Hi there, and welcome to Elmhurst Patch.
Patch is the definition of hyper-local news. We can get into the stories around town because we live here, dine here, visit the parks here, entertain ourselves here and raise our kids here.
If there's a rash of car burglaries in town, if a new restaurant is opening up or if there's a meeting in town you need to know about, you'll find it here.
I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself (see the accompanying video) and let you know how you can use Patch to announce weddings, engagements, births, school achievements, job promotions and changes, volunteer opportunities and more. You can also share upcoming events, like benefits, concerts, bake sales or garage sales. When you upload something to the site, it looks very professional, and it's free!
All you need to do is enter an e-mail address to create a profile, click on one of the options under "Contribute" or "Volunteer" at the bottom of the home page, then upload away.
We are always looking for news tips. All of our news stories are reported by professional journalists. Just send me an e-mail at karenc@patch.com, give me a call at (630) 433-1233 or click on the "News Tip" link on the home page and we'll look into it.
And whether you agree or disagree with an article, or you would just like to add your two cents, we welcome your comments. You will get a response, and it opens up a dialog anyone can add to. We subscribe to the philosophy that news doesn't come from us to you, it can be enriched by a conversation.
Our doors are always open, 24/7, so don't be shy!
We think you'll like Elmhurst Patch. And we won't be adding anything to your recycling bin.
Ashley Saluga
8:15 am on Friday, September 17, 2010
Congrats Karen on the launch. Everything looks so great! I've been contributing to the Glenview site too as well. Congrats again!
Karen Chadra
8:42 am on Friday, September 17, 2010
Thanks Ashley! I didn't know you were freelancing for Patch - it's almost like we're working together again :)
Elaine Johnson
8:20 am on Friday, September 17, 2010
Wonderful mix of stories, Karen. You've really made Elmhurst Patch the go-to source for local news. Congratulations!
Karen Chadra
8:48 am on Friday, September 17, 2010
Thank you Elaine. And you will do Downers Grove proud!
Nick Swedberg
8:25 am on Friday, September 17, 2010
Congratulation, Karen! Great site. I like the Mediocre Mom column. Too funny. Excellent coverage of the flooding issue. That will definitely be something residents will want to read about.
Karen Chadra
8:51 am on Friday, September 17, 2010
Thanks Nick!
Rick Nagel
2:22 pm on Friday, September 17, 2010
Wow! Great video, outstanding news site. As the former editor-in-chief of Press Publications in Elmhurst, I am so happy to see that Elmhurst has a true, top-notch, professional hometown news source. Just take a look at the quality of the writing and the overall news coverage on Elmhurst Patch. In the 1990s, the Elmhurst Press was the twice-a-week broadsheet that repeatedly won the state's top award for journalism. What Karen has done here is that and more—without the paper. Elmhurst: Enjoy. Karen: You are amazing.
Karen Chadra
4:58 pm on Friday, September 17, 2010
Thanks Rick!
Michael Bivona
10:21 am on Saturday, September 18, 2010
Awesome. Great job Karen! I was going to write something longer, but Rick did that.
Karen Chadra
12:50 pm on Saturday, September 18, 2010
That's OK. I talk to you all the time :)
Elaine Evans
12:04 pm on Saturday, September 18, 2010
Great website, Karen! I'll look forward to checking in regularily!
Karen Chadra
12:52 pm on Saturday, September 18, 2010
Thanks Elaine! We have some fun things planned :)
Jim Court
7:54 am on Friday, October 22, 2010
Karen,
A wonderful site that I inadvertently stumbled upon. I sincerely hope that you both succeed as well as being an independent voice that works for the citizens of Elmhurst while promoting all that is good about our community. Papers tend to seek out and ingratiate themselves to those in power and thus lose objectivity and independence. Like many communities, Elmhurst faces deep economic problems that must be dealt with. I look forward to your continued success.
Sincerely,
Jim Court
Elmhurst, Illinois
Karen Chadra
8:36 am on Friday, October 22, 2010
Thanks Jim. I'm glad you found us! Our goal, first and foremost, is to be an independent voice for the community.
Jim Court
7:43 am on Saturday, February 26, 2011
Karen.
Although we sometimes have slightly different perspectives, I have come to admire all your efforts and the true benefit you bring to our community.
Sincerely,
Jim Court
Karen Chadra
1:40 pm on Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thank you, Jim. It would be a boring world if everyone agreed all the time. And, thank you for helping to spread the word about Patch!