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.
In the wake of the approval of a new tween-focused hair salon and retail shop, some local business owners and city officials are asking themselves that question. Should City Hall step in?
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Harbor Point Charitable Foundation takes its second annual Academy Awards viewing party back to 142 Throckmorton.
Despite proliferation of biodegradable foodware, those products aren’t being composted at the two waste management facilities in Marin. As a result, people’s choices might not be as eco-friendly as they think.
Due to emergency repair work on traffic signals at the intersection, city is shutting down right-turn lane to northbound Camino Alto starting Tuesday at 8 a.m.
Event that organizers say has brought the Occupy movement and the prisoners' rights movement together seeks a number of prison reforms.
Three men were seen fleeing in a black Acura after a 30-year-old man was stabbed near the intersection of Redwood Blvd. and De Long Ave, police say.
On the heels of a huge sewer rate hike in 2011, City Hall eyes a shift to a rate system based on the volume of wastewater discharged, meaning the highest water users will pay more.
Owner of home décor business opens sister business in storefront formerly occupied by Ma Petite Folie.
Early end to closure provides respite to Golden Gate Bridge travelers who saw a surge in southbound traffic heading into San Francisco.
Officer on patrol stopped 44-year-old man out on bail for earlier charges and found him with suspected methamphetamine, police say.
Metropolitan Transportation Commission is look for high school students to fill 36 paid summer internships this summer.
Police say 27-year-old former employee tripped a burglar alarm and was caught by video surveillance cameras Friday night at San Anselmo Ave. eyewear shop.
From the car buffs at Tam High and the science masters at Old Mill to Sammy Hagar and Mickey Hart jumping onstage at the new Sweetwater, take a look back at the most popular stories from the past week in each category on Mill Valley Patch.
Benni’s, a hair salon and retail shop from a pair of Sausalito residents, is opening in the 23 Throckmorton Ave. space formerly occupied by Tamalpais General Store.
Thief makes sure he doesn't leave resident without wheels, along with stolen iPhones and identity thieves highlight this week's roundup of police activities.
Valentine’s Day party featured the Bellboyz Jazz Trio, with a number of very famous guests in the crowd.
Event draws hundreds to see 100 entries and 11 that qualified to go to the Marin County Office of Education Science Fair in March.
Accused serial killer waives his right to an attorney, saying "I want to get out of here as soon as I can, this year I hope."
Homestead Valley artist creates 70-second musical animation on "the universality of love" that is seen by millions.
