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.
Long Beach police said the officer-involved shooting followed a 9-1-1 call by David Jordan's stepmom, who reported he threatened her but also yelled that he wanted officers to kill him.
Health officials have confirmed rabies in 45 bats, up from a previous record of 38 last year.
The online retailer will levy state tax on mail-order purchases beginning Saturday, Sept. 15. Are you going on a shopping spree before then, or are you happy to see the change?
Long Beach Police: death of 20-year-old came after he allegedly threatened stepmom, said he wanted to be killed by officers then threw knives at them.
The section of the street that goes underneath the airport will be closed all day for repair from a traffic accident.
Officers were called by a woman who reported that the man in her home was hollering that he wanted police to kill him. That's allegedly what happened after the male, possibly a teen, attacked police.
Marina Pacifica and other 2nd & PCH businesses were to lose power for 10 hours, Councilman Gary DeLong announced.
At 9:11 a.m., a moment of silence will be followed by placing flowers at the police and fire monument at the downtown Civic Center.
Firefighters from throughout Southern California will descend on a singular biker bar to motor 40 miles in honor of "our fallen brothers" lost in the terrorist attacks. Thousands expected to line the route.
Best to avoid eastbound Vista nearing Claremont, where the road is blocked and officers are redirecting traffic.
The victim met his assailants in Riverside, got into a dispute, and they allegedly drove to Long Beach, where they threw him in the trunk and later shot him. But witnesses help police to three suspects.
The victims were hospitalized with their wounds and their conditions were not immediately known, police said.
Long Beach youngsters are back in school today for their first full week (sigh). Here are some interesting numbers pertaining to education and the back-to-school season from the U.S. Census Bureau.
If you spot wildlife in our densely-built neighborhood, share it with Patch!
The free offer is good through mid-September. Make sure to print out the coupon attached to take advantage of this great end-of-summer deal!
It's your price at the pump this weekend of Sept. 7-9; use our handy Patch tool to find your lowest gas prices in the neighborhood.
The annual vote of new board members to lead the residents group--note it is not limited to property owners --meets for balloting Thursday evening at Bay Shore Library. See the candidate names here.
Details remained slim but the shooting occurred early Saturday, police said.
After the formal nomination by the Democratic Party at its convention, Obama concluded the event with a sweeping acceptance address. Share your thoughts about it with our online community.
Long Beach police say something was spilled on the Sharrows lane and the major Belmont Shore business district was closed for 1.2 miles for safety reasons during a 5-to-6-hour clean-up.
