2012 Best of Grants Pass

Before jumping into this 26th annual readers’ survey, let’s review some of the more momentous events of the last year. In a supreme example of irony, two female political figures—County Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli and City Manager Laurel Samson—were ousted from their jobs. Now, to fill the gender void, two women are running for the open County Commissioner spots. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

We did a special report in November about dwindling funds at the Animal Control Center. That facility is something I think most people feel is important to the community. The commissioners could put an extremely small tax increase on the ballot to pay for the Animal Shelter, and I think it would pass.

It took about a month, but in December the toxic oil spill at the River Road Reserve got a cleanup. The area next to it is part of the Josephine County Food Bank, but unless the City wins the lottery, the rest of the 248 acres won’t be developed anytime in the near future.

In February, we reported on the County’s efforts to supplement its dwindling finances by advocating a Forest Management Plan that would set aside “x” acres of forest land for conservation and “y” acres for timber harvesting. It may be a few years away, but the plan has the potential to replace all the lost federal largesse we used to get.

In March, we did a followup to the Raphael Amoroso story, in which we admitted that our original reporting might have been a rush to judgment. Raphael had been picked up by police in October for a DUI after seen hanging out in the high school parking lot, and a subsequent search of his home found guns and incendiary literature. His neighbors testified to his character and claimed he was being railroaded. The case is still in federal court.

In the May primary, 14 candidates vied for the two open county commissioner positions. There will be no incumbents on the ballot, as newcomers Toni Webb and Keith Heck will face off in Position 2, while Cherryl Walker and Bob Just will battle for Position 3.

In that same primary, voters soundly rejected a proposal for a property tax increase that would fund law enforcement. Then on May 31, 39 inmates were released from the Josephine County, and that night four scumbags robbed the offices of UCAN, a non-profit agency whose sole mission is to help low income people and those just barely hanging on.

Now back to more important things … the 2012 “Best of the Rogue Valley.” We received over 400 ballots this year, and we congratulate everyone who took the time to fill them out. Those who only answered three or four categories were put into the “suspicious” stack, but everyone else did an admirable job.

The reason we have 144 categories is because we want to try and recognize as many people, businesses and organizations as possible. We like to spread the wealth around. That being said, let’s proceed.

DEMOGRAPHICS

We asked the question, “Favorite TV Show,” 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 two mentions. The top seven were: The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Dancing with the Stars, House Hunters, Modern Family, American Idol and Downton Abbey. It’s obviously a very well-rounded group of respondents.

MEDIA

FAVORITE RADIO STATION

I went on Google and typed in “Radio Stations Grants Pass Oregon,” and unbelievably there are 51 of them in the region, from Cave Junction to Hornbrook. Make that 52 since the list did not include Don Monette’s new station KCMD.

Anyway, taking down top honors again in the category were the friendly folks over at KLDR and KAJO, which has been entertaining and informing local listeners since August 15, 1957.

• Other favorites included:
• Jefferson Public Radio.
• KRRM
• KDOV
• KRWQ
• KISS-FM
• KCMD

FAVORITE DJ

In 1959 the most famous deejay of all time, Alan Freed, lost his job at WABC in Cleveland when it was learned that he accepted money (payola) from artists to play their songs on the radio. He was basically a scapegoat since practically everyone was doing the same thing at that time.

Here in the Rogue Valley, payola is not an issue, although sometimes I feel like paying them money not to play some of the music I hear. Topping the charts for 2012 was Jeanette Stark, a stalwart at KDLR who also won this in 2000 and 2010.

The list also included:

• Carl Wilson of KAJO
• Cassie Callas at KLDR
• Gemineye at KISS-FM
• Chris Barnett at KLDR
• Don Monette at KCMD

BEST LOCAL TV

NEWS STATION

Every night they present a cross section of life in the Rogue Valley, from local heroes to scurrilous villains, keeping us apprised of community events as they happen.

