Basics:
She graduated from Cal State University Long Beach with a bachelors degree in journalism, after receiving an associates degree in journalism from San Diego City College. She has worked for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, the Daily Breeze, Mattel, Inc., RAND Corporation and Music Rhapsody. Her freelance stories have appeared in the Daily Breeze, The Beach Reporter, Palm Springs Life magazine, Life After 50 magazine and Patch.
E-mail: Liz.Spear@patch.com
Phone: 310-435-6010
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Hometown: Manhattan Beach, CA
Birthday: April 1
Bio: I grew up on Avenue D in South Redondo Beach and have been a a Manhattan Beach homeowner for the past 15 years. I received my bachelor's degree in journalism from Cal State University Long Beach after attending San Diego City College, where I earned an associate degree in journalism. I also attended El Camino College. I was the MVP of the Redondo Union High School girls basketball team all four years I played and league MVP my senior year. Redondo Union did not have a basketball team when I was to beginmy freshman year , however, because my mom said they should field a team or I would go to Mira Costa High School, Redondo began its basketball legacy. Throughout my childhood, my grandma lived two blocks up the street and my aunt and cousins across the street. My grandma was my favorite person in the world. I spent lots of time at her house, playing piano, spending the night, playing card games, watching great TV shows, talking, sharing our experiences and being loved. My mom, who had been a physical education teacher before staying home to have and raise kids, encouraged me to play sports and was a strong supporter of my efforts. I played baseball/softball, soccer and basketball and took tennis and piano lessons.
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 and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.
Politics
▪ How would you describe your political beliefs?
I believe in people and in helping people. I lean a bit to the left but am open to hearing everything. I watch Fox News.
Religion
▪ How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?
I'm not religious, I'm spiritual.
Local Hot Button Issues
▪ What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?
I think money for public schools is huge. Manhattan Beach takes great pride in its school system. I also think that dealing well with new homes and commercial projects is important to help MB retain its small-town flavor. Balancing growth that is inevitable with the needs of long-time residents is key.
Famed Manhattan Beach restaurateur Sylvie Gabrielle is part of RE:Her, a female-powered charitable organization for women-owned restaurants.
Complete COVID-19 vaccination information is available from the City of Manhattan Beach website. Check it out to sort through what you need.
With customer safety in mind, the annual Downtown Manhattan Beach Winter Sale is now in stores, on sidewalks, and online, so take your pick.
Beach Cities Health District needs volunteers to administer shots, direct traffic, assist with COVID-19 testing, and make phone calls.
Urban Plates, with a location in Manhattan Village Shopping Center in Manhattan Beach, catered to 3 US Presidents & 1st Ladies yesterday.
The brand new exhibit launches virtually on Friday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. and features notable Manhattan Beach artists from the past.
Food, fighting climate change, tax, law, & financial updates: Manhattan Beach women offer important programs, tips; launch restaurant event.
A discussion on making some of the temporary outdoor dining parklets permanent fixtures in the public right-of-way is on the agenda tonight.
Photographers of varying abilities are encouraged to apply to help SoCal Landmarks Project capture a wealth of sites in 10 SoCal counties.
Pages: a bookstore, located in Downtown Manhattan Beach, is a much-loved local treasure that features a well-read staff and lots of events.
Manhattan Beach resident leads group discussion on race, inclusivity, how to make Manhattan Beach better for all. Join monthly meetings.
While the number of new cases overnight in Manhattan Beach is not huge, the city has recorded five deaths in 2021 compared to the 4 in 2020.
The Manhattan Beach City Council tonight acknowledged businesses in Manhattan Beach that have been in existence for 50 years in the city.
The Manhattan Beach Fire Department offers tips on how to prepare and stay safe during high winds and current Red Flag Warning.
Los Angeles County has ramped up vaccinations and has opened five large sites for eligible residents to receive the vaccine. Details here.
Manhattan Beach residents want the city to require the proposed hotel/multi-use development to conduct studies of parking, noise, traffic.
After taking an extended holiday break due to the increase in cases of COVID-19, the popular Beach Pizza has reopened in Manhattan Beach.
The latest numbers move the number of Manhattan Beach residents testing positive for the coronavirus since March into new territory.
Los Angeles County announces residents 65+ may begin to receive coronavirus vaccine starting Thursday. Inglewood Forum new vaccine location.
"The preponderance of evidence indicates that mask wearing reduces transmissibility per contact..." says a report from UCLA Fielding School.
