What is National Porch Awareness Week?
National Porch Awareness Week is a campaign to seeking to raise awareness of porches that are becoming unused and neglected. It also heightens awareness of a forgotten moment the ever-shifting American culture, the art of relaxation, and neighborhood friendships.
I don’t have a porch. Can I celebrate NPAW?
Absolutely!! NPAW isn’t just for porches, but for stoops, awnings, steps, decks, balconies, and fire escapes. We couldn’t have called it National Porch Stoop, Awning, Steps, Deck and Balcony Awareness Week. Actually we could have, but we, like all good porch participants, are a tad bit lazy. Basically NPAW is trying to emphasize front yard culture. Sit in front of your door, or pull out a chair on the lawn.
Errr, I’m confused, what is “front yard culture?”
Front yard culture is a culture of talking to neighbors, relaxation, BBQ, turning off the TV/AC, and ‘hanging out.’ Its different from the backyard culture of privacy fences and suspicion that your neighbor is doing something to “get you” or “piss you off.” It’s about being loud, taking time to play with the neighborhood kids. The distinction between front yard and backyard is two is shifting as the layout of planned communities switch to communal spaces.
I live on a lake, and I don’t use my porch….
Why didn’t you say so? NPAW fully endorses hanging out in back by the lake, talk to you neighbors, try not to pollute. You’re living the NPAW dream. Invite us over!!
I like my TV and AC. Why should I sit on my porch and get bitten by bugs?
In today’s fast paced world of cell phones and road rage, all we are asking is for you to think about it and try it for a week. Relax, your heart will thank you. Hypertension is one of the leading causes of heart attacks in the United States. We have several ideas of dealing with bugs, which you can find here. If you like it, pass on the website/ ideas to your friends.
All right, I’m sitting on my porch, its pretty boring. What can I do?
Call a few friends over for some beer. Pull the old grill out of the garage. Grab a book. Better yet, just sit there. Pay attention to the things that you normally don’t. Easier said than done. But if you sit in a place long enough, something exciting is bound to find out. Who knows, maybe you might even find out some gossip about your neighbors. Exciting!!!
Can I get my picture on npaw.org?
Absolutely, send us a picture @ and a porch story, or a porch related story. The more wild the story the better.
Who are you people?
People who appreciate porches. We would like to thank Brian Reed and Catherine Heitchue for their contributions. Big ups to Andrew Inman at www.deathstar.org for web hosting.
