13 Things to Know About Coronado Patch: How to Be Part of Our Community Conversation

March 30 marked the six-month anniversary of Coronado Patch, and a lot has happened since we first launched. We've gotten to know the community and created a large following.

We wanted to take some time to remind you why we're here and what this site is all about. Simply put, it's about you.

We've built Patch so that you have plenty of opportunities to comment on stories, share your opinions, post photos and announcements and add events to the community calendar. 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 emails, 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 or her 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 coronado.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 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 coronado.patch.com/events/new. 

4. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage, under the heading “Contribute,” there is a link that says, “Send us news tips.” This is how you can tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to Kimberly Cunningham, Coronado 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.

To post an announcement, go to coronado.patch.com/announcements/new.

6. Sign Up for Newsletters

The daily Coronado 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 can also 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.

To get started, click the “Get the Patch Newsletter” button at the top of the homepage.

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 could 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 coronado.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 on the upper right side of the homepage. 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 Coronado Little Leaguer'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 contact our Coronado Patch Ad Manager, Kristine Crail at kristine.crail@patch.com or 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 coronado.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 and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CoronadoPatch. 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 Coronado (or those with an interest in Coronado) 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 Kimberly Cunningham at kimberly.cunningham@patch.com.

The more Coronado Patch serves as on 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 Coronado Patch. Chances are, you're not the only one who feels that way.