Event
Sustainable Landscapes and Culture: A Community Dialog
Orlo and the Louisiana State Museum Present
Sustainable Landscapes and Culture:
A Community Dialog and Celebration on the Future of
Baton Rouge and Gulf Region
Featuring
Sam Adams, City Commissioner and Mayor-Elect, Portland, Oregon
Kip Holden, Mayor-President, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Including
Mary Anne Sternberg, Author, Mathew White, Photographer, Veni Harlan, Photographer, Community Leaders, Planners and Artists
Saturday, September 20, 2008, Louisiana State Museum , 7 pm to midnight
Speakers, Music, Art Exhibits
Do Baton Rouge and Portland, Oregontwo cities at the farther corners of the United Stateshave anything in common? One is down South; the other is out West. It rains all the time in one city; it rains all at once in the other. One city likes salmon; the other is fond of catfish. So why is the mayor-elect of Portland coming to meet with the mayor of Baton Rouge, city leaders, artists, and the populace at large?
Its about growthcity growthand how to simultaneously handle new residents, new ideas and new cultureall while maintaining a sustainable landscape, a high quality of life and a vital urban core.
If we dont start being honest with ourselves that we are a little big city and a lot of people are moving here, if we dont start recognizing that reality, then we will be overtaken and trampled by it, says Sam Adams in the latest issue of The Bear Deluxe Magazine out of Portland.
Im excited to visit Baton Rouge to share the Portland experience as well as learn from Gulf Coast leaders about their challenges and opportunities.
Portland is taking the route less traveled by most American urban centers. The City of Bridges (and stumps and roses) has been heralded as one of the countrys most sustainable, bike-friendly, art-crazy and coffee-loving cities, where tens of thousands of new residents arrive annually. Baton Rouge, on the other hand, is somewhat newer to dealing with issues of exponential growth, managing these issues since post-Katrina and Rita.
Which road will American citys take in the 21st century? Planned or trampled? Smart or roughshod?
To hear some of the answers (and likely as many questions), take a trip to the Louisiana State Museum on September 20 for Sustainable Landscapes and Culture, a gathering sponsored by the museum, the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce and Orlo, an arts organization based in Portland. The evening event will include a keynote address by Adams, a presentation by Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden on his proposed riverfront renewal project, and a short reading by noted local author Mary Anne Sternberg. Photography by Matthew White and Veni Harlan, and special guests, will be featured as well. Attendees can visit the museums regular exhibits and take part in a raffle for a weekend stay at The Myrtles bed and breakfast in St. Francisville.
Beyond the formal presentations, event organizers hope that the symposium will spur community dialog and collaboration; time has been reserved for a question and answers session, and general networking and discussion.
Earlier this year, the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce facilitated a visit by city leaders to Portland to learn firsthand about its success in handling growth as well as increasing the citys cultural capacitytwo primary goals for Mayor Holden. In this light, the visit by Portlands mayor-elect continues that collaboration and is a run up to the groups forthcoming visit to Richmond, Virginia.
Orlo, the event co-sponsor, publishes a quarterly magazine, The Bear Deluxe, which has increased its presence in Baton Rouge and is looking to expand its circulation throughout the South. Bear Deluxe senior editor and columnist Steve Babcock is a Baton Rouge native and a former Portlander who currently teaches environmental sciences? at the University Laboratory School? at LSU. Locally, Babcock is helping to spearhead Sustainable Landscapes and Culture. Numerous other community organizations are involved as well.
We need to keep the discussion going and on the front burner, says Babcock. If there is anything we have learned over recent years, its that when community dialog breaks down, everything breaks down.
For one night at least, leaders of Baton Rouge and Portland will be talking and listeningtwo cities in one conversation.
DETAILS
Date: Saturday, September 20
Location: Louisiana State Museum (Baton Rouge)
600 N. Fourth St.
Time: 7 midnight
Schedule: Speakers and discussion (8-9:30 pm) (Music and exhibits before and after)
Admission: $12 (advance), $15 (door).
Admission includes speakers, music, light fare and museum exhibits.
Advance tickets: visit brownpapertickets.com and search for Sustainable Landscapes
|
|
 |
LocationLouisiana State Museum (Baton Rouge)
600 N. Fourth St.
Baton Rouge, LA
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
|
Contact
|
