Karen Goff, Patch Staff

Email: Kareng (at) patch.com

Phone: 571-420-7129

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Birthday: July 18

I came to Patch after a long career in print journalism, first at a chain of community weeklies in Ohio, then at daily newspapers in Washington, D.C., and Florida.

Since earning a B.A. in Journalism at The Ohio State University, I have covered pretty much everything, which includes cops and courts, sports, features, health, parenting, business, food and pop culture. To get a story, I have flown in a zero-gravity plane, chased down celebrities, pushed my way through a locker room and spent the day in jail.

I met my husband, also a journalist, while covering a college basketball game. We live in south Reston with our son Ryan, a South Lakes High School student, and two cats (including one named - no joke - Patches).

 I have lived in Reston for 14 years, and I have a deep interest in the people, the businesess, the schools, youth sports and whatever new restaurants are coming to the Town Center. On any day you can find me at the South Lakes Starbucks, Cafesano, Community Canteen, jogging the trail around Lake Thoreau, at Beloved Yoga or at the Ridge Heights Pool.  I also blog for fun at www.snarkshelf.com.

At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible and human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal certain key beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.

This disclosure is not a license for our editors to inject these beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that our beliefs are on the record will force us to be ever mindful to write, report, and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you, the user, ever think you see evidence that we failed in this mission, we wholeheartedly invite you to let us know.

My beliefs: That everyone has a story to tell and that  there are several sides of a story.

    * How would you describe your political beliefs?

 Liberal to moderate Democrat, however, working at a conservative publication for many years has given me an appreciation for a diversity of opinions and beliefs.

* How religious would you say you are? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?

 Jewish, but more interested in culture and tradition than religion.

    * What do you think are the most important issues facing the community?

Hot button issues: I expect to spend lots of time covering the Metro coming to Reston, school budget issues, Reston Association goings-on, Town Center expansion, affordable housing.