SANTA MONICA PATCH.COM: Sen. Lieu event one of first for new editor

Dear readers,

Newly nestled into a studio near downtown, I awake Monday morning as your new editor.

I began delving into Santa Monica stories last week, covering Sen. Ted Lieu's senate panel about health risks at the Santa Monica Airport and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified Board of Education meeting. I've met with numerous officials in the community, watched the tree light up on Main Street, sipped beer at the Library Ale House and typed e-mails next to the fire pit at the Coffee Bean on Wilshire Boulevard.

My name is Jenna Chandler. I start here after launching San Juan Capistrano Patch in December 2010 (read my bio here). Some of my most memorable stories there include a report on a swim coach, who after being arrested for maintaining a year-long sexual relationship with a teenage student, emerged behind the scenes of a new aquatics company; three pieces about a City Councilman/attorney/college instructor who plagiarized when blogging; two separate obituaries of young men who died in car crashes (here and here) and helping with coverage of the Seal Beach shooting rampage in October.

I am eager now to dive into covering Santa Monica City Hall, to tell you about the tasty food I've sampled at neighborhood eateries (and hoping you'll tell me about your favorite dishes, too!), to share when new businesses open, to be at the scene of crimes and to report on all the local happenings in a way that's meaningful and relevant to your lives.

If you see me (in big brown glasses and always toting my Mac computer adorned with a big green Patch sticker), introduce yourself. Don't be shy about sharing what you disliked about a story, or what you're not—but want to be—reading here on the site. I'll want to know if your neighbor is fundraising for a good cause, if you're amped to rock out to a great show at Harvelle's or if you disagree with a recent action of the City Council. Of course, you can just say "hi" if you catch me running at the beach, riding my red beach cruiser downtown or working from the library.

See you around town,

Jenna

E-mail: jenna.chandler@patch.com

Cell: (949) 226-2927