Of course some neighborhoods will need lots of change before they are anywhere near 'ideal.' But neighborhoods are made, and hurt, bit by bit. Anyone can offer a warm welcome to newcomers. Anyone can make a map that helps people remember names and phone numbers, even with many blank spaces at the start. (Send us email at backissues@tess.org to request our earlier issue about neighborhood maps.)
Everyday observations (and careful research) show big differences among neighborhoods. In some, people know each other and make efforts to get along in spite of the stresses and strains of urban life. Those places are, on balance, safer and healthier, not to mention more fun to live in. Front Steps is about ways to start, about ideas for moving in that direction. Write with news of how it works and what stands in the way.
More later,
Putnam Barber, President
President, The Evergreen State Society
Front Steps -- Volume 1, Number 4, Spring 1998
Marie Sauter, Managing Editor
Kathryn True, Writer
Terri Nakamura, Designer
Andrew Harris, Communication Consultant
©1998 The Evergreen State Society www.tess.org
1122 East Pike Street, #444
Seattle, WA 98122-3934 USA
Email: frontsteps@tess.org
The Evergreen State Society works to encourage healthy communities by furthering nonprofits and informal organizations. It was founded in 1990 in Seattle.
This online version of Front Steps lacks the graphics and other features of printed copies. Free printed copies of Front Steps are available by post; please send a complete postal address to the email address above.
Multiple copies of Front Steps are available at no charge to individuals and groups who will distribute them on a non-partisan, non-sectarian basis to low- and moderate-income urban householders. Contact The Evergreen State Society for more information about becoming a distributor.
One of the main ingredients lacking in U.S. neighborhoods is people!
By making yourself known in your neighborhood -- and getting to know others
-- you're taking a small and essential step towards building community
and creating connections that will have rewards for years to come.
Rosa Edwards, who has lived in her Atlanta, Georgia, neighborhood since 1942, marvels at the positive changes that have taken place over the past few years with the formation of the Resident Advisory Committee. The group meets once a month to discuss things going on in the neighborhood, welcome new neighbors and share ideas. "We seem to find out that we have so much in common," Mrs. Edwards said. "Before everyone was working and going their different ways, now we look out for each other."
She explained that one of the ways the group gained members was going door to door to get neighbors involved in a neighborhood watch program. "That helped us a great deal. We went to some homes we had never been in before," Mrs. Edwards said. "After awhile you just automatically reach out to people."
Cindy Voytek says planting trees in her neighborhood eventually led to fighting crime. After she and her neighbors organized a tree-planting a few years ago, unexpected community improvements started taking place. "The planting brought the neighbors together," she said. "It was the first step toward taking back our streets."
"We built sidewalk benches out of recycled bricks and used wood, then we used the benches ourselves to encourage others to sit there," she said. "Making of these benches becomes a community project." In Arkin's neighborhood there is usually a dedication and celebration after a "public works" project such as this -- another chance for a community gathering.
White House Place is also known for planned community gatherings in
the form of potluck brunches held in the streets. "People stop and say,
'Why are you sitting in the middle of street?,' and we tell them, 'Because
this is the only way we have a chance to meet you,'" Arkin said with a
smile.
Note: The printed version didn't have room for all these stories of neighborhood contributions. Here in the online version, we've included many more. They are listed in order by ZIP code.
"Our neighborhood is quiet and tree lined. We can walk downtown in about
15 minutes. We have 2 parks, a high school and a college!"
Robert Barber, Northhampton, MA 01060
"Tucker, GA is a small suburban town just northeast of Atlanta - just
far away and just close enough. Tucker is quiet when it needs to be and
bustling when it wants to be. It's a secret to good to keep quiet."
Harold E. Craig, Tucker, GA 30084-5806
"Tapestry - has homeowners from all income levels, races, and ages.
Our goal is to maintain a healthy, stable, diverse community that fosters
healthy children, caring relationships and a secure environment in the
middle of an urban area."
Bob & Peggy Lupton, Atlanta, GA 30316
"A warm smile, a cheery 'hello', makes me feel like I'm in a small town,
even though Minneapolis is a big city."
Mary Lou Oss, Minneapolis, MN 55410
"-The location close to Lake Harriet and Calhoun, Linden Hills, etc.
-The people are very friendly. There is a real sense of community."
Janine Davis, Minneapolis, MN 55410
"Trees and nature. We're in the city but towards the edge where there's
lovely trees, a few small corn fields and some horses. I love this reminder
of country life in the city."
Dorothea Boniello, Billings, MT 59105
"There are many children of all ages in our neighborhood. The parents
seem to be very supportive of their children."
Kathie Ligon, Nenton, MO 63026
"Our annual summer block party for a 10 block area. The food, pony rides,
music and socializing we have. The way we all keep up our property and
know who lives where, the way we stick together."
