Hello friends and neighbors!

May is here, and honestly? It is one of my favorite months in Portland. The roses are getting ready to put on their show, the trails are lush and green, and the calendar is absolutely packed with reasons to get outside and be part of this community. This month I'm sharing a roundup of events I'm genuinely excited about — from art studios in SE Portland to a brand-new kind of parade experience — plus a spotlight on a local business that is solving a very real problem for homeowners in a really smart way. Let's get into it!

🏠 Local Business Spotlight: Strata Home

If you've ever started a home improvement project and felt immediately overwhelmed — by contractor quotes, competing advice, unexpected costs, or just not knowing who to trust — you are not alone. And there's finally a local business built specifically to solve that problem.

Strata Home offers Home Project Management for homeowners in the greater Portland area. Think of them as your dedicated advocate from start to finish. They help you define your scope, compare contractor bids side by side, manage schedules, and keep an eye on the work so you don't have to. They're not selling construction services, they're not earning a commission on materials, and they're not steering you toward a preferred contractor. They work for you.

Whether you're tackling an HVAC upgrade, a kitchen remodel, or a bigger construction project, Strata brings clarity and confidence to a process that can otherwise feel chaotic. As someone who works with homeowners every day, I think this kind of homeowner-first representation is long overdue — and I love seeing a local business fill that gap.

Check them out at stratahome.co and on Instagram.

Coming Soon in Mountain Park!

14 Preakness Ct 
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

3 beds | 3 baths
2190 sqft

$790,000
Active May 20th

If you've been waiting for a truly move-in ready home in one of Lake Oswego's most beloved neighborhoods, this one is worth circling on your calendar. This exceptionally maintained Mountain Park townhome opens to a large, private garden courtyard — a gorgeous first impression that sets the tone for the whole home.

Inside, vaulted ceilings and a gas fireplace create a warm, airy feel, while Travertine floors flow through the main living areas and French doors open to a rear courtyard that's perfect for entertaining. The updated kitchen features granite countertops and new appliances, and both bedrooms include custom closets. The bathrooms have been fully refreshed with porcelain tile, granite vanities, new shower doors, and grab bars — thoughtful finishes throughout. New LVP flooring and wood steps finish the upper level beautifully.

Additional upgrades include recessed lighting, Merino Glass track lighting, a new hot water heater, ceiling fan, and garage door opener. Minutes from downtown Lake Oswego and Lake Grove with fabulous dining and shopping. An entertainer's dream!

Active May 20th — reach out if you'd like to schedule a showing or learn more!

📅 May (& Early June) Events That Have My Attention

🎨 Mt. Tabor Art Walk | May 16–17 | 

Mt. Tabor Neighborhood, SE Portland 

Now in its 19th year, the Mt. Tabor Art Walk is one of those events that reminds you why living in Portland is so special. This juried show and sale takes place in artists' actual studios and homes throughout the beautiful Mt. Tabor neighborhood, and the work spans everything from photography and ceramics to jewelry, glass, metalwork, and mosaics. It's free, self-guided, and runs 10am–5pm both days. Download a map at mttaborartwalk.com and plan a leisurely walk through the neighborhood. Rain or shine!

🌿 Tryon Creek Backyard Habitat Home Tour | May 30 | 
If you've ever wondered what a truly wildlife-friendly backyard actually looks like, this is your chance to peek inside some of them. Friends of Tryon Creek and the Backyard Habitat Certification Program host an open garden tour each year featuring homes that have been certified for their native planting, stormwater management, and habitat creation. You can chat with program staff, meet current participants, and come home with real inspiration (and probably a plant list). Register on the Tryon Friends site.

🌹 Grand Floral Starlight Parade | Saturday, June 6 |
Downtown Portland
This year's Rose Festival is doing something new and I think it's going to be spectacular. Portland's beloved Grand Floral Parade and Starlight Parade have been combined into one big evening event. The Grand Floral portion steps off at 6:30pm with floral floats, marching bands, and equestrian units — all in daylight. Then, as darkness falls, the Starlight portion kicks off at 8:30pm with illuminated floats and all the glowing nighttime magic we know and love.

And yes — Windermere Real Estate will be in the parade! 🎉 Come find us along the route and wave hello. Portland Timbers midfielder Diego Chara has been named Grand Marshal, which feels very PDX.

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Lake Oswego — Hosted by LO for LOve | Sunday, June 7 | Millennium Plaza Park, Lake Oswego
The third annual Pride LO celebration takes place the day after the big parade, and it promises to be a wonderful community event. Hosted by LO for LOve — the organization that has been working since 2016 to build a more inclusive Lake Oswego — the event features performances, speeches, local vendors, and community organizations. It's family-friendly, joyful, and a great reminder of what our community is capable of when we show up for each other. More details and/or sign up for updates on the LO for LOve site.

What are you into this month? I am always interested in hearing about fun stuff around our beloved PDX and I love a good book recommendation or song/album suggestion. 😊

As always, feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions or just to catch up. I'm here to help in any way I can! 

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