The “At Least They Passed Through the Civic Center in 2010” Award
Bill Cosby
Carrie Underwood

The “Her Mansion in Clearbrook is Kept on the Down Lo.” Award
Jennifer Lopez

The “Stand Out Like Black Swans on the Salem Duck Pond” Award
Natalie Portman
Mila Kunis

The “When Did an E.R. Remake Start Filming Inside Roanoke Memorial?” Award
George Clooney

The “Celebrity We Hope Hosts a F.R.I.E.N.D.S. of the Blue Ridge Parkway Fundraiser” Award
Jennifer Aniston

The “Average Roanoker is Old Enough to be Her Grammy” Award
Taylor Swift

The “Most and Least Likely to Play in the NFL Again” Awards (you decide who gets which)
Tiki Barber
Ronde Barber
Tim Tebow

The “Still Receiving Votes Despite Leaving the Anchor Desk Before Keith Humphry and John Carlin” Award
Tom Brokaw

The “Here’s What’s Going on in Your Neck of the Noke” Award
Al Roker

The “We Think You’ve Got the Wrong Pennsylvania Avenue” Award
Barack Obama

Want more? Pick up a copy of our May/June issue on newsstands now for the full list of winners!

Guy Goes into a Bar, Takes Off All His Clothes and Thinks it’s a Pretty Good Joke Award

To man-about-town and city employee River Laker, who at a Square Society fundraiser at 202 Market in February did a full striptease as part of being auctioned off as a date, and was so pleased with his performance initially that he contacted the newspaper for coverage . . . all before the state ABC Board stepped in to start talking about things like indecent exposure and 202’s liquor license.

The Girl Can’t Help it Award

To the City of Roanoke, which fired (and later reinstated at a lower rank) a Fire-EMS captain for allegedly having sex in a city fire station with his then-girlfriend, a Fire-EMS paramedic who received a simple admonishment for her roll . . . er, role.

Why Didn’t Michael Vick Think of this as Part of His Dog-Torture Rehab Program?

Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in August announced plans to launch a pornographic website to promote its messages of animal rights and vegan diets. Editor’s note: Exhaustive research in early 2012 failed to find the peta.xxx site, but PETA’s lettuceladies.com site comes fairly close, featuring not only the scantily leafed Lettuce Ladies but also the Broccoli Boys and the ever-popular Tofu Wrestling video.

You Couldn’t Make Up Better Stuff than the Real PETA Material

In response to Governor McDonnell’s March initiative to allow sponsorships at Virginia highway rest areas, PETA got back with the idea to sponsor the I-81 stop at mile marker 158 near Troutville as the “Fishing Hurts” rest area, complete with “delicious vegan faux-fish sticks” and information about fish pain.

Maybe PETA was in on this Caper?

About $11,000 worth of cattle bound for the slaughterhouse was rustled out of a Bedford County stockyard in March, loaded up in a 20-foot cattle carrier around dawn and driven away to who-knows-where.

A Better Acronym than PETA too Award

To 75-year-old Thelma Marienfeldt of Roanoke County, who at the end of 2011 ended the 12-year run of FERAL (Feline Education Rescue and Adoption League), an all-volunteer organization dedicated to caring for homeless kitties, which Marienfeldt headed.

And Speaking of Darlin’ Little Animals in Cozy Places

A woman at an Amherst County court hearing in March surprised court officials when she pulled a six-inch, fully diapered-and-dressed monkey out of her bra, explaining that little Kara was “my daughter.”

The Scrapple Award

To the Commonwealth of Virginia, which in August awarded to a company from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania a contract to sell food, drinks and merchandise at 42 Virginia highway rest areas and welcome centers.

Tiki Don’t Lose that Number Award

To former Cave Spring, UVa and New York Giants star running back Tiki Barber, who announced in May he was coming out of retirement at age 35 after four years away from professional football; his lone tryout, with the Miami Dolphins in August, did not result in a contract. But hey, the ‘Phins went 6-10 this past season, and their leading rusher was . . . Reggie Bush?!

At Least We’re Not as Fat as West Virginia and the Carolinas

A report last summer noted that all states except Colorado now have an obesity rate of more than 20 percent of the population. Virginia joins Maryland and Florida as the only states below the Mason-Dixon Line in the 26-28 percent range, with all the others lumbering in at 29-31 or 32-34 percent.

We’re Finally Ready for Godzilla, but Would Jefferson Have Approved the Name?

Roanoke City’s police SWAT team last summer used a $245,000 federal grant to purchase and pimp a Ford F-550-frame, 20,000-pound, bulletproof armored vehicle called . . . The Virginian.

WANT MORE?

Pick up a copy of our March/April issue on newsstands before it’s too late!

Bankruptcy

1. A. Carter Magee
Magee, Goldstein, Lasky & Sayers, PC; 343-9800

2. Roy V. Creasy
Roy V. Creasy, Attorney at Law; 342-0729

3. Malissa Lambert Giles
Giles & Lambert, PC; 981-9000

Business/Commercial

1. James B. Massey, III
Coleman & Massey, PC; 343-5100

2. Harwell M. Darby, Jr.
Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte; 224-8006

3. Nicholas C. Conte
Woods Rogers, PLC; 983-7630

Construction

1. K. Brett Marston
Gentry, Lock, Rakes, & Moore, LLP; 983-9391

2. Robert A. Ziogas
Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte; 904-1634

3. D. Stan Barnhill
Woods Rogers, PLC; 983-7667

Consumer

1. Henry L. Woodward
Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley; 344-2088

2. David D. Beidler
Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley; 344-2088

3. Malissa Lambert Giles
Giles & Lambert, PC; 981-9000

Criminal

1. John E. Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein, Fishwick, & Johnson, PLC; 343-9711

2. Paul G. Beers
Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte; 224-8035

3. Anthony F. Anderson
Anderson & Friedman; 982-1525

Driving/Traffic

1. Raphael E. “Ray” Ferris
Ferris, Eakin & Thomas, PC; 344-3233

2. David D. Lawrence
The Lawrence Law Firm; 982-2606

3t. John Weber III
Weber Pearson; 491-0025

3t. Patrick J. Kenney
Law Office of Patrick J. Kenney, PLC; 982-7721

Elder

1. V. Anne Edenfield
V. Anne Edenfield, Attorney at Law; 342-1527

2. Ann  M. Green
Anderson, Desimone & Green, PC; 776-6434

3. Rhona Levine
Coleman & Massey, PC; 342-9311

Employment & Labor

1. W. David Paxton
Gentry, Lock, Rakes & Moore, LLP; 983-9334

2. Jeremy E. Carroll
Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte; 224-8036

3. Clinton S. Morse
LeClairRyan; 510-3023

Family

1. Leisa K. Ciaffone
Leisa K. Ciaffone, PC; 444-0001

2. Frank W. Rogers III
Mundy Rogers & Associates, LLP; 982-2900

3. David G. Weaver
Weaver Law Firm, PC; 767-7611

Immigration

1. Christine L. Poarch
The Poarch Law Firm; 387-1005

2. Kenneth J. Lasky
Magee, Goldstein, Lasky & Sayers, PC; 343-9800

3. Jeffrey A. Van Doren
The Poarch Law Firm; 387-1005

Juvenile

1t. V. Anne Edenfield
V. Anne Edenfield, Attorney at Law; 342-1527

1t. Ellen S. Weinman
Ellen S. Weinman, PC; 389-3825

Land Use / Environment

1. Maryellen F. Goodlatte
Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte; 224-8018

2. Charles L. Williams
Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore; 983-9375

3. Paul R. Thompson, Jr.
Woods Rogers, PLC; 983-7742

Malpractice

1. T. Daniel Frith III
Frith Law Firm; 985-0098

2. S.D. Roberts Moore
Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore, LLP; 983-9300

3t. John T. Jessee
LeClairRyan; 510-3018

3t. Elizabeth G. Perrow
Woods Rogers, PLC; 983-7707

Personal Injury

1. P. Brent Brown
Brown & Jennings Law Offices; 444-4010

2. John E. Lichenstein
Lichenstein, Fishwick, & Johnson, PLC; 343-9711

Real Estate

1t. G. Michael Pace, Jr.
Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore, LLP; 983-9312

