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.
Bonnie Sheehan of Hearts for Hounds, widely known in animal rescue and a fixture at Sunday farmer's market, was in Tennessee transporting 148 dogs by U-Haul and is being held for animal endangerment.
On the heels of O.C.'s dramatic arrest of accused serial homeless killer, Long Beach police chief, mayor, plan press conference about 2008 case of five shot to death at a freeway encampment.
UC Irvine med student Tommy Hand mourned in memorial by classmates and faculty.
The late Ken Cassidy, founder of the Naples Island Business Improvement Assn. 20 years ago and owner of Pygmalion hair salon, will be remembered today with the first NIBA Memorial Award.
Defense promises not-guilty plea as prosecutors formally charge Itzcoatl Ocampo with murder, alleging he used a 7-inch knife that can cut through bone.
The policeman pleaded not guilty to criminal charges that he assaulted his wife with a hammer, belt, broom handle, baton and flashlight between Sept. 18 and Thursday, said District Attorney's Office.
Med Student Tommy Hand, who grew up in Sacramento, founded UCI's Chapter of Nobel-Prize winning Physicians for Human Rights and was mourned in a memorial by classmates and faculty.
Father of arrested suspect Itzcoatl Ocampo is homeless himself.
You may see some smoke and guns drawn, but it is all part of the top-rated CBS TV series that often films along the Long Beach coastline.
Police ask public's help in locating the 74-year-old woman with memory and medical conditions.
An officer witnessed the 7th and Redondo collision in which the driver ran a red light and was struck by a car, police said.
It was only $20 in found change, but the Naples laundromat was a feel-good neighborhood moment.
VPI releases its most popular and inventive canine names.
He's replaced after recuses himself for writing a glowing letter about the prosecutor in the marijuana case prior to his sentencing of two men convicted of illegal sales at Long Beach, OC dispensaries.
Read his speech about the city's promising though challenging future sans redevelopment tools as the economy seems to be turning. Plus he jokes about cycling and politicians.
Court finds trial court improperly excused a prospective juror and denied defendant fair sentencing for his conviction of murder, rape and torture of woman robbed of $6 in food stamps in grisly attack.
For the pooch who bolted her driver's car a month ago there's a happy ending.
Belmont Shore sailing event featured competition among Long Beach and out of state students.
Late night attack leaves one victim dead and one wounded in possible gang drive-by shooting.
After slipping out of handcuffs and with deputies chasing him, the just-convicted man climbed a third floor balcony railing and plunged from the building.