Eldersburg|News|
Try Shaking Your Hips To Get In Shape (Video)
Local pilates studio offers a unique way to get fit.
<b>Email: Valerie.Bonk@patch.com<br>Hometown: Ellicott City, MD<br>Birthday: </b><b>May 18</b>
Valerie was born and raised in Maryland with the dream of once becoming a "recycling man," but is excited to see her second dream career as a journalist come true.
She and her brother were homeschooled by their wonderful mother from birth up until college and she sometimes wishes she could go back to home schooling for a week or so. Valerie graduated from the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism with a Bachelors Degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Government and Politics.
Prior to becoming editor at Patch, Valerie worked at NPR, the CBS Evening News, the BBC's Washington Bureau and ABC's Good Morning America.
In her spare time she teaches dance classes at Arabesque Dance Studio, dances (anything but hip hop), watches movies, plays the piano and loves to hang out with her close knit family.
<b>Your Beliefs</b><br><i>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.</i>
<i>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.</i>
<b>Politics</b><i><br>How would you describe your political beliefs? </i>One of my wise journalism professors once said that if you still don't know what my politic beliefs are by the end of a story then I'm doing my job.
<b>Religion</b><i><br>How religious would you consider yourself?</i> I've found my way.
<b>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><i><br>What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? </i>Education, the environment and local government/budget.
We want to know what you think are the most important issues so send me an e-mail and let me know what you want to be covered: Valerie.Bonk@patch.com
Local pilates studio offers a unique way to get fit.
The president's visit to eighth-grade students at Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology lasted about 50 minutes.
A local Mom finds a way to give back to the community and help her son with the Valentine’s Day Gala.
A round up of this weekend's news.
Notable stories in the area from Feb. 6 through Feb. 12.
At what age should a child receive a cell phone? Use the comments to chime in with your say.
Patch put together a list of where to go around the area this Valentine's weekend.
A roundup of the region's major developments for Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Head of school Teresa Ankney assaulted play director Pippa Duggan in front of students participating in a play, according to court documents.
Italian cuisine at it's finest right in the neighborhood.
Italian Cuisine in southern Carroll County.
Find our picks on where you could watch the big game this weekend.
Featured photos from notable topics over the past week.
Italian cuisine at it's finest, right in the neighborhood.
All lanes of Route 70 between Routes 94 and 27 were shut down while truck was moved.
A portrait of Patch since we launched in Eldersburg in November.
Carroll County walk-in clinics to be held in January and February.
The governor and his family visit Pine Valley Farm in Sykesville Saturday.