Bio: </b>I grew up in a home where it was normal and, in fact, oddly comforting to see three different newspapers stacked beside the fireplace on any given day. "I don't know; let's check the newspaper," was a suggestion my parents patiently offered my nonstop curiosity about the world. And so the story goes that my grown-up years have been spent still surrounded in newspapers and taking part in their evolution. From my work covering local government for <i>The Towne Courier</i> of East Lansing to my seven years as part of the page one team at <i>The Kansas City Star</i> to my writing for the <i>Detroit Free Press's </i>"Twist" magazine, I have experienced the power of journalism in telling a town's stories and informing those who live there. I am a journalist; I am also the wife of a sports editor, the mom of two incessantly curious children and the friend of anyone who will entertain my idea for a girls night out that involves bad 80's music. I like skiing and boating, shopping with my daughter and listening to my son rattle off random football stats. And, yes, it is somewhat ironic that I'm the mom who makes the fun "patches" for the neighborhood kids' holey jeans.
<br><b>Your Beliefs</b><br><i>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 because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.<br></i><br><b>Politics </b>
I do not identify with a specific political party because I think it's near impossible to fully fit the mold of a party's ideology. I try to support candidates and public officials who show they have an open mind and a willingness to consider others' viewpoints and visions. <br><br><b>Religion</b>
I am not devoted to any particular religion. <br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br><br>The 2011 Rochester Hills and Rochester city council elections and the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education elections.
Republican nominee Mitt Romney and Democratic incumbent President Barack Obama will go head-to-head at 9 o'clock in the first of three meetings.
Here's a guide to haunted houses in the metro Detroit area (if you dare).
First up: a candidate forum with Rep. Tom McMillin and challenger Joanna VanRaaphorst. Next: the presidential debate on national television.
Two local choruses serenade Patch readers as a sneak preview for the event.
Surrounded in darkness, workers remove final piece of Rochester's 117-year-old water main.
Run or walk through Rochester Municipal Park to benefit the Neighborhood House.
From the Halloween Hoot to the Stonewall Pumpkin Festival, here's what you need to know to plan your October days and nights.
The popular event features a guided walk in the woods with Halloween-themed skits along the way.
Here's what's planned for this year's Stonewall Pumpkin Festival, an annual tradition of the season around town.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
They are vying for the 45th District House seat that represents Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
We captured the start of the Brooksie Way Half Marathon on video; can you find yourself in the crowd?
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
Local residents help raise funds for health and wellness mini-grants in the annual race.
The fifth annual event, which included a 5K and half marathon, attracted thousands of competitors Sunday to Rochester Hills.
