College Students
Winner of $1,000 Scholarship: Sierra Filucci, UC Berkeley.
Special Achievement Award — $250 Scholarship: Babatunde Harrison, Merritt College.

Business 

Business News Story
First Place: J.K. Dineen, San Francisco Business Times, “Battle of the Ages.”
Judges’ Comments: “A well-researched, comprehensive story that covers all the angles. The author talked with all the players and put together an engaging piece that conveys the anger and frustration of all sides.”
Second Place: Sophia Kazmi, Contra Costa Times, “East Bay Homeowners Become Targets.”
Third Place: Charles Burress, San Francisco Chronicle, “Venerable Newsstand De Lauer’s Is Closing.”

Business Feature
First Place: Charles Burress, San Francisco Chronicle, “Publicity-Shy Philanthropist, ‘A Great Lady’”
Judges’ Comments: “Nicely done! Story is an easy read that reflects the character of the subject. Just enough background is provided to explain how she is able to be so magnanimous. Good use of quotes, also. Very tough competition in this category between first and second place, since both were well written and had excellent subjects.”
Second Place: Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, “In Contra Costa, Evictions Becoming Common.”
Third Place: James Temple, San Francisco Chronicle, “Brentwood: Boom to Bust.”

Technology Story
First Place: Charles Burress, San Francisco Chronicle, “A Stunned Crowd Saw the PC Born — Mouse and All.”
Judges’ Comments: “The author does an extraordinary job of capturing the emotion of a 40-year-old event while telling a compelling story about a seminal event in history.”
Second Place: Patrick Hoge, San Francisco Business Times, “Pure Digital’s Sales Flip.”
Third Place: Ellen Lee, San Francisco Chronicle, “E-Ha Taps into China’s Mobile Culture.”

News

Spot News-Individual
First Place: Demian Bulwa, San Francisco Chronicle, “Martinez Cop Died Trying to Save Six Captives.”
Judges’ Comments: “The reporter did an amazing job of collecting, distilling and presenting the facts about this shooting — under deadline pressure. The piece is well constructed, it flows well and the author did a good job of depicting all angles of the story.”
Second Place: Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune, “High Court Backs Gay Marriage.”
Third Place: Matthias Gafni, Contra Costa Times, “Discovery Bay Raids Net 160 Marijuana Plants.”

Spot News-Team
First Place: Matthew B. Stannard, San Francisco Chronicle, “For Bay Area Blacks, It’s a Hallelujah Moment.”
Judges’ Comments: “This was not just another run-of-the-mill first-black-is-elected-president story. It weaved information from the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s era with current facts to paint a picture of what this historic election means to the black community. And there are some great quotes which really make the text come alive. Very nicely done!”
Second Place: Robert Salonga and Malaika Fraley, Contra Costa Times, “Gunman's Blind Shot Killed Veteran Officer"

General News
First Place: Jill Tucker, San Francisco Chronicle, “A Matter of Mathematics.”
Judges’ Comments: “The writer told a news story in a fresh way that caught and kept your attention. Everyone says you’ll never use algebra, but the writer showed how it’s embedded in nearly everything we use. Well-written, funny, and nice sprinkling of both every-day and expert voices.”  
Second Place: Demian Bulwa, San Francisco Chronicle, “The Penalty for Fire.”
Third Place: John Cote, San Francisco Chronicle, “He Played His Victims Well.”

In-depth or Investigative Reporting
First Place: Jim Doyle, San Francisco Chronicle, “Special Report/Code 3” 
Judges’ Comments: “Jim Doyle digs AND synthesizes in this stellar example of investigative work that follows the arc of a 9-11 call.  Appropriate and emotional narratives underscore the data and bring the message of this multi-part series home.”
Second Place: Eric Young, Sarah Thailing, Ron Leuty, Blanca Torres, Steve Ginsberg, Amanda Bishop, and Christine Kilpatrick, San Francisco Business Times, “The Perfect Storm.”
Third Place:  Robert Gammon, East Bay Express, “Arrests Are Down, and Crime Is Up.”

Series
First Place: Katy Murphy, Oakland Tribune, “My First Year.”
Judges’ Comments: “Katy Murphy’s six-part series offered objective, yet sympathetic insight into the ups and downs of a rookie high school biology teacher.”
Second Place: Robert Gammon, East Bay Express, “The Belgian Connection.”
Third Place: Matthias Gafni, Contra Costa Times, “Firefighting Tragedy.”

Beat Reporting By a Single Reporter
First Place: Nanette Asimov, San Francisco Chronicle, “Autism Threatens to Overwhelm Schools,” “School Head’s Resume Riddled with Falsehoods,” and “A Place to Awaken Kids’ Inner Einsteins.”
Judges’ Comments: “Each story was thoroughly reported and well written. The superintendent story is an excellent example of persistence and intelligence — exactly what a reporter should be doing.”
Second Place: John Wildermuth, San Francisco Chronicle, “Tight Battle Over Prop. 8,” “Harsh, Emotional Campaigning on Prop. 8,” and “Super Friends’ Helped Fund Anti-Prop. 8 Campaign.”
Third Place: Carolyn Said, San Francisco Chronicle, “Mortgage Meltdown: Plenty of Blame for Lending Mess,” “Homeowners Get that Drowning Feeling,” and “Bay Area Sees Deals on Homes for Under $100,000.”
        
