William Scott Anderson

This helicopter pilot for the Oregon Army National Guard works magic. And not just the aerial kind. On his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Anderson performed magic shows for injured children—an act of compassion that landed him on NBC Nightly News in March and won him a seat at our table. We’d be even more impressed if he can make our brussels sprouts disappear.

Lorraine Davis

In April, this former University of Oregon vice president of academic affairs came out of retirement to fill departed athletic director Mike Bellotti’s shoes. Hopefully, the UO insider can improve the football program’s reputation and calm the faculty’s anti-athletics rabble-rousing. Meanwhile, Lorraine, don’t worry about sending us an RSVP: we don’t need anything in writing, either.

Matthew Lightner

Castagna’s new executive chef is running out of wall space for his accolades: Restaurant Hospitality’s “One of 10 to Watch in 2010”; a James Beard nomination for Rising Star Chef; and, in April, a spot on Food & Wine’s list of Best New Chefs in America. We’ve got a special spot reserved for you, Matt. Don’t forget your wooden spoon!

Robert Chau

This Intel components researcher recently earned his 200th patent—and he still has 67 more pending. Chau’s batting average is keeping Oregon on the innovation leader board: we rank a plucky eighth behind such patent machines as Washington, California, and Massachusetts. Invent a low-cal pale ale, Robert, and you just might earn the keys to the city.

Adam Kuby

Our final guest has us on pins and needles—literally. In April artist Adam Kuby began installing 35-foot acupuncture needles around Portland as part of a six-month project designed to draw attention to the city’s biggest assets, as well as some of its most difficult urban planning problems. If any of our guests get something stuck in their teeth, we’ll know who to call for help.