Beginning in 2007, the City of Lake Oswego has used the month of February to host a city-wide reading program. The concept is to encourage everyone in town to read the same book at the same time. The community then hosts events to show-case and share the ideas found in the book. This year’s book selection is The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig.
The Whistling Season is a coming-of-age story set in 1910. It tells the tale of a rural family of 3 boys and their widowed father. The book was selected because, tying into the Lake Oswego Centennial Celebration, it will transport the reader back to 1910, the year that the City of Lake Oswego was originally founded. The book was selected by a panel of librarians, community leaders, High School English teachers and High School students.
Throughout the month of February events will be held all over Lake Oswego to bring The Whistling Season to life in the community:
February 1, Lake Oswego Writes, Chuck’s Place, 7pm
February 2-28, Art Exhitition at Graham’s Book and Stationary and at Chrisman Picture Frame and Gallery. 18 artists have created original pieces based upon their vision while reading the book.
February 3, History of the Telephone, Heritage House, 7pm
February 5, Pioneer Lunch, Noon, Adult Community Center
February 8, Book Club Quilter’s Tea, 2 pm, the Library
February 9, One Room School House Panel Discussion, Holy Names Heritage Center, 2pm
February 10, Spelling Bee, Lakewood Center, 7pm
February 11, Tales of the Secret Life of Lake Oswego, Library, 7pm
February 12, Photo Scavenger Hunt for Teens, Library, 7pm
February 13, Apron Making Classes, The Pine Needle, 10 am for kids, 1pm for adults
February 17, Dream Analysis, Lake Oswego Country Club, $15, 11:45 am
February 17, Hear Ivan Doig in Person, Lake Oswego High School, 7pm, tickets are free and given out 1st come 1st serve on January 30, 11 am, at the Library (see you there!)
February 18, Star Gazing, Luscher Farm, 7pm
February 18, Book Discussion, 7pm, West End Building
February 19, Book Discussion. 1 pm, Adult Community Center
February 20, Horse Carriage Rides, 11am to 3pm, Graham’s Stationary
February 20, Hoe Down, 5-8pm, West End Building
February 24, Historic Recipe Tasting, 1pm, Adult Community Center
February 24, Book Discussion, 7pm, the Library
February 25, Book Discussion, 10am, Mt. Park Church
February 25, Hear a real hand whistler, 7pm, the Library
February 26, Book Discussion, 1pm, Adult Community Center
February 27, Horse Show/ Jumper Night, 5:30, Oswego Hunt
I am an avid reader. I jumped into the Lake Oswego Reads idea when it was first introduced in 2007. I don’t attend all of the events, but I do try to get to a few of them. This year I will make the effort to get to the art show as well as the evening with Ivan Doig. I also plan to take my Mom to the One-Room-School-House discussion on the 9th (she actually went to school in a 1-room school house). I have learned that the book discussions are interesting, both in person and on-line. I think what I like most about Lake Oswego Reads is that it introduces me to really good books that I might otherwise not read. Here is a brief list of past book choices and my take on them:
2007, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This book takes place in post-WWII Barcelona. I liked this book. It reminded me of The Davinci Code with its intrigue and espionage. I particularly enjoyed the setting. You feel like you are meandering through alleyways and breathing in Barcelona. I know that this book was selected because one of the goals of LO Reads is to draw in High School students as well as adults. The local High Schools use the selected book in their classrooms. This is a fast-paced story that successfully appeals to diverse age groups.
2008, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin. This book is hands down one of the most important books of our time. It is non-fiction. It is about one man and his mission to bring peace to Afghanistan and Pakistan by building schools. As I read it I found myself wishing that every world leader could take the time to read it too. It is remarkable, amazing, and inspiring what one individual can accomplish. And Greg Mortenson did it rather by chance. You will find yourself with him as he comes off of climbing K2 and lands in a remote village in the Middle East. He deals first-hand with The Taliban. His mission is important and when your read about it you will be forever changed.
2009, Stubborn Twig by Lauren Kessler. This book traces 3 generations of Japanese immigrants from their early beginnings in the Hood River Valley, through their ordeals and the alterations of their lives during WWII, to the gradual assimilation into American culture after several generations. I was completely touched by their story. Like Three Cups of Tea, it is non-fiction. This family came to the United States to find a better life, built a very successful business, and then lost nearly everything while being both jailed and put into Internment Camps. And yet, they were and are Americans, with lives of determination and patriotism.
