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 Highland Village Apartments Blog.

Flagstaff and North Arizona have many natural attractions, but one of the most beautiful is the annual blaze of leaf color which arrives during the fall months of September, October and November.

First to turn are the leaves of the aspens in the higher elevations of the San Francisco Peaks. The magnificent red, orange and golden-brown show gradually descends to the streets of the city itself, but the best views are probably to be had from one of the numerous hiking trails in the mountains or the Coconino National Forest.

Hikes vary considerably in length and difficulty. Those classified as easy include the Wilson Meadow, the Buffalo Park Loop and the Red Mountain and Sunset Trails. Moderately challenging hikes include the Little Bear Trail and Bismarck Lake, while more ambitious and experienced hikers will love the Kachina Trail and the Bear Jaw Canyon Loop.

Full details of these and many more routes and trails can be found at www.flagstaffarizona.org or by visiting the Flagstaff Visitor Center, which is located in the old rail station, downtown on Route 66.

Timing Your Leaf-Viewing Trip

Leaf colors during the months of fall vary considerably depending on the species of trees, elevations, and weather conditions. So to get the most out of your view, check out the Flagstaff LEAF-ometer. This is an online visual resource which will give you a real-time idea of exactly what to expect in the favorite viewing areas around the city.    

Enjoying the Fall at Highland Village

As beautiful as the fall foliage of North Arizona is, it’s just one of many things to enjoy in the area at this time of year. And as a resident of our apartments in Flagstaff you’ll be in an ideal place to take full advantage of them.

For more information and details on our available floor plans, please contact us today. 

The post Plan Your Flagstaff Fall Foliage Hikes appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

4 Awesome Day Trips from Flagstaff

Slide Rock State Park. Head south on state Route 89-A into Oak Creek Canyon and you’ll discover Slide Rock State Park. Less than 45 minutes from town, here you’ll find a natural water slide and a half-mile of Oak Creek that is open for swimming; perfect for beating the heat.

The Grand Canyon.Located just 90 miles from downtown Flagstaff, a trip to visit the Grand Canyon is a great way to spend a warm summer day. Drive along the South Rim, browse the various visitor centers and take a lot of pictures to document your day.

Sedona. Head out of town to enjoy some shopping, dining, arts and maybe even some spiritual enrichment in Sedona. Book a guided tour or simply explore on your own to maximize the fun. At a quick 45-minute drive, there’s really no excuse not to escape to Sedona for the day!

Navajo National Monument. Get up early and head out to the northeastern corner of the state to visit the Navajo National Monument and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park. With an 11-hour round trip, you’ll need to make the most of your time at the park, so stick to the hiking, jeep or horseback tours of the area.

Get the Most Out of the Summer Sun at Highland Village

With so many great things to see and do in the greater Flagstaff area, it’s no wonder our residents love calling Highland Village home. For more summer exploration in our community or to take a look at the available floor plans at our apartments in Flagstaff, visit our friendly team online today!

The post 4 Day Trips to Take From Flagstaff appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

Here at Highland Village, we're proud to be part of the Flagstaff community … and that means giving back when and where we can! This month, our team is proud to give back to the Coconino Humane Association with a day of volunteering!

The Coconino Humane Association works to provide shelter and aid for the "unwanted, abandoned, and mistreated" animals of Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. We love their statement of pride in being "a voice for dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals in Coconino County!" Following the CHA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter is enough to show anyone just how much they care about our animals. By hosting events, providing training, and posting pictures of adoptable and lost animals, they help to "speak for those who cannot speak for themselves."

Coconino Humane offers numerous opportunities for volunteers to serve the Flagstaff community's animals! Some opportunities include helping to provide animal care, socializing animals, supporting offsite adoption events, and much more! We're excited to work with them to do our part for the precious furry friends we all love!

The Coconino Humane Association could always use more volunteers! To learn how you can help, visit their Volunteer Page! We'd love for you to join us in making a "paw"-sitive difference right here in Flagstaff!

The post Highland Village Gives Back: Coconino Humane Association appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

If you’re anything like us, your bracket for March Madness is all but destroyed … if not already a totally lost cause. So, what should you do with your bracket now that you won’t be winning your office pot? We’ve got some ideas.

1. Write a Strongly Worded Letter
Your team’s done let you down, man. Somebody needs to hear about it. So flip that bracket over and write a strongly worded letter with its abysmal remains. We recommend writing the head coach, or your favorite player. Actually, you know what? Bad idea … Let’s face it, you may be disappointed but it’s nothing compared to the actual players. So have a little compassion, and instead send your expressions of bracket-busted grief to your roommate. Or your mom. Maybe even your apartment leasing office? We’re not promising a response, but at least you put it out there. Which is more than we can say for your team.

2. Rewrite Your Bucket List
It’s time to start living your own life again. So what if all your dreams of perfect bracket glory went down in a ball of flames after round one? The world is still out there! You can still do something amazing! Write out that bucket list! Make it all the things you would have done with your bracket winnings … Or maybe all the things your bracket loss makes you want to do. Like eat an elite eight pack of ice cream. Or take a road trip down the mountain long enough to have a long hard think about how your bracket went so wrong. Or learn to perfect your free throw percentage and three-point shot…

3. Use It to Fix a Wobbly Table
Come on … what else is it good for? Your bracket is busted. That doesn’t mean your table has to be busted, too. Create some good out of this disaster.

