Columbia Forum will begin its 23rd season next Monday. First speaker of the 2012-13 season is David Boardman, executive editor and vice president of the Seattle Times. His topic: How does serious journalism thrive in the digital age?

In 1989, the Forums inaugural event was held in the Kern Room of the Columbia River Maritime Museum. The first speaker was Oregon House Speaker Vera Katz. Her topic was the new education reform law. Events then moved to the Fort Clatsop Visitors Center and finally to the Duncan Law Seafood Consumer Center, now called the CMH Community Center, at 2021 Exchange St.

A small group of Astorians started the Forum as a way to create an evening that combined conversation, a good meal and a provocative speaker. At the seasons start, members pay dues that help defray the cost of speaking honoraria and facility rent. Nonmembers who attend are charged a guest fee. The Forums dinners are created by Chris Holen, chef at Baked Alaska. Forum sponsors are The Daily Astorian, Craft3, KMUN, Oregon State University Seafood Laboratory and Cannery Pier Hotel.

Coast Community Radio (91.9 FM) broadcasts recordings of Forum talks. Station General Manager Joanne Rideout said: The Columbia Forum is an opportunity for relevant local discussion; a place where citizens can go to learn more about interesting issues, and share a meal. Its a community-building event.

Octobers speaker will be author and social commentator Stephanie Coontz. In November, Oregon Public Broadcasting political analyst Bill Lunch will dissect results of the general election.

The Forums winter season opens in January with Seattle author Knute Berger, followed by Port of Portland Executive Director Bill Wyatt in February. Katie Voelke, executive director of the North Coast Land Conservancy, speaks in March and scientist Steve Strauss of OSU speaks in April.

A special event will close the season in May, with pianist and former Gearhart resident David Carlson sharing anecdotes about his life in music. Dinner will be served in the McTavish Room of the Liberty Theater, followed by Carlsons talk, which he will illustrate with music from the Steinway concert grand piano on the Libertys stage.

Holly Larkins is coordinator of membership and events for the Columbia Forum. She can be reached at 503-325-3211 or via forum@dailyastorian.com. The Forum also may be found at www.dailyastorian.com and on Facebook.