• 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

Berkeley|News|

Ellsberg at Berkeley Salute to US Soldier Accused of Aiding WikiLeaks

A "Salute to Bradley Manning," the Army Pfc. accused of leaking classified documents to WikiLeaks, will be held in Berkeley Thursday with Daniel and Patricia Ellsberg and Kevin Gosztola, co-author of a book on the Manning case.

Ellsberg at Berkeley Salute to US Soldier Accused of Aiding WikiLeaks
Berkeley|News|

Double Good Karma in a $5 Bag

With the new disposable bag fee of 10 cents in Alameda County, reusable bags are becoming more in demand. Did you know you can help the environment and the Berkeley Public Library with a $5 library tote bag?

Double Good Karma in a $5 Bag
Piedmont, CA|News|

Public Meeting on Pool Financing, New Fees

The Piedmont Recreation Commission will hold a special meeting and public hearing Wednesday night, Jan. 30, on proposed fee increases, schedules and financing of the Piedmont Community Pool.

Public Meeting on Pool Financing, New Fees
Albany, CA|News|

People, Turkeys Flock to Albany Library Book Sale

If you think the printed word is gradually disappearing in the rearview mirror of the digital age, you probably weren't at the Albany Library Saturday, when the 50-cent book sale drew a swarm of book seekers.

Berkeley|News|

Berkeley Teacher Facing LSD, DUI Charges

A Berkeley High School teacher is facing charges of possessing LSD and driving under the influence after leaving a San Rafael restaurant-bar owned by Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, authorities said.

Berkeley Teacher Facing LSD, DUI Charges
Berkeley|News|

Pepper Spray Robbery at Thousand Oaks School

A staff member at Thousand Oaks School was sprayed in the face with pepper spray and had her purse stolen as she walked to her car after school on Tuesday, the principal said in a message to school families.

Pepper Spray Robbery at Thousand Oaks School
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Filmmaker Les Blank Honored in Berkeley

Independent filmmaker Les Blank who lives in Berkeley and whose film company, Flower Films, is based in El Cerrito, was honored at the Berkeley City Council meeting with a proclamation declaring Tuesday as "Les Blank Day in the City of Berkele

Filmmaker Les Blank Honored in Berkeley
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Candidate Statements for Kensington Board Seat

Here are the application letters from the three candidates seeking to fill the seat on Kensington's governing board that was emptied by the sudden resignation last month of board member Mari Metcalf.

Candidate Statements for Kensington Board Seat
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Two Teens Shot on BART Path in El Cerrito

Two teenaged males were wounded, one seriously, shortly before 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, when they were shot by two other young males on the BART path near Fairmont Elementary School and the El Cerrito Library, police said. The two assailants escaped.

Two Teens Shot on BART Path in El Cerrito
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Council Workshop on Strategic Plan Saturday

The El Cerrito City Council will hold a public study session Saturday, with time for public comment, on the city's emerging Strategic Plan defining city priorities for the next decade or so. The council is expected to affirm a draft portion of the

Council Workshop on Strategic Plan Saturday
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Big Crowd of Volunteers for Library Day of Service

More than 60 volunteers from near and far, from age 4 to retirees, flocked to the El Cerrito Library Saturday for the National Day of Service event to help the library. The library staff exhibited great patience amid the chaos, reports Thomas Rogers.

Big Crowd of Volunteers for Library Day of Service
El Cerrito, CA|News|

Windrush Site Owners Seek Public Input

The sale of the Windrush School site in El Cerrito has been completed to a Richmond couple, Steve and Susan Chamberlin, who seek community input on how to use the property to help public education, the couple's representatives told Patch.

Windrush Site Owners Seek Public Input
El Cerrito, CA|News|

24th El Cerrito MLK Parade Monday

El Cerrito's Martin Luther King Jr. parade – said to be the oldest continuous King celebration in the East Bay – begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Department of Motor Vehicles office and will be followed by a 10:30 a.m. rally at El Cerrito High Sch

24th El Cerrito MLK Parade Monday