Bella Vista News - City of Vancouver

Bella Vista News 

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2012, VOLUME 18, ISSUE 6 

Brad Teed and Pal – Behrens Woods Clean Up Day 11‐17‐12 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: 

Presidents’ Reports 

New Director Bios 

Parks Committee Report 

Last Meeting’s Minutes 

Treasurers Report 

BVNA Accomplishments 

Recipe Share 

YOUTH NEWS 

You will be receiving our Bella Vista 

Neighborhood Association Newsletter 

electronically starting in February 2013. If we 

have your email this will be our method of 

delivery. If not could you please send us 

updated information to help us all save trees 

and money. 

If you wish to participate in the electronic 

mailing, simply e‐mail Tom Perkins – 

tomdperkins@gmail.com with your name, 

the address where you currently receive the 

newsletter and your e‐mail address of choice. 

Thank you for your consideration in our 

efforts to reduce costs and environmental 

impact. 

Special Thanks to Amar Purandare for his 

contribution to the BVNA dues account. 

And WELCOME! to new neighbors Thin Pham 

and Jessica Johnston at 14013 SE 20 th St. 

Bella Vista Neighborhood News Letter Page 1

OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS 



It has been my privilege and pleasure to serve as your neighborhood association President the past 5 years. I have 

enjoyed getting to know many of you as neighbors. Since my retirement in 2007 I have been fortunate to have the time 

(and health) to serve. I feel good about contributing to our organization, as much has been accomplished by us all. I 

thank those who serve on our Board of Directors. I have a positive feeling about the energy and enthusiasm of our 

new Directors. Congratulations to Tom Perkins on his election as President and I thank him for stepping up. Tom is 

very committed to Bella Vista neighborhood. Thank you, Nancy and Kathy for continuing to serve as officers. I plan to 

stay involved as Vice President and Parks Committee Chair and in neighborhood activities. 

You have many reasons to be proud of our neighborhood. In fact, our association will celebrate its 17 th year in 2013— 

quite a sustained record. Let’s keep it going. Bob Rowe 

INCOMING PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS 

Tom stated in our last General Meeting “I want the neighborhood to know that the reason I volunteered to serve is 

because so much has been accomplished through our past presidents Dale Erickson and Bob Rowe and I wanted to help 

continue that great legacy. We wouldn’t have our wonderful parks or the rose garden, the yearly cleanup, the safe 

neighborhood, or our picnic each year without our volunteers and this neighborhood organization. I am very proud and 

thankful that we live in such a great state as Washington, and our wonderful Vancouver, and of course the Bella Vista 

Neighborhood. I hope to carry on the legacy of those who have served so well before me as President of this 

organization. 

Next directors meeting – 

Tuesday, January 22 nd at 7:00 PM 

At the home of Tom Perkins 2806 Bella Vista Rd 

ABOUT YOUR NEW DIRECTORS: Tom Perkins 

Who is Tom Perkins? He was born in Logan, Utah and raised on a farm in Utah and Idaho. He graduated from Malad 

High School, Brigham Young University and from Regis University with a Masters in Business Administration. Tom is 

currently employed at the US Bank Information Technology Group in Gresham, Oregon as an IT Project and Program 

Manager. When asked what he does for a living his always says, “He just loves telling people what they need to do”. 

Tom and Nancy Perkins have lived in Vancouver off and on since 1979 and in the Bella Vista neighborhood since 1997. 

They raised 5 wonderful children here in Vancouver with most of them graduated from Mountain View High School. 

They now have 22 grandchildren and have found the reason to have children is so the children can give you 

grandchildren. They love Washington and this area and have reveled in our beautiful neighborhood. 

Cheryl Higgins 

Cheryl has assumed the task of newsletter editor. She and her husband Michael moved to Vancouver from Las Vegas, 

Nevada about 18 months ago after retiring from careers in law enforcement. They had lived in Las Vegas for more than 

30 years when Cheryl asked Mike to leave the desert and dysfunctional relatives for a healthier environment. After 




researching and traveling to several cities, both in and out of the United States, they settled in Vancouver for its 

beautiful Columbia River Gorge, farmers markets, rain, and proximity to Portland’s airport. Cheryl has been able to 

check off one of her “bucket list” items by living in an A‐Frame house. Being located in the Bella Vista Neighborhood is 

just icing on the cake. 

