Category: Community

All about Living in Lake Oswego, Oregon

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This Week in Lake Oswego

Here are my picks for what to do this week in Lake Oswego, either online or in person:

Mon, Feb 28, 2022 – 5:30PM-9:00PM– 12 yrs & up.- Bob Ross Oil Painting: Tropical Sunset (Live Instruction) ~Easy in-person instruction for beginners and more experienced painters ~ CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd –  More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

Tues, March 1, 2022 – 4:30PM-6:30PM – 18yrs & up – Painting in Oils & Acrylic (Virtual Class )~Learn to paint! All materials provided for this virtual class – More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

Wed, March 2, 2022 – 6:30PM-8:00PM – Chautaqua Historic Lecture Series (in-person or virtual)~ “ Kim Huey discusses the beginnings of Chautauqua and the Gladstone Chautauqua  ~ Oswego Heritage House and Museum, 398 Tenth Street – or Zoom! – More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

Thurs, March 3, 2022 – 9:15AM-10:30PMPM –Nia at Lakewood Drop-In ~ Series taught by Black Belt Nia Instructor Carol Kaplan at Lakewood Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays.- Lakewood Center for the Arts ~ 368 S State St – More Info & Registration Options:  CLICK HERE

Fri, March 4, 2022 – 3:30-4:15PM – (3-5yrs) Toes & Tap! ~ Learn the basics of ballet and tap dancing in this fun environment using popular music. CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd More Info & Registration: CLICK HERE

Sat, March 5, 2022 – 11:00AM till Tickets gone! – Author C Pam Zhang Ticket Giveaway – This is a ticket-giveaway for the upcoming event with author  C Pam Zhang who discusses How Much of These Hills Is Gold: A Reimagined History.  Her presentation will wind up the Lake Oswego Reads 2022 program on Friday, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. at Lakeridge High School. Event is free to all library-cardholders, but a ticket is required- Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th St – More Info :  CLICK HERE

Sun, March 6, 2022 – From Tuesday, March 1 – 10:00am Thursday, March 31 – All Open Hours – Global Art Project for Peace~ Participate with the Lake Oswego Library in the 2022 15th Biennial by visiting the children’s library to create an art piece expressing your vision of global peace and goodwill. Art supplies provided. You can also participate by creating art at home and bringing it to the library. ~ Lake Oswego Library (lower level), 706 4th St More Info : CLICK HERE

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Lake Oswego Canals

The city/town of Lake Oswego completely surrounds Oswego Lake. Living here is all about the water. There are various options when it comes to considering waterfront property. The main lake is one (most expensive option) the bays are another possibility, and then there are the unique and beautiful canals that are actually more affordable & have that other-worldly or at least Venetian feel.

But whether you live waterfront or not, the water is a constant companion & everything in Lake Oswego is built to accommodate it’s flow. Before I became a Realtor (waaaay back ; ) I used to work in Lake Oswego. And I would drive from my Palisades home via South Shore Blvd to get to my office. I love that drive, and especially love passing over the bridges that cross the canals. There is such a peaceful feeling to it. The only better commute came when I shifted to an in-home office! But of course I can always find a reason, work-related or not, to wind my way along South Shore.

Traversing along South Shore, you cross three bridges. Oswego Canal runs alongside Kelok Rd & was completed in 1872 when it was dug with the intention to connect the Tualatin River to the Willamette River via “Sucker Lake” (originally known “Waluga Lake” & later more eloquently renamed from the “Sucker Lake” moniker given it by the settlers). It was widened in 1881. Originally this canal was meant to allow for lumber & other goods to traverse across the lake & then move on to the Willamette across a very short distance via a planned series of aqueducts to adjust for elevation differences. Those aqueduct plans were eventually scrubbed after Willamette Falls Locks created a new and easier/preferable shipping option than the Tualatin River.

The other two canals that you cross over when taking that beautiful scenic drive are the Blue Heron Bay/Canal. It winds along and ends before you reach Bryant Rd, not connecting to any other body of water than Oswego Lake. West Bay also has a shorter canal that you’ll cross over while on South Shore that leads from the lake to the bay.

On the other side of the lake, a short canal was dug back in 1828 to connect to a marshy area called the Duck Pond which was flooded and then became a part of the lake. We know it as Lakewood Bay near city-center shops, restaurants, the theater, Millenium Plaza Park, and Hwy 43/State St. There is a little bridge over the canal at Northshore Rd.

