We walk through the rooms of a storm soaked apartment in Houston, Texas, as Mary, a twenty-plus-year resident of Nob Hill Apartments, points out the items she hopes she can keep, but we can clearly see are lost. The safety masks covering our mouths and noses do nothing to block the rank smell of stagnant flood water and growing mold. The air in the apartment is warm and humid, the air outside buzzing with mosquitos preying on the exposed skin of anyone walking through the community working to salvage what they can from the wake of Hurricane Harvey. Even with the flood waters receded, we feel the sense of loss that weighs heavy as a storm cloud over the apartment community we’ve come to serve.

We try to prepare Mary for the worst—the disheartening fact that most of her worldly possessions must be declared casualties of the hurricane’s destructive force. But Mary’s determination outweighs our own, and pushes us in a new direction. Where we strive to prepare her for despair, she insists upon building us up with hope. And as we tell her we will help her as best we can, she leaves us with these words: “When I was a child, my teacher told me that the good deeds you do are added as stars to your crown in heaven. Your crowns are going to be full of all the stars in the heavens.”

***

Our group of volunteers left Arizona in the early hours of September 6 to make our way to Houston. Our team was made up of multifamily housing team members from Bella Investment Group in Flagstaff, AZ, who had committed to partner with Apartment Life, an organization that places CARES Teams within apartment communities to “look for ways to love their neighbors as themselves.” We have often seen the outpouring of love CARES Teams deliver to the residents of our Bella communities—now was our chance to take the CARES mission upon ourselves and make a difference in the lives of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

After spending Wednesday evening assembling and loading U-Haul trucks with Resident Recovery Kits, we headed into the community on Thursday to see where we could help. As we approached Nob Hill Apartments, a 1300+ unit apartment community situated on Brays Bayou in the Meyerland suburb, we saw streets lined with debris and abandoned furniture, clothing, toys, even cars—all casualties of the surging flood waters. Nob Hill is where we met Mary, along with dozens of other residents who were packing up what they could to leave the community many of them called home. We expected the despair in the faces of the people of the community to match the destruction we saw in the streets. But where we expected despair, we saw hope.

One of the first young men we spoke to assured us that he had not been hit “too bad” by Harvey’s destructive power. “For me, it wasn’t as bad as for other folks,” he told us as we walked through one section of Nob Hill. “Other people got it much worse.” I learned later that for him, “not too bad” meant he “only” lost his car and about half of the possessions in his apartment. He counted himself lucky, despite his losses, and assured us that now that he knew we were there, he would help us find people who needed more help than he did. And he was true to his word. He eagerly came to us with the names and addresses of neighbors who could “really use your help,” and seemed overjoyed to be what he considered a “small part” of our work. The misery we expected seemed to have receded with the flood waters, and in its place love, humanity, and hope had blossomed.

For the CARES team in Houston, the Relief Kits and resources they handed out seemed like only a “drop in the bucket” of the recovery that needed to be done in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. An office team member, who had been pulled from a different property to assist at Nob Hill, described her efforts of pointing residents toward resources and gathering contact information from those who needed to move as “a drop in the bucket” compared to what she felt the people around her needed and the losses she knew they had endured. Even as we gave resources, monies, and hugs to those we met, we began to say that we knew it was only “a drop in the bucket” for those who had lost so much so quickly.

Yet the enduring power of hope outshined our perspective. The more people we met, the more we got the sense that in creating for themselves a sense of normalcy even among lost possessions, abandoned homes, and more, the residents of this community were finding something beyond the despair we saw on the news. Make no mistake—there remains much to be done to restore what has been lost in these communities devastated by the storms. But even beyond the knowledge of loss is the hope of helping hands. We saw donations from across the country pooled together to fan the flames of this hope. We witnessed police cars lining the streets from around the country to lend aid and relief to first responders who had not yet even had the chance to assess and accept their personal losses. We saw barbecue fundraisers and Red Cross vans delivering lunches and dinners on a daily basis where they were needed most. We saw neighbor reaching out to neighbor to lighten each other’s loads. And we saw tears of sorrow become tears of joy as people heard how far folks had come to help.

“To help me?” one woman said to me, stepping back in shock from a tight hug when I told her we had flown in from Arizona. “Y’all came all this way just to help me?”

“We know it’s just a drop in the bucket,” I found myself saying, but she cut me off.

“A drop in the bucket?” she gasped, clasping my hands in her own. “Child, it’s the whole ocean!”

