Nancy Wride, Patch Staff
- Belmont Shore-Naples, CA
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.
Posting Activity
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
"Star Wars Goes Loony Tunes"
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Speed Boat Races Throttle Up at Marine Stadium
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Fastest Wiener in the West Gets Dog House in Long Beach
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
5 Things: Great White Sharks, Ironman by Junior Guards, and Heatstroke Prevention
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
5 Things: Great White Sharks, Ironman by Junior Guards, and Heatstroke Prevention
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Patch Editor Bids a Fond Farewell
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
The Glass Truck of Long Beach
It goes to work in Orange County, but lives in Belmont Park.
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Monday Essentials: Lasagna Day, Discount Ruby's Burgers and Getting Breaking News
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Tragedy Widens in Fatality: McKenna's Owner Who Struck Cyclists is Terminally Ill
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
New Details and Motorcyclists Named in 2nd Street Fatal Crash
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Cruise Ship Fare From a Food Truck
The World Series of Volleyball in Long Beach will launch the cruise line's mobile marketing food truck tour.
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Update: Fatal Crash Closes 2nd Street and Glendora
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Noisy F-18 Expected to Fly From Long Beach Airport
Don't be alarmed if you hear the aircraft, which is expected to depart anytime from Friday afternoon until Sunday.
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Boeing to Move Even More Jobs to Long Beach
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
5 Things: Latin Jazz, Edison Scam and a Break in Grandmother's Murder Probe
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
New Composite in Slaying of 76-Year-Old Long Beach Mother of 7
Belmont Shore-Naples|News|
Long Beach Mother Shot to Death After Dropping Off Her Toddler
Thursday morning attack happened on Walnut Avenue.