On with the show … the 2013 “Best of Medford.”

DEMOGRAPHICS

We asked the question, “Favorite Movie Ever,” figuring this would give us an insight into the minds of our readers. The results were all over the board and we didn’t even start writing them down until they notched a few mentions. The top four were: Gone With the Wind, Pulp Fiction, The Hobbit, The Notebook. It’s a very well-rounded group of respondents that we have here.

MEDIA

FAVORITE RADIO STATION

Marconi didn’t know the can of worms he was opening when he postulated the possibility of sending signals by radio telegraphy. Little could he know that the invention would make millions of dollars for professional haranguers like Howard Stern and Rush Limbaugh.

Here in Medford, we keep our haranguing on the radio to a minimum, which is why our readers once again gave their overwhelming voice of approval to Jefferson Public Radio, which ran away with this category.

Other favorites included:

• 96.9 The Rogue
• Kool 103.
• 102.7 “The Drive.”
• 107.5 KISS-FM.
• 1440 KMED

FAVORITE DJ

There’s a conspiracy theory going around that when the aliens landed at Roswell, N.M., in 1947, they inserted their brains into radio disc jockeys around the world, spreading their message of rock ‘n’ roll, which was invented on their home planet. More on this theory later.

One deejay able to thwart the advances of the alien takeover was once again Gemineye at Kiss-FM.

Other deejay stalwarts featured were:

• Delilah of Lite 102.
• Bill Meyers KMED 1440.
• Don Matthews of JPR.

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS STATION

Okay, how many people saw me interviewed on Channel 10 while spending a day at Grants Pass Downs in June? The reporter even zoomed in on my stat sheet, where it showed me winning $1.75 for the day. Last of the big-time spenders, I’ll tell ya.

Once again this category was a runaway as NewsWatch 12 (KDRV) continued to impress viewers with their coverage of the news.

• KTVL (Channel 10) and KOBI/Channel 5 also received a fair amount of votes.

FAVORITE TV ANCHOR/REPORTER

There’s more to the world than death, mayhem and political machinations at City Hall, and every now and then the newscasters will surprise us with a heart-warming story of local interest. When it comes to presenting the news, our readers named many of the local anchors, including once again this year’s winner, Trish Glose of KTVL Channel 10. Rumor has it, Trish enjoys dancing to Cuban music.

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE MAIL TRIBUNE

• Sarah Lemon, the Mail Tribune’s Food Editor, was once again honored by our readers as their favorite.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Sanne Specht
• Paul Fattig
• Chris Conrad

FAVORITE PART OF THE SNEAK PREVIEW

To all those who said, “all of it,” we thank you profusely, but we were hoping to break this thing down a little bit. While “The Best of Medford” held the home field advantage and garnered many votes, we were looking at the other 95% of the paper. Winning the most support again was The Profile, featuring a light-hearted interview with local personalities.

Other favorites include:

• The Calendar of Events.
• “Common Sense”
• All of the ads.
• Business Grapevine.
• Coupons!

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

Anyone who opens a new business in this economy is a true hero and an eternal optimist. But seriously, the only reason we’re in this economic mess is that we all got a little greedy back during the housing bubble, and the house of cards came tumbling down. We just got to hang in there and support each other.

Anyway, winning this category was 2 Hawks Winery located at 2335 N. Phoenix Rd. The Jackson family’s 15-acre vineyard and tasting room sit across the street from Centennial Golf Course. The tasting room is truly unique and charming with its attention to custom detail and the use of recycled building materials. If you haven’t check it out, we recommend you do so soon.

• Coming in a close second was Trader Joe’s.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• REI
• Marco’s Pepper Grill

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER

Your time in high school only lasts four years but for many it’s a defining moment in their career as a human being. Why else would high school reunions be so popular? By definition, we all probably exhibited a certain amount of adolescent behavior at that time, and we should thank our teachers for putting up with us. The winner of this category was Kathleen Thomas, a Science teacher at North Medford High School.

FAVORITE PRINCIPAL

When the latest natural disaster hits (a plague of locusts, a 9.2 earthquake, etc.), everyone else in school is allowed to go crazy, bemoaning their fate and generally acting like a human. The principal, however, has got to keep it together and be totally in charge, instilling confidence, directing traffic, and laying down the rules.

Who to turn to when disaster strikes? Our readers most often mentioned Kevin Campbell of South Medford High School.

FAVORITE DENTIST

They greet you in the mirror every morning with a beautiful smile, and three times a day they take complete responsibility for making sure your food is properly chewed. So, hey, show ’em a little respect and visit your dentist.

64 local dentists were mentioned by our readers at least once in this category. The balloting was so close at the top we had no choice but to award a three-way tie between: Dr John Linstrom (1605 E Barnett), Dr. Karl Schneck (1094 Royal Court) and Dr. Julie Wu (2201 E. Barnett Rd.).

