Category: Community

All about Living in Lake Oswego, Oregon

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Congratulations Linda and Serge!

kissI want to extend a huge, happy congratulations to Linda Rossi and Serge Ouattara. They were married yesterday surrounded by their many friends and loved ones.

I don’t remember exactly when I met Linda, but I know it has been at least 10 years. She is just the most wonderful person. She and I have shared our real estate journey, but we have also shared our personal journey. We were Realtors during the great recession, we both faced serious health issues, we both raised sons who are nearly the same age, we have seen each other stay steadfast and strong. Serge came into Linda’s life about 3 years ago (forgive me Linda if I don’t have the time lines exactly right). From the day she met Serge there was a spark of something special. Serge is a wonderful man and he has brought joy into Linda’s life. I am just thrilled for the Serge & Linda Cropped 082915two of them.

So congratulations Linda and Serge. Here’s wishing you a lifetime of friendship, love, and laughter.

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The Holidays in Lake Oswego!

It is indeed a Winter Wonderland every year in Lake Oswego!Candy

Here are just a few options for your To-Do list:

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2nd Annual Community Treasure Hunt

0000352940106760 Unique Doves are being hidden around Lake Oswego. From December 1st to 23rd, they will be hidden in the Gallery Without Walls, in City Parks, and in local businesses. Each dove is a unique, hand-made design that is made from fired porcelain and imprinted with vintage crochet, blue glaze. The artist is Dorothy Steele. Each dove is signed, dated and numbered.

I would love to find one! Perhaps I’ll see you out and about as the treasure hunt ensues. Good luck!

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The Swim Parks

Lake Oswego has two swim parks. Who can use them can be a bit confusing. There is a common misconception that you must live within the Lake Oswego School District to be eligible. While that is partially true, it is not the case.

Lake Oswego Swim Park
Lake Oswego Swim Park
The Lake Oswego Swim Park

This swim park is located at 250 Ridgeway Rd on the West end of the Lake. To use this park you must be a resident of Lake Oswego. Use of the park is free. Hours of operation at 1-6 pm daily, weather permitting. The park features life guards on duty during all operating hours, diving platforms, water sprayers, inner tubes, outdoor showers, and lounge chairs. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by someone who is at least 16 years of age. So this park is widely available to any one who is a resident of Lake Oswego.

Lake Grove Swim Park
Lake Grove Swim Park
The Lake Grove Swim Park

This swim park is located at 3800 Lakeview Blvd on the East end of the lake. This swim park was originally deeded to the former Lake Grove School District by the Oregon Iron and Steel Company. The Lake Grove School District merged with the Lake Oswego School District in 1953. While the districts merged, the use of this swim park remains with people who live within the former Lake Grove School District’s boundary. (For a link to the website that has a copy of this map, click here) People who live within this district pay an additional property tax to maintain and operate this park. To use the park you simply must provide photo ID with proof of your address and a park pass will be issued. You then show your pass when you use the park.

This park has life guards on duty during all operating hours (12-8pm daily, weather permiting). There is also ping pong, volleyball, tether ball, and basketball. There is a concrete wading pool for children 7 and younger. Additionally, swim lessons are offered for all children in Lake Oswego, even those who are not eligible for a park pass.

With the hot summer days we’ve been enjoying, now is the time to get out to the swim parks and take advantage of the recreational opportunities that come from living in Lake Oswego.

Enjoy!
Dianne

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Happy 4th of July, Lake Oswego!

Happy 4th of July Lake Oswego!

This morning I got up bright and early to extend an effort to bring some patriotic spirit to my fellow neighbors here in Lake Grove on Bonaire. Nobody knows your neighborhood like your neighbor!
I have lived in the Lake Grove area since I was 12, and what a wonderful part of Lake Oswego it is. There are peacocks that parade up and down Bonaire, which add to the lavish and unique experience.
One of my favorite things to do on the 4th of July, in my neighborhood, is light off small fireworks along our street (while staying mindful of the traffic and the wildlife), before heading down to the lake to see the spectacular fireworks display at 9:45pm.
This 4th I hope that everybody has fun and staff holiday!

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Tennis Opportunities

09_tennis_resurfI think there are quite a number of things that add to quality of life, and staying active and fit is one of them. For some that may involve aerobics, weights, walking, running, swimming, any number of activities. The greater your options, the greater the odds are that you’ll stay active, and tennis is a great option.

The City of Lake Oswego offers indoor and outdoor tennis options.

Outdoor tennis is found in 7 locations, 2 of which have lighting for evening use. These courts are first-come, first-serve with the exception of the courts that are located on school property. Use at those locations is affected by school use as well. But they are pretty simple to use and easy to find. For a list of locations, click here.

The indoor courts can be found at the Tennis Center at 2900 Diane Drive in Springbrook Park. Open daily from 6:00am to 9:00pm, courts are available on an hourly basis for $18 per hour. Reservations can be made up to a week in advance. For convenience you can buy lump sum packages (still at $18 an hour). In July there is a lottery for up to 4.5 months of advance reservations in September to May.

dsc_0387The indoor facility has four courts. There are a wide variety of activities for all ages, and all abilities: general use, lessons, competitions, youth tennis, it’s very impressive.

Of special note, the Lake Oswego Tennis Center, with sponsorship from the Greater Portland Tennis Council, provides the only Special Olympics tennis program in the State of Oregon.

Also, be aware for about 2 weeks each summer the facility is closed for maintenance. Last year the 2 weeks were in August.