I want to encourage you to get involved with Lake Oswego Reads. If The Whistling Season is as good as the other book selections have been, then I know it will be a worthwhile experience. And, let’s face it, one of the great things about February in Oregon is that it is the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book.
Here is our latest market activity report. Last week brought us 21 new listings, 10 pending sales, and 9 closed sales.
I want to explain that occasionally a property misses getting into our report. This happens if the property status changes during the week that represents our report, but the data is not changed in the RMLS until after our report is issued. Linda and I want these reports to be as accurate as possible, but we also want them to occur in a timely fashion. We regret that some property data is reported late and thus misses our report.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes): NEWLY LISTED (Jan. 11—Jan. 17, 2010)
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
86 KINGSGATE RD
$139,900
2
2
849
ATTACHD
1/11/2010
67 OSWEGO SMT
$174,900
2
2
1,212
CONDO
1/12/2010
5225 JEAN RD
174900 – 199876
2
2
1,400
CONDO
1/13/2010
4 TOUCHSTONE
$199,995
3
2.1
1,351
CONDO
1/16/2010
15 ORIOLE LN
$269,900
2
2
1,470
DETACHD
1/12/2010
17350 BLUE HERON RD
$330,000
4
2.1
2,880
DETACHD
1/13/2010
3 SAINT HELENS CIR
$355,000
2
2
1,472
DETACHD
1/17/2010
240 4TH ST
$399,900
2
1.1
1,080
DETACHD
1/14/2010
4729 FIRWOOD RD
439900
3
2.1
2,357
DETACHD
1/15/2010
4725 FIRWOOD RD
449900
3
2.1
2,296
ATTACHD
1/15/2010
64 TOUCHSTONE
449999
5
2.1
3,641
DETACHD
1/14/2010
2705 SW ORCHARD HILL LN
499350
3
2.1
2,841
DETACHD
1/11/2010
3368 SOUTHSHORE BLVD
499990
3
2
2,160
DETACHD
1/11/2010
14279 CAMDEN LN
525000
4
2.1
2,373
DETACHD
1/13/2010
4102 BUCK BRUSH LN
556900
4
3
2,205
DETACHD
1/15/2010
4581 HASTINGS PL
574900
4
2.1
2,985
DETACHD
1/11/2010
19175 EASTSIDE RD
900000
5
4.1
5,263
DETACHD
1/13/2010
18222 SIENA DR
1088000
6
4.1
3,800
DETACHD
1/12/2010
2057 SUMMIT DR
1099000
4
3.1
4,589
DETACHD
1/14/2010
1808 RIDGE POINTE DR
1269000
5
4.1
4,155
DETACHD
1/12/2010
13764 KNAUS RD
1375000
4
4.1
4,805
DETACHD
1/12/2010
PENDING SALES (Jan. 11 – Jan. 17, 2010)
Address
List Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
12 CERVANTES CIR
$105,000
2
1.1
912
CONDO
121
668 MCVEY AVE
$164,900
2
1
852
CONDO
9
16250 PACIFIC HWY
$170,000
3
2
1,626
CONDO
128
775 BOCA RATAN DR
$184,500
3
3
2,401
DETACHD
131
3 SUMMIT RIDGE CT
$274,000
2
2.1
1,576
ATTACHD
218
13050 BOONES FERRY RD
$332,000
3
2
2,632
DETACHD
170
5460 BAY CREEK DR
$424,900
3
2.1
2,358
DETACHD
136
38 DA VINCI ST
$625,000
4
2.1
2,932
DETACHD
214
9 HIDALGO ST
649900
4
4.2
5,310
DETACHD
525
5234 WESTFIELD CT
724900
4
3
3,252
DETACHD
8
SOLD (Jan. 11 – Jan. 17, 2010)
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
3433 MCNARY PKWY
$100,000
$101,500
2
2.1
1,208
CONDO
212
86 KINGSGATE RD
$127,000
$132,000
2
2
924
CONDO
236
520 9TH ST
$325,000
$300,000
3
2
1,148
DETACHD
151
16824 SW INVERURIE RD
$389,900
$310,000
3
3
1,896
DETACHD
245
16824 INVERURIE RD
$279,900
$310,000
3
3
1,896
DETACHD
245
1575 IVY CT
$515,000
$495,000
4
3
2,432
DETACHD
56
17479 BROOKHURST DR
$699,000
$675,000
4
2.1
3,551
DETACHD
78
13010 KNAUS RD
$1,099,000
$930,000
4
3.1
4,312
DETACHD
1128
17404 BERGIS FARM DR
1297000
1065000
5
4.1
5,394
DETACHD
326
Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.
