Ghost of Midnight

Investing in Community during Economic Crisis

During this economic downturn, Front Porch Forum is seeing signs of hope as people turn toward investing more in community and personal relationships with those around them.  This is a good move individually, as well as for a region.  A recent study found a “significant correlation between community-citizen engagement and the economic growth.”

An example… One can take a second job working at WalMart, invest the income in a mutual fund, and hope that the principal is still there in a few months.  Or, one can spend those hours instead volunteering on community projects with neighbors (rebuilding a playground, forming a neighborhood watch, etc.)… investing that time and energy into your home place.

Some recent vignettes from FPF…

Community More Powerful Than Locks!
Hi folks – With all this talk about bike theft, thought it would be a good time to share with you that my bike, which I reported stolen about a month ago, was spotted by a friend and successfully returned to me!  I’d also like to share how super supportive this community was in response–I received over 10 offers to borrow or keep spare bikes.  I feel very, very, fortunate to live here, and appreciate the ways we work together.  Thanks to everyone!

ROOM AT OUR TABLE
Hi Neighbors – Did you forget to make plans for Thanksgiving? Plans fall through? Looking at a boring/lonely turkey sandwich? Have a friend in such a situation? Please consider joining us. We have a few (1-3) extra seats at our cozy table, a big turkey, lots of other yummy dishes, and a lot of friendship to share. Kids welcome.

Please join us in celebrating this season of blessings and renewal…give me a call or email…

Lost Dog Pulls Neighbors Together
I did get a lot of responses offering help [from my Front Porch Forum posting].  Many people offered to take the dog in until the owner was found, others offered to help put up notices in the neighborhood and others gave support by offering food and such to help me while I looked for the owner. Using the front porch forum really brought the community together for a small little dog, that I truly fell in love with in just over 24 hours.  Thanks.

