Reel Science: Common Ground
JAN 16, 6:30-9:00PM | Doors @ 6:15PM
Watch and learn at The Empirical Theater as OMSI brings the science of your favorite movies and documentaries to life on the big screen. Perfect for science and film lovers alike, this series combines the best of Science Pub with the fun of movie night, bringing in experts to amplify your movie-watching experience.
After the film, we will have a discussion and Q&A session with a panel of local experts about regenerative farming. Panelists include:
- Qiddist Ashé, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Black Oregon Land Trust
- Randy Woodley, Author, Wisdom Keeper, Farmer, Co-Founder of Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice
- Daphne Fecheyr Lippens, Biomimicry Strategist, Sr. Program Manager, Ecosystem Strategy & Innovation – Microsoft
- Scott Pedemonte, Soil Scientist and Slow Food Portland Board Member
- Kristin Ohlson, Author of Sweet in Tooth and Claw (moderator)
TICKETS:
Pay what you can; sliding scale $0-$15.
ABOUT THE FILM: Common Ground
Unlike the usual doom and gloom surrounding climate change is the new, hopeful and uplifting movement of white, black, and indigenous farmers who are using alternative “Regenerative” models of agriculture that could balance the climate, save our health, and stabilize America’s economy.
Duration: 101 minutes | Rating: PG
Qiddist Ashé, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Black Oregon Land Trust
Qiddist is a traditional midwife, budding farmer, systems-shaper and co-founding director of Black Oregon Land Trust. She brings her background in education, health, and policy and a commitment to liberating futures to bring thriving land-based communities to fruition. In the past three years she has helped birth the first Black-led land trust in Oregon, with over 40 acres of working farmland protected, and dozens of farmers served so far. She was awarded the Association of Fundraising Professionals Outstanding Innovative Philanthropic Project Award, as well as the ‘22 Skidmore Prize for exceptional nonprofit work. She is honored to be part of a powerful community making Oregon a place where land-based communities can thrive through unprecedented climate, social and economic change.
Randy Woodley, Author, Wisdom Keeper, Farmer, Co-Founder of Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice
Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley is the co-founder, with his wife, Edith, of Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds in Yamhill, Oregon, a regenerative teaching farm. He is a Cherokee descendent recognized by the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians and is Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture Emeritus at Portland Seminary. Randy has written numerous chapters, articles, and 13 books including Becoming Rooted and Journey to Eloheh which he co-authored with his wife. The Woodley’s have been serving Indigenous people and others for over four decades.
Daphne Fecheyr Lippens, Biomimicry Strategist, Sr. Program Manager, Ecosystem Strategy & Innovation – Microsoft
As a nature-inspired strategist and advocate for regenerative design, Daphne draws from the billion-year-old wisdom of the natural world to create solutions that benefit not only humans but the entire planet. As part of Microsoft’s Ecosystem Strategy and Innovation team, Daphne applies biomimicry thinking to design datacenters that are not only technologically advanced but also ecologically integrated and beneficial. Motivated to create a flourishing future for her two daughters, she strives to integrate regenerative principles to enable a shift towards solutions that restore and sustain life on our planet.
Scott Pedemonte, Soil Scientist and Slow Food Portland Board Member
Scott grew up in the small farming and logging community of Gaston, Oregon. The son of a Master Gardener, growing plants has always been a central part of his life.
Since graduating high school Scott has become a lifelong learner and traveler. As a gardener at San Francisco General Hospital he helped start a program to teach community members how to grow and cook their own vegetables. From there he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to work in community gardens as an Americorps member. Later he moved to Boston where he managed the research greenhouses at The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. This allowed him to get a Certificate of Mastery in Sustainable Food Systems. Always a gardener at heart, this education fueled his interest in soil science and sustainable agriculture. He returned home to Oregon in 2023 where he obtained a Permaculture Design Certificate from Oregon State University.
Kristin Ohlson, Author of Sweet in Tooth and Claw (moderator)
Portland author Kristin Ohlson’s latest book, Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World – which the Wall Street Journal calls “excellent and illuminating”–probes the mutually beneficial relationships among living things that shape and sustain the natural world. Her previous book was The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers and Foodies are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet,” which the Los Angeles Times calls “a hopeful book and a necessary one…. a fast-paced and entertaining shot across the bow of mainstream thinking about land use.” She appeared in the award-winning documentary film, Kiss the Ground, to speak about the connection between soil health and climate health. Her magazine work has been anthologized in Best American Science Writing and Best American Food Writing.
Ohlson has spoken about the topics covered in her books on many podcasts and radio shows, including Science Friday, and was invited by Senator Bernie Sanders to address Congressional staff in Washington DC about regenerative agriculture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Empirical Cafe will be open with prepackaged salads, sandwiches and movie snacks. The bar will be open to guests that are 21+. No outside food or drink is allowed.
Click here for OMSI’s overall accessibility information. Below are the specific details for the Empirical Theater.
The Empirical Theater has an upper-level wheelchair accessible entrance and theater restrooms; due to the layout of the theater the lower-level main entrance is only accessible by stairs. Please check in with a Guest Services Representative or volunteer for assistance in locating these areas.
Several daytime documentaries and newer evening full-features offer closed captions, audio description, and volume amplification. The CaptiView closed caption units allow guests to see captions for their show by using a cup holder device that they can adjust within their view, and the Fidelio RX audio description units deliver descriptive narration and can also amplify the theater volume and dialogue.
The Showing Today signs updated daily at the front desk and theater entrance indicate which features offer closed captions (CC) and audio description (AD), while volume amplification is available for all theater content including events such as Science Pub and Reel Science.
Limited quantities of the following devices are available for theater guests and may be requested at either the Front Desk or Concierge Desk as well as from the theater usher:
- CaptiView closed caption (CC) viewing devices
- Fidelio RX audio description and volume amplification units
- Williams Sound NKL-001 neck loops designed to work with hearing aids equipped with a telephone coil or T-Switch
The rough inside measurements of the seats not including arm and back rests:
- Theater seats 16.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- Two accessible seating area chairs 39.29″ high, 29.5″ wide, and 29″ deep
- Additional accessible seating area chairs available by request is 23.5” wide and 21.5” deep
- The weight capacity for the accessible seating area chairs are 500lbs, and the additional accessible seating area chairs support between 200lbs-250lbs
Earplugs can be requested from the Front Desk and Concierge Desk, and sensory resource packs that include:
- Noise reducing headphones
- Fidget toys
- Sunglasses
- Visual and auditory timer
- 2 pound weighted shoulder wrap
- Sanitizing wipes
Please contact OMSI Guest Services at (503) 797-4000 or Info@OMSI.edu with any additional specific questions or needs.
OMSI has a new parking system via the mobile parking app, Parking Kitty, to create an easier and more streamlined experience for our visitors. Parking is $2 + fees for after-hours events. We recommend you download the app prior to your arrival at OMSI. You can also pay via their website at www.parkingkitty.com.