Category: Community

Hunger Fighters Oregon is a local food resource for those experiencing food insecurity. Located across the street from the Mountain Park Shopping Center, 4 Monroe Parkway, it distributes food on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. They are in need of volunteers to help with cleaning and gleaning.

The cleaners work in small teams organizing the food donations so that the food pantry is organized and ready to go before they open to the public.

The gleaners travel to Gleaners of Clackamas County and collect the food that is donated there and then bring it back to the pantry and organize it.

Please also remember that donations are accepted 24/7 at the donation closet that is outside of the pantry next to the front door.

For more information, click here.

Mon, Feb 10, 2025 – 10:-00-11:30 AM ~ Exploring Creativity and Passion in Retirement (series-Repeats on Mondays ) Rediscover your creative self and explore your passions in this series led by the ACC’s Recreation Specialist, Nicolette Hume. Based on Julia Cameron’s acclaimed book, “It’s Never Too Late to Begin Again”.- 505 G Avenue, Lake Oswego ~   CLICK HERE

Tues, Feb 11 , 2025 – 10:30AM ~ Preschool Storytime – (Series on Tuesdays) Bring your 3-5-year-olds for fun every week on Tuesdays at the Library where you’ll enjoy reading stories, singing songs and enjoying this community-building get together. Lake Oswego Library, 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego More Info: CLICK HERE

Wed, Feb 12, 2025 – 10:00-11:30AM ~Hybrid Genealogy Interest Group (series) ~ Interested in exploring familial history and engaging in genealogical research? This group meets the 2nd Wed of each month. ~Zoom and in-person ACC, 505 G Ave, Lake Oswego ~ More Info :  CLICK HERE

Thurs, Feb 13, 2025 – 9:30AM-4:00 PM ~A Gallery Tour of Artistic Treasures (Feb Tour)~ Enjoy this exploration of a curated selection of Portland’s finest galleries ranging from traditional to modern art  ~ ACC, 505 G Avenue Lake Oswego ~  More Info & Registration :  CLICK HERE

Fri, Feb 14, 2025 – 7:00-9:00 PM ~ Living Well Dance featuring the Millennium Dance Band. ~ Come dance to music from the 30’s 40’s and 50’s with ballroom classics. All ages invited. $7.00 at the door. ~CCP, 1060 Chandler Rd~ More Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Feb 15, 2024 – 10:30-11:30AM – LO Robotics Program (Feb 15 & 22nd)~ Ages 5 & up: Come learn how robots work, watch them do cool tricks & get to drive a robot around! There will be full sized and small Lego-Robots. ~For more info on registration email: info@lorobotics.org Website for LO Robotics: LO ROBOTICS ~ More : Additional Info

This next week we will be flirting with snow and winter weather most of the week. Just over a year ago Lake Oswego had a massive winter storm that felled trees, knocked out power, and generally wreaked havoc. Those sorts of storms are rare. This winter has, in fact, been very mild. But you just don’t know. The time to prepare is before the storm hits.

Last winter my household was without power for 6 days. We do have equipment to cook and heat, all indoor rated, that require propane. We had to go to Hillsboro, a part of the metro area that wasn’t hit hard by the storm, to find propane. Around LO, it was all sold out. I never want to be caught in that situation again.

PGE puts out a really simple list of things that you can do to prepare for a storm:

1. Make sure that you have medication. If it needs refrigeration, have a cooler that you can put ice in.
2. If you have a generator, make sure that you have fuel and extension cords.
3. Plan to use flashlights instead of candles and make sure that you have batteries and back-up batteries in sufficient supply.
4. Make sure that you have drinking water.
5. Charge up your electronics and plan a way to recharge those devices. Get an adaptor for your car. Consider also having a portable charger. We found a battery operated one that could charge our phones and our portable devices.
6. Purchase ice or freeze containers of water to put into your freezer and refrigerator. Last year it was so cold that we simply bagged up the contents of our refrigerator and freezer and put it out into the garage.
7. Keep handy a list of important phone numbers such as for the doctor, hospital, and veterinarian.
8. Make sure that your car is accessible.

So far, the forecast next week is just a flirtation with winter. No major storm is forecast, thank goodness. We will have the chance of winter storms for about 6 more weeks, so plan ahead. Stay safe and stay warm.

Dianne

Living in Lake Oswego is an experience of community. That’s why we post these little snippets of activities offered by various groups! Here are my picks for what to do this week in Lake Oswego:

Mon, Jan 13, 2025 – 10:30 AM ~ Early Childhood Music and Movement In Mandarin Chinese (Repeats on Mondays )- This outstanding program is for young learners ages 2-5 ranging from little or no to high levels of fluency in Mandarin. The series includes movement, play, instruments and stories and is sponsored by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library and admission is free/first come/first served. 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego ~   CLICK HERE

Tues, Jan 14 , 2025 – 6:30-8:00 PM ~ Pints from the Past: Oswego Suffragists -Meet the women in early Oswego who fought to better their community. Sponsored by Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library. This presentation and exhibit explores exactly what they did to fight for the rights we have today. (Free, AND Refreshment purchases are encouraged to offset the cost to the lake Theater & Cafe : ) – Lake Theater & Cafe, 106 North State Street, Lake Oswego More Info: CLICK HERE

Wed, Jan 15, 2025 – 1:00-3:00PM (weekly thru Feb 12th) ~Living Well with Chronic Conditions (series) ~ This program offers tools & strategies through expert guidance, peer support and practical activities. ~ACC, 505 G Ave, Lake Oswego ~ More Info :  CLICK HERE

