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Monthly newsletter of the Forest Heights Homeowners AssociationTRANSCRIPT
B O A R D A P P R O V E S
2 0 1 1 B U D G E T
pinnacle press NEWS AT FOREST HEIGHTS
DECEMBER•2010
W H A T ’ S I N S I D E
N E W H O A
P A Y M E N T
O P T I O N S Y o u c a n n o w
p a y y o u r H O A
d u e s o n l i n e o r
w i t h o t h e r n e w
p a y m e n t
o p t i o n s .
U P D A T E O N
S O L A R P A N E L S T w o f a m i l i e s
s h a r e h o w t h e i r
s o l a r p a n e l
i n s t a l l a t i o n s a r e
h e l p i n g t h e m
s a v e m o n e y .
H O L I D A Y T R E E
L I G H T I N G M a r k y o u r
c a l e n d a r s f o r
t h e A n n u a l
T r e e L i g h t i n g
C e l e b r a t i o n a t
t h e V i l l a g e
C e n t e r .
S E C U R E C H I L D
P H O T O I D M a k e s u r e y o u r
k i d ’ s p h o t o s a n d
r e c o r d s a r e u p -
t o - d a t e i n t h e
c a s e o f a n
e m e r g e n c y .
Board Approves 2011
Budget
1-2
Holiday Tree Lighting 4
Secure Child Photo ID 5
New Payment Options for
HOA dues
6-7
Ask the Manager: Is My
Residence in Compliance?
8
Communications Survey 9
Upcoming Community
Events
10
Update on Solar Panels 12-13
Field Improvement Team
(FIT) Update
14
Ask the Expert: Willamette
Certified as ECO-Business
16
Compliance Corner: Tips for
Keeping Garbage Contained
17
Go Green Planting & Holiday
Recycling Programs
18-19
Local Fundraising Updates 20
Continued on page 2 →
T he Budget and Finance
Committee, with the assistance
of General Manager Stephen
Herr, crafted the 2011 operating
budget for the board’s review and
consideration. At the November 9th
board meeting, the Forest Heights
Homeowners Association (FHHOA)
Board of Directors approved the
proposed 2011 balanced Operating
Budget, with no dues increase. The
dues will remain at $48/month, or
$288 billed bi-annually on January
1st and July 1st.
The forecasted Operating Revenues,
under current assumptions, appear
sufficient to fund next year’s
―operating‖ expenses. The Budget
and Finance committee’s philosophy
and methodology has been and con-
tinues to be financially conservative.
We have been conservative by erring
on the high side when estimating
expenses and the low side when
forecasting revenues. We believe
this approach is sensible considering
our unrelenting employment and
housing market challenges.
A key indicator in forecasting next
year’s operating budget is our current
2010 actual financial results. The
association, based on the 9/30/10
interim financial statements, is on
pace to complete the year with a
small ―excess‖ or be slightly under
budget. This is a pleasant surprise
considering the persistence of delin-
quent and uncollectible accounts
and inflation-related increases in
operating expenses. Generally,
we have experienced relatively
small positive variances where
revenues are up and expenses are
down. These results bode well for
our 2011 budget estimates and are
a reflection of management’s knowl-
edge of Forest Height’s finances and
potentially the quality of our 2010
budgeting process. Consistent with
2009, our 2010 results are commend-
able amidst arguably some of the
worst economic conditions in recent
history.
As part of the budgeting process,
the Budget and Finance Committee
assessed the strength of our commu-
nity’s Common Property Reserves
relative to future expenditures.
The committee, based on updated
reserve funding projections provided
by the association’s accountants,
recommended and the board
approved a 5% increase in the contri-
bution rate for 2011. The Mill Pond
dredging project is tentatively slated
for next year and if it occurs, will be
Page 2
Forest Heights
Homeowners Association 2033 NW Miller Road
Portland, Oregon 97229
Phone: 503.297.9400
Fax: 503.297.9408
Office Hours: Monday—Friday
9:00 am—5:00 pm
Email: [email protected]
Vision Statement
To create and foster excellence
in community, environment and
quality of life.
Board of Directors | 2010
Eric Butterfield—President
Michael Fletcher—Vice President
Sherrill Corbett—Secretary
Ric Barton—Treasurer
Stuart Roberts
Mark Sanzone
Joseph Schutz
Association Staff
Stephen K. Herr—General Manager
email: [email protected]
Sharon Aiger—Office Administrator
email: [email protected]
Molly McManus Oliver—Compliance
Coordinator
email: [email protected]
Kimberly Monaco—Marketing,
Communications & Event Coordinator
email: [email protected]
Richard Metzger—Maintenance
Supervisor
Continued from page 1
B O A R D A P P R O V E S 2 0 1 1 B U D G E T
funded through our previously accu-
mulated ―excess operating reserves‖.
Looking towards the future, to ade-
quately fund future common area
major projects such as the Miller
Road fence replacement, street
lamp post repainting and Mill Pond
dredging (2035), a 4% increase
or $1.94 per household will be
necessary per year through 2021.
The Budget and Finance committee
also reviewed the Private Street
Reserves funding requirements.
As you might recall, Private Street
reserves are funded by private street
homeowners and are separate from
our common area reserves. Per the
committee’s recommendation, the
board approved the 2011 Private
Street Reserve plan with a 5%
increase in the contribution rate from
2010 to 2011 with future increases
of 6.25% per year or $6.00 per
household for the remaining years
in the study. The private street fee,
which is billed annually on January
1st, will be $96.19 for 2011.
Repaving of all private streets will
be completed in phases beginning in
years 2023, 2030 and 2037 respec-
tively. Additionally, to maintain and
extend the life of these streets, slurry
coat re-surfacing is scheduled for
every seven years.
Fortunately, Common Property and
Private Street reserve requirements
are not static. While increases
are never welcome, they are the
preferred alternative to unanticipated
special assessments. On a compre-
hensive basis, Budget and Finance
along with association management
annually evaluates our reserves
relative to future expenditures to
determine the proper funding levels
to mitigate the short-term and
long-term financial impacts on
our homeowners.
Overall, at this point in time, our
Forest Heights Homeowners
Association is financially sound.
This does not mean that we can rest
on our laurels but we must continue
to prudently manage expenses and
protect revenues as we look forward
to future budgeting cycles. Please
contact me or association manage-
ment should you have an interest in
helping the Budget and Finance
Committee with this charge.
