Come Home to Better! Mountain View Meadows: Midwinter 2021

Midwinter 2021

Believe in Better:

A JOB WELL DONE

Hats off to the City of Helena for quickly addressing snow removal when streets turned white the first weekend in February. But the storm came as no surprise. Anyone in Montana can better predict six more weeks of winter than a wanna-be marmot in Gobbler’s Knob. In fact, it is fair to say only six more weeks would be a welcomed forecast! While the fluffy stuff brings cheers from those who love swooping down the slopes on skis, it can be a challenge to city street crews responsible for keeping kids safe traveling back and forth to school and essential workers on schedule. When Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins first ran for office, he canvassed voters about their number one issue: snow removal hit the top of the list. Since assuming office, Collins and fellow commission members have attacked snow removal head on, launching initiatives that greatly improved city snow removal services. Mark Runkle and his crew at Mountain View Meadows, which for years prior addressed snow removal throughout the development, praises David Knopke, Transportation Systems Director and Darren Pearce, Street Superintendent at the City for their quick attention to clearing streets and improving travel conditions for the more than 300 home owners and families in the MVM community. But that’s not all. Maintained by Helena Dept. of Parks and Recreation under the supervision of Parks Director Kristi Ponozzo and Parks Superintendent Craig Marr, the popular 2.5 mile paved “Fun & Fitness Trail” that weaves its way through the community was quickly restored to accessibility following the snow storm. For those who use the paved bike path daily for exercise, walking their dogs, non-vehicle transportation, connectivity and personal pleasure, this was a welcomed benefit. The support from the City has freed up time and resources for Runkle to focus on clearing alleys, private condo streets and drifted areas. The recent purchase of a skid- steer-mounted 8’ wide snow blower proved a great asset for Runkle and his crew to keep up with the snow. Many thanks to the city of Helena for a job well done and to Mark and his crew for doing their part to make life better for residents at Mountain View Meadows--even at ten below.

Building a Better Community:

HELENA RED CROSS

The American Red Cross has a constant and ongoing need for blood and platelet donations. Blood drives locally help meet the need, but they can’t do it without your help. As hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused due to the pandemic, donors are urged to give now to ensure blood products are readily available. Passionate about giving blood, Helena Red Cross Account Manager, Nona Keeler, provides a unique perspective on the importance of giving blood. “I started volunteering at blood drives when I was 16,” said Keeler. “I started donating blood when I was 18 while in college, volunteered as the Blood Program Leader at Carroll College for four years and am working on my tenth gallon.” Since each donation can help up to three people, Keeler believes it’s not only the right thing to do, but that it is the best way she knows to make a positive impact on the world around her. Finding a reason to give blood may come through a story like this, because you have been asked by a friend or you have a family member or friend who may need blood. Whatever your reason, the need is constant and your contribution is important for a healthy and reliable blood supply and you’ll feel good knowing you've helped change a life. The Red Cross Donor Center located at 3150 N. Montana Ave. is currently scheduling appointment slots for the Feb. 25thFederal Reserve and National Guard blood drives as well as the Feb. 26th drive at the Department of Transportation. There are drives at the Capitol on March 3rd, at the Donor Center on March 4th, and the VA on March 5th. You can schedule an appointment to give by using the Red Cross Donor App, by going to www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767. Plan an hour for the appointment. Your temperature will be taken, you will register, provide a brief health history, donate (averages about 10 minutes) and have a snack after. You can save about 15 minutes by filling out a RapidPass in advance at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/manage-my-donations/rapidpass.html. The RapidPass allows you to answer questions about your health history before arriving on site. To prepare; stay hydrated, eat an iron-rich diet and have a meal before your appointment. Bring your ID and wear a mask. By giving blood, you can help build a healthier community right here in Helena. The Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may help current coronavirus patients in our community in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.

On Topic:

REMOTE WORKING IMPACT ON HOME BUYING

The COVID pandemic spurred a paradigm shift to working remotely and many believe the practice is here to stay. Although essential workers and many in health professions are unable to work from home, employers discovered that productivity remained high for their employees working remotely. And an unanticipated benefit for the employee was the flexibility to live where one wanted as opposed to living in close proximity to the main campus or primary business center of the organization.

According to valuepenguin.com, a news and information source for LendingTree, even before the pandemic hit, many businesses were increasing the number of remote opportunities their companies offered. However, the COVID-19 outbreak forced many companies to speed up plans to expand their remote workforce. On top of that, a recent survey found that three-quarters of human resources leaders expected their companies to keep teleworking in place even after the pandemic ends. The survey also suggested that many employees anticipated having the option to keep working from home post-pandemic.

