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.
Some parents want a full day, but half-day Mondays give teachers planning time, a resource of which they already don't have enough, they say.
Each week, we bring you some of Northern Virginia's best Patch blogs.
Each week, we bring you some of Northern Virginia's best Patch blogs.
The Virginia governor apologized Tuesday amid an ethics scandal, maintaining he did nothing wrong.
The Virginia governor apologized Tuesday amid an ethics scandal, maintaining he did nothing wrong.
Hugh Jackman stars in film opening in theaters this weekend.
Hugh Jackman stars in film opening in theaters this weekend.
The State Board of Elections launched a new online registration system this week.
Virginia sees 50 percent drop in 16-year-olds getting a driver's license compared to 1995 statistics - but why?
Virginia sees 50 percent drop in 16-year-olds getting a driver's license compared to 1995 statistics - but why?
Plus, there’s a Prius-tire-slashing criminal on the loose in Arlington.
Plus, there’s a Prius-tire-slashing criminal on the loose in Arlington.
Many were moved to tears to see how much art has been an important part of their recovery.
This 'wow' home is currently for sale in Fairfax.
The final exhibit of this temporary gallery's show opens with a party this Saturday evening.
Snakes, parrots and lizards, oh my!
Today in Herndon: Plan your weekend with these fun events going on around Fairfax County.
Today in Fairfax: Plan your weekend with this fun events around Fairfax County.
The 72-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond.
They were also found to have stolen the car they drove during all three robberies.
