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Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Arin Mikailian

About Arin

Email arin@patch.com
Phone (323) 691-4108
Hometown Glendale, CA
Birthday Feb. 25

Bio Since my childhood I knew that writing was going to be a big part of my future, and in college, I realized that journalism was going to be that outlet. I've written for college and community papers for almost the past decade, but I recently decided it was time for a change. That's when I found Patch.com and made up my mind that I was ready to continue my career in online journalism. Check out our Welcome to Calabasas Patch Video.

Also, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.



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 don't really like the idea anymore of sticking to one party's point view on all issues. I'm middle of the road, taking a liberal stance on some issues and conservative on others.

Religion
I'm Christian, but that's pretty much where religion stops for me. I'm not very observant, but I do enjoy getting Christmas gifts.

Local Hot-Button Issues

Having access to Calabasas Lake is gradually becoming a huge issue in town. Currently, only Calabasas Park Homeowners Association members have the right to visit the lake, although non-members pay for the park's maintenance through local taxes. I believe if you're paying for something, you should have the right to use it, visit it, see it, etc. I don't think non-CPHA members are being treated fairly.

And like many school districts throughout California, Las Virgenes Unified School District is going through some tough times and has to face some difficult decisions in the upcoming budgeting season. As far as drafting the budget goes, I strongly believe everything that costs the district even a penny should be reviewed before any teacher layoffs or class size increases are considered. But sometimes, there's no other choice.

Recently

The Board

Leave a note for your neighbor

Brian

2:42 pm on Friday, August 5, 2011

Hi Arin:

I appreciate the cell tower debate and I will keep things civil. You should know that there have been accusations against me stating that I work for the telecomm in some capacity, of course without any evidence. This is absolutely false and libelous. I cannot imagine anybody paying me for this, and I do it on my own time, not during business hours. My only motive is my dismay at regulations that have destroyed my cellular service (a family plan is close to $4000/yr), and the capitulation of my local government to the really ignorant. People can call me officious, rude, callous, ugly, ignorant whatever, but accusations as a mercenary of the telecoms are libel.

kim hartley

3:28 pm on Monday, May 23, 2011

Hi,

I have enjoyed your article and if you need any comments from an Educational Consultant, please contact me. I am the Director of Buddy System In-home Tutors since 1989 and have also written pieces on learning differences, parenting and study skills.

Kim Hartley
Director
www.buddysystem.com

Kathy Rappaport

9:29 am on Friday, March 4, 2011

Arin - Thanks for coming by the Ensele Gallery and viewing the photography in my gallery. Let me know if I can help you keep a bit of the pulse on the community!

Kathy Rappaport - www.flashfrozenphotography.com

Anne Albright de Bonrepos

12:22 pm on Friday, August 13, 2010

Dear Arin,

Thank you for posting your kind words about me, the news and photo of my Hat, which won at Del Mar this year! It was a surprise and a joy to find Calabasas Patch online. Again, thank you.

Warm regards,

Anne Albright de Bonrepos