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December 2011 Hello LO*****ECRWSS***** POSTAL CUSTOMER Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Permit 124 Lake Oswego, OR Hello L .O . THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE CITY OF LAKE OSWEGODecember 2011In This Issue 1 Lake Oswego Has Talent Say HelloLO to LO Help Those in Need Notary Service Returns Got Styrofoam? 2 Holiday Safety Invasive Tree Removal Water Treatment Plant Design Stormwater and Design Manual Update Building Your Dream House? 3 Parks & Recreation City Library 4 Holiday Events Have a Favorite Tree? Sirens at Millennium Plaza Park Donate Glasses, etc. Holiday Travel Tips Community Calendar For inFormation about the City and its serviCes, go to www.Ci.oswego.or.us, or Call 503-635-0257. Insert Water Consevation Quarterly Lake OswegO Has TaLenT! winners Of THe 2011 we LOve Lake OswegO POeTry COnTesT Alannah Maynez, Age 12 Kid Category Winner (2 of 2) The Four Seasons of Lake Oswego In the fall, a medley of vibrantly colored leaves surrounds me. Powerful, hushed wind whispers secrets of the lake, unspoken for years, into my ears. The fourth street library awaits its citizens to supply its bounty. When winter comes along, the frigid air turns my nose bright red, yet I love its marvelous sensation. The lighting of the Millennium Tree puts a smile on my face and brightens my soul. Spring pleasantly surprises you when it creeps up like a sly, little animal. The spectacular, blossoming flowers decorate our streets like mini sprinkles on cupcakes. Rain sings a sweet, A Capella melody as it tap dances on my window pane. The aroma of the Westlake park grass upon which I traipse gives me the strongest sense of community. Weekend escapades to the Farmers’ Market names me an explorer each time. When summer begins, I count down the days to The Festival of the Arts. Mixed with creativity and innovation, every work is golden. Unique in their own way, each is sure to impress. Lake Oswego is the canvas on which you will paint the picture of your childhood. James Fleming Adult Category Winner Restoration When the fires died down On L.O.’s Iron Age, The smoke cleared And the ash settled out. Left were a lake and a river Which do nothing but flow Or lie quietly in place. Without industrial might, We take things as they are --- Listen to summer concerts, Picnic in Rogers Park Where the stone furnace rises Reborn to the song of birds Cait Phenix, Age 13 Teen Category Winner (Untitled) A silver slip of water City by the lake An emerald jewel on its own A gem that never breaks Slender fingers easily Grasp amounts of fruit From shopping stalls And plaza walls And softly scuffling boots Music in the summer When the sun is sweet Music by the river Timed to tapping feet Emma Ruhland, Age 11 Kid Category Winner (1 of 2) George Rogers Park The water is crisp and cool, You can swim in it just like a pool. Observing the old coal smoke stack, Sitting on the bench having a snack. Hiking on the trails having fun, Sitting on the sand watching the setting sun. Throwing a ball in the water for a dog, Finding a frog under a log. Seeing crayfish in a shallow stream, Watching a boat give out steam. Riding your bike up the trails, Picking up old rusty nails. A wise old crane you can see, A flower wiggles inside there’s a bee. Photo: Late Day Plunge by Genevieve Ford, 2011 Lake Oswego Photo Contest participant. The City has a few easy ways you can help those in need over the holidays. The Lake Oswego Fire Department and Library are happily accepting new, unwrapped toys for the 2011 Christmas Toy Program. These toys will be distributed along with food baskets to needy families throughout the local area by the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge. Toys may be dropped off at the Main Fire Station, 300 B Avenue, and the Lake Oswego Library, 706 4th Street. Please drop off new, unwrapped toys by 12 p.m., December 16. For additional information, please call the Lake Oswego Fire Department at 503-635- 0275. Fill A Stocking, Fill A Heart stockings are here! You can help provide the neediest families in Clackamas County with basic household items along with a few special gifts. Pick up an empty stocking at City Hall, the Adult Community Center or West End Building. Then, return the filled stockings to City Hall by December 9. For more information, call the Citizen Information Center at 503-635-0257. The Oregon Food Bank asks you to help make a difference for those in need this holiday season by making a donation of nonperishable food items at City Hall, the