Hello, Culver City

As the sun begins to sink over Culver City, I too am winding down my first day as the new editor of Culver City Patch.

Former editor Winter Johnson and I worked closely together on many stories; as I was the previous editor of Mar Vista Patch for the past year.

I’m thrilled to be taking over as the new editor in this great city, which I know extremely well. I’m a two-minute drive or a seven-minute bike ride to downtown Culver City from my home. If I’m on two wheels, see if you can spot me on my bright red British Bobbin Birdie bicycle with my wicker basket.

Born in England and raised in Australia, I moved Los Angeles seven years ago, following an 11-year sojourn in Israel working at the Jerusalem Post. You can read more about my background on .

I look forward to meeting many of you at City Council and School Board meetings and local events. I’m excited to dig deep into some of Culver City’s big issues including the work on the Expo Line, and I look forward to covering the 2012 City Council elections.

If you do see me out and about, be sure to say hello. You may see me at the Farmer’s Market on Tuesday afternoons; sipping a cup of tea at the Royal T during the week, or buying my PG Tips English tea and Marmite at India Sweets and Spices. I’ll also be around town at times with my one-year-old Golden Retriever, Bronte. She’s very friendly too, so do stop by and say hello to both of us. You’ll recognize her by her wagging tail, and me by my funny accent.

I look forward to reporting on the people, places and events that make Culver City such a wonderful, thriving, hub and I welcome your feedback. You can email me at Kelly.hartog@patch.com, and of course be sure to like Culver City Patch on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.