OREGON FIELD GUIDE Pays Tribute to Jim Newman

Jim Newman, veteran Oregon Field Guide producer and reporter, is hanging up his hiking boots after more than 20 years of covering virtually every corner of the state. Affectionately known as "The Voice" for his deep, concisely articulated narration, Jim has produced over 250 episodes which have helped OFG win numerous major awards, among them several EMMY, Golden Eagle and Telly statuettes.

"Jim has been with Field Guide since the beginning," said Steve Amen, executive producer and host of the show that enters its 21st season on OPB in October. "To simply say 'The Voice' will be missed and his boots hard to fill is not only cliché, but an incredible understatement. Jim has played a huge role in the success of the program. He is particularly passionate about geology and history and that came through in his work, and gave us a real advantage over all the other outdoor programs on the air," said Amen.

In September, Oregon Field Guide will pay special tribute to Jim by airing some of the reports that epitomize his great ability to take a complex subject and make it understandable and entertaining. "Jim is a gifted storyteller, and his body of work speaks for itself," said Amen. "What better way to honor him than revisiting some of the reports he has done over the years that have given us all a better understanding of our state, who we are and how this puzzle involving history, nature and geology all fits together."

On September 3 at 8:30, Field Guide will air a half-hour special Jim produced in 1998 on the "Missoula Floods." "No other story better illustrates Jim's expertise with taking something that happened thousands of years ago and coming up with a visual presentation that helps viewers comprehend exactly what took place when massive ice-age floods tore up much of the northwest section of the continent," said Amen. "Jim used great photography and animation to show us what happened then and what it would look like if the floods were to happen again today."

On September 24 at 8pm, Field Guide will dedicate an hour special featuring some of Jim's favorite stories. Among them: "Paiute Reburial" where we were given the rare opportunity to witness the Paiute Indian's farewell ritual to the dead. In the story "Lava Hand Prints," Jim explores an ancient mystery of hand and footprints embedded in a lava flow that’s at least 8,000 years old. Jim did a lot of dangerous climbing to bring us "Hell Hole" -- a bizarre land formation known only to a lucky few which is hidden away high in the Cascade Mountains. And a profile of "William Finley," a man who, during the early 20th century, made incredible contributions to the future of Oregon's wildlife and natural resources.

"We'll also show you what Jim will be up to now that he'll have all that free time. It's a totally different side of this talented, complex man," said Amen.

Please join us as we celebrate Jim's legacy.

About OREGON FIELD GUIDE
In its 20th season, Oregon Field Guide remains a valuable source of information about outdoor recreation, ecological issues, natural resources and travel destinations. Oregon Field Guide airs Thursday evenings at 8:30pm on the television stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting and repeats on Sunday evenings at 2:30am and 6:30pm. In the Mountain Time zone of Eastern Oregon, the program airs at 9:30pm Thursdays, and at 7:30pm Sundays.

Oregon Public Broadcasting Names Three New Board Members

The Governance Committee of Oregon Public Broadcasting has elected three new members to its board of directors. Pamela K. Jones of Vancouver, Romy Mortensen of Bend and John J. "Ski" Sygielski of Gresham were elected to serve three-year terms from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012.

Jones is president of Jones Partners in Vancouver, an executive search firm serving the nation's high-tech industry.

Mortensen is vice president of sales and marketing for Brooks Resources Corporation in Bend. Brooks Resources is a real estate developer that has created some of the most-recognizable communities in Central Oregon.

Sygielski is president of Mt. Hood Community College, which operates three locations -- the Gresham and Maywood Park Campuses and the Bruning Center for Allied Health -- and serves approximately 28,000 students annually.

"We're pleased to welcome these three tremendously talented individuals to our board," said Steve Bass, president and CEO of OPB. "They represent vibrant OPB communities and will add to the diversity of knowledge on our board in these challenging times."

OREGON LENS Spotlights Northwest Independent Filmmakers

Oregon Public Broadcasting brings indie-theater directly into your home over four nights this month. The work of some of the Pacific Northwest's most-talented independent producers will be showcased on Oregon Lens August 17-20 at 10pm.

"Oregon Lens is now in its 11th year and I think we have one of our best seasons ever,” said Steve Amen, executive producer and host of the series. "A number of our short features were produced by student filmmakers, and I think viewers will be amazed by the creativeness and innovation these up-and-coming filmmakers display. And it's always great to give our viewers, many of whom don't have access to Portland's theaters and micro-cinemas, the opportunity to see the kind of innovative filmmaking for which this area is becoming known."

