Village News Inc. receives 19 journalism awards for 2010

SAN DIEGO – At the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego Pro Chapter annual Journalism Awards Banquet held July 7 at the Bali Hai restaurant in San Diego, journalists and photographers affiliated with Village News Inc. were presented with 19 awards for non-daily newspaper work, magazine pieces, and a multi-media package published in 2010.

"This was validation that we have been successful in our goal to continually improve the quality of our stories, photographs, and online pieces across the board in order to provide excellent independent community coverage," said Julie Reeder, publisher of Village News Inc. "While we always fare well in being recognized by our peers in the industry, this year was exceptional in the number and level of awards we received."

Fallbrook/Bonsall Village News and Village Lifestyle magazine stories and photographs collected eight first place awards, seven second place awards, and two honorable mention (third place) honors. The company's Temecula Valley News won one first place award which also resulted in a coveted 'Best of Show' award.

The Fallbrook newspaper took first place honors in the non-daily division for Breaking News and swept all three award categories (first, second and third) for Non-Deadline News. In addition, it received first and second place honors in Photo Essay and first place awards in Environmental, Arts & Entertainment, and News Photo. In addition, Village News earned second and third place awards in Education and second place in Health.

The media company's Village Lifestyle magazine was recognized with both first and second place awards for Magazine Layout and Design, first place in Review/Criticism, and two second place awards in Food.

Individual writers, photographers, and graphic artists recognized at this year's awards ceremony included:

Debbie Ramsey

Managing Editor

Debbie Ramsey was presented with four first place awards – taking top honors in Breaking News, Non-Deadline News, Environmental, and Arts and Entertainment. She also received two second place awards – in Health and Non-Deadline News.

Ramsey's first place winning pieces included, in Breaking News, "Man hit, killed by school bus was writing a love message in roadway," published Feb. 26, 2010. Judges' comments included, "The story was compelling… a man who lost his life while writing a love note on the sidewalk. But it was made even more human by the details, sometimes difficult to gather on a breaking story such as this; under trying circumstances, a well-reported story.”

"Locals team up to save man's life at golf club," published July 29, 2010, garnered first place in Non-Deadline News and these comments from the judges about Ramsey's work. "Good combination of fine writing with the inside story of saving a life. It demanded to be read to the end.”

Ramsey's piece entitled "Green with envy: New library's green roof adds eye appeal, utilizes rain water, saves energy," published June 3, 2010, also drew top praise, this time in the Environmental category, from the judges. "Well-written, informative story that uses a local angle to explain a complicated environmental topic: namely, why green roofs are beneficial and getting more popular."

In the Arts & Entertainment category, Ramsey's "Photography show to be shutter magic," published Oct. 26, 2010, was the only story presented an award in this category for 2010. Judges' comments included "Debbie Ramsey's [was the] most journalistically complete [story], with the most detail. This explains her first-place finish and the lack of a second and third.”

Ramsey also took two second place awards - one in Non-Deadline News for "Emergency crew visits with teen whose life they saved," published May 6, 2010; and second place in the Health category for “Polio survivor to be honorary chair of Rotary conference,” printed Sept. 15, 2010 in the Village News.

Paul Gallaher

Photo Editor

Tim O'Leary

Writer

Paul Gallaher's photo and video talent, coupled with Tim O'Leary's writing skills, brought this duo not only a first place award, but the prestigious Best of Show award in Online Multimedia package for their compilation of "Crazy Singing Jesus Guy is a Temecula landmark," which ran in the company's Temecula Valley News and online at www.myvalleynews.com. The three-part presentation included O'Leary's story and Gallaher's still photography and video work.

Judges said, "Great angle on a fun human interest story. It captured the essence of this man and probably answered a lot of questions by passers-by over the years. Great use of audio and visuals. The video helped make the story a complete package.

Gallaher also took a first place award in News Photo for the image he captured of a young Native American dancer entitled "Honoring Traditions," published Sept. 2, 2010 in the Village News. The photograph was taken at the 2010 Pow Wow held by the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Karina Ramos

Art Director

Ramos swept the Magazine Layout and Design category (first and second place) this year in the San Diego region.

