Top 5 Most Read Stories in 2011

A jazz band could be heard, the upbeat high hats sassing us from the depths of the mezzanine.

The bass guitar was funky.

Not quite as funky as Chromeo, but justice was definitely being delivered on the bassline. The lights were low, but as bright as the eyes of the man on the moon. That's what we were shooting for that night--the moon.

The year began with starlit idealism and sparkly evening attire. Menlo Park Patch was three months old, so we were celebrating in full swing. We had launched. And people were subscribing to our newsletter! It was very validating to know that we'd been able to bring an already well-informed community information that was relevant to life in Menlo Park, Calif.

As 2011 fades to a close, and the days become colder, I pause to consider the stories that moved my metrics this year. Let's review them together, shall we? In order of most clicks to least, I present to you the top five stories of 2011, here on Menlo Park Patch. 

1.

Clocking in at more than 1,000 recommendations thus far, this article that ran in May 2011 continues to rock.

19-year-old Ernestine Fu is a venture capitalist, co-author of a book with the former dean of Stanford Law School, a philanthropist and a sought-after engineering student. Did we mention she's 19?

to read all about her.

2.

Celebrating the slightly unconventional practice of an older woman successfully scouring the field for a younger man, Intramuros crowned Miss Cougar California 2011 under the cloak of darkness.

The "cubs" voted for their chosen "cougar," Kimberly Marsh, 48, of Orange County as part of the and then danced the Saturday night away.

to watch her get her paws on a cub.

3.        

It took more than three years to make it happen. But finally, Sacred Heart Schools convinced Sir Ken Robinson to come to Atherton.

to hear what he had to say.

4.

This Menlo School senior invited Patch into his life to talk about his potent comination of speed and power. He's not only a football team star, but he also has some wicked engineering skills.



5.

As they entered Robert Pronovost’s second grade classroom, the children all turned to look over their left shoulders at these visitors who were carrying blue tote bags filled with laptops.

“You guys are from Facebook!” one child exclaimed.  

In the back of the room, Mouse Squad members awaited, clipboards and pencils in hand; they had given up their lunch hour to be there when they arrived.

about the social philanthrophy is doing.


So those are the top five most read stories this year on Menlo Park Patch.