Downtown Salem (Salem, OR)
By Lisa Sherman, Home Stager, Interior, Redesign & Decorating - Salem Oregon
(Interior Aura)
Last week I blogged about phase 1 here of a recent volunteer project and I promisted you an update on phase 2 of the H.O.M.E. Youth Resource Center... so here it is.The following weekend, January 31st, three members of Mid Valley Professional Stagers (MVPS), along with the generosity of one community member and three men from the National Guard, we tackled the removal of carpet and the pad throughout the main and upper level of the resource center. Two local contractors also contributed services by relocating the washer, dryer and 2 refrigerators as well as installing a wonderful storage solution for the teen's backpacks.With hammers, pry bars, gloves and masks... we were ready. Over the years, a different carpet had been added to each room, giving it an eclectic mix. Much of the carpet...
Comments 8
By Lisa Sherman, Home Stager, Interior, Redesign & Decorating - Salem Oregon
(Interior Aura)
At the end of 2008, the members of Mid Valley Professional Stagers (MVPS) decided to take on a community service project. There were many worthy organizations to choose from, but in the end the H.O.M.E. Youth Resource Center was selected. H.O.M.E. is a day shelter and outreach center for at-risk teens. The shelter provides assistance with homework, meals, a place to wash clothing, obtain needed clothing as well as serves as a refuge and safe haven. Prior to the project starting, there were several meetings to discuss how the staff and teens utilized each of the spaces as well as how we could help them improve the day shelter. The combined goal was to improve function and maximize the home's potential to best serve the teens. PHASE 1: A volunteer crew of Salem Area Professional Organizer...
Comments 6
By Melina Tomson, Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.
(Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon)
     It was hot, really hot this weekend.  Our summers in the valley are normally quite moderate, but we seem to get one week every July that hits the 90's and 100's.  This past weekend was no exception.   My kids wanted to go to the Riverfront Park here in Salem.  When we first moved to Salem from Portland about 10 years ago, Riverfront Park was a fairly new park.  It was one of many projects slated to reinvigorate the downtown area, and it really is a fantastic addition. The park has a great play structure...well actually two.  One for larger kids and one for smaller kids. They are right next to each other so parents with both sizes can easily watch their children.     A nice flat sidewalk is perfect for kids who want to learn to ride their bikes or roller blade, joggers out for some...
Comments 6
By Melina Tomson, Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.
(Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon)
                      Horse drawn carriages clip-clopped, streetcars clanged, long skirts rustled.   Like many people, I find the history of people and places interesting. As much as humanity grows and changes, we also stay the same.  While we have gone from horse drawn carts to rockets, humanity still experiences joy and sorrow that defines us as human.    As you walk through downtown Salem and see the heavy oak doors, decorative mouldings, and arched windows, you get a small glimpse of the life of Salemites during a time gone by.    You can't help but wonder about the lives of the people who visited these buildings during their lifetimes:  a farmer trading his wheat for cloth, a banker lending a dime for some seed, or a blacksmith drinking some beer at the end of the day.      Salem w...
Comments 7
By Melina Tomson, Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.
(Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon)
"Doesn't it rain in Oregon, like 365 days a year?  Someone told me you guys only get 30 days of sun a year."   I hear this constantly from people looking to relocate to Salem, Oregon.  Concerned about the massive downpour of rain that they think we get here, they don't think they can handle the doom and gloom of Oregon.   Just for the record:  it does rain here.  But we do get sun, contrary to rumors otherwise.  Today is March 31, 2008 and this picture was taken this morning. Looks like a sunny day to me.  As I was downtown today, I headed down to the Capitol Mall here in Salem to take some pictures of the cherry trees. They aren't in bloom long, so you need to get down there and see their splendor. The Capitol Mall is a wonderfully designed area that is truly beautiful.  Cherry trees l...
Comments 3
By Melina Tomson, Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.
(Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon)
I was recently asked by an investor about the tax incentives that Salem Oregon was offering.  As I explained to the investor, Salem Oregon is going through an amazing revitalization right now.  The Downtown Vision is very exciting.  They are looking for investors that are willing to consider Redevelopment and Historic Preservation.  There are tax incentives for these projects, and with all incentives, specific criteria to qualify. Salem, and Oregon in general, are very focused on creating green spaces.  The Parks and Open Space Proposals are truly exciting, and I know that I look forward to seeing these plans come into play in the next decade.          
Comments 1
Salem, OR Real Estate Professionals