february 2011 community newsletter
DESCRIPTION
Forest Heights HOA Monthly NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
M I L E S T O N E S I N
T H E H I S T O R Y O F
F O R E S T H E I G H T S
pinnacle press NEWS AT FOREST HEIGHTS
FEBRUARY•2011
W H AT ’ S I N S I D E
Y O U R
N E I G H B O R S
V O I C E W h a t t h e b o n d
m e a s u r e s m e a n
f o r P o r t l a n d
P u b l i c S c h o o l s
R E Q U E S T F O R
N O M I N A T I O N S F H H O A s e e k s
n e w m e m b e r s
f o r i t s B o a r d
o f D i r e c t o r s .
A S K T H E
M A N A G E R T h i s m o n t h G M
S t e p h e n H e r r
p r o v i d e s a n
u p d a t e o n t h e
F I T p r o p o s a l .
C O M P L I A N C E
C O R N E R H o w s t a y i n g i n
c o m p l i a n c e
h e l p s y o u r
b o t t o m l i n e .
Forest Heights Milestones 1-2
Request for Board
Nominations
4
SST Committee Update 5
Ask the Manager 6
Go Green Planting 7
Compliance Corner:
Compliance and Value Add
8-9
Portland Public School
News
10-11
Upcoming Community
Events
12
Volunteer Appreciation
Reception
13
Cold & Flu Season is Here! 14-15
Continued on page 2 →
H ere’s a fun fact: in just
three short years, Forest
Heights will celebrate its
25th anniversary. While the ground
breaking that occurred in 1989
symbolized the dream of developers
George Marshall and Dan Grimberg,
it also brought to light the hopes and
dreams of those who took the plunge
and purchased either property or
homes in what was then the largest
Planned Unit Development (PUD) in
Oregon.
Bobbie Regan’s family took that
plunge in 1994. With two kids (ages
1 and 4), 4 large dogs and a transfer
to Oregon to manage, Bobbie had to
prioritize what mattered most: finding
the right home and in the right
neighborhood. Her realtor had heard
of Forest Heights but hadn’t yet been
to the neighborhood. Nevertheless,
she thought it sounded like the right
fit, and she was right. Bobbie not only
found but purchased her home in one
day.
Although her home was under heavy
construction when she toured it—only
the roof and foundations stilts were
complete—a plumber working on site
was able to explain the floor plan to
Bobbie and offered a ―hands on tour‖,
identifying critical elements of the
home.
That day marked the start of Bobbie’s
hopes and dreams for her family by
moving to Forest Heights. Seventeen
years later, Bobbie and her family are
still in that home. I sat down with
Bobbie to talk about the changes she
has seen in the neighborhood over
the years. Here’s what one pioneer of
Forest Heights has to say:
Q: What milestones have you seen
the neighborhood achieve?
I think the biggest milestone would be
the addition of the elementary school.
Although the neighborhood was origi-
nally thought of a place for ―empty-
nesters‖, many families like mine
were moving into Forest Heights
and having to bus our children an
hour and a half each way to Skyline
Elementary. In 1995, a school bond
passed which allowed Forest Park
Elementary to be the first school built
in Portland in over 30 years. We
campaigned hard to make sure the
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]
Judith Souers—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
F O R E S T H E I G H T S M I L E S T O N E S
school would be built on time, going
door-to-door to every home in the
neighborhood surveying the residents
in order to convince the school board
of the need to complete construction
in the timeframe we were quoted.
Q: And did that happen?
Yes, absolutely. I was heavily
involved in the design process of the
school and knew that the addition of
a 21st century school Forest Heights
would continue to attract families to
this area, bringing stability to the
market and longevity in homeowner-
ship. In fact, Portland State University
demographers estimated 67 students
would enroll at Forest Park Elemen-
tary during its first year, but we had
over 200 students enroll. Those
same students will be graduating
from Lincoln High School this spring,
so it’s been very gratifying to see this
first class of Forest Park Elementary
kids complete their K-12 education.
Another milestone for Forest Heights
was the addition of the fire station on
Skyline. The FHHOA and the NW
Heights Neighborhood Association
worked very closely on bringing a
new level of safety to our collective
neighborhoods. Not unlike the school
project, this, too, came about as the
result of a bond measure and re-
quired a lot of community support
and involvement.
Q: What advice would you give a
new homeowner who has just
moved to Forest Heights?
I’d tell them to really think about and
appreciate what they have here in the
community. Most neighborhoods that
are 5 to 7 minutes from any down-
town center are probably not very
safe or attractive. We live in 600
acres of beautifully maintained
homes, have access to 200 acres of
common space which, also, is main-
tained at a very high standard. I walk
every morning and have seen deer,
bobcats, beavers...birds of all kinds
and all only minutes from downtown.
