4 Ways to Unwind During the Holidays in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Posted on December 15, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

holiday stressFinish this sentence: ‘Tis the season to be ___________. If you answered “stressed,” then take a moment out from your shopping, baking, wrapping, and entertaining, and make a point to unwind. Here are a few ideas to help you do just that in Lake Oswego.

Get a massage. You probably already know that a massage feels good physically, but why does it improve things emotionally too? Recent research shows that it affects your body’s biochemistry, lowering the stress hormone cortisol, by up to 53 percent. So get yourself to a local spa or massage studio. Or add it to your Christmas wish list. Relief is just a few blocks away at one of these Lake Oswego locations.

Lake Oswego Massage Therapy, 15110 Boones Ferry Rd., Suite 220. 503.850.4810. Receive $20 off your first massage and $20 off for referrals. Purchase five massages and get the sixth one free.

Blissful Massage, 460 5th St., Suite D. 503.936.3574. First time visit is $10 off. Holiday specials include $65 for a 60 minute massage or 3 for $175.

Massage Envy, 333 S. State St., 503.210.3689. One hour introductory session is $39. Holiday specials include: Buy two $75 gift cards and get one free; Purchase a 12 month membership and receive a free facial or massage.

Elements Massage, 3 Monroe Parkway, Suite U, 503.387.3205. Introductory 55 minute massage for $59. Holiday special: two 55 minute massage gift certificates for $99.

Tune out. Dial down the frenzy by cuddling up with a good Christmas movie. The Lake Oswego public library’s got your back with holiday favorites like Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, and It’s a Wonderful Life.

Taste stars. Do like Dom Perignon who said, upon his first taste of his new newly created champagne, “Come quickly! I’m tasting stars!” World Class Wines is featuring bubbly and champagne flight tastings along with their regular wine tastings every Friday through December from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m. For $15 you sample three bubblies and one champagne. For $5 you can add a bonus pour of two premium wines. 269 A Avenue. 503.974.9841.

Find your quiet spot. The lake is one of mine. I especially like gazing upon Lakewood Bay on a crisp wintry day as its calm waters make me feel the same way. You can view the bay from Sundeleaf Plaza, the Headlee Pathway, or the deck at Stickmen’s Brewery & Skewery.

For land lovers, bundle up and head out to one of the city of Lake Oswego’s nature parks. Some of my favorites include the Iron Mountain Trail behind the Oswego Hunt Club and Springbrook Park adjacent to Uplands Elementary School and Lake Oswego Junior High School.

If the thought of buying or selling your home adds to your holiday stress, give me a call at 503.939.9801. I’ve been in the business over 25 years and would love to make your experience stress-free by putting my experience to work for you.

Photo credit by Stuart Miles at freedigitalphotos.net

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Lake Oswego Shops Take Out the Stress, Put in the Fun in Your Holiday Shopping

Posted on December 8, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

Holiday shoppingBest way to make your holiday shopping stress free—shop local! Ditch the mall, the parking hassle, the crowds, and the grumpy sales associates and discover the friendliness of small business owners invested in their community.

Check out some of these Lake Oswego spots that are dishing up service, unique offerings and lots of holiday cheer.

Lucky Me Boutique. 385 1st St, Suite 115. 503.636.9595. Pandemonium Millinery seems to have a big account with Santa this year. The company’s scarves, hats, throws, gloves, and neck warmers are flying out the store. Why are they on everyone’s list? Owner Marie Lerud thinks it has to do with the fact that the faux fur is cuddly soft and the workmanship suggests these pieces cost more than they do. Lucky for you!

Graham’s Book & Stationery. 460 Second St. 503.636.5676. During this time of year, Graham’s should add, “& Gifts” to their moniker. This is just a fun place to browse, knowing you will always walk away with something special for someone on your list. Owner Paul Graham is particularly excited about a new addition to their book collection devoted to our town. Lake Oswego – A Great Place to Live! is a photo expose/coffee style book filled with exquisite photos of the events, people, places and homes that make Lake Oswego unique along with descriptions and historical information that tells the rest of the story.

