When it comes down to it, behind just about every small business is an entrepreneur hoping to turn their passion into a paycheck. But, as many wise business advisers have noted: Hope is not a strategy. Business owners need support to turn dreams into reality. That's why Patch is pleased to announce a new partnership with SCORE, a nonprofit organization with 12,000 business experts nationwide who provide free mentoring to small business owners. The partnership makes sense because we believe that when local commerce grows, the whole community gets stronger. Patch already provides free listings …
Don't have have lunch plans on Friday? Well, you do now! I'll be sipping on coffee and working from Caribou Coffee from noon to 1 p.m., and you're more than welcome to join me. Do you have questions about using Westlake Patch? Want to start a blog, or learn how to promote an event? Maybe you have a great story idea, or just want to chat about what's happening in Westlake. Join me for a cup of coffee, or just stop by on your lunch break and say hello. I'll keep hosting 'office hours' periodically, so check back for the next one, or keep up to date by following Westlake Patch on Facebook and …
No, you're not losing it! Westlake Patch looks different today. We've made some changes to the homepage to make it even more user-friendly,and we've moved a couple pieces of furniture. Here's what's different: We tweaked some words in our navigation bar to save space (e.g., "Traffic & Gas" is now "Commute" and Patch Places is now "Directory.") We moved the weather icon next to the Patch branding so you can find it more quickly! We moved YOU closer to the top! (Our "shout stream" is now front and center to show off all of your comments.) We also changed some of the aesthetics, like trying out …
Do you have questions about using Westlake Patch? Want to start a blog, or learn how to promote an event? Maybe you have a great story idea, or just want to chat about Westlake. We want to hear from you! We also want to give away some great Patch prizes, so we'll be hosting a trivia contest until the prizes run out. So, Westlake Patch editor Kate Spirgen and ad manager Holly Barnes will be hanging out at Panera from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us for a cup of coffee, or stop by on your lunch break and say hello. We'll keep hosting 'office hours' periodically, so check back for the next one, or …
Editor's Note: This story was updated at 1:45 p.m. Feb. 28 to include a late nomination. There is nothing like a big, juicy burger to make a day amazing (our apologies to you vegetarians out there). It seems only fitting that our inaugural "My Favorite" contest would kick off by asking you where to grab the best hamburger, or cheeseburger, in town. So here's how it works: We'll list the nominations we received last week below. Click on the link (which takes you to our Patch Places directory) and write a review of your favorite burger. If your best burger isn't listed, shoot Local Editor Kate …
You may have noticed a slight change at Westlake Patch this week. We have improved our newsletter sign up! In addition to the "Get the Newsletter" link at the bottom of every page, we have a separate page for newsletter signup that makes it even faster and easier. If you like seeing news and features about Westlake, but don't always remember to check the website every day, why not sign up for the Patch Newsletter? That way, our headlines will be delivered— free of charge— to your inbox every morning. See a story that catches your eye? It's a simple click to Westlake Patch for news, features…
Thanks to everyone who came to Caribou Coffee on Detroit Road on Friday morning to help celebrate the first anniversary of Westlake Patch. We couldn't have done it without all of you who share your stories, opinions and thoughts with us every day. Despite the snow on Friday, Westlake area residents and employees came out to get a cup of coffee and join in the celebration. Regional Director Seema Jayaswal and I got to meet some new friends, see some old ones and hand out some coffee. A big thank you goes to the Caribou Coffee staff for their warm welcome and all of their help. Congratulations …
Editor's Note: This contest is closed, but please feel free to share your holiday photos anyway! Is your house bursting with holiday cheer? Your spirit could win $100,000 for the Westlake city school district this year. Patch is launching a nationwide contest to find the best-dressed home, and the winner’s school district will receive $100,000, no strings attached.Here’s how the contest works: From Dec. 8 through Dec. 26, you can enter your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site. Throughout that time, you and your neighbors will also be able to vote for your favorite …
When Patch launched in Westlake almost a year ago, editors and contributors ventured to local businesses to collect information for our directory. The result: Patch Places. Patch Places is the spot to find descriptions, hours, accepted payment methods and more for spots around town. You can even see what your neighbors think of a business before you try it or write your own review. But local businesses get extra bonuses when they claim a listing. Owners or managers can sign in and search for their business. Underneath the photos, there is a box with the question: Do you own or manage this …
Campaign flyers are showing up on doorknobs, and candidate posters are littering the front lawns. It's election season! Are you ready to make your voice heard? To make sure you're registered before the big election day on Nov. 8, visit the Am I Registered? page on the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website. If you aren't registered, you must do so by Oct. 9. Here's how: Register To Vote In Person Porter Public Library: 27333 Center Ridge Rd., 440-871-2600 Westlake City Hall: 27216 Hilliard Blvd., 440-871-3300 Westlake High School: 27830 Hilliard Blvd., 440-835-6352 To make sure you're …