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Dr. Beau Kapp
• Dr. Bruce Mitchell

FAVORITE NURSE PRACTITIONER

Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners actually provide a large portion of health care in this area. They are board certified health care professionals with advanced medical education and surgical training. In fact, most doctors in Medford have an NP or a PA-C in the practice.

Our readers were able to name quite a few NPs in this survey, and the top spot going to Mary Lou Follett of Southern Oregon Chiropractor.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Sheri Clark, Medford Medical Clinic
• Kimberly Larson, Medford Women’s Clinic

FAVORITE MASSAGE THERAPIST

You just spent the entire afternoon helping your buddy Sisyphus try to roll an immense boulder up a hill, and the damn thing kept rolling back just as you got to the top. Being a former king, he tried to blame it all on you. By the end of the day, every muscle in your body ached, and the only cure was a visit to your favorite massage therapist.

Our readers were able to name quite a few, including the number one choice, Cara Wirt, the founder of Balanced Massage, 836 E. Main St. Cara has been practicing here in Medford for nearly 10 years. “I strongly believe that massage is an integral part of ongoing health and balance in our busy times,” Cara said.

Followed by:

• Samantha Rose, Dalton’s Massage
• Lila Spiritwalker, Gervais Day Spa
• Lanelle Piotrowski, Be Well Massage

FAVORITE ALT. MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Surgery and a lifelong addiction to pharmaceutical drugs are not always the best solutions to perfect health. Sometimes it just comes down to nutrition and lifestyle, with an emphasis on preventive medicine. And when our readers want to learn more about alternative medicine, they most often mentioned Dr. Daniel Smith at Bear Creek Naturopathic Clinic. Dr. Smith is uniquely trained and qualified to provide patients with a comprehensive, cutting-edge approach to health care diagnoses, services, treatments, and care.

FAVORITE POLICEPERSON

We live in a society full of rules, and the only way to ensure the success of such a system is to have a dedicated group of people to enforce them. The best police officers, though, are ones who realize that “the law” should never trump “the people,” and that every situation needs to be approached with some flexibility. That’s my soapbox for the day.

This is always a popular category with our readers, and 36 different police officers were mentioned, including this year’s winner, Chief Tim George.

The favorites also included:

• Lt. Kim Budreau
• Jason Penn
• Dan Ashworth
• Kerry Curtis
• Officer Friend

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

Out of the blue, Hollywood called and asked you to emcee the Oscar awards next year, and you’re already freaking out about your hairdo. Forget the fact that millions of people, not to mention George Clooney, will be listening to your introductions and one-liners … what’s most important is that you look good.

Where to go when the Academy calls for you? This was our popular category, 63 different hair stylists were named, so the competition was tough. It also turned out to be extremely close, but the award goes to: Jadie Smith-Thompson of Salon Static.

The Top Seven featured:

• Megan DeAngelo, Lotus
• Gina Ennis, Gervais
• Gayle Meyer, Beauty Biz
• Di Perez, Fringe
• Sarah Horner, Bella-Sarah Salon
• John Paul Vineyard, Escape Salon

FAVORTIE SPA/SALON

In this helter skelter world of tsunamis, Navy Seal attacks, phone hacking in Britain, and bad reality TV shows, you need a little pampering. Nothing says it quite like a facial, where you just lie back and have your face transformed amid a tranquil atmosphere of total serenity. (I missed my calling; I should write ad copy for Vanity Fair.)

Anyway, who are our readers most impressed with when it comes spas? The majority said Gervais Day Spa located at 111 N Central Avenue in downtown Medford, although quite a few were mentioned, including:

• Salon Static, 819 Bennett Ave.
• Beauty Biz, Shoppes at Exit 24
• Salon Muse, 406 E Main St.

FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR

Did you know that you have up to 350 bones in your body at birth, and as you age some of these bones fuse together, dropping that number down to a whopping 206 for an adult human body? And get this—humans have EXACTLY the same number of bones in their necks as giraffes do.

Who do our readers turn to when their bones are out of line: Dr. Jeffrey Taylor of Rogue Valley Chiropractic Clinic located at 1744 E. McAndrews. Dr. Taylor provides personalized, quality chiropractic care with an emphasis on the patient’s quality of life and health education. He strives to give his patients more fulfilled and enjoyable lives by reducing pain and increasing the function of their body.

FAVORITE HEALTH FOOD/SUPPLEMENT STORE

The human body is amazing to put it mildly. When trying to keep it operating smoothly it’s easy to get overwhelmed when thinking about what it needs: vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids and amino acids.

And when our readers need help in this category turn to: Healthway Nutrition Center located in the Medford Center.

BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP

The first car I ever bought was a ’49 Packard in Yellowstone Park the summer of 1969. Four of us chipped in on it, and while driving it home from St. Anthony, Idaho, it broke down on us. Turned out it was unfixable, and the guy gave us half our money back. Doesn’t seem right, does it?

Where would our readers recommend we go if the same thing happened today? Many of the local repair shops were mentioned, with, Crater Lake Ford getting the number one nod. It was extremely close at the top, however, and the Top Five were:

• Medford Automotive, 4642 Table Rock Rd.
• Star Auto Body, 1024 Summit Ave.
• Specialized Auto Service, 893 Beatty St.
• Henry’s Foreign Auto, 4586 S. Pacific Hwy.

BEST PLACE TO GET LUBE/OIL CHANGE

Even the human body knows the importance of proper maintenance. Every hour, new blood is produced by our bone marrow so that all that old blood doesn’t go clogging up the system. Once they’ve outlived their usefulness, old blood cells are filtered through the liver and kidneys and eliminated in the urine.

The same is true for a car engine, which is why replacing that old oil every 3-4 months is so important (unless you want to just let it drip out and go dry over time, then we’re talking major problems). Where to go in order to do that? The number one choice was The Oil Stop, followed by:

• Quench and Drench
• Crater Lake Ford

FAVORITE CAR SALESMAN

I still remember the scene in Breaking Away, where the teenage son is helping his car salesman dad at the lot and tells an unsatisfied customer he can have a refund. “REFUND!” the dad screams, then has a heart attack and is taken to the hospital.

Things aren’t nearly that drastic here in Medford, and our readers appreciate all the hard work that car salesmen put in. Topping the list for 2013 was Glenn Morgan of Airport Chevy.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

Medford has had a renaissance in restaurants over the last ten years, and we can thank a strong cadre of dedicated restaurant owners for that. Thirty-two different people were mentioned in this category, with the top spot going to Vincenzo DiCostanzo of Vinny’s Italian Kitchen, 970 N Phoenix Rd.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Chris Dennett, Elements
• Kristi & Jack Allmaras, Kaleidoscope Pizzeria
• Lisa Allen, Great Harvest
• David Graham, 38 Central
• John Bartow, Pomodori

FAVORITE WAITPERSON

They say that ocean fishermen, loggers, aircraft pilots, ranchers and roofers have the five most dangerous jobs in the world, but those guys wouldn’t last a week as a waitperson. They’d buckle under the pressure and would go back to their day jobs.

This is another popular category, as our readers mentioned 31 different waitstaff as their favorite. Taking down the top nod was Chellie at Flappers Wild West Wings located at 1213 W. Main Street.

FAVORITE BARTENDER

So a hotdog walks into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender replies, “Sorry, we don’t serve food here.” Or … a gorilla walks into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender gives him a mug and says, “That’ll be five bucks.” As the gorilla reaches for his pocket the bartender says, “You know, we don’t get many gorilla customers in here.” The gorilla shrugged and replied, “At five bucks a beer, it’s no wonder.”

Where do our readers go when they want to hear great jokes like that? The competition was intense, but in the end pouring his way to the top was Sean Morse of Howie’s on Front, 16 N. Front Street.

FAVORITE LOCAL CHEF/COOK

They rarely make an appearance except at the end of the night when the customers gives them a standing ovation, but it’s the chef in the kitchen that makes or breaks a restaurant. Quite a few were mentioned by our readers, and the top nod goes to Nora LaBrocca of the Downtown Market Co. Nora has a deep love and passion for preparing flavorful whole foods. If you’ve ever eaten at her restaurant, you know that she deserves this honor.

FAVORITE JEWELRY STORE

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but I have it on high authority that gold, silver, emeralds, topaz, rubies, jade, opals, and sapphires are also close friends.

Taking down the top spot this year was Facets Jewelry Studio, 301 E. Main Street, followed closely by Father and Son Jewelers, 126 E Main St.

• Others in the hunt were:
• Pacific Diamond
• Zales
• Rogue Valley Coin & Jewelry

FAVORITE LANDSCAPER/GARDENER

Getting your yard and garden looking good may require a little bit of work, but at the end of the day it’s all worth it. Living in a beautiful surrounding can work wonders for your soul.

And when our readers want some uplifting work done in their yard, they named 23 different people. The top spot goes Hill Top Landscaping, 541-944-3075.

BEST PLACE TO BUY OUTDOOR GEAR

You are on day six of a ten-day backpacking trip. You reach in your pack to pull out your tent and the poles are broken and the zipper is already broke. Now you’re swearing at yourself…you never should have shopped at that discount outdoor store.

