Shadow Mountain Neighbors: What Community is All About...

Sunday, September 5, 2010

What Community is All About...

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Donna (7119 Gardenia Ave) lovely lady on the left and Gretchen (lovely lady on the right) wrote this email a few days ago. Both Donna and Gretchen came to our Picnic at the Park back in June 2010.

Donna said it'd be okay to post her story on our neighborhood blog.

davidT

"Dave

I'm new to dealing with computers and e mail I,m hoping you can help me get this message out to the shadow mountain neighbors.

Sunday this beautiful white pidgeon appeared in Gretchen,s yard. It has bands on both legs, we called the bird rescue and they said it was probably a racing pidgeon. it can walk around but not fly. If anyone can help they can call Gretchen or Donna.

thanks so much donna"

(not actual pigeon : )

After I got the first email, I called Donna, we chatted a bit, then I called a friend who owns racing pigeons here in the area, I think the pigeon is his. What are the chances! A few neighbors heard of Donna and Gretchen's pigeon, and they reached out to them.

Then Donna wrote...

"Hi Dave,

thank you for helping us with the bird problem. Gretchen had two calls offering help and acvice. when she opened the garage door the bird walked out, took a looka around and flew away.

It was a great to experience what a coummunity is all about,
many thanks to you!

donna"

Isn't that great! Not only is the pigeon home (we hope), but connections were made and our neighborhood became that much more a place of kindness and support.

Thank you Donna and Gretchen. We think you guys are an amazing example of what it means to be great neighbors!

davidT

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Our Brief History

On Sunday, June 27th, around 50 people, children, young and old (and pets) came together to:

1. Get to know each other
2. Become better neighbors

How did this start?

My wife and I moved into the neighborhood March 2008. The next day, our neighbor Donna brought us some brownies, that made us feel so welcomed.

But then, the following week, someone called the city on us because our grass was a bit long. Suddenly, we didn't feel very welcomed.

One night around 2am we heard fire trucks on our block. A fire had started just a few houses down and one person died. It was a difficult experience for all of us. Our family made a sign that said "Our Thoughts and prayers are with you - W. 70th neighbors" That made us realize how during difficult times, neighbors have to come together and support one another.

So we asked, what if we make an effort to begin to get to know our neighbors so that we too can welcome others with brownies but when there are issues, instead of calling the city, we can just talk as neighbors about dogs, fences, noise.

And what if we go beyond that to actually have fun together, support each other when someone's in need, enjoy each other, serve others together.

So my wife and I started by having an open house Thanksgiving, 10-12 people, neighbors came.

Then for Halloween we had story time on our driveway, 5-6 children stopped by.

Then we had a Super Bowl party, again about 20 people came. Then on Easter we had a bounce house on our front yard and a few came bye.

Then, my neighbor Gary came over one day and said, "hey David, what if we plan the next one together at the park" and so we passed out flyers, knocked on doors, talked to people 1-1 and 50 people showed up!

Statistics say that most people want to get to know their neighbors, but don't know how, have had bad experiences or perhaps don't see the point. But from all I've read, most people at some point feel pretty isolated and alone in their homes and neighborhoods.

We want to make our neighborhood a friendly place once again!

So what's next?
Our next step is to make connections among neighbors.

One of the things Peter Lovenheim says in his book "In the Neighborhood" (link above) is that one of the goals of neighborhood events is to connect people to each other.

1. Become part of our Neighbors Team - pass out flyers, brainstorm, organize next events

2. Help with publicity (design flyers, social media, twitter, facebook, evites, add to blog) for next event at the end of the summer.

3. Send us your business link so we can add it to our neighbor's site

Let us know if you have any other ideas on how we become better neighbors this summer...

davidTrigueros
dtrigueros@gmail.com
14235 W. 70th Dr.
303-859-8822