News and notes for this week

A few items of news and note for this week:

• Pumpkin carving this Thursday
  The Esplanade Social Committee is hosting a pumpkin-carving party this Thursday evening (10/26) at 7:00 p.m. Bring your own pumpkin and carving tools; cider and snacks will be provided!

• Graffiti on 15th Street Bridge
  Residents may have noticed a recent uptick in graffiti on the 15th Street Bridge. Please call 911 if you see people in the act of vandalizing the bridge or any other areas in the neighborhood, and remember, there is a list of contact information regarding graffiti removal, homeless encampments, esplanade maintenance, etc. on the "Esplanade News" contact page, which can be seen HERE.

• Annual food drive starting next week
  Starting Wednesday, Nov. 1, residents will be able to donate non-perishable food to help the poor and hungry of Tacoma and Pierce County. Donation bins will be placed in the Esplanade lobby, and food will be taken to the Food Connection at St. Leo’s. Located just up the hill from the Esplanade, St. Leo's serves hundreds of hungry families each week. Last year Esplanade residents collected over 500 pounds of food and $300 in cash to help people in need who live right here in our neighborhood. The food drive will last until Nov. 20. Click HERE for more information.

• Join the Esplanade Book Club in reading this great book!
  The Esplanade Book Club will meet on Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss The Lord God Made Them All, which is the bestselling sequel to All Things Wise and Wonderful, and the 4th volume in James Herriot's classic collections of animal stories. Do come whether you've finished the book or not; wine and snacks are also on the agenda.