2 Excuses to Get Out in Lake Oswego This Week: Sculpture Unveiling, Collector Car and Classic Boat Show

Posted on August 13, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

The unveiling of the new 2012-2014 additions to Lake Oswego’s Gallery Without Walls outdoor sculpture collection will take place this Thursday, August 16 beginning with a celebration at 5:30 p.m. at Millennium Plaza Park.

Summer shows no signs of winding down in Lake Oswego. Events this week take full advantage of sunshine and the joie de vivre attitude the season fosters. So get out and enjoy—no excuses!

1.    Follow Your Art! Sculpture Celebration and Unveiling. Leave it to the Arts Council of Lake Oswego to find a creative way to introduce the 2012-2014 new lineup to the Gallery Without Walls, the city’s outdoor sculpture collection.

The new additions have been cloaked in rainbow fabric for several weeks with a sign saying, “Do not open! Until August 16th.”

The artists themselves will be on hand as well as artist Keith Jellum, this year’s People’s Choice award-winning creator of, “Vincent.”

Entertainment includes balloon sculptor Chad Rutan for the kids and a parade of stilt-walkers from Portland’s “Do Jump!” for all ages. Thursday, August 16, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Millennium Plaza Park, First and Evergreen.

2.    13th Annual Oswego Heritage Council Collector Car and Classic Boat Show. True to its mission, “to assure and promote the preservation of our history and culture,” the Oswego Heritage Council is sponsoring its 13th annual Heritage Council Collector Car and Classic Boat Show on Sunday, August 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Venture out to one of three venues to “Follow Your Art!” of the four wheeled and sea-worthy variety—George Rogers Park featuring classic cars and on-land classic boats, and the Lake Oswego Corporation docks in Lakewood Bay and Foothills Park Docks on the Willamette River for classic boats.

In addition, spectators can board and tour the PT 658, the only usable PT boat in the world at the Foothills Park Docks on Sunday. Be on hand to welcome the boat on Saturday, August 18 at 10:00 a.m.

Other pre-show festivities include a water ski spectacular Saturday,  at 3:00 p.m. in Lakewood Bay followed by a boat parade at 4:00 p.m. of classic boats.

What’s your favorite excuse for getting out and enjoying the summer weather in Lake Oswego?

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From Summer Concert Series to Hot August Nights: The Sounds of Music 7 Days a Week in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Posted on August 6, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

If you’re a music lover, then Lake Oswego is the place to be this week. You can’t go a day without finding a venue to whet your musical appetite. Check it out.

MONDAY: Talk about Movies Discussion Group at the Library. Maybe you can veer the discussion to cover your favorite musicals! Who wouldn’t love reliving Grease, Singin’ in the Rain, and of course, Sound of Music?  12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Lake Oswego Public Library Conference Room, 706 Fourth Street.

TUESDAY: First Tuesday Music Series featuring Eric John Kaiser.“Parlez-vous français?” Well, Eric John Kaiser does, and he sings it too. Portland’s own “French Troubadour” will play modern pop-rock wrapped in sophisticated French lyrics. 7:00 p.m., Lake Oswego Public Library, 706 Fourth Street. 636.7628

WEDNESDAY: Sounds of Summer Concert Series with Throwback Suburbia. Rock n’roll with some of the best of Portland’s music scene. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,Westlake Park, 14165 Bunick Drive.

THURSDAY: Catch tunes at local hangouts. Looking for a little libation to go with those tunes? Check out Kevin McCormack at 7:00 p.m. in the back patio of Maher’s Pub at 352 B Avenue and then head over to the Gemini Bar and Grill for Urban Sub Allstar at  9:00 p.m. at 456 N. State Street.

FRIDAY: Summer Splash Concert with The LaRhonda Steele Trio. Make a lunch date and pack a picnic or pick something up at one of the eateries in Lake View Village before settling in at Millennium Plaza Park from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. First and Evergreen.

SATURDAY: Hot August Nights featuring The Beatniks. Find a friend with a boat on Oswego Lake and enjoy some of classic rock’s greatest sounds. Lake entrance to Half Moon Bay. 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 503.636.1422

SUNDAY: Moonlight and Music Concert. Round out your musical week with the vintage jazz sounds of AnnaPaul and The Bearded Lady. 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Millennium Plaza Park. First and Evergreen. 503.675.2549.