I left Houston with news of the impending impact of Hurricane Irma ringing in the background on every television set we passed from our hotel lobby to the airport terminal. In the shadows of yet another destructive storm, it’s hard to ignore that there remains so much need along the Gulf Coast as residents there work to rebuild. Hurricane Harvey’s impact will be felt in this area for months, if not years, to come.

But even in the shadows of these destructive storms crashing upon our shores and cities, we see the silver linings illuminated by the selfless acts of people who keep their heads held high, their spirits lifted, and the hopes of their communities blazing against the dark times ahead. We can all be a part of bringing hope to these communities. Apartment Life continues to raise funds for relief efforts for both Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. The Red Cross continues to step up their efforts to prepare and provide relief. Countless other organizations are out there, waiting for each of us to step up and impact lives by being beacons of hope in the midst of despair.

Please join us in supporting the ongoing relief efforts, and make your own "drop in the bucket" contribution to those impacted by this year's hurricane storms:

Donations for Apartment Life Harvey Relief Kits: https://tiny.cc/alharvey

Donations for Apartment Life Irma Relief Kits: https://tiny.cc/alirma

The post Beacons of Hope in the Midst of Despair: A Local Hurricane Harvey Relief Story appeared first on Pine View Village Apartments Blog.

With more than 22,000 students now enrolled at its North Arizona University campus, it’s not surprising that Flagstaff offers a huge variety of eating, entertainment and date-night options. Here, we’ve listed just six of the most popular:

1. Cuvee 928 

6 E. Aspen Ave

A locals’ favorite, offering a varied menu and daily specials. Great views of Heritage Square from large windows and the outdoor patio.

2. Brix 

413 N. San Francisco St

For a slightly pricier date, this subtly lit converted carriage house provides an intimate ambience in which to enjoy a Mediterranean-style menu.

3. Hotel Monte Vista

100 N. San Francisco St

Said to be haunted by the ghosts of a dancing couple and a bank robber, amongst other uninvited guests, the cocktail lounge was a Prohibition-era speakeasy. Today it offers a fun ambience and live music Wednesday through Saturday.

4. Beaver Street Brewery

11 S. Beaver St

This popular and busy venue has a wide range of pizzas, pasta, pies, meatloaf and more!

5. Pasto

19 E. Aspen Ave

Atmospheric Italian restaurant offering frequent specials and featuring an outdoor patio.

6. Lowell Observatory

1400 Mars Hill Road

For an inexpensive and less conventional date, check out the Lowell Observatory.

Built in 1894, and credited with the 1930 discovery of the planet Pluto, the Observatory offers guided tours by day, while after dark the clear skies of Arizona are perfect for gazing at the stars.

Enjoy Flagstaff from Pine View Village Apartments

Living conveniently close to both campus and downtown, residents of our apartments in Flagstaff are ideally placed to enjoy the city to the full. Contact us today for more information on our comfortable floor plans or to take a tour and see for yourself what life is like at Pine View Village!

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Here at Pine View Village Apartments, we're proud to be part of the Flagstaff community … and that means giving back when and where we can! This month, your Pine View Village crew was proud to give back to the Second Chance Center for Animals with a day of volunteering!

Second Chance has served as a "rescue from the rescues" through a partnership with over 30 organizations across Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Their vision of making sure every dog and cat in Northern Arizona has a home has led to the adoption of so many animals into welcoming "fur-ever" homes! Their partnership with the Coconino Humane Association has saved the lives of at-risk animals who may have otherwise faced euthanasia. During our volunteer day, we were able to paint part of their facility and provide doggy (and puppy!) baths!

Second Chance recently made the decision to pull back some of its offerings, but have encouraged volunteers to support the Coconino Humane Association. We've also been happy to partner with Coconino Humane to sponsor some of our favorite resident events: Rent A Puppy!

Looking to adopt a new "fur-ever" friend? Because Second Chance must empty the shelter by May 1st, they are currently waiving adoption fees on ALL homeless animals! Be sure to stop by the Welcome Center to learn about our animal policies before adopting … Then head HERE to learn more about how to bring home your furry friend between now and April 30th!

To learn how you can help animals in Flagstaff, visit the Coconino Humane Association's Volunteer Page! It's just one small way you can help work "meow-icals" and make a "paw-sitive" difference right here in Flagstaff!

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You can’t spell “HOME” without “om,” a unique meditative phrase sometimes interpreted as “that with which one is liberated.” If nothing else, we hope your apartment home is a place where you feel free to be you … or, even more simply, a sanctuary where you feel free, period. Here are five ways to create the sanctuary of “om” in your own apartment home!

