Author: Dianne Gregoire

The LO Festival of the arts was founded in 1963, making this years show the 61st. It’s a real highlight of the year here in LO. The purpose of the festival is to showcase local art and artists, and to provide arts education for the entire community. This year’s event is happening June 21-23. It is being held in two locations. The Lakewood Center for the arts is located at 368 S State Street. The second location is right across the street in George Roger’s Park.

Every year there is a featured exhibit. This year’s is called “Imagine That”. It’s a really intriguing idea and pretty different from what they have done in the past. This year local school children, grades K-8, have been asked to create imaginary animals. Those drawings in turn have been given to professional artists who have re-imagined them using their own unique style. It will be really fascinating to see how one creation is transformed into a second one.

A second exhibit is called Open Hearts Big Dreams. It is a exhibit in which 17 artists have been invited to to paint and draw artwork that features “Ethiopian Dances”. Some of the art is being made during the exhibit, and some of it will be completed before. The work will be compiled into a book to be shared with families in Ethiopia.

Then there is the open show. It’s held in a big tent at the Lakewood Center. This is a juried exhibit for local artists. We have amazing talent in the Pacific Northwest and there are always some absolutely gorgeous work. Much of it is offered for sale, so it’s a great place to expand your own collection.

Across the street at George Roger’s Park is the “Art in the Park”. With over 100 booths of local craftsman selling their creations. There are also 2 stages where music is performed all weekend. This is also where you’ll find food and beverages available to round out your afternoon.

Parking can be tight, so there is a shuttle bus that allows you to park off site and get a ride to the event. For a pdf of the shuttle stops, click here.

Festival hours are Friday and Saturday, 9:00-6:00, and Sunday, 9:00-5:00. The festival is free admission. For more information, click here.

I hope to see your there!

Dianne

Lake Oswego has a long and rich history, and that history is carefully preserved and recognized by the Lake Oswego Heritage Council. Located in a gracious old-colonial home that graces the intersection of 10th Street and A Avenue, the house hosts a variety of events.

There is a permanent historical exhibit that begins with local Native American history and progresses through time to current history and information. There are also featured exhibits that represent current research that has been accomplished by the council in recent years. There is a spectacular rose garden that is a must see in June.

The house can be rented out for special events and it is used quite a lot for community meetings.

On June 29th the LO Heritage Council, along with the West Linn Historical Society, are hosting the Bootleggers Ball. The event will feature a jazz band, dancing, and a silent auction. Attendees are encouraged to dress with a 1920’s speakeasy in mind. It should be a lot of fun and the proceeds will benefit both historical associations. For more information, click here.

Another great event that the LO Heritage Council hosts each year is the Collector Car and Classic Boat Show. This years event will be on August 25th from 9am to 3pm. The event is held in George Roger’s Park.

Then there are educational programs and lecture series. If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to get involved. If you are not a history buff, you’ll still find value in the various events that are hosted. For more information, click here.

Happy Memorial Day and thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

I belong to the Living in Lake Oswego Facebook group and today someone asked the question about moving children to LO. This person was questioning whether uprooting them from their current schools would be worth it. Of course, this lead to a very nice discussion and it made me realize that it’s a conversation worth having here.

I see three primary benefits of relocating children to LO, based upon my own experience.

My children were in the 4th and 7th grades at the time of our move.

The first is the schools. I moved here from Sellwood, a very nice neighborhood in SE Portland. It’s a neighborhood with a reputation for having pretty good schools, but I came to realize that it just wasn’t good enough. What’s different here in LO? So many families move here for the schools that it creates an environment where the children arrive at school ready to learn. Teachers are able to teach and they spend much less time discipling. There really is that big of a difference. I also think it’s a harder and more traditional curriculum. I wanted my kids to read the classics and take courses that really set them up for success.

The second is the safety of the community. My kids world got substantially bigger because I didn’t worry so much about them venturing out. They could ride their bikes in our neighborhood and I felt that they were completely safe.

The third is the curfew. If a person is under the age of 18, they are not allowed on the streets in LO after 11pm unaccompanied by an adult. This means that teenagers don’t loiter at night in LO. It also means, as a parent, that I knew my kids would be home by 11pm. I will confess that each of my kids got picked up and brought home at least once. There is no punishment, no citation, no lecture. They simply ring the bell and leave the child after they made sure that they have gotten safely inside.

Moving to LO was one of the best decisions that I have ever made. SOOOOO glad that we did it.

Dianne

I have big news in my life. I’m bringing home a new puppy on Mother’s Day weekend. Woohoo! I am so excited. In preparation I am re-organizing my house to do the best I can to puppy proof it, and thinking through how to exercise it properly. My saying is “a tired dog is a good dog”. Fortunately, Lake Oswego has 3 off leash dog parks and one of them is close to my house. It’s going to become a big part of my life.

The dog parks are:

Hazalia Dog Park, 17800 Stafford Rd

West Waluga Dog Park, 15775 Waluga Dr

Pilkington Park, 19043 Pilkington.

The dog parks are open year around 6am to 10pm. There are some basic rules. Dogs are only allowed off leash in designated areas. Clean up after your dog. Dogs need to play well with others and not misbehave.

The Hazalia Dog Park actually has two off-leash areas. One is for more timid dogs and one is for more outgoing dogs. That’s a nice option that I took advantage of when I adopted my mom’s elderly dog (a mini dachshund that would have easily been bowled over by more outgoing dogs).

For more information, click here.

And now I want to show you what all of the excitement is about. This is Raven. She’s currently 7 weeks old. A German Shephard, she will be the fifth German Shephard that I have had the honor of owning. I truly am so excited!

Dianne

Saturday, April 20th, otherwise known as Earth Day, Lake Oswego will be hosting it’s third annual Sustainability Fair.

The event will happen at Lakeridge Middle School, 4700 Jean Rd, from 10am to 1pm. A wide variety of resources will be available. Topics that will be covered include:

Learn about green homes, solar energy, emergency preparedness, gardening, sustainable landscaping, and recycling correctly.

Check out electric vehicles with EV ride-and-drive.

Drop off your electronic waste for recycling by Green Century Recycling.

Sign up for volunteer activities with local groups.

Participate in art and craft activities for kids.

Food tastings will be available to showcase our schools’ healthy and sustainable meal program.

Learn about sustainably-focused materials that can be checked out from the Lake Oswego Library.

Pick up a free native seedling for your yard.

Join S3G (Shifting Gears/Gifting Gear) to rehome sporting equipment to families that will enjoy it after your family has outgrown it.

Lots of great stuff will be going on! For more information, click here.

As always, thank you for reading the blotter,

Dianne