Category: Community

All about Living in Lake Oswego, Oregon

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This Week in Lake Oswego ~ May 13-19, 2019

Lake Oswego Academy of Dance – Meals on Wheels Fundraiser Sunday May 19! Click HERE

Here are my picks for things happening this week!

Mon, May 13 2019– 3:00PM –  Baby Sign Language ~ -Learn what your baby is trying to communicate without words…and how to communicate back!  For babies 0-18 months and their Caregivers ~ Lake Oswego Public Library/Lower Level –  Info:  CLICK HERE

Tue, May 14, 2019 –  7:00-8:00PM – Turning Oswego’s Iron into Gold ~ Marylou Colver, founder of the Lake Oswego Preservation Society, talks about Lake Oswego’s roots as an Iron-Smelting town and its metamorphosis into a high-end Residential District. She specifically discusses the role that development mogul Paul C, Murphy had o the city. ~ Lake Theater & Cafe – 106 N State St (Presented by Lake Oswego Public Library)   Info:  CLICK HERE  

Wed, May 15, 2019 – 10:00-10:30AM – First Steps in Music (ages 1-3) ~ Every Wednesday you’re invited to explore the musical potential of your family…sing, dance, play with musical instruments…and have fun! Free admission to the indoor playground afterward. ~ CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd   –Info:  CLICK HERE     

Thu, May 16, 2019 4:00-5:30PM – All Things Yarn! ~ Always wanted to learn to knit? Experienced knitter who would enjoy hanging out with other knitters??  C’mon down/drop-in every third-Thursday. All ages welcome. ~  Lake Oswego Public Library/Lower Level  –Info:   CLICK HERE

Fri, May 17, 2019 9:30-10:30AM – Little Masters ~ Ages 2-5 welcome with their parents. Touch, Smell, Explore Art in your own way! Every Friday ~ CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd  – Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, May 18, 2019 – 5:00 – 8:30PM ~ Arts Council of Lake Oswego presents Art in the Garden! ~ Sip some wine and enjoy delectable food from Nicolette’s Table on Pete’s Mountain along the beautiful grounds of Tumwater Vinyards, and enjoy a silent auction as well as demonstrations of technique by five local artists. All funds will go to the Gallery Without Walls project that brings such Life to the streets of Lake Oswego, as well as ARTspace Gallery. Sponsors include:  Stoel Rives, LLP, Nicoletta’s Table, Pacific West Bank, Lake Oswego Living Magazine, and Tumwater Vineyard. ~ 375 SW Barrel House Way, West Linn, OR ~    Info & Tickets : CLICK HERE

Sun, May 19, 2019 – 9:00AM-4:30PM ~ Meals on Wheels – Academy of Dance Fundraiser Performances! ~ Enjoy full-costume performances by over 450 Lake Oswego Academy of Dance students and support this wonderful  and important program.  Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, 505 G Ave   –Info & Tickets: CLICK HERE

 

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May is Mental Health Awareness Month in Lake Oswego

I am extremely proud of my city. The month of May has been named Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health has for centuries been ignored as a genuine problem, and even shamed. It is time for it to come out into the sunlight to be discussed, studied, and understood. As a youngster I lost 3 friends to suicide. My son lost one of his best friends to suicide. This is a subject that is very important to me and I am just so glad Lake Oswego has taken up the mantle.

Two different events are being hosted at the Lake Oswego Library:

Faces of Youth in Juvenile Detention, Thursday May 9, 7-8 p.m. This is a discussion of the use of art therapy in juvenile detention centers. It’s hosted by Paula Perkins, a graduate student at Lewis and clark College in the Art Therapy master’s program.

In Our Own Voice, Thursday May 23, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This is a unique public education presentation where two trained speakers share their stories of living with mental health challenges, from discovery to recovery.

These events are free. For information contact Alicia Yokoymama at 503-534-4228 or ayokoyama@lakeoswego.city

I also want to recommend a wonderful book by Judy Collins. Yes, that Judy Collins, famed for her incredible singing voice and classic songs like “Both Sides Now”. Judy lost her only child, her son Clark, to suicide. She has spent decades learning as much as she can on the subject and her book is well written, insightful, and very informative. Titled Sanity and Grace, I highly recommend it.

