Welcome to University Place Patch.

Welcome to your online source for all local news and sports for University Place.

Welcome to a one-stop spot where you can post free announcements and events.

Welcome to a gathering place where you can learn about the people who make up your community, discuss the latest and most important issues and let your voice be heard.

Welcome to a site that was created for an active, educated and vibrant community such as UP.

It's why University Place is the first community in Washington to get a Patch site. 

A quick Web search of Patch reveals that it's rapidly becoming one of the fastest growing sources for community news in the country. We're owned by AOL, and Patch already has sites in more than 200 communities across the U.S. These communities are small to medium in size, have established identities and are tech-savvy.

The thing about Patch is we don't take content from other media outlets and recycle it on our site. We are news producers, just like newspapers, television and radio stations, only we focus specifically on your community. Patch assigns a local editor to each community, and that editor (myself, in UP's case) works with a team of local freelance writers to bring government, business, arts, sports and breaking news right to your computer. Or laptop. Or cell phone.

Patch is also different in that you can post events, announcements and volunteer opportunities for free. In these tough economic times, we know every dime counts, so you can announce your engagement or seek volunteers to pick up trash at your neighborhood park.

Patch also provides a directory of every business, government, religious institution and organization in UP, giving both natives and newcomers a new tool to navigate around town.

If it all sounds exciting and interesting, you're not the only one who thinks so. Patch has gotten lots of press recently about its efforts to connect communities.  

So I invite you to visit and explore University Place Patch. Check out the latest news on Town Center. Watch a segment on the recently opened pedestrian bridge at Chambers Creek Properties. Read about our food writer's jaunt to the Pine Cone Cafe.

If you have questions or want to chat with me, feel free. I have my phone and e-mail on me all the time. You'll probably see me around town taking pictures, interviewing people and writing stories -- most likely at some of my favorite java joints in UP.

So again, welcome to University Place Patch. I'll see you around.