My first job at the age of 16 involved selling hot dogs at Brooklyn Dodger games, which was a lot of fun. Later I earned a masters degree in economics from Stockholm University, where I learned to speak Swedish. I worked on Wall Street for a year as a financial analyst, but found it boring, so I went back to school and got a masters degree in journalism from Columbia University.
I began in the television news business at the CBS station in San Francisco, where I learned that luck and timing were very important. In that first job interview, the news director asked me, "Do you think you can fill the shoes of William Randolph Hearst III?"
"I don't understand the question," I replied.
He explained that the grandson of William Randolph Hearst, founder of the Hearst newspaper chain, had just resigned his position as a news writer that morning. And I was the first guy in the door applying for the position. I took it immediately and began a career in broadcast news that lasted 40 years.
My first reporting job was eight months later at the CBS station in Sacramento, that also involved a famous name. The news director who hired me, Tom Capra, was the son of famed film director Frank Capra. This was a big come-down for Tom. After all, his father worked with Clark Gable. Tom was stuck with me. (Actually, he's a good friend.)
In Sacramento, I covered Ronald Reagan's second term as governor of California and the rise of Jerry Brown as a major political figure. That experience helped me land a job as KNBC's state capital bureau chief. We were the last Los Angeles station to have a bureau in Sacramento.
When they closed the state capital bureau, I was told the station would take the savings from the closure to buy a helicopter. Hearing that, one of my colleagues laughed and said, "They've decided that covering car chases is more important than politics and state government."
Still, working at KNBC for 31 years was a wonderful experience. I got to meet thousands of people whom I will never forget. I just happened to be on a golf and fishing trip in New York when the World Trade Center was attacked. I was the first Los Angeles television journalist to report live from Manhattan on Sept.11, 2001.
Now I'm moving into the online news world by working as the Local Editor for Sherman Oaks Patch. For years, I've been hearing people say, "How come you don't cover news in my neighborhood?" Now Patch is going to cover neighborhood news in communities across the country.
Last time I saw Jerry Brown, he was on his way to serving a second time as governor of California. He looked at me and said, "Kriegel, are you still in business?"
"Yeah," I replied, "and so are you."
A request by the head of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council to speak at tonight's meeting of the Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association is raising tensions between the two groups.
The National Weather Service says showers, and possibly thunderstorms, are likely.
We're asking readers to tell us who makes the best burger in Sherman Oaks. Just for the record, as Local Editor I made my selection in a story here last year. Tell us in the comments section who you think makes the best burger in town.
Only a handful of pharmacies in Sherman Oaks will deliver medications to your home.
There is nearly a 30 cents difference between the lowest and highest gas prices in Sherman Oaks.
The store has moved west along Ventura Boulevard from Sherman Oaks.
This release comes from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Two defendants receive long sentences for kidnapping and other crimes.
If you're buying a bouquet of roses for your sweetie on Valentines Day, our survey will give you some ball park prices.
Aahs! Gifts is shutting down its Sherman Oaks store and moving to Encino.
The Los Angeles Times and TMZ is reporting that the singer, who famously battled drug addiction, died at the Beverly Hilton.
Patch Places has all of the info on local restaurants, salons, shops, and more-make it yours.
Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel played a major role in helping to get funding for the Sherman Oaks/East Valley Senior Center. This week she visited the center and talked about the need for it. See accompanying video.
This week on Sherman Oaks Patch we covered two local restaurants, one that has been in town for 31 years and another that just opened last month. And then there is the PetStaurant.
Now that City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has announced he is running for District Attorney, it's worth recalling his recent visits to Sherman Oaks where he talked about cracking down on the medical marijuana dispensaries. See accompanying video.
Notre Dame Knights basketball coach Bill Bedgood says he is resigning for family reasons.
Here is a look at open houses this weekend in Sherman Oaks where prices start at about $250,000 for condominiums and go up to more than $2-million for large homes.
The number of violent crimes in Sherman Oaks increased significantly during a recent seven day period according to LAPD reports.
Thursday night the Land Use Committee of the Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council will hold a hearing on the proposed Il Villagio Toscana development.
The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association claims the proposed Il Villaggio Toscano project will have a massive negative impact on traffic. SOHA is urging residents to attend a hearing on the project set for Thursday.