Category Archives: Front Porch Forum

COMMUNITYMATTERS07 coming to Burlington

Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 by • No comments yet

I learned more today about a promising event coming this fall to Burlington (October 23-25, 2007)…

COMMUNITYMATTERS07 is the next annual gathering of the Orton Family Foundation and PlaceMatters, where a national network of practitioners comes together to learn, share, inspire and seed innovation in place, collectively elevating the art and science of planning for vibrant, sustainable communities.

Building on the success of the PLACEMATTERS06 conference held last year in Denver, COMMUNITYMATTERS07 will be coming to Burlington, Vermont for a three-day event that will showcase planning technologies and methods, foster discussions and collaboration among citizens and professionals, and improve the way communities make decisions about their futures. COMMUNITYMATTERS07 seeks to support and expand an emerging network of place-based innovators while focusing on challenges particular, but not unique, to the Northeast.

Good stuff and inline with Front Porch Forum‘s focus.

Neighbors chip in for their forum

Posted on Monday, July 23, 2007 by • No comments yet

We were touched the other day when a couple neighbors passed the hat at the annul block party to help support their neighborhood forum.  More than 40 households contributed.  Thank you Five Sisters and Dori and Lori!

Contributions to Front Porch Forum are welcome and they help cover expenses during this early stage of development.  Some folks think of it as a voluntary subscription fee and pay on a monthly basis.  To make a one-time or ongoing donation, check out our secure online contribution page.

Neighborhood rallies around family facing deployment

Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 by • No comments yet

Under the heading “Babysitter Needed – Urgent” this moving message circulated through the Village Green Neighborhood Forum a couple days ago…

Hi – We have a 14 month old and are looking for a baby sitter for tomorrow night. It’s my husband’s last night in town before he deploys to Iraq, and the baby sitter we had arranged for tomorrow just called and canceled.

I never know how neighbors will respond to various messages, especially postings that go out over a lovely summer weekend when people spend less time online. But now I see this follow up…

Two nights ago I posted a desperate request for a baby sitter, as my husband is deploying to Iraq, and our originally scheduled sitter had canceled. I wanted to take the time to thank everyone for the outpouring of support and help that was offered. We were able to find a sitter, and enjoyed a nice night together before he leaves.

The generosity and kindness of this community has helped reaffirm our decision to move to Vermont, and we feel lucky and grateful to be in such a great neighborhood. Thanks everyone!

I needn’t have worried! Not only was a sitter found, but the family was swamped with support from the neighbors, many I’d guess who didn’t know about the imminent deployment previously. That’s neighborhood and Front Porch Forum at their best.

Good Neighbors in Condo Developments?

Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007 by • No comments yet

Beverly writes in the West Kennedy Neighborhood Forum today…

I moved to South Burlington from Essex a year ago. My dog June and I have met a lot of other people with dogs. I have a piano that is sitting in my condominium waiting for someone to play it. It belongs to my daughter who doesn’t have room for it at this time in her life. I wondered if anyone (child or adult) in the neighborhood would like to use my “practice space.” Maybe you always wanted to take piano lessons but didn’t have a piano. Now you could use mine (no charge). I work during the day, but June is here and would love company. I’m sure we can work out the details to satisfy all of us. I look forward to hearing from my musically inclined neighbors.

Now that’s lovely… mighty neighborly. I’ve had several folks assume that condo associations are less amenable to Front Porch Forum… that somehow condominium dwellers are all hermits or otherwise uninterested in their immediate surroundings. The early evidence goes against this theory, with the message above the latest example.  People are people and most of us want some connection to our immediate neighbors.

North vs South – The Rumble at the Ramble

Posted on Friday, July 20, 2007 by • No comments yet

This sounds fun. From a posting on today’s ONE Central Neighborhood Forum.  I’m pulling for the South End!

Field Days – North End Ramble – South End vs North End

Hey folks – as many of you know the North End Ramble is taking place this next coming weekend. JULY 28th. I believe the Studio STK people know a lot about the events – and the Crombie Street Block Party always rocks.