For your information, the 2011
Operating Budget and supporting
details are posted on the FHHOA
website at www.fhhoa.com. Detailed
copies of the budget are available in
the association office. If you have
comments or questions, you may
contact your FHHOA Treasurer, Ric
Barton, General Manager, Stephen
Herr, or your Budget and Finance
Chairman, Donald Bielen through
email at [email protected]. You
may also address the board directly
at the monthly board meeting during
the open forum. Please check our
website (above) for dates and times.
~ Donald Bielen, MBA, CFPÓ
Budget and Finance
Committee Chairman ~
S A V E T H E D A T E !
Morning
9:00—12:00
Cub Scouts Holiday Wreaths
& Centerpiece Sale
Pick up holiday wreaths and
centerpieces for decorating your
home and support the Cub Scouts.
Toy and Joy Program
Each year during the holidays, the
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue as-
sists nearly 10,000 less fortunate
children through its Toy & Joy pro-
gram. Toys will be collected all day
starting at 9:00 am and given to
dozens of agencies that provide
food baskets to families.
The Sunshine Division
& Portland Police Bureau
The Sunshine Division, in concert
with the Portland Police Bureau,
provides temporary emergency
relief for those in need year-round.
This includes much needed non-
perishable foods collected all day
starting at 9:00 am
Christmas Tree Light
Recycling
Bring your old holiday lights to
Starbucks and they’ll be recycled.
Ongoing until January 4th.
Afternoon
12:00—8:00 pm
Craft & Artisan Sale
Looking for a unique gift for some-
one special? Come shop from local
crafters and artisans!
1:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Girl Scouts Bake and
Craft Sale
Shop the Girl Scout bake and craft
sale fundraiser. Proceeds go to
Sunshine Pantry.
Letters to Santa
Come write your letter to Santa at
the Girl Scouts tents! Free express
delivery to the North Pole.
3:00 pm—6:00 pm
Secure Child Photo ID
Free Secure Child ID Kits will
be processed by North Star
Resource Group. See next page
for more information.
Evening
5:00—8:00 pm
Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer
The most famous reindeer of all will
be at the Village Center to greet
guests and be available for photos.
Don’t forget to bring your camera!
5:30—6:15 pm
Girl Scout & Pixie Stix
Caroling
6:15—6:30 pm
Santa Claus is Coming...to
the Village Center
Don’t miss the arrival of old Saint
Nick as he catches a ride with the
Portland Fire & Rescue crew out of
Station 27. Photo opportunities will
be available with Santa in the giant
―Santa Chair‖.
6:30—8:00 pm
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Be there for the lighting of the giant
Holiday Tree! Join the celebration
with holiday music, candy canes,
and photos with Santa and Ru-
dolph.
Schedule of Events
Saturday
December 11th
9 am to 8 pm
Village Center
Page 4
Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration
Page 5
Involved in Forest Heights development since its inception
Owner of Forest Heights Realty from 2000-2007
Forest Heights Homeowner
Licensed Realtor for 20 years
Neighborhood references
[email protected] Direct: (503) 780-1890
Lynn Marshall Broker, Coldwell Banker/SEAL
N orth Star Resource Group has joined
forces with the Multnomah County
Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to sponsor a
series of free Secure Child photo ID events
throughout the coming year. This is part of an
on-going effort to provide parents in the Portland
area with the best possible tool to aid law enforce-
ment authorities in the event their child is ever lost
or missing. The service is provided free of charge
to parents.
A Secure Child photo ID event will be held
in conjunction with the Forest Heights Tree
Lighting Celebration Saturday December 11th
.
North Star Resource Group will be providing
Secure Child Photo ID Kits free of charge at the
event from 3:00 pm to 6:00pm.
"According to the U.S. Department of Justice,
over one million children are reported missing in
the U.S. each year,‖ explains Johnny Walker,
Vice President of North Star Resource Group,
SW Portland. "A current, standardized photograph
is the single most important tool in finding these
children. Everyone has pictures of their children,
but most parents don't have a suitable photograph
if their child becomes lost or missing."
Mr. Walker says that the best possible personal
safety / photo ID system will have these five
features:
• The picture should be as recent as possible –
an unobstructed head-and-shoulder photo-
graph of the child – with no unusual posing,
hat, scarf, head dress, etc.
• The picture should not be cosmetically
―touched up‖ in any way (as some school
pictures occasionally are).
• The picture should be useable in conjunction
with computerized ―age progression‖ – to
approximate how the child is likely to look
―x‖ years after disappearance.
• The picture
should be
accompanied by an
accurate set of vital statistics (height, weight,
etc.) at the same time the child’s picture is
taken.
• The picture and vital statistics should be stored
together in a safe, accessible place by the
child’s parents or guardians.
What makes the Secure Child Photo ID different:
• The Secure Child Photo ID is a document
developed with input from law enforcement
officials, doctors, health officials and parents.
• The main component of the Secure Child
Photo ID is a standardized, high quality, in-
stant color photograph of the child.
• Only parents or guardians keep the original
Secure Child Photo ID, thereby maintaining
confidentiality of all data.
For more information, please contact Johnny
Walker by phone at 503-321-7400, or by email:
Page 6
N E W H O A P A Y M E N T O P T I O N S A V A I L A B L E F O R O W N E R S
F R O M T H E H O A O F F I C E
Dear Forest Heights HOA Owners,
Forest Heights Homeowners Association is pleased to announce our new banking relationship with SmartStreet, the community association division of RBC Bank. SmartStreet is one of the industry’s leading providers of banking and payment processing services for owners and associations.
Smartstreet offers owners several convenient options for paying assessments. With SmartStreet, we are now able to offer homeowners the following HOA payment options:
• Online - eCheck or Credit Card*
• Automatic Draft – ACH
(if you are currently set up for ACH, re-enrollment is not necessary)
• US Mail
• Your Bank’s Online Bill Payment
Please update your records with our New Payment Address!
Beginning December 1, 2010 all payments should go to: Forest Heights HOA PO Box 105007
Atlanta, GA 30348-5007
Your semi-annual statement will be sent out soon so look for it in the mail!
Please note that the statement you receive will look different than previous statements.
