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Once again, the 4th of July brought folks in and around Helena out and about celebrating Independence Day. The Independent Record reported that over 1000 turned out to enjoy the festivities at Centennial Park. The raising of the flag by Scout Troup 214, Helena firefighters, firefighting equipment, helicopters and 1500 free hot dogs served up by the Lions Club contributed to this highly successful annual event reminding us all the value of freedom to gather and celebrate as a community. Though smaller in scale, the 4th annual 4th of July Community Celebration at Mountain View Park brought out as many as 500 over the course of the evening that kicked off with free jump houses for kids and vendors offering a wide variety of food and tasty treats. While the playground and jump houses teemed with kids, people played tennis, basketball, volleyball and horseshoes while others relaxed on blankets and lawn chairs chilling to lively blue grass and Beetles tunes courtesy of the North Hill Trio. At dusk, as the music faded away and the temperature began dropping, about 120 people stayed on bundling up tighter to watch the amazing Prickly Pear Fireworks Display. Organized by Mountain View Meadows, and co-sponsored by Opportunity Bank of Montana, Stahly Engineering and the Mountain View Meadows HOA, this family-friendly event elicited an ever-present welcoming spirit demonstrating that community truly is better and well-worth celebrating.
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Building a Better Community:
TWILIGHT AVE. HOMES DEDICATION & OPEN HOUSE
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After all the excitement, hard work and dedication that goes into building your own home, six new families are being welcomed into the Mountain View Meadows community in a special celebration on Thursday, July 25th
at 6:00 PM. Everyone is welcome. Mayor Wilmot Collins and State USDA Director Charles Robison are expected to attend the dedication of the new homes built through the Helena Habitat for Humanity Mutual Self-Help program. The Mutual Self-Help program provided the opportunity for the families to help build their own homes and assume a USDA mortgage that took into consideration their sweat equity. The most interesting part of the Mutual Self-Help program is that all the home-owners helped build one another's homes and no one could move in until all the homes were completed. Community and AmeriCorps CCC volunteers also contributed their time during the 13-month construction process managed by builder Mark Leland. The idea that became Habitat for Humanity began on a farm outside Americus, Georgia in 1976. The concept developed by founders Millard and Linda Fuller centered on those in need of adequate shelter working side by side with volunteers to build decent, affordable houses at no profit. Although times have changed, the experience of the six families who have moved into their new homes at Mountain View Meadows is now shared by families in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. Thanks in no small part to the personal involvement of U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve more than 800,000 homes since its founding, making Habitat the largest not-for-profit builder in the world.
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On Topic:
THE TECHNOLOGY OF HOME BUYING
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It's hard to keep up with technology. But no one wants to do without it! From changing the skills we need for employment to taking out a car loan, advances in technology continue to revolutionize nearly every aspect of modern life.
In a recent article on USAA.Com, United Services Automobile Association, which specializes in everything from auto insurance to home mortgages, takes a look at the impact of technology on the homebuying process. From that "tentative first look" to "the final exhilarating moment of closing" technology makes home buying simpler and easier for the savvy buyer who knows how and where to look for help.
SEARCHING FOR YOUR HOME:
Many forms of progress are all about saving time and effort. So, where is a good place to start? There are numerous sites and services catering to your house-hunting needs. USAA provides a list of the most readily accessible:
- Trulia - Heavy on useful maps that let you evaluate neighborhoods based on crime, quality of life, shopping, speed of police and fire response, and more.
- Zillow - Data on more than 110 million homes both on and off the market, to include value estimates, price history, aerial views and comparable house prices.
- Realtor.com - Operated by the National Association of Realtors and covers 99% of homes on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
- Craigslist - Can be a useful window into homes available in your preferred area, including those offered for sale by owner rather than through a real estate agent.
VIEWING THAT NEW HOME:
It wasn't all that long ago that buyers could only look at homes by driving to them or seeing one or two low-quality photos on copier paper. Now, typical online listings feature dozens of color photos, sometimes in a 360-degree view that lets you take a virtual step into every room and have a good look around. Others take it a step further with a video presentation. And, says USAA, that's not all. "Thanks to map search engines at Google and other sites, you can even do a full survey of the neighborhood, to include flyover or street-level views."
