A Patch Homecoming: Encinitas Patch Celebrates a Successful Launch

Five weeks to the day since Encinitas Patch launched on Oct. 26, a crowd of about 50 Patch staffers, contributors and local residents gathered at to celebrate the new media's homecoming.

Editor Jennifer Reed and Senior Advertising Manager Kevin Devaney greeted guests as they arrived in the November cold, including new Encinitas Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Andy Phemister, City Councilman Jerome Stocks, Assistant to the City Manager Richard Phillips and local business owners and devoted readers.

Other visitors included San Diego Patch editors Deanne Goodman of Carlsbad, Shauntel Lowe of Rancho Bernardo, Michelle Mowad of La Jolla, Eric Yates of Mount Helix and Ken Stone of La Mesa, as well as Encinitas Patch sports editor Bill Zavestoski, copy editor Kendal Patterson and contributors Abi Cotler O'Roarty, Tom Roebuck, Pat Launer and Anastacia Grenda.

Though several guests had to sit through a pile-up on Interstate 5 to get there, their patience was rewarded. Attendees mingled, noshed on pizza and calamari and enjoyed the open bar and open air on the restaurant's heated back patio. 

Most importantly, the event was an indicator of the interest and appreciation for community journalism in Encinitas. The feedback for Encinitas Patch has been tremendous so far—and only continues to grow as more stories unfold, more opinions are explored, more readers get involved and more local ears perk up at the sound of "Patch."

We've come a long way in just five weeks—but we're not done yet.  In fact, we're just getting started.