Category Archives: Social Media
Compelling one-day conference Sept. 23…
Registration just opened for…
Vermont Connected: Envisioning the Future of Vermont’s Digital Economy
Tuesday, September 23, at the Vermont State House in Montpelier.
Vermont Connected will be the culmination of the work of the Vermont Digital Economy Project, looking forward to Vermont’s future and sharing recent lessons learned from helping small businesses, nonprofits and towns in Vermont to effectively use digital tools. Tracks include:
- Educating for a Digital World
- K-12 and Beyond
- Bridging the Digital Divide
- Building Effective Organizations
- For Nonprofits
- For Small Businesses
- Creating Resilient Communities
- Open Data in Government and Beyond
- Resilience through Engagement
- Steering Vermont’s Digital Future
- Vermont’s Technology Industry
- The Creative Economy
Learn more and register today!
Front Porch Forum is one of many participating organizations.
Neighbors addressing Vermont unemployment…
Posted to the Windsor FPF by Tracey this week…
Dear Community – About a month ago, I posted an ad on our Front Porch Forum asking for a few hours of help with my project. Thanks to the Forum and the nice folks at the Windsor Library who saw the post, I got connected with Todd…
Todd has proven himself to be reliable, honest, and hardworking. We decided to ask him to stay on help us with the project, which includes yard work, demolition, carpentry, drywalling, painting, heavy lifting, etc. I’ve been really thankful to have been connected with Todd. He shows up for work every morning, and always early. He’s hardworking, is attentive to details, has neat habits and always puts things away, learns quickly, is willing to listen, can work independently, is a creative problem solver, is cost conscious, considerate, communicative, and this list continues.
I don’t understand how a capable worker like Todd has been unable to find employment, shelter, and a means to support himself. If anyone were to deserve a break, it would be Todd. He has a bike, but does not have a car. That has proven to be a huge obstacle in finding a job. However, without employment, I don’t see how he could afford a car.
Our project will end this week. By posting to the Windsor FPF again, I wish that Todd may be connected with other job opportunities, and find safe shelter where he could exchange chores for low rent. Please contact me and I’d be happy to show you the work he has done. Please contact Todd if you have a job or housing lead.
Sorting into tribes vs. connecting with a variety of neighbors
From Lisa Prevost’s recent article in the New York Times about using data and web services to find the “perfect” suburb…
… the Spektors were overwhelmed by the prospect of trying to distinguish among the hundreds of commuter towns surrounding New York. So they turned to Suburban Jungle Realty Group, a personal relocation firm that works one-on-one with city dwellers looking to move to the “right” suburb…
Though novel in its business model, Suburban Jungle is part of a controversial industry trend that caters to home buyers who have both the desire and the ability to cherry-pick their surroundings. Other real estate websites are supplying home buyers with loads of hyper-specific community data, including racial makeup, percent of married households and education level…
Want to find a “family-friendly” community within 20 miles of Boston with a high Asian population, a low poverty rate and a median home value of $400,000? On NeighborhoodScout.com, you can plug in these preferences (and many more) on the subscription-only “Advanced Search” page and get a ranked list of options…
This trend raises some thorny questions. The growing accessibility of highly detailed demographic data plays into the natural tendency of home buyers to look for “people like us,” which is as old as the subdivided hills…
Bill Bishop, a Texas journalist and the author of “The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America Is Tearing Us Apart“ (Houghton Mifflin, 2008), argues that this tribalism is a major driver of the country’s deepening political polarization. Over the last 30 years, he says, greater mobility, laws enforcing racial equity and prosperity have given Americans even more choice about where to live. Will Internet-enhanced abilities to scout out communities intensify that sorting effect?
Front Porch Forum works in a different direction. People use FPF to connect with their existing neighbors, despite their differences. A 2013 survey found that 60% of recent FPF posters had met multiple neighbors due to their local Front Porch Forum. This isn’t an accident. We created FPF to counter the problems outlined in “The Big Sort” and Robert Putnam’s “Bowling Alone.” More from the Times article…
… the growing accessibility of so much demographic data has the potential to fuel the segregation that is already increasing along a number of lines economically, racially, ideologically. Mr. Bishop, the author of “The Big Sort,” argues that as other forms of community have gone away or weakened, Americans are increasingly reordering themselves around shared values and areas of interest. “Given a choice,” he said, “people choose to segregate themselves into these places where they can surround themselves with people like themselves.”