Our readers agree, when it comes to buying quality outdoor gear, they chose Northwest Outdoor Store located at 980 Biddle Rd, and locally owned and operated by Scott Keith. Coming in second was REI, located in the new Northgate Center.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FURNITURE

Once while living in Alaska in a cabin without electricity, I managed to make a shelf, table and chairs out of logs I found on the property. I had a handsaw and a hammer and some nails. They weren’t the finest pieces of furniture ever created, but to this day, they are still my favorite.

Anyway, taking down the top spot once again this year is Larson’s Home Furnishings located at 213 S. Fir St. In addition to their new beds, chairs, couches and mattresses, they have a huge selection of consignment furniture.

Others on the list were:

• La-Z-Boy Furniture
• Terra Firma Home
• Garrison’s
• Gates

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

The number one spot was a battle between four different stores, and they all have their loyal customer bases: Beerworks, 323 E. Main; Larson’s Home Furnishings, 213 S. Fir; Norris Shoes, 221 E. Main; Central Art Supply 101 N Central Ave.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Main Antique Mall
• Al’s Cycles & Hobbies

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

You don’t have to venture to far from downtown to find great stores and bargains.

Winning in a landslide this year was Trader Joe’s.

The Top Five included:

• Northwest Outdoor Store
• Papillon Rouge
• Goodwill
• COSTCO

GIFT STORE WITH MOST UNIQUE GIFTS

Variety is the spice of life, and when our readers want to find a lot of different, interesting gifts, they turn their attention to the selection at Real Deals on Home Décor, 2917 N Pacific Hwy.

The top five were pretty close and included:

• Tiffs Hallmark
• Harry and David
• Terra Firma
• Magic Man

BEST PLACE TO BUY CLOTHES FOR KIDS

They’re at the age where “fashion” is not an operable word for them, unless you’re that obnoxious baby on the E-trade commercials (I actually think he’s cute). You never know, though, when some Hollywood agent will “discover” your kid while strolling through Bi-Mart, and you will want him or her looking good.

Anyway, when our readers wanted to really go clothes shopping for the kids, they most often turned to, Kid 2 Kid, located at 2324 Poplar Drive.

Followed by:

• Kid’s Alley, 535 Stevens St.
• Old Navy

FAVORITE CONSIGNMENT SHOP

While consignment shops have been around for quite some time, it seems that in the past few years they have really gained some momentum here in the Rogue Valley.

The top honor this year goes to My Daughter’s Closet, owned by Susan Fichtner and Tami Abeloe and located at 237 E. Main Street.

They were followed by:

• Mint Consignment Boutique, 406 E. Main
• Fit for a Queen, 535 Stevens St.

FAVORITE BOOKSTORE

I wonder what that ancient Sumerian who scribbled down civilization’s first writings on a piece of clay some 4000 years ago would think of a Kindle or a Nook? My guess is he’d think it was pure magic (which is exactly the same as I think of it).

Anyway, when it comes to actual books you can hold in your hand and smell and feel (and read), our readers chose Barnes & Nobel followed closely by Village Books.

FAVORITE ART GALLERY

Our readers’ number one accolades go to Rogue Gallery & Art Center, 40 S. Bartlett. Founded in 1960 by artists, educators, and local leaders, it was the first non-profit visual art organization in the Rogue Valley. Since that beginning, they’ve served as an artistic catalyst for Southern Oregon through innovative exhibition, art education and community leadership.

BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE

What do Thomas Jefferson and WC Fields have it common? They both loved wine. TJ: “Good wine is a necessity of life for me.” WC: “I cook with wine. Sometimes I even add it to the food.”

Where would TJ and WC go for wine if they were in Medford. Most of our readers recommended RoxyAnn Winery located at 3285 Hillcrest Road. In 2001 RoxyAnn’s first grape harvest produced only 150 cases, today they produce almost 15,000 cases of award-winning wine.

The list also included:

• Harry & David
• Trader Joe’s
• Del Rio Vineyards

BEST PLACE TO BUY ARTISAN BREAD

Amazingly, I found some great quotes about bread. Julia Child: “How can a nation be great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?” Milton Berle: “Any time a person goes into a delicatessen and orders a pastrami on white bread, somewhere a Jew dies.”

Here in Medford, many of our readers singled out Great Harvest, 203 Genessee St., as their favorite.

BEST PLACE TO BUY HOME DÉCOR ITEMS

When it comes to decorating my office, a few things are essential: Indiana University basketball posters, a nerf ball hoop, and lots of books. The rest of the house, however, is a different story, and my wife has it looking good, with cool furniture, R. Atkinson Fox paintings, and a decorative style that my feeble, I.U. basketball mind would never contemplate.

Where to go when you want to shop for home décor items? This was a tie between Terra Firma Home, 309 E Main St., and Real Deals on Home Decor, 2917 N Pacific Hwy.