There are 23 houses that will be held open this Sunday. It’s a nice assortment that represents a wide range of prices, sizes, ages and options. If you are inclined to want to spend an hour or two looking at houses, you should find some good options.
First impressions seems like the ideal subject for my first editorial post of 2010. It’s time to take that big step forward and I don’t know about you, but I want to make the most of it.
So, as a seller of a home, how can you maximize the first impression that your home gives? Of course you want to mow the lawn, clean the roof, trim the bushes and trees, but is that all? And, in fact, are those items even the most important? No, they aren’t. I believe that the single most important area of your home that you need to spiff up and get ready, is the front door.
When ever I take a new listing I give my little talk about getting the front door ready. Think about it. Typically a buyer is waiting at the front door while the Realtor is finding and opening the lock box. The buyer will pause there for a minute or two and have the opportunity to look at every little detail. Is the area clean? Is the paint fresh? Or is there a sofa and a big bag of Alpo on the front porch? And if there is a pile of rubbish to step around, what do you think that the buyer is anticipating finding inside? I really believe that buyers make their decision about the house at the front door. If they like what they see, they go into the house seeking to reinforce that opinion. They go inside looking for things to like. If they have been put off at the front door, they enter the house feeling critical. Will the bag of Alpo be accompanied by crates of rabbits and a barking dog chained in the back yard? This is just a very, very important place to spend a little time getting your home ready for marketing.
First I recommend a good cleaning and fresh paint. Get out a scrub brush, some soap, and take the time to really clean. Wash not only the door but the threshold, the weather-stripping, the light fixtures and everything around the door. Sweep the porch. Wipe away the moths and spider webs around the light fixture. Make certain the paint on the door is fresh with no scuffs or scratches.
Make sure the door knob and the key work easily. You may want to consider updating the hardware for the knob and the lock.
The National Association of Realtors publishes an annual report that is specific to every region of the country telling what sort of re-sale return can be expected from remodeling. The only item on the entire list, including kitchens and bathrooms, that returned of 100% of the investment was the purchase and installation of a new front door. Seriously. It will make you money to do this right. The estimated cost in the Pacific region is $1353 to install a new door and a return on the sale of your home of $1732. That’s a return of 128% on the original investment.
Once you get the door clean, painted and ready, do a little staging of the exterior entry area. Be careful not to crowd the area with too much. People should not have to avoid or step around anything you display. I recommend a pot or two of seasonal flowers (at this time of year you can display primroses and pansies) or perhaps a wreath on the door. Be careful with holiday decorations not to leave them on too long, but they are certainly appropriate during each holiday of the year.
Take a little time as you get ready to sell your home, and be sure to take time at the front door. Your efforts will help you to realize a better sale and probably even make you some money.
Last week brought us 4 truly new listings, 4 pending sales, and 5 closed sales. Kudos to the brave souls who were out working and busy over the holidays. And to my client who managed to schedule his moving day for the exact date and time of our brief snow storm.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes): NEWLY LISTED (Dec. 28—Jan. 3, 2010)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
100 KERR PKWY
$102,500
2
1.1
823
CONDO
12/28/2009
4 TOUCHSTONE
$160,000
3
2.1
1,350
CONDO
1/2/2010
19415 SW DOGWOOD CT
$529,900
5
3
3,517
DETACHD
1/1/2010
19288 SW Megly CT
$579,900
5
3
3,657
DETACHD
1/1/2010
PENDING SALES (Dec. 28 – Jan. 3, 2010)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
65 Church ST
$159,900
2
1.1
1,040
CONDO
250
952 A AVE
$350,000
2
2
2,912
DETACHD
241
5506 ROYAL OAKS DR
$399,900
4
3
2,535
DETACHD
19
8 BUCKINGHAM TER
$427,900
4
2.1
3,186
DETACHD
144
SOLD (Dec. 21 – Dec. 27, 2009)
Address
O/Price
Sold Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
4000 CARMAN DR
$129,900
$123,000
1
1
836
CONDO
103
364 NORTHSHORE RD
$629,900
$355,460
2
2
2,220
DETACHD
465
106 GREENRIDGE CT
$489,000
$441,000
4
3
3,127
ATTACHD
136
279 EVERGREEN RD
$689,000
$615,000
3
3.1
2,136
ATTACHD
129
1980 TWIN POINTS RD
$4,987,500
$4,987,500
4
5
6,600
DETACHD
0
Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.
