Learn about the City’s Clear and Objective Track Type II tree removal permit regulations effective as of October 1, 2026. This new tree removal permit process only applies to tree removal associated with the construction of one or more new dwelling units or the creation of residential lots. This workshop will explore the relevant code criteria, minimum tree retention requirements, required mitigation and street tree planting, and tree retention deficit fees, and demonstrate how to use the new Tree Inventory spreadsheet template and submit a complete application. This workshop is led by Daphne Cissell, Associate Planner in the Planning & Building Services Department, along with the City’s Contract Arborist, Morgan Holen.
Pre-registration is required and capacity is limited to 40 participants in-person or select Zoom registration for remote access. This workshop is free and open to local arborists, builders, developers, architects, and Lake Oswego residents. Register now!
Enjoy a fully all-inclusive day trip with fun activities, meals, gratuity, transportation, and more! Please arrive 15 minutes early.
Please note that departure times are subject to change; final trip times are approximate and will be confirmed closer to the event.
Aurora Colony Days
Step back in time at Aurora Colony Days, a beloved heritage festival celebrating the history and traditions of this charming historic town. Your visit includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Sat 8/8
Price: Res $51 / Non-Res $77
Registration Website: https://www.auroracolony.org
Oregon Coast – Seaside
Spend the day at Seaside, a classic Oregon Coast town with a lively promenade, sandy beaches, and a variety of shops and eateries. Take in ocean views, explore local shops, and enjoy the seaside atmosphere.
Highlights of this outing include:
Date / Time: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Thu 8/13
Price: Res $37 / Non-Res $56
Registration Website: https://www.seasideor.com
Bonding with Horses Retreat
Reconnect with nature and experience the calming presence of horses during this unique retreat focused on communication and trust-building. The day includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Thu 8/27
Price: Res $94 / Non-Res $142
Registration Website: https://oregonhorsemanship.com/
Camas Vintage & Art Faire
Enjoy a lively day exploring the Camas Vintage & Art Faire, where historic downtown streets transform into a vibrant outdoor marketplace. Highlights include:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Sat 8/29
Price: Res $52 / Non-Res $79
Registration Website: https://downtowncamas.com/event/camas-vintage-art-faire/
Cows, Curds, and Craft Spirits — TMK Creamery
Get a behind-the-scenes look at artisan cheese making and spirit distilling at TMK Creamery. This day trip includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Tue 9/8 (Tour #34866)
Price: Res $107 / Non-Res $160
Registration Website: Register Online
Sacred Drums & Traditional Dance — NAYA Neerchokikoo Powwow
Celebrate Indigenous culture at the annual NAYA Neerchokikoo Powwow. This cultural excursion includes:
Date / Time: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 9/12 (Tour #34867)
Price: Res $59 / Non-Res $88
Registration Website: Register Online
Hidden Cliffside Botanical Haven — Elk Rock Garden
Explore Elk Rock Garden, a breathtaking hillside estate overlooking the Willamette River. This scenic tour includes:
Date / Time: 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Tue 9/15 (Tour #34868)
Price: Res $47 / Non-Res $70
Registration Website: Register Online
Vintage Harvest and Grape Stomping — St. Josef's Winery
Join the old-school fun at St. Josef's annual Grape Stomping festival. This festive outing includes:
Date / Time: 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat 9/26 (Tour #34869)
Price: Res $77 / Non-Res $115
Registration Website: Register Online
Artisan Chocolate Festival Escape — Portland Craft Chocolate Festival
Indulge your sweet tooth at the Portland Craft Chocolate Festival. This tasty escape includes:
Date / Time: 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m., Sat 10/3 (Tour #34870)
Price: Res $94 / Non-Res $144
Registration Website: Register Online
Honoring First Nations Legacy Celebration — Clackamas Community College
Join the community celebration at Clackamas Community College honoring Indigenous Peoples Day. This gathering includes:
Date / Time: 12 p.m.–5 p.m., Sat 10/10 (Tour #34871)
Price: Res $53 / Non-Res $88
Registration Website: Register Online
Llamas, Goats & Autumn Notes — Frog Pond Farm
Enjoy a private tour of Frog Pond Farm in Wilsonville. This autumn farm outing includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Thu 10/15 (Tour #34872)
Price: Res $77 / Non-Res $96
Registration Website: Register Online
Fall Splendor on the Oregon Coast Railroad
Board a historic locomotive in Garibaldi for a gorgeous autumn rail journey. This trip includes:
Date / Time: 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Sat 10/24 (Tour #34873)
Price: Res $113 / Non-Res $141
Registration Website: Register Online
The Heart of Animal Rescue — Oregon Humane Society
Go behind the scenes at the Oregon Humane Society Portland campus. This educational tour includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Tue 11/10 (Tour #34874)
Price: Res $69 / Non-Res $86
Registration Website: Register Online
The Alchemy of Color — Gamblin Artists Colors
