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.
Grateful Dead legend gets angered by people who reportedly wouldn't stop talking while he played a solo acoustic set. He later returned for a set with his new Ratdog Quartet.
Inmate, 29, was pronounced dead just before 5 p.m. Friday after being found unresponsive in his cell, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office.
Salinas Police say they arrested six women on suspicion of prostitution after contacting them online and arranging to meet them at a local hotel.
The victim of a kidnapping reportedly called San Rafael Police, leading to a chase and the eventual fatal shooting of the suspect near Guerneville.
Faced with dwindling enrollment and rising costs, 56-year-old Catholic school will shut down at the end of the school year unless archdiocese reconsiders. Parents and teachers look to connect with prospective new schools.
Hafner family’s 11-year-old tabby Turner was found about five miles from their home near Peacock Gap in San Rafael.
Police prioritize investigations and issue warnings after reports of a rash of commercial and residential burglaries in southern Marin.
As sad as we are to lose Brent Ainsworth as the editor of Novato Patch, we're overwhelmingly thrilled for his well-deserved opportunity.
University takes hit via Federal Pell Grant program but officials say they won’t pass it onto students.
A year after making a raucous debut, popular event returns, featuring 14 young poets.
With Supes’ approval to send the project out to bid, 9- to 12-month renovation could begin as soon as early April.
Local mother-daughter duo and co-authors of ‘The Lost Years’ to speak at Redwood High Tuesday night for event teen alcohol and drug use.
Driver of a pickup truck got on southbound 101 at Sir Francis Drake Blvd., pulled in front of the bus and was hit from behind, causing "substantial injuries to his upper body."
Judge allows Point Reyes oyster farm stay open while it appeals federal government's decision to deny a permit extension and allow the estuary to return to wilderness.
This week's roundup of police activities includes a number of DUIs, hit-and runs and someone very upset with the dogs barking outside of Beerworks.
Design software maker looks to go molecular, diving into the emerging nanoscale world of synthetic biology and materials.
Longtime supervisor for all things parks plans to travel after his last day this week but says he’ll always have deep ties to Mill Valley.
Celebrating 20 years as the host of ‘Forum,’ longtime Marin resident recounts his first radio gig in 1980.
NASA's Spot the Station service lets people sign up to get an email or a text message to see the space station above; service includes two locations in Marin.
Tickets may go up in price to $11 for a one-way ride.
