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.
Negotiators for the global shipping companies and the unionized clerical employees pressed on Sunday toward a contract that would put the nation's busiest seaport back in business.
Dozens of happy children and Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster greet Kriss Kringle on the waterfront at Parker's Lighthouse.
4th day of crippling strike at nation's busiest seaport produces a Wilmington meeting between the longshore workers' union and global shipping giants. Meanwhile, much of the harbor remains eerily quiet.
To be arraigned on charges she helped her groom-to-be with a cover story after the murders on the eve of their wedding, the woman may enter a plea Friday.
The Long Beach-L.A. shared shipping basin moves $1 billion dollars daily through the harbor and impacts tens of thousands in related jobs. National retail trade seeks presidential help.
A pair of them fluted for a lucky clutch of whale watchers on a charter boat, which captured this shot Wednesday about noon.
A chilling report says foster children averaging 12-years-old are being recruited from group homes for sex trade. The average life expectancy for these child prostitutes is 18.
75 Members of ILWU's clerical unit shut down the busiest Pier 400 but no work stoppage was reported at Long Beach's part of the nation's busiest shipping basin.
Tuesday morning blaze badly damaged the upstairs unit but those inside the apartment were unharmed.
He was last seen Monday morning at his school cafeteria, and foster parents sought police help to find the mentally impaired 16-year-old.
Ideas for stocking stuffers.
USC Alumni Club of Long Beach hosts 100 at its annual tailgate Saturday, but you don't need to bleed Trojan crimson and gold to join the party. Small businesses are partnering in the fun.
Friday night is the traditional tree lighting neighborhood gathering at the Colorado Lagoon, featuring Santa, cookies and treats at the base of the wharf. Will you be there?
Let everyone see just how hard you worked!
Nothing says Thanksgiving like the stench of something burned, and authorities say holidays bring more cooking fires. They have a special warning on deep fat turkey frying. Don't.
Nothing says Thanksgiving like the stench of something burned, and authorities say holidays bring more cooking fires. They have a special warning on deep fat turkey frying. Don't.
Nothing says Thanksgiving like the stench of something burned, and authorities say holidays bring more cooking fires. They have a special warning on deep fat turkey frying. Don't.
Nothing says Thanksgiving like the stench of something burned, and authorities say holidays bring more cooking fires. They have a special warning on deep fat turkey frying. Don't.
Train at a Long Beach station was fired at, with one passenger wounded.
The annual Turkey Day Regatta was hosted by the Alamitos Yacht Club.
