STATE NEWS ASSOCIATION HONORS

manhattan media made a strong showing in the new york press association's annual "better newspaper contest," taking home four awards for work featured in our town and west side spirit newspapers.

west side spirit won first place for a graphic illustration by kym balthazar that was featured on the cover with the "malachy mccourt's papal itinerary" story (april 24, 2008).

our town came in second in the competitive feature story category for erik shilling's piece about the famed elaine's restaurant and bar ("last call," may 22, 2008).

the papers were also recognized with third-place wins for a sports action photo of tennis great rafael nadal by andrew schwartz and for coverage of elections and politics for our story about the surrogate's court race (aug. 14, 2008).

together, manhattan media's newspapers, which also include the new york press, city hall, the capitol, the westsider and chelsea clinton news, took home 25 awards. the company placed third in all of new york state in total number of editorial awards.