“ZeroSortComeTogether:” This Grand Prize-Winning submission is a take on the Beatles’ popular album cover of Abbey Road.

Tuesday, February 7, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone presented 10 winners from the “It’s the Love Tote” photo contest with certificates of “Exemplary Zero-Sortness” during a ceremony at City Hall. Following a call to residents for photos of the City’s Zero-Sort Recycling toters, judges received 37 entries, selecting eight winning photos includingGrand Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, Best Age 12 and Under, and four Special Category Prizes. After difficult deliberations, an 11-judge panel selected group entry “Come Together, Right Now…and Don’t Sort” as the Grand Prize winner. Submitted by Orchard St. residents Deborah Baskin and Liam Campbell, Fiona Campbell, Theo Gounden-Rock, Izzy Larsen, Ben Larsen and Zara Gounden-Rock , the photo echoes The Beatle’s Abbey Road album cover.

“We received a lot of really great entries and it was a close race, but the judges especially appreciated the creativity, the group effort, and the recycling message of the Come Together photo,” said David Lutes, Director of the Office of Sustainability, who coordinated the rollout of the Zero-Sort program citywide.

The Grand Prize winners received a $50 Gift Certificate to the Somerville Winter Farmers Market, and all winners were presented with a small City of Somerville gift. WasteQuip, which manufactured the City’s recycling toters, has also generously donated toter swag for the winners including 6-inch-tall mini-toters. All photo entries will be edited into an “It’s the Love Tote” music video for all to enjoy on the City of Somerville Youtube channel (www.youtube.com/SomervilleCityTV) and City Cable channels 13 and 16.

“MagicOfRecycling:” Louise Marks and her “lovely assistants” took Second Prize for this rendition of a popular magic act.

Second Prize and “Most Magical” was awarded to Louise Marks of Grand View Ave. and her lovely assistants for “The Magic of Recycling: Barrels of Fun!,” which puts a couple of Zero-Sort toters in the middle of a hilarious magic act. Third Prize & Most Unlikely Location goes to Nicholas Capuano, age 10, of Porter St. for taking his toter fishing on the Mystic River in “Tote Fishing.” The judges were impressed that Capuano even outfitted his toter with its own fishing rod. Best Submission Age 12 and Under & “Most Romantic” was awarded to Valerie Farley, age 10, of Willow Ave., for documenting the moment her toter and her compost bin “met” in her photo “Love at First Sight.”

“tote fishing:” Nicholas Capuano, age 10, submitted this photo and received Third Prize & Most Unlikely Location.

Four special category prizes were also awarded. Most Stylish/Best Dressed Toter went to “It’s Hip to Recycle” by Erin Geno of Sycamore St., who impressed the judges with the best giant toter mustache. Best Toter-on-the-Town Moment was awarded to Sarah Hutchinson and Erin Scholomiti of Holland St. for taking their toter bowling at Flatbread Pizza/Sacco Bowl. Most Likely to Inspire Others to Recycle went to “Even Kids Can Get into Zero-Sort Recycling” by Aaron Helsinger of Lesley Ave. for its positive message. Finally, Most Likely to Inspire Holiday Recycling went to Lisa McFarren of Willow Ave. for transforming her two pups into Zero-Sort toting reindeer.

Best Submission Age 12 and Under & “Most Romantic” was awarded to Valerie Farley, age 10, of Willow Ave., for documenting the moment her toter and her compost bin “met” in her photo “Love at First Sight"

“LoveToteGroup:” Entrants of the top 8 photos in the “It’s the Love Tote” photo contest, and family members, joined Mayor Curtatone at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon for an official ceremony. Winners were presented with certificates of “Exemplary Zero-Sortness” and mini toters.”

As part of the Grand Prize package, Mayor Curtatone picked up Baskin’s recycling on Orchard Street on Wednesday, February 8, followed by a special live performance of “The Love Tote” by local musician Jimmy Del Ponte.

– Photos by Donald Norton

Photo Captions Attached:

“LoveToteGroup:”  Entrants of the top 8 photos in the “It’s the Love Tote” photo contest, and family members, joined Mayor Curtatone at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon for an official ceremony.  Winners were presented with certificates of “Exemplary Zero-Sortness” and mini toters.”

“tote fishing:”  Nicholas Capuano, age 10, submitted this photo and received Third Prize & Most Unlikely Location.

“MagicOfRecycling:”  Louise Marks and her “lovely assistants” took Second Prize for this rendition of a popular magic act.

“ZeroSortComeTogether:”  This Grand Prize-Winning submission is a take on the Beatles’ popular album cover of Abbey  Road.