Local Family Life Magazines Win International Awards for Leading Parenting Publications:

Mendo Lake Family Life Magazine Among the Best

—March 14, 2012

MENDOCINO AND LAKE COUNTIES, CALIFORNIA – The local Mendo Lake Family Life Magazine has won two of the coveted Magazine Awards given out at the international Parenting Media Association (PMA) annual Editorial and Design Awards Competition. This competition is designed to recognize excellence in journalism, photography and design achieved by regional family publications.

PMA represents over 120 magazines from across the United States, Australia and Canada, meeting the highest caliber of journalism, which choose their very best work throughout the year to enter in the competition. "This competition represents the best of the best among leading regional family magazines," says founder and publisher Sharon Gowan.

Professor Daryl Moen of the University of Missouri's School of Journalism coordinated the annual contest. A panel of 22 judges reviewed the 840 entries submitted in the competition to choose the winners in each category. All judges drew upon significant professional experience in selecting the winners.

"The quality of the entries continues to rise," noted Professor Moen. "Some of the design categories, including feature and publication design, are magnificent. In writing, there are dozens of writing entries, particularly in the column categories, that are outstanding, and the competition is stiff."

"We're thrilled! Two articles that appeared in both Mendo Lake and Sonoma  won the top honor in their categories! And one of our covers was recognized as a finalist in the highly competitive magazine cover category," says Gowan. "We’re truly a local publication, that started in Philo as a Mothers of Mendocino newsletter, then was published as Parents Journal before becoming Family Life Magazine .

In the competition we often compete against publications that are part of large national media companies, so the competition is strong! It's great that our wonderful local staff has been recognized on an international stage for their award-winning work. And most importantly, that we're providing top quality to our loyal local readers for their families."

Family Life Magazine, is the #1 resource for local families, and is now celebrating 20 years of bringing important local information, fun, news, and community resource guides, in magazines, enewsletters and websites, as well as popular events, to local families.

"The most rewarding aspect of publishing these magazines for 20 years now, is being welcomed into the homes and lives of so many families for decades. And especially the ongoing dialogue and relationships in this great family-oriented community."

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For more information call 707-586-9562. 

MendoLakeFamilyLife.com

SonomaFamilyLife.com

Award-winning magazine staff: Sharon Gowan, Patty Ramos, Jolie Cook, Marianne Dolcini, Renee Nutcher

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FINALIST—Glossy Cover

"September 2011" • Marianne Dolcini, editor; Sharon Gowan, publisher editor.

• Judges Comments: "The editor’s selection of a wonderful photo carries the day (and the cover!)."

WINNER—Family Travel Article

“Take the Train to the Grand Canyon” • Janet Groene, writer; Marianne Dolcini, feature editor; Sharon Gowan, publisher editor

• Judges Comments: "What is there new to say about the Grand Canyon? This writer answered that question with a seamless narrative that captured the spirit of the Southwest’s most dramatic landscape. The vivid descriptions of things to do, lively and informative sidebars, and historical anecdotes made this piece the quintessential travel article: when you’re finished reading, you’re ready to go."

WINNER—Profile Article

“Meet Camille Picott” • Shira Madsen McDonald, writer, Marianne Dolcini, feature editor; Sharon Gowan, publisher editor.

• Judges Comments: "The writer capably weaves the personality of the subject, a children’s book author, into the reason for the piece —“Raggedy Chan” is a take on the familiar character by giving the doll Asian roots. The profile also becomes an insightful history of Chinese assimilation."