Q: You’ve been very active in the
community and have seen a lot
happen over the years. Do you
have an interesting story you’d
like to share that you think many
people wouldn’t know anything
about?
Well, the first thing that comes to
mind is that during the construction of
the school, I received a call at work
that the school had caught fire during
construction and was burning. It was
devastating to get that call. I was so
upset that I left work immediately,
only to learn that there was a small
fire in the gymnasium floor but it was
contained and extinguished quickly.
Thank goodness that all our hard
work to bring the school into the
neighborhood wasn’t going up in
smoke!
Are you, too, a ―Pioneer of Forest Heights‖? If so, you are the historians of
our very unique community and can offer us a wealth of information.
Please consider sharing your Forest Heights history by participating in the
Forest Heights History project. Each month, the HOA will run an interview,
much like this one, in our newsletter. Gathering this information is critical to
documenting the history of this place so many call home and will aid the
association in preparing for our 25th anniversary.
To participate, please email: [email protected]
Oh, Pioneers!
You can now pay your HOA dues one of the following ways (or simply drop off your payment
at the HOA office):
1 | Mail Mail a check along with your invoice stub to:
Forest Heights HOA c/o SmartStreet PO Box 105007 Atlanta, GA 30348-5007
2 | Online Bill Pay Set up payment via your bank’s online bill pay. Enter the following address in the payee section:
Payee: Forest Heights HOA
Address: PO Box 105007 | Atlanta, GA 30348
Phone: 888.705.0600
Account Number: Enter as it appears on statement
Note new payee address! If you pay with online bill
pay, please update this information.
3 | Online Payment via
E-Check or Credit Card
To pay with e-check or credit
card, follow these steps:
• Go to www.fhhoa.com
• Click the SmartStreet logo on the home page
• Select e-check or credit card payment option
• Complete the online instructions
Note: There will be a $9.95 convenience fee if you pay via credit card. Mastercard, American Express and Discover are accepted. Visa is not accepted.
4 | Recurring Automatic Draft If you’d like to pay through a recurring automatic draft, follow these steps:
• Go to www.fhhoa.com
• Click the SmartStreet logo, then choose payment option #3
HAVE YOU PAID YOUR SEMI-ANNUAL HOA DUES?
Page 3
Page 4
F orest Heights is governed by a seven (7)
member Board of Directors, each of whom
serves for a three year term. The three year
terms are staggered so that each year new board
members join as the most senior board members’
terms expire. In May, three (3) board members’ terms
expire, and the board is seeking their replacements.
The annual board member election will be held May
3rd, the first Tuesday in May, in conjunction with the
Annual Meeting. At this time, we are recruiting candi-
dates to run for the three (3) board member positions.
A Nominating Committee has been assigned the task
of recruiting/coordinating candidates and answering
any questions you might have.
Requirements for Nominees
Nominees should be members in good standing of
Forest Heights with a desire to actively participate in
guiding and providing direction for our community.
Previous board service is desirable, but not necessary.
If elected you will be expected to:
• prepare for and attend monthly board meetings
• participate in study sessions, evaluate subjects in
an objective manner
• educate yourself on homeowners associations
• support the will of the majority of the board.
An ability to communicate and work with others is,
of course, helpful. Please refer to the FHHOA Board
Meeting Goals, Objectives, and Code of Ethics and
Conduct.
Schedule for Nominees
• February
Decide on candidacy (self-nominated or nominated
by another). Contact Chair, Joe Schutz ASAP.
• March
Candidate profile and statements will be published
in the FHHOA Newsletter. Deadline 2/15.
• April
Candidate statements will be published in the
FHHOA Newsletter and proxy will be distributed via
the annual mailing. Deadline 3/15.
• Participate in a ―Meet the Candidates‖ open forum
at Forest Heights Elementary (date TBD)
• May 3
Annual Meeting. Candidate statement and election.
To nominate yourself or someone else
Please contact me directly at [email protected]
or by phone at 503-780-4677(cell). If you have any
questions, please feel free to talk to me, your
Nominating Committee Chair, current Board
Members, or FHHOA Staff directly.
You can also send your nomination to the FHHOA
staff at [email protected]. Nominations will be
closed March 15, 2010 (except for write-in candidates
and nominations from the floor at the Annual Meeting).
I will contact every interested party directly, to get you
started.