I hope you find this helpful. Enjoy!
Dianne

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Giving

DonateWe’re all focusing on the holidays right now and all that goes along with that, so I thought it might be a good idea to take a look at things we might be wanting to include on our to-do lists & consider taking care of before the end of the year. Namely…Giving!  This is the Celebrating & Giving time of year, and, many want to think ahead about tax time as well.  If you’re going to give anyway…. this is definitely the time to do it!

Here are some worthy ideas for your consideration:

  • In the community of Lake Oswego, there are many organizations doing fantastic work. Click Here for information on a variety of Lake Oswego-based non-profits that could use your help.
  • Here’s a great resource  site to help yopu evaluate the most worthy recipients of your donations based on their research:  The Portland “Give Guide”
  • One of the things that sets Lake Oswego apart is its committment to the arts, and the availability and visibility of art all through the year and on its very streets. If art is important to you, consider donating to the Arts Council.
  • Speaking of giving, I know from my days in a Lake Oswego Schools Booster Club, that every community has needy families.  Some of your kids’ friends may very well have parents who’ve lost a job, or are in some sort of upheaval and wondering how they’re going to be able to pay their bills let alone create a semi normal-feeling holiday for their household .  Your favorite local school probably has names of families in need. Give a call to the school of your choice and think about donating a holiday roast or turkey, or just dropping off a few gifts.  The school counselor usually knows just what to do with this kind of generosity, and you’ll know you really made a difference for some needy family in your own neighborhood.
  • If animals are near and dear to your heart, there are lots of options for donating.  The Oregon Humane Society is an obvious choice, and/but some smaller outfits that take up the slack and don’t have quite the visibility of the OHS would be heart-warmed to receive your donation.  One that is recommended to me by someone in the know is the Family Dogs New Life Shelter. It is a no-kill shelter that does excellent work.
  • Lake Oswego’s Tryon Creek is such a treasure to the community. If nature and its continued availability in communities, and specifically Lake Oswego, is important to you, consider donating to Friends of Tryon Creek.

There are so many great choices, I thought I’d highlight just a few and give you some links to resources that offer many options. Enjoy your holidays, and the Joys that come with the season!

 

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Kiss Comes to LO

00003493641709There hasn’t been this much excitement over a celebrity sighting in LO since Bruce Springsteen married Julianne Phillips in a midnight wedding at Our Lady of the Lake Church.

On September 14th, Kiss played a charity concert at the home of Rick and Erika Miller on Jantzen Island. I first learned about it when a friend posted on facebook that they had stumbled upon the concert while out on their boat for an evening jaunt. Pretty cool to find a surprise concert.

It turns out that band member Tommy Thayer is the son of James Thayer, now 93, who was a part of George Patton’s 3rd Army that liberated several Nazi death camps at the end of World War II. A military museum is now being build at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas. The new museum, now under construction, is going to be named after Tommy Thayer’s father. It will be the Brig. Gen. James B Thayer Oregon Military Museum.

00003493641728Honoring the U.S. Military is a passion of the band. There is even a possibility that Gene Simmons mother was in one of the camps that Tommy Thayer’s Dad helped liberate.

The event raised $1.15 million for the construction of the museum.

What I like about this story is that Kiss came to town. I mean, come on, it’s Kiss. The other thing I like is that it means LO is a small enough town that it’s a big deal.

Dianne

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The Haps in Lake Oswego

sunDianne and I hope you are enjoying your summertime! If you are one of our many Lake Oswego readers, or working on moving to Lake Oswego (call us if you need help : ), here are some of the fun August activities you may want to sample:

* Annual Photo Contest! – Entries must be submitted by 5 p.m Sep. 4th – Photo Submission Categories include Life, Places, People, Positive Aging, Youth and Pets in Lake Oswego – Click HERE for more info.

* Collector Car & Classic Boat Pre- Show and Show – Sat & Sun/Aug 16th  & 17th – Foothills Dock / & George Rogers Park  – Click HERE for more details.

* Lake Oswego Farmers Market – Every Saturday, 8:30 – 1:30PM – Millennium Plaza Park -Click HERE for more details.

* Moonlight & Music Concerts – Every Sun – 6:00-7:30PM – Millennium Plaza Park  (Aaron Meyer Aug 10th)  – All are Welcome.  Click HERE for more info.

* Movies in the Park –  Every Thursday –  8:00-10:00PM – Millenium Plaza Park – Click HERE for more info.

* Master the Art of Poetry – Every Saturday – 10 – 11:15AM  – Lake Oswego West End Building  Click HERE for more info.

Very Best,

Linda

 

 

 

 

 Note: This is not intended to solicit existing business relationships from other Realtors.

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The Haps in Lake Oswego

4thSummer is in full swing and Lake Oswego offers a variety of ongoing family and community events for your pleasure.

The following is a sampling of activities coming right up in Lake Oswego:

 

* Iron Works Historic Tour – Saturday, June 28 – 8:30-10:30AM – George Rogers Park – Click HERE for more info.

* Kindercamp! – “1/2 Days”  M-F thru Aug 15th  – 4101 Kruse Way – Click HERE for more details.

* Understanding US Military Patches – Tues, June 24, 7:00 – 8:30PM – Lake Oswego Library -Click HERE for more details.

* Supervised Computer Lab – Every Wed – 1:00-2:30PM – Adult Community Center – All are Welcome. Click HERE for more.

* Star Spangled Parade and Celebration!!! –  Fri, July 4th – (staging at 9AM) 10:00AM-2:00PM – Millenium Plaza Park – Click HERE for more info.

* Lake Corp Fireworks!!!  (+Road Closure Info) – Fri, July 4th – 9 – 11AM   –  Click HERE for more info.