Photos from last weekend

Amon Creek Preserve Restoration Update

Willowbrookers--Treat yourselves to a visit to Amon Creek Natural Preserve to see the plant restoration work just finished! On Saturday, Nov. 28, more than 35 intrepid volunteers –including some from Tapteal Greenway, Friends of Amon, Team Battelle, and the Restorative Community Service Crew--planted 263 healthy young specimens of native vegetation selected by Tapteal’s own Dr. Ed Rykiel.

Remember, everyone in Willowbrook benefits from having Amon Basin Community Preserve at our doorsteps. Please help to protect this incredible natural asset.

Here’s the list of new plants:

25 Red Osier Dogwood 30 Black Cottonwood
30 Sagebrush 30 Rabbit brush
20 Bitter brush 30 Currant
50 Globe Mallow 30 Basin Wild Rye
6 Smooth Sumac 6 Mock Orange
6 Blue Elderberry

The largest concentration of these is along the old roadbed running N-S along the large wetlands just north of the KID Pumphouse and pond. You can park on Center Drive and walk down: look for the sawhorses and yellow pennants, and of course, stay on the marked trail. Bright pink flags also mark plants and the many cages built and installed Saturday to protect young trees from hungry beavers.

You’ll find many more of these pink-ribboned beaver-proof cages ringing the large ponds at the far south end of the Preserve all the way south to the “Yellow Gate” access road (at the Kiosk off Leslie).

And as you hike, please stay alert for off-road motorized vehicles—motorbikes, snowmobiles, ATVs. These are illegal in the Amon Creek Natural Preserve because they irreparably damage Amon’s delicate lands and vegetation. Report ANY violation by calling the Police non-emergency number at (628-0333). We encourage you to program that number into your cell. Please call Kathy at 627-0950 so we can follow up. If you see damage (shudder!), we also need to know that.

Next summer, we’ll need folks to water our new plants—many hands make light work. Can you help? If so, please call or email me at kdechter@charter.net or call Scott Woodward (627-3621).

Thank you!
Kathy Dechter
627-0950

HALLOWEEN PORTRAITS

MICHAEL KLOTH is offering Halloween portraits to Willowbrook neighbors & trick or treaters in our neighborhood again this year. His studio will be set up in his garage at
318 Piper St. Permission slips signed by the parents or guardians will be required and they can be downloaded at: http://michaelklothphotography.com/TrickOrTreatPermission.pdf.
He is offering 5x7 prints for $20 ($21.65 with tax). Payments can be made with Visa, MasterCard, cash or checks payable to Michael Kloth Photography. Larger prints are available upon request. Proceeds will benefit the Tapteal Greenway Association.

2009 Halloween Parade & Hot Dog Feed

Attention Ghosts and Goblins! Our annual costume parade around Willowbrook will start promptly at 5:00p.m. on Eastwood between Rocky Mtn. Ct. and Sitka Ct. and led by the RICHLAND FIRE DEPT.
Chad & Bonnie Mitchell will host the Hot Dog feed this year at 305 Piper St. immediately following the parade.
The parade route: walk north on Eastwood, turn left at Piper St., follow it around Willowbrook Ave., left onto Center Blvd., and left back to Eastwood. Take the walk-through to Scouler Ct. and left on Piper St. The Mitchell house is the 2nd house on the left.
Willowbrook residents are free. Visiting friends, please donate $1. per person.
Children, please bring your parents- we'd like to see them in costume, too! As always, we have the cut-through at Willowbrook Ave. to Rocky Mtn. Ct. for those little ones that can't walk as far. THIS year, we will have a scary walk-through to Scouler Ct. on our way to the Mitchells- don't miss it!
And if you would like to volunteer to help set-up, serve, or clean up, contact Gayle, Lara or Bonnie at 396-6373.
If you haven't purchased your Trick or Treat candy yet, please consider buying candy made in the USA for everyones safety. Speaking of safety, remember to have something reflective on your little goblins.
There will be a Community newsletter for you to take home from the Mitchells. It has our 2010 event dates and dues information.
Thank you for joining-your donation helps us fund all these great events!!

