Jennifer van der Kleut (formerly Jennifer McBride) was born and raised in the southern San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California. She graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San Jose State University. She was a full-time writer for Silicon Valley Community Newsgroup from 2004 to 2006, writing for newspapers such as the Los Gatos Weekly and Saratoga News, among others. She wrote the weekly history column Los Gatos: Now and Then for the Los Gatos Daily News throughout 2007, and was a contributing editor at South Bay Accent Magazine from 2008 to 2009. She has also lent her voice to many other publications such as the Los Gatos Weekender and the online Brizzly Guide.
Jennifer was one of the very first freelance writers to contribute to many of the first Bay Patch sites in the Bay Area when they first launched in the fall of 2010. After contributing for more than a year and a half, Jennifer was hired on as an official Patch employee in May of 2012. She is very excited to be a full-fledged member of the Patch family.
In California, Jennifer served as the interim editor for Milpitas Patch in the South Bay, an associate editor for the San Mateo and Foster City Patch sites on the Peninsula, and then served as the head local editor for RedwoodCity-Woodside Patch, before transferring to the east coast in April of 2013.
Jennifer is now the local editor for both Herndon Patch and Fairfax City Patch. She loves being a part of these two communities and getting to know her new home in Northern Virginia.
Jennifer currently lives in the Clifton/Centreville with her husband, Alex and her two sons, Connor, born in Sept. 2007, and Oliver, or Ollie, born in May 2010.
See what several national and local officials had to say in the wake of Monday's tragic mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.
See what several national and local officials had to say in the wake of Monday's tragic mass shooting at the Washington Navy Yard.
Aaron Alexis had a previous weapons charge in Texas. The FBI is asking the public for any info on him.
Aaron Alexis had a previous weapons charge in Texas. The FBI is asking the public for any info on him.
Get the latest updates on how today's mass shooting in D.C. is affecting train service, the Nationals game, security at regional military bases and more.
Get the latest updates on how today's mass shooting in D.C. is affecting train service, the Nationals game, security at regional military bases and more.
See the latest updates from our reporter on the scene in D.C.
See the latest updates from our reporter on the scene in D.C.
See more results from this unique competition, which took place on Saturday.
Damage from the fire is estimated at $500,000.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new turf field at Woodson's Pat Cunningham stadium will be held this Friday.
The Friends of Runnymede Park helped raise money for the construction of this tower so that local chimney swift birds have a place to rest at night.
Top news of the week from our Patches around Virginia and Washington.
Top news of the week from our Patches around Virginia and Washington.
Plus, pure luxury, with the Kiss and Ride just a few flutters away.
Plus, pure luxury, with the Kiss and Ride just a few flutters away.
Find out how to keep yourself from getting slapped with the $350 fine.
Mayor Lisa Merkel and the Town Councilmembers have declared Sept. 15-29 to be a 'Day to Serve' period in which residents are encouraged to give back in their communities.
The award praises the district's 'Bring Your Own Device' policy for increasing student access to online learning resources.
