Mayor unveils winners of 3rd Annual Spring Photo Festival - including a $1,000.00 Grand Prize

The public is invited to attend an evening reception at Carbonara Trattoria where the Honorable Mayor Lori Donchak will unveil the winners of the Spanish Village Foundation 3rd Annual Spring Photo Festival - presented by the San Clemente Times.

The deadline to enter the contest was April 6, and the foundation received 120 entries.  This year’s festival theme is “Sweet Home San Clemente”™.

Judging for the Grand Prize and 2^nd and 3^rd place winners has already taken place.  Judges were Stacie Galang and John Hall of the San Clemente Times and Don Kindred of the San Clemente Journal.  The three top winners, and eight “honorable mention” awards are currently being kept under wraps.

The Spanish Village Foundation, a non-profit organization, puts on this annual contest in keeping with its mission to “recognize, celebrate and promote the positive aspects of San Clemente.”

“This is a lot of fun every year, ” said contest chairperson Mike Cotter.  “The whole community gets involved, including a dozen restaurants, who put up large posters of the photos to help the “People’s Choice” award voting.”  Participating restaurants are Antoine’s Café, Avila’s El Ranchito, Beachfire California Bar & Grill, Café Calypso, Carbonara Trattoria, Duke’s Griddle N Grill, El Mariachi Restaurant, Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar, Irons in the Fire, OC Tavern, Oltre Mare Restaurant and Selma’s Chicago Pizzeria.

All contest winners, including “People’s Choice” will be unveiled by San Clemente Mayor Lori Donchak on May 20, 2011 at an evening reception (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.) at Carbonara Trattoria at 111 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672 (949) 366-1040.  The public is invited at no charge.

The Spanish Village Foundation was founded in December 2008 by Mike Cotter, Raad Ghantous, John Alpay and Candy Haggard.  Inspired by the positive message of newly elected Mayor Donchak, the foursome set out to promote optimistic and affirmative aspects found in San Clemente.  For more information about the Spanish Village Foundation, please contact President Mike Cotter at 949-322-6009 or info@spanishvillagefoundation.org.