Adult Community Center and West End Building. For additional information, call the Citizen Information Center at 503-635-0257. Make THe HOLidays a LiTTLe BrigHTer The City received 136 entries for the We Love Lake Oswego poetry contest. Thank you to all the poets who participated in the poetry contest and made it such a success! Also, thank you to the selection committee for taking the time to read through all the wonderful poems. There were four winning poems selected: one adult, one teen and two kids, which are published below. To learn more about the We Love Lake Oswego Project and update of the Comprehensive Plan, please visit http://welovelakeoswego.com. There’s no place like home for the holidays! Lake Oswego is fortunate to have a wide array of retail, dining and entertainment options right in our own backyard. Support your small business community and enjoy friendly, personalized service and interesting gift selections for everyone on your list. Treat yourself to a wonderful meal or a little pampering. Start at home. Make Lake Oswego your first stop, and you may not need another! Visit www.sayhellotolo.com for a business directory, events listings, and link to Say Hello’s facebook page, where you can enter to win prizes from Lake Oswego businesses valued at $150 each. Happy HoL.O.days! nOTary serviCe Free notary service returns to City Hall, 380 A Avenue. Available most Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., this free service is provided by volunteers. If you have questions or would like to confirm a Tuesday appointment, please call the Citizen Information Center at 503-635-0257. The Library, located at 706 Fourth Street, also provides free service on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To help get rid of all that unwanted Styrofoam from holiday packaging, the City will hold it’s annual block foam collection and recycling event on January 21. Check the January HelloLO for location and other details. Only clean, dry expanded polystyrene foam (marked with #6), also known as Styrofoam, will be accepted. gOT sTyrOfOaM? Hello L.O. 2 For inFormation about the City and its serviCes, go to www.Ci.oswego.or.us, or Call 503-635-0257. City Council 503-635-0215 503-697-6594 (fax) City Council e-mail: council@ci.oswego.or.us City Manager Alex D. McIntyre 503-635-0215 Mike Kehoe City Councilor 503-706-8365 (Cell) Jack Hoffman Mayor 503-635-0213 (City Hall) Donna Jordan City Councilor 503-675-1120 (Home) Bill Tierney City Councilor 503-539-7144 (Cell) Mary Olson City Councilor 503-638-2042 (Home) Sally Moncrieff City Councilor 503-819-5553 (Cell) Jeff Gudman City Councilor 503-780-1524 (Cell) The City is seeking applicants for the following: • Transportation Advisory Board• Development Review Commission • Historic Resources Advisory Board• Library Advisory Board• Natural Resources Advisory Board • For more details, go to www.ci.oswego.or.us/boards/ Vacancies/currentvacancies.htm or contact Jane McGarvin at 503-635-0236. BOard & COMMissiOn vaCanCies BuiLding yOur dreaM HOuse? The City is pleased to announce that the Infill Design Handbook is now available for use. The non-regulatory handbook is intended to provide an easily understood set of illustrative design principles and guidelines that, if followed with the existing zoning standards, will produce a new home that fits into its unique neighborhood context. The principles and guidelines are categorized into three basic lot types commonly found throughout the City. Use of the handbook is recommended when purchasing an infill lot and prior to choosing a house design, to consider privacy impacts to abutting homes and yards, massing and scaling patterns, topography of the site, existing mature landscaping, transitions from public to private space, etc. Planning staff will be presenting the handbook to the public in a series of workshops over several months. Staff is also available to come speak to your community group. The Infill Design Handbook is available online at http:// bit.ly/LakeOswegoInfillDesignHandbook. Please contact Johanna Hastay, Associate Planner, at 503-635-0290, for further information. sTOrMwaTer and design ManuaL uPdaTe Work is well underway to update the City’s stormwater code and design manual. The Project Team has been reviewing regional stormwater codes and manuals including those from the City of Portland, Clean Water Services, City of Seattle, City of Gresham, City of Eugene and the City of Salem. The update of the Surface Water/ Stormwater Code and Design Manual will include regional content that is appropriate for Lake