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Should We Let Our Children Play Violent Video Games?
At what point do you start letting your children make decisions based on their own beliefs, even when they go against yours?

<b>Email: </b>laurenr@patch.com<br> <b>Phone: </b>818-233-2496<br> <b>Hometown: </b>Paradise Valley, AZ<br> <b>Birthday: </b>October 2
<b>Bio</b>:<br> My love for journalism took root at an early age. I was just 12-years-old, when I wrote my first newspaper article for the Cocopah Middle School's <i>Stampede</i>. I immediately loved the feeling of seeing my byline in print. From then on, I made it my goal to be a journalist and never looked back.
Fast forward four years: I headed to the University of Michigan to escape the scorching Arizona heat and experience life in the Midwest. Unsatisfied with the opportunities (or lack thereof) to study journalism, I transferred to the University of Southern California and graduated with a B.A. in Print Journalism and a minor in Marketing. I graduated as the Annenberg School of Journalism's Outstanding Print Journalism Student. I studied under leading newspaper, magazine, broadcast and online journalists and took away the ability to write, edit, shoot, photograph, tweet, post and blog just about anything.
While at USC, I interned for Richman Media Group and TEEN Magazine where I reported and photographed press junkets and red carpet events. From there, I was employed as a columnist for Campus Circle, a weekly newspaper publication in Los Angeles. Most recently, I interned at <i>Los Angeles</i> magazine where I contributed to their website, social media strategy and blogs.
In my spare time, I love visiting my family in Arizona, finding great hikes, travelling and cooking in my tiny kitchen. I'm also a sucker for chick flicks, the Food Network, and dark chocolate.
I joined Patch in July 2010 and am thrilled to be on the forefront of a new business model for local journalism. If there is anything I can do to make Encino Patch a better experience, please feel free to send me an email or give me a call.
<b>Beliefs</b>
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 you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you 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.
At what point do you start letting your children make decisions based on their own beliefs, even when they go against yours?

Here is a video roundup of some of the top Patch stories from around the San Fernando Valley.
A good Samaritan called 911 on Tuesday to report that two men were removing property from his neighbor's house, according to police.
There will be 17 Encino homes ready for buyers this Sunday.
'The Stinky Cheese Man' author helps celebrate Read Across America Day and promote his new chapter book.
Volunteers prepare meals and clean tables as part of a companywide service program.
Do you welcome immunizations, or refuse them?
The newest restaurant in the bakery-cafe chain to be located in the space formerly occupied by Uncle Chen Chinese restaurant.
Volunteers prepare meals and clean tables as part of a companywide service program.
Volunteers prepare meals and clean tables as part of a companywide service program.
Demolition and rebuilding half the structure at a time approved.
Last night's winners, fashions, hosts and acceptance speeches are on everybody's mind.
Despite residents' concerns, Metro and Caltrans stick with original plan to rebuild Mulholland Drive bridge at its current location over the 405.
The Sepulveda Basin was flooded and closed to traffic early Saturday morning. Scattered showers are expected throughout the day.
Police arrested the suspects involved in local ATM and pharmacy robberies. Burglary thefts from vehicles remain a problem.
Take a look at what's on the market in Encino.
You'll definitely want to have a few sweet treats out while watching the red-carpet fun on Sunday.
Because some state money is limited and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it's best to file early.
L.A. council president visits the Encino Neighborhood Council to discuss the city's past, present and future.
Proceedings include a visit from City Council President Eric Garcetti, a heated debate over Encino’s architectural guidelines and Café Carolina’s request for a beer and wine license.