Try it Yourself: 10 Features on Milpitas Patch

As Milpitas Patch approaches its first anniversary, we wanted to take the time to remind you why we're here and what this site is all about. Simply put, it's about YOU.

We've designed this website with ways to comment on stories, share your opinions, post photos and announcements and add events to the community calendar. We hope our site will strengthen the community, but we can't do it without you.

So here's what you can do here!

1. 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 e-mails, comments on our sites, on Facebook and Twitter and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions to our articles by posting a comment directly below each story.

2. Post an Event

Do you know of a book signing at our local bookstore, a celebrity chef appearing at cooking store or an art exhibit at a local coffee shop? Is there a garage sale or graduation ceremony coming up? Does your school or sports team have a fundraiser coming up? If it's not on our Patch calendar, it should be. Feel free to add events to our site at milpitas.patch.com/events/new. 

3. Post an Announcement

Post births, engagements and wedding announcements. Tell us who made the honor roll, or share school awards, social notes and shout-outs of thanks. If you're looking for volunteers or searching for your lost dog, we welcome you to call on your community for help. Just remember that our Terms of Service say announcements should be for personal use and not for advertising.

4. Have the Newsletter Delivered to Your Inbox Every Morning

The daily Milpitas Patch electronic 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. You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter, which shows a subset of the content created and featured on our site over the last few days. It is delivered every Thursday at 10 a.m. Go to the top right corner of the homepage and click to sign up.

5. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage, there's a link that says, "Send Us News Tips." Tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to the editor of Milpitas Patch.

6. Claim Your Directory Listing

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. To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, e-mail us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, claim it at milpitas.patch.com/search/listings.

7. Upload Your Photos and Video

Upload videos of the high school football touchdown or your soccer player's first home run. Post photos from local festivals, or send in a snapshot of your best holiday recipes. We invite you to share the memories you've caught on camera with the rest of the community.

8. Connect on Facebook and Twitter

As we approach 330 fans this week on Milpitas Patch’s Facebook profile, we believe that we can grow even more.

Imagine if you invited five of your neighbors to "Like" this page how much more interactive and fun it could be? So let's try it. Let's see what Milpitas can do and really make this the virtual neighborhood!

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/MilpitasPatch or if you prefer a truncated version, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/MilpitasPatch Immerse yourself in our content and actively contribute and engage via social media.

Let's start a conversation together.

9. Blog About It

If you are passionate about anything in Milpitas, whether it's education, fishing, government, business, shopping or pets (literally, anything), want to get the word out about your organization, are a prolific writer and have a strong voice, then you should write for Milpitas Patch's . Check out the first-hand accounts of  on life after cancer, and , a youth minister attending a week of events leading up to World Youth Day in Spain right now.

10. There's An App for That

We understand that our readers are always on the go, so take Milpitas Patch with you with an or app!