Meadow Vista History - Unlce Josh

Letter from the editor in the January/February 1965 “Foothill Folks”

Someone asked me the other day who Uncle Josh is. Josh Billings was his nickname, his real name being Henry W. Shaw. He published what is called Josh Billings’ Old Farmer’s “Allminax” in 1870-79 (locally.) This is a masterpiece of humor, and from this deep well, I draw much inspiration. Good ol’ Josh, may his memory live on forever. Editor’s note: Fred Alseth was the editor of the “Foothill Folks” in the 1960’s but many articles were notated as being penned by “Uncle Josh.”

From the Lions

Submitted by Etta Gross, Secretary

Lions Annual Pancake Breakfast will be Sunday, June 3, 2012 at Placer Hills School auditorium from 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Meadow Vista Swimming Pool grand opening on Saturday, June 9 from 1 p. to 5 p.m. will be free swimming that day sponsored by the Lions Club. Free Hot Dogs for the first 200 people and Meadow Vista 4 H club will provide other food items as well.

Questions please contact Lion Club President Mark at 878-0484.

The Meadow Vista Lions will only be meeting once a month during June, July and  August.

Meadow Vista History - 1967 Post Office

This was an article printed in December 1967 “Foothill Folks” assumed to be written by then postmaster, Cliff Ramos.

During 1967 the Post Office Department conducted an all out campaign to remind people of the importance of Zip Codes and to make the number readily available to every citizen.
 Today, Postmaster Cliff Ramos urges all residents of Meadow Vista to use the Zip Code they have added to their mailing lists on every piece of Christmas Mail.
 We expect more mail than ever before, Zip Code will be a key element if we are to efficiently handle the number of pieces of mail that will go through the Meadow Vista Post Office between now and Christmas. The Post Office is geared up to process this year's record breaking deluge of mail but public cooperation is necessary for our operation to be successful...Zip Codes can be obtained by phoning the Post Office.

Looking Back at the Good 'Ole Days

For this issue we decided to pay tribute to our roots - mainly some very old issues of the “Foothill Folks”, a precursor to the very magazine you hold in your hands. You’ll see a variety of snippets from several 1960’s editions that we thought you might find humorous, delightful and perhaps...still applicable. Some things have changed and others have blissfully remained “Meadow Vista.”
Enjoy!   ~The View Staff

Letter From the Editor from the first edition of the “Foothill Folks” published on November 20, 1964

Dear Folks,
We of the FOOTHILL AREA are mighty proud of our home base...and rightly so. We can sing praises for the sun in the winter, while down below in yonder valley, city slickers shivver under the wet blanket of fog, and squint though bloodshot eyes in the smog. "You poor city folks, better get out and come up to God's Country." We that chop our own wood and carry our own water, get mighty scared when we read headlines like this: SCIENTISTS HAVE DEVELOPED A COMPLICATED THOUGHT MACHINE SO SENSITIVE IT ALREADY HAS A STOMACH ULCER...Now, we don't say that no one of us has stomach ulcers, but at least our ulcers are healthy.
 With so much crime and corruption about, we feel it a downright duty to come out with a newspaper that has something cheerful to comment on for a change. Good cheer and some wisdom is never out of place, but is mighty hard to find nowadays. Our big aim is to communicate the good things in life and let the bad ones go their own separate ways.
 We don't mean to condemn the whole human race. Let's not be too quick to blame them for everything. But they sure made a mess of the rest. We will go on, nevertheless looking for the best in man and beast, finding merit in all men. Of course, we're prejudice, and believe that anyone in this immediate vicinity is naturally superior and far ahead of the times in physical stamina, mental prowess, and spiritual insight. That is why we are proud to advertise these folk's products...they are just naturally superior.
 You will find, perhaps, we hope, interesting things in the paper. Most everything is original more or less, but we do not hesitate to pick up bits of thoughts, etc. from whatever source presents itself most attractively at the time. It is not called stealing...it is merely passing on a good thing...Our regular contributors deserve credit for volunteering to write for a publication they know little about...and so do our advertisers. We wish to express our appreciation for their support and interest in our first issue.
 We'll always guarantee that you can read this paper from stem to stern and still find time to do a "days work."

Buy a Home with No Monthly Payment

By Toni Ryan, First Priority Financial

Borrowers age 62 and older can qualify for a reverse mortgage either on their existing home or to purchase a new home.  Reverse mortgages were developed to give seniors the ability to stay in their home or purchase a home without a monthly mortgage payment.

A reverse mortgage works opposite of a typical mortgage (referred to as a “forward” mortgage) in that the interest from the monthly payment is added to the total loan amount owed hence what is owed goes up, in “reverse” rather than down, as in a regular mortgage. The idea is that as the home increases in value over time, the amount due stays at a level below this value.

