Birmingham Patch Editor Laura Houser Says Goodbye

Yes, today is April Fool's Day but unfortunately, this is no joke: tomorrow is my last day at Birmingham Patch.

When I and a team of editors and writers launched Birmingham Patch in November 2010, this website wasn't the only newbie in town. I had only just moved to Michigan that summer and knew very little about the area, much less about Birmingham. 

During the last two and a half years I've lived and worked here, I've met hundreds — sometimes it feels like thousands — of Birmingham residents. I've explored every inch of this city and discussed the issues most important to you. This community has so many stories and I've enjoyed telling the ones I've been lucky enough to tell.

But now it's time for me to move on: this spring, I'll be starting graduate school at Wayne State University, pursuing a Masters in Library and Information Science. I hope to combine my love of digital journalism — a field that changes every day — with a drive to help others as I study new ways to manage, organize and curate information in this brave, new digital world. 

I leave you in good hands. Birmingham Patch will be under the watchful eye of Editor Art Aisner, who launched Bloomfield Patch in 2011. Plus, it's not like I'm physically going anywhere. I still love this town and still live here: watch out for me at Baldwin Public Library's bi-annual book sales, concerts in the park, the Farmers Market or catching a movie at the Palladium 12.

The most important thing I've learned being a Patch editor is one I hope to pass on to everyone reading: get to know your town. There is so much happening in Birmingham, whether it's at your child's school, your favorite coffee shop or on your own block. Talk to your neighbors, get involved and pay attention the next time you drive downtown.

There is so much to be passionate about when it comes to your hometown. Patch has given you of plenty of tools to discover and chronicle that experience; now it's your turn to go out rediscover why you love living here.