There’s something special about taking an empty lot full of rocks, weeds and cigarette butts and turning it into something beautiful, useful and life sustaining. It takes time, energy and patience. But in the end, it’s about more than harvesting fresh fruits, veggies and herbs in community gardens — it’s about growing stronger, better neighborhoods.
In 2008, there were about eight community gardens in Tacoma. Now there are 42 in some stage of development, according to Kristen McIvor, community gardening coordinator for the City of Tacoma and Pierce County. Many of the gardens are on city and metro parks property and some are on private land. “People have a large desire to learn and connect with food,” she said. “They are interested in fresh organic food.”
Read more about the Green Thumb Community Garden in the magazine article, link is provide below.
http://southsoundmag.com/2011/06/01/growing-together
Also, we have another new garden in the neighborhood, the McKinley Hill Community Garden was completed last Saturday. It is located near East 34th and East M Streets, not far from the old Rogers Elementary School.
TEAM (Tacoma Eastside Action Membership) is looking for volunteers to help support their upcoming (July 16th event at Portland Avenue Park). And, be sure to talk to your neighbors and invite friendsand family to this summer event.
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Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Growing Our Future
TEAM Eastside Event
Celebrate Summer In Tacoma on Saturday July 16th.
This is an annual event on the Eastside of Tacoma in the First Creek Neighborhood. It is sponsored and organized by TEAM (Tacoma Eastside Action Membership), a long standing community group in the Portland Avenue and McKinley Avenue areas.
Enjoy entertainment, try a variety of foods, find arts and crafts, shop, join in games, get a message and generally have a fun day.
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Time is from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Location is the Portland Avenue Community Center and Park.
We still have room for addtional vendors, artists and music groups.
Call 253 627-5718 for additional information.
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This is an annual event on the Eastside of Tacoma in the First Creek Neighborhood. It is sponsored and organized by TEAM (Tacoma Eastside Action Membership), a long standing community group in the Portland Avenue and McKinley Avenue areas.
Enjoy entertainment, try a variety of foods, find arts and crafts, shop, join in games, get a message and generally have a fun day.
.Time is from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Location is the Portland Avenue Community Center and Park.
We still have room for addtional vendors, artists and music groups.
Call 253 627-5718 for additional information.
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Sunday, May 1, 2011
First Creek Neighbors
May 2011 Meeting
First Creek Neighbors
Invites You to Attend Our Monthly Meeting
6:30pm, Wednesday, May 4
The Portland Ave. Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
TOPIC
Preview of the presentation about First Creek Neighbors and the Green Thumb Garden that will be made at Neighborhoods USA Conference towards the end of May
http://www.nusa.org/
Find out about what's going on in the First Creek Neighborhood, meet your neighbors, learn about the First Creek Watershed and our Community Gardens
Please join us!
---------------------------
The results are in! First Creek Neighbors came in Third Place nationally.
Very good showing for our community group and for Tacoma.
Friday, March 25, 2011
New Community Garden for the Eastside of Tacoma
Good News for Tacoma! The "Good Medicine Community Garden" will be built this Spring at East 32nd and Portland Avenue. This is a wonderful community effort lead by the Puyallup Tribe, along with First Creek Neighbors, the City of Tacoma and many others working to build a better and healthier community.
We still need some funding to finish this garden project as planned, but we now have enough to get started building it. We'll be having work parties throughout the Spring, so keep your eyes and ears open to opportunities to help, we'll need your help, plus it's fun.
Future home of Good Medicine Community Garden
We still need some funding to finish this garden project as planned, but we now have enough to get started building it. We'll be having work parties throughout the Spring, so keep your eyes and ears open to opportunities to help, we'll need your help, plus it's fun.
A special thanks goes to the Puyallup Tribe of Indians for providing the land and a large portion of the funding. Sustainable Tacoma also provided a small grant for the project.
Learn more about how to get involved at our next garden meeting on Friday evening, April 1st, 6:30 at the Portland Avenue Community Center. Also, we'll talk about it at the First Creek Neighbors monthly meeting on April 6th, time 6:30 same location.
---------------------------------
News article from the Puyallup Tribal News, April 2011:
http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/news/news/a_second_garden_sprouts_up_for_tribal_use/
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Tuesday, January 25, 2011
First Creek Neighbors
February 2011 Meeting
First Creek Neighbors
Invites You to Attend Our Monthly Meeting
6:00pm, Wednesday February 2
at The Portland Ave. Community Center
3513 Portland Ave.
Fund Raiser for the Green Thumb Garden
6:00pm, Chili Feed, $2.00 per person, $5.00 per family. Proceeds from the fund raiser will be used to sponsor the $15.00 garden plots fee for needy gardeners.
Regular Meeting starts at 6:30
Main Topic of the evening:
Economic Development Plans of the Puyallup Tribe
It's always nice to hear from the Puyallup Tribe and to learn about the wonderful things they are doing for Tacoma.
Please join us for this important meeting.
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Invites You to Attend Our Monthly Meeting
6:00pm, Wednesday February 2
at The Portland Ave. Community Center
3513 Portland Ave.
Fund Raiser for the Green Thumb Garden
6:00pm, Chili Feed, $2.00 per person, $5.00 per family. Proceeds from the fund raiser will be used to sponsor the $15.00 garden plots fee for needy gardeners.
