👋🎃 Giant Pumpkins AND Food Carts in Tualatin + Cash for West Linn

TOGETHER WITH

Good Morning, South Metro. First up, a special announcement for those of you in Wilsonville.

We don’t cover politics here at South Metro Weekly, but we love our communities and believe everyone should be involved in the process of learning about and voting for our leaders. Along those lines, we have partnered with the Wilsonville Unit of the League of Women Voters to help facilitate a Wilsonville City Council Candidate Forum that will include all four candidates.

The final details will be announced in the coming day, or so, in the “What’s Happening in Wilsonville” Facebook Group. You may join that group here. For other questions, feel free to respond to this email. Thank you!

Ok…let’s get this week started!

Coming up in today’s South Metro Weekly:

Also this morning, huge shout-out to Emergency Veteran Clinic of Tualatin and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging & Consultations for hosting a couple great open houses yesterday afternoon. I got free swag bags and my oldest daughter thinks she wants to change her career plan again. 😂

-Scott Michaels

We’re less than a week away from one of the strangest — and most fun — fall traditions in the South Metro.

The West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta returns to Tualatin’s Lake of the Commons next Sunday, October 18, bringing giant hollowed-out pumpkins, costumed paddlers and a very busy day in downtown Tualatin.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with pumpkin races at noon and 2 p.m. There’s also pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, live entertainment, food, crafts, a kids costume contest and plenty of giant-vegetable photo opportunities.

Admission is free.

And if you’re planning to go, this is one of those events where a little planning will make the day much easier.

Parking near the lake is limited, and downtown traffic can get crowded fast. There will be a free Pumpkin Shuttle, free bike valet and ADA parking, so arriving early is probably the smartest move.

Also, don’t make this a solo trip.

Bring the kids. Bring a friend. Bring the person who still doesn’t believe people actually paddle giant pumpkins across a lake.

Because they do.

And next Sunday, Tualatin gets to prove it again.

West Linn has talked for years about what its waterfront could become.

Now there’s some real money behind the idea.

The city has received a $392,400 Metro grant to begin the first phase of putting its Waterfront Vision Plan into motion — a long-term plan covering about 275 acres along the Willamette River.

The goal is to create better river access, make it easier to get around, open the door for new housing and development, and better connect the area with its natural and cultural history.

This first phase will focus on the Historic City Hall District at the north end of the waterfront.

And before anyone gets too excited about construction crews showing up, this part is mostly planning work — zoning, transportation studies, infrastructure checks, economic feasibility and looking at public access and environmental conditions.

Not exactly ribbon-cutting material.

But it’s the kind of groundwork that has to happen first.

The city adopted the Waterfront Vision Plan in 2025 after years of community input dating back to 2016.

So while the waterfront isn’t changing overnight, this grant is one more step toward turning a long-discussed idea into something a little more real.

A recent Reddit post asked Sherwood residents a pretty simple question: We’re thinking about moving here. What should we know?

And locals had thoughts.

The biggest theme? Sherwood feels like a community.

People pointed to the schools, quiet neighborhoods, parks and walking trails as some of the best parts of town. Woodhaven Park, Snyder Park and Stella Olsen Park all got mentions, along with the pedestrian bridge over Highway 99W.

Food came up quite a bit, too. Locals tossed out favorites including Fat Milo’s, Clancy’s, Symposium Coffee, Sultan, Araceli’s and a handful of other spots around town.

There were a few complaints, of course.

Several people wished Sherwood had more restaurant variety, especially when it comes to ethnic food. Others mentioned traffic and the reality that you may still find yourself driving toward Beaverton, Portland or Newberg when you want more options.

But the overall vibe of the conversation was pretty positive.

One longtime resident summed it up with great schools, Old Town, annual events and plenty of places to walk.

Which is probably about as Sherwood as it gets.

Quiet enough to feel small. Close enough that you’re not actually stuck there.

Sometimes your body is asking for something other than another workout. Maybe you’re feeling worn down, sore, or simply ready for a couple of hours focused on feeling refreshed.

Azend Hot Yoga & Wellness in Wilsonville has put together a Recovery Day Pass that lets you try three of its wellness experiences in one visit: whole-body cryotherapy, mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and HaloO2Red, which combines red light, salt therapy and oxygen-enriched air.

It’s an easy way to explore some of Azend’s recovery offerings without having to figure out where to start—or book everything separately.

The full experience takes about two hours and is currently $144, a 20% savings from the $180 à la carte price.

Ready for a little recovery time? Call Azend Hot Yoga & Wellness at (503) 964-3587 to purchase your Recovery Day Pass and book your visit.

