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Say it with us...Goodbye 2020! Ringing in the New Year can be exciting—it's a time for new beginnings, which is something that, after a difficult 2020, most of us are looking forward to. New Year's Eve 2021 will look a lot different than last year's celebration. Instead of heading out for a night on the town, many of us will be settling in for an evening on the couch. And in lieu of ringing in 2021 with dozens of friends, our guest lists will be limited to the people who live in our households. One way we’re considering making the evening eventful is one of our favorite 2020 past-times: takeout. 

With our cherished local restaurants having to shut their doors the past month, no doubt they’ll be looking forward to some extra love and support as we head…

 

It’s the season of doing good and giving back. This is our third annual donation drive for Alexandra House as we continue to work together to help them on their mission to end domestic and sexual violence. Here’s to making a change in the lives of those in our community. 

This year due to Covid-19, they are requesting donors to contribute gift cards (with receipts attached) in $25 denominations from Target, Walmart, VISA, Mastercard, or Amazon.com, in addition to grocery gift cards from Cub or Aldi Grocery. If you do prefer to purchase actual toys and gifts for distribution, see the wish list by clicking here.

Drop off your donation at the VIBE office in St. Paul between December 1st - December 7th during our business hours: 9:30am - 5pm…

There’s no doubt that 2020 has brought our local businesses many challenges this year, and it’s safe to say we’ve all felt the impact one way or another. With so many businesses closing their doors in the Twin Cities and beyond, their role in our community has never been more transparent.

Just how much of a presence and impact do small businesses have? The SBA (Small Business Administration) reports over 28 million small businesses operating in the U.S. alone. And since 1995, those small businesses have generated 66% of all new jobs in the United States. Small businesses are a big deal. Which brings us to Small Business Saturday, a nationally recognized holiday coming up on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

So what better time to encourage the ‘shop…

This year’s election goes beyond who will be president. Your vote is your voice on issues affecting housing, education, employment and healthcare. Our team at VIBE encourages you to get out there and let yourself be heard on November 3rd (or earlier!) And if you feel disheartened or even just confused about the voting process, you’re not alone. We’ve done our best to curate some valuable information and resources to help guide you during the voting process - whether you’re looking at registering, voting early, or finding a polling location near you.

Registering To Vote

Register Online: It's quick and easy! You will need your Minnesota driver’s license or Minnesota identification card number, or the last four numbers of your Social Security…

It’s September already, which marks almost six months of living in the midst of a pandemic. With all the difficult changes this year has brought, it’s never been more clear that our community is at the forefront of what we do. Our neighbors, clients, and friends are the foundation of VIBE Realty. While our world in real estate continues to move forward, we remain empathetic toward our friends in industries that continue to struggle. 

It’s been humbling to witness how the Twin Cities have come together in a collective effort to support and elevate one another during these times. But the outreach can’t stop yet. Local businesses, artists, gyms, musicians, and restaurants continue to feel the negative economic and financial effects of COVID-19. Here are…

Not all is lost here, folks. While some might say 2020 is a wash when it comes to enjoying our much-loved Minnesota summer activities, we knew the State Fair wasn't going to leave us hanging. When they announced the cancelation in mid-May due to COVID-19 (which was not an easy decision for the board to make), we were hoping they'd come up with a little something to accommodate our fair fix...cue The Minnesota State Fair Drive-Thru happening Aug. 20-23, 27-30 and Sept. 3-7.

Our great Minnesota get-together has found a new way for us to enjoy what it is we all look forward to each year...the food. The fairgrounds will be hosting 16 different vendors who will be selling you their food wares along a 1.5 mile route and you get to drive-thru and grab the…

When the going gets tough...we play bingo. Saint Paul Downtown Alliance is gettin' creative and offering a chance for you to enter to win a $100 gift card to one of your favorite downtown Saint Paul locations by playing bingo and supporting small biz.

Complete a horizontal, vertical or diagonal bingo by spending $25 or more at downtown businesses. Submit receipts to emma.burns@stpdowntownalliance.org by May 31, 2020. Receipts can be dated back to March 12, 2020. Don't forget - call directly for takeout or delivery whenever possible and always tip your delivery drivers! More information here. Ready, set, BINGO... 

We continue to hear the countless stories of neighbors helping neighbors, people starting fundraisers for those who have lost their jobs, and a collective call to support local independent businesses.

But this pandemic is also making us all isolated (literally and emotionally). So while many of us want to help by doing something, it can also be hard to know exactly what to do when we’re stuck at home. Turns out, there are many ways to help within our tight-knit community outside of donating blood or sewing masks (but if you're able help those ways, click here for more information). We’re looking a little closer to home and finding ways to contribute with impact in our own very own neighborhood, Cathedral Hill.

Join us in solidarity and show your…

While our team has been practicing social distancing, working from home, and adjusting to the new normal – we’ve been humbled to see the community come together during these times. We are grateful for everyone who, despite these turbulent waters, are riding the waves to help lift others up. It’s been touching to witness the human generosity, empathy, and outreach in our neighborhood and beyond. We applaud the businesses across Minnesota who are changing the way they operate to help in the fight against COVID-19 and wanted to share some of these acts of generosity and spread the word about ways that you can help. 

Giving Blood To Help With The Shortage

A great way to help is to give blood if you are healthy. The American Red Cross is now facing a…

Written by VIBE Co-Founder, Steve Anderson

 

During my five-plus years in real estate, I have had the good fortune of not having to work through a significant economic downturn. One thing I get all of the time is, "boy, it must be a great time to be working in real estate". While I do tend to agree with that statement, it's mainly because I simply love what I do. The reality, when it comes to the market, is that I would welcome a more balanced market with open arms. Yes, houses are selling for more money than they have in the past, and it's a wonderful phone call to make when I get to tell my seller when they have a line of people waiting to pay over asking price for their home. But the reality for all but one of those buyers in line? Another…