The Bay Area Reporter won several honors at the recent 45th annual San Francisco Press Club Awards, including first place in overall general excellence in the newspapers non-daily category for 2021.
Certificates were issued to publisher Michael Yamashita, news editor Cynthia Laird, arts editor Jim Provenzano, and assistant editors Matthew S. Bajko and John Ferrannini. (Ferrannini left the paper earlier this year, but was assistant editor at the time of the entries.)
Yamashita said he is proud of the staff.
"It's gratifying to be recognized by our peers at the San Francisco Press Club as the leader for overall excellence among non-daily newspapers," Yamashita stated. "Matthew Bajko deserves kudos for winning the most awards this year for his reporting."
Bajko received first place for his 2021 business news story, "Chick-fil-A opens near SF city line. His 2021 Political Notebook column also took first place.
Bajko also received third place for his 2021 LGBTQ History Month feature, "Until legal ruling, Disneyland banned same-sex dancers."
And Bajko won second place in the non-daily news category for "California not tracking COVID vaccinations in LGBTQ residents," published March 3, 2021.
Provenzano won second place in the feature story category for "Smahtguy" — Eric Orner's new book about Barney Frank that was published in June.
MCC-SF to have virtual Christmas Eve service
Metropolitan Community Church-San Francisco will hold a virtual service on Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at 7 p.m.
The musical celebration will end in candlelight, according to an email announcement.
The Zoom link for the service is here.
SF Sheriff's office releases recruitment video
The San Francisco Sheriff's Office has released a new recruitment video in an effort to hire about 200 sworn professionals for work in the jails, hospitals, and courts.
Sheriff Paul Miyamoto stated in a news release that the video features 75 sheriff's office employees. Staffing in the department has dipped to a historic low over the past two years, he noted.
"We need qualified candidates who are passionate about serving the people of San Francisco," the sheriff stated. "We have positions open for 192 deputies, 27 professional staff, and 23 cadets."
The five and a half minute video, which features Miyamoto and the other staff, explains what the job of a deputy entails, from providing security at county jails to serving as court bailiffs to working side by side with community members, the release stated. It shows deputies and staff in various settings, including at the Golden State Warriors championship parade in June and a San Francisco Pride parade.
The starting salary for a sheriff's deputy ranges from $84,448-$171,224, depending on experience and training, according to the department. Benefits include complete medical coverage and a generous pension upon retirement, the release stated.
To view the video, complete with funny bloopers at the end, click here.
Help keep the Bay Area Reporter going in these tough times. To support local, independent, LGBTQ journalism, consider becoming a BAR member.