The Westside Observer is now a Non-Profit — We're Taking a New Digital Turn

W e are making significant changes to the Westside Observer. For starters, we will have a new ownership group, Westside San Francisco Media, a 501(c)4 non-profit which is in the process of purchasing the newspaper, website and trademarks. They are passionate members of our staff who have worked on the Observer for many years and they are taking this news outlet into the future.

The major change that tops the list is the move to a “digital-only” format. They plan to publish limited page papers in February and March to announce the changes and get our readers used to tuning in to its online version of the Westside Observer. The team is working on a redesign to the website, and platform changes that will enable you to get your Observer information on any device you currently use.

It has not been an easy decision to end 32 years of print journalism excellence, but the cost of print, the environmental impacts of paper and ink, and the availability of electronic media has made this the right time to “throw the switch.” Moving away from paper and the trees and energy that will be saved by not producing 15,000 copies each month resolves one issue, and now stories may to be updated in real time.

What can you expect? A new, redesigned website and platform, bringing you the same information that you have relied on over the years, and more. Need to see what Quentin (Kopp) thinks? He will be there, as well as Dr. Derek Kerr, John Farrell, George Wooding, Kathy Howard, Patrick Monette-Shaw, Nancy Wuerfel, Tony Hall, and our other great writers and contributors. We’re working to make it more interactive, working towards a day where we can get more of your feedback and ideas in real-time.

It won’t be instantaneous and there will be ways to interact and contribute to this exciting new enterprise. Check us out at westsideobserver.com and embrace the digital age.

Mitch Bull was the Publisher of the Westside Observer for twelve years.