Cultural Affairs Reporting
First Place: Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, “Thinly Veiled Racism Seen in Attacks on Obama,” Obama Point Man Connected, Respected,” and “Economy Jolting Rural Voters.”
Judges’ Comments: “There's a lot of really strong work being done in this category, especially by the San Francisco Chronicle.  But we give the nod here to Joe Garofoli for his deft integration of political and cultural themes in his coverage. We especially liked the profile of Patterson and how the changing demographics there are shaking up politics.”
Second Place: Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle, “State’s Top Court Strikes Down Marriage Ban,” “Whipsawed Gay Couples Brace for Legal Twists,” and “Judge Sees Equal Rights for Gays, Lesbians.”
Third Place: Riya Bhattacharjee, Berkeley Daily Planet, “East Bay Tibetans, Chinese Clash Over S.F. Olympic Torch Relay,” “Employee Charges Downtown McDonald’s Franchise with Discrimination,” and “Artists Charge Censorship at Addison Street Gallery.”

Editorial/Opinion

Columnist
First Place: Steve Symanovich, San Francisco Business Times, “Happily Cohabitating the Habitat,” “Me and the Missus Are Not Litigious,” and “Wily Traveler Trips Over Costs.”
Judges’ Comments: “These witty, readable slices of life must come as welcome relief for a serious business journal.”
Second Place: John King, San Francisco Chronicle, “West Berkeley Builds Community,” “Bookstore Braces for Next Chapter,” and “Scars, Survival on the Road to New Orleans.”
Third Place: Tammerlin Drummond, Oakland Tribune, “Blessed to Have Known Faith Fancher,” “Media Is Playing It Safe with Palin’s Pregnant Daughter,” and “Sometimes Justice Isn’t Just.”

Editorial
First Place: Daniel Borenstein, Contra Costa Times, “Find the Total Cost.”
Judges’ Comments: “This is exactly what a newspaper should do — be a watchdog and keep public officials on their toes. Let the public officials know somebody is watching them and let the taxpayers/residents know someone is on their side, too.”
Second Place: Jim Gardner, San Francisco Business Times, “California Feels Pain as Prop. 13 Turns 30.”

Best Analysis
First Place: Robert Gammon, East Bay Express, “Tip of the Iceberg.”
Judges’ Comments: “The depth of reporting in this piece made it possible for someone unfamiliar with the issue to understand why it was significant for Oakland-area readers.”
Second Place: Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, “Fosset Never Stopped Pushing the Envelope.”

Best Opinion Piece
First Place: Robert Gammon, East Bay Express, “The Torture Professor.”
Judges’ Comments: “Meticulously researched and soundly argued with a clear point of view and purpose.”
Second Place: Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, “Homeless, Mike Dick Was 51, Looked 66.”

Features

Short Feature
First Place: Eric Kurhi, Hayward Daily Review, “Barbie Buffs: Doll Club Members Meet Monthly for Playtime.”
Judges’ Comments: “Great, playful, and intriguing lede, and great writing.”
Second Place: Shelly Meron, West County Times, “For Snakes Sake.”
Third Place: Charles Burress, San Francisco Chronicle, “City Furnishes Electrifying Canvas for Artist.”

Medium-Length Feature
First Place: Charles Burress, San Francisco Chronicle, “Killings Common, Solutions Elusive.”
Judges’ Comments: “A chilling and in-depth look at the victims of a violence ravaged neighborhood. “A story that’s been done before in many ways, but this was an uncommonly close and personal look at the fear and human tragedy that fill the MacArthur Blvd neighborhood. Well reported, well written.”
Second Place: Matthias Gafni, Contra Costa Times, “After Tragic Ride, Biker Finds Way Back to Road.”
Third Place (Tie): Judith M. Gallman, Oakland Magazine, “Budget Kitchen.” and    Jennifer Modenessi, Contra Cost Times, “Rescued Heritage.”

Long Feature
First Place: Michael Mechanic, Mother Jones, “Voluntary Confinement.”
Judges’ Comments: “A fantastic piece that makes us want to subscribe to the magazine so I can read more of the author’s work.”
Second Place: John Geluardi, SF Weekly, “White in Milk.”
Third Place: Heidi Elise Benson, San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, “Family Dynamics: The Packers.”

Lifestyle Feature
First Place: Nate Seltenrich, East Bay Express, “Writers, Unblocked.”
Second Place: Marcus Thompson II, Oakland Magazine, “ExtraOAKLANDary Students.”
Third Place: Eric Kurhi, Valley Times, “Wild Horses Are a Breed Apart.”