Others receiving recognition were:

• Larson’s Home Furnishings
• Collector’s Market

BEST SELECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

I really doubt if Lady Gaga is going to talk many women into wearing some of the crazy stuff she comes up with, like a dress with Christmas tree bulbs flashing all around it. Fashion for most women is just a little more functional than that.

And when it comes to shopping for women’s clothes, our readers named quite a few places. The top two were so close we awarded a tie between Mint Consignment Boutique and My Daughter’s Closet.

The top five were close and included:

• Macy’s
• Papillon Rouge
• Chico’s

HARDEST WORKING FLORISTS

When you think about it, every flower we see was once growing wild in the woods and valleys. It is one of mankind’s great accomplishments that we have taken the best and brightest from the plant kingdom and turned them into beautiful bouquets.

This year’s hardest working florists goes to the folks at Susies’s Medford Flower Shop, 502 Crater Lake Ave.

BEST PLACE TO BUY STUFF FOR THE YARD/GARDEN

A garden is not just something beautiful to behold but is home to a myriad of animals, from birds and spiders to ladybugs and butterflies. With a little creativity, you can also keep the “bad” animals out without resorting to a lot of pesticides.

Running away with this category again was the Grange Co-op, located 2531 S Pacific Hwy.

They were followed by:

• Southern Oregon Nursery
• Leave Your Mark
• Shooting Star Nursery

BEST PLACE TO BUY BICYCLES/BIKE ACCESSORIES

The benefits of bicycle riding are many: they get you outdoors breathing fresh air, they get you in shape, they put you in touch with your surroundings, AND you don’t have to fill them up with gas at $4 a gallon every two weeks.

Bicycling is definitely popular in Medford, and our readers mentioned Al’s Cycles & Hobbies located at 127 N. Central Ave. as their favorite.

They were followed by:

• Marty’s Cycle and Moore
• Medford Cycle Sport

FAVORITE STORE IN ASHLAND

Sometimes it is good to just get the hell out of Dodge and visit the rest of the world. And when our readers take the precipitous leap of visiting our neighbors to the south, where do they most like to go? The winner this year was Paddington Station, followed by:

• Ashland Food Coop
• Papaya Living
• Déjà vu
• Ashland Art Emporium

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

There must be something in the water (or food) in Medford, because there were actually quite a few new restaurants to open here in the last year.

The top five in this category were very close, with most votes going to Marco’s Pepper Grill owned by Marcus Flakes and Anna Sanchez, located at 515 S. Riverside.

Following close on their heels were:

• Capers, 35 N. Central
• My Plate Asian Fusion, 17 W. 4th St.
• New China, 409 E. Barnett Rd.
• Chipotle, 7 Rossanley Dr.

BEST BREAKFAST IN TOWN

When you wake up and your stomach is already growling, you know it’s time to have some breakfast. And the best way to drown out the rumblings from down under is good conversation with friends.

Where do our readers go in that regard? Finishing in a tie for the number one spot was Black Bear Diner (1150 E. Barnett Rd) and Old Farmhouse Restaurant (603 S Riverside Ave.).

Others near the top included:

• Buttercloud Bakery
• Parkside Café
• Rooster’s
• Debby’s Diner

BEST PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS FOR LUNCH

This was probably the most popular category in the restaurant section of this survey, as 58 different establishments were named. Lunch apparently is one of those times when we love to socialize (“let’s do lunch,” etc.) and get out of the house.

Topping the list for 2013 was the Downtown Market Co, owned by Nora LaBrocca and located at 231 E Main Street.

Here is a list of the Top Ten:

• 4 Daughters
• Bambu
• Flapper’s Wild West Wings
• Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop
• Kaleidoscope Pizzeria
• Jackson Creek Pizza
• Organic Natural Café
• No Ho’s Hawaiian Cafe
• Red Robin

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

Going out for dinner can be a cause for celebration or for just wanting to get out of the house. Either way, diners in Medford have a great selection to choose from. Number one honors once again goes to Porter’s Dining at the Depot, located at 147 N. Front St. in downtown Medford.

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

When it comes to romantic lunch spots, you don’t need Edith Piaf at the piano singing “La Vie en Rose,” but you do want an ambiance that isn’t all hectic and stressful.

And when it comes to that, our readers named Café Dejeuner, 1108 E. Main St., as their favorites.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Bambu
• Cicily’s Pastaria and Grill
• Pomodori Ristorante

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR DINNER

Sometimes, instead of sitting there and checking out the scores on Sports Center with one eye, you want to gaze lovingly into the eyes of your significant other and talk about important things, like the Yankees/Red Sox series … just kidding.

In this category, our readers named Porter’s Dining at the Depot as being particularly romantic.

