 September 16, 2021  A WORD FROM MAYOR JOE BUCK Yesterday began the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The history of our city is one framed by the contributions of community members of Hispanic decent, including many immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. As city employees, teachers, business owners, board and commission members and neighbors, members of the Hispanic community contribute greatly in talent and enrich our city. I pay special recognition to our State Representative, Andrea Salinas (D-Lake Oswego), whose leadership is creating a healthier, more equitable and more sustainable community for all.I have had the privilege of working with many members of the Hispanic community throughout my life and am inspired by the profound sacrifices many of these individuals made in seeking a better life for their families. In doing so, our city and community has been made better as well. In all months, but this month in particular, we honor the Hispanic members of our community and country for all their many contributions. Please join me in celebrating by participating in activities and programs offered this month through the Lake Oswego Library and Lake Oswego School District.  COUNCIL UPDATE During the September 14 Special Council meeting, City Council approved amending the Comprehensive Plan Map, Zoning Map, and Community Development Code text to allow affordable housing in the West Lake Grove Office Commercial Zone – the Boones Ferry Road construction staging property. For the full City Council meeting and actions, watch on the City’s YouTube channel. Photo: Boones Ferry Road construction staging area READ MORE  COUNCILOR NGUYEN WITHDRAWS RESIGNATION Following City Councilor Daniel Nguyen’s withdrawal of his relocation resignation, the City has canceled the Council vacancy process. Thank you to everyone who considered and applied for the City Council appointment process.There are multiple ways our residents can serve the community in the future, including volunteering, serving on Boards & Commissions, or running for City Council. Our Boards and Commissions recruitment takes place each spring beginning in April. There will be positions open on all 11 of our boards. The November 2022 election will include (3) open positions on Council for four-year terms. The filing for elective office will begin around June of 2022. READ MORE  CITY HALL GRAND OPENING Tuesday, September 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.Please join us to celebrate the completion of Lake Oswego’s new City Hall and plaza! Located at 380 A Avenue, festivities will include: ribbon-cutting ceremony, food trucks, free snow cones, live music, building tours, and activities and displays featuring the Arts Council, BOOKtique, Fire Department, Police Department, and Library.Please note: The City will be following all State COVID-19 guidelines and mandates that are in effect, including wearing masks in all public indoor and outdoor settings. READ MORE  SCHOOL’S BACK IN SESSION – BE ALERT! Lake Oswego School District schools are back in session! This means students will be walking, biking, skateboarding and riding the school bus all around our community.Please drive safe, be alert, and follow traffic laws, especially when students are present or during school hours. Remember to follow the signs and slow down in school zones! READ MORE  SPECIAL ARTIST EVENT – HECTOR H. HERNANDEZ Wednesday, September 29 – 7 to 8:30 p.m.The LO Library invites you to a special event to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Please join us for a Zoom presentation “The Influence of Mexican Muralism on the U.S. Art Scene” featuring Portland artist and muralist Hector Hernandez. Registration is required. The Library has also relaunched a newly revamped Spanish language collection for kids, and has set up physical displays in the library and Pinterest board displays to highlight the works by Hispanic authors, movie directors, and artists. READ MORE  ABANDONED, IMAGES OF WHAT REMAINS Now open in the new ARTspace Gallery!This exhibition features 45 artists and 86 works from around the Western region in various mediums including photography, paint, ink, collage, and sculpture. The submissions received are diverse in their interpretation of the theme, and include images of abandoned roads, mills, ghost towns, derelict houses, barns, old cars, and more. ARTspace Gallery (Suite A in City Hall) is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. READ MORE  COMMUNITY SURVEY – COMING IN OCTOBER! In October, the City will be conducting a community survey. The goal of the 2021 community survey is to:Measure general attitude of residents toward City services and programsDetermine residents’ priorities and areas of concernReceive feedback on key policy issuesMeasure City’s progress towards other cities’ benchmarksThe survey, to be conducted independently by ETC Institute, will be mailed to a limited number of households selected at random. In addition, the survey will be available to all community members online.Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete the survey! READ MORE  SUICIDE – LET’S TALK ABOUT IT September is Suicide Prevention Awareness MonthYou don’t have to be an expert to make a difference. Everyone can play a role in suicide prevention in our community. Staying connected, being a good listener and having meaningful conversations is something we can all do. If you notice someone who might be struggling – start a conversation. Asking, ‘Are you okay?’ can open a dialogue. And if all is well, that person will know you’re someone who cares enough to ask. Together we can offer help… and hope.Help is here!Clackamas County Crisis Line: 503-655-8585 Youth Crisis Line: Call 1-877-968-8491 or text TEEN2TEEN to 839863Senior Loneliness Line: 503-200-1633 Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 press #1Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741The Trevor Project Suicide Prevention Lifeline for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning young people ages 13 to 24 years: 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386) Trans Lifeline’s Peer Support Hotline: 877-565-8860National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 READ MORE  COVID-19 HELP CENTER If you or someone you know is struggling to put food on the table, pay rent or help care for others, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is there to help. The ODHS COVID-19 Help Center is a one-stop-web-shop with information linking you to assistance programs, COVID vaccines and much more. READ MORE     |
