You're making a cake and realize you need just one more egg. What to do? Call a good neighbor, of course.

As students move back to town for the new academic year, they have a fun opportunity to get better acquainted with their off-campus neighbors on Davis Neighbors' Night Out on Friday, Oct. 6.

The evening is being organized by UC Davis, the Associated Students of UC Davis and the city of Davis to help neighbors meet and build good relationships. A National Night Out was held in August, but Davis residents felt that it was important to wait until UC Davis students returned to hold the event.

Michelle Johnston, health promotion supervisor at the Cowell Student Health Center, said promoting neighborly relationships has become increasingly important as students rent more houses in the community.

"It's a waste of resources for police to come and ask a neighbor to turn down the stereo," Johnston said. "When you know the neighbors better, situations can often be approached more directly, with more positive results."

The city is asking neighborhood associations, Neighborhood Watch captains, apartment complexes, homeowners associations and residents to set up an activities. Different neighborhoods may hold an ice cream social, a potluck dinner or barbecue, a dessert party or cookie exchange. Already, more than 50 events are listed at the event Web site. Go to http://www.cityofdavis.org/neighbors/ for more information.

Anne Brunette, the community partnership coordinator for the city of Davis, said parents can be instrumental in encouraging their students to get involved. Students can even sponsor the event in their neighborhood.

"If you have open lines of communication from the very beginning, students and residents can have better relations," Brunette said. "Those relationships also provide extra security for students away from home."

The city of Davis — through neighborhood associations and Neighborhood Watch programs — will provide event hosts with materials to help them plan their event. The city is offering to hand deliver or mail invitations where events are scheduled, and Nugget Markets is donating brownie mixes to encourage people to share dessert with new neighbors.

At the same time, the campus will distribute more than 1,000 Safe Party, Good Neighbor Packs to students to encourage them to foster good relations with their neighbors. The packs include information on party-related laws and ordinances, and tips for holding parties respectful of neighbors. Guests at registered Neighbors' Night Out events will receive the packs and be able to participate in raffles for prizes donated by the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Davis Business Association.

For assistance in planning an event for Davis Neighbors' Night Out, contact your neighborhood association or Brunette, the city's community partnership coordinator, at (530) 757-5626 or abrunette@cityofdavis.org.