My particular part is helping to organize the Field Day Event. Where the North End hosts the South End in what is called “The Rumble at the Ramble” – or “War of the Wards” – whichever you like. Don’t let the names scare you though, last year was one of the most friendly competitions I have ever seen – water balloon toss – 100 (aprox) yard dash – hula hoop perseverance – standing long jump – shotput with a bowling ball – the mile – sack race – a race I invented called “20-20” where you spin around 20 times and have to run 20 yards and back – arm wrestling – possibly more events – and all culminating in a giant tug-of-war.

Last year the South End won – the trophy is at the Muddy Waters. Could the North End win this year and see the trophy displayed at the Radio Bean?

Details – meet and sign up and High Noon at Battery Park on Saturday. We will do some warm up exercise and get going around One. Stay for as long or as little as you want. To volunteer to help email me – ( we do need some things brought to the event still). Bring some watermelon! Last year it all took about two hours, was a ginormous amount of fun, and everyone went on the enjoy the North End Ramble, which is what we are shooting for this year too.

Will the South End rise again? Will the North End bring its “side pride”?

Confused about which End of Burlington you live in? Bank Street is the deciding line we decided on. Also – out of town guest are welcome – which side of (44°28’N) Longitude they live decides what team they are on.

Thanks!
Michael J. Nedell

“Why I Love Front Porch Forum”

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 by • No comments yet

A wonderful note from Rosemary to her Starr Farm Neighborhood Forum today…

To all in Starr Farm neighborhood: While browsing one day I discovered FrontPorchForum.com when it was just the “Five Sisters” of the South End. I was curious because I was born there (Catherine Street) and lived there with my children later. I expressed an interest in Starr Farm neighborhood, and lo and behold, became the founding member!

I was ready to begin my contribution if, and when, the sidewalk snowplows once again tore up the front lawns, but it didn’t happen this year!

Meanwhile I love hearing how many neighbors have joined and love watching the “happenings” of this end of town. It is reassuring in this day that people are still generous, kind and caring about the people who live in this town. In short they are still “Neighborly.”

Hope I can someday be of real help to someone in need.

Thank you, Rosemary… what a lovely sentiment.

Today’s Sample Success Story

Posted on Thursday, July 19, 2007 by • No comments yet

Sharon of the NE Winooski Neighborhood Forum writes today…

A great guy to know… A few weeks ago I posted a message about needing someone to help with removing some shrubs.  That’s how I met Josh N., one of our great neighbors.  He did a great job and I keep finding more things for him to do.

I wanted to recommend Josh to all of you who need landscaping or carpentry.  He’s professional, friendly, knowledgeable, honest, and charges reasonable rates.  I think he’s terrific and I think you will too.  Hiring Josh is a sure way to get quality work and a great opportunity to keep your business in Winooski.

That’s just how Front Porch Forum is supposed to work… meet an immediate need and get to know the neighbors in the process.  Another small success!

Front Porch Forum Team Earns Award!

Posted on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 by • 2 comments

As reported by the Burlington Free Press yesterday…

South Burlington – This year’s recipient of the Community Appreciation Award, which is given out each year at National Night Out, will go to Michael and Valerie Wood-Lewis, who founded Front Porch Forum. The Front Porch Forum is an email based service organized by neighborhoods, where neighbors talk about topics from baby-sitting to vandalism.

The Community Appreciation Award “recognizes someone in the community whose efforts have made a difference in our community” and who has worked toward crime prevention and youth services, said National Night Out coordinator Catherine Welch. The Wood-Lewises will receive the award at 7 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Dorset Park band shell. Gov. Jim Douglas will present the award.

“After only a half-year of operation, more than 5,000 Chittenden County households have joined Front Porch Forum,” Michael Wood-Lewis said in a press release. “FPF hosts 130 contiguous online neighborhood forums covering the entire metro-Burlington area. People use the free service for many ends, including finding a babysitter or lost cat, selling a canoe, recommending a plumber, announcing a school play, reporting a car break-in, organizing a block party and so much more. And, the best part of it, all of these activities are done with clearly identified nearby neighbors, so the sense of community in each neighborhood grows.”

