Ghost of Midnight

A local hardware store is running ads for its handyman service, called “Rent a Husband.” A friend, John Grimm, took them to task via his ONE West Neighborhood Forum awhile ago and several other neighbors then piled on. He talked to the business owner, which didn’t seem to go anywhere. Then yesterday [...]

I love the message posted today on the Five Sisters Neighborhood Forum below by a father on behalf of his kid…
I am 8 years old and a 3rd grader at Champlain. I have been playing the drums for two years (lessons every week) and I am getting quite good. My Dad and Mom [...]

Kevin Harris reports today about some ESRC research that shows that parents who feel connected with their neighbors allow their young children more freedom to roam.
The findings are from a three-year study involving some 600 children and 80 parents in five contrasting areas - two inner London boroughs, an outer London suburb, a new town [...]

Ross Mayfield recently offered the Power Law of Participation…
Social software brings groups together to discover and create value. The problem is, users only have so much time for social software. The vast majority of users with not have a high level of engagement with a given group, and most tend to be free [...]

Deb Olsen wrote to her neighbors in the ONE East Neighborhood Forum the other day… a real sense of urgency…
Attention Neighbors - I am caring for a large Husky Hybrid dog for friends. Kiva dug her way out of my fenced yard today and is missing. She does not know this neighborhood, so I fear [...]

Refrigerator Rights reports about being new in the neighborhood.  Bought an “outdoor fireplace” and lit it up this spring in his small front yard.  Within a little time 21 neighbors had wandered over with beverage in hand, and dog/kid in tow.  Repeat a week later to same effect.  People crave connection!  Folks just need to [...]

Refrigerator Rights reports…
A newly released study at Standford University acknowledges what we already know - an increasing number of people say their personal relationships have suffered as a result of their use of the Internet with many confessing that they are discreet about their online habits. This is certainly not a surprise to anyone that [...]

More than 100 local officials have joined Front Porch Forum spread among the various 18 towns and cities that make up Chittenden County (don’t forget Buells Gore!). We always envisioned city councilors, selectboard members and school commissioners joining and having access to the multiple neighborhood forums within their districts. This is a great [...]

Outside.In’s Top 10 Bloggiest Neighborhoods was very interesting today. How inspiring to learn about the level of online community going on in these neighborhoods (including some former stomping grounds of mine!). I wonder how our little Five Sisters compares? I’d love to see the data. (Does anyone know if that’s available? I couldn’t find it.)
The [...]

Thanks to Lauren-Glenn Davitian and crew at the Center for Media and Democracy (Channel 17 CCTV).  She invited me to address her Media Mavens training series for local nonprofit leaders.  We focused on social networking and online community last week.
The video (117 minutes) is available here.  My portion begins at the 32-minute mark.  I was [...]