As always, thank you for reading the blotter,
Dianne

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This Week in Lake Oswego ~ April 15-21, 2019

Spring is sprung in Lake Oswego~

Here are my picks for things happening this week!

Mon, Apr 15 2019– 4:15-5:00PM –  Little Hulas ~ -Every Monday ~ Ages 3-5/Introduction to Hula! Location:  CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd–  Info:  CLICK HERE

Tue, Apr 16, 2019 –  3:30-5:00PM – Teen Sushi & Cany-Making ~ Learn to make California Rolls *and* Candy Sushi!  Also…learn about Japanese etiquette from the pros at Benihana. Sushi Waiver required ; ) ~ Lake Oswego Public Library  Info:  CLICK HERE  

Wed, Apr 17, 2019 – 10:00-10:30PM – First Steps in Music ~ Every Wednesday Ages 1-3  ~Explore the musical potential in your family! Free admission to the indoor playground afterward!  Location:  CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd –Info:  CLICK HERE     

Thu, Apr 18, 2019 4:00PM – Understanding Italy ~ Explore history, food, cultural heritage and current issues with Professor Zagarell using themes from teh Italian Film Festival. ~  Lake Oswego Public Library ~ Info:  CLICK HERE

Fri, Apr 19, 2019 11:45AM-12:15PM – Lunch! ~ Enjoy lunch woth other Lake Oswego residents every Mon, Wed & Fri! ~ Adult Community Center  Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Apr 20, 2019 – 9:00AM – 11:00AM ~  Create A Nature Play Area! ~Help build a play area in nature at Springbrook Park with other community members & families. ~ Parking: Uplands Grade School, 2055 Wembley Park Rd  Info: CLICK HERE

Sun, Apr 21, 2019 – Free Day!   Just kidding. Every day in Lake Oswego, or anywhere else, is a free day!  Make your own choice as to how to enjoy your beautiful day in Lake Oswego.   Info: (Sky’s the limit ; )

 

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Emergency Preparedness Fair

The City of Lake Oswego is hosting an emergency preparedness fair on April 24th, a Wednesday. It will be held from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Lake Oswego Maintenance Center (17601 Pilkington Rd).

We have no idea what sort of emergencies lay in our future. It is now well known that the Pacific Northwest has a history of huge earthquakes that on average occur every couple of hundred years and that we are now about 200 years since the last one occurred. Other potential events are flooding (that happened in 1996), severe storms, and fires. Being prepared is pretty important.

The emergency preparedness fair is going to feature about 20 booths sharing information on putting together your own preparedness kit that will address the need for supplies, food, water storage, pets, sanitation, and even CPR training.

Water is a particular concern as it is estimated that each person and pet in a household needs a gallon of water per day and that we should plan for a 14 day supply. At the preparedness fair the city will be giving out 300, 3-gallon water containers that can be used to collect water from distribution centers that, in the event of an emergency, will be set up by the city.

This sounds like a wonderful event that is free and worthwhile. See you there!
Dianne

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This Week in Lake Oswego ~ Apr 1-7, 2019

Spring is sprung in Lake Oswego~

Here are my picks for things happening this week!

Mon, Apr 1 2019– 1:00-1:00PM –  American Mah Jongg Practice ~ -Every Monday you’re invited to join the program playing Mah Jongg in groups of 4. This is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and involves a certain degree of chance. ~ Adult Community Center –  Info:  CLICK HERE

Tue, Apr 2, 2019 –  7:00-8:30PM – First Tuesday Music, Featuring: Ronnie Robins/ RR2 Duo ~ Brazilian flavored originals and standards! ~ Lake Oswego Public Library  Info:  CLICK HERE  

Wed, Apr 3, 2019 – 1:00-2:30PM – Supervised Computer lab ~ Every Wednesday you’re invited to Practice, Learn, Get Questions Answered, Download Programs You May Need etc in a fun, helpful environment. –Info:  CLICK HERE     

Thu, Apr 4, 2019 9:00AM-12:00PM – Sculpy Sculpture Camp! ~ Ages 8-12/Repeats every Thurs & Fri and involves building wire and tin foil armatures and covering them with sculpy! ~  CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd: Info & Registration  CLICK HERE