Kids Opportunity

Kids who live around Amon Basin who would like to learn about the flora and fauna with some scientists on a regular basis (say, once a month ), please contact Alex Amonette @ 509-943-0705

New Site for the Willowbrook Homeowners Association

Our new link is http://willowbrook-hoa.blogspot.com/


The Willowbrook Homeowners Association has a new website. Go to this site for neighborhood governance issues, such as:
Community news
How to contact the Willowbrook Homeowners Board
Minutes of Board meetings
How to contact the Architectural Control Committee
Willowbrook Covenants and By-Laws

The Willowbrook Community Club website (this BLOGSPOT) remains the go-to spot for social events around the neighborhood.

Wall Update/ Sept. 1.

Update on Repairing the Entrance Wall

We have awarded the contract to replace the damaged wall at the entrance to Willowbrook to South Paw Masonry. They must special order the brick from Canada, and expect it will take three weeks to arrive. In the meantime they will be tearing out the remaining damaged wall between the two pilasters (i.e. the curved part of the wall). The contractor expects it will take about a week to rebuild the damaged area, then another week or two to reinstall the sign. So we expect to have all work completed by the second week of October.

South Paw Masonry is the same contractor who built the southern entrance to Willowbrook.
-reported by H.O.A.

LUAU BLOCK PARTY!!!

ALOHA!

Bring the whole family to our annual block party. Mark your calendars and RSVP for this fun event.

Where: Sitka Ct. off Eastwood.

When: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 from 3pm to 8pm.

Why: Why not? Come meet more neighbors!

Who: YOU and your whole family - come in your aloha attire.

What to bring: a side dish or pupu (appetizer) to share. Also, folding chairs if you have them.

This is co-sponsored by your Home Owners Association and Community Club, who are providing the soft drinks, catered PULLED PORK AND BBQ'D CHICKEN. There will also be a snow cone machine.

Come and learn to HULA at 4pm!

There will be 2 Bounce Houses for the SUPERVISED children under 12. A basketball court will be available for the older kids.

Then: Outdoor movie at the amphitheater at 227 Sitka Ct. Bring your blanket, chair and jacket. Movie at dusk to be announced. Popcorn will be provided, too.

BECAUSE IT IS CATERED, PLEASE RSVP BY SEPT. 6.

CALL 627-5579 or email gayleepie@charter.net

Mahalo!!

Winery Party

Bryan & Joni of Willowbrook Ave. with Karen of Sitka Ct.

Duane & Stacey of Piper St.

It was SO much fun! Please send your photos to post on the blog. I'd also like copies of your recipes (KAREN-please?!!- YUM!!).

It was a beautiful evening; red sunset, 30 nice folks, and even a meteor shower or two. Can't wait to do it again! Thank you to Larry , Jane, & Mary of Tapteil, and to Jack Hughes our guitarist.

Entrance Wall Update

Entrance Wall Repair Bids Received

The Homeowners Association has received two qualified bids for repairing the brick wall at the Willowbrook Place entrance. After initial analysis, we realized that it would be necessary to replace the entire section of the wall between the two pilasters, instead of just replacing the bricks that were knocked down. We need to replace the entire section of the wall because it was not possible to find new brick that exactly matched the existing weathered brick. For the same reason, we'll have to replace the entire Willowbrook sign, because replacement letters would be noticeably different from the existing letters.

The existing letters are solid brass and very expensive. We are considering replacing the letters with bronze coated letters that would look fairly similar, but cost less than half. We are currently investigating the pros and cons of the two options. We will probably make our decision at the next Homeowners Board Meeting, which is at 7 PM, August 19 at 202 Rocky Mountain Court.

Water Update ~ August 3, 8:30 pm

Please go to www.kid.org for the latest update. Click on SERVICE then OUTAGE REPORT to see where we stand.
If you'd like email updates, please send your email address to gayleepie@charter.net

Wine & Hors D' Oeuvres Evening

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 AT 6:30 PM.

