About Vancouver's Rose Village

MLK's Birthday. What Did You Do?

For most, today was a day off. An Extra day of vacation. A day to relax. For a few, today was a day of service. A day to help. A day to make a difference.

Early this morning, a group of 300 , or so, people met at the Luepke Center in Vancouver Washington to volunteer their services for the surrounding community. We were all excited to be assigned to a project somewhere in Downtown Vancouver.

I already knew what my assignment would be, as I was recruited from a previous project that I did for the Fruit Valley Elementary School in which I built 15 raised vegetable gardens. The folks at Americans Build Communities Inc. asked me to replace a rotted wooden door with a nice new steel door. What I didn't know was that someone had ordered the wrong size door for my project and I was going to be part of a different project.

My new project was to demo a kitchen in a home that has been abandoned for about 15 years. The roof had started to leak about 5 years ago and the leaking water had ruined all of the cabinetry and floors. I knew we were in trouble when I pulled an upper cabinet out and was drenched in water. Not a good sign!

With a sledge hammer in one hand and a pry bar in the other, I plowed through the rotted wood and rat turds like a hot knife through butter. I ripped out the dishwasher. No problem. Yanked the sink. Not too bad. The oven? Hmmm... my back is hurting a bit after that one. I bet that I am going to be sore in the morning!

It was a great experience. It felt great to help someone out. It felt great to know that I made a difference in the community.

Now, my challenge to all of you. How will you make a difference?

When you choose us to handle your Vancouver Washington real estateneeds, you choose a team of realtors® who care about you and your family. Buying or selling a home is always more enjoyable when you work with professionals who will listen to your needs and who will work together with you to achieve your objective. We are very familiar with all types a real estate in Clark County and we specialize in Vancouver, Ridgefield and BattleGround. We are also very experienced with new home and custom home construction having assisted several local builders in selling new neighborhoods in the Vancouver Washington area. Additionally, we have helped numerous families build their own Vancouver Washington dream homes. We are dedicated to helping you make intelligent, informed decisions and to providing you with exceptional service. Go to www.ernw.org for more information. See our video here. MLK's Birthday. What Did You Do?

Rose Village is getting a facelift one home at a time thanks to the 4^th Plain Corridor Revitalization Task Force Housing Coalition 'Paint-a-Thon', generous donations by Fred Meyer and other area businesses, and the efforts of some dedicated volunteers.

In just over 2 months, the Coalition has been responsible for painting some 17 homes in Rose Village. Here are before & after pictures of one of the most recent makeovers. This home was built in 1920 and had recently started to look a bit tired. The 'Paint-a-Thon' team consulted with the owners to choose a color combination they would like and that would fit well with other homes in the neighborhood.

The Rose Village area is conveniently located near downtown Vancouver, with easy access to I-5, Highway 14 and SR500. Much of the area was previously referred to as 'Vancouver Heights'. Most homes in the area were built between 1900 and 1950. Homes range in size from 500 to upward of 4,000 square feet. In its heyday, the area was home to many prominent people and their families. Names associated with the area include L.M. Hidden, S.W. Brown, C.H. Whitney, C.W. Slocum and L.R. Sohns. Projects like the Rose Village 'Paint-a-Thon' are helping revitalize the Rose Village area, both directly and indirectly, and helping it live up to its historic past.

The following Columbian link provides more detail about this effort to revitalize the Rose Village area: Revitalizing Rose Village

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about area revitalization plans and/or get involved in future volunteer efforts, please contact Mark & Patti Maggiora at (360) 992-9969 or email mark@groupnw.net or patti@groupnw.net.

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX Equity Group, Vancouver WA

You can help put the finishing touches on the last of 15 homes that have been painted this fall as a result of the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon. There are just 2 more homes awaiting a full paint job and several waiting for finishing touches.

You'll get the opportunity to see how a simple project like this is creating a new view for people's lives -- not just what they see on the outside of their homes, but more importantly what they see from within themselves and in the hearts of their neighbors and new made friends. We are truly creating a new community in Rose Village - what one of our recipients refers to as a "psychological bomb" targeted on people's hearts from the many hands who choose to care.

Please join us for 2-3 hours ... or plan to stay all day (9a-3p). Either way, you are sure to have a good time and your efforts will be very much appreciated. There will be a good supply of brushes, rollers, scrapers and ladders, but feel free to bring your own tools if you have them. We wouldn't want anyone lacking for something to do!

The Rose Village Paint-a-Thon is the brainchild of Mark & Patti Maggiora. Inspired by a southeast Portland Paint-athon that gets hundreds of volunteers each year to help improve the homes of area senior citizens, the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon will have transformed more than 15 homes in just 2 months.

Once a popular neighborhood where many of the city's long-term residents were raised, Rosemere / Rose Village had more recently been perceived as a highly transient area with an elevated crime rate. The increase in property values seen in recent years, though, has drawn the attention of investors and value seeking home owners and many of the vintage and historic homes are benefiting from a renewed pride of ownership. The team of volunteers who support the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon have the vision of increasing these positive trends and restoring the neighborhood to its former splendor.

The following Columbian link provides a great story about the effort: Revitalizing Rose Village

This weekend, activities will be continue to focus on a 3 block section of L St in Vancouver between 33^rd Street and 37^th Street. Volunteers will start assembling at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday in front of Patty & Scott Carroll's recently renovated "church home" at 3409 L St.

Volunteers are needed. If you would like to volunteer to help with the Paint-a-Thon project, please call Mark & Patti Maggiora at (360) 992-9969 or email mark@groupnw.net or patti@groupnw.net.

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX Equity Group, Vancouver WA

Six more homes in the Rose Village Neighborhood will get fresh paint on Saturday, October 11, as part of the 4^th Plain Corridor Revitalization Task Force Housing Coalition Paint-a-Thon.

The Rose Village Paint-a-Thon is the brainchild of Mark & Patti Maggiora. Inspired by a southeast Portland Paint-athon that gets hundreds of volunteers each year to help improve the homes of area senior citizens, the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon is expected to yield some 20+ freshly painted homes in just 4 weeks.

"In addition to the obvious benefit of making the area look nicer," says Patty Carroll, "The Paint-a-Thon is getting neighbors to interact with each other and unite in achieving a common goal that will benefit us all."

Once a popular neighborhood where many of the city's long-term residents were raised, Rosemere / Rose Village had more recently been perceived as a highly transient area with an elevated crime rate. The increase in property values seen in recent years, though, has drawn the attention of investors and value seeking home owners and many of the vintage and historic homes are benefiting from a renewed pride of ownership. The team of volunteers who support the Rose Village Paint-a-Thon have the vision of increasing these positive trends and restoring the neighborhood to its former splendor.

This weekend, activities will be focused on a 3 block section of L St in Vancouver between 33^rd Street and 37^th Street. Volunteers will start assembling at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday in front of Patty & Scott Carroll's recently renovated "church home" at 3409 L St, where they will get donuts and coffee before picking up their brushes and starting work on the 6 homes. Lunch will also be provided by Patty & Scott Carroll.

If you would like to have your home considered as a candidate for painting or if you would like to volunteer to help with the Paint-a-Thon project, please call Mark & Patti Maggiora at (360) 992-9969 or email mark@groupnw.net or patty@groupnw.net.

Patty & Scott Carroll - RE/MAX Equity Group, Vancouver WA