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.
Radiation from Japan is expected to reach the region Friday, and, though levels aren't anticipated to pose a health risk, residents have sought radiation pills.
Radiation from Japan is expected to reach the region Friday, and, though levels aren't anticipated to pose a health risk, residents have sought radiation pills.
Kenneth Cruz, 43, of Culver City was the pilot of the aircraft that went down Wednesday at Long Beach Airport, killing 5. Survivor Mike Jensen is undergoing surgery this afternoon.
Born Nathaniel Hale, he was a musical hybrid with a beautiful voice who often rapped the chorus. Big hits included collaborations with Warren G, 2Pac and his cousin Snoop Dogg.
Paraplegic sued after his life insurance company would pay for only a fraction of his VA hospital stay.
The aircraft took off for a Salt Lake City ski trip but circled back and touched down before crashing. Victims leave behind at least 10 children.
Born Nathaniel Hale, he was a hip-hop hybrid with a beautiful voice who often rapped the chorus. Big hits included collaboration with Warren G, 2Pac and his cousin Snoop Dogg.
Last week we introduced you to our new Mom's Council. Today they launch their new Moms Talk, a Q&A conversation about all things parenting.
Enter the Hop into Spring Sweepstakes for a chance to win $500, a free screening of ‘Hop’ and a chance to meet a character.
Coroner's report shows entry wounds consistent with police account of the shooting, LBPD's Jim McDonnell tells media.
8.9-magnitude event provides valuable data for Southern California earthquake scientists, they say, and will help us plan for the future.
An advisory continues in effect, but no damage is reported in Long Beach. City operations are back to normal.
An estimated 100,000 will likely visit this year's exhibition which ends Sunday.
On a vote of 5-0, the Long Beach Board of Education approved a resolution calling for voters to be given the choice over extending taxes to fund education. Here's the text:
His letter Friday to every school district leader in California warns them to prepare for the worst if a funding bill fails.
The National Weather Service advises Southern Californians to "move out of the water, off the beach and out of harbors and marinas."
Authorities warn citizens to stay out of the ocean and off the beaches, but many go there anyway--if only to check out the action. The port suspends the loading of hazardous materials.
As boaters look for the elusive large pod, Aquarium of the Pacific Marine Biologist Dave Bader reminds us that whales can be seen off our coast "any day of the year."
The National Weather Service advises residents to ‘move out of the water, off the beach and out of harbors and marinas.’
The 1985 case was reopened in 2009 by the L.A. Sheriff's Dept., which patrols the Azusa Canyon where Joanne Marie Jones' body was found.