Our annual adult-only event will be at Tapteil Winery in Benton City again this year. Bring your favorite appetizer dish to share and a jacket (just in case it cools down:>) to watch the spectacular sunset views from the patio. You may bring your own bottles of wine from home, but you'll want to drink Red Mountain's finest reds from Tapteil: Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This year there is a new addition- a chilled dry Chardonnay. As always, free wine tasting and sampling of the imported olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Any purchase gets a Willowbrook 20% discount! Invite your neighbors and carpool! W.C.C. is providing the non-alcoholic beverages as well as jazz guitarist, Jack Hughes.

Tapteil is located at the end of Sunset Road in Benton City. Go to http://www.tapteil.com/. Be sure to check out the events page for all the awards & recognitions.

You will find a list of babysitters on page 4 of your Willowbrook 2009 Directory.

Call Gayle to R.S.V.P. by August 10th @ 627-5579 or email gayleepie@charter.net

Sod Update

The dead sod along Leslie south of Willowbrook Place will be replaced the first week in September. We originally requested that the sod be replaced now, but the contractor pointed out that sod laid during the middle of the Summer in the Tri-Cities rarely survives, even with frequent watering. So the contractor will wait until the weather cools off a bit before replacing the sod. In the meantime you may see some corrective work on the sprinklers along Leslie. When they were moved with the widening of Leslie some were not reinstalled at the correct height.

Neither the sod replacement nor the sprinkler corrections will cost Willowbrook any money. The contractor will perform the work under their existing contract with the City.
~ Jay R.

Coyotes

COYOTES SPOTTED--WATCH YOUR PETS! Some folks who walk their dogs in Amon Preserve report recurring incidents in which they and their dogs have been followed by coyotes. Coyotes have also been spotted a couple of times in Willowbrook this summer, usually in the early morning and late evening.

So here are a few commonsense tips: If you walk in Amon, stay on the trails. Keep your dog on a leash. Stay alert.

At home, keep your animals—especially cats and small dogs—INSIDE. Homes on the Willowbrook perimeter are probably more vulnerable. Do not leave pet food (or people food, for that matter) or water outside where it will attract opportunistic wildlife.

Below is info from the Humane Society:
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/urban_wildlife_our_wild_neighbors/solving_problems/species/civil_war_or_civility_how_to_live_with_urban_coyotes/solving_problems_with_coyotes.html

· The promise of food is what lures coyotes into suburban yards. Feeding coyotes (or other wild animals) is a prescription for conflict. Don't attract these opportunistic animals by leaving pet food or water outside; and if you compost, be sure to use enclosed bins and never include meat or fish scraps. Good housekeeping, such as regularly raking areas around bird feeders and keeping trash in high-quality containers with tight-fitting lids, will also discourage coyote activity near residences. For good measure, don't place the cans at the curb until the morning of collection.

· Coyotes can be serious predators of cats and small dogs, and occasionally do some damage to home gardens. Owners can protect their pets by not letting them outdoors unattended, especially at night. (Coyotes are primarily nocturnal.) Cats in particular should never be permitted to roam freely and ideally should be left indoors.

Report unusual coyote behavior to Kathy Dechter at 627-0950 or kdechter@charter.net

Neighborhood Update

REPAIR OF ENTRY WALL
by Jay Reinhardt, Willowbrook Grounds

The Willowbrook Homeowners Association is currently taking bids for the repair of the damaged brick entry wall at Leslie and Willowbrook Place. If the damaged section cannot be replaced with brick that exactly matches the undamaged sections, then it may be necessary to replace the entire wall. At this point it appears that insurance will cover the damage, and that the community will not have to pay for the repairs.

The wall lighting was also damaged slightly, and that will be repaired as well. The missing letters of the community sign will replaced with matching letters. It appears insurance will cover these costs as well.

The wall was damaged when a Willowbrook resident lost control of their vehicle while making a turn. Fortunately the resident was not seriously injured, though their vehicle was totaled. The resident and their family promptly cleaned up the damage and notified the Homeowners Board of the accident. They very much regret the damage. Their insurance company has already contacted the Willowbrook Homeowners Board and has been cooperative.

DAMAGED LANDSCAPING ALONG LESLIE

The widening of Leslie and the installation of a new sidewalk, while welcome, did damage to the common area landscaping. Here is a status on the repair.