Happy New Year one and all! It looks like it’s going to be a bit quiet this Sunday. For those of you who are hoping to attend an open house or two, there will be 5 homes held open in Lake Oswego, according to the RMLS.
I think the best thing I can say about the Lake Oswego real estate market of 2009 was that it wasn’t 2008. Remember a year ago? We’d seen the collapse of some of the Nation’s largest banks, the first bailout/stimulus package had been put into play, and the entire Nation was in a wait and see mode as the country transitioned to a new Presidency. It was a very difficult time. And it makes today’s market feel, well, pretty darn good.
Let’s start by looking at the Portland Metro area.
At this time last year the RMLS was reporting 19.2 months of inventory. In other words, to sell all of the active listings at the pace that properties were then selling, it would take 19.2 months. Today that same inventory is just 7.1 months. Whew!
Closed sales from November of 2009 (the most recent report available at the RMLS) are 72.4% greater than they were in November of 2008. Don’t get too excited about that one. It’s a reflection of just how horrible sales were in November of 2008 and how great they were comparatively in 2009. Putting better perspective on it requires doing a 11 month average of January-November for 2008 and then 2009. When this is done the closed sales are greater in 2009 by 2.6%. Still, an improvement.
November of 2009 compared to November of 2008 has pending sales up by 19.9%
November of 2009 compared to November of 2008 has new listings down by 7%
We have continued to see a decline in home values of 11.4%, year over year.
Looking at the specifics of Lake Oswego:
There are currently 396 single-family homes for sale and 130 condos. Of the single-family homes, 96 are priced at over $1,000,000 and 54 are priced at $350,000 or less.
There are currently 49 single-family homes and 12 condos with pending sales.
In the last 12 months 393 single-family homes and 95 condos have sold and closed. Of those 42 cost $1,000,000 or greater and 93 were priced at $350,000 or less. In those high-end homes, 7 were priced over $2,000,000.
At the pace that $1,000,000 and greater homes are selling, based upon the performance of the last 12 months, there is still 2.2 years of high-end inventory. And that also means that the less expensive homes ($350,000 or less) has just 7 months of inventory.
The average sales price is $419,300.
Property values saw a decline of 12.9% in the last 12 months.
Average days on the market (length of time between listing a home for sale and accepting an offer) is 163 days.
I just can not leave this subject entirely without doing my compulsive comparison of affordable homes in Lake Oswego versus Sellwood, a neighborhood in SE Porltand. I like to do this because I used to live in Sellwood, so I think I have a good idea of the area, and because I remain convinced that Lake Oswego is misunderstood by buyers. Many people assume that Lake Oswego is just too expensive for their budget. This is, in fact, not true at all. At this time there are currently 54 houses for sale in Lake Oswego priced at $350,000 or less, whereas in Sellwood there are currently just 27. Lake Oswego is a good place to find an affordable home.
The least expensive home in Lake Oswego is a short-sale property that needs work. It’s priced at $169,000 and has 1382 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 full baths. It’s on a quiet street near Waluga Junior High School. Offers have been submitted to the lender for 3rd party approval.
The least expensive home in Sellwood is a short-sale property that is being sold “as is”. It looks to me like it needs some work but is in better condition than the LO property. It is priced at $209,000 and has 850 square feet (120 of that in the basement) with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. It too has received an offer and is waiting for lender 3rd party approval.
The most expensive home in Lake Oswego remains the 5.5 acre private island in Oswego Lake that is priced at $19,500,000. Built in 1929, it has 13,500 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 6 1/2 baths. There are waterfalls and a lake side pool. To arrange a showing, buyers must provide verification of funds. Yep, LO has those kinds of houses too.
