52 Reasons to Love Lake Oswego

One of southern California artist Fred Babb’s posters reads: “Art is one of the few things left worth doing.” Fortunately there are artists in Lake Oswego who feel the same way. Many of them will be displaying their creations at Lake Oswego’s Art Market scheduled for June 16, 23 and 30 in Millennium Plaza Park from 4-8 pm.

“We’re always trying to think of new things to get people downtown,” explains Kathy Kern-Schilling, Events Supervisor for the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department. That coupled with an overflow list of artists who have asked to be in the city’s Farmer’s Market, led Kern-Schilling and the City to decide to give artists their own event. Besides the art, which will include crafts, glass, garden art, jewelry, painters, photographers and more, attendees can also enjoy beer and wine, food from local vendors and live music, making it a festive outdoor happy hour.

To celebrate the kickoff of Lake Oswego’s Art Market, here is an updated version of the children’s nursery rhyme, To Market, To Market.

To market, to market to buy a nice painting

Home again, home again, I hope it’s not raining.

To market, to market, to buy a diamond ring

Home again, home again, to hear my wife sing.

To market to market to buy garden art

Home again, home again, I hate to depart

To market, to market to buy handmade toys

Home again, home again, to happy little boys.

To market, to market, to stroll and sip wine

Home again, home again but not before I dine

To market, to market, to catch up with friends

Home again, home again, don’t want it to end

Photo: morgueFILE: PdCBYK

Flower baskets in full bloom

In these times of budget cutbacks and dwindling resources, the Lake Oswego Village Flower Basket program is a testament to what volunteer time and donations can accomplish. Entering its 21^st year of operation, the program with annual costs of $70,000 is completely funded by donations from private citizens and businesses and is made possible by a partnership between these groups as donors and volunteers and the city of Lake Oswego.

“That’s what people don’t realize,” explains Lori Lauber, Office Manager for the Lake Oswego Chamber of Commerce. “The Village Flower Basket Program is managed by a foundation through the Chamber and all the funds are donated.” The money that comes in goes out to cover the $300 cost of one basket from purchase to maintenance which includes daily watering and feeding. This year, close to 50 volunteers hung 247 baskets throughout Lake Oswego, fanning out in four teams with specific job descriptions from “ladder and safety support” to “flower basket hookers.” It’s a team effort that draws veterans and newcomers beginning as early as 4:30 am on a Saturday in May. Baskets stay up as long as funding and flowering allows.

Why go to all this trouble for flower baskets? It enhances the quality of life, bringing an aesthetic beauty to the city as residents as well as visitors travel along the main rights-of-way. The flower basket committee takes pride in the fact that Lake Oswego won the “America in Bloom” award in 2003. Their efforts helped Lake Oswego earn a 5 out of 5 Bloom rating for floral displays. In addition, the chamber is frequently sought out by other communities hoping to replicate the program in their towns. For volunteers, the reward is one of feeling a sense of community and ownership. “It’s gratifying for volunteers to walk by the baskets in the middle of summer and say, ‘I hung that!’” explains Michele Baker, coordinator of the Village Flower Basket Foundation.

The flower basket program is also a very visual and public way of saying, “We care about this town enough to invest in its beauty.” That message can be appealing not only to residents but newcomers.  Just a few months ago the Chamber’s Lauber received a call from a new resident who said, “I decided to move here because of the baskets and I can’t wait to donate.” That’s quite an endorsement of a program that is totally volunteer funded and run.

To learn more about the Village Flower Basket Foundation, check our their page on the Chamber of Commerce website at: http://lake-oswego.com/village-flower-baskets.htm or their facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Lake-Oswego-Village-Flower-Basket-Foundation/214345888590671.

If Dr. Doolittle could talk to the animals, he would hear them say, “Move to Lake Oswego!” It’s a pet-friendly town by any critter’s standards. In this small residential community of over 36,000 there are more than three doggie day cares including one that offers specific breed playgroups as well as a complimentary one at the Saturday Farmer’s Market, several pet sitting businesses (not to mention the neighbor’s kid who is looking to earn a few extra bucks this summer), pet supply stores, pet photographers and portrait artists, veterinarians, an Invisible Fence store and an off-leash dog park.

And since everyone loves a parade—even pets—on June 5, the Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation Department is sponsoring Pets on Parade, a popular event returning to the summertime lineup of activities at Millennium Plaza Park beginning at 2pm (registration starts at 1pm).

While dogs and their masters are the most common entrants, last year featured a horse. Participants can compete in four categories:

• Dressed to Impress – everything from tutus and overalls have been featured on the animals as well as their masters
• Entertainers – these range from a dog who did a piggy back on his master’s back to the pet with a sudden case of stage fright that does nothing and still manages to entertain
• Me & My Shadow –owner and pet look alike contest
• It’s a Small World featuring small pets

Trophies are awarded for first and second place in each category by a panel of judges from the community which in the past has featured such local celebrities as the mayor and city councilors. Close to 25-30 entrants strut their pet’s stuff in each category, with an enthusiastic audience cheering them on.

All comers are welcome at Lake Oswego's Pets on Parade

Immanuel Kant once said, “We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” I have a feeling I know what Kant would say about the heart of a city with doggie day care, pet sitters, a dog park and even a parade—it’s a doggone good place to be!