joanne@ponthep.com

- Owner of Parenting on the Peninsula with a keen interest in her paper having a real 'voice' of the people, Joanne is a San Francisco native living in San Mateo since 1975. She raised her two daughters here on the Peninsula, both graduates of Hillsdale High School. She has been writing a film and entertainment review column since 1984 syndicated in cities all over the U.S. and also hosts and organizes several parenting events up and down the Peninsula. Joanne has two grandchildren who occupy her spare time when she is not publishing Parenting on the Peninsula.

tory@ponthep.com

- Tory Hartmann is a freelance writer living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her non-fiction has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Mateo County Times, and Parenting on the Peninsula. Her fiction has been published in The Sand Hill Review, Descant, The Hurricane Review, The Homestead Review, Ship’s Log: Writings at Sea, Tattoo Highway, San Francisco Peninsula Review as well as many others. Her screenplays include "The Ghost of Harvey Milk" and three episodes of "The Powerhouse Kids".

A graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Tory Hartmann has been a political consultant, a graphic artist, real estate broker, and business executive. Since the sale of her business, American Precision Gear, in 2007, she has been writing full time. You can view her website at www.toryhartmann.com.

amy@ponthep.com

- Amy is a single mom with two incredible daughters attending UC Davis. Originally from New York, she resides in Foster City. Amy is an Independent Associate with Usana Health Sciences and has a background in marketing, Web site maintenance and publication coordination. She also founded Reach for the Stars, an event planning company.

lyne-marie@ponthep.com

- Lyne-Marie was trained as a registered nurse and blessed to have been able to stay home and raise 3 beautiful children (now ages 21, 22 and 23) Excited to be returning to the real world, she feels incredibly lucky to be working with such a  passionate, caring and hard-working group of people. In her spare time, she can be found at the gym, either teaching Zumba or taking a Zumba class, at the dog park with her Shi-poodle Gaby,  or relaxing at home with a glass of Pinot Noir.

info@ponthep.com

- Born and raised on the Peninsula, she lives in her old neighborhood with her family and dog. Her favorite things to do are hanging out with her family, crafting, photography, and working in her kids' classrooms teaching art.

len@ponthep.com

- Is a father of three awesome kids with a lifetime passion for film. With a twenty year technological background, he fills his free time with screenwriting, camping, and travelling to anyplace there's water. In addition to being POP's WebMaster and Blog Editor, he is working on two screenplays, one of which is currently being shopped in Bollywood.

- Is a technologist with a passion for journalism and a lover of animals. She loves the beach, camping, and has an interest in surfing and travelling abroad.

joanne@ponthep.com

- Owner of Parenting on the Peninsula with a keen interest in her paper having a real 'voice' of the people, Joanne is a San Francisco native living in San Mateo since 1975. She raised her two daughters here on the Peninsula, both graduates of Hillsdale High School. She has been writing a film and entertainment review column since 1984 syndicated in cities all over the U.S. and also hosts and organizes several parenting events up and down the Peninsula. Joanne has two grandchildren who occupy her spare time when she is not publishing Parenting on the Peninsula.

sein@ponthep.com

- Sein was raised in the Monterey Peninsula, but later came to the Peninsula for college. She met her husband in college back in 2000 and after 8 years of dating, they finally tied the knot in July 2008. Sein and her husband enjoy extra-curricular activities, traveling, cooking, and trying new foods. During the 10 years together, they have completed college, bought a home, enjoyed many adventures, and are ready to start a family of their own.

lisa@ponthep.com

- Lives with her husband in Redwood City and is a mother of two boys, a 1 year old and 3 1/2 year old.  For fun, loves travelling, photography, and yoga.

carol@ponthep.com

- Lives with her husband and four year old daughter in San Carlos. Treasures time spent with family, scrapbookingthose memories, and enjoys pampering women on the Peninsula at home spa parties.

- Is a Silicon Valley native living in Sunnyvale with her husband and two young daughters. Driven by her passion to help people see the beauty in their own lives, she founded Life Visions Productions, a company focused on creating video announcements, invitations, and keepsakes for special milestones.

denise@ponthep.com

- Is a mother of boy/girl toddler twins and also manages advertising and publicity for the Mid-Peninsula Parents of Multiples Club http://www.MPPOM.org.  Lives in San Mateo with her husband and enjoys planning fun family outings throughout the Bay Area.

- has been a staff astronomer at Chabot Space & Science Center since July 1999. He graduated from Sonoma State University in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in physics (and minor in astronomy), after which he signed on for a two-year stint in the Peace Corps, where he taught physics and mathematics in the African nation of Cameroon. From 1989-96 he served on the crew of NASA’s Kuiper Airborne Observatory at Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA. From 1996-99, he was Head Observer at the Naval Prototype Optical Interferometer program at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ. He writes as our POP Scientist writing our regular column POP Science.

- Has been a pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente in Redwood City since 2000. When not working, he enjoys fishing, skiing, and spending time with his wife and two children.

- Katie Comfort is a mother of an 18 month old boy and a 4 year old girl and resides with her husband and menagerie of cats & dogs in Redwood City.