TAKING A CLOSER LOOK:
Although some buyers, especially those out-of-towners, are opting to purchase physically sight unseen homes, the majority still want to take a first-hand look. Real estate agents have lives like everyone else and can't always meet you every hour of the day that fits your schedule. Technology solves that problem with new apps that allow the buyer to download the ability to open the lock on the front door of a home for sale.
APPLYING FOR A MORTGAGE:
Web-based applications can help you get a preapproval online working on the computer in your pajamas in the middle of the night. As USAA points out, in addition to speeding up the application and underwriting processes, technology also makes it easy to research rates, use a mortgage calculator to crunch your own numbers on different mortgage scenarios and get competing offers from multiple lenders.
CLOSING:
Although it cuts out the thrill of signing the final papers in person and being handed a key (or in some cases now, a code), home buyers can join sellers in skipping out on attending home closings. This convenience comes thanks to the concept of remote closing that allows you to sign many documents electronically while others are sent via express shipping for your physical signature. However, advises USAA, keep in mind there could be some drawbacks. With so much jargon and legal verbiage involved, you may find it easier to ask clarifying questions if you're seated at the table with the professionals who have the answers.
Technology doesn't end with closing. After you move in and especially over the coming years, you'll likely see the effects of a remarkable evolution that touches everything from your front door to your back yard as the relatively new smart home trend continues to unfold. Companies like "Nest" sell video doorbells, thermostats you can control with your smartphone and security cameras that send alerts to you while you're away. But with all the new technology coming our way, will anyone come up with a dog walker that can take the dog out at midnight and clean up its mess after?
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Benefits and Updates:
MOUNTAIN VIEW MEADOWS
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1. WEED SOLUTION ALTERNATIVE: Some of you expressed concern over the "kills all vegetation" solution emailed to homeowners. Nitro-Green offers a program called "Weedex" that is designed specifically for rock/gravel perennial beds. The Weedex Program has pre and post emergent herbicides and usually includes 2 applications to keep the area clean of grass and broadleaf weeds all year. The cost of the spray program is based upon square footage. The cost to spray a 1,000 square foot area would be $60, and the cost for the second application (if necessary) would be $45 (25% discount). For additional information regarding the safety of the program for trees, flowers and bushes, contact Brent Sarchet at Nitro Green of Helena. Sarchet is an ISA Certified Arborist and can be reached at 438-0027.
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JUNIPERS CREEPING ACROSS CURBS: Junipers are a popular solution to the 60% green coverage (over 5 years) in boulevards as required by the City of Helena. Creeping Junipers were the standard selected for this purpose in the Antelope Trace neighborhood since they require less water to maintain. And they are doing great! So great, however, that homeowners need to address junipers creeping onto sidewalks and across curbs and into the street. They are relatively easy to trim. Please assess your junipers and trim them back as needed as soon as possible. Check out YouTube for tips on the best pruning methods.
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NEIGHBOHOOD GARAGE SALE REPORT: Antelope Trace homeowner Darla Oropeza assumed marketing the first Neighborhood Garage Sale that turned into a Mountain View Meadows Community event with at least 18 households participating. Darla
started the process on the NextDoor app. Next an email was sent out by way of Constant Contact to HOA members. Darla created a flyer and she and co-coordinator Sandi McGregor handed out copies throughout the neighborhood. Advertisements were placed in the Helena IR garage sale section, on Craigslist, Helena Classifieds, Facebook, and GetUpGetOutHelena.com. Darla created a map showing the locations of each garage sale and printed 120 copies which were all gone by 11 AM! This sounds like the start of an annual June event. Look for notices earlier next year to get involved.
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New Homes F
or Sale:
PLANS TO BUILD AND BUILD TO SUIT
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A choice of new homes to meet your lifestyle and budget are ready for move-in at Mountain View Meadows with more under construction. MVM now has a number of home sites that are eligible for 0% down loans. Visit our Information & Sales Office at 431 S. Alice Street to tour our right-now homes, view plans to build and check out lot maps. Realtors are always welcome
. Have your own plan? Give us a call at 406-449-0800 to arrange a meeting. The availability of new homes and lots is subject to change so check back often. Below is a listing of some of the new homes ready for move-in or currently under construction.
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Craftsman Village at Mountain View Meadows
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215 Bella View: "THE BARRISTER". This popular 4BD/3BA 2-story floorplan located across from Mountain View Park, features all the upscale finishes you've come to expect in a Sierra Custom Home. Granite countertops, soft-close cabinets and tiled master shower will bathe you in comfort. For additional information call Dawn Purvis, 406-439-6380, or visit the Mountain View Meadows Info and Sales Center at 431 S. Alice St. $309,900.