And some FPF posting headlines from the past few days…

•    Seeking Item Donations for MFCC Holiday Festival
•    Northgate Holiday Craft Fair Dec. 6
•    Shelburne Museum Store Sale Nov. 28-30
•    Bottle Drive for Project Graduation
•    Saputo Site Ideas
•    New Member Seeking Apartment
•    Local Food Film and Tasting Dec. 4
•    State Surplus Property Sale
•    Free Puppy Food
•    Seeking House to sit for Christmas
•    Neighborhood Kids’ Food Drive Nov. 25
•    Bike Path Repairs Needed
•    HOSPITAL MASTER PLAN TALK DEC. 4
•    Thwarting Break-Ins With Lights
•    Massage Gift Certificates For Sale
•    Thursday Morning Yoga Class
•    Energy Workshop Dec. 3
•    Saputo Silos Village skyline
•    window washer recommended
•    Treemendous Event Dec. 11
•    Please support ‘Kids Collect for Kids’ Food Drive
•    Oakledge condo for rent
•    Food Drive Thank you
•    seeking winter parking
•    Thank you Potluck Contributors and Volunteers!
•    Winter Walking – Police Update
•    winter sport gear for sale
•    seeking dog sitter Dec. 20-31
•    Where to donate clothes?
•    Dog Parks and Wind Turbines
•    Master Gardener Course begins Feb.
•    seeking foundation contractor recommendations
•    Hunger in our neighborhoods – help available
•    kitten’s owners found
•    Community Holiday Gathering, Tree Lighting Dec. 6
•    Creating a Backyard Habitat – Talk Dec. 11
•    seeking car trade
•    Acupuncturist Recommended
•    Guide to Commercial-Free Holidays
•    seeking PET SITTER Nov. 26-28
•    commercial-free holidays
•    christmas gift suggestions
•    Puerto Rico Vacation Rental Available
•    Saputo Redevelopment
•    Zumba Is ON for Thanksgiving Week!
•    Democrats and Progressives Forum Dec. 4
•    Improving our Forum
•    Seeking Attorney Recommendations
•    Winter Parking Ban Begins Dec.1
•    Lock your cars!
•    Community More Powerful Than Locks!
•    New Bus Station Opens Dec. 1
•    Lang Farm Development – Meeting Nov. 29
•    Birds of Vermont holiday gift sale
•    Plowing the Bike Path
•    Underage Drinking and Drug Use Dialogue Dec. 3
•    Car Broken Into
•    PET SITTER NO LONGER NEEDED
•    Car Break-Ins
•    Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale Starts Dec. 1
•    Seeking VW Mechanic Recommendations
•    Snow Tires For Sale
•    Williston Rec Path in Winter
•    Dining with Diabetes Class
•    ANR seeks input on West Street Complex
•    HUNTERS BREAKFAST Nov. 29-30
•    Saputo site suggestion
•    food drive thanks
•    Massage Studio available for rent
•    READING MENTORS NEEDED
•    Burton Strikes Back
•    Host a ballet dancer Nov. 28-30
•    Art Center Gallery Sale Dec. 4
•    Ski Swap Jan. 5-10
•    Woodlawn Road Complaint Letters
•    Seeking Subletters Dec.-June
•    Seeking Adult Reading Mentors
•    Prudential Committee: Board Brief #3
•    New Bus Station Opening Postponed
•    Holiday Event Smith Park Nov. 29
•    NPA Meetings Dec. 2 and 4
•    Water and Sewer Bills Due Dec. 1
•    WHS Basketball Dec. 3-6
•    Advent Concert Dec. 4
•    Location Change: City Council and Development Review Meetings
•    Seeking Purse Finder
•    Seeking Recount Workers
•    Hoax about Carjacking
•    Seeking Purse Finder
•    Please Fill Out NPA Report Card
•    Seeking Housemate
•    Dog Park
•    Library’s December Newsletter
•    Help a Child Find Direction-Mentor
•    City Council Committee to discuss CEDO Commission Dec. 2
•    Art Fits Puzzle Hop Starts Dec. 3
•    Mechanic Recommended
•    snow plow service needed
•    Seeking Ski Mountain Carpool/Rideshare!
•    Seeking roommate
•    Anonymous Complaint Letters