Go behind the scenes at the Gamblin Artists Colors factory to see how premium oil paints are crafted in Portland. This unique tour includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Wed 11/18 (Tour #34875)
Price: Res $52 / Non-Res $86
Registration Website: Register Online
Traditional Native Basket Weaving Experience — Trackers Portland
Discover the art of traditional basketry during an interactive workshop. This hands-on experience includes:
Date / Time: 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Tue 11/17 (Tour #34876)
Price: Res $97 / Non-Res $146
Registration Website: Register Online
Hidden Jewels & Fossil Mysteries — Rice Museum
Enjoy a guided tour of the world-class gem, mineral, and fossil collection at the historic Rice Museum. This trip includes:
Date / Time: 8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Fri 11/20 (Tour #34877)
Price: Res $73 / Non-Res $109
Registration Website: Register Online
Grotto Cathedral of Twinkling Lights — The Grotto
Experience winter magic during the Christmas Festival of Lights at The Grotto. This evening holiday outing includes:
Date / Time: 3 p.m.–9 p.m., Tue 12/1 (Tour #34878)
Price: Res $82 / Non-Res $123
Registration Website: Register Online
Old World Bavarian Holiday Wonders — Silverton Christmas Market
Stroll through a traditional German-style holiday market nestled inside the Oregon Garden. This festive trip includes:
Date / Time: 3:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m., Sat 12/19 (Tour #34879)
Price: Res $98 / Non-Res $148
Registration Website: Register Online
Timeless Mansion Holiday Tour — Pittock Mansion
Experience ultimate holiday magic at the iconic Pittock Mansion during its Christmas celebration. This final seasonal trip includes:
Date / Time: 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Tue 12/22 (Tour #34880)
Price: Res $73 / Non-Res $109
Registration Website: Register Online
Past Excursions Archive (Spring & Summer)
Take a look at the wonderful day trips we've enjoyed earlier this year! These programs are currently concluded.
Join local artist Elizabeth Higgins for weekly workshops focused on creative expression, mindfulness, and supportive community connection. Designed as a sanctuary from daily stressors, these sessions emphasize the joyful process of making art rather than the pressure of a finished product. Perfect for all skill levels, from absolute beginners to experienced creators looking to refresh their practice. All premium studio materials are included in the tuition fee.
Class Times: 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. on Mondays
Tuition per Session: Resident $79 / Non-Resident $119 (Materials included)
Upcoming Fall 2026 Sessions
Session 1: Mindful Nature Drawing
Slow down and see the world around you with fresh eyes. This four-week session uses the quiet patterns of the natural world to anchor your attention in the present moment. Through gentle, guided, and meditative sketching exercises, you will learn to quiet a busy mind and relieve daily stress. Elizabeth will introduce accessible mark-making techniques that make sketching feel approachable, helping you overcome the fear of the blank page and establish a sustainable, deeply personal daily sketchbook practice.
Topics Covered:
Dates: Mondays, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, & 10/26
Event Code: 34836
Session 2: Collage & Connect
Experience the liberating and playful art of paper collage. By cutting, tearing, and arranging everyday found papers, hand-painted fragments, and text, you will bypass the technical anxieties of drawing and jump straight into raw visual storytelling. This course balances mindful, intuitive play with fundamental design concepts. While enjoying a relaxed studio environment, you will discover how to arrange bold abstract artwork that expresses your inner landscape.
Topics Covered:
Event Code: 34837
About the Instructor:
Elizabeth M. Higgins is a Portland‑area teaching artist whose work centers on creativity, nature, and mindfulness. She holds a 100‑hour certification in eco-therapy and brings a gentle, encouraging approach to her watercolor and nature-journaling classes, inspiring students of all ages to explore art joyfully. Her vibrant work is shown at her Hillsboro studio and Grey Raven Gallery in Beaverton.
Website: Elizabeth M. Higgins — https://elizabethmhiggins.com/
Past Classes Archive
The following previous topics from this season are now complete. Please contact the registration program desk if you would like to be notified when these seasonal topics return to the calendar.
Seasonal Watercolor Journaling & Nature Drawing (Spring 2026)
Held weekly across April and May 2026, this foundational workshop invited beginners and nature lovers to connect deeply with seasonal shifts. Utilizing the principles of eco-therapy, students ventured into outdoor environments to observe regional flora and fauna firsthand. Under Elizabeth's gentle guidance, participants learned to blend delicate watercolor washes with organic line work to document the textures, shifting light, and quiet rhythms of the Pacific Northwest springtime landscape.
Join Adult Services Librarian April Younglove from the Lake Oswego Public Library for a hands-on, four-part series designed to demystify artificial intelligence. Learn how to navigate the digital world, protect your privacy, and use AI tools with confidence and skepticism. Sessions include clear, live demonstrations, interactive discussions, and personalized tech support. Free for all participants.