1t. Roy V. Creasy
Roy V. Creasy, Attorney at Law; 342-0729

3. Michael K. Smeltzer
Woods Rogers, PLC; 983-7652

Social Security

1. Susan A. Wadell
Guynn, Memmer & Dillon, PC; 387-2320

2. Anne V. Sprague
Sprague & Hixson LLP; 343-5678

3t. Cooper C. Geraty
Geraty, Holub & MacQueen, PLC; 800-252-1611

3t. Pat Fields
Fields Law Office; 985-4640

Tax

1. Charles E. Troland, Jr.
Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte; 904-1634

2. Alexander I. Saunders
Woods Rogers, PLC; 983-7600

3. James B. Massey, III
Coleman & Massey, PC; 343-5100

Wills / Estates / Trusts

1. Nan L. Coleman
Coleman & Massey, PC; 343-5506

2. James B. Massey, III
Coleman & Massey, PC; 343-5100

3t. Harry S. Rhodes
Rhodes, Butler & Dellinger, PC; 342-0888

3t. Bruce C. Stockburger
Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore; 983-9366

3t. Ann M. Green
Anderson, Desimone & Green, PC; 776-6434

Workers Compensation

1. Richard D. Lucas
Lucas & Kite, PLC; 767-2468

2. E. Scott Austin
Gentry, Locke, Rakes & Moore, LLP; 983-9393

3. Linda D. Slough
Law Office of Linda D. Slough; 344-3233

Well, two things: They also have strong knowledge and opinions on the best places to eat. And here are the results of those opinions – gathered in online voting during the fall – on the best places to dine in Roanoke for everything from soup to nuts, from appetizer to dessert. And everything in between.

Overall Dining
Platinum: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Gold: Carlos Brazilian International
Silver: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke

Best New Chain Restaurant (opened since July 2011)
Platinum: Cheddar’s
Gold: Chipotle

Best New Kid in Town (opened since July 2011)
Platinum: The Quarter
Gold: Blue Apron Restaurant / Red Rooster Bar
Silver: Frogurt

Best Ambience
Platinum: Carlos Brazilian International
Gold: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Silver: Blue 5 Restaurant

Best Anniversaries/Special Occasions
Platinum: Carlos Brazilian International
Gold: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Silver: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet

Best Seafood
Platinum: Awful Arthur’s Seafood Company
Gold: Stephen’s
Silver: Harbor Inn
Chain winner: Red Lobster

Best Sushi
Platinum: Ben Gui Sushi
Gold: Wasabi
Silver: Café Asia

Best Indian Restaurant
Platinum: Nawab
Gold: Taaza

Best Thai Restaurant
Platinum: Red Jasmine
Gold: Tong’s Thai
Silver: Thai Continental Best

Best Chinese Restaurant
Platinum: Red Palace
Gold: Szechuan
Silver: Café Asia

Best Italian Restaurant
Platinum: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Gold: Mamma Maria’s
Silver: Norberto’s

Best Italian Restaurant (Chain)
Platinum: Olive Garden
Gold: Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Best Mexican Restaurant
Platinum: Alejandro’s
Gold: El Rodeo
Silver: Rancho Viejo

Best Mediterranean Restaurant
Platinum: The Isaacs
Gold: (tie); Arzu, Carlos Brazilian International

Best Japanese Restaurant
Platinum: Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
Gold: Ichiban
Silver: Kobe

Best Other Ethnic Restaurant
Platinum: Carlos Brazilian International
Gold: Veranda Bistro
Silver: (tie); Taaza, Wonju Korean Restaurant

Best Traditional Virginia
Platinum: The Homeplace
Gold: The Roanoker Restaurant
Silver: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles

Best Vegetarian Restaurant
Platinum: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Gold: Local Roots
Silver: The Isaacs

Best Comfort Food
Platinum: The Homeplace
Gold: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
Silver: The Roanoker Restaurant

Best Downtown Restaurant
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Silver: Table 50

Best Hollins/North County Restaurant
Platinum: Hollywood’s Restaurant & Bakery
Gold: Veranda Bistro
Silver: Harbor Inn

Best Southwest Restaurant
Platinum: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Gold: Carlos Brazilian International
Silver: Fork in the Alley

Best Lake Area Restaurant
Platinum: The Landing
Gold: Mango’s
Silver: (tie); Jonathan’s, Moosie’s

Best Salem Restaurant
Platinum: Mac & Bob’s
Gold: Blue Apron Restaurant/Red Rooster Bar
Silver: Mama Maria’s

Best Vinton Restaurant
Platinum: New York Pizza
Gold: Dogwood Restaurant
Silver: Red Jasmine

Best Late-Night Dinner
Platinum: Texas Tavern
Gold: Blue 5 Restaurant
Silver: (tie); Luigi’s Italian Gourmet, Macado’s

Best Late-Night Dinner (Chain)
Platinum: IHOP
Gold: (tie); Applebee’s, Denny’s

Most Diverse Menu
Platinum: Montano’s International
Gold: Veranda Bistro
Silver: (tie); Luigi’s Italian Gourmet, Macado’s

Best Kid’s Birthday Spot
Platinum: Chuck E Cheese
Gold: (tie); Bubblecake, Thunder Valley

Best Buffet
Platinum: Red Palace
Gold: (tie); Hibachi Grill, The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Chain Winner: Golden Corral

Best Dinners Around $10
Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
Gold: Crock and Roll
Silver: Texas Tavern
Chain winner: Cheddar’s

Best Lunches Around $5
Platinum: (tie); Famous Anthony’s, Texas Tavern
Silver: Paul’s

Best Deli
Platinum: New Yorker Delicatessen
Gold: The Brambelton Deli
Silver: Montano’s International

Best Carryout
Platinum: (tie); Famous Anthony’s, Szechuan
Silver: Crock and Roll

Worth an Hour in the Car
Platinum: The Homeplace
Gold: Liberty Station in Bedford
Silver: (tie); Natural Bridge Restaurant, Swinging Bridge Restaurant

Worth Sharing with Friends and Family
Platinum: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, Crock and Roll, Luigi’s Italian Gourmet, The Homeplace

Best in the Neighborhood
Platinum: Fork in the Alley
Gold: (tie); Famous Anthony’s, Veranda Bistro

Best Pre-Performance Dinners
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Silver: (tie); Table 50, The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke

Best Healthy Plates
Platinum: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Gold: Local Roots
Silver: (tie); Crock and Roll, The Isaacs, Taaza

Best Business Breakfasts
Platinum: The Roanoker Restaurant
Gold: Famous Anthony’s
Silver: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke

Best Family Breakfasts
Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
Gold: The Roanoker Restaurant
Silver: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles

Best Family Breakfasts (Chain)
Platinum: IHOP
Gold: Cracker Barrel

Best Business Lunches
Platinum: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Gold: Blue 5 Restaurant
Silver: Montano’s International

Best Inexpensive Lunches
Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
Gold (tie): Crock and Roll, Macado’s
Chain winner: Cheddar’s

Best Daily Specials
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Famous Anthony’s
Silver: (tie); Crock and Roll, Village Grill

Best Sunday Brunches
Platinum: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Gold: The Homeplace
Silver: Rockfish Food & Wine

Best for Taking the Kids Along
Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
Gold: Macado’s
Silver: The Roanoker Restaurant
Chain winner: Red Robin

Best For Group Gatherings
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: The Homeplace
Silver: Billy’s Barn

Best Appetizers
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Silver: (tie); Metro!, Montano’s International

Best Appetizers (Chain)
Platinum: Applebee’s
Gold: (tie); Cheddar’s, Outback Steakhouse, Shula’s 347 Grill

Best Salads
Platinum: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Gold: Montano’s International
Silver: Blue 5 Restaurant

Best Soups
Platinum: Crock and Roll
Gold: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Silver: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, Montano’s International

Best Soups (Chain)
Platinum: Panera Bread
Gold: (tie); McAllister’s Deli, Olive Garden

Best Desserts
Platinum: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St
Gold: (tie); Bubblecake, Montano’s International

Best Local Pizza
Platinum: New York Pizza
Gold: Grace’s Pizza
Silver: Frank’s Pizza

Best Chain Pizza
Platinum: Pizza Hut
Gold: Papa John’s
Silver: Domino’s

Best Sandwiches
Platinum: Macado’s
Gold: New Yorker Delicatessen
Silver: The Brambelton Deli

Best Burritos
Platinum: Alejandro’s
Gold: El Rodeo
Silver: Rancho Viejo

Best Burritos (Chain)
Platinum: Chipotle
Gold: Baja Bistro

Best Barbecue
Platinum: Blues BBQ
Gold: Henry’s Memphis BBQ
Silver: Three Little Pigs

Best Hot Dogs
Platinum: Roanoke Weiner Stand
Gold: Texas Tavern
Silver: Fork in the Alley

Best Chili
Platinum: Texas Tavern
Gold: (tie); Crock and Roll, Fork in the Alley

Best Local Hamburgers
Platinum: Burger in the Square
Gold: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, Texas Tavern

Best Chain Hamburgers
Platinum: Red Robin
Gold: Wendy’s
Silver: Burger King

Best Ham
Platinum: Padow’s
Gold: Heavenly Ham
Silver: (tie); Pete’s Delicatessen, The Homeplace

Best Steak
Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Gold: Blue 5 Restaurant
Silver: (tie); The Great 611 Steakhouse, The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke

Best Steak (Chain)
Platinum: Outback Steakhouse
Gold: Texas Steakhouse
Silver: Shula’s 347 Grill

Best Chicken
Platinum: Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles
Gold: The Homeplace
Silver: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet

Best Chicken (Chain)
Platinum: KFC
Gold: Bojangle’s

Best Buffalo Wings
Platinum: All Sports Café
Gold: Macados
Silver: Corned Beef and Co.

Best Buffalo Wings (Chain)
Platinum: Buffalo Wild Wings
Gold: Hooter’s

Best Ribs
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Blues BBQ
Silver: Henry’s Memphis BBQ

Best Breads
Platinum: On the Rise
Gold: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Silver: Bread Craft

Best Breads (Chain)
Platinum: Panera Bread
Gold: Fresh Market

Best Smoothies
Platinum: Elderberry’s Smoothies
Gold: Blue Collar Joe’s
Silver: (tie); Little Dipper, Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea

Best Smoothies (Chain)
Platinum: Sonic
Gold: Panera Bread

Best Baked Goods
Platinum: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Gold: Bubblecake
Silver: Bread Craft

Best Baked Goods (Chain)
Platinum: Panera Bread
Gold: Fresh Market

Best Local Doughnuts
Platinum: Blue Collar Joe’s
Gold: Salem Donut Shop

Best Chain Doughnuts
Platinum: Krispy Kreme
Gold: Dunkin’ Donuts

Best Cookies
Platinum: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Gold: Wildflour Market & Bakery on 4th St.
Silver: Famous Anthony’s

Best Cookies (Chain)
Platinum: Subway
Gold: Fresh Market
Silver: Panera Bread

Best Chocolate/Candy Store
Platinum: Chocolatepaper
Gold: Nancy’s Candy Co
Silver: Baylee’s Best Chocolates

Best Milkshakes
Platinum: Pop’s Ice Cream
Gold: Scott & Ellie’s
Silver: Katie’s Ice Cream

Best Milkshakes (Chain)
Platinum: Chick-Fil-A
Gold: (tie); Bruster’s, Dairy Queen

Best Biscuits
Platinum: The Roanoker Restaurant
Gold: Tudor’s
Silver: The Homeplace

Best Biscuits (Chain)
Platinum: Bojangle’s
Gold: Hardee’s
Silver: McDonald’s

Best Local Ice Cream
Platinum: Homestead Creamery
Gold: Pop’s Ice Cream
Silver: (tie); Katie’s Ice Cream, Salem Ice Cream Parlor

Best Chain Ice Cream
Platinum: Bruster’s
Gold: Dairy Queen
Silver: (tie); Baskin Robbins, Maggie Moo’s

Best Bagels
Platinum: Roanoke Bagel Co.
Gold: Five Boro Bagels
Silver: 2nd Helpings
Chain Winner: Panera

Best Quick Bites
Platinum: Texas Tavern
Gold: Famous Anthony’s
Silver: Crock and Roll

Best Local Coffee
Platinum: Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea
Gold: Cups Coffee and Tea
Silver: (tie); Java the Hut, Star City Coffehouse

Best Coffee Chain
Platinum: Starbucks
Gold: Dunkin’ Donuts
Silver: McDonald’s

Best Grilled Cheese
Platinum: Pop’s Ice Cream
Gold: Crock and Roll
Silver: Famous Anthony’s

Best Picnic Food
Platinum: The Roanoker Restaurant

Best Picnic Food (Chain)
Platinum: KFC
Gold: Fresh Market
Silver: Kroger

Best Bar Experience
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Annie Moore’s Irish Pub
Silver: (tie); Luigi’s Italian Gourmet, Martin’s Downtown, Village Grill

Best Local Craft Beer
Platinum: Roanoke Railhouse
Gold: Big Daddy’s Brewing Co. in Awful Arthur’s Seafood Company
Silver: Dam Lager (SML)

Best Beer Selection
Platinum: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, Montano’s International
Silver: Awful Arthur’s Seafood Co.

