Last Tuesday afternoon I received a voice mail from Donna Wares, Kate Cohen’s partner at Seal Beach Daily. In the message she left me was to the effect that she “needed to talk to me about something important, that it couldn’t be done in a voice mail or email…”

‘What did I DO??!!’ I returned her call only to speak with her answering machine.  Great, now I’m sweating bullets, lol!  I stewed for nearly two hours by the time we were able to connect, and she gave me the fateful news.

She and Kate decided to shut down Seal Beach Daily.  You can read the full story here.

Somehow, the news had a bit more dramatic effect on me than if I’d been in trouble.  SBD was a true local resource for news and information specifically catering to the North Orange County region, and area often forgotten or disregarded by the larger news outlets.  Their style and delivery of local information was in true small beachtown Americana feel, one that is not as obvious when visiting other sites of news for the area.  What Kate and Donna had done with their project in such a short year’s span is incredible, and a true testament to what hard work, dedication, and commitment to true, ethical journalism can bring to society.

Thank you, Kate and Donna, for your contribution to the North Orange County region.  I know your labor of love over the past year has gathered interest from all generations past and present.  I wish you both the very best in your future endeavors, and shall always remain at your beckon service should you ever need.

Except car washes.  I don’t wash and detail cars anymore.  :-)