Welcome to Sammamish Patch

Greetings from Sammamish Patch!

I'm  and I'm the editor for the Plateau's latest online source of news, community events and information for Sammamish. At Patch, we've embraced the online world to bring residents news, trends and profiles about the city with mountain vistas, lakes, safe neighborhoods and strong schools.

Check the Patch website throughout your day for new stories, announcements and updates. If you're on the go and Twitter is your source, watch for our Tweets. If you're on Facebook, networking with friends, you can get updates through our feed. If you choose, follow us on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook.

We also have a daily and weekly e-mail service through which Patch will send you a roundup of stories. Sign up by visiting the homepage and looking for the "Get Patch in your inbox!" heading.

GETTING INVOLVED

Our overall goal is to hear from you. We'll cover what interests you and what's important to Sammamish. It's near Seattle and Microsoft in Redmond -- but it's much more than that. We'll reflect on what makes life on the Plateau so special that people move here and stay for years. We also recognize that residents leave the Plateau for events and other activities.

You can participate on Patch by posting a comment in our "What do you have to say?" section in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage. At the bottom of most of our stories, you'll find a section asking for your thoughts. I ask that you keep comments constructive because that helps everyone gain from your insight or point of view. There are terms of use, too.

You can call me at 425-440-1796 or zap me an e-mail at brad.wong@patch.com. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Enjoy writing a letter to the editor? Those work, too. 

Take a few minutes to navigate the site. There are useful features to know.

For example, Patch has a regularly updated calendar, which editors oversee, on the homepage. We also let users post community announcements, events, volunteer notices, photographs and video directly to the site.

We offer a community directory, listing Sammamish businesses, schools and community organizations. To add information to the site, you'll need to register -- but it only takes a few minutes.

I've also typed up a quick answer on . 

The site is home to a classifieds section, where you can post notes if you're looking for a roommate or have merchandise that you don't need. Some categories are free for a certain period. Other categories will cost $15 to $20 for a 30-day period.

If you have a question about the community, write it up and post it in our Q&A section: You Ask, Sammamish Patch Answers.

Speaking of questions, please note that the company operates Patch.com, a business, and Patch.org, a nonprofit foundation. Overall, the company is committed to small communities of many types.

Questions about paid advertisements should be sent to Regional Publisher David Peck at davidp@patch.com.

FREELANCE CONTRIBUTORS

I'll be working with a team of talented freelance writers, who will be checking the city's pulse for arts, school news, government issues, sports and other topics. The list will change as stories are posted. I'm grateful for their interest, skills and dedication. If you see any of us in the community, say at a coffee shop or community meeting, please say hello.

For a full roster of their stories, visit the navigation bar on the homepage and click on news.

We're a unit of AOL and operate local news sites in the Seattle area and more than 600 sites throughout the country. AOL has made an investment and commitment to covering local news. I know it's a needed enterprise to help people with daily life, especially as legacy media companies undergo dramatic changes. 

I want to thank Mike Lewis, Patch regional editor for the Seattle area, and the other site editors for their advice and support.

As for me: I grew up in Sunnyvale, Calif. So, yes the Silicon Valley ethos of getting the job done has rubbed off on me. And I believe in the marketplace. In 2002, I moved to the Seattle area. I like eating Chinese food. So, if you know of any good Chinese restaurant, please tell me.

I know there are well-educated, motivated and involved residents in Sammamish. I also know the challenging economic times have touched just about everyone in the country. I'm looking forward to meeting more of you and talking about your experiences, interests and outlook.

If you know others who love, like or enjoy lingering in Sammamish, please let them know about this site.

Speaking of that high-tech perspective -- that goals can be reached, even when times are rocky -- I was reminded that Bill Gates actually started Microsoft during a recession.

Let's have a go with this. There are only benefits to be gained.