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August 2019
Believe in Better:
OPEN HOUSE EVENT AUGUST 25, 1-5 PM
Sundays are a popular day for house hunters to go about the city looking at homes to buy. It's a great opportunity to get a handle on the market, compare finishes, amenities and home prices, check out neighborhoods and meet real estate agents. For the third year in a row, Mountain View Meadows will host a special event that takes the idea of the "open house" to a new level, offering multiple homes for sale in a single residential community with the ability to meet builders, lenders, and real estate professionals at the same time. This year, five homes and three condos will be available for tours, along with maps showing both the homes ready or nearly ready for move-in and new homes for sale currently under construction. In all, thirteen available homes will be included in the event. This is also a great opportunity to check out available building lots in the Aspen Park and Uplands neighborhoods, look at floorplans and talk house design. The Mountain View Meadows Sales and Information Center at 431 South Alice St. will be open starting at noon to pass out maps and answer questions, but it is also okay to start directly at any open home. Seven of the open homes are within walking distance of the sales center office but a six-person golf cart will be available to shuttle people if needed. Even if you are not currently in the market for a new home, this is a good time to check out the awesome neighborhoods at Mountain View Meadows, take a walk in the park or play a round of tennis. And while picking up a map or stopping by to look at lot availability or plans to build, enjoy complimentary donuts, chips, water and soft drinks at the Sales & Information Center. For additional information, please call 406-431-7680 or check out Mountain View Meadows on Facebook or look for the full-page color ad with photos and pricing located across from the Open House Guide in the Independent Record the Saturday before the event. The professionals that work as a team to make new home sales possible -- from developers, builders and designers to real estate agents, lenders and closing companies -- look forward to building a better relationship with you on Sunday, August 25 at Mountain View Meadows.
Building a Better Community:
STEM GIRLS IN GOVERNMENT CAMP
On September 16-17, fifteen girls ages 12-18 selected from the Salish Kootenai College Upward Bound program and Gardiner Public Schools will participate in a free science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) camp coordinated by Montana's Information Technology Managers Council (ITMC). The camp will enable girls to work together and in smaller groups and teams in hands-on workshops developed and administered by Montana State employees from the IT community that include coding, GIS, IT Security and data analytics. The girls will go on a walking tour of the Capitol building and tour the State Data Center and individual agencies. A highlight of the camp will include lunch with the Governor and First Lady. The idea for a STEM event for girls came about by way of a conversation between State Chief Information Officer Tim Bottenfield and Suzi Taylor, the Assistant Director of MSU Academic Technology and Outreach and the Girls STEM Collaborative. The conversation led to ITMC voting to create a workgroup that would work with Ms. Taylor to develop some type of event sponsored by the State Government IT community to encourage girls to go into IT and STEM. Christie Breland, Chief Quality Assurance Officer with the Montana Department of Revenue headed that workgroup which came up with the idea of the free 2-day camp. It was decided that the first event would focus on rural and disadvantaged groups who might not have the best access to technology and IT training. According to The US Dept. of Education, "Only 16 percent of American high school seniors are proficient in mathematics and interested in a STEM career. Even among those who do go on to pursue a college major in the STEM fields, only about half choose to work in a related career. " (https://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/stem-overview.pdf) By focusing on STEM learning and generating an interest at young ages, the desired result is that the U.S. workforce can successfully compete for well-paying jobs in a world that grows increasingly more complex and more computer dependent. " The camp's goal strives to inspire young girls to get interested in IT and  discover that it's not all just boring screen time," said Breland. " If this one goes well, we hope to do more in the future so we can influence as many Montana kids, girls and boys, as possible." Anyone interested in making a donation in support of the camp event can contact Christie Breland at 444-1566 or cbreland@mt.gov. Funding for lodging and transportation is still needed.
On Topic: 
STREET LIGHT DEBATE 
Street lamps that light the way for cars and pedestrians have become under scrutiny in recent years. Those opposed are as passionate about their reasons against the lights as are those in favor. It's a complicated matter revolving around issues of light trespass, light pollution, crime reduction and overall sense of security.

A 2017 article in the Washington Post points out, although the research tends to not support a link between improved lighting and crime reduction, one thing is certain: People think that brighter lights at night make them safer. A 2015 study found that people associated "well-lit streets with competent and trustworthy government," and that efforts to reduce nighttime lighting "tapped into deep-seated anxieties about darkness and created a sense of "going backwards."

So, what is light trespass? Light trespass happens when light from street lamps or a neighbor's exterior lighting spill onto private property. In some municipalities, light trespass is against city ordinances but violations are seldom enforced.

Dark Sky proponents vie for the reduction or elimination of lights that reflect upward, causing a glow over a city and obscuring the night sky. Rapid changes in LED lighting technology have given rise to an LED retrofit revolution. Around the world, municipalities are opting to switch out older street lighting for new, more efficient LEDs. A combination of downward thrust fixtures and LED lighting is intended to not only reduce energy consumption but also contribute to dark sky.