St. Louis, MO
"What makes Holly Hills so great is our dedicated, enthusiastic and
caring residents. Roughly 25 percent of the neighborhood's 2,000 residences
remain active and vocal members of the HHIA. The Association volunteers
sponsor events ranging from major neighborhood improvement projects to
day-to-day attention to details of maintaining the safety and well-being
of our neighborhood."
Wendy Cook, St. Louis, MO
"I live in Dogtown, close to Forest Park, now we have a turtle next
to Forest Park, very very beautiful."
Silvana Petrucci, St. Louis, MO 63139
"Our neighborhood, Highland, was formerly the town of Highlands annexed
by Denver early this century and now designated 'historical'. Maxine and
I have been married 61 years, lived in this neighborhood over 70 years
and this house 54 years. It's 'homey'."
Maxine & Charles Barry, Denver, CO 80211
"Maple Leaf is a great neighborhood because we have a centrally located
park that is a congregation point for young and old, families and kids.
Every August we have an ice cream social and hundreds of people come!"
Sarena Seifer, Seattle, WA 98115
"Sunrise over Mt. Rainier, viewed from just south of Seward Park. Seward
Park! The bike/run/walk/blade paths, the hiking trails, the swimming beach,
the views, the peace and quiet and natural surroundings. I'm a newsletter
editor for our area and co-editor for Mt. Baker View."
Karyn Emert, Seattle, WA 98118-2120
"While ringing doorbells (campaigning for political office),
I observed that bright, pretty doors opened into warm, pleasant homes.
So, I painted my door purple. This summer I added a painted chair to my
tiny porch. Some days it is so nice just to sit on the front porch watching
the neighborhood children play."
Dawn Mason, State Representative, Seattle, WA
"Beacon Hill, Seattle - Where neighbors are coming together to turn
a golf course into a botanical garden!"
Albert Kaufman, Seattle, WA 98144
"We have a neighborhood garage sale where 50 to 60 homes participate.
We enjoy neighborhood Christmas gatherings, potlucks, ice cream socials."
D. Anderson, Vancouver, WA 98661
"We live in the largest multi-cultured neighborhood in Spokane, WA and
99.9% of the time we get along. Our neighborhood is a well maintained working
class area. We have a community center that includes programs for babies
to elderly."
Valerie Townsend, Spokane, WA 99202
"It's real nice 'cause I live around a lot of kids and everybody knows
me. I'm friends with alot of people in my neighborhood. I like it there
alot."
Ashley Fry, Spokane, WA 99205
"Our neighborhood is great because we work together and cooperate with
each other! We all help out elder people in our neighborhood!"
Shelby Lyon, Spokane, WA 99207
"We are a "mix" of couples with small children and/or teenage children
and several retired households. We look after each others homes when someone
is gone. We are neighbors."
Rev. & Mrs. Robert Cary, Spokane, WA 99207
"Being neighborly, friendly or knowing ones face and the appearance.
Street sweepers keep the streets nice in appearance. Parks and play areas.
Need a nice pool, though! Heated indoor, also."
Patty E. McLean, Spokane, WA 99207
"We have a Centennial Trail for hiking and bikingt that is near - very
enjoyable to use! My next door neighbor has been very helpful to me in
time of need. I try to repay the favor with home baked goodies or garden
veggies. It is a great trade-off!"
Amy Barton, Spokane, WA 99207
"The streets are well-lit at night."
Sara Campbell, Spokane, WA 99207-3110
"Mary. She is old but not moody. She has alot of dolls. Ashely Fry,
my best friend, spends time with me. Geri Gaddy, a girl I have never fought
with."
Nikki Johnson, Spokane, WA 99217
"All of our neighbors keep in touch with each other & keep an eye
out for any strangers or strange cars in the neighborhood. We care about
each other!"
Roberta Davis, Spokane, WA 99217-7235
It would be useful to add the names of neighbors who work at home to your neighborhood map. In each issue of Front Steps, we mention possibilities for using a such a map -- a page that starts with a rough sketch of the houses on your block and is labeled with adults' and children's names, day and evening phone numbers, emergency contacts and other important information. Mark the places where neighbors work at home -- including stay-at-home parents -- and list their work phones that differ from home numbers.
(The Summer 1997 issue of Front Steps earlier this year had more ideas about how to make a neighborhood map. The text from back issues is available at our website (http://www.tess.org/) and printed copies will be mailed on request as long as supplies last; just send your request with your address to The Evergreen State Society at FrontSteps@tess.org .)
The Evergreen State Society and community-based organizations across the country cooperate to bring Front Steps to you and your family four times a year. This newsletter's goal is to pass along ideas about things you and your neighbors can do to make your neighborhoods safer, healthier and more attaractive places to live. This work is supported in part by SAFECO Corporation (www.safeco.com).
Front Steps is written and published by The Evergreen State Society, Seattle, WA USA ©1997
Permission is hereby granted to quote without alteration and with credit
to The Evergreen State Society as the source.