See page 7 of the newsletter for an information sheet that features the payment options and directions for each. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Forest Heights Homeowners Association at (503) 297-9400 or by email at: [email protected].
Sincerely,
Stephen Herr General Manager
*There is a $9.95 convenience fee if you pay via a credit card. Mastercard, American Express and Discover are accepted. However, VISA IS NOT ACCEPTED
Page 7
ONLINE PAYMENT VIA
E-CHECK OR CREDIT CARD*
How does it work? You set up a one time payment using MasterCard,
American Express or Discover or eCheck. NOTE: VISA IS NOT ACCEPTED
What you need to do: Go to www.fhhoa.com and click on the SmartStreet
logo. When the SmartStreet web page loads:
Choose Option 1 ―One Time Credit Card Payment‖
-or-
Choose Option 2 ―One Time eCheck Payment‖
Complete the online instructions for either
option.
Note: For either option, you will need to enter your
account number, which will be shown on your
statement.
*There is a $9.95 convenience if you pay via a credit card.
Mastercard, American Express and Discover are accepted.
VISA IS NOT ACCEPTED
ACH | RECURRING AUTOMATIC DRAFT
How does it work?
Your assessment is automatically deducted from
your account on January 1st and July 1
st.
What you need to do: Go to www.fhhoa.com and click on the SmartStreet
logo, then choose Option 3 Recurring Payments
and follow the instructions on the screen.
NOTE: You will need a login ID to set up a recurring
online payment which can be obtained by selecting
―Register Now‖ and completing the form.
Enter Forest Heights Homeowners Association and
follow the instructions on the screen.
US MAIL | LOCKBOX
How does it work? You write a check, enclose payment coupon provided
on your statement and mail it in.
What you need to do: Write a check payable to Forest Heights HOA, and
mail it along with your payment coupon to the
address listed on the coupon. Important: Write your
account number on your check as it appears on your statement.
Please allow 5 to 7 business days for check to reach SmartStreet.
YOUR BANK’S ONLINE BILL PAY
How does it work? Set up ―Forest Heights HOA‖ as a payee with your
bank’s online banking bill-pay.
What you need to do: Please complete your bill-pay setup as follows:
Payee: Forest Heights HOA
Address: PO Box 105007 Atlanta, GA 30348-5007
Phone: (888) 705-0600
Account Number: Enter as it appears on your statement.
N E W H O A P A Y M E N T O P T I O N S A V A I L A B L E F O R O W N E R S Our new banking relationship with SmartStreet offers homeowners many HOA payment options. Please
note that you will first need to receive your NEW STATEMENT from SmartStreet before you can use any
of these payment options. Look for your statements mid-December!
Page 8
T he original governing docu-
ments of Forest Heights
address this specific
question and the Board recently
amended a Resolution clarifying
the procedure. The result is an
―Estoppel Certificate‖ executed
by the association to the request-
ing party.
Let’s investigate this further. In
Article VII Architectural Review
Committee of the Declarations of
Protective Covenants Conditions
and Restrictions for Forest
Heights the association is re-
quired to deliver this estoppel
certificate within fifteen business
days. A member of the ARC
Committee, after inspection of
the property, will certify that all
improvements made or done by
the owner either comply or not
comply with the declarations and
ARC Guidelines on that day. All
non-complying improvements
will be identified for the owner.
Potential buyers or mortgagee
can rely on this certificate as
proof of compliance.
Policy Resolution Number 6
amended by the board this
past August established a fee
for this certificate due to the
amount of effort required to
produce an accurate document.
Oregon Revised Statutes (OSR)
Section 94.670(8) permits com-
munity associations to adopt a
resolution establishing a reason-
able fee for responding to infor-
mation requests. The certificate
fee is $250.
Forest Heights owners will find
this certificate useful and timely
should they list their home for
sale. This certificate protects
both the seller and buyer and
alleviated issues at the title
company during the close of
escrow. The estoppel process
provides the current owner
assurance that they are in
compliance and can sell their
home expeditiously.
So, if you’re planning to sell your
home order this certificate today
and present it to all potential buy-
ers of your home. This certificate
adds value to your home and
enhances the marketability of
your home and our community.
ASK THE MANAGER ―How do I know if my residence is in compliance
with the Forest Heights ARC Guidelines?‖
Are you curious about things
going on in our community?
Do you ever wonder about
something you see while
walking or driving through
our neighborhood? Do you
have questions about issues
that impact Forest Heights?
Here’s your opportunity to get
some answers! Our General
Manager, Stephen Herr, will
answer your questions about
Forest Heights each month in
this article.
If you are wondering about
something, chances are others
in our community are curious
about the same thing, so do us
all a favor and send in your
questions. If Manager Herr
can’t answer the question,
he’ll find someone who can!
Please email your questions to
[email protected] with
“Ask the Manager” in the
subject line. Questions received
by the 10th of each month will
be answered in the newsletter
the following month.
― Curiosity is the wick
in the candle of learning.‖
- William A. Ward
T he Communications Committee works
with the FHHOA board, management,
and staff to inform, engage and educate
residents and other interested parties regarding
issues important to their understanding of—and
participation in—the neighborhood. Our commit-
ment is to build a sense of community by fostering
two-way communication, while at the same time
presenting accurate information in a timely and
convenient manner. We’d like to hear from you
regarding our efforts.
To that end, we’ve created an online survey
about the communications you receive from the
committee (newsletters, e-alerts, website, etc.).
Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts
with us. The survey results will help guide the com-
mittee with future planning of communications to
the entire community.
We appreciate your time and value your input!
Page 9
The Communications Committee
wants to hear from you!
communications
committee survey
Page 10
Holiday Food Drive
November 29th—December 14th
Location: Collection bins at
Forest Park Elementary &
Participating VC Merchants
Box Tops for Education
2010-2011 School Year
Location: Collection boxes at
Forest Park Elementary
& FHHOA Office
Christmas Tree Sale
Saturday, December 4th
Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Village Center
>> See page 11 for more information
Holiday Tree Lighting
& Celebration
Saturday, December 11th
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Village Center
>> See page 4 for more information
Secure Child
Photo ID Event
Saturday, December 11th
Time: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: Village Center
>> See page 5 for more information
Upcoming
Community Events
Page 11
J oin us at Forest Heights Village Center on
December 4th from 9:00 am til 4:00 pm for
our annual Christmas Tree Sale. This years
trees are all locally grown noble firs and will sell for
only $35 ($28 is tax deductable) regardless of size
(6-10 ft). Get there early for the best selection or
reserve your tree by email: [email protected]
We will also have our Grey Stuff Store attending the
event selling all sorts of gift items for dogs and people
who love dogs. Hot chocolate will help keep the kids
warm and mulled spice wine will keep the the parents
warm. Enjoy Christmas cookies and holiday shopping.
