After a wildly successful debut last year, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week is back—and bigger than ever. From June 1 to June 15, 2025 , Missouri neighborhoods will once again become outdoor art galleries celebrating local talent, civic pride, and neighborly connections.  Residents across the state are encouraged to register their projects now at extension.missouri.edu . Organized by University of Missouri Extension, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week invites neighbors to create and display art outside their homes, businesses, community centers, and shared spaces. Art projects can include anything from sidewalk chalk murals and yarn-bombed fences to hand-crafted sculptures or front-lawn displays.  The goal: to make creativity visible and bring neighbors together in fun, meaningful ways to increase their sense of belonging. Last year’s launch drew 73 registered sites , with projects ranging from murals and recycled art to community installations and kid-made masterpieces. Ov...

  Any journey begins with a single step. Then, by taking several small steps, you can begin on the journey of a lifetime. That is how I feel about the Engaged Neighbor Program and how people can take actions today to begin building stronger, friendlier neighborhoods—one small step at a time. The first step is showing up. That means being outside and visible. Take daily walks for a week. Smile, wave, and say hello to neighbors. Sit on your porch or work in your front yard. These little actions let others know you are open to connection. Next, find an ally. It’s easier to do something new with a partner. Ask a neighbor to help you plan a small gathering. It could be a front-yard hangout, a fire-pit night, coffee and donuts in the morning, or a crafting night. Start simple and choose something fun. Then, create a block map. Pick eight nearby homes and write down what you know about each neighbor. Are they a stranger (you don’t know their name), an acquaintance (you know their name and...

  Many Americans have noticed that relationships with neighbors aren’t what they used to be 20 or 30 years ago. A study from Harvard Medical School shows that 50 years ago, people talked about being neighbors in terms of friendships. Today, we tend to focus on good manners instead, like being quiet or keeping to ourselves. "People have all kinds of ideas about why this has changed," said David Burton, a community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "They blame things like fenced yards, fewer front porches, indoor entertainment, garage doors, or air conditioning. But the truth is, it really comes down to the choices each of us makes." Over the past 10 years, researchers have identified four main reasons why many people don’t connect with their neighbors like they used to:  loneliness, busyness, a retreat mindset, and too much focus on entertainment. Loneliness can make people avoid others. "It might sound strange, but when people are...

Keren Levine had never been to Springfield, Missouri. She didn’t know anyone in town and had no family close. But in 2019, while living in a small town outside of Portland, Oregon, she sent an email that would change her life.  The email was addressed to David Burton, a community development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. Keren had been reading his digital newsletter, The Engaged Neighbor , which encouraged readers to celebrate National Good Neighbor Day by reaching out to those nearby. Keren took the advice to heart—but from a distance.  “It made a real difference in my life,” Keren said.  That small idea of connecting with neighbors would soon lead her to a new city, new friendships, and a new life. A Brave Decision At the time, Keren was caring for her husband, who had serious health issues. Staying in Oregon no longer seemed like an option.  “To get out from under our growing debts,” she said, “we had to sell our home.”  Keren began re...

  Imagine a condition that research has shown to be as bad for your health as physical inactivity, obesity, air pollution or smoking 15 cigarettes per day. This condition is connected to a 20% increase in the chance of experiencing an early death. This health condition is not a disease, virus or caused by a hazardous chemical. It is loneliness.  Who is most likely to be lonely? A recent study conducted by Cigna found that over half of Americans are experiencing loneliness. This study found that underrepresented racial groups and people with lower incomes tended to be lonelier than their counterparts. Additionally, roughly 80% of young adults (ages 18-24) reported feeling lonely, which is twice as many as older adults above the age of 66. And nearly three times as many younger adults (ages 18-34) reported always feeling left out than adults over the age of 55. What does it mean to be lonely? There are many different definitions of loneliness. Generally, loneliness is a feeling ...

  In a time when communities across the United States are grappling with disconnection, Tim Jones offers a simple but profound remedy: set a longer table. As the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Longer Tables, Jones has spent the last decade reclaiming the table as a place of connection, storytelling, and human belonging. His appearance on Session 65 of Neighboring 101—hosted by David Burton of the University of Missouri Extension—was a masterclass in how to spark community transformation by gathering people around food and conversation. Through his story-driven approach, Jones has helped thousands of people experience what happens when strangers become neighbors over a shared meal. From Tacos to Transformation Jones’ opening line sets the tone for his disarming philosophy: “I half-joke that I believe tacos could save the world.” But behind the humor is a deep truth—food is universally human, and the table is a place where everyone belongs. “I have a hard time thinki...

  Building good habits is a challenging but rewarding process. Whether you are trying to build a habit of being a better neighbor or break old patterns of avoiding social interaction, certain science-backed techniques can help make your efforts more successful.  Understanding the process of how to start a new habit or break an old one can lead to better connections in your neighborhood and improve community engagement. Say Your Goal Out Loud One of the first steps in creating new habits is saying your goal out loud. This might sound simple, but research shows that saying things like “I want to be a better neighbor” can help you feel more committed to the goal.  When you say your goals out loud, it helps your brain connect to them more deeply, increasing your chances of success. It’s not just about hearing your goals; it’s about reinforcing them in your mind. Swap a New Habit for an Old One Starting a new habit doesn’t always have to mean completely abandoning an old one. ...

When comparing Steve Urkel from Family Matters and Wilson Wilson Jr. from Home Improvement , both characters left a lasting mark as memorable TV neighbors. However, Wilson stands out as the better neighbor due to his steady presence, wisdom, and genuine care. Steve Urkel, while lovable and iconic, was often more of a comedic disruption than a supportive neighbor. His heart was in the right place, but his constant accidents, inventions gone wrong, and boundary-pushing antics caused chaos for the Winslow family. Urkel meant well, but his presence often created more stress than comfort. In contrast, Wilson was the calm in the storm. Always found over the backyard fence with only half his face visible, Wilson offered grounded advice, historical references, and thoughtful perspectives to Tim Taylor and his family. He never imposed himself but was always available. Wilson respected boundaries, supported personal growth, and often helped resolve family conflicts with a quiet word of wisdom. ...

  Over the past five years, the Neighboring 101  class has shared countless stories and lessons from people across North America who are changing their communities by simply becoming engaged neighbors.  Through monthly Zoom sessions, this interactive series has shown how small, meaningful connections between neighbors can lead to powerful improvements in quality of life, safety, and sense of belonging. From stories of front yard meet-ups to neighborhood cleanups and creative celebrations, the class has made one thing very clear: neighboring isn’t complicated, but it is important. What Is Neighboring 101? Neighboring 101 is led by David Burton, a community development specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. In 2018 he was inspired by the book The Art of Neighboring  by Dave Runyon, and  Burton worked toward creating a class to educate and motivate people to take small steps toward becoming more engaged in their neighborhoods.  The program e...