Are you organizing a neighborhood yard sale? Maybe you’re on the board of directors at the library and want to share info about an upcoming book club. Or perhaps your PTA group would like to promote a fundraiser. Community members are invited to post events to the Westlake Patch calendar, free of charge. When you post your event you not only have a chance to promote your event in your own words, but you can also access your event in the future if you need to make any additions or changes. To get started, you’ll need to log into your Westlake Patch account. Don’t have one yet? Create one by …
Westlake Patch is happy to announce another new feature on the site— one that could save you big bucks at local spots. The Patch Deal of the Day will be a coupon worth up to 90 percent off products and services in the area. We're premiering our first Patch Deal today: half off a manicure at TCG Haircutting & Design in Kamms Corners. And, as a special kickoff, you can get $5 off your first purchase by entering the code Free5. To make sure you don't miss a great deal, sign up for Patch Deals by visiting your profile page, and clicking "Notification Settings" on the left. Then just click "Patch …
Westlake Patch is doing a little recruiting of our own for football season. We’re searching for bloggers, and we want you to share your opinions, game predictions and more! Are you the one always yelling about a bad call during the Buckeyes game, or do you spend hours choosing players for your fantasy football team? Or maybe you’re the king of the tailgate party? If you’ve got a passion for pig skin, you could be a blogger. We’re looking for hardcore fans to blog about their favorite teams. If you’re a die-hard Browns fan, a Buckeyes fan, or an often-ridiculed Steelers fan looking to give the…
Today, Patch is debuting a new series called “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream.” All across the country, the American Dream is shifting and changing as families, businesses and neighbors adjust to the lingering effects of the recession. Many are struggling with unemployment, foreclosure or debt. There’s no one, nationwide American Dream. It’s different for each person. For the college student it might be finding a job after graduation to pay off those student loans and move out on their own. For the stay-at-home mom, it might be finding some part-time work to help pay for school …
Westlake Patch is doing a little recruiting of our own for football season. We’re searching for bloggers, and we want you to share your opinions, game predictions and more! Are you the one always yelling about a bad call during the Buckeyes game, or do you spend hours choosing players for your fantasy football team? Or maybe you’re the king of the tailgate party? If you’ve got a passion for pig skin, you could be a blogger. We’re looking for hardcore fans to blog about their favorite teams. If you’re a die-hard Browns fan, a Buckeyes fan, or an often-ridiculed Steelers fan looking to give the…
It’s easier than ever to stay up to date on Westlake news with the Patch newsletter and iPhone app! You can get daily updates to your inbox, or get the latest breaking news on your phone with just a few clicks. Newsletter If you sign up for the daily newsletter, you can expect an email full of local news, features, announcements and more delivered fresh every morning. You can peruse the headlines, and click through to the site to get articles, videos, photos, local conversation and more! You can even opt for the weekly newsletter if you don’t want an email every day. We promise to only send …
Students will be heading off to college soon, and what better way to keep in touch than Patch? Sign your college student up (freshman or not) for the Westlake Patch newsletter, and keep them up to date on their phones! Did we mention it's all free? Your student will know what's going on at home, and know all of them best happenings when they come back to visit. Besides, we want to stay connected to our hometown students, even when they're away at school. Simply visit Westlake Patch and sign up college-bound students for the newsletter (you'll find the button at the top of the homepage). For …
The Patch family is growing. On Monday, Patch -- the community arm of AOL Huffington Post Media Group -- announced 33 more sites in three states, including Patch.com’s first military site, Camp Pendleton Patch. The expansion is the latest in our growing family. With Westlake Patch’s launch on Dec. 29, it became one of 800 online sites in 18 states and the District of Columbia focusing on creating timely news sites and interactive online communities. Now New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina will be adding Patch sites, and the sites weren’t chosen at random. Those three are key early primary …
Itchy robes, mortar boards and "Pomp and Circumstance" are here! Graduations of all kinds are right around the corner from preschool to grad school. Celebrate it on Westlake Patch! We want to share your accomplishments (or your kid's, your parent's or your neighbor's accomplishments) with the community. First, log in using your username and password or register on the site by clicking the "Sign Up" tab at the top of the page. Once you're logged in, scroll to the bottom of the homepage and under "Contribute," click "Announce something to everyone." Then you're ready to post your good news. And…
Garage season is upon us and Patch classifieds is the place to find them! If you’re planning to organize your own sale or looking to do some bargain hunting, check out the Marketplace tab this summer. You can write your own ad, upload photos of items for sale and even post your ad in other nearby Patches like Lakewood, Avon, Avon Lake or Strongsville. And best of all, it's all free! There’s no deadline for submissions, so you can put your ad up whenever you set the date. You can even update your listing if you have to cancel your sale due to the unpredictable Cleveland weather. The …
