Thursday, June 1, 2017

2017 Meadow Vista Pioneer Day




2017 MV Community Service Award

The Meadow Vista area has been fortunate to have people like the Arp family who have a strong sense of giving back to their community.
Jane Arp volunteered as a teacher's aide at Placer Hills School for many years.  Jane committed herself to helping children in the classroom even though for most of the time of volunteer service she did not have a child of her own in the school.  She volunteered one day a week in as many as three different classrooms (Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Ensley and Mrs. Linkugle).  In the words of Mrs. Anderson, “Her greatest desire is to service any child on a one-to-one basis for any reason—academically or personally.  Her attendance is faithful, she is always cheerful, professional towards everyone, positive and so very full of encouragement.  She readily accepts all children at their levels of learning and guides them to any and all achievements.  Her main strength is the ability to turn a child's attitude about learning or themselves from a negative to a positive, thus boosting their self-esteem and the child's willingness to continue as best they can showing pride.”
Fred Arp was on the coaching staff of the U.C. Davis football team for 40 years, during which the team had 37 consecutive winning seasons, 20 straight conference titles and 18 postseason appearances.  Mr. Arp was inducted into the U.C. Davis Hall of Fame in 2010 and was previously inducted into the Colfax High School Hall of Fame, as a charter inductee, in 1997.
Fred Arp and Jane Arp established the Arp Family Foundation about 20 years ago and have funded the Foundation.  The Foundation annually has provided funds for the Colfax High School athletic program and other youth-oriented organizations.  The Meadow Vista Community Center project has received several annual grants from the Arp Family Foundation totaling $82,250.
Mrs. Ann Arp Crispin made several grants to the Meadow Vista Community Center of stock and cash totaling $134,826.  With so many good causes to choose from, the Meadow Vista area is fortunate that Mrs. Crispin has chosen the Meadow Vista Community Center as recipient of her generosity.
There will be a celebration at the next MAC meeting 6/7/17 (1st Wednesday in June) to be held at Winchester Country Club, 3030 Legends Drive, Meadow Vista, CA  95722  (For directions call:  530-878-3000.)  The MAC meeting will start at 6pm, and as a part of our normal meeting, the award will be presented by Jennifer Montgomery.  The meeting will be followed by a reception to honor the Arp family.



Should You Add Solar Panels?

By Toni Ryan, Princeton Capital

"Going Solar" is a hot phrase! If you're considering solar, review some of the pros and cons:

The Pros of Adding Solar Panels to Your Home
Lower Electric Bill  - Depending on the size of your home and your electricity use, adding solar panels to your home can reduce your monthly bill.
Installation Costs are Lower than Ever - Since 2011, the cost of installing solar panels has dropped by 60%. There are also federal and local tax credits & subsidies to help lower the upfront setup costs.
Flexible Purchase Options - Due to the increased interest in solar energy, there are more companies to choose from for installing solar panels  more ways to afford the installation. You can choose to lease, buy or finance. There are also energy assistance programs such as mPower that tie the payment for the solar in with your real estate taxes. It is important to make sure than any financing option has a lower payment than your average electricity bill to ensure that you are saving money.

The Cons of Adding Solar Panels to Your Home
Not a Simple "Quick Fix" - You will need a professional who can recommend proper panel size and placement as well as install additional wiring that is necessary for energy conversion and use. There are concerns that damage done to a roof during installation may result in water leaks.
Hefty Upfront Cost - The national average of panel installation is $17,000. This can be a lot of up-front expense for many homeowners who will need to have a long-term plan to stay in the home to see overall savings.
Increase in Insurance Premium - If you decide to add solar panels, expect to see your homeowner’s insurance premium increase to cover the potential replacement of these fixtures.
Leased Panels Don't Add Appraised Value - If you choose to lease solar panels, keep in mind that you don't own the panels. Appraisers will not add value for the solar panels when assessing your home’s value because the panels are not owned and permanent fixtures to the home.
Financed Panels May Turn-Off Buyers (& Lenders) - When you secure a loan to pay for your solar panels and then decide to sell your home - the new buyers must be willing to not only buy your home but also take over the solar panel loan. This can make it difficult for some buyers who may fail to qualify or who don't like the terms of your solar loan. Many lenders will not lend with a PACE
program (example mPower) in place which collects the payment through your home’s real estate tax bill because this is recorded as a tax lien. To sell or refinance, this loan would need to be paid off.
Added Maintenance & Repair Requirements - Just like any appliance or fixture, there is necessary maintenance and cleaning required. As the panels age, there will also be necessary repairs to keep everything in working order.
 
