Won’t you be my neighbor?

Head into the country for a little peace and quiet and you’ll notice that everybody knows everybody who’s anybody, and you can kiss your dream of anonymity goodbye. But if country folk can’t exactly drop into obscurity, then city people have the opposite problem: Often, they don’t know their neighbors, and don’t know how to know them, either. But no matter how independent you city dwellers are, you need your neighbors. How else do you find out which tamale man’s the best (the one on 5th, who’s always fined for not having a license), which train is out of service (the Red Line — again!), or who could use a homemade coffeecake (Mrs. Cunningham on the eighth floor: Her kitty has the flu)? Second only to family, neighbors are a built-in security system, support network and information pipeline. But what if you live in an apartment building where everyone tends to keep to themselves? Well, chances are good that you’re not the only one craving neighbors. It just may be time for an old-fashioned meet-n-greet. Pick an idea, choose a location (like your own apartment, a common area or a nearby picnic area), and post flyers near entrances, stairwells, elevators and on each floor a few weeks in advance. Then just sit back and let the howdys roll! Here are a few ideas to get you started. 1. Nothing brings people together like food. And when everyone is invited to flaunt their kitchen know-how, good grub and even better, gab, are a sure thing. But if you’ve been to one generic potluck, you’ve been to a thousand, so keep things interesting. Set a theme, like Havana Nights, Going Green or Margaritaville: The options are endless. Or throw a pasta party where you supply the noodles and each neighbor brings a sauce. How about a Friday-night pizza party where you take care of the dough, sauce and cheese, and your guests bring fun toppings? Make the pasta or pizza dough from scratch and you’ll have ‘em fainting in their boots in no time flat. 2. Knock on some doors and see if you can’t wrangle up a few others for an old-fashioned progressive dinner. You’ll start in one apartment for drinks and move to a different home for each course of the meal. Progressive parties were big in the ‘50s, when casual home entertaining was all the rage and thrifty housewives were looking to spread out the work and expense of hosting. With the current recession hitting entertainment budgets hard, progressive dinners are popular once again. Host one in your building for a party on the cheap that still feels like eating “out.” 3. Like to stoke the mental fires a bit, get a fresh outlook on the world and learn about the city you call home? Start a book club that reads local-interest books. While you can certainly host meetings in your home, having them in a local coffeehouse or bar is a great way to support small business owners and learn more about your neighborhood. Letting each member make book suggestions will keep the list well-rounded and stimulating for everyone. Feel like you know enough about where you live? Pick books set in exotic locales instead. No time for extra reading? Try a foreign film club for an intellectual kick with less time invested. 4. I’ve got a hunch that there are some crafty types in your building. Knitting is an ancient homesteading skill turned trendy urban pastime, and for good reason. A knitting circle is a great way to work on neglected projects and squeeze in a little chitchat at the same time. Invite people of all skill levels, supply a pot of coffee or tea and a batch of cookies, and enjoy learning from one another. Before you know it, recipes will be exchanged, stuck projects will be unstuck and you’re darn near certain to have 10 new yarn samples and just as many opinions about your love life. Behold the power of fiber. 5. Truth be told, you don’t even need to throw a party to keep the neighborly mojo flowin’. Form a welcome committee with two or three others, and ask building management to let you know when there’s a new tenant. Then simply leave a welcome package and a note to make new so-and-so feel at home. Get creative with the package: a loaf of banana bread, a keychain for apartment keys, an online map with the nearest grocery stores pegged, a list of the best local delivery joints or the names of a few good watering holes. And don’t forget to include your contact info in case you’re needed for the proverbial cup of sugar. Remember: No matter where you live, the surest way to have a neighbor is to be a neighbor.