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Good Morning, South Metro. I went to Safeway the other day to grab the week’s worth of food. Isn’t it amazing how a grocery store can make us forget every recipe we planned and every basic staple we are out of—while somehow directing us straight to the snack aisle? It isn’t just me, right? Right?!? 😒

In today’s South Metro Weekly:

Learn to waterski for free on the Willamette
Young entrepreneurs open for business in Lake Oswego
Swan Island Dahlias celebrates 100 years with more than 500,000 blooms

By the way, it may not mean a lot to you, but in late May my daughters and I sent out the very first issue of South Metro Weekly to about 130 people. As of today, almost 3,000 neighbors have signed up for this spunky little newsletter! Thank you so much!

And if someone forwarded this to you, make sure you subscribe right here.

Let’s get to it!

-Scott Michaels

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

🎈 😋 Original Practice Shakespeare Festival: The Comedy of Errors
Roehr Park, Lake Oswego | Friday, 7–9 PM | Free
Shakespeare gets a lively, unpredictable twist Friday night as OPS Fest brings The Comedy of Errors to Roehr Park. The Portland theater company performs using “original practice” techniques, including minimal rehearsal, scripts in hand, audience interaction and live prompts that can make every show a little different. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic dinner and settle in for a free, family-friendly evening of classical theater that does not take itself too seriously.

🎈 Learn to Waterski Free
Bernert Landing Boat Ramp, West Linn | Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM–4 PM | Free; advance registration required
Portland Water Spectacular and USA Water Ski are inviting beginners and returning skiers onto the Willamette for a free private lesson, with all equipment provided. Participants of all ages receive an assigned one-hour time slot and should arrive 20 minutes early for check-in, fitting and the boat ride to the dock. Space is first come, first served and organizers say the event fills every year—so this is one weekend activity where waiting until you feel spontaneous may leave you standing on shore.

🎈 😋 Children’s Business Fair
Acton Academy Lake Oswego, 4565 Carman Drive | Saturday, 10 AM–3 PM | Free
Young entrepreneurs take center stage Saturday as local kids open real businesses and sell products they have created themselves. Families can browse the booths, shop from the next generation of business owners and cheer on some seriously impressive young people learning firsthand about creativity, customer service and entrepreneurship. Admission is free and everyone is welcome — though there is a decent chance the kids running these booths will already have stronger sales pitches than most adults.

🎈 😋 Northwest FossilFest
Tualatin Heritage Center | Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM | Free
Fossil fans of all ages can spend Saturday exploring discoveries from across the Pacific Northwest at Northwest FossilFest. Visitors are invited to bring fossils from home for help with identification, check out specimens found by members of the North America Research Group and enjoy hands-on activities for kids. Admission is free, making this an easy family stop — especially for anyone whose rock collection may be one exciting discovery away from becoming a museum exhibit.

💲 🎵 😋 A Cara O Cruz: Selena Tribute
The Headliners Club, Lake Oswego | Saturday, 8 PM | $20 | Ages 21+
A Cara O Cruz brings an energetic night of Latin music and cumbia to Lake Oswego, capped by a tribute to Selena, the Queen of Tejano Music. Expect a dance-friendly show filled with lively rhythms, familiar favorites and plenty of reasons to leave the table and head toward the stage. The Headliners Club also offers a full restaurant and bar, so dinner and drinks can be part of the evening — because a Selena celebration is no place to sit still all night.

🎈 😋 Annual Dahlia Festival: Centennial Celebration
Swan Island Dahlias, Canby | Sunday, 9 AM–5:30 PM | Free admission and parking
Slow down among more than 500,000 blooming dahlia plants spread across nearly 50 acres as Swan Island Dahlias celebrates its 100th year. Visitors can wander the display gardens, explore hundreds of varieties, take photos and shop for fresh-cut bouquets, gifts and locally made goods. Food trucks and live music are also part of the weekend experience, making this an easy place to spend a few unhurried hours — especially if your idea of Sunday relaxation involves flowers, snacks and absolutely no schedule.

