Our Vision
The Milpitas Beat is a community-based print and online newspaper located in Milpitas, California. Our vision is to cultivate a more connected, conscious, and vibrant community by providing news coverage that truthfully reflects the expression, ideas, and culture of the people of Milpitas.
Our new print edition, which just launched in April 2019, is monthly, and comes out on the third Thursday of every month.
Who We Are
There’s no use sugar-coating it: Local journalism is in jeopardy. All across this country, newspapers, faced with decreasing revenue, are closing up shop. And many of the newspapers that are still surviving have been gobbled up by private equity firms. These firms put their focus on building profit, and not community; and in the process, have turned once-vibrant newspapers into shells of their former selves.
That’s why we created The Milpitas Beat. We want to work to create a newspaper that is deeply in touch with what the residents of Milpitas are thinking, feeling, and wanting to see in their community. Guided by a deep fascination of people, stories, culture, art, education, and politics, we work with passion, always, to deliver the articles and media that speak most directly to the people we serve. Also, as residents of Milpitas ourselves, we are deeply committed to creating a print and online newspaper that supports and enriches the community in any way it can.
Meet the Team
We’re the ones making it happen.
Rhoda Shapiro
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Rhoda Shapiro works as a journalist and media consultant in the Bay Area. She has written for both the Tri-City Voice and the Mercury News, and is the founder of Chi Media Company, which works with nonprofit organizations to elevate their marketing and communication platforms. Rhoda is also an author; her first book will be published by Llewellyn Worldwide in mid-2019. Her YouTube channel, which features practices in yoga, meditation, and women’s empowerment, has amassed thousands of subscribers. Rhoda is The Milpitas Beat’s founder.
Eric Shapiro
Content Editor & Creative Director
Eric Shapiro is a writer and filmmaker. He is the author of six critically acclaimed fiction books, among them the novella “It’s Only Temporary” (2005), which appeared on Nightmare Magazine’s list of the Top 100 Horror Books, and numerous short stories published in anthologies alongside work by H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Chuck Palahniuk, and many others. His nonfiction articles have been published on The Daily Dot, Ravishly, and The Good Men Project. His first feature film, “Rule of 3” (2010), won awards at the Fantasia International Film Festival and Shriekfest, and had its U.S. premiere at Fantastic Fest. His second feature film, “Living Things” (2014), was endorsed by PETA (People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals) and distributed by Cinema Libre Studio. In 2015, he won the 19th Annual Fade In Award for Thriller Screenplays. He was a founding partner of Ghostwriters Central, a writing and editing firm which received positive notices from The Wall Street Journal, Consumers Digest, and the TV program “Intelligence For Your Life.” Eric has edited works published on The Huffington Post and Forbes, as well as two Bram Stoker Award-nominated novels.
Lloyd Alaban
Reporter
Lloyd Alaban is a freelance writer who has lived in Milpitas his entire life. He has a BA in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz and a MS in Journalism & Mass Communications from San Jose State University. He has written for publications such as AsianWeek, realtor.com, Work+Money, and SpareFoot, and currently writes for sports blog Uni Watch. He’s also worked at tech companies like Yahoo! and Google, and has subbed at every public school in Milpitas — except Pomeroy. In his spare time, he likes playing anything that has to do with trivia (especially watching Jeopardy!), running, drinking beer, reading, and playing with his Siberian Husky.
Nerizza Besabe ManongdoNerizza is a parent and a PTA leader at John Sinnott Elementary. She previously held the position of President and continues her participation this year as Communications Chair. Outside of serving her school community, Nerizza is an eBook author and food writer.
Robert Jung
Columnist
Robert Jung has lived in Milpitas over 24 years, and has over 18 years of experience in the high-tech industry, with companies such as IBM, Data General, Amdahl, and Cisco Systems. He has served as a Trustee for the Milpitas Unified School District and a Chairperson/participant on various MUSD committees, and has been President of several PTAs throughout his 16+ years as an active member. The Founder and President of the Milpitas Community Educational Endowment, Robert is a strong supporter of public education in Milpitas. He has also been active in Santa Clara county nonprofits for several years, including service in United Way and Second Harvest Food Bank. He is currently an investor and a partner in RJLC Partners, LLC.