Other fun gift ideas to add some surprise to your giving include:●the water-powered Bedol Water Clock, $24.99. That’s right—no batteries!●the Water Wizard, a laptop style drawing board that lets the artist use a water pen to create drawings that disappear as they dry, $16.95 ●The Elf on a Shelf, an interactive hide and seek tradition featuring an elf who keeps an eye on your kids by day and reports back to Santa by night. Each morning your children wake wondering, “Where will we find the elf today?” Comes with a book that tells his tale. $29.95. and ●Fusion Glass Side Tables, where art meets function, $99.

Accessories From the Heart. 220 A Avenue, Suite 100. 503.675.1144. Owner Carol Winston is a woman on a mission—to make gift givers look good. She has done the hard part—tracking down the perfect gift. Now all you have to do is come in. Popular choices include Versace watches that start at $150 as well as a brand new jewelry line by Uno de 50 that features bold designs with a handcrafted look. Winston has the pajama market in town cornered with a good selection of PJ Salvage, known for its chic patterns and luxurious fabrics as well as Minnesota Softies by Paddi Murphy that offer not only cuddly comfort but also practicality for the woman who, as Winston describes, “experiences summer daily.” The moisture wicking fabric keeps you comfortable no matter what season or time of life you’re in. The store is happy to keep a wish list on file to make things easy for the Santa in your life and will wrap up your purchases free of charge.

The Oilerie. 438 1st Street. 503.675.6457.  You know what they say, “It’s all in the presentation.” Well, pick up a festive pair of Santa Pants to hold your olive oil, vinegar and jar of spices from The Oilerie and you will have nailed your holiday gift on two counts—how it looks and what’s Oilerie Santa Pants1reducedinside! This shop is as much fun for the buyer as the recipient because you get to sample and learn all about the delicious oils, vinegars, and marinades they carry. There’s a health and wellness line too, including a travel pack that makes a perfect stocking stuffer. The shop is happy to take care of your shipping (you can choose from one of their popular gift boxes or customize your own) but get your orders in by December 16.

Soletta Shoe Boutique. 390 N. State St., Suite 116. 503.210.4125. Look no further for the fashionista on your list. Soletta has done the searching for you and brought in one-of-a-kind purses, jewelry, hats, gloves and festive socks (for men too) to complement their great selection of shoes and boots. To make your shopping easier, they are happy to help you fill out a “wish list” that you can take with you or keep on file in the store in case a certain someone comes in wanting to shop for you. Gift certificates are also available. Visit during the week of December 16-20 for their “mystery sale” featuring 30% off a different section of the store everyday.

Frog Pond Toys. 310 N. State St., Suite 102. 503.697.3764. The owners of this place are moms too so they know not only what kids like but what parents do too, meaning you’ll find toys that score high on safety as well as educational and play value. It’s like walking around in the Toy Hall of Fame with RingStix, winning the Best Toys for Kids award in 2013 from the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association and Tobble, a Parents Magazine Toy of the Year pick. Other popular choices include: Y’all Ball, Squigz, Snap Circuit Kits, Rody Horses, Bruder Trucks, Calico Critters, and Plus Plus, an interactive building system. The store is kid-friendly with room to roam and try out some of the toys, a café serving up lattes for moms, Goldfish crackers for kids, and special events including Music with Jodi on Friday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. and a piano recital Sunday afternoon, December 15. 

Paper Caper. 16829 65th Avenue. 503.620.9460. Also known as Stocking Stuffer Central, you’ll find a huge assortment of gifts that put the merry in giving. Chat Packs feature 156 question cards designed to jumpstart the conversation from “What is one trip you have never taken but would really like to someday?” to “If you could be one inch tall for a day, what specific place would you most like to explore?” Flying wish paper brings a sense of ceremony to wish making as you write down your wishes on special paper, light them, and then watch them fly. Bacon lovers will get a kick out of bacon toothpaste, bacon soap, mints or jelly beans. Kids will love finger puppet books or pocket doodle books to keep them entertained. Part of the fun of shopping here is the element of surprise, so I’ll stop here and let you discover for yourself.

