One of the very cool things about being a small and scrappy web site is that you can try things out and see how they do. Then keep them--or not.This post is all about new features and projects--a new help wanted page, a user survey to help make OL what you'd like to see, and a Causes editor.

Help Wanted--free ads and listings for non-profits, community groups, intern programs

Oakland Local is introducing a new Help Wanted section where non-profits and community organizations can post jobs and internships--for free.
To check out the first  set of postings, click on our link at http://oaklandlocal.com/tags/help-wanted

To post an ad, enter your job in our form: http://bit.ly/br543A

We were inspired by talking with folks at Richmond Connect, in Virginia, whose job board has become a very vibrant part of their site (See http://bit.ly/cGRMba) to try something similar ourselves,  Please add to it, and let us know what you think. If there's an interest in expanding it, we're game.

If you need help, email jobs@oaklandlocal.com

First reader survey--what else should we add to OL?

Sports? Entertainment listings? Take our survey! Click on the link and answer 7 short questions to help us do a better job--this is a good way to help us out. Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y2H625D

A new benefits & causes column

Holding an event to raise money for a worthy cause? We want to help get the word out--and with 70,000 local visitors every month, we can help.  Send your event notices and requests for promotion to causes@oaklandlocal.com; we'd like notice at least two weeks before the event.

The Mehserle Verdict

As you all know, we've been publishing a wide range of voices and news about the verdict. Thank you to everyone who has sent us items to post, or given permission to publish their work. OL will be around the city covering the news after the verdict. 

We invite you to participate in the coverage in the following ways:

Send us pieces you write that you want to share: editor@oaklandlocal.com. We will publish under a handle, but we need your real name and an identifiable email before we can post--but we don't need to share those.

Send us links to point or embed to: editor@oaklandlocal.com

Photo pool: If you are a photographer and want to share your photos with OL, here's how:

--Post to your flickr account and tag your photos Oaklandlocal

--Email photos to editor@oaklandlocal.com with contact information, credit attribution, etc. 

All materials published remain the property of their creators, we retain no rights, they're yours.

Have a great day--and take that survey, please; Link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Y2H625D