Did you enjoy your block party or crash someone else’s last August?  Instead of merely mingling on National Night Out, join the crowd and organize your own block party this go-around.  It looks pretty easy to do, by reading the guide and registering online.  Then deliver the news to neighbors with old-fashioned fliers, to let ’em know where and when.

If last year’s National Night Out is any indication, then Montclarions have been pretty celebratory.  We counted at least 21 parties throughout our streets, and it was a perfect excuse to meet neighbors beyond quick nods “hello” or virtual gatherings like right here.

Check out the latest list of Montclair parties.  From what I have heard, many of these gatherings will feature a little pot-luck dinner – so it’s best to come with some contributions.

• Balboa at Colton, 5526 Balboa Dr, 7-9 pm
• Carisbrook Cooperative, 2557 Carisbrook near Chelton, 5-9 pm
• Castle Park Way MON, 48 Castle Park Way at Castle Drive, 7-9 pm
• Chelsea Court, 20 Chelsea Ct, 7-9 pm
• Chelton Drive, 6620 Chelton Drive, 7-9 pm
• Estates Fountain & McAndrew Drive Group, MacAndrew Drive/Estates, 6:30-9 pm
• Fernwood Community Club, 1470 Mountain Blvd, 7-9 pm
• Glenwood Glade, 220 Glenwood Glade, 7-9 pm
• Holyrood Neighborhood Group, 10 Holyrood  6-8 pm
• LaMasNA, 2101 Mastlands Drive, 6-8 pm
• Liggett Neighbors, 6708 Liggett Drive, 7-9 pm
• Lower Merriewood Drive, 5591 Merriewood Drive, 7-9 pm
• Melville Drive/Ascot MON, 6425 Melville at Ascot, 6-8 pm
• Montclair West Neighborhood Association, Pershing Dr & Marsh Place, 7-9 pm
• Moongate/Skyline Neighborhood near Totterdell, 9393 Skyline Blvd, 7-9 pm
• Pelham Place, 2340 Pelham near Girvin, 7:30-9 pm
• 7 Streets A, 6281 Girvin Drive at Thackeray, 7-8:30 pm
• 7 Streets B, 6161 Westover Drive at Thackeray, 7-9 pm
• Thornhill Creekside Neighbors & Friends, Alhambra Court off Alhambra Lane, 6:30-8:30 pm

If your Montclair block isn’t listed above, then please register online or call Brenda Ivey at (510) 238-3091.  Council Rep Jean Quan also wants to hear about your party plans, by reaching staffer Michael Johnson at mljohnson-at-oaklandnet.com.

Official registration closes this Monday, July 27th at 5pm – so take action now.

August 1st Update: Eight more block parties have officially signed up for National Night Out, and here are the additions.  If you don’t see one below (or above) that’s literally on your block, then please visit a party that’s nearby.

• Bruns Court, 5912 Bruns Court, 7-8:30  pm
• Cortereal Neighbors, 1900 Cortereal Ave at Magellan Drive, no time so try 6pm
• Montclair Valle Vista Home Owners Association, 6085 Mazuela Drive, 7-9 pm
• Saroni Drive, 6717 Saroni Drive, 7-9 pm
• Saroni/Sayre Neighbors, 6920 Saroni Drive, 7-8:30 pm
• Stockbridge Neighbors, 2430 Stockbridge Drive
• Trafalgar Place, 2173 Trafalgar Place, 7-8 pm

This evening, please meet the neighbors at a block party near you.  If you have not received an invitation or flier, then feel free to crash one of the Montclair parties that’s closest to your home.

I’m going to make the effort to show up at my block’s get-together.  My neighborly contacts are pathetically limited to some quick waves or chats with the daily dog walkers.  In fact, I know the coffee shop regulars a lot better than folks who live on my street.  It’s time to fix that.

“Everyone” is organizing these block parties as part of the official National Night Out.  There are already 400 parties scattered throughout Oakland alone, pretty impressive.

Check out the latest list of Montclair parties.  From what I have heard, many of these gatherings will feature a little pot-luck dinner – so it’s best to come with some contributions.

• Ascot Homeowners/Piedmont Pines, 6035 Ascot near Morley Dr, 7-9 pm
• Balboa at Colton, 5526 Balboa Dr, 7-9 pm
• Beaconsfield Park at Keswick/ Friends of Sausal Creek, 7-9 pm
• Carisbrook Cooperative, 2557 Carisbrook near Chelton, 5-9 pm
• Chelsea Court, 20 Chelsea Ct, 7-9 pm
• Cortereal Cul-de-sac, 1900 block of Cortereal, 7-8 pm
• Fernwood Community Club, 1470 Mountain Blvd, 7-9 pm
• Girvin Drive at Thackery, 6281 Girvin, 7-8:30 pm
• Holyrood Neighborhood Group, 2975 Holyrood near Ascot, 7-8 pm
• Liggett Neighbors, 6708 Liggett Drive, 7-9 pm
• Mastlands/Larry Lane, 2101 Mastlands Drive, 6-8 pm
• McAndrew Group/Estates Drive, 6:30-9 pm
• Merriewood Neighbors, 5574 Merriewood Drive @ Valley View, 7-9 pm
• Montclair Valle Vista, 6095 Mazuela Drive,  6-8:30 pm
• Montclair West Neighborhood Association, Pershing Dr & Marsh Place, 7-9 pm
• Moongate/Skyline Neighborhood near Totterdell, 9393 Skyline Blvd, 7-9 pm
• Mountain Gate Ascot Neighbors, Ascot Place at Ascot Drive/Scout Rd, 6-8 pm
• Pelham Place, 2340 Pelham near Girvin, 7:30-9 pm
• Piedmont Pines, 6477 Melville at Ascot, 6-8 pm
• Sims Drive near Estates Drive, 6784 Sims, 7-9 pm
• Thornhill Creekside Neighbors & Friends, Alhambra Court off  Alhambra Lane, 6:30-8:30 pm
• Trafalgar Place, 2173 Trafalgar near LaSalle Ave, 6:30-7:30 pm

There must be some Montclair block that calls you their own!  With the natural catastrophes that can happen here, it’s nice to know who lives around the corner and have a chance to schmooze with them – at least once a year.