Lake Oswego Library. 706 Fourth Street. 503. 636.7628. Looking for one more stocking stuffer or a unique way to wrap a gift?  The Library has nifty reusable grocery bags and drawstring backpacks available for purchase for only $2 at the check-out desk.  If you’ve got a local history buff in the family, another great gift idea is a copy of the hardbound book In Their Own Words, featuring oral history interviews of Lake Oswegans captured in the mid-1970s. $35 at the check-out desk.

Photo credit: gubgib at freedigitalphotos.net


 

 

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15 Reasons Why It’s Easy to Believe in the Magic of Christmas in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Posted on December 1, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

Christmas activities 2All that’s missing in Lake Oswego is snow to make it feel like the holidays (and who knows, that could come! It has in the past). Take advantage of some of these events to get you in the spirit.

Inspecting Carol. Catch the last week of this spoof on a theatre company’s production of A Christmas Carol gone wrong. Sunday, December 1 and 8 at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, December 4-7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets available online and at box office: $32/adult; $30/senior 65 and over; $20/student 25 and under. 368 S. State St., 503.635.3901.

Fill a Stocking, Fill a Heart. Help families in Clackamas County in need by picking up an empty stocking at City Hall and return by December 9 filled with basic household items and special gifts. City Hall is also collecting gently used coats, blankets, new toys and food throughout the month. Lake Oswego City Hall. 380 A Avenue. 503.635.0257.

Lakewood in Lights. This annual event features food catered by Babica Hen Cafe, complimentary wine, entertainment, live and silent auctions and festive trees to benefit the rising star program at Lakewood Theatre Company. Other highlights include a raffle drawing for a Scottsdale, Arizona getaway for two. Monday, December 2, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Tickets are $50/person ($35 tax deductible) and can be purchased at the box office, online or by calling 503.635.3901.

Gingerbread House Workshop. Bake and decorate a gingerbread house at Luscher Farm and take some dough home to enjoy later. For ages 6-13. Saturday, December 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. $40/Resident; $60/Non-resident. Register through Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department, class #4327200.

Holiday Market and Mistletoe Merriment. The aisles will be decked with unique gifts, the music will be merry, and Santa will be on hand for wish listing and photo ops. Friday, December 6, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special kid activities on Saturday include writing letters to Santa with complimentary childcare available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Special Dad activities include Tesla test drives (and if you want to sit on Santa’s lap afterwards and ask for one, I won’t stop you!) West End Building, 4101 Kruse Way. 503.675.3985.

Reindeer Magic Returns! You know what they say…seeing is believing. Bring the kids to see Santa and his reindeer and round out the outing with holiday music, make-n-take activities for the kids, cookies, and hot cocoa and cider. Friday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Dennis’ 7 Dees. 1090 McVey. 503.636.4660.

Make a Holiday Wreath or Swag. Deck your halls with greenery. Class is offered at Luscher Farm but you need to register for class #4325713 through the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department. Saturday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m. for ages 16+. Fee: $30/resident; $45/non-resident. 125 Rosemont Rd.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides. Bundle up and enjoy the holiday lights as you ride your sleigh through the First Addition neighborhood. Rides start and finish at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center so you can wait comfortably inside for your turn to climb aboard. Saturday, December 7 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fee: $3/Ages 18 and over; $2/Ages 17 and under. 505 G Avenue.

Holiday Magic Theatre: “The Peppermint Bear Show ‘Seasoned Greetings.’” Enjoy a special holiday continental breakfast ½ hour before the curtain goes up for this interactive production featuring area high school student performers. Geared for ages 3-12. Saturdays, December 7, 14, and 21 at 9 and 11 a.m. in the Lakewood Center Community Meeting Room at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. Advance reservations are required by purchasing tickets either online, at the box office or by calling: 503.635.3901.

