Category: Newsletters

You can become a board member! Board members decide and organize the activities of neighborhood association. If you have ideas for what the association should be doing, this is the place for you. You must be a resident of the Eastside or own a business in the Eastside to run for election. Board members are expected to attend meetings on the third Thursday of every month (except December) and the four general membership meetings. They also help out with the activities of the association.

If you’re not interested in joining the board, but still want to help improve the neighborhood, we have lots of other volunteer opportunities! The newsletter always needs writers, advertisers, and delivery volunteers. Board members Chad Akins and Tim McLeod are working to build a neighborhood garden club and would appreciate any volunteers who want help out and we’re always looking for folks interested in crime-prevention and vandalism clean-up.

If you have an idea for a project: neighborhood beautification, traffic calming, safety, we’ll help you get your idea out to others in the neighborhood who want to help. We can also help you connect your project with the right people at the city or even apply for city grants.

Speaking of grants, if you have any experience with grantwriting or fundraising, the Eastside Neighborhood Association can use your help, too.

Whatever your skills or interests, if you want to improve our neighborhood through the Eastside Neighborhood Association, we want your help. Contact the ENA President at [email protected] with questions or to volunteer. To volunteer as a board member, please feel free to drop the President an email at [email protected] and attend the February General Membership meeting.

What do you like to do for fun?
We like to cook and visit museums like the Children’s Museum and the Seattle Science Museum.  We also like the Olympia Farmer’s Market.

What do you like about living in the Eastside?
We like the proximity.  We bought this house so we could walk downtown.  We like the sense of community – we had a great time playing in the snow this winter.  The neighborhood potluck in Lion’s Park is great too.

What would you change about the neighborhood?
It would be nice to have more stable residents in the immediate area.There are a lot of empty houses near us.

Your house is really interesting, when was it built?
There’s actually an interesting story with the house.  It was built in the 1920s and an addition added in the 1940’s. A major renovation was done in 2003 with a main floor, basement, and attic added. Right after they signed the papers to purchase the house, a city backhoe rammed into the house knocking it off it’s foundation. It worked out well because the city had to make some changes like earthquake proofing and removing the asbestos shingles when they did the repairs.

“We rode our bikes and it was freezing, but it was great fun.”

“A student club “The Planeteers” are keeping track of the miles students have traveled.  They estimate that by December 112 miles had been traveled on foot and by bike.  Students will continue Walking and Wheeling Wednesdays the rest of the year and will track how far they have gone.

In December some parents and students took the “Go By Bus” Adventure with free one-day bus passes to use over the holidays.  Intercity Transit prepared information that explained how to get to places parents had identified as popular destinations for students.

Get Involved

Safety Without Fear seminar 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday January 26th at the Olympia Center.  Sign up with Olympia Parks and Rec (753-8380) or online www.olympiawa.gov/cityservices/par – there is a $5 fee.  This workshop  is designed for parents to prepare their children for increasing independence, without instilling fear and loss of community.

Remind drivers to slow down and watch out for walkers and bike riders with a beautiful yard sign from the City of Olympia.  These are free and can be picked up at Olympia Public Works at 924 7th Ave SE, Suite A.  If you have questions call Kerry Tarullo at 753-8575.

It seems a little crazy to organize a garden tour for the beginning of winter, but it was a great opportunity to explore on what turned out to be one of the last nice days before the storm. We looked at compost setups, raised beds built from cinder blocks, terracing, chickens, edible and decorative gardens. Everybody learned a little something, met new people, and got a good walk in the bargain!

Thanks to Tim McLeod & Chad Akins for organizing, to Kate, Laura, Dave, Kathleen, Tom & those whose names I have forgotten for showing off their winter gardens, and to everyone who came out.

We’ll be doing it again this spring, on Sunday March 8. Location to be announced, contact Chad Akins at (360) 357-1407 or Timothy McLeod at (360) 870-5946, check the website, or join the ENA email list for details. We’ll be sure to have some treats, and have better transportation for the kids.

We can promote your club or organization in the newsletter, on our website, or on our email list. Let us know if you’re looking for new members or holding an event, and we’ll spread the word. Contact [email protected] and let us know how we can help.

(The ENA does not promote partisan political organizations, and we reserve the right to refuse any request due to space constraints or other reasons.)