52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego

We all know about Bogie and Bacall. But did you know that there was another love in Bogart’s life? Boating. I’m not just talking about The African Queen which co-starred with him in the only movie for which he won an academy award.  Even off screen, Bogart loved to spend time on a wooden sailing boat, Santana. My hunch is that if he was still around, he’d be staying at the Lakeshore Inn this weekend so he wouldn’t miss out on any of the action at the Oswego Heritage Council’s 14^th annual Collector Car and Classic Boat Show.

Here are some highlights:

■The weekend kicks off with a vintage water ski show on Saturday, August 17, at 3:00 p.m. in Lakewood Bay. A boat parade will follow at 4:30 p.m. from the Lake Oswego Corporation Docks to the Lake Grove Swim Park. Miss Wahoo, a 1957 Unlimited Racing Hydroplane, will also be on-land for viewing at Foothills Park starting Saturday from 10:0 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and continuing through Sunday.

■The car and boat show runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 at three venues: George Rogers Park, Foothills Park & Docks, and Lake Oswego Corporation Docks.

■Shuttle service will be running between the three venues, compliments of First Student, Inc.

■Organizers expect to feature over 250 cars and 50 boats so plan on taking your time. There will be 38 boats at the Lake Oswego Corporation Docks just in front of Sundeleaf Park,  a Vintage Hydroplane on-land at Foothills Park as well as  the DUKW (a 2 1/2 ton 6×6 amphibious truck) and classic cruisers like the Rinta, a 1938 Monk Deck Cruiser moored at the Foothills Park docks. George Rogers Park will host several more boats on land as well as the collector cars.

■Youth are encouraged to get involved so the show will feature youth judging for both the car and boat events as well as classic boat models for children to color and float.

■Since the Lake Oswego Corporation Docks will be filled with classic boats all weekend, residents are encouraged to leave their boats at home and walk, bike, or drive to the show.

■Breakfast and lunch will be available at George Rogers Park along with raffle ticket sales for three baskets.

Follow Your Art Unveils New Sculptures Friday

The drapes come off this Friday to unveil the new additions to Lake Oswego’s Gallery Without Walls.

The wait is over. The Arts Council will unveil the 15 newest additions to the Gallery Without Walls at their annual celebration this Friday, August 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Millennium Plaza Park.

This year’s theme is inspired by traditional Chinese Festivals.  Millennium Plaza Park will be decked-out with red lanterns and red dragon banners draped from the pergola.  The event will kick-off with traditional Chinese music, and will be followed by a troupe of Ribbon Dancers.  The entertainment will conclude with a rousing performance by two festive Lion Dancers that will no doubt, thrill the crowd.

The free celebration will also include food vendors, children’s art activities, and guided tours of the artwork with sculptors on-hand to introduce their work.

V.I.P. guests (including the event Sponsor, City officials, Business leaders and the Sculptors) will arrive at the event in a Trolley and will be escorted to the stage by the Lion Dancers.

It’s a shame the Beatles will never be reunited, but if they were, you can be sure they’d find their way to Hot August Nights at the entrance to Half Moon Bay on the east end of Oswego Lake this Saturday, August 10, with DJ music starting at 5:30 p.m., concert at 6:30 p.m. Here’s why.

1. The Beatles were known for singing, “Please Please Me” and that’s exactly what the featured band, The Beatniks, aims to do. Using vintage instruments, they replicate the tunes that made female baby boomers swoon and strike a chord with young audiences as well. In fact they are back by popular demand after last year’s show. Their repertoire includes not just Beatles hits but other favorites from memory lane like the Stones’ “Get Off My Cloud” and “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks. It’s enough to make you want to dance and thanks to a floating dance floor, you can!
2. They wanted everyone to “Come Together,” and this event makes that happen. The Lake Oswego Corporation estimates between 200-250 boats pull up to hear the music. There are close to 125 “spaces” available for boats to tie on to each other on a first come, first served basis. Other boaters drop anchor. The Lake Corporation encourages residents to “buddy boat,” if possible.
3. They were known to call for Help! and help is on the way during the concert for boaters who need to relieve themselves. When nature calls, party-goers just need to wave their orange safety flag and a water taxi will wind its way through the boats to escort them to a floating porta potty. Return transportation is provided.
4. The Beatles loved feeling “Glad All Over” which is how you might describe the audience. Hot summer night, live music, and a beautiful lake setting provide a perfect excuse for Lake Oswegans to party and they make the most of it. The Beatles would be proud.