Joseph Schutz
FHHOA Director
Nominating Committee Chair
FHHOA Board Seeks New Members for its Board of Directors
REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS
T he start of a new year brings with it new opportunities and goals for the Street, Safety and Transportation committee. As we embark
on our goals for 2011, let’s take a moment to reflect on what the SST committee accomplished in 2010. The most visible results of our committee work this past year include: • Installation of a Speed Reader Board
on Miller road • Repainting the crosswalks by Starbucks • Installation of a new crosswalk across Miller
road at Spencer With the completion of these jobs, and weekly visits from the Portland police traffic division, the consensus is that some of our speeding issues have diminished along Miller road. We are, however, still getting com-plaints about speeding on residential streets. If you are one of the guilty, please give your neighbors a ―brake‖ and slow down while traveling in your neighborhood. On the safety front, we have had a number of petty acts of vandalism to homes in the nature of thrown eggs and fruit. If you are a victim of vandalism, or
witness any act of vandalism, please report such incidents to the HOA as well as the police non-emergency number at 503.823.3333. Another issue has been two instances of vandalism to bus seats on the ECO shuttle. If you are witness to any act of vandalism on the ECO shuttle, please alert the driver immediately. In order to avoid cost increases, we had to make the difficult decision to reduce the ECO shuttle service by three hours during midday non-commuting hours. One of our objectives for 2011 is to get a Forest Heights bus route into TriMet’s 5 year plan. We have established a task force for this project and will be reporting on our efforts during the year. Please feel free to contact me if have any questions or would like to get involved with the Street, Safety and Transportation committee.
~ Mark Sanzone, SST Committee Chair ~
S T R E E T, S A F E T Y A N D T R A N S P O R T A T I O N C O M M I T T E E U P D A T E
Page 6
O n January 11th, the board
finished its deliberations
on whether or not to
contribute $15,000 to the Field
Improvement Team (FIT) for the
purpose of assisting FIT in its
efforts to replace the sod field
at the Forest Park Elementary
school with a synthetic turf field.
After listening to comments from
residents during the open forum
at the January board meeting,
discussing the matter, reviewing
community comments on the
proposed contribution, and
reviewing an attorney opinion
letter on the matter which stated:
“there is nothing in Oregon law,
Oregon statutes or the governing
documents of Forest Heights
prohibiting the donation of funds
to the FIT program”, the board
approved the following motion:
Motion: The HOA, determining that
the following is in the best interest
of the community, hereby resolves
that this association will support
the community program known as
FIT (Field Improvement Team) by
providing financial assistance
to the program. The amount of
$15,000 will be paid to the FIT
program when they can demon-
strate that they have raised funds
within $15,000 of the 80% of the
project funds required to com-
mence construction. The foregoing
condition is the only condition to
the giving of the $15,000, and the
condition must be satisfied on or
before December 22, 2012.
For additional information please
refer to the board minutes which
are available on our website
www.fhhoa.com. If you would like
to get involved with FIT or make a
tax deductible contribution, please
contact Brad McMahon by email
~ Stephen Herr,
FHHOA General Manager ~
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 one of the
greatest secrets of
happiness.”
- Bryant H. .McGill
ASK THE MANAGER “I was wondering what the board decided
after their notice in the newsletter last month
for community comments on the association’s
contribution to FIT?”
Page 7
N E X T G O G R E E N P L A N T I N G F E B R U A R Y 2 6 T H
W ith the anticipated dredging of Mill Pond, it has become
extremely important to limit stream bank erosion along
the creeks running into Mill Pond. The major reasons for
stream bank erosion is lack of vegetation and infestation of inva-
sive species (such as ivy, bamboo or non-native blackberry) which
have shallow roots and do not hold the soil on slopes or stream
banks. Stream bank erosion is one of the contributing factors
of the sedimentation in Mill Pond.
To address these issues, the Forest Heights Go Green committee
has partnered with SOLV and West Multnomah Soil and Water
Conservation District to restore a portion of the Cedar Mill stream
bank adjacent to Mill Pond. SOLV has made a commitment to this
site for eight years to ensure long-term survival of trees/shrubs
planted at each site. Our first planting in November brought over
20 members of the community out to plant willow and red osier
dogwood stakes to vegetate the stream bank itself. We now need
ongoing community support for the next phase of stream bank
restoration—planting & mulching the upland areas with several
native trees and shrubs, namely:
Deer fern, Hazel nut, Salal, Oregon grape, Pacific ninebark, Rose,
Red elderberry, Douglas fir, Snowberry and Western red cedar.
Please join us on February 26th, from 9am to noon by registering
here. Be sure to fill out the appropriate liability forms included with
registration. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy, water
resistant footwear. Refreshments, tools, gloves and camaraderie
will be provided!