Our current economy has shown that values are not guaranteed - but not to worry.  The owner can stay in the home as long as they want, as long as they live on the premises, even if more is owed than the home is worth.  If they decide to move, or their family takes over the property, then if the home is worth more than the loan, it can be sold or refinanced to pay the loan.  If the home is worth less than what is owed, then it is deeded back to the lender.  Mortgage insurance guarantees that the homeowner and or their heirs will not be responsible.
 The requirement is up to 60% equity in an existing home or as a down payment. No credit or income qualifications.  This is a great financial tool.  Check it out!

Blogging: Become an Expert in Meadow Vista

By Ashlei Jackson, Qlixite

Remind me again - What is a BLOG? The word "blog" is one of the most searched words on the internet today. Why? This buzz word is searched because increasing numbers of people are trying to understand what blogging is about. A blog is a log or public "diary" posted online - A journal that is written for others to read. You can create blogs for personal, educational and informational reasons, business and corporate reasons or a multitude of other uses.
 As a marketing tool, blogs offer great potential. Blogs are much easier than newsletters to get your idea across. They can be added to, and they can be updated at any time and from virtually anywhere. Blogs have long lasting shelf lives, as they exist on the internet until you decide to remove them. This contrasts to newsletters which once you send it out, it’s sent, hopefully read but if not...it’s gone.
 Unless you are just posting marketing materials, most blogs offer a large amount of information thus increasing you or your business’ credibility. Whether your blog is a personal blog or a business blog, viewers come to blogs expecting to find frank and personal perspectives on a topic that you are passionate about.
 If you maintain your viewers and you respect the idea that you should be passionate about the content of your blog, then your credibility will go up, and this is what blogging is truly about. Blogs are easy to syndicate, meaning that you can get your information and opinions out there, and can allow them to spread. If you have an opinion to share, a product to sell, a brand to market or something else to say on the internet, and you think that people are going to want to read what it is that you have to say, then blogging is an excellent option.
 If you do not have a blog that is associated with your business or your website, then now is an excellent time for you to start blogging. Blogging is an excellent addition to your marketing strategy. There are completely different dynamics when it comes to e-mail communication and blogging. Nothing facilitates conversation, communication and community the way that blogging does. There is no confusion about blogging being spam the way e-mails can. Blogs enhance your product, idea or brand.  Setting up a Blog is easy - go to "How to Set Up a Blog".  Want ideas to write about - go to 50 Blog Topics
 So the answer to "Why Should I Blog?" is...... "Why Not?"

New IRS Fresh Start helps Taxpayers

By J.C. Harrison, Simplified Business & Tax

The Internal Revenue Service has expanded its “Fresh Start” initiative to help struggling taxpayers who owe taxes. The following three items explain the expanded relief for taxpayers.
 Penalty relief Part of the initiative relieves some unemployed taxpayers from failure-to-pay penalties. Penalties are one of the major factors a financially distressed taxpayer faces on a tax bill. The Fresh Start Penalty Relief Initiative gives eligible taxpayers a six month extension to fully pay 2011 taxes. Interest still applies on the 2011 taxes from April 15, 2012 until the tax is paid, but you won't face the failure-to-pay penalties if you pay your tax, interest and any other penalties in full by October 15, 2012.
1.  PENALTY RELIEF
 *Wage earners who have been unemployed at least 30 consecutive days during  2011 or in 2012 to this year April 17 deadline.
 *Self-employed individuals who experienced a 25 percent or greater reduction in  business income in 2011 due to the economy.
 TO QUALIFY for this penalty relief, your adjusted gross income may not exceed $200,000 if married filing jointly or $100,000 if filing status is single, married filing separately, head of household or qualifying widower. Your 2011 balance due can not exceed $50,000.
2.  INSTALLMENT AGREEMENTS
 An installment agreement is a payment option for those who cannot pay their entire tax bill by the due date. The Fresh Start provisions give more taxpayers the ability to use streamlined installment agreements to catch up on back taxes and also more time to pay.
3.  OFFER IN COMPROMISE
 Under the first round of Fresh Start in 2011, the IRS expanded the Offer in Compromise (OIC) program to cover a larger group of struggling taxpayers. An Offer in Compromise is an agreement between a taxpayer and the IRS that settles the taxpayer's tax liabilities for less than the full amount owed.
 Generally, an offer will not be accepted if the IRS believes that the liability can be paid in full as a lump sum or through a payment agreement. The IRS looks at the taxpayer's income and assets to make a determination regarding the taxpayer's ability to pay.