Hopefully, this information helps you make a more informed decision about adding solar panels to your home. Remember to explore all the options to making your home more energy efficient before you decide. Often upgrading windows, appliances and caulking can add more value to your home and lower your energy bill with less cost. When in doubt, talk to a mortgage professional about your unique situation.


Dangerous Summer Stroller Mistake Many Parents Make

By Ashlei Jackson, Ever After Baby

It’s fairly common knowledge that leaving children in the car on a hot day, even for a few minutes, is a big no-no but as temperatures soar this summer, there’s a good chance that a common stroller mistake could be putting babies at risk. Covering a stroller with a blanket to shield your baby from the sun can have a furnace-like effect, according to a recent study done by Swedish researchers. While parents and grandparents believe that they are keeping the child shielded from the sun, adding a blanket over the stroller can cause the temperature inside a stroller to skyrocket to dangerous levels.
“It gets extremely hot down in the pram (stroller), something like a thermos,” pediatrician Svante Norgren told the Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet. “There is also bad circulation of the air and it is hard to see the baby with a cover over the pram.”
The newspaper decided to do a stroller experiment of its own, just to see what would happen. Here’s what it found:
• Without a cover: The temperature inside the a stroller left out in the heat was 22 degrees Celsius (71.6 degrees Fahrenheit.)
• With a thin cover: In 30 minutes, the temperature rose to 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 degrees Fahrenheit.) And after an hour, it was at 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.)
The biggest increase in temperature occurred when the blanket was a solid weave (such as cotton or fleece) and the stroller or bassinet insert was completely covered so that air flow was stifled.
Young children are especially at risk for overheating and even heatstroke. Signs of heatstroke can include hot, red, dry skin; rapid pulse; restlessness; lethargy; rapid, shallow breathing; vomiting and unconsciousness. Make sure to dress your baby in lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and give more fluids on hot days. When in doubt, keep your child in the shade or indoors and see care from your doctor if you are concerned that your child may suffer from overheating.
If you do need to cover your stroller to prevent the sun from getting into your child’s eyes, use a light colored, breathable cloth that leaves space for air flow. Check on your child regularly to make sure they are not over heated.  Source: Baby Center


Family Movie Nights 2017




Meadow Vista Friendly Neighbors News

Submitted by Cathy Williams

The flowers of Spring are beginning to bloom in Meadow Vista and the Friendly Neighbors are beginning to plan for their many projects that help the community. After all, that’s what a “friendly neighbor” does, assist one’s neighbor and friend. Monthly luncheon meetings on the 4th Wednesday of the month are held at the Meadow Vista Grange at 12:00 noon where all guests are welcome to participate in the planning of upcoming events including a booth at Pioneer Days.
Ongoing projects include supporting the Meadow Vista Library’s Summer Reading program, Colfax High School Grad Night, promoting the Script program at Sierra Hills School and operation MOM. The Friendly Neighbor’s Club often provides some financial assistance to these and other community based programs.
The Meadow Vista Friendly Neighbors Club was founded in 1944 by a few local friends with the goal of assisting their community neighbors in time of need. For further information please contact Virginia Nettleton, President at 530/368-6595 or info@myfriendlyneighbors.com. The mailing address is P.O. Box 764, Meadow Vista, California 95722. We are a non profit organization.