Further questions: please contact FHHOA at 503.297.9400
REGISTER: Sign up for this event here
FHHOA Natural Area Restoration Timeline
OCT
Awarded grant,
removed
invasive plants
Harvest
& plant
willows
Plant trees
& shrubs
2010 2011
MAR FEB APR MAY SEP NOV DEC JAN
C O M P L I A N C E C O R N E R
W H Y C O M P L I A N C E M A T T E R S T O Y O U R B O T T O M L I N E
Page 8
A resident recently raised the
question of whether compliance
enforcement and architectural
review requirements provide a ―value-
added‖ component to Forest Heights
properties. To answer that question, we
interviewed four realtors who are active
in the Forest Heights real estate market.
They all also own or have owned prop-
erty within Forest Heights. We asked
Linda Cohn, with Coldwell Banker Seal
Properties, Linda Locker with Locker
Properties, Steve Kaer with Kaer Prop-
erty Group and Rosanne Vecchio with
Windermere Cronin & Caplan Realty
Group for their insights on how valuable
these HOA functions are in maintaining
property values. Noted responses from
each realtor are provided below.
Q: Do you feature the fact that
FHHOA has CC&Rs and staffs a
compliance coordinator when
touring a potential buyer through
our community?
Cohn: Buyers are driven by value (price)
right now. It’s up to the realtor to explain
the attributes of an HOA in maintaining
value. CC&R enforcement has kept
home values in Forest Heights consis-
tent. Buyers may not understand the
benefit of CC&Rs before the sale, but
once in the neighborhood, they come to
appreciate them. When visitors come
through an open house in Forest
Heights, they expect the neighborhood
to look as nice years from now as it does
when they tour homes. Realtors defi-
nitely see differences between Forest
Heights and other neighborhoods when
they go on tour. Even with issues like
landscape and basic yard and home
maintenance, there is a standard here
that you don’t necessarily see in other
neighborhoods.
Kaer: The HOA and the service they
provide in relation to compliance is the
backbone of Forest Heights. Simply put,
they keep things looking nice. Neighbors
know they can call in confidence to get
problems resolved. If not for the HOA,
Forest Heights would just be another
neighborhood. Maintaining Forest
Heights is not inexpensive, but Forest
Heights has never been a bargain base-
ment community. When I show proper-
ties in Forest Heights, I can confidently
tell buyers their investment will be
secure here.
Locker: Buyers appreciate a community
that protects the value of the homes with
CC&Rs. The covenants eliminate eye-
sores such as broken down cars, RVs
and other vehicles parked in public view
as well as poorly maintained yards or
fences. I always stress to buyers that the
HOA’s compliance coordinator steps in
to help solve problems that may need to
be addressed personally, where in other
neighborhoods may result in disputes.
Vecchio: I always inform all potential
buyers of the HOA and that rules and
regulations (as well as monthly fees)
apply if a home is purchased within the
Four local realtors share their perspective on the
value of CC&Rs and architectural guidelines HOA boundaries. I would say about half
don’t have an opinion about compliance
and the other half would prefer to live
just on the outskirts and avoid the HOA
regulations and fees but still enjoy the
benefits the HOA brings to the neighbor-
hood. Many have had bad experiences
with HOAs in the past and are wary of
potential difficulties. That being said, for
the buyers who have purchased in the
neighborhood, I haven’t had any com-
plaints regarding FHHOA post-purchase.
Q: Do you feature the fact that
FHHOA has an Architectural Review
Committee and a review process for
changes to the exterior of a home
when touring a potential buyer
through our community?
Cohn: As an agent, I appreciate both
the CC&Rs and the ARC Guidelines.
They help me successfully sell property,
and I always counsel new homeowners
to work with the ARC when planning
exterior projects.
Locker: Yes. Buyers do not want
surprises. It’s important to disclose the
review committee process for any
changes they may be considering when
buying a home. As with the CC&Rs, the
ARC insures professional review of
changes to the exterior of their future
neighbors’ homes. Again, the ARC
eliminates the need to get personally
involved in disputes over bad choices
with respect to paint color, landscaping,
new fencing, etc.
Continued on page 9 →
Page 9
Q: Do you have an anecdote or
story you’d like tao share about how
FHHOA’s compliance/ARC assisted
you in a transaction or swayed a
buyer to make a purchase in our
community?
Cohn: Buyers in a transaction wanted
to make changes to the back yard land-
scape to make it more child-friendly.
They did not want to purchase the home
if their landscaping goals could not be
accomplished. The seller submitted an
ARC application for preliminary approval
of the landscape plan and the buyer
submitted preliminary drawings. Both
buyer and seller met with the ARC. With
preliminary approval from the ARC, the
sale successfully moved forward.
