2 IT MUST BE that time of year when holidays and parties seem to affect the accuracy of my scale. Seriously, I want to wish all of you—members of our RAPS family—a happy, healthy, and joyous new year. I used the term “RAPS family” because we share many of the same values, such as our interest in continued learning, our willingness to connect with and help Portland State University, and our desire to connect with our colleagues. Speaking of the latter, Dan Rather writes in this week’s Steady column: “We humans are social creatures, and most of us would not last very long on our own. Science has shown that social support improves both our health and life expectancy.” I certainly agree with Dan on this issue. RAPS SHEET n JANUARY 2024 CO-PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Friendships improve longevity. RAPS is here to help. I’ve read a few pieces of research recently that show that friendships and social interactions significantly improve one’s longevity. Organizations like RAPS help forge those relationships. Although I was not able to attend our annual holiday party, I’ve heard from several people that it was wonderful. Thanks go out to many who helped, especially Nancy Eriksson and Ansel Johnson, whose significant efforts contributed to a fun time. Our next program will occur on Thursday, January 18. It will feature Rory Cowal, who is active in the group Divest Oregon’s efforts to stop the state of Oregon from investing our money in fossil fuel holdings. I invite you to join with us for this program. Here’s to a brighter year in 2024! —Bruce Stern Upcoming RAPS events JANUARY 8THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, NOON RAPS January Program—“Confronting Climate Risks to PERS and the Planet,” a presentation by Rory Cowal, instructor in the PSU School of Music and volunteer with Divest Oregon, a statewide grassroots coalition of individuals and organizations seeking to have the Oregon State Treasury divest pension funds of fossil fuel holdings. 333 SMSU. (See story page 1.) 8WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17 Hiking Group—Columbia Springs Loop (Vancouver Waterfront), 3.1miles. 8TUESDAY, JANUARY 23 Book Group—Lessons in Chemistry—fiction by Bonnie Garmus. FEBRUARY 8THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 RAPS February Program—“Two Terroirists from Tualatin,” a joint presentation by wine experts Michael Alberty and Scott Burns. 333 SMSU. 8TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Book Group—How to Stand Up to a Dictator: The Fight for Our Future—nonfiction by Maria Ressa. 8WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Hiking Group—Mary S. Young Park (Lake Oswego/West Lynn), about 8 miles of trails, route to be determined. MARCH 8TUESDAY, MARCH 19 Book Group—Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel— fiction by Shelby Van Pelt. 8WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20 Hiking Group—Jackson Bottom Loop (west of Hillsboro), 4.7 miles (may be birds). 8THURSDAY, MARCH 21 RAPS March Program—Spring Potluck in SMSU, followed by presentation in 225 Lincoln Hall by Kelley Nassief, opera program director, and PSU opera students singing excerpts from the spring opera, The Merry Widow. APRIL 8TUESDAY, APRIL 16 Book Group—Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism—nonfiction by Rachel Maddow. 8WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17 Hiking Group—Catherine Creek Tracy Hill Loop (6.1 miles) or Catherine Creek Arch Loop (easy). Washington side of the Gorge. May be flowers. MAY 8WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 Hiking Group—Tom McCall Point or Rowena Dell. Oregon side of Gorge. May be flowers.
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