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The Best Playground, Ever

The playground at Hallinan Elementary School is, in my opinion, the best playground that I have experienced with both my kids and with my grand kids. It’s HUGE with so many slides, things to climb on, and a vast array of simple to complex physical challenges for kids.

Before I moved to Lake Oswego, over 20 years ago, I lived in SE Portland. I must have discovered this playground while showing houses in the neighborhood. After I found it, I began driving to Lake Oswego with my children to enjoy it with them.

Along with the playground, there is a huge field that has a walking path around it. When my kids got older, I could bring them there and take a walk while having a visual on them as they played.

Bear in mind that it’s only available when school is not in session. The school is located at 16800 Hawthorne Dr in the Hallinan neighborhood of Lake Oswego.

Get out there and enjoy the fresh air with your kids and your grand kids! And, as always, thanks for reading the blotter.

Dianne

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Notary Services at the Library

Did you know that the Lake Oswego Library offers free notary services the first and third Saturdays of each month? It does, including today. Volunteers provide the notary as a community service. It’s free.

The library is located at 706 4th St in First Addition. For more information click here.

I’ll have the market activity report up shortly. Thank you for your patience.

Dianne

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Tinseltown Trolley

The Lake Oswego Trolley is a favorite of mine. The trolley runs from State Street, along the Willamette River to the South waterfront in Portland. It’s a blast! One year, I packed a picnic and took my Mom for a trolley ride for her birthday.

The scenery is lovely. It meanders along through Dunthorpe ( a gorgeous neighborhood!) and has expansive views of the river. There is also a long tunnel that is pitch dark inside, except for the lights of the trolley.

This year the trolley is offering a Tinseltown experience. The event is December 10, 11, and 12. Departure times vary with 3 rides on Friday the 10th, 6 on Saturday the 11th. and 6 on Sunday the 12th. The cost is $20 for adults and $17 for youth (0-17). The trolley is decorated for the season and there is a special guest on board from the North Pole. For more details, click here.

What a fun holiday event for everyone!

Seasons greetings, and, as always, thanks for reading the blotter.

Dianne

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Worshipping options in and near Lake Oswego

I once worked with a family who was being transferred from another part of the country. One of the first questions that I was asked was, does it matter what church you belong to? It was the one and only time that I’ve ever gotten that question. And it’s a fair question.

My answer was then, and still is today, no. There is no social pressure to be affliated with an organized faith group. However, there are quite a few worship options should you be inclined to want to join one.

Lake Oswego has 25 christian churches, including a Mormon Temple. There is also a Jewish Synagogue. 2 miles South of Lake Oswego is the Cambodian Buddhist Society. Within 5 miles of Lake Oswego there is a Hindu Temple and 3 more Jewish Synagogues.

I hope you find this information helpful, and, as always, thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

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Fill a Stocking

For more than 20 years the City of Lake Oswego has participated in Fill a Stocking. This is a county-wide event and the premise is easy.

Christmas stocking and toys over rustic wooden background

A large group of volunteers hand makes stockings that are available at City Hall. Simply drop by 380 A Avenue to collect a stocking. Then fill it up with much-needed items and special gifts. Then return it to City Hall once it is filled. These stockings are distrubuted throughout Clackamas County and are given to families, seniors, teens, and the homeless. For many, it is the only holiday gift that they will receive.

The city is also accepting donations of coats, gloves, food, and new unwrapped toys. For additional information, please call the Public Information Office at 503-635-0257.

I know it is not yet Christmas or Hanukkah, but if you are like me, you’re a planner. The holidays are hectic and I like to get ahead with some proper prior planning.

Thank you for helping those in need,

Dianne

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This Week in Lake Oswego

Here are my picks for things to do this week either online or in person:

Mon, Nov 1, 2021 – 8:00AM-9:00PM–Story Line Recordings~ Listen to poetry and short stories anytime! dial 503-636-7628 and press 6 – More Info:  CLICK HERE

Tues, Nov 2, 2021 **Daily Through Nov 30th, 2021 – 10:00AM-7:00PM–Native American Heritage STEM Kit Giveaway! ~ Explore traditional Native American technologies, visit with an archaeologist, and try out hands-on engineering challenges! Come to the Children’s Library to pick up a take-and-make activity kit while supplies last.- More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

Wed, Nov 3, 2021 – 10:00AM – The Waldo Project~ “The Waldo Project” is a collaboration between the Lake Oswego Public Library, the Kiwanis Club of Lake Oswego(link is external) and Hunger Fighters Oregon. Serve your community by getting books out into it, and have some fun! When a child finds Waldo in his hiding spot, they go straight to a vintage gumball machine filled with wooden tokens. After turning the crank and retrieving a token, they drop it into a jar which designates how many books will be distributed. – More Info & Registration + Agenda Links:  CLICK HERE

