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.
Here's how KidzKare, a division of the area's oldest pediatrics practice, is redefining children's healthcare in the Rochester area.
Check back with Rochester Patch at 10 a.m. Monday for a look at how students fared on their Fall 2012 Michigan Education Assessment Program exams.
In honor of Valentine's Day this week, we asked readers about their favorite sweet treats around town. Here's a roundup of answers.
Proceeds for this run/walk benefit the Rochester Community Schools Foundation.
We're creating a gallery of photos appropriate for the season here on Patch.
The Republican representative will host two town hall meetings on property taxes and hold office hours in the district in February.
Officials at Palace Sports & Entertainment are working with local police to solve a counterfeiting problem with concert tickets.
The Rochester Hills Youth Council is asking students at Stoney Creek, Adams and Rochester high schools to pledge not to text and drive.
The city was chosen for the Detroit Institute of Arts Inside|Out program.
Most around town agree with the Postal Service's new Monday-Friday letter delivery.
It's happening at 7 p.m.; here's the link to the livestream.
Housing starts have risen in both cities over past 5 years, and state association says that construction will continue in 2013.
It rated above Birmingham's Townsend Hotel in latest U.S. News & World Report analysis.
Are you ready for more snow? Two to four inches are expected to fall overnight in Birmingham.
Ready for more snow?
The National Weather Service predicts up to 8 inches of accumulation.
Forecasters say 3 to 7 inches of snow are now possible starting later tonight.
The man appeared to be intoxicated when he tried to kick and punch deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office.
After trying something different for the past two years, the Michigan Green Team goes back to its roots in organizing the festival for Earth Day weekend.
There's art, music, history, crepes and a new Ethiopian roast.
