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.
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.
The officer was hospitalized Thursday after being struck by a driver that left the scene, police said.
Bill Lorbeer and Kurt Schneider, who own Second Street properties and serve as Parking Commissioners, weigh in on the notion of public parking spaces being used for parkletsK.
Day after the governor convinces Board of Trustees not to increase student fees, the incoming Cal State University leader asked for a 10% salary reduction, saying, 'I, too, must do my part.'
Long Beach police are investigating as a hate crime the vandalizing of Temple Israel, said to be the oldest Reform synagogue between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Long Beach Traffic Engineer to attend parking commission meeting to "learn from the commission any concerns regarding 'parklets' ... specific to the Belmont Shore business district."
Just getting over Halloween lights in September and the first lights of December holidays blazed on. In November. On Veteran's Day. When should we Scrooge on early holiday decor?
The state's third-largest school district is named among the country's top 500 districts who have increased numbers of students passing Advanced Placement tests (5% up over prior year).
Governor was to attend the CSU Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday, the first since his Prop. 30 passed, and a student fee hike was agendized. But it was delayed until Wednesday's meeting.
As part of a post-Proposition 30 tour, Brown will be at the board's Long Beach headquarters Tuesday morning though it was not clear whether he'd address agendized student fee hikes.
A charming Veteran's Day story we found online tells of a soldier who nursed an ailing squirrel during his military service and took it home, where it claims the dash of his taxi.
Elliott Fabrizio, of The Pentagon Channel, offers the top 10 most popular freebies for Veterans Day Weekend.
The holiday falls on Sunday this year and parking rules may vary because of it, and some government offices will be closed Monday.
Legislative Analyst: $490 million courthouse could've been built cheaper but cost estimates 'were based on several assumptions' that are subject to 'uncertainty and interpretation.'
One day after student tuition refund announced, new fees will be considered to help make way for 20,000 students denied admission. Goal: for students to not dally or enroll but later drop classes.
Long Beach Unified was spared what they called an immediate $35 million cut and millions more later had the state ballot measure failed. The district said Wednesday $20M trim still to come.
Cal State Long Beach instructor Kevin MacDonald has caused student protest and a YouTube of his comments that some called white supremacist or neo-Nazi. He says he is only anti-immigration.
A regularly updated round-up around town of what we're seeing at the polls and any last-minute news. And share your poll experience or a photo of yourself with your "I Voted" sticker.
Long Beach police say Lashown Fils, who had an infant son, was not a gang member, but lack a motive for the shooting. Police went to the TV show 'America's Most Wanted' for help.
Need a lift to vote? Yellow Cab's got your fare Tuesday for the Los Angeles area.
