I was going through some old sales records of mine, and ran across the list of 36 Lake Oswego homes I sold in 2005. Prices ranged from $330,000 for a home on Blackforest to $1,330,00 on Glenmorrie.
You could have moved onto coveted North Shore Road for $1,125,000. Currently there is a lakefront house for sale there listed at $4,995,000.
And I sold a home on 10th Street in the First Addition for $589,900. Since then the house has been torn down and is now estimated at $2,500,00.
We moved to Lake Oswego in 1985, before it was “discovered.” We were able to buy a waterfront home (on the canal) for $118,000. You can’t find anything on the canal today under $1,800,000.
But the good news about Lake Oswego is that, while the price of entry has increased, home appreciation is still a real thing and an added benefit to living here. Just last year our son bought a home in the First Addition and he has already seen it go up in value by at least $200,000.
I’ve always said the average appreciation rate for homes in Lake Oswego is around 5%. Of course, we’ve seen crazy times like in 2021 when homes appreciated by 24.3% and in 2016 by 16.4%. But slow and steady is more the norm and to be expected when you live in Lake Oswego.
Benjamin Franklin is known to have said, “… in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” If you live in Lake Oswego, you can “and home appreciation.”
If you’re interested in finding out what your Lake Oswego home is worth, or are considering buying a home in Lake Oswego, give one of us a call. We’d love to put our expertise to work for you and help you start enjoying so many of the benefits of living in Lake Oswego!
1. Lake Oswego Reads Book Giveaway. Celebrate the 19th annual Lake Oswego Reads by picking up a free copy of this year’s pick, of How to Read a Book by Monica Wood on Saturday, March 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.(or until books run out). 800 free books will be distributed to Lake Oswego Public Library cardholders, thanks to the ongoing support of the Friends of the Lake Oswego Library. You must have your library card or number with you to receive a copy. Books will be distributed through the library parking lot starting at 11am. Please do not line up beforehand. Walk up service will also be available starting at 11am.
For those unable to get a book at the giveaway, the library will have many circulating copies and librarians will purchase 5 e-book copies and 2 e-audiobook copies of How to Read a Book through the Overdrive Advantage account. The e-audiobook copies are for 100 checkouts each and allow simultaneous users. These copies will only be available to Lake Oswego card holders. LINCC Network will also purchase additional e-copies for all of LINCC cardholders.
2.Daylight Savings Time. The bad news is we lose an hour of sleep on March 9 because we need to move our clocks forward one hour. The good news is that we start gaining an extra hour of sunlight to enjoy at the end of our workday, leading up to our glorious summer nights when sunset can be as late as 9:03 p.m. in late June and early July.
3. Pints from the Past: My Father Created D.B. Cooper. On November 24, 1971, a man calling himself Dan Cooper purchased an airline ticket for $20 and boarded a one-way flight from Portland to Seattle. After takeoff, he hijacked the plane with a note, collected $200K in cash, demanded a reroute to Mexico, and parachuted out of the plane, never to be identified or found again. The legend of “sky pirate” D.B. Cooper made national headlines thanks to journalist Clyde Jabin. His son, historian Darrell Jabin, will share this incredible story with personal insight as part of the library’s Pints from the Past series on Tuesday, March 11 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lake Theater & Café, 106 N. State Street. Doors open at 6:30, the presentation begins at 7:00. Admission is free and no ticket is required (though food and drink purchase is encouraged to offset the cost to the Lake Theater). For more information, contact Carissa Barrett at cmbarrett@lakeoswego.city(link sends e-mail)(link sends e-mail) or 503-534-4237.
4. St. Patrick’s Day Celebration.The Dullahan Irish Restaurant and Pub is traditionally the go-to spot to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Lake Oswego and this year will be no exception. Plans are for the festivities to run from Friday, March 14 through Monday, March 17. 352 B Avenue.
5. Prom Dress Giveaway. The Lake Oswego Teen Lounge is collaborating with Abby’s Closet to host a Prom Dress Giveaway with a variety of styles and sizes to choose from. Thursday, March 13 between 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or Saturday, March 15 between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Located at Christ Church Episcopal Parish, 1060 Chandler Road.
6. Hybrid: Is it AI or Is It Real? How to Spot Computer-Generated Content Like a Librarian. Learn to navigate the rapidly-changing world of information with this new series of classes sponsored by the Lake Oswego Public Library. The first class, on Sunday, March 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. will focus on the tools and techniques librarians use to identify AI-generated texts and images. Learn actionable tips to spot the difference between human and computer-created content in your daily life.
