🏆 Oregon’s Safest Cities + Your South Metro Summer Concert Guide

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Monday, South Metro! New Portland Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon appears to be performing a one-man rendition of “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” with our local basketball team—and yes, that feels like double trouble. Our very first South Metro Poll is included in today’s issue, so weigh in below.

Plus…

Remember, Monday is the day we all bravely put on real clothes and pretend to be functioning adults. Let’s go.

-Scott

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Four South Metro communities have earned spots among the 10 safest cities in Oregon, including the top two positions.

West Linn was ranked No. 1 in Oregon for the seventh consecutive year, according to SafeWise’s 2026 Safest Cities report. Neighboring Lake Oswego moved up three places to No. 2, while Canby came in at No. 8 and Sherwood ranked No. 9.

SafeWise develops its rankings using violent- and property-crime rates calculated from FBI crime data. West Linn has experienced three consecutive years of declining property crime, while Lake Oswego has seen both violent and property crime decrease in recent years. Canby’s property-crime rate has also declined for two straight years.

The report also found that Oregonians are feeling noticeably less concerned about crime than in previous years. Worries about violent crime, property crime, gun violence and package theft all declined—suggesting residents across the state are feeling a little more secure.

Apparently, South Metro residents aren’t the only ones feeling a little more comfortable taking an evening walk—or leaving that delivery on the porch for a few extra minutes.

🔥 TVF&R Crews Deploy to Southern Oregon Wildfire | Firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue have joined a regional strike team helping battle the East Evans Creek Road Fire near Medford. The fast-moving wildfire has burned more than 11,000 acres and prompted evacuation orders in parts of Jackson County. TVF&R personnel are also assisting with several other major fires across Oregon.

👮 Canby Police Chief Retires After 30 Years of Service | Police Chief Jorge Tro officially retired after a career that began with the Canby Police Department in 1996. He returned to the department in 1999 and later served as sergeant, lieutenant, captain and acting chief before becoming police chief in 2021. The City Council recently honored Tro as Canby’s newest Hometown Hero.

🍢 KIN Izakaya Gets a Food-Truck-to-Storefront Glow-Up | After several weeks in a soft-opening phase, KIN Izakaya and Sake Bar celebrated the official opening of its Lake Oswego storefront with a ribbon cutting last Friday. The former food truck now serves Japanese small plates, sashimi, skewers, noodle and rice bowls, and sake from its new Old Town location at State and Wilbur streets.

🛍️ Young Entrepreneurs Take Over Lake Oswego Marketplace | Children ages 6 to 17 will run their own storefronts at the Acton Children’s Business Fair on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Lake Bible Church. Up to 30 booths will feature handmade goods, treats and creative products, with kids handling everything from branding to pricing. Admission and participation are free, and applications close Saturday. You can register here.

🚶 Work Begins on Long-Awaited Lake Oswego Riverfront Trail Link | Construction is underway on a new connection at George Rogers Park that will complete more than 2.25 miles of continuous off-street pathway along the Willamette River. The project includes an ADA-accessible switchback trail linking the memorial lawn to the river and is expected to be finished later this fall. Neighbors said the pathway had been discussed for roughly 30 years and were excited to finally see it under construction.

🏙️ Tualatin Receives $740,000 for Downtown Revitalization | Metro has awarded the city funding for the next phase of its downtown revitalization project. Tualatin will combine community feedback and University of Oregon student recommendations into design concepts and updated standards intended to guide development, attract investment and give downtown a stronger identity. The overall planning process is expected to be completed by mid-2027, although actual redevelopment will happen over time.

🌮 Word Is, a Familiar Mexican Restaurant Family Is Coming Back | A new “coming soon” sign on Boones Ferry Road points to Mexican Mezcal Restaurant, planned for the former Ivy’s Pho & Grill space. The family behind the longtime Corona Mexican Restaurant is returning with scratch-made Mexican dishes, seafood specials and a full bar. The opening is expected by the end of August.