We will never be able to foresee the future. We can only look at the present and the recent past to get an idea of what to expect ahead. My prediction is that the tax incentives for 1st time buyers, and now for repeat buyers as well, will continue to boost sales. I think people intending to sell who are serious will continue to price their homes at reasonable levels that will attract an offer. I also think that people have been beat up in the last couple of years and realize that many mistakes were made. Even if the economy improves, I predict caution from home buyers for many years. People will shop carefully and make home choices carefully. I will also tell you that from my perspective, having survived the housing market of 2008, and now the market of 2009, I am really looking forward to 2010.
Linda and I want to wish you a safe, healthy, and happy New Year.
This past week we had 8 new listings, 12 pending sales, and 7 closed sales. I expect this week to be slow as everyone gets into all of the events of the holidays.
Here is the latest market activity for Lake Oswego (see below the tables for additional notes): NEWLY LISTED (Dec. 14—Dec.20, 2009)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
List Date
47 EAGLE CREST DR
$89,500
1
1
696
CONDO
12/14/2009
100 KERR PKWY
$97,000
1
1
617
CONDO
12/18/2009
12 WHEATHERSTONE
$285,000
3
2.1
1,692
ATTACHD
12/20/2009
210 S STATE ST
$339,000
2
1.1
1,495
CONDO
12/15/2009
5511 FIELDSTONE CT
$675,000
4
2.1
3,032
DETACHD
12/15/2009
5533 FIELDSTONE CT
$695,000
4
2.1
3,112
DETACHD
12/15/2009
1703 VILLAGE PARK LN
$789,000
3
2.1
3,450
DETACHD
12/14/2009
17288 LOWENBERG TER
$897,000
4
3.1
3,245
DETACHD
12/14/2009
PENDING SALES (Dec. 14 – Dec. 20, 2009)
Address
List Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
Address
List Price
#BR
#BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
668 MCVEY AVE
$179,900
2
1.1
985
ATTACHD
1124
5064 FOOTHILLS DR
$199,900
3
2
1,252
CONDO
168
14431 SHERBROOK PL
$285,000
4
3
3,284
DETACHD
365
520 9TH ST
$325,000
3
2
1,148
DETACHD
151
16824 INVERURIE RD
$335,000
3
3
1,896
DETACHD
244
8 WALKING WOODS DR
399900 – 429900
4
3
3,302
DETACHD
303
15943 WHITE OAKS DR
$430,000
4
2.1
2,773
DETACHD
242
5948 BAY POINT DR
$484,950
4
2.1
2,421
DETACHD
226
34 HILLSHIRE DR
565000
3
2.1
3,822
DETACHD
699
17675 CARDINAL DR
599000
3
3
3,458
DETACHD
294
13010 KNAUS RD
995000
4
3.1
4,312
DETACHD
1128
15481 TWIN FIR RD
999000
4
4.1
4,821
DETACHD
593
SOLD (Dec. 14 – Dec. 20, 2009)
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# Beds
# Baths
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
Address
O/Price
Close Price
# BR
# BTHS
Total SF
Prop Type
CDOM
113 KINGSGATE RD
$309,000
$255,000
3
2
1,436
DETACHD
94
200 BURNHAM RD
$399,000
$275,000
3
2
1,960
CONDO
294
3521 LANEWOOD ST
$399,500
$394,500
3
1.1
1,675
DETACHD
5
13584 TWIN CREEK LN
$449,900
$435,000
4
2.1
2,615
DETACHD
2
12430 ORCHARD HILL RD
$649,950
$550,000
3
2.1
2,985
DETACHD
201
4304 WESTBAY RD
$629,900
$600,000
4
3.1
2,914
DETACHD
153
762 3RD ST
$639,900
$610,000
3
2.1
2,590
DETACHD
309
Criteria:Homes in the 97034 and 97035 zip code, listed, pending or sold between the dates listed above as reported by the Regional Multiple Listing Service (RMLS). DETACHD refers to Single Family Detached Residence, MFG refers to manufactured housing, and ATTACHD refers to single-family residences with some portion of the structure attached to another property, but not constituting CONDO ownership. DOM stands for days on market, or the number of days from when the listing became active and when it received an acceptable offer, with CDOM standing for “cumulative days on market” accounting for “refreshed” listings.
There are just 8 open houses being promoted in the RMLS for this Sunday. Not surprising with this being the start of the Christmas week. All 8 are high-end new construction. All 8 are also the “perenial opens”: the houses that seem to be open every Sunday. I have been in most of them. They are gorgeous properties. If you haven’t seen them already, they are worth the drive.
