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.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
Propelled by stalwart band the Distractions, Mill Valley musical phenom has an ever-growing slate of live shows, including five over this Earth Day weekend.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
As the San Francisco Police Dept. shelves the latest attempt to equip officers with stun guns, all but two agencies in Marin have been using them for years. Do you have any concerns about that?
Across Patch's network of 900 sites, people felt the effect of the bombing at the Boston Marathon, including dozens of stories in the Bay Area and several in Marin that focused on local residents who ran the race.
Propelled by stalwart band the Distractions, Mill Valley musical phenom has an ever-growing slate of live shows, including five over this Earth Day weekend.
As the San Francisco Police Dept. shelves the latest attempt to equip officers with stun guns, all but two agencies in Marin have been using them for years. Do you have any concerns about that?
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows Santa Clara County's net loss of more than 14,000 residents between 2006 and 2010. You might be surprised where many of them moved.
Joseph Price of San Rafael had just been released from Marin County Jail, where he was booked on a warrant for driving on a suspended license. Price lived on the other side of the highway from where he tried to cross.
Dimitri Storm led officers on a vehicle pursuit after he reportedly caused a disturbance and threatened to fight the clerk at the Big Sur General Store.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
A new U.S. Census Bureau map of migration patterns between counties shows where San Mateo County residents moved to and from between 2006 and 2010.
Cynthia Pillsbury represented Moms Demand Gun Sense in America as committee discussed a set of new laws that could place new restrictions on the types of guns and ammunition that Californians are allowed to own.
This week's roundup of police activities also includes two reported stolen cars, a rocking chair theft and an attempt to forge a prescription at the CVS Pharmacy.
Cynthia Pillsbury represented Moms Demand Gun Sense in America as committee discussed a set of new laws that could place new restrictions on the types of guns and ammunition that Californians are allowed to own.
Less than four hours after a Greenbae resident reported that her son had stolen her car from the Bon Air shopping center, police spot the car on Camino Alto.