Upcoming Classes:
Class 2: Can You Trust Online Influencers? Fact-Checking Like a Librarian (May) Class 3: Why Does Fake Information Exist? Understanding the Motives Behind Misinformation (July) Class 4: Tired of the Algorithm? How Librarians Find Reliable News Sources (September) Class 5: You Seem Nice, Let’s Be Friends! Spotting Scams Like a Librarian (November)
The library is located at 706 Fourth Street, Lake Oswego. For more information, please contact April Younglove at 503-534-5667 or ayounglove@lakeoswego.city
7. Bingo with Poison Waters. Make it a night of full entertainment with dinner, bingo with prizes and a lively performance by Poison Waters, an entertainment experience that hundreds of thousands have enjoyed over three decades. Tickets are $55/person and includes dinner and one beverage. Sunday, March 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Purchase tickets online. Lakewood Center for the Arts, 360 S. State Street.
8. Third Thursday Art Walk. Enjoy great art, shopping and dining as downtown Lake Oswego businesses offer specials and promotions to encourage residents to come out and explore. Thursday, March 20 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Downtown Lake Oswego.
9. World Cinema: When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. Enjoy a special screening of “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit”, a poignant and historically significant German film based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Judith Kerr on Tuesday, March 25 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. The story follows nine-year-old Anna as she and her family flee Nazi Germany in 1933, seeking refuge in Switzerland, France, and eventually England. This touching film captures the challenges and resilience of a young girl during a tumultuous time in history.
Stay after the screening for a lively discussion about the film’s themes, including the impact of war on children and the importance of resilience and hope.
This screening is part of the Lake Oswego Public Library’s World Cinema Series, a monthly event showcasing diverse international films at The Lake Theater & Cafe (link is external)on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 PM. Admission is free, and no ticket is required (though food and drink purchases are encouraged to offset the cost to the Lake Theater).
Can’t make it to the screening? Library patrons can also stream “When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit” on the library’s Kanopy streaming service using your Lake Oswego Public Library card number.
The Lake Theater & Cafe is located at 106 N. State St., Lake Oswego. For more information, please contact ayounglove@lakeoswego.city(link is external) or by phone at 503-534-5667.
10. Cherry Blossoms. Cherry blossoms start putting on their display in March. Here in Lake Oswego you’ll find them in Sundeleaf Plaza, Millennium Plaza Park and lining many of our commercial and neighborhood streets. If you want to experience a natural high, head over to the Japanese American Historical Plaza at Tom McCall Waterfront Park where one hundred perfectly aligned cherry blossom trees are sure to WOW you when in full bloom. They usually start putting on their show mid-March and last two to three weeks.
March is the beginning of the active spring housing market in Lake Oswego. If you want to get a head start, give one of us a call. We can help you determine what your house is worth is you’re planning on selling or help you determine what you can afford to buy in Lake Oswego and what neighborhoods might be the best fit for what you’re looking for. We’ve lived and worked here for over 30 years so we know the market and have resources that can help make your next move your best one!
In honor of U.S. Innovation Day on February 16, we thought we’d take a look at some of the innovative things that have happened/are happening in Lake Oswego.
MILLENNIUM PLAZA PARK AND LAKE VIEW VILLAGE. With all that happens at Millennium Plaza Park, it’s hard to imagine it not being there. But until 1999 it didn’t. Thanks to the Lake Oswego Redevelopment Agency formed twenty years earlier in 1979, the City had a vision and a plan for managing urban renewal activities. By using tax increment financing and other public financing programs, LORA has been the driving force behind such city beautification projects such as Sundeleaf Plaza, Lake View Village, Headlee Walkway and the Boones Ferry Road Improvement Project. While many of the LORA projects result in other benefits like increased economic vitality, they also add to the beauty that is one of our city’s greatest assets. Thinking outside the box – that’s what innovation is all about and fortunately we had community leaders with a vision and the chutzpah to make it happen.
INNOVATION LABS in Lake Oswego schools. One of the initiatives of Lake Oswego’s 2017 capital construction bond was to explore different ways for Lake Oswego students to learn. Innovation Labs or iLabs in all the elementary and middle schools were the answer. Students work in groups on STEM projects that not only involve math and science skills but also research, problem-solving, planning, engineering, collaborating and YES, innovating.
