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.
----
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.
----
Now I live in Concord with my husband, reading, writing, exploring the Bay Area and continuing to drink my tea with milk.
---
Beliefs:
1. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato.
2. Never discuss religion or politics at the dinner table.
----
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.
----
Religion: Non-denominational Christian, with an almost pantheistic love for the outdoors and a strong appreciation for being still (Psalm 46:10.)
----
Local Hot-Button Issues: Social justice issues that affect quality of life or access to opportunities, including education, immigration, health care and social welfare.
Trying to lose weight or eat more healthily? It doesn't have to mean giving up your favorite Martinez restaurants. Here are some calorie-cutting tips. Share yours too!
Martinez is blooming, and some of the most colorful clusters are showing up alongside the parking lots and county buildings downtown. Have you seen the unseen display?
We're into a week with no school — and it's raining. What family activities are you planning to stave off boredom and chaos during spring break 2012? Share your ideas.
The Turkish imports store is relocating to Sonoma, while a new pizzeria is preparing to open in a couple of weeks.
This empty building has a prime location in the heart of Downtown Martinez. Instead of papered windows and broken glass, what do you wish were here?
From Good Friday through Easter Sunday, Martinez is hopping with things to do to celebrate Easter 2012. The festival of Passover begins sundown Friday.
President Obama signed the JOBS act Thursday with the aim of making it easier for entrepreneurs to solicit money and investors to answer the call. Will local businesses benefit?
President Obama signed the JOBS act Thursday with the aim of making it easier for entrepreneurs to solicit money and investors to answer the call. Will local businesses benefit?
Here's an explanation of the meaning behind Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, a feast day recognized by Christians in the run up to Easter, and a list of evening church services in Martinez.
With a colorful array of old school soda pop bottles, Luigi's on Main Street offers a bubbly adventure into the past. What was your favorite bottle of pop as a kid?
The Titans will perform the Star Spangled Banner at the Oakland A's game on April 10th.
The local band drew a crowd at Slim's in San Francisco last week with tracks from their upcoming album. Here's "Carnival Rock" performed live. What do you think?
Do you know where this plate of fish and chips came from in Hercules? Leave your guess in the comments and show off your foodie knowledge.
The hill behind Duck Pond Park is blanketed with an array of wild flowers from Baby Blue Eyes to Purple Chinese Houses. Where else are wildflowers blooming in Hercules?
According to a columnist from the school's newspaper, Hercules High School is a "prison sentence" for teenagers stuck with the same kids from middle school. Do you agree?
With weeks of unclaimed prize money, the Mega Millions jackpot now stands at a record $476 million for Friday night's drawing. Is it worth a gamble, or just a pointless scramble?
With weeks of unclaimed prize money, the Mega Millions jackpot now stands at a record $476 million for Friday night's drawing. Is it worth a gamble, or just a pointless scramble?
With weeks of unclaimed prize money, the Mega Millions jackpot now stands at a record $476 million for Friday night's drawing. Is it worth a gamble, or just a pointless scramble?
The newest addition to the Taco Bell menu is a taco with a shell made of nacho-cheese flavor Doritos. Is it a heart attack waiting to happen... or a healthier choice?
The newest addition to the Taco Bell menu is a taco with a shell made of nacho-cheese flavor Doritos. Is it a heart attack waiting to happen... or a healthier choice?