Northwood News ♦ February 2012: Neighborly Notes

Neighborly Notes

By Carolyn Ross

[This issue starts a new regular column on ways to be good neighbors, build community, and increase civility.  Carolyn Ross lives on Lockridge Drive. — Editor.]

Parking Etiquette Means Thinking of Pedestrian Traffic, Too

Many neighbors out for a Sunday stroll, walking their kids to school, or walking their dogs find parked vehicles blocking the sidewalks or other public ways.  Walking in the street around these vehicles often presents a safety hazard.

While this is a county code enforcement issue, it is not something neighbors can’t fix themselves.  As you might in public spaces like shopping malls or the grocery store, please consider your parking etiquette and don’t block sidewalks or other public ways.

Ways to Help Seniors in Winter Other Than Shoveling Snow

Winter months are a difficult time for many elderly people who are more easily depressed and can become dehydrated when the heat in the home gets turned up.  Check on those neighbors you know or even suspect might live alone, even if it is just a quick knock on the door to say hello.

If making a trip to the grocery store, ask if you can pick up just one or two items (don’t be shy about setting limits) and consider asking them for a family member or other friend’s name and number so you might contact that person on their behalf in the event of an emergency.

Littered Streets:  A Nuisance That Also Impacts Property Values

While many neighbors are experiencing drops in home values as a result of economic conditions, trash on our streets certainly does not help the situation.  Keep a trash receptacle in your car so you do not find yourself throwing trash out the window.  Take the plastic bag from your newspaper and pick up one or two pieces of litter you see floating around.

Purchase a garbage can with an attached lid and don’t leave trash bags out where animals might find them, causing bags to open unintentionally.  Take advantage of curbside recycling and check out the county’s website [ www.montgomerycounty md.gov/sws/request] to get a recycling bin if you don’t have one, or even get one you do have repaired so it better contains your recyclables.

For some handy tips to reduce waste, go to this page:  www.montgomerycounty md.gov/sws/programs/waste-reduction.html.

Volunteer Opportunity for Senior Adults in Local Public Schools

Eastern Middle, Sligo Creek Elementary, and Northwood High Schools are three local schools participating in a unique intergenerational volunteer program for anyone over 50, according to their parameters, pairing adults with immigrant students in need of a mentor.  The benefits of encouraging these kinds of relationships spanning age and culture are well-documented and could mean a stronger connection for you in your community.

Run by an organization called Interages, the program is just one of several other initiatives addressing the needs of at-risk youth by introducing them to adults who can share their skills.  Check out the program’s website at www.interagesmd.org/ programs/intergenerationalbridges.html.

Ideas for Being ‘Neighborly’?

Please feel free to share your ideas, interests, or concerns (all submissions are kept absolutely anonymous) by email to the newsletter editor or me at [contact information redacted].  Suggested volunteer opportunities, community needs, or other items that could help each of us to enhance our community and be neighborly are welcomed.   ■