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.
Also on city council's agenda: the purchase of playground equipment for Borden Park and a resolution honoring middle schooler Owen Groesser.
No crickets were harmed in the creation of the cupcake the Rochester Hills bakery created for Food Network show Sunday night.
The incidents happened two miles apart.
The blaze was under control in about 20 minutes.
Visitation is planned for Friday in Rochester.
We asked Patch readers to tell us about their home-buying experiences.
Rochester Hills bakers will star in the season premiere of the Food Network show at 8 p.m.
A 57-year-old Lapeer woman was killed when the Mustang she was driving crossed the center line and hit an SUV head-on.
DTE Energy offers customers an opportunity to decline the new wireless meters, but plans to charge one-time and monthly fees.
The Marewski girls are on the move. "It's gone by so incredibly fast we want it back," their mom said.
DTE Energy offers customers an opportunity to decline the new wireless meters, but plans to charge one-time and monthly fees.
Cupcake Station, the state's first cupcake shop, will open on south side of downtown.
The city received an Award of Excellence for last year's reconstruction of Rochester Road.
Inside South Street Skate Shop they're selling more than 30 pairs of socks a day.
The championships will be broadcast live on MHSAA online TV.
On Sunday, Brian Dalton will swim from Alcatraz Island before biking and running 26 miles around San Francisco. Here's why.
Rochester Police Chief Steve Schettenhelm said residents have been subject to phony calls in recent days: here's what you need to know.
Laurie Pickell was one of three Troy teachers honored Thursday morning.
But in most categories voted on by readers of Real Detroit, Rochester establishments were snubbed.
Greg Kampe and the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies can do it. So can Stoney Creek teachers and a downtown Rochester business. Post your videos here.