Here's a rundown of the variety of films, both long- and short-form, that will be featured:

August 17
The Leeward Tide - This story of an old man haunted by memories of his long-lost love was filmed along the Oregon coast and historic Astoria where a forlorn mariner seeks comfort in the rusted remains of a forgotten shipwreck. Produced, written, directed and edited by Brett Eichenberger with fellow producers Jawad Mir, Jill Remensnyder and Dayn Wilberding.

The Cowboy Way - Shot in Baker County, Oregon and Ogallala, Nebraska, this film depicts what it's like to be a cowboy. Produced, shot and edited by Brett Eichenberger.

Mood:reflective - This film is the result of a class assignment to establish a mood almost entirely through the selection of subject matter, camera angles, and lighting while keeping music and dialogue to a minimum. Produced, shot and edited by Brett Eichenberger.

Mood:Disturbing - The next film reflects totally different results from the same class assignment. This disturbing yet entertaining take was produced, shot and edited by Johnny Buell.

Skinny Baggy Jeans/Emo Pants - One of the winners in the "Celebrate Portland in :30" contest tackles the subject of skinny, baggy jeans and expresses an original sentiment about what makes Portland wild, weird, or otherwise wonderful. Produced by Johnny Buell.

What's Keeping Portland Weird - The name says it all. See just a few of the many events, people and businesses that contribute to Portland's dubious reputation as one of the weirdest big cities in the country. Produced by Christina Diamond, Cori Barnett Mintzer and Joshua James McHale.

Inside Looking Out - Through the study of classic literature, university students learn to understand life inside a prison environment while inmates learn what it is like to be in college. Produced by Tiffany Kimmel and Jessica Reedy.

August 18
Never Stop Moving - Quadriplegic athlete Kevin Hansen and his work with wheelchair athletes is the subject of this film. Kevin was a typical young man with a love for anything athletic until a tragic skiing accident left him a quadriplegic at the age of 21. He started World Wheelchair Sports, a Eugene-based non-profit organization providing athletic opportunities and recreational experiences for folks who use wheelchairs. Produced by Kevin Hasenkopf, Melanie Johnson, Brian McAndrew and Ashlea Holcomb.

The List: Portland's Most Wanted - By 2003, the Old Town neighborhood had created a role for itself as the epicenter of drug abuse and crime in Portland. That year, police veteran officer Jeff Myers created a program that cracked down on a select list of repeat offenders and pushed them into immediate, high-quality treatment. His program-- known as "the list"-- worked. Still, some Portlanders describe Myers as a tyrant rather than a hero and want him to throw out his list. ACLU has joined Portland's public defenders in saying that the list directly undermines Oregonians' constitutional rights. Produced by Taimi Arvidson and Tiffany Kimmel.

Art In a Time of War - The story of World War II-era artists who were interned in labor camps because of their pacifist beliefs. Stationed at Camp Waldport, these men suffered public contempt, a harsh existence and deadly work. In spite of these conditions, they showed a resilience and communal spirit that enabled artistic creativity and social conscience to flourish. Produced by Michael Werner, Katie Campbell and Pierre Anthony Canovas.

What We Could Carry - Finally tonight, we explore the story of four Japanese-American students who were denied diplomas and expelled from the University of Oregon in 1942. It features Sam Naito, Robert and Homer Yasui, Midori Funatake, Alice Kawasaki and National Book award winner and Oregon's former Poet Laureate, Lawson Inada. Produced by Sam Allen, Emese Foss, Catalina Vazquez and Daniel Miller.

August 19
Architect of Sound - This film examines the work of Eugene violinmaker David Gusset. He has been making violins for 35 years and is one of the few people to ever win the prestigious Stradivari International Violin Making Competition in Cremona, Italy. Produced by Marc Dadigan and Katie Kalk.

Making Music: The Art & Craft of David Rivinus - David Rivinus spent the last 40 years honing his craft as a violinmaker. But what sets his work apart from others is how he has changed the look and feel of the violin. This Oregon violinmaker is now internationally known for his adaptations to the violin that help overcome the orthopedic issues. Directed by Carl Vandervoort and Christopher Ley.

August 20
Andrus: the Man, the Mind & the Magic - This one-hour documentary details the story of Jerry Andrus, a modern-day DaVinci. Best known as one of the most-influential "close-up magic" performers of all time, he is equally regarded among scientists, educators and even skeptics as a visionary, poet, philosopher, inventor and creator of truly astounding optical illusions. Produced by Robert Neary and Tyson Smith.