Replacing the dead sod south of Willowbrook Place:
The sod that was installed along the new sidewalk on Leslie has died and will be replaced. There was a waiting period before the contractor had to replace the sod (in case it recovered), and that waiting period has ended. The cost to the contractor to replace the sod is not insignificant. The sod died because the contractor did not realize that electrical work by the city (see next paragraph) had disabled Willowbrook's irrigation system. Once the contractor saw the new sod turning brown, they began watering it with a water truck. Unfortunately this appears to have been too late for the sod. We do not yet have a target date for replacing the sod -- this website will be updated once the city informs us.

Replacing the missing sod north of Willowbrook Place:
A strip of common area sod along the sidewalk on Leslie north of Willowbrook Place was removed in late May by a contractor working for the city Electrical department. The city expects the sod to be replaced by end of July. The Homeowners Board will be monitoring progress. The electrical work delayed restoration of irrigation in the common area by two weeks, causing newly-laid sod south of Willowbrook Place to die.

Trenching related to the widening of Leslie damaged the roots of some of the trees in the common area. It is possible that some of these trees may die in the next year or two. If so, they will be replaced. At that time we will explore who pays for the replacements. It appears unlikely that Willowbrook would be able to compel the city to pay, especially if the time lag between the trenching and the death of the trees leaves the cause of death debatable.

I expect that in a few months the appearance of the neighborhood from Leslie will be more attractive than before the widening.

Jay Reinhardt, Willowbrook Grounds

2009 Annual Homeowners Meeting- RECAP

About 30 people braved blustery weather May 12 to attend the 2009 Willowbrook Annual Homeowners Meeting in the Reinhardt's backyard at 202 Rocky Mountain Court.

Guest speaker: The Richland Chief of Police
Richland's Chief of Police, Toni Corsi, gave a wide-ranging talk about how the Richland Police Department operates, what the major issues are, how the Tri-Cities police departments cooperate with each other and the Federal government, and crime trends. He passed out maps of the Willowbrook area showing the types and locations of crimes in our area for the last two years. He said the maps showed that there is crime even in Willowbrook, and that common sense precautions like locking doors and not leaving keys in cars were necessary here. He mentioned that car theft is a rising problem in our area, probably due to out of town gangs.

The Police Chief thanked us for inviting him to meet us, and mentioned that in his seven years here in Richland this is the only the second time he's been invited to a neighborhood meeting like this. He then opened the floor to any questions. He was asked how long it takes Richland police to respond to an emergency call from the Willowbrook area. "About six minutes." When asked what we can do to discourage crime in the neighborhood he said, "Talk to your neighbors and call the police if you see anything suspicious."

When the questions were finished the Chief bowed out to a hearty round of applause.

Fence along Leslie
It is estimated that the neighborhood's fence along Leslie has another five years of life before it needs replacement. Once it needs replacing, the Willowbrook Homeowners Board intends to replace most of it with a block wall similar to the wall recently erected by Meadow Springs along Leslie. A block wall will last longer, look more prestigious, and require less maintenance than a wooden fence. Not all the wall would be block construction: the portion of the wall that lies behind the house on Leslie that bisects Willowbrook's Leslie frontage would be replaced with a wood fence similar to the one there now. Much of that wall cannot be seen from the street. The Homeowners Board has begun a five year savings program to accumulate the $120,000+ needed to replace the fence.

Homeowners who back up to the fence are encouraged to let the Homeowners Board know of any serious deficiencies in the current fence that cannot wait several years for resolution.

Landscaping along Leslie
The landscaping along Leslie has been damaged by the construction on Leslie, but most of the damage will be repaired by the city. Some of the trees that had roots cut may not survive the year -- we'll just have to wait and see. The irrigation system had to be turned off during construction, so the road contractor watered the portions of our landscaping next to the construction using a water truck. It was just recently realized that the landscaping north of Willowbrook Place, which is outside of the construction zone, was not receiving any water. This will be resolved by next week, either by using a water truck or restoring the irrigation system.

Annual Assessment
The homeowners voted to continue the neighborhood assessment at the current rate: $150 per year. This assessment is being collected from all Willowbrook homeowners, including those living in Willowbrook II.

Reported by Jay Reinhardt

Ice Cream Truck to come Wednesdays!

