I was just 19, and still at Golden West College, when I was hired by the Los Angeles Times Orange County edition for the lowliest job in the newsroom: clerk. Apart from being asked to get a fake ID so I could buy the night copy desk beer and pizza, and to keep wives and girlfriends on different phone lines, I was ecstatic: A college sophomore, actually working at one of the three great newspapers in the country as a teenager. I did my homework in the newsroom on weekends in the event big news broke and they'd need a reporter so bad that they'd send the college newspaper student to pinch hit. And I did.
I cut my teeth on the police beat and still love breaking news, but also grew into a better writer by learning from some of the best in the country. After two decades at a newspaper, and having to commute three hours daily to L.A., I opted to reinvent myself as a more focused mom and wife and learn more about online writing. I also had more time to volunteer, and enjoy the outdoors around me.
I am a native Southern Californian, born in Whittier, where I grew up swimming in pools, building go-karts and playing kick-the-can. One thing I love about Belmont Shore is that I can be outdoors and have so many places to be. I love to swim and do laps at the Belmont Plaza Pool, float on Alamitos Bay or cycle down the bike path to the Long Beach Museum of Art. Movies are something my son and I love to do together, followed by an hour or more reading at a bookstore. I also try to meet a minimum weekly quota of one double-double, no cheese.
Your 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 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.
Politics
Knowledge is power, and people need to understand how decisions are made in their community and how they can participate.
I believe in government for the people and by the people, and that public officials should do what they promise. I also believe that citizens have to work harder to ensure that they do. This is where Patch journalism will be key.
Religion
I believe in God. When I hear Gospel music in church or in concert, I feel God.
Local Hot-Button Issues
Balancing the rights of residents, visitors and businesses. Public safety. Traffic, particularly along Second Street into the intersection with Pacific Coast Highway. The future of the Los Cerritos Wetlands.
California State University, Long Beach announced Monday that its president is the leading candidate to become Louisiana State University's next president.
This weekly feature focuses on the most expensive residential real estate in the city. Usually, it's on or near the water.
See who will be driving in this year's celebrity race on April 20.
In the same block, we found two places to eat gator.
Lowell students this week will be serving as 'Merchants for a Day' with Belmont Shore businesses, learning on-the-job in one of the most popular neighborhood traditions of the school year.
Headed to the pharmacy we came upon this decorated bikini cake on the sidewalk beside Rite Aid, and wondered, what's the story with that? "Happy Birthday, Leo" is our only clue. Care to guess?
William Burch, a Lowell Elementary parent and owner of D'Lish Salon, is jailed after allegations of sexual molestation involving two girls, authorities said.
The popular series 'Dexter' taped Thursday night along Pomona Avenue, and Friday moves to Bay Shore and to Division in Belmont Shore, as it continues shooting in Long Beach. Allow for tight parking.
Post in our events calendar when and where your troop plans to set up sales tables, and help customers find you locally for their spur-of-the-moment cravings.
Patch regularly takes a look at the area's priciest homes. Among the top-priced in the 50-square-mile city is this Naples dazzler. a property on the Naples Island. Price: $6,750,000.
A man almost hit the brown seal near a Carson commercial center across from Ikea. Sheriff's deputies safely cornered it for delivery to marine rescuers. How did pup voyage so far inland?
Celestial object damaged eastern Russia. Watch videos that captured it streaking the sky as former Long Beach and Palos Verdes Congressman Dana Rohrabacher says it's a wake-up call for Earth.
State schools superintendent was in Long Beach today to announce his picks for the U.S. Green School Awards. LB School principal responds.
Accused murderer Christopher Dorner aimed a rifle and ordered scout 'Ranger Rick' out of his truck, adding, 'Take your dog.'
Accused murderer Christopher Dorner aimed a rifle and ordered scout 'Ranger Rick' out of his truck, adding, 'Take your dog.'
The Dec. 4 tentative agreement between harbor employers and the International Longshoremen Workers United Clerical Unit ended an 8-day strike that threatened the national economy.
Events like tonight's Grammy Awards could be on Christopher Dorner’s hit list, a former LAPD intelligence chief said on “CBS Morning News."
'To: America, Subject: Last Resort,' the manifesto starts. Named targets were redacted, but lifetime grievances remain, plus random notes on gun control and the First Lady's bangs.
Scenes from Saturday afternoon's Belmont Shore Chocolate Festival, a crowd-pleaser with pie-eating contests, bake-off and live entertainment. Share your photos from the chocolate scene.
Just released security photos of Christopher Dorner, triple murder suspect accused of killing daughter of a retired LAPD captain, her fiance and a Riverside police officer, and wounding another.