Locker: What usually sways a buyer
is that the Forest Heights community
has so much to offer; a top-ranked
elementary school, quick commute to
downtown, area hospitals and the
hi-tech corridor, 200 acres of green
space, two parks AND our FHHOA
complete with snow plow, landscaping
maintenance and a great HOA team to
ensure compliance with the covenants.
Vecchio: Personally, I’ve never had a
problem with FHHOA and the sale of a
home. In fact, one family wanted to erect
a fence for the safety of their children
and needed approval before purchasing
the home. I can’t speak for their personal
experience since I represented the
seller; however, the (ARC) application
process did go smoothly and the sale
was not interrupted in the least. I believe
that if the process had been difficult, the
buyers would not have gone forward
with the purchase. From a real estate
perspective, I have found that the exis-
tence of the HOA has helped maintain
the value of the neighborhood. When
you live in a beautiful neighborhood, it is
easy to take for granted that the beauty
exists because of the HOA and not in
spite of it. It’s also true that a difficult and
unreasonable HOA can be just as harm-
ful to home values as a neighborhood
filled with abandoned cars, neglected
homes and unmaintained common
areas. However, in my dealings with
FHHOA I have always found the
association to be reasonable, respectful
and conscientious of both the home-
owner and the neighborhood. As a real
estate broker and a homeowner in For-
est Heights, I without question consider
the HOA and the compliance service
they provide a ―value-added‖ feature of
this neighborhood.
~ Molly Oliver, FHHOA
Compliance Coordinator, ~
Page 9
Continued from page 8
W H Y C O M P L I A N C E M A T T E R S T O Y O U R B O T T O M L I N E
Do HOAs increase or decrease
residential property values?
To answer this question, we did
an analysis of 12 subdivisions
with HOAs and adjoining hous-
ing without an HOA.
We found that the subdivisions
with HOAs outperformed the
adjoining development by 12%.
In today’s market, HOAs may
be of greater importance
because they, if well managed,
can enforce maintenance
standards. With more and more
homes going to rental, this can
be important as one can often
tell a rental by the lack of
upkeep.
~ Gene Urban, Urban Team ~
12%
O n June 6th, 2011 at
8:00 pm, the very first
cohort of kindergarten
students who attended Forest Park
Elementary School will walk
across the stage at the Portland
Memorial Coliseum to receive
their high school diplomas. This
milestone is one we can all be
proud of as Forest Heights
residents.
The construction of Forest Park
Elementary was made possible when
voters residing in the Portland School
District boundaries voted to approve a
capital bond back in 1995. The school
opened in September 1998 and today
serves approximately 500 students.
Forest Park Elementary was the only
school built during the span of that bond
(1995 – 2002). Now, Portland Public
Schools is going out for capital bond in
May to make improvements to East and
West Sylvan Middle School and Lincoln
High School, and to start a rebuilding
process to update all Portland public
school buildings.
As a parent with children in Portland
Public Schools, a volunteer elected
Portland School Board member, and a
resident of Forest Heights, I’m pleased
to invite you to a community forum on
February 23, hosted by the Forest
Park PTA and the Forest Heights
Homeowners Association, to hear about
the Portland schools capital bond. As a
parent, I obviously have a direct interest
in making sure our schools are safe and
providing our kids the up-to-date learning
environment they need to succeed. But
all Portlanders, and all of us in Forest
Heights, have a stake in our local
schools whether or not we have children
or grandchildren in the schools today.
Strong, quality schools are the backbone
of our neighborhoods, our economy and
property values.
Right now, our schools are in serious
trouble and they need us. Aging facilities
and years of tight budgets have pushed
our schools to the physical brink – nearly
every penny has gone to maintaining
teachers, class sizes and providing
learning materials. With more state cuts
coming, our community needs to pass
the proposals for Portland Public
Schools coming on this May’s election
ballot.
The Bond Measure
Measure 26-121 will appear on the May
election ballot and would fund urgently
needed improvements to all of Portland’s
85 school buildings. Our school buildings
average 65 years of age with more than
half built during or before World War II.
Many are crumbling and all but two are
out-of-date. Examples:
We can’t graduate future engineers,
nurses, and scientists from schools with
non-existent science labs or those that
can’t support a modern science pro-
grams.
One elementary school leaks so
badly that multiple 50-gallon barrels are
stationed to collect the water pouring in
from outside each time it rains;
Almost half our schools depend on
antiquated boilers the size of RVs that
are expensive to run, are fire safety haz-
ards, and often require seven hours of
maintenance a week just to keep them
operating safely;
Fire safety and security systems are
seriously out of date. Electrical systems
cannot support current technology:
school staff take turns plugging in
equipment to use;
P O R T L A N D P U B L I C S C H O O L N E W S
Y O U R N E I G H B O R ’ S V O I C E
Page 10
Taken as 5th graders, above are students from the first kindergarten class of Forest Park
Elementary. These students will be graduating from Lincoln High School this spring, marking
the first class of students to complete their K-12 education from Forest Park Elementary thru
Lincoln High.