Bells n’ Brass Concert. Revel in the sounds of Christmas in this concert featuring the Covenant Bell Choir and brass players from the Oregon Symphony. Sunday, December 8 at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. Lake Grove Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. 4040 Sunset Drive. 503.636.5656.

Holiday Open House. The Lake Oswego Public Library invites you to celebrate the sounds of the season with Three Pound Note (traditional English folk music at 1:00 p.m.) and Talia and Renee Dugan at 3:00 playing holiday tunes on the clarinet and keyboard. Refreshments served. Wednesday, December 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 706 Fourth Street.

Journey to Bethlehem. Step into the Nativity story as you walk through this live production. Registration required for 40-minute walk-through slots. Friday, December 13, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Lake Bible Church, 4565 Carman Drive. Free. 503.699.9840.

Lakewood Theatre Company Presents Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Make this part of your holiday tradition as this holiday classic returns again this year beginning Friday, December 13 through December 29. Evening and afternoon performances available. Check the website for the schedule. Tickets are available online and at the box office: $36 Adult; $34 Senior, and $20 for Students 25 and under. Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State Street. 503. 635.3901.

Christmas Ships Parade. Catch a glimpse of up to 60 boats decked out in holiday lights as they make their way from the River Place Marina in Portland to George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego. Boats due to pass by Foothills Park around 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14. Warm up by the fire in the park shelter while you wait. 199 Foothills Drive. 503.675.2545.

High School Holiday Choir Concerts. There’s no quicker way to go from “Bah humbug” to “Merry” than by listening to holiday carols…and seeing them sung by local teens makes you feel that much jollier. Catch our local high school choirs performing in their auditoriums this week. Lake Oswego High School on Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. 2501 Country Club Rd., 503.534.2313. Lakeridge High School on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. 1235 Overlook Drive. 503.534.2319.

Photo credit: nuttakit at freedigitalphotos.net

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Your Christmas Carol Playlist for Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Posted on November 24, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

holiday tree lighting editedLake Oswego must be doing something right.

This Friday, November 29, marks the 49th Annual Tree Lighting beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the corner of 5th Street and A Avenue in front of the Bigelow Plaza Holiday Tree. Festivities continue as a parade winds its way down A Avenue to Millennium Plaza Park at the corner of First and Evergreen for the lighting of the Millennium Tree.

While live carolers will be in full force from Lake Oswego High School’s Windjammers to Lakeridge’s Company, you might want to “warm up” for this event with a playlist of your own.

Here’s what I’d recommend.

“O Christmas Trees(s ).” The giant Sequoia in the Safeway parking lot is a beacon during the holidays, heralding the season to anyone heading up or down A Avenue. Since the tree was deemed too high for stringing traditional bulbs several years ago, glistening snowflakes now do the job . With the addition of Millennium Plaza Park as the city’s social hub, it made sense to initiate some of the festivities there so an additional tree lighting was added to the traditional one and now Lake Oswegans get to witness two trees going up in lights the Friday after Thanksgiving.

“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” Parental warning attached: you may have to do some explaining to your young children why Santa Claus arrives in Lake Oswego on a fire engine instead of a sleigh, but he will be there, ready to listen to your little one’s wish list and spread his holiday cheer.

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” In case the Christmas tree lights and jolly fat man in a red suit weren’t enough of a clue that in 24 hours the season has changed, the candy canes, Santa hats and holiday sweaters will remove any doubt. Revel in the season, browse the downtown shops decked out in their holiday best, grab a hot chocolate, and give thanks you live in a town that knows how to celebrate.

