In his weekly update, Lakewood City Manager Andrew Neiditz wrote the following about a new neighborhood association in the area of Western State Hospital:

• North Lakewood Neighborhood Association Forming: Bylaws were voted into place and officers were selected on February 7th for the new North Lakewood Neighborhood Association. This is LPD’s 6th District, the neighborhoods on the north side of Steilacoom Blvd. from Western State Hospital to Mountain View, including Oakbrook. The Steering Committee meets the first Saturday of each month for a working breakfast at the Fan Club on 83rd. They plan two Neighborhood Association meetings per year at Oakbrook School. The next meeting will be May 13th at 6:00 pm

I'm trying to find out what some of the goals will be for this new neighborhood association, as well as how it work with Western State. Neiditz told me today that this group is sort of a larger, more formalized incarnation of the Oakbrook neighborhood association. It's also being coordinated through the Lakewood Police Department.

We have steam to blow off, righteous anger.

But the whole mob with pitchforks image is getting trite.

Better to grab shovels, hammers and clippers and show up at one of two Saturday work parties that offer the chance to whack away at bad stuff.

The First Creek restoration team will kick off Earth Month with a chance to kill all the ivy you want. We are talking cutting, pulling, even rolling up the invasive vine that's attacking and smothering native trees in the watershed.

For the more automotive minded, there will be plenty of opportunities to amass a fine collection of used tires, and possibly shopping carts.

The big fun starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon. Muster at 1801 E. 34th St. There's parking in the church lot at East 34th and R streets. Bring sturdy gloves. Organizers will provide tools and directions.

The Puyallup Tribe will celebrate all the good work with a barbecue lunch for volunteers from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Portland Avenue Community Center.

To sign up, call Dan Fear at (425)260-4991, or e-mail firstcreekwatershed@gmail.com.

In South Tacoma, the Manitou Crew got MetroParks' permission to build a garden at the community center, and they've been operating on hyperdrive ever since. Frank Blair and Andy Mordhorst have been trolling for materials, from lumber to fencing.

They'll be meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday morning at the community center, 4802 S. 66th St., to haul sand, removed timbers and dig up old playground rubber. They'll also discuss the layout for the garden.

Interested? Bring shovels, gloves and the realization that living well is the best revenge.