Email: jessica.hamlin@patch.com
Phone: (626) 354-5042 Hometown: Woodland Hills/Calabasas, CA Birthday: August 16th Watch welcome video here! Bio: Jessica is a Southern California native who graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from Azusa Pacific University.  She has written for various publications about news, cuisine, health, entertainment, art, unique people and more. After writing for various Patch sites, Jessica helped launch San Marino Patch as its editor in December 2010 and held that role until transferring as editor of Sierra Madre Patch in July 2012 and then to Altadena Patch in October 2012. In September 2012, she and her colleagues launched Pasadena CA Patch, which Jessica now manages. In June 2012, Jessica and her fellow San Gabriel Valley and Northeast Los Angeles Patch editors received a Los Angeles Press Club Award for their breaking news coverage of the 2011 winter windstorm. Jessica's articles have appeared in Pasadena Weekly, LA Downtown News, Pasadena  Magazine, Arroyo Monthly, ValleyLife, eat-la.com, The Pasadena Cosmopolitan and the Arcadia, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre Weekly newspapers. She also contributed to the Thirsty? Los Angeles guidebook.  When she's not writing, Jessica is likely basking in cuisine and culture at an event, museum, or restaurant. She loves to travel abroad but also considers herself a local tourist.  Beliefs 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.   Politics  How would you describe your political beliefs? I hold some fiscally conservative beliefs and a mix of conservative and liberal views on social issues, but I am open and exploring in certain aspects. I like to weigh each issue and candidate individually. I believe many things the two main parties offer sound good in theory but are often corrupted. Also, there are more views and options than just black and white and it can be a full-time job exploring alternatives since they are not as visible.    Are you registered with a certain party? I am a registered Decline-to-State. I can appreciate aspects from various parties, but I find it interesting that a country that touts its freedom usually resorts to putting people in the box of one of two political parties. There are many more views to be heard. Religion How religious would you consider yourself?  I am a Christian and believe faith is not just a part of life or a list of requirements but a deep spiritual encounter and relationship that drives my life every day. Whether I am struggling or succeeding, I strive to keep that faith a priority. It saddens me when people commit acts of hate and intolerance in the name of Christianity.