LAKE OSWEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY. We are continually impressed with the programming and services that the Lake Oswego library continues to provide and their ability to make the best out of what they have. While it is a common perception that Lake Oswego needs more library space, our library manages to innovate and continue to find creative ways to engage and serve the public. Take their current Winter Reading Bingo game where completing 4-5 challenges in a row gets you a prize. Or their “It’s Not a Box! – In the Jungle” community cardboard building project scheduled for March where participants are invited to drop into the Children’s Library to create whatever their minds imagine a box could be. And the most convincing evidence of Lake Oswego library’s innovation is its Lake Oswego Reads program that features a month-long schedule of speakers, craft classes, book discussions and more related to each year’s chosen book. This year’s is How to Read a Book by Monica Wood with free book giveaways on March 1 and programming in April.
LAKEWOOD CENTER FOR THE ARTS. You think you know what to expect from the Lakewood Center—entertaining plays, theatre and performance classes, art exhibits and the annual (and innovative) Festival of the Arts! But then you go on to their website to look at the lineup and you see that Stand-Up Comedy has entered the scene! Tyler Boeh appears January 29 followed by Sean Jordan on February 5. That deserves a standing ovation for innovation! Check it out.
OFF AND AWAY CELL PHONE PRACTICE. Starting this academic year, the Lake Oswego School District instituted a full ban on cell phones and all mobile devices (smart watches, tablets, headphones) during the school day. They are one of the few districts to apply the ban across all grade levels. Students are told to turn them off and put them away rather than locking them up in special locked pouches which other schools have done. Considering that nearly 75% of U.S. teens reported in a Pew Research Center study that they feel happy or peaceful when not on their phones, this is an innovative way of trying to capitalize on some of the benefits of cellphone free zones.
In a recent episode of Learning in Lake Oswego with Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Lake Oswego High School Principal Kristen Colyer reported benefits of students being more focused in class, making more eye contact with teachers and peers, engaging more with each other during lunch and the “beautiful noise” filling the halls with students talking with each other as opposed to being glued to their phones. Junior Taylor Hefner gave a student’s perspective explaining that the policy has changed the school environment, generating more dialogue among students and eliminating a lot of the drama with students actually communicating directly with each other as opposed to doing it behind other’s backs through their phones. Less distractions thanks to random text messages that could mess with a student’s head mean that many students find the policy very helpful in reducing stress.
Parental response has been both positive and almost relieved that the schools are enforcing it so they don’t have to and negative, with parents concerned about emergency response. One of the reasons behind the district’s decision to adopt an “Off and Away” policy versus locking the phones up is as Schiele explains, “we can do this and still allow people to use phones in case of an emergency.” Parents can always reach students through the front office and there are exceptions to the rule for health, safety or emergencies with prior approval.
We’ve lived here long enough to witness much of the evolution of Lake Oswego, brought about by innovative individuals, committed to making Lake Oswego a great place to live. Please reach out if we can answer any of your questions about moving to Lake Oswego. We’re here to help.
Valentine’s Day is one of those occasions it’s best to plan ahead for. Especially if you want to surprise your valentine with something that requires a reservation. Spots at romantic restaurants can fill up fast. Things can sell out. So don’t delay. I’ve done some legwork to save you time.
Make a dinner reservation. A few places in town are offering special Valentine’s Day menus including: ●La Provence. You can book your reservation online for their special Valentine’s Day menu featuring a prix fixe dinner with soup or salad, entrée and dessert for $55 (also available a la carte). Available Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15. 16350 Boones Ferry Rd., 503.635.4533.
●Riccardo’s is offering a special four course menu at $100/person (not including wine, drinks and gratuities) on Friday, February 14 and Saturday, February 15. Share an Antipasti and Primo Course (three offerings each) and then select individual Secondo and Dessert offerings. 16035 Boones Ferry Rd. Call to make a reservation: 503.636.4104.
●Lake View Taphouse will be offering a special menu in addition to their regular offering that includes bacon wrapped scallops and a steak and lobster tail dinner.
●Mann’s on the Lake. In addition to their regular menu, Mann’s on the Lake will be offering special starters and entrees including Herb Roasted Branzino and Lanroc Pork Osso Buco. Book your reservation now. 40 N. State Street, 503.303.9861.
●Nicoletta’s Table. While Nicoletta’s is celebrating their “love of Italy” all month with specials, they will also be offering a special curated menu for Valentine’s Day weekend as well as live performances by Andrea Algieri and Chase Cranor. 333 S State Street, 503.699.2927.
