Could Food Cart Pods Be Coming to Tualatin?

TOGETHER WITH

Happy Monday, South Metro. I caught my nephew’s last baseball game of the season a couple days ago, and he had one request: bring the Big League Chew. He plays catcher, which means blocking pitches, second-guessing the ump, and somehow still finding time to blow bubbles like he’s relaxing on my front porch. Turns out, Big League Chew has Oregon roots — the idea started in 1977 after a local minor league player saw a bat boy with a pouch of shredded licorice instead of tobacco. Baseball, bubble gum, and a little Oregon trivia? Not a bad way to start a holiday week. ⚾

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In today’s South Metro Weekly:

A Wilsonville Little League coach turned all-star news into a front-door memory.
Tualatin takes its first step toward allowing food cart pods.
Your official South Metro Fourth of July roundup starts here.

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Let’s get to it!

-Scott

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⚾ A Knock at the Door, Then All-Star Smiles
A Wilsonville Little League coach skipped the text message and personally delivered the good news to his 12U All Stars, turning a simple roster announcement into a front-door memory.

Some good news is just better when it shows up at the front door.

Wilsonville Little League shared a video this week of Coach Brian personally visiting 12U players to let them know they had been selected for the Postseason All Stars team. Instead of sending a text, email, or team app notification, he knocked on doors, congratulated players in person, and handed them their all-star certificates.

It was a small gesture, but the kind that turns a roster announcement into a memory. For the players, it meant hearing the news face-to-face. For their families, it meant getting to watch a kid’s reaction in real time. And for the rest of us, it was a reminder that the best parts of youth sports often happen around the game, not just during it.

The Wilsonville 12U All Stars continued tournament play this weekend at Waluga East in Lake Oswego, with games open to the community.

A text would have been faster. This was better.

🍟 🚚 Tualatin Takes First Step Toward Food Cart Pods

Tualatin may finally be moving closer to a food cart pod.

After recent social media chatter about why the city does not have a pod like some neighboring communities, Teresa Montalvo with the City of Tualatin said the topic is already on City Council’s radar.

Right now, Tualatin’s code and zoning rules allow individual food carts in certain situations, but not a full food cart pod. That could change. The City Council has asked the planning department to begin working on an ordinance that would create a path for food cart pods in Tualatin.

The next step is expected at a July 15 City Council work session, where councilors will discuss how to move the idea forward.

Why It Matters: Food cart pods have become gathering spots in other cities, giving residents more casual dining options and small food businesses a place to grow. If the process stays on track, Montalvo expects a possible ordinance could reach City Council for a vote by fall 2026.

🎆 🌭 Independence Day Celebrations

The Fourth of July is almost here, which means South Metro cities are getting ready for parades, fireworks, live music, and all the red-white-and-blue fun that comes with a long summer weekend. Here’s a quick look at some of the official city events already on the calendar. We’ll have a bigger weekend event roundup in Thursday’s edition.

Lake Oswego
July 4th Star Spangled Parade & Celebration | 200 1st Street | Starts at 10:30 AM
July 4th Star Spangled Evening Concert* | Foothills Park | Starts at 7:00 PM
Note: this event does not include fireworks, a drone show, or a laser show.

Wilsonville
July 4th Concert & Laser Light Show | Town Center Park | Starts at 8:00 PM

Canby
Canby Independence Day Celebration | Wait Park | Starts at 9:30 AM

The cities of Sherwood, Tualatin and West Linn do not have official Independence Day events this year, but there are many non-government community events taking place. Make sure you check out the Thursday edition of South Metro Weekly for more.

🎈 = family friendly events 💲 = cost required 🎵 = includes live music

Monday 6/29

🎈 💲 Lee Farms Summer Camp | Lee Farms, Tualatin | 9:00 AM
Mushroom Hunting for Beginners | Wilsonville Library | 6:00 PM

Thursday 7/2

🍷 OLEA Vineyards Opens in Sherwood / A new tasting room is opening on SW 1st Street, with a ribbon cutting planned for Wednesday, July 8. It is Old Town’s latest addition, and a new place for wine, conversation, and lingering a little longer feels like something summer evenings can absolutely support.

🏢 Wilsonville Grows Again with New Business HQ On the Way / DCI International, a longtime Oregon dental equipment company, plans to bring its Oregon operations together on a 24-acre Wilsonville campus by early 2028. The move adds another established employer to the South Metro and marks a big change for Newberg, where DCI has operated for decades.

🚿 Lake Oswego Water Passes the Test Again / Lake Oswego’s latest water quality report is out, and the short version is good: no violations. The city says its drinking water met or exceeded state and federal standards, with no PFAS or cyanotoxins detected. Good job Lake O, your tap water just got a clean report card.

⚡ Storm Gets a Little Too Close for Comfort / Saturday afternoon’s wild South Metro weather included a scary moment near West Linn, where KATU reported a golfer was struck by lightning during the same storm system that brought thunder, warnings, and even a brief tornado warning near Molalla. Summer weather rule: if the clouds start acting dramatic, take the hint.

🍩 Cutforth’s Is Hiring for the Sweet Shifts / Cutforth’s Market in Canby is hiring for several roles, including head donut maker, donut fryer, espresso baristas, catering manager, and bakery clerk. The store lists competitive pay, flexible scheduling, and a great team environment. I’d consider the donut job, but I fear I’d become my own best customer.

🚧 Bridge Work Update / Good news for I-5 drivers: ODOT told SMW this weekend that no northbound or southbound Boone Bridge closures are expected this week, though more closures are still coming with dates TBD. Meanwhile, I-205 Abernethy Bridge work continues near Oregon City, with possible overnight closures this week.

🐾 Every week, we'll feature a local adoptable pet looking for a forever home. Some are playful, some are chill, and all are hoping their next stop is a South Metro living room. This week’s featured furry friend is ready to meet you.

🐕 Meet Viola / Viola is a 5-month-old Catahoula Leopard Dog/Pitbull mix with pretty eyes, a very cute nose, and plenty of puppy energy. She has been learning a lot at POOCH, where her handlers say she is good on leash, food-motivated, and eager to train. Like any puppy, she is still working on polite greetings, distractions, and appropriate play, so she will need an adopter who is ready to stay engaged and continue building her skills.

She is brave, active, and loves being part of the action, which could make her a great future hiking buddy, adventure partner, or even a candidate for dog sports or trick training. Viola loves people, does well with many other dogs with a meet-and-greet, and once she settles down, her youth handlers say she is a really good cuddler.

Viola is available at Project POOCH. You can learn more by clicking here.

A mild, mostly cloudy start gives way to more sunshine by midweek, with highs around 70–79 through Friday. It’s Oregon, so things can change, but the early holiday outlook looks dry.

Monday 6/29
70 🌡 51 | ⛅ | 0% ☔

Tuesday 6/30
71 🌡 49 | ⛅ | 0% ☔

Wednesday 7/1
71 🌡 49 | 🌤 | 0% ☔

Thursday 7/2
75 🌡 52 | 🌤 | 0% ☔

Friday 7/3
79 🌡 52 | 🌤 | 0% ☔

THANKS!

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Lots of love, neighbors!

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