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<b>Email: </b>laurenr@patch.com<br> <b>Phone: </b>818-233-2496<br> <b>Hometown: </b>Paradise Valley, AZ<br> <b>Birthday: </b>October 2
<b>Bio</b>:<br> My love for journalism took root at an early age. I was just 12-years-old, when I wrote my first newspaper article for the Cocopah Middle School's <i>Stampede</i>. I immediately loved the feeling of seeing my byline in print. From then on, I made it my goal to be a journalist and never looked back.
Fast forward four years: I headed to the University of Michigan to escape the scorching Arizona heat and experience life in the Midwest. Unsatisfied with the opportunities (or lack thereof) to study journalism, I transferred to the University of Southern California and graduated with a B.A. in Print Journalism and a minor in Marketing. I graduated as the Annenberg School of Journalism's Outstanding Print Journalism Student. I studied under leading newspaper, magazine, broadcast and online journalists and took away the ability to write, edit, shoot, photograph, tweet, post and blog just about anything.
While at USC, I interned for Richman Media Group and TEEN Magazine where I reported and photographed press junkets and red carpet events. From there, I was employed as a columnist for Campus Circle, a weekly newspaper publication in Los Angeles. Most recently, I interned at <i>Los Angeles</i> magazine where I contributed to their website, social media strategy and blogs.
In my spare time, I love visiting my family in Arizona, finding great hikes, travelling and cooking in my tiny kitchen. I'm also a sucker for chick flicks, the Food Network, and dark chocolate.
I joined Patch in July 2010 and am thrilled to be on the forefront of a new business model for local journalism. If there is anything I can do to make Encino Patch a better experience, please feel free to send me an email or give me a call.
<b>Beliefs</b>
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.
The Patch Newsletter and smartphone apps are great ways for young scholars to keep up with news back home.

Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield, state Sen. Fran Pavley tell Encino chamber members why they support the new law.
The utility relocation work that would have required the Mulholland Bridge to be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the rest of the week has been postponed.
A collection of announcements, events and reminders to help you organize your day.
Business was slow in Encino today as Angelenos avoided the area due to the closure of the 405 Freeway.
Chicago resident Taylor Hampshire reports her drive from LAX to the Valley as she bypasses the 405 closure to make it to her grandma's house. She arrives in record time.
On Sunday, Wienerschnitzel will offer retro prices and a chance to win a trip to Germany as part of its 50th anniversary celebration.
Minutes after the 405 freeway closure at midnight, a fatal accident occurs in the Sepulveda Pass.
Here are a few ideas for those who plan to stay put in Encino during the 405 Freeway closure period, which is scheduled to last through early Monday morning.
The 405 closure has turned a city that is normally packed with cars on a Friday evening into a ghost town.
On Sunday, the fast-food chain will offer retro prices and a chance to win a trip to Germany.
Councilman Mitchell Englander calls for reimbursement to city to cover extra safety, traffic deployments during freeway shutdown.
Was 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' a fitting finale to the film franchise, or a big letdown?
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the work during the 405 Freeway closure will be a meticulous, painstaking process, not a Las Vegas-style demolition.
Here's a sampling of some of the real estate open houses that will take place this weekend in the area, according to the Multiple Listing Service.
Joseph Ricardo Fernandez, 46, was convicted Tuesday in the death of James Swarzman of Encino who was killed while riding with a small group of bicyclists around 1 a.m. on April 10.
A collection of announcements, events and reminders to help you organize your day.
Zamir, a member of the Encino Neighborhood Council and other community groups, dies early Wednesday at age 67.
L.A. Fire Department to add firefighters, paramedics, firetrucks and ambulances in closure area to ensure coverage, speedy response.