Best Wine List
Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Gold: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke
Silver: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet

Best Wine Made in Virginia
Platinum: Chateau Morrisette
Gold: AmRhein’s
Silver: Valhalla Vineyards

Best Mixed Drink
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: (tie); Lucky, Pine Room Pub (Hotel Roanoke)

Best Nonalcoholic Frozen Drinks
Platinum: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Gold: (tie); Elderberry’s Smoothies, Pino Gelato Cafe

Best Alcoholic Frozen Drinks
Platinum: El Rodeo
Gold: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet
Silver: Alejandro’s
Chain Winner: Shula’s 347 Grill

Best Martini
Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Gold: Metro!
Silver: Blue 5 Restaurant

Best Nightclub
Platinum: 202 Market
Gold: (tie); Corned Beef and Co., Metro!

Best Bachelor Party
Platinum: Corned Beef and Co.
Gold: 202 Market

Best Bachelorette Party
Platinum: Corned Beef & Co.
Gold: 202 Market
Silver: Blue 5 Restaurant

Best Happy-Hour Deals
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Macado’s
Silver: (tie); Awful Arthur’s Seafood Company; Luigi’s Italian Gourmet

Best First Dinner Together
Platinum: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, Carlos Brazilian International, Luigii’s Italian Gourmet

Best Inexpensive Dates
Platinum: Macado’s
Gold: Alejandro’s
Silver: (tie); Famous Anthony’s, Fork in the Alley, Luigi’s Italian Gourmet

Best Expensive Dates
Platinum: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Gold: Carlos Brazilian International
Silver: The Library

Best for Watching the Game
Platinum: All Sports Café
Gold: (tie); Mac & Bob’s, Village Grill

Best for the Game (Chain)
Platinum: Buffalo Wild Wings
Gold: Hooter’s
Silver: Applebee’s

Best Outdoor Dining
Platinum: Fork in the Alley
Gold: (tie); Mac & Bob’s, Veranda Bistro

Best Live Entertainment
Platinum: Blue 5 Restaurant
Gold: Martin’s Downtown
Silver: Billy’s Barn

Most Unique Experience
Platinum: Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi
Gold: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke

Best Overall Staff
Platinum: Taaza
Gold: (tie); Blue 5 Restaurant, Luigi’s Italian Gourmet

Best Chef
Platinum: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke, Billie Raper
Gold: Crock and Roll, Charles Hooper
Silver: Blue 5, Chris Dye

Best Maitre D’
Platinum: Luigi’s Italian Gourmet, Maristane Rocha
Gold: The Library, Gregory Greenwood
Silver: The Regency Room at Hotel Roanoke, Emily Harris and Iris Green

Locavore’s Dream Come True
Platinum: Local Roots

Best Annual Free Broadway Show performance: Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio. Local high schools kids performing numbers from Broadway musicals at a professional level. For free!

Best B&B: Santillane. A historic venue on the National Registry, surrounded by beautiful gardens and is close to area attractions. Affordable and the gourmet breakfast is delicious.

Best Childcare Center: Alpha Childcare. We were very blessed to find Alpha Childcare in the Hollins area.

Best Computer Guy:  Matt Spencer. For excellent customer service, always being there when you need him, and customers that love him.

Best Computer Store: Cyberline.

Best Country Club: Hidden Valley, Roanoke and Hunting Hills. They are not ‘Your Father’s Country Clubs.’ They are family oriented places with lots of activities for adults and kids of all ages and interests. I would like to urge The Roanoker to write an article about these treasures that most locals do not know of in the light of welcoming members.

Best Dive. Dives are fun. I like ‘em seedy, grimy, cheap and noisy. There’s nothing quite like the beery, bleary camaraderie of your stool mates.

Best Esthetician and Best Cosmetology/Esthetic School.

Best Event or Service that Promotes Environmental Conservation. I love your selections on this list, but most of the categories revolve around how things can benefit me or my family (e.g., Best Night Out, Best Place to Buy a Luxury Car) I’d like to see something that reminds people of how they’ve helped the Roanoke Valley.

Best Place to Recycle.

Best-Looking Building: Wachovia Tower. You have ‘Building in Need of a Face Lift’ why not the best-looking building? I would definitely cast my vote for the Wachovia Tower, especially during Christmas time.

Best Nonprofit: C.H.I.P. They serve so many children and do a great job at it.

Best Place to Have a Corporate Meeting: Silver Hearth Lodge is a diamond in the rough. Beautiful views, fire pit for a cool fall day, swings, an overlook. And this is a good category since there are many corporate meetings occurring through the year.

Best Place to Kayak: Carvins Cove and Buena Vista. There are a lot of kayakers in the area, but not much info about where to go.

Best Complete Service for High School Student Applying for College: Sandra McMinnis of McMinnis & Associates, LLC. Provides a complete week of college admissions services that includes: the college application, the college essay, the academic resume, preparation for the college interview, acquiring the best college references, and preparation for the SAT exam. The program is unique and is named ‘First Choice College Boot Camp for High School Students

Best Dog Trainer: Hope Cogen at High Hopes. Since the first meeting, Hope had my dog working and learning. This training service is the best!

Best Florist / Event Designer: Caroline LaRocca Event Design

Glazed Bisque-It. You can make almost anything with your special touch.

Best Live Theatre. This is a category where there a tons of options to choose from and lots of deserving winners.

Paint the Roanoke Civic Center. Paint a huge mural on the civic center, or show movies there.

Best Personal Female Trainer: Robyn Goodpasture. Robyn is very knowledgeable about nutrition and weight loss! She is very inspiring and a great person!

Best Place for Retail Therapy: Provisions Gourmet/RSVP. It has so many wonderful items to buy, and has great customer service.

Roanoke’s Low Crime Rate. I know that we have a few high-crime problem areas, but overall – and compared to other cities – we are very lucky to have such a low crime rate.

Best Summer Camp: Camp Bethel has a complete list of activities for kids and adults all year long and is reasonably priced.

Thing That Sets Roanoke Apart. The city’s love for, and preservation of, our vintage signs, especially the lighted ones. When you come to Roanoke what’s the first thing you see? The Star, H&C Coffee and Dr. Pepper signs. It gives the city character and makes us unique.

Best Place to Work: Norfolk Southern Railway. Great benefits.

Best Reason to Live in the Roanoke Valley. No better combination of all good things, a variety of restaurants, musical and entertainment genres. Weather, views, friendliness of the people, the (lack of) traffic. I have travelled much of the country and wouldn’t live anywhere else.

The People. I am a native who returned after many (many) years. Love the bright, engaged, friendly people of this region!

The Water Heater. It provides a venue for all ages to enjoy visual and performing arts experiences.

Virginia Industrial Cleaners John Deere Dealership. The sales staff, repair staff and owner treat you like family. Their best sales person is Shaw, and the best service guy is Poff.

Are there other categories we should have included? Let us know in the comment field below!

Q. What are a Nieman Fellowship, the Casey Medals, Southern Journalism Awards and Columbia University Excellence Awards?

A. Just four of the prestigious recognition/achievement realms of Beth Macy, the writer chosen by our readers – in true duh! voting – as Best at The Roanoke Times.

And what are O: The Oprah Magazine, Parade, The Christian Science Monitor and Seventeen?

Just four national publications where said writer’s work can also be read, beginning in Seventeen when she was not much older than that, and in recent editions of both Parade and O.

A Nieman Fellowship? That’s where you (and your family in Macy’s case) move to Boston for a year, attend Harvard for free, hang out with 23 other high-level journalists and then come back to your job in Roanoke.

