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The complete and utter devastation that has been left in the wake of the fires has left us all feeling a bit helpless as to what we can do to extend a hand to our neighbors in need. The fires may be out, but healing is still a long way off. Here are some notable organizations where your donations will make a big impact and assist those who have been affected most. LAFD Foundation This non-profit directly supports firefighters by providing necessary equipment and funds. Click here to learn more California Fire Foundation While their main focus is on supporting firefighters and their families, this foundation is also working to provide financial support to affected community members. Click here to learn more Anti-Recidivism Coalition Support incarcerated firefighters with donations to this organization. Donations are used to cover immediate expenses like meals and supplies while fighting, to scholarship funds for those who pursue a firefighting career once released. Click here to learn more Pasadena Humane  This shelter has been the main provider in care and shelter for animals affected by the Eaton fire. They have provided medical care, shelter, and food for countless displaced pets.   Click here to learn more Best Friends This organization has also been working tirelessly to care for pets who have been affected by these fires.   Click here to learn more Mercy Chefs This non-profit aims to provide high quality meals to victims of natural disasters, firefighters, and first responders. Click here to learn more Global Empowerment Mission This organization strives to provide much needed essentials such as food, hygiene products, medical supplies, and more to victims of natural disasters throughout the world.   Click here to learn more Wildfire Recovery Fund The California Community Foundation has set up this fund to provide long-term recovery relief to communities that need it most. Click here to learn more Brought to you by:  Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

On Saturday, April 5th, thousands of runners will be pounding the pavement through the streets of Fountainwood to participate in the 40th annual Great Race!  As you can imagine, a race of this magnitude requires a lot of support from the community. More than 350 volunteers are needed to perform a variety of tasks, including handing out registration packets, operating checkpoints along the routes, and working at water stations. Individuals, adults, friends, family members, clubs, and students can volunteer, with students able to earn community service hours. Volunteers will receive an exclusive race shirt as a token of appreciation and to wear while volunteering so runners can easily identify them. Volunteers are needed at stations in Fountainwood, Oak Park and Old Agoura. They are also needed with prep work on April 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Students are able to help after school, as their schedule permits. For any volunteer-related questions, please contact our neighbor, Jodi, at:  jodi@greatraceofagoura.com .  Register to volunteer by clicking here . Brought to you by:  Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

ANSWER: Before the wildfires, the Conejo Valley housing market was experiencing growth. For January, the median home price increased to $1,195,000, marking a 22.2% rise from January 2024, when it was $978,000. This upward tread was attributed to increasing demand as both buyers and sellers reentered the market after a period of historic lows.  The California Association of Realtors had forecasted a 4.6% increase in median home prices statewide for 2025, along with a 10.5% rise in home sales. Interest rates were expected to average around 5.9% for the year.  It’s important to note that these projections were made prior to the recent wildfires. The current market dynamics may shift as the full impact of the fires becomes more clear.  We always say shifts in the market happen quickly, and this year is proving to be no exception. As we head into our busy season we will keep you up to date on all the latest news and predictions.  Brought to you by:  Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

