Category: Community

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

The City of Lake Oswego offers play opportunities for children ages 0-4. It’s an indoor program, so perfect no matter the weather. Activities that are offered include climbing, active playing, sensory toys and more. Parents and caregivers are required to stay and supervise their child.

There is a drop-in fee of $4 for the first child and $2 for each additional sibling. You can also buy a 15 visit punch pass for $40 or $70 for a second sibling.

The hours are Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 1pm. The program is held at Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Rd. For more information, click here.

There are so many great things to do in LO, and this one is perfect for the youngest of us.

Happy St Patrick’s Day to you!

Dianne

I’m a walker. I try to walk at least 5 days a week and Lake Oswego has got some great paths for enjoying outdoor walks. This is just one of many.

For this walk I park my car at Hazelia Field at Luscher Farm along Stafford Road. The path is easy to find.

It is mostly asphalt, although there is a stretch of about 500 feet that is gravel.

The terrain is rolling hills, which I like. A little gentle up and a little gentle down makes for better exercise. This is an out-and-back walk. So you can go a little ways or a long ways. The path transitions into a path that is in West Linn, so you can take it for a very longs ways, if you want to.

A side benefit, if you are walking with a furry friend, is that it begins and ends at the off-leash dog park at Hazalia Field. From my experience, a tired dog is a good dog. Enjoy.

Dianne

Here are my picks for what to do in Lake Oswego this week~

Mon, Feb 26, 2024 – 1:00-3:00 PM ~ Stress-Busting for Family Caregivers – (FREE – Mondays till 3/18)- This program has been proven to help family caregivers caring for a loved-one with chronic illness, Alzheimer’s, etc. to cope better with their lives. Call 503-635-3758 to inquire. MORE INFO HERE

Tues, Feb 27, 2024 – 2:30-4:30 PM ~ Slow Jam ~ Come & enjoy playing music with others! Bring your instrument and make some musical friends.. – ACC, 505 G Avenue Lake Oswego More Info: CLICK HERE

Wed, Feb 28, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 PM ~ MLK Community Celebration ~ (Livestream + In-Person Hybrid)  Celebrate and commemorate Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s life with art, musical performances and more! (This was rescheduled to now due to the ice storm earlier) ~ Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth St ~ More Info :  CLICK HERE

Thurs, Feb 29, 2023 – 7:00 PM ~ Lakewood Theater Evening Performances (Dress Rehearsal!) ~Register for this awesome opportunity to enjoy live dress rehearsal performances. Must register & be there for doors opening (7:00) & curtain rising at 7:30. ~ 368 S. State St, Lake Oswego – More Info:  CLICK HERE

Fri, Mar 1, 2023 – 11:30 AM ~ Strength & Stretching ~ Full body strength training using various equipment integrating mobility and stretches! Please bring your own mat. ACC, 505 G Avenue Lake Oswego ~ More Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Mar 2, 2023 – 6:00-8:30 PM – Swingin’ Sock Hop! ~ they’re calling it the “Small Tall Ball” for children & guardians. Put on your poodle skirt & hit the dance floor! The dance includes dinner, dessert, DJ, crafts… just a fun time in the 50’s for an evening.~ CCP, 1060 Chandler Road~ More Info/TICKETS: CLICK HERE

The book for Lake Oswego Reads 2024 has been announced. It will be Honor by Thrity Umrigar.

Umrigar is the best selling author of numerous books including The Space Between Us and The Museum of Failures. The story follows two couples as they navigate the dangerous and heartbreaking challenges of love across cultural divides.

This is the 18th year for Lake Oswego Reads. I’ve read the chosen book many times and have come to trust the selections. The basic idea is that the community all read the same book and then enjoy city-wide events for the month of April. These events include art displays, history discussions, food tastings, and more. It all culminates when the author comes into town to give a talk on the book and the writing process.

Friends of Lake Oswego Library has obtained 1000 copies of the book that will be given away on March 2nd. The library has also obtained both hard copies and audio copies for borrowing.

I do plan to obtain a copy and enjoy the book. I hope you will as well. For more information, click here.

Dianne