Eat in. Create a delicious Valentine’s Day at home with Zupan’s Seafood Platter for 2 or ready-to-cook Beef Wellingtons. Chocolate-covered strawberries can add a sweet finish. Pick up February 13 and 14 but place your order now. 16380 Boones Ferry Rd, 503.210.4190.
Let’s do lunch instead! Celebrate love and friendship at the Adult Community Center’s Valentine’s Day Party, on featuring a lively game of Bingo. Suggested donation of $ for those 60+ and $5 charge for those under 60. Friday, February 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call the ACC to reserve a seat: 503.635.3758.
Wine and Song. Enjoy live music with Hayley Lynn while enjoying dinner or a wine tasting experience at Domaine Serene Wine Lounge on Thursday, February 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Combining Maggie Rogers’ cool persona and Elle King’s unapologetic energy, Lynn has created a style and sound that joins the ranks of bold indie powerhouses that came before her. Make a reservation. 300 First Street.
Take in a play. The Lakewood Theatre is performing Stop the World I Want to Get Off as part of its Lost Treasure Productions performed on the Side Door Stage on Friday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 15 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. It’s a thought-provoking tale about the fleeting nature of worldly success told through the life of an Everyman character named Littlechap as he is born, grows up, faces life’s challenges and ultimately makes a choice celebrating the cycle of life. Tickets are $20/person and available online. 368 S. State Street, 503.635.3901.
Go dancing. Enjoy the sounds of the “Big Bands” of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s performed by the Millennium Dance Band. A on Friday, February 14 from 7:00 p.m. to9:00 p.m.ll ages are invited to hit the dance floor. $7/person at the door. Christ Church Parish, 1060 Chandler Road.
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FIRST WEDNESDAY AT OSWEGO HERITAGE COUNCIL. Poems composed by numerous Japanese American poets during WWII were kept in a journal by Masaki Kinoshita and discovered by his grandson, Duane Watari. These poems and their translations were compiled into the book, They Never Asked: Semryū Poetry from the WWII Portland Assembly Center. Selected poems will be read in Japanese and English by translators Satsuki Takikawa and Mike Freiling. Wednesday, February 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Oswego Heritage House, 398 10th Street. Refreshments at 5:00 p.m.
STAND UP COMEDY NIGHT WITH SEAN JORDAN. Enjoy a hilarious night of comedy with this touring stand up comedian and podcaster who has appeared on Comedy Central, the Late Late Show with James Corden and who Paste Magazine calls “both genuine and genuinely hilarious.” Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. on The Side Door Stage, Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Tickets: $25.
WINTER RAMBLE: MAP AND COMPASS TRAINING. Learn navigational skills with a map and compass and then use these skills to navigate the trails of Tryon Creek State Natural Area. Thursday, February 6. Leave from Waluga Park at 9:00 a.m. or meet at Tryon Creek parking lot, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd.
BLOOD DRIVE. The need for blood is constant and this is where one individual can make a difference. Schedule your appointment to donate blood on February 7 at Lake Oswego City Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 380 A Avenue.
WINE TASTING AT RICCARDO’S. Enjoy generous pours of Italy’s best wines, an antipasti plate and a great afternoon on Saturday, February 8 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. $20 per person; first come first served. Happens every month on the second Saturday. 16035 Boones Ferry Road, 503.636.4104
LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL. Celebrate the Year of the Snake on Saturday, February 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Lake Oswego Library. Enjoy live musical and dance performances as well as activities for the kids and adults alike! 706 Fourth Street.
PORTLAND ROSE SOCIETY ROSE PRUNING CLINIC.Get ready for Spring with Portland Rose Society—local rose experts will be demonstrating proper rose pruning techniques and answering questions at Dennis’ 7 Dees, 1090 McVey Avenue. Bring your hand pruners to be sharpened for FREE while you shop (no loppers; one pair per person). Soil pH testing will also be available—bring a small baggie of soil labeled with your name and contact information. Join the guest list.
NOISES OFF. Find out why this play is the most requested play to be restaged by Lakewood subscribers. Kicks off February 28 and runs through April 6. Tickets: $42/Adult; $40/Senior; $30/Student. Purchase online (with a $3 service fee). 368 S. State Street, 503.635.3901.
STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES OF THE OPENING OF THE LAKE OSWEGO RECREATION AND AQUATICS CENTER!
