In With The New

Hello Patch readers and Oak Forest residents. By now you've probably figured out that there's a new face running the show here at Oak Forest Patch. With Lauren moving on up in the Patch world, the honor and privilege of serving you has fallen to me, Jeff Graveline.

Now, you've probably seen my name floating around the site, usually with District 228 stories or with sports stories. Maybe you've even seen me out and about from time-to-time, I'm that guy with long hair and a beard usually furiously writing in a notebook.

Since I'm the new guy, there's probably a few questions rolling around that you'd like answered. Lets start with Patch related issues, like is Patching going away because Lauren is gone and if not, will it change? The long and short answers, "NO!"

I am absolutely going to do my best to follow in the footsteps of Lauren. I'll be reaching out on the Oak Forest Facebook (if you haven't likecit, do it!), Twitter (if you're not following, again, do it!) and through the site to you for story ideas, for feedback and just for general conversation.

The loyal readers of Oak Forest are my main priority. Keeping you informed and bringing you the timeliest and most accurate news possible is my job, first and foremost. That means you can rest easy, Patch isn't going anywhere.

Now a little bit about me. I'm 26 years old, I graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in sports journalism and I grew up just a few miles away in Frankfort Square, where I also currently live.

While I might be a sports journalist by trade, that doesn't mean I don't know my way around local government, police items or anything else that you, the readers and residents, will want to know and read about.

That is the one thing I cannot stress enough, I am a journalist first and foremost. That means that the quality of Oak Forest Patch will not change. My job isn't to make sweeping changes, or any changes really. My job is to fill-in and keep this well oiled machine working at peak performance.

That being said, if you see me around town stop me and say, “Hey,” or “Hello,” or whatever other greeting phrase you prefer to use. I'll be more than happy to answer questions about Oak Forest (to the best of my abilities, and if I don't know an answer I'll find out how to answer ASAP and get back to you), talk Patch or just generally shoot the breeze.

If I don't have time for whatever reason to chat, say because I'm running off to cover breaking news or cover a scheduled event, email me! Call me! My email and cell phone number are at the bottom of this column, so you will be able to get a hold of me, I promise.

Finally, yes, I know I don't have a picture of myself up top, but I will change that today. I assure you that I will have a photo of myself up on the site by this afternoon so you can put a face to the name.

With introductions out of the way, I want to let you all know I'm very excited to be here and I'm looking forward my time with you all, as I bridge the gap between Lauren and the next permanent editor of the Oak Forest Patch.

It's going to be a fun ride, so lets hold on and enjoy it together.

Be sure to check out Lauren's farewell column and let her know in the comments your fondest memories, congradulate her on her new role at Patch and just generally let her how great she is. 

If you want to reach me, please feel free to email me at jeff.graveline@gmail.com or call me at (708) 752-5092.