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🌳 Wilsonville has opened a brand-new neighborhood park. Frog Pond Park, located north of Boeckman Road and just east of Frog Pond Primary School, is now open to the public. The 2.9-acre park includes a picnic shelter, lawn, playground equipment, paved and soft-surface paths, and adult fitness amenities. The city says details about an official park-opening celebration will be announced later.

🏗️ West Linn’s new Operations Center is moving forward. The city plans to replace its aging two-acre facility, originally built in the 1930s, with a modern complex for Public Works, parks maintenance and emergency response teams. The new facility is designed to improve coordination, reduce travel between scattered storage sites and remain operational during earthquakes and other emergencies.

Courtesy: City of West Linn

🚧 Overnight paving is underway on Highway 99E in Oregon City. ODOT contractors began resurfacing the highway between 10th Street and I-205 last night, with work continuing from 8 PM to 5 AM tonight and Friday night. Drivers should expect overnight delays and consider alternate routes, while Canby Area Transit riders should note that the Railroad Avenue stop will not be served during construction hours.

☕ Berni’s in Canby is now Outskirts Coffee Co. The longtime Canby coffee stop has transitioned to the new name under new ownership at 22842 S. Highway 99E. The Canby Area Chamber marked the change with a ribbon cutting this week, while customers can still expect to see some familiar faces behind the counter.

🍖 Sip & Slice has quietly rolled out a new BBQ menu. The Canm spot is bringing back several barbecue favorites while adding a few new options, including brisket, pulled pork, sausage, ribs and a shareable “Bar-B-Q-Terie” board. There is also a date-night deal offering $10 off food orders of $60 or more — which feels like a pretty convincing reason to suddenly remember you had dinner plans.

🍨 Otto Gelato & Espresso celebrates its grand opening Saturday. The new shop next to Pizzeria Otto at Mercato Grove will hold its official ribbon cutting at noon Saturday. Otto Gelato & Espresso is located at 3955 Mercantile Drive in Lake Oswego, in the former Fills Donuts space.

🩸 Villebois in Wilsonville showed up big for a recent blood drive. An American Legion blood drive held at the VCCA Community Center reportedly collected twice as much blood as last year. We do not have all the numbers, but doubling donations is the kind of neighborhood gossip we are happy to spread. Now is that Villebois pool at 84 or 86 degrees?

🏫 Clackamas Community College is looking for three community members to serve on its Budget Committee. Openings represent the West Linn/Wilsonville zone, the Estacada/Colton/Molalla/Canby zone and Milwaukie. Applicants must be registered voters living in the zone they hope to represent, and applications are due by 5 PM Monday, Aug. 24. If you have ever thought about running for office—or simply being part of the process instead of yelling at it—this is a pretty good place to start.

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

🎈 💲 🎵 Odyssey: A Moody Blues Experience
The Headliners Club, Lake Oswego | Saturday, 4 PM; doors at 3 PM | Ticket required; all ages
The Headliners Club is opening its doors to all ages for a rare afternoon show featuring Odyssey and the music of The Moody Blues. Families can expect familiar classics, sweeping melodies and plenty of vintage-rock atmosphere without having to keep the kids up until midnight. The early start and all-ages admission make this an unusually family-friendly chance to catch a full live show at the club.

🎈 💲 🎵 😋 SHOC Sunset Run & Walk
Tualatin Community Park | Saturday, 4:30 PM | Registration required; free 1K walk available
The SHOC Run & Walk returns after a six-year break with a 5K, 10K, two-person relay and a free 1K walk for kids and parents. The evening also includes a survivor gathering and finish-line party with music, vendors, refreshments and food available for purchase. Strollers are welcome on the 5K course, making this one race where the whole family can cross the finish line—or at least negotiate over who gets pushed.

🎈 Mini Porcelain Animal Workshop
Sherwood Public Library | Saturday, 2–4 PM | Free; space may be limited
Young artists can learn to sculpt a miniature animal from porcelain during this hands-on workshop at the Sherwood Public Library. Finished creations will be fired after the event and returned to the library a few weeks later for participants to pick up. The city listing does not specify an age range or registration requirement, so families may want to check with the library before heading over—especially if someone already has plans for a tiny ceramic zoo.