Thurs, Jan 16, 2025 – 12:30-2:00 PM ~Poetry Group (series) ~ Bring your own poetry or bring other poetry you love and read it in this supportive environment. There is time for introductions, poetry readings and organic discussion every 3rd Thursday. ~ Lake Oswego Library, 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego ~  More Info :  CLICK HERE

Fri, Jan 17, 2025 – 10:30-11:00 AM ~Spanish Language Story and Play (series) ~ Jessica Amezcua from Adventures in Spanish shares songs and stories for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Repeats every 3rd Friday ~Lake Oswego Library, 706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego~ More Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, Jan 18, 2024 – 1:00PM-5:00PM – Teen Study Session ~ With finals around the corner, teens are encouraged to use this space to study and prepare WITH SNACKS! Quieter than with your brothers & sisters running around, and who can resist the snacks! Study groups are Ok too. ~ Lake Oswego Library,706 Fourth St, Lake Oswego ~ More Info : CLICK HERE

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite activities at this time of year is driving around looking at the lights on houses. There are a few neighborhoods that are especially festive: Westlake, Palisades, really, most of LO. But there is a house that is really amazing. The owner’s go all out.

Officially known as Todd and MIchelle’s Winter Wonderland, it is located at 19242 Indian Springs: on the corner of Indian Springs and Child’s Rd.

There’s plenty of parking and the owners love it when people take the time to get out of their cars and really look at all of the displays. I don’t think that there is a square foot of house or yard that isn’t covered with lights and decorations.

Christmas is the main event, but these home owners also do stunning displays for Halloween and Easter. It’s really fun to make the drive over and take it all in.

Happy holidays,

Dianne

All year around, less fortunate people need help from the community. I think of that Everclear song “I will buy you a new life” with the lyrics about a welfare Christmas. This is just a really rough time of year to be down on your luck. Because of this, there are some terrific community opportunities to make someone’s holidays just a bit brighter.

Annual Toy Drive

The Lake Oswego Fire Department is accepting new, unwrapped toys. Toys can be dropped off until December 11th at the main fire station (300 B Ave) or at the library (706 4th St). The toys are then distributed by the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge.

Warm Clothing Drive

New coats, hats, gloves, and socks can be dropped off at the Adult Community Center (505 G Ave) or at the main fire station or the library until December 10th. They will be distributed by Bethlehem House of Bread in Tigard to local families.

Fleece

Organized by the City’s Youth Action Council, yards of new fleece are being collected to make blankets for the Clackamas Children’s Center. The fabric can be dropped off until December 10th at the Adult Community Center, the Library, or the Teen Lounge (1060 Chandler Rd). Donations need to be made by December 10th.

I am going to call out the obvious, these deadlines are right around the corner and timing is tight. If you miss a deadline, I have one more suggestion. This one is available year around.

Hunger Fighters Oregon

Located at 4 Monroe Parkway, Suite A, this non profit feeds those who are experiencing food insecurity in our community. Non-perishable food can literally be dropped of 24/7, 365 days of the year. They have a decent sized cupboard at the front entry that is secure from the weather. At this time of year, people come in hoping to find items to make a holiday meal. Think about what you prepare for your holiday meal. Is there a recipe that has ingredients that can be donated? I think of things like green bean casserole, canned ham, stuffing mix, a pie crust and pie filling. There are just so many foods that we enjoy at this time of year. If you want to donate a perishable item, that is also possible. You need to donate during hours that the pantry is open. Check their website for details by clicking here.

Thank you for helping those in need this holiday season.

Dianne

As of this month, not only is the skate park open, but so is the parking lot and the restrooms. If you are not in the area, you may not have seen all of the construction happening along Stafford Road between the City Golf Course and Rosemont Rd. The skate park is just one component of this development: the others being a new municipal pool and a large rec center. The skate park is step #1.

More exciting news is that this fall the City was awarded a $1 million matching grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program to fund construction of a play ground and picnic shelter adjacent to the skate park. The goal is to complete these by the summer of 2025.

The skate park is formally known as Rassekh Park. These are wonderful improvements to our community. The combination of skate park, playground and picnic shelter sounds like an ideal place to take the kiddos to work off some of that energy. Enjoy!

Dianne

Riding the Willamette Shore Trolley is a lot of fun. It runs on an old rail line from 313 N State Street in Lake Oswego to Bancroft Street in the South Waterfront in Portland. Round trip takes approximately 90 minutes.

I celebrated my Mom’s birthday on the Trolley several years ago. We brought along a picnic and turned it into an event.

Yesterday, while having lunch at Dang’s on State Street, I saw the Trolley go by. Here I had thought that the 2024 Trolley season was over. Turns out, it’s not.

There are 4 special Trolley events still happening. The first on is today and tomorrow (Oct 26 and 27), Fall Colors Trolley Trips. At noon and 2pm, fares are just $10.

At Christmas there is Fa La La Trolley, a Trolley ride for those who enjoy caroling. The Tinseltown Trolley is being organized by Lake Oswego Parks and Rec and may include a visit from Santa. Last, on December 10th, 13th, 17th, 19th and 21st, the Trolley will run to allow viewing of the Christmas Ship Parade on the Willamette River.

Plan ahead to participate because tickets are sold on a first-serve, first-come basis. For ticket information, click here.

Halloween my be just around the corner, but the holidays are not far behind. Enjoy!

Dianne

This gem turned up on my Facebook feed today: a boat tour of Oswego Lake circa 1987. Much remains (Lake Corporation Building, Jansen Island, The Cabanas), but so much has changed. Most of the tiny houses have been replaced by large mansions. It’s a fun visit to see how it was.