Where’s your favorite spot in Lake Oswego to catch some tunes? Leave your recommendations here.

Photo credit: Courtesy of renjith krishnan at freedigitalphotos.net

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10 Reasons Why I Think Lake Oswego Placed in Family Circle’s 10 Best Towns for Families List

Posted on July 30, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

Family Circle magazine just came out with its list of 10 Best Towns for Families, ranking Lake Oswego right up there with the likes of Vail, Arizona; Fort Mill, South Carolina; and Oak Park, Illinois. They looked at schools, housing, green space and volunteerism in deciding which towns to crown with this year’s honor.

Since praising Lake Oswego is what this blog is all about, here are my top 10 reasons why Lake Oswego is one of the top 10 towns for families to live.

1.    SCHOOLS.  You’ve read it here before, but in my 20 plus years as a Realtor in Lake Oswego, the Lake Oswego School District’s reputation is the number one reason why families want to call Lake Oswego home.
2.    SAFETY. Check out the Lake Oswego Review Police Blotter to see what’s going down in our town and then sleep soundly. The city profiling site, City-Data.com estimates Lake Oswego’s crime index at 89.8 compared to 392.7 for Portland and 239 for Tigard.
3.    NEIGHBORHOODS. Before one of our neighbors moved in a few doors down several years ago, she knocked on our door to ask if it was a kid-friendly spot. My wife reassured her that it was. She probably would have found the same answer in many of the neighborhoods around Lake Oswego. From active neighborhood associations to 4th of July potlucks to swim and pool easements, there is lots for kids and their parents to like.
4.    RECREATION. You don’t have to leave home to maintain an active lifestyle in Lake Oswego. Choose from swimming in the lake at the Lake Oswego Swim Park to running the trails at Tryon Creek. The Parks and Recreation Department’s program guide offers everything from skateboard lessons to belly dancing. Venture a little further, and you can be snowboarding at Mt. Hood in less than two hours or running along the beach at Seaside in a little over 90 minutes.
5.    SENSE OF COMMUNITY. Lake Oswegans care. You can see it in the faces of the hundreds of supporters who show up each year for the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk or the greetings shared by the hundreds who turn out for the Lions Club 4th of July pancake breakfast in George Rogers Park. And it’s not just themselves that Lake Oswegans care about. More than 400 people showed up for this year’s Walk4Water to support World Vision’s water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Zambia.
6.    LIBRARY. The Lake Oswego Public Library has been named the number one library in Oregon for eight consecutive years by Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings. Its programming for children and teens has to be one of the reasons. From a Mario Kart tournament for teens to a bicycle safety clinic, you soon realize that this library thinks of itself as much more than a place to store books.
7.    IT’S A PLACE KIDS WANT TO COME BACK TO. Gone are the days when all three of my kids live under my roof 365 days a year. But for one glorious week this summer, they did. My son couldn’t imagine celebrating the 4th of July anywhere else. And for the holidays, this is where they want to be. It’s nice to know we’re settled in a place that spells home to them in more ways than one.
8.    WEATHER. For anyone who has heard of wet Northwest winters, this may sound like false advertising, but hear me out. Fall is beautiful here—crisp, chilly, colorful. Winter is, yes, wet, but sometimes it’s also white. Those rare snow days were some of my kids’ favorite memories as they would send up a rousing cheer to their mom’s news that school had been cancelled for the day. We’d pull out the boots and mittens and head for the neighborhood hill for some not-so-serious sledding. Spring is yes, wet, and cooler than we’d like, especially when my son played spring baseball. But the colorful azaleas and rhododendrons make up for it. Summer is late in arriving but once it makes its debut (usually after July 4th), there is no better place to be.
9.    GREEN SPACES. You don’t have to travel to a national park or forest to enjoy green spaces here. Lake Oswego has been designated an official Tree City USA so just step outside. And then reap the benefits. University of Essex researchers found that people’s moods improve after spending time exercising outdoors. With more than 490 acres of open spaces, there is no excuse to stay inside and sulk.
10.    LOCATION. Lake Oswego feels like a small town without the sense of isolation that can come with it. Located just eight miles from downtown Portland, you get the best of both worlds.

What do you think makes Lake Oswego a great place for families? Share your ideas here so others can benefit from how you see it.