Want to read more about this event? Check out my posts from 2012 and 2011. And consider subscribing to 52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego by clicking the “Sign me up” button in the top right hand column. You’ll stay up-to-date on why Lake Oswego is a great place to live.

Summer nights are one of Lake Oswego’s gifts to its residents—warm, calm and bug-free—and what better way to celebrate them than watching a movie under the starry skies!

 The Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department is offering Movies in the Park over the next four Thursdays at Millennium Plaza Park, 200 First Street. Shows start at dusk (between 8:30 to 9:00 p.m.) so grab your blankets, pillows, and low sand chairs, and get comfy before the picture goes up.

It wouldn’t be the movies without popcorn—that’s available as well as other treats too so make it a fun family outing (invite the neighbors too).

 Here’s the lineup:

 July 25: Wreck It Ralph. Animated film about a video game villain who wants to stop being the bad guy and prove himself a hero.

August 1: Zookeeper. Kevin James brings new meaning to “talk to the animals” as his charges team up to help him win the girl while keeping his job.

August 8: Hotel Transylvania. Dracula thinks his “teenage” vampire daughter is safe in the monsters-only resort he has created to protect her. But when a 21 year old human boy finds his way in, Dracula finds that the powers of attraction may be greater than his magical powers.

August 15: Miracle. Relive the glory of the 1980 American hockey team gold medal championship win against the Soviet Union.

Movies in the Park, Lake Grove Swim Park, 4th of July festivities…there are lots of reasons to love Lake Oswego and you’ll find them right here. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right hand column to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss a thing. And give me a call if you’d like to see Lake Oswego for yourself through the eyes of a long-time resident and big-time fan. I’d love to help you find your new home in my favorite city.

Photo credit: Salvatore Vuono at freedigitalphotos.net

Swim Park regular, James McGrew, painted this picture of his daughter taking “The Leap” at the popular Lake Grove Swim Park. “I lived here for ten years before I knew about this place,” he admits. But now he and his family find it the perfect spot for swimming, picnicking, enjoying the 4th of July fireworks and…painting. (Check out all of his work on his website).

On a hot summer day, the Lake Grove Swim Park at 3800 Lakeview Boulevard in Lake Oswego is the place to be.

Beautiful setting, lifeguards, wading pool, swim lessons, playground, ping pong, shuffleboard, tetherball, badminton, picnic tables, sun, shade, and, as any kid will tell you, a great snack shack round out the reasons why residents head to the park from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. from the first Saturday after LOSD schools close in June through Labor Day.

Listen to what some of the regulars have to say.

I’ve been coming since I was a teenager. It’s a nice place to spend an afternoon. I like to imagine it’s my own private estate.  – Karen Ifversen

I love it. It’s really well run with lots of lifeguards. You can bring guests and spend the day here. Most of all, my son is happy here. – Toi Deason

It gives my kids a chance to get outside and exercise in a nice atmosphere. –Todd Prager

It’s a great wildlife watching spot. We’ve seen bald eagles, osprey and even a mink.        – Heather Boyd

 My kids love it. They love the water and there are lots of things for them to do with their friends from school who come here too. It’s a good atmosphere. –Shanna Marsh

 It’s really social and fun. A lot of kids my age like to hang out here.  –Talia Dugan (15)

The Lake Grove Swim Park is run by the Lake Oswego School District and is open to residents who live within the boundaries of the former Lake Grove School District according to the original deed spelled out by Oregon Iron & Steel Company. (Check to see if you live within the boundary). While that district is now part of the LOSD, residents within those original boundaries still pay an additional property tax to support the park.

You must have a park pass to enter the park. Passes can be obtained at the park with a picture ID and proof of residency.

Swim lessons are a bargain at $10 for 10 lessons and are open to Lake Oswego school children even if their household falls outside the stipulated boundaries. They run in two week sessions and fill up fast. Pre-registration for the next session is this Friday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m. You must register in person at the swim park on a first come, first served basis. Check out the schedule.

And check out last year’s post on the swim park for more reasons why it’s such a popular spot.

If you’d like to find a home within the Lake Grove Swim Park boundaries, give me a call at 503.939.9801 or email me at kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com. My kids grew up at the swim park and I now have two daughters working there as lifeguards so I know what an asset it is to family life. I’d love to help you make your own memories there.