally, in July, we met to talk about Standing Tall: The Lifeway of Kathryn Jones Harrison, an inspiring biography of a great leader of the Grand Ronde Indian tribes, written by Kristine Olson. We will meet at 1:30 p.m. on September 18 at the home of LaRay Barna, 17560 SE Walta Vista, Oak Grove. Contact her at barnal@pdx.edu or at 503-7869630 to RSVP and for directions. We will talk about Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, which is currently on the best sellers list. The book is described on the dust cover: An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of starcrossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of Riding Lessons. When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, drifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her. Beautifully written, Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford. In October, we will discuss The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai, winner of the 2006 Man Booker Prize, and the selection for November is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. —Mary Brannan — 5 — When Portland State Extension Center moved into the former Lincoln High in 1952, it was a big step up. The Vanport Extension Center opened in 1946 and was wiped out in the 1948 Memorial Day Flood. Then the Center was shuffled off to the Oregon Shipyards in St. Johns before the move to Old Main, as the high school was rechristened. (It was later named Lincoln Hall.) Enrollment in 1952 was 1,357. Last fall 24,284 students were enrolled at Portland State, whose campus now has 47 buildings spread over 49 acres. Past Tense, which will feature stories of Portland State’s past, will be a regular feature of RAPS Sheet. To submit a story (or an idea for one), email the RAPS History Preservation Committee at raps@pdx.edu. Word count should not exceed 100. PAST TENSE: Old Main is PSU’s first stake in downtown Portland RAPS club reports RAPS Bridge Group shuffles on Sept. 11 With its next meeting, the current revival of the RAPS Bridge Group begins its fourth year. We have 16 regular members and meet on the afternoon of the second Tuesday of each month in a member’s home. Our next meeting will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11, at the home of Irene Place at Willamette View. We welcome new and returning members. If you have questions about the group, please let me know. If you would like to play, please call or email me as soon as possible and no later than Friday, September 7. Call me at 503-292-0838 or email colinkeld@gmail.com. —Colin Dunkeld Hikers: All aboard for the tram hike on Sept. 28 The tram hike is scheduled for Friday, September 28. The hike will include a ride on the Portland Aerial Tram between the South Waterfront and OHSU, a hike to Council Crest and the zoo, a short Max ride, and a Portland Streetcar ride. Meet at the bottom tram station at 9:00 a.m. We have arranged for tram tickets with OHSU. Persons needing tram tickets are requested to confirm with Larry Sawyer by September 20 so he can make arrangements with OHSU provost Lesley Hallick for continued on page 6 Lincoln Hall ca. 1955 / Courtesy PSU archives
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