10 Things That Make You Patchy

We know you're reading South Pasadena Patch. But are you aware of all the awesome ways you can use it to engage with your community and interact with your neighbors?

We hope so. But if not, here are 10 things you should know about Patch:

(Click on each number for more info.)

We subscribe to the idea that "news is a conversation." Much of our reporting will emanate from what readers tell us in e-mails, comments on our sites and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions to our articles by posting a comment directly below each story. But you'll need to make an account first.

Is your golf club looking for new members or are you hosting an ? Is there a garage sale or graduation ceremony coming up? If it's not on our Patch calendar, it should be. Feel free to add your event to our site HERE. Oh, and don't forget to e-mail me at kristen.lepore@patch.com when it's up, so I can feature it on the homepage!

It's easy to post announcements and press releases on Patch. Tell us who made the honor roll or share school awards, social notes and thank you shout outs. Tell us whose getting married or about specials happening at your business. And 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. (Again, if you post an announcement, let me know, so it gets the proper attention!)

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.

But as the owner, you'll probably want to personalize the page with photos and any special hours of operation. Having trouble? To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, e-mail us at directorysupport@patch.com.

Do you want to be the first to tell your friends whether the new restaurant in town gets two thumbs-up? Like your local grocery store? Are the clothes on the rack at a Mission Street shop the real deal? You can post a review of your favorite (or least favorite) business. Just visit our listings HERE. 

6. Engage on Other Platforms

LIKE us on Facebook and FOLLOW us on Twitter. It's another way to stay on top of crime, elections, city council meetings and more. 

7. Get Alerts on Breaking News

If you sign up for our newsletter, you can expect daily events and deals, breaking news and relevant articles in your in-box every morning at 6 a.m. Too much of a committment? You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter (delivered every Thursday at 10 a.m.) or just breaking news alets. Choose what works best for you.

! It's easy to upload photos and fun to share them with the community. E-mail me when they are up, and I'll feature them for all to see.

Oh, and have you heard about the Patch app?

9. Find the Cheapest Gas in Town

With our new Traffic & Gas tab, you can consult a real time traffic map complete with incident reports and construction notices. Plus, find the lowest gas prices in town. Check it out HERE.

Got something on your mind? Or just want to share some words of wisdom? Patch extends an invitation to YOU to submit a letter to the editor or become a local blogger. E-mail all inquiries to me at kristen.lepore@patch.com.

Not interested in writing but want to send a news tip? At the bottom of every article, there's a link that says, "Submit Tip." Let us know what you hear on the street, and what's happening in your neighborhood. Your tip will be sent straight to , South Pasadena Patch's editor at kristen.lepore@patch.com.

The more South Pasadena 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 letter or comment on Patch. Chances are, you're not the only who feels that way.