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We’re starting to get our groove at Civil Beat. Or at least it feels that way.

This week I hope you saw a number of examples of reporting where we made our writing more personal. One of the things we’re going to do is take you along with us on our journey to dig up stories.

This weekend you’ll find Hawaii reporter Chad Blair covering the results of the 1st congressional district special election Saturday night. I hope you enjoy his observations. He’ll also be back Monday with his own take on the special election and what it’ll mean for the rest of the political season.

In case you missed them, here are some stories worth your time this weekend:

• One of the things we want to be known for at Civil Beat is doing original research. That means trying to rely as much as possible on primary sources. So we decided to test the waters off Magic Island ourselves, to give readers an independent assessment of the impact of a sewage spill in Palolo Stream. Assistant Editor Sara Lin gave a fine example of storytelling in her article, Testing The Waters Off Magic Island And The Ala Wai.

• We also want to be known for our commitment to financial analysis. Money Reporter Noelle Chun produced a revealing account of the impact of the General Excise Tax by following guavas from the farm to the grocery story shelf in an Ito En juice can. Warning: The Real Cost Of The General Excise Tax.

• We also want to take our members along with us we report, so they can experience the way our government works and encounter parts of the community they’d be unlikely to see. Land Reporter Michael Levine did just that in his report on the state Land Use Commission, Update: The Public Hearing That Wasn’t.

• Confused about Honolulu’s rail plan and when construction might start? You’re not alone. Treena Shapiro, our Honolulu Beat reporter, put together the pieces to show what really has to happen before a shovel hits the ground, no matter what Mayor Mufi Hannemann or Gov. Linda Lingle say. Read the article: Transit Plan Out Of City Hands.

We’re finding our way, together with you. I hope you’ve noticed how much the site has changed — for the better. And how the discussions are getting deeper and richer. We’re learning from our members’ comments, just as we hope they’re learning from our reporting.

The week goes by so quickly at Civil Beat. I hope you won’t say the same about your weekend.

See you next week, when we’ll try to step our game up another notch.