Oswego, but also includes elements that are unique to Lake Oswego such as soils, topography, community aesthetics, type of developments and long term maintenance considerations. A big area of focus is promoting and prioritizing low impact development as a best management practices (BMPs). To make sure that vegetated BMPs, such as rain gardens, reflect community aesthetics, treat stormwater effectively, and thrive, members of the Project Team have met with City maintenance staff and are talking to local nurseries about plant availability. This will provide an opportunity for nurseries to respond to the growing need for particular plants, communicate with designers and contractors before projects are designed, and consider innovative propagation techniques for stormwater plants. The Project Advisory Committee began meeting in October. All meeting materials and project information can be found at www.raintoriver.org. You can also sign up for email project updates at this website. This update will result in a code that meets the intent of State/Federal law. It will also provide a code that is easier to understand and provide guidance on how stormwater management facilities (e.g., swales and rain gardens) should be selected, sited, designed, constructed and maintained. For more information, please contact Dave Gilbey at dgilbey@ci.oswego.or.us or 503-675-3999. HOLiday safeTy • The Lake Oswego Fire Department urges everyone to follow these important fire safety tips to help ensure Christmas trees and other decorations are kept away from sources of heat. During the holidays, anticipated joy turns to unexpected grief and loss for those hit by residential fires. While people love the smell and look of fresh trees and holiday decorations, this vegetation may become a serious fire hazard. Once ignited, a dry tree may be engulfed by flame in as fast as fifteen seconds and the heat will ignite other items in the room. • Place the tree at least three feet away from any heat source such as a fireplace, woodstove, heating duct or radiator. • Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. • If using a woodstove or fireplace, keep it screened at all times. Keep ribbons, boughs and other decorative materials at least three feet away. • Use only lights that are UL approved. Check every set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections before using. Throw away anything that is not in perfect condition. • Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights and cause electrocution. Use colored spotlights as an alternative. • Use no more than three sets of lights per single extension. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strings in one circuit. • Keep candles at least one foot away from combustibles including clothing, curtains, upholstered furniture, greenery and decorations. • Avoid candles with items embedded such as twigs, flowers or leaves. These items can ignite or even explode. • Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and in each bedroom. • Make a family home fire escape plan and practice it with the whole family. • Dogs and cats are curious and playful creatures. Be cautious of where you place wires, lights, and other decorations. waTer TreaTMenT PLanT design PrOgresses The Lake Oswego Tigard Water Partnership held an open house in October. The water treatment plant is located on Kenthorpe Way in West Linn. At the open house, neighbors saw how design is progressing and provided comments. Site layout, architectural design, landscape concepts, construction and operations were reviewed. Project staff held 14 “Backyard Visits” with adjacent neighbors over the past few months as well as dozens of neighborhood meetings to talk about design and understand neighbor concerns. Designers are taking these comments into consideration for the land use application submittal in January 2012. To learn more about how your water treatment plant design is progressing, go to lotigardwater.org or call 503- 697-6502. invasive Tree reMOvaL The City Council recently adopted an ordinance to make it easier for property owners to remove invasive trees from their property. Twelve species were identified as “invasive trees”. The can now be removed without having to go through the City’s Tree Code. The twelve tree species are known to be invasive in our region, displacing native species, reducing biological diversity, and interfering with natural succession. The effective date of the ordinance is December 15, 2011, at which time property owners can get an invasive tree species removal permit at no cost - issued