Community News -- November 2008

Fall is in the air. As the leaves begin to change and the days start to get shorter, remember that children will be walking to and from school bus stops. Please be careful as you drive through the community and watch out for walkers and children!

Make the most of this Fall Season: check out this website for the top 10 things to do this Fall in the Portland area.

Happy Thanksgiving! We wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving. If you are looking for a local charity to help out during the holiday season, you may want to consider the Wilsonville Community Sharing Food Bank. The WCS Food Bank is a local branch of the Oregon Food Bank. Wilsonville’s branch has won the highest of commendations from the state and has become a model of what a food center should be: efficient, effective, clean & organized, respectful of client privacy, and committed to confidential interviews with applicants to determine additional challenges they may face in their lives.

You can help WCS by contributing foods from the list on their website, but you can also help by sending money to WCS. A check for $25 -- the price of a family fast food meal -- would pay for 250 pounds of food to feed the community hungry. If in doubt about a donation, you can call WCS at 503-682-6939 or visit their website at www.wilsonvillecommunitysharing.org.

Wilsonville Public Library. Your community library offers many programs that may be of interest to you and your family. Check their website for more information. Some events are: After School Book Bash, Read to The Dogs, and a Middle School Dance on May 16th, just to name a few.

Parking and garages. Remember that garages are to be used for vehicle parking, and only secondarily for storage. As more homeowners move into the community, it is essential that everyone respect their neighbors, and park only in approved areas. Garage doors must be open only for entering or exiting. For homes with rear-entrance garages, remember: there is no parking allowed in the alleyways.

Dogs and More! If you walk your dog in the community, please remember to pick up afterward. Please be respectful of your neighbors and don’t leave dog waste on any lot or in the common areas. Not only is it a health hazard, but animal waste ruins the landscaping.

Thinking of making some exterior improvements? Remember, any changes or additions to the exterior of your property must be approved by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC form may be found on the Northwest Community Management website. When you apply to the ARC for any changes (before starting any structural or landscape improvement), be sure to include the plans and specifications showing (if applicable) the nature, shape, heights, materials, colors, and proposed location of the improvement. Remember that you must have your project approved in writing by the Architectural Review Committee (ARC) before beginning work. Note that an ARC application must also be submitted if you want to install a satellite dish.

Wilsonville community opportunities. Looking for a great pastime? Check out the City of Wilsonville Community Programs.