Photo credit: Image courtesy of Stuart Miles freedigitalphotos.net

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Let Shakespeare Explain Why You Should Check Out Masque Alfresco in Lake Oswego This Weekend

Posted on July 23, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

Masque Alfresco, known for its accessible brand of commedia dell’arte theatre is in the middle of its nine show Lake Oswego run of Goldoni’s  Superior Casa Nova on the lawn near the Iron Furnace at George Rogers Park. Remaining performances are from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on July 27-29 and August 3-5. The actors then move to Bagley Park in Hillsboro (August 10-12) and Beaverton Library Lawn (August 18, 19, 25 and 26).

Haven’t caught their act yet? Let Goldoni’s English counterpart, Shakespeare, convince you to go in the way only his words could.

“The play’s the thing.”  Plays were Shakespeare’s bread and butter so of course he’d think you should attend, even if he isn’t the playwright behind Masque Alfresco’s current production and even though the actors throw in a few commedia dell’arte trademarks you might not find in a typical Shakespearean production like slapstick beatings, hat juggling and political jokes.

 “O, had I but followed the arts!” The bard would caution you from sharing Sir Andrew’s regrets in Twelfth Night. Andrew laments that he spent too much time bear-baiting, fencing and dancing instead of following the arts. Learn from his mistakes—get thee to a play!

“But, for my own part, it was Greek to me.” Anyone who has ever attended a Shakespearean play might have felt the way Casca did in Julius Caesar. But luckily for you, Masque Alfresco adapts the language of their plays to modern audiences complete with contemporary references to keep them fresh, funny, and entertaining.

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” Not to be a spoiler here, but let’s just say that Zoletto, the doting husband in La Casa Nova, learns Shakespeare’s lesson the hard (and hilarious) way.

“Though this be madness, yet there is method in ‘t.” The same could be said for Masque Alfresco. They describe their play as a“zany” production complete with outrageous characters and “all the slapstick you’d care to shake a schtick at.”

“I bear a charmed life.” While these were Macbeth’s words, I have a feeling that after you set out your blanket while taking in the sights and sounds of Masque Alfresco on the George Rogers Park lawn overlooking the Willamette River, you’ll be thinking the same thing.

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7 Things to Do in Lake Oswego Oregon to Put More WOW in Your Week

Posted on July 15, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

Summer is the time to kick back and try new things. Lake Oswego makes that easy to do. Look at how you can mix it up just this week in Lake Oswego.

SUNDAY, JULY 15
Flamenco guitar concert featuring Todd Haaby as part of Lake Oswego’s Moonlight & Music Series. This guy has been playing since he received his first guitar for his fifteenth birthday. By the sounds of it, he is well past the 10,000 practice hours needed to master this skill. 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Millennium Plaza Park, 200 First Street.

MONDAY, JULY 16
Free trivia night at Maher’s Irish Brew Pub beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Luckily it’s a team sport at Maher’s so chances are what you don’t know…somebody else will.  352 B Ave. 503-305-8087.

TUESDAY, JULY 17
Gluten free summer picnic store tour at 10 a.m. the Mountain Park New Season’s Store. If you have someone who is gluten-free living in your family like I do, this is an event! My wife is continually on the lookout for gluten-free finds to incorporate into her diet. When she’s happy, I’m happy, so if you’re in the same boat…make it a date. 3 SW Monroe Parkway. 503.496.1155.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18
Honor your inner Olympian by entering the All Comers Track Meet at the Lake Oswego High School Track at 6:00 p.m. (Registration begins at 5:15 p.m.). Bring the family for this fun event that lets everyone compete…no pre-qualifying trials necessary.Can’t run or jump? There’s even an event for you–the Predict-a-Mile. The runner who finishes closest to his or her predicted time wins! $3 per person. 2501 Country Club Road.

THURSDAY, JULY 19
Chocolate Tasting: A World Tour. Need another excuse to eat chocolate? How about because it’s an educational experience! Sample chocolates from around the world and learn something about this “food of the Gods.” 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the West End Building, 4101 Kruse Way. Register through the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department. $18.

FRIDAY, JULY 20
Fabulous French wine tasting at World Class Wines from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sample six wines for $10 with an optional $5 bonus pour. Includes light appetizers. 269 A Avenue. 503.974.9841.

