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.
Do you think a shuttle for the Monument community is a good use of funds? Or are there other projects that should take precedence? Share your thoughts in the comments.
In the spirit of Halloween, a local aspiring horror-movie writer shares his picks for the most terrifying, thrilling, funny — and less obvious — fright films. You won't find The Exorcist here.
It's Giants time. Game 1 starts Wednesday at 5:07 p.m. Here's the full World Series schedule plus sports bars showing the game in and near Concord. Where will you be watching it, and what's your bet?
Devilish dogs and creepy cats... does your pet have a Halloween costume? Share it here and Concordians will vote for the best in a virtual costume parade!
This week's beer list journeys beyond the boundaries of downtown Concord to get a taste of what's on tap at our local breweries — Ale Industries and Black Diamond Brewing Co.
Here's where you can see the window displays vying to win the annual Scarecrow Contest in Todos Santos Plaza and the downtown area. Vote for your favorite.
The teenager who killed Solaiman Nuri and his 9-year-old daughter Hadessa with his SUV will be in juvenile custody for about three years until his 21st birthday.
The orange fruit is juicy, sweet and excellent for a fall fruit salad. Here's what else is fresh at the farmers' market this week, plus events and recipes. Oct. 25 is the last Thursday farmers' market in Concord for the season.
Edi Birsan, secretary of Change 4 Real Change and candidate for Concord City Council, explains the new program designed to stop the flow of cash given to panhandlers and send it to organizations instead.
The teenager who killed Solaiman Nuri and his 9-year-old daughter Hadessa with his SUV will be in juvenile custody for about three years until his 21st birthday.
Concord resident Gregory Maier believes Kremin to be a "political outsider" who will take the city council in a new direction rather than pander to the "old order."
The Halloween season gets underway this weekend in Central Contra Costa County. Scare yourself silly, find some fun things to do and check the weather for Oct. 19 to 21.
Fire officials say that the $75 annual parcel tax would help prevent fire station closures in a 304 square mile area that includes Concord. Measure Q needs two-thirds approval to pass on Nov. 6.
It took two months and $5,000 to build — but the house on Kay Avenue is officially open to victims this weekend. Take a tour of the horrors from dusk to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 19 to 20 and Oct. 26 to 31.
Where do Concord's criminals come from? This snapshot from the Concord Police Department tallies the 76 arrests in the past week by type of charge and the arrestee's city of residence.
There were 17 burglaries in Concord in the past week — up from 9 last week. One occurred at Clayton Valley High School, seven businesses were targeted, five homes were burglarized and four cars were stolen. Click "fullscreen" for a closer view
The Westwind Solano Drive-in will screen the cult classic on Friday evening for the first time since 1975. Do you remember seeing the movie's original run? Share your memories in the comments... and photos too, if you dare!
The Concord-based STAND! For Families Free of Violence was one of 32 Northern California anti-domestic violence organizations awarded funding through Verizon's HopeLine phone recycling program.
Joseph Medrano, vice mayor of Clayton, resigned from office this week and faces up to fours years in prison for felony embezzlement.
Check out the beers on tap in town at EJ Phair, Tower Grille and Vinnie's. What's your favorite?