Her design in the August 2010 Village Lifestyle magazine for the story and photo layout entitled "1600 Degrees of Perfection at the Oak Room," was the judges' favorite.

"Great use of color, both to go along with the theme of the story and to allow the stories and text to pop off the page," said judges.

The piece focused on the high-quality steaks, lobsters, and other entrees prepared at Pala Casino Spa & Resort's fine dining restaurant, the Oak Room.

Ramos took second place for her eye-catching design in the Village Lifestyle magazine's March 2010 edition entitled "Bugs in your plants?" With varying shades of green and photos carefully placed to tell the travels of these garden pests, Ramos made the piece an enjoyable and attractive read.

Nathalie Taylor

Writer/Photographer

The review compiled by talented food writer Nathalie Taylor on Pala Casino Resort & Spa's Oak Room took first place in the Review/Criticism category for magazines. Entitled "1600 Degrees of Perfection at the Oak Room" and published in August of 2010 in Village Lifestyle magazine, the review aptly described the tastes, flavors, and appearance of the cuisine prepared by the master chefs. In-depth discussion about the way in which the steaks are cooked, the procurement of four sizes of lobster tails to fit the appetite of each customer, and the origin of the fresh Alaskan King Crab, was finished with mouth-watering detail about the sumptuous desserts served at the establishment.

Taylor also received two second place awards in the magazine category of Food, which meant she tied with her own work.

Her second place awards were for "Charge up your Holiday Spirit with the flavor-drenched cuisine of Le Bistro and El Jardin," and "Making this year's holidays healthier," both published in the Nov/Dec 2010 issue of Village Lifestyle magazine.

In describing the cuisine at the two Fallbrook restaurants, Le Bistro and El Jardin, Taylor not only talked about well-prepared food, but the ambiance and environment at the eateries that made them conducive to enjoyable dining. Special focus was also given in the story to the personalized attention the owners of these establishments put into ensuring a positive experience for diners.

Taylor's story, "Making this year's holidays healthier," gave readers specific suggestions on how to lower calorie counts on favorite holiday dishes without sacrificing flavor. In addition, she focused on specific healthy choices - vegetables, seafood and fruit - that could be prepared in unique ways to be hits at holiday parties.

Andrea Verdin

Staff Writer

Andrea Verdin was awarded one second place award and two honorable mentions (third place) at the annual event.

Verdin won both second and third place (honorable mention) in the category of Education stories. Her second place award was for "Marines learn the truth about driving," published Sept. 9, 2010 and third place (honorable mention) for "Local schools receive grant to aid military children," printed July 22, 2010. Verdin, who leads the Village News' effort in connective news with the Camp Pendleton community, discussed important topics in both stories that were valuable to both readers on the Marine Corps base and in the civilian community.

A third place (honorable mention) award was also presented to Verdin in Non-Deadline News for her story, "Bonsall's 'Scoop' Vessels killed in plane crash," published August 12, 2010. The multiple individuals that Verdin interviewed in this story, in order to gain insight on how individuals in the equestrian circles felt about this prominent citizen, was quickly turned around for press.

Christine Rinaldi

Photojournalist

Christine Rinaldi took both first and second place in the Photo Essay competition with Newspaper Design, Photography & Headlines.

Her first place award was for the multiple images she captured at the local Youth Fair, including one of a young girl learning to rope a stationary steer. The photography layout was entitled, "Youth fair provides opportunity for students to shine," and published May 20, 2010 in the Village News. The lead action photo featured the sheer joy being experienced by the youngster and the warmth expressed by the volunteer helping her.

Fourth of July activities in Fallbrook led to Rinaldi's second place award in Photo Essay for "Americana prevails at Fourth of July event," printed July 8, 2010 in the Village News. At an event where multiple activities provide numerous photographic opportunities, Rinaldi zoomed in to capture the true feel of the event and conveyed it to readers through her photographic eye.