All proceeds from this sale benefit Greyhound Pet
Adoption Northwest - finding loving homes for retired
racing Greyhounds.
Call for Crafters & Artisans
If you are a local crafter or artisan and
would like to participate in the Forest Heights Holiday
Tree Lighting and Celebration event on December 11th,
please contact Erin Vik at 503. 806.5200
Y O U R N E I G H B O R S ’ V O I C E
Page 12
Continued on page 13 →
M any of you may recall that earlier this year, FHHOA
—and many neighboring sub-associations—partnered with Imagine Energy to offer installation of rooftop solar panels at reduced
costs to our neighborhood. Of the fifty-three residents who signed up to have their homes evaluated for solar panels, ten homeowners moved forward with installations. In this article, Hemal Shah and Pete Oliver share why they moved forward with installing solar panels on their homes and the benefits they expect to see.
THE OLIVERS
The Olivers installed a 3.6 kilowatt (kW) system on their home. As you can see below, the panels look quite
lovely on their roof:
The Olivers installed solar panels as a way to demonstrate their commitment to green stewardship to their two boys, who attend Forest
Park Elementary. They were also pleased to take advantage of the federal and state tax credits which put the cost of solar panels within reach.
THE SHAHS
Hemal Shah had wanted to install solar panels since seeing his neighbor Devidas Gupta install them on a garden structure. Hemal did not
pursue panels before this summer because of costs and Architectural Review Committee (ARC) installation guidelines. When the FHHOA, Go Green and ARC committees put to-gether a program that streamlined the
design and approval process, cou-pled with the group discount provided by Imagine Energy, Hemal jumped in with both feet. The Shahs installed a 2.87 kW system and here is a picture of their installation:
One of the potential costs one needs to weigh when considering rooftop solar panels is the possible replace-ment of a portion of their roof. The solar panel installers recommend that the roof (under the solar panels) have
at least 10 years life remaining when solar panels are installed. The Shahs did not need to replace any of their roof as they had just repaired it through regular maintenance and their home is only 10 years old. The Olivers, however, chose to replace the portion of roof underneath the solar panels because their roof was nearly 20 years old.
The ARC was a bit worried about the location of the Olivers solar panels as neighbors would be able to see the solar panels from the street. The ARC approved the Olivers design after Pete explained that ―this is
something positive for the environ-ment and while aesthetics are impor-tant, we need to balance that with functional requirements and overall benefits.‖ The Olivers did not feel there was a need to "hide" the fact that they are using solar power. For the Shahs, the ARC review process was transparent. Imagine Energy submitted the paperwork and the ARC approved and responded within a couple of weeks. Perhaps a new way to view solar panels is as a posi-tive attribute that increases home value both economically (lower en-
ergy costs to heat and power the home) and from a sustainability standpoint (reduced impact on the earth and increased energy inde-pendence). Having homes with solar panels certainly contributes to the sustainability value of our neighbor-hood.
With installation now complete, both the Shahs and the Olivers are beginning to measure their savings. The Olivers have a small desktop gadget that monitors the output of the
system in real time and collects power output data and downloads it into their computer. They hope to see a modest offset in their electric bill
A N U P D A T E O N S O L A R P A N E L S I N F O R E S T H E I G H T S
Page 13
A N U P D A T E O N S O L A R P A N E L S I N F O R E S T H E I G H T S
Continued from page 12
each month. They intend to compare
their current electrical bill to last year’s.
The Shahs intend to measure how much power their home generates and how much their family con-sumes over a period of time to chart it and see where they can find addi-tional savings. Hemal is looking for a device that collects all this informa-tion and sends it to the Google power meter. Ideally he would like PGE to send usage data to the Shahs or to Google so individual families do not have to buy another device to track usage.
The Oliver boys were very interested in watching the installation. They think it is pretty cool! The Shah chil-dren (one at Forest Park and one at East Sylvan) are excited about gen-erating power on their own roof. Ac-cording to them now "One big bulb (the sun) is powering all the small bulbs in our house". Their older son looks at the inverter in the garage to see how much power their roof has generated and how much carbon the Shahs have saved so far. Hemal notes, ―One of these days I would like to show my children the PGE
meter running backwards.‖
Hemal has researched solar electric-ity generation and concluded that Oregon’s climate is sufficiently sunny to generate electricity. In fact, solar panels may work better in Ore-gon’s climate than in southern Ari-zona or southern California where solar panels may get too hot and lose efficiency. Hemal has been fol-lowing the pricing trend for solar panels for some time now; their new
system cost one and a half times
less than it would have a few years ago. ―At this price the question was why NOT install it rather than why install it.‖ Hemal also notes that the state and federal incentives are not going to last forever so now is a great time to install solar.
Pete really likes the fact that ―As we generate solar power, the system is capable of sending power we don't use back out on the line for some-one else to use, and we'll see a credit on our bill.‖
These families are helping pave the way for the rest of us to become
more self sufficient and sustainable by helping bring solar power to the neighborhood. The families saved money on their installations; they are helping improve the value of our neighborhood; and the solar panels have helped these two families reduce their dependence on fossil fuel powered energy. If you missed Imagine Energy this summer or are interested in pursu-ing solar panel installation on your home now, you may still be able to install solar panels at a reduced rate. Imagine Energy has partnered with our neighboring communities and is willing to include our neighborhood in their current pro-ject. If you would like more informa-tion, please contact Sarah Prevost at 503-477-9585 or by email at [email protected].
~ Submitted by Audrey O’Brien -Llewelyn, Forest Heights Resident ~
We are looking for volunteers who
are willing to help the community
during a snow event! Can you lend a
hand by shoveling snow, offering ride
sharing, taxi service or other small
jobs during a snow event?
If you are interested in fulfilling any
community service hours, or just want
to help your fellow neighbors, please
let us know! This is a wonderful way
to get to know your neighbors and
help those in need.