1. Clear your mind

… And your space. Clutter is a huge energy suck in your home. We all know the familiar impulse to hold on to things because we might need them someday, we’ll convinced they’ll increase in value, they have sentimental value, or the dreaded “just in case.” But consider how much space those “just in case” items are taking up … and how stressed your clutter can make you on a daily basis! Take time today to clear away clutter, especially from desktop surfaces and your major relaxation spaces. Consider donating or regifting the items you no longer need; not only will you decrease stress, but the act of giving things away is an instant mood enhancer!

2. Create your zone

Find a space that you can make your own private refuge. Whether it’s a special spot on the couch, your bed, your favorite spot to sip your morning coffee, or the bathtub, we all need a place in our home that is private and personalized. Find a way to define that personal space, be it with an item (a guitar, a special chair, a beautiful rug, etc.) or an extra touch of coziness (extra pillows, bath salts, a scented candle, etc.). Find ways to make that area distinctly yours, even if you can’t create physical separation from the rest of your apartment. Consider the impact of draping your favorite blanket over your favorite chair in your favorite reading nook … that spot is yours, and no one else’s, even if it’s smack dab in the middle of your living room!

3. Here comes the sun

“Let the sun shine … Let the sunshine in!” Natural sunlight boosts your mood and health, and can totally change the feel of a room. Whenever you can, let in as much sunlight as possible. Consider natural daylight bulbs if your apartment doesn’t naturally face direct sunlight during the day. Crack open a window and let in the fresh air … soak it in!

4. Color your calm

Add pops of your favorite colors to every room. Pick a color theme that creates the mood you want in each space of your apartment. Even if you’re in a studio, you can create distinct mood places through color: deeper shades wherever your bed is, brighter colors in the living room, softer hues for a spa-experience in the bathroom, etc. Greens are serene. Blue is restful. According to Feng Shui, 2017 is the Year of the Rooster, so consider this year’s “lucky” colors: yellow, brown, gold, silver, and white!

5. Sent-sational

Have you ever heard of signature scents? Many hotels feature specially crafted scents as you enter the lobby or your room to create an instant sense of place. You can bring this same sense to your own space by identifying, claiming, or creating your own signature scent. Flagstaff is known for smelling of vanilla, so if you love nature consider scenting your apartment with vanilla, evergreen, and cinnamon. The main scent “categories” are: musk, smoky, citrus, woody, green, floral, aquatic, and incense (spicy and sweet). Consider your favorite scents of cologne/perfume, shampoo, lotion, or even your favorite coffee shop or hangout. Find ways to bring those scents home.

Remember, it’s the things that make your space personal, peaceful, and private that make it your own sanctuary. When it comes to making your home into a haven, do what feels right to you! With the tips above, and your own personal touches, you’ll be saying “om” to your home in no time!

The post Five Tips to Make Your Apartment a Sanctuary appeared first on Pine View Village Apartments Blog.

Summer has officially come to Flagstaff, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the great outdoors! … But it’s also the perfect time to chillax with a perfect summer binge watching session. Here are five great shows to binge watch while you beat the summer heat!

Bob’s Burgers
Head to Netflix for this burger-based animated family sitcom! Why do we love Bob’s Burgers? Three Words … Regular Sized Rudy. Besides the constant antics of the Belcher kids (which are sure to give you some wild ideas on how to spend your days during the summer), Bob’s Burgers is chop full of amazing characters. Tina Belcher is our spirit animal. Teddy the handyman is relentlessly optimistic. Jimmy Jr.’s dance moves are to die for. And again … Regular Sized Rudy. (Why do they call him that? In his own words: “Just look at me.”)

FRINGE
This Fox phenom ran from 2008 through 2013, but it still has a place in our hearts as a non-stop thrill ride. FBI agent Olivia Dunham enlists the aid of Dr. Walter Bishop, the maddest of all mad scientists, and his jack-of-all-trades son Peter to help investigate a mysterious “Pattern” that threatens the very fabric of the universe. Things get pretty wild within the first few episodes, and it just keeps escalating until the emotionally captivating final season that takes things to a whole new level.

Game of Thrones
If you haven’t been watching this series, it’s time to start. Watch as powerful families engage in the ultimate battle royale in their efforts to rule the Seven Kingdoms. Each season is an action packed emotional roller coaster. Don’t get too attached to your favorite character … as Queen Cersai says, “In the game of thrones, you win or your die” … and there are a LOT of losers. Summer may be here in Flagstaff, but in Westeros … Winter is coming.

