Recipe: Mother's Day Quiche

Local Group Formed to Promote Clean, Sustainable Living in Placer County

By Lizzie Moore, 350Placer

A handful of Meadow Vista residents recently formed the group "350Placer" to promote clean, sustainable living in Placer County. Inspired by the international group 350.org, the number 350 is the parts per million of carbon considered to be safe and sustainable for life on our planet.
The group is focused on addressing climate change in a way that supports local business and the economy. Areas of focus include food, education and pedestrian-friendly transportation. Specific plans include “eat local” promotions, community education events, and acknowledging local businesses and 350Placer members who are successfully reducing the amount of pollution they are putting into the air.
Many group members say that they are driven by their desire to provide their children and grandchildren with a stable place to live. They believe addressing climate change is an important part of doing this. But members have arrived via various circumstances and stories. Lizzie Moore, the group member newest to the area said “My husband and I moved to Meadow Vista to have the family and lifestyle we want, and to live our beliefs. Now is our time to become self-sufficient and sustainable. This group is how I can learn and contribute.”
Almost all current research says that immediate action is needed to decrease carbon levels. The group feels that circumstances are lined up perfectly to do so. “We're really motivated,” said member Danielle Mills. “States and local communities are empowered to act on what is important to us. We think we can make this a local movement that builds community, protects the planet and our future.”
350 Placer welcomes inquiries and new members to its group. More information can be found at its Facebook group 350Placer, or at www.350placer.org.

Meadow Vista Community Service Award

Click here to download the nomination form

2016 Christmas in the Village

Local Holiday Activities & Light Displays

Fun for the family  light displays, crafts, tree lightings, caroling, bonfires and more..

• Christmas in the Village - Meadow Vista. -  Dec. 10th   Enjoy a scavenger hunt for goodies from 4 to 6 pm with the businesses in downtown Meadow Vista.  Santa arrives in the lot next to the Post Office at 6:30 pm and the bon fire is lit while children express wishes to jolly St. Nick.

• Festival of Lights Parade  - Sat. Dec. 3 at 5:30pm in downtown Auburn

• Old Town Auburn Country Christmas - Sat. Dec. 10 and 17th from 5 to 9 pm  crafts, food and fun. www.oldtownauburnca.com

• Grass Valley Cornish Christmas - Friday nights beginning Nov. 25th thru Dec. 23rd - Enjoy the traditions of the earlier immigrants to this area from 6-9 pm

• Nevada City Victorian Christmas - Wednesdays Dec. 14 & 21 from 5-9pm and Sundays Dec 4, 11 & 18 from 1:30-6pm -  Enjoy turn of the century theme with costumed merchants, caroling and much more. Visit nevadacountythingstodo.com/christmas for more info.

• Sacramento Region - Check out the website for light displays in the surrounding area, then map your route and have fun.  The site adds new locations daily.   www.lightsofthevalley.com

• Light Display in Walgra Meadows - Ryan/Jackson Home - All December, this local home & yard is decorated with wooden figures including a Nativity, Santa & Nutcracker. Drive by & See!

What is Happening to Mortgage Rates?

By Toni Ryan, Princeton Capital

Mortgage Rates continued their move higher, as financial markets adjust to the price of the “new perceived” realities of the presidential election. The average 30yr fixed rate has surged .5% higher.  The last time rates moved in this manner was in mid-2013.

What is the concern about the new perceived realities? Markets are repricing based on a Trump presidency and GOP-controlled congress. The problem is that markets have to “guess” as to the future outcome of the policies that Trump might enact as well, as the extent to which the legislative and executive branches will work collaboratively with his policies. Unfortunately, most of the best guesses are not good for US bonds. Higher spending, lower taxes, protectionist trade policies, and deregulation policies all add up to inflation. Inflation is the enemy of low interest rates.

Fortunately, this repricing of rates is likely to be short-lived. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean rates will simply come surging back to previous levels although we have clearly seen this happen in the past. We are looking at an actual feeling of increased risk (as opposed to just a reaction to the election). It would take a new motivation for the repricing to occur in a more positive direction. Until then, a lowering in rates isn't out of the question. Indeed, that can happen as a corrective move but there's no guarantee of its size or that rates may continue to move higher before it happens.

Working with a mortgage professional that offers many options will help you to acquire the best rate for your needs. Keep in mind that the rates today are still great. Do not let this increase stop you from the purchase of a home.

Friendly Neighbors Thank You!

The Meadow Vista Friendly Neighbors Club says “THANK YOU” to Holiday Market and their customers that purchased all those $5 bags of groceries. Those bags will come in handy for the families receiving Christmas Baskets in our community this year.

Our “Thank You” goes to the students and parents at Sierra Hills and Weimar Hills School for their canned food drives. Those canned food donations really help us. And THANK YOU to all those individual resident monetary donations that make these Christmas Baskets possible.
Thank you Wells Fargo Bank Meadow Vista for allowing ornaments for local children in need to be placed in their bank. Thank you to all those that have made generous donations of toys to ensure children in our community will have a present to unwrap. If it was not for your gift these children may not receive a present to unwrap. Just a friendly reminder that we ask your donated present be returned to the Wells Fargo Bank by Wednesday, December 14, in order for us to match your present with the appropriate child (gender and age).

Placer County Association of Realtors (PCAR) grant award made it possible for the fresh vegetables and Christmas Dinner’s main course to be in our Christmas Food baskets this year. Thank you PCAR for awarding us that grant to ensure Christmas Dinner for our residents in need!
Thank you to those that attended our 9th Annual Christmas Basket Breakfast held on Saturday, November 12, 2016. It was heartwarming to see the community mingling while enjoying a delicious breakfast cooked by our Meadow Vista Lions Club.

We need physical labor of assembling the Christmas Food Baskets (boxes) at Sierra Hills School auditorium on Friday, December 16 starting at 5 p.m. Those willing to do heavy lifting of canned food boxes at 3:30 pm on December 16, please contact Etta Gross at (530) 637-5359. This is a great opportunity to see how our community comes together to help those in need.
We are very grateful to live in a community that is willing to watch over other residents that are not as fortunate and are struggling during the Christmas Season.

Meadow Vista Friendly Neighbors’ other community assistants throughout the year are Spring Break food for students and seniors, clothing for graduating students in need, free swim lessons/safety lesson/days for our community youths and adults along with emergency assistance and helping residents in need when food is needed. We welcome donations year round to allow us to provide other assistants to our community area residents in need. Monetary donations may be made on our website meadowvistafriendlyneighbors@gmail.com or checks payable to TMVFNC mailed to P.O. Box 764, Meadow Vista, CA 95722. All other donations for arrangements of delivery/pick up please contact Etta Gross at (530) 637-5359.

Our club wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy New Year.