Wood-Lewis said he and his wife are “humbled” to be nominated for the award and they will share it with the thousands of local Front Porch Forum members, volunteers and sponsors.

By all means, this award is shared with the more than 5,000 local FPF participants… definitely a group effort.

I encourage local folks to attend the various National Night Out events… sounds like a fun bash (and free!) taking shape… carnival, parade, fireworks, live music, rides, food and more. We’re taking our kids. August 6 at 6:30 PM at Dorset Park, and then the main event on August 7 from noon until 10:00 PM at the park (rain date is August 8 ).

Update:  Details about the event are now available on the South Burlington Police Dept. website.  Also, Sgt. Tom Fraga and organizer Catherine Welch recorded a Channel 17 TV show about it all the other day.  Click here and then select “South Burlington’s National Night Out Preview Show (7/17/07)” under Special Events.  They mention Front Porch Forum at 22:40 into the 30-minute program.

Funky Mailboxes spread across Huntington

Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 by • 2 comments

Sounds like a local artist is onto something in Huntington. Kelly O’Brien posted to her neighborhood forum less than two weeks ago…

Hi All – I’d like to paint your mailbox! Especially interested in mailboxes on the Main Road, or any well-traveled roads in or near town.You’d be helping me out by letting me paint & take photos for my portfolio… and you’ll benefit by getting a one-of-a-kind mailbox. And if you hate it, I can repaint to the original black, gray or white. If you’d like to get a sense of my style, look at our mailbox. I do polka dots, circles, stripes, and any bold graphic design, or just a solid fun color.

Since then, the comments are pouring in…

  • Yesterday Kelly O’Brien painted my mailbox – check it out. It is beautiful! Thank you Kelly!
  • Kelly O’Brien painted our mailbox too. Plain and plastic transformed into fun and funky! Thanks, Kelly!
  • Oh my good lord in heaven! You have a gift! So beautiful – the mailbox you painted at Bonnie’s place… YOU GO GIRL!!!!
  • I came home today to find my sad little rusty mailbox transformed into a work of Kelly O’Art! I saw Cindy’s on the Main Road and signed right up. Huntington will soon be known for its colorful mailboxes. Many thanks to Kelly O’Brien!

I love to see artists and micro-business owners use Front Porch Forum to jump start their efforts!

What if 90% of people blogged?

Posted on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 by • No comments yet

Cathy Resmer writes about a couple failed local citizen journalism sites today, the Winooski Eagle and…

iBurlington — “Burlington Vermont’s Blog” — a local citizen journalism site, launched in 2005.

Creator Brian Brown had high hopes for the project, which he modeled after the successful CJ community iBrattleboro. In March of 2005, Brown told Seven Days he expected to sign up more contributors and get more traffic than iBrat, if only because Burlington’s a bigger city.

But it didn’t happen that way.

She adds…

Front Porch Forum founder Michael Wood-Lewis was also at the [local bloggers] BBQ. FPF is a neighborhood email newsletter, not really a web-based tool, but it’s definitely succeeding in some respects where iBurlington failed. That just occurred to me as I was writing this post, and it’s definitely something to think about.

Thanks Cathy. I agree. Front Porch Forum seems to defy pigeon-holing… it’s not a blog, not a wiki, not a mail list… what is it?!?! I guess we should come up with some technical term for FPF… but it’s really just something new and different… and successful. While email is our primary distribution method currently, that’s not really what FPF is about… just a vehicle we’re using now.

In a way, FPF is hosting 130 group-written blogs, each focused on a neighborhood and written by a host of contributors/neighbors. Our most active neighborhood forums have 90% of the households on board.

Blogs are small, independent, decentralized, self-appointed, low-capital, etc, compared to traditional media. Well, FPF takes it another step, giving the masses an online platform to share their thoughts and needs with their neighbors through its neighborhood forums. So while starting a blog is much easier to do than starting a newspaper, it’s still not doable for many, if not most, of the population. On the other hand, anyone who can handle email can participate in Front Porch Forum and add their voice to the online conversation.

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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