Winning this category for the umpteenth time in a row was NewsWatch 12 (KDRV).

They were followed by KOBI/Channel 5 and KTVL (Channel 10).

FAVORITE TV

WEATHER PERSON

One thing you can say about the Rogue Valley: we don’t have to worry about hurricanes or tornadoes. Sure, we have occasional floods and fires, and the rare earthquake, but for natural disasters caused by weather, we’re fairly insulated.

And when we have to rely on someone to tell us to “head to the hills,” we most often turn to Scott Lewis of KKRV, Channel

Also high in the ranking were:

• Jeff Heaton of KOBI-5
• Kevin Lollis, KTVL-10
• Lindsay Matherly, Channel 10
• Milt Radford, KDRV-12

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE DAILY COURIER

Well, heck, I just Googled “Most Distrusted Professions” and learned that politicians were number one, bankers #2, and journalists #3. Sad, isn’t it? They spend their entire waking hours trying to keep you informed of the news, and this is the thanks they get.

Locally, our intrepid reporters at the Courier diligently strive to dispel that stereotype, and leading the way is Health & Business reporter Lindsay Cathey, followed by:

• Zach Urness, sports
• Shaun Hall, police/courts
• Kathleen Alaks, Lifelines/Entertainment
• Patti Richter, Education
• Stacey Stumbo, County
• Edith Decker, Features Editor

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. While “The Best of the Rogue Valley” 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:

• Kudos & Klunkers
• The covers stories
• Letters (and the editor’s responses)
• Business Grapevine
• All of the ads/coupons
• The Calendar of Events
• Doug Beacham’s articles

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

The vast majority of people in this country have 9-5 jobs but practically everyone “dreams” of owning their own business. It’s a risky proposition, though, and if you don’t do your homework, it can end ugly. Our hats are off to anyone who even attempts it.

Our readers also appreciate their efforts, naming quite a few new businesses in town, including this year’s winner, The Twisted Cork, a restaurant and bottle shop located at 210 SW 6th Street (in the old Kitchen Company building).

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Home Depot.
• River’s Edge (new and improved at 1936 Rogue River Highway)
• Maurice’s, a clothing store in the Grants Pass Shopping Center
• Goodness Gracious Café & Catering at 221 SW G
• MaMosa’s, a restaurant the recently opened at 118 NW E
• The Vietnamese Food Cart
• Red Heels Salon at 221 NE D
• Adorn Me Fashion Boutique & Gifts at 543 NE E (Suite 206)

FAVORITE BUSINESSPERSON

They may technically be the CEO/boss/jefe, but most of them put in longer hours than their employees and take an active interest in every aspect of the business, from greeting customers and cleaning the bathrooms to public relations.

Landing at the top in this category for 2012 were Frank Wright and Roy Heinzle of the Kitchen Company, who have turned their store into a mecca for food lovers in southern Oregon.

The Top Ten included:

• Cliff Bennett of Chet’s
• Brady Adams of Evergreen Federal
• Scott and Annette Draper at Club Northwest and Spa at Club Northwest
• Giff Gates of Gates Furniture
• Tom Hart, Jr., at Hart Jewelers
• Dave Thomason at Taprock Northwest Grill
• Steve Roe at Roe Motors GM
• Michelle Belcher of Grants Pass Pharmacy
• Rick Chapman of Plaza Sew ‘n’ Vac

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (CITY)

We all remember that first day of elementary school. Landing on the moon would have been infinitely easier—at least there wouldn’t have been scary-looking figures of authority ready to swallow you up for every little mistake. Then you met your first teacher, and he/she immediately put you at ease, introduced you to fellow classmates, and the vistas of a new life suddenly opened up.

