Spank Us Hard, We're 1 Year Old!

Already?

Is it really possible that an entire year has passed since Laguna Beach Patch got squeezed out from our mama's pixelated womb, crying and screaming and drenched in a layer of really gross afterbirth?

Indeed.

Today is Laguna Beach Patch's one-year anniversary (cue giddy exclamations of unbridled joy, followed by Arianna Huffington popping out of a giant cake). We launched around 10 p.m. the evening of Dec. 10, 2010 (that's a lot of 10s), and the first person to know of our existence was no less than Toni Iseman, who had just been picked by her City Council colleagues to serve the latest rotating one-year term as Laguna Beach mayor.

We had been on the phone with Iseman mere moments before going live, rustling up a quote for a story on the city's possible raising of the retirement age for Laguna's public safety employees.

We hung up and wrote the story. Then, after receiving the blessing to launch by the Patch Pope ... well, we had to tell somebody, so we called Iseman right back (she does ribbon cuttings, after all) and told her to check us out.

She hasn't spoken to us since.

Kidding! We kid ...

Highlights of that first week included this profile of Laguna Beach atheist-about-town Niko Theris, our first attempt at a nightlife column, an interview with freshly-defeated city council candidate Emanuel Patrascu, a piece on the Pizza Lounge's hassles with the city, and a profile of Jane and Patty Slowsky, a mother-daughter glass-art-making team.

Introducing all of it on launch day with a welcome video? This creepy guy with the severe squinting issue.

Then, just as we were starting to wonder if anything really exciting ever happens in this town, this thing happened.

In the next few weeks, we'll recap some of our best stories, videos and photos that we've run during our first year. But for now, we thought we'd give you a refresher course on all the cool stuff you can do with Patch—because we can't sail this proverbial ship without you. Well, you and Jack Daniel's, but that's a whole other thing ...

1. Blog with Us!

We looove opinions and people who have something to say. We're always on the hunt for bloggers, and we've got some great ones now, but there's always room for more, on any topic, so why not you? Is that hot new restaurant worth it? Can councilmember Verna Rollinger win reelection? Those damn skateboarding kids driving you crazy? Don't keep your feelings bottled up inside—blurt 'em out to your fellow Lagunans on Patch!

2. Comment on an Article!

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

3. Post an Event!

Do you know of a book club meeting at Laguna Beach Books? A celebrity-studded event at the Montage? A new gallery exhibit opening in the Village? An amazing happy-hour deal at a HIP District restaurant? Is there a garage sale, open house 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 lagunabeach.patch.com/events/new. 

4. Send a News Tip!

At the top of the home page just below the Laguna Beach Patch banner, there's a line that reads "Heard some news you want us to check out? Let me know: rich.kane@patch.com." We mean it—tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to Rich Kane, Laguna Beach Patch's (stunningly handsome) 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 your lost dog, we welcome you to call on your community for help. Just remember, our Terms of Service say announcements should be for personal use and not for advertising.

6. Sign Up for Newsletters!

The daily Laguna Beach Patch newsletter brings you all 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.

7. Claim Your Directory Listing!

Our business and organization listings aren't skimpy. Our team of researchers actually began hitting the streets months before we launched 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 us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, claim it at lagunabeach.patch.com/search/listings.

8. Upload Your Photos and Videos!

Upload videos of the Laguna Beach High School basketball team's winning basket  or your wakeboarding somersault. Post photos from the Sawdust Festival, or send in a snapshot of your favorite Laguna Beach restaurant menu item. We invite you to share the memories that you've caught on camera with the rest of the community.

9. Advertise With Us!

For all advertising queries, click here.

10. Be Social!

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

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

Also, we do interpretive dancing ...