If you are interested, please send an
email to: [email protected] or
call the HOA office at 503.297.9400
.
CALLING ALL SNOW
EVENT VOLUNTEERS!
Page 14
T he cross-community
Field Improvement Team
(FIT) continues its fund
raising efforts directed at replac-
ing the community sports field
next to Forest Park Elementary
with a complete synthetic field
system. Currently, FIT has
raised approximately $160,000
toward the project requirement
of $375K from Forest Heights
Residents, The Forest Park
Elementary PTA, Forest Heights
Soccer Club, Cardno/WRG and
the FPE Foundation. FIT has
requested a donation from the
Forest Heights Homeowners
Association as well, and here
are some key points to keep in
mind as you consider supporting
a FHHOA donation:
In addition to the thousands
of youth soccer and lacrosse
players this sports field supports
each year, it has also become
clear that this is the only dedi-
cated, flat sports/recreation field
available in the entire Forest
Heights neighborhood.
Having a quality, synthetic
field system will open up com-
munity access for all 365 days a
year for the next 8-10 years,
rather than just the "dry" season,
and will provide a much safer
sports and exercise environment
for the neighborhood than the
existing sports field.
The Field Renovation project
is a critical community improve-
ment initiative, one that will have
lasting effects on the quality of
life in Forest Heights and a posi-
tive impact on home values.
The State budget crisis
has completely eliminated public
funding for community improve-
ment projects like this one, so
private fund raising is the only
available option.
Adjacent neighborhoods,
such as the Ainsworth and
Champman areas, have recog-
nized the need to invest hun-
dreds of thousands of dollars
each in their recreational fields
as a way to keep their neighbor-
hoods competitive for home buy-
ers. Forest Heights needs to do
the same.
We need your help, and hope
that you will support the board's
resolution to donate to this im-
portant community improvement
project.
If you are interested in getting
involved with FIT as a project
ambassador, please contact
Brad McMahon by email:
~ The Field
Improvement Team~
F I E L D I M P R O V E M E N T T E A M ( F I T ) U P D A T E
UPDATE ON BOARD
RESPONSE TO FIT
REQUEST
The ―FIT‖ update article was origi-
nally published in the November
newsletter and is being republished
again this month for review. The
association has received numerous
comments from the community
―FOR‖ and ―AGAINST‖ FHHOA
donating $15,000 to support the
Forest Park Elementary School field
improvement project. The board
continues to seek community input
from residents who have not previ-
ously commented.
Please submit your comments to
[email protected] or by letter
in care of the GM/FIT Contribution.
The board will review and consider
such input before making any deci-
sion on the matter. The board will
vote on the matter according to
Policy Resolution # 9
Expenditure of Association
Funds on Property Not Owned
by the Association
Resolution # 9 requires a sixty (60)
day written notice before the board
can vote on this request. The board
has tentatively placed this on the
January 11, 2011 agenda. The
board appreciates your input.
NOTE: This article is being reprinted from
last month’s (November 2010) newsletter
Page 15
Holiday Special
Grout cleaning and sealing
Grout restoration with COLORSEAL technology
Marble, Granite and Travertine polishing
Ceramic and Porcelain tile cleaning Before After
We work Stone and Grout Miracles!!
Call 866-536-8036 to schedule your FREE estimate
www.marblelife.com/portland
25% off all services thru
the end of 2010
Did you know that many children who live in some
Portland neighborhoods will not have access to
breakfast or lunch during the upcoming school
break?
Over 80% of students enrolled at Harvey Scott
Elementary in NE Portland receive both breakfast
and lunch during school hours. These meals are
provided to low-income children who might not
ordinarily receive these meals in their own homes.
During school closures (in-service days, holiday
break, summer break, etc.), these students
typically do not eat breakfast or lunch as they are
not in school to partake in the program.
Forest Park Elementary is sponsoring a Holiday
Food Drive to assist these families in need. If you
would like to help, please drop off non-perishable
foods between now and December 14th at the
following locations:
Forest Park Elementary
Starbucks at the Village Center
1st Choice Market
Suggested donations include:
Breakfast/nutrition bars
Peanut butter & jelly
Granola bars
Tuna
Canned goods
Holiday Food Drive
benefits students on
holiday break
W e did it! Willamette
Landscape Services, your FHHOA landscap-
ing contractor, is now EcoBiz Certi-
fied. We have joined a small group
of landscape companies in the Portland Metro Area that have
proven to be environmentally
friendly.
The Landscape Services Eco-Logical Business Program, spon-
sored by the Pollution Prevention
Outreach Team, recognizes and
certifies landscape companies that reach the highest standards in en-
vironmental protection in the Port-
land Metropolitan Area. The goal is
to keep pollution generated by small businesses in Oregon to a
minimum and was the first program
of its kind in the United States. The
team is comprised of pollution pre-vention experts from seven agen-
cies in the Metro area.
The application process began
more than a year ago. The core of the application is a long and de-
tailed checklist that looks at every
aspect of the operation of a land-
scape maintenance company. It’s a very comprehensive list that not
only addresses environmental is-
sues but looks at legal and safety issues too. Being an environmen-
tally friendly company has always
been a priority for us at Willamette,
so a lot of ―boxes‖ were checked off right away. To name just a few,
our pre-EcoBiz practices included
using recycled materials in the of-
fice, being a leader in water con-servation, and utilizing IPM
(Integrated Pest Management)
practices in the field.
Next, there was a short to-do list of things we hadn’t thought of yet.
To better contain liquid spills, we
created a stand-alone fuel storage
facility to house our numerous gas
F H H O A ’ S L A N D S C A P I N G F I R M I S E C O - B U S I N E S S C E R T I F I E D
A S K T H E E X P E R T
cans. The new unit is a steel
shipping container outfitted with solar powered ventilation and liquid
spill containment trays that all the
cans sit in. Our pesticide storage
facility, which had always met
OSHA’s highest standards, was
also modified the same way. We
have added more recycling sta-tions in the office, shop, and yard
to help collect recyclables, joined
the Renewable Power Program,
and have converted our office paper to 100% recycled.
At this point, in September of 2009,
the Pollution Prevention Outreach
Team met with us and then toured the facility. We passed this initial
review with flying colors and had
only two things left to do before
receiving certification! One was easy: install two low barriers in the
entrance and exit of our vehicle
bay (repair area) to contain liquid spills. The other item was a little
more difficult, to say the least:
Either severely limit the washing of
all of our equipment or install a waste water recycling system.