This cat is currently up for adoption at the Agoura Animal Care Center People aren’t the only ones who have been displaced due to the fires. While many pets have since been able to return to the arms of their owners, hundreds of others are still in shelters while they wait for their owners to secure long-term housing.  How Does Fostering Work? Fostering can be a rewarding experience, and is highly flexible to your needs and abilities. It is prefered for host families to be petless, as it makes the transition easier on the animals. However, even if you already do have pets, you can still be a foster parent.  The biggest expense when fostering will be your time and attention. Shelters will provide veterinary care, food, and most other necessary supplies, you just focus on giving the pet lots of love and a safe space to live.  How to Get Started LA Animal Services  is looking for foster parents, they especially need homes for dogs over 35lbs. Visit their website for more information .   Pasadena Humane  has been a force in helping pets affected by the Eaton fire. Visit their website to learn more about how you can help. We found much of our information for this article here . Brought to you by:  Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Eggnog is one of our favorite parts of the season, and this recipe by Tastes Better From Scratch will become your go to for this most delicious nectar! We'll add a photo of our own eggnog soon, ingredients are bought! INGREDIENTS 6 large egg yolks 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream 2 cups whole milk 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg pinch of salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract ground cinnamon INSTRUCTIONS Whisk the yolks and sugar together until light and creamy. In a saucepan over medium high heat, combine the cream, milk, nutmeg, and salt. Stir until it starts to simmer. Add a big spoonful of the hot milk to the egg mixture, whisking vigorously. Repeat until most of the cream has been added, then pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Whisk constantly for one minute, until the mixture starts to thicken (or reaches 160 degrees F). It will thicken more as it cools. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla (if adding brandy, bourbon, or rum, do it now. Start with a 1/4 cup, or to taste). Pour the eggnog through a fine mesh strainer and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled. Serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon and/or nutmeg and enjoy!  Need ideas for what to do with the leftover egg whites? Yeah, you can always turn them into an omelette or scramble, but where's the challenge in that? Here are our favorite ways to use up extra egg whites: Being half Australian, Pavlova is a delightful dessert that is near and dear to our hearts. We use this recipe by Natasha's Kitchen anytime we have a craving for it. Angel Food Cake requires a lot of egg whites, so if you are doing a double batch of Hot Chocolate, this is an ideal recipe to use up those egg whites quickly. Sally's Baking Addiction is another one of our favorite food bloggers. This blog has some great, less obvious, ideas for how to use those whites. Enjoy! HOT CHOCOLATE We had intended to share a different bonus recipe this month, but we just attended a party where we were served the most DELICIOUS homemade hot chocolate, and we simply had to share this recipe with you as well! From the Six Sisters Stuff blog , which is always a quality recipe source, here’s the only cocoa you’ll want to drink from now on! INGREDIENTS 6 cups of milk 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 2 cups of milk chocolate chips 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract INSTRUCTIONS Put all the ingredients into a slow cooker and stir to combine. Place lid on cooker and cook on low heat for 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. When the chips have fully melted it is finished. Whisk to ensure a smooth texture. It is best consumed the same day it is made. Switch the cooker to “keep warm” and you can serve it from here for up to 5 hours. Be sure to give it occasional stirs to keep ingredients fully incorporated.  Using semi-sweet chocolate chips will make for a richer hot chocolate. Top with whipped cream and a peppermint stick and enjoy this cold weather classic! Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com

Half the fun of the holidays is creating memories with loved ones. Here are some ideas that are sure to become traditions in your home: Christmas Lights The Conejo Valley Guide has an impressive list of local homes boasting illuminating displays. I could type it out for you on here, but they've already done such a brilliant job putting it together, you should just click this link and give their site some traffic. They are updating the page as more and more displays go up. Without a doubt, our favorite place to go and see Christmas lights is in Moorpark, just west of the high school. Trust us. IT. IS. WORTH. IT. Think Hallmark movie level of neighborhood dedication, it is quite impressive. We make sure to go every year. Just put “Pinedale Road” in your GPS, and follow the lights to find it. ________________________________________________________________________________ Holiday Road We believe this is the inaugural year for this fun, immersive holiday experience that is perfect for the whole family! Located at King Gillette Ranch, it runs from now through Dec. 28th from 5-9pm. Prices start at $25. Click here for more details. __________________________________________________________________________________ The Nutcracker Ballet Some things just go together, like peanut butter and jelly, The Nutcracker and Christmas. See this holiday classic at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center on Dec. 21st and 22nd. Hurry, tickets are going fast! Click here to buy yours. __________________________________________________________________________________ Ice Skating The Iceoplex in Simi has their annual Winter Wonderland event. From December 23rd to January 5th the rink is open from 9 am to 12 pm, 1-5 pm, and 6-10 pm. $20 to skate, rentals are included if needed. Rink will be closed on Christmas day, and close early on Christmas Eve, New Years Eve, and January 5th. Click here for more details. __________________________________________________________________________________ Chanukah Festivals Thursday, December 26th- Ventura Harbor Village from 3-4pm. Arts, crafts, entertainment, and the Menorah lighting. Click here for details. Chanukah celebration and Gelt Drop in Camarillo at Constitution Park from 4-6 pm. Lots of activities, donuts, and latkes. Free admission! More details here. Chanukah Celebration at The Village Town Center at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park from 5 to 6:30. They are promising snow, sounds like a fun time! Click here for details . Chanukah Family Festival at Janss Marketplace from 5 to 7 pm. Event is free and will feature Hassidic breakdancers! Click here for details . Sunday, December 29th- Light Up Downtown Ventura from 3-5 pm on Main St in downtown Ventura. Live music, fresh donuts, and more. Free and fun for the whole family! More info here . Menorah Lighting event at the Reagan Library from 3:30 to 5 pm. Free event ran in conjunction with the Chabad of Simi Valley. Click here for details . Moorpark Chanukah Festival from 4:30 to 6 pm at Mission Bell Plaza. Free food, music, and more! Get all the details here . Monday, December 30th- Chanukah Celebration at the Camarillo Outlets, starts at 6 pm. All the usual fun will be had, click here to get more details. Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com