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Kevin Costello kevin.costello@cascadehasson.com 503.939.9801
The Skylands neighborhood is known for its views and our new listing at 1131 Skyland Drive is proof of that with walls of windows throughout the house providing views of Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens
The iconic view of Mt. Hood as you are traveling east on A Avenue in downtown Lake Oswego is something we can all take advantage of here in Lake Oswego. But to be able to access that view from where you live, any time of day when it’s clear, well that’s something that you can only get from homes on certain streets in Lake Oswego.
Our new listing at 1131 Skylands Drive offers views not only of Mt. Hood but also Mt. St. Helens from walls of windows throughout the house. And the prized views are just one of the many features that make this home a Lake Oswego find.
Nestled on a beautifully landscaped one-acre lot, the 6,320 square foot gated residence seamlessly combines timeless elegance and expert craftsmanship with modern amenities.
The main level features a luxurious primary suite, an additional bedroom with an attached bath, a dedicated office, spacious living and dining rooms, and a gourmet kitchen with Viking appliances and marble countertops. Zoned HVAC and a sound system throughout provide personalized comfort and enjoyment, while a commercial-sized generator ensures uninterrupted convenience. The lower level boasts two additional bedrooms with a shared bath, a three-car garage, an elevator, abundant storage, a pool room with a kitchenette, ideal for entertaining, and a sauna with a full bath.
A thoughtfully curated outdoor space includes a pool and English garden and continues the theme of a stunning retreat with unobstructed views of Mt. Adams.
Tucked alongside the Skylands neighborhood area, residents enjoy the serenity afforded by the peaceful location while still enjoying the convenience of nearby shopping and close access to both Lakeridge High School and the new Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatics Center.
Interested in seeing if this just might be your dream home? Give us a call to set up a showing. Or stop by the open house this Sunday, January 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Kevin Costello 503.939.9801 kevin.costello@cascadehasson.com
The good news is that the shortest day of the year is behind us. While we’ve sung the praises of summer in Lake Oswego on this blog, we must also be transparent and admit that yes, sometimes the winter months can seem looooooong. With colder temps, wetter weather and less daylight, summer lovers like us need to come up with a game plan to make the best of things.
Here are a few suggestions for not just surviving winter in the Portland metro area but actually enjoying it!
Explore some new neighborhoods on foot. This is something my wife and I have done since Covid paid us all a visit. And while we explore Lake Oswego during the week, we often venture into Portland on the weekends and have had a great time checking out neighborhoods like Alameda Ridge, Laurelhurst, Irvington and Eastmoreland. For Christmas a couple of years ago, my wife gave me a couple books that have been great resources: Walk There! edited by Laura O. Foster and Portland Stair Walks by Laura Foster as well. Believe it or not, there are lots of stairs to be discovered in Portland, especially if you find yourselves in the Westover Terraces and Nob Hill neck of the woods. Bundle up but as you find yourselves climbing, you may need to shed a few layers!
Go ice skating at the Winterhawks Ice Center. This iconic historic facility may be the official practice and development site for the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, but there are plenty of opportunities for public skating too. Admission rates ($25/person; $20/person for groups of five or more; Free for ages 5 and under with paid chaperone) include skate rentals. Located at 9250 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Highway in Beaverton. There is an additional location in Sherwood. Check their website for details.
Have fun in the snow. Lake Oswego is often blessed with a snow day or two when you can pull out your snow toys and be a kid again close to home. But if you don’t want to wait for that, make plans to head up to Mt. Hood for some snowshoeing or sledding. Warm up at Timberline Lodge with an Irish Coffee or some hot chocolate. Or register for the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Snowshoeing or Mt. Hood XC Ski activities. Check them out online.
Discover a new coffee shop. One of the things my wife and I often seek out on our neighborhood excursions is coffee shops and as you can imagine, there are plenty to try in Portland. Some of our new favorites include Dear Sandy and Sisters Coffee Company .(And don’t forget our great coffee spots right here in Lake Oswego).
Visit the Portland Winter Light Festival. The 2025 Portland Winter Light Festival (February 7 – 15) lights up the city with large-scale interactive art installations, performances, and pop-up pieces in storefronts, retail spaces, front yards and public spaces across Portland. Anchor sites include Pioneer Courthouse Square, the World Trade Center Plaza and the Electric Blocks at SE 2nd and Clay. You can join in the fun by decorating yourself with lights, join the Illuminated Bike Ride or the Lantern Parade. Last year over 270,000 people attended with over 90% of them saying they’d come back.