This self-segregating boosts people’s sense of well-being by satisfying the need to belong, says Mr. Motyl, who studies ideological migration. But the resulting decrease in contact with anyone who thinks differently serves to heighten partisanship. “It allows us to become more extreme in our own ideas,” Mr. Motyl said, “and is one explanation for why our system has become so gridlocked.”
Lost cell phone found in Peacham
Patrice just shared this on her FPF…
Within fifteen minutes of posting the missing cell phone on the Danville Peacham Front Porch Forum a call came in from a new neighbor we’d yet to meet who found it. Thanks to this new neighbor and to another neighbor who suggested we put it out on the FPF. What a great resource.
Remarkable demonstration of open-mindedness in Hinesburg
Paul posted on the Hinesburg Front Porch Forum the other day that opinions should be kept out of FPF postings, asking neighbors to “keep things kind and helpful.”
A neighbor Frank replied…
There are few forums for expressing opinions, besides at coffee shops, hair salons/barber shops and… on our front porches. I say, keep ’em coming [on our Front Porch Forum]. It’s part of what makes us a community. Indeed, as I am writing this on the 4th of July, I dare say the freedom to express ourselves is uniquely American.
Followed by another perspective from Craig…
I cannot disagree enough that we should not express our opinions or share news & information that affects us as community members on Front Porch Forum. The word “forum” itself expresses the goal of open discussion on matters that affect us on a broad level. It’s disappointing to see people suggesting that one of the only forum left to us to discuss community issues be limited to the innocuous and unimportant.
It sure would be sad if we had to rely only on government official announcements and the so-called “news” for information impacting us as citizens. Most of the important issues don’t get aired through those one-sided and for-profit venues. Democracy and freedom need a channel unfettered by government and corporate interests, like Front Porch Forum.
I find some of the most cogent and important information tome as a Hinesburgian on this site…
In days of yore, it was the public space — the Common or the Green — that was the place we gathered and expressed (and heard) uncomfortable opinions. In Providence, you can still see the speaker’s pulpit (the soapbox). In Boston, 200 acres were set aside for the purpose. And, yes, some of those viewpoints are potentialy offfensive to some, even repugnant. In the vaccuum of true journalism in mass media today, we need an electronic version of the public forum, and I am thankful a channel like Front Porch Forum exists to provide it.
I give money regularly to FPF to keep alive a public forum. I would not provide financial support to a non-forum where no ideas or opinions are shared.
Like all other media… if you don’t like it, don’t consume it. If you don’t like what the guy on the soapbox is saying, take another path, or block your ears. Hide your kids’ eyes. But don’t inhibit his freedom.
Then Jane posted…
I agree with [Craig] about Front Porch Forum being a valuable venue to express our opinions and ideas and I thank him for taking the time to express his feelings.
And it ended with a remarkable follow-up posting by Paul… a rare act of open-mindedness in this era of partisanship….
Sigh, still growing and learning. As I read posts and REALLY thought about it, I realized this IS a forum for ideas and opinions. Thanks for making me think again. It just caught me on a day when I was really tired, had read too many negative things in different forums, and I let those feelings spill out before thoroughly considering. Unfortunately, I wrote before fully thinking it through and realize that is exactly the kind of thing I was hoping others would not do. Hmmm, still growing and learning. Thanks, everyone.
Dog Not Rabid – Front Porch Forum Rocks!
Ellen posted this on her local FPF today…
Man on Railroad Bed Sunday… Our son was biking on Sunday with a friend and you were walking with your 2 black dogs between Marshfield and Plainfield on the railroad bed. Your dog bit our son and we don’t know if your dog’s rabies shots are up to date. Please call immediately. Thank you.
And her good-news follow up posting…
We immediately got a call from the dog owner who was watching FPF for a note about it!! We are so relieved and grateful to know his dog is vaccinated! Front Porch Forum saves the day!
