Thirsty Caterpillar Bookstore Opens in Lake Oswego

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Monday, South Metro!

In today’s South Metro Weekly: If your Facebook feed is overflowing with Love Island posts this morning, don't worry. We'll keep the drama limited to road construction and city council meetings. By the way, still don’t get the appeal of that show. What am I missing?

Alright, in today’s South Metro Weekly:

Lake Oswego’s new “third place” for moms and book lovers.
A local 10-year old running (literally) toward a national championship
And some great events for you and the family coming up this week!

By the way, if you know of an event we should add to the calendar, let us know here.

Let’s start the week strong!

-Scott

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📚 A Bookstore Built with Moms in Mind
The Thirsty Caterpillar in Lake Oswego with a simple goal: create a welcoming place where moms, kids and book lovers can gather, linger and feel at home.

Elizabeth Rogers and Thirsty Caterpillar Books in Lake Oswego

Elizabeth Rogers did not want to open a bookstore people simply walked through.

Her vision for Thirsty Caterpillar, a new bookstore in Lake Oswego, is something more personal: a “third place” for moms, families and book lovers. Not home. Not work. But a welcoming place where people can gather, linger, read, talk, bring their kids and feel like they belong.

Rogers said the idea came partly from her own life. After years in a high-pressure business career that included frequent international travel, she knew something had to change. She wanted to create the kind of place she needed herself — somewhere — herself decompress with books, coffee, community and space for kids to be kids.

Inside, Thirsty Caterpillar includes cozy seating, a café, a children’s play area, crafting studio, book clubs, wine tastings and plenty of room to stay awhile.

Rogers said she built the store around a simple question: “Is this good for moms?”

That does not mean the store is only for moms. It means the goal is to make life a little easier, warmer and more connected for the people walking through the door. You can find Thirsty Caterpillar at 4200 Mercantile Drive in Lake Oswego.

🏃 Wilsonville 10-Year-Old Chasing National Track Title | Wilsonville's Grant "Speedy G" Broussard is turning heads on the track. The 10-year-old is undefeated this season, has captured a USA Track & Field Triple Crown, and ranks among the nation's fastest in his age group. Next up: the national championships and a chance to bring another title home to Oregon. Thanks to KOIN 6 News for highlighting Grant's inspiring story.

🚦 Traffic Cameras Return at Busy Tualatin Intersection | Drivers should watch their speed at Tualatin-Sherwood Road and Avery Street. Automated enforcement resumed July 9 after being paused during road construction. Citations may be issued for running a red light or traveling at least 11 mph over the posted limit.

🏈 New Turf Coming to Three Area Schools | West Linn High, Wilsonville High and Rosemont Ridge Middle School are getting new turf fields this summer. While construction may limit field access for community groups, work at the high schools could be finished by mid-September. The district is asking groups to stay flexible as schedules are adjusted.

⛳ Northwest Open Coming to Tualatin | Tualatin Country Club has been selected to host the Northwest Open Invitational in August 2028. The historic 54-hole tournament, first played in 1901, will bring leading regional PGA professionals and amateurs to one of Oregon’s oldest clubs. It will be Tualatin’s first time hosting the event since 1986.

😋 Nectar Frozen Yogurt Coming to Lake Oswego | A new frozen yogurt shop is expected to open this week in downtown Lake Oswego. Nectar Frozen Yogurt Lounge is opening at 333 S. State St., across from Petco, and will offer another family-friendly gathering spot. The business already operates two Portland locations and plans to hire local college students for its newest store.

🎈 = family-friendly events 💲 = admission or purchase required
🎵 = live music 😋 = food available

FEATURED EVENTS

💲 🎵 😋 Harefest (The Mother of All Tribute Festivals)
Clackamas County Event Center, Canby | Thursday through Saturday | Tickets Required
If your favorite playlists still include Journey, Queen, Bon Jovi or Fleetwood Mac, Harefest is back July 16-18 at the Clackamas County Event Center in Canby. The three-day festival features 24 tribute bands on two stages, along with camping, food, vendors and several new additions this year, including a VIP "Rockyard" area and evening-only ticket options. It's one of the Northwest's biggest celebrations of classic rock right here in the South Metro. This event is 21+.

🎈 Teen ARMS Tournament
Tualatin Public Library | Tuesday at 2:00 PM | Registration Recommended
Calling all gamers! Teens in grades 6-12 can put their Nintendo Switch skills to the test during the Teen ARMS Tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Tualatin Public Library. Players of all experience levels are welcome to compete for prizes and bragging rights, and there will be free snacks for everyone. Registration is recommended, but walk-ins are welcome if space allows.

🎈 😋 🎵 Sherwood Robin Hood Festival
Downtown Sherwood | Friday-Saturday | Free
Old Town Sherwood steps back into medieval times July 17–18 for the annual Robin Hood Festival. The free celebration includes a professional archery tournament, live music, stage performances, a parade, the Maid Marian contest, food booths and plenty of family-friendly fun. Events take place near Sherwood City Hall and at other locations around town.

MORE EVENTS

Friday 7/17
💲 The Cover of Life Play | Tualatin United Methodist Church | 7:30 PM (runs until 8/1)
💲 Once Upon a Mattress Musical | Sherwood Center for the Arts | 7:00 PM

Don’t forget: the Thursday edition of South Metro Weekly will be full of events taking place this weekend in our area.

🐾 Each week, we feature a local adoptable pet who’s ready for a fresh start. Some are playful, some are mellow, some are still figuring out this whole “human roommate” thing — but all are hoping their next stop is a loving South Metro home. This week’s featured furry friend is ready to meet you.

🐕 Meet Cookie Crisp | This little cutie is a 1-year-old, 51-pound husky and German shepherd mix with a gentle heart and plenty of potential. She can be shy in unfamiliar settings, but once she feels safe, she relaxes, leans into her people and shows just how affectionate she can be.

Cookie Crisp is still learning leash manners and may get a little mouthy, so she will need a patient, experienced adopter willing to continue her training with treats, encouragement and a calm routine. Because she is still building confidence, an adult-only home would be the best fit.

She has shown interest in other dogs and may enjoy living with a compatible canine companion after a successful meet-and-greet. Her response to cats and smaller animals is still unknown.

Cookie Crisp may take a little time to trust, but for the right person, watching her blossom could be incredibly rewarding.

Cookie Crisp is available at the Clackamas County Shelter. Learn more here.

Summer weather continues this week with plenty of sunshine and afternoon highs climbing from the upper 80s into the low 90s through Wednesday. A slight chance of rain arrives late Wednesday into Thursday morning before sunshine returns, with highs settling back into the mid-to-upper 80s for the end of the week.

THANKS!

Thanks for reading South Metro Weekly today.

Let this be your Monday Motivation:

“There is only one invitation it would kill me to refuse, yet I’m tempted to turn it down all the time. I get the invitation every morning when I wake up to actually live a life of complete engagement, a life of whimsy, a life where love does. It doesn’t come in an envelope. It’s ushered in by a sunrise, the sound of a bird, or the smell of coffee drifting lazily from the kitchen. It’s the invitation to actually live, to fully participate in this amazing life for one more day.” ~Bob Goff

Lots of love, neighbors!

📚 A Bookstore Built With Moms in Mind

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