Good Morning, South Metro. Today is National “Kiss and Make Up Day” according to the little desk calendar someone bought me last Christmas. Anywho, you don’t always have to actually kiss, but reconnecting with someone you’ve lost touch with might be a good idea?
FYI: Reservations for our very first, in real life, South Metro Dinner Club are filling up. Learn more about this great way to meet new friends, here.
Coming up in today’s South Metro Weekly:
Big money and even bigger help for Pecan Creek in Lake Oswego
Cougar sightings in parts of the South Metro
And conserving water in Tualatin
Thanks for reading, neighbors!
-Scott Michaels
🌿 Beavers, Students and a $25,000 Boost for Pecan Creek in Lake Oswego
Courtesy: Oswego Lake Watershed Council
A Lake Oswego creek is getting some extra help — from local students and a $25,159 grant. The Oswego Lake Watershed Council will use the Clackamas Water Environment Services funding to continue restoring Pecan Creek by removing invasive plants, adding native vegetation and improving habitat for beavers.
The project has also become a hands-on classroom. Thirteen Lakeridge High School classes have already helped remove blackberry and yellow flag iris, plant willow and alder, monitor stream flow and look for signs of beaver activity.
And there are signs the work may already be paying off: students and project leaders have found gnawed vegetation and other evidence suggesting beavers are exploring the restored area.
🍽️ Dinner With Five People You Haven’t Met Yet? That’s the Idea.
South Metro Weekly is launching a new way to help people connect offline: the all-new South Metro Weekly Dinner Club.
Here’s how it works. You take a short quiz, we match you with five like-minded people, and everyone meets for dinner at a local restaurant. You don’t have to organize a group, make introductions or figure out where to go — we’ll handle the logistics.
The idea is simple: get out of the house, meet some new people and share a meal with neighbors you might never have crossed paths with otherwise.
The first dinner will be held on Thursday, Sept. 3… But you need to register soon!
🏃 New Tracks Nearly Ready in West Linn-Wilsonville
Courtesy: West Linn-Wilsonville School District
Track and field replacement projects at West Linn High School, Wilsonville High School and Rosemont Ridge Middle School are running ahead of schedule and nearing completion.
West Linn High’s new track and field is expected to be finished Aug. 26 and reopen for athletics Aug. 27. Wilsonville High’s project is scheduled for completion Aug. 28, with athletic use beginning Aug. 29.
Rosemont Ridge’s main athletic field is also expected to be completed Aug. 28 and reopen Aug. 29. Its softball field should follow in the coming weeks.
The projects are part of the district’s 2025 Capital Bond Program, so thank you voters and residents!
🖥️ Clackamas County Eyes Pause on New Data Centers
County commissioners have unanimously directed staff to begin the process of creating a moratorium on new data centers. Concerns include noise and the large amount of electricity the facilities can require. County staff had recommended waiting until after the 2027 legislative session, but commissioners opted to move ahead now.
💧 Tualatin Asks Residents to Conserve Water
The City of Tualatin is asking residents and businesses to temporarily reduce non-essential water use while crews repair a damaged water line. The city is relying on reservoir supplies during the work and recommends limiting lawn watering, car washing and other high-use activities. Updates are available on the city’s website.
🎓 More Than $1 Million in CCC Scholarships Is Up for Grabs
Clackamas Community College students can now apply for nearly 200 scholarships through the CCC Foundation, with awards available for students across majors, income levels and enrollment categories. On average, one in three applicants receives a scholarship worth more than $2,500. Opportunities include awards for first-generation students, military families, single parents, career-technical students and others. Applications are due Oct. 14, with recipients notified in November and funds distributed during the winter and spring terms. Learn more here.
🐾 Cougar Sightings Put Oregon City Neighbors on Alert
Residents have reported a couple of recent cougar sightings in the Park Place and Clackamas Heights neighborhoods, including one cougar seen with a young cub near Swan Avenue and another sighting off Brunner Road. Officials advise people to keep their distance, bring pets and children close, and never approach or disturb young cougars. Neighborhood sightings should be reported to police and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Clackamas County office.
🚌 Is Your Family Ready for the First Day?
West Linn-Wilsonville School District has released bus routes for the 2026-27 school year, a good reminder for all families that the first day is getting close. Now’s the time to double-check bus assignments, school start times, supplies, lunch plans and any last-minute forms. WLWV families can review assigned bus information in ParentVUE and request transportation changes there as needed.
📚 Canby Library Gets More Accessible
Canby Public Library has completed several accessibility upgrades thanks to a $10,000 grant from the American Library Association. The improvements are designed to make the library easier and more comfortable to use for people with disabilities and other accessibility needs, expanding the library’s effort to be a welcoming space for everyone.
🏛️ Former Wilsonville Councilor Lands New City Job
Clackamas County Commissioner Ben West has been selected as Junction City’s next city administrator, pending completion of a background check. West, who previously served on the Wilsonville City Council, was chosen unanimously from 25 applicants. He is expected to finish his current county commission term in December and could initially work part time in Junction City. The administrator position carries a posted salary of $145,000 to $165,000.