Monica Neice 

Many already know Monica, a retired teacher. She moved to the Bella Vista neighborhood from Colorado two and a half 

years ago to be near her grandchildren in Portland. Monica is passionate about the flora and fauna of the Pacific 

Northwest and her neighborhood in particular. Monica will chair the Rose Garden Committee and oversee the 

maintenance and design of the Rose Garden at the Bella Vista Park. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

President: Tom Perkins 944‐5552 

Vice‐President Bob Rowe 254‐8699 

Secretary Nancy Roth 254‐4384 

Treasurer: Kathy Carmody 254‐4538 

Directors: Eugene Chang 896‐3154 

Marilyn Cramer 256‐4716 

Perry Elliott 896‐0891 

Reggie Frost 260‐4418 

Fred Garmire 896‐0462 

Monica Neice (303) 621‐6770 

Adam Sale 882‐8830 

Kate Altenhof Long 892‐5424 

Thomas Brown 892‐0641 

Cheryl Higgins 314‐2141 

City Liaison: Chad Eiken 487‐7882 

Neighborhood Police Officer 

CPL Charles Ford 487‐7540 

Committee Chairs: 

Parks: Bob Rowe 

Welcoming: Cathryn Lockwood 

Crime Watch /Safety: vacant 

Road Improvements: Reggie Frost 

Newsletter Editor: Cheryl Higgins 

Community Food Garden: Ruth Wilmoth 

Rose Garden: Monica Neice 

BVNA Website: www.cityofvancouver.us 

Link to Office of Neighborhoods and then to Bella Vista 

PARKS COMMITTEE REPORT by Bob Rowe, Chair 

Fall has been a big season at Behrens Woods! First, we got word that the city was awarded a grant from the Department of 

Natural Resources to help with removal of invasive plants in Urban Forests. The city’s Urban Forester selected Behrens Woods to 

target. A 5 person crew from Washington Conservation Corps has been working at the woods periodically this fall to clear nearly 




80 % of the English Ivy from the forest floor. They will be continuing through the end of 2012. A BIG THANK YOU to the crew: Sam 

Lanz, Abby Pauling, Jamie Butler, Ramon Cortez, and Baldeman Maya. 

Second, BVNA held its annual Clean‐up Day November 17 th . Nearly 20 households participated by bringing their leaves, pruned 

branches and other yard debris to the dumpsters, and garbage to a truck. The bulk totaled 9.2 tons of debris (4 loads), and .85 tons 

of garbage. Our thanks to the cooperative Waste Connections staff that day and to Elsie Deatherage, Vancouver Solid Waste 

coordinator. 

We had a dozen neighbors and a dozen volunteers from the Restorative Youth Project pitch in with over 51 hours of labor to clean 

up the woods borders and dress part of the trail system with wood chips. Thanks again to John Buttrell of Arborscape for the free 

wood chips. 

Third, on the same day, neighbors and volunteers from Friends of Trees planted 24 new trees along Bella Vista Road. This effort 

was created out of a brainstorm from neighbors Ruth Wilmoth and Monica Neice, who not only wrote and won a grant from 

Vancouver Watersheds Alliance , but also went door to door to those neighbors along Bella Vista Road to sign families up to accept 

these trees. The property owners have agreed to water them for the first few years as they get established. The grant included 

funds to supplement the trees with shrubs along two sections of the road. Also, Brad Teed and Ruth trimmed the Hawthorne tree 

that had been shading part of the Community Food Garden. 

Fourth, on November 28 th the WCC crew and some neighbor volunteers planted 300 plants at Behrens Woods to fill in where ivy 

has been removed. Urban Forestry funded the purchase of most of the plants: Sword Ferns, Oregon Grape, Currant bushes—all 

native to local forests. UF staff was on hand to guide the project. Some 40 of the plants were from the Watershed Alliance grant 

and are now in the ground along the chain link fence at the foot of Bella Vista Avenue, along Cascade Park Drive. Ruth and Monica 

planted some of the shrubs earlier that week. More wood chips were spread on the trails. Volunteer hours: 54! 

THANK YOU to volunteers in all the projects: Some of those are: 

Tom Perkins, Cheryl & Mike Higgins, Kate Altenhof‐Long, Dawn Dean, Brad Teed, Dave Thomas, Gale & Dennis Mohl, Kathy & 

Dan Carmody, Frank Brown, Daniel Cheng, & Eugene Chang; and the youth and mentors from the Restorative Youth Project. 