Quite a few teachers were mentioned in this category, including this year’s winner Connie Hagerman, a first grade teacher at Lincoln.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Carla Healey, a kindergarten teacher at Allendale
• Holly Rousaville, a Title 1 teacher at Allendale
• Abby Harden, first grade at Redwood
• Kelly Moodie, music teacher at Lincoln
• Laura Richardson, second grade teacher at Riverside

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (COUNTY)

On the Three Rivers School District side of the ledger, the winner was Sharon Fisher, a 2nd grade teacher at Madrona, followed by:

• Cecilia McKee, kindergarten teacher at Jerome Prairie
• Kari O’Brien, 3rd grade at Ft. Vannoy
• Carrie Simpson, 3rd grade at Madrona

FAVORITE SCHOOL JANITOR

In first grade, you see men and women going around sweeping up the halls and cleaning your rooms, and you think to yourself, “I thought Mom was supposed to do that!” Just kidding, of course.

Sweeping the honors in the category for 2012 was Mike DeLay, head custodian at Jerome Prairie Elementary.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE

To the enterprising writer who requested that we add the category, “Favorite Brain Bowl Participant” or “Favorite Math Club Member,” all we can say is, “Maybe next year.” For now, we’re sticking with the athletes. And in that category, GPHS baseball player Matt Cole took down top honors, followed by:

• Tony Shriven, GPHS basketball
• Chad Lowe, GPHS football
• Rashaun Sells, GPHS softball
• Tyler Bennett, GPHS baseball

FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR AT RCC

Rogue Community College was established in November 1970 by the voters of Josephine County. In 1996 the boundaries were extended to include all of Jackson County, and today it “provides a wide range of educational programs, job-training opportunities, and greater college access for students throughout the Rogue Valley.”

The faculty, of course, is excellent, and our readers recognized quite a few including this year’s winner, Midge Shaw, in the Humanities Department.

The list also included:

• Wayd Drake, Humanities and Drama
• Sandy Contreras, Health/PE
• Cynthia Charat, Humanities
• Debbie McLennan, Mathematics
• Ann Hackford, Nursing

FAVORITE DENTIST

It may cause a panic attack just thinking about dental work, but taking care of your teeth is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to eliminating pain down the line. Just ask my third molar, which I had to have removed while in basic training in the army.

The ballots were coming in fast and furious with this category, and bunched up at the top was a 3-way tie between Don Lanahan, Steven Rogers and Matt Hill, followed by:

• Greg Bigelow
• Richard Miller
• Peter Pastrell
• Matt Johnston
• Mart Erickson
• Sara Riechers
• Michelle Johnson
• Tim Dwyer
• Ray Sutton.

FAVORITE DOCTOR

It’s one of mankind’s higher calling—spending your life making sure that we all stay healthy and then healing us when things turn south. Our readers certainly appreciate their efforts, as they named 35 different doctors in this survey.

Topping the charts this year was Heather Kahn, a family practitioner who also won this category in 2007.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Edmund Glovinsky, DO
• Tamara Medley at the Women’s Health Center
• Dan Gleffe, family practitioner
• Eric Perry, MD
• Ron Sinclair, MD
• Felicia Cohen, OB/GYN
• Derrick Sorweide, DO
• Ed Groenhout, MD

FAVORITE NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR/ACUPUNCTURIST

Occram’s Razor tells you to always search for the simplest solution to any problem. That stomach ache you have might not be an ulcer which requires surgery; it just might be an imbalance of beneficial flora in your bowels which needs some adjustment. That is the whole basis behind naturopathy, and when our readers are looking for their favorites, they most often chose Ellen Heinitz and Kristen Plunkett of the Naturopathic Clinic.

Acupuncture, meanwhile, is an alternative medicine methodology that originated in ancient China 2500 years ago … you know, when Europeans were living in crude huts without a clue about medicine other than herbal remedies.

Our readers were able to name most of the area’s acupuncturists in this survey, reserving their number one choice for Janet Moret of River of Wellness.

FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR

It was a long day of unloading anvils, safes and refrigerators at the factory, and your back seems a little out of whack. Where to go? Our readers most often chose both Glen Litwiller and Edward Welch as their favorite, followed by:

• Owen Martin
• Kevin Teagle
• Ryan Baker
• David Krauss
• David Willing
• Todd Harris

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

You were on your way to meet the future in-laws for the first time, and your significant other insisted that you ride in his convertible with the top down. “Come on honey, it will fun.” By the time you got there, you looked like you’d just crawled out of a dipsy dumpster. Desperate, you called your favorite hair stylist for a quick once-over.

And when it comes to making sure your hair always looks perfect, our readers were able to name 39 different hair stylists. So once again, we’re going with a three-way standoff between Kathy Johnson at Roberta’s Shear Pleasure; Amy Taradash at the Spa at Club Northwest; and Ashley Lawson at RockStar Hair Studio.

The top of the list also included:

• Carrol Oyler of Carrol’s Image Connection
• Ron Gillaspie at Gillaspie’s Hair Design
• Shawna Maddox at Shine
• Traci Brown of Personal Touch
• Sally Roudebush, Progressive Beauty Center
• Linda Whalen of Action Hair Designs

BEST PLACE TO GET MANICURES/PEDICURES

Okay, I hang my head in shame for labeling this category “Best Place to Get Medicures/Pedicures.” My proofreader (wife) didn’t even catch it. And what’s amazing is that back in 2010 when we ran this category, the same mistake was made. And to everyone who circled “medicures” with about nineteen exclamation points, thank you for your attention to details.

Anyway, who are our readers most impressed with when it comes to manicures/pedicures? The number one choice was Forever Nails, located at 1634 Williams Highway, followed closely by Spa at Club Northwest.

Others bunched up near the top were:

• Ambiance Hair & Nail Studio
• Da-Vi Nails
• Avenue Salon
• En Vogue
• La Belle Vie Salon
• Indulgence

FAVORITE AUTO MECHANIC

America has a love affair with their automobiles and when the relationship goes sour, you both agree to talk to a therapist, in this case your mechanic. “He doesn’t give me enough oil,” the car complains. “She doesn’t give good gas mileage,” you counter. Being a professional, the mechanic puts you both back on track.

Winning this category for 2012 was Ken Cook of The Shop.

The field was very crowded, however, and the top vote-getters included:

• Tom Hill at Tom’s Auto
• Jim Lefeber at Star Automotive
• Larry Anberg at Revolvo West
• Gary Smerdon
• Frank Miranda at Extreme Auto
• Huck Webb of Huck’s Garage
• Mike Dunbar of Bridge Street Auto

BEST PLACE TO BUY USED CARS

As much as you want to, sometimes you just don’t have the money to spring for a brand new car. Buying a used car is chancy, however, because you never know if the previous owner used it to go fishing at the tip of the Baja every spring. That’s where a knowledgeable car salesman comes in handy.

• And in this category, the friendly folks at Mock’s Ford came in first, followed by:
• Roe Motors GM
• Wheeler Toyota
• Quality Used Cars
• Jim Sigel
• Best Used Cars
• And craigslist

BEST PLACE TO BUY TIRES

The vulcanization of rubber was developed by Charles Goodyear in the year 1839, and the first practical pneumatic tire was developed by John Boyd in Ireland in 1887 to “prevent the headaches his son had while riding a bicycle on rough roads.” By the 1920s synthetic rubber was developed in the laboratories at Bayer, and today over one billion tires are produced annually in over 400 tire factories.

A certain percentage of them end up here in Grants Pass, and according to our readers the best place to buy them is at Les Schwab, with two locations at 1694 NW 6th and 320 Union Avenue.

