Category: Community

There is a huge misconception about Lake Oswego. Yes, there are very affluent people and multi-million dollar homes, but there are also those on food stamps and living in homeless shelters (Lake Oswego has two). As a Girl Scout Troop Leader for about 12 years I met and interacted with a lot of families. I know first hand that people and families need help in this town. With the holidays fast approaching, this is a good time, if you are able, to do something kind for someone who is less fortunate. Lake Oswego has numerous ways that you can spread holiday cheer.

Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart

Swing by either City Hall (380 A Ave) or the Adult Community Center (505 G Ave) and pick up a stocking. Then fill it with needed items and return it to City Hall by December 6th.

New/Coats/Hats/Gloves/Socks

Purchase and drop these items off at The Adult Community Center (505 G Ave), the LO Fire Station (300 B Ave), or the LO Library (706 Fourth St) by December 8th

Toy Drive

By December 15th drop off new, unwrapped, toys at the Fire Station (300 B Ave) or the LO Library (706 Fourth St)

Food Donations

All year you can drop off non-perishable food and essential hygiene items at the LO Library (706 Fourth St), the LO Fire Station (300 B Ave), or at Hunger Fighters of Oregon (4 Monroe Parkway).

Gift Cards

Gift cards to places like Fred Meyer, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Safeway, etc, can be dropped off at the LO Library (706 Fourth St), anytime between November 15th and December 10th. These gift cards will go to Clackamas County Women’s Services.

Food and Toy Drive, Drive-Thru Event

December 9th, 10am to noon, this event is hosted by The Rotary Club of Lake Oswego and the LO Fire Department. It will occur at the main fire station (300 B Ave). Food should be non-perishable. Toys should be new and unwrapped. Toy donations will be distributed throughout the local area, including in Lake Oswego, by the Tualatin Valley Elks Clubs. Food will go to Hunger Fighters of Oregon.

For me, while I love the holidays, this time of year becomes much more enjoyable when I participate in helping others. Even though the gift goes to someone else, it brings me joy. My gift to them is also a gift to me.

Thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

Open studios is an annual event that I thoroughly enjoy. This year it will be the weekend of October 14th and 15th. It is a free event.

Basically, you have the opportunity to visit artists in their studio. As a person who dabbles in painting, I am so enthralled by seeing working studios of dedicated artists. I also appreciate meeting them and hearing their stories and learning about their techniques.

One year I met an artist who had suffered a very severe stroke. She had examples of her art from before her stroke along with her current work, after her stroke. There was such a striking difference, and the current work was so much more brilliant that the prior work. It was a memorable experience.

The artists also offer work to purchase. I pride myself that my home has all original art: no prints, no copies. Some of it is my own paintings and sculptures, but also the work of other artists. I love living amidst art!

For more details about Lake Oswego Open Studios, click here. For details about Portland Open Studios, click here.

Once again, thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

If you are thinking of moving to Oregon from some other part of the United States, one of the things that you’ll be come immediately aware of is that Oregonians are big on recycling. We were the first state in the country to pass a bottle bill. (This is where you pay a small deposit when you purchase beverages in bottles or cans and then get that deposit back when you return the container to a recycling center.) You’ll find recycling receptacles at most public venues, and curbside recycling is easy and convenient.

Curbside we have been able to recycle paper, glass, metal, and yard debris for decades. Then, about 10 years ago, Lake Oswego added composting. This allows you to put food scraps and some paper products into the yard debris bin where it all composts together. Now batteries are being added. You simply put your batteries into a plastic bag and place it in with the glass. They will be collected and properly disposed of.

I don’t know about you, but in my household we goes through a lot of batteries. In the past we have saved them up and then taken them to metro. Metro is in Oregon City, about a 15 minute drive from LO. So being able to recycle them curbside is a very nice addition to the curbside options.

I have a personal philosophy that we need to be good custodians of our environment. No, we can’t fix all of the problems associated with industrialization and our expanding population, but we can take care of our little corner of the planet. Today, it’s just a little bit easier.

As always, thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

The Lake Oswego Swim Park is open July 1 through August 31, 7 days a week from 1 to 6 p.m. (weather permitting and number of lifeguards required is met). Located at 250 Ridgeway, the park is open to Lake Oswego residents with proof of residency. The park features certified lifeguards, diving platforms, inner tubes, lounge chairs, picnic tables, various water toys, and a limited number of US Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older.