Thanks also to Charles Ray, Jessica Antoine, and Ian Bonham of Urban Forestry for seeing the need, finding the funds, purchasing 

the plants, and coordinating the planting at Behrens Woods. 

SPECIAL THANKS to Monica, & Ruth for their creative energy to make Bella Vista Neighborhood “SPARKLE”. 

They have planted over 200 plants and shrubs along Bella Vista Road and Cascade Park Drive. 

Monica even found time to organize a planting of tulip and daffodil bulbs at the Bella Vista Park Rose Garden. Nancy Roth, Penny 

Howard, and Eugene Change assisted her. 

Special note: Thanks to City Operations staff for fixing the youth table at B V Park that had been vandalized. 

Minutes from BVNA General Meeting, Oct 23, 2012‐Real Life Church‐7:00‐9:00PM 

Present at the meeting: Bob Rowe, Jennifer Campos (City of Vancouver), Larry Vasquez‐Liaison(for Chad Eiken‐Liaison City of 

Vancouver), Roy Heckela (City of Vancouver Parks Board of Directors), Fred Garmire, Nancy Roth, Kathy Carmody, Eugene Chang, 

Reggie Frost, Roger Vigdall, Tom Perkins, Cheryl Higgins, Mike Higgins, Ruth Wilmoth, Kate Altenhof‐Long. 

Guest Speaker: Roy Heckela, Volunteer Board member to the City of Vancouver Parks & Recreations, spoke to the BVNA meeting 

attendees about Proposition 1 on the November ballot. He explained about the failing budget and reduced costs to maintain our 

Parks, Recreation Centers and Programs for youth and seniors. If this Levy passes, there will be budget available to maintain a better 

quality of all programs and keep them intact. Otherwise, cuts will be made. 




Behrens Woods: Neighborhood Clean‐up on Saturday, November 17 th – from 8am to 3pm. Details available upon request. For the 

past three weeks a crew has been pulling ivy as the result of a Grant from Urban Forestry. Now there is more clear land than ever. 

We may need some new native plants to fill the spaces created. BVNA may get a grant for 200 new plants in January 2013. 

Bella Vista Park: Monica Neice has daffodil and tulip bulbs to plant in the Rose Garden. As well, she has plans to re‐design with new 

foliage in the coming months. A picnic table at the park was vandalized recently. Bob Rowe will do a service request to City of 

Vancouver to get repaired. If not successful, Cheryl and Mike Higgins have volunteered to get the wood to fix. Bob stated they 

could be reimbursed for costs. 

New Neighborhood Officers: Tom Perkins was officially nominated as the new President, Monica Neice and Cheryl Higgins were 

both officially nominated to become board members. A vote was taken, and it was unanimous. Tom Perkins took over as President 

at this meeting and gave us an encouraging speech as to the direction of our neighborhood association. Cheryl agreed to take over 

the responsibility of the newsletter. Monica agreed to take over the responsibility of the Bella Vista Rose Garden and Park. 

Youth News & Local Fundraising: Mt. View High School has a Wreath and Poinsettia fundraiser, of which order forms were inserted 

in our last newsletter. The funds raised go toward the high school seniors all night party which immediately follows graduation. 

The intent of the party is to have a drug free, alcohol free, safe environment that kids can celebrate graduation and have fun. 

Typically there are about 100 adult volunteer chaperones at this event. 

Crime Reports: Adam Sale is our Crime Watch Chairperson for the BVNA. There was a car theft recently on the corner of 28 th @ 

Bella Vista Rd. It was a bright green auto, near the Simons property. No report on catching the thief. Bella Vista Neighborhood has 

one of the lowest crime rates in the City. 

Community Gardens: Ruth Wilmoth reported that the gardens were a complete success this first year. The only suggestion she 

made was that perhaps a water lock may be needed next year to avoid the water being left on. 

Roadway & Traffic: 

Jennifer Campos, City of Vancouver, Economic Development, spoke to BVNA about the success of our sidewalks grant request. 

