Self-promo

We're number one

Last Saturday, February 12, at the New England Press Association's annual Better Newspaper Contest awards banquet, the Boston Phoenix was honored with the coveted George A. Speers Newspaper of the Year award. The Phoenix also received nine individual prizes in the editorial, design, and advertising/promotion divisions. Congratulations to the winners and everyone who backed up their efforts.

Dan Kennedy -- First Place: Human-Interest Feature Story, for his December 18, 1998, update of the Woburn toxic-waste scandal, "A Civil Action: The Real Story."

Geoffrey Kula -- First Place: Color Photo, for his November 6, 1998, skateboard cover. Second Place: Photo Series, for his November 6, 1998, essay on skateboarding.

Dana Smith -- First Place: Personality Photo, for his portrait of musician Myke Weiskopf in the April 1999 edition of One in 10.

Jason Gay -- Third Place: Reporting on Religious Issues, for his October 23, 1998, feature on the Mormon Church in Belmont.

Mark Reusch -- Third Place: Illustration, for his October 23, 1998, Halloween-supplement cover.

In the advertising/promotion division, the Boston Phoenix took second place in the category of Advertising Campaign, third place in Local Black-and-White Ad, and honorable mention in Self-Promotion.

And last but certainly not least, a vigorous nod to Kristen Lombardi, news editor at our sister publication the Worcester Phoenix, who won first place in Racial and Ethnic Reporting for her April 23, 1999, cover story, "Fighting for Home," on Worcester-area Central American refugees and their struggle for legal status.