Lake Oswego makes itself available in terms of opening up to visitors in meetings of all kinds in it’s community approach to tackling the issues that are important to us all. There is so much going on in Lake Oswego and in our own lives that sometimes it’s hard to keep up! Never fear~ If you are interested in a particular issue and are not able to attend a meeting, or want to attend any number of virtual meetings, you can always check in online, or watch it later on repeat in the comfort of your own home. Here’s the Link! CLICK HERE
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.
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.
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.
One of the really terrific resources available in Lake Oswego is the Adult Community Center. Located at 505 G Avenue, it’s another great reason to live in LO.
There is just a huge variety of activities and services that the center provides. This post will highlight a portion of what is offered. For more information and details click here.
Let’s start with Congregate Lunch and Lunch to Go. Monday, Wednesday and Friday a hot and nourishing lunch is served at 11:30. There is a suggested donation of $4. You can eat at the center and enjoy the company of others, or you can take it to go. On those same days meals are also delivered thru Meals on Wheels.
Within the center you can participate in an assortment of programs.
There are several discussion groups. Current topics are Sports, Media and Culture of the 1960’s, Modern Day Ethics and Society (that would be really interesting!), and Preparing for the Next Chapter Life after 60.
They offer caregiver support for people caring for aging people who have mild to moderate memory loss. This allows the caregiver to drop off the person that they care for and have a couple of hours of respite.
They also offer classes. Here are some current topics:
Grieving the loss of a pet
Preparing your home for aging
Ways to empower yourself in health care
Fraud prevention
The second Friday of each month they offer The Senior Law Project. This is a program where seniors can get a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney
Then there are the trips.
They offer the ability to go grocery shopping twice a month. They offer Let’s Do Lunch. This is super easy and does not require a lot of mobility. Basically a group of folks go to local restaurants and have lunch together. Requiring a bit more mobility are day trips. These are usually to local museums and points of interest. This requires some light walking. Then there are overnight trips. What fun to share an adventure a little farther away! This does require walking and greater mobility.
Did I mention that there is actually a trip coming up that is a tour of local venues to taste pastries? That sounds delightful.
There’s a Movie Matinee program, a Bowling Buddies Club, and trips to Spirit Mountain Casino.
In my own life, my Mom had post-polio syndrome. Resulting from having had polio as a young woman, it was a progressive disorder that affected her mobility. She mostly used a walker in her later years, but occasionally we’d make plans where I knew that much more walking would be required. The day before our planned outing I’d stop by the LO Adult Community Center and check out a wheelchair. My recollection was that I could keep if for a day or two and there was no charge. It was a great help!
This is just a tidbit of all that is available at the center. What a great resource!
Here are my picks for what to do in Lake Oswego this week~
Mon, Jan 29, 2024 – 6:00-8:00 PM ~ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Board Meeting (Last Monday every month)- Learn how you can be involved in this dynamic community activity. ***Via Zoom*** MORE INFO HERE
Tues, Jan 30, 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, Jan 31, 2023 – 1:00-4:00 PM ~Creative Hands ~ This group of volunteers meets to work with donated materials, creating useful items for the community ~ ACC, 505 G Avenue Lake Oswego ~ More Info :CLICK HERE
Thurs, Feb 1, 2023 – 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM ~ Indoor Playground!~Bring your little ones 4 yrs old and under to play indoors where it’s warm & dry…& fun! ~ CCP / Cummins Hall, 1060 Chandler Road – More Info:CLICK HERE
Fri, Feb 2, 2023 – 2:00-4:00 PM ~ Family Movie Matinee~ Start your long weekend with a movie on a rainy day at cozy Children’s Library. ~ Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth St ~ More Info:CLICK HERE
Sat, Feb 3, 2023 – 1:00-4:00 PM – Lunar New Year Festival!~ Come celebrate the Year of the Dragon with stories, songs, poetry, dance performances, red envelope-folding, dumpling-making lessons & more! ~ Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth St ~ More Info:CLICK HERE
While we are all looking forward to celebration of the holidays, it’s not too early to start figuring out how to recycle your Christmas tree, if you have one to recycle.
Republic Services allows trees to be recycled in the normal curbside collection via your yard debris. Please remember that the tree must fit completely within the bin, and that may mean that you need to cut it up. They also offer tree pick up, for a fee, if you do not have yard debris collection as part of your normal service. You can call them at 503-636-3011, to make arrangements.
Local Scout Troop 221 will be recycling Christmas trees and wreaths between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 6 and Sunday, January 7. The drive-up recycling service will be located at the Mountain Park Church overflow parking lot (SW Jefferson Ave. & SW McNary Pkwy). The suggested donation is $12 per tree, $10 for wreath, and $15 for pick up in area codes 97219, 97034, 97035. Flocked trees are not accepted. This troop chips and mulches on site to help beautify the neighborhood. To schedule pick up, visit http://www.bsatroop221.us
Local Lake Oswego Girl Scout Troop 40343 will be recycling trees and wreaths from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the upper parking lot of George Rogers on the following dates: December 29, 30, 31 and January 1, 6, 7. Suggested starting donation is $20. If you have any questions, please email troop40343@gmail.com(link sends e-mail)
Lake Osweg Scout Troop 555 will be recycling Christmas trees and wreaths between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, and Sunday, January 7. The drive up recycling service will be in the Yakima parking lot at 4101 Kruse Way in Lake Oswego. The suggested donation is $10 per tree and $8 per wreath. For questions, please email Keith Morris, Scoutmaster, at kpmorris@centurylink.net
They also make for a very nice fire in outdoor fireplaces, which is what my husband and I will be doing.
The Arts Council of Lake Oswego has set up a holiday market place where you will find beautiful arts and crafts for sale. Ceramics, jewelry, ornaments, cards, candles, soaps, textiles and more can be found at the ARTspace, 380 A Avenue, Suite A. Hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 10 to 5.
There are 28 artists participating, with 2 featured artists. Janl Pahl does encaustic paintings that capture the beauty of the natural world. LeBrie Rich is a felt artist. She has created felting kits that make it easy for anyone to explore the art of felting.
The Holiday Market Place runs through December 23rd.
Another option is participating in the Holiday Savings Pass. Sponsored by the Lake Oswego and West Linn Business Recovery Center and the local Chambers, the Wander Willamette’s mobile BE LOCAL Holiday Savings Pass can be picked up at www.wanderwillamette.com/holidaypass. Simply check in and start enjoying savings at local businesses.
What a great way to support the local community by spending your holiday dollars right in your own neighborhood.
Thanksgiving is, for me, hands down my favorite holiday. It’s so simple. Friends, family, and pausing to give thanks for the bounty that is our lives. Not overly commercialized. Not about “stuff”, but about the basics of what is really important in life.
Linda and I want to wish many blessings upon you and your family this Thanksgiving. Enjoy the turkey, the stuffing, and the pumpkin pie. But, mostly, enjoy your family and your friends. Happiest of Thanksgiving to you and yours.
