Record Results for Care & Share Food Drive

The following is a Walla Walla Union Bulletin Editorial from November 20, 2007:

Food drive shows that WW Valley really does Care & Share

The Valley, led by the Walla Walla Association of Realtors, responded to a call for help from the local food bank.

Last month's record-setting Care & Share Food Drive made it clear the people of the Walla Walla Valley do care and share.

The Valley, led by the Walla Walla Association of Realtors, responded to a call for help from the local food bank. The cupboards were bare at the Blue Mountain Action Council Food Bank following the recall of Castleberry's Brands canned foods because botulism was found in its product. The local food bank had 185 cases on hand - all of which had to be tossed out.

The Realtors set a goal of 36,000 pounds of food - twice what was collected last year. The October food drive came close to the mark as it brought in an impressive 27,000 pounds of canned food and dry goods.

Well, employees at the Home Loan Center in Walla Walla kept the drive going and collected another 2,830 pounds in food and about $1,500 in cash. That money will be used to purchase food and it will put the food drive over the 36,000-pound goal, said Gail McGhee, the food bank manager.

The incredible success of this year's Care & Share Food Drive is a testament to the spirit and generosity of this community. It shows that when there is a real need for neighbors to help neighbors that the people of the Valley respond.

A great many people who might have gone hungry this winter will now have food for their families.

Folks throughout the Valley should be proud of all they've done to help those in need.

"Get the Facts Straight"

TV Spot - "Get the Facts Straight"
Why Washington Is Different

I found these this morning and thought they looked pretty good. It's true- Washington and Walla Walla are still great markets and it's important for people to know that.

October Statistics

October 2007 Statistics
October 2007 Charts

Good news! After a slow September the number of closings in Walla Walla bounced back- we actually had more closings in October this year than in 2004, 2005 or 2006. Does that mean the market is charging ahead once again? Probably not quite yet, but it's a sign that things aren't so bad.

An Intro to the Vineyard Condos

Located at the corner of Melrose and Roosevelt (map), the Vineyard condos fill a niche in Walla Walla and provide something that everyone has been asking for but no one seems able to find- affordable housing. Seriously, where else can you find a 2 bedroom, 2 bath place to call home for $100,000 where it feels like you're moving into a brand new house?

Now if you're interested in buying- great (click here), but I'm going to stop with what may seem like an advertisement and get onto some real information and photos.

The Vineyard condos are a renovation project that's been under construction since summer 2007 through the present. The complex, formerly known as the Melrose East Apartments, has 65 units. Amenities include covered parking, a swimming pool, a free laundry facility, an exercise room, BBQ areas and more. For a photo gallery of the model unit click here.

As of today nearly half of the units are sold or under contract. Close to a third of the units are finished and move-in-ready while the remaining units should be finished by the end of November.

With good prices on all the units (around $100K, varying depending on whether you want upstairs or downstairs, 2 baths or 1) the pattern for what has sold has been somewhat predictable. The 3 bedroom units sold out very quickly. Next came the 2 bed, 2 bath units on the ends of the buildings. Soon all the 2 bed, 2 bath units will be gone and we'll be down to the 2 bed, 1 bath units. As a side note, there are special incentives ($ towards closing, prepaid HOA fees, etc.) for buyers who want to go ahead and buy one of the 2 bed, 1 bath units right now, making them a pretty great deal.

I want to include one other thing before I wrap this up. I just did an open house at the model unit here over the weekend and had a few homeowners from the neighborhood stop by to check things out. Several of them commented on how much they like driving by and seeing things come together so well. I agree- the whole project looks great and it feels good to finally have something nice to show in this price range.