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 board of directors are elected for two-year terms, and Tuesday convened to choose executives of the group representing 250 businesses. Polly's owner will serve as president.
Long Beach police detain two of three people possibly connected with an afternoon confrontation of the couple near apartments.
16 educators were chosen from 71 candidates in the 31st Annual Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year.
Little is known about the suspects in what may be a gang-related shooting, but one reader reports what he heard and alerted Patch.
Second Street was a great place to meet cast members from the Halloween attraction in Long Beach Harbor, who staggered into Belmont Shore then visited Redondo Beach nightlife to scare up business.
In the street in front of George's Greek Cafe, the primary business interested in using parking spaces to extend dining, the City of Long Beach Sustainability office reportedly set up the parklet. But why?
From schools and beaches and rooftops and the Queen Mary, thousands see the historic moments Friday as the last flight of the Endeavour crosses the sky.
The ship is among the two Long Beach locations on the route of the shuttle's final journey. Free admission lasts through early afternoon. It will also fly over the Aquarium of the Pacific.
A Long Beach electronics store is confronted with two would-be bandits and a 911 caller inside. Dispatcher calls land-line and when suspect answers, poses as a customer, delays hold-up.
The rise in fees would kick in only if voters reject November education funding initiative, which would raise income tax on earners of more than $250k, and up the sales tax one-quarter of a cent per dollar.
To celebrate this whacky cult phenomenon Sept. 19 Krispy Kreme is offering freebies if you talk like a scalawag or wear an eye patch. Plus, how to make a pirate hat for party-hopping.
A committee for the Cal State University board voted Tuesday for a Plan B that would raise tuition 5% in January if Governor Jerry Brown's education tax initiative fails in November.
Al Fresco, Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster will join pooches and their escorts in a gathering at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
The young man reportedly struggling with depression was fatally shot by Long Beach police. At 20, he was saving in piggy banks for his future and learning skills others take for granted.
Long Beach grandmother who called 9-1-1 tells Patch she asked for medical help for her suicidal grandson. "The officer said, 'You called for help,' and I said, 'I called for an ambulance, not police with guns.'"
The car struck the center divider on Spring Street and burst into flames, police said.
Make this holiday special with these traditional recipes and share some of your favorites.
Fans cheer hometown heroes riding in vintage autos through Belmont Shore and 2012 gold-medalist Misty May-Treanor is swarmed by chanting fans--beach volleyball players.
A celebration of Long Beach athletes who competed in the London and in past Olympics will rumble down Second Street Saturday afternoon. Here's who will be parading.
Unofficial report Thursday: Long Beach Sportfishing and the other dozen small businesses, including a family-run fish market of decades in the Port of Long Beach, will not be evicted before 2013.