Looking for a way to give back to our community this holiday season? The Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank is always in need of food donations. Started more than 50 years ago, they feed an average of 180 families in need each month- that requires a lot of donated food! Serving Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Newbury Park, Calabasas, and Malibu, many of those helped are children and seniors. Anyone who resides in the Conejo Valley that is having a hard time making ends meet is welcome to “shop” in their store once every 14 days. Simply bring a valid ID and something that shows residency in one of the aforementioned cities. Not sure what to donate? Frozen and perishable foods are always in high demand, and Manna is equipped to accept those items. Other pantry staples that are needed include:   • Canned or jarred pasta sauce   •Canned baked beans   •Canned tomato products   •Canned green beans   •Canned chili   •Canned fruit- any kind   •Canned pasta- raviolis or SpaghettiOs   •Crackers and/or cookies   •Peanut butter   •Condiments To give, simply drop off your donation at 95 N Oakview Drive, Thousand Oaks, Monday-Friday between 8am and 4pm, or on Saturdays 9am to 1pm. They are closed for some of the holidays, so be sure to check their website before going. Want to volunteer at Manna? Help is always needed! Click here to view the application. A HUGE thank you to all who participated in our recent food drive for Manna. We had a spectacular turnout! Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com

Question: What are some predictions for the real estate market in the new year? Answer: As we move into 2025, several key trends are expected to shape the real estate market. Mortgage interest rates are predicted to stabilize, which could encourage more buyers to enter the market with greater confidence. However, inventory is likely to remain tight, especially in desirable areas, like Agoura Hills, as many homeowners with low-interest mortgages choose not to sell. Home values are expected to grow at a more moderate pace, around 3-5% nationally, though Fountainwood may see stronger appreciation due to its high demand. While winter is traditionally a slower season, we anticipate more activity early in the year as buyers try to beat the spring competition. Overall, it’s a favorable time for both buyers and sellers to act strategically. Buyers should prepare for competitive conditions by getting pre-approved, while sellers can take advantage of strong demand and limited supply to attract motivated offers. If you’re planning to buy or sell, we’d love the opportunity to help you navigate these market trends. Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com

Last year for our neighborhood's Halloween Block Party we, and by “we”, we mean Amanda, made a cheese ball that was shaped into a severed foot- we love on theme party snacks! It was a big hit, with many requesting the recipe. This cheese ball has great flavor and whips up in minutes, making it a great option for all the holiday parties that are just around the corner. INGREDIENTS 16 oz Cream Cheese, softened 2 Cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, freshly shredded. Do NOT use pre-shredded cheese! 2 Green Onions, chopped 1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce 1 Teaspoon Hot Pepper Sauce 1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley  1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder 1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano Dash of Black Pepper 2/3 Cups Pecans, finely chopped *optional DIRECTIONS 1.Beat Cream Cheese until smooth. Add everything but the pecans and mix well. 2. Gather mixture into a ball using a spatula.  3. Roll  ball in chopped Pecans. You may need to push some into the ball for full coverage. 4. Cover Cheeseball and allow it to firm in fridge for at least 1 hour.  5. Serve with crackers, and if you're feeling extra, your favorite charcuterie meats and accutroments, and enjoy! This recipe originally comes from the blog Tastes Better From Scratch, you can view their copy here . Want to get fancy with your cheeseball and decorate it? Simply shape the cheese chunk into your desired shape and let it firm in the fridge. Take additional softened cream cheese and beat it, adding a little bit of milk until it reaches a consistency that is easy to spread. Add any necessary food coloring, then let your imagination go wild! Themed Cheeseballs Parties where the food matches the theme are just better, it's a proven fact. Amanda once turned a cheeseball into a football for a Superbowl party, complete with green "grass" piped out of cake tip. Decorative cheeseballs are a fun and easy way to impress guests and kick a party up a notch or two. Let your imagination run wild! But here are some fun ideas to get the inspiration flowing: How to make the Igloo cheeseball with penguins How to make a turkey cheeseball for Thanksgiving How to make a pumpkin cheeseball. Another variation How to make a Christmas tree cheeseball. Or an ornament cheeseball Step up your Superbowl party with this cheeseball Have fun, and let us know what you turn your cheeseball into! Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com

Rejoice, boba tea lovers, Agoura officially has its own boba spot! Malibu Boba opened its doors this past July 15th, and it has already quickly become a favorite of ours. Family owned and operated, Malibu Boba was brought to life when Chevelle Le Blanc and her two daughters noticed the need for a local boba joint. Together they drew up a concept and a menu, then made their dream a reality! With its clean, laybacked island-esque vibe, Malibu Boba is the perfect spot to meet up with friends for a casual afternoon chat sesh, and it is sure to become the new go-to after school spot for the local high schoolers. It features indoor and outdoor seating, ensuring there is plenty of space for all. Malibu Boba has an array of offerings. They carry milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, matcha, green teas, black teas, and coffees... honestly, the possibilities are endless, and all are delicious! You can view the full menu here on their website. They also sell enticing chocolate chip cookies by Lily’s Baked Goods. Malibu Boba is located at 5013 Kanan Rd (behind IHOP) and is open: Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 am to 7 pm Friday & Saturday 11:30 am to 8pm.  You can visit their Instagram by clicking here . Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com

