Some yard sales exist to rid our homes of junk, but this one is about redemption. Let me share some background with you. On January 1, 2011 a resident in the Mills Park neighborhood was found dead behind a neighborhood entrance sign. This “sign” was actually a mammoth pillar, and the bulk of residents had no idea of the negative activity going on in the hidden space created by the pillar until the tragic murder on January 1. In short, a team of residents responded quickly and worked very hard to host meetings and make decisions about this 50-year old neighborhood entrance sign. When the votes were counted, 98% of residents voted to tear down the pillar and then re-build something in its place. Since the pillar was demolished recently, a fund-raising effort has since ensued.
This Saturday will host the last leg of fundraising to bring a new sign to the corner of Mills Park Drive and Folsom Blvd. There will be a massive yard sale at 2958 Mills Park Drive in Rancho Cordova on September 16, 17 and 18 to raise $2,500+ in order to fund this new sign. If you think concrete signs are cheap, think again. Between the sign and installation, the total cost is between $5,000-$6,000.
Here are two potentials of what the new sign may look like. The neighborhood will choose among these options.
Here is a video of the safety issue presented by the old pillar. Can you see the big problem? Isn’t it amazing what can happen when a sign or structure provides a place for hiding? If you look at most modern neighborhood signs, they are not beastly structures like this one and they very often are actually basically a part of the real estate on the corner lot. I put this video together in January and it was used at our community forum to help make a decision about this issue. You can also view a News 10 piece and interview I did on the story here.
I mention these details because I want to share life with you and I’d love for you to be involved. I’m not looking for any kudos whatsoever. If you are local, you are welcome to stop by the yard sale. You are invited to donate stuff to sell, volunteer to help at the sale or even write a tax-deductible check to the “Cordova Community Council” with a “Mills Park” memo. Also, I’m looking for media to cover the story.
Community Yard Sale
2958 Mills Park Drive
Rancho Cordova
September 16-19, 8am-5pm
So many times we see problems in the community and we wish that something would change. While it would be nice for local government or some agency to step in to solve the issue, many times it’s really up to residents to do something about it. In this case, it’s been great to see neighbors step forward as a team to promote safety, beautification and rebranding for a corner.
What elements of redemption do you see in this story?
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