If you were around this past holiday weekend, you may have noticed bunches of driveways that looked like this. Recycling bins out since Wednesday (when there was no weekly pickup), sometimes multiple newspapers, occasionally a garbage can or two as well. Two big fat red flags fly here--one, these people are not home. And two, these people don't have a neighbor who is looking out for them. The fact that I saw so many driveways like this here in Dunwoody this past weekend leads me to conclude that we have some connecting to do.
Listen, we're all busy. But if time has passed and you've fallen out of touch with neighbors you used to know, or if new neighbors have moved in and you've never really connected, now is the time. A community where neighbors know each other and look out for each other is a safer, more sustainable community.
Some ideas:
* Leave a note for your neighbors just saying hi and letting them know if you'll be around over the holidays in case they need someone to bring in The Crier or any packages that get delivered while they are gone.
* Add your neighbors to your holiday card list.
* Invite neighbors to an open house or a casual get-together, if you are having one. Consider having a little carolling party and going door-to-door spreading holiday cheer. Keep it simple--our neighborhood has done it for years with just a handful of kids, without any rehearsals, singing one popular non-religious holiday song at each house, and ending with some hot cocoa and cookies in a neighbor's garage.
* Spend more time outside in your neighborhood--walking, raking, bike riding. Nothing destroys neighborhood connections faster than remote-controlled garage doors and fences.
* Move garbage cans, recycling bins and newspapers up by your neighbors' houses if you notice they seem to be away and that stuff is still sitting by the curb.
* See if your neighborhood has a Neighborhood Watch program in place and up-to-date.
* Smile. Wave. Say hello.
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