Lake Oswego Reads Announces Book for 2019

The Lake Oswego Public Library has selected The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez as the 2019 book for its award winning citywide reading program. Lakewood will participate with four events in February. For information on Lake Oswego Reads see the City of Lake Oswego website: https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/loreads/events-0

The story:The Book of Unknown Americans tells the stories of Latino immigrants, living legally in Delaware and of their family lives, aspirations, struggles, successes and failures – their lives revealing the dreams and the dangers of the immigrant experience. Lake Oswego Reads is sponsored by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library, Lake Oswego Review, Lake Oswego Rotary Club and Lakewood Center for the Arts.

Lakewood will be participating in Lake Oswego Reads 2019 with four events

Art Show Reception
Monday, February 4, 2019 – 6:00pm, Entryway Gallery & Headlee MainStage

Join these well-recognized artists who will explain the art they created after reading The Book of Unknown Americans. This preview will showcase their art, which will be displayed during February at Lakewood Center for the Arts. Artists include: Stuart Adams, Mojdeh Bahar, Bill Baily, Mary Burgess, Leslie Cheney-Parr, Susie Cowan, Shelly Durica-Laiche, Jenn Ferrante, Bonnie Garlington, Jani Hoberg, Sue Jensen, Dyanne Locati, Debby Neely, Kara Pilcher, Jan Rimerman, Beth Verheyden, Barbara Wagner, Lisa Wiser, Natalie Wood and Haelyn Y.  Refreshments served from Casa Pequena Taqueria, wine provided by Pacific West Bank, dessert from New Seasons Market and coffee from Starbuck’s.    


Many Faces: Ethnic and Cultural Origins of Oregonians
Wednesday, February 6, 2019- 7:00pm, Headlee Mainstage
Presented by Oswego Heritage Council

Dr. Stephen Dow Beckham will explain how Oregon was built through the efforts of many different peoples.  Native Americans lived with the land and thrived; the first immigrants from the U.S. settled in Oregon and wanted to ‘civilize’ the territory.  Later groups include Mexicans and Chilean packers and teamsters; Chinese heavy laborers; Basque sheepherders; Scandinavian fishermen and loggers; Irish railroad workers; Jewish merchants and bankers; Japanese fruit-growers; African-Americans who were excluded and the Latinos who arrived in the 20th century.  Legal and social limits created and enforced the racism of their times and still haunt the state.

Dr. Stephen Dow Beckham is a historian known for his work with Native Americans and the American West, especially the Pacific Northwest and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He has authored many works and is a Professor Emeritus of History at Lewis & Clark College in Portland.

Beckham is a contributing author to Volumes 4, 7, and 12 of the Handbook of North American Indians (Smithsonian Institution), is the author of Requiem for a People (1971), The Indians of Western Oregon (1977), and numerous other books and monographs. He has served as an expert witness in Indian land claims, hydropower, and fishing rights litigation and has also worked as a witness in state assertions of its “navigation servitude.”


Conversations with Immigrants
Monday, February 18, 2019 – 7:00pm, Downstairs in the Community Meeting Room

Join us for an interesting conversation with a varied group of immigrants as they talk about their experiences, their challenges and their lives.  Panelists include Jorge Zuniga the owner of Casa del Pollo-Costa Rican food, attorney Luis Garcia from the law firm of Marandas & Sinlapasai, P.C. and others. The moderator is Walleska Marandas.


The Facts of Immigration
Thursday, February 21, 2019, 10:45am
Lakewood Center for the Arts-downstairs, Community Meeting Room

Reservations by 2/15: 503-342-6702 or lakewoodcenterassociates@gmail.com (link sends e-mail), $10 for lunch
Presented by Lakewood Associates

Immigration is a hot-button topic and one that is not always easy to understand.  Join John Marandas, an immigration attorney in Lake Oswego, as he makes this complicated issue understandable.  You will be enlightened by his experience working with immigrants.