jimw@patch.com
415.948.8919
San Francisco, CA
Bio: Born and raised in Philadelphia. Went to journalism school at Syracuse University, where I met the love of my life and learned the craft. Moved to the Bay Area nearly 15 years ago with several high school friends with open-ended plans to start careers and dig deeply into the incredible beauty and culture of the Bay Area. Not leaving. I love where I grew up and am always thrilled to go back, but my roots are here now, and they are deep. I love music, basketball, food, travel, and laughing as often as possible. We had a daughter this year, and I am over the moon.
Professionally, it's been a little bit of everything over the years, from doe-eyed sports reporter to music editor to newspaper and online reporter of many stripes. It's simple, really: whether it's the high school phenom or the 85-year-old who can still throw verbal haymakers with the best of them, I love telling people's stories.
Politics
I'm a registered Democrat who believes in fiscal conservatism unless you're dealt a ridiculously bad hand and have to spend your way out. I believe we're all created equal and should be treated as such. Pragmatic empathy is possible, and government is a much-needed, if often mismanaged, force for good in the world.
Religion
I was raised Roman Catholic in a comically large Irish Catholic family. I've drifted from the church quite a bit since then for a number of reasons, but I still hold dear the people and values that were a part of that upbringing.
Local Hot-Button Issues
After a rough economic stretch for downtown business, Mill Valley is in the midst of a push to stimulate downtown business. That effort must be willing to innovate but also strike a balance between promoting downtown business and retaining the town's inimitable character.
The city must remain vigilant on issues of emergency preparedness, vegetation management and evacuation planning. Despite an improving real estate market, the city should strive for a more affordable housing market.
With its Miller Avenue Streetscape plan and all of its road projects, the city should try to promote alternative forms of transit throughout town.
Unable to negotiate with the owners of the Depot Bookstore and Café over expanded hours or additional signs promoting the bathroom, city officials eye a new facility downtown.
Eighth grade team's victory over more than a dozen Marin public and private schools garners honor from Mill Valley School District.
A 41-year-old homeless man punched and kicked a fellow transient in the face because he wouldn’t throw away his beer can, police say.
In Mill Valley, the child care landscape includes an array of choices, from traditional day care facilities and extended day services to Montessori schools and preschools. Who stands out?
City officials promise plenty of outreach about move toward charging residents and businesses based on their water consumption; heaviest water would see significant spike.
From a slew of rain to a swarm of submission for Mill Valley's dangerous intersections map, it was a busy week at Mill Valley Patch. Take a look back at the most popular stories from the past week in each of our categories.
Marin's national park lands are seeing an uptick in visits in 2012, National Park Service officials say.
Mill Valley native takes the stage for a rousing rendition of Johnny "Guitar" Watson's "You Can Stay But the Noise Must Go."
New gastropub on Miller Ave. from celebrity chef Tyler Florence garners nearly all the votes and comments as part of our Readers' Choice series.
As city officials ramp up outreach efforts on the update of its General Plan, they’re making a concerted effort to connect with young people.
Parents and students participate in statewide event in protest to Gov. Jerry Brown’s plans to link education funding to the success of a series of tax measures that will be on the ballot in November.
Nonpartisan nonprofit supports and defends open government, an inquiring press and a citizenry free to exchange facts and opinions.
Across the Bay Area, gas prices went up an average of 51 cents last month.
North Bay cities saw an increase of about 50 cents a gallon since last month
Replicas of classic friezes will be unveiled in the school's play yard Friday morning in advance of a fund raising auction March 24 at the Mill Valley Community Center.
With Thursday morning event outside the school, parents protest Gov. Jerry Brown’s plans to link education funding to the success tax measure on the ballot in November.
Know a dangerous intersection in the 94941? Click the "add" button to place it on our map.
Six weeks after a lawsuit from a group of neighbors was settled, the planned $36 million overhaul of the Lomita Drive elementary school is on schedule as board approves construction documents.
A range of factors has sent the average gas price to $4.41 per gallon in the 94941, with even the cheapest local gas station eclipsing $4.25 for regular unleaded this week.
At the tail end of a winter mostly absent of rain comes a week-long shower that has brought nearly 8 inches of rain to Marin.
