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.
A March 13 Tennessee hearing was set for founder of Long Beach rescue and a volunteer on one count felony animal endangerment for transporting 148 dogs in an SUV and U-Haul truck.
The baby was originally reported abandoned at the gas station but police trying to sort it out said they found the mom, who'd actually given the newborn to someone.
An adult in the home near Third and Cherry may have been cleaning the weapon at the time.
The Long Beach Police Department is asking for public help in identifying the lone robber of a pair of pharmacies, and offered businesses and their employees some safety tips.
Have you spotted these exotic-looking underwater creatures in your neighborhood?
Councilman Gary DeLong issued this advisory for Belmont Shore drivers who frequent Broadway, which may produce delays from President's Day through month's end.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was being 'counseled' by supervisor before he shot him 6 times. A third agent was called a hero today for intervening and fatally shooting gunman.
Small plane flew into guarded presidential airspace and was followed to Long Beach by F-16s. Officials ruled it an accidental drift but found what police called a large amount of marijuana onboard.
Have you spotted these exotic-looking underwater creatures in your neighborhood?
Council Member Schipske is not running against councilman and 47th District Congressional candidate DeLong, but her attack blogs have landed harsher blows than election foes combined.
Republicans running for the newly created 47th District, as well as state, county and local offices, will make statements and field some questions as time allows tonight.
Long Beach commander to gather the community's parents and answer questions about school lock down protocol and update the Jan. 31 Belmont Park break-in of occupied house by hooded intruders.
Patch's quest to find the community's best burger is open through 9 a.m. Friday, so name your favorites now for the balloting next week. Restaurants, now's your chance to nominate.
The Poly High graduate, Huffington Post blogger and KGO talk radio host expresses much of what her fans probably feel about the singer's passing today.
A very large audience turned out Saturday for the opening of McBride Skatepark, a central city Redevelopment Agency project that got money from the legendary skater's foundation.
Here's where you can find the best prices locally for the long weekend, and check traffic live.
A handgun was displayed but the resident wasn't injured. He may have been targeted because he's an electronics repairman, police said.
Escaped mental patient from Norwalk's Metropolitan State Hospital, convicted of stalking the global pop star, was found this morning by alert Long Beach police officers.
Deepening the basin involves moving clean sand out, and contaminated sediment to a fill station in the Port of Long Beach, which Supervisor Knabe calls port expansion that creates 14,000 jobs.
The sport's legend is expected to be there as the new McBride Skatepark in central Long Beach debuts.