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

FEATURED EVENTS

🎈 🎵 😋 Parks & Music, and Music & Parks!
Summer concert season has arrived across the South Metro, which means local parks are about to become very popular places to sit on a blanket and pretend the ground is comfortable. Several cities have regular live music lined up in the weeks ahead—here are a few series worth putting on the calendar.

🎵 Music on the Green
Stella Olsen Park, Sherwood | Wednesdays at 6:30 PM through Aug. 5
This week: Conjunto Alegre
Full schedule here

🎵 Rotary Summer Concert Series
Town Center Park, Wilsonville | Thursdays at 5:30 PM through Aug. 6
This week: Conjunto Alegre — yes, they’re making the short trip from Sherwood the night before. Overachievers.
Full schedule here

🎵 Wednesday Concert Series
Foothills Park, Lake Oswego | Wednesdays at 7 PM through July 29
This week: Band After Midnight
Concerts move to Westlake Park in August.
Full schedule here

🎵 Sunday Concert Series
Millennium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego | Every other Sunday at 6:30 PM through Aug. 23
This week: Fear No Music
Full schedule here

🎵 Slice of Summer
Wait Park, Canby | Every other Sunday at 6 PM through Aug. 23
This week: Cherrytree Road
Full schedule here

🎵 Music in the Park
Tanner Creek Park, West Linn | Thursdays at 6:30 PM through Aug. 20
This week: Petty Fever
Full schedule here

🎵 Tualatin’s Concerts in the Parks
Various Tualatin parks | Every other Friday at 6:30 PM through Aug. 21
This week: Dance Nation at Atfalati Park
Full schedule here

Tuesday 7/21
🎈 😋 Lee’s Lion Dance Company | Cannery Square, Sherwood | 11 AM
🎈 Saddle Up on Hobby Horses | Wilsonville Library | 6 PM

Wednesday 7/22
🎈 Crafternoon: Pop-ups | Tualatin Library | 2 PM
💲 Tualatin Football Golf Tournament | Charbonneau Golf Club, Wilsonville | 4 PM
🎈 Teen Wednesdays: Water Fight & Party in the Park | Wilsonville Library | 4 PM

Thursday 7/23
🎈 Reptile Man | Wilsonville Library | 11 AM
Flash Fiction Workshop | Wilsonville Library | 6 PM

Friday 7/24
🎈 Traditional Japanese Drumming | Wait City Park, Canby | 11 AM
🎈 Community Safety Day | Goldfish Swim School, West Linn | 1 - 4 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 spotlight a local adoptable pet searching for a fresh start. Some are playful, some are professional couch warmers, and some are still learning the rules of living with humans. What they all have in common is the hope that their next stop will be a loving South Metro home. This week’s furry friend is ready to meet you.

🐕 Meet Koda | This handsome 10-month-old German shepherd mix weighs about 40 pounds. The shelter can be a little overwhelming for him, but once things quiet down, his sweet and playful personality begins to appear.

He already knows some basic manners and would do best with a patient, dog-savvy adopter who can continue his training and help build his confidence. A calm home, steady encouragement and a few well-timed treats could be exactly what he needs to feel safe and settle in.

Koda is available at the Clackamas County Shelter. Learn more here.

A hot start to the week, with highs near 90 today before climbing into the upper 90s Tuesday and Wednesday. A Heat Advisory is in effect both days. Temperatures ease back into the low 90s Thursday, then settle into the mid-80s for Friday and the weekend. Mostly dry overall, aside from a very slight chance of showers Wednesday night.

Monday 7/20
90 🌡 64 | ⛅

Tuesday 7/21
97 🌡 66 | ⛅

Wednesday 7/22
98 🌡 62 | ☀

Thursday 7/23
92 🌡 59 | ☀

Friday 7/24
87 🌡 57 | ☀