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.
City still only gets a B grade — 9 out of 12 — but local ordinance has been effective thus far. And it's way better than Mill Valley, which received an F grade.
Former Fairfax Mayor recounts the history of one of Marin's jewels, which were once targeted for removal.
One year after city officials said they were working on a comprehensive health policy, city's tobacco control laws receive low score from the American Lung Association.
City and county officials encourage residents to get ready for the just-arrived rainy season and be aware of current high tide conditions.
One day after it was revealed that DNA samples found on a pantyhose of one of the murder victims is a likely match to Joseph Naso, the man accused of murdering four women from 1977 to 1994, his ex is set to take the stand in preliminary hearing.
After extensive discussions about revised regulations for events held in the downtown plaza, council says staff has more work to do.
Rustic mountain lodge on Mount Tamalpais built by the railway in 1904 and owned by the Marin Municipal Water District, garners distinction.
In a packed ceremony before the school board meeting at the Middle School Tuesday night, 84 students received a certificate recognizing their achievement.
Maker of organic personal care products hopes to tighten direct ties to consumers with first-ever store; plans to open in March in Throckmorton Ave. space recently vacated by Roots Collaborative.
In its ongoing effort to prove the success of the 2009 voter-approved Measure C bond measure, district hosts 90-minutes open houses at each school at 6 p.m.
As demand remains high for its cats-only boarding and care business, Miller Ave. nearly doubles its rooms.
City staff recommends loosening restrictions on events held in downtown plaza; many of those restrictions have been applied selectively in recent years.
We spotted this flyer at Depot Plaza last week, and the person responsible has officially piqued our interest. What's going on here?
Sunday night fire spreads quickly and was difficult to put out, fire officials say; all residents evacuated safely.
As San Rafael Police were examining the crime scene in Lucas Valley, suspect in alleged incident showed up, leading authorities on a chase before he was arrested Sunday afternoon.
A police car rear-ended a vehicle that was backing out of driveway where there were reports of as many as 10 people throwing bottles at a car, police said.
Take a look back at the top stories of the past week in each category on Mill Valley Patch.
Maker of organic personal care products hopes to tighten direct ties to consumers with first-ever store; plans to open in March in Throckmorton Ave. space recently vacated by Roots Collaborative.
Officers provide details about the deaths of two women Joseph Naso is charged with murdering, while 80-year-old Betty Matheson says she feared Naso and that he choked her so he could have sex with her while she was unconscious.
Suspected gang members were seen breaking into a mini-van in downtown Novato Friday afternoon, police said.