Regular Meeting starts at 6:30
Main Topic of the evening:
Economic Development Plans of the Puyallup Tribe
It's always nice to hear from the Puyallup Tribe and to learn about the wonderful things they are doing for Tacoma.
Please join us for this important meeting.
.
Building Healthy Communities
from the Ground Up
Cascade Land Conservancy and the City of Tacoma invite you to a free evening workshop:
Building Healthy Communities from the Ground Up:
How to make your neighborhoods safer, cleaner and greener!
Join us at the Portland Ave community center, Wednesday at 6pm to 8:30.
Share in a potluck meal and gathering (bring something to share with four if you can).
Hear from a panel of community members from South Tacoma and the Eastside who have made their neighborhoods healthier:
o Dan Fear & David Whited, First Creek Neighbors & Puyallup Tribe – neighborhood restoration and crime reduction
o Carol Ramm-Gramenz & students, McCarver Elementary – safe routes to school and the Zina Linnik Park
o Octavia Hathaway, Caffeteria Octavia – starting a local business
Learn from Cascade Land Conservancy and Tacoma’s Community-Based Services about how you can effectively make change.
Brainstorm and plan concrete actions in your neighborhoods.
WHEN: 6-8:30pm, Wednesday January 26th
WHERE: Portland Ave Community Center (3513 East Portland Ave)
More information? Skye Schell at (206) 905-6891
RSVP Online:
http://www.cascadeland.org/events/healthy
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Building Healthy Communities from the Ground Up:
How to make your neighborhoods safer, cleaner and greener!
Join us at the Portland Ave community center, Wednesday at 6pm to 8:30.
Share in a potluck meal and gathering (bring something to share with four if you can).
Hear from a panel of community members from South Tacoma and the Eastside who have made their neighborhoods healthier:
o Dan Fear & David Whited, First Creek Neighbors & Puyallup Tribe – neighborhood restoration and crime reduction
o Carol Ramm-Gramenz & students, McCarver Elementary – safe routes to school and the Zina Linnik Park
o Octavia Hathaway, Caffeteria Octavia – starting a local business
Learn from Cascade Land Conservancy and Tacoma’s Community-Based Services about how you can effectively make change.
Brainstorm and plan concrete actions in your neighborhoods.
WHEN: 6-8:30pm, Wednesday January 26th
WHERE: Portland Ave Community Center (3513 East Portland Ave)
More information? Skye Schell at (206) 905-6891
RSVP Online:
http://www.cascadeland.org/events/healthy
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Martin Luther King Day - Day of Service
First Creek Watershed Cleanup, January 17, Tacoma, WA., Martin Luther King Day of Service - Participates: First Creek Middle School, University of Washington Tacoma (Environmental Sciences Dept), University of Puget Sound (Football Team), First Creek Church, Grace Methodist Church, TEAM (Tacoma Eastside Action Membership), First Creek Neighbors, Green Tacoma Partnership and Pierce County Stream Team, and other friends. This is a yearly event, join us next year and help make our environment better.
More than 125 volunteers participated on this Day of Service. Thank you everyone who helped make this day a success.
You'll find additional pictures on our First Creek Watershed Blog:
http://firstcreekwatershed.blogspot.com/
More than 125 volunteers participated on this Day of Service. Thank you everyone who helped make this day a success.
You'll find additional pictures on our First Creek Watershed Blog:
http://firstcreekwatershed.blogspot.com/
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Tuesday, January 4, 2011
First Creek Neighbors - January Meeting
First Creek Neighbors
Monthly meeting
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday January 5th
The Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
-----------------------------------------
Agenda for January 5, 2011
* Welcome and Introductions
* News from the Puyallup Tribe
* First Creek Restoration Work Party in celebration of MLK day which is planned for January 17th at Fairbanks and First Creek, from 10:00 - 1:00.
* New boards for the garden painted by First Creek Middle School Students
* News from the City
* News from the Community Garden and Garden Fund Raiser
* Other community business: Pot Holes and Swan Creek Library
* Announcements
Next Garden meeting will be February 4 at 6:30 at the Portland Ave. Community Center. A $15.00 fee to rent a plot is due on or before February 4th.
-----------------------------------------
Find information about our neighborhood as well as community resources by visiting our blog. This is the primary information site for our community garden.
http://firstcreek.blogspot.com/
First Creek Watershed blog features additional information primarily about the creek and habitat area. Contact Dan Fear at 253 304-2808 if you have any questions.
http://firstcreekwatershed.blogspot.com/
Green Thumb Community Garden now on Facebook, information and pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
.
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Monthly meeting
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday January 5th
The Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
-----------------------------------------
Agenda for January 5, 2011
* Welcome and Introductions
* News from the Puyallup Tribe
* First Creek Restoration Work Party in celebration of MLK day which is planned for January 17th at Fairbanks and First Creek, from 10:00 - 1:00.
* New boards for the garden painted by First Creek Middle School Students
* News from the City
* News from the Community Garden and Garden Fund Raiser
* Other community business: Pot Holes and Swan Creek Library
* Announcements
Next Garden meeting will be February 4 at 6:30 at the Portland Ave. Community Center. A $15.00 fee to rent a plot is due on or before February 4th.
-----------------------------------------
Find information about our neighborhood as well as community resources by visiting our blog. This is the primary information site for our community garden.
http://firstcreek.blogspot.com/
First Creek Watershed blog features additional information primarily about the creek and habitat area. Contact Dan Fear at 253 304-2808 if you have any questions.
http://firstcreekwatershed.blogspot.com/
Green Thumb Community Garden now on Facebook, information and pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
.