The ‘09 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism? Macy’s “Age of Uncertainty” series brought her a $1,000 first-prize award, which she promptly gave to the subject of one of the stories.

If you haven’t read the piece in O on former Times copy-editor-supreme Lynn Forbish and you have an opening in your day to cry for awhile, here it is.

Meanwhile back here in Roanoke, we know Beth Macy as “just” a newspaper writer who since 1989 has been a general reporter, family columnist, general features writer, “Front Burner” food columnist and post-Nieman demon back on the family beat.

Maybe we remember her as the reporter who last year waded into cholera, rioting and logistical nightmares in Haiti – a genuinely life-threatening situation – and came back to characterize it as “a nail-biter of a trip.”

That trip also provided a reminder that her reporting work has nearly always championed the underdog and the downtrodden. And been carried out with an intimacy borne not only of strong, polished, insightful writing in every single piece, but also a sort of innate inability not to fall in love with her subjects.

There’s that, and also a passion for her profession that she put this way in an AJR piece: “There are days when I still can’t believe I get paid to drive around, talk to people and then write stories about what I’ve seen and heard, smelled and felt.”

It’s that feeling part that sets Beth Macy’s work apart from most everybody else’s.

Two small bits of disclosure: One, I count Beth Macy as a friend. And two, on the day I left a message on her work phone for information on this short piece, I also left one for James Taylor; I was far more nervous about talking to the highly accomplished star journalist than to the highly accomplished star singer-songwriter.

-Kurt Rheinheimer

Angelo’s Mexican Restaurant, located in Vinton, is an authentic Mexican restaurant with a little something extra in the atmosphere.

Bubble Cakes, located in south Roanoke, is a local bakery specializing in cupcakes and other delicious sweet treats. Owner Lisa Lusk says, “it’s really a labor of love to give people sweet things with a smile.”

Burger on the Square is a local burger joint on Brambleton Avenue in southwest Roanoke owned and operated by Louis and Anita Wilson. “We see a lot of new faces now that we’ve moved and a lot of old faces as well.” (They used to be in the Market Building).

Coach & Four Restaurant, near the Roanoke airport, hosts a colonial atmosphere with a menu that is quite extensive.

Fork in the Alley is a brick-oven pub located in south Roanoke and offers hearty fare, brick oven pizza, live music and outdoor dining. For an event schedule and more information about the pub visit it their website at forkinthealley.com.

Full Moon Café & Cookies is a restaurant, bakery and bagel shop all rolled into one. Owner Francis Moon says, “our goal is to provide fresh and quality foods and that whoever comes in leaves happy.”

Local Roots Restaurant, next door to the Grandin Theatre, serves local organic foods, according to owner Diane Elliot. “We really want to tell the secret. We are proud of what we serve and how we serve it. Maybe our goal for next year will be to get Most Well-Known,” Elliot says.

Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles, now located at the corner of Market and Church streets in downtown Roanoke, is all about soul food. No matter when you go in, you will always feel like a VIP.

The Underground Gallery, next door to Frames ‘N Things on Brambleton Avenue, is all about artistic expression. “We wanted to have a place where unknown artists could come and display their work,” says manager Jessie Booth.

Pop Out People

Biggest Brain in Town
Platinum: Ed Walker, area property developer

Government Person Who Gets it
Platinum: Chris Morrill, Roanoke city manager
Court Rosen, city councilman
Silver: Bob Goodlatte, congressman

Government Person with Foot in Mouth
Platinum: David Bowers, Roanoke mayor

Get this Person for “King of the Valley”
Platinum: Zack Jackson, K92 Mornin’ Thang
Gold: Ed Walker

Takes the Best Pictures
Platinum: Kevin Hurley Photography
Gold: Don Petersen Photography
Silver: David Hungate /Dominion Images

Easiest to Look at (Female)
Platinum: Natasha Ryan, formerly of WDBJ 7
Gold: Jean Jadhon, WDBJ 7

Easiest to Look at (Male)
Platinum: Robin Reed, WDBJ 7
Gold: Jeff Phillips, manager at SpaFit, fitstudio365 motivational speaker
Silver: Brent Watts, WDBJ 7

Best Teacher
Platinum: Sasha Saari, Ferrum College
Gold: Kaitlin Rice, Franklin County
Silver: Joy Watson, Bonsack Elementary
Honorable Mention:
Holly Martin, Sylvan Learning Center
Mark Ingerson, Salem High
Nancy Meacham, Wasena Elementary
Pat Carr, Cave Spring High School
Bill Pratt, Roanoke County
Kari Sullivan, Bonsack Elementary

Lady with the Best Sense of Style
Platinum: Jean Jadhon
Gold: Natasha Ryan

Area Singer
Platinum: Jane L. Powell
Gold: Hoppie Vaughan
Silver: Corey Hunley
Foster Burton
Judi Jackson
Tim Martin

Local Celeb You’d Want for Your Charity Event
Platinum: Danny Meyers and Zack Jackson, K92 Mornin’ Thang
Gold: Jean Jadhon
Silver: Brett Sharp, 94.9 FM Star Country
Robin Reed

On a Little Screen Right in Front of You

Area Blog You Check Most Often
Platinum: blogs.roanoke.com/weatherjournal/
Silver: blogs.roanoke.com/fridgemagnet/
fromtheeditr.blogspot.com

Local Website You Go to Most
Platinum: roanoke.com
Gold: wdbj7.com
Silver: wsls.com

TV & Radio

TV News Person You Rely on Most
Platinum: Jean Jadhon
Gold: Karen McNew, WSLS 10
Silver: Keith Humphry, WDBJ 7

TV Weather Person You Trust
Platinum: Robin Reed
Gold: Brent Watts
Silver: Jeff Haniewich, WSLS 10

TV Sports Person Getting it Across
Platinum: Travis Wells, WDBJ 7
Gold: Chris Miles, WDBJ 7
Silver: Grant Kittelson, WDBJ 7
John Appicello, WSLS 10
Honorable Mention:
Greg Roberts, News/Talk 960 AM WFIR (Radio)

Most Fun on the Radio (Personality)
Platinum: Danny Meyers and Zack Jackson
Gold: Dick and Dave, The Breakfast Club on Q99
Silver: Brett Sharp and Robynn Jaymes, The Morning Show  on 94.9 FM Star Country

Serious Stuff on the Radio
Platinum: WVTF Public Radio, 89.1 FM
Gold: News/Talk 960 AM WFIR

Music on the Radio
Platinum: K92 FM
Gold: 106.1 Steve FM
Silver: 94.9 FM Star Country

The Newspaper

Best Thing in it
Platinum: Extra Section
Gold: Comics
Silver: Coupons

Worst Thing in it
Platinum: Editorial pages & Letters to the Editor

Best Comic
Platinum: Zits
Gold: Dilbert
Silver: Peanuts, Pickles

News/Feature Writer
Platinum: Beth Macy
Gold: Lindsey Nair
Silver: Mike Allen
Ben Beagle (since retired)
Dan Casey

Sports Writer
Platinum: Doug Doughty
Gold: Randy King
Silver: Aaron McFarling

Live & Learn

Public School
Platinum: Salem High
Gold: Cave Spring High
Silver: Bonsack Elemenatry
Crystal Spring Elementary

