Happy Birthday La Jolla Patch!

In the past year, La Jolla Patch has posted 2,278 articles, hundreds of calendar events, 185 announcements, and blogs from 27 writers. In addition, we made friends with 1,265 followers on Twitter and 455 followers on Facebook. Shameless plug: Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

La Jolla Patch provided 24-7 coverage of the , the and crime in 92037.

We went , were rescued by and saw the .

We also met some fantastic people. for more than 50 years, told us about serving up drinks to Lucille Ball, Jack Lemmon and Walter Winchell. talked to us about joining the La Jolla Village Merchants Association. And we met up with a four-legged p; he had an interpreter.

And that is what Patch is all about—meeting new people, reporting the news and providing La Jollans with information that they want and need to know.

When we launched a year ago, we told you all about how to be a part of Patch. In case you missed it or need a reminder, consider this post Patch 101. We hope our site strengthens the community, but we can't do it without you. Kindly consider these options:

1. Comment on an Article

We subscribe to the idea that "news is a conversation." Much of our reporting  emanates from what readers tell us in email, comments on our stories and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions to our reporting by posting a comment directly below each story.  

2. Ask a Question

So maybe you want to know when that pothole is going to get fixed, or maybe you're a local expert on native trees just dying for someone to ask why his allergies are so bad this year. Patch's Q&A section is the place for you to ask your questions and show off your expertise, all while connecting with your neighbors. Visit lajolla.patch.com/questions and ask a question, or answer someone else's.

3. Post an Event

Know of a book signing at a local bookstore, a celebrity chef appearing at a cooking store or an art exhibit at a local coffee shop? Have a garage sale or graduation ceremony coming up? If it's not on our Patch calendar, it should be. Feel free to add events to our site at lajolla.patch.com/events/new. 

4. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage is a link that says, "Send Us News Tips." Tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to Michelle Mowad, La Jolla Patch's editor.

5. 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 a lost pet, call on your community for help. Just remember, our Terms of Use say announcements should be for personal use and not for advertising.

6. Sign Up for Newsletters

The daily La Jolla Patch newsletter brings you all articles and announcements that have been posted in the past 24 hours. It's sent to you at 6 a.m. daily. You also can sign up for the weekly newsletter, which shows a subset of the content created and featured on our site over the past few days. It is delivered at 10 a.m. Thursdays.

7. 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 more so we can provide photos as well as detailed information such as products sold and hours of operation. To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, email directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, claim it at lajolla.patch.com/search/listings.

8. Shout It Out!

You now have a way to pipe in without having to add a comment to an existing article. You can tell us what you have to say right now by using the new shout box at the top of the homepage Activity Stream. Whatever you "shout" will go directly into the stream, right on the homepage.

9. Upload Your Photos and Video

Upload videos of a high football touchdown or your child's first home run. Post photos from local festivals, 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. Advertise With Us

For all advertising queries, please email Patch Ad Manager Kristine Crail at kristine.crail@patch.com or call 619-203-3031.

11. Review Restaurants

Want to be the first to tell your friends whether the new restaurant in town gets two thumbs up? You can post a review of your favorite (or least favorite) restaurants at lajolla.patch.com/restaurants. Or search to find what you're craving—you can filter results by cuisine, price or seating accommodations.

12. Social Media Engagement

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/LaJollaPatch and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/LaJollaPatch. Immerse yourself in our content and actively contribute and engage via social media. Let's start a conversation.

13. Send a Letter to the Editor

Patch extends an invitation to everyone in La Jolla (or with an interest in La Jolla) to submit a letter to the editor. Express your thoughts or concerns about anything that might be stirring up conversation around town, and we'll post it. Make sure it's not longer than 500 words and email it to editor Michelle Mowad at michelle.mowad@patch.com.

14. Blog for Us

Are you an ? Are you involved with local schools' foundations? Do you want to sound off on parking, the city's budget or the seals? Well blogging is an easy way to share your thoughts, expertise or just vent. Let us know if you have interest in blogging.

The more La Jolla Patch serves as an online space for community dialogue, the more useful this site will be. So next time you have something to share with your neighbors, consider taking a moment to send a note to La Jolla Patch. Chances are, you're not the only one who feels that way.