LOST
If you think you’ve got it bad (hello, record-breaking summer temps), try enduring a constant summer stuck on a desert island! LOST follows survivors of a plane crash as they try to unravel the mystery of where (and, sometimes, when) they are and how to get home. The stories are captivating, and the mysteries behind the island (Smoke monsters. Secret hatches. Mystery numbers. The Others.) will keep you on the edge of your seat for all six seasons!

24
Available to binge for free with an Amazon Prime membership, 24 is a binge-viewer’s dream come true. Why? Because you can watch an entire season in less than a DAY! Each season is set during a 24-hour day in the life of CTU agent Jack Bauer, and with each episode running slightly less than an hour you can literally watch an entire season in a day. (And, unlike Jack, even take bathroom breaks.) With the series set to come back in a revamped 12-episode series, now is the time to see what all the hype was about with the original.

Happy viewing! Share your favorite shows with us on Facebook or Twitter! 

The post Five TV Shows to Binge Watch This Summer! appeared first on Pine View Village Apartments Blog.

March Madness is officially upon us, which means it’s bracket time! Whether you’re after bragging rights, a cash prize, or you just really love the game, everybody is in it to win it with their NCAA March Madness brackets. But what are the odds of getting the elusive perfect bracket? Kind of like the Hunger Games, the odds are not exactly in your favor. While we can’t promise you a perfect bracket, we can offer you some tips to help you take it to the net with your bracket picks this year!

Statistically Speaking …
Most fans are picking their bracket picks based on who they like. But not everybody’s favorite team can make it to the Sweet Sixteen, Elite Eight, or Final Four … and definitely not everybody’s favorite team will win. Rather than letting your heart get in the way, use your head to make the best picks. Don’t overthink things with the personal attachments you might have to certain teams. Instead, use seasonal stats to your advantage. It’s not rocket science … just do the math!

Time Is On Your Side
Pay close attention to how each team has done leading up to the tournament. Sure, maybe your favorite team had a phenomenal season, but if they’ve lost a number of games leading up to March Madness, chances are they may choke (sorry) during the big event. Take a look at each team’s recent record, leading up to the start of the March Madness tournament, and you’re way more likely to pick winners over teams that may have had great seasons but are burned out.

Map It Out
The NCAA Tournament is kind of the biggest away game of the season … so pay attention to how teams have done in away games during their regular seasons. If the majority of victories are at home, but their away game is only so-so, pay attention to the likelihood that the teams you’re choosing can maintain a great game based on where they’ll be playing. If a team is playing closer to home, that’s an advantage; if they’re further away, don’t be so quick to hitch your bracket to their basket!

Go Streaking
Ahem, no, not that kind of streaking. Take a close look at the winning (and losing) streaks of the teams you’re choosing between. Keep in mind, the March Madness tournament is really about who can maintain the winning streak it takes to get to the championship! If you favor a team but they have a hard time maintaining a solid winning streak, you might want to rethink your choice. Remember: March Madness is kind of like the Game of Thrones … you win, or you die. You’ve got to win a lot of battles to win the March Madness war, so pay close attention to the teams who win game after game.

Give It Your Best Jump Shot
Let’s face facts … there’s no way to know exactly what’s going to happen during the March Madness tournament. Miracles happen, as do upsets. It’s the nature of the game. So when you’re having a tough time making the perfect pick … guess. It may sound like a risky strategy, but let’s be honest: it’s just as risky to “play it safe” with your picks! Because in the end, you just can’t know for sure! So remember, your bracket is about having fun, and half the fun is taking risks, and half the risk is being willing to just guess who’s going to come out and top. And who knows? Maybe with your best guess, it’ll actually be you!

The post Tips to Help You Rock Your March Madness Bracket! appeared first on Pine View Village Apartments Blog.

Chances are, when you first move into a new apartment, you see every surrounding door as a new stranger. Well we’re here to encourage you to look at those doors differently: as unique opportunities to meet new people. One thing that sets us apart is our sense of community, and we want to encourage you to embrace your part in it. We’re a puzzle, and you’re an essential piece! Not sure where to start? Here are five tips to help you meet your neighbors:

Check the Mail. You get your mail key on your first day here … which means you have an opportunity to start meeting people from Day One! When you check your mail, also check out who’s around you. It only takes a moment to catch the eye of the other person checking their mailbox and say hello. Introduce yourself!

Hit the Gym. One way to easily meet people with mutual interests? Head to the gym! Leave your iPod at home and be open to starting up a conversation with the other folks working out with you.

