Golden Valley Announces 'Views of the Valley' Photo Contest Award Winners

The city of Golden Valley has announced the winners of the 2011 "Views of the Valley" photo contest.

The contest, now in its 19th year, was created to promote the city and civic pride.

Judges selected winners in the categories of Natural, Lifestyle and Enhanced. Residents voted for the "People's Choice" award winner from June 9 to 24.

The winners are:

Grand prize

• “Rest Time” by Patrick O’Rourke

Natural

• First prize: “Rest Time” by Patrick O’Rourke
• Honorable mention: “Swamp Stump” by Peter Meinz and “Striped Caterpillar” by Jan Prazak

Lifestyle

• First prize: “Ski ... Wirth” by Janice Laulainen
• Honorable mention: “Hoping For Sun” by Kalin Kauppila

Enhanced (Photos significantly altered by editing software)

• First prize: “Life is a Journey” by Audrey Jewett

People's Choice

• “Hoping For Sun” by Kalin Kauppila

All winners received certificates of appreciation. Each first-place winner received $50, and O'Rourke won an additional $50 for the grand prize. Kauppila won $25 for People's Choice. 

The judges were John Michael, a KMSP producer and Patch.com photographer; Margie Vigoren, communications specialist for the city of Plymouth; Mary Tan, communications coordinator for the city of Brooklyn Park; and Chris O’Connor, a producer for Northwest Community TV.