10 Things You Need to Know About Patch

It’s been over a year since San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch launched and we’re more proud than ever to be part of the community.

But, we want to make sure you know all the ways you can be a part of the online community too. Some things might have changed around here (and more things will change in the future), but some things haven't changed.

It's still all about you.

San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch gives you plenty of opportunities to comment on stories, share your opinions, post photos and announcements, and add events to the community calendar. We hope that our site will strengthen the community, but we can't do it without you. So get to it!

1. Comment on an Article

At Patch, we subscribe to the idea that "news is a conversation." Much of our reporting will emanate from what readers tell us in e-mails, comments on our sites and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions to our articles by posting a comment directly below each story. 

2. Post an Event 

Do you know of a book signing at our local bookstore, a celebrity chef appearing at restaurant or an art exhibit at a local coffee shop? Is there a garage sale or graduation ceremony coming up? If it's not on our Patch calendar, it should be. Add your events for free to our Patch calendar.

3. Post an Announcement

Post births, engagements and wedding announcements. Tell us who made the honor roll or share school awards, social notes and thank-you shout outs. If you're looking for volunteers or searching for your lost dog, we welcome you to call on your community for help. (We even found someone's lost glasses one time.) Post announcements for free and don't be afraid to send us a note and we'll feature your announcement on the homepage and in the newsletter. Just remember, announcements should be for personal use and not for advertising.

4. Claim Your Directory Listing 

Our business and organization listings aren't skimpy. Our team of researchers actually hit the streets and visited businesses, schools, parks, libraries and everywhere else, so we can provide photos as well as detailed information such as products sold and hours of operation. You can see all those places under Places in the menu bar. To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, e-mail us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, claim it at sananselmofairfax.patch.com/search/listings.

5. Review Businesses

Do you want to be the first to tell your friends whether the new restaurant in town gets two thumbs-up? Like your local hardware store? Are the clothes at the vintage shop the real deal? You can post a review of your favorite (or least favorite) business on any listing.

6. Social Media Engagement

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/SanAnselmoFairfaxPatch and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/RossValleyPatch. Contribute and engage via social media. (We have a fascinating discussion going on on facebook about S**t Marin People Say.) Let's start a conversation together.

7. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage, there's a link that says, "Send Us News Tips." Tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight me, Kelly Dunleavy O'Mara, San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch's Editor.

8. Sign Up for Newsletters

The daily San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch newsletter brings you the top articles and announcements that have been posted in the last 24 hours. It is delivered to your e-mail every day at 6 a.m. To sign up, click on the link that says "Patch Newsletter" up in the right corner of the page near where it asks you to Log-in.

9. Upload Your Photos and Video 

Upload videos of the Drake basketball game or your SABA star's first home run. Post photos from local festivals to the Neighborhood Gallery, or send in a snapshot of your best holiday recipes. We invite you to share the memories that you've caught on camera with the rest of the community.

10. Send a Letter to the Editor or Write a Blog

Patch would like to extend an invitation to every member of the Ross Valley  community to submit a letter to the editor. Express your thoughts or concerns about anything that might be stirring up conversation around town in less than 300 words and email it to Kelly Dunleavy O'Mara at kellyd@patch.com. Have a lot to say? Email Kelly to sign up to blog and write whenever you want!

The more San Anselmo-Fairfax Patch serves as on online space for community dialogue, the more useful we will be. So next time you have something to share with your neighbors, consider taking a moment to send an email to Patch. Chances are, you're not the only who feels that way.

For all advertising queries, please e-mail our ad manager, Lori Pearce,  at lori.pearce@patch.com.