Private School
Platinum: North Cross
Gold: Roanoke Catholic
Silver: Faith Christian School

College/University in the Roanoke Valley
Platinum: Roanoke College
Gold: Hollins University
Silver: Virginia Western Community College

Library Branch
Platinum: 419 Headquarters
Gold: Downtown
Silver: Salem

Continuing Ed Class You’d Love to See at VWCC
Platinum: Culinary Arts
Gold: Foreign Languages (beyond Spanish – German, Japanese, etc.)
Photography/Photoshop

Museum
Platinum: Taubman Museum of Art
Gold: Science Museum of Western Virginia
Silver: O. Winston Link

Place to Meditate
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Mill Mountain
Silver: McAfee Knob

Most Worthy Group to Volunteer for
Platinum: Rescue Mission
Gold: Roanoke Valley SPCA
Silver: Habitat for Humanity
Angels of Assisi

What Happened What’s Happenin’

Annual Sporting Event
Platinum: Stagg Bowl
Gold: VT football (especially vs. UVA and Thurs. night games)
Silver: Guns and Hoses hockey

Annual Festival
Platinum: Festival in the Park
Gold: Strawberry Festival
Silver: Local Colors

Local Charity Event, 2010
Platinum: Drumstick Dash
Gold: Black and White Ball (Square Society)
Silver: Best in Show SPCA

Free Comedy, 2010
Platinum: Roanoke City Council deliberations

Best Place to Get Wild Once a Year
Platinum: Corned Beef & Co.
Gold: 202 Market
Silver: FloydFest

Best Thing to Happen in Roanoke, 2010
Platinum: Market renovations
Gold: New Roanoke City Manager
Silver: Blue Ridge Marathon
Patrick Henry Hotel renovation
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine opening

Where We Blew it, 2010
Platinum: Taubman financial problems (staff cuts, Nora’s Cafe)
Gold: Angering vendors by shutting down the Market Building

Best New Business, 2010
Platinum: Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
Gold: The Shadowbox Cinema

Best Idea For 2011
Platinum: Kohl’s moving into former Hunting Hills WalMart location
Gold: Consolidation
Patrick Henry Hotel renovation
Passenger Train Service from Roanoke to DC and beyond

Musician You Hope Plays the Valley
Platinum: Dave Matthews
Gold: Jimmy Buffett
Lady Gaga

Longest Traffic Light
Platinum: 419 in front of Tanglewood Mall
Gold: Hershberger / Williamson Rd. Intersection
Silver: Elm Ave. over I-581

Best-Kept Secret in Town
Platinum: TUNED OUT – tunedouttv.com
Gold: Cakes by Carla
Lucky Restaurant
Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
Silver:
Angelo’s Restaurant (Vinton)
Bubblecake Bake Shop
Burger in the Square
Coach & Four Restaurant
Fork in the Alley
Fork in the City
Full Moon Cafe’s Cookies
Local Roots Restaurant
Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles
The Underground Gallery at Frames N’ Things

Holiday Event
Platinum: Dickens of a Christmas
Gold: Roanoke Symphony Holiday Pops
Silver: Drumstick Dash

Building in Most Need of a Facelift
Platinum: Taubman Museum
Gold: Heironimus Building
Silver: Virginia Railway Passenger Station at Jefferson Street and Williamson Road

Place that Makes You Feel Like a Kid Again
Platinum: Chuck E. Cheese’s
Mill Mountain Zoo
Silver: Mill Mountain
Pop’s Ice Cream and Soda Bar

Where to Go, What to Do

The Movies
Platinum: Grandin Theatre
Gold: Valley View Grande 16
Silver: Carmike 10 Tanglewood

Live-Music Venue
Platinum: Kirk Avenue Music Hall
Gold: Jefferson Center
Silver: Blue 5 Restaurant

Boys’ Night Out
Platinum: Buffalo Wild Wings
Gold: Corned Beef & Co.
Silver: 202 Market
Allsports Cafe
The Blues BBQ Co.

Girls’ Night Out
Platinum: 202 Market
Metro!
Silver: Corned Beef & Co.

Just-the-Two-of-You
Platinum: Carlos Brazilian International
Gold: Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse
Silver: Table 50

Budget-Friendly
Platinum: Famous Anthony’s
Gold: The Brambleton Deli
El Rodeo

Long Weekend
Platinum: The Homestead
Gold: The Greenbrier Resort
Silver: Smith Mountain Lake

Course to Try for Par
Platinum: Hanging Rock
Gold: Hidden Valley Country Club
Hunting Hills
Ole Monterey

Place to Walk the Dog
Platinum: Roanoke River Greenway
Gold: Green Hill Park
Silver: Highland Dog Park

WiFi Spot
Platinum: Panera Bread
Gold: Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea
Silver: Starbucks

Place to Meet Singles (21-39)
Platinum: Corned Beef & Co.
Gold: Metro!
Silver: 202 Market

Place to Meet Singles (40+)
Platinum: 419 West
Gold: Awful Arthurs Towers
Silver: Blue 5
Montano’s

Kids’ Attraction
Platinum: Mill Mountain and Mill Mountain Zoo
Gold: Green Ridge Recreation Center
Silver: Thunder Valley

Greenway or Section
Platinum: Roanoke River
Gold: Murray Run
Silver: Garst Mill

Place to Come Back From With a Fish Story
Platinum: Smith Mountain Lake
Gold: James River
Silver: Carvins Cove

Bicyclists’ Dream Route
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Greenway
Silver: Carvins Cove

Walk Under 5 Miles
Platinum: Any Greenway
Gold: Peaks of Otter
Silver: Green Hill Park

Area Hike (5+ miles)
Platinum: McAfee Knob
Gold: Dragon’s Tooth

View (That’s Not Mill Mountain) to Show Out-of-Towners
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Peaks of Otter
Silver: McAfee Knob

Place to People-Watch
Platinum: Valley View Mall
Gold: Downtown Market
Silver: Salem Fair

Fitness Club
Platinum: YMCAs
Gold: Planet Fitness
Silver: RAC
Green Ridge Rec Center

Yoga Class/Instructor
Platinum: Uttara Yoga Studio, Jill Loftis
Gold: Gold’s Gym, Leonard Loria
Silver: Peace Yoga Club (for kids) at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, Beth Oakes
The Yoga Center, Debbie Stevens
EmPower Pilates & Yoga, Erin Gray Garvin

Pilates Class/Instructor
Platinum: Erin Gray Garvin

Wheels

Place to Buy a Luxury Car
Platinum: Brambleton Imports
Gold: Crossroads Motors
Silver: Berglund Automotive Group

Place to Buy a Good Basic Ride
Platinum: Berglund Automotive Group
Gold: First Team Auto Mall
Silver: Haley Toyota

Most Dependable Car Repair
Platinum: Berglund Automotive Group
Gold: Wayne’s Imported Automotive
Silver: Brambleton Auto
White Tire

Place to Get it Shined
Platinum: Tanglewood Auto Wash
Gold: Sunnybrook Auto Spa
Silver: Southern Classic Auto Wash

Bike Shop
Platinum: Cardinal Bicycle
Gold: East Coasters
Silver: Just the Right Gear

Motorcycle Route
Platinum: Blue Ridge Parkway
Gold: Va. 311

Shop for it All

Shoes
Platinum: Macy’s
Gold: The Cobbler’s Wife
Silver: Yarid’s

Jewelry
Platinum: Fink’s
Gold: Jewells
Silver: Amrhein’s

Wedding Floral Designer
Platinum: Corsair Floral & Decor
Creative Occasions
Silver: Billy Shepard
George’s Flowers
Twig & Berry

Bridal Shop
Platinum: David’s Bridal
Gold: Amrhein’s
Silver: Bride’s House and Formals

Men’s Formals
Platinum: Men’s Warehouse
Gold: Amrhein’s
Davidsons

Caterer
Platinum: Lib & Amy Catering
Gold: Schaal’s Catering & Events
Silver: Center Stage Catering
Chanticleer Catering
Blues BBQ Co.

