Liz Spear is happy to be back at Patch in a brand new role as Community Publisher of Manhattan Beach Patch. She previously was the Local Editor for MB Patch from 2010-2014 and has lived in Manhattan Beach since 1995. Liz grew up in Redondo Beach and graduated from Redondo Union High School, where she first discovered her passion for journalism. RUHS' High Tide weekly newspaper and playing basketball were his two favorite high school activities. Liz pursued journalism, writing for the San Diego City College and Cal State Long Beach newspapers. She has covered most everything, from sports to opinion pieces to news to features and enjoys it all.
She was the editor of the Saturday Real Estate Home Guide at the Daily Breeze newspaper in Torrance for more than 10 years, where she was an advertorial writer working on special advertising sections and wrote a weekly Retail News column. She also wrote for the editorial department, keying in on interviews with music personalities and community and major theatrical reviews as well as concert reviews. She has been published by Palm Springs Life magazine and Life After 50, which she wrote for well before she turned 50, as well as the El Segundo Herald, egundo.com, and The Beach Reporter.
Liz loves living in Manhattan Beach and covering her community for Patch. It was through her first stint at Patch that she learned all about the amazing community Manhattan Beach is. She thanks all of the MB Patch readers who took the time to write Patch's new owners in 2014 in an attempt to bring her back.
Now that she is officially back, Liz wants readers to know that fairness is important to her as is reporting different viewpoints and opinions. You can always reach out to her at Liz.Spear@Patch.com or by text or call to 310-613-6016. Since there is so much goodness to cover in MB, she may not always be able to get back to you right away and she welcomes repeat emails and texts. Handling MB Patch as a solo reporter does get busy, so your patience is appreciated.
Liz asks readers to send story ideas and news tips her way anytime. During the evening and early morning hours, texts are probably the best way to reach her.
And Liz welcomes readers to post comments on stories as well as to use MB Patch as their neighborhood community resource for conversations, much like people do on NextDoor. MB Patch offers free Classified ads and Event postings so please post all of your events and classifieds on MB Patch.
MB Patch's new Community Publisher role will work because readers like you want hyperlocal coverage that gets the word out quicker than traditional print newspapers. Online stories also are greener than printed publications, though certainly printed publications play an important role in news dissemination. In my new role, I am also connecting with businesses and individuals who want to reach MB Patch's large targeted audience. There are two Sponsorship Packages that offer great value... more than just an "ad" on a website. Attractively priced with facets designed to get you more bang for your buck, so to speak, the Gold and Silver Packages deliver results and will keep your business in front of our readers' eyes. I'd like to say "Thank You" in a very BIG way to our first Gold Sponsor, the artisan grocery market Grow, where you'll find the best-tasting fruit, fresh produce, gourmet cheeses, a meat, seafood and deli counter, and a killer salsa many have come to know and love, and EXPECT to find at Grow. Grow opened in September of 2006 and has "Grow(n)" (pun intended) into one of Manhattan Beach's most prized stores. They started the "Apple in a Basket for Kids" feature whereby youngsters in the store could snag a tasty free and healthy apple. And they offered delivery well before it became all the rage. Grow also supports the community bigtime, sponsoring many events and activities. So, look for their ads on MB Patch and in our email newsletter AND show them some love by shopping at Grow.
I'm delighted to back at MB Patch. Please help me make it the best it can be.
Manhattan Beach foodies will want to check out the many new dining options the major remodel of Manhattan Village shopping center will host.
The Redondo Beach resident is on the Manhattan Beach Peck Reservoir Project Construction Information Team and El Camino College board.
Longtime restaurant writer Merrill Shindler names one of Simmzy's burgers as among its best, though it calls it an 'alternative' burger. Hmm
Manhattan Beach resident Cathy Hough captured this shot during a walk on the sand. The surfers were out enjoying waves near Bruce's Beach.
Longtime Manhattan Beach resident & new City Council member Joe Franklin helped Santa Claus on a whirlwind tour, pleasing kids of all ages!
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a No Burn Alert for Christmas, Friday, Dec. 25. Manhattan Beach is included.
Los Angeles County is asking community members not to attend indoor church or religious services due to the spread of the coronavirus.
Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020, brings with it a modified street sweeping and trash collection schedule for Manhattan Beach residents.
Here are the photos of the winners in the Roundhouse Aquarium's inaugural "Light Up the Beach Cities" holiday lights decoration contest.
You can contribute to kids getting toys for Christmas by making an online donation. Manhattan Beach resident Kris D'Errico will do the rest.
Strand House keeps the spirit of the holiday season going strong with its donation of 1,000 free meals to out-of-work restaurant workers.
It's been a bit of a quiet mystery for some time but visitors to the downtown area have wondered online why the iconic pier lights are gone?
Keep the face coverings and hand sanitizer nearby; COVID-19 vaccine isn't likely to be available to most Americans until the spring.
Since Thanksgiving, many residents of Manhattan Beach have been testing positive for coronavirus as hospitals are struggling with surge.
Known as the "Great Conjunction," Jupiter and Saturn overlap for an event not easily seen by mankind in 800 years. Here are a few photos.
The Mira Costa High Schools Bands have crafted a unique musical and visual concert experience you can enjoy for free on Wednesday, Dec. 23.
Manhattan Beach Unified School District Superintendent Mike Matthews shares thoughts on 2020 holidays, reminisces. Shares TK-2 updates.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn is allocating $300,000 for restaurant gift cards and $30,000 to non-profits helping those in need.
A rather dismal 2020 couldn't keep the Neptunian Woman's Club from creating a magical holiday window celebrating the Manhattan Beach Pier.
The city takes the honor in the Small Cities category of cities with populations under 100,000 in the 14th Annual Climate Protection Awards.