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2847 Jeannette Rankin: "THE TRADER". This affordable 3BD/2.5BA two-story featuring nearly 1500 S.F. of living space may be just the right fit for both your lifestyle and budget. Located down the street from what we believe is the best neighborhood park in Helena, you'll enjoy mountain views from your front porch where you'll have a prime seat for next year's fireworks display. This desirable craftsman home with granite countertops, laminate floors, soft-close cabinets, kitchen appliances, front yard landscaping and an attached two-car garage is scheduled for completion mid-August just in time for you to move in before school starts. Stop by the office at 431 S. Alice St. to stake your claim on this new home priced at just $269,900.
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2853 Jeannette Rankin: "THE SETTLER". Be the first on your street to own this home plan! The master suite on this nearly 1600 S.F. 3BD/2BA craftsman bungalow features a double vanity, separate shower and tub and a big walk-in closet. The walk-though kitchen allows easy access to both the dining room to the rear and the family room to the front with extra space perfect for a pocket office. Priced at $284,900, this Weatherall built home includes solid-surface countertops, laminate floors, soft-close cabinets, kitchen appliances, front yard landscaping and an attached two-car garage. To tour this home call 431-7680.
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2871 Jeannette Rankin: "THE RANGER". Enjoy the mountain views from your covered side porch on this classic craftsman 1583 S.F. bungalow from Sierra Custom Homes. This 3BD/2BA single-story home with attached 2-car garage includes all the upgrades you want from stainless steel appliances, granite countertops and soft-close cabinets to laminate flooring, tiled wet areas and tall 9' ceilings. Sit back and relax on your full front porch or take a short walk to Mountain View Park. Front Yard landscaping included courtesy of the developer. Stop by the MVM office for a personal showing of this new home currently under construction priced at $309,000.
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235 Bella View: "THE TOWN HALL".
A classic you'll love to live in right across from Mountain View Park! Over 1900 S.F., this 2-story craftsman 4-square offers 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths and an upstairs nursery or TV room. A fireplace, central air, side patio, full-front porch and an attached 2-car garage are only a few of the features that make this home the place to call home. Just underway, expect The Town Hall to be completed in time for the holidays. Wrap it up early by calling 431-7680. Priced at $319,900.
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2908 Stacia: "THE PRIMROSE". A brand new 3BD/2BA Garden Home with main floor ensuite. This 1526 S.F. two-story home features granite countertops, soft-close cabinets, laminate flooring, kitchen appliances and an attached 2-car heated garage. Side yard fence included plus free front yard and rear carriage lane landscaping! Easy walking distance to Mountain View Park. RD financing available. For additional information, please stop by the MVM Information & Sales Center at 431 S. Alice St. or call Dawn Purvis, Century 21,
at 406-439-6380. MLS# 21814840. $269,500.
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2870, 2872 & 2874 Runkle Parkway:
Another popular 3-unit condo building underway on Runkle Parkway, all with outstanding views of the Elkhorn Mountains. Two single-story 1635 S.F. 3BD/2BA units flank a 1932 S.F. 2-story with 3 upstairs bedrooms and an additional TV/entertainment room. All three homes have attached 2-car garages and front covered porches plus the single-story plans come with covered outdoor living spaces out back. We have one model available to view to give you an idea how your new condo will look, but hurry in to talk pricing and stake your claim. After business hours and weekend tours available by appointment. Call 406-431-7680.
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2852 Runkle Parkway:
1660 S.F. Single-Story Courtyard Condo. Talk about plenty of space! With a flex room that can be a third bedroom, this luxury 3BD/2BA condo features a covered front door entry with side-lites, 10' tray ceilings in the living room and master bedroom, double-door pantry, big laundry with built in cabinets, tiled master bath with walk-in shower and double vanity, stainless-steel appliances, soft-close cabinets, quartz countertops, separate dining, two linen closets, coat closet, broom closet, a spacious covered outdoor living space with privacy fencing that can be fully enclosed, an attached 2-car garage with zero barrier entrance into the laundry/mud room and unobstructed mountain views. Low monthly condo fee covers exterior building and landscape maintenance and street and front sidewalk snow removal. This is the last available single-story condo till December so if you're looking now, now is the time to buy! $309,000.
