The last entry the The Bookgroup blog was in 2014. I am making an effort to get it going again, probably by fits and starts. For now, I have posted from the last meeting on “Whither Portland.” It does include a snippet of audio I captured of Jake.

Mary is at work on date and location for next book group meeting but we wanted to get out a reminder about topic, which is a follow-on to our last meeting.

At our last book group, Jake observed that “we must face the fact that we have moved beyond the generation that now moves the region.” And, with his characteristic humility, he also said today’s problems “are beyond me.”

Thus, it seems a small but fitting memorial to Jake that our next book group struggle with whether our problems truly are beyond us, including the younger generation.

We did decide that the next meeting should respond to the question “what is to be done” regarding the observations, laments and opinions expressed about “whither Portland.” Discussion may be directed to specific issues or more broadly address our civic life and governance. (Regarding the latter, I have attached a set of questions I have circulated for the Portland 2.0 project to generate thinking about what I call our civic infrastructure. For those interested, hold the date October 13, 9:30 – 4:00 at PSU for the Portland 2.0 kickoff event—more information soon.)

Several of you have expressed interest in doing some writing on “what is to be done.” That is welcome, but there is no expectation as there was for the last meeting.