Continued on page 11 →
Congratulations to the first graduating class from Forest Park Elementary!
Students in out of date classrooms with
obsolete technology are competing for
college and jobs with those from sur-
rounding districts with newer buildings
and current technology.
And while Forest Park Elementary is
one of two new schools built in the last
30 years, our kids’ 6th grade building
(East Sylvan), the middle school (West
Sylvan), and our high school (Lincoln)
all are in desperate need of repair and
updating.
Measure 26-121 will provides updates,
upgrades and increase safety in each of
the 85 public schools of PPS. For our
area, passage of the bond will deliver:
Safety and classroom updates to
extend the use of West Sylvan, including
updated science labs, teaching technol-
ogy, and a full sprinkler system;
A rebuilt six-grade building on the
West Sylvan campus, initiating the mas-
ter planning and eventual rebuild of that
entire middle-school entity;
Planning and design for Lincoln High
School so that construction work can
begin immediately in a subsequent
bond planned for 6-7 years from now.
In addition, Lincoln will see approxi-
mately $2 million in upgrades including
a new top layer on the turf field.
All of the work will be completed in
six years, and most would also be paid
off in that period. This ―pay as you go‖
approach is unique in its fiscal responsi-
bility. We save over $200 million in
interest payments by issuing these
school bonds over six years instead of
the traditional 20 years. Annual audits
and independent citizen oversight will
ensure dollars are spent as intended.
Our investment in this school bond will
also create thousands of local jobs in
our community when we really need
them: school repair, weatherization,
renovation and rebuilding produces good
jobs – the effect of which is multiplied
when wages are spent right here in town.
The Local Option for Teachers
and Learning Materials
With the certainty of more state spending
cuts before us, the PPS School Board is
also considering the renewal of our local
operating levy on the May election ballot
as part II of the schools proposal, fully
utilizing it to enable us to protect teach-
ing positions, class sizes and learning
materials.
Kids need safe, up-to-date classrooms to
learn in and teachers to teach them. One
won’t work without the other. This May,
we can help ensure both.
For more information or to get involved,
see www.portlandersforschools.com or
call the campaign at 503 284-6346.
~ Bobbie Regan, Portland School Board
Member and Forest Heights Resident ~
Community Forum
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Elementary
School
Hosted by : The Forest Park PTA
& the Forest Heights Homeowners
Association
Guest Speakers:
• State Senator Suzanne Bonamici
• Portland School Board
Member and Forest Heights
Resident Bobbie Regan
Please Join Us!
Page 11
P O R T L A N D P U B L I C S C H O O L N E W S
Continued from page 10
Taken as 5th graders, above are students from the first kindergarten class of Forest Park
Elementary. These students will be graduating from Lincoln High School this spring, marking
the first class of students to complete their K-12 education from Forest Park Elementary thru
Lincoln High.
Page 12
Mark Your Calendars!
Portland Public Schools Forum
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Elementary
Volunteer Appreciation Reception
Date: Friday, April 15, 2011
Easter Egg Hunt
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2011
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Mill Pond Park
Annual Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Forest Park Elementary
Spring Community Garage Sale
Date: June 4, 2011
Time: 9 am—3 pm
Location: Forest Heights Neighborhood
4th of July Celebration
Date: Monday, July 4, 2011
Time: To be announced
Location: Mill Pond Park
Concerts in the Park
Date: To be announced
Time: To be announced
Location: To be announced
International Fall Festival
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2011
Time: 4:30—7:30 pm
Location: Mill Pond Park
Fall Community Garage Sale
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Time: 9 am—3 pm
Location: Forest Heights Neighborhood
Halloween at the Village Center
Date: Sunday, October 31, 2011
Time: 5:00—7:00 pm
Location: Village Center
Holiday Tree Lighting
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2011
Time: To be announced
Location: Village Center
Here’s a snapshot of community events for the
upcoming year. Be sure to check the newsletter
for more information about these events and
others throughout the year.
Page 13
We at Forest Heights Homeowners Association would
like to show our sincere appreciation to all our community
volunteers. You have devoted your precious time, energy and
resources to make our community the most desirable around.
Your volunteer spirit is admired and greatly appreciated!
We invite you to join us on Friday, April 15th, for an
evening of camaraderie, great food and drinks!
