GETTING INVOLVED
The DNA is a neighborhood association of and for residents of downtown Olympia. If you have an issue, problem, suggestion, idea, question or you simply want to be kept informed about the neighborhood:
When you email the group ask people to reply back to you. It's that simple. Before long you may find yourself hosting a small meeting, speaking at city council or organizing a citywide conference.
10th Ave Block Party - Sun 8 Aug 2010
The below is written by Ethan Rogol.
SOME DETAILS
- The party is scheduled to take place on Sunday 8 August,
5:00-9:00 PM.
- It's to be a potluck.
- 10th Avenue will be closed off between Franklin and Adams.
- Games. There will be a 4-square game conducted in the street,
bocce in my yard, croquet across the street.
- Several organizations will table or otherwise promote themselves:
the Olympia Film Society, the Thurston County Emergency Response Team,
Media Island, the OFD said they'd bring a truck down for kids to climb
on... (If you or your organization is interested in tabling, please let
us know or confirm!)
- We have 4 bands committed to playing for us over the course of
the evening for 60 minutes each. Friends and Relations (old-time music
duo), The Straw Hat String Band (old-time music sextet), Los Calaveras
(jazzy traditional Latin quintet), and Pam and Eleanor (old-time music
duo).
BACKGROUND
The "POCUL Triangle" is distinct from the Olympia's downtown core in
that it
is predominantly residential. My wife and I bought a home just one
block from the library in 2006. We run Lengua Rica
(Spanish language instruction, interpretation, and translation
services) out of our home. I love to be neighborly and wish I lived in
a more neighborly neighborhood. In an effort to foment more community
around here, I'm organizing this party. My hope is that neighbors will
hang out together, that it be very laid back and fun, and we will get
to know each other a little. The effect should be a safer, happier
neighborhood.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
Many downtown businesses have donated gift certificates as
raffle prizes. The prizes act as an incentive to get people to sign
up—providing their name and contact info—and help establish a network
of neighbors who communicate with each other about neighborhood issues.
The prizes also serve to encourage downtown residents to try out
downtown businesses about which they might not even be aware.
Participating businesses include Hot Toddy, Orca Books, Super Silver,
Traditions, Compass Rose, the Olympia Food Coop, Browser's Books,
Peppers, Einmaleins, and Selden's Furniture.