Email: kelly.hartog@patch.com
Hometown: I have several. I was born in London but was raised in Australia. I consider Sydney just one of my home towns, along with Jerusalem, Israel, where I lived for 11 years, and I also consider Los Angeles home too.
Birthday: June 13.
Bio: I received my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, History and Media Studies at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia before moving to Jerusalem where Ispent 10 years as a reporter and editor for The Jerusalem Post for both the daily paper, the local weekend section and as the radio news director. I covered local politics, arts, entertainment and wrote a weekly op-ed column on the city. I spent 2000-2004 covering the height of the Palestinian Intifada. After surviving an Al Qaeda suicide bombing attack on November 28, 2002, while on assignment for The Jerusalem Post in Mombasa, Kenya, I moved to Los Angeles in 2004. I spent time covering the City of Beverly Hills for the Beverly Hills Courier and freelancing for a variety of publications before taking on a job as a stringer for The New York Post and the Daily Mail.
On Nov. 28, 2010 (8 years to the day of the Al Qaeda attack), my adorable Golden Retriever puppy Bronte (named after Charlotte, not Emily)was born, and helped me get over the loss of my precious Golden Retriever, Bridget, who passed away in the summer of 2010 at the age of 13 and a half.
Before becoming a journalist, I trod the boards as an actress and theatre director and established and ran Israel's only professional English Language theatre company.
My Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for them to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
How would you describe your political beliefs?
Depends which country I'm in. Definitely more right leaning in Israel, but more left leaning in America.
Are you registered with a certain party?
No. As a non-American citizen, I'm unable to. However, if I could, I would register as a Democrat.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I was raised in a traditional Jewish home, attended an Orthodox Jewish day school and lived in the most Orthodox Jewish city in the world - Jerusalem. I consider myself an involved, committed, observant Jew. I am an active member of my Jewish community, IKAR, and I believe in the Jewish value of "tikkun olam" - repairing the world through social justice through a basic understanding that all people - no matter their religion or creed are created equal, and that religious values and helping the community must go hand in hand. There cannot be one without the other.
Who deserves to be recognized as Mar Vista Patch's person of the year? If you know someone who made Mar Vista a better place over the last year, nominate him or her.
The LAPD Pacific Divison will be bringing Santa, along with his sleigh to Mar Vista on Tuesday evening.
That’s the current debate between the Mar Vista Community Council and the Friends of the Mar Vista Library.
Cake decorating, green energy experts, library book sales and thrift store sales are all happening this weekend.
From Mar Vista to Culver City
As of 10 a.m. this morning, the LADWP is reporting that there are 123,000 customers in the metro area without power and restoration could take 10-12 hours.
The Senate Select Committee's hearing on Air Quality at Santa Monica Airport is free and open to the public. It will take place at 6 p.m. at the Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Senior Center community room.
State Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) has asked state officials to investigate pollution levels near the Santa Monica Airport. A 6 p.m. hearing Wednesday at the Felicia Mahood Senior Center will address the potential health threats.
The city councilman made his plea on the steps of City Hall on Sunday afternoon. Take our poll and let Patch know if you agree with Rosendahl's request.
Can you give this adorable, abandoned Spaniel a new home?
The public hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Nov. 30, headed by State Sen. Ted Lieu, chair of the Senate Select Committee on Air Quality.
It's never too early to sign up for the tour, but it can be too late. So submit your home now and be part of this great, annual Mar Vista tradition.
Despite the torrential downpour, loyal shoppers still made their way to the Mar Vista Farmers' Market on Sunday.
Can you help make it a lucky Thanksgiving for Lucky?
Despite city council efforts to move the proposed dog beach pilot program forward, state officials say it's not going to happen.
Learn how to deep fry a turkey, join solar action day, go to a free movie and pick up gifts at a holiday boutique.
A free turkey hat is up for grabs for anyone who can get Councilman Bill Rosendahl to take part in this 45-minute neighborhood bike ride at 10 a.m. on Thurs. Nov. 24.
The 50-year-old potter, teacher and activist passed away following a two-year battle with ovarian cancer.
The City of Santa Monica in conjunction with Metro will open the largest bicycle facility of its kind in the United States in an effort to increase bike/transit connections to and from Santa Monica.
Now that the Mar Vista Community Council has officially accepted Albert Olson’s resignation, Acting Chair Sharon Commins is calling for open, honest discussions in future board business.