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Swan Creek Library to Close
How you Can Help
The Tacoma Public Library Board voted to close the Swan Creek Library, located on Portland Avenue near Salishan. They (the board) feels that since we have Mottet Library located near McKinley Avenue and Division that we have enough.
Here's a link to the full article in the TNT:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/15/1466934/tacoma-board-votes-to-close-2.html
What do you think? How can we prevent public resource on the Eastside from being cut? Do you want to help? Can you Help? Do you have a library card? Just some thoughts to think about, because budgets are going through a tough times and services are getting cut.
Your voice does count. Be involved in your community and get your neighbors and friends involved too. You can send emails and or call board members and city council members to let them know your thoughts. You can send letters to the editors of the Tacoma News Tribune or other papers. You can speak up and attend community and city meetings.
Have you called recently about the POTHOLES on your street or in your neighborhood? Call them in: Street repair and Potholes, 591-5495 and have your neighbors call too.
If you want a safer neighborhood, you can add an alley light for less than $15.00
a month. You might also ask your neighbors to chip in, they probably will because it will be better for everyone around you. Call Alley Lighting at 502-8618 for additional information.
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Here's a link to the full article in the TNT:
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/12/15/1466934/tacoma-board-votes-to-close-2.html
What do you think? How can we prevent public resource on the Eastside from being cut? Do you want to help? Can you Help? Do you have a library card? Just some thoughts to think about, because budgets are going through a tough times and services are getting cut.
Your voice does count. Be involved in your community and get your neighbors and friends involved too. You can send emails and or call board members and city council members to let them know your thoughts. You can send letters to the editors of the Tacoma News Tribune or other papers. You can speak up and attend community and city meetings.
Have you called recently about the POTHOLES on your street or in your neighborhood? Call them in: Street repair and Potholes, 591-5495 and have your neighbors call too.
If you want a safer neighborhood, you can add an alley light for less than $15.00
a month. You might also ask your neighbors to chip in, they probably will because it will be better for everyone around you. Call Alley Lighting at 502-8618 for additional information.
.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Green Thumb Community Garden
Harvest Celebration
Green Thumb Community Garden
Potluck and Harvest Celebration
September 25th Noon - 3:00 at the garden
Location: Portland Avenue and East Wright Avenue in Tacoma.
We are planning to start setting up around Noon and eating around 1:00. Mayor Strickland and a few others will be touring Tacoma Community Gardens and we're scheduled as her first stop at 1:00 or shortly after. It's the Mayor's birthday and we'll have a cake for her, come celebrate her birthday and our Community Garden. It's a Potluck so bring something to share.
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Potluck and Harvest Celebration
September 25th Noon - 3:00 at the garden
Location: Portland Avenue and East Wright Avenue in Tacoma.
We are planning to start setting up around Noon and eating around 1:00. Mayor Strickland and a few others will be touring Tacoma Community Gardens and we're scheduled as her first stop at 1:00 or shortly after. It's the Mayor's birthday and we'll have a cake for her, come celebrate her birthday and our Community Garden. It's a Potluck so bring something to share.
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Compost Bines - Discounted Price & Sale
Compost bins discounted up to 60 percent, free workshops
With garden harvests winding down and fall leaves around the corner, now is the ideal time to start composting at home. City residents may take advantage of the last compost bin sale of the year featuring deeply discounted bins Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 at locations throughout Tacoma.
City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management, in partnership with Metro Parks Tacoma and Washington State Department of Ecology, encourage residents to compost at home to save resources while creating compost, a valuable soil amendment to use on lawns and gardens.
COMPOST BIN SALE (Tacoma residents) — Sept. 15-Oct. 15*
Discounted compost bins
· The Recycler Compost Bin: $35
· The Compost Wizard: $115
Purchase locations (call for hours and bin availability)
· Center at Norpoint: 4818 Nassau Ave NE, (253) 591-5504
· City of Tacoma EnviroHouse (Tacoma Landfill), 3510 S. Mullen St., (253) 573-2426
· Seymour Botanical Conservatory: 316 S. G St., (253) 591-5330
· South Park Community Center: 4851 South Tacoma Way, (253) 591-5299
· Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 S. Tyler St., (253) 591-6439
FREE COMPOSTING WORKSHOP (Tacoma and Pierce County residents)
· Oct. 9th, 11 a.m.-noon, location: City of Tacoma EnviroHouse (Tacoma Landfill), 3510 S. Mullen St., (253) 573-2426
For more information, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/composting or call Solid Waste Management, (253) 591-5543.
* Compost bin quantities limited, two bins per household, available only to residents residing within Tacoma city limits.
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With garden harvests winding down and fall leaves around the corner, now is the ideal time to start composting at home. City residents may take advantage of the last compost bin sale of the year featuring deeply discounted bins Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 at locations throughout Tacoma.
City of Tacoma Solid Waste Management, in partnership with Metro Parks Tacoma and Washington State Department of Ecology, encourage residents to compost at home to save resources while creating compost, a valuable soil amendment to use on lawns and gardens.
