Blogs: The latest addition to community news

For anyone who hasn’t checked out the newspaper’s website recently, you might want to take a quick peek. It’s been revamped and redesigned, with an easier to use, drop-down navigation bar and a special “Helping out for the holidays” section, where you can find out what area organizations need for the upcoming holiday season.
But what I’m most excited about is the new section where YOU participate: Local blogs.
Having been with this company for going on 10 years, I’ve seen a lot of change. Readers sometimes let us know when they’re pleased, but more often we hear when something has really made them unhappy.
But this newest addition – our local blogs – offers community members the opportunity to be more involved with the paper, and I think we can all agree that’s a step in the right direction. We want to invite you to share community news that perhaps we weren’t able to cover, to post photos of the area, to let the community know when to mark their calendars for upcoming events.
So far, my reaching out to community members has netted:
• Local history buffs Frank Perez with Hollister’s “Frankly, It’s History” and Phill Laursen with Gilroy’s “Phidgety About History”
• Local runner Craig Lore, whose “Gotta Run” blog offers tips to seasoned runners as well as those just starting out
• Area wine aficionado Bev Stenehjem with her “Grapevine News”
• Karson Klauer and his Hollister-area adventures in “Exploring Earthquake Country”
• “School Bulletins,” where teachers, students and staff are posting the latest happenings on our local campuses.
And we’re not done yet.
I’m in the process of drumming up interest for a religion-themed blog, where local church members and clergy have an outlet to announce special sermons, events, concerts and more.
Also under consideration are blogs relating to county agriculture, an eye on local government, parenting tips, books to read, recipes, the local arts scene and more. The possibilities seem endless.
And participation in local blogs is beneficial to everyone: Bloggers post to the paper’s website, which is heavily trafficked; the community is notified of upcoming events and brief news; and your community newspaper – via the website – provides you with a little more of everything you’re looking for.
So do you have an interest, a specialty or knowledge of a particular subject you’d like to share? Perhaps you’re a cyclist with experience on area roadways, a local artist with thoughts to share or a single dad with parenting tips … if you’re interested in joining our growing blogging corps or have a suggestion, pitch your idea to me at [email protected].
And even if you’re not interested in writing, be sure to check out our new online blogs and let us know what you think and what you want to see in the future. Read them at gilroydispatch.com/blogs, morganhilltimes.com/blogs and sanbenitocountytoday.com/blogs.