4. Find Love
If Villanova can lose, anything can happen, right? Flip your bracket over and write a letter to the guy or gal of your dreams. What else have you got to lose? Keep the letter simple, and maybe let it rock some thinly veiled NCAA puns. We’re talking: “Do you like me? Yes or ‘Nova?”

5. Recycle It
Your bracket is dead. But the earth is still spinning. Help keep it that way by recycling it. Technically all the above options are ways of recycling your bracket sheet. You can love both basketball and the environment. Don’t take this year’s tourney disappointment out on Mother Earth, bro. Keep it classy and save a tree.

What's your plan for your bracket now that it's busted? Or are you a lucky one who's bracket is still going strong? Let us know!

The post 5 Things to Do Now That Your Bracket Is Busted appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

1. The magic and folklore of Ireland are on display at the Riordan Mansion State Historic Park on Sunday, March 13th. The annual Irish festival will feature many free, fun things to do! 

• Enjoy Celtic music and Irish dancers.
• Games and crafts for the kids.
• Pie, the Belgian draft horse, will pull a wagon offering free rides (donations are appreciated).
• Raffles featuring Irish goodies and refreshments will be available.
• Irish-themed, guided tours of the historic Riordan Mansion will take place at noon, 1:00 and 2:00 PM. The regular admission fee will apply. Reservations are recommended! Call (928) 779-4395 to reserve your tour.
• One highlight of the day is sure be the whiskey tasting! This adults-only event is $15 per person.

For more information about the St. Patrick’s Day festivities at Riordan Mansion State Historic Park, call (928) 853-7792. The event is sponsored by the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society and the Riordan Action Network. 

2. On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, join the crew at Collin’s Irish Pub in celebrating St. Paddy’s Day the Irish way!

• The well known, Flagstaff-based Celtic band, The Knockabouts will perform from 6:00 to 10:00 PM.
• Favorite Irish dishes will be served.
• And of course, plenty of green beer to go around!

Collins promises the party will last all night. For more information, call (928) 214-7363.

3. If it just isn’t St. Pat’s without a parade, then head down the road to Sedona on Saturday, March 12th! 

• The 46th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade steps off at 10:30 AM. at Jordan Historical Park and heads south on Jordan Road to Mesquite Avenue.
• The festival follows, featuring free family activities, food vendors and music too! It runs from the end of the parade until 3:00 PM.

The festivities are presented by Sedona Main Street Program, NAU Parks and Recreation Management Program and the Sedona Green Team.

4. Head to Williams on Saturday for a corned beef and cabbage dinner at the Community United Methodist Church!

• Dinner is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM or until the food's gone.
• Free donations will be accepted.

The Sisters in Spirit are sponsoring the dinner. 

Whether you’re Irish or just Irish-at-heart, there’s plenty to do in and around Flagstaff this St. Patrick’s Day.

Erin go bragh!

The post Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Flagstaff appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

Erin go Bragh! St. Patrick’s Day is coming up fast, and we’re ready to get our green on! Unlike Kermit’s classic song, it IS easy being green when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day … from green clothes to green food and drink, we love this fun and festive holiday! Flagstaff loves it, too, and has a ton of great ways to celebrate when St. Patrick’s Day comes to town on March 17^th!

Southside Tavern’s St. Patty’s Day Bash
Enjoy green drinks, corned beef and cabbage, and more when Southside Tavern’s doors open at 3:00 pm! There will be music, dancing, t-shirt giveaways, and more!

Collin’s Irish Pub
Well this is an obvious choice! Head on down to Collin’s for a real Irish celebration. Festivities will include Irish dishes, green drinks, and The Knockabouts, a Flagstaff-based Celtic band.

Uptown Pub
This St. Patrick’s Day celebration will feature Flagstaff’s newest Irish band, The Trouble With Whiskey. Uptown is promising fantastic specials and a ton of great entertainment!

Mia’s Lounge St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Doors open at 9:00 pm for this jamboree! Enjoy live music from Andy See and His Swinging Jamboree. Hit the dance floor and enjoy a great time.

Of course, you don’t have to go out to enjoy a fun St. Patrick’s Day in Flagstaff. Invite friends over for a Green Jamboree of your own! Hang green décor, and don’t forget the shamrocks. Play Celtic music and have a dance contest! Serve green drinks (we love this Homemade Shamrock Shake recipe!), food (break out the corned beef and cabbage, or get cheesy with some green eggs and ham), and desserts (hello, pistachio pudding). Have a limerick off! Watch movies: The Departed, Gangs of New York, Leprechaun, and The Secret of Kells all top our list!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

The post Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Flagstaff! appeared first on Highland 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 Highland 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!

 

The post ‘TIS A GIFT: Giving Thanks Through Giving appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.

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!

The post ‘TIS A GIFT: Giving Thanks for Our Furever Friends appeared first on Highland Village Apartments Blog.