SATURDAY, JULY 21
Couples Glow Ball Tournament at the Lake Oswego Golf Course. Get a lot of entertainment value for your $79 entrance fee for two. Includes 18 holes of golf, glow ball equipment, a Mexican fiesta dinner and drink. 6:30 p.m. shotgun start. 17525 SW Stafford Rd. 503.636.8228.

SUNDAY, JULY 22
Rethink the cello by listening to the Portland Cello Project as part of the Music & Moonlight Series. This genre-crossing group plays classical music with an edge that keeps it fresh and unlike anything you’ve heard before. Millennium Plaza Park, 200 First Street . 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Photo credit: freedigitalphoto.net

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5 Secrets to the Eye-Popping Color of Lake Oswego’s Flower Baskets

Posted on July 9, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

Lake Oswego’s flower baskets provide eye-popping color wherever you go.

In summertime, Lake Oswego is in bloom, thanks in large part to the Lake Oswego Village Flower Basket program. Colorful hanging baskets line the main thoroughfares of Lake Oswego and contributed to the city winning the “America in Bloom” award in 2003.

What’s the secret behind all that color?

  1. VOLUNTEERS. Jonn Karsseboom, owner of The Garden Corner in Tualatin where the baskets are assembled, is always blown away by the volunteer commitment behind the Lake Oswego Village Flower Basket program. “Lake Oswego always stands out,” he explains. “You see full families showing up at 5 a.m. to hang those baskets, and people from all walks of life…wow!”
  2. WATERING. Sure, it can rain in Oregon on a summer day, but that’s no excuse to take a day off from watering. For the size baskets Lake Oswego hangs, Karsseboom recommends five gallons of water daily. “That’s what’s needed to rehydrate the entire root ball,” he explains. Many gardeners think their container is fully watered when the water starts running out of the bottom of the basket—but that’s just water running along the sides. Stay with it for the full 35 seconds it takes a hose on full blast to soak in the equivalent of five gallons.
  3. FERTILIZER. Karsseboom’s crew fertilizes the Lake Oswego baskets once a week religiously with their very own Flower Power Fertilizer. It’s Lake Oswego inspired because of its low phosphorous content in an effort to reduce any phosphorous runoff into the lake.
  4. BUG CONTROL. According to Karsseboom, a bug worm can take a hanging basket from full bloom to green in a day or two. So make sure your baskets are protected with a low impact bug control.
  5. ENCOURAGEMENT. Everything grows better with a little encouragement, including Lake Oswego’s Village Flower Baskets. Karsseboom’s crew hits the streets to water and fertilize “under the cover of darkness,” but they are cheered on by passers-by and walkers. As for your baskets? What’s good enough for royalty, is good enough for us commoners. Prince Charles admitted to talking to his plants when interviewed about his gardening habits. So consider striking up a conversation with yours…under the cover of darkness of course!
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Why Lake Oswego Oregon is the Place to Be on the Fourth of July

Posted on July 1, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

There’s a reason why my now-23 year old son is giving up a week of his sacred vacation days to ensure he is in Lake Oswego, Oregon for the Fourth of July.

My 23 year old son is very stingy with his days off. They are usually reserved for weekend getaways to visit friends in exciting places like Newport Beach, Las Vegas, and Tahoe. But he is taking a whole week off to ensure he will be in Lake Oswego, Oregon, for the Fourth of July.

Is he as patriotic as Uncle Sam? Probably not, but he likes to have a good time and with all that’s planned, he figured Lake Oswego is where he wanted to be.

●Lake Oswego Lions Club Pancake Breakfast. Every year I swear I’m only going to eat the two sausage patties the Lions Club volunteers give me to go along with my plate-sized, fluffy pancakes, and every year I go back for seconds. Get there early if you want the marionberry syrup…it starts running low after 10 a.m. Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. George Rogers Park.

●Star Spangled Celebration and Parade. If you thought the ocean was blue, check out this sea of red, white and blue, making its way down A Avenue. They come by stroller, bicycle, wagon, baby carrier, on foot, with a few “floats” thrown in to bring out the candy tossers. Hours: 9:00 a.m. staging at Lake Garden Court; 10:00 a.m. parade begins.

●Celebration at Millennium Plaza Park. The party just continues all day, changing location along the way. Millennium Plaza Park is the site of live music, face-painting, a pie-eating contest and the Lions Club Barbecue. Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

●Lake Corporation Boat Parade. Fourth of July parades come by land and by water in Lake Oswego. Boats decorated to the theme of “Favorite Team” will depart from the Lake Grove Swim Park viewing area at 1:oo p.m. Check them out. There will be live music and prizes awarded.

