Hello, LO! 👋 

Have you been following the wild ride of Oregon’s transportation tax bill?

It just squeaked through the House with a bare minimum 36-12 vote.

Next up is the Senate vote, which was delayed until September 17th due to health issues for a senator.

Here’s what’s in the bill:

• ⛽️ Gas tax jumps from 40¢ to 46¢ per gallon

• 🚗 Car registration fees double

• 🚌 Transit payroll tax increases from 0.1% → 0.2%

• ⚡️ Electric & hybrid drivers must join OReGO, paying per mile driven

The response? Pretty divided:

• Some are fed up with rising costs and don’t trust ODOT to manage the funds.

• Others say it doesn’t go far enough—calling it a band-aid on ODOT’s budget “sucking chest wound.”

Where do you land on this?

-Kerrie

The Current 🌊

Events this week

Wednesday, September 10

Functional Wellness Talks: Sleep (10-11:30 am). Ahhh sleep, one of my favorite activities and subjects to learn about. Nurse Practitioner Caryl Kenworth will walk through science-backed habits that support deep, restorative sleep.

Genealogy Interest Group (Lake Oswego Adult Community Center and Zoom, 10-11:30am). If you’ve ever wondered about the people who came before you, you’ll be in good company in the LO Genealogy Interest Group. This week’s meeting is all about FamilySearch and recording your research.

Thursday, September 11

Willamette Women Democrats (Home Builder’s Association Conference Center, Lake Oswego, 4:30pm). Political strategist Rachel Bitecofer will lead an honest conversation about the current status of the Democratic party and the path forward for Democrats . RSVP here.

Festive Fall Frolic in Mt. Angel (LO Adult Community Center Day Trip, 10am-3pm). Do you need more polka, beer, brats, and the largest Bavarian festival in Oregon in your life? If so, sign up for this Adult Community Center Day trip.

Friday, September 12

Hometown Throwdown 2025 (Oaks Amusement Park, Portland, September 12-14). Want to witness some epic jams and colossal spills this weekend? Watch Portland’s Wheels of Justice take on top-ranked roller derby teams from all over the country.

Behind the Canvas: Art History (LO Adult Community Center, 10-11:30 am). Art Historian Dr. Lynn Bliss will cover the secrets of a museum, ranging from symbolic meanings in classical works to unexpected details in modern art.

Saturday, September 13

Lake Oswego Farmer’s Market (Millennium Park Park Plaza, 8:30am-1:30pm). This farmer’s market has it all, ranging from fresh produce and flowers to candles, probiotic sodas, handmade crafts, and a feral cat coalition. Erin Corzine from Cedar Teeth has a range of musical talent so you might hear her on guitar, banjo, keys, or just belting out a good tune.

Sunday, September 14

Thriving through Middle School: Tools and Tips for Parents (Online, 1-2pm) Join author Sara Sebastian for a thought-provoking discussion for parents about how to support their children through a quintessentially tough and awkward phase of life - middle school. Registration required.

A Bookish Affair (Online, 11am). Do you love love? This book club is all about romance and happily-ever-afters of all sorts, told by a diverse range of authors. This week’s meeting will focus on The 7-10 Split by Karman Lee. Registration is required.

Monday, September 15

PDX Fried Chicken Week (Portland, September 15-21). Are you in the mood for something cluckin’ delicious? If so, head to Portland this week for the city’s first fried chicken week. Numerous restaurants will be offering specially crafted chicken dishes for $10 each so you won’t break the bank trying out a few.

Tired of the Algorithm? How Librarians Find Reliable News Sources (LO Adult Community Center, 10-11:30am). With AI and algorithms on the rise, the news that is surfaced to us is getting increasingly restricted see? Join librarian April Younglove to learn about finding high-quality news sources and spotting bias.

Tuesday, September 16

City Council Meeting (Lake Oswego City Hall, 3pm). Looking to stay close to what’s happening in our city? Want to share your point-of-view? This meeting is your stage.