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” The sights of Christmas are one thing. The sounds are another and they will be plentiful at this event, including the Millennium Concert Band, Lake Oswego High School’s Windjammers and Lakeridge High’s Company performers.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides Offered Through First Addition This Saturday

Grab the family and head over to the Adult Community Center which will serve as the boarding place for horse drawn carriage rides through the First Addition neighborhood this Saturday, November 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Cost is $3 for adults 18 and over; $2 for youth. 505 G Avenue.

If a new home is on your holiday wish list, please give me a call. I’d love to show you around (I can even give you the holiday lights tour through the best neighborhoods!)

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Reunion Market Another Thing to Be Thankful for in Lake Oswego

Posted on November 17, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

Reunion market reduced jpgOne of the hardest things to say goodbye to at the end of summer here in Lake Oswego is the Farmer’s Market.

Saturday mornings spent catching up with friends, sampling fresh produce and listening to live music are replaced with soccer games, college football and an extra hot extra wet cappuccino at our favorite coffee spot.

To ease our separation blues, the city has organized an annual Reunion Market just in time for Thanksgiving meal preparation with this year’s event scheduled for this Saturday, November 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Millennium Plaza Park, First and Evergreen.

Pick up some fresh fall harvest bounty along with gifts for the foodies on your list and then line up for a horse drawn wagon ride through downtown Lake Oswego (from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) Cost is $3 for adults 18 and over and $2 for youth.

Here are some of the vendors you can visit:

●Kelly’s Jelly. Local girl does good. Lake Oswegan Kelly Calabria offers pepper jellies and seasonal fruit preserves that hold many claims to fame including the fact they are featured every Thursday in the Habanero Pepper Jelly Donut at Voodoo Donuts.

●DeNoble Farms. Whatever side dishes you’re planning for Thanksgiving, DeNoble has you covered. They’ll be bringing:  brussels sprouts, potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, Jerusalem artichokes, carrots, beets, kale, celery, fennel, celeriac, broccoli, cauliflower, romanesco, cabbage, parsley, chives.

●Green Card Salsa. Chef Trenton Saenz promises to provide you with a “ticket across the border” one flavor at a time with his lineup of salsas ranging from mild to “muy caliente.” Forbidden Cinn (with apple and cinnamon flavor) is a seasonal fall offering.

●Kiyokawa Family Orchards. Randy Kiyokawa plans to bring at least 20 varieties of apples and pears for those pies, cobblers, salads and snacks.

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10 Surprising Facts About Abraham Lincoln Just in Time for the A. Lincoln Performance at Lakewood Theatre Company

Posted on November 10, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

A Lincoln 2Heralded Lincoln portrayer, Steve Holgate is bringing his two-act play, A. Lincoln to a sold-out crowd at the Lakewood Theatre Company at 368 S. State St. next Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00 p.m. on the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address. (Another performance has been scheduled for Monday, February 17, 2014).

Holgate will breathe life into our nation’s most popular president through the retelling of his letters, speeches, newspaper stories and in conversations with imagined characters.

Since this month’s performance sold out, I’d advise you buy your tickets now for the February show.

Whether you attend or not, here’s a chance for you to hone up on your Lincoln trivia in honor of the Gettysburg Address.

  1. While Lincoln tops out on most “greatest president of all time” surveys, he came in second to Ronald Reagan in a 2011 Gallup poll. 
  2. Some newspapers criticized his Gettysburg Address. This came from The Chicago Times: “The cheeks of every American must tingle with shame as he reads the silly, flat, and dishwatery utterances.”
  3. John Wilkes Boothe managed to hide out for 12 days after assassinating Lincoln before he was found.
  4. Despite his often dour appearance, Lincoln was known for having a sense of humor.
  5. According to biographer, Fred Kaplan, “Lincoln is distinguished from every other president, with the exception of Jefferson, in that we can be certain that he wrote every word to which his name is attached.”
  6. Lincoln was not the featured speaker at the dedication of the Gettysburg national cemetery the day of the address. Boston Orator Edward Everett was, and he delivered a two hour speech recounting the war that by all accounts kept the audience enthralled.
  7. Lincoln followed with his two minute, 272 worded remarks which included, “ the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here.” Everett had the grace to tell Lincoln, “Sir, you said more in two minutes than I did in two hours.”
  8. Lincoln hid his mail, bankbook and important papers in his stovepipe hat.
  9. One of Lincoln’s fondest food memories was the gingerbread men his mom used to bake.
  10. Lincoln’s image isn’t only enshrined at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He is also honored at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma. To date, they’ve only been able to find one recorded defeat in the 12 years he competed.