Meadow Vista Community Center Update






5 Real Estate Terms You Should Know

By Maggie Francis, Sierra Pacific Real Estate

I have found, as a real estate agent, that sometimes just getting started with the home buying or selling process can be the biggest hurdle. There are a lot of unknowns. Finding a good real estate agent, lender and other industry professionals can certainly make the process smoother, but also having a grasp on some of the real estate terms you will encounter helps a prospective buyer/ seller know what to expect and can certainly ease the apprehension that may be associated with a real estate transaction. Here are a few of those terms to know:
• PRE-APPROVAL LETTER: Before a buyer applies for a mortgage or even start looking for a home, they should get a pre-approval or pre-qualification letter from bank/lender, which is an estimate of how much they'll lend. This letter will help a buyer determine what they can afford, and ensures home sellers that a buyer will be able to get a loan when needed
• INSPECTIONS: After a buyer has made an offer on a home, they will need to schedule a home inspection, a pest inspection and possibly well and septic inspections. These home inspectors will go through every nook and cranny, and review things like the plumbing, electrical, foundation, walls, heating, and appliances.
• APPRAISAL: When a buyer applies for a mortgage, the lender will require an appraisal of the home to be purchased. A licensed appraiser will estimate the home's value based on comparable homes that have sold in the area and an investigation of the property.
• CONTINGENCIES: When a buyer puts in an offer on a home, they can specify certain conditions that must be met before the deal will go through – these are called contingencies. There may be loan, inspection, appraisal value contingencies.
• CLOSING COSTS: Buyers and sellers should be prepared to pay a number of fees when selling or purchasing a home.  Common fees, negotiated between the buyer and seller, include escrow costs, taxes, loan-processing costs (paid by buyer) title insurance, a one year home warranty, and transfer taxes.
It's great to do your research before jumping into a decision as big as buying or selling a home, but also speak to your local real estate professional right away as you are considering your options. Your agent will be ready with a wealth of knowledge, great referrals and will be happy to help you make the most of your next real estate transaction.


What is an Estate Plan?

By Allison Harvey, Attorney, A. L. Harvey Law, PLC

The biggest misconception is that estate planning is only for the wealthy. Everyone has an estate. If you own a home, car, other real estate property, bank accounts, investments, life insurance, furniture, personal belongings you have an “estate” and need a plan when you’re not able to make decisions. To ensure that your estate is protected and that your wishes are carried out, you need to provide instructions stating who you want to receive your properties, what you want them to receive, and when they are to receive it.
The following tools are some of those that make up an estate plan. You may want all in your plan or just one. Read along to better understand each tool.
A revocable trust is an agreement between the person who creates the trust (you) and the person who manages the trust assets (generally you while you are alive). The trust agreement will dictate who will manage your assets when you no longer can, where your assets will go upon your death and how your beneficiaries will receive the assets. The trust can also designate when you want your children to receive the property held in trust so they don’t receive it all at age 18. A properly drafted revocable trust should avoid the costly and lengthy probate process and allows your beneficiaries to receive assets much quicker. Generally speaking, a trust of this nature allows for changes during your lifetime.
A will is a document that designates who will receive your assets upon your death. It also can designate the guardian of your children. This does not allow you to avoid probate. A pour over will is a tool that is used in conjunction with your revocable trust. It is different than a standard will. A pour over will designates that all property not held in trust will pour into your trust upon your death. This type of will helps to show that you intended your property to be held in trust and can assist in avoiding probate.
An advanced healthcare directive provides your doctors with instruction about what type of health decisions you would want made if you are incapacitated and unable to do it yourself. It also provides authorization to another individual to make decisions on your behalf in accordance with the instructions in

Meadow Vista Lions Club News June

Submitted by Etta Gross

Thank you to those Moms and families that came to join the Mother’s Day Breakfast on May 14, 2017 at Sierra Hills School.
Our next Breakfast will be on Pioneer Day, Sunday June 4, 2017.  This breakfast is in partnership with the Cub/Boy Scout Troop 6 here in Meadow Vista.  The costs is $5 for when you pre-purchase tickets from any Cub/Boy Scout and $6 at the event.  Serving time will be 8 a.m. to 11 pm at Placer Hills Campus Cafeteria.  Menu will be eggs, sausage and pancakes along with refreshments.  We hope to see you all there!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 17, 2017 for the Meadow Vista Lions’ 3rd Annual Car Show in Meadow Vista Park.  The show runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There will be goodie bags and dash plaques for the first 100 registered cars.  Registration fee is $20 before June 11, 2017 or $25 after that date.  Spectators are FREE and WELCOME to come view the cars on display, enjoy breakfast, lunch and refreshments throughout the day.  Vendors will be there with a variety of different merchandise.  For information please contact Lion Greg at (530) 637-5359 or stop by True Value Hardware in Meadow Vista.
Please visit the Lions at the swimming pool this season.  We will be cooking up hot dogs and supply water and chips.  Exact date will be posted throughout town, so please look for the flyer…
Our website is www.meadowvistalions.com and email address meadowvistalionsclub@gmail.com