The bad news: I won’t be a world-class hurdler anytime soon

The good news: I found a job! A month after being laid off at The San Diego Union-Tribune, I have a new employer. It’s Patch Media Corp., which operates a network of hyperlocal news sites across the country. Check out Patch.com. I’m going to be a local editor — working from home — of a website devoted to La Mesa, California — the San Diego suburb where I’ve lived for 11 years. I’ll hire free-lancers to write stories, take pictures and make videos. But I’ll do the major stories while covering City Hall, local schools and breaking news. The site will take time to build. (I’ll let you know when it’s live.) The gig returns me to my community journalism roots. I was editor of two small weeklies in north San Diego County in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and I was news editor of a south Orange County semiweekly. But my new job may well be the future of journalism. Patch is gonna be a blast! Sadly, I may not have tons of time to train. My M55 rivals will breathe a sigh of relief, no doubt. Deal with it.

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July 16, 2010

31 Responses

  1. Kevin - July 16, 2010

    Congratulations on the new gig!

  2. Duncan Greenshields - July 16, 2010

    Congratulations, Ken, on finding work so soon. Hope it works out well for you.

  3. Sue Deppe, MD - July 16, 2010

    Ken, that is WONDERFUL news! Congratulations! I have really appreciated this blog and the beautiful photos, and am glad someone else will benefit from your excellent writing skills. Sounds like a great fit.

    Best wishes!

    Sue

  4. Michael Daniels - July 16, 2010

    Great to here the good news about your new job. I know you are excited like a kid on a new bike.

  5. Fidel - July 16, 2010

    congrats!

  6. don burkett - July 16, 2010

    Ken: We told you that you would find something good.

    Ok, so you won’t be able to train as hard but don’t cut your time dedicated to the Masterstrack blog!!!!

    Keep up thr great work!!!

    Don

  7. Liz Palmer - July 16, 2010

    Congratulations on your new professional adventure!

  8. al cestero - July 16, 2010

    congratulations…i always enjoy your writing, and the interaction of all involved…best wishes !

  9. jims - July 16, 2010

    Congrats on the job, hope you still find time for this website, its all we got and we appreciate it…

  10. Phil Parker - July 17, 2010

    Way-to-go Ken! Sounds like an exciting new phase in your life. Many thanks to you for maintaining this site for all to enjoy and learn from. Your many words of wisdom certainly encourage and motivate me and many more.

  11. Bubba Sparks - July 17, 2010

    I’m really happy for you to have found a new job in a tough market; but what I really love is the joy you display for the challenge. I’ve always had a ton of respect for you and your profession but this seems like they are letting you loose to be you. A very exciting and unique opportunity. Congrats my friend! Bubba

  12. Rob D'Avellar - July 17, 2010

    Congratulations, Ken! The future of journalism IS local news.

    I’ve had friends laid off at big city dailies, but friends who work for papers in smaller towns covering local news continue to have jobs. The internet and 24-hour news channels are killing big newspapers, but the internet doesn’t carry local news…so local papers are the way to go.

  13. Rich Burns - July 17, 2010

    Great Ken!
    I’m breathing a sigh of relief as well!

  14. Bob Dallas - July 17, 2010

    CONGRATS Ken………see you in Sac!!

  15. Lisa - July 17, 2010

    Congrats Ken.

  16. Jay Carey - July 17, 2010

    Go Ken, Go. Congratulations to an esteemed journalist.
    Call me if you need a photographer-I could zip out there and shoot a few pics for you. Ha…Ha, Ha! Ha.

  17. Dave N - July 17, 2010

    Congrats.
    Great site as always

  18. Geri Stone, Mama Mia, Grandma Geri - July 17, 2010

    All the family is proud of your latest accomplishment. Your talent will shine on the web as well as on the track. Although it is a tough job to put something new together we know you can do it. With love and best wishes for a successful venture from your family.

  19. Bill Collins - July 17, 2010

    Ken, Congrats on the new job, sounds wonderful, we all wish you the very best and know that you will take “Patch” to newer heights. Look forward to seeing you at the nationals.

  20. Doug Thompson - July 17, 2010

    Congratulations, Ken. I’m very happy to hear about your new position, and also look forward to continuing to read MastersTrack.com. I’ve enjoyed your brief burst of productivity, but I think we can all get by with a little less masters news if you must work for a living.

  21. Pete Magill - July 17, 2010

    Congrats, Ken! Great to see you cleared this latest hurdle and hit the tape a winner!

  22. Rick Riddle - July 17, 2010

    Ken,
    I’ve been working from home for about 10 years. It’s a decision I have never regretted. Best wishes for your future with Patch.

  23. Pete Mulholland - July 17, 2010

    Congratulations on your appointment Ken

    If your input is up to ‘masterstrack’ standards. you’ll be a sensation

    Pete

  24. Shemayne - July 17, 2010

    congrats and good luck!

  25. Jason Meisler - July 17, 2010

    CEO,

    This is great news. Best of luck with your new position.

    Jason Meisler

  26. Grant Lamothe - July 17, 2010

    Yo, CEO:

    Congrats on your new job. The future of journalism in La Mesa will be shaped by good hands.

    See you in Sacramento in the hurdle pit!

    your other faithful Vancouver correspondent, Grant L.

  27. Tecumseh - July 18, 2010

    Congratulations on the new J O B Ken, see you at the nationals

  28. Byrke Beller - July 18, 2010

    Well done Ken! Many congratulations!!

  29. Bill Pontius - July 19, 2010

    Congratulations, Ken! Good luck at Sacto! May your knees stay healthy, too! Hope to see you next year.–Bill

  30. Bobby G - July 19, 2010

    Congrats Ken, Every good blogger does find… a paying gig eventually. I’m glad your wait is over.

  31. Joseph Burleson - July 21, 2010

    Nice news, Ken! Good luck with the new venture. But more importantly to the Masters crowd, we truly love the website and the amazing research and attention to detail thay you so generously give.

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