The creation of our waste water
recycling system was
challenging. Not only did we have to pur-
chase the equipment
itself (well into five
figures), but we
needed to create an impermeable
1600 square foot wash-pad to col-lect the water, install a drainage
system to collect the water, and
devote precious shop space to
house the tanks, filters, and controls. The equipment arrived in
January of 2010, but the installa-
tion wasn’t completed until late
October – most of the installation we did using our own labor. All the
waste water from our equipment
cleaning, ranging from daily lawn-
mower wash-downs to routine truck washing now goes through
an elaborate system of pipes,
filters, and pumps so that it is clean
enough to be used again and again. On a typical day, that saves
about 400 gallons of water!
On Friday, November 19 EcoBiz
team leaders Dawn Hottenroth from the City of Portland, and
Marney Jett from Clean Water
Services presented us with official
EcoBiz Certification!
~ Glenn Fritts, Licensed Landscape Contractor, Area Manager,
Willamette Landscape Services ~
Page 16
Consider using a rolling cart
provided by Walker Garbage
There are many advantages to
using carts from Walker Garbage.
For starters, the smallest cart holds
35 gallons, as opposed to the 32
gallon capacity of a typical trash
can. Lids on the garbage carts are
attached, similar to the recycling
carts. The wind may blow the lids
open, but they won’t fly away and
become big Frisbees like a typical
trash can lid does in high winds.
Lastly, using a Walker cart makes
for more efficient garbage pickup,
as their trucks are equipped with
hydraulic arms to lift and dump the
carts. There is a small monthly
surcharge for the carts, which var-
ies by the size of cart used. For
more information, Walker Garbage
can be reached via their website or
by phone: 503-531-6330.
Bungee cord your trash
can/cart lid
Walker encourages residents to
use a bungee cord to keep lids
secure during windy weather. While
Walker takes great care to pick up
loose debris near the can, often
trash has been strewn throughout
the adjacent landscape by the time
the haulers arrive. An added benefit
of using the rolling cart is that you
can tie one end of the bungee cord
to the cart handle. This keeps the
cord from being dropped or lost
after the trash has been taken from
the cart.
Bag up loose or light materials
before placing them in the
can/cart
We’ve all seen it: the Styrofoam
peanuts scattered about the yard.
They are almost impossible to com-
pletely pick up. Put items like these
in a paper bag before placing them
in the trash.
Don’t overfill your can/cart
If your trash can or cart is so full
that the lid cannot be completely
closed, you are setting yourself up
for a debris mess.
Don’t forget Forest Heights’
regulations concerning the
storage of garbage, recycling
and debris containers
Our CC&Rs (6.9) require that all
garbage, recycling and yard debris
containers be stored out of sight
during the week. Containers can
be put out the night before your
garbage pickup date. In stormy
conditions, it would be preferable
to wait until the morning of your
trash pickup. Walker does ask
that containers be set out by
5 am on pickup days.
A note on storing containers
out of view
―Out of view‖ means that the
containers cannot be observed
from the street. This eliminates
driveways and side yards in front
of a fence as places to put your
garbage, recycling and yard de-
bris containers. Containers can be
stored in your garage or behind
your fence. You can create a short
hedge with landscaping or build a
short fence to screen containers as
well. While these projects require
Architectural Review Committee
approval before being built, there is
no fee for the review. Stumped
about how to screen containers on
your Lot? Feel free to email
[email protected] or call me at
503-297-9400. I can help propose
solutions for your circumstance.
T I P S F O R K E E P I N G Y O U R T R A S H C O N T A I N E D A N D O U T O F V I E W
C O M P L I A N C E C O R N E R
Have you ever come home to find your neighbor’s trash strewn about your landscape?
Blustery weather increases the chance that trash can lids will blow off or that whole
trash cans will be knocked over. Don’t be scattered to the four winds; with a little
planning, your trash will stay in its container and your containers will stay out of
site. We spoke with Walker Garbage, the trash hauler for Forest Heights, about
ways you can minimize loose trash flying through the neighborhood during the winter months:
Page 17
Page 18
G O G R E E N & V O L U N T E E R S P L A N T O V E R 4 0 0 W I L L O W S
O n Saturday, November 13th, the Go Green committee and
twenty volunteers harvested and planted over four hundred
(yes, 400!) willow/red twig dogwood stakes along the stream
banks of the Wetlands Trail. Volunteers, led by Lynn Putnam,
netted over fifty seven volunteer hours, which is about half the
time needed to fulfill the grant requirements of this restoration
project.
Dave Bowman and Mary Logalbo of the East & West Multnomah
County Soil and Water Conservation District(s) provided assis-
tance during the planting and were on hand to explain the project
and its environmental advantages. As the cuttings grow in, stream
bank erosion should ease and sediment from higher elevations
should be trapped, thereby helping to keep Mill Pond cleaner.
Despite a rainy morning, spirits were good during the planting
thanks to great volunteers, homemade banana bread and coffee
and snacks from FHHOA. Many thanks to everyone who attended
the event, including FHHOA board members Ric Barton, Stuart
Roberts and Mark Sanzone. The project was one of the many
activities that are taking place unter the umbrella of the Go Green
Committee chaired by Devidas Gupta.
We look forward to seeing many new volunteers at our next event
in February 2011!
FHHOA Natural Area Restoration Timeline
OCT
Awarded grant,
removed
invasive plants
Harvest
& plant
willows
Plant trees
& shrubs
2010 2011
MAR DEC JAN FEB APR MAY SEP NOV
Page 19
Holiday Tree Recycling Boy Scout Troop 198
Founded 1950
Proudly serving Forest Heights
& Neighbors for over 20 years!
Sunday Jan. 2nd & Saturday Jan 8th 9am - 4pm
Have Us Pick up Your Tree at the Curb
Leave donation under your door mat in plastic bag or Pre-schedule pick at www.Troop198.org/
You don’t have to prepay for recycling with Troop 198
Suggested Donation: $10.00/tree, $2.00/wreath
or Drop-Off Your Tree
Forest Heights Village Center
NW Miller Rd. & Mill Ridge Rd. Suggested Donation: $7.00/tree, $2.00/wreath
100% of all trees & wreaths are recycled & composted into mulch
Questions or to arrange pick up? www.Troop198.org/ or Call 503-799-3120
R E C Y C L E Y O U R O L D H O L I D A Y L I G H T S
Yes! You can recycle your old holiday lights!