Thurs, Nov 4, 2021 – 10:00AM-2:00PMPM –Bob Ross Oil Painting – Aurora Borealis ~ Easy step by step beginners class from concept to completion! All supplies provided. – More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

Fri, Nov 5, 2021 – 7:00-8:30PM – How to Help Your Garden Soil Feed You ~ This online program helps you understand how to work the soil in your garden even in off months to better prepare for a fantastic new growing season in the spring!  More Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Nov 6, 2021 – 9:00-11:00AM – Stewardship Work Party at Springbrook Park –  Help clear forest debris and remove invasive species. Friends of Springbrook Park will lead this work party. No experience needed. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring water.- More Info :  CLICK HERE

Sun, Nov 7, 2021 – 10:00AM-12:00PM – Stewardship Work Party at Freepons Park~ Help clear storm debris from the February ice storms. Friends of Hallinan Heights Woods will lead the group to help restore the habitat. No experience needed. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring water. More Info : CLICK HERE

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Lake Oswego is getting an Aquatics Center!

In all of the years that I have been writing this blog, I’ve had a dirty little secret. I’ve been driving into Portland to the SW Community Center at Gabriel Park to swim. I don’t swim daily, or even monthly, but when I am in the swimming mood, I love it. I was an aqua-aerobics instructor for about 8 years and I once taught swimming to small children. So being in a pool is something that I really enjoy.

When I moved to Lake Oswego in 1998 I tried to use the pool at Lake Oswego High School. I really did try. But the pool is old and dingy. There is not enough chlorine in the world to make the water look inviting. It’s also just a lap pool, built to benefit the school’s swim team. This also meant that the public use hours were very limited.

The new pool will be part of a large (60,000 square feet) aquatics and recreation facility. It will be located adjacent the the Municipal Golf Course at the corner of Overlook and Stafford Roads. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2022.

Amenities will include:

  • A competition pool with spectator seating for 300 people
  • A lap pool
  • A recreation pool
  • A spa
  • A basketball court
  • A weight room with cardio equipment
  • 2 multi-purpose rooms for classes and group excercise
  • Locker rooms

Yep, I’m pretty stoked. The one thing that this town has been missing is being rectified and I am really excited. See you at the pool!

Dianne

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What’s in a Name?

A bit of trivia about the Property Blotter. Linda and I started our blog many years ago. Blogging was new to real estate and we had the good fortune of working with someone who was in the know about how to do it. Ron Ares, the son of our principal broker was a new agent who was interviewed by the New York Times because of the blog he had for Portland real estate. I was like “What?!” At that point I had a couple of decades in the business and realized that the power of the blog was pretty incredible for the recognition that Ron got as a result of his efforts. So Linda and I were on board.

Then it was time to choose a name. We knew we wanted to have a name that was uniquely LO. We brainstormed lots of options and came up with the Property Blotter. The name comes from the Police Blotter that was published weekly in the Lake Oswego Review. The Lake Oswego Police have 100% response policy. If you call them, they show up. The police calls are then reported in the local newspaper. What they respond to can be pretty funny. So the local blotter has been a source of local entertainment for many years.

Here is a sampling of what was reported in the August 12th edition of the LO Review:

7/31 9:43 A.M.

A dead squirrel was seen near the 18400 block of Deerbrush Avenue

7/31 12:54 P.M.

A man was seen laying sideways on a step near Boones Ferry Road and Kruse Way Place

7/31 1:19 P.M.

A caller believed someone was selling dogs our of cages in a truck near the 40 block of McNary Parkway. It turned out to be a part of an adoption program.

7/31 9:34 P.M.

Someone was seen walking in the middle of the street near SW Lesser Road and Jefferson Parkway

8/1 7:00 P. M.

A resident said she was being followed by two people at a store near the 90 block of B Avenue. Police made sure she got home safely. (I love this one. Who doesn’t want a police escort if you feel unsafe?)

8/2 12:55 A.M.

Intermittent “constuction-type noises” were heard near the 1000 block of Westward Ho Road

As you can see, it can be amusing. There is actually a book that was written about the blotter. It’s a good read that I highly recommend.

I feel very fortunate to live in a community with relatively low crime and whose police department is 100% there to serve and protect. It’s one of the many things I value in my community.

My best to you,

Dianne