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Why Stephen Sondheim Thinks You Should Take Your Seat at Local High School Musicals

Posted on November 3, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

Theater seatsBoth Lake Oswego High School and Lakeridge High School Drama Departments are performing musicals this month in their high school auditoriums. Students have been rehearsing for weeks to be ready when the curtain goes up starting with How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Lakeridge this Thursday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m. but according to Sondheim, all their work will be for naught, unless you show up.

“Musicals are plays,” he said, “but the last collaborator is your audience, so you’ve got to wait ‘til the last collaborator comes in before you can complete the collaboration.”

 So do your part and take your seat. Lakeridge performs November 7, 9, 14, 15, and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and November 9 at 2:00 p.m. at 1235 Overlook Drive. Lake Oswego’s production, Honk! will be offered November 14,16, 21, and 23 at 7:00 p.m. and November 16 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. at 2501 Country Club Rd.

Besides Sondheim’s advice, here are a few more reasons to check them out.

1.      You’ll make a lot of kids happy. These productions are a major team effort with close to 100 students involved in the cast, tech crew and orchestra.

2.      You’ll be entertained. New Lakeridge drama teacher, Andy Ballnik says How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying “is underestimated for its entertainment and creative value.” This version has been tweaked to update the 1960s view of women in the workplace so women are not seen as merely objects in a man’s world. Ballnik wanted to make fun of the male dominated perspective in the show, a point that songs like “A Secretary is Not a Toy” get across. Plus, Ballnik explains, “The final number (‘Brotherhood of Man’) is one of the best final numbers of any show that I know of.”

Lake Oswego Drama Teacher Bob McGranaham calls Honk! a great family show that is clever, well written and fun. You’ll find the storyline familiar as it is based on The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. Graham says audience members should be on the lookout for memorable numbers such as “Wild Goose Chase,” “Warts and All,” “Every Tear a Mother Cries,” and “Different.”

3.      The price is right. The average price for a ticket on Broadway this past summer was $106.34. Chances are you can bring your whole family to these local productions for that. General admission for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is $15; $12 for students and seniors; $10 for Lakeridge students. General admission for Honk! is $12; $8 for students and seniors; $5 for children 5 and under.  

Westside Christian students are also appearing on stage in A Midsummer Night’s Dream on November 8 and 9 at 7:00 p.m. and November 3 and 10 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8.50 for adults; $6.50 for seniors and $4.50 for students. 4565 Carman Drive. 503.697.4711.

Don’t Miss Lamb’s Nature’s Choice Market’s Holiday Show This Wednesday

Over 50 vendors will be on hand sampling food, candy and wine for your holiday festivities at this annual meet-and-greet Lake Oswego event. Read what I had to say last year about it. Although the market’s name has changed, this tradition continues. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 1376 McVey Avenue, 503.636.2213.

Photo credit: Freedigitalphotos.net taken by Apple’s Eyes Studio.

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Downtown Lake Oswego Uncorks Wine Walk This Saturday

Posted on October 27, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

Wine WalkDowntown Lake Oswego is releasing a new event to kickoff the holiday shopping season this Saturday, November 2, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

During its inaugural Wine Walk, twenty-six shops are open for more than your business– each will be offering samples of two premium wines along with bites to eat from local food establishments. A $25 ticket entitles you to tasting in eight locations of your choice.