The Top Five were actually very close, and they included:

• Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge
• 38 Central
• Vinny’s Italian Kitchen
• Jacksonville Inn

BEST STEAK DINNERS ON MENU

I went on the Internet to check out the leading cattle producers in the world and was shocked to see that India led the way. I always thought cows were sacred in India, and that they could practically get elected president if only they had the right slogan. “Got milk?” would be a good one.

Anyway, when the slogan becomes “Where’s the beef?” our readers once again named Porter’s Dining at the Depot, as their number one choice.

BEST SEAFOOD DISHES ON MENU

Oceans cover 75% of the world, and it’s almost amazing that humans are notoriously close to depleting some of the fish stock. I mean, a single (or married) cod produces 9 million eggs per spawning season, and we have somehow depleted them. As a species, we border on being idiots.

When it comes to enjoying some great seafood, though, our readers are pretty smart, naming The Wharf Fresh Seafood Market & Eatery (827 W. Jackson St) as their favorite.

BEST PASTA DISHES ON MENU

Pasta comes in a variety of different shapes and is basically unleavened dough of wheat, flour, water, and sometimes eggs. Add some meat and sauces to it, and it borders on being a perfect dish.

Where do our readers go to seek perfection? This year they chose the friendly confines of Pomodori Ristorante located at 1789 Stewart Ave. Coming in second by just a few votes was Vinny’s Italian Kitchen. And just a handful of votes behind that—tied for third—was Rosario’s and Cicily’s Pastaria and Grill.

BEST SOUPS AND SALADS

They can either accompany a meal or be a meal unto themselves, so what more could you ask for? Our readers didn’t mess around, as they named Sophia’s Soup Factory (543 Medford Center) as tops in this category, followed by:

• Spoons
• Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop
• Organic Natural Café

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

It’s a slice of Mexico City every time you walk into a Mexican restaurant here in Medford. Not just the cuisine, but the atmosphere and the staff combine to make it a fun, south-of-the-border experience without the expensive plane ticket.

All of the local Mexican-style establishments were mentioned this year, with the top spot going to Si Casa Flores.

The list also included:

• Habaneros
• Mazaltan Grill
• Miguel’s
• Mucho Gusto
• Senor Sam’s

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

The first “Asians” crossed over into America about 25,000 years ago via the Bering Strait, setting up their first sushi restaurant at an Eskimo village in Alaska. Since then, Medford has seen a proliferation of outstanding Asian restaurants, covering the full spectrum of choices.

Taking down the number one spot this year was Bambu, 970 N Phoenix Rd.

The list also featured:

• My Plate Asian Fusion
• Oh’s Osaka
• New China
• Mongolian BBQ
• Silver Dragon
• Thai Bistro

BEST JAPANESE DISHES

I’m still mad at Japan for beating our women’s soccer team in the World Cup last year, but how can you stay mad at a country that suffered a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and the breakdown of a nuclear power plant? You can’t, so you go, Japan!

There was stiff competition in this category, as a number of restaurants cater to Japanese dishes, including the top two vote-getters, Shoji’s (2640 E. Barnett Rd.) and Oh’s Osaka (123 S. Front St.).

They were closely followed by:

• Bonsai Teriyaki
• I Love Sushi
• Misoya
• Shiki

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

We all love our Italian restaurants, and in this category our readers named Vinny’s Italian Kitchen as their favorite.

Followed extremely closely by:

• Pomodori Ristorante
• Rosario’s
• Cicily’s Pastaria and Grill

BEST SELECTION OF PIZZAS

Watching a video of professional pizza makers is fascinating stuff. They roll the dough around in their hands to make a huge pie, then literally throw it 20 feet in the air, catching it behind their backs, etc.

Here in Medford, our pizza guys don’t get that crazy, but they do make some mean pizza.

Spinning their way to the top once again was Kaleidoscope Pizzeria, 3084 Crater Lake Hwy.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Jackson Creek Pizza
• Wild River Brewing

BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

Human beings are natural omnivores, but for a long time the only food items we regularly had access to were vegetables and fruit, so we probably lean toward that orientation (although a balanced diet that includes some carnivorous delights is not a bad thing).

Many restaurants in Medford offer vegetarian dishes to complement their omnivorous menu, with Organic Natural Café (226 E. Main) getting the top nod.

BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY

“Get that ol’ station wagon loaded up, and let’s head out to dinner!” Grandpa said one night after scratching off 300 lottery tickets. “I just won $74, and the treat’s on me.”

Where to go when Grandpa strikes it rich? The most popular with our readers is Kaleidoscope Pizzeria.

Other favorites included:

• Flappers Wild West Wings
• Black Bear Diner
• Wild River Brewing

BEST BBQ DISHES

I was at a restaurant a few years ago and got to hear an argument about what was better—Texas-style barbecue or North Carolina barbecue. It got pretty heated, and I thought they were going to take it outside, but someone across the room offered to buy them a couple of shots of bourbon if they’d shut up, and they went for it. Then they argued about what was better—Kentucky Bourbon or Tennessee Whiskey. You can’t win!