QUESTION: WHAT IS PROPOSITION 19, AND DO I QUALIFY FOR IT? ANSWER: Proposition 19 allows qualified homeowners to transfer their existing tax base to a new residence. Here's who qualifies: Individuals 55+ or older at time of sale. They may do this up to 3 times. Homeowners who are severely and permanently disabled. They too are able to do this up to 3 times. Qualifying victims of wildfire or other natural disasters. Property must have sustained more than 50% damage, and you are allowed a new replacement up to once per disaster. Proposition 19 even extends to those who inherit property from a parent or grandparent, providing the home is used as a primary residence. "The replacement property can be located anywhere in California, and the market value of the replacement property is not limited. However, any amount that the replacement property's market value exceeds the original property's market value is added to the transferred value." Last month we helped a senior client relocate from her single family home in West Hills to a 55+ community in northern California to be closer to family. Utilizing Prop 19 saved her thousands of dollars, and made this big life transition just a little bit easier on her.  Every penny counts when making a move, especially a major one like this! Some stipulations do apply to Prop 19. If you have any questions regarding it, or any other real estate related questions, we’d love to chat with you! Give us a call at 818-590-4246.  Here is information from the California State Board of Equalization regarding Proposition 19. Brought to you by:   Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

First impressions matter, and those impressions can begin long before someone arrives at your home. Since the 1970s the “Fountainwood” entrance signs have greeted residents and beckoned passerby’s to our neighborhood. Over the years patchwork and paint have kept them looking sharp, but time is a formidable foe, and they are now in need of extensive repair. But whose responsibility are they? The builders of Fountainwood installed our entrance signs, but left the ongoing maintenance to be cared for by who, exactly? The city of Agoura Hills is not responsible for these signs, and while the walls technically belong to the homeowners of the lots in which they sit, it seems absurd to expect these few individuals to foot the bill and responsibility of something that represents us all. So. What is a community to do when common areas need repair? Fountainwood Homeowners Association Started over 35 years ago, the Fountainwood Homeowners Association (FHA) is a registered non-profit group of volunteer neighbors who in the past collected a yearly donation from participating households and then used those funds to maintain the Fountainwood signs and area around them. Left over money was either saved for the next repair, or used for a neighborhood picnic. Over the years many members have moved away, or entered retirement years. Today just a handful remain, and it has been quite some time since they last collected dues. Only $1,500 remains in the account, which will hardly be enough to cover these much needed repairs. Recently, a member of FHA applied for a grant from the city with hopes this could be the answer to our sign woes. Unfortunately that proposal was rejected, which leads us to this article, and our hopeful solution.  This is an up close look at just some of the damage found on the Laro Drive wall. This entrance is a main hub for visitors to our neighborhood, as it provides direct access to Sumac Park, and is the most direct entrance to Sumac Elementary school. It also sits directly across the street from another neighborhood entrance wall... Bids & Donations  While we are not members, the FHA has reached out to us in hopes we can help promote their cause. They are in the process of receiving bids from contractors; with prices ranging from the $5,600 range for patchwork and basic repair, to $44,000 for an extensive rehaul of the walls' structure. The bids they currently have in hand are available for you to view at the bottom of this article. To afford this project, they are once again collecting donations from all willing residents. They ask households to donate whatever amount they feel comfortable contributing. Every dollar helps and will go directly into restoring the signs. With all our 702 homes banding together, we can easily achieve this goal!  How to Donate Zelle: Use the email info@fountainwoodhoa.org to electronically submit your donation. You can also send check or money orders to: Fountainwood Homeowners Association  PO Box 338  Agoura Hills, CA 91301 For questions about the project, or if you’d like to get involved with the FHA, you can email them at info@fountainwoodhoa.org or call/text Suresh at 818-636-6686. We are not involved with the details of this project, we are simply the messenger, so it will be best to contact them. The current members of the FHA are eager to welcome the next generation of proactive neighbors into the association. If you are interested in getting involved, they would love to hear from you! Thank you to the FHA for spearheading this effort, we appreciate the work you are doing to beautify our neighborhood! Want to review the Fountainwood CC & R's? Click here . These were found on the city's website and may not be a comprehensive list. Bids The third bid was received by us after the newsletter had been printed, hence why it was not mentioned. Bid # 1 __________________________________________________________________________________ Bid # 2 __________________________________________________________________________________ Bid # 3 Brought to you by:  Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419  l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com www.JessicaCarterHomes.com   "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"