Fri, Apr 5, 2019 1:00-2:00PM – Jottings from 5th and G ~Enthusiastic Writers and Inspired Authors are invited to join and create weekly articles submitted to the Lake Oswego Review! (Monthly 1st Fridays except the month of May)~ Adult Community Center  Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Apr 6, 2019 – 10:00AM – 4:00PM ~ 39th Annual Trillium Festival & Native Plant Sale! ~ Nature & Plant Lovers rejoice!This is the annual gala for learning and indulging in native species for wildlife habitat and more. Tryon Creek Naturak Area, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd.  Learn more about Friends of Tryon Creek HERE. Info on the Festival: CLICK HERE

Sun, Apr 7, 2019 – 1:00PM-3:00PM ~ Iron Mt Park – Stewardship Work Party ~ Time for Spring Cleanup to remove invasive species… and enjoy wandering around in the breathtaking beauty   ; ) Info: CLICK HERE

 

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Lake Oswego’s Own ‘La Provence’!

There are so many reasons to choose to live in Lake Oswego, not the least of which is the quality of amenities offered here in this little hamlet outside of Portland, Oregon.  A small-ish community can often lack the cultural and foodie resources found in a larger city, but here in Lake Oswego, we got lucky.  Lake Oswego has the Lake Theater & Cafe for movies & live music events, as well as the Lake Oswego Center for the Arts which is a 2-stage venue for plays & musicals. Right across the street from that is George Rogers Park which hosts various festivals and concerts all summer long, along with Foothills Park, Westlake Park, Movie Nights and Farmers Markets in Millennium Park Plaza… on & on. Then there are the myriad restaurants & shops found off of State Street as well as Boones Ferry Road (kind of the two “main drags” of Lake Oswego). Lake Oswego does not want for places to obtain delicious food & wine, fancy or practical clothing, gifts…well, you get the idea. There are abundant resources in Lake Oswego for a cozy bedroom community.

Diane and I have put a spotlight on a businesses here & there through the years, and there are so many, but today I just wanted to say a few words about La Provence, restaurant & bakery. I remember discovering it when I first moved to Lake Oswego around 1999, and I came to make it a staple for family dinners and client lunches. Its also the place I go for a special treat for my French husband who is also a chef and rather particular in his taste for treats!  Alain Machtelinckx, Didier Blanc Gonet, and Pascal Tisseur opened it in 1996 a few blocks away from its current location at 16350 Boones Ferry Road when they could not find the  kind of authentic, rustic artisan bread they grew up on, and decided to do something about it. They are dedicated to the food they serve and the ambience they provide. They really try to instill a real old-world feeling into La Provence by doing things themselves… including making the tables and draperies in-house! From macarons to fine cuisine, everything is a reflection of their initial desire to bring the food they so loved in France to Oregon.  Nowadays they have 8 restaurants around the Portland area, but Lake Oswego will always be “home”.   As I mentioned, La Provence moved to a newer and larger restaurant space in Lake Oswego a few years back that is a recommended destination for anyone who loves good food and pleasant environs.

When you have the chance you ought to stop in for a pastry, lunch or dinner!  Lake Oswego is so lucky to have this gem. Here is a link to their main website where you can click on Lake Oswego or explore the other locations:  La Provence

As well as a link to their Lake Oswego location’s menu: La Provence Menu

Bon Apetit!

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…How Safe IS it in Lake Oswego?

Photo from Lake Oswego Review

Lots of people in Lake Oswego don’t lock their doors, or worry too much about locking their cars when, say, visiting a friend or shopping, or stopping for a latte (don’t tell anyone).  Its a little-known fact nowadays (since they changed the name of it to Police Log) that we named the Property Blotter 11 years ago after the Lake Oswego Review’s “Police Blotter”.  They’ve long published the unvarnished goings on as reported by the police. Now, there is some real stuff here & there, but by & large and it is hilarious to read for its lack of any real substance …Kids having a late night party while mom & dad were out on a date night, window washers reported for breaking into a house, regular folks reported for loitering while just waiting for their friend to show up for a meeting at their home,  dogs stealing chew toys…you get the picture. Its one of the reasons people move here.

Now its official. Lake Oswego was just named: Safest City in Oregon.