COMPOST BIN SALE (Tacoma residents) — Sept. 15-Oct. 15*
Discounted compost bins
· The Recycler Compost Bin: $35
· The Compost Wizard: $115
Purchase locations (call for hours and bin availability)
· Center at Norpoint: 4818 Nassau Ave NE, (253) 591-5504
· City of Tacoma EnviroHouse (Tacoma Landfill), 3510 S. Mullen St., (253) 573-2426
· Seymour Botanical Conservatory: 316 S. G St., (253) 591-5330
· South Park Community Center: 4851 South Tacoma Way, (253) 591-5299
· Tacoma Nature Center: 1919 S. Tyler St., (253) 591-6439
FREE COMPOSTING WORKSHOP (Tacoma and Pierce County residents)
· Oct. 9th, 11 a.m.-noon, location: City of Tacoma EnviroHouse (Tacoma Landfill), 3510 S. Mullen St., (253) 573-2426
For more information, visit www.cityoftacoma.org/composting or call Solid Waste Management, (253) 591-5543.
* Compost bin quantities limited, two bins per household, available only to residents residing within Tacoma city limits.
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Thursday, July 22, 2010
Crime Busters - First Creek Neighbors
Here's a positive story about some citizen crime fighting in the First Creek Neighborhood of Tacoma. It's about making a community safer and a better place to live. The story was featured Thursday evening July 15th at 9pm on MYQ2 (channel 10) and at 10 pm on Q13 (channel 13).
One very imporatant element missing from the story is the importance of the City of Tacoma, the Police Department and Code Inforcement Officers, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and their Police Department. All of them are working really hard with the community and we consider them our partners.
If you missed the story here's a video link:
http://www.q13fox.com/videobeta/6c7529b5-ac13-45b3-a8c6-5aac20c13c3d/News/CRIME-BUSTERS-FIRST-CREEK-PKG
-------------------------------
Also: here's a transcript of the text and story by Darren Dedo
CRIMEBUSTERS: Tacoma Residents Take On Crack Den And Drug Dealing Squatters
A dedicated group of First Creek neighbors have decided enough was enough, and became Crimebusters.
TACOMA - It used to be one of Tacoma's toughest neighborhoods where pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers ruled.
Now, a dedicated group of First Creek neighbors have decided enough was enough, and became Crimebusters.
It started when a group of addicts moved in next door to Ben Rimmele's home.
"I would let my dog out at night to use the restroom, I'd watch drug transactions go on, people breaking into cars all the time, I'd worry about my wife and daughter that, that stuff had happened," said Rimmele.
So, Ben and the rest of his First Creek neighbors decided to stand up to the bad guys.
"We started writing down license plates and descriptions," said Rimmele, "we took pictures, I (even) set up a camcorder on the top of my stairs to videotape the house."
The crack shack wasn't the only problem; Pimps and prostitutes were terrorizing their streets too.
Dan Fear says that when the First Creek folks decided to picket them.
"We literally went right up into their faces and said what are you doing?" said Fear, "it's a nice night, we're standing on the corner enjoying it, what are you doing?"
Ben and his good friend Martin Stokes also went mobile to fight crime and started patrolling under a neighborhood bridge.
Stokes says they see everything from crack pipes to beer, and the goal is to make sure squatters keep their open-air drug market away from kids.
"Now, we actually go to the park, go bike riding, go play basketball without worrying," said Stokes.
What a difference two years makes on Portland Avenue.
What used to be a vacant lot on the main strip that was a haven for criminal activity will soon become a community garden.
You can see and feel the renewed sense of community in First Creek.
It's thanks to Ben and his team of Crimebusters standing up for what's right.
"We stood our ground, said this is our neighborhood no one else's," said Rimmele, "all the neighbors together, we all came together."
Reporters final comments: The group says that at their last community crime meeting the Tacoma Policethe Tacoma Police told them that all of their efforts have made their First Creek area one of the least crime ridden areas of the city.
If you know of a Crimebuster in your neighborhood let us know about them, they could be featured in an upcoming story.
Link to online story but video link is difficult to find online:
http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-071510-cimebustersfirstcreek,0,6322782.story
-------------------------------
Future Events:
August 3rd
First Creek’s First National Night Out
Location: Green Thumb Community Garden (Wright Avenue and Portland Avenue) Time: 7-10 pm. National Night Out Against Crime is a national event dedicated to increasing crime awareness and strengthening neighborhood spirit. Why not come and meet some old/new neighbors? You and your family are invited to join us at our new community garden site (a work in progress) at Portland/Wright Ave on August 3, 2010 from 7-10pm. This is a potluck event so please bring a dish to share, if you can. You might also bring a garden chair. There will be a BBQ for grilling. The garden should be fully fenced in by that time; neighbors of all ages are invited to come. We are hoping to have police presence, games for kids, and an opportunity to personalize pickets for the community garden. Questions? Please contact Katja at 253-576-6900 or katjarimmele@hotmail.com
August 4th
Join First Creek Neighbors for "A Picnic at the Creek"
Wednesday August 4th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Location: In First Creek Meadow near the 32nd St. Bridge. What you should bring? Your favorite picnic pot luck dish, water, or pop to share. A blanket or folding chair to sit on. A big smile. Enter the canyon near 29th St. behind the Emerald Queen Casino and walk a 2 block trail to 32nd St. Bridge or walk in from East Wright Street. at T Street. Provisions will be made for elderly and disabled to drive in. For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
.
One very imporatant element missing from the story is the importance of the City of Tacoma, the Police Department and Code Inforcement Officers, and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and their Police Department. All of them are working really hard with the community and we consider them our partners.
