I grew up in the rural green belt of London, England where I fell in love with literature and literary history. During my undergraduate degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury, and namely an exchange year abroad at UCLA, that love for literature transitioned into a passion for journalism and California sunshine. I moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to pursue an MA degree in journalism at USC and continue a freelance career in multimedia storytelling. And I have never looked back.
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My experience includes local, national and international reporting for news outlets such as the LA Weekly, Southern California Public Radio and the New Zealand Herald Tribune. My fascination with hyper-local journalism spawned a thesis about the future of the industry (titled, Can Grassroots Journalism Help Underserved Communities?) and, in 2008, led me to help found a hyper-local website covering South Los Angeles. I was managing editor until early 2011, when Patch became my next adventure.
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Now I live in Concord with my husband, reading, writing, exploring the Bay Area and continuing to drink my tea with milk.
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Beliefs:
1. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato.
2. Never discuss religion or politics at the dinner table.
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Politics: I am a registered Democrat with an open mind to all opinions and factual arguments. I believe that the mind should be a thoroughfare for all thoughts and not a select party.
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Religion: Non-denominational Christian, with an almost pantheistic love for the outdoors and a strong appreciation for being still (Psalm 46:10.)
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Local Hot-Button Issues: Social justice issues that affect quality of life or access to opportunities, including education, immigration, health care and social welfare.
Bilbo is off on his adventures! Will you be joining the hobbit and his crew of dwarves? Here's which theaters are screening the movie in Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Orinda.
Thursday, Dec. 13: Headlines about Concord from around the web include a healthy eating event at Mt. Diablo High School, memories of jazz musician Dave Brubeck and an 8th grade soccer star from Pine Hollow Middle School.
This report from the Concord Police Department tallies the 69 arrests in the past week — down from 56 the week before. Last week the number of DUI arrests more than tripled from 5 to 16.
There were 11 burglaries in Concord from Dec. 6 to Dec. 12 — down from 19 the week before. Most of the burglaries were businesses, including Lowe's and the Sunvalley mall.
The crossing at Monument Boulevard and Erickson Road is heavily trafficked. The driver of the SUV that hit and killed skateboarder Scott Hickerson says the collision was an accident.
The musical event to benefit victims of Hurricane Sandy will be showing live in theaters around the Bay Area. Here's where to watch it.
A missing syringe of methamphetamine led to a fight between the two transient men, according to court officials.
The community will gather at Monument Boulevard and Erickson Road Friday, Dec. 14, to light a candle and honor the 21-year-old's memory. Hickerson was hit and killed by an SUV while riding his skateboard Friday.
Police have released the name of the 21-year-old driver who struck and killed Scott Hickerson, also 21, on Dec. 7. The cause of the collision is under investigation and no arrests have been made.
A discussion about regulating the cultivation of medical marijuana plants outdoors in Concord took place during Tuesday's council meeting. How do you think growers should be dealt with, if at all?
Potatoes are versatile and comforting in winter recipes. Here's a few to try. What's your favorite recipe?
Potatoes are versatile and comforting in winter recipes. Here's a few to try. Add your own in the comments.
Support your city by shopping at small businesses and gifting memberships to local organizations. Here are some suggestions for showing Concord some love this holiday season.
A possible explosive device was found on campus Monday afternoon, prompting an evacuation. There were no injuries and the bomb squad rendered the object safe.
From modernizing Park 'n Shop to building more community sports facilities, the ideas are rolling for how to make Concord a better place to live. Add yours in the comments.
The 21-year-old was riding his skateboard on Monument Boulevard Friday afternoon when he was struck by a vehicle and later died from his injuries. The victim was an Ygnacio Valley High grad and Concord native.
Having missed just two council meetings in the past four years, Birsan gives up the podium and public comments for a place on the council.
The 21-year-old was riding his skateboard on Monument Boulevard Friday afternoon when he was struck by a vehicle and later died from his injuries. The victim was an Ygnacio Valley High grad and Concord native.
In case you missed it, here's a recap of the top stories on Concord Patch in the past week, Dec. 3 to Dec. 9, 2012.
Clayton was a safe place to drive last week, with no traffic accidents. In fact, this week's activity report from the Clayton Police Department reveals a fairly peaceful Clayton all round.