over-the-counter or by mail with a complete application. To apply to remove an invasive tree, property owners should submit a photograph that positively identifies the tree proposed for removal as one of the 12 invasive trees. The City’s new Invasive Tree Species Identification Guide describes the process and provides illustrations to aid property owners with species identification. Download a copy of the Tree Species Identification Guide, Invasive Tree Removal application, and umbrella Tree Removal brochure at www.ci.oswego.or.us/plan/Application_ Forms/tree_removal_applications. htm or pick up a copy at City Hall today. For more information call: Main Number, 503-636-7628 Reference Desk Number, 503-675-2540 or visit www.lakeoswegolibrary.org Hello L.O. 3 y o u r C o m m u n i t y r e s o u r C e F o r i n F o r m a t i o n a n d e n r i C h m e n tCiTy LiBrary d i s C o v e r a C t i v e l i v i n gParks & reCreaTiOn For inFormation about the City and its serviCes, go to www.Ci.oswego.or.us, or Call 503-635-0257. West End Building, 4101 Kruse Way For more information call 503-675-2549 Pre-register at www.lakeoswegoparks.org HOLiday aCTiviTies Farm Holiday Gift Making. Parent and child create and wrap traditional handmade sweets and treats - peppermint bark, toffee almonds, and gingerbread pancake/waffle mix, plus holiday cards. Avoid the last minute rush and have a warm family experience. Ages 6 to 12 with parent, Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Luscher Farm. $40. Holiday Breads & Cookies. The aromas of German sweet bread (Hefegranz) and Swiss cookies (Krumkake) waft around Esther’s Kitchen as Chef Allen Doty introduces you to these traditional recipes for holiday celebrations and gift giving. There’s no better way to get into the spirit! Ages 15 and up, Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Farm. $30. Gingerbread House Workshop. Make an old fashioned gingerbread house with Chef Laura Content. Learn to bake gingerbread, decorate the house, and take some dough to bake at home. Also make personal holiday cards for family and friends. Age 6 to 13, Tuesday, December 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farm. $40. Art from the Heart with Play Boutique. More chances for kids to meet, greet and take pictures with the jolly old elf. Unique, child focused art projects for kids to make and give as gifts. Ages 1 to 7, Saturday, December 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Play Boutique. $15. Nutcracker Dance Camp. Be a dancing toy soldier or beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy using fun props and Nutcracker music. Learn dances from the favorite holiday ballet of all time – the Nutcracker! Ages 4 to 8, Saturday, December 17, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Academy of Ballet & Dance Arts. $45. Winter Break Camps. Lego Camps and Fencing Camp are back! Visit www.lakeoswegoparks.org or call 503-675- 2549. winTer/sPring CaTaLOg The Winter/Spring catalog of classes, activities and events will be delivered to Lake Oswego residents on Saturday, December 10; registration opens Monday, December 12. The Winter/Spring term runs January through May. Look for all your favorites PLUS new offerings, especially for kids: Textile Arts, Sculpting, Watercolor Painting, Modern Manners, Barnyard Tales, Themed Parties, Spring Break Camps and more! Don’t miss expanded art, cooking and gardening programs for all ages at Luscher Farm, and remember – January is perfect for “Get Moving” activities. Everything is also online at www. lakeoswegoparks.org. Lake OswegO PuBLiC gOLf COurse 17525 Stafford Road – 503-636-8228 Now is a great time to save money! The Golf Course features “internet only” tee-time specials as low as $10 per player. You must purchase online to access these incredible prices, www.lakeoswegogolf.org. 7TH annuaL PresCHOOL fOruM Thursday, January 12, 5 to 8 p.m. at the WEB One-stop shopping with representatives from over 35 area preschools. Learn about teaching philosophies, student/teacher ratios, facilities and more. Limited childcare, light refreshments, and it’s FREE! Sponsored by Lake Oswego Mothers Club and Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation. For information, visit www.lomoms.com. PrOgraMs fOr aduLTs First Tuesday Music Series - Bridgetown Big Band December 6, 7 p.m. An ensemble from the Bridgetown Big Band, musicians and vocalists will perform big band swing. The group has played at the Hillsboro Air Show, the Portland Rose Festival at Waterfront Park, as well as many other venues. Library adds 24,000 New