👋 🍕 New Pizza, a Big Decision & Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Good Morning, South Metro. Did you know that it’s 100% legal to escape from prison in Germany? If they catch you, there’s no time added to your sentence. Any actually illegal stuff you do on the run counts against you, but the running away itself is fair game. Amaze a friend with that fact today. 😀

Coming up in today’s South Metro Weekly:

And our next Dinner Club is here in Canby and Sherwood. Learn more here.

Thanks for reading, friends!

-Scott Michaels

Wilsonville has a new pizza option — and this one comes with big-screen TVs, a lunch buffet and an arcade for the kids.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza has opened at 29991 Town Center Loop, marking the chain’s seventh location in Oregon. The Wilsonville restaurant is locally owned and operated by franchisee John Sharma, who says he plans to keep growing the brand in Oregon and Washington.

For people who haven’t been to Mountain Mike’s before, the chain has been around since the late 1970s and is known for its crispy, curly pepperoni and big, family-style pizzas.

The new Wilsonville location is clearly leaning into the “bring everybody” crowd. There are five big-screen TVs, a kids’ arcade area, outdoor patio seating and free Wi-Fi. They’re also offering a weekday all-you-can-eat pizza and salad lunch buffet.

You can dine in, grab it to go or have it delivered.

Basically, if your family can’t agree on whether dinner should involve pizza, sports on TV or somewhere for the kids to burn off a little energy, Mountain Mike’s is making a pretty solid case for “How about all three?”

We don’t report crime at South Metro Weekly. That’s intentional.

But this story is really about something else: one of Wilsonville’s most important local nonprofits took a hit — and the community has a chance to help.

Wilsonville Community Sharing was broken into earlier this month, with roughly $3,000 worth of laptops, printers, a cellphone and other equipment stolen from its Barber Street office. The loss is more than an inconvenience. The organization provides food and emergency financial help for local families, including assistance with things like rent, utility bills and prescriptions.

Replacing that equipment could mean pulling money away from exactly those services.

And the need is already significant. Wilsonville Community Sharing served 194 families with food assistance in August alone, according to reporting on the organization.

So this is where the story changes.

Instead of focusing on the people who caused the damage, we’d rather focus on what South Metro neighbors can do next. Wilsonville Community Sharing says financial donations are especially useful because they can stretch dollars further than retail food purchases and direct resources where they’re needed most.

If you’d like to help Wilsonville Community Sharing replace what was lost and keep helping local families, donate here

Last Thursday, we told you about West Linn senior Kaylor Buse and the national attention she’s getting as one of Oregon’s top girls basketball players.

Now we know when she’ll tell everyone where she’s headed next.

Buse will announce her college commitment live on KATU-TV Monday night at 8:30 p.m. The four-star point guard has narrowed her choices to five schools: Oregon, Washington, Utah, TCU and South Carolina.

That’s a pretty impressive final five.

Buse is coming off a junior season that ended with West Linn winning the OSAA 6A girls basketball state championship, and ESPN has rated her as a four-star prospect.

So while Lions fans still get one more high school season with her, Monday night will answer the next big question:

Where will Kaylor Buse play college basketball?

And yes, there’s a decent chance a whole lot more than West Linn will be watching.

We’ve got another South Metro Weekly Dinner Club night on the calendar — and this time, we’re bringing it to Canby and Sherwood.

The idea is simple: six people, one table, and hopefully a really good night out.

You’ll take a short personality quiz, choose either Canby or Sherwood, and we’ll match you with five other local people for dinner at a restaurant in your city. We handle the matching, restaurant and logistics. You just show up, order whatever sounds good and see who you meet.

The next Dinner Club is Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 PM.

Your $15 reservation saves your seat and covers the matching and planning; everyone pays for their own dinner at the restaurant.

Maybe you’re new to town. Maybe your social circle could use a few new faces. Or maybe you just think dinner with five people you’ve never met sounds more interesting than another Thursday night on the couch.

Either way, that’s kind of the point.

Canby and Sherwood seats are open now. Book your spot here.

South Metro Weekly reader Diana recently shared this pretty cool picture of a yellow-faced bumblebee. Did you know bumblebees grab onto certain flowers and vibrate their flight muscles at just the right frequency, basically shaking the pollen loose like a tiny living electric toothbrush?