Let’s face it, December is dark. The sun comes up about 7:30 and sets about 4:30. That’s just 9 hours of daylight. And that’s why Christmas lights are pretty darn important to me. I know they are put up to celebrate religious traditions. But as far as I am concerned they are put up for ME. I love them and need them to get through the month of the year with the shortest daylight. My own turkey barely has a chance to go cold on the counter before I am putting up my own Christmas lights. And I push the boundary on the other end too by leaving them up past Christmas. (Yes, one year I had them up until Valentine’s, but haven’t been that extreme in quite awhile.)
So when Linda and I first designed the propertyblotter, and had to think about what links we wanted permanently attached, the Christmas Ship Parade came immediately to mind. You will see our link to the Christmas Ships year around on our left tool bar. However, I don’t want to just assume that you have used it to see what it is all about. This year I want to point it out and suggest that you load up your car with family and a thermos of hot cocoa and drive over to Foothills Park on December 19th at about 6pm. This is the evening that the parade of lighted ships are scheduled to come as far South as George Rogers Park on the Willamette River. You can view them from George Rogers Park, and also from Roehr Park, but you would probably need to get out of your car. Personally, I love to sit in the car to watch them. Just find some Christmas music on the radio and stay toasty warm. When my children were little, we commonly did this with both of them bathed and in their pajamas.
There are about 20 or so ships that are organized and captained by volunteers. They do a nightly parade of both the Willamette and the Columbia Rivers with the evening parade location changing daily. I think the only time between now and Christmas that they will be as far South as LO is the 19th. If you are willing to drive North, you will be able to find them in other locations on other evenings. For a complete schedule, click here.
And if you want to find what I consider to be the top decorated house light displays, I want to recommend driving down Edenberry Drive in Westlake. The homeowners on the street go all out. It is gorgeous. Many of the side streets are also decorated. So swing through when you get the chance.
Enjoy the season. I know that I do: especially the Christmas lights.
Beginning in 2007, the City of Lake Oswego has used the month of February to host a city-wide reading program. The concept is to encourage everyone in town to read the same book at the same time. The community then hosts events to show-case and share the ideas found in the book. This year’s book selection is The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig.
2007, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. This book takes place in post-WWII Barcelona. I liked this book. It reminded me of The Davinci Code with its intrigue and espionage. I particularly enjoyed the setting. You feel like you are meandering through alleyways and breathing in Barcelona. I know that this book was selected because one of the goals of LO Reads is to draw in High School students as well as adults. The local High Schools use the selected book in their classrooms. This is a fast-paced story that successfully appeals to diverse age groups.
2008, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin. This book is hands down one of the most important books of our time. It is non-fiction. It is about one man and his mission to bring peace to Afghanistan and Pakistan by building schools. As I read it I found myself wishing that every world leader could take the time to read it too. It is remarkable, amazing, and inspiring what one individual can accomplish. And Greg Mortenson did it rather by chance. You will find yourself with him as he comes off of climbing K2 and lands in a remote village in the Middle East. He deals first-hand with The Taliban. His mission is important and when your read about it you will be forever changed.
I want to encourage you to get involved with Lake Oswego Reads. If The Whistling Season is as good as the other book selections have been, then I know it will be a worthwhile experience. And, let’s face it, one of the great things about February in Oregon is that it is the perfect time of year to curl up with a good book.
First impressions seems like the ideal subject for my first editorial post of 2010. It’s time to take that big step forward and I don’t know about you, but I want to make the most of it.
I think the best thing I can say about the Lake Oswego real estate market of 2009 was that it wasn’t 2008. Remember a year ago? We’d seen the collapse of some of the Nation’s largest banks, the first bailout/stimulus package had been put into play, and the entire Nation was in a wait and see mode as the country transitioned to a new Presidency. It was a very difficult time. And it makes today’s market feel, well, pretty darn good.
Let’s face it, December is dark. The sun comes up about 7:30 and sets about 4:30. That’s just 9 hours of daylight. And that’s why Christmas lights are pretty darn important to me. I know they are put up to celebrate religious traditions. But as far as I am concerned they are put up for ME. I love them and need them to get through the month of the year with the shortest daylight. My own turkey barely has a chance to go cold on the counter before I am putting up my own Christmas lights. And I push the boundary on the other end too by leaving them up past Christmas. (Yes, one year I had them up until Valentine’s, but haven’t been that extreme in quite awhile.)