10 Ways to Use Patch in 2012

It's a new year, and we're ready to serve the Mar Vista community in a bigger and better way—but we need your help.

Mar Vista Patch is as much your site as it is ours. How so? Here’s how you can use Patch to make an impact.

Share the news. When we know about community news, we're often first to tell you. From important city announcements to schools, street closures and crime, we’ll have all the news covered 24-7. And all you have to do is click the Facebook "recommend" or "like" button above to share it with your neighbors and friends.

Comment. If you have relevant information to add to an article, jump in and make a comment. We’ll follow up and likely add it to the article. Most community stories continue to evolve after they are reported—you can be a real-time source by commenting.

Connect with the local editor. My e-mail address is listed right here on Mar Vista Patch. Brooke.wirtschafter@gmail.com. If you have tips, e-mail me.

Follow us on Twitter & Facebook. Before we write an article we tweet the news out to our followers. Want the info the fastest way possible? Follow @MarVistaPatch and facebook.com/MarVistaPatch.

Get the iPhone app. Your smartphone is an awesome tool for getting the info on what’s going on in the community. Click here to get the Patch app for free on iTunes. Not only can you read news on it, but post photos and videos as well.

Take photos. Speaking of photos, Mar Vista Patch has launched a new community gallery, where you can post any of your own photography. Have a cool photo of something you spotted around town? Tell us.

Shoot videos. The community gallery is not just for photos—send clips of anything around town you think is newsworthy. If you also give us a heads up via e-mail that you're uploading the video, we can feature it prominently on Patch.

Add to the calendar. Have an event you want to invite the community? Don't be shy. Post it in our events calendar for all to see.

Volunteer. The same goes for our announcements section on Patch. If you are looking for volunteers for a service project? Share it.

Blog. Everybody in any community has a story to share. Don’t keep them to yourself. Sign up to be a blogger on Patch: You're Invited to Blog on New Patch Platform