e-book Titles through Web- Based ebrary Public Library Complete ebrary provides the user with an on-demand experience and covers a wide range of subject areas, including fiction. Titles are available 24/7 to library members through any web-enabled device or computer. No checkouts, downloads, returns, overdues or holds queues! Just navigate to the database and start reading! The ebrary collection is available only to Lake Oswego Library cardholders at www.lincc.org Holiday Open House Wednesday, December 14, 1 to 4 p.m. The Lake Oswego Library is very pleased to present its annual Holiday Open House. Special performance by the Stafford Singers at 2 p.m. Cookies, coffee and cocoa will be offered with holiday music, so please stop by and join in the festivities. Fine Forgiveness Day Wednesday, December 14, All Day Our gift to you! Do you have any overdue items? Any overdue item returned to Lake Oswego Public Library on December 14 will not receive overdue fines! Not included are lost items, processing fees, renewals and previously accrued fines on items that have already been returned. For more information, contact the Library Circulation Department at 503-697-6582. Third Tuesday Author Series – Willy Vlautin December 20, 7 p.m. Immersed in music as a teenager, it was a Paul Kelly song that inspired Willy Vlautin to start writing stories. Vlautin has published three novels, The Motel Life, Northline, and Lean on Pete. Computer Classes Sign up for free computer classes held at the Library: • The 24/7 Library: Searching Online Resources • GoDigital! Learning to use Library2Go • Be Your Own Librarian • Keyboarding and Internet Searching • Resumes and Job Searching • Email Basics Call 503-675-2540 for dates and times. Library2Go Day: Go Digital with Lake Oswego Public Library Thursday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Want to learn how to search for free library e-books and audiobooks and how to download them to your device? Well, join us on Thursday, December 8, for this day-long event! We’ll be giving short demonstrations at the beginning of every hour to give you the basics of how to use Library2Go to search and download material. After each demonstration there will be free time to get hands-on help from a staff member, to compare different devices, and to experiment with our new ebrary database. The program will last from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the main floor of the library and refreshments will be provided. For questions, call the Reference Desk at 503- 675-2540. PrOgraMs fOr CHiLdren Children’s Storytimes: special reading adventures tailored for a range of ages. Baby Storytime (birth - 18 months) Tuesdays at 11:45 am • Toddler Storytime (19 months - 3 years old) Wednesdays at 11:45 am • Preschool Storytime (3 - 5 year olds) Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10:30 am Storytime Break: The fall storytime series ends on Friday, December 9. The winter storytime series begins on Tuesday, January 3. Special Series: Musical Laptime with Colette Fallon Fridays, December 2 and 9, 10:30 a.m. Families with babies from birth through eighteen months are invited to a series of musical laptimes presented by early childhood music specialist Colette Fallon. Second Saturday Special: Mr. Moose’s Winter Walk with Penny’s Puppet Productions December 10, 11 a.m. In this winter story, Mr. Moose goes for a walk, meets new friends, and gets caught in a snow storm. Penny Walter teaches puppetry classes for teachers, professionals, and families. PrOgraMs fOr Teens Library’s Teen Board to Host December Book Drive for the Booktique Bookstore Lake Oswego Library’s Teen Advisory Board will collect gently-used books for children and teens to donate to the Booktique book store during a December book drive. Operated by the Friends of the Library, the store generates funds to enhance library collections and programs. In addition to collecting books for the Booktique, the Teen Board hopes to use this drive to promote community awareness of the store. Anyone wishing to donate books for this project may drop them off at the Library. For more information about the Booktique, go to http://friendslol.org/TheBooktique.aspx. aduLT COMMuniTy CenTer 505 G Avenue, 503-635-3758 www.ci.oswego.or.us/acc LOACC Holiday Lunches Please call 503-635-3758 for reservations. Friday, December 23 at noon Caesar salad, prime rib, baked potato, broccoli and cauliflower, dinner rolls, and cheesecake. Musical entertainment provided by Tom Stroud. Friday, December 30 at noon Spinach salad, salmon in hollandaise sauce, orzo