- Has taught fitness for 22 years and is the creator of Moms' Gym and Gym Daddy P.E.-style family fitness classes. For more information about classes or teaching opportunities, visit moms-gym.com or call Monica at (650)430-9995. Monica is also the San Francisco Family Fitness Examiner on examiner.com.

- Sandi McCreadie is an M.A.T., ECE and Child Development Specialist with more than 28 years of teaching experience in public and private schools.

- lives in Hillsborough with her husband, seven-year-old twin girls and five-year-old son. She is still trying to convince her husband to let her drive.

- Is a father of three awesome kids with a lifetime passion for film. With a twenty year technological background, he fills his free time with screenwriting, camping, and travelling to anyplace there's water. In addition to being POP's WebMaster and Blog Editor, he is working on two screenplays, one of which is currently being shopped in Bollywood.

- Megan Ramirez is a 15-year-old high school sophomore and an honor student who plays field hockey. She wants to pursue a career in photo journalism and floriculture..

- Madeline Gerlach is a 16-year-old high school junior and an honor student who plays drums in the marching band. She also wants to pursue a career in journalism.

- Jessica is an aspiring novelist living in Santa Clara with her two young daughters and her husband. You can read about her struggles to balance work, life, and kids at http://www.itsjessicaslife.com.

- Steve Shapiro lives and works in the Silicon Valley, is completely wrapped around the fingers of his two young daughters, and has permanently entrusted his heart into his lovely wife's safekeeping. Prior to fatherhood he was known to appear in the occasional local theatrical production. He now satisfies his theatrical ambitions by entertaining his kids with silly songs at the piano.

- Carmelo Sigona is one of three brothers who co-own Sigona’s Farmers Market, which started as a roadside fruit stand in Morgan Hill, California in 1975. Aan experimental chef and nutrition aficionado, Carmelo feels blessed to live in this area and is devoted to sharing its goodness with others.

- Is a local children’s book author and grandmother. Her picture book “Pumpkin Fiesta” is also a musical play. “The Jade Stone, A Chinese Folktale” is another award-winning picture book that has been adapted for the stage. Caryn’s website lists her fiction and nonfiction titles: www.carynyacowitz.com.

SUNDAYS

Jamie Lentzner, Working Mommie

jamie@ponthep.com

- Jamie is the owner and founder of Jamie's Painting & Design. 8 years later, her whimsical artwork and ceramic namesakes can be found everywhere from leading internet sites to specialty boutiques to bedding catalogs to retail stores all over the country. She has been featured on The Ellen Degeneres Show, View from the Bay, and Extreme Makeover Home Edition to name a few. Jamie is interested in artwork, cartooning, wine tasting, humorous biographies, and of course, entrepreneurial ventures. She has a husband, two children, and two dogs.

MONDAYS

Gina Perkins, "The New Mommie"

gina@ponthep.com

- Born and raised on the Peninsula, Gina recently traded in the fluorescent lights of the corporate world for the more glamorous role of full time mom. Gina, her husband, and their 6 month old baby currently live in San Mateo. Aside from parenting, Gina is passionate about health and fitness and is a certified Nutrition and Exercise Coach. In her free time, Gina likes to write, cook, take photos, and
obsess over her daughter's sweet cheeks. She strives to find the humor in everyday life, as well as the value in each simple moment.

TUESDAYS

Lia Freitas, The Preschool Mommie

lia@ponthep.com

- In a previous life, Lia was a 3rd grade teacher who traded it all in to be a mom.  Now living in Sunnyvale, she can often be found spending time with her family while moonlighting as a freelance writer.  Born in Michigan she is an avid hockey fan, but LOVES living in the Bay Area!

WEDNESDAYS

Rebecca Bingham, Special Needs Mommie

rebecca@ponthep.com

- Mom, activist, fundraiser, and bleeding heart. Self taught expert in adoption, transracial families, Down Syndrome, and avoiding doing the laundry. San Francisco transplant via New Jersey and Utah. Cheese addict.

THURSDAYS

Kirsten Patel,, Elementary Mommie-on-the-Run

kirsten@ponthep.com

- Is a stay at home mom to twin girls (born 2002) and a son (born 2005). She and her husband traded in their life in San Francisco for a house in the suburbs and a mini-van. They are learning to love suburban life. The huge backyard and walk to a fantastic public school are helping the adjustment. Kirsten was born in San Francisco and raised on the peninsula. When not trying to decide what to make for dinner or attempting to get all three kids into the car, she enjoys reading, organizing her closets (really!), running and shopping online. You can read her blog at www.thenorwindians.blogspot.com

FRIDAYS

Len Ramirez Jr., Total Teen Dad

len@ponthep.com

- Is a father of three awesome kids who is still trying to figure out that whole 'leaping tall buildings in a single bound' thing works. In his free time, Len loves to go camping, hiking, travel to new places, and somehow squeeze in that little thing called being a good 'diddy'.

SATURDAYS

Olivia Adams, Mommie-to-be

olivia@ponthep.com

- Grew up in Salem, Oregon, came to the San Francisco Bay Area to get her college degree, and never left. Olivia met her husband about three years ago and they both enjoy traveling, outdoor activities, and wine tasting. Together, they have completed college, bought a home, enjoyed many adventures, and are ready to start a family of their own. Olivia works full time and is also a part-time POP blogger.