Not a Stranger, Not a Friend: The Second-Ring Relationships Our Cities Need More Of

Relationships with neighbors once made up an important part of our social fabric, forming the basis for civic collaboration and local problem solving. Here’s how we can get those relationships back.

Community, Owens, Top StoryTiffany Owens ReedDecember 6, 2022community, Community, public space, neighborliness, Texas, coffee shops

What Customer Service Should Mean for a City

Many local governments have taken on a “the customer is always right” mindset, but that’s simply not the best approach, especially for decisions that should be made at the block level.

Want to Build Community on Your Street? Just Hit "Print"!

Sometimes, building connections with your neighbors is as simple as hosting a block party.

A Flooded River Versus a Flood of Volunteers

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller reminisces about how her community came together during a time of impending disaster.

A Return to the Old Country

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller turns to friends for support during a canine emergency.

Same Story, Different Eyes to See It

Of course, history has a way of repeating itself, but what’s always changing are the eyes we look through and the way our neighbors see us.

Let’s Roll Up Our Sleeves To Rebuild Our Social Fabric

Civic culture needs innovating, and it might just take some hard work. Literally.

I (Don’t) Want More Than This Provincial Life

When the pandemic shut down our town, I realized how much I'd taken for granted the neighbors who showed up every day to make our community work.

Community, Pattison, Rural, Top StoryJohn PattisonApril 27, 2022community, community building, neighborliness, Small Towns, small towns, Oregon, rural

Pen People and Office Cities

Shopping locally means getting to be among your people—and in this case, it’s pen people!

Think of This as Your Sanctuary

Our Neighborhood Storyteller discovers a kind of community support that simply can’t be found in online retail.

Searching for Mr. Stavros

A small house, framed by lilacs, in a walkable neighborhood—and the charm of sharing that space with a neighbor who seems to always be out and about.

Gone with the Wind

This week, our Neighborhood Storyteller is doing what she can to improve her neighborhood—even if Montana’s weather doesn’t want to cooperate.

Sew Much to Learn

This community ed teacher shares an important lesson about iterating to success: starting with something imperfect now and working your way toward perfection.

In for the Night

Two neighbors share a small moment of connection through their plans—or lack thereof—on New Year’s Eve.

Neighborhood Storyteller, Theilen, Top StoryKarla TheilenJanuary 11, 2022neighborliness, neighborhood storyteller, montana, pets

The Typewriter Mailbox: Small Ways to Bring Joy to a Neighborhood

This house came with a unique instruction: “Change the mailbox message every week, or people will get upset.”

Community, Neighborhoods, Top StoryKarla TheilenDecember 10, 2021neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, community, Community, montana

An Ode to Pets in Windows

The pets of this neighborhood brought their humans closer together.

Community, Neighborhoods, Top StorySara FalligantDecember 9, 2021pets, neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, community, Community

Love Letters to Your Neighborhood: 5 (Perfectly Legal) Guerilla Art Projects for the Whole Family

These temporary artwork instillations (that anyone can create) are a great way to connect with your neighbors, and help them connect with your community, in turn.

Neighborhoods, Public Art, Top StoryMary Elizabeth PhillipsDecember 8, 2021arts, neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, community, Community, Texas

Say Hello Like You’re Saying Goodbye

Why it’s important that we connect with members of our community sooner rather than later.

Community, Top StoryGenevieve BarberDecember 6, 2021community, community building, neighborliness, neighborhood, Neighborhoods, Georgia

Living Like Perennials

The instrumentalizing of our relationship with place has left us only practicing stewardship when we benefit from it. But it's our responsibility to live with an attitude of longevity.