Our readers certainly appreciate the efforts of our local barbecue providers, reserving their number one choice for Roscoe’s, a BBQ joint located in Phoenix.

Also mentioned were Tim’s Backyard BBQ, NoHo’s Hawaiian Café and Backporch BBQ.

BEST PLACE TO BUY PASTRIES/CAKES

They come in all shapes and sizes, from tarts and cakes to scones and cream puffs, but one thing is for sure … we all love them.

When it comes to finding the perfect pastry, our readers most often turned to the creations at Artisan Bakery Café located at 1325 Center Drive.

Coming in a very close second was Buttercloud Bakery, 310 Genessee St.

FAVORITE APPETIZERS

Instead of just making a decision off the huge entrée menu available, it’s sometimes best to check out some of the competition. That’s where appetizers come in. They tip you off as to exactly what is happening in the kitchen and how to best make the all-important decision on which entrée to order.

Topping the list for 2013 were the delectable offerings at Elements Tapas Bar & Lounge.

BEST “QUICK SERVICE” RESTAURANT

Apparently, a few people objected to the term “fast food,” claiming that it has gotten a bad rap in this country lately. Most fast food restaurants have upped their game dramatically in the last decade with regard to nutrition and wholesome ingredients, so we’ve opted for a new nomenclature: “Quick Service” restaurants.

Taking down the top spot in this category for 2013 was Senor Sam’s located in the Medford Center.

The Top Five included:

• Mucho Gusto
• Red Robin
• Chipotle
• Mongolian BBQ

BEST SELECTION OF BURGERS

As I’m writing this, I’m waiting for my family to get it together to leave for dinner. Being hungry, just the thought of a big juicy cheeseburger makes me want to start gnawing on my arm … pass the ketchup, please.

In lieu of that, our readers would much rather visit some local establishments known for their burgers, like this year’s winner, Jasper’s Café, 2739 N Pacific Hwy.

Coming in a solid second was Red Robin Gourmet Burgers.

BEST SELECTION OF SANDWICHES

They can be anything from Dogwoods, wraps, melts, burritos, pasties, etc., but one thing is for certain … we love them. And when it comes to a great selection of sandwiches, our readers again turned to Squeeze Inn Sandwich Shop.

Followed by:

• Deli Down
• Togo’s
• R&D Sandwich Factory
• Great Harvest
• Jackson Creek Pizza

BEST ICE CREAM/YOGURT/GELATO

While a soothing, tasty ice cream dish is good almost anytime, it’s especially appropriate after a spicy meal. Where to go when you want to soothe that palate, or just taste something outstanding? In this category, our readers most often named Yogurt Hut located at 1345 Center Dr.

Other favorites listed were:

• Yotopia
• Ruth & Sparky’s
• Cold Stone Creamery
• Mamma Mia Gelataria

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Today it seems as if they’re at every street corner, with everyone wanting to capitalize on our craving for caffeine. That’s not a bad thing. The quality of coffee has gone up dramatically over the past 20 years, and we can thank our local coffee purveyors for that.

Who do our readers first want to thank when it comes to coffee? Out of the hundreds and hundreds of votes cast, the top two were separated by only TWO votes. Our staff has officially called it at tie between Dutch Bros Coffee and The Human Bean.

Rounding out the Top Seven:

• Good Bean Coffee
• Black Rock Coffee
• Melello Coffee Roasters
• Bad Ass Coffee
• Starbucks

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE MEDFORD

As a great American once said: “Sometimes in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for people to get the hell out of Dodge and visit restaurants outside Medford. We, of course, hold these truths to be self-evident, that we are endowed by our Creator with the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of different restaurants.”

Okay, I kind of got out of control there, but you know what I mean, and when it comes to that our readers most often picked Bella Union in Jacksonville

Also popular spots are:

• Black Sheep (Ashland
• Amuse (Ashland)
• Gogi’s (Jacksonville)
• Cucina Biazzi (Ashland)

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL LAST YEAR

Our readers love the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, and they named quite a few performances, including this year’s favorite, a tie between Steve Martin and The Avett Brothers.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Michael Franti
• Slightly Stoopid
• Classical Concerts

BEST PRODUCTION AT THE CRATERIAN LAST YEAR

The Craterian Theater is one of the classiest venues in all of southern Oregon, and it attracts some outstanding acts. Topping the charts this year was Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Also popular were:

• Weird Al Yankovic
• The Nutcracker
• Celtic Christmas
• Wayne Brady

BEST LOCAL FUNDRAISING EVENT LAST YEAR

I love the bumper sticker that says, “It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy bombs.” Money drives the world, but when you’re a struggling non-profit agency with a mission to improve society’s quality of life, you sometimes have to get creative.

