Grab A Coffee, Have A Chat With Oak Forest Patch Editor

OAK FOREST, IL — First week back on the beat, done! After several years out of the editor job, I'll admit I'm a bit rusty, and that I'm still working to familiarize myself with the goings-on in your neck of the woods, the ol' O-Fo.

This is where you come in, folks. I want to hear it straight from you, the issues that matter to you. I'd like you to bend my ear about what's going on in your town: the good, bad, and ugly. Someone you think I should know? Tell me about 'em. Something you think I should know about? Point me in that direction.

Sure, I know how to scope out a story. I'm a news junkie with two degrees to my name. But I'm admittedly not an Oak Forest resident. As much as I'd love to know the goings-on of your hometown before they, well, go on, I don't have that same view of you peeking outside your window or stepping out your front door.

Patch was always intended to be a conversation. I'd like you to feel less like I'm talking at you, and more like I'm talking with you. I'm reachable, approachable, and open to you talking my ear off (just sometimes must need to keep an eye on the clock). I see this little slice of online space as a chance to connect with the residents of each town I cover. I'm a people-person, and man oh man, do I love to talk. But I also believe in listening, and I'll do just that if you give me a shot.

On Tuesday, July 12, I'm going to pull up a seat at the Oak Forest Starbucks, 15852 S Cicero Ave., from 7 a.m. to noon. I'll be working remotely there, with a bunch of Patch goodies to give away. Pens, magnets. Maybe even a few Patch hats.

I know, I know. Pens, right? Who needs some random Patch pens? Let me just tell ya—these pens? Our Patch editors swear by them. They last forever. The one I got the day I started 12 years ago seemed like it would last forever before finally co. Not sure how, but it did. (Plus, I have approximately 500 of them in my house. So take some off my hands, please.)

So come see me. Pull up a chair. Let's talk about life in your town. This Patch site is meant to be yours, meant to reflect your town, its highs and lows, its people. Who better to tell me all about that, than you?

I'd bring my dog Huck (who's no stranger to meeting Patch fans), but I don't think Starbucks would like that very much.

So, what do you think? See ya Tuesday?

Can't make it? No problem. I'm a click away at lauren.traut@patch.com, or a call/text to (708)323-6173.