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Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, recently made his predictions for 2025. Let’s see how they compare to what we see happening in Lake Oswego.
He sees existing home sales rising 9% year-over-year and new home sales to jump by 11%. That seems a little bit high to us considering where interest rates are currently and are projected to be.
In addition, a recent Bankrate survey found that it is cheaper to rent than to buy in 50 major U.S. cities, Portland metro area being one of them. Factor in rising costs for home insurance and property taxes and first-time homebuyers might still be waiting for the “right time.”
But it’s important to take in the whole picture. While the Bankrate survey takes a short-term view, it neglects to consider the long-term view that historically proves buying a home is a good investment. While Yun predicts the median home price going up 2% next year, here in Lake Oswego, we see a slow, steady market with home values increasing by @5% over the course of the year.
So, buyers who choose to wait it out on the sidelines are losing out on the equity homeowners can access when they want to buy their next home.
The good news for current homeowners is that 4 out of 5 Americans still want to own a home someday. And like Yun, we have seen an influx of cash buyers who are not affected by interest rates. Looking back on this past year we probably saw 40% of our buyers coming in with cash which always puts them in a very competitive situation.
More good news for both Lake Oswego homeowners and buyers is that we live in Clackamas County, not Multnomah. Steve Duin recently wrote a column about a gentleman who has lived in the same SW Portland home for 52 years who received a property tax assessment of $16,325.05. As Duin points out, “That’s a formidable sum, almost 60% more than the property taxes on a home of similar value in Clackamas County.”
As always, it’s best to work with a hyperlocal Realtor when looking to buy or sell a home. My daughter and I have lived and worked in Lake Oswego for over 30 years so we’d love to be those experts for you. Read one of our previous blogs to learn how we work. We’re here to help you make a wise investment decision whether you are looking to buy or sell. Feel free to reach out and see what we can do for you.
1. Try a new coffee shop. We had two new coffee shops open in Lake Oswego in 2024, on opposite sides of town so next time you’re needing a caffeine fix, try one of them out. Cathedral Coffee is in the former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf-Starbucks location at 1175 McVey Avenue and is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. With a motto that “We exist to cultivate meaningful relationships through extraordinary hospitality,” it sounds like a good place to hang out. And their latte art (which always enhances our coffee experience) is top notch.
On the southwest side of town, you’ll find Roseline in yet another former Starbucks location at 16398 Boones Ferry Road and open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. You can read more about Roseline here in an earlier blog, and we can attest to the fact that Roseline too takes their latte art seriously.
2. Try a new restaurant. It appears Lake Oswego is becoming a destination spot for dining with three new restaurants debuting this year. The Lake View Taphouse took over the former Manzana spot in Lake View Village in April, revamping the venue to be more open and lighter. Serving lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends, the menu features casual dining including shareable boards as well as entrees, beers on tap, cocktails and wine. Located at 305 1st Street, hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to. 9:00 p.m., Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Driftwood Taphouse opened in June in Oswego Towne Square at 3 Monroe Parkway. It features a curated meu of Mediterrannean inspired small plates and sandwiches as well as expertly crafted cocktails, wine and spirits as well as mocktail offerings like a Berry Margarita Spritz and a Raspberry Mojito. Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Thursday from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Mann’s on the Lake opened in late October in what used to house Stickmen Brewing at 40 N. State Street. After extensive renovations to open things up and add more seating inside, owner Eric Mann added yet a third restaurant offering to his Lake Oswego lineup which includes Duke’s Public House and Aji Tram. Mann’s focused on Pacific Northwest cuisine with a seafood forward menu serving lunch, dinner and brunch on the weekends. Hours are Monday and Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
3. Purchase a pre-sale membership to Lake Oswego’s new Recreation and Aquatics Center. Pre-sale memberships will be activated when LORAC opens and can be purchased for 3 or 12 months. Check online for membership fees. The new center is slated to open in late winter of 2025 and includes a 12-lane competitive pool, 4,500 square foot recreational pool with three additional lanes for lap swimming, spa, and a kid’s area with water slide and play structures, a significant weight and cardio area, 7,250 square foot gym equipped with all types of activities and league play, locker rooms, and multi-purpose group fitness rooms for education and outreach programs.
