Stacie Chan, Patch Staff

As a journalist I've worked for the Pasadena Star News,  The Stanford Daily, Eastern Group Publications (a chain of bilingual newspapers in Los Angeles), KNBC-LA, and BNET.

At these respective media, I learned to tell stories in a wide variety of media: print, video, even map mash-ups! Though these media were very diverse in the styles and news they covered, they all were devoted to providing the most accurate information that was relevant to their audience.

That's why I believe Patch is in a field of its own, covering news and events that directly impact the lives of its city's residents. 

In my spare time, I'm constantly streaming NPR, looking for the best happy hour food deals, bargain clothes shopping, talking to strangers, and sipping iced soy chai lattes. 

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 

I'm a registered Democrat, but I'm fairly moderate. I understand why our nation is a two-party system, but rarely is an issue ever that black and white.

Instead of pigeon-holing myself according to my party's beliefs, I try to bypass this bifurcated system and analyze topics through a more open-minded lens. I believe in unbridled freedom of speech, social justice, financial frugality, and green energy.

Religion

I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by people of all faiths, backgrounds, and nationalities. While I don't have a religion myself, I've engaged in enough religious conversations to know that all religions are valid, and no one should ever discount another's religion.

So, I live by The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.. And by John Lennon: all you need is love.