Venice-Mar Vista, CA|News|
Top 5 Westside Stories: Sea Otters, Fast Food Robbery, Holiday Travel
Here are the top five Westside Patch stories from Dec. 16-22.

After five years (and more importantly, four winters) in Chicago, I saw the light (and the snowstorms) and moved back to Southern California. I grew up in San Diego, moved to Chicago and graduated from the Medill School of Journalism with an emphasis on newspaper and online reporting in 2010. Before Patch, I reported for the Orange County Register, Interlochen Public Radio, WNUR News, the Better Government Association and the Medill Innocence Project.
When I'm not reporting, I love to explore Los Angeles and train for half and full marathons with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training. I also love classical music – before I became a journalist, I studied clarinet performance. If you see me around, please stop me and say hi!
<b>Beliefs:</b> I believe in the power of empathy, understanding and tolerance.
<b>Politics:</b> As a reporter, I'm very interested in politics but I believe in maintaining a rigid separation between my personal politics and my work.
Here are the top five Westside Patch stories from Dec. 16-22.

What are the biggest stories that happened in the neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in the neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in the neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
What are the biggest stories that happened in your neighborhood this year?
Despite recent rains, the Palos Verdes Peninsula has seen lower-than-average precipitation totals this month.
Here are the top five Westside Patch stories from Dec. 9-15.
Here are the top five Westside Patch stories from Dec. 2-8.
Here are the top five Westside Patch stories from Nov. 25-Dec. 1.