Santa Cruz, CA|News|
Aerial Go Pro Footage Flies High Over Santa Cruz Surfers
Bay Area local Eric Cheng captured a bird's eye view of surfers at Steamer's Lane in Santa Cruz.

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.
Bay Area local Eric Cheng captured a bird's eye view of surfers at Steamer's Lane in Santa Cruz.

David McCormick is accused of sending out a false distress call, failing to stop his boat after a Coast Guard order and assaulting an officer who boarded his vessel.
Squad loses in the semifinal round to Rocklin, 6-5, and heads back to San Jose Friday evening.
Theft of the play structure occurred sometime between July 20-21; yard had no gate or surveillance cameras.
Incident occurred shortly before a scheduled benefit concert by students at Marin Christian Academy.
Some guns were stolen in 1998 and owner wanted to make sure that his firearm was listed as stolen.
Santa Rosa man would have known how to start the bus via a keyless, electronic system, an agency spokesperson said.
Apparel company was sold last month and its operations were moved to the East Coast, according to their former landlord. New “museum store without the museum” expected to open in mid-September.
Police say a white gold ring with 10 diamonds on top was taken from an employee who had set it down as he washed his hands.
Artist says he made the signs because of the connection between the "speed enforced by aircraft" signs on the highway and the recent controversy surrounding the federal government's spying activities.
How many Jacobs were born in 2012? What year was Matthew the most popular? How many babies got your name the year you were born? Explore our database of California baby names from 1910 to 2012.
After hitting a number of other cars, the car stopped near Butterfield Road and the driver resisted arrest and assaulted several officers, police said.
Residents are being told to stay inside as of 10 a.m., officials said.
Police said 48-year-old man also was in possession of heroin and narcotics paraphernalia.
Rash of thefts of pricey bikes continues. This week's roundup of police activities also includes a theft of an iron sculpture, a strange case of vandalism and a misplaced 2014 Mercedes.
Man fell 15 to 20 feet and struck the right side of his head on a rock in the Merced River above Emerald Pool and was rescued by a search and rescue team that was in the midst of its annual training in the area.
A digest of recent activities of Marin County Sheriff’s deputies in unincorporated San Rafael.
Police said 34-year-old driver was found in possession of heroin, methamphetamine and prescription pills for which the driver did not have a valid prescription.
McCormick said he had weapons and that there would be violence if the crew attempted to get on the boat, Coast Guard officials said.