Category Archives: Front Porch Forum

PodTech features Front Porch Forum

Posted on Thursday, June 21, 2007 by • 1 comment

Robert Scoble and I talked on camera about Front Porch Forum during a party at Googleplex NYC last month… part of the Personal Democracy Forum.

Truly Local Online Sites sell Ads

Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 by • No comments yet

The Local Onliner reports today…

I love to see examples of grassroots innovation in local online marketing. One of my favorites is an e-newsletter from Sprocket Entertainment, the producers of a local comedy night in my hometown of Carlsbad, CA.

Sprocket is a startup by two comedians which also produces shows in Spokane, WA. It gets everyone to sign up for the newsletter when they use PayPal to buy tickets to their once-a-month event at a renovated theater, which they consider an alternative night out for “people who aren’t into loud music and pickup bar scenes.”

So far, Carlsbad Inn, Overstock Spas, Spoon Grill & Bar, and Tamarack Beach Resort have all signed up. From the looks of things, Sprocket is doing about as well with local advertisers as more concerted efforts by Carlsbad.com, a chain of beach town city guides.

Some similarities with Front Porch Forum here. We’re testing the waters with local sponsors… a half-dozen have signed on during our testing phase, including…

Another 70 or so have joined our waiting list as we move beyond testing in the months ahead.

Works better than craigslist?

Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 by • No comments yet

One of the good folks I met at the SEABA event the other evening just followed up our conversation with the kind posting below.  Thanks Barb!

“I had an extra ticket for a concert at the Flynn and posted it for sale on Craig’s List. After three days with nary a bite, I  tried the Front Porch Forum and received a response the following morning. Nice going!”  -Barbara Smorgans Marshall, Redrock Neighborhood Forum

Gratitude… very nice.

Posted on Saturday, June 16, 2007 by • No comments yet

A local attorney posted the following on his Old North End neighborhood forum today.  Thanks Dennis!

Thanks to Front Porch Forum for this service and all the work that you do to keep the magnificent line of communications up and running so efficiently. It is amazing and the benefits for all are very real. Sometimes it is easy to take such things for granted so I feel it necessary to toss in this heartfelt thanks and appreciation which I am sure is shared by everyone who has benefited from this valuable community asset. Thank you again.  -Dennis McMahon

Making Lemonade (from Life’s Lemons) on a Bicycle Built for Two

Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007 by • No comments yet

Here’s one of my favorite Front Porch Forum postings from today…

Hi Neighbors – I’m an experienced cyclist who, due to a visual impairment, can’t ride as fast as I’d like to. My solution is a tandem. I’m looking for experienced, or non-experienced cyclists who’d like to ride with me, (preferably in the front!), and experience the joy of tandem cycling. My bike is a spectacular 27 speed Santana with a comfortable front saddle and very adjustable seat post and handlebars. ONE East Neighborhood Forum

Inspiring!

When Members Sell Your Service better than You

Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2007 by • 1 comment

I attended a wonderful event in the neighborhood this evening hosted by Burlington’s SEABA (South End Arts and Business Association) and located in Lake Champlain Chocolates‘ newest building.  LCC CEO Jim Lampman shared stories of their success over the past 25 years and then architect John Anderson, who designed the project, talked of his vision of a vibrant, walkable Burlington… where people can’t help but keep walking, drawn from one interesting block to another by art, architecture, parks, views, etc.

As I mingled with the crowd afterward, I was struck that in each small group of people where I stopped to chat, Front Porch Forum would come up.  As I prepared to explain the service to those unfamiliar with it, I repeatedly was brushed aside by a current FPF member who would extol its virtues and implore the uninitiated to go right home and sign up!  In each case, they were more emphatic than I would ever be… and they each had a first-person story to tell of how it was working for them in their neighborhood.

Outsold by our own members… we must be on to something!

Lightning Strikes… Inside House!

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 by • No comments yet

Can’t say I’ve ever heard of this… from the Huntington Neighborhood Forum…

We’d like to see if anyone knows who we could talk to about lightning in our house… yes IN our house. Our home is built over a fair amount of ledge and from what we understand lightning travels along ledge. We actually see flashes in the house in usually one area (N) although the storm a couple of weeks ago produced flashes in the basement (S) and at our barn. There is also a big pop, kind of like a large flash cube going off. We unplug the computer & phone but have still lost the phone. We are off grid and it must have struck the system because it was a bit messed up for a while and got it our DC freezer. A $300 storm! A light in the barn, that was off at the time flashed on when that was happening at the house. It’s scary! We’re wondering about grounding the house and have in the past called about lightning rods but the cost was VERY prohibitive for us, we’re talking over $10,000!!!

This has been going on for a while and seems to have gotten worse over time. Any thoughts or ideas would be very appreciated!

Any ideas? I’ll pass them along via Front Porch Forum.

Mahalo and human-powered search

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 by • No comments yet

Dan Gillmor wrote recently…

Jason Calacanis, who calls his new venture Mahalo “human-powered search,” says the company will pay freelance searchers a fee for links the site accepts. He says he hopes for hundreds or thousands of people in this part-time capacity.

Some similarity to Front Porch Forum in that our subscribers put all sorts of search questions to their neighbors through our service… looking for a roofer, seeking replacement storm windows, babysitter needed, who to talk to about potholes, etc.

Instead of pay, the motivation for members to respond to requests for information is based on their desire to connect with neighbors and build community within their neighborhood. That is, answer a question and get a little healthier community to live in in return.

On Kittens, Church Retreats, and Neighbors

Posted on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 by • No comments yet

Another member connecting with her neighbors through Front Porch Forum (this one from the Malletts Bay Neighborhood Forum in Colchester, VT)…

I’ve made a habit of sending a “welcome to the front porch” email to people when they join my neighborhood forum. Most recently, I had a pleasant response and the two of us began emailing back and forth, she is looking for a kitten or cat for a pet, I let her know about a friend who has new kittens she is trying to find homes for. As we exchanged emails I shared about a hike sponsored by a local church and wanted to clarify that I attend a different congregation. Anyway, she emailed back that she is the same denomination and not yet hooked up with a congregation!

So, I’ve invited her and her daughter to join us for all or part of the weekend at our Lake Elmore retreat and we are getting together at a local playground to meet each other in person later this week.

Fun way to make a connection that likely might have never been made! Thank you.

Neighborhood Night of Success on TV

Posted on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 by • No comments yet

Burlington’s annual Neighborhood Night of Success occurred May 29 this year.  CCTV Channel 17 has been replaying their tape of the event and couple of the replays are still to come:

  • Mon, Jun 18, 2007 at 5:40:00 AM
  • Mon, Jun 18, 2007 at 11:40:00 AM

Front Porch Forum was one of many proud award recipients that night.

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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