They were followed in the balloting by:

• Expert Tire
• Towne Center Tire Factory
• Quick Lane Tire & Auto
• River City Auto & Tire

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

You really didn’t mean to burn the neighbor’s house down when the charcoal grill got out of control. It was the neighbor’s fault for not properly pruning his shrubs and leaving combustible material on the ground. He sued you anyway, so where do you go? Many of our readers most often named Jack Davis, followed by:

• Chris Mecca
• Ben Freudenberg
• Lynn Myrick
• Jim Dole
• Claudia Browne
• Walt Cauble
• Dan Hughes
• Richard Lane

FAVORITE POLICEPERSON

Here’s a rhetorical question: do policemen get a panic attack when they’re off duty and driving 74 miles an hour down the Interstate and see a police car off to the side with a radar gun? Kind of like does a tree falling in the forest make a noise if no one is around to hear it? Just askin’.

Anyway, our readers were able to put the radar gun on 19 different officers this year, including the year’s winner, Officer Joe Robles of Grants Pass Public Safety.

Others high in the standings were:

• GP Public Safety Director Joe Henner
• GP Officer Scott Hyde
• GP Community Service Officer Lyle Brown
• GP Officer Pete Jenista
• Sheriff Gil Gilbertson
• County patrol officer Joel Heller

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Okay, you just won the lottery, and you’re trying to decide where to invest that $35 you got on the scratch-off ticket. Just kidding … let’s assume just for assuming sake, that the amount was $1 million. Who would you turn to for advice? Our readers were all over the board on this one, naming quite a few. In the end, Ken Guerra of Independent Financial Group was the top vote-getter. He was followed by:

• Jeff Voigt of Pfs Investments
• Jon Mainard of Financial Network Investment
• Rick Wilson of Ameriprise Financial Services
• Brian Sachs of Edward Jones
• John Beckstead of Edward Jones
• Rodger Jordan of Lpl Financial
• Jason Lewis of Allstate Financial Services
• Nelson Maler of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

FAVORITE VETERINARIAN

Having your dog or cat come down sick is almost as painful as when it happens to you. When my cat Mau Mau lost four kittens giving birth in the vet’s office three years ago, I was freaking out that something might happen to her. A great vet is worth his or her weight in gold.

There were quite a few bunched up at the top, so we’ll name the top four in alphabetical order.

• Russell Codd of Lincoln Road Vet Clinic
• Heidi Buehner-McKenzie of Allen Creek Vet Hospital
• Ron Guzman of Riverside Vet Clinic
• Jean Manhart of Pacific Vet

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Bob Cole of the Animal Clinic
• Lorain Abel of Cedarview Vet Hospital
• Charles Meyer of Applegate Animal Clinic

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

Back when I first visited Grants Pass in 1976 there were about five restaurants in town. Today, there are over one hundred, and I think that’s a good thing. A little healthy competition is what keeps restaurant owners on their toes.

Our readers agree, and they named 25 different people in this survey, with the top nod going to Bob and Darla Feil of the Train Depot. Bob and Darla also did a service to the community recently by re-opening River’s Edge on the banks of the Rogue River.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Dave Thomason of Taprock and Elmer’s
• Emilio Guerrero of El Patron
• Gwen and Tawni Hendricks of The Vine
• Bret Musselman of 115 Broiler
• Tina Gotchall of the Powderhorn
• Adam Wehab of Abu’s Oasis Deli
• Tim and Sandra Mock of Beacon Bar & Grill

FAVORITE WAITPERSON

These people are the ultimate multi-taskers and someone you’d want in a foxhole during a battle. They have peripheral vision, engaging personalities, can handle stress, and can hold everything together when mere mortals are reaching for the razor blades.

Twenty-eight different waitpersons were mentioned in this survey, and the top choice for 2012 was Marty Thomas of River’s Edge who, ironically, won for “Favorite Bartender” in last year’s “Best of the Rogue Valley.”