Wedding Venue
Platinum: Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center
Gold: Corinthian Ballroom
Vinton War Memorial

Women’s Clothing
Platinum: Macy’s
Gold: La De Da
Silver: Talbots

Men’s Clothing
Platinum: Davidsons
Gold: JoS. A. Bank
Silver: Belk

Sporting Goods
Platinum: Dick’s Sporting Goods
Gold: Gander Mountain
Silver: Play it Again Sports

Kids’ Clothes
Platinum: Toad’ly Kids
Gold: The Children’s Place
Silver: The Gap Kids

Consignment Shop
Platinum: Hidden Treasures Consignment
Gold: Euro Fashions & Exclusives

Fresh Flowers
Platinum: George’s Flowers
Gold: Creative Occasions
Silver: The Fresh Market

CDs and DVDs
Platinum: F.Y.E.
Gold: Best Buy
Silver: Barnes & Noble

Books
Platinum: Barnes & Noble
Gold: Ram’s Head
Silver: Too Many Books

Camera
Platinum: Best Buy
Gold: Lee Hartman & Sons
Silver: Walmart

Beachwear
Platinum: Dance Etc.
Gold: Pacific Sunwear

Everyday Grocery
Platinum: Kroger
Gold: Food Lion
Silver: Walmart

Gourmet Grocery
Platinum: The Fresh Market
Gold: Tinnell’s Finer Foods
Silver: Kroger

Retail Wine Selection/Shop
Platinum: Wine Gourmet
Gold: Kroger
Silver: Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar

Local Produce
Platinum: Roanoke Farmers Market
Gold: The Fresh Market
Silver: Salem Farmers Market

Pharmacy
Platinum: CVS
Gold: Kroger
Silver: Walgreens

Fabric Store
Platinum: Jo-Ann Fabrics
Gold: The French Thistle
Silver: Second Yard

Mall or Shopping Center
Platinum: Valley View
Gold: Tanglewood
Silver: Towers

Home, Sweet Home

Greenest Garden Shop
Platinum: Greenbrier Nurseries
Gold: Townside Gardens

Hardware Store Where They Know the Answers
Platinum: Northwest Hardware
Gold: Lowe’s

Lighting
Platinum: Williams Lighting Gallery
Gold: Lowe’s

Place to Buy the Couch
Platinum: Grand Home Furnishings
Gold: Virginia Furniture Market

Kitchen and Bath
Platinum: Bed, Bath & Beyond
Gold: Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery
Silver: Provisions Gourmet

Home Theater
Platinum: Audiotronics
Gold: Lee Hartman & Sons
Best Buy
Sound Decision

Lawn Care / Landscaping
Platinum: Varsity Landscaping & Grounds
Gold: Forever Green Lawn Care
Silver: Alluring Landscapes
Grasshoppers Landscaping
Landscape Enterprise

Apartment Complex
Platinum: Glade Creek
Gold: Sunscape

Friendliest Neighborhood
Platinum: Raleigh Court
Gold: Grandin Village
Silver: Old Southwest Roanoke

Best in Services

Bank
Platinum: SunTrust
Gold: Member One Federal Credit Union
Silver: Valley Bank
Wachovia

Women’s Hair Styling
Platinum: Salon Del Sol
Gold: Onyx
Plaza 101

Men’s Hair Styling
Platinum: Hollywood Hair and Nails
Plaza 101
Shear Perfection

Massage / Facials
Platinum: Pure Spa
Salon Del Sol
Silver: Plaza 101

Kid’s Birthday
Platinum: Pump it Up
Gold: Chuck E. Cheese’s
Silver: Green Ridge Recreation Center

Frame Shop
Platinum: Frame ‘N Things
Gold: Brambleton Frame Shop
Silver: Simply Framing by Kristi

Veterinarian
Platinum: Roanoke Animal Hospital
Gold: Vinton Animal Hospital
Silver: Veterinarians to Cats

Doggie Day Care
Platinum: About Pets Center (Salem)
Klub Kanine

Hospital
Platinum: Carilion Clinic
Gold: LewisGale Medical Center

Cleaners
Platinum: Wheeler’s
Gold: A Cleaner World
Silver: Harvey’s

Spa
Platinum: Salon Del Sol
Gold: Plaza 101
Silver: Pure Spa

Moving Company
Platinum: Virginia Varsity Transfer
Gold: Crowning Touch
Silver: Lawrence Transportation Systems

Limo Service
Platinum: Executive Town Car & Limousine Service
Prestige Limo

Rental Store
Platinum: Aztec Rentals

Place for Visitors to Spend the Night
Platinum: The Hotel Roanoke

Retirement Community
Platinum: Brandon Oaks Retirement Community
Friendship Retirement Community
Silver: The Glebe

Advertiser Quicklinks

Here are links to some of the wonderful businesses that supported our May/June “Best of Roanoke” issue. We encourage you to visit their websites soon – and tell them you saw them in The Roanoker!

A Cleaner World
About Pets Center
Alluring Landscapes
Brambleton Frame Shop
Brides House & Formals
Burger in the Square
Carilion Clinic
Casa Bella Services
Cobbler’s Wife
Creative Occasions
Davidson’s
Euro Exclusives Consignment
F. Geoffrey Jewelers
Faith Christian School
Famous Anthony’s
Fork in the Alley
Frame ‘N Things & The Gallery
Friendship Retirement Community
Healthy Stuff Cakery
Jefferson College of Health Sciences
K92
Kevin Hurley Photography
Kroger
Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar
Mulch N More
Nawab Indian Cuisine
Q99Roanoke College
Roanoke County Parks and Rec.
Salon Del Sol
Simply Framing by Kristi The Center for the Arts
The French Thistle
The Glebe
Toad’ly Kids
Valley Bank
Vinton War Memorial

A Cleaner World

About Pets Center

Alluring Landscapes

Brambleton Frame Shop

Brides House & Formals

Burger in the Square

Carilion Clinic

Casa Bella Services

Cobbler’s Wife

Creative Occasions

Davidson’s

Euro Exclusives Consignment

F. Geoffrey Jewelers

Faith Christian School

Famous Anthony’s

Fork in the Alley

Frame ‘N Things & The Gallery

Friendship Retirement Community

Healthy Stuff Cakery

Hidden Treasures Consignment Boutique 

Jefferson College of Health Sciences

K92

Kevin Hurley Photography

Kroger

Mr. Bill’s Wine Cellar

Mulch N More

Nawab Indian Cuisine

Q99

Roanoke College

Roanoke County Parks and Rec.