with black eyed peas, butternut squash, currant scones and pecan pie. Musical entertainment provided by Tom Stroud. Computer Learning Center Classes Classes are $10 for ACC members and $15 for non- members unless otherwise noted. Windows 7 - Files & Folders. Thursday, December 8, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Selling & Buying on eBay & Amazon. Monday, December 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Intro to Craigs List and FreeCycle. Tuesday, December 13, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Editing Your Digital Photos. Mondays, December 5 and 12, 12:30 to2 p.m., $16 member; $24 non-member. MAC - Basic Word Processing. Thursday, December 1, 12:30 to 2 p.m. MAC - Working with the Internet. Tuesday, December 6, 12:30 to 2 p.m. MAC - Learning EMail. Tuesday, December 13, 12:30 to 2 p.m. For information or reservations, call 503-635-3758 or visit www.lo-clc.org. CiTy League aduLT BaskeTBaLL Team registration closes Thursday, December 15, 4:30 p.m. Visit lakeoswegosports.com for information. Hello L.O. 4 For inFormation about the City and its serviCes, go to www.Ci.oswego.or.us, or Call 503-635-0257. COMMuniTy CaLendar This newsletter is printed on 100% recycled content paper, using soy-based ink. ACC Adult Community Center DRC Development Review Commission HRAB Historic Resources Advisory Board LAB Library Advisory Board LONAC Lake Oswego Neighborhood Action Coalition LORA Lake Oswego Redevelopment Agency MPP Millennium Plaza Park NA Neighborhood Association NRAB Natural Resources Advisory Board PRAB Parks and Recreation Advisory Board SAB Sustainability Advisory Board TAB Transportation Advisory Board WEB West End BuildingGlossary Citizen Information Specialist and HelloLO Editor Bonnie Hirshberger 503-675-3992 bhirshberger@ci.oswego.or.us Event dates are subject to change. More details are available online at: www.ci.oswego.or.us/cal/calendar.htm. For more information, call 503-635-0236. stay ConneCted The City has made it easy! Go to www.ci.oswego.or.us and choose how you want to stay connected! December 1 Thursday 2 Friday 3 Saturday • LONAC Meeting, 9:30am • Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, MPP, 12-4pm • Holiday Market, WEB, 10am-4pm 4 Sunday • Holiday Market, WEB, 10am-3pm 5 Monday • Lakewood in Lights, Lakewood Center, 5:30-9pm 6 Tuesday • Library Music Series, 7pm • DRC Meeting, 7pm 7 Wednesday • Arts Council Gallery Without Walls, 1pm • First Addition/Forest Hills Neighborhood Coordinating Meeting, 7pm 8 Thursday • Arts Council Board Mtg, 8:30am • Holiday Home Tour, 11am-7pm • Mom’s Club Holiday Faire, WEB, 2:30- 7:30pm 9 Friday • Blood Drive, City Hall, 10am-3pm 10 Saturday 11 Sunday • Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, MPP, 12-4pm 12 Monday • Planning Commission, 6:30pm 13 Tuesday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • Arts Council Chronicle Mtg, 9:30am • City Council Regular Meeting, 6pm 14 Wednesday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • Arts Council Gallery Without Walls, 1pm • HRAB, 7pm • LAB Meeting, 7pm 15 Thursday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • 50+ Advisory Board, 8:30am • Birdshill NA/CPO Mtg, 7pm 16 Friday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego 17 Saturday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • Christmas Ship Parade, Foothills Park, 6pm 18 Sunday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego 19 Monday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • SAB Meeting, 6:30pm 20 Tuesday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • Library Author Series, 7pm 21 Wednesday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego • PRAB Meeting, 6pm • NRAB Meeting, 6:30pm 22 Thursday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego 23 Friday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego 24 Saturday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego 25 Sunday • Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego 26 Monday • City Holiday - CITY OFFICES CLOSED 27 Tuesday 28 Wednesday 29 Thursday 30 Friday 31 Saturday January 2012 1 Sunday 2 Monday • City Holiday - CITY OFFICES CLOSED 3 Tuesday • Library Music Series, 7pm Lake Oswego Holiday Market Saturday, December 3, 10am to 4pm Sunday, December 4, 10am to 3pm West End Building Unique treasures from over 50 vendors include holiday treats, handmade crafts, ornaments, greenery, art, jewelry, entertainment, and gifts galore! Horse Drawn Carriage Rides Saturday, December 3, 12 to 4pm Sunday, December 11, 12 to 4pm Millennium Plaza Park Experience