●Fireworks on the Lake. What better way to end the perfect day than by viewing fireworks shooting off over the west end of Oswego Lake to the “ooh’s” and “ahhh’s” of spectators on land and on water. 9:45 p.m.

What’s your favorite excuse for being in Lake Oswego for the Fourth of July? Leave your comment here.

See you at the pancake breakfast!

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10 Reasons Why Chivalry Is Not Dead in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Posted on June 25, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

See for yourself why chivalry is alive and well in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Catch the Knights of Veritas demonstration on Friday, June 29 at 12 noon at Rossman Park.

Chivalry is not dead in Lake Oswego.

For one thing, the Knights of Veritas will present an interactive educational demonstration of medieval arms, armor, combat, knighthood and chivalry on Friday, June 29 at 12 noon in Rossman Park at 555 Fourth Street. Sponsored by the Lake Oswego Public Library, the Knights of Veritas aim to provide an accurate picture of this piece of medieval history, including the Code of Chivalry any knight worth his armor would live by.

Looking over the Knights’ checklist of virtues, I’d have to say Lake Oswego has most of them covered.

  • COURAGE to stand up for what they feel is right.  Ever been to a City Council, School Board, Planning Commission meeting on a controversial topic? I rest my case.
  • COURTESY. Just park yourself at the four-way stop at the corner of Jean Road and Pilkington. Lake Oswegans, like most Oregonians, don’t know the rule that when two cars arrive at the same time at a stop sign, you yield to the car on the right. Instead, it’s a politeness-duel-to-the-finish…no swords required.
  • PROWESS. You’ll find prowess in many areas but Lake Oswegans especially like to boast about their schools. All the schools in the Lake Oswego School District have received the Oregon Department of Education’s highest rating for the last five consecutive years.
  • JUSTICE. You can sleep soundly here knowing justice is being done. Look no further than the Lake Oswego Review Police Blotter for proof as police reports are filed on such things as discarded phone books piling up at a Lake Oswego home and extra traffic enforcement being called in to handle the pileup at a local Starbucks drive-thru.
  • FAITH.  The number of active service clubs in Lake Oswego speaks to the fact that many Lake Oswegans have not just faith in their ideals but are also willing to put that faith into action. From the Lions Club who fire up their griddles for the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast to the Lake Oswego Women’s Club who host The Lake Run, good deeds result in funds raised for worthy causes.
  • LOYALTY. Been to a football game recently between our two rival high schools? Lakers and Pacers are loyal to their schools. Enough said.
  • GENEROSITY. While Lake Oswego is sometimes dissed for the wealth its residents are presumed to have, it is also a community that reaches out. Recently a friend’s family suffered a medical crisis. My wife set up an online volunteer network to deliver meals and within a week, their dinners were covered for the next two months. Our friend’s sister was visiting and was so struck by people’s generosity she exclaimed, “Who does that? Why can’t I live here?”
  •  HONOR. Honor is recognized in Lake Oswego on many levels. Merit awards are given to deserving high school graduates at the end of each academic year. The Chamber of Commerce recognizes the Community Leader of the Year at its annual dinner (a distinction I was once honored to receive). The Chamber also sponsors a Leadership Lake Oswego program with the intent of developing civic-minded individuals who will lead by example and help shape the City’s future.
  • HUMILITY. Okay, here’s one area Lake Oswegans may have to work on…but then again, when you live in Lake Oswego, there’s lots to boast about.
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Let Your Inner Photographer Be Your Guide to Lake Oswego’s 49th Annual Festival of the Arts

Posted on June 19, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

The cornerstone exhibit of the 49th annual Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts is “Photography: Pinhole to iPhone.”

Lake Oswego’s 49th annual Festival of the Arts is set for this weekend, June 22-24, at various locations throughout town including the Lakewood Center for the Arts, George Rogers Park, the Gallery Without Walls and Marylhurst University. With this year’s cornerstone exhibit featuring “Photography: Pinhole to iPhone,” it makes sense to approach the event like a photographer would.

FOCUS. This might be hard to do, given the activities to choose from. From music to theater to artwork to food, your attention span will be pulled in many directions. Check out the schedule and make out a game plan so you can FOCUS on the things you don’t want to miss.

