Neighbors and business people gather to clean Montavilla streets

See why many volunteers, once again, took an ‘afternoon off’ to pick up trash, litter, and debris from the streets of an outer East Portland community. Check out the METBA ‘Mixer’ coming up on May 31 …

Coming back from picking up trash is Kelly Clatterbuck of Assembly Brewing Company.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

As they’ve done several times in the past, volunteers got behind the Montavilla East Tabor Business Association (METBA) Street Clean-up the afternoon of May 3, to again take debris off the streets.

Folks took time off from work, or left their at-home chores, to grab litter-pickers and a trash bag, and head out to clean up the neighborhood.

Checking folks in and out inside the REDWOOD outdoor seating area is clean-up coordinator Jacob Loeb, who is also the Montavilla Neighborhood Association Chair.

“This is one of several ideas by the METBA Activities Committee. We’ve been doing these cleanups quarterly – engaging business-owners, as well as neighbors and the community in general, to help pick up our streets,” explained the coordinator, Jacob Loeb of MONTAVILLA.net, a great online publication serving that neighborhood and beyond.

“Not only is this a good community-building activity, but people feel good about actively taking a role in cleaning up their own part of the city,” Loeb told East Portland News. “Also, having sidewalks free of trash and debris makes our business district and side streets a more walkable and enjoyable space in which people shop, dine, and are entertained by all we have the offer here.”

Transporting bags of trash in the East Tabor Business Association Street Clean-up is David Gillaspie of The Observatory.

“With summer weather coming, we’re happy to pitch in to make our neighborhood more enjoyable for people to be outside and be in this area,” Loeb reflected.

> We recognize the cleanup’s sponsor: Redwood – located at 7915 SE Stark Street, 97215 – which provided check-in space, and treated volunteers to pizza upon their return.

It’s METBA President Neil Mattson of Montavilla Guitar Studio – found here, picking up litter near the Academy Theater.

METBA Mixer on May 31
The Montavilla East Tabor Business Association is holding a “PM Mixer” from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. Join METBA members and neighbors on NE Glisan for drinks and networking. METBA hosts events like these to help business owners and community members to get to know each other and learn more about what’s happening in our business district.

RSVP Required: CLICK HERE. It’s taking place at Rocket Empire Machine, 6935 NE Glisan Street, 97213.

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