Commissioned last summer by national builder the PulteGroup, market research firm MKM Partners Quantitative Survey Group surveyed 1,000 consumers of different ages and income levels, and across demographic and gender lines to see how the pandemic has affected home buying preferences. The survey found that 53% of respondents would opt for a home office over an extra bedroom and another 28% said they would want both a home office and an extra bedroom in any future purchased home. A home office was even considered more important than a yard for many respondents and 46% said a home office or workspace was the most important dedicated space in a house they would buy. Nearly three-fourths of respondents — 74% — said it was “very important” that their houses be wired for Wi-Fi for their work.

Past the home office, 64% of respondents preferred an open floorplan which they associated with increased ventilation, believed to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. However, traditional floorplans that featured defined and enclosed rooms were still popular with 36% of those surveyed. Twelve percent said a dedicated workout or fitness space was most important to them, perhaps signaling a preference for working out at home rather than at a gym because of the pandemic.

Benefits and Updates:

MOUNTAIN VIEW MEADOWS

1. LIGHTS TO HONOR ESSENTIAL AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS: After the holidays, some of your neighbors have opted to continue to light their homes in celebration of essential and health care workers. We appreciate you supporting your neighbors who have chosen to keep their lights on. However, if any holiday yard decorations have survived the February wind storm and recent snow storms, please remove them at this time.

2. SAFETY FIRST WHEN OUT WITH DOGS: You may think you have the most gentle pet in the world, but no one can predict what might happen if your dog is off leash when it encounters another dog or another person. If you feel threatened by a dog at large, call Animal Control Officer Mike Maynard at 406-457-8865. Email helenapolicedepartment@helenamt.gov for questions regarding any Animal Ordinances in the City of Helena.

3. LOST AND FOUND: Residents often drop off found items at the MVM office on S. Alice St. If you’ve lost a glove, your car keys or the key to your mailbox, check in with Danielle at Danielle.mvm@hotmail.com.

New Homes For 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.

Condos at Mountain View Meadows

2653 & 2655 Jeannette Rankin: If you want it all inside your home without all the maintenance outside, check out the floorplan on the new 3BD/2BA 1660 S.F. single-level condos in the Uplands neighborhood south of BCBS. The new floorplan features all the design details that give you that upscale look and feel from tray ceilings to granite countertops and tiled wet areas. Condos include a covered outdoor living space, an attached 2-car garage and the option to enclose an exclusive use private area. Ready for move-in! $339,900. Call 406-431-7680 for information.

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2665 & 2667 Jeannette Rankin: Bathe yourself in 2053 S.F. of comfort in your new 3BD/2BA upscale single-level condo. Features include a spacious 17’ x 18’ living room with a 10’ tray ceiling and gas fireplace, separate dining area off kitchen, huge walk-in pantry, raised breakfast bar, laundry room with sink and cabinets. The luxurious owners’ suite features a 10' tray ceiling, 2 closets (one walk-in), double vanity, private water closet, walk-in tiled shower and separate soaking tub. Along with central air, You'll enjoy design details like granite countertops, tiled wet areas, and lots of closets. You'll love the covered outdoor grilling/sitting porch and a 2-car garage with storage room plus the opportunity to add a fence to enclose an exclusive outdoor-use space. Stop by the office at 431 S. Alice Street for additional information on these new condos ready for move in this summer. Priced at $419,900.

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2671 & 2673 Jeannette Rankin: Exclusively yours! But hurry in -- these gems will be ready for move-in mid-summer. Priced at only $289,900, you’ll be amazed how big these 1285 S.F. single-level 2BD/2BA condos feel inside with their vaulted ceilings in both the great room and primary bedroom and 9’ ceilings throughout the rest of the home. Condos feature soft-close cabinets, tiled bathrooms and laundry, plenty of closet space, a covered outdoor living space and an attached two-car garage. Free yourself from yard work! Call 431-7680 for more information!

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The Uplands at Mountain View Meadows

330 Rian Street: "THE ELK PARK". Be the first to claim this 3BD/2BA single-level home underway in the Uplands neighborhood. With over 2000 Finished square feet, you’ll pamper yourself with upscale amenities including separate soaking tub and tiled walk-in shower, two walk-in closets in the primary bedroom suite, central air and a fireplace in the vaulted great room. Your kitchen features granite countertops, a kitchen island, pantry and soft-close cabinets. Enjoy your morning coffee on your covered rear patio off the dining nook and relax after work on your front porch while you view the sunset. Need a getaway spot? The bonus room with two huge closets provide the privacy you need or the perfect place to set up your home office. Price is subject to change so call about the Elk Park today and lock it in at $409,900.

