Crossing Division

Have you been thinking about starting or expanding your garden? Would you like to grow food for yourself and for the community? Whatever the plant questions you have, local plant guru and weed expert Dana Coggon has the answers.

Evelyn Lopez talks with Dana about the hope of planting and growing things that will bloom and thrive over time, and about efforts in Tacoma to share the bounty of local harvests. You will want to check out Dana’s facebook page: “Gardening for our greater good… Tacoma growing together.”

It’s not too late to start planting, and maybe it’s exactly the right time.

If you have ideas for future episodes, or thoughts on what you’ve heard, please get in touch!

Evelyn Lopez:   @True_Tacoma   [email protected]

What campaigns are heating up for the 2020 elections? How do candidates raise money in a “no gatherings” environment? And what do we expect for the summer?

2020 will have some very interesting political races! Evelyn Lopez talks with Justin Camarata about local and state political campaigns, and how campaigning has changed in a pandemic. The old tricks may not work any more.

Let us know if you have ideas for future episodes!

Evelyn Lopez:  @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Evelyn and Joe Lopez discuss the Governor’s extended eviction moratorium and what it means for renters and landlords: No evictions or threats of eviction, no late fees or threats to terminate tenancy, no rent increases, and a curious provision about collection actions for past due rent.

You can find a copy of the moratorium in this release: https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-expands-eviction-moratorium-and-adds-additional-protections-residential-and-some

Questions about this episode? Ideas for future topics? Let us know!

Evelyn Lopez:   @True_Tacoma     [email protected]

Host Evelyn Lopez talks with Sarah Low, Executive Director of the Tacoma Tree Foundation about trees, appreciating the benefits of trees, and contemplating the beauty of the trees around us. On April 22 the world will celebrate the 50th Earth Day! This year in the Tacoma area we will be celebrating at home and while social isolating, but we can still celebrate and appreciate the abundant nature around us.

Earth Day South Sound is focusing on trees this Earth Day and all year: “The South Sound is coming together the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day 2020 to celebrate, plant, and care for trees. Starting April 1st, we will embark on a virtual campaign to invite community members to participate in acknowledging and protecting the environment.” You can find out more about Earth Day and the tree celebration at their website: www.earthdaysouthsound.org

So, get ready to plant a tree, or study a tree, spend some time with a tree, and even hug a tree. It will make you feel great!

Ideas for future episodes? Feedback on what we’ve been talking about? We’d love to hear from you!

Evelyn Lopez   @True_Tacoma   [email protected]

This week, Evelyn Lopez talks with Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards and Pierce Conservation District Water Quality Coordinator Belinda Paterno. Find out about local programs to help small businesses and renters, and how the City of Tacoma is working through this pandemic.

Also, if you are looking for something to do outside and with family, check out the Stream Team information on the Pierce Conservation District website at https://piercecd.org/240/Water-Quality-Monitoring  and on their facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/PierceConservationDistrict  Find out more about their environmental education program too (facebook page), and try some of the projects at home!

If you have comments about this episode, or ideas for future podcasts, please get in touch.

Evelyn Lopez   @True_Tacoma   [email protected]

This week Evelyn Lopez talks with Saiyare Refaei and Renee Meschi of the Pierce Conservation District. Saiyare and Renee work in the Harvest Pierce County program working with county food programs and community gardens.

During this time of emergency, Harvest Pierce County is using facebook live streaming and other social media tools to continue communicating about gardens and food. Check out their website and facebook page for information on their programs. You’ll learn about gleaning programs, medicinal plants and foraging. Great opportunities for going outside, on your own or with family, and looking at your local environment with different eyes. And maybe you’ll try some blackberry leaf buds!

We also talked a little bit about the latest advice on wearing masks. First, reserve medical grade supplies for medical personnel, but fabric masks can be helpful. Here are some links to mask making instructions to try at home.

https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html

https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/4/1/21203241/coronavirus-diy-face-mask-homemade-tutorials

As always, if you have ideas for episodes or feedback on what we’ve been talking about, we’d love to hear from you! Stay well and continue to stay home.

Evelyn Lopez: @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

This week Evelyn Lopez and Joe Lopez talk with Pierce County Councilmember Marty Campbell about Pierce County’s actions on the COVID 19/Coronavirus front.

Pierce County has small business loans to help businesses impacted right now, plus Marty shares information about how the virus is affecting the Eastside of Tacoma, how Pierce Transit is adjusting services, and plans for Coronavirus rehab and respite on Hosmer.

Check out these websites for more helpful information:

Questions or feedback on this episode? Ideas for other episodes? Let us know!

Evelyn Lopez: @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Joe Lopez: @JoeLopezTacoma   [email protected]

Marty Campbell:  [email protected]

Evelyn Lopez and Joe Lopez talk about the latest information about COVID 19/Coronavirus in Tacoma. Things will certainly change, but we will try to give you accurate information as of the podcast date, plus share resources to help you through.

We will post weekly, sometimes with a guest, sometimes without. If there is information you’d like us to research, please get in touch.

As for this episode, the pizza from Salamone was FANTASTIC. Call them at 253-444-2646, or go to salamonepizzaria.com. Check out local take-out and pick-up food options from our Tacoma area restaurants at dinepiercecounty.com, and a great local resource is the Facebook page “COVID 19 TACOMA Community Help.”

We will share information that we feel is reliable and helpful on our True Tacoma Facebook page too. And best of all, we saw our older neighbors outside enjoying the sun after we recorded the podcast! All is well in the neighborhood.

Evelyn Lopez: @True_Tacoma    [email protected]

Joe Lopez: @JoeLopezTacoma   [email protected]

Campaign consultant/political strategist Crystal Fincher and local elected official/Channel 253 publisher Erik Hanberg join host Evelyn Lopez to break down the 2020 Washington Presidential Primary results:

Plus the latest on pandemic news and what we should all be doing to get through this health crisis.

Let us know what you think! And !look for Crystal’s political radio show and podcast Hacks & Wonks!

Evelyn Lopez:  @True_Tacoma

Erik Hanberg:  @erikhanberg

Crystal Fincher:  @finchfrii

Locality, responsibility, and maybe, maybe, opportunity. Those are the themes that run through our discussion of current mental health issues in our community.

Pierce County Councilmember Derek Young, and local attorney Joe Lopez join host Evelyn Lopez in a comprehensive update on three mental health subjects:

Mental health services are central to the health and well-being of our city. We need assessment and treatment for substance abuse, more court diversion programs, more accessible treatment for children with mental health needs, more counseling and services to help the homeless, timely treatment and assistance to help avoid suicides and reduce the impact on police and fire/emergency services. The need for these service touches every one of us.

Listen to the episode and let us know what you think.

Evelyn Lopez: @True_Tacoma

Derek Young: @DerekMYoung

Joe Lopez: @JoeLopezTacoma