Got a cool pic to share? Send it to: [email protected]

🚲 Lake Oswego police are getting more serious about underage e-bike riders — and parents can now feel it in the wallet. Officers can issue a $115 ticket to parents who continue allowing an unqualified child to ride after prior warnings. Police say they’ve handled more than 150 emergency calls involving dangerous e-bike or e-scooter riding since April, including riders as young as 9. Oregon law currently requires riders to be at least 16 for most e-bikes and e-scooters, though some rules change in 2027.

🌳 Wilsonville wants your help shaping how the city handles trees as it updates its development code. The next phase will focus on creating clear, objective standards for tree removal and incentives for middle and affordable housing. City staff are asking residents to weigh in through a short two-question survey. Share your thoughts here.

🏅 Local heroes are all around us — and sometimes they’re doing their work in a courtroom. Clackamas County Deputy District Attorney Rachel Erickson has been named Domestic Violence Prosecutor of the Year by the Oregon District Attorneys Association. Erickson handles domestic violence and human trafficking cases and was recognized for her work supporting victims, holding abusers accountable and going well beyond the basics of the job. Not all heroes wear uniforms — some carry case files.

🌿 King City is moving ahead with a scaled-back plan for the Westside Trail — and a new paddle launch on the Tualatin River is part of it. At a recent City Council meeting, councilors supported continuing work on the roughly 0.8-mile trail, which would run from Beef Bend Road through a wetland area and eventually connect to river access near King City Community Park. The current concept is much simpler than the original $10 million-plus version, with an estimated cost of about $1.2 million. City staff will now keep looking for grants and other funding to move the project forward.

🙋 Want to have a little more say in what happens around Clackamas County? The county is looking for residents to serve on several advisory boards and commissions, including openings tied to community health, the county fair and mental health and addictions. These volunteer groups help advise county leaders and give residents a direct voice in local decisions. Learn more about the openings and how to apply here.

🏫 Tigard-Tualatin School District has been planning a major rebuild of Fowler Middle School for a while — but they also want to make sure they get it right. After soil testing and more design work, the district has revised the plan from a three-story school to two stories, which leaders say should make the building easier to navigate, supervise and move around in. The updated plan also keeps the Susan McCormick Baseball Field, while the old gym will now be replaced instead of renovated. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2027, with the new Fowler set to open for the 2029-30 school year.

🏗️ A familiar Lake Oswego site is coming down to make way for new housing. Demolition is underway at the former church and school property at 17979 SW Stafford Road, where an 11-lot development with 53 housing units is planned. The project will include triplexes, quadplexes and cottage clusters on the former Bethlehem Christian Preschool and church site. Developers say demolition should wrap up soon, with the project moving ahead after city approval and neighborhood involvement.

Yes, the $2.69 million Canby home has five bedrooms, five bathrooms and sits on about an acre along the Willamette River. But the feature that really makes you stop scrolling is the kitchen — it stretches roughly 32 feet and comes with two islands, two sinks and two dishwashers.

And the rest of the house keeps going from there.

Outside, there’s a swimming pool, wraparound deck and about 200 feet of river frontage. Inside, you’ll find a Japanese soaking tub, sauna, wine room and three fireplaces — because apparently one cozy spot just wasn’t enough.

It’s big, dramatic and definitely not subtle. But if you’ve ever wished your kitchen had enough space to host Thanksgiving, Christmas and a small cooking show at the same time, this one might do the trick.

See more here.

🎈 = family-friendly event
💲 = ticket or purchase required
🎵 = includes live music
😋 = there will be food

Speed Friending: Make New Friends
West Linn Public Library | Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 5:00–7:00 PM | Free
The library’s Speed Friending program is back, and this session is specifically for adults in their 20s and 30s. Think speed dating — except there’s no dating involved. You’ll rotate through short, structured conversations designed to help you meet new people, find common ground and maybe expand your social circle a little. It’s low-pressure, no contact info exchange is required, and registration is limited.

🎵💲 Worth the Drive: Boz Scaggs
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland | Wednesday, Sept. 16 | 7:00 PM | $160+
Boz Scaggs brings his mix of rock, blues, soul and jazz to the Schnitz, with a catalog that includes classics like “Lido Shuffle” and “Lowdown.” If you’ve been waiting for an excuse to make a night of it downtown, this is a pretty good one.