Wednesday, September 17

Weekday Tennis - Singles and Doubles (Lake Oswego HS, 5:15-7:15 pm). Get some exercise outdoors and meet new friends at the Lake Oswego 20s-40s Social Meet-up Group. All skill levels welcome.

Mark Your Calendars:

Dracula (September 12 - October 19). A perfect way to kick-off spooky season.

Triangle Factory (September 18 - October 12). Love story set against the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in NYC.

Lake Oswego Comedy Night (September 18, Lake Theater & Café, 7:30-9 pm). Time to loosen up with some laughs, LO!

Emergency Preparedness Fair (September 20, Memorial Park, Wilsonville, 10am-12pm). Learn the basics about preparedness — like how to build a 'go kit', prepare for wildfire season, and choose which emergency supplies to have on hand.

Lake Oswego Open Studios Tour (September 26-28). Connect with the local artists of LO (91 of them!) showcasing their work in 42 locations.

Creating a Backyard Habitat (September 27, Tryon Creek State Natural Area). Have you ever wanted a backyard habitat full of native flora and fauna? Do you want to learn more about Backyard Habitat certifications? If so, this is your jam. Limited to 25 participants so register now!

Cultural Exchange Festival 2025 (September 28, Millenium Plaza Park). Travel the globe without leaving town. Savor international flavors, discover one-of-a-kind artisan goods, and connect with local groups building cultural bridges. Free.

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Lil’ Squirts 🧒 

Kid-focused activities

Wednesday, September 10

Toddler Storytime (Lake Oswego Library, 10:30am). Perfect for 2-3 year olds with stories, songs, and socializing.

Thursday, September 11

Fun for Ones Storytime (Lake Oswego Library, 10:30am). Let for your 12-24M old jam out with songs, books, and friends.

Baby Storytime (Lake Oswego Library, 3pm). Designed for the 0-12M old crowd. Stories, bubbles, songs, and more.

Friday, September 12

Music with Mr. Ben (Mississippi Pizza in PDX, 5-5:45pm). Mr. Ben brings calming yet entertaining energy for the kiddos and you get pizza and beer and a place to sit while your kids are rocking out.

Saturday, September 13

Bike Rodeo (Meridian Creek Middle School east parking lot, Wilsonville, 10am-1pm). Help your young bike rider learn bicycle skills and safety while having fun navigating an obstacle course. Free. Online pre-registration suggested.

Big Bounce America Tour (Portland, September 6-14). Does your kid like bounce houses? Of course they do. Let them jump on the World’s Biggest Bounce House. I’m not joking - it is over 900 feet. Ticket timing is split by age, so you don’t have to worry about your 3-year crashing into a 15-year old.

Lego Club (Lake Oswego Public Library - Children’s area, 3-4pm). Bring your little block building artist to imagine, build, and create. Ideal for K-5 builders.

Beginning Ballet Series - Ages 6-11 (The Portland Ballet in SW Portland, 12:45-1:45pm). Is your kiddo curious about ballet? This free class gives young dancers a chance to explore a new style in a fun, positive environment.

Tuesday, September 16

Preschool Storytime (Lake Oswego Library, 10:30am). Youngsters 3-5 will get a kick out of stories, songs, and play at the library.

The Babbling Brook 🎶 

Live music this week

Wednesday, September 10

Edgefield | Modest Mouse and The Flaming Lips | 5:30pm doors, 7pm show. Also playing on Thursday, September 11th.

