Regarding the nameplate, it seems to me that "The Valley Beautiful" don't connect well with "Beacon": italic and roman are clashing a bit and there isn't any apparent alignment.
I don't know if Utopia is too cliché, but I would avoid using the same typeface for nameplate and body text.

I think your version is a lot less outspoken than the old one (and therefore less recognizable)
Maybe try to customize the letters a bit.
I also agree with Riccard0 about "The Valley Beautiful".
Because it's all caps the top (cap height) is a straight line, a possibility might be to put "The Valley Beautiful" along it.

i don't have Utopia and didn't take any time to make it look good but this is what i (more or less) mean:

[Marvin]

The nameplate above would be right-aligned. (I realize you couldn't have know that.)

What the problem with using the same typeface though? Doesn't the Times do this? I don't want to stray too far from the old nameplate (keep the serifs).

I feel there is a little disconnect also, but I'm partial to the italics.

I tried a couple of versions with "The Valley Beautiful" on top, but I'm hesitant to make it look so traditional. I realize that is a risk though.

All input is welcome. I've never designed a nameplate before, and I'm quickly realizing it's a bit different from a typical logo.

Thanks.

Ah, I automatically presumed that it would be center aligned
With customizing I meant just a little bit like the A in the original
Maybe (and this is a huge guess) you could align the ends of the words “The Valley Beautiful” in the same slanted way as the italic itself goes and make the left vertical of the B follow that same line

Again a very ugly example:

[Marvin]

I threw a more traditional setup together:

What do you think? It would be centered.

I think customizing the type is good idea. I'll see if I can come up with anything.

I think you should keep the B the same size as EACON. Then center it.

Hi Brett,

I've always felt using the same font for a header or logo as for the body copy lessens the impact of the masthead or logo by reducing the contrast between the two, giving a homogenous, plain look.

I realise it is early stages, but have you tried mocking up an entire page with the masthead in place?

Nice job, good luck!