•    Help with Toys for Kids
•    Seeking Housing in our Neighborhood
•    Free Mother Goose Program Dec. 8!
•    The Financial Crisis – A Vermont Fairy Tale
•    Menu for the Future Discussion Group
•    HUNGER IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS – HELP AVAILABLE
•    Ice Rink Assembly Nov. 30
•    Join Us at Lincoln Inn After Tree Lighting Dec. 3
•    Miss Vermont to Read Holiday Stories Dec. 20
•    Reiki Master and Energy Body Worker
•    Women’s Festival of Crafts Nov. 29-30
•    COMMERCIAL-FREE HOLIDAYS and CHILDREN’S RESILIENCE
•    hi everyone
•    Strengthening Children’s resilience talk Dec. 8
•    About community and locks…
•    Snow Plow Recommendation
•    New store open in Hinesburg
•    Holiday Theater
•    Camel’s Hump Christmas Trees re-opened!
•    Free Pool Table
•    GREAT DUPLEX AVAILABLE IN JANUARY
•    Mary Kay Neighbor
•    early season ski house rental
•    Seeking VHS player
•    path to Sandra Circle from Sunset Dr?
•    Two offerings: photography and Commanding Wealth
•    Two free UVM hockey tickets Sat.
•    Seeking Refrigerator boxes
•    Seeking naturopath recommendations
•    rowing machine for sale
•    Naturopath recommended
•    Door-to-door incident – Exercise Caution!
•    SB Rebel Hockey Advertising
•    Seeking dog crate
•    GREEN HOUSCLEANING AVAILABLE
•    Seeking Daycare assistant and substitutes
•    Events at Your Library
•    Available for leaf raking and yardwork
•    Childcare and tutoring available
•    Village 2-bedroom housing wanted
•    Need housesitters?
•    Rec Path, COMMERCIAL-FREE HOLIDAYS, CHILDREN’S RESILIENCE
•    Found Cat
•    Legislative Forum Dec. 1
•    Seeking Ping Pong Table
•    Awesome Studio Sale Dec. 6
•    House Painter Recommended
•    Seeking Plumber Recommendations
•    Free Cabinet
•    Holiday Concert Dec. 7
•    RABA Richmond Holiday Market Dec. 6
•    Vermont as Endangered Place Dec. 3
•    Seeking Local Food shelf
•    Kid Train Table Offered
•    Holiday Concert and Sing-Along Dec. 14
•    Seeking Trailer Wheels
•    Free Chicken Coop
•    Nintendo and Game Boy For Sale
•    Apology for Disturbing Neighbors
•    Snow removal available
•    Film, Food and Hinesburg Dec. 4
•    Seeking lost cat
•    Looking for Parking Space
•    City Council Candidate – Dec.2 Gathering, Dec. 3 Caucus
•    Charity concert Dec. 5
•    Homeowners’ Assn. Meeting and Gathering
•    New to front porch forum
•    Seeking Kid’s Winter Outerwear Donations
•    Williston Community Tree Lighting Dec. 7
•    Interested In Crafts Classes?
•    Christmas Trees For Sale
•    Seeking Dentist Recommendations
•    Why Can’t Progs and Dems Just Get Along? Dec. 4
•    NPA Report Card: Survey website Correction
•    Cat Found, Thanks
•    Very Merry Theatre, Ski Rental
•    Seeking Christmas Tree Recommendations
•    Reliable Odd Jobber For Hire
•    More On Anonymous Complaint Letters
•    Seeking Roommate!
•    Free treatment for Alcohol Problems
•    Comments Sought On Winooski’s Community Development Plan
•    Seeking Queen-Size Bed Frame
•    Tasty Food IS possible with Diabetes
•    Political Gathering Dec. 2, Democratic Caucus Dec. 3
•    Learn to Skate Event Dec. 13
•    Room Sublet Available Dec. 23-Feb. 8
•    Organic, Gluten-free, Vegan Holiday Confections
•    Free Piano
•    Winooski Winter Market Dec. 6, 13
•    Betty Ann Lockhart and Marilyn Webb Neagley Dec. 4
•    Film on Civil Rights Leader Dec. 8
•    seeking sewing machine service
•    queer writing group starts Dec. 2
•    Stamp Out and Polish Off Diabetes Dec. 4
•    neighborhood holiday events?
•    School Board Budget Meeting Dec. 3