The International Dark Sky Society (IDSS) contradicts the intended results stating that "Yes, LEDs are more energy-efficient, but that fact can ironically lead to more light as cities spend the money saved on reduced electricity use to buy more lighting." IDSS also believes it is a myth that LEDs reduce light pollution and are good for dark skies.

"There's some truth to this [that LED is better at confining light to the ground so it doesn't go into the sky]," states a 2016 article published by IDSS, "but unfortunately, this leads to more glare, putting drivers and pedestrians at risk. A lot of LED lighting really does little to control the exact shape of the light output. The reason why this myth isn't true is that short-wavelength (blue) light scatters a lot further through the atmosphere than long-wavelength light (red), even if it's emitted by a fully shielded light fixture."

The type of light, particularly blue light, is also of some concern as to its effect on human health. Maury Wright, in his June 2 nd, 2017 article in LED's Magazine exploring the street-light debate, expects the debate to continue but says that opponents are misguided.

"The solid-state lighting (SSL) industry has certainly reacted to public outcry, although I believe that outcry is from a vocal minority," said Wright. "Lighting manufacturers are delivering more products at warmer CCTs...And the US Department of Energy (DOE) has new research that suggests LED street lights are not impacting sky glow to the extent warm-CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) advocates have claimed. We also have a compelling feature that explains how you can have a cool CCT with none of the feared blue energy in the SPD." (Note: An SPD is a graph that shows the strength of each wavelength of light produced by a particular light source.)

Perhaps Smartsign.com best puts the debate into perspective. "When you're driving down a dark road, late on a moonless night, you'd be lost - literally and figuratively - without your headlights. When you're walking down a dark street at night, road lighting (such as streetlights) that illuminates pedestrian walkways accomplishes more than simply making it easier for a pedestrian to see where he or she is going. Adequate streetlights also provide critical reassurance of safety...Translation: lighting matters."
Benefits and Updates:
MOUNTAIN VIEW MEADOWS
1. NEW AMENTITIES: Some of you may have noticed some changes underway at public spots in the community. A new bike rack has been installed in the Craftsman Village pocket park and the paved drive is in for the mailbox park between Stacia and Twilight. Dirt work began last month in preparation for the new pocket park in Antelope Trace at the corner of South Alice and Runkle Parkway. Mountain View Meadows, in partnership with the HOA, has contracted with LandEscapes to install landscaping developed in consultation with the MVM design team. Installation should begin within the next three weeks. Check out "Best in Our Neighborhood" for a snapshot of the LandEscapes design plan.
 
2.  NEW POST OFFICE DELIVERY: Aside from the fact that a number of residents recently needed to swap out mailbox keys for the new mailboxes purchased to replace those damaged in early July, there are now instances of packages and mail ending up in wrong boxes. This is due to a change in postal delivery. The Helena post office contracted with a new delivery service this month and there have been a few hiccups. Although we hope residents will understand that the new delivery personnel are experiencing a reasonable learning curve, please advise the post office if you are experiencing issues with mail or package delivery.
New Homes F or Sale: 
PLANS TO BUILD AND BUILD TO SUIT
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. 
Craftsman Village at Mountain View Meadows
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 nearly ready for move in is 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# 21913419. $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 is the time to buy! $309,900.
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The Uplands at Mountain View Meadows
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
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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Mountain View Meadows | 406-449-0800 | Info@MVMeadows.com  | http://www.MVMeadows.com
431 S. Alice Street
Helena, MT 59601
In This Issue
The Best in Our
Neighborhood:
BEST SUNRISE VIEW   
It's been on the back burner for several years, but the new pocket park at the corner of Runkle Parkway and South Alice Street in the Antelope Trace neighborhood is about to become a reality. The location of the new park has one of the best views of the sunrise over the mountains to the east. It will make a nice spot to stop when out on an early morning walk or a place to take a break along the 2.5-mile Fun and Fitness Trail. Placement of trees is intended to shade a park bench for those who might enjoy relaxing with a book in the afternoon... or just relaxing, period! Research shows that open spaces and parks have a positive impact on health and well-being virtually by their presence. And the aesthetics of landscaped public spaces within a community are known to keep home values at their best. A special thanks to the HOA for working with Mountain View Meadows to make this happen!
Welcome to the
Neighborhood
Jamie Palagi
Is settling into her gorgeous single-level home with custom wood finishes by Grewett Construction.
 
Gregory & Jane Hanchett
Have moved into their beautiful 2-story "Primrose" in Craftsman Village.  
 
Dale & Judy Mickus
Are thrilled with their brand new craftsman condo across from the open space park.
 
Lindsay Gehring 
Is enjoying  the  views from her lovely "Aster" Garden Home in Craftsman Village.
 