Criticism or Reviewing
First Place: John King, San Francisco Chronicle. “So-Ma Tower: Grand It Ain’t,” “Fisher’s Awkward Location for Presidio Museum,” and “Four New Buildings that Enrich San Francisco.”
Judges’ Comments: “King’s writing, reporting and commentary adds perspective to every-day surroundings, and new developments. Plus, he doesn’t pull punches, and reminds readers of why developments matter to the larger community – and why a poorly executed building in the wrong location deserves to be challenged and questioned.”
Second Place: Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle. “’Bonesetter’ Intimately Grand,” “In Cleveland, a Critical Lack of Sound Judgment,” and “Jack Heggie’s ‘Three Decembers.’”
Third Place: Jennifer Modenessi, Contra Costa Times. “A Glass Act,” “Offering Table Breathes Life into Women’s Activism,” and “A Look at What’s Invisible.”

Profile
First Place: Marcus Thompson II, Contra Costa Times, “Inside the Real Jackson.”
Judges’ comments: “Great writing and description of the story subject.”
Second Place: Riya Bhattacharjee, Berkeley Daily Planet, “Divakaruni, I-House Alumna of the Year, Returns to Berkeley.”
Third Place: Kevin Fagan, San Francisco Chronicle, “Spreading the Word on the Street.”

Layout/Design

Page Design
First Place: Chuck Todd, Contra Costa Times, “Ouch.”
Judges’ Comments: “Great illustration and design. Good packaging. Informative graphics. Easy to digest.”
Second Place: Mitch Green, San Francisco Business Times, “From Potatoes to Plates.”
Third Place: Jennifer Modenessi, Contra Costa Times, “Songs of Protest.”    

Illustration
First Place: Mitch Green, San Francisco Business Times, “Travelers’ Checks.”
Judges’ Comments: “Good illustration and design. Effective use of white space.
Colorful display -- and partially included for the list on the next page. A nice touch.”
Second Place: James E. Gayles Jr., Contra Costa Times, “The Ecology of Fear.”
Third Place: Chuck Todd, Contra Costa Times, “Perfect Storm.”

Infographic
First Place: Todd Trumbull, San Francisco Chronicle, “Showcase for Science.”
Judges’ Comments: “Amazing detailed breakdown of the new home of the California Academy of Sciences. Incredibly informative, from the floor plan to the mapping. Good use of numbers. Excellent example of thinking of the readers.”

Cartoons
First Place: Justin DeFreitas, Berkeley Daily Planet, “Yes on Proposition 8.”
Judges’ Comments: “Simple but powerful message that instantly speaks to the viewer. Timely and wonderfully drawn.”
           
Online

Best Independent Blogger
First Place: Claycord.com.
Judges’ Comments: “A great example of a hyper local blog that reflects not only the hard work of the blogger but also the interest and involvement of the community.”  

Best Mainstream Blogger
First Place: Matt Artz, Contra Costa Times, “Tri-City Beat.”
Judges’ Comments: “A lively chronicle of a local beat that takes the news seriously, but not itself. Very nice work.”
Second Place: Katy Murphy, Oakland Tribune, “The Education Report.”
Third Place: Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune, “Political Blotter.”

Multimedia Package
First Place: Kristopher Skinner, Contra Costa Times, “Norbert Morris, the Can Man.”
Judges’ Comments: “While the individual stills are the strength of this effort, the ambient audio strongly complements the interview, bringing it all together into a compelling package.”
Second Place: Mike Kepka, San Francisco Chronicle. “Kiki Walker Valenzuela's Two Dads.”

Photos

Spot News
First Place: Ryan Chalk, Vacaville Reporter.
Judges’ Comments: “To get this, the photographer had to hustle, or be having coffee across the street. Good job reacting, and then getting in position to make an image.”
Second Place: Kristopher Skinner, Contra Costa Times.  
      
General News
First Place: Sherry LaVars, Contra Costa Times.
Judges’ Comments: “Visually, it’s interesting as the subject seems to be suspended in the air; make the viewer look closer at the entire image. The subject's posture again makes the viewer wonder what's going on. It’s not an in-your-face image. It requires some curiosity of the viewer, which is a good thing.”
Second Place: Jane Tyska, Oakland Tribune.
Third Place: Joel Rosenbaum, Vacaville Reporter.

Portrait
First Place: Sherry LaVars, Contra Costa Times.
Judges’ Comments: “It’s a simple concept with good composition and dramatic light. Nothing really overdone. It finds the balance between making an interesting image and making the image more about the photographer.”
Second Place: Najib Joe Hakim, San Francisco Business Times.
Third Place: Mike Kepka, San Francisco Chronicle.

Feature
First Place: Joel Rosenbaum, Vacaville Reporter.
Judges’ Comments: “As ‘kid in the sprinkler’ photos go, this one's pretty good. The subject is obviously having fun, nice background, good sunlight and the water adds a great graphic element.”
Second Place: Mike Kepka, San Francisco Chronicle.
Third Place: Sherry LaVars, Contra Costa Times.

Sports
First Place: Joel Rosenbaum, Vacaville Reporter.
Second Place: Sherry LaVars, Contra Costa Times.
Third Place: Ryan Chalk, Vacaville Reporter.

Photo Essay
First Place: Mike Kepka, San Francisco Chronicle.