Friday, September 12

Headliner’s Club | Radical Revolution (Awesome 80s Party) | 8pm

Gemini Club | Dance Hall Days | 9pm

Saturday, September 13

Headliner’s Club | Hit Machine | 8pm

Gemini Club | Collective Nation | 9pm

Edgefield | Aminé - Best Day Ever Festival | 4:30pm doors, 6pm show

Sunday, September 14

Edgefield | Aminé - Best Day Ever Festival | 4:30pm doors, 6pm show

Wednesday, September 17

Edgefield | HAIM | 5pm doors, 6:15pm show

Making Waves 🏢 

Local business news

If EXTREMELY DELICIOUS cakes and pies are your thing and you’re up for a drive to Portland, Lauretta Jean’s is the spot. I recently picked up a rainbow sprinkle birthday cake for my twins’ third birthday and it was the best birthday cake I’ve ever had (with the highest density of sprinkles possible). Head into the shop and your head will spin with the options available - both slices and full pies/cakes - daily. I’m talking 19 pie and 12 cake options. 🤯 

Make a Splash 💦 

Weekly outdoor events

Haystack Music Festival in Oregon City, OR (September 12-14)

The freshest fest in the Northwest! Three days of family-friendly creekside camping and live music on 2 stages in the beautiful Haystack Village in Oregon City. 

Portland Fashion Week in Wilsonville, OR (September 15-21)

Independent designers exhibit their latest eco-couture styles on the catwalk at the world’s only carbon-negative fashion week. The emphasis is on slow fashion — encouraging non-impulsive buying and emphasizing clothing quality over quantity.

Mark your Calendars

LO Wine Walk (October 4) Walk downtown LO while sipping wine. An annual tradition.

The Surge 🏄️ 

Sports of all sorts

Soccer

• Timbers vs. New York Red Bulls | September 13 | 7:30pm

• Thorns @ Chicago Stars | September 14 | 12pm

High School Sports (LO Lakers)

• Girls+Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. David Douglas HS | September 16 | 6pm

• Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Jesuit HS | September 18 | 7:30pm

High School Sports (Lakeridge Pacers)

• Girls + Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. Sunset HS | September 10 | 6 & 7:15pm

• Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Glencoe HS | September 11 | 7pm

• Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Newberg HS | September 16 | 7pm

Rec Sports

Final reminders — Lake Oswego’s adult basketball league and adult soccer league both kick off this week so get signed up if you’re not already!

Upcoming Running Events

Portland Marathon (October 5) — 10K/Half/Full marathon. If you’re running, give me a shout! I’ll be huffing and puffing right along with you.

Great Pumpkin Run (October 25) — 5k/10k/Half-marathon near Sellwood. Costumes encouraged + Halloween vibes.

The Lakeside 🏡 

House of the week

1900 Twin Points Road | 5 beds, 3 baths | 6,776 sq ft

Price: $7,900,000 🥉 

This is the third most expensive house on the market in LO. But when you dig a little deeper, it might actually be the most expensive because it has an almost $8M list price and it is unfinished. This is the most architecturally distinct house we’ve featured — giving Japanese architecture-inspired exterior, modern floor-to-ceiling lake view window interiors, and 2+ acres of beautiful grounds. I like the uniqueness of the property but you need a fairly significant finishing budget to make this one work. Is this your dream house or nightmare?

Listed by: Marian Hsu @ Brokers REALTY

The Confluence 💡 

A few of our favorite things

Book: All Fours by Miranda July

Sexy, absurd, and writing that feels like lightning struck you. The protagonist in this novel is simultaneously so clear and astute in her observations, while also making the most unhinged and selfish choices. I couldn’t put this book down but I also needed to finish it as quickly as possible because I felt like the protagonist was dragging me into her world. My favorite novel I’ve read this year.

Book: No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz

I started Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy this year. The core idea is that we’re all made up of different “parts”—inner voices or sub-personalities—each with its own perspective and survival strategy. These parts aren’t bad, even if their methods are outdated or unhelpful. They’re just echoes of past experiences, trying to protect us the best way they know how. Instead of silencing them, IFS invites us to turn toward our parts with curiosity and compassion. And in doing so—by simply listening—we begin to free those parts, and ourselves. Honestly, this book and the therapy feel like doing psychedelics… without the actual drugs.