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The Uplands at Mountain View Meadows
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347 Elouise Cobell: This 3BD/2BA 1860 S.F. Sierra Homes single level design and spacious appeal makes it one of The Uplands most popular new floor plans. The kitchen is a chef's dream with ample counter space, plenty of cabinet storage, large walk in pantry, stainless steel appliances and a breakfast bar on the island. The expansive living room, with Coffered ceilings and a gas fireplace, adjoins the dining area completing the eating and entertainment space. The private master suite boasts large expansive windows and dual vanity bathroom. The other two sizable bedrooms, one of which can be converted to a den or office, share the second bathroom and round out this well-planned home. For more information on this property, call or text Dawn Purvis, 406-439-6380. MLS# 303019.
$339,900.
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Aspen Park at Mountain View Meadows
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Currently all homes under construction in Aspen Park have been sold. Stop by the office at 431 S. Alice Street to discuss your plan for a new home at Aspen Park. We'll help you choose the perfect lot and connect you with the best builder to make your dream home a reality.
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Antelope Trace at Mountain View Meadows
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At this time, all available lots in the Antelope Trace neighborhood have been sold. Be sure to check out the new homes and building lots in The Uplands and Craftsman Village neighborhoods.
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Mountain View Meadows | 406-449-0800 | Info@MVMeadows.com
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http://www.MVMeadows.com
431 S. Alice Street
Helena, MT 59601
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Neighborhood:
81 & GOING STRONG!
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When we heard one of our neighbors, Jerry, was over 80, we looked at one another in disbelief. Born on March 18, 1938, Jerry is often seen working outside her home with the vigor of a man or woman half her age. Jerry mows her own yard, tends to her own gorgeous landscaping, pulls her own weeds and shovels her own snow. What is Jerry's secret? "I have been blessed with good health and try to have a task every day with purpose to complete," she explains. Jerry was born in Helena and has lived here most of her life, except for just four years in Billings after graduation. What brought Jerry to Mountain View Meadows? "I chose to live in Mountain View Meadows for the quiet atmosphere and have found many delightful friends and neighbors," said Jerry. "I love my little garden patch and yard, it is the perfect size to care for," she added. Jerry's children gave her a battery-powered mower for her 80
th birthday which was easier to maneuver than the electric mower with a cord she had been using. In all, Jerry has three children and seven grandchildren and a lot of family who live close by in the Helena area. Family and home keep her quite busy yet Jerry still takes time to travel occasionally to Laquita, California and Washington State. With family, friends, a beautiful home and an undeniably youthful spirit, Jerry exemplifies what "best" looks like in life and in our neighborhood.
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Brice & Madison Hamper
Are less than a week away from moving into their gorgeous "Town Hall" in Craftsman Village.
Patience Pocha & Family
Are enjoying their beautiful "Meadowrue" Garden Home in
Craftsman Village.
Misty Johnson & Family
Have been settling into their spacious new 2-Story Garden Home in
Craftsman Village.
April Heimann & Family
Are loving their new home in
Craftsman Village.
Dustin Dolecheck
& Family
Are thrilled with their beautiful 2-story "Primrose" in Craftsman Village.
Are ready to welcome guests into their beautiful new Garden Home in
Craftsman Village.
Julia Vincent & Family
Are enjoying the views from their lovely new home in Craftsman Village.
Congrat
ulations!
And Welcome to the Neighborhood!
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Fun & Fitness
Outdoor Fitness Stations
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Shane takes a break from his walk on the trail at Centennial Park in Helena
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Emily Attwood asks, "What to Consider When Adding Outdoor Fitness to a Park" in a September feature story on AthleticBusiness. com. As fitness stations for adults along trails and walkways gain in popularity, are they worth the investment?
"Working out at a health club isn't for everyone," says Attwood. "It's a fact that has been well-recognized for ages, but it's no longer a valid excuse for not exercising. Faced with a nationwide epidemic, communities and organizations are taking up arms against obesity & inactivity, breaking down barriers (both physical and psychological) that keep people from exercising."
In an effort to make fitness more appealing & accessible, communities are taking fitness outside of its traditional gym setting and leveraging the existing appeal of parks and green spaces.
"Emerging science suggests that exercising outdoors increases the overall enjoyment of working out, as well as increasing the frequency and length of time spent exercising," says Stephanie Devine, vice president of sales and marketing for PlayCore Recreation. "Outdoor fitness equipment is free to the user, encourages people to work out together, and is available nearly any time of day."
