Email: kelly.hartog@patch.com
Hometown: I have several. I was born in London but was raised in Australia. I consider Sydney just one of my home towns, along with Jerusalem, Israel, where I lived for 11 years, and I also consider Los Angeles home too.
Birthday: June 13.
Bio: I received my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, History and Media Studies at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia before moving to Jerusalem where Ispent 10 years as a reporter and editor for The Jerusalem Post for both the daily paper, the local weekend section and as the radio news director. I covered local politics, arts, entertainment and wrote a weekly op-ed column on the city. I spent 2000-2004 covering the height of the Palestinian Intifada. After surviving an Al Qaeda suicide bombing attack on November 28, 2002, while on assignment for The Jerusalem Post in Mombasa, Kenya, I moved to Los Angeles in 2004. I spent time covering the City of Beverly Hills for the Beverly Hills Courier and freelancing for a variety of publications before taking on a job as a stringer for The New York Post and the Daily Mail.
On Nov. 28, 2010 (8 years to the day of the Al Qaeda attack), my adorable Golden Retriever puppy Bronte (named after Charlotte, not Emily)was born, and helped me get over the loss of my precious Golden Retriever, Bridget, who passed away in the summer of 2010 at the age of 13 and a half.
Before becoming a journalist, I trod the boards as an actress and theatre director and established and ran Israel's only professional English Language theatre company.
My 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 them to inject their beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that their beliefs are on the record will cause them 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
How would you describe your political beliefs?
Depends which country I'm in. Definitely more right leaning in Israel, but more left leaning in America.
Are you registered with a certain party?
No. As a non-American citizen, I'm unable to. However, if I could, I would register as a Democrat.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious)
I was raised in a traditional Jewish home, attended an Orthodox Jewish day school and lived in the most Orthodox Jewish city in the world - Jerusalem. I consider myself an involved, committed, observant Jew. I am an active member of my Jewish community, IKAR, and I believe in the Jewish value of "tikkun olam" - repairing the world through social justice through a basic understanding that all people - no matter their religion or creed are created equal, and that religious values and helping the community must go hand in hand. There cannot be one without the other.
A report from the American Lung Association says Santa Monica is one of only eight cities in LA County that has a high commitment to reducing tobacco.
The new Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Elementary school has completed Phase 1 of construction at 2402 Virginia Ave. Santa Monica.
Jan. 25 marks the kick off of Angel City Brewery’s Monthly Neighborhood Clean Up campaign with an afternoon in Venice.
Fallen Firefighter Honored, MTV’s ‘House of Food’ Chef, Tea Party Rallies Support for 1st Grader
Fallen Firefighter Honored, MTV’s ‘House of Food’ Chef, Tea Party Rallies Support for 1st Grader.
Darren Agee Merager broke into the Santa Monica home of bond trader Jeffrey Gundlach and stole art work, jewelry, wine and a Porsche.
The opposition was filed on Jan. 17, ahead of the Feb. 10 hearing on whether or not to dismiss the lawsuit.
Nathan Louis Campbell is charged with one count of murder, 17 counts of assault with a deadly weapon and 10 counts of leaving the scene of an accident.
The local team pitched in last week, helping to protect structures, a water facility and avocado orchards in the area.
Arnold Schwarzenegger wore a disguise and gave members workout tips to raise awareness for an after school program.
The fire was reported at 7:13 a.m. near Butler Avenue.
One suspect was arrested after fingerprints from the crime scene revealed he was a contract security guard for the Santa Monica hotel.
Santa Monica Police discovered the drugs after the suspect attempted to sit on the plastic bag filled with the contraband.
The community says it shouldn’t have to receive development approval from both the LA City Council and the California Coastal Commission.
The City of Santa Monica alerts residents, commuters to lane closures and delays for the week ending Jan. 24.
Heal the Bay, Cirque du Soleil and The Santa Monica Pier unveiled the remodeled space and new exhibit on Saturday.
CD 11 City Councilmember Mike Bonin will make a special appearance in person to speak to concerns about the program.
The 11th District Councilman will be guest speaker and will discuss, among other things, issues surrounding Santa Monica Airport.