If you missed the story here's a video link:
http://www.q13fox.com/videobeta/6c7529b5-ac13-45b3-a8c6-5aac20c13c3d/News/CRIME-BUSTERS-FIRST-CREEK-PKG
-------------------------------
Also: here's a transcript of the text and story by Darren Dedo
CRIMEBUSTERS: Tacoma Residents Take On Crack Den And Drug Dealing Squatters
A dedicated group of First Creek neighbors have decided enough was enough, and became Crimebusters.
TACOMA - It used to be one of Tacoma's toughest neighborhoods where pimps, prostitutes, and drug dealers ruled.
Now, a dedicated group of First Creek neighbors have decided enough was enough, and became Crimebusters.
It started when a group of addicts moved in next door to Ben Rimmele's home.
"I would let my dog out at night to use the restroom, I'd watch drug transactions go on, people breaking into cars all the time, I'd worry about my wife and daughter that, that stuff had happened," said Rimmele.
So, Ben and the rest of his First Creek neighbors decided to stand up to the bad guys.
"We started writing down license plates and descriptions," said Rimmele, "we took pictures, I (even) set up a camcorder on the top of my stairs to videotape the house."
The crack shack wasn't the only problem; Pimps and prostitutes were terrorizing their streets too.
Dan Fear says that when the First Creek folks decided to picket them.
"We literally went right up into their faces and said what are you doing?" said Fear, "it's a nice night, we're standing on the corner enjoying it, what are you doing?"
Ben and his good friend Martin Stokes also went mobile to fight crime and started patrolling under a neighborhood bridge.
Stokes says they see everything from crack pipes to beer, and the goal is to make sure squatters keep their open-air drug market away from kids.
"Now, we actually go to the park, go bike riding, go play basketball without worrying," said Stokes.
What a difference two years makes on Portland Avenue.
What used to be a vacant lot on the main strip that was a haven for criminal activity will soon become a community garden.
You can see and feel the renewed sense of community in First Creek.
It's thanks to Ben and his team of Crimebusters standing up for what's right.
"We stood our ground, said this is our neighborhood no one else's," said Rimmele, "all the neighbors together, we all came together."
Reporters final comments: The group says that at their last community crime meeting the Tacoma Policethe Tacoma Police told them that all of their efforts have made their First Creek area one of the least crime ridden areas of the city.
If you know of a Crimebuster in your neighborhood let us know about them, they could be featured in an upcoming story.
Link to online story but video link is difficult to find online:
http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-071510-cimebustersfirstcreek,0,6322782.story
-------------------------------
Future Events:
August 3rd
First Creek’s First National Night Out
Location: Green Thumb Community Garden (Wright Avenue and Portland Avenue) Time: 7-10 pm. National Night Out Against Crime is a national event dedicated to increasing crime awareness and strengthening neighborhood spirit. Why not come and meet some old/new neighbors? You and your family are invited to join us at our new community garden site (a work in progress) at Portland/Wright Ave on August 3, 2010 from 7-10pm. This is a potluck event so please bring a dish to share, if you can. You might also bring a garden chair. There will be a BBQ for grilling. The garden should be fully fenced in by that time; neighbors of all ages are invited to come. We are hoping to have police presence, games for kids, and an opportunity to personalize pickets for the community garden. Questions? Please contact Katja at 253-576-6900 or katjarimmele@hotmail.com
August 4th
Join First Creek Neighbors for "A Picnic at the Creek"
Wednesday August 4th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Location: In First Creek Meadow near the 32nd St. Bridge. What you should bring? Your favorite picnic pot luck dish, water, or pop to share. A blanket or folding chair to sit on. A big smile. Enter the canyon near 29th St. behind the Emerald Queen Casino and walk a 2 block trail to 32nd St. Bridge or walk in from East Wright Street. at T Street. Provisions will be made for elderly and disabled to drive in. For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The New Directions for Livable Communities Award
Cascade Land Conservancy Board of Directors recently annouced "The New Directions for Livable Communities Award." The award “celebrates the innovation and cooperation required to create great communities and conserve great landscapes.”
This year the award is being given to First Creek Neighbors, The Puyallup Tribe of Indians and The City of Tacoma. The award is for the strong partnership and leadership in launching and implementing the First Creek Neighborhood transformation and engaging the broader community to make the First Creek Neighborhood safer, cleaner and more attractive.
Four other awards to other organizations and people (including our Lifetime Achievement Award to Congressman Norm Dicks) will be given during the Cascade Land Conservancy Pierce County Conservation Awards Lunch on Thursday, September 16, 2010, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Hotel Murano, Bicentennial Pavilion. This is an important event where over 500 community leaders come to celebrate conservation and building great communities – the largest conservation gathering in the South Sound.
Additional information will be posted soon on how you can attend the luncheon.
New Directions for a Livable Communities Award Video on You Tube:
To view the video right click on link and open in a New Window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1hkQyssO7A
.
This year the award is being given to First Creek Neighbors, The Puyallup Tribe of Indians and The City of Tacoma. The award is for the strong partnership and leadership in launching and implementing the First Creek Neighborhood transformation and engaging the broader community to make the First Creek Neighborhood safer, cleaner and more attractive.
