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.
The Alameda-based foundation hopes to find homes for 3,000 dogs and cats at this year's Matchmaker Adoptathon in June, with pet adoptions at more than 80 locations throughout the Bay Area.
Pleasant Hill Patch will host a blogger happy hour Friday at 3:30 p.m. Enjoy the sunshine on the patio at Jack's Restaurant and Bar, learn more about Local Voices, mingle with the team and meet other bloggers.
These pies adorn the display case of this Pleasant Hill eatery like a sky filled with fluffy clouds. But where can you get a taste? Leave your guess in the comments.
A story on CNN featuring the organization, co-founded by Piedmont's Kathy Hull, tells the story of a teenage boy in his final days of life.
Feeling philosophical? Broody? Fantastical? Indulge your literary imagination by browsing the books at Panama Red Coffee House and relaxing for a read.
Where do you go to stretch out on the grass and relax? Share your serene scenes in the comments or snap a picture and upload it here.
Sprouts and shutters on the Pleasant Hill business scene include a new pit spot for ribs, and the closure of a day spa downtown.
Pleasant Hill mom Maura Houston took matters into her own hands when she noticed a lack of information on the Gregory Gardens Elementary School website. So she built her own.
Pleasant Hill mom Maura Houston took matters into her own hands when she noticed a lack of information on the Gregory Gardens Elementary School website. So, she built her own.
Brand new train cars are heading to a BART station near you as part of a $2.5 billion project to replace the oldest fleet in the nation.
Tammy Sorensen lost her son when he was hit and killed by a car a year ago. She says that the police pulled her away from her son's side and concluded the investigation with a puzzling report.
Brand new train cars are heading to a BART station near you as part of a $2.5 billion project to replace the oldest fleet in the nation.
Thousands of post offices will be saved from closure under a new plan to cut business hours instead. Do you still use the post office, or is it a relic of days gone by?
Shopping around in Pleasant Hill this week for mom? Let us know what you find for Mother's Day gifts. Making something? Snap a picture and upload it here! Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13.
This sangria will, apparently, "change your life," according to this Pleasant Hill restaurant. Can you guess where it came from?
Holy free comics, Batman! Local comic book stores will be giving away thousands of free comic books on May 5, a.k.a. Free Comic Book Day. Events and signings too!
The seven people killed during a college shooting spree in April will be remembered at a prayer vigil Thursday evening, 8 p.m. at Diablo Valley College, organized by Love-A-Child Missions.
The seven people killed during a college shooting spree in April will be remembered at a prayer vigil Thursday evening, 8 p.m. in DVC's stadium, organized by Love-A-Child Missions.
The seven people killed during a college shooting spree in April will be remembered at a prayer vigil Thursday evening, 8 p.m. in DVC's stadium, organized by Love-A-Child Missions.
Here's how you can make the most of Pleasant Hill Patch as a community resource, whether you're a Pleasant Hill resident, organization or business.