•    Milton Historical Museum Holiday Open House Dec. 7
•    Quilt Group Now Dec. 9
•    Open house/jewelry party Dec. 7
•    found keys – yours?
•    Local Handywoman for hire
•    Seeking pre-school playmates
•    Storyteller Benefits Westford School Dec. 3
•    Bazaar at Unitarian Universalist Society Dec. 6
•    Plumber recommended
•    seeking pet sitter
•    Free desk
•    bodywork, meditation at wilding studio
•    South End Santa to visit Dec. 14
•    Florida House for Rent
•    localvore holiday gift ideas from Backdoor Bakery
•    Burlington Earth Clock Progress
•    Stand Up Comedy Dec. 9
•    Home Energy-Saving Workshop Dec. 3
•    Obama Inauguration Trip
•    Free Dryer
•    Women’s Winter Shoes For Sale
•    Queer Writing Group
•    Seeking Lost Dog
•    Babysitting Services Offered
•    Direct Link to Municipal Plan
•    Seeking Futon
•    Seeking MORTAR Mix
•    Scouts Seek Pull Tabs to Benefit Ronald McDonald House
•    CODE ENFORCEMENT, COMMUNITY POLICING – NPA Airtimes
•    Westford 8th Grade Class Fundraisers – Calendar Sale Dec. 3
•    Pasta Maker For Sale
•    Democratic Caucus Dec. 3
•    Benefit for Betty – Guy Mendilow Band Dec. 5
•    Bike Workshop for Women Dec. 3
•    Playground Fundraiser – Thanks!
•    Join GJEP for Evening of Local Foods Dec. 4
•    Dan Smith for Mayor
•    ONE Arts and Business Network Mtg. Dec. 10
•    ‘Photographic Suburbia’ Opens Dec. 6
•    Gardener’s Supply Holiday Sale
•    CarShare VT: Name Our Cars Contest!
•    Souther Connector / Champlain Parkway
•    Tree Seminar Dec. 11
•    fire alarms; bridal shop coupon; lights on Essex Way
•    Babysitter/Gift Wrapper/Personal Shopper Extraordinaire!
•    why can’t progs and dems just get along?
•    VT Workers’ Center Hosts Human Rights Conference Dec. 13
•    Music and Art Event Dec. 6
•    Turkey Trot Results
•    HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP DEC. 10
•    Food Shelf in Cambridge
•    Jude Bond Exhibit Opens Dec. 12
•    Book Fair Benefits Lyric Theatre Dec. 5
•    seeking housing
•    Winter’s Eve at Ethan Allen Homestead Dec. 13
•    Christmas Trees Recommended
•    CRASH COLLECTIVE INFOSHOP OPEN HOUSE Dec. 4
•    Burlington Legacy Project Town Meeting Dec. 9
•    LIVE MUSIC FROM ICELAND IN O.N.E. Dec. 5
•    Waldorf School Holiday Fair Dec. 5-6
•    Latin Dance Workshop Dec. 6
•    Holiday Craft and Tag Sale Dec. 5-6
•    Holiday Craft Fair Dec. 6
•    Seeking Math Tutor
•    Free Exterior Doors, Frames
•    Alison Bechdel at Flying Pig Bookstore Dec. 3
•    Seeking Short-Term Rental
•    Free Cabinet, Turkey Feeder
•    Dog Found, Thanks
•    Seeking Raw Goat’s Milk
•    First Night Volunteer Opportunities!
•    New ‘Neighbor’ Joins Forum
•    CHILDCARE AVAILABLE
•    Support Circles for Peace
•    Cochran After School Ski Program
•    Holiday Art Sale Dec. 5
•    sublet potentially available
•    Trapped Cats; VSO Dec. 6; Show Dec.5
•    4 Weeks of Winter Farm Share For Sale
•    Joyeux Noel Film Dec. 5
•    Seeking Treadmill
•    Clothing Collector for Relocation Programs?
•    Stray Cats – Yours?
•    Parenting Classes
•    Parenting Classes, Circles For Peace, Alcohol Treatment
•    Winooski Community Calendar Dec.
•    Dec. 1 City Council Meeting – Airtimes
•    Schools EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY UPDATE
•    Yes to Food Donation, Santa Visit
•    Air Service Burlington to Boston?
•    Burlington to Boston Air Service?
•    Seniors Help Ethiopian Children – You Can Too
•    WALDORF SCHOOL HOLIDAY FAIR DEC. 5-6
•    Southern Connector Issues
•    Learning Express fundraiser for local preschool