The Swim Park will be open on the 4th of July from 1 to 6 p.m.

For a complete list of rules and other pertinent information, click here.

We are in for a couple of hot days this coming week. Stay cool and stay safe, and, as always, thank you for reading the blotter.

Dianne

There is just so much to see and to do in LO during the 4th of July.

Kick the day off with the annual Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast. Held at George Rogers Park, it’s all you can eat with pancakes, sausage, coffee, orange juice and milk. $10 for adults, $7 for kids under the age of 12. The breakfast runs from 8:00am to 11:00am.

If you time it right, you can have breakfast and then head to the Star-Spangled Parade. The parade starts at Lake Garden Court then travels to Chandler and 10th Street and onto A Avenue. It proceeds to 2nd Street and finishes at Millennium Plaza Park. Featuring floats, Fife and Drum Band, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, classic cars and costumed canines. The celebration continues at Millennium Plaza Park with live music, face painting, balloon animals, a pie eating contest and more. Local food crafters will be selling great food.

Cap the day off with a fireworks show. At Foothills Park, starting at 8:00pm with live music from Satin Love Orchestra, a high energy and disco dance band and a laser lights show. The event goes until 10:30pm.

The big event is the annual fire works show. It is set off on the West end of the lake but visible from many locations. I recommend you find your seat early for the best viewing. In my experience the fireworks start about 10:00pm and runs for about half an hour.

Plan ahead and make the best of this patriotic celebration of our country.

Dianne

This annual event is a real highlight of the year. Held the first weekend in June after Father’s Day, this year is the 60th anniversary of the first festival which was held in 1963. It has a bit something for everyone.

The purpose of the festival is art education and a celebration of culture and community through art. There are 3 main events.

First is the juried competition. Artists from our community, but also artists from other parts of Oregon and even other states participate. It’s an eclectic mix of classic, modern, and whimsical. A panel of judges awards ribbons and honorable mentions. Most pieces are also offered for sale. This part of the festival is held at the Lakewood Center.

Then there is the arts and crafts fair. Booths are set up by artists who are selling their creations. You’ll find pottery, jewelry, clothing, yard art, gifts, lots and lots of fun stuff. I have purchased several pieces of yard art that I just treasure. This part of the festival is held across the street from the Lakewood Center in George Roger’s Park.

Then there is the music and entertainment. From Latin Funk, to Jazz, to Rock n Roll, the entertainment is great. There are also art demonstrations, art events for kids, and plenty of opportunities to grab a beverage and a bite to eat. These activities happen in George Roger’s Park. For a full schedule, click here.

Festival hours are Friday and Saturday, 8am to 9pm. Sunday from 8am to 5pm. Other than what you might purchase, the event is free. You are encouraged to use the free shuttle buses to attend. There is simply not enough local parking to accommodate the expected attendance. Shuttle stops are at Lake Oswego High School, Lake Oswego Junior High School, Lakeride High School, and from downtown LO.

I look forward to the Festival of the Arts every year. Hope to see you there!

Dianne

The Lake Oswego Library has some really fun activities planned for the summer season.

Let’s start with The Seed Library. That’s right, a seed library. Housed is a repurposed card catalogue at the Fiction desk, there is literally a huge selection of seeds for you to take home and grown in your garden. The seeds are for plants that do well in our area. The seeds do not have to be returned, but your are encouraged to harvest seeds from what you grow and donate them back to the library for someone else’s enjoyment.

The Summer Library Challenge is for children, teens and adults. Kids will receive a free book just for signing up. Then, all summer long, they will have chances to win prizes as they read books. Adults can set their own challenge, share their progress through the summer, and get chance to win a Powell’s gift card and a two-night stay at the Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport, Oregon.

The Children’s Library is offering Take-Away Crafts each week from June 19th to August 11th. Simply drop by the library, pick up your craft, and take it home with you for a fun summer diversion.

Then there is Programs in the Park. Every Wednesday, June 21st to August 9th, from 2-3pm, at Rossman Park (555 4th St) drop in for crafts, nature workshops, art activities, special guests, and more. Then, enjoy the end of summer party on August 16th.

You can sign up for the summer challenge by clicking here.

The Lake Oswego Library is about so much more than books! It’s truly a treasure in our community.

Dianne