{"id":4035,"date":"2016-09-26T09:00:48","date_gmt":"2016-09-26T09:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/toritoth.com\/?p=4035"},"modified":"2016-09-26T09:00:48","modified_gmt":"2016-09-26T09:00:48","slug":"good-neighbor-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/toritoth.com\/new\/good-neighbor-day\/","title":{"rendered":"An Ode to My Neighbors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although I live in the largest city in the world, New York City, you’d be pleasant surprised that the place I call home is a small town neighborhood, where everyone comes together to support one another.<\/span><\/p>\n


\n\"3-12\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Neighbors are an integral part of our life \u2013 whether you like it or not. Good Neighbor Day celebrated on September 28 is an annual holiday that promotes neighborliness and niceness towards people who surround us. Who is surrounding you? I have a cast of characters on my block who always have our backs. We’ve been on our block since 2003 and have shared a lot of laughs and cry with those who surround us. If you don’t know your neighbors well, today is your chance to start the conversation and build a relationship.\u00a0Here are a few tips to be the best neighbor possible:<\/span><\/p>\n

Come Together\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Get to know who is living in your community by inviting your neighbors over for a barbecue, pizza night or have a block party. Enjoy\u00a0good food, light spirits and take a dip in the pool or hang by a fire pit to establish friendly relations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"good

Next door neighbors enjoying pizza night at our house.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"good

Neighbors taking a dip in the pool this summer.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n

\"More

More neighbors celebrating Sal’s birthday.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Make An Impression<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

A smile, saying hello or sending\u00a0a small gift can go a long way in making a positive impression on a new neighbor. Being in a new place with new faces can be overwhelming so welcome them in\u00a0on behalf of the rest of the neighborhood. Continue to give smiles and waves to show that you are always approachable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Give a Helping Hand<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Establish a relationship by helping out a neighbor. Ask elder neighbors if they need help with their yard or taking out the trash. See if a single mom could use some extra help watching her child while she runs to the grocery store or maybe\u00a0help out while a neighbor’s on vacation picking up their mail, watering plants or watching their beloved animals. Our neighbors constantly help out in our home from cleaning up to helping out with minor repairs or watching our pets. We love having neighbors we can call upon when in need. Our block rose up in October 2012, when Superstorm Sandy flooded the first floor of our homes.<\/span>
\n

\"Our

Our home after Superstorm Sandy hit.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n 
\n

\"Down

Down the block checking out damage by water.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n 
\n

\"Surviving

Surviving together with no electricity or gas. Makeshift kitchen.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n <\/p>\n

Keep It Clean<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Don’t be the slob on the block. Take initiative and keep your\u00a0curb appeal tidy. Your home not only reflects on you personally but also on the community that surrounds your house. Keep up by\u00a0ensuring that the front of your home remains attractive to the eye, raising\u00a0the value of your entire street. Check out these tips to help curb a neighbor’s bad view.<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Acknowledge & Celebrate Life Events<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

As you begin to build a relationship with your neighbors take note of important dates, holidays and life events they celebrate to help them commemorate that special day. Many of our neighbors have been by our side supporting our successes.<\/span>
\n

\"Bella

Bella supporting me at The Feel At Home book launch party.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Be Aware of Your Surroundings\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Be observant of your neighborhood, from the people to the homes to the common areas. If you see some unfamiliar faces checking out a house or a neighbor who hasn’t picked up their newspaper in awhile be sure to check in and report unusual behavior before situations escalate. This will help\u00a0keep your\u00a0your neighborhood safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Party Off the Block<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Plan to get together off the block to get to know each other.\u00a0<\/span>
\n

\"Several

Several neighbors enjoying a day of paintball.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n 
\n

Making arts and crafts with neighbor.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n 
\n

\"Night

Night on the town with the neighborhood girls.<\/span><\/p><\/div>
\n 
\nThe benefits of being a good neighbor are endless and actually forces your neighbor to reciprocate \u2013 \u00a0they’ll be good to you, too.\u00a0Here are some other ways to bring your community together and enhance neighborhood relations.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
    \n
  • Create a Neighborhood Facebook Group or Page<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Create a Welcome Wagon for New Neighbors<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Create a Baby Sitter List<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Outdoor Movie Screening<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Food Drive<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Neighborhood Yard Sale<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Family Friendly Get Together<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Organize a Neighborhood Clean up<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Have a Holiday Parade or Contest\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

    How will you celebrate National Good Neighbor Day? Let me know in the comment section below and tell me how you deal with those on your block.<\/span>
    \nHappy Neighboring,<\/span>
    \n\"http-signatures.mylivesignature.com-54492-250-F202D4193D3F55764776905F7FF8B20C.png\"
    \n