Salon Del Sol

Simply Framing by Kristi

The Center for the Arts

The French Thistle

The Glebe

Toad’ly Kids

Valley Bank

Vinton War Memorial

Plus She Could Get Cold
State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in May handed out lapel pins to his staff with the state-seal goddess Virtus with her exposed left breast covered by an armored breastplate.

Adolf, Martin And John Award …Wait, Adolf!?
Portraits of Martin Luther King, John Kennedy and Adolf Hitler, painted by the late George Solonevich and donated to Roanoke College, mysteriously disappeared in April, only to show up in a Roanoke College driveway two months later.

Yes, It Was 2009, But It Was Late 2009 And It Mustn’t Go Unrecognized
Hollins University’s three-season, 63-game basketball losing streak came to an end in the opening game of their ‘09-’10 season, with the team then embarking on a fresh 21-game losing streak and finishing the season 2-23.

Maybe Just Mulch The Policy Right Along With The Leaves?
Roanoke City Council, in what is becoming an annual tradition, last fall made its leaf collection procedures even more complicated than before, devising a system using plastic bags some weeks, paper bags other weeks, an unlimited amount of bags some weeks, only six on others, plus instituting fines of $50 if the wrong bags show up on the wrong week and sit there too long.

Will Wiley Drive Ever Stay Open?
With two low-water bridges needing repair and bigger flow beneath, with one-way car traffic still a beef for some, and with a brand-new bridge at its eastern end, at least the surface of Wiley Drive is not getting worn out, as it continued in 2010 (and into 2011) to be closed to cars, bikes and pedestrians as often as it’s open.

New Terrorist Threat To DMV?
The Virginia DMV, hyper-vigilant for fraud and threat since 9/11, in August found itself among more than 20 state agencies with computers shut down as the Virginia Information Technologies Agency – run through a $2.3 billion contract with Northrup Grumman – once again fell victim to what state lawmakers have pointed to as a pattern of cost overruns, delays and shutdowns.

PR Agency Of The Year Award.
To Chicago’s GolinHarris Agency, part of whose signature reads “2010 PRWeek Large PR Agency of the Year,” for a pre-holiday electronic press release that begins this way: “ROANOKE, Va. (November 17, 2010) – Holiday shoppers in pursuit of capturing the spirit of the season and uncovering value-driven incentives will find both at Piedmont Mall.” We checked, but alas, Piedmont is still in Danville; we’d get back to Goli-Harris and let them know, but we’ve decided not to be able to remember if Chicago is in Illinois or Indiana.

Want more? Check out parts one and two. Or, leave your suggestions for our 2011 awards in the comment field below!

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The End Of An Error Award
To Virginia’s Explore Park, which last summer cut ties with would-be developer Larry Vander Maten after at least two extensions to a start date deadline on his proposed $200 million Disney-in-the-woods destination resort off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and after refusals by Vander Maten to help with the cost of maintenance of the park or to allow a study on how to create public access to the proposed extension of the Roanoke River Greenway through the site.

What The Hell’s Fishin’ Without The Drinkin’ Award
To the 25-year-old Wirtz man whose 31.4-pound catfish and two-pound crappie were disqualified from winning some $2,000 in first-prize money last summer because the fisherman was found to be too drunk to take the polygraph test given to all winners. The DQed winner, who said he had a witness that he’d caught the fish, asserted not only that he didn’t cheat but also trotted out the classic line of nearly every busted drunk: “I had two or three beers!”

Oil And Water Award
To the Virginia legislature, which, over the protests of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, passed a law mixing guns and booze, though of course with the proviso that only those not drinking in the bar may carry a concealed weapon into it.

The Show Of Hand Award
To the 162-member (former) Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, four to whom voted to keep the chamber going when a poll was taken in August on whether or not to close down.

Next Thing You Know, They’ll Kill The Phone Book… Hey Wait…
It may have been a sign of things to come in August when UVa removed nearly 4,000 landline phones from residence halls, citing the overwhelming reliance on cell phones. By November, the state as a whole was preparing to consider abandoning the requirement for phone companies to print residential phone books.

Out Of The Mouths Of Politicians Award
To Congressman Bob Goodlatte, who countered the general pattern of meaningless, self-serving blather from elected officials when he proposed the following solution to the controversy over a bust of Joseph Stalin at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford: Remove the bust itself, but leave the empty pedestal and the plaque explaining Stalin’s role in World War II.

The Ol’ “Went To A Boxing Match And A Lacrosse Game Broke Out” Award
To an East Roanoke County youth lacrosse coach who in May asked the league’s governing body to remove a certain referee from his team’s games, resulting in a general boycott of East County by the ref’s fellow officials, the cancellation of games and parking lot confrontations involving balled fists, lots of bleepable words as well as arrests on charges of assault and resisting arrest.

Want more? Check out the first installment of this year’s awards, or continue on to the finale!

Is That The Same Spot Where They Talked About Building A Downtown Baseball Stadium?
The Taubman Museum of Art took a series of hits during 2010, including seeing its staff cut to 17 (from an initial 52), the resignation of key board member, project funder and museum namesake Jenny Taubman, as well as rumors of its demise without outside support. By November, the museum tucked its tail completely and admitted what the rest of the world had known since the beginning: There will be no international-destination art museum with 270,000 annual visitors in Roanoke, Virginia. Try 80,000 on for a goal.

French Quarter U?
Tanglewood Mall, which has struggled to keep its retail spaces full for years, in August took on a new kind of tenant, welcoming Miller-Motte Technical College to the general area of the mall where the old French Quarter flourished two decades back.

Triple Bogey Award
To the city of Buena Vista, which – in order to build a golf course – put up as collateral its city hall, police station and the golf course, only to realize it wasn’t going to be able to make a $662,000 payment last summer and might lose them all. As we go to press the situation is not resolved.

Hey, Better Bears Than Those Daggone Dukes Coming Back
Blacksburg was invaded by a young black bear in June, which wandered into and then back out of the University Mall parking garage.

Getting Your Goat (Into The Trunk?!) Award
To a Washington D.C. resident who got through a Bedford DUI checkpoint OK back in June . . . but then hit a little snag when an officer heard noises from the car’s trunk and opened it to discover a goat with its legs tied together.

Oh, You Mean Panty Raids Are Supposed To Stop After The Undergrad Years!?
The 28-year-old assistant athletic director for VMI resigned in June after Rockbridge County authorities charged him with breaking into a home and stealing women’s panties.

Look Out, Here Come The Eels!
After some 60 years of the American eel being precluded from coming any further up the Roanoke River than a 100-foot dam at Roanoke Rapids, N.C., Dominion Power in June installed two eel ladders at the dam – the first step in a process that could eventually bring the eels back to part of their habitat before the coming of the dams – in Roanoke!

No Bleeps Award
To Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer, who in May, after falling while getting off a plane – resulting in a torn biceps and a purple arm – was quoted with this reaction: “How clumsy can you be? Geeminy whiz!”

No Fumble Either Award
To Coach Beamer’s wife Cheryl, who a few weeks after her husband’s fall tripped over a family pet while carrying one of the couple’s infant grandchildren; grandmom suffered six broken ribs, a broken collarbone and had pins inserted in both legs – all while protecting the child from any serious injury.

Want more dubious debacles? – Continue on to Part 2!

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