The issue: Davis NeighborsÕ Night Out offers an opportunity for an old-fashioned, face-to-face welcome

In days gone by, when you moved into your new home, you could count on being greeted warmly by your neighbors bearing plates of cookies, some fresh-baked bread or a bouquet of flowers. These face-to-face welcomes were reinforced each time you saw your neighbors while mowing the lawn, walking the dog or sending your kids out to play.

NOW, LIFE MOVES at such a fast pace that sometimes these neighborhood niceties no longer take place. We mean well, but weÕre so busy that we donÕt make time to welcome a new neighbor. Many of us employ gardeners or landscaping services, so weÕre not out in our front yards. We jog on the greenbelt with our dog, but barely have time to wave and say Òhi.Ó Our children are busy with pre-arranged play dates, karate classes or piano lessons.

This neighborhood disconnectedness is exacerbated by the fact that Davis is a transitory town, with students and other renters moving in and out each year. And, when folks donÕt know each other, problems like loud parties or barking dogs can mushroom out of proportion and create real neighborhood conflict.

So, leaders in the city of Davis and at UC Davis dreamed up Davis NeighborsÕ Night Out , now in its fifth year. The event, which takes place in neighborhoods around town between noon and 9 p.m. today, aims to unite neighborhoods by creating an opportunity for residents to enjoy a block party, barbecue, ice cream social, potluck or other fun public event.

The goal is to reduce the potential for misunderstanding or conflict by promoting familiarity and open communication among neighbors . The event is timed to encourage neighborhoods to include new or returning UC Davis students in the festivities.

In the first year, there were 60 parties. That number nearly doubled this year, to 118 parties, demonstrating the popularity of this annual event.

WE ALL KNOW WE should slow down and reach out to new friends and acquaintances. This event gives us the extra nudge some of us need. And the result Ñ organizers hope Ñ is more neighborhood harmony that will last all year long.

So, if you havenÕt already been invited to a party today, thereÕs still time to organize one yourself. Get outside and say hello!

Picnic Day progress

And speaking of neighborliness, weÕre pleased to see the Picnic Day community covenant proposed by the Davis Downtown Business Association in the wake of the drunkenness and disorderly conduct downtown this past spring.

The DDBA is inviting the nearly 60 bars, restaurants and stores downtown that sell alcohol to sign on to the agreement concerning sales on Picnic Day.

ÒAS A COMMUNITY shopping, dining and entertainment destination, downtown Davis needs to take responsibility to be a good neighbor, do the right thing and offer a safe and attractive ambiance for Picnic Day visitors,Ó director Joy Cohan said.

The covenant asks merchants to limit the hours of alcohol sales, refrain from offering drink specials, provide low-alcohol and alcohol-free beverages, provide food when alcohol is served, avoid altering indoor and patio seating, create an atmosphere that encourages activities other than drinking alcohol, avoid posting alcohol-themed posters in public right-of-ways, promote responsible drinking, provide adequate supervision of customers, check IDs and encourage drinkers to use designated drivers, taxis or other safe transportation.

WeÕll watch the progress of this effort with interest. ItÕs going to take a concerted effort by all parties Ñ businesses, student organizers, city and campus leaders and attendees Ñ to return Picnic Day to the family-friendly university showcase it should be.

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