If you have been a volunteer in the past year, please RSVP
F H H O A V O L U N T E E R A P P R E C I A T I O N R E C E P T I O N
Page 14
O nce again, cold and flu season is upon us. While it may be
easy to reach for an over-the-counter treatment, why not try
getting some relief—while trying to prevent symptoms in the
first place—in a more natural way? First and foremost, it is impor-
tant to note that colds and flu are viral infections and not bacterial, in
which case antibiotics are not an effective treatment. So, how can one
treat these infections if antibiotics are not an effective treatment?
Let’s first distinguish a cold from flu.
Prevention
Whether it is a cold or flu, there are ways to prevent these viruses from infecting
you. Both cold and flu enter the body through the mucous membranes of the
eyes, nose and mouth. Those who have a weak immune system usually get
infected more easily, but those with strong immunity tend to fight infection and
stay healthy and vibrant during the winter months. The following are some tips to
prevent these infections:
• Wash your hands
Wash your hands continuously during the day and avoid close contact with
anyone who has a cold or flu as these viruses usually get passed around
through person-to-person contact.
• Cover your mouth
When you sneeze or cough, cover
your mouth with the inside of your
elbow rather than your hand. This
will prevent the spread of infec-
tion.
• Drink plenty of fluids
Each person’s need for fluid varies
depending on their weight. A good
rule of thumb is to divide your
weight in half and drink that much
fluid in ounces. Example: if you
weigh 160 pounds [160/2 = 80]
you need to drink 80 oz. of water
a day.
• Engage in a form of aerobic
exercise 3 to 4 times a week
This increases the flow of oxygen
to cells which aids and improves
their function, as well as making
the body sweat which helps
excrete toxins. Research has
also demonstrated the beneficial
effects of aerobic exercise on the
immune system and neurotrans-
mitter and endocrine functions.
• Eat lots of colorful fruits and
vegetables
Colorful vegetables and fruits
are high in bioflavonoids and
include all citrus fruits, berries,
beets, red chard, peppers and
any other fruit or vegetable with
yellow, red, purple, green and
other vibrant colors. A note of
caution is with citrus fruits:
they need to be avoided during
an acute infection due to their
mucous forming effect which can
make a sinus infection and chest
cold worse.
C O L D A N D F L U S E A S O N I S H E R E
how to prevent both with natural treatments
Cold Flu
Begin with a sore throat lasting a few
days
Similar to cold symptoms but come on
more quickly and are more severe
Runny nose and congestion (thicker
and darker later in the cold)
Muscle aches and soreness
Possible cough on days 4 or 5 Fever
Fever more common in children and
rarely in adults
Swine flu is associated with vomiting
and diarrhea
Symptoms last about a week Flu symptoms last for 2 to 5 days
Possible bacterial infection if it lasts
longer or if it goes to the chest and
sinuses
If flu lasts longer and is associated
with chest pain and shortness of
breath, pneumonia can develop and
one should see their doctor right
away.
Page 15
Fighting a cold/flu
While we try our best to stay healthy,
often, with the constant stressors in
our lives and our exposure to sick
people in large enclosed environments
where we spend the majority of our
time will make getting infected inevita-
ble. Here are some tips to fight the
infection much quicker:
• Rest
No matter how many unfinished
projects you have waiting for you,
it is imperative to realize that in
order to get better you need to
rest your body.
• Eat a simple diet consisting of
mostly fruits and vegetables
and avoid protein
This will allow your body to focus
on fighting the infection rather
than to digest hard to break down
foods.
• Apply hot and cold compress to
your face to reduce congestion
Alternate 3 minutes of a hot wet
wash cloth with 30 seconds of
cold wet wash cloth on your face.
Repeat this 3 times, ending with
the cold phase. This treatment
should be done several times a
day for 2-3 days.
• Use a nasal wash
You can find NeilMed Nasal Rinse
at most drug stores. Follow the
instructions on washing. Alterna-
tively, you can use distilled water
and add a pinch of the probiotics
to it. I recommend washing your
sinuses in the morning with the
NeilMed and doing the probiotic
nasal wash at night.
• Apply warming socks
My kids love this treatment. Wash
a pair of clean cotton socks with
cold water and ring out com-
pletely. Put these socks on your
feet covered with a pair of dry
wool socks and go to bed immedi-
ately. This will bring the blood flow
down to the feet in order to warm
up the socks which will pull the
congestion down with it. This is
even more effective if it is
preceded by a hot bath.
• Drink hot liquids
Drinking hot liquids relieves
nasal congestion, helps prevent
dehydration, and soothes the
inflamed membranes that line
your nose and throat.
• Take a combination immune
boosting supplement
There are many herbs that boost
the immune system and actually
fight bacterial and viral infections.
Based on your symptoms the
combination of these herbs can
vary. Before taking any herbal
supplement, you should consult
your healthcare provider as these
herbs could be contraindicated if
you have a preexisting condition.
