SPJ Awards 2000

by The Inlander staff


The Inland Northwest Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists presented its 2000 Excellence in Journalism Awards at a banquet last weekend, and we are proud to announce the following 12 winners from The Inlander in the Non-Daily category.





Arts Criticism


First prize, Michael Bowen


"Clap, or Else"


This was a review of the play Breaking Legs at Lake City Playhouse.





Second prize, Jerry Kraft


"Unforgettable Journey"


This was a review of Interplayers' production of Over the River and Into the Woods and it was Kraft's final piece for The Inlander prior to moving to Tacoma.





Arts Reporting


First prize, Sheri Boggs


"Phantom Comes Alive"


This was not only a preview of the monster musical hit Phantom of the Opera, but it also looked at the artistic integrity of traveling spectacles and what they mean to local economies.





Business & amp; Agriculture


Second prize, Pia K. Hansen


"Endangered Species"


This was about how tough competition from big box retailers moving into the area can be on locally owned stores.





Education


Second prize, Sheri Boggs


"Place of Tranquility, Far to the East of Japan"


This was about the Japanese boarding students at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, and the challenges and rewards they reap from a total immersion in American culture.





Features


First prize, Sheri Boggs


"Memorial Day Mystery"


This was about a century-old, tragic love story between a married doctor and a minister's daughter -- whose Moscow, Idaho, grave still gets fresh flowers every Memorial Day.





Second prize, Mike Corrigan


"Speakeasy Spelunking"


This was about Corrigan's intrepid search for Spokane's historical network of underground tunnels.





General News


Third prize, Ted S. McGregor Jr.


"Dilligence or Negligence?"


This was about the failing River Park Square parking garage and how such a problem came to be in the first place.





Government & amp; Politics


First prize, Ted S. McGregor Jr.


"Initiative Crazy"


This was about the flurry of initiatives voters in Washington state faced at last year's election and whether they made for better or worse government.





Photo Page


First prize, Amy Sinisterra


"Moose Meets Man"


This was a photo essay about the killing of a moose trapped in an open well in an urban part of North Spokane.





Sports


Third prize,


Pia K. Hansen


"And They're Off..."


This was about Playfair Racetrack's preparations to reopen for its first horse racing season in years.





Spot News


Honorable Mention,


Ted S. McGregor Jr. and Pia K. Hansen


"Over the Hump"


This was an account of election night 2000, when several races were undecided at press time. National and local races were covered.