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.
Behind chef Duilio Valenti and strong social media support, 17-year-old Tam Valley spot wins the first contest in our Readers’ Choice series going away.
Mill Valley native and printmaker has an exhibit opening today at Dominican and a new version of ‘Coast of California’ on the way.
As district officials hone in on a strategy to pass a new parcel tax, parents take their case for long-term activism to the community with a series of town halls at each of the six schools, starting today at Strawberry Point and Park schools.
While the new venue's well known partners and star performers have gotten most of the attention so far, Sweetwater manager KR Holt is at the controls.
Longtime Mill Valley resident and police officer who retired 15 months ago takes the helm of department in a part-time role for small Sierra foothills town.
This sign is posted on a gated fence that is home to - well, obviously - three cats, as well as a host of gatherings throughout the year. Where is it?
With 366 days instead of the usual 365, what are you going to do with the extra 24 hours in 2012?
From the Community Center's bevy of themed parties to the art-tastic scene at Art Start and everything in between, tell us about the top spots to have kids' parties. And let us know if we missed a place and we'll add it.
Harbor Point Charitable Foundation's benefit for Kiddo at 142 Throckmorton Theatre celebrates this year's Academy Award winners.
"Wednesday Night Live" jam sessions featuring a host of special guests sold out in February.
After residents’ concern over collection of damaged cars near sewer plant goes viral, city officials clarify that the vehicles were part of a brief fire department training exercise.
Proposal to open a franchise of the sandwich shop chain is denied, citing “detrimental to the health and general welfare” of residents and potential negative impact on local businesses.
Document analyzes environmental impact of much-debated, 20-unit residential complex at 1.2-acre property on East Blithedale Ave. near Camino Alto.
Citing the negative impact of its conservation success on its bottom line, as well as increasing costs, MMWD is notifying customers of a possible 6 percent rate hike.
We're kicking off our Best Of 2012 contest with a category that finds Mill Valley loaded: Italian restaurants. So we ask the question: which one is the best?
From neighbors sparring over a sewer smell to compostable materials going straight to the landfill, waste was in the news this week. Take a look back at the most popular stories from the past week in each category on Mill Valley Patch.
Selection of videos from the Mill Valley Middle School Chamber Music Concert shows students tackling Back and Astor Piazzolla. Upload more videos and photos here!
Despite 7-week delay after neighbors requested traffic data on similar-sized Subway restaurants, franchisee's application gets its hearing Monday night. Laurelwood condo proposal also on the docket.
The city of Mill Valley’s municipal code calls for a “prohibition of habitual animal noise which unreasonably disturbs the peace.” Residents all over Mill Valley complained to police over the past week of violations of this ordinance.
Foul odor and presence of potentially dangerous gases is at center of dispute; City Council chooses not to declare a public nuisance until a consultant can further study its cause.