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311 Titus Street: "THE TETON". Foundation in on this awesome 1830 S.F. 2-story home with 3 beds, 2.5 baths and an upstairs TV room. The Owner's suite features both a walk-in tiled shower and separate soaking tub, double vanity, a big walk-in closet and vaulted ceiling. The front porch entry allows you to greet visitors before entering the main open living area while the owner's entry off the 2-car garage provides adequate space to add a bench and park your shoes. The plan includes a large kitchen island, walk-in pantry and concrete patio off sliding glass doors at the rear of the home opening onto a huge backyard for great entertaining. Sign a buy-sell now while there is still time to select interior colors and start planning what to do with all that room inside and out. Priced at $369,900. Call 431-7680 for additional information.

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2674 Summers Crossing: "THE GETAWAY". Only 6 more weeks till this great new floorplan is ready for move-in. Almost 2500 S.F. priced at only $369,900 gives you all the room you need to find your own getaway spot! This 3BD/2.5BA home features an 803 S.F. unfinished walk-out basement with 9' ceilings, a spacious living/dining area with vaulted ceilings, raised breakfast bar, large pantry, laundry room with sink, covered deck, and an oversized 24' x 25' 2-car garage. Soft-close cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and tiled wet areas give this home that special upscale feel. Look now or you might miss out! Call Rebecca for a private tour, 406-431-7680.

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2668 Summers Crossing: "THE LOOKOUT". 1400 S.F. home priced at only $309,900 to fit your budget! This new 3BD/2BA single-story floorplan has what you need for comfort in a home easy on your pocket. Expect all the upscale features standard in a Weatherall Home from granite countertops to tiled shower and double vanity in the owners’ suite. Don’t expect this one to be around long so visit the Sales and Information Office at 431 S. Alice street for the latest info on this new home currently under construction.

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2662 Summers Crossing: "THE BANNOCK". Can you believe it? $309,900 gets you this brand new 3BD/2.5BA 1551 S.F. 2-story home with an attached 2-car garage in the Uplands neighborhood at Mountain View Meadows! You'll enjoy peace of mind with City of Helena services when you settle into your new home. Enjoy the comfort of a big owners' suite with a tiled walk-in shower, double vanity and huge walk-in closet. Two large additional bedrooms, one with a desk nook, share a bath while the guest bath on the main floor maintains your privacy upstairs. The main floor features a large living room and separate eat-in kitchen with a pantry, granite countertops, soft-close cabinets and stainless steel appliances. A large covered deck off the kitchen is perfect for relaxing while you BBQ. Lock in historically low interest rates now! For additional information, call Rebecca at 406-431-7680 or stop by the Sales and Information office at 431 S. Alice St.

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Aspen Park at Mountain View Meadows

ASPEN PARK: Now is the time to take a drive through beautiful Aspen Park at Mountain View Meadows to see for yourself if this upscale neighborhood is right for you. Homes in Aspen Park typically range from 2,000 SF to 5,000 SF with custom details inside and out. Stop by the office at 431 S. Alice Street to discuss your plan for your new home. We’ll help you choose the perfect lot and connect you with the best builder to make your dream home a reality. Have your own builder? Let’s meet to work through the approval process. We’re here to assist you in whatever way possible to ensure a smooth and rewarding experience. Contact Mark at 406-449-0800 or email info@mvmeadows.com for additional information.

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Visit our website

The Best in Our

Neighborhood:

50 Years as Volunteers

Uplands neighborhood residents Pete and Mary Carparelli met in 1964 as volunteers teaching on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Volunteering meant a lot to them then and still does. “We received far more than we each gave during that volunteer year,” says Pete, “and that has been true for every one of many different volunteer activities we have chosen over the years since our meeting. Often hard work, but always rewarding. You can see lives saved or changed right before your eyes! Great causes. Great camaraderie with fellow volunteers, professional staff, and the people you help. Fun, too!” In late September and early October Pete and Mary were part of Disaster Relief Operations in the Bay Area and Wine Country of California working at shelters for victims of disastrous wildfires. Prior to that and since they returned, they have volunteered as Donor Ambassadors/ Screeners for Helena-based Red Cross blood drives greeting and registering donors and completing eligibility screening with a special focus on safety and comfort during COVID. “We also support the professional team by providing hospitality and information to donors as well as by sanitizing and organizing donor services and facilities,” explained Pete. Each volunteer shift can be from 4-6 hours and volunteers are encouraged to put in at least one 4-hour shift per month. But Pete and Mary go way beyond the call. “We each do at least one a week because it is so rewarding and enjoyable,” said Pete. And they don’t just volunteer. Pete donates blood about every two months--the max you can give! Locally, in addition to blood drives, Pete and Mary volunteer for the area Disaster Action Team responding to the needs of victims of house fires and to extensive wind damage that hit our area last month. “Best in Our Neighborhood” is proud to profile Pete and Mary and their extraordinary dedication of service to others and hope it will encourage neighbors to volunteer their time and give blood as well. “Go to http://www.redcrossblood.org/volunteer to start the process,” said Pete. “And, we'd be glad to help neighbors with the process of getting started.” You can contact Pete and Mary at pcarparelli@yahoo.com.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Sarah & Wendy Nicolai