SHUTTER SPEED. When taking pictures, shedding a little light on things, can make all the difference in the world. So why not shed some light on this year’s artwork by taking a guided tour of the photography exhibit? Tours are offered at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. each day. Venture a little further and take a tour of Lake Oswego’s outdoor sculptures, the Gallery Without Walls. Tours meet at the garden Café at the Lakewood Center at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

ZOOM. Want to zoom in and get a better look at how artists do what it is they do? Attend one of the art demonstrations scheduled throughout the weekend. Choose from topics that include” Computer Photo Artistry” at noon and 3:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with featured artist Dan Burkholder in the lower level of the Lakewood Center and “Living Art” at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday with Nicole Forbes of Dennis’ 7 Dees in the Pavilion Tent.

EXPOSURE. Don’t just look at photos during the festival—be in one! Expose yourself to the camera at the Instant Photo Booth for a $1 fee on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11: 00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Pavilion Tent.

DEVELOP. Let the festival inspire you to develop into that person who swears he is going to start taking more pictures or pick up a paint brush for the first time.   You’ve got to start somewhere and the 49th annual Festival of the Arts would love to be your inspiration!

Photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

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10 Surprising Facts About the 28th Annual Lobster Feed & Charity Auction

Posted on June 11, 2012 by lovelakeoswego

Kick off your summer at the 28th Annual Lobster Feed & Charity Auction co-hosted by the Lake Oswego Rotary Club and Lakewood Center for the Arts this Saturday, June 16 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Center at 368 S. State Street. Tickets are $135 for regular seating ($105 tax deductible) and $175 for patrons.

For many, the Lobster Feed & Charity Auction hosted by the Lake Oswego Rotary Club and Lakewood Center for the Arts, which is set for this Saturday, June 16, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Lakewood Center for the Arts, signals the unofficial kickoff to summer. The tent it is held in gives way to the Festival of the Arts which is followed by the Fourth of July festivities all around town. Then we are off and running!

So why do so many set their seasonal calendar by the Lobster Feed & Charity Auction? It could have something to do with these 10 surprising facts.

1. It is one of the 10 largest single night fundraising events for any Rotary club in North America and the largest this side of the Mississippi. “That’s really something,” explains Rotarian Peter Jurney, “because we’re not that large of a club compared to downtown Portland, for example, which is four times our size.”

2. Six hundred live lobster are flown in from Maine the night before and cooked onsite.

3. It takes place under a large circus-style tent—none of those stuffy hotel conference rooms for this group!

4. Variety is the spice of life…and the spice of auctions—this year there is everything from a G-shot injection to a trip to South Africa.

5. The first auction was held in the gymnasium of the Lakewood School (which now houses the Lakewood Theatre).

6. The numbers don’t lie: 600 people attend; More than 200 people donate; Over 400 items are donated; 3 is the number of silent auctions in addition to one super silent auction, and the oral auction. Net revenues each year total over $150,000.

7. They cast a wide net with the funds they raise. This year’s beneficiaries include: Lakewood Center for the Arts, Clackamas Women’s Shelter, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates),HappyTrailsRidingCenter, Oswego Meals Network, and the Oswego Heritage House. No matter your cause, chances are they are helping to fund it.

8. Proceeds from the first Rotary Club auction were earmarked towards the $20,000 pledge the club had made to purchase the Lakewood School (the current home of the Lakewood Center for the Arts) from the Lake Oswego School District. Since previous fund raising activities had never earned more than $5,000, the club anticipated it would take three years to reach their goal. They raised the entire $20,000 the night of their first auction.

9. For the first two auctions, the Rotary Club flew in not just the lobsters from Maine, but the caterer to cook them as well. Then Rotarians Bill Gerber and Warren Oliver persuaded the club to save the $10,000 catering fee and let them take on the task of cooking the lobster themselves. After a couple years of trial-and-error, the tradition of Rotarian lobster chefs lives on.

10. The transition from lobster feed to arts festival is a smooth one. As Rotarians and Lakewood Center volunteers finish up their event around 10:00 p.m. auction night, festival volunteers follow, setting the stage for the next big event in Lake Oswego’s summer lineup.

Have any Rotary auction trivia you’d like to share? We’d like to hear it! Leave your comments here.

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