I've been a professional journalist since 1987 when I started out as a sports department clerk at the San Jose Mercury News during my years at San Jose State. Upon graduation I took a sportswriting job at the Santa Cruz Sentinel and stayed eight years, including six as assistant sports editor. I moved up to the Marin Independent Journal in 1996 and held seven titles in various newsroom departments. As a news reporter in my final two years there, I covered Novato along with several other countywide beats. I departed the IJ in August 2010 to become local editor for Novato Patch. My freelance experience includes writing for a beer magazine and a tennis magazine and handling media relations for an international professional tennis tournament.
I met my future wife, Edie Holmes, on the first day of eighth grade in Moraga, right after I'd moved there from suburban Chicago. We "went steady" that year but drifted apart and remained friends through high school and college. After college we reconnected and got married in 1990. Our two daughters were born in Santa Cruz and attended public schools in Novato. My wife is the Mrs. Ainsworth who teaches fifth grade at San Ramon School.
As for claims to fame, I covered the 1989 World Series "earthquake game" at Candlestick Park and served as a part-time equipment manager for the San Francisco 49ers from 1984-86. I have a beer can collection left over from my childhood, a 1955 VW Beetle (junker status) and a 95-pound Chesapeake Bay retriever named Bruin. I'm a fan of the Giants, 49ers, Sharks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Red Sox and Cal Bears. Other than sports, my hobby is sampling fine ales with my fellow beer geek friends.<br><br><b>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.</i>
There will be occasions when I need to cover Novato Unified School District topics. My wife's role as a teacher in the district will not influence how I write those stories.
<b>Politics </b><br>I'm a registered Democrat but drifting in the moderate direction the older I get.<br><br><b>Religion</b><br>I grew up attending Unitarian and Presbyterian churches but consider myself a respectful observant and do not attend services regularly.<br><b><br>Local Hot-Button Issues</b><br>In Novato, the controversial state-mandated housing element update has set off a firestorm of public protest about the benefits and drawbacks of concentrated affordable housing. The future home of the city's administrative offices in the downtown area is fascinating as well. The location of rail transit stations and major commercial developments and the possible redrawing of school district boundaries continue to prompt creative dialog.
NTC, formerly known as Novato Community Theater and Novato Theater Company, will settle down at a former church in Nave Drive as long as final permits fall into place.
Aluminum craft struggled in San Pablo Bay swells; two young men unhurt.
Aluminum craft struggled in San Pablo Bay swells; two young men unhurt.
Petaluma woman was pulling car out of driveway when 48-year-old motorcyclist, with his wife riding on the back, collided with the car.
Michael Kolb, 48, was pronounced dead after crash in rural Sonoma County; wife, who was riding on the back of the motorcycle, was was hospitalized.
Here are some of the most-read articles published on Novato Patch in the past few days.
VIDEO: Watch the mayor present keys to the city and check out Patty Bennett's reaction to earning Citizen of the Year at the Paint the Town Red Celebration.
Share your shots from Saturday's commemorative walk and celebration in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The 5.5 unemployment county rate is the lowest in California, followed by San Mateo and San Francisco, according to state statistics.
This is the 31st consecutive year that Novato has had a celebration of the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Novato resident Bernard Meyers calls for an independent audit of the North Coast Railroad Authority, for which he serves as a board member.
Three people face charges after Ingo sniffs out marijuana and cocaine.
Planners boil down the gist of the state's report on Novato's draft housing element and provide a plan to move forward.
Three cars tangled on San Marin Drive; puppy in crashed truck unhurt.
Longtime banker from Novato now leading the Marin Rocks! history project.
A witness provided a description of the suspects' vehicle, and three people were arrested on Highway 101 near Mill Valley. Incidents were reported at Hamilton Marketplace and Vintage Oaks in Novato.
Claims of abuse are unsubstantiated, Fairfax attorney says.
Longtime banker from Novato now leading the Marin Rocks! history project.
Incidents were reported at Hamilton Marketplace and Vintage Oaks before officers got a good description on the suspects.
Police dog detects narcotics in car, leading to discovery of firearm.
