Take the opportunity to learn about Oregon history and chat with other community members at these talks and discussions this week.

Hear the story of a doomed 20th century Oregon resort, learn about the flow state or the first permanent Black settlers east of the Cascades.

“Bayocean: Atlantis of Oregon”

In 1906, big dreams and the quest for a West Coast resort led to the creation and eventual doom of a community built on the 4-mile-long spit that protects Tillamook Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Author Jerry Sutherland will tell stories from his latest book, “Bayocean: Atlantis of Oregon,” which chronicles the half-century the Oregon resort town existed, tells the stories of the people involved, and explains its financial and physical demise.

Bayocean boasted a hotel, natatorium (a heated saltwater pool with a wave machine), Bayocean Boulevard, arcade, pier, bowling alley, summer cottages and more. In the late 1920s, erosion began pulling homes into the sea and undercut the Bayocean Natatorium in 1932. More homes fell as the spit’s foredune continued to recede. Another storm surge in November 1952 blew out its base, and by 1971 the last remnants of the resort disappeared.

Sunday 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free; Sisters Public Library, 110 N. Cedar St., Sisters; deschuteslibrary.org or 541-312-1070.

Sunday 4-5 p.m.; free; Downtown Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend; deschuteslibrary.org or 541-617-7050.

Speaker Diane Allen

The international speaker, violinist and author will discuss her new book, “Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do.”

Diane is a global authority on the flow state. Allen is known for her experiential keynotes, training and coaching programs, which feature a three-step flow strategy system, aiming to empower people to get into their flow state, be in their genius and love what they do. The event is free and open to the public with an RSVP.

Tuesday 6-7 p.m.; free, RSVP; Dudley’s Bookshop Cafe, 135 NW Minnesota Ave., Bend; dudleysbookshopcafe.com or 541-749-2010.

Community Conversations — Choose Your Own Conversation Adventure

Share ideas, opinions and questions and converse with a broad range of individuals on a topic of your and fellow participants’ choosing. A light dinner will be served at 5 p.m., with conversation beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The goal of Community Conversations is to expand a sense of neighborhood — across all economic, political, cultural and racial boundaries. All conversations stem from a strong commitment to curiosity, compassion and community.

Tuesday 5-7 p.m.; free; Downtown Bend Public Library, 601 NW Wall St., Bend; deschuteslibrary.org or 541-617-7050.

Oregon Black Pioneers — The Sewells of Canyon City

Zachary Stocks will tell the stories of each member of the Sewell family, the first permanent Black settlers east of the Cascades, and what their experiences say about Black life in the high desert during the 19th century.

Columbus Sewell and his family were the first permanent Black settlers east of the Cascades. In the 1870s, they became prominent community members in the gold mining town of Canyon City, Oregon. The Sewells prospered at a time when Black Oregonians had few rights or opportunities.

Zachary Stocks is the executive director of Oregon Black Pioneers, a public historian and an interpreter. He previously served as program director of Grays Harbor Historical Seaport and visitor services manager of the Northwest African American Museum. Zachary is a former intern of Colonial Williamsburg and Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and a former park ranger at Lewis & Clark National Historical Park.

Tuesday 7 p.m.; $5; McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend; mcmenamins.com or 541-382-5174.