Walk the Dog. Head to the dog park and swap tips (or horror stories) with the other animal lovers there. Walking the dog isn’t just the way guys in 90’s movies pick up girls anymore … It’s a great way for anyone to spark up a conversation!

Count on CARES. Are you shy when it comes to meeting new people or starting conversations? Our awesome CARES Team is here to help with that. With free events every month, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet your neighbors. And the CARES Team is more than happy to chat with you and help get you started meeting new people and feeling more at home!

Take Chances. Walking to your car and pass a neighbor? Say hi. Taking the trash to the dumpster and pass a neighbor? Say hi. Doing the laundry? Say hi! If you feel comfortable with it, leave your door open while you’re home, and say hello to anyone who catches your eye through the door. Stop by the Welcome Center and talk to whoever else is waiting. Don’t be afraid to turn every day into an opportunity to meet someone new!

The post How to Meet People at Your Apartment! appeared first on Pine View Village Apartments Blog.

Please join us for our Canned Food Drive. We will be gathering donations through Thursday, December 10th. All your donations will be taken to the Flagstaff Family Food Center!

Stop by our office for details or if you have any questions, and thank you in advance for your donations!

 

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This week, we’re giving thanks for the gift of “furever” friends! Did you know that this weekend is National Animal Adoption Weekend? It’s actually called National Pet Adoption Weekend, but we all know that the animals we bring into our homes are more than just “pets”: they’re family, part of our support systems, and sometimes our very best friends. All across the country people are showing love for their furry companions, so we thought we’d take a look at what makes having an animal in your home so great!

1. Have a Heart

Did you know that having an animal is good for your heart? Having an animal has been shown to reduce the chances of a heart attack, lower blood pressure, and other heart-healthy advantages! It must be the way they warm our hearts just by being around!

2. You’ve Got a Friend in Me

The animals we bring into our homes are like family … and studies show they’re almost as close to us, with about 91% of animal caretakers saying they feel very close to their animals. And not only are we close to them … they also help us to get closer to others! Whether it’s hanging out at a dog park or chatting up fellow cat lovers, there’s something about animals that, let’s face it, makes it hard not to talk about them! Don’t believe us? Check out the hashtag #catsofinstagram and see how many people across the country are loving each other’s cat pics alone!

3. Bark = Meow = Love

As the saying goes, “To err is human, to forgive, canine.” Okay, maybe not, but nobody shows unconditional love like a dog. Nobody makes you feel more special with just a little bit of attention than a cat. Even a goldfish can make you feel loved. Studies have shown that animal owners have higher self-esteem and lower bouts of loneliness. Why? Because as much as we love our animals, they give ten times the love back.

4. Get Res-paw-nsible

Remember when you were younger and your parents told you having an animal was a big responsibility? Whether that was their reason for getting or denying you an animal, it’s still true today. Having an animal is a BIG responsibility, whether it’s a Betta in a bowl or a Lab on a leash! But they are literally the best “chores” in the house! Instead of thinking of taking care of an animal as a “chore,” think of it as a chance to learn how to care for others more than yourself. Think especially hard about this when it comes to emptying out the litter box.

5. Get Fit!

Animals help us stay more active! Whether you’re taking your dog or cat for a walk (cats on leashes? We love it!) or just playing in the house, animals get us up and active more than we would be without them. And we’ve all seen the YouTube videos of dogs jogging along with their owners on treadmills, or cats joining in a yoga routine. Who knows … you and your furry friend may go viral one of these days just by working out together!

So celebrate the furry friends in your life! Shower them with special treats this weekend. Celebrate the Adoption Weekend with a donation to your favorite animal shelter or local humane association. And if you don’t have an animal, but are thinking about adding one to your household, just keep these five things in mind:

1. Think about the cost. Make sure you have enough in your budget for monthly food and care needs, including regular visits to the vet, possible grooming, toys, etc.
2. Think about your time. Do you have time for an animal? We’re talking time to walk and feed her, take him to the doctor, play time, and so forth. How will an animal impact your work, family time, etc.?

3. Think about your space. What kind of animal would work best in your home? A smaller space might mean a cat or fish. A larger space might accommodate a dog or cat. And keep in mind … things change. You might wind up upgrading or downgrading your space, adding a roommate, etc.

4. Think about your lease. What does your lease say about adding an animal to your home? When in doubt, just stop by the Welcome Center … we’re happy to answer any questions you might have about bringing your furry friend home!

5. Think about the law. As much as we love all animals, some simply aren’t allowed. Whether it’s your lease or state law that restricts what kind of animal you can have, don’t commit to an animal before you’re sure it’s legal for you to have it in the first place!

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