Hi everyone! Summer's coming soon and with this wonderful weather comes the perfect treat to enjoy it with. Fun Flanagans little red ice-cream truck will begin making it's weekly route to your neighborhood starting this Wednesday 5/20. We will be coming thru around 6:00 pm selling all types of fun ice-cream treats ranging in price from $1 - $2. We carry over 20 different novelties from the tried and true ice-cream bar to the always fun Sponge Bob. We even have 2 new items this year; the Triple Blast popsicle and the Push-Ups! Here's to a wonderful summer! See you soon!

~Fun Flanagans

We have a birthday girl!

For those of you that have been in Willowbrook a long time, we have our own Nita Higby turning 80 years young on Tuesday, May 5th. If you could give her a call or drop her a note on her doorstep, she would be very surprised.
2620 Eastwood or 627-1767.
Nita, you go girl!

Willowbrook Community Yard Sale

Please join us for our annual yard sale on May 8 & 9 from 8a.m. to 3p.m.

It will be advertised in the Tri-City Herald, Giant Nickel, and Craig's List. The signs are already out. There will be an info table for Amon Basin on Saturday at 2717 Eastwood. There will also be a table at 2626 Eastwood to benefit a family going through Ovarian Cancer and they have a new preemie baby coming home soon. Thank you for all your donations. Happy Mothers Day!

Amon Basin Link

http://www.tapteal.org/index.php?ID=31

NEW Events for 2009- Please Join us!

Here is what we have planned this year. If you have any suggestions or would like to volunteer, call or email us. Please read all the way to the end of this post- you might miss something VERY important!

Get out your calendars!

March 7 ~Amon Creek Preserve clean up and planting day

May 2 ~ Wildlands Walk around Amon Creek. For more info, email or phone Kathy Dechter (see last post)

May 8 & 9~ Community Yard Sale. Make your mom happy by cleaning out your room or garage! We will advertise this event in the Tri-Cities papers. There will be trucks coming on Saturday afternoon and Monday to pick up your leftover donations. Just think- extra $$ to take mom out to dinner on Sunday!
Also, the Friends of Amon Creek will have a table on Eastwood selling baked goods, sodas, water and will have flyers with information on how you are helping us save the wetlands next door. Ask about volunteer opportunities. Thank you for your donations.

June 20 ~ Teen Movie Night

July 11~ Ice Cream Social. Looking for a host home. Would you like to have it? We buy the ice cream & paper goods, guests bring the toppings. Contact Gayle @ 627-5579

August 21~Willowbrook Wine Event. Location to be announced.

Sept. 19~ BLOCK PARTY, POTLUCK AND MOVIE NIGHT

Oct. 31~ Halloween Parade & Hot Dog Feed.
Looking for a new host location for the feed- the club pays for all the food.

New ideas:

We're thinking about having a Willowbrook Garden/ Pond Tour on August 1 from 9:30 am to 11 am. Anyone want to host the last home of the tour? We will supply the refreshments. If you'd like to be included on the tour, call or email before May 1st.

We're also considering a Car Rally with dinner at the end.
Do you have any other ideas or suggestions? Call or email Gayle, Lara, or Jodi.

And lastly, Bonnie is almost ready to take our new phone directory to print. If you have any changes, please call her at 627-0580

We will be putting out a paper newsletter before May 1st with our final dates and locations.
Thank you for joining our Community Club. We appreciate your participation and your yearly dues that help us put on all these events. That's what Willowbrook is all about- a fun community :>)

Amon Creek News Update

March 7 ~Amon Creek Preserve cleanup and planting day. Meet at 9 a.m.,Claybell Park.
May 2 ~ Wildlands Walk around Amon Creek. Meet at 9 a.m., Claybell Park. For more info, email or phone Kathy Dechter 627-0950 (see Jan. blog)

Friends of Amon Update and Invitation

January 2009
Friends of Amon UPDATE and INVITATION to Concert and Silent Auction on Jan. 23-24

1. UPDATE—RESTORING NATIVE VEGETATION IN AMON BASIN has finally begun! In mid-December, a dozen intrepid volunteers raked a section of trail in the Amon Creek Natural Preserve and seeded it with native rabbit brush and Wyoming sagebrush after the City of Richland prepared it for our work. Barriers were placed to identify and protect this valuable area. (See attached pix). We will resume efforts when the weather breaks, and we sure can use your help! If you are willing to volunteer now and then, please let me know by sending me an email at kdechter@charter.net.