Atwood includes the following considerations to help put an outdoor fitness project in motion:
EQUIPMENT TYPE
Static pieces of equipment such as chin-up bars, parallel bars, sit-up stations and benches typically spaced out along a recreational trail are the most commonly seen outdoor exercise equipment. With no moving parts, such systems tend to be easy to install and maintain, though they might not pique the interest of users quite like newer equipment options. The concept of the "outdoor gym" caught on only within the past few years. Such equipment is more typical to that found in a fitness center and includes items akin to elliptical machines, recumbent cycles or lat pulldown machines powered by the user. Manufacturers offer an increasing array of product features, including equipment specifically designed for use with wheelchairs, as well as equipment that can be adapted for both able-bodied users or those with assistive devices.
LOCATION
Will the equipment be installed along a walking trail or walkway, or will it be in a cluster in one area in the park? How much space is available? Is there room to add additional equipment? If clustered there should be enough space between pieces that users don't feel crowded. Placing equipment in one specific area encourages community and socialization. Equipment along a trail or walkway appeals to those out for a walk or jog in the park. Centrally located equipment lends itself to being able to have several people using the equipment at one time with an instructor. For clustered equipment, proximity to parking is important. The easier equipment is to access (and the less walking involved after a workout), the more likely it will be utilized.
BUDGET
Although not as expensive as playground equipment, 10 stations with signage can run anywhere from $6,000-$10,000. Expect to pay $10,000 to $35,000 on an outdoor gym. Components can be purchased individually and installed as funding allows, but a strong base setup is a must. Consideration must be given to the cost of preparing the site and installation as well.
MAINTENANCE
Outdoor fitness equipment is designed with weather in mind just like traditional playground equipment requiring few ongoing maintenance costs. An annual inspection checking hardware for tightness and all parts for rust or paint loss will keep the equipment looking and working well.
BUILDING AWARENESS
Whatever type of fitness equipment is chosen, the most important factor in its success is making potential users not just aware of its existence but also familiarizing them with its use. Make sure the equipment comes with easy-to-follow instructional signs along with a visual graphic. Signs should also identify which muscles are engaged. People want equipment that is easy to use and not complicated. Offering classes or tutorials during the weeks after installing fitness stations or an outdoor gym when interest is at its highest, is also a good way to get users of all levels comfortable with the equipment.
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I know it's more about kids and families, but I smiled the whole evening at the 4th annual 4th of July Community Celebration at Mountain View Park. I was literally ecstatic watching those around me enjoying the park to its fullest. It's what we envisioned when we first sat down with our land planner, Jim Foley of the Foley Group out of Billings, to design a gated-community-type park that would be gifted to the City of Helena for everyone to enjoy. All the research to put together each piece of equipment for creating a custom playground with accessible features, and Mark spending hours determining exactly the best approach to grading the tennis court so it shed water and working together to design regulation horseshoe pits, determine the best places for sidewalks, benches and picnic tables, the right size of dog park and best log design shelter house was all worth it when seeing it being used and appreciated by so many people. The 4th of July Community Celebration was only the second time that the amphitheater has been used. How nice to see a band set up and so visible to those sitting and listening. We're so pleased with the park and the sense of community it brings to Mountain View Meadows. Thank you to all who shared the evening event and special thanks to those who helped make it happen including volunteers Felicia Head and Cathy Cullen, Montana Radio Company, the IR, the vendors who set up their wares, the musicians who played three hours, and our co-sponsors Opportunity Bank, Stahly Engineering and the Mountain View Meadows HOA that paid for the jump houses, live band, extra port-o-pots, garbage containers and signage. Of course, the annual event was topped off with an incredible firework display courtesy of Prickly Pear Fireworks and the donations they raise from a community that supports their efforts. Finally, I would like to point out how impressed I was as the last one pulling up signs and removing barricades around 11 PM, that when we came back the next day to pick up trash, very much exhausted and hardly able to walk, there was barely a blade of grass out of place. This is what community looks like and we are lucky to have it. Thank you one and all!!
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| Mark Introduces the North Hill Trio & Thanks the Sponsors |
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Family Fun on the 4th at
Mountain View Park |
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| Best Chicken Tacos Ever at the Missionary Food Truck! |
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| Showing off the Holiday Spirit in the Old West Bounce House |
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| Kids in Action at the Playground |
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