•    Santa’s Workshop for kids Dec. 13
•    House and Dog Sitting Services Available
•    8th Grade DC Fundraisers
•    Circles for Peace, Treatment for Alcohol Problems
•    Break-Ins
•    Babysitter available
•    Holiday Band Concert Dec. 7
•    Lighting Trees, Writing Blogs
•    HEINEBERG CENTER HOLIDAY BAZAAR DEC. 6
•    Huntington Community Movie Night Dec. 5
•    Snowboarding Equipment Wanted
•    New Mayoral Candidate
•    Vermont International Festival this weekend
•    16th Vermont International Festival this weekend
•    Neighborhood Babysitter Wanted
•    TIVO DVR Recorder for Sale
•    3rd Annual Five Sisters Neighborhood Fine Art and Craft Fair Dec. 13
•    seeking driftwood
•    Waldorf Holiday Fair Dec. 5-6
•    UPCOMING EVENTS AT UNITED CHURCH OF WESTFORD
•    ‘Away in a Manger – A Nativity Exhibit’ at St. Joseph School
•    Holiday Tree Lighting Dec. 5
•    Forum Dec. 4: Why Can’t Progs and Dems Get Along
•    FPF explained
•    holidaze art show and sale Dec. 5-6
•    Seeking Summer Lake Rental
•    CHSA Annual Mtg. Dec. 7
•    Comment on New Zoning Regs Until Dec. 8
•    New Coop Mtg. Dec. 12
•    Futon for sale
•    Roof Top Carrier Available
•    Huntington Break-ins
•    Holiday concert Dec. 19
•    Five Sisters Neighborhood Fine Art and Craft Fair Dec. 13
•    Xmas Massage Gift Certificates
•    Seeking Cat sitter
•    FREE printers!
•    Burlington Community Choir Concert Dec. 5
•    UNITED CHURCH OF WESTFORD – CORRECTION
•    SEEKING SHORT-TERM RENTAL
•    Time Correction for Betty Concert
•    Seeking Dog walker
•    RABA Holiday Market Dec. 6
•    Holiday Roasts For Sale
•    Help Desk Positions Available
•    Kids Collect for Kids Dec. 10
•    Festive Choral Concert Dec. 9
•    Yoga Classes, House and Pet Sitting Svcs.
•    Seeking Treadmill
•    Free Chair Massage Dec. 6
•    House For Sale
•    Seeking house, animal sitter Dec. 28-Jan. 6
•    Awesome after school ski program!
•    Rush Hour Traffic Concerns
•    Sheepskin Products, RABA Fair Dec. 6
•    Free Turtles and Tank
•    Childcare Offered
•    Seeking Family for young girl
•    Table and chairs For sale
•    Homeless Man, Neighborhood Thefts
•    Seeking Missing Shoes
•    Help Lonely Seniors at Christmas
•    FREE DOG
•    Ward 1 NPA Meeting Dec. 10
•    Babysitter wanted
•    Seeking Lost Wallet
•    AWESOME HOLIDAY STUDIO SALE DEC. 6-7
•    Local foodshelf
•    Offer: Propane Hibatchi
•    Offer: PDA Travel Case
•    Family needed for young girl
•    Jude Bond at 215 College Gallery
•    Seeking high chair to borrow
•    Hayden Carruth memorial recording Dec. 6
•    Another Neighbor Joins Forum
•    Girl Scout Bottle Drive Dec. 6
•    Newly Certified Yoga Instructor
•    Mary Kehoe for City Council
•    Westford Girls Basketball
•    Snow Tires on ebay
•    Ski Films, Raffle Dec. 6
•    March Election Issues
•    House for Rent
•    rowing machine For Sale
•    Seeking Temporary Furniture
•    Seeking Free Treadmill
•    SENIORS HELP ETHIOPIAN CHILDREN – YOU CAN TOO
•    Seeking Old Skis
•    Studio Sale Dec. 6
•    Bottle Drive Comments, Thanks
•    DAYCARE, AFTERSCHOOL OPENINGS!
•    Jericho Underhill Food Shelf
•    ‘Kids Collect for Kids’ – Thanks
•    Williston Farmers’ Market Schedule
•    Nativity Exhibit Dec. 6-7
•    Seeking room, apartment
•    See Louisa Howard Chapel Dec. 7
•    Winooski Community Chorus to hold Holiday Concert
•    Winooski City Council Meeting Agenda 12/8
•    Conversation on Race Jan. 7
•    Embodyoga Class
•    Nonviolent Communication Workshop Dec. 12-13
•    Car for Sale
•    Community Garden Plots Available
•    Advent Calendar