Have settled in and made their new house a beautiful home of their own.

Lynette Petrau

Has recently closed on her lovely single level home in the Uplands neighborhood.

Ray & Diane Eby

Can't wait to pick up their keys to their gorgeous single level condo by Weatherall Builders.

Tina Morrison

Is so excited to enjoy modern living in her brand new Upland condo.

Matt & Tessa Michelotti

Are thrilled to luxuriate in their Custom Sierra home with outstanding mountain views.

Congratulations! And Welcome

to the Neighborhood!

Fun & Fitness

Pets & Your Health

Although Valentine’s Day is past, February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day. And to give you all the more reason to love your pet, evidence is increasingly clear that having a pet can lead to a longer, healthier life. Here are some ways a pet can help your health according to an NBC news story on pet adoption.

Pets encourage healthy habits.

It should come as no surprise that walking your pooch has proven health benefits. A study conducted by the Wellness Institute concluded that people who exercised with their pets were more likely to stick to their workout routines than people who exercised alone. Health benefits from walking the dog include weight loss, exposure to sun as a good source of vitamin D and strengthening of your bones. A study published by the journal Tobacco Control even found that more than a quarter of pet-owning smokers tried to quit smoking once they learned about the negative health effects of secondhand smoke on their animals.

Pets help us feel better.

It’s not just our human friends that make us feel better when we’re down. Prevention magazine reported that the simple act of petting your animal friend causes your brain to release the calming hormone oxytocin, as the stress hormone cortisol goes down. A study in the Medical Journal of Australia found that senior citizens who regularly walked or interacted with dogs boosted the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm and rest the body. Another study focusing on cat owners found that cat ownership lowered people’s risk of cardiovascular diseases. Research conducted at the University of Minnesota showed that people who owned a cat were at lower risk for a fatal heart attack or stroke.

Service and Comfort Animals assist humans more than ever before.

Service animals have been a boon to people with disabilities and other special needs for decades. Dogs can also help those who are deaf, those with diabetes, those prone to seizures and even children with autism. Comfort animals provide special companionship for people who need it the most such as people mourning the loss of a loved one, and children traumatized by terrible events.

Of course, pet ownership comes with responsibility. Pets require attention, sufficient food and health care. Be sure you are in a position to take on your pet’s needs before you adopt. And when out with your pet, be ready to assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of others---and be prepared to scoop the poop!

From

Mark & Rebecca

First Dates

With Valentine’s Day just a few days past, it’s nice to think back on first dates, but not necessarily the romantic kind. It’s been 16 years since the first shovel went in the ground at Mountain View Meadows to begin laying the foundation work for a brand new subdivision. Building a strong foundation is important in both relationships and developments. Foundation work for Mountain View Meadows included connecting to Helena sewer and water: that meant running a 16” pipe over a mile from the water tower at Knob Hill to I-15, then boring under I-15 and running a 12” water main three-and-a-half miles through the development. Laying the foundation for sewer meant running 3 miles of 30” pipe, boring under Highway 12 and upgrading a lift station near the airport. During each phase of development, more pipes would be put in to connect to the mains to provide services to each new home. Then came streets. You might think of streets above ground and utilities below as a marriage which birthed the first baby… a beautiful home at the corner of Runkle Parkway and Summit View in the Aspen Park neighborhood. Okay, that may be stretching it a bit, but we are trying to connect developing to Valentine’s Day. Since that time there have been over 300 babies--homes I mean--born at Mountain View Meadows. We don’t really know how many actual babies. But we do know that in the last year two new babies were born into our MVM family and those two babies met for the first time just last month. Below, check out Brittani and Justin’s little girl, Genevieve, meeting Danielle and Jon’s son, Myles. Born just weeks apart, their moms bundled them up for a recent stroll on the Fun & Fitness trail. Maybe it’s a start of something big. Who knows? Like Mountain View Meadows, all good things start with a first date.