Sadly, the following snowy weather proved irresistible to local snowmobilers who rode roughshod over our freshly planted area within three days of our work (!!!!!) Some of those perpetrators were apprehended, but we must all continue to be vigilant. Signs are posted: “no unauthorized motor vehicles” means just that. Please help us PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE: if you are out on the trails and see someone violating this rule, call the Richland Police at the non-emergency number (628-0333) immediately. Program 628-0333 into your cellphone so you can call right away. If you have a camera, take pictures. When you call Dispatch:

Mention Amon Basin and the nearest cross street. For example: Center & Leslie or Piper & Willowbrook Avenues. The snowmobilers were entering from Piper St. and Claybell Park.
· Note the type and number of vehicles, number of people, color of clothing
· Note the time and general location of the violators
· Do not approach violators. Leave that to the police.
· Call Kathy Dechter (Tapteal Greenway Board) at 627-0950 so we can follow up.
Richland police will respond. They will ticket violators.
2. TINGSTAD AND RUMBEL WINETASTING & CONCERT/AUCTION FUNDRAISER On a much lighter and far more melodious note, set aside Jan. 23 & 24 to come enjoy Tapteal Greenway Association’s 3rd annual

WINE TASTING— BOOKWALTER WINERY-Tulip Lane, Richland
Friday, January 23--6:00 p.m.
Hosted by Eric Tingstad and Nancy RumbelProceeds benefit the Tapteal Greenway Association
Enjoy tastings of Yakima Valley wines by Alexandria-Nicole, Chandler Reach,
Maison Bleue, Wildridge, Harlequin, Naches Heights, and Bookwalter wineriesTapas menu items by Bookwalter available for purchase.
A Wine Silent Auction will accompany the tasting.$25 per person in advance, $30 at the door (this event sells out, so please reserve right away.) Please make advanced payments and table reservations at Bookwalter
(627-5000, info@bookwalterwines.com)

TINGSTAD & RUMBEL CONCERT —Battelle Auditorium- 902 Battelle Boulevard
Saturday, January 24—8:00 p.m.

Doors open at 7 p.m. for SILENT AUCTION** benefiting Tapteal/Amon.
Snacks, wine & soft drinks will be served.

CONCERT features Grammy-winning artists Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel
Advance tickets are $15, ($17 at the door). Student/Seniors are $13 ($15 at the door).
Tickets are available at both Bookworm locations, the Octopus' Garden in Richland, and at REI in Kennewick. All profits from the Silent Auction and Concert benefit Tapteal Greenway Association and its local environmental preservation efforts, including the Amon Basin Community Project. More details at www.tingstadrumbel.com & www.tapteal.org .

**SILENT AUCTION ITEMS URGENTLY NEEDED! Please donate items to this worthy fundraiser accompanying the T&R concert on January 24. Proceeds benefit the Tapteal Greenway and Amon Basin.
IMPORTANT! Please call 627-0950 or email kdechter@charter.net to let us know about your donation and to arrange a pickup.
Here are some items donated to last year’s Auction to give you some ideas.
DVDs, CDs (new) Georgia O'Keefe Print Handmade Jewelry Case of wine H&D Basket with wine Blanket/salmon basket Book - The Life Story of Etta Jamison Basket of Primroses Margarita Set Coffee Pot Wine Decanter Southwestern Print by Edie Johnson Alaskan pin
Crystal and rose glass beaded necklace Bath and BodyWorks Basket Hematite Necklace Amethyst Necklace and Ring Bath Basket Beaded Necklace and Bracelet Princess House Crystal Sundae Dishes and SpoonsSet of three nature prints Grill John Clement Print "Mt. Hood and Lupine"Evelyn Benham Painting "Vineyard Bounty"Geese Oil Painting

THANKS for caring,

Kathy Dechter

627-0950
kdechter@charter.net
Tapteal Greenway Board of Directors