🚧 Big Sewer Upgrade Planned in West Linn
Clackamas Water Environment Services is planning a major upgrade to the Willamette Pump Station, which handles about 45% of West Linn’s wastewater. The aging 1986 facility is at capacity and vulnerable to flooding. Plans call for a new pump station, larger sewer lines and improved seismic reliability to reduce the risk of future overflows. Learn more here.
🏡 A Japanese Tea House… on Lake Oswego?
Yes, the $3.8 million home has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, more than 3,100 square feet and about 78 feet of Oswego Lake frontage. But then you get outside.
The mid-century modern property includes a Japanese-inspired garden developed with a Japanese garden architect, complete with flowing water features and a timber-framed tea house tucked into the landscape. There’s also a dock, boathouse, boat lift and enough waterfront entertaining space to make summer parties dangerously easy.
The lake house is beautiful. The views are ridiculous. But honestly? Give us the tea house, a good book and something warm to drink, and you can keep the rest.
🎈 = family-friendly event
💲 = ticket or purchase required
🎵 = includes live music
😋 = there will be food
🎈😋🎵 National Night Out Returns to Oregon City Tonight
End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon City | Tuesday, 5:30 PM | Free
Oregon City’s rescheduled National Night Out brings neighbors, police and community partners together for an evening of live music from Hit Machine, family activities and prizes. Stick around afterward for a free outdoor showing of The Princess Bride, making this an easy two-for-one night out for families.
🎈😋🎵 Radical Revolution Brings the ’80s Back to Lake Oswego
Westlake Park, Lake Oswego | Wednesday, 6:30 PM | Free
Break out the neon and prepare for a serious dose of ’80s nostalgia. Radical Revolution closes out Lake Oswego’s Wednesday Concert Series with hits from artists including Whitney Houston, Rick Springfield and other favorites from the decade. Bring a blanket or low chair, pack some dinner and settle in for one last summer night of music at Westlake Park.
🎈😋🎵 Thursday Night at the Wilsonville Farmers Market
Montague Park, Wilsonville | Thursday, 4:00 PM | Free
The Wilsonville Farmers Market brings local farmers, artisans and small businesses together for an easy Thursday evening at Montague Park. Along with fresh produce and local goods, there’s a Kids Korner, food and drinks, and live music throughout the evening. It’s a good excuse to grab dinner, wander the booths and enjoy one of the last Thursday nights of summer.
🎈😋🎵 Canby’s Big Night Out Takes Over Downtown
NW 2nd Ave. & NW Grant St., Canby | Friday, 5:00 PM | Free
Canby kicks off its Big Weekend with a full-on downtown street party featuring live music, local food and drink vendors, and plenty for the kids, including bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals and an arcade truck. Music starts at 5 p.m., with the headliner playing from 7–10 p.m. Local restaurants and nonprofits will also be set up along the street, making this one easy excuse to stay out late.
😋🎵💲 Wine, Music and Mt. Hood Views in West Linn
Campbell Lane Winery, West Linn | Friday, 6:00 PM | Wine available for purchase
Campbell Lane Winery’s Last Fridays series continues with local duo Steve & Margot, bringing an acoustic mix of jazz, blues, rock, reggae and country. Settle in on the patio or lawn, enjoy views of Mt. Hood and the vineyard, and bring along dinner from a favorite local spot. Reservations are appreciated, and seating is limited.
🐾 Each week, we introduce you to a local adoptable pet hoping to find the perfect South Metro home. Some are playful adventurers, some are champion couch warmers, and others are still figuring out the whole “living with humans” thing. They may have different personalities, but they all deserve a fresh start, a little patience and plenty of love. This week’s furry friend is ready to say hello.
🐶 Meet Pop — A Happy Girl Ready to Go, Go, Go
Pop is a 1-year-old, 54-pound bundle of energy who would love a family that’s ready to walk, run, hike and keep her brain busy. She’s social, loves people and would likely thrive with training, plenty of exercise and a fenced yard where she can stretch her legs.
Pop would do best with kids 13 and older, though respectful younger children may be a fit after a meet-and-greet. She should preferably be the only dog in the home, and her history with cats and other small animals is unknown.
If your idea of a good day includes getting outside and having a four-legged sidekick along for the adventure, Pop might be your girl.
☀️ Summer is hanging on. Expect sunshine and a high near 88 today, followed by mostly sunny skies Wednesday around 83. Thursday and Friday cool things down a bit, with highs near 79. Overnight lows stay comfortable in the mid-50s, with only some passing clouds and no rain in the forecast.
Today 8/25
87 🌡 58 | ☀️
Wednesday 8/26
81 🌡 60 | 🌤
Thursday 8/27
77 🌡 58 | 🌤
Friday 8/28
76 🌡 57 | 🌤
THANKS!
See you Thursday morning!