🎈 Mandarin Music & Movement for Little Ones
Sherwood Library Community Room | Thursday, Sept. 17 | 10:30 AM | Free
Kids and parents can sing, move, play instruments and hear stories in Mandarin, English and American Sign Language during this interactive morning program. It’s designed for everyone from complete beginners to native Mandarin speakers, so no language experience is needed — just come ready to make a little noise.

😋 Tabletop Game Night: This Month’s Pick Is Cascadia
Wilsonville Public Library | Thursday, Sept. 17 | 6:00–7:30 PM | Free
Game night is back at the library, and this month’s featured game is Cascadia. Adults 18+ can drop in, play the featured game or choose from other board games on hand — and you’re welcome to bring your own favorite too. Snacks are part of the deal, and beginners are absolutely welcome.

🎈😋 Pumpkin Patch on Stafford Road 2026
Stafford Acres at The Neighborhood Church, Stafford | Friday, Sept. 18 | 10:00 AM–5:00 PM | Free
Yep, it’s officially pumpkin patch season already. Stafford Acres is opening for the fall with pumpkins, farm animals, bounce houses, concessions and photo spots. Entry is free, bounce house passes are $5 per child, and pumpkins are priced by size. There are also goats, chickens, peacocks, rabbits and more — plus a Mexican food truck on select days.

🎵💲 Matthew West – Jesus Is King Tour
Rolling Hills Community Church, Tualatin | Friday, Sept. 18 | 7:00 PM | $33+
Christian recording artist Matthew West is bringing his Jesus Is King Tour to Tualatin, with special guest Peter Burton. West is known for songs including “Don’t Stop Praying,” “The God Who Stays,” “Unashamed” and “Truth Be Told.” Doors open at 6:00 PM for early entry and 6:15 PM for general admission, with the concert starting at 7:00.

Birding With Baumgardner
West Linn Dog Park area | Saturday, Sept. 19 | 8:00 AM | Free
Sure, you could go birding on your own. Or you could spend your Saturday morning looking for feathered friends with West Linn City Council President Mary Baumgardner. The monthly walk is casual, free and probably one of the more unusual ways to get a little fresh air — and maybe a little face time with city leadership while you’re at it.

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🐾 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 Skipper — A Big, Happy Guy Ready for His Next Adventure

Skipper is an approximately 1-year-old Husky/American Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing about 62 pounds, and he has plenty of energy to go around. He loves people, playtime and adventure, and would do best with a family ready to give him exercise, structure and continued positive training. Skipper has done well meeting other dogs, though introductions to any canine siblings should happen first. His shelter friends aren’t sure yet how he does with cats or other small animals. He’s smart, active and still learning — but with consistency and a little patience, Skipper has all the makings of a fun, loyal companion.

Skipper is available at the Clackamas County Animal Shelter. You can contact them at 503-655-8628, or online here.

☁️ A pretty comfortable week is ahead. Monday starts mostly cloudy with a high around 70, followed by partly sunny skies Tuesday near 69. Then things warm up nicely — sunshine returns Wednesday through Friday, with highs climbing into the low to mid-80s. The weekend looks a little cooler, but still dry and pleasant, with highs in the upper 70s.

Today 9/14
70 🌡 51 | ⛅

Tuesday 9/15
69 🌡 52 | 🌤

Wednesday 9/16
81 🌡 54 | 🌞

Thursday 9/17
84 🌡 55 | 🌞

Friday 9/18
81 🌡 53 | 🌞

THANKS!

A final thought…

National politics will spend the next couple of months giving us plenty of examples of people being angry, insulting each other and trying to convince us that everyone on the “other side” is somehow the problem.

We don’t have to bring that home.

Local politics can be different. We can look for candidates who love the communities they want to serve, care about the people who live here and remind us of what’s good in our neighbors — not what’s wrong with them.

We can disagree. We probably should sometimes. But disagreement doesn’t have to turn into contempt.

Maybe this fall, while the national noise gets louder, we can choose something quieter here at home: kindness, curiosity and a little more faith in each other.

See you Thursday morning!