The list at the top also included:

• Tricia Walker of Elmer’s
• Joe Gomez of G Street Bar & Grill
• Debbie Hamblin at the Powderhorn
• Dotti Kochis at 115 Broiler
• Jennifer Cochran at Taprock
• Rebecca Carpenter at Wild River
• Melissa Carnes at Train Depot

FAVORITE BARTENDER

A horse walks into a bar with a pair of jumper cables wrapped around its head. He orders a drink and the bartender says, “Okay, but don’t try to start anything around here.” Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a lame joke but it was the best I could find on the Internet.

When you want bartenders who can really tell jokes, you merely have to visit some local favorites, like this year’s winner Christian Hahn of Taprock Northwest Grille.

Other popular bartenders are:

• Bob Lewis of The Cedarwood
• Dennis Getz of the Wonder Bur
• Kari Musselman of 115 Broiler

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR DOG GROOMED

In lieu of vacuuming up three tons of dog hairs each week, it’s best to just take Ralphie in and let the professionals take over. And in that regard, our readers most often named Home Away from Home Pet Spa at 100 NE Mill Street as their favorite, followed by:

• Purr-fect Pet Grooming
• Specialized Grooming
• A Dog Gone Cute
• Champion Grooming

FAVORITE THERAPIST/COUNSELOR

No one really ran away with this category, and the whole thing was stressing me out, so I’m going to name the top five in alphabetical order:

• Paige Bender
• Kim Brouhard
• Libby McClain
• Michael Stattel
• Lori Worden

FAVORITE PLUMBER

Your diamond wedding ring slipped off your hand and down the drain, sending shivers down your spine. You immediately cordoned off the area with police crime tape, then called your local plumber to come to the rescue.

Who to call for that all-important job? Rick Samuelsen of Heritage Plumbing edged out a long list of excellent local plumbers, including …

• Matt and Dan Headley at Rogue Valley Plumbing
• Rich Shane at Aristocrat Plumbing
• Pat Murphy of Shamrock Plumbing
• Mike Murphy of Murphy’s Plumbing
• Frank Rauch Plumbing
• Michael Toch of Michael’s Plumbing
• Bill Fairhurst of Grants Pass Plumbing

FAVORITE ELECTRICIAN

That little electrical outlet in the corner just wasn’t working right, so you decided to “fiddle with it” and see what was wrong. Five minutes later, after a little CPR from your wife and every hair on your body burned off, you come to the realization that maybe, just maybe, you should have called a professional.

According to our readers, you have a lot of options, starting with the guys at Pro Electric. A lot of electricians were bundled near the top, however, including:

• Danny York of York Electric
• Brownell’s Electric
• Norm Sky
• Darrin Fowler
• Tom Bormuth

CUTEST BABY BORN IN LAST YEAR

Well, shoot, our expert panel of judges (my family) couldn’t decide on this one. “They’re all cute,” was the opinion of my wife. So we are making this category of three-way tie between Ethan Blackhurst, Cole Jacoby, and Riley Arrijotti. Congratulations, kids!

BEST APPLIANCE REPAIRMAN

You probably open and shut a refrigerator door 30-40 times a day. That means 245 times a week; 980 a month, and 11,760 a year. Appliances definitely work overtime in an average house, and it’s no wonder that they sometimes break down or need servicing. Who to call? The number one choice was Tom Bange of Action Appliance, followed by:

• Dan Biller of Biller Appliance Repair
• Al’s Refrigeration
• Active Appliance Center

FAVORITE HOUSE PAINTER

That house you bought that was painted bright pink might look good in Disneyland, but it’s semi-hideous to the discerning eye. Who to turn to when you need it repainted. Brushing their way to victory this year was TM3 Painting Co., followed by:

• Curt & Dave Healy
• Scott Warner
• Joe Stevens
• Dennis’ Painting
• Bob Emery of Maranatha Painting

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

The Towne Center Association, the City, and the Chamber of Commerce have worked overtime the last 25 years to turn downtown Grants Pass into a happening place. With the help of some outstanding stores and restaurants, plus some well-timed promotions, they have succeeded.