In that regard our readers most often mentioned the Dancing with the Rogue Valley Stars, an annual event to benefit the Southern Oregon Sparrow Clubs.

Also mentioned were:

• Providence’s Festival of Trees
• Toast for Tails – S.O. Humane Society

FAVORITE NONPROFIT AGENCY

Winning this category in 2013 was the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County, a community-based, child-focused center that facilitates a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach to the prevention, treatment, identification, investigation, and prosecution of child abuse.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Southern Oregon Humane Society
• ACCESS
• Hearts with a Mission
• CASA
• Habitat for Humanity
• Sparrow Clubs

BEST PLACE TO GET A WORKOUT

By now all those ambitious New Year’s resolutions are being held to the test of time. It is much easier to stay on top of your weekly workout regimen if you actually enjoy where you are working out.

And where do our readers go for a workout? The number one spot is Superior Athletic Club, followed closely by Elite Fitness.

Other favorites are:

• YMCA
• Snap Fitness
• Anytime Fitness

FAVORITE YOGA/PILATES CENTER

On the Yoga side of this category, Rasa Center for Yoga and Wellness (3132 State St.) stretched their way to the top. And Southern Oregon Pilates (1910 E. Barnett) was voted the number one Pilates center.

Others high on the list included:

• The Chi Room
• YMCA
• Verve Pilates
• Rose Yoga Center

BEST PLACE TO GO FOR WINE TASTING

You don’t have to get all “Sideways” on us and travel down to the Napa Valley for this category. There are plenty of places in Medford to enjoy some good wine, and the number one place is RoxyAnn Winery located at 3285 Hillcrest Rd.

Also landing at the top of the list were:

• Del Rio Vineyards (Gold Hill)
• Red Lily (Jacksonville)
• Kriselle Cellars (White City)
• 2Hawk Winery (Medford)

BEST PLACE TO GO DANCING

Once the mood hits, you don’t need Lady Gaga or Madonna screaming at you to get on the dance floor. You just need great music, plenty of room to shake a leg, and some fun people to dance with. According to our readers, the best place to do that was Sky Bar in the Bohemian building in downtown Medford (Havana Republic) , 123 W. Main St.

Other great places to dance are:

• Rocky Tonk
• Evergreen Ballroom
• Johnny B’s

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

The scene for live music in Medford is not overwhelming, but there are still a few places where you can party with live music. The number one spot according to our readers is Johnny B’s, 120 E. 6th St.

The list included:

• Havana Republic
• Gypsy Blues
• Rocky Tonk

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS AFTER WORK

Well, it’s obvious that there are plenty of bars and nightclubs in Medford, since our readers mentioned 36 in this survey.

And when you want to unwind after work, our readers mentioned Howie’s on Front, 16 N. Front St. in downtown Medford.

The Top Five included:

• Porters
• Elements
• Beerworks
• Havana Republic

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS LATE AT NIGHT

It’s probably not something you want to do every night, but hitting the bars to connect with friends can be very healthy when practiced in moderation. There, that’s my public service message for the day.

And when it comes to fun bars where friends can meet late at night, our readers picked 4 Daughters Irish Pub, 126 W. Main Street.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Havana Republic
• Gypsy Blues
• Elements

BAR WITH MOST ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE

Bars aren’t all loud music, football games on TV, pool tables and raucous laughter. There are also places where you can relax and have a refreshing drink while carrying on a scintillating conversation with your significant other or close friends. Topping the list in this category was Elements Tapas Bar and Lounge.

BEST BAR TO WATCH SPORTS ON TV

Sports bars are growing in popularity all over the country, and Joe’s Sports Bar and Grill (2061 Roberts Rd.) once again took down the top spot.

FAVORITE PART OF THE GROWERS MARKET

The Thursday Growers Market at the Medford Armory, and the Saturday Market downtown have evolved into not only great places to buy fresh produce and crafts, but a social scene and gathering place for many in the community.

The variety at the market is endless, but our readers most appreciated the selection of organic produce that was available. Also important are:

• The Balloon Man
• Tamales!
• Fresh Donuts
• Spring berries

FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE VALLEY

All of the courses in Jackson County received some recognition by our readers, but Centennial sliced its way to the top.

The list also included:

• Stoneridge
• The RV Country Club
• Eagle Point
• Stewart Meadows.
• Quail Point.

BEST VINEYARD/WINERY

The top spot this year was a tie between Medford’s own RoxyAnn Winery and Wooldridge Creek Winery located in the Applegate, followed by:

• Red Lily
• Valley View Winery
• Schmidt Family Vineyards

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