Here’s the scoop as just published in the Lake Oswego Review: CLICK HERE FOR STORY

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Plastics and Recycling

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?

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This Week in Lake Oswego ~ Dec 10-15

The Holiday Spirit has infused Lake Oswego, the lights & the community tree are all up, and celebratory, musical, educational and all kinds of activities are ongoing as they are every week.

Here are my picks for things happening this week!

Mon, Dec 10 2018– 3:00-3:30PM –  Music for Babies ~ -Every Monday this program welcomes you to learn about music, singing and how babies learn and are affected by it. Learn about musical development in the very young. ~ Lake Oswego Public Library –  Info:  CLICK HERE

Tue, Dec 11, 2018 –  7:00-8:30PM – The Craft of Photography Part 2 (with Thor Spyros) ~ Long-time Lake Oswego resident and former Rolling Stone photographer (among many other national publications) presents this free program on the art & craft of photography. ~ Lake Oswego Public Library  Info:  CLICK HERE  

Wed, Dec 12, 2018 – 1:00-2:00PM – Three Pound Note ~ Ex Pats from the UK, Andrea Wild and Hugo Glanville, bring traditional music from Wales, Cornwall & England and…stories! ~ Lake Oswego Public Library –Info:  CLICK HERE     

Thu, Dec 13, 2018 2:30-3:30PM – Kids Make Things! ~ This drop-in program on the lower level is for ages K-5 and fosters creativity in kids every 2nd Thursday! ~  Lake Oswego Public Library:  CLICK HERE

Fri, Dec 14, 2018 – Toy Drive Drop-Off Deadline ~Drop off your unwrapped gifts at the Fire Department or Lake Oswego Public Library Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Dec 15, 2018 – 2:00 – 4:00PM ~ Holiday Concert – Mistletoe & Starlight! ~ Tony Starlight brings back timeless holiday traditions and songs with a comedic twist!  Lake Oswego High School Auditorium Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Dec 15, 2018 – 6:00 PM ~ Christmas Ships Parade! ~ Gather at Foothills Park, 199 Foothills Rd, to watch the Christmas Ships in all their bright finery! 60 boats are expected to make their way to Lake Oswego. Info: CLICK HERE

 

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Lake Oswego Parks and Rec

As a resident of Lake Oswego I get a paper copy of the Lake Oswego Parks and Rec programs mailed to me 3 times a year: Spring/Winter, Summer, and Fall. There is a abundance of offerings! Seriously, there is something for everyone. Classes for kids include Fairy-tale Ballet and Little-tykes Soccer, adults offerings include fitness classes, gardening classes, art classes, it’s a buffet of the finest!

I am particularly drawn to the hikes and walks that are offered weekly. They range from easy strolls to challenging mountain hikes.

I am thinking about the wonder of the Parks and Rec department because I am currently participating in two different programs: Quilling and Beginning Tap Dance for Adults.

I honestly didn’t even know what quilling was when I signed up for it. I enjoy art and I knew it has something to do with paper. I’ve been a watercolor painter for my entire adult life and lately I’ve been thinking it would be fun to combine water color and paper, and maybe ink, to create some mixed media pieces. So I signed up for the quilling class that was held two weeks ago. The cost for the class was $27 and all supplies were provided. It was a 3 hour class. The time flew by! Quilling is pretty specific. It requires exact tools and the paper is made for the purpose. If I had decided to check it out on my own I suspect that I would have spent a good deal more money. Including the instructor there were five of us. It was a lovely few hours of listening to some music and have conversation with the others who attended. The time and the money was well spent.

The other class, beginning tap for adults, is something that I have had on my bucket list for years. There is just something about tap dance that appeals to me. When I attend movies or live shows that have tap my feet start moving. I can not stop them! My daughter knew about my interest in tap and she bought us both tap shoes. I spent some time on the phone trying to find professional lessons. The classes being offered professionally were expensive! Then it occurred to me that perhaps LO Parks and Rec offered them. Low and behold they did. Six classes for $57. Not expensive and not a huge time commitment so that I can put my toes in the water without having to jump in the pool.

I just really love the opportunities that are available here in LO. If you’d like to know more about the Lake Oswego Parks and Rec department click here.

Happy tapping,
Dianne