Four other awards to other organizations and people (including our Lifetime Achievement Award to Congressman Norm Dicks) will be given during the Cascade Land Conservancy Pierce County Conservation Awards Lunch on Thursday, September 16, 2010, from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Hotel Murano, Bicentennial Pavilion. This is an important event where over 500 community leaders come to celebrate conservation and building great communities – the largest conservation gathering in the South Sound.
Additional information will be posted soon on how you can attend the luncheon.
New Directions for a Livable Communities Award Video on You Tube:
To view the video right click on link and open in a New Window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1hkQyssO7A
.
First Creek Neighbors News and Events
News Stories
Last month, several First Creek Neighbors were interviewed for a "Crime Busters Story" that will air tonight (Thursday July 15) at 9 pm on MYQ2 (channel 10) and at 10 pm on Q13 (channel 13). It should be an interesting and positive story about a community working hard to make their neighborhood safer and a better place to live. If you miss the story tonight, it might be on the Q13 website tomorrow: http://www.q13fox.com/
Future Events
August 3rd
First Creek’s First National Night Out, Location: Green Thumb Community Garden (Wright Avenue and Portland Avenue) Time: 7-10 pm. National Night Out Against Crime is a national event dedicated to increasing crime awareness and strengthening neighborhood spirit. Why not come and meet some old/new neighbors? You and your family are invited to join us at our new community garden site (a work in progress) at Portland/Wright Ave on August 3, 2010 from 7-10pm. This is a potluck event so please bring a dish to share, if you can. You might also bring a garden chair. There will be a BBQ for grilling. The garden should be fully fenced in by that time; neighbors of all ages are invited to come. We are hoping to have police presence, games for kids, and an opportunity to personalize pickets for the community garden. Questions? Please contact Katja at 253-576-6900 or katjarimmele@hotmail.com
August 4th
Join First Creek Neighbors for "A Picnic at the Creek" Wednesday August 4th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Location: In First Creek Meadow near the 32nd St. Bridge. What you should bring? Your favorite picnic pot luck dish, water, or pop to share. A blanket or folding chair to sit on. A big smile. Enter the canyon near 29th St. behind the Emerald Queen Casino and walk a 2 block trail to 32nd St. Bridge or walk in from East Wright Street. at T Street. Provisions will be made for elderly and disabled to drive in. For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
Work Parties
July 17th
First Creek Cleanup, Saturday, July 17th, 2010 from 9:00 am to Noon. Location: East Fairbanks Street and First Creek. Join the First Creek Neighbors for a morning of trail maintenance with a little trash pickup and invasive plant removal. It will be easy and fun work and there will be an opportunity to do some exploring of the habitat area surrounding First Creek. If you have any questions please contact Dan Fear via phone at (253) 304-2808 or email at danfear@hotmail.com.
July 17th
Green Thumb Community Garden, Saturday, July 17th, from 9:00 - 2:00. Working on the garden on Saturday @ 9 am, by then we will have fence boards, stain, paint and more planks delivered, so bring all the appropriate tools that you think we could use. Perhaps: cordless screw guns, painting clothes, brushes (we will have some delivered along with the paint), saw horses for painting on..., and a lunch (Potluck). Soon we will be having weeknight work parties. For additional information contact Paul at (253) 678-5483 or email at stuthman@yahoo.com. On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
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Last month, several First Creek Neighbors were interviewed for a "Crime Busters Story" that will air tonight (Thursday July 15) at 9 pm on MYQ2 (channel 10) and at 10 pm on Q13 (channel 13). It should be an interesting and positive story about a community working hard to make their neighborhood safer and a better place to live. If you miss the story tonight, it might be on the Q13 website tomorrow: http://www.q13fox.com/
Future Events
August 3rd
First Creek’s First National Night Out, Location: Green Thumb Community Garden (Wright Avenue and Portland Avenue) Time: 7-10 pm. National Night Out Against Crime is a national event dedicated to increasing crime awareness and strengthening neighborhood spirit. Why not come and meet some old/new neighbors? You and your family are invited to join us at our new community garden site (a work in progress) at Portland/Wright Ave on August 3, 2010 from 7-10pm. This is a potluck event so please bring a dish to share, if you can. You might also bring a garden chair. There will be a BBQ for grilling. The garden should be fully fenced in by that time; neighbors of all ages are invited to come. We are hoping to have police presence, games for kids, and an opportunity to personalize pickets for the community garden. Questions? Please contact Katja at 253-576-6900 or katjarimmele@hotmail.com
August 4th
Join First Creek Neighbors for "A Picnic at the Creek" Wednesday August 4th, 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Location: In First Creek Meadow near the 32nd St. Bridge. What you should bring? Your favorite picnic pot luck dish, water, or pop to share. A blanket or folding chair to sit on. A big smile. Enter the canyon near 29th St. behind the Emerald Queen Casino and walk a 2 block trail to 32nd St. Bridge or walk in from East Wright Street. at T Street. Provisions will be made for elderly and disabled to drive in. For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
Work Parties
July 17th
First Creek Cleanup, Saturday, July 17th, 2010 from 9:00 am to Noon. Location: East Fairbanks Street and First Creek. Join the First Creek Neighbors for a morning of trail maintenance with a little trash pickup and invasive plant removal. It will be easy and fun work and there will be an opportunity to do some exploring of the habitat area surrounding First Creek. If you have any questions please contact Dan Fear via phone at (253) 304-2808 or email at danfear@hotmail.com.