Our readers agree with that analysis, as they named 25 different establishments as their favorites. And for the fourth year in a row, this event was won by The Kitchen Company, a store at 301 SE 6th Street, which caters to the chef in all of us.

The top five were close, though, and they included:

• Blind George’s
• Never a Bum Steer
• Savannah Faire
• Grants Pass Pharmacy

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Tierra del Sol
• The Herb Shop
• La Bella Casa
• Oregon Outpost
• Shop River Rock

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

I think next year I’m going to turn this category into “Big Store” and “Little Store.” The usual suspects of Fred Meyer’s, Wal-Mart, Ross and Bi-Mart were mentioned a lot, but when it came to smaller stores, the winner was Rogue River Florist, a floral/gift shop located at 789 NE 7th.

Coming in a close second was Emilia’s Closet, followed by:

• Judy’s Florist & Gifts
• Maurice’s
• Cowboy Corral
• The Dollar Store
• Curiosity Company
• Field’s Home Center
• Jan’s Hallmark Store
• Probst Flower Shop

BEST PLACE TO BUY GIFTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

This kind of store requires a huge selection with a lot of variety, and in that regard our readers were most impressed with Hellgate’s River Rock Gift Shop, located at 966 SW 6th Street.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Kitchen Company
• Grants Pass Pharmacy
• Rogue River Florist
• La Bella Casa
• Savannah Faire
• Tierra del Sol
• Never a Bum Steer

BEST PLACE TO BUY GIFTS FOR FATHER’S DAY

Dad is another whole animal, and topping this category was Fred Meyer’s, followed by:

• JC Penney’s
• Diamond
• Fields Home Center
• Sears
• Home Depot
• Grange Co-op

BEST PLACE TO BUY TOYS

Now that I’m a grandparent, I suppose I’ll be back in the game for toy buying. Three months ago I was cleaning out the attic and bundled up about 75 beanie babies for a trip to Goodwill. Ah, the good old days.

Taking down the top spot in this category was Wal-Mart and Fred Meyers, followed by:

• Eco Tots Baby Boutique
• Chesi Jo’s Baby Boutique
• Sleadd’s Adventure Depot
• Cat & Fiddle

CUTEST PET

It was a real dogfight this year, but in the end “Chester” Jacoby edged out “Max” DelVaglio for the trophy.

Others in the hunt were:

• Mopsy and Hobo Roser
• A cat, “Stevie” Blackhurst
• “Augie” Walker

BEST PLACE TO BUY JEWELRY

Human beings are genetically wired with a desire to “look good.” And nothing says it better than diamonds, gold, pearls and gemstones. When our readers were looking to find the best in jewelry, they most often picked Hart Jewelers at 235 SE 6th, followed very closely by King Jewelers at 221 SE 6th.

Others receiving some recognition were:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Never a Bum steer
• Tierra del Sol
• Cash Connection

BEST PLACE TO BUY CANDY

The first candy dates back to ancient civilizations, where they indulged in fruits and nuts rolled in honey. We’ve gotten a little more sophisticated since then, and when our readers want to placate their sweet teeth, they most often turn to Cary’s of Oregon, located at 413 Union Avenue.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Sandie’s Candies
• See’s
• Blind George’s
• Dollar Store
• Wal-mart

BEST PLACE TO BUY KNITTING/QUILTING SUPPLIES

My mother was a world-class quilter, and if she followed the advice of our readers, she would be spending a lot of time downtown at Plaza Sew ‘n’ Vac, which was the runaway winner in this category.

The list also included:

• Unique Lee Yours.
• Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts in Medford.
• Wal-mart.

BEST PLACE TO BUY CDs/ALBUMS

Back in the day when I was collecting albums, they would take up the entire back seat of my car whenever I moved somewhere. Today, CDs take up a fraction of the space, but it’s just not the same. The cover art of some of those old albums made them something special. Oh well … progress.