the thrill of an old fashioned horse drawn carriage. Launch your holiday season with a memorable carriage ride through downtown Lake Oswego. Snuggle under the blankets and enjoy the magic of the majestic horses. Carriage rides are $3 for adults and $1 for children 3-10 years; free for kids up to 2 years. Lakewood in Lights 2011 December 5, 5:30pm to 9pm Lakewood Theatre Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season at the Lakewood Center. The fundraiser event features hearty hors d’oeuvres, outstanding music and dance performances, and a tree auction. For tickets or more information, call 503-635-3901 or visit www.lakewood-center.org. Holiday Houses of Lake Oswego December 13 to 25 Celebrate the holiday season with Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation’s second annual Gingerbread House Competition. Local businesses will show their skills by creating a one-of-a-kind gingerbread house to display in their store. Pick up a tour map at Parks & Recreation or participating businesses, visit all the homes, and vote for your favorites. The winner of the competition receives a brilliant trophy and bragging rights for the whole year! Christmas Ship Parade Saturday, December 17, 6pm Foothills Park 2011 marks the 57th year of the magical Christmas Ship Parade! Enjoy a parade of up to 60 brightly colored boats decorated for the holiday season. The boats will depart from River Place Marina and continue as far as George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego, arriving between 6:15 and 6:30pm. Make plans to enjoy the sparkle of the colorful flotillas from the shores of the Willamette at beautiful Foothills Park. For additional information, visit www. christmasships.org. Event is dependent upon weather and river conditions. HOLiday evenTs The Lake Oswego City Council established the Heritage Tree Program in November 1997 in recognizing that trees connect us to our human and natural history. Nominate a tree before the end of the year to be considered for designation by the Natural Resources Advisory Board in February 2012. Anyone can nominate a tree or group of trees for Heritage Tree designation with permission of the property owner. New Heritage Trees are announced and celebrated during Arbor Week, always the first week in April. Learn more about the City’s Heritage Tree Program and download a nomination form at: http://bit.ly/LakeOswego. Have a favOriTe Tree? sirens insTaLLed aT MiLLenniuM PLaza Park At long last, Simon Toparovsky’s Sirens were installed in their niches along the walkway from the upper portion of the park to the lower part of the park on State Street. The Sirens continue the Greek myth of Icarus theme that each of Toparovsky’s park pieces is inspired by. In Greek mythology, the Sirens were three dangerous bird-women, portrayed as seductresses who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island. Simon Toparovsky has been living and working in Los Angeles and Milano since 2000. From the onset there was the goal to have one artist do the art for Millennium Plaza Park. Toparovsky was selected and was also involved in the designing of the park. All the pieces in the park are related to the Myth of Icarus. His other pieces in Millennium Plaza Park are Fortuna, The Three Graces, The Flight of Icarus. Soon, lighting will go in to showcase the art at night. Aglaope Parthenope Thelxiepeia TiPs fOr safe winTer TraveL dOnaTe gLasses, CeLL PHOnes & Hearing aids Since 1959, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation has been offering vital health solutions to Oregonians in need in the areas of sight, hearing and preventative health screenings, including diabetes and high blood pressure. Last year, over 86,000 lives were positively impacted by the Foundation programs. Your gift can make a life changing difference in the life of someone in desperate need of assistance. If you would like to donate eyeglasses, hearing aids or cell phones, please bring your donation to the Citizen Information Center at City Hall at 380 A Avenue, or call the Oregon Lions at 800-635-4667. You can also visit them online at www.orlions.org. Heading to the mountain for some skiing or over to Grandma’s house for the holidays? Arrive safely at your destination by following these recommendations: • Before you go, visit www.TripCheck.com or call 5-1-1 for the latest road conditions and weather forecast. In addition, make sure to let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. • Put together a disaster supplies kit for your car. Go to www.Ready.gov for a list of items to include.