Wines have been selected by oenophile-in-residence, Susan Olson with World Class Wines, and feature offerings both from the Pacific Northwest as well as around the world.  

Italian wines, for example, can be sampled at Nicoletta’s Table, Soletta’s Shoe Boutique, Tucci’s, and The Oilerie. Oregon tastes can be found at Lucky Me Boutique, World Class Wines and Bernard C. Chocolates. Other offerings include samples from Spain, Argentina, Oregon,Washington, France, California, as well as Sake and Champagne.

Attendees should start their walk at either the Lakewood Theatre at 368 S. State Street or Step It Up Ballroom Dance Studio at 449 Third Street to receive their souvenir Wine Walk Lake Oswego wine glass, along with a map featuring the event locations and wine details.  All wines tasted that day will be available for order and purchase at World Class Wines.

Tickets are available through local businesses like World Class Wines, Accessories from the Heart, Step It Up Studios and the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce as well as online. For more information call the Chamber: 503.636.3634.

Check Out These Neighborhoods for Trick or Treating in Lake Oswego

halloween photoBefore Saturday’s Wine Walk, kiddies will be walking the streets for candy on Halloween, this Thursday. Check out one of my earlier posts for hints on good neighborhoods to hit. If you have any to recommend, leave your suggestions here. I’d love to add them to the list.

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You’re Encouraged to “Lighten Up” at This Year’s Lake Oswego Storytelling Festival

Posted on October 20, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

storytelling_logoIn view of this year’s Storytelling Festival’s theme, “Lighten Up,” I’d like to paraphrase Barbara Walters: “A good laugh makes any interview, any conversation, or any story, so much better.”

Festival organizers have enlisted the talents of nationally acclaimed storyteller Kim Weitkamp to encourage and equip this year’s participants to add humor to their stories. Besides a hands-on workshop on Saturday, October 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the library, she’ll also perform at three other festival events to show the rest of us how it’s done.

This is the Storytelling Festival’s third year running and its timing near Halloween means that scary stories are featured at two of the events, with Weitkamp offering some of her original tales from two of her albums.

Here’s a full lineup of events.

Scary Story Swap with Will Hornyak. Scare or be scared. Bring a 3-5 minute spooky story to share or just come to have your spine tingled. Sign-ups for swappers begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, October 25, from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Waluga Masonic Lodge, #181, 417 2nd Street.

Serve Chilled with Kim Weitkamp. Drawing from her albums entitled, Head Bone Rattles and Dead Bird Singing (not yet released), you can be sure you’re not in store for “happily ever after endings.” But if you’re like many who like to be scared, tune in. Friday, October 25 from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Waluga Masonic Lodge, #181, 417 2nd Street.

Children’s Matinee with Charlie Williams, the Noiseguy. Let this kids’ comedian put his vocal sound impressions to work to entertain your little ones. From planes and trains to dinosaurs and beatboxing, he’ll have their laugh-out-loud attention. Saturday, October 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth Street.

Community Exhibits. See who has a story to tell: Friends of Lake Oswego Library, Lake Oswego Preservation Society, Lake Oswego Public Library, Oral History Project, Oswego Heritage Council, Oswego Pioneer Cemetery, Portland Storytellers Guild. Visit their tables and be entered into a prize drawing. Saturday, October 26, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth Street.

Why and How to Add Humor to Your Stories. Lighten up your stories and warm up to your audience with tips from Kim Weitkamp. Space is limited so pre-register by calling 503.675.2540 or email: loref@ci.oswego.or.us. Saturday, October 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth Street.

Storytelling Concert with Kim Weitkamp. Watch and learn from one of the best as Weitkamp shares her humorous look at life, tall tales and original stories. Saturday, October 26 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Lakewood Center for the Arts, downstairs, 368 S. State Street.

Family Matinee with Kim Weitkamp, Will Hornyak and Anne-Louise Sterry. Bring the whole family for this entertaining performance. Sunday, October 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth Street.