I hope you find these tips helpful. If you
have any questions about any of the
aforementioned recommendations, you
can call or email me at 2bwell Clinic
(503-655-0044 or [email protected])
~ Vida Talebi, ND and
Forest Heights Residents ~
Covering your mouth with the inside
of your elbow when you sneeze helps prevent
the spread of infection
Drinking hot liquids relieves nasal
congestion and soothes inflammation
of your nose and throat
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.
Page 16
FHHOA RATES!
Visit www.lphsd.com/lodge or www.lphsd.com/chalet
Loren 503-291-9822 | [email protected]
MT HOOD SKI CHALET and GRAND LODGE
VACATION RENTAL - By Owner
$200 discount towards ANY service
scheduled in the month of February
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
Present this coupon at time of estimate to
receive your $200 discount
• Marble, Granite, Travertine, Limestone
cleaning, polishing & sealing
• Caulking replacement, counter sanitizing,
polishing & sealing
• Grout cleaning, restoring, sealing
www.marblelifepdx.com
866-536-8036
Parents of Kindergarteners:
Don’t forget to turn in your
Kindergarten Round Up forms
to Forest Park Elementary!
To enroll your kindergarteners for school starting
in September 2011, you’ll need the following
documentation for your children:
• Proof of
residency
• Up-to-date
immunizations
• Birth certificate
If you missed
the Kindergarten Round Up meeting held last
month, stop by the Forest Park Elementary
office and pick up the forms for kindergarten
enrollment.
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!
Hi, my name is Emilie Jackson, I'm 17 years old, and go to St. Mary's Academy. I've been
babysitting for 6 years with all ages and love it! I'm available most week nights but espe-
cially weekends and willing to book on short notice. I have lots of references upon request,
so give me a call! (503) 804-6616
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.
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 sophomore 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, a
mother’s helper for a 1 year old, and a sitter for school age children. My parents are avail-
able 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. Groom-
ing would be available at my own home where a grooming center is available. I currently
charge $20 per full day/night sitting and grooming cost varies by size and coat length.
References are available. Email: [email protected] or call 503.863.6673
FOREST HEIGHTS STORAGE UNITS FOR RENT Secure Storage/Parking Garages available in Forest Heights behind the Village Center. Sizes and Prices Vary. Contact 503-384-0333 if you’re interested. Professionally managed
by C and R Real Estate Services, Co.
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.
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
PET/PLANT CARE
MISCELLANEOUS
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.
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]
FOREST HEIGHTS HOUSE FOR RENT
Beautiful home in Forest Heights with spectacular view and private setting! Open floor plan with a lot of light. 3500 sqft home, 4 bedrooms plus bonus room, 2.5 bath, 2 car garage, 2 big decks, lots of storage place and much more. 10 minutes from downtown. No smoking and no pets. Price: $2,900/month. For more information, please email: [email protected]
Page 17
BABYSITTING SERVICE My name is Kendall and am 13 years old. I live in Forest Heights and an Red Cross CPR
certified. My parents will drive me to residences in the neighborhood. I can be reached at
503-780-1890/503-706-0348, and charge $5.00/hr.
BUDDING MUSICIAN? Used upright piano—FREE to a Forest Heights family! Email [email protected]
or call 503-292-6841.
EXPERIENCED NANNY Experienced nanny for many families in Forest Heights. Flexible availability. Reliable
transportation and perfect driving record. Many references. Part time preferable.
Phone Jocelyn at: 503-459-9443.
SOCCER UNIFORMS & LEGOLAND TICKETS FOR SALE 2 Forest Heights Soccer uniforms, navy blue & white, size L | $20 each
2 Tickets to Legoland in Carlsbad, Ca. Good for either an adult or a child. Must be used by
3/31/11. | $35 each. Contact Noelle at 503-297-5646.
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
1 Safety, Streetscape
& Transportation Committee
1:00 pm
2 GO Green Committee
6:00 pm
3 4 5
6 7 8 Safety, Streetscape
& Transportation Committee
1:00 pm
Forest Heights HOA Board of Directors
7:00 pm
9 Communications
Committee 7:00 pm
10 11 12
13 14 Community Activities
Committee 12:00 pm
15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 Budget & Finance
Committee 6:00 pm
Portland
Public Schools Community Forum
7:00 pm
24 25 26 Go Green
Community Tree and Shrub Planting @
Wetlands Trail 9:00 am
27 28
February 2011
March 2011
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Here’s a snapshot of FHHOA activities and
meetings from February thru mid-March.
Print and keep this calendar in a handy spot
so you’ll have access to what’s happening in
your community.
Page 18