Today on Patch: New Boards and a New Look

Hi!  I’m Beth Dalbey, your West Des Moines Patch Local Editor, and I want to welcome you to the new Patch. We’re really pleased with it and we think you’ll like it, too.

First of all, we think the site looks livelier, and more like West Des Moines. See that big photo on the top? That’s the arch at Valley Junction, the original West Des Moines. Valley Junction represents many of the values we think are important at Patch with its main street businesses, entrepreneurial startups, celebrations of the arts, and its neighborhood appeal.

The photo accompanying this story also reflects one of the things we love at West Des Moines Patch – celebrating the accomplishments of youth, whether they’re excelling in the fine arts, academically, athletically or in any other endeavor.

But that big photo at the top of the page isn’t the only thing that’s better about Patch. Now our news looks better, is easier to comment on, and is easier to share. And right below the news on the homepage you’ll see blogs, where we can showcase more town voices and get a view of what’s happening beyond the news. Plus, we’ve made it easier start a blog yourself – any time, about anything.

And speaking of reader voices, the freshest thing you’ll find on the new Patch are our Boards, a totally open place on Patch where you can post announcements about anything you want – lost cats and dogs, school plays, wedding announcements, or that strange thing you saw.

There’s an Opinion Board –  because everyone in town has one, so why not put it all in one place? The Buy/Sell/Trade Board is where you can post your garage sale and get rid of the stuff that’s taken over your basement. And there’s a Board for Business Updates -- a dedicated spot for business owners to post news about sales, specials, openings and closings.

Patch is all about our community – living our best lives in town, and making our town better for ourselves and our families. So please, tell us what you think of the new Patch in the Opinion Board, or through the feedback form.

Well see you around town – and on the Boards.