Aliso Viejo Patch Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary

A year ago today Aliso Viejo Patch launched and began providing information and conversation to residents of the city.

I moved to Aliso Viejo shortly before beginning my role as editor. With a new baby and a new town to explore, it took a while to catch my breath and find my way around. The welcoming people I met as I introduced myself to the city quickly made me feel at home.

They provided valuable tips for stories to get me started and continue to support Patch today. One of the first news tips I received was about at family working to honor the memory of their daughter while educating residents about the benefits of organic farming. Savannah's Organic Ranch has come a long way in the past year. After several months of voting, a land lease was approved for the organization to build an organic ranch in Aliso Viejo. Planning is under way — stay tuned for an update.

Aliso Viejo continues to explore the possibilities behind the “green” lifestyle. Education and implementation strategies, discussed during the city’s Green City Initiative workshops, move Aliso Viejo closer to a sustainable future.

Perhaps the biggest story of the year was the city itself. Aliso Viejo celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its incorporation on July 1, 2001.

A special thanks to my talented group of contributors who have given Aliso Viejo Patch character, substance and originality — Lori Walker, Suzanne Chun, Heather Pritchard, Dara Bertagni, Jamal Al-Sarraf, Theresa Vinciguerra, Kathy Ochiai, John Crandall, Joseph Espiritu, Alexis Hodoyán, and Hillaire Kendal. You are Aliso Viejo Patch.

Lastly, I thank the readers. Your input and connection to the city is the heartbeat of Aliso Viejo Patch. Please continue to send your tips, questions, concerns and comments to julianna.crisalli@patch.com.

I look forward to telling more of your stories in 2012! Happy New Year!