Where: Starbucks….look for the recycling bin (thank you Starbucks)
When: December 2nd—January 4th, 2011
How: Just drop your old lights in the bin (leave the lights screwed in) and we’ll
take them to a local recycling facility.
Sponsored by: Pixie Stix (Forest Park 4th Grade Girls Group)
Alexandra, Ava, Claire, Corinna, Daniella, Fiona, Kate, Riley, Sinead, Sophia
Questions: Erin Vik 503. 806.5200
Don’t throw them in the trash!
Page 20
R E C Y C L E Y O U R B I C Y C L E N E T S T W E N T Y N I N E B I K E S
“When kids volunteer it tells others that they don't have to be perfect
or famous or even grown up to make a difference.” - Kalynn Dobos, age 7
O n November 7th, twenty-nine bikes were collected
at the second annual ―Re-Cycle Your Bicycle‖
event held at Forest Park Elementary. Of those
twenty-nine bicycles, 28 were in instant usable condition.
According to Brian at the Community Cycling Center, that
number is "officially the best percentage of usable bikes
collected...ever!". Two thirds of the bikes are destined for
their programs, and the remainder will be sold in the shop
with the proceeds benefiting the cycling center.
Thank you to Forest Park parents, students and alumni,
who did such a great job making the event a success for
the cycling center. Thank you, also, to the generous
donors who allowed us to take bicycles off their hands.
We hope many of you found satisfaction in doing some-
thing for the good of others. If you intended to donate a
bike, but were unable to make it to the event, please visit
www.communitycyclingcenter.org for information on how
to donate.
~ Tammy Wilhoite, FHHOA Resident ~
DOUGH FOR DOLLARS
MAKES A GENEROUS
DONATION
Thanks to everyone who participated in the
―Dough for Dollars‖ fundraiser held on November
16th. Pizzicato donated 20% of their total lunch
and dinner sales from this day, for a grand total
donation of $1000.34 to Forest Park Elementary.
Interested in advertising
in the Forest Heights
Community Newsletter?
When you advertise in the FHHOA Community
Newsletter, your ad will appear monthly during your
contract period. In addition to your ad, we provide links to your
website from the both the newsletter itself and the monthly email blast
that delivers the newsletter.
For ad rates, submission deadlines and general information,
please contact Kim Monaco, Marketing, Communications and Event
Coordinator, at: [email protected] or by phone 503.297.9400.
Dress for Success Clothing Drive
Forest Heights Design Studio conducted their
second annual clothing drive for ―Dress for
Success‖ during the month of November. We
received many beautiful clothing ensembles, suits,
sweaters, shows and handbags for needy women
entering the workforce. Two very full carloads of
clothing were delivered to Dress for Success Port-
land. In appreciation for donating, clients received
a one hour design consult for their home of office.
Owners Susan Adams-Messmer and Melanie
Sessions thank you very much for your generosity
and thoughtfulness in support of our cause. The
designers at FHDS enjoyed getting acquainted
with our generous community members. Look for
our next Designer Sample Sale coming in the new
year.
NEED SOME EXTRA HELP? My name is Nathan VanDomelen, 16 years old. I am a trustworthy and dedicated person. I honor all appointments and always do quality work. Here are a few things I can do: baby-sit, take care of plants, take care of pets (I am good with animals), pull weeds, and clean cars (inside and out.) Please note that I am not limited only to the jobs specified. I am available most weekdays, but prefer weekends due to school. Please don’t hesitate to
call me (503) 206-6563. Thank you.
PET CARE Responsible 12 year old girl who loves to care for your pets. I am available to walk, play with, feed or care for while you are at work or away. All types of animals, birds or fish are acceptable. Please call to schedule your pet care. Manoy 503-203-1787
CERTIFIED READING THERAPIST Private sessions to improve your child's reading skills. Call for information or to schedule an evaluation. Caren 503-327-8046 or [email protected]
BABYSITTING SERVICE AVAILABLE! Call Emilie Jackson @ 503-282-1598
16 years old Attends St. Mary’s Academy And, lots of experience with kids.
TWO BROTHERS PET & PLANT SITTING We are 14 and 16 year old brothers who provide quality care for your pets and plants while you’re away. We have over five years of experience caring for pets and plants, indoors and out, from cats and cacti to dogs and dahlias. References available. Gabe and Hayden
Henderson, call 503-296-9165 or email [email protected]
NANNY/BABYSITTER My name is Ashley and I am 17 year old., experienced babysitter and Red Cross certified. I love to play games, do arts and crafts, play sports and be active. I have my drivers license and am a good driver with my own car. I am able to drive myself along with others if needed. I am available school nights, weekends and this summer. Please call Ashley at 503-577-6951 or email [email protected].
FUN, RELIABLE, BABYSITTER AVAILABLE Responsible, caring and experienced with kids of all ages! Available on weeknights and weekends to babysit for families, during parties, etc. Call 503-291-1249 or email [email protected]
PET CARE / PLANT WATERING Responsible 13 and 16 year old brothers will provide excellent nurture for your pets and plants. In the last five years we have cared for numerous neighborhood pets, watered an abundance of vegetation and provided many dogs a daily walk. References available. Call Reid or Trent at: 503-203-1491
BABYSITTER Responsible 12 year old girl available for babysitting in the Forest Heights Neighborhood. I am Red Cross-certified and love kids! Call Abby at 503-292-7744.