Check out previous blog coverage on the Lake Oswego Storytelling Festival for more reasons to attend.

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Three Reasons to FYOB in Lake Oswego: Fill Your Own Bottle at Local Growler Stations

Posted on October 13, 2013 by lovelakeoswego

Lamb's Nature's Choice Market now offers a Growler Station for beer and cider to go.

Lamb’s Nature’s Choice Market in Lake Oswego now offers a Growler Station for beer and cider to go.

It’s no surprise we speak beer here in Oregon. The state has 187 brewing facilities in 63 cities and 85,000 visitors showed up for this year’s Oregon Brewers Festival.

Considering that Lake Oswego is only eight miles from what Oregon Brewers Guild claims is home to more breweries than any other city in the world, it makes sense that local retailers and pubs are looking for ways to satisfy our thirst.

Enter growler stations. Designed to let you bring home the fresh, straight-out-of-the tap taste of local microbrews, stations are popping up around Lake Oswego. You either purchase a growler (in most cases a 64 oz. glass jug) or bring your own, and then pick the brew of your choice to fill your bottle directly from the tap. The cap goes on and you go home with libation for that night’s festivities.

“It’s nice for folks who want to stay in but enjoy a microbrew that’s right out of the tap and usually at a good price,” explains Mark Maher with Maher’s Irish Brew Pub.

In many cases, a growler is the only way to enjoy some microbrews outside of ordering a pint at your local bar. Feckin beers, for example, featured at Maher’s, are not available in bottles so a growler is the only way to enjoy them at home.

The thing to watch out for with growlers is oxidation which can spoil your beer. Maher’s has just installed a new fill method that fills the bottles from the bottom, minimizing the oxygen that can cause things to foam up. Stickmen’s Brewery & Skewery employs the same method. “The key to filling a growler,” Maher explains, “is to fill it all the way to the top and cap it while it’s still bubbling out of the bottle because the more oxygen you have on top of the beverage the more oxygen will seep into the beer.”

The shelf life of a growler depends on the storage conditions and the style of beer. A full growler can stay carbonated for a long time if kept cold and unopened, but Tim Schoenheit with Stickmen’s recommends taking style into consideration too as hop character can fade over time.

To play it safe, Maher suggests drinking the contents of your growler the same day that you bring it home. Sounds like a recommendation most beer lovers can live with!

Here are three places in town where you can fill ‘er up:

Maher’s Irish Brew Pub. 352 B Avenue. 503.880.5608. Features about 15 beers on tap including four to five from Feckin Brewery, some Irish imports and Oregon microbrewers like Good Life and Boneyard out of Bend and Coalition from Southeast Portland. Fill up a 64 oz. growler with Feckin beer for $10; micros for $15 and imports for $17.

Stickmen’s Brewery & Skewery.  40 N. State St. 503.322.4449. It’s called a brewery for a reason–they have a brew system setup here that can crank out 220 gallons of suds in a wide variety of styles to quench your thirst for something new. Try the Beer Flight–five 4 oz. tasters for $9 or order The Rainbow and sample everything! Then fill up your growler with your favorite. Price range for 64 ounces is $13 to $24 with most at $14 to $15. Stickmen’s sells logo growlers or will fill your own, including the smaller 32 ounce sizes at half price.

Lamb’s Nature’s Choice Market. 1377 McVey Avenue. 503.636.2213. As part of their recent makeover to go with their new name, Lamb’s has added a growler station that offers 32 oz. growlettes as well as the traditional 64 oz. size. The growlettes are proving more popular at the moment as shoppers find them the perfect size for trying two different varieties, or including one of Lamb’s ciders in their bottles-to-go. Selections rotate on a regular basis so there is always something new to check out. Prices vary from $5 to $10.99 to fill a growlette and $10 to $21 for 64 ounces. You can bring your own bottles or purchase a growlette for $3; growler for $4.

Has anyone tried beer-to-go? If so, share your experience here.

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