Jennifer brought drawings which show the proposed sidewalks. Decision is not yet made on exact spots (east side or west side) due 

to moneys involved. If she is successful in gathering enough dollars (creatively moving money around from other projects) the BVNA 

may get money to fund both sides of the road. In any case, new sidewalks will be installed March 2013, and Bella Vista Road will be 

re‐paved during July‐August 2013. Please contact Jennifer at 360‐487‐7728, for any questions. 

Treasury Report: 

Kathy Carmody reports that as of 9‐25‐12, there is $2941.00 in the BVNA account. No new income or expenses since our last 

meeting. 

Cleaning up the Area: 

Monica Neice contacted the “Friends of Trees” recently and as a result quite a few neighbors will be planting trees on November 

17 th – official planting day. Look for new trees (about 8‐12’ tall each) in our neighborhood. Also, Monica and Ruth Wilmoth are 

writing a grant request to get trees and shrubs to plant at the area south of Bella Vista Rd. at Cascade Park Drive/SR14. The intent is 

to beautify the roadway that leads into our neighborhood. 

City of Vancouver: 

Larry Vasquez of the City of Vancouver came to the BVNA meeting since Chad Eiken was unable to attend. Larry reported numbers 

you can call for help during winter weather. 

Report flooding: 360‐696‐8177, after hour’s emergency call 360‐693‐9302. 

City of Vancouver CRESA emergency community warning system: 360‐737‐1911 or go to this link to sign up: www.cresa911.org/beinformed. 

For other contact information – see below: 

www.cityofvancouver.us Facebook.com/vancouverUSA Twitter.com/vancouverus YouTube/CityofVancouverUS 

The City of Vancouver supports the Neighborhood Associations in their effort to share vital information with residents to create a more informed 

public. However, the information provided and the opinions and views expressed in the Neighborhood Association newsletter or other documents do 

not necessarily represent the position of the City of Vancouver, nor does the City determine whether the information published is accurate or 

appropriate. Printed by the City of Vancouver Office of Neighborhoods 




2012 ‐ BELLA VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

January/February: Neighbors began sending in annual contributions to sustain association funding. By yearend 74 households 

contributed. Reggie Frost continued to attend the city’s Neighborhood Transportation Alliance to represent Bella Vista, as has for 3 

years. Regular attendance qualifies us for standing on grant applications. Four rose bushes were replaced and tulip bulbs were 

added to the Rose Garden at Bella Vista Park. The Columbian reported crime rates by neighborhood which continued to show Bella 

Vista with one of the lowest rates. 

March/April: BVNA sponsored FAMILY GAME NIGHT, held at the Real Life Church. Judi Bailey, Office of Neighborhoods brought us 

a cake to celebrate 15 years as a City of Vancouver recognized Neighborhood Association. All attendees won door prizes. The BVNA 

Board of Directors met and heard from Jennifer Campos, city transportation planner, about possible installation of curbs and 

sidewalks on Bella Vista Rd. 

Ruth Wilmoth presented a plan for a Community Food Garden and reported city approval and the award of a $1500 grant from 

Vancouver Watersheds Alliance to fund construction costs. The city extended the water line to the site. 

May/June: Volunteers for our Annual Spring Workday labored at Behrens Woods to remove invasive English Ivy. Annual flowers 

were planted at the Rose Garden once again by volunteers. The Bella Vista Park Community Food Garden was built by families who 

signed up to use it. Those families planted vegetables, tended to them during the growing season, and harvested their produce in 

the fall. Ruth Wilmoth led the entire movement. Neighbors supported the MVHS Senior Party by purchasing plants at this spring 

fundraiser. 

July/August: The Annual BELLA VISTA NEIGHBORHOOD PICNIC was held at Bella Vista Park and drew 86 neighbors on a warm, 

sunny day. Neighbors dressed up like pirates, played pirate games, stayed and visited all afternoon. Children enjoyed the Bounce 

House, which was again kindly loaned us by Pastor Austin of Real Life Church. Kate Altenhof‐Long again masterfully chaired. 

Bob and Linda Brattstrom were recognized with the SPARKLES Award for their beautiful home. 

September/October: Neighbors volunteered all summer long to weed and trim the Rose Garden in 2 week shifts to keep it looking 

good. BVNA held its October meeting at the Real Life Church. Elections held elected Tom Perkins President; Bob Rowe, Vice 

President; Kathy Carmody, Treasurer; Nancy Roth, Secretary; Monica Neice and Cheryl Higgins, Directors. Members gathered 

around a map of the neighborhood to learn from Jennifer Campos of the expected sidewalk/curb improvements planned for 2013. 