Mystery of East Montpelier explosions solved
First Heather posted this on the East Montpelier Front Porch Forum…
Does anyone know WTF is up with the shelling and/or dynamiting going on today… ? There have been six explosions so far, one every couple of hours. it’s definitely dynamite or heavy artillery. My husband has called the cops and they knew nothing about it. It is terrifying…
.jpg)
Followed a couple days later by…
East Montpelier FPF is awesome. I got no less than ten emails explaining what the H*ll they are doing over at Morse Farm. Answers ranged (loosely) from “It was posted in FPF, how can you be so obtuse and unpatriotic” to “Yeah they’re firing off freakin’ CANNONS at Morse Farm, it is really annoying.” Tom saw the cannons himself when he went looking for whoever kids had gotten hold of whatever dynamite 😉 Good to know that all is well, even if every mammal and bird within a 3 mile radius is terrified. Thanks again!
Taking a Montpelier community garden from online to in-the-ground
There were these subject lines, among others, on the Montpelier Front Porch Forum:
“Community Garden Seeks Seedlings in Need of Good Home”
“Community Garden Seeks Manure Loader/Hauler”
And the one that started it all:
“Space Available: Community Garden on Elm Street”
Those posts, and others on Front Porch Forum and Facebook, reached people all over Montpelier and in nearby towns. And, The Garden at 485 Elm was born…
Click here to read the rest of this story by garden organizer Sheryl Rap©e-Adams and Rob Fish of Vermont Council on Rural Development.
Hansel back home in Cabot now
Posting published on the Cabot Front Porch Forum Saturday…
Hansel is a shepherd/lab mix, black with tan markings on his chest and legs. He’s wearing a blue collar on which is written my phone number (though it may have rubbed off). He ran off with my landlord’s dog mid-morning on Saturday. Landlord’s dog was discovered in front of Cabot General Store late afternoon Saturday, Hansel is still wandering. Hansel is friendly and will come when called. Please call with any sightings or information about my best friend.
Followed by this one Sunday…
Hansel was several miles away, in lower Cabot. He’s home now, safe, exhausted, limping a bit. Many thanks to all who were watching for him.
And infinite thanks to FPF who posted an entire forum that contained only the posting from me about Hansel. I won’t wait until I win the lottery. I’m making a donation to Front Porch Forum this week. It is an invaluable and vital connection for us all.
Moose in Burlington’s Five Sisters neighborhood
Shared by Sue on today’s Five Sisters Front Porch Forum…
Roger, sharp-eyed and vigilant Charlotte Street neighbor, caught a snap of our Tuesday morning neighbor…
Reports Roger: “It was surreal seeing a moose waltzing down Charlotte St.”
Neighborhood dogs (well, one in particular) say: “Surreal schmurreal. Where’s the blood pressure medicine?”
Others reported on FPF seeing the moose near Oakledge Park.
Check out Nik’s video in the comments… next to Calahan Park in Burlington.
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
Post Categories
- Uncategorized
- PDF2009
- Calendar
- Northeast Kingdom
- podcast
- Peer Rental
- Localization
- Big Tech
- Events
- PDF2007
- Web Traffic
- Google AdSense
- Pay It Forward
- Elections
- berkmansunlight
- Maps
- Video
- Upstate New York
- Coupons
- Wildlife
- Mobile
- Viral Marketing
- Raffle
- Donations
- Crisis Response
- Lost & Found
- Gratitude
- Real Estate
- College Students
- Social Responsibility
- Best of FPF
- Orton Family Foundation
- Start ups
- Make It Your Own Awards
- Online Civility
- Clay Shirky
- Newspapers
- How To Use FPF
- Humor
- Online Classified Ads
- Peer Reviews
- Politics
- Community Management
- Economic Development
- Local Reviews
- Case Foundation
- Borrow and Lend
- Neighborhood Watch
- Good Government
- Small Business Advertising
- Citizen Journalism
- e-Vermont
- Democracy
- Local Search
- Knight Foundation
- Burlington
- MacArthur Fellows
- Civic Engagement
- Social Media
- social capital
- Social Networking
- Vermont
- Neighborhood
- Community Building
- Local Online
- Front Porch Forum