Meet Your Neighbors Without Seeming Like A Crazy Person!!

Just because delivering a Jell-O mold to welcome a newcomer to the block is creepy doesn’t mean you’re destined to live a lonely, anonymous life in your neighborhood. Kit Hodge is the founder of Neighbors Project, a group dedicated to inspiring people to enjoy and improve their neighborhoods. Meeting the neighbors takes a little effort, she says, but there’s no need to resort to wobbly desserts.


Say "Hi"

Hodge calls saying hello "a lost art that needs to be brought back." Try this: Walk around your neighborhood and actually look at people, not down at the sidewalk or at your iPhone. As you pass someone, make eye contact and smile, nod, or say "Hi." Afterward, continue walking, and don’t look back. Repeat.



Spruce up your outdoor space, and spend time there

Hang out on your porch, balcony, or stoop. Put a conversation piece in front of your house: chain your bike there, or plant flowers. If you have a fence, consider taking it down, and if you’re really brave, install a bench in front of your place.



Practice common courtesies

Return your neighbors’ mail if it’s delivered to you by mistake (including a nice note wouldn’t hurt). Help strangers who need assistance with large packages, or carrying strollers up and down stairs. Open doors for others.



Hang out in your neighborhood, and shop locally

Ride your bike in the neighborhood, or take an evening stroll around the block. Patronize local businesses, and if there’s a nearby coffee shop with a bulletin board, use it—not to make friends, but to find resources nearby for things you need (and meet people while you're at it).



Get involved with your neighborhood in a formalized way

Volunteer locally, join your neighborhood or block association, organize a clean-up day for a litter-strewn area, or even run for local political office. It’s the gold-star option.



This article first appeared in The GOOD Guide to Better Neighborhoods. You can read more of the guide here.

Any Kindergarteners out there??

Discovery Primary School is urging parents to register their Kindergarteners for the fall, NOW! They need help figuring out how many kiddos are out there that plan to attend so they can plan to provide adequate staffing and supplies. If there are too many kids, space may be limited in the Full-Day program.

Remember, your child must be 5 my Aug 31st to enroll in Kindergarten this fall! :-) So if your youngster qualifies, and you plan to enroll them , do so soon!!

Tax Day Specials!

Check out these dining offers in honor of 2010 Tax Day!
(a special thanks to TheKrazyCouponLady)


Boston Market Buy 1 Individual Plate, Get One Free from April 15th-April 18th.


Cinnabon’s “Tax Day Bites!” Get 2 Free Bite Sized Cupcakes in: Cinnacake, chocolate, vanilla or carrot cake! On Thursday, April 15th from 6 pm to 8 pm at participating U.S. mall locations, Cinnabon is giving away free bite-sized portions of its new, delicious cupcakes.



Jack in the Box Free Fryday: Get a Free small fry, no purchase necessary on the day AFTER tax day: Friday, April 16th.



Taco Del Mar “Taxes Suck. Tacos Don’t” Fill in your “Taco 1099″ to get your free Taco on April 15th here.

PF Changs Tax Relief 15% off your Food Purchase on April 15th. Details here.



Starbucks: Free fresh brewed coffee on April 15th when you bring your own re-usable cup.

The Next Post is By YOU!

Do you have a story or event you'd like to share with the community? Enjoy writing? We are seeking writers for guest blogposts! Review a local restaurant, a recent movie, or your favorite TV show. Teach our readers something new, like a craft, or share a recipe. Submit a blog post to us, and we will reward you with a gift card!

New Carpet!

I know for some of you, the carpet in your entry landing has seen better days. So I am super excited to share with you that new carpet in all stairwells is coming soon! This project should be completed before the end of June.

Once installation is complete, please help us maintain it! When you vacuum inside your home, take a quick minute to vacuum your entryway as well. Please take care of your entry carpet as you would the carpet inside your home. We want your entryway to be beautifully welcoming each time you come home!

Lets cross our fingers for some beautiful weather, so this project can get started!

Help Support A Neighbor in Need!

I really wanted to shrae with all our residents about a wonderful family in our community that could use some neighborly support. The Fournier family was recently forced to face every family's worst nightmare: Amanda, age 19, was diagnosed with Leukemia last week. They are a strong family and done in head first to battle the disease with aggressive chemotherapy treatments. If you would like to offer Amanda and her family support, the Fournier's have a collection jar located in the office.

Amanda - our thoughts are with you!

Pledge To Be Green!

In Honor of Earth Day on April 22nd, we are encouraging our residents to be green! I got to have some crafty fun and make this pledge board in the office! It is pretty simple. Drop by the office, and grab a leaf. Write down something easy you pledge to do to "Go Green."

For example, I filled out my own leaf stating I would support local agriculture by buying into an organic crop share. This is something I'm SUPER excited about! I can't wait until it starts June 1st!

My wonderful husband (who helped me with this late night art project) also added a leaf. He pledged to use a reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.

What are you going to pledge to do? Come check out the board for yourself, and don't forget to fill one out for your pledge! As a gift for sharing your idea, take home a reusable water bottle. It's our simple way of saying thanks for caring!!