by Mick Rhodes | editor@claremont-courier.com

I am thrilled to report the Claremont Courier picked up 12 California Journalism Awards this past Saturday.

The ceremony at the Universal Sheraton Hotel honored the best of California journalism from 2023 and included nearly 3,000 entries from across the state. Though we didn’t win any first place awards this year (following a Courier record 19 wins — including five first place awards — for 2021, and nine more with three firsts in 2022), that the Courier, with our tiny staff and modest circulation, was among the finalists in 12 categories, was remarkable.

Also remarkable were the Courier’s third and fourth place awards for its community calendar and podcast, respectively, as we were up against every newspaper and digital news outlet in the state — including all the heavyweights — in those categories. Congratulations are in order for calendar writer Andrew Alonzo and editorial designer and web producer Skylar Anderson for the former, and podcast producer/editor Matt Weinberger and yours truly for the latter, awarded for our August 25 podcast, “Sins of the father: a complicated legacy.”

Here is the complete list of our 2023 CNPA Award-winning work:

• Second place: Best newsletter, various editions, Skylar Anderson, Mick Rhodes
• Second place: Immigration reporting, “A border story” four parts, Mick Rhodes
• Second place: Music writing/reporting, “Making music: the act is reward enough,” Mick Rhodes
• Third place: Community calendar all divisions, various editions, Andrew Alonzo, Skylar Anderson
• Third place: Print special section cover, various editions, Skylar Anderson
• Third place: Feature photo, “New ‘Care Court’ aims to treat severe mental illness,” Steven Felschundneff
• Fourth place: Best podcast all divisions, “Sins of the father: a complicated legacy,” Mick Rhodes, Matt Weinberger
• Fourth place: Coverage of local government, “Council approves restrictions on no-fault evictions,” Steven Felschundneff
• Fifth place: Columns, various editions, Mick Rhodes
• Fifth place: Homelessness reporting, “Cash Whiteley is a man … on the mend,” Mick Rhodes
• Fifth place: Health reporting, “Fulbright scholar and Pitzer grad, 23, works to eradicate measles,” Lisa Butterworth
• Fifth place: News photo, “Pedestrian braves tropical storm Hilary,” Steven Felschundneff

For a complete list of winners, including judges’ comments, go to cnpa.com/2023-cja-contest-winners.

It was an honor to spend a beautiful evening with colleagues from big leaguers the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Sacramento Bee, as well as the many Courier-esque smaller outfits represented at the CNPAs. Congratulations to all the winners. We hope to return to the winner’s circle next year with a new batch of great journalism.

Now, back to work.

Not all PIOs are created equal

Sincere thanks to U.S. Forest Service Spokesperson Nathan Judy, who has picked up the phone every time I’ve called over the past couple of weeks. Public information officers and  government spokespeople aren’t always so easy to reach. Nathan has been a call away as we’ve covered the Vista Fire, and it’s made our jobs much easier. He even gave us the go-ahead to reproduce some of the Forest Service’s top-flight photography. Hats off, Nathan!

The Treasury of Claremont Music Concert

On Saturday, July 27 Claremont Heritage and Claremont Music Scene host the Treasury of Claremont Music Concertfrom 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Garner House in Memorial Park, 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd. Tickets are at claremontheritage.bigcartel.com.

“This event is a celebration of Claremont’s musical legacy, featuring live performances, honoring local musicians and their achievements, and providing opportunities for community members to come together and show their support for our shared mission,” read a press release.

Being saluted are master musician and songwriter the late David Lindley, who called Claremont home while he soared with Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, and so many others; the legendary Folk Music Center, “the heartbeat of folk music in Southern California,” founded in 1958 and still going strong under the stewardship of Ellen Harper; the great Roy Durnal, who has been a mainstay bassist and drummer for more than 50 years with everyone from the late Chris Darrow to Squeakin’ Wheels; session musician, tour manager, and music director Justin Andres, currently working with Orianthi, and previously with Eric Burdon and Billy Ray Cyrus, among others; and me, Mick Rhodes.

There will be food and drink, and of course music. My band Mick Rhodes and the Hard Eight will play a set, as will Ellen and Roy. Among those slated to speak at the event are Claremont Heritage Executive Director and emcee David Shearer; Brian Luft, founder and board chair of Claremont Music Scene; Claremont Heritage Board of Directors President John Neiuber, who will accept for Lindley; and Ellen, accepting for the Folk Music Center.

I’ve been part of oodles of tributes and special events honoring many wonderful folks as a musician and songwriter, but this is the first time I’ve been part of the program. It’s a profound honor to be invited into Claremont Heritage’s Treasury of Claremont Music, and I hope to see Claremonters out supporting not only David Lindley, Roy, Ellen, Justin, the Folk Music Center, and me, but also Claremont Heritage and Claremont Music Scene, both of whom are working to preserve and elevate the city’s history, art, architecture, and culture.

More info and tickets are at claremontheritage.bigcartel.com. See ya there!