Happy Birthday, San Mateo Patch!

Dear San Mateo Patch readers,

Well, it's official -- San Mateo Patch is 1 year old! As we reach this milestone, I want to point out the many ways we've grown, and share with you how there are now more ways than ever for you to get involved!

First, I'd like to take a moment to thank YOU, the reader, for making this site possible. Without you, we wouldn't have comments, and blogs, and feedback both good and bad that keeps us on our toes and producing the best possible content for San Mateo residents and businesses.

So, thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself, to share your thoughts, and to read our work on here. It means more than I can say. I hope you continue to visit the site, and share it with your friends, so we can keep growing!

Here's a list of 10 ways you can get involved in San Mateo Patch this year:

1. Know before you go. Wonder if traffic is backed up on Highway 101? Or where you should fill the gas tank before you hit the road? Always check our Traffic & Gas tool before you get stuck in a jam.
2. Add photos to our Neighborhood Gallery. Have a great picture of one of San Mateo’s many magnificent sunsets or local wildlife? Now you can share it with everyone else in town—and an easy spot for your family to find it.
3. Follow every step of a story. Use our follow-up feature to know when we post a new story about a topic you're vested in. Just click on the "Keep Me Posted" button at the bottom of your desired article. 
4. Seamlessly tell neighbors about a great shopping or dining experience in San Mateo. Who better to trust with a review of a business than a neighbor? You can rate businesses—good or bad—by going to their Places page and sharing your thoughts. 
5. Share an opinion by commenting on stories. What you think matters, so tell the rest of us what is on your mind. 
6. Let us know about a great story. Did you attend a fantastic downtown event or an exciting game? Email us a write-up and a picture or two and we may post it on San Mateo Patch. 
7. Want to share on a regular basis? Become an expert and a go-to source by becoming a Local Voices blogger. Let us know your idea and we'll set you up right away. 
8. Post announcements for free. The old days of paying a publication to publish a wedding announcement are history! Now you can tell the town when you get married, have a baby, graduate or make the honor roll.
9. Give us a piece of your mind. Thank someone or let us know what you think of a topic by submitting a Letter to the Editor that we'll publish on the site.
10. Sign up for our free daily newsletter, to have the latest from San Mateo Patch delivered straight to your email inbox every day at 6 a.m.

And, as always, follow us on Twitter and "like" us on Facebook. Tweet at us or leave a Facebook comment, and we'll follow/like you or your business too.

Thanks again for everything, San Mateo readers. It's been a great year, and I have every confidence an even better one is upon us!

All the best,

Laura Dudnick

Editor, San Mateo Patch