A Fond Farewell, From Your Editor

It seems like just weeks since October of 2010 when we launched Sonoma Patch. Almost two years later, parting words are bittersweet.

It's with a heavy heart that I let you know that Thursday will be my last day as editor of Sonoma Patch. I've accepted a fellowship to attend a program at Columbia's Journalism School. I'll be covering health and science – topics I discovered a passion for right here in Sonoma.

As excited I am for this new opportunity, I'll miss covering Sonoma. It's been a hectic and wild ride, for sure. I'm grateful for so many people in the Sonoma Valley – whether you sent me a news tip, gave me a pat on the back during the site's bleary-eyed early days, or took me to town in the comments section, you've kept me on my toes since I got here. It's been a pleasure to watch Patch go from something I had to explain ("The Patch, are you selling asparagus?") to something that people regularly stop me on the street and ask about.

I'll be around the rest of the summer, so you can still yell "Patch' at me if you see me on the street and ask me where your prize pack is.

As we search for a permanent replacement at Sonoma Patch, feel free to hit up Ari Slogan with questions, concerns and, of course, news tips via e-mail at ari@patch.com.

It's been a great pleasure getting to know you all and thanks for everything! I hope to keep reading about all the great things happening in Sonoma here.