PERSONAL TRAINER Will come to your home in Forest Heights. New Client Special: 3 sessions for $99.00
www.fitnessbybobbi.com 503.265.8944
DRUM LESSONS Accomplished, studious high school student (junior) offering lessons in home studio; 2 drum sets for teach and follow instruction and recording equipment to monitor progress. Qualifications: 5 years study, numerous instructors, rock & jazz emphasis. Drummer and percussionist in 3 bands: rock, jazz and orchestra. Performance venues include clubs, charity events & private engagements. Rate: $10/half hour; $18/hour. Email: [email protected], 503.686.8020 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C24mJgNyP8
BABYSITTER/PET SERVICES AVAILABLE Hi my name is Haley and I am a freshman in high school. I am offering babysitting and pet services. I am Red Cross certified for CPR. I have been a camp counselor for ages 2-12, and a mother’s helper for a 1 year old. My parents are available to drive me anywhere in the neighborhood. I love kids and am very patient with them! I currently charge $10 per hour. My pet services are as follows: Grooming and sitting. Grooming would be available at my own home where a grooming center is available. I have references upon request. I currently charge $15 per groom, $20 per full day/night sitting. Email: [email protected] or call 503.863.6673
2010 NEW MOMS! I am a new stay at home mom with an 8 month old and my husband and I just moved to Forest Heights. I’d like to start or join a mommy’s group for 2010 born babies. Looking to meet up for coffee/tea, walks, lunch, shopping, an occasional night out, and a playgroup for
our little ones. Email: [email protected] if interested.
LOOKING FOR EXTRA HELP? Hi! My name is Jake Marcy and I am 16 years old. I am dedicated to my sports and school. I am a lacrosse player for Lincoln High School and love my sport. I am very motivated and willing to work as hard as you need. I can help with yard work, computer work (Facebook, upload photos, etc.), animal watching and walking, babysitting, house sitting, lacrosse training. I am a hard worker so feel free to call me for any work you might have. Please feel free to call me at 503-297-5921 or 503-407-0846.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
TIRED OF THE CLUTTER? I offer organizing services to help you attain more control over your
personal environment and possessions…to bring order and harmony back into your life! For
a FREE 1 hour consultation, call Cynthia Fooshe at 503.297.1862.
CHINESE TUTORING THIS SUMMER
We are two Lincoln High School upperclassmen, Catherine Wu and Minerva Chen. We are
native Chinese speakers and are available this summer for tutoring in Cantonese and
Mandarin. Flexible rates and locations available. Please contact us at: 503-422-2602 or
503-528-6031, or email us at [email protected] Also Available upon Request:
Piano Lessons and Math Tutoring
PLAY DATE 5 year old girl is looking for the girl of same age or older, to arrange regular play dates.
Please call Julia at 503.332.8080 or email: [email protected]
My name is Nick Grout and I am an 8th grader at West Sylvan. I am willing to wash cars, feed and bathe pets, house sit, and do yard work. I can come anytime during the week or
weekend. Please contact me at 503.292.5440 or [email protected]
FOR RENT MT HOOD SKI CHALET- One for Vacation Rental - One For SALE by Owner. Sleeps 8. Three Bedroom, 2.5Bath, 2-car Garage, Pools, Spa, Deck. Hot Tub, Trails. Offers four seasons of fun: Ski, Hike, Fish, Boat, Climb. Located Right at Government Camp - Collins Lake Resort and Grand Lodges. Mention this FHHOA ad for FHHOA Member Rates and Book Direct with owner. Loren P Hotchkiss [email protected] 503-291-9822
FOR RENT MANZANITA BEACH HOUSE w/great ocean views. Works well for families to share or that winter retreat for the book/bridge club. Sleeps 14, no pets/smoking. Call 503.292.3270 or visit www.bellavistavacation.com
ROOM FOR RENT Forest Heights homeowner looking for clean, responsible, financially stable roommate to share a single-family home across the street from Mill Pond park & nature trails. Includes bedroom & bathroom, use of laundry, kitchen, & 4 outdoor patios. Nice views looking out over the neighborhood. Your roommates would be a husband & wife w/out kids or pets. No smoking, pets, illegal substances, day sleepers, or overnight guests. Email [email protected] for more info & photos. $500.00/month
RENTALS
PIANO TEACHER/TUTORING Excellent piano teacher and professional tutor (LA, Math, French, Study Skills). Fully certified. Established business 6+ years in Forest Heights. Great references from your neighbors. I make learning fun and I connect personally with my students. I travel to you! Please call Sarah at: 503.313.1216 or mail me: [email protected].
BABYSITTING
MUSIC
TUTORING
BABYSITTER AVAILABLE High school student, Red Cross infant and toddler CPR certified, 3 years experience.
Available to babysit Fridays and Saturdays year round. References available.
Phone #: 503-841-5989 | Rate: $6/hr
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PET/PLANT CARE
MISCELLANEOUS
INTERESTED IN RUNNING A
CLASSIFIED AD?
The classified ad section of this newsletter is available to
Forest Heights residents only. Business classified ads are
only $15.00 per month. All other ads are free! For more
information, email: [email protected]
PIANO FOR SALE Polished ebony, upright 57” wide x 43” high. Excellent condition, never used. Moving, must sell. Original price: $2999, asking $2500/OBO. Email [email protected] for more
information.
GARAGE SPACE NEEDED | LOOKING TO RENT
65 year-old henpecked husband needs space for a newly purchased '52 motor car. Wife says, "No car here." Reply to Ray @ 503-384-9342
EXPERT COLLEGE ESSAY COACH As the acceptance rates of competitive colleges decline, it becomes essential for
applicants to craft compelling admission essays. Experienced high school English
teacher with Master’s Degree available to help plan, organize, revise, and edit admission
and scholarship essays during evenings and/or weekends. Hourly fee. References supplied
upon request. Please contact Ali at 503.867.6321 or [email protected]
1
2 3 4 Safety, Streetscape
& Transportation Committee
1:00 pm
5 GO Green Committee
6:00 pm
6 7 8
9 10 Community Activities
Committee 12:00 pm
11 FHHOA Board of
Directors Meeting 6:00 pm
12 13 14 15
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 GO Green Committee
6:00 pm
2 Architectural
Review Committee 9:00 pm
3 4 Christmas Tree Sale
@ Village Center 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
5 6 7 Safety, Streetscape
& Transportation Committee
1:00 pm
8 9 10 11 Village Center
Holiday Tree Lighting
& Celebration Noon to 8:00 pm
12 13 14 FHHOA Board of
Directors Meeting 6:00 pm
15 16 17 18
19 20 Budget & Finance
Committee 6:00 pm
21 22 23 24 FHHOA
Office Closed
25
26 27 28 29 30 31
December 2010
January 2011
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Here’s a snapshot of FHHOA activities and
meetings from December thru mid-January.
Print and keep this calendar in a handy spot
so you’ll have access to what’s happening in
your community.
Page 22