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.
As Mill Valley School District’s private educational foundation looks to raise $2.7 million this year to pay for art, music, technology and physical education, it’s asking for a $1,200 per student.
Sen. Mark Leno has introduced a bill to stop the exploitation of seniors.
Service between the Pohono Park and Ride lot off Highway 101 and Muir Woods National Monument runs on weekends through Oct. 28.
Almonte resident’s new restaurant on Miller Ave. in the former Chinese Deli space opens today and promises food that creatively fuses cultures but “is not necessarily healthy.”
Worries over how a drive-by shooting could occur here are eased with word that it was apparently an isolated incident involving a social media dispute and a girl.
Grinning and scanning the throngs before him, this bronze man basks in adulation. Where is he?
Slate of local riders to take part NorCal High School Cycling League's championship race on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Novato.
Bike to Work Day and a month-long Team Bike Challenge are part of National Bike Month to "celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride."
According to a state report, Mill Valley grew by 1.5 percent last year, the highest percentage increase anywhere in Marin.
Faced with stagnant property tax revenue, booming enrollment and funding “take backs” from the state, district moves ahead with campaign to add to existing $731 parcel tax.
This week's roundup of police activities include a number of minor accidents, some fireworks and an alleged Scope-swilling driver.
Handed a sharply worded from developer’s attorney about delays for his proposed 20-unit residential project, Planning Commission spends little time on alternatives Monday.
San Rafael teen Max Wade is accused of a drive-by shooting on Evergreen Ave. as well as a ninja-esque theft of celebrity chef's Guy Fieri's Lamborghini.
Billy Butler is set to perform at the Kennedy Center this week as part of the What’s Going On Now project, a tribute to the 40th anniversary of legendary soul singer’s performance of his acclaimed album.
Mill Valley man arrested after evading multiple law enforcement agencies while running barefoot and half-naked through dense brush in the hills south of Old Mill School, which was put on lockdown briefly.
For this week's edition in our Readers' Choice contest, we ask for your favorite Mill Valley spot to take mom for a spectacular Sunday meal.
Ace Kit Larson throws 8 shutout innings and then scores the winning run on a bases-loaded, no-out walk in Friday’s 1-0 win. Hawks maintain share of first place and play San Rafael Tuesday night.
Golden Gate Ferry service between Larkspur, Sausalito and San Francisco will be shut down Tuesday until the afternoon by a labor strike.
See a preview of what's coming up on the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, May 1.
Sausalito police arrest 41-year-old man who is suspected of stealing expensive road bikes from across the state and attempting to resell them.
