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.
San Anselmo residents Daniel Uzilevsky and Erik Howard Smyth, who frequently perform in Fairfax, were returning from a gig in Cotati when they were hit by a car driving the wrong way on Highway 101.
The following stories were the talk of the town in the 94941 over the past week.
Marin and other Bay Area counties have seen a rise in median sales prices in the past year.
San Anselmo resident Susanna Solomon writes short stories inspired by the Point Reyes Light's police log. This story involves the fictional opinion-heavy elderly couple Fred and Mildred after they had an argument.
Despite a contentious battle for the U.S. presidency atop the ballot, Marin doesn’t look to have many competitive local races this fall. There's nothing doing in Novato.
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On the heels of Tom Rigney & Flambeau’s raucous performance last week, longtime local guitarist anchors downtown summer series, which runs through Aug. 25.
California-wide Flex Alert goes into effect Tuesday because of hot temperatures, with residents urged to cut back on energy use during peak daytime hours.
Despite a contentious battle for the U.S. presidency atop the ballot, Marin doesn’t look to have many competitive local races this fall.
The following stories were the talk of the town in the 94941 over the past week.
Despite a contentious battle for the U.S. presidency atop the ballot, Marin doesn’t look to have many competitive local races this fall.
Despite a contentious battle for the U.S. presidency atop the ballot, Marin doesn’t look to have many competitive local races this fall. The Mill Valley School District’s parcel tax campaign might be the most compelling race in all of Marin.
Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mike Gordon among the performers in the “Move Me Brightly” concert filmed in San Rafael in celebration of Jerry Garcia’s 70th birthday.
Mill Valley singer-songwriter is tuning up for the semifinals of popular NBC reality show with a pair of shows in his hometown and another at the Great American Music Hall.
Marin biologist reports at least 20 sightings this summer in the greater Bay Area, a worrisome development as protections are not yet in place in the area.
A blaze at the Chevron refinery in Richmond Monday night spewed a huge plume visible across the Bay Area and prompted shelter-in-place warnings. No refinery workers were injured, a Chevron spokeswoman said.
The following stories were the talk of the town in the 94941 over the past week.
The director and actor will be filming a scene for his new romantic comedy in Marin County and the crew is looking for "clean cut, sophisticated, conservative looking Marin types 30s-40s" to cast as extras.
Mill Valley maker of toys made from recycled plastic milk jugs says it received 10 reports of wheels and hubcaps coming loose or detaching from the vehicles, but no reports of injuries.
Mill Valley maker of toys made from recycled plastic milk jugs says it received 10 reports of wheels and hubcaps coming loose or detaching from the vehicles, but no reports of injuries.
