Welcome to Ramona Patch

Thanks for visiting Ramona Patch, an up-to-the-minute Web source for local news, features, sports and entertainment stories.

Ramona Patch is part of a venture called Patch.com, a hyperlocal news operation under way in hundreds of U.S. communities. Patch.com is a subsidiary of America Online (AOL).

The Patch idea came about after Tim Armstrong, AOL's chairman of the board and CEO, went online to look for a community service project for his daughter one weekend and couldn't find anything in his town. He began to wonder how many other small U.S. communities needed websites to provide information about volunteer opportunities and local news. Ever since then, Patch.com has grown exponentially. To see other Patch sites, visit patch.com.

As you see us taking photographs and interviewing people about local issues, please feel free to give us story ideas and let us know how you like this site. Our goal is to provide an opportunity for Ramonans to express what this town is about. We hope you'll add your voice here during this critical juncture of Ramona's history, when country ways face potential change brought by urban sprawl. How do you want your town to look? What do you think about traffic flow and shopping areas and housing options? How do you think Ramonans should preserve local history and its unique culture, while welcoming businesses that provide needed services to backcountry residents? Major decisions like these benefit from dissemination of information and a variety of opinions. Please share your thoughts.

In addition to being a platform for discussion, Ramona Patch is a resource. Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our event listings, columns or stories. Also, the Ramona Patch business directory will help you find just the right restaurant or a place to get your tires changed.

On Sundays, we'll feature Ruth Lepper's "Back in the Day" history column. Her "Talk of Ramona", featuring the buzz about people around town, will run on Tuesdays. You'll enjoy our Monday column, "Savoring the Backcountry", in which Vince Rossi will deliver the history, culture and happenings related to food and wine in the Valley of the Sun. Check out our "Pet of the Week" on Wednesdays. "Manes and Tails" -- featuring equestrian columnists -- will appear on Thursdays. "The Great Outdoors", devoted to backcountry recreation, will run on Fridays. Our Saturday column, about backcountry drives, will be called "Hit the Road." We hope to bring inspirational messages from local people of faith on Sundays, in our column called "That's the Spirit!"

Add content to our site if you wish! We invite you to join us in making Ramona Patch accurate, timely, helpful and fun by adding your comments, announcements, photos and videos. If you'd like to write a column or a freelance story, please e-mail me at julie.pendray@patch.com.

I want to thank the people of Ramona for welcoming us. We appreciate that trust.

See you around town or on the trails.