I am always amazed at how much people from all walks of life inquire about my life as a news reporter in Los Angeles...

I often feel that most of the time, the minute forty five segment that makes air along with my liveshot does not represent even "half the story" I experience out there...

I can relate with others who see what I do and think its all fabulous, all the time, so you want to know "how?", "where?", "what?" because on the outside it appears to be such...but really, allow me to remind thee, it is not always a bed of roses in tv news...

Having said that, I love what I do, I love people, I am soo fascinated by human behavior, human emotions, and how it all comes together as each and every one of us pushes through our daily grind...you can learn soo much from strangers, I feel blessed to have that opportunity.

Therefore, today I am starting a new theme here...I will call it: "Behind the Scenes"...I want you to experience and discuss the daily characters and issues I encounter everyday that are truly enlightening!

So today,  I had dinner with a city prosecutor who shall remain nameless...and let me say this, this person is a character!! We shall refer to this individual as "this person"...a very fascinating individual, I mean this  person could have easily chosen a career in stand up comedy and would have made a killing!  No pun intended of course :)  But hear me out, this person is soo right, he/she says part of the key to success in trial work is number one: knowing how to study people!  With that knowledge, this person mastered the art of selecting the right jurors, and when to attack the defendant on the stand or not.  And get this, I'm told, defendants usually love this person, yep, even as they are whisked away to the slammer after a long trial.  Who knew??

Well, now I want to let you in on this intriguing discussion we had on the "war on drugs" in the US.  This person, a DA,  made it clear the established "formula" to fight drugs is a total failure.  This person says, look, probably every DA in the nation will tell you THEY have the solution, but this person insists, that is NOT the case, just look at our prisons! This person sure surprised me when the well groomed, high dollar suit blurted out "why not legalize marijuana!"!  Yes, folks this person said it...the point made was "does marijuana cause people to get violent, it might just mean more people will walk around with a big smile on their face?" Yes, very controversial remarks, but I can tell you this, this person spoke in a moment of total self authenticity without any filters at work...a very unusual ocurrence for DA's, if I may say, especially around a reporter.

(heck, I'm glad they are comfortable to be themselves around me, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I'm just here to listen)

So, lets talk about this...does this individual who has created a career putting drug offenders behind bars have a point? What do you think??? Remember, its a conversation, so its ok for all writers to "agree to disagree". That my friends, is what some folks call problem solving... so say it, what do you think???

Thanks!

You're probably asking who is Teri? Well, many of you may already know I am very passionate about issues surrounding the special needs community.  In fact, many of you may also already know the reason for it is because of my brother.  You see my little brother suffered brain damage due to lack of oxygen at the time of birth.  I know firsthand how challenging it is to navigate through life while looking after a severely disabled loved  one.  For those of you who walk in these shoes, you know exactly what I’m talking about...and for those who don’t, please know the special needs community cannot thank you enough for showing us compassion and understanding!  It’s a tough road, but as my mother reminds me “what doesn’t kill you, only makes you stronger”.  So with that mantra in mind, I have taken it upon myself to create as much awareness as possible of services, places, and people that make a difference for the disabled.

Teri is not a hot chick, although the founder is a beautiful woman... Teri Inc. is a home and school for people with intellectual and or physical disabilities.  Not only do they service some of the most behaviorally challenged special needs folks in different day programs, but there is a residential component and most exciting....the construction of the “Charles Cono Center for Research and Life Planning Campus”....the campus will sit on 20 acres!

Teri is located in Oceanside, and the Campus mentioned above will be in San Marcos which will include a 23,000-square-foot recreation and aquatic center. Can you imagine? A village for people with disabilities to play, shop, and eat...to feel comfortable, understood, in a familiar setting where everyone knows and will expect to be around the special needs population!  I'm excited because it will also provide opportunities to employ people with disabilities.  Of course, this will require a substantial amount of money to complete.  I am told $42 million is needed to complete the project. So, TERI has launched a $500 buy-a-brick campaign to raise funds. 

Can you help spread the word? In a country where some folks will spend millions on a home they only see in the summer, I am optimistic centers/schools with a vision to help the disabled will not be overlooked and a helping hand will step in. :)

Do you have any ideas for Teri? Do you know someone who may need their assistance?

For more info, you can also contact Laura White, Teri Inc.’s Director of Development at 760-721-1706.

Thanks Everybody!

Elizabeth Espinosa

My dear friends,

As you know the people of Haiti are devastated!  It is soo heartbreaking to hear of people stranded on the street with no place to turn, hospitals collapsed, the infrastructure of that country is literally gone!

Tonight, I spoke with OC families who have family there working as missionaries, they were very sweet and asked people to pray for Haiti and to do whatever each one of us can to help.  For some that may only mean a 5 dollar donation, and they say thats great!

So, Mission Viejo Christian Church is accepting donations!

Hi everybody! Sorry I hit the pause button for soo long, but I was experiencing "technical difficulties". Thanks for your understanding!! Thank you for all of your feedback! So, today's topic.... "Alcohol and Teens"......I was covering thy stoy of the 18 yr old teen who died who died last Sat It appears alcohol was related. Should the 18 yr old girl who was throwing the party and charging folks five bucks face criminal charges...??