• Charles BurressPatch Staff Verified Patch Staff Badge

  • Berkeley, CA

Email: (See my email address at the bottom of the Albany Patch or Berkeley Patch homepage.)

Phone: 510-435-4127

Now in my fourth year with Patch.com, I'm the editor of and Albany Patch and Berkeley Patch.

I worked many years as a staff writer and editor at the San Francisco Chronicle until April of 2009, when I switched to freelancing. I then wrote for the Los Angeles Times and other publications, and I also took on editing assignments for UC Berkeley and the United Nations.

Being an East Bay reporter for Patch brings my career full circle in the East Bay. My first bylines appeared in the East Bay Review of the Performing Arts. I next worked as a reporter and editor at the Daily Californian while studying at UC Berkeley, where I obtained a master's in journalism. I was a reporter at the Contra Costa Independent, Berkeley Gazette and San Francisco Examiner before moving to the Chronicle, where I worked several years in the Berkeley bureau and in the main East Bay bureau in Oakland.

Posting Activity

Piedmont, CA|News|

Where Exactly Was Mark Twain Photographed?

This historic photograph shows a young Mark Twain in top hat signing autographs at Piedmont White Sulphur Springs in 1867. We're asking readers to help us pinpoint exactly where it was taken. Do you know?

Where Exactly Was Mark Twain Photographed?
Albany, CA|News|

Solano Sprouts a Covered Bike Rack

Solano Avenue has its first covered bike rack. A new rack on upper Solano in Berkeley has a roof over its head, offering some protection from the rain and sun, at least when the rain falls straight down and the sun's directly overhead.

Solano Sprouts a Covered Bike Rack
Berkeley|News|

Darwin Gets His Day at Cal's Insect Museum

Charles Darwin's birthday on Feb. 12 is usually overlooked in the shadow of Abe Lincoln's birthday, except at UC Berkeley's Essig Museum of Entomology, which opened its usually closed doors Tuesday for "Darwin Day" public tours.

Berkeley|News|

Berkeley Sprouts a Covered Bike Rack

Berkeley has installed its first covered bike rack. A new rack on upper Solano Avenue has a roof over its head, offering some protection from the rain and sun, at least when the rain falls straight down and the sun's directly overhead.

Berkeley Sprouts a Covered Bike Rack
Alameda, CA|News|

Judge Dismisses Crown Beach Drowning Case Against City

An Alameda County Superior Court judge dismissed the suit against the City of Alameda by relatives of a man who drowned in an apparent suicide near Crown Beach while firefighters and police stood by under rules barring a rescue.

Judge Dismisses Crown Beach Drowning Case Against City
Albany, CA|News|

Gallery: Lunar New Year Fete at Albany Twin

Thanks to primary organizer Ah-Lan Min and photographer Eric Li for these photos capturing some of the colorful and energetic performances of this year's Lunar New Year celebration at the Albany Twin theater.

Gallery: Lunar New Year Fete at Albany Twin
Piedmont, CA|News|

Group Seeks to Help Seniors Remain at Home

North Oakland Village, a paid-membership group with members in the Piedmont area and nearby parts of north Oakland, offers volunteer-provided transportation and other services to help seniors stay as long as possible in their homes.

Group Seeks to Help Seniors Remain at Home
Rockridge, CA|News|

Group Seeks to Help Seniors Remain at Home

North Oakland Village, a paid-membership group co-founded by Rockridge resident Sandra Davidson, offers volunteer-provided transportation and other services to help seniors stay as long as possible in their homes.

Group Seeks to Help Seniors Remain at Home
Berkeley|News|

Art in Jars, Not on Walls at This Berkeley Cafe

At Berkeley's Café Clem, the art is not on the walls but in the cookie jars and dessert trays featuring creations from local pastry chefs. "It was my economic rescue plan," says proprietor Dorothée Mitrani-Bell.

Art in Jars, Not on Walls at This Berkeley Cafe
Albany, CA|News|

City Manager Exploring Ways to Address Loss of Fire Chief

Albany City Manager Beth Pollard said Friday she is exploring options for fulfilling the duties of the fire chief. Piedmont this week opted to stop sharing its chief with the city. Pollard said she will report results to the City Council next month.

City Manager Exploring Ways to Address Loss of Fire Chief
Berkeley|News|

Woman on Bus in Berkeley Punched in Face, Cell Phone Snatched

Yet another violent cell phone robbery occurred in downtown Berkeley Wednesday afternoon when a woman on an AC Transit bus at the BART station was punched in the face and had her cell phone stolen by three juveniles, police said.

Woman on Bus in Berkeley Punched in Face, Cell Phone Snatched
Albany, CA|News|

Albany Hill Sprouts a 'Circus Tent'

A number of people this past week couldn't help but notice a large, red-and-yellow striped tent on the eastern side of Albany Hill, which faces virtually the entire city of Albany. Patch's investigative team confirmed what many suspected – fum

Albany Hill Sprouts a 'Circus Tent'
Albany, CA|News|

Young Performers Welcome Chinese New Year in Albany

The Albany Community Center was filled Thursday afternoon with Chinese music and dance, not to mention camera-hoisting audience members and colorfully dressed young performers, as the city held a lively Chinese New Year celebration.

Albany, CA|News|

Piedmont Ends Fire Chief Sharing with Albany

On the recommendation of City Administrator Geoffrey Grote, the Piedmont City Council voted to terminate its shared fire chief contract with Albany. Grote said a having a half-time chief did not meet the fire department's administrative needs.

Piedmont Ends Fire Chief Sharing with Albany
Piedmont, CA|News|

Piedmont Ends Fire Chief Sharing with Albany

On the recommendation of City Administrator Geoffrey Grote, the Piedmont City Council voted to terminate its shared fire chief contract with Albany. Grote said a having a half-time chief did not meet the fire department's administrative needs.

Piedmont Ends Fire Chief Sharing with Albany
Berkeley|News|

Art by Berkeley Theology Students Echoes Medieval Manuscripts

Theology scholars from Berkeley studied how quill-wielding medieval monks illustrated manuscripts on calfskin. Their modern interpretations on the old forms can now be seen in a special exhibit at the Alameda Free Library.

Berkeley|News|

3 Robberies Near Campus – One Victim Injured in Knife Robbery

Berkeley police reported three recent robberies near the campus. One victim of knife-wielding robbers was taken to a hospital with injuries. Cell phones were taken in all three cases. All of the robbers escaped.

3 Robberies Near Campus – One Victim Injured in Knife Robbery