Name: Monica D. Spencer
Hometown: Mesa, AZ & Dilkon, AZ
Reside in: Tempe, AZ
Occupation: Reporter for InMaricopa
Pets: Jack, a 3-year-old tabby cat; Jake, a 10-year-old Australian Shepherd mix; and Dexter, a 9-year-old chiweenie.
Hobbies: Running, reading, film photography and punching trees in Minecraft.
Pet peeve: I’m a Virgo, so people that exhibit poor manners.
Like most about Maricopa: Seeing the stars at night.
Like least about Maricopa: Traffic on SR 347.
Book: Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Movie: Amélie
Actor: Pedro Pascal <3
Food: I have two comfort foods: homemade Navajo tacos and chicken and dumplings.
Drink: An icy cold bourbon sour or margarita on the rocks.
Website: monicadspencer.com
Anything else we should know? In April I received the 2023 Eric Fischl Vanguard Series Award through Phoenix College. I took first place in the photo category and received one of four “best in show” awards, both for silver gelatin prints featuring my niece.
![One of several flyers for a "TikTok rizz party" is taped to a door in the Maricopa Business Center along Honeycutt Road on April 23, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-042324-tiktok-rizz-party-flyer-web-218x150.jpg "Maricopa’s ‘TikTok Rizz Party,’ explained")
![Lizz Fiedorczyk instructs a drum circle at Maricopa Community Center April 22, 2024. [Brian Petersheim Jr.]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PJ_3922-Enhanced-NR-218x150.jpg "Locals find zen with Earth Day drum circle")
![An image of shredded paper. [Pixabay]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shredded-paper-168650_1280-218x150.jpg "Shred-A-Thon to take place tomorrow")
![Phoenix police stop a stolen vehicle on April 20, 2024. [Facebook]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_5040-218x150.jpg "Alleged car thief released without charges")
![Vice Mayor Amber Liermann and Councilmember Eric Goettl review parts of the city's 2024 operational budget with Mayor Nancy Smith on April 24, 2024. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/spencer-042424-preliminary-budget-meeting-web-100x70.jpg "3 things to know about the new city budget")