Urban Forestry announced a DNA grant to fund workers for the Washington Conservation Corps to work on removal of invasive 

plants in urban areas. Urban Forestry selected Behrens Woods for one site to remove English Ivy. This 5 person crew began work in 

fall and has cleared vast areas within the woods of ivy. 

November/December: The annual BVNA 

CLEAN‐UP was held November 13 th . Neighbors 

brought yard waste to fill 4 dumpsters and 

stayed to clean up the Behrens Woods borders 

and spread chips on trails. Restorative Youth 

Project sent 12 helpers. Urban Forestry 

purchased 250 native plants which were planted 

at Behrens Woods by the WCC crew and 

neighbor volunteers to fill in where ivy was 

removed. Ruth Wilmoth and Monica Neice 

obtained another Vancouver Watersheds 

Alliance grant for $1500 to support purchase of 

24 trees and 200 shrubs for Bella Vista Road 

borders. Friends of Trees and neighbors planted 

24 new trees on November 17th. New President, 

Tom Perkins, and newsletter editor, Cheryl 

Higgins began their duties 




A RECIPE FOR THE BACKYARD GARDNER: Fresh Tomato Soup by Cheryl Higgins 

During the summer, Reggie Frost gave me tomatoes grown in his garden with his own hands. I think that, knowing I haven’t tried to 

grow anything yet since moving here from the desert, he was trying to give me some encouragement by showing me what a 

backyard bounty can produce. I made soup from those tomatoes using the following recipe. My intent was to give him half of the 

batch. But…..and I truly feel bad about this……it was so good that my husband and I ate all of it. Reggie, I promise that if you don’t 

abandon me next year I will make another batch just for you! It’s a little bit of work, but really worth it. 

1 lb very ripe fresh tomatoes 2 tbsp olive oil 

1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, chopped 

2 tbsp sherry vinegar 2 tbsp tomato puree (paste) 

1 tbsp cornstarch 1 ¼ cups passata (bottled strained tomatoes) 

1 bay leaf 3 ¾ cups vegetable or chicken stock 

1 cup crème fraiche* Salt and ground black pepper 

Basil leaves to garnish 

Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds and pulp using a lemon squeezer. Press the pulp through a sieve (strainer) and 

reserve the liquid. 

Heat the oil in a pan and add the onion, garlic, sherry vinegar, tomato puree and the tomato halves. Stir, then cover the pan and 

cook over a low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. When done, process the soup in a food processor or blender. Pass through a 

sieve then return to the pan. 

Mix the cornstarch with the reserved tomato pulp. Stir into the soup with the passata, bay leaf and stack. Simmer for 30 minutes. 

Stir in the crème fraiche and garnish with the basil leaves. Serve hot with toast points or toasted French bread. 

*If you don’t want to mess with crème fraiche, I just use plain yogurt or sour cream, thinned with a little milk and a couple drops of 

lemon juice. 

BELLA VISTA YOUTH NEWS 

Andrew Newell of SE 25 th Circle, a freshman at Jesuit High School, has been playing tennis most of his life. He is a nationally ranked 

tennis player for Boy’s in the age 14 category and is currently in the top 60 in the United States. In the Pacific Northwest he is No. 1! 

Over the Christmas break he will travel to Tucson, Arizona to compete in the Winter Nationals, a tournament that the top 100 must 

qualify for in singles and doubles. Best of luck, Andrew!! 

The Howard family boys have their talent in music. They are doing great things in the music department at Mt. View High School. 

Joe Howard made first chair baritone sax District Honor Band and the All‐State Band in Baritone sax. Sam Howard made first chair 

trombone District Honor Band and made the Pacific Lutheran University – Seattle honor Band for baritone sax. Sam also made the 

All‐State Band in trombone. 

The impressive good news continues as Brady Berriman graduated last week, cum laude, from Washington State University in 

Pullman in the field of Civil Engineering. BTW, cum laude means “with honors”. I looked it up 

Great job well done to all and keep up the good work! 




Bella Vista Neighborhood Association 

PO Box 871145 

Vancouver, WA 98687‐1145 

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