Introducing a platform for readers’ questions and, hopefully, the answers

This is the first of a new, weekly column the Merced Sun-Star will run every Monday. If you’re wondering about its title, keep reading.

Here’s how it will work:

The purpose of this column is to answer questions Sun-Star readers may have. The questions can range in any topic so long as they relate to Merced and the surrounding communities.

If you’re wondering about an old murder case from the 1980s, send me an email. If you want information on Merced-area events and eateries, ask me that, too. If you’d like to know what’s going on in our local governments, I’ll be happy to find out.

In newsrooms, editors and reporters come up with most of their own story ideas and decide whether or not to write about something. For this column, that will be only partially true. I’d like the readers to generate most of the ideas for this column. I hope this serves as an informative platform that satisfies curiosity, answers lingering questions, and, if possible, solves Merced’s mysteries. This could be fun, or it could be serious.

And, for this first column, I’d like to ask you, the readers, a few questions.

First, what are your favorite things to do and places to go in and around Merced? I’m fairly new here and haven’t had a chance to do much exploring. I’d like to know what places and activities are best in the eyes of the Merced community. What makes this area a great place to live? (No negativity welcome here, please and thank you.)

So, why doesn’t this column have a title? That’s a good question, considering I’ve planned for it and thought about it for weeks, maybe even months now. I asked my co-workers, family and friends for suggestions. I didn’t like any of their suggestions or my own ideas. Maybe I’m being too picky.

I’m hoping our readers can help me out here, since this column ultimately depends on you. What should the title of this column be? I’m hoping for a clever pun, or something with some alliteration, and, most importantly, something that’s not already taken. So, hit me with your best shot! Send me an email or tweet your ideas to me. I’m all ears.

And, please start contacting me with any questions you’d like answered. Let’s get to work, Merced.

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 1:59 PM with the headline "Introducing a platform for readers’ questions and, hopefully, the answers."