4. Take an awe walk. When students come up to Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner and complain of being depressed he advises, “Get them outside, and go look for awe.” According to Keltner’s research, awe reduces stress, improves your immune system, makes us feel kinder, more creative and more connected to the world around us. What is awe? “A feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world.” And luckily for us, awe is very accessible. According to Keltner’s research it can be found in something as ordinary as the way a tree casts a shadow on the sidewalk or how a hummingbird hovers over a flower. And the more awe walks we take, the more awe we feel as our capacity to experience it deepens. So take advantage of all the nature paths we have in Lake Oswego, the canopy of trees that line our streets and make awe-walking one of your new year resolutions.
5. Play Winter Reading Bingo through the Lake Oswego Public Library. You can download a Winter Reading Bingo Sheet and when you get five in a row – up, down or diagonal – you can return the sheet to the library and win a prize. Bingo squares include activities like: Read a new author, Attend a library program, Read a book that has won an award, Checkout a cookbook. You have until February 28 to play the game.
If one of your resolutions is to better understand the Lake Oswego housing market and what options you have for buying or selling, then please get in touch with one of us. We are here to help you make a wise investment when it comes to buying or selling your home in Lake Oswego and you can rest assured that we always keep that goal in mind when working with clients.
Wishing all of you a happy and awe-inspired New Year!
Kevin Costello kevin.costello@cascadehasson.com 503.939.9801 Riley Costello riley.costello@cascadehasson.com 971.322.6205
THE MALTESE FALCON. In this comedy mystery thriller Sam Spade, a world-weary private eye, is running a not-very successful operation with his partner Miles Archer. Enter Miss Wonderly (if that is her real name), who offers cash for them to tail a man who has abducted her young sister. Then Archer ends up dead. All in pursuit of the Black Bird. A U.S. premiere! Runs from January 3 through February 9. Tickets: Adults/$42; Seniors/$40; Students $30. Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street.
ART MART EXHIBITION. The community’s favorite exhibition is also a fundraiser for the Arts Council of Lake Oswego. Lake Oswegans donate their old artwork (paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, ceramics, quilts, fiber art, photographs, posters, mixed media and more) to make room for new pieces. Starting January 10 at 5:00 p.m., collected art will be on view and for sale at the Marylhurst Commons bookstore building at 3162 Furman Drive. Exhibition runs through February 7.
PINTS FROM THE PAST. Where history meets entertainment. This month’s topic is Oswego Suffragists. Tuesday, January 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lake Theater and Café, 106 N. State Street. Admission is free but food and drink purchase is encouraged to offset the cost to the Lake Theater. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; Presentation starts at 7:00 p.m.
THIRD THURSDAY IN DOWNTOWN LO. Celebrate great art, shopping and dining in downtown Lake Oswego from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 16. Check online for participating businesses which will be offering special discounts, complementary food and drink, raffles, music and more!
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION. City Hall commemorates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life with a celebration that includes art, poetry, music, and Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech. After, there will be arts and crafts and a chance to learn about service opportunities by local non-profits whose work advances Dr. King’s legacy. Sunday, January 19 at 2:00 p.m.
HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS SHAPING OUR FUTURE AND THE ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS. This seminar, led by Dr. Alicia Patterson, a distinguished professor at Oregon State University specializing in AI ethics, will provide you with valuable insights into how AI is transforming industries and the moral responsibilities we face. The seminar will explore AI’s opportunities as well as challenges in the areas of: Healthcare, Transportation, Education, Entertainment, Job Displacement, Bias and Fairness, Privacy and Surveillance, Autonomy and Accountability. The program is free for all but you are asked to register for Course 30190 by calling 503.635.3758. January 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center, 505 G Avenue.
THE CHANCE FOR SNOW. There is always a possibility for a snow day in January so be prepared!
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And be sure to give us a call if you are thinking of moving to Lake Oswego or selling your home. We have clients looking to move in and around Lake Oswego so be sure to reach out.
Kevin Costello 503.939.9801 kevin.costello@cascadehasson.com
I feel pretty lucky—I live where I work and I love where I live. As a Realtor in Lake Oswego, Oregon, I get to share that enthusiasm with clients every day. Through this blog, with the help of my freelance writer wife, Genita, I’d like to share that enthusiasm with you. Be sure to visit my website.
Due to the changing nature of activities in response to COVID-19, I am suspending this section of the blog temporarily but wish every mom out there a Happy Mother’s Day today!
52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego 