Category Archives: Community Building

“People don’t believe communities like ours exist”

Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 by • No comments yet

Bonnie posted the following note of appreciation to her town neighbors on Front Porch Forum today…

Dearest Neighbors, Thank you so much John for offering your Subaru.  Your generosity is amazing.

Thank you all so much.  I’m humbled to think about how many people living in our community, were willing to help me out.  Many many thanks!

I’ve told people (away from home) of my car problem, and how it’s been solved with the help of neighbors in my community through the Front Porch Forum.  People are in awe, and most don’t believe that communities like ours exist.

With love and gratitude, Bonnie

She was stuck without her car for a period of weeks and needed a way to commute to work.  She reached out to her neighbors and cobbled together a number of free loaners… problem solved… sense of community enhanced.  That’s what FPF is all about.

Burlington Field Day July 26

Posted on Sunday, July 20, 2008 by • No comments yet

This is a good fun…

Water-balloon toss? Shot-put with a bowling ball? Come show your “side-pride” as Burlington Field Day pits the North End vs. the South End in a day of fun athletic competition.

The third installment of Burlington Field Day will be held at Battery Park on July 26.  South Enders need to exact some revenge for last year’s loss to the North End… come one, come all.

Front Porch Forum, covering both sides of town, will, of course, remain perfectly neutral (go South End!).

Neighbors use Front Porch Forum to ignite drug dealing discussion

Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 by • No comments yet

We love to see neighbors “hitting singles” daily on Front Porch Forum… finding babysitters, selling bikes, connecting about car break-ins and so much more. And the weekly “doubles and triples” smacked out of the infield are a joy too… e.g., several folks using FPF to organize a couple weeks of meals in support of an ailing neighbor, a citywide debate about the future of the Moran Plant, etc.

And then we have the “home run” shots like in Burlington’s Old North End recently. A weeks-long back-and-forth centered around drug dealing attracted lots of postings and some strong emotion. The results… loads of neighbor-to-neighbor discussion, involvement of the police and city councilors, media coverage, and now a public meeting is being organized to dig into the challenging issues tied up in this topic. We’re thrilled that Front Porch Forum acted as a catalyst for these concrete steps… especially the face-to-face efforts like the public meeting. At some point, it’s usually best to move these more intense discussions offline into real time and real space… I’m grateful to those organizing this meeting.

As part of all this, Seven Days published a piece this week about my decision to suspend the drug dealing discussion for a couple of weeks on the ONE Central Neighborhood Forum. The tone of the discussion was heading toward “flaming,” that is, it was devolving down to where so many online discussions go to die… personal attacks, strident statements, etc. My step brought criticism from a few FPF subscribers, which we take to heart. And it also brought lots of praise for keeping the peace. Experience predicts it was a necessary move.

Front Porch Forum is a fine place for neighbors to take on challenging subjects (and has been used that way dozens of times). And in these situations we won’t allow it to become an online shouting match among a tiny minority… there are plenty of other venues on the internet for that kind of thing… and there’s only one Front Porch Forum!

Time to watch the neighbors score some more runs on behalf of community in their neighborhoods.

UPDATE: Seven Days just published my letter to the editor…

I was glad to see Seven Days’ coverage of a Front Porch Forum discussion about neighborhood drug dealing. However, the title of your article [“Moderator Shuts Down Online Debate on ONE Drug Use,” July 16] mischaracterized the situation. We were not squelching community dialogue about this important issue — just the opposite.

Front Porch Forum exists to encourage and facilitate this kind of communication. I took the highly unusual step of suspending a single topic on one of our 130 neighborhood forums for two weeks in an attempt to let tempers cool and to reclaim a civil and inclusive tone. Allowing a neighborhood forum to devolve into an online shouting match among a tiny minority of subscribers drives people away and serves no one’s long-term interest.

In fact, we’re encouraged by the results in this case. Where previously there was little talk about drug dealing, now there’s loads of it, among hundreds of neighbors, city councilors, police and others. Media is reporting on this important issue. Public meetings are in the works. Front Porch Forum was a starting point and a catalyst for this positive activity.

So I respectfully offer an alternative headline: “Neighbors Use Front Porch Forum to Ignite Drug Dealing Discussion.”

Michael Wood-Lewis
BURLINGTON
Wood-Lewis is the co-founder of FrontPorchForum.com

UPDATE 2: I continue to get lovely feedback from FPF subscribers on this issue, such as this one…

I wanted to express my support for you surrounding the recent heated discussion on our FPF.

I am a member of several listservs, and have been for about a decade. Your moderation appears to me to be very appropriate and even generous. The vigilante attitude about “dismissing” you as a moderator resulting from the alleged violations of the 1st Amendment was absurd and lacked maturity. Living in Burlington sometimes skews the lens of reality for people, and I think the most outspoken opponents to what was clearly stated to be a 2 week moratorium, not “censorship”, had no idea what they were talking about.

Please continue your fabulous work and your level of moderation. The FPF is such an incredible asset to residents and I have no idea how I lived without it before moving back here.

UPDATE 3: See this follow-up posting…

27% of U.S. Adults not Online

Posted on Monday, July 14, 2008 by • No comments yet

The latest from Pew…

The Pew Internet Project’s May 2008 survey finds that 73% of adults in the U.S. go online. 78% of adults have a cell phone. 55% of adults have broadband at home. Offline Americans are overwhelmingly over age 70, have less than a high school education, and speak a language other than English.

Successfully Managing Online Community

Posted on Wednesday, July 9, 2008 by • No comments yet

Managing online communities is a tricky business.  I’ve seen many stories in traditional media citing examples of people at each others’ throats online.  I know some elementary school PTO email groups in our area have turned so nasty that they had to be shut down.  Now today I read a blog post by Simmons Buntin on Next American City about how the challenges of managing an online discussion for a planned New Urbanist neighborhood… wow.  So even in a place where people move ostensibly to enjoy the benefits of a heightened sense of community, online discussion still turns sour?

Well, this bodes well for the Front Porch Forum model… where this negative stuff is largely absent.  We’ve worked hard to nurture civil and constructive discourse among clearly identified nearby neighbors in the 130 online neighborhood forums that we host across our pilot area (Chittenden County, VT).

In fact, today in my role as “community manager,” I had to inject myself into a thread and close it off for only the third time in a couple years and 30,000 postings.  The pattern has been the same in each case… a topic about which people feel passionate (dogs, slate roofs and historic preservation, and, recently, illegal drug activity) is introduced in an inflammatory way and people line up to take sides and start blasting each other.

We typically ask folks to keep it civil and constructive and, if they must attack, attack the idea and not people.

These steps and many others add up to only three “flame outs” in 30,000 postings… an amazing batting average so far.

St. Nicholas of Tomatoes?

Posted on Monday, July 7, 2008 by • No comments yet

Wonderful Front Porch Forum posting of the day from Christine in Burlington’s Old North End…

Some of us, including myself, have mentioned problems in our neighborhood this summer.  I just wanted to mention a kind act that was done for me.  A couple weeks ago I posted a question about worms in my garden soil and mentioned I was trying to grow tomatoes in my yard.  A few days later I came home to find some beautiful tomato seedlings on my front steps!!  I don’t know who left them for me, but I was so surprised and pleased to receive them!  Thank you to whoever gave me the tomatoes!  I will be sure to share the tomatoes from these plants and therefore you can know your act of kindness has given happiness to others too.

While on the topic of things we are thankful for, I just want to say how grateful I am for my neighbor Iris, who watches over my home whenever I am not there.  She is a wonderful neighbor and has been such a help to me over the years.  I always feel more secure knowing she will keep an eye on my place if I am not home.

Hometown Daily Covers Front Porch Forum

Posted on Friday, July 4, 2008 by • No comments yet

Thanks to Sally Pollak who wrote an excellent feature article about Front Porch Forum for the Burlington Free Press yesterday.


Photo credit: Alison Redlich, Free Press

FPF Milestone… 10,000 subscribers!

Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 by • No comments yet

Wow!  An amazing 10,000 local subscribers to Front Porch Forum now… out of about 50,000 households in our pilot area of Chittenden County, VT… with 100s more joining every month.  And most of those members came to us through word-of-mouth… neighbor telling neighbor.

Any resident of Chittenden County may register at http://frontporchforum.com, while others can go there to join our waiting list.  Cheers!

Borrow a car on short notice… no problem

Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 by • No comments yet

Providing less than 24 hours advanced warning, Bonnie in Huntington posted the following the other day…

Hi Neighbors – My car died yesterday, and for the first time in years I’m without car. I must admit it’s liberating, but the only trouble is, that I need to get to work tomorrow, Saturday, June 28. I was wondering if anyone might have a car I would be able to borrow for the day? I leave at 8:30Am and return at 8:00Pm.

I figured this was too much to ask with too little lead time.  So I was pleasantly surprised to read her follow-up posting today…

Hi Neighbors – I’d like to thank you all so much, for the overwhelming response to my request to borrow a car for the day.

Work went well, and I got to drive around in Jim H.’s bright yellow Chevy.  I was a hit with every teenage boy in Burlington and Shelburne.  The car is for sale, if you know anyone that might be interested.

The Huntington Front Porch Forum is a great way for our community to continue to be the very special place it is.

Thanks much, Bonnie

What do neighbors post about?

Posted on Saturday, June 28, 2008 by • No comments yet

People often ask… “what do the neighbors write about on Front Porch Forum?” Well, it’s challenging to boil it down to a simple list (although it would have to include missing cats and bikes). So here’s a batch of message headlines taken from the last week of postings on FPF’s 130 online neighborhood forums covering Chittenden County, VT…

  • City Launches New Website!
  • Another Neighbor Joins Forum
  • Curious about Private Investigation?
  • The Ramble July 26th!
  • Old Windows
  • Yard Sales June 21, Stolen Bikes
  • Seeking update on 144 North Union
  • Democrats Gathering June 21
  • Police presence
  • Please Return Plant
  • garage sale June 21-22
  • Abandoned Bike
  • Books on Tape
  • Traffic Concerns
  • Jonas Brothers tix wanted
  • Petra Cliffs day passes
  • Dogs on Leash in Gilbrook
  • Disturbing Incident Comment
  • Day Care Suggestion
  • Adaptive Sailing Open House June 22
  • Fisher Cat Question
  • Stolen Bike
  • Fresh Air Fund
  • NEW NORTH END YARD SALES JUNE 21
  • Seeking Roofer Recommendations
  • Cat Seeking Loving Home
  • Cat Seeking Home
  • Blow up balloons for July 4 parade and fireworks!
  • South End Farmer’s Market
  • landscaping/tree service recommended
  • Forum Publication Timing
  • SUMMER DAY CAMP
  • Questions for Bear Experts…
  • Sing Along June 30
  • Police and recent vandalism
  • Sing along
  • Vinyl Siding
  • looking for dog sitters
  • Wildlife Teams Forming
  • CARD GAMER SEEKING PLAYERS
  • Pick-Up Frisbee
  • Animal Shelter Fundraiser June 28
  • summer tennis update
  • reliable assistance available
  • Hot Days, Cool Books
  • Seeking Cat Sitter
  • Disappearing Plants
  • Regarding wreckless driving
  • Hinesburg Vermont Yankee meeting June 25
  • Nature Camp spaces available
  • Black Bear Expert
  • ride needed to Burlington
  • seeking tag-along bike
  • need a babysitter?
  • missing bike
  • ONE Farmers’ Market Opens June 24
  • Drop-In Music
  • Strange man
  • House Siding
  • Events at Your Library
  • Extra Car seats?
  • Treadmill for sale
  • Apartment or house-sitting needed for July-August
  • Seeking quilting lessons and doctor recommendation
  • Park at night
  • Traffic calming on town website
  • traffic safety: an addition to Bretts smart words
  • Entertainment Center for Sale
  • Local Meat for Sale
  • apartment needed
  • Help Garden at Boys and Girls Club
  • kids, police, eggs
  • Timely Traffic Forum!
  • Free couch near Young St
  • Looking for Temp Living Space
  • Seeking Lawn Mower Sharpening, Loaner
  • computer desk for sale
  • Australian Ballot
  • Champlain College Block Party Invitation
  • Real Estate Appraisal Questions
  • Seeking bike loans
  • Speed Enforcement and Traffic Calming Plan Update
  • Looking for exercise/spin bike
  • Burlington Permaculture Updates
  • Misdelivered package
  • Weekly Massage Special!
  • Seeking Diamond from Wedding Ring
  • Bike Rodeo and Round Up
  • Seeking Bricks
  • Race Data Collection Community Forum June 24
  • Missing Chicken?
  • Beach and fires
  • More theft in the ONE
  • free plants
  • Seeking Moving company recommendations
  • Looking for Swing set and Perennials
  • Seen: Blue and White Parakeet
  • Regarding Lawn Fertilization Concerns
  • Urgent: Temporary Home Needed for Cat!
  • City Website Feedback
  • Petra cliffs passes gone
  • Michael Franti/Spearhead ticket for sale
  • Condo for Rent
  • Valuable food information
  • looking for sod recommendations
  • local foods meeting – seeking farm land
  • Seeking kittens
  • Stray Cat – Yours?
  • Discussion of Budgets
  • Middle School Theatre Workshops July 21-25
  • Summer Photography Classes
  • Seeking Babysitter
  • City Liability for Storm Damage
  • Plant Thieves
  • Children
  • Seeking computer speakers
  • Massage School Needs People to Massage!
  • firewood for sale
  • bike theft
  • Free Storm Door
  • Interior Painter Needed June 29 or 30
  • moving company recommended
  • Town Meeting
  • Seeking tree service recommendations
  • Volunteers Needed for Senior Games June 28
  • Farm shares available
  • Refugee Resettlement Benefit June 29
  • 277 East Allen Project
  • Traffic Calming Meeting TONIGHT
  • house for rent
  • Live Fire Training at UVM canceled
  • Push Mower Sharpening
  • Seeking Bike Loan
  • more on Siding
  • Summer Project Help Available
  • Dining Room Set for Sale
  • seeking Audiologist recommendations
  • Drug Concerns on Murray St
  • The Bagel is selling pizza
  • Five Sisters Teen Filmmaker Wins Top Prize
  • seeking Tree surgeon recommendation
  • Seeking Part-Time Administrative Assistant
  • Face Painter Wanted June 28
  • Rhubarb for concord grapes
  • Seeking to borrow water cooler June 28
  • Local Arts Festival September 7
  • Street Flooding Issue – Letter to Mayor
  • Bunk Beds for Sale
  • Need a house sitter?
  • Seeking Hiking Area Map
  • PC repair
  • McQueen hearing: Cronin report
  • Yard sale June 27-29
  • reel mower sharpening
  • Qigong
  • SPEED ENFORCEMENT
  • Two Dream horses for sale
  • Seeking Painters, Flooring, Movers Recommendations
  • Appraisal increase!
  • Carpentry Needed?
  • FPF History, success, and seeking furniture fix
  • FUN WITH GOOGLE MAPS
  • House for Rent in Hinesburg
  • stray cat
  • Farmer’s Market website
  • home cooking delivered
  • worms composting at South End Farmers Market
  • Catamount Health Expansions
  • Volunteers Needed for July 4 Run
  • seeking dolly loan, dryer offered
  • Yard Sale June 28-29
  • Bike theft advice
  • free dirt
  • Police Chief Reinstatement
  • Seeking House Cleaner, Mother’s helper recommendations
  • Green Lawn Mowing Available
  • seeking forwarding address…
  • Linnie’s Event, Murray Street Concerns
  • Tree Service Recommended
  • Seeking Tent, Recommending Movie
  • Seeking Raw Milk Source
  • Let’s brag about a local adult this time!
  • Childcare Opening
  • Teen Police Academy July 7-11
  • Nature Camps
  • seeking roofer recommendations, painting and grounds help
  • FARMERS MARKET WEDNESDAYS
  • Yard Sales June 28
  • Cancellation of fire training
  • Teen Seeking Summer Work
  • Ethan Allen Homestead offerings
  • Comcast expansion into Westford
  • volunteer opportunity June 28
  • Lake Monsters at Library June 27
  • July 4 celebration needs your help
  • Music Nights June 26-28
  • Library Programs
  • Neighborhood Garage Sale June 28
  • Australian Ballot and Town Meeting
  • Book Sale at Town Hall July 4
  • PLANT THIEVES
  • Seeking Rental
  • TV News Preference Survey
  • Babysitter, Pet-Sitter Available
  • New American Farmers Update
  • Hinesburg House for Rent, Shelburne Qigong
  • Tag Sale June 28
  • runaway dog?
  • Found Cat
  • FPF History, Restaurant Recommended
  • Exchange Students Seeking Housing
  • Garage Sale June 27-29
  • Found Trash barrel
  • Free Music and Movies at UVM Saturdays in July
  • Seeking Firewood Recommendations
  • joggers thank safe drivers
  • Melinda Moulton
  • Soccer Game
  • Speed Meetings
  • lumber delivery June 25
  • Restaurant Recommended More
  • Soccer Anyone?
  • North Ave. and 127 Slip Ramp Closure Meeting
  • seeking summer housing
  • red lily beetle
  • 128/North Ave Ramp Mtg?
  • Updates on Siding; Benefits of FPF and Good Neighbors
  • volunteers needed june 30
  • Energy message from BED
  • Decriminalize Drugs
  • trash burning illegal inside or outside
  • seeking skin product
  • Little League Schedule; Lake Monsters Night June 28
  • Wedding Gown Available
  • Edwina Gateley Event July 11-12
  • House Sitter Available
  • RiverWalk Celebration June 27
  • tennis lessons
  • Free Film and Music Series in July
  • New Business: Big Help
  • slate, china cabinet offered
  • North St. 2 br. sublet
  • Seeking dogs for calendar
  • Seeking Lost Glasses
  • Seeking vehicle to buy
  • Seeking Stolen Bike
  • Car for Sale
  • 4th of July celebration
  • Free Family Event on UVM campus
  • Film and Music Starting July 12
  • Seeking summer driving students
  • Neighbor Appreciation
  • Farmers’ Market list for June 27
  • Free Kids Toys
  • UVM grad getting acquainted
  • Host Families Needed
  • Half-off Tag Sale June 28
  • RT 127/North Ave intersection meeting
