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.
The six campuses were ranked exceptional among the country's 22,000 high schools in the annual rankings by the national news magazine. Read which ones placed.
Jeff Hanneman has passed away of liver failure, the thrasher heavy metal band announced.
The original report by the Los Angeles Times Thursday focuses on companies and cities that are lowering employee hours to under 30 weekly to avoid having to provide medical insurance.
The man was fatally shot in the middle of the afternoon and later died, police said Thursday.
Long Beach police say they arrived to a report of shots fired and found the victim.
Ride Your Bike to Work Day kicks it off with Mayor Bob Foster two-wheeling it from the beach to downtown Long Beach City Hall, with an entourage of enthusiasts.
Long Beach police say gang members killed 5 homeless people at the L.A. River.
An evening blaze downtown caused no injuries but fire officials clear out all residents of the building.
Long Beach police officers will be serving diners Thursday, and all tips will go to the group, which helps Southern California Special Olympians to compete, build confidence and pride.
Bob Foster says he's worked with secretary of transportation nominee Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, and called him "an outstanding candidate."
An occasional review by a local youth of a community production. Are you a student who would like to offer a kid's-eye view of entertainment in Long Beach?
Each of 2 such tickets lacked the sixth Mega number, pushing the jackpot ever higher Tuesday.
The first annual fundraiser 5k for Rogers Middle School trotted around Marine Stadium Saturday morning. Were you a runner, a walker, a sponsor or a cheerleader?
Long Beach police say a resident called about an intruder but after the helicopter circled, the person was fetching their own possessions hidden outside the home.
Police said the 31-year-old Long Beach woman was shot to death but the motive remains elusive.
Officers responding to a report of gunfire found the woman, whose age and name were not released, laying in the street. A motive was still under investigation.
On the 75th anniversary of the U.S. bomber that dominated the skies in World War II, here's a pictorial tribute to 'Rosie the Riveters' who built the Flying Fortress at the Douglas Aircraft plant.
A striking oceanfront spread is on the coveted Long Beach Peninsula and at $2.995 million, among the highest priced houses for sale in the city. Spiral staircase anyone?
Peak visibility for the Lyrid meteor shower is pre-dawn Sunday and Monday, but due to the cloud cover, marine layer, lack of darkness, Long Beach may not offer the best view.
Giving blood with Red Cross or donating directly to the One Fund Boston website are two options.
