Category: Community

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.

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 coming week in Lake Oswego:

Sept 9, 2024 – 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, Sept 10, 2024 – 2:30-4:30 PM ~ Slow Jam (Repeats Tuesdays) – 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, Sept 11, 2024 – 1:00-4:00 PM ~Creative Hands ( Repeats Wednesdays ) ~ Make new friends & join this group of volunteers working with donated materials that they turn into uselful items that are then donated to various non-profit organizations.~ACC, 505 G Avenue Lake Oswego ~ More Info :  CLICK HERE

Thurs, Sept 12, 2024 – 5:30-6:30 PM ~Tree Protection Plans and Tree Code Violations- Workshop (Hybrid In-Person & Online)~ Learn about the City’s tree code requirements, including protecting trees during construction, including enforcement, violations & investigation.  Lake Oswego City Hall – Council Chamber, 380 A Ave, Third Floor – More Info & Registration:  CLICK HERE

Fri, Sept 13, 2024 – 10:00 AM ~Oktoberfest (Sept) in Mt. Angel~ All aboard! Join new & old friends alike enjoying a day in Mt Angel to experience Octoberfest with craft beers, German cuisine, live music, traditional dance & other cultural activities. Lunch TBA. Make it an unforgettable day! ~ More Info & Registration: CLICK HERE

Sat, Sept 14, 2024 – 8:30AM-1:30 PM – Lake Oswego Farmers Market!~ Wander through all the produce and artisan booths while listening to live music (10:30-12:30). This Farmers Market experience is not to be missed…if you’re looking for it you’ll find it here~  superior produce, meats, seafood, nuts, cheeses, artisan baked goods, jams, jellies, salsas, hummus, nursery items, hot foods, artisan crafts and more! ~ Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st St, Lake Oswego~ More Info : CLICK HERE

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

Mon, July 15, 2024 – 1:00-2:00 PM ~ Conversational Spanish Group ( Repeats on Mondays )- Come and join the conversational Spanish group and practice your language skills. ACC, 505 G Ave, Lake Oswego  MORE INFO HERE

Tues, July 16, 2024 – 2:30-4:30 PM ~ Slow Jam ( Repeats Tuesdays ) – 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, July 17, 2023 – 5:30-6:30 PM ~ Raising Puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind ~ (Livestream + In-Person Hybrid)  Learn more about Guide Dogs for the Blind in this presentation by two volunteers, a guide dog user and a puppy in training as well as an experienced guide dog. ~ Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth St ~ More Info :  CLICK HERE

Thurs, July 18, 2023 – 12:30-2:00 PM ~Poetry Group ~ Bring your own poem or one from your favorite published author to share. Enjoy readings, discussion and refreshments in this monthly group meeting at teh Library. ~ 706 4th St, Lake Oswego – More Info:  CLICK HERE

Fri, July 19, 2023 – 10:00-11:30 AM ~ Friday Discussion Group ~ Come join other involved & interested people for this monthly group exchanging ideas. Learn more in the link! ACC, 505 G Avenue Lake Oswego ~ More Info: CLICK HERE

Sat, July 20, 2023 – 8:30AM-1:30 PM – Lake Oswego Farmers Market!~ Wander through all the produce and artisan booths while listening to live music (10:30-12:30). This Farmers Market experience is not to be missed…if you’re looking for it you’ll find it here~  superior produce, meats, seafood, nuts, cheeses, artisan baked goods, jams, jellies, salsas, hummus, nursery items, hot foods, artisan crafts and more! ~ Millennium Plaza Park, 200 1st St, Lake Oswego~ More Info/TICKETS: CLICK HERE

The LO Festival of the arts was founded in 1963, making this years show the 61st. It’s a real highlight of the year here in LO. The purpose of the festival is to showcase local art and artists, and to provide arts education for the entire community. This year’s event is happening June 21-23. It is being held in two locations. The Lakewood Center for the arts is located at 368 S State Street. The second location is right across the street in George Roger’s Park.

Every year there is a featured exhibit. This year’s is called “Imagine That”. It’s a really intriguing idea and pretty different from what they have done in the past. This year local school children, grades K-8, have been asked to create imaginary animals. Those drawings in turn have been given to professional artists who have re-imagined them using their own unique style. It will be really fascinating to see how one creation is transformed into a second one.

A second exhibit is called Open Hearts Big Dreams. It is a exhibit in which 17 artists have been invited to to paint and draw artwork that features “Ethiopian Dances”. Some of the art is being made during the exhibit, and some of it will be completed before. The work will be compiled into a book to be shared with families in Ethiopia.

Then there is the open show. It’s held in a big tent at the Lakewood Center. This is a juried exhibit for local artists. We have amazing talent in the Pacific Northwest and there are always some absolutely gorgeous work. Much of it is offered for sale, so it’s a great place to expand your own collection.

Across the street at George Roger’s Park is the “Art in the Park”. With over 100 booths of local craftsman selling their creations. There are also 2 stages where music is performed all weekend. This is also where you’ll find food and beverages available to round out your afternoon.

Parking can be tight, so there is a shuttle bus that allows you to park off site and get a ride to the event. For a pdf of the shuttle stops, click here.

Festival hours are Friday and Saturday, 9:00-6:00, and Sunday, 9:00-5:00. The festival is free admission. For more information, click here.

I hope to see your there!

Dianne