Neighbors gathered together April 18 for the 14th Avenue Northwest Adopt A Street Cleanup sponsored by the East Ballard Community Association.

Erin Alvin led Anika, Celia and Abby Alving up the street, finding garbage as they went. The children were armed with poles for picking up litter and Erin was ready for them with the bag.

"We live in the neighborhood," Erin said. "And, we like to keep things looking nice."

Will Rava said this is the third or fourth time he has participated in the cleanup and it is a good way to meet neighbors.

Through events like the street cleanup or the community-sponsored nights out, neighborliness in east Ballard has been on the rise in the past few years, Rava said.