🌮 Food cart pods are officially allowed in Tualatin. The City Council has approved new rules allowing multiple food carts to operate together in places like downtown and Bridgeport, replacing an older rule that allowed just one cart per site. Pods can have up to 20 carts before needing a conditional use permit, although they’ll also need permanent amenities like restrooms, shade and bike parking. The new rules take effect October 28, while the city continues discussing whether smaller two-to-four-cart pods should get a simpler set of requirements.

🏘️ Canby finally has a new roadmap for the next couple of decades. After about three years of work, the City Council approved an updated comprehensive plan — replacing one that was nearly 30 years old. The plan is meant to guide how Canby grows over the next 15 to 20 years, including future housing, businesses and what happens when the city eventually takes up an urban growth boundary expansion.

🦺 Free life jackets could be coming to Tualatin and West Linn next. A new loaner kiosk recently opened at Cook Park in Tigard, stocked with 12 Coast Guard-approved life jackets that river users can borrow and return. The station was built with help from Tualatin River Keepers, the Nautical Safety Foundation and local Eagle Scouts. And the idea may be headed our way: Tualatin River Keepers says it already has its eye on future kiosks at launches in Tualatin and West Linn, along with King City. For anyone who spends time paddling the Tualatin or Willamette, that could eventually mean one less thing to forget at home.

🏦 OnPoint Community Credit Union is opening its second Lake Oswego branch in downtown. The new location at 101 A Avenue opens October 16, giving residents and businesses another option for in-person banking while the Kruse Meadows branch stays open. The branch will offer accounts, loans, financial planning, ATM services and notary help. OnPoint is also donating $5,000 to Hunger Fighters Oregon and will hold a community grand opening October 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. So if you’ve been watching downtown Lake Oswego keep adding new businesses, here’s one more opening to put on the list.

💼 A Wilsonville-based group is getting $25,000 to help rural entrepreneurs. The Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network received the grant through the 2026 Thriving Entrepreneurs program. The money will support RAIN’s Rural CREATOR accelerator, which gives creative entrepreneurs access to education, mentorship and business resources. It’s one of 39 grants awarded statewide this year, totaling $905,000.

🌉 Sherwood’s Highway 99W pedestrian bridge has picked up a big honor just over a year after opening. The nearly 900-foot pedestrian and bicycle crossing, which opened on August 26, 2025, has been named the 2026 Project of the Year by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association. It won in the structures category for projects between $25 million and $75 million, with judges recognizing the design, construction, safety improvements and teamwork behind the project. The bridge now gives people a much safer way to cross Highway 99W near the Sherwood Family YMCA — and apparently, it looks pretty good on an awards shelf too.

🕰️ Lake Oswego history is getting an escape-room twist later this month. The Oswego Heritage Council is turning the Oswego Heritage House into an immersive mystery experience on October 23 and 24, with sessions at 4, 6 and 8 p.m. Guests will work their way through clues involving books, antiques and artifacts that seem to be mysteriously out of place — with a few historical characters helping move the story along. It’s part history lesson, part puzzle, and probably a little more exciting than your average museum visit.

🚗 Wilsonville traffic is getting busier — and a little harder to predict. A recent transportation report found some intersections have seen noticeable increases in traffic since 2014, including Boones Ferry Road and Day Road, where delays jumped sharply between 2014 and 2026. Traffic in the Basalt Creek area has also climbed, while Boones Ferry Road continues to be one of the city’s least predictable routes, with travel times that can swing quite a bit depending on the day. The city uses these reports to track where traffic is changing and where future transportation work may be needed. In short: if it feels like some Wilsonville drives take longer than they used to, you’re not imagining it.

🎨 Calling local crafters: Tualatin’s Holiday Makers Market is looking for vendors. The Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge is planning a holiday craft fair for Saturday, December 5, and they’re looking for people selling handmade crafts, homemade goodies, holiday décor, art and other unique gifts. Vendor tables are $20, making this a pretty low-cost way for local makers to get in front of holiday shoppers. If you’ve got something handmade to sell — or know someone who does — now’s the time to grab a spot. To reserve a table, call 503-691-1935.

📚 Lake Oswego Reads has picked its book for 2027. The Lake Oswego Public Library has chosen “Good People” by Patmeena Sabit for the 21st year of the community reading program. The novel follows an Afghan refugee family through a tragedy and the questions that follow about identity, culture, family and whose version of a story gets believed. Local library cardholders will be able to pick up one of 800 free copies on February 28, with a month of related events planned for April. The lineup will include discussions, cultural and culinary programs, artistic interpretations and a visit from Sabit at Lake Oswego High School on April 26.

This week’s South Metro home is less “house with some land” and more full-on private estate.

The gated West Linn property is listed at $3.85 million and sits on just over 24 acres, with a 4,646-square-foot main home, 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.

But the house is almost the side story.

