If you don't know your neighbors knock on their doors tonight and invite them over for poker Saturday night. Tell them to bring the kids/spouses/grandparents and a bag of chips. You supply the beer.

When you see one pull up into their driveway stroll over and greet them before they close the garage door. Most likely they'll talk to you for a few moments. Do this often.

Always smile and wave when you see them. Chat. Borrow a cup of maple syrup, return a full bottle.

Build a phone list of your neighbors. Walk around to each house or apartment, knock on their door and tell them that you are making a phone list of the neighbors and ask if they'd like to be on it and would they like a copy? Tell them that in today's world it doesn't hurt to be prepared. Ask if anyone has any first aid training. If you or your spouse stays at home during the day offer to keep an eye out on the neighbor's place and ask for their work number in case something comes up.

Start with the people you know so that the list has some names on it already when you approach the lesser-known neighbors. Start calling your neighbors and invite them over for poker or a barbecue or a prayer circle or whatever.

Eventually your street will be filled with people watching each other's back. This is a good thing. Hell, this is a GREAT thing!

-Blast, who grew up in a small town and has made everywhere else he's lived into a small town, too. Wait, that doesn't sound quite right...