Congrat ulations! 
And Welcome to the Neighborhood!
 
Fun & Fitness
CYCLING - THE EASY, FUN WAY TO STAY FIT!  

Looking for an easy, convenient way to stay in shape? Want to enjoy 99th-percentile health and actually have so much fun you won't even realize you're exercising? Simply give cycling a try. "For happiness and health, few exercise regimes begin to compare," says the folks at Bicycle Garage, Inc.

Helena and the surrounding area is growing in prestige for being one of the best places in the U.S. to bike. But it's not just about the beauty, accessibility and welcoming nature of the community to bicyclists. Or the great mountain biking trails and breathtaking views. Okay, that's probably what it's about. But fitness plays an equally valuable role in cycling and the people at Bicycle Garage tout the facts to support it.

"We're lifelong bicyclists and have experienced ourselves, and seen firsthand, just how much cycling on a regular basis improves your overall well-being. Whether your goal is having more fun, stress reduction, staying in shape, weight loss, lowering your cholesterol or blood pressure or almost anything else, pedaling is all it takes."

To encourage non-cyclist to give it a try, Bicyclegarage.com lists some of the many reasons bicycling could become your fountain of youth.
Cycling Fitness Facts
  • 15 minutes of cycling, to and from work will burn 11 pounds of fat in a year.
  • 30 minutes of cycling a day reduces risk of heart disease and stroke by 35%.
  • 1 hour of cycling a day decreases mortality risk by 35%.
  • Cycling is impact-free and easier on the body than running.
  • A 110-pound female typically burns 400 calories an hour while cycling at a moderate intensity.
  • A 150-pound male typically burns 650 calories an hour while cycling at a moderate intensity.
  • A 220-pound male typically burns 850 calories an hour while cycling at a moderate intensity.
  • Everyone benefits from improved mood and reduced risk of depression after just a short ride.
  • Improved circulation from cycling can reduce arthritis and speed recovery from cuts and bruises.
  • Regular cyclists over the age of 30, often look 10 years younger than their peers of the same age.
And the reasons keep going. Few fitness options are more convenient than cycling. Once you've got a bicycle, your exercise starts the minute you leave your house. You don't have to drive to play a sport or wait for the team to show up or for an instructor or class to begin so it's much easier to fit cycling into your schedule. And cycling just might prove more enjoyable than working out inside. Getting out in the fresh air with the sun on your face, the wind in your hair enjoying the sights and sounds of the great outdoors is a benefit to your health and well-being. You get quality exercise and can have more fun at the same time.
From 
  Mark &  Rebecca
EVERYBODY NEEDS A PUSH NOW AND THEN
With so much to do to keep Mountain View Meadows on track, the wish list of things we want to do keeps growing while time keeps rushing past. Setting priorities helps but once in awhile we need a little push. In June the HOA sent out notices to a number of homeowners who needed reminders to control weeds in their boulevards and landscaped areas. One resident responded that we needed to address weeds in some of the undeveloped lots within the neighborhoods. Plans have been in the works for several years to develop these areas but there never seems to be enough time or resources. Back in 2014, after telling residents and potential homebuyers for a number of years that we would have a big city park in the middle of Mountain View Meadows, it suddenly occurred to us that the Helena Parks and Recreation lacked the resources to develop the land we intended to donate. So, it pushed us to invest in our community by designing and developing what we believe is the very best park in Helena. As you might imagine, it was a substantial investment, and yet we wanted more than one big park. Recognizing the value of smaller public spaces and open lands, we re-evaluated some of the early concepts and set aside areas that were initially targeted for development to remain in their natural state and to put in place plans for creating usable and aesthetically pleasing spaces in smaller areas within neighborhoods on which houses can't be built due to easements or other restrictions. And then we added the concept of pocket parks in each neighborhood, landscaped medians and a beautiful entry feature off of highway 12. The list continued to grow but resources remained tight and time continued to fly by. So, with a little push from the resident who complained about the weeds in the lot behind the office, we finally took action. (Although I must say that I believe that Mark does a tremendous job keeping weeds at bay along the Fun and Fitness trail and other common areas waiting to be developed.) Residents may not be aware that development of common spaces happen in partnership with the HOA and that funds from the HOA targeted for this purpose are rather limited. But we will continue to push ourselves to make things happen because the end result is what is best for everyone -- the very best community in Helena!
A different kind of push! Family visiting from Ohio pitch in to give the tour cart a lift. . . As it turns out, it wasn't because we put 7 grownups onboard. . . our batteries were dry!
Pavement going in for the drive through at the new "mail box park." We'll be adding a sidewalk link, bench, grass, trees and other landscaping. Hope to add book exchange box as well!
Taking a break from writing the newsletter to catch the moon rising in the mountains. Another reason Montana is such a great place to live!