The property includes an 80-by-120-foot indoor riding arena, more than 20 horse stalls, seven cross-fenced pastures, a greenhouse, workshop, RV/boat storage and even a second home measuring about 1,800 square feet.

There’s also an 8,500-square-foot barn/event space, a pool and a tennis court.

Inside, the main home has hardwood floors, a large kitchen island, fireplaces, a soaking tub and plenty of windows looking out over the surrounding valley and mountains.

And if you’re wondering whether all that horse infrastructure actually gets used — yes. The listing says the property currently brings in income from an arena lease, horse boarding and a childcare operation.

So, yes, $3.85 million is a lot of money.

But apparently that’s what happens when your “backyard” needs its own arena schedule.

See more here.

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

🎵 Blue Wave Band Showcase
The Headliners Club, Lake Oswego | Monday | 8:00 PM | Free
Kick off the week with live music at The Headliners Club. Blue Wave Band is taking the stage for a free showcase, with a mix of danceable favorites and party-band energy. It’s a 21+ night, so grab a friend, order something to drink and make Monday feel a little less like Monday.

🎈 Kindergarten Carnival
West Linn Public Library | Wednesday–Saturday | Various Times | Free
West Linn’s youngest students get a celebration of their own this week. The Kindergarten Carnival is designed for kindergartners and their families, with a free book, STEAM kit, 3D-printed keepsake, photo opportunities and a few other surprises along the way. Registration is required, so this is one to plan ahead for rather than just dropping in.

🎈😋 Fall Cider Pressing
Bethlehem House of Bread, Tigard | Thursday | 4:30–6:30 PM | Free
Fresh apple cider is the star of this fall afternoon in Tigard. Families can help chop and press local apples, sip fresh cider, enjoy snacks and take part in fall-themed kids activities and apple bingo with prizes. Bring a container if you’d like to take some cider home, and RSVP by Tuesday so organizers know you’re coming.

😋 Veterans Night
Vanguard Brewing, Wilsonville | Thursday | 5:00–8:00 PM | Free
Veterans, friends and supporters are invited to Vanguard Brewing for an evening of beer, food and camaraderie. The gathering happens every third Thursday and is hosted by Forward Assist, with a relaxed setup built around simply spending time together. Stop in for part of the evening or stay awhile — either way, it’s an easy midweek chance to connect.

💲🎵 Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Portland | Thursday | 7:30 PM | $40+
Worth the drive. Jeff Goldblum brings his Mildred Snitzer Orchestra to Portland for a night of jazz, classic American standards and the kind of offbeat charm you’d expect from, well, Jeff Goldblum. The show also features orchestral arrangements from the Oregon Symphony and music from his latest project, Night Blooms. If you’re up for a slightly bigger Thursday night outing, this one has plenty of personality.

💲 Coppola Movie Night: Youth Without Youth
Domaine Lumineux, Newberg | Friday | 6:00–8:00 PM | $25
Domaine Lumineux is turning its tasting room into a tiny movie theater for a screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s Youth Without Youth. There are just 18 seats, and each ticket includes admission and freshly popped popcorn. Wine will be available by the glass or bottle, with cheese and charcuterie available to order. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and reservations are required.

🐾 This week, meet Max — a big-hearted, high-energy guy looking for the right family to match his enthusiasm.

🐶 Meet Max — 105 pounds of enthusiasm looking for the right home

Max is about 3 years old, weighs around 105 pounds, and appears to have one major setting:

Enthusiastic.

He’s a German Shepherd mix who loves being outside, spending time with people and generally approaching life like there might be an adventure waiting around the next corner.

Max is affectionate and smart, but he’s also still learning how to manage all that energy.

He can get overly excited around other dogs and will need a family willing to keep working with him on canine manners, calm introductions and knowing when playtime is actually over.

Cats and other small animals are still a bit of an unknown, so those introductions would need to be handled carefully.

Because Max is a very big, very energetic guy, a home with kids 13 and older is probably the best fit.

What he really needs is structure, patience, exercise and someone willing to keep teaching him how to settle down when the fun is done.

In return, you get a big-hearted dog who clearly has plenty of love to give.

Reach out to the Clackamas County Animal Shelter if you are interested in meeting this big, furry personality.

THANKS!

A final thought…

It’s easy to admire good qualities in theory.

Patience. Courage. Kindness. Discipline. Generosity.

But most of them only really count when they cost us something.

Patience shows up when we’re frustrated. Courage matters when we’re nervous. Kindness means more when it would be easier to walk away.

That’s probably what Aristotle was getting at.

Who we are isn’t just what we believe about ourselves. It’s what we actually do when the moment arrives.

So maybe the goal this week isn’t to feel more patient, brave or generous.

Maybe it’s simply to find one chance to put one of those things into action.

Because good qualities are nice to have.

But they become meaningful when somebody else gets to experience them.

See you Thursday morning!