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.
Former National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Trip Jennings weaves a tale of high adventure, extreme danger and altruistic aspirations at library Thursday and Friday nights.
Friends of the Mill Valley Library line up trio of classics, including Viva Zapata, East of Eden and On the Waterfront.
Campaign to restore 111-year-old building, which hosts a group of cyclists raising money for cancer research this week, looks to seize momentum from matching grant.
As first generation of popular parking permits expire Sunday, officials hope 94941 residents and eligible non-residents pony up for RSVP 2.0.
This photo was taken by Eldridge Avenue resident Sam Bagshaw in the 1950s. It was submitted by his daughter Marilyn Bagshaw and it depicts the Sleeping Lady from the vantage point of Seminary Drive, long before the development that exists there today.
Before birders get to any of the plethora of great birdwatching spots in our neck of the woods, they dash by me in their cars. Where am I?
Report says alleged serial killer has $1 million in liquid assets with which he could pay for an attorney, but he claims there is a conspiracy to deny him access to his money.
Following his passion for mountain biking and his burgeoning reputation on the culinary scene, chef has taken the itinerant path. He says he’s found a home in Mill Valley.
Teens Turning Green, California Film Institute and Whole Foods team up to "engage students to creatively advocate for their right to healthy food."
Ceremony set for Oct. 23 to celebrate the achievements of local artists for their body of work and contributions to the community.
Because of the terrain, work near the Hoo Koo E Koo fire road off Railroad Grade requires a little help from the air.
Trenching work accidentally punctured a gas line outside Masonic Lodge, causing an evacuation of the Bank of America and limited access to City Hall and Mill Valley Market.
Mill Valley didn't fare too well in the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's recent report on the state of Bay Area roads. So where are the worst pothole and the worst streets in town?
A grimacing neighbor, an unsolicited carpet cleaning and a mustachioed man giving off a weird vibe highlight this week’s police calls. Arrests do not indicate a conviction.
Afternoon stint picking greens at farm off Hwy. 1 with Marin Organics helps get high quality food to families who need them most.
Here are the top stories from the Marin Patch sites today.
Short film looks at the inimitable Mill Valley folk hero and the toilet-seat guitar that made his famous in the Bay Area music community.
The Mill Valley Library celebrated its centennial by turning back the clock in Old Mill Park, with live music, games, crafts and history.
We do our best to cover the community from every angle, but your perspective is vital. From op-ed columns and blog posts to event listings and announcements, there are plenty of ways for you to use Mill Valley Patch to express yourself.
Fairfax resident empties decades-old store in downtown Mill Valley, awaits trial.
