Author: Dianne Gregoire

Oregon is rather well known as a bastion of recycling. The first state in the country to instate a bottle bill, we are a community that prides itself on being good stewards of our land. This past week the City of Lake Oswego continued that heritage by passing a restriction for single-use plastic bags. In the next year plastic shopping bags will be fazed out at stores, restaurants, and even the farmer’s market.

About 10 years ago I read the book “Moby Duck”. It’s a non-fiction narrative about a shipping container that fell of a shipping freighter in the Pacific ocean. The container was filled with multi-colored, plastic ducks, the kind that kids play with in the bath tub. A rather unique cargo, these ducks have been washing up on beaches all of the world ever since. It provided an opportunity to study plastics in the ocean and how the plastic migrates. It’s shocking.

I’ve also heard it said that as much as recycling is wise, an even better direction to go is to not use the plastic in the first place. I see the city’s ban on plastic bags as a very wise move that will be a small step in the right direction.

Speaking of recycling, correct plastic recycling is super confusing. It’s bit of a pet peeve of mine that folks don’t know what is and isn’t recyclable. Those clam shell packages for spinach and lettuce? Not recyclable at the curb. To help us all better understand what is and isn’t recyclable at the curb, here is a link to the guidelines put out by Metro, our Metro-area authority on garbage and recycling. To view the information, click here.

Particularly at the holidays, the time of year when we are at the peak of consuming and recycling, it is a good idea to be mindful of using and purchasing items that are recyclable. Good for LO for taking the initiative to curtail the use of plastic. The bags are a step in the right direction. Now can we do something about drinking straws?

Here in Lake Oswego, there are so many opportunities to spread a little cheer to those in need in our area. The Holidays are a joyous time for many, but for some it a time of struggle. I recently discovered a quote from Audrey Hepburn. “You will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.”

The City, along with Clackamas County, is sponsoring the Pillowcase Project. Drop by City Hall and pick up a beautiful, hand-made pillowcase. Then fill it with basic-needs items and perhaps a gift or two. Then return it to City Hall by December 14th. The filled pillowcases will be distributed to the needy throughout Clackamas County, including here in Lake Oswego. The pillowcase concept is such a good one because long after the gifts and toiletries have been used and enjoyed, the pillowcase will continue to be used and to remind the recipient of good memories.

Oregon Food Pantries is doing a food drive. This project has a history of feeding nearly 250,000 Oregonians, including over 100,000 children. Non-perishable food can be dropped off a City hall, the Main Fire Station (300 B Ave) or the Library throughout November and December.

The Lake Oswego Fire Department is doing a Toy Drive. Bring new, unwrapped toys to the Main Fire Station (300 B Ave), or the Library (706 Fourth St) between now and December 14th. Toys will be distributed by the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge to families throughout the local area.

Finally, coats, blankets, and gloves are being collected by the City to help those in need. Hope Sparrow Services will distribute the clothing throughout the winter. Children’s items are needed as well as for adults. They don’t have to be brand new. Lightly used and clean are welcome. Take your donation to the South entrance of City Hall any time in November, December, and January.

I think there’s a direct connection to our personal happiness and mental well being that is improved when we help others. Thank you for being involved. Happy Thanksgiving!
Dianne

The local Fire Department is something that it is pretty easy to take for granted. It’s a bit like turning on the faucet to get fresh, clean water. You know you love and appreciate it, but it’s just not something that you think about. Well, maybe today we all need to take a moment and really think about and thank our local Fire Department.

This is because the Lake Oswego Fire Department has achieved something that only 3% of Fire Departments in the entire country have achieved, a class 2 PPC (Public Protection Classification) rating. This is a huge accomplishment.

This rating is given by the Insurance Service Office. This organization provides statistical information to insurance companies for the purpose of underwriting. It means that the Lake Oswego Fire Department has accomplished vigorous standards that relate to training, staffing, equipment, and planning. Water utilities (availability, infrastructure, hydrant inspection and maintenance) and 911 dispatch centers are also included. The rating is done on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the best.

What does this mean to residents of Lake Oswego? First of all, we can all sleep a little better at night knowing we are protected by one of the best Fire Departments in the United States. Secondly, we may all see a reduction on our home owner’s insurance. Yes, that’s right, savings. Nice!

Thank you Lake Oswego Fire Department. Thank you!
Dianne

One of the things that Linda and I try to do with this blog is give helpful information about Lake Oswego. It occurred to me that one of the kinda significant things that may be important as you consider where to live, is how easy or difficult it is to shop in the area. So here is my run down of what it is like when you live in Lake Oswego.

I am going to divide the lake into two sides, the East side that is along the Willamette River and the West side that is near I-5.

On the East side there are two large grocery stores. Safeway on A Avenue and Whole Foods Market 365. For shopping for clothing and household goods there is Millenium Plaza which contains numerous boutiques and restaurants. The Lake Theater is on the East side for first-run movies and the Farmer’s Market is on the East side at Millinium Plaza Park on Saturdays May to October. If you need to make a larger purchase, say for a ladder or new furniture, you are going to drive to the West side of LO and the outskirts of town in the communities of Tigard and Tualatin.

There is significantly more shopping on the West side. There are 4 grocery stores, Safeway, Zupans, New Seasons and Trader Joes. Just outside of the city limits in the communities of Tigard and Tualatin are Costce, Winco, Office Depot, Home Depot and Bridgeport Village. Bridgeport Village was recently named by the Oregonian as Oregon’s best shopping center. It’s what’s called a “lifestyle mall”. The idea is that you park your car and then stroll through a village of shops and restaurants. Most of the stores are National chains such as Tommy Bahama, Sephora, and Soft Surroundings.

Prior to living in Lake Oswego I lived in the Sellwood area of Southeast Portland. Shopping was not easy from that location. It required about a 15 minute drive to get to a decent size grocery store. After living with inconvenience, I just really appreciate how easy it is from Lake Oswego.

I hope you found this helpful. As always, thanks for reading!
Dianne