Upcoming Fall 2026 AI Toolkit Lineup
Demystifying AI: Intro to AI (Part 1)
Foundations for Everyday Use
Kick off the series by stripping away the tech jargon and discovering how artificial intelligence can simplify your day-to-day life. This foundational session introduces core AI concepts and terminology—including AI summarizers, generative chatbots, and natural prompting—in clear, approachable language. Through live demonstrations of Claude AI, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT, you will learn how to safely use these tools to brainstorm recipes, plan custom travel itineraries, and organize daily tasks. We will introduce the essential "Ask–Tweak–Verify" (ATV) framework alongside critical privacy guidelines to ensure you protect your personal data right from the start.
One-on-one lab assistance is proudly provided by student volunteers from the Lake Youth Leadership Council to help you configure settings on your personal devices.
Date / Time: Tuesday, September 15 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34825
Demystifying AI: Chatbot Practice (Part 2)
Hands-On Skills and Sandbox Practice
Build directly upon your foundational knowledge with a supportive, highly interactive sandbox session dedicated to mastering digital assistants. In Part 2, participants shift from watching demonstrations to writing and refining their own prompts. Under patient guidance, you will practice conversational techniques, discover how subtle shifts in word choices yield dramatically improved answers, and learn how to implement standard internet safety boundaries. A major focus of this workshop will be learning how to cross-reference and fact-check chatbot output to ensure your digital interactions remain secure, accurate, and productive.
Personalized, one-on-one tech support will be provided throughout the hands-on practice intervals by members of the Lake Youth Leadership Council.
Date / Time: Tuesday, October 20 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34826
AI as an Accessibility & Information Tool
Helping Seniors Navigate Daily Life With Confidence
Discover how contemporary AI applications can serve as powerful tools for independent living, lifelong learning, and daily problem-solving. This interactive workshop demonstrates practical accessibility functions hidden inside everyday tech, such as instant text-to-speech audio conversion, natural voice-command interactions, and real-time smartphone image recognition (perfect for reading small labels or identifying objects). Moving into deeper research skills, we will outline advanced prompting methods while unpacking the distinct structural limits of large language models. Learn exactly why AI should never replace professional advisory services, and discover specific strategies for spotting online medical misinformation.
Personalized, one-on-one tech support will be provided throughout the hands-on practice intervals by members of the Lake Youth Leadership Council.
Date / Time: Tuesday, November 17 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34827
AI Safety, Fact Checking & Avoiding Misinformation
Becoming a Confident, Critical AI User
The final installation equips you with an essential digital defense toolkit to evaluate whether online content is authentic, accurate, and trustworthy. We will break down common system errors, reveal how "hallucinations" occur, and introduce quick, library-approved methods for verifying data across independent sources. Crucially, this session helps participants recognize how malicious actors deploy technology for modern fraudulent schemes—including cloning voices for identity scams, fabricating hyper-realistic deepfakes, and pushing complex cryptocurrency traps. Leave with the confidence and critical awareness needed to enjoy modern digital conveniences safely and securely.
Personalized, one-on-one tech support will be provided throughout the hands-on practice intervals by members of the Lake Youth Leadership Council.
Date / Time: Tuesday, December 15 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Class Number: 34828
Past Digital Dive Presentations & Resources
Missed a previous session? Access archived video recordings, interactive presentation slides, and educational handouts from our past technology literacy classes below:
Is It AI or Is It Real? How to Spot Computer-Generated Content Like a Librarian (Digital Dive #1)
Explore the sophisticated tools and methodologies professional librarians utilize to identify computer-generated texts, altered documents, and artificial imagery. This session provides actionable, real-world clues to help you differentiate between genuine human creations and artificial content in your daily newsfeeds and correspondence.
This class was originally presented at the Lake Oswego Public Library.
Why Does Fake Information Exist? Understanding the Motives Behind Misinformation
Navigate the rapidly-evolving digital landscape with clarity and balance. This session pulls back the curtain on automated "content farms," breaking down how social media algorithms, financial pay-per-click incentives, and strategic influence campaigns purposefully accelerate the distribution of false narratives. Learn to evaluate source motivations and protect your digital footprint from predatory content design.
This class was originally presented at the Lake Oswego Adult Community Center.
For questions or more information regarding our technology programs, please contact Adult Services Librarian April Younglove at [email protected].
Interested in practicing a more sustainable gift-giving season? Join librarian Alicia Yokoyama and together learn from Creativebug's Megumi Inouye – runner-up in Scotch Brand’s national contest for America’s Most Gifted Wrapper – how to elegantly wrap tins and bottles with Furoshiki, a traditional Japanese cloth used to wrap and transport items. Megumi will teach you the traditional wrapping style, as well as a shortcut that will have you actually looking forward to wrapping.
This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Lake Oswego Public Library. Participation is free and all materials are provided, but registration is required, as the program is limited to 10 participants.
This event takes place in the Library Meeting Room on the 2nd floor.
The videos shown in class can be accessed anytime by visiting https://www.creativebug.com/lib/oswegolibrary, creating an account, and typing in your Lake Oswego library card number. For more holiday sustainability tips, visit the City of Lake Oswego's sustainability website at https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/sustainability/holiday-sustainability-tips