Heather Kindberg, Contributing writer

Today, even in densely populated cities, it's easy to feel isolated from other people. Car culture whisks us away from home and then back, often without us setting a single foot off of our properties. Computers and telephones save us the trouble of walking as far as the mailbox. Educational options mean that kids in the same neighborhood may attend different schools, and with more families needing the income of both parents, weekday social time has steadily declined.

Yet there can be great comfort, camaraderie and security in familiarity with neighbors. With the downturn in the economy, people may appreciate the rebirth of socializing that won't break the bank. If you're yearning for some of that neighborly support, you can get the ball rolling -- right into your neighbor's front yard.

Driveway Dates

Who doesn't like to celebrate when given a reason? Give your neighbors a reason.

Choose a special day, perhaps a less-celebrated holiday"during which people don't tend to leave town -- a solstice, St. Patrick's Day, Earth Day, etc -- and invite everyone on your block to an informal driveway party. Leave flier invitations under doormats inviting neighbors to drop by, meet people and have a drink on the house.

Whether they can warm up with eggnog in the winter or tap the keg on a warm day, let your neighbors know they won't have to do it alone. Put a table out on the driveway drinks and some crackers or chips, add some bright decorations and fitting music, and you're ready to enjoy and see who swings by.

If you like movies and want to help all of your neighbors save on their entertainment budgets, take a cue from BackyardTheater.com and throw a neighborhood movie night. Hang a sheet over your garage door, pop some popcorn and remind everyone to bring a lawn chair. Rent or borrow a projector and a family-friendly movie. With all that, who would opt for movie theater prices?

Neighborhood Improvement

When a group of people share responsibility for the look and feel of a neighborhood, they must communicate and work in coordination toward the common desired end result. Neighborhood improvement can take many forms while helping neighbors get to know one another.

You could institute a healthful change in your neighborhood. Do you live in an urban environment where litter and trash have become an eyesore or a health issue? Recruit the neighbors for a recurring clean-up-the-neighborhood event. When everyone is responsible for the look of the area, that neighborhood pride can be bonding.

The National Association of Town Watch is another resource. That group recognizes that when neighbors know each other, they are more apt to be concerned about and aware of what goes on in their neighborhood. It sponsors National Night Out each year to raise awareness about crime and drug prevention. This event is free and open for anyone to sign up as a coordinator for their neighborhood.

Hold A Rally

It's amazing how people can come together for a good cause. All you need is a common thread.

If there's a large homeless population in your city, you could bring neighbors together to create donation baskets given in the neighborhood's name. It could be food donations, new toys for kids during the holidays, clothing or whatever need must be filled.

You could also host a special day to support the local school. Find out what materials the school needs, then share the list on a flier with everyone in the neighborhood and include the place, date and time for donating.

In conjunction with the teachers and administrators, have a simple, Friday evening, hour-long party on the playground with punch and good conversation. Kids and adults from the neighborhood, even those adults with no kids, will have an opportunity to see and get to know one another. For admission, charge whatever the neighbors bring to donate.