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.
In the first of a series of Q&As with Filipino-American Herculeans, Councilwoman Myrna de Vera discusses the history and uniqueness of the Filipino community in the city.
The coffee shop at the corner of Main and Ferry is priced at $39,000 and available immediately.
The students visited Martinez from their hometown of Dunbar, Scotland — Muir's birthplace.
Three small businesses so far are in the running for one of 12 grants to be awarded by Chase and LivingSocial to help small businesses across the United States.
Sharp's new 90-inch LED television and Panasonic's 152-inch plasma offer mammoth viewing options. Putting the price tags aside... would you own one if you could?
This week's Off the Grid event at the South Shore Center features a variety of meals on wheels, from cupcakes to curry.
Sharp's new 90-inch LED television and Panasonic's 152-inch plasma offer mammoth viewing options. Putting the price tags aside... would you own one if you could?
Sharp's new 90-inch LED television and Panasonic's 152-inch plasma offer mammoth viewing options. Putting the price tags aside... would you own one if you could?
Sharp's new 90-inch LED television and Panasonic's 152-inch plasma offer mammoth viewing options. Putting the price tags aside... would you own one if you could?
The 2012 Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards celebrates women in the Bay Area who are forging ahead in the business world. Do you know of a local nominee?
Martinez police alighted from the Virginia Hills Shopping Center with the Special Olympics torch Tuesday morning, carrying it to the Marina.
The pizzeria with a sports theme offers casual dining on Main Street and a learning experience for owner Marty Ochoa and his staff.
In Alameda, 28.7 percent of our 5th, 7th and 9th graders are overweight or obese. What should families do? What should government do? Take the poll and share your thoughts.
The Chicago-style pizzeria will open a new restaurant in downtown Pleasant Hill at the end of this year or by early 2013. The job pays $11 an hour.
The Alameda Police Department is advising residents to secure their homes and stay vigilant, especially during vacation season.
It's the third Off the Grid event in Alameda and already certain food trucks are becoming staples. Sample the mobile delights at the South Shore Center from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Chicago-style pizzeria will open a new restaurant in downtown Pleasant Hill at the end of this year or by early 2013. The job pays $11 an hour.
If you love your city, here's where you can buy the swag to show off your Pleasant Hill pride.
Also on Monday's agenda: public hearings on the draft housing element plan and new shopping center signs for Alameda Landing.
The Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano is asking people to eat on $4.46 a day — the budget currently allowed under the CalFresh food stamp program. Give it a try for a week, and blog along the way.
