13 Ways to Get Involved With Carroll Gardens Patch

Carroll Gardens Patch is more than a news site -- it's a community resource. Like most activity on the web, information doesn't just flow in one direction.

We've built Patch so that you have plenty of opportunities to comment on stories, share your opinions, post photos and announcements and add events to the community calendar. We hope that our site will strengthen the community, but we can't do it without you. 

1. Comment on an Article

We subscribe to the idea that "news is a conversation." Much of our reporting will emanate from what readers tell us in emails, comments on our sites and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions to our articles by posting a comment directly below each story.

2. Ask a Question

So maybe you want to know more information about an empty storefront on Smith Street, or maybe you're a local expert on native trees just dying for someone to ask why their allergies are so bad this year. Patch's Q&A section is the place for you to ask your questions and show off your expertise, all while connecting with your neighbors. Visit http://carrollgardens.patch.com/questions and ask a question, or answer someone else's.

3. Post an Event

Do you know of a book signing at a local bookstore, a celebrity chef appearing at a cooking store or an art exhibit at a local coffee shop? Is there a garage sale or graduation ceremony coming up? If it's not on our Patch calendar, it should be. Feel free to add events to our site at http://carrollgardens.patch.com/events/new.

4. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage, there's a link that says, "Send Us News Tips." Tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to Georgia Kral, Carroll Gardens Patch's editor.

5. Post an Announcement

Post births, engagements and wedding announcements. Tell us who made the honor roll or share school awards, social notes and thank you shout outs. If you're looking for volunteers or searching for your lost dog, we welcome you to call on your community for help. Just remember, our Terms of Service say announcements should be for personal use and not for advertising.

6. Sign Up for Newsletters

The daily Carroll Gardens Patch newsletter brings you all articles and announcements that have been posted in the last 24 hours. It is delivered to your email every day at 6 a.m. You can also sign up for the weekly newsletter, which shows a subset of the content created and featured on our site over the last few days. It is delivered every Thursday at 10 a.m.

7. Claim Your Directory Listing

Our business and organization listings aren't skimpy. Our team of researchers actually hit the streets and visited businesses, schools, parks, libraries and more so we can provide photos as well as detailed information such as products sold and hours of operation. To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, email us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, claim it at http://carrollgardens.patch.com/search/listings.

8. Shout It Out!

You now have a way to shout out on the site without having to add a comment to an existing article. You can tell us what you have to say right now by using the new shout box at the top of the Activity Stream. Whatever you "shout" will go directly into the stream, right on the homepage.

9. Upload Your Photos and Video

Upload videos of the community board meeting or the elementary school talent show. Post photos from local festivals, or send in a snapshot of your best holiday recipes. We invite you to share the memories that you've caught on camera with the rest of the community.

10. Advertise With Us

For all advertising queries, please email our Carroll Gardens Patch Ad Manager, Sharon Porter at sharon@patch.com.

11. Review Restaurants

Do you want to tell your friends whether the new restaurant in the neighborhood is any good? You can post a review of your favorite (or least favorite) restaurants at http://carrollgardens.patch.com/restaurants. Or, search to find what you're craving -- you can filter results by cuisine, price or seating accommodations.

12. Social Media Engagement

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CarrollGPatch. Immerse yourself in our content and actively contribute and engage via social media.

13. Send a Letter to the Editor

Patch would like to extend an invitation to every member of the Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill communities to submit a letter to the editor. Express your thoughts or concerns about anything that might be stirring up conversation around town, and we'll post it. Make sure it's not longer than 300 words and email it to Editor Georgia Kral at georgia.kral@patch.com.

The more Carroll Gardens Patch serves as on online space for community dialogue, the more useful our site will be. So next time you have something to share with your neighbors, consider taking a moment to send a letter to Patch. Chances are, you're not the only who feels that way.