July 17th
Green Thumb Community Garden, Saturday, July 17th, from 9:00 - 2:00. Working on the garden on Saturday @ 9 am, by then we will have fence boards, stain, paint and more planks delivered, so bring all the appropriate tools that you think we could use. Perhaps: cordless screw guns, painting clothes, brushes (we will have some delivered along with the paint), saw horses for painting on..., and a lunch (Potluck). Soon we will be having weeknight work parties. For additional information contact Paul at (253) 678-5483 or email at stuthman@yahoo.com. On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
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Wednesday, July 7, 2010
First Creek Neighbors - July Meeting
First Creek Neighbors
Monthly meeting
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday July 7th
The Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
Main Topics
* Twelve Easy Ways to Improve Our Community
* “Unity in the Community Kick Off” Saturday July 10th from 3-8 pm., at Portland Avenue Park. Hosted by Puyallup Tribe's Community Alliance Committee. Everyone in the community is invited, entertainment for all ages, food, raffles and fun.
* Green Thumb Community Garden (our new community garden located at Wright and Portland Avenues)
* August 4th First Creek Neighbors Community Picnic at the First Creek Meadow below 32nd Street bridge.
____________________________
Find information about our neighborhood as well as community resources by visiting our blog. This is the primary information site for our community garden.
http://firstcreek.blogspot.com/
First Creek Watershed blog features additional information primarily about the creek and habitat area. Contact Dan Fear at 253 304-2808 if you have any questions.
http://firstcreekwatershed.blogspot.com/
Green Thumb Community Garden now on Facebook, information and pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
.
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Monthly meeting
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Wednesday July 7th
The Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
Main Topics
* Twelve Easy Ways to Improve Our Community
* “Unity in the Community Kick Off” Saturday July 10th from 3-8 pm., at Portland Avenue Park. Hosted by Puyallup Tribe's Community Alliance Committee. Everyone in the community is invited, entertainment for all ages, food, raffles and fun.
* Green Thumb Community Garden (our new community garden located at Wright and Portland Avenues)
* August 4th First Creek Neighbors Community Picnic at the First Creek Meadow below 32nd Street bridge.
____________________________
Find information about our neighborhood as well as community resources by visiting our blog. This is the primary information site for our community garden.
http://firstcreek.blogspot.com/
First Creek Watershed blog features additional information primarily about the creek and habitat area. Contact Dan Fear at 253 304-2808 if you have any questions.
http://firstcreekwatershed.blogspot.com/
Green Thumb Community Garden now on Facebook, information and pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129893867033700
For more information call Edwina at 474-7083
.
.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Eastside Community Garden Meeting
Last Saturday, May 8th, there was a meeting about our Eastside Community Gardens, here's a recap of what went on. Attendance was good, some 15 - 20 people showed up. Kristen McIvor representing the city was also on hand.
By-Laws and Garden Rules were discussed and Design of the Gardens, and each person had a chance to talk about there vision of the garden.
Small groups were formed to come up with garden designs and two designs were presented to the city for consideration. The Puyallup Tribal property was discussed and it was suggested that we do raised bed on the edges of 32nd Street and along Portland Avenue on the high spot. Basically not trying to do too much this first year.
Next Community Garden meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 15th at 8:30 a.m. the location will be the Portland Avenue Community Center. Please join us if you are interested in gardening or making our neighborhood better.
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By-Laws and Garden Rules were discussed and Design of the Gardens, and each person had a chance to talk about there vision of the garden.
Small groups were formed to come up with garden designs and two designs were presented to the city for consideration. The Puyallup Tribal property was discussed and it was suggested that we do raised bed on the edges of 32nd Street and along Portland Avenue on the high spot. Basically not trying to do too much this first year.
Next Community Garden meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 15th at 8:30 a.m. the location will be the Portland Avenue Community Center. Please join us if you are interested in gardening or making our neighborhood better.
.
.
Monday, May 3, 2010
First Creek Neighbors - May Meeting
You are invited to attend the monthly meeting of First Creek Neighbors this Wednesday May 5th, from 6:30 - 8:00
Location
The Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
Main Topics
* Youth /Adult Partnership Program
* The Community Gardens (two in our community)
Thank you, everyone who participated in our Community Clean-up. You make this community a great place to live. A special thanks goes out to the Puyallup Tribe, City of Tacoma, Burns Towing, Girl Scouts AmeriCorps, World Vision, Christ Community Baptist Church, and Peace Community Center Youth Group, thank you for stepping up to help our community.
Article in the Tacoma Weekly about the April 24th, Clean-up:
http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4342
For more information about our monthly meeting as well as other events and activities in our neighborhood call Edwina at 474-7083
.
Location
The Portland Avenue Community Center
3513 Portland Avenue
Main Topics
* Youth /Adult Partnership Program
* The Community Gardens (two in our community)
Thank you, everyone who participated in our Community Clean-up. You make this community a great place to live. A special thanks goes out to the Puyallup Tribe, City of Tacoma, Burns Towing, Girl Scouts AmeriCorps, World Vision, Christ Community Baptist Church, and Peace Community Center Youth Group, thank you for stepping up to help our community.
Article in the Tacoma Weekly about the April 24th, Clean-up:
http://www.tacomaweekly.com/article/4342
For more information about our monthly meeting as well as other events and activities in our neighborhood call Edwina at 474-7083
.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Eastside Community Garden Work Party
Successful work party to clean-up the new Eastside Community Garden, April 27th. A Special thank you goes to Bellarmine High students and teachers, and to Habitat for Humanity for organizing the garden clean-up.
