I grew up in the rural green belt of London, England where I fell in love with literature and literary history. During my undergraduate degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury, and namely an exchange year abroad at UCLA, that love for literature transitioned into a passion for journalism and California sunshine. I moved to Los Angeles in 2007 to pursue an MA degree in journalism at USC and continue a freelance career in multimedia storytelling. And I have never looked back.
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My experience includes local, national and international reporting for news outlets such as the LA Weekly, Southern California Public Radio and the New Zealand Herald Tribune. My fascination with hyper-local journalism spawned a thesis about the future of the industry (titled, Can Grassroots Journalism Help Underserved Communities?) and, in 2008, led me to help found a hyper-local website covering South Los Angeles. I was managing editor until early 2011, when Patch became my next adventure.
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Now I live in Concord with my husband, reading, writing, exploring the Bay Area and continuing to drink my tea with milk.
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Beliefs:
1. Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. - Plato.
2. Never discuss religion or politics at the dinner table.
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Politics: I am a registered Democrat with an open mind to all opinions and factual arguments. I believe that the mind should be a thoroughfare for all thoughts and not a select party.
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Religion: Non-denominational Christian, with an almost pantheistic love for the outdoors and a strong appreciation for being still (Psalm 46:10.)
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Local Hot-Button Issues: Social justice issues that affect quality of life or access to opportunities, including education, immigration, health care and social welfare.
The Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission decided Thursday to approve SyWest development plans. The design will include a memorial to the "dome" theater, which will be demolished and replaced by a sporting goods store.
The Concord City Council will decide next week whether or not ban outdoor medical marijuana cultivation. Concordians opposing the ordinance are considering a protest in Todos Santos Plaza.
The Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission decided Thursday to approve SyWest development plans. The design will include a memorial to the "dome" theater, which will be demolished and replaced by a sporting goods store.
This family-owned, colorful restaurant has been serving up authentic Mexican food in Martinez for more than 20 years. Have you discovered it yet?
The breakfast, brunch and lunch joint is a favorite with in-the-know locals. Have you tried Plaza Cafe? Share your review.
A perfect blue sky is reflected in the Martinez bay. Don't days like this just take your breath away?
The restaurant chain will wag its tail in its first Northern California location in the Willow Pass Shopping Center this fall at the site of the former El Torito Mexican restaurant.
The restaurant chain is opening its first Northern California location in the Willow Pass Shopping Center this fall at the site of the former El Torito Mexican restaurant.
The Alameda video store is one of only three left in the East Bay following the mass closure of locations around the country. But it won't be open for long.
The city's hills and plains are home to all kinds of animals. Have you spotted any of these creatures around Martinez?
Police say that Craig Michael Fugate, 30, may have accidentally asphyxiated himself while trying to graffiti a building near the Capitol.
The Concord video store is one of only three left in the East Bay following the mass closure of of locations around the country. But it might not be open for long.
Mount Diablo was shrouded in splendor on a recent cloudy day.
It looks like last days for the CinéArts theater in Pleasant Hill, so Patch will be providing movie showtimes for all who wish to experience the "dome".
The Pleasant Hill Architectural Review Commission will consider final approval of plans to demolish the 'dome' theater as part of development of the Crossroads Shopping Center.
Martinez police reports from March 27 to April 1.
A group of locals opposing the demolition of Pleasant Hill's CinéArts 'dome' theater will hold a pep rally in Concord from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, April 1.
The new soda in town combines all the not-so-subtle flavors of the most indulgent breakfast. What's your verdict — sumptuous or sickening?
Easter festivities in Waterfront Park Saturday included an egg hunt, face painting and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Did your child have a "hopping" time? Share your photos here.
Mark on the map anywhere you've seen a local motorcycle cop watching and waiting to issue tickets.
