Unload unwanted items at the Eastside Community Cleanup

What’s this cleanup all about?
Eastside community organizations are partnering with the City of Tacoma to cleanup our community because clean neighborhoods are safer neighborhoods. Through this cleanup, neighbors will be given an opportunity to unload unwanted items into dumpsters from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 30 at the Sacred Heart Church parking lot (enter via G Street), 4520 McKinley Ave.

Who can participate?
Those who live in a single family home or duplex between East 38th Street and East 56th Street and McKinley and Portland avenues (bring a driver’s license or utility bill to show for proof of residence), and have not used their two City of Tacoma Call-2-Hauls by June 30.

Eligible Items

• Mattresses, couches and chairs
• Carpeting
• Appliances: Empty and doors securely closed and duct taped shut.
• Furnaces: Free of all hazardous material (asbestos, oil, etc.)
• Tanks and Barrels: Completely empty, triple rinsed with no hazardous materials, liquid or residue. Tanks must be cut in half so they can be easily inspected.
• Power yard equipment: Completely emptied of oil and gas. All residue must be cleaned off. Riding lawn mowers will not be accepted.
• Large items can be no longer than nine feet or wider than four feet. Large items cannot weigh over 300 pounds.

These items will not be accepted:

• Tires
• Construction, remodeling or demolition debris
• Items from businesses
• Daily household garbage (Items that go in the kitchen can)
• Liquids, paint or oil based products Call (253) 591-5418 for information regarding proper disposal of liquids and hazardous waste
• Vehicle or vehicle parts: Including car, motorcycle, camper or boat parts, truck canopies, trailers, boats or RV vehicles.
• Recyclable items: cardboard, newspapers, glass, pop cans, etc.
• Yard waste

If you require assistance getting items to the site, if you’d like to volunteer for this event, or for more information, contact Edwina at (253) 474-7083.

Meet HB Top Soil - A true Eastside asset

The Eastside Neighborhood Council is proud of our local merchants and businesses.

Each month Eastside Pride News will spotlight an Eastside business that you should visit and love just as much as we do.

This month we'll shake hands with none other than Luke Becker, owner of HB Top Soil, 4810 Portland Ave. E.

So, Luke, what does your company specialize in?
Rock, dirt, material, landscape supplies, equipment rentals, anything a landscaper needs. What are some of your products? Slates, custom blends for nurseries, compost, special yard blends and gravel. We also still carry some kerosene and propane.

What sets you or your company apart from your competition?
We have a great product and we offer exceptional service. It’s a perfect little store.

How long has your company been in business on the Eastside?
In 1928, we started as a fuel company. In 1946, as H&B fuel, we got our first business license for $1. Then we sold stove oil and appliances and some aggregates like top soil. We’re now focusing and the soil business, and it continues to grow. What has your company done to grow or improve? We work hard at building personal relationships with our customers. We’re always improving customer service. One of our values is integrity. We do what we say we’ll do.

Describe one of the best days you’ve had since you opened your doors on the Eastside.
The best day is every Saturday when families bring all their children. People are waiting in the yard, loading rock and the kids get a quarter for the vending machines. We also volunteer and we bring material and equipment for any Habitat for Humanity project on the Eastside. We help with Young Life projects, too. That’s very rewarding.

Fighting crime is easy - Get to know your neighbors!

Research has shown time and time again that criminals are less likely to frequent areas where neighbors are unified.

You don't have to be best friends with your neighbor, heck, you don't even have to like 'em that much because there's one thing we can all agree on:

Criminal activity on our streets and in our community is completely unacceptable.

To show these hooligans that we mean business, make a concerted effort to get to know your neighbors. Trade phone numbers with them. Keep an open dialoge with them about positive and negative activity in your neighborhood.

WATCH OUT FOR ONE ANOTHER.

There are thousands of Eastsiders, and we simply can't allow criminals, who are in the minority, to continue to remain comfortable in committing crimes on OUR streets, or ruining the beautiful Eastside for the rest of us.

Neighbors that boldly stand together can beat any and all of the odds.

Hillsdale Lumber update headlines Eastside Neighborhood Council agenda

Helllooooo Eastside residents and fans!

To get right on down to the heart of the matter, our Eastside Neighborhood Council meetings are not to be missed.

Our gathering on June 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pool at Stewart Heights is no exception to this rule.

We'll be receiving a Hillsdale Lumber update. Now that Tacoma Housing Authority has become the new owner of this property, we're all so excited to hear about the cleanup of this eye sore, and what type of development will follow.

The Board and all of you attendees will also hear from the City of Tacoma's Dan Soderlind who will give us information about the Portland Avenue overlay construction project.

Some of the VERY BEST news of all is that the Eastside will be home to a community cleanup thanks to the City of Tacoma. Our own board member Edwina will give us the low down on that, and keep your eyes peeled for a separate post regarding this very important event.

As we've previously reported here in Eastside Pride News, several of our board members attended the Neighborhoods U.S.A. conference. They grew and gained from this conference, and they'll share some of their key learnings with all of you.

Another reminder: Don't you DARE miss the April 11 Mixed Use Center meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pool at Stewart Heights. This movement is all about the future of our Eastside, and your input in this process is critical.

Your Eastside Neighborhood Council cares about you and your thoughts - so be certain to participate in our June 18 gathering so we can get to know you.

The Eastside needs you now more than ever!