We have two community garden sites on Portland Avenue. For this work party we primarily worked on the property at 32nd Street, owned by the Puyallup Tribe. They're working with the community and neighbors to help make a successful garden.
This work was focused on removing blackberry roots as well as bricks and cement on the property. The tree planters along Portland Avenue were weeded and are ready for some beautiful plants. The grass was also cut in the parking area between our two gardens.
There's still work to be done, if you have time stop by the garden and grub out a blackberry root or two. No need to wait for a work party, however rumor has it that on Friday morning, May 7th, you might see some neighbors out working at the garden site.
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Friday, April 23, 2010
First Creek Neighborhood Clean-up
It's Spring Clean-up time around First Creek. Join the fun and make our neighborhood better and cleaner on Saturday, April 24th, from 10-1. The City of Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe are being dumpsters to us and you can drop-off stuff you want to get rid of. There are some rules like what you can and cannot bring, and you have to show ID that indicates you are from the First Creek area (lower Portland Avenue and Roosevelt Hieghts).
Also, if you want to join us at Fairbanks and First Creek we'll have numberous work parties picking up litter and removing invasive plants (Ivy) along the creek.
Come on out Saturday morning rain or shine, we'll be making improvements to the neighborhood. If you need to talk with someone or get lost, call Dan at (253) 304-2808
.
Also, if you want to join us at Fairbanks and First Creek we'll have numberous work parties picking up litter and removing invasive plants (Ivy) along the creek.
Come on out Saturday morning rain or shine, we'll be making improvements to the neighborhood. If you need to talk with someone or get lost, call Dan at (253) 304-2808
.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tacoma Garden Meeting
Share ideas for Tacoma’s new community gardens at April 21 kickoff event
Citizens are invited to help mold the future of Tacoma’s new community garden program by attending the Community Gardens Kickoff from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the Evergreen Tacoma campus, 1210 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. Children are welcome to attend with their families.
More than 150 people participated in a Community Garden Summit on March 20, where Mayor Marilyn Strickland announced that the City of Tacoma is supporting the growing interest in community gardening in a very tangible way: by creating seven new community gardens.
“Community gardens are neighborhood spaces where people come together to grow both food and relationships with each other,” said Kristi Lynett, City of Tacoma sustainability manager.
The Community Gardens Kickoff on April 21 will be an opportunity for neighbors and community members to learn more about the new community garden efforts, as well as give input on the vision and management for each garden location. Each group of gardeners will be encouraged to create the type of gathering place they’d like to have in their neighborhoods.
Topics to be addressed:
Purpose/vision for each neighborhood’s garden
Garden design, including gathering spaces or other communal areas
Organizational structure
Timeline and plan for construction
The new community garden locations are:
1400 S. 85th & Sheridan
South 25th & Grant Avenue
57th Avenue Northeast and Norpoint Way
North 45th & Orchard Streets
South 48th & Yakima Avenue
South 12th & Stevens:
Portland Avenue & Wright Avenue
To learn more or RSVP for the Community Gardens Kickoff, go to www.cityoftacoma.org/gardens. For additional questions, call (253) 591-5414.
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Nice article about the East Side, our Community Gardens and the April 24th Clean-up activities. The Puyallup Tribe, City of Tacoma and East Side community groups are working together and creating a better community, in today's Tacoma News Tribune.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/04/14/1147046/east-side-neighborhoods-mobilize.html
Join the fun, get involved, help make a difference.
.
Citizens are invited to help mold the future of Tacoma’s new community garden program by attending the Community Gardens Kickoff from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at the Evergreen Tacoma campus, 1210 Sixth Ave., Tacoma. Children are welcome to attend with their families.
More than 150 people participated in a Community Garden Summit on March 20, where Mayor Marilyn Strickland announced that the City of Tacoma is supporting the growing interest in community gardening in a very tangible way: by creating seven new community gardens.
“Community gardens are neighborhood spaces where people come together to grow both food and relationships with each other,” said Kristi Lynett, City of Tacoma sustainability manager.
The Community Gardens Kickoff on April 21 will be an opportunity for neighbors and community members to learn more about the new community garden efforts, as well as give input on the vision and management for each garden location. Each group of gardeners will be encouraged to create the type of gathering place they’d like to have in their neighborhoods.
Topics to be addressed:
Purpose/vision for each neighborhood’s garden
Garden design, including gathering spaces or other communal areas
Organizational structure
Timeline and plan for construction
The new community garden locations are:
1400 S. 85th & Sheridan
South 25th & Grant Avenue
57th Avenue Northeast and Norpoint Way
North 45th & Orchard Streets
South 48th & Yakima Avenue
South 12th & Stevens:
Portland Avenue & Wright Avenue
To learn more or RSVP for the Community Gardens Kickoff, go to www.cityoftacoma.org/gardens. For additional questions, call (253) 591-5414.
-----------------------
Nice article about the East Side, our Community Gardens and the April 24th Clean-up activities. The Puyallup Tribe, City of Tacoma and East Side community groups are working together and creating a better community, in today's Tacoma News Tribune.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2010/04/14/1147046/east-side-neighborhoods-mobilize.html
Join the fun, get involved, help make a difference.
.
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