🎈 Hello Day StoryWalk
East Waluga Park, Lake Oswego | Available beginning Saturday and throughout August | Free
Families can combine storytime with a walk through the park as pages from Hello Day are displayed one at a time along the trail. The book celebrates the small joys and discoveries found during everyday journeys, while the outdoor format adds a little movement to reading time. It is available throughout August, so there is no starting time, no registration and no need to convince everyone to get out the door by 9 AM.

🎈 💲 😋 Sunday Family Day: Kids Throw Free
Blue Ox Axe Throwing, Oregon City | Sunday, 1–6:30 PM | Kids ages 8–17 throw free with a paid adult
Family bonding takes a slightly sharper turn Sunday at Blue Ox Axe Throwing, where kids ages 8–17 can throw free when accompanied by a paying adult. Families can reserve a lane or walk in if space is available, then grab tacos next door at OC Taco beginning at 4 PM. Nothing says “quality time” quite like handing the children axes and encouraging them to aim carefully.

🏎 Powder Puff Run: Ladies Only
Meet at Target Clackamas | Saturday, 9 AM | Free; message organizers to join
Women who love cars are invited to bring a Corvette, Camaro, Mustang—or simply whatever they enjoy driving—for a group cruise from Clackamas to Lincoln City. The day includes a scenic drive, lunch on the coast, ocean views and plenty of time to connect with other women in the car community. It is outside the usual South Metro loop, but a ladies-only road trip built around horsepower, friendship and lunch at the beach earns a Worth the Drive pass.

🎵 😋 Woodlander at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market
Millennium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego | Saturday, 10:30 AM–12:30 PM | Free
Woodlander provides the soundtrack for Saturday morning at the Lake Oswego Farmers’ Market, with live music alongside the usual mix of farm stands, food vendors and local makers. It is an easy entertainment option for anyone who prefers their concerts before lunch and with the possibility of leaving with berries, bread and several things they did not intend to buy.

🎵 😋 Loraine Album Release Show
Taste Wine Café, West Linn | Saturday, 3–5 PM | Free admission
West Linn singer-songwriter Loraine celebrates the release of her new album with a free afternoon performance at Taste Wine Café. Settle in for live music, order something from the café and help mark the release of a locally made record without committing your entire Saturday night. It is part concert, part celebration and a solid excuse to spend a couple of hours with a glass in hand.

💲 🎵 😋 Robert Henry & the Repeaters Album Release
Dub’s Tavern, Tualatin | Saturday, 8–10 PM | $23; standing room only
Tualatin native Robert Henry returns to his hometown hangout for a rare two-hour standing-room-only show celebrating the release of a new album. Robert Henry & the Repeaters will take over the historic Dub’s Tavern for a night of live country music, local pride and very limited opportunities to sit down. Come ready to listen, order something from the bar and remember that “standing room only” sounds much more exciting before your knees hear about it.

😋 Corks & Cars
Tumwater Vineyard, West Linn | Saturday, 1–4 PM | Free
Tumwater Vineyard teams up with automotive enthusiast group Avants for a relaxed afternoon of cars, trucks, motorcycles and wine among the vines. Guests are welcome to bring a vehicle to show off or simply wander the lineup, chat with fellow enthusiasts and enjoy the vineyard’s food and wine. The event is open to the public and family-friendly until 2:30 PM—because apparently there is a brief Saturday window when sports cars and children are considered a perfectly reasonable pairing.

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN
🌳 - outdoor concert
💲 - ticket or purchase required

Warm and sunny Friday with a high near 88, followed by a cooler weekend. Saturday will be partly cloudy around 77, while Sunday turns sunny with a high near 76. Overnight lows stay comfortable in the mid-to-upper 50s.

THANKS!

A final thought… You can spend years with someone and still discover a story you have never heard, a fear they never mentioned or a dream they quietly carried. We will never know everything about anyone — especially the people we love most. Maybe that is not a failure. Maybe it is an invitation to keep asking questions, listening closely and staying curious about the people we think we already know.

Thanks for reading. See you Monday morning!

👋 Your Weekend Event Guide for July 31 - Aug 2

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