  • A Rave for Tommy’s Grill
  • Bug Repellent
  • Home Renovation – 47 Catherine
  • UVM film-music and seeking host families
  • UVM Summer Film and Music Series – FREE!
  • Avon Source
  • seeking host families
  • 2nd Annual North Quarter 3rd of July Parade
  • Eager to commute
  • Cancellation of fire training comment
  • Seeking third housemate
  • New Farms for New Americans update
  • Seeking car tires, bike seat, roof coating
  • Seeking bathtub
  • House for sale – Open house June 29
  • Thai restaurant feedback
  • Massage Barter for help with Move
  • About Illegal Drugs
  • best seat in town july 3 fireworks
  • Obama Event
  • Winooski Online Survey
  • Robert and Gigi June 27
  • Seeking Housing for visiting authors
  • Communication Committee Meeting July 2
  • New Aikido Introductory Series
  • Looking for Apartment Cleaners
  • Register to vote
  • Free Film and Music Series
  • small tricycle in our yard
  • Documenting Ancient Roads in Milton July 2
  • Free Computer Storage Media
  • Thank You and Hunting for Accordion Players
  • Neighborhood living
  • Volunteer Needed for Huntington elder
  • variety of gadgets left on our doorknob
  • Seeking host families
  • Police Chief Hearing
  • Flynn Tour Opens South Burlington Gardens
  • Homeowners’ Assn. Dues Past Due
  • Seeking missing cat
  • Myrtle Street Avant Garden Update
  • Garage/Yard Sale June 28
  • Garage Sale June 28
  • AMBER ALERT – Please Help
  • Richmond 4th of July Needs You!
  • Neighbor Joins Forum
  • Summer Camps at Shelburne Art Center
  • Chief Back
  • Sing-Along and Town Meeting
  • Westford Recreation Summer Programs
  • Fireworks Safety Tips
  • PERSONAL ACTION AND GLOBAL CHANGE July 11-12
  • FLYNN TOUR OPENS SOUTH BURLINGTON GARDENS
  • Fourth of July Bike Parade
  • SEEKING LOST CAT – Bright St
  • Looking to get gravel hauled
  • Gubernatorial Campaign seeking Volunteers
  • Wanted: Woman who wanted Great Escape Ticket
  • UVM Engineering Students Demonstrate Hybrid Car
  • Gardener available
  • Huntington’s Disease Walk June 28
  • Garden Tour and Immigrant Farms
  • Seeking 2-bedroom apartment
  • Seeking feedback on possible Westford Park and Ride
  • Seeking Car for June 28
  • Apology – City Issues
  • Traffic Concerns on Laurel Hill
  • Ward One Commissioners Ask…
  • Free pool table
  • In response to drug dealers and courage
  • Drug addict stereotypes
  • Garden Tour
  • Seeking Chairperson for Road Committee
  • Bike the Lake for CF July 12-13
  • Trash and Recycling Schedule
  • CH17 PRODUCER TRAINING FREE
  • Seeking Missing Calico Cat
  • Drunken Noodle House
  • circus tickets for sale
  • camera for sale
  • Open House June 29
  • Neighborhood wildlife
  • Porch Sale/Give-Away June 29
  • Break-In on Pennington Dr
  • Looking for Tennis Partner
  • Avon Appreciation
  • Obama T-shirts available
  • FPF Tech Response
  • Any babysitters needed?
  • BIG HELP is HERE!
  • Fireworks… register to Vote
  • More Neighbors Join Forum
  • looking for roofers!
  • Another Neighbor/Babysitter Joins Forum
  • Roofer experience
  • seeking dog supplies
  • Seeking small tent to borrow
  • What happened to Huntington River last night?
  • Free Ice Cream Maker
  • Found Cat – Yours?
  • Seeking caregiver
  • BOOK SALE AT TOWN HALL JULY 4
  • Winooski Festival Appreciation
  • Flash Flood Follow Up
  • big yard sale July 5
  • looking to borrow a dolly
  • Pet Sitter Needed
  • Movies on the Green?
  • Tech Difficulties and Seeking Pet Sitter
  • Summer Host Families Needed!
  • Braun Juicer for Sale
  • Summer PRACTICAL HERBALISM class offering
  • Looking for sailboat rental
  • Need simple (?) chair repair – Help?

About Blog

Ghost of Midnight is an online journal about fostering community within neighborhoods, with a special focus on Front Porch Forum (FPF). My wife, Valerie, and I founded FPF in 2006... read more

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