And in that regard, our readers most often liked to visit Listen Here, a music store located downtown at 234 SE 6th Street.

Others mentioned were Fred Meyer’s, Evangel Store, and Wal-Mart.

BEST SELECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

Ever since the first cavewoman donned that sporty little sabertooth tiger coat, clothing has been an obsession with the human species. Locally, there are quite a few places to shop, and the two top vote-getters were Fred Meyer’s and JC Penney’s, followed by:

• Tierra del sol
• Emilia’s Closet
• Fashion Bug
• Ross Store
• Second Chance
• Goodwill Store

BEST SELECTION OF MEN’S CLOTHES

Functionality is the key word when it comes to men’s clothes, and once again this ended in a tie between Fred Meyer’s and JC Penney’s.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Ross Store
• Extreme Board Shop
• Bi-Mart
• Roley’s Pacific Supply
• Goodwill

BEST PLACE TO BUY HATS

Hats are a combination of functionality and just looking cool. They keep the sun out of your face, protect your head from meteorites, and let everyone know how stylin’ you can be. Where to go? Many of our readers said Hellgate’s River Rock Shop, followed by:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Cowboy Corral
• Bi-Mart

BEST PLACE TO BUY T-SHIRTS

I’ve been collecting T-shirts for a long time, mainly because they’re comfortable to wear and they carry messages that can be conversation pieces. I can walk down the street wearing my Madras Basketball shirt and someone can stop me and say, “Hey, you from Madras?” No, I reply, this is a hand-me-down from one of my nieces. Then it turns out he went to high school with my niece, and we end up in a bar drinking shots for a couple of hours … just kidding.

Anyway, according to our readers the best place to buy cool T-shirts is at Ol’ Champion Outlet, located at 401 SE 6th Street.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Never a Bum Steer
• Oregon Outpost
• Fashion Bug
• Fred Meyer’s

FAVORITE FLORAL SHOP

Sure, you can grow flowers in your backyard and cut them for bouquets, but it’s a lot easier to just trust your local florist for that assignment. And in that regard our readers named Rogue River Florist, located at 789 NE 7th, as their favorite.

The top four were actually pretty close and they included:

• Judy’s Grants Pass Florist & Gifts.
• Probst Flower Shop.
• Chet’s Garden & Pet Center.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS/SHRUBS FOR THE GARDEN

When I’m not working or spending time with the family, you can usually find me at a.) the golf course or b.) the backyard taking care of the thousands of flowers, trees and shrubs that I’ve nurtured for the last twenty years. It’s a full-time hobby, and a very rewarding one. I can walk the backyard and think I’m in paradise.

Helping me with that assignment are the local nurseries. Number one according to our readers is Chet’s Garden Center at 229 SW “H” Street.

The vote this year was very close as Greenleaf Greenhouse came in second, followed by:

• The Grange Co-Op
• Diamond Home Improvement
• Murphy Country Nursery
• Sandy’s Nursery
• Home Depot
• Redwood Nursery

BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE

The production of wine became a growth industry 15 years ago when doctors released studies showing that the consumption of wine led to a reduced incidence of heart disease and cancer. Well, duh, I’ll drink to that.

Where to go for the best deals on quality wines? This category ended in a tie as both Elegance (321 SE 6th) and Grocery Outlet (350 NE Agness) were mentioned a lot.

The list also included:

• Twisted Cork
• Fred Meyer’s
• Ray’s
• Schmidt Family Vineyards
• Bridgeview Vineyards in Cave Junction
• Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill

GROCERY STORE WITH FRESHEST SELECTION OF FISH

Fish is one of those products that you really want to get as fresh as you can. Not that a three-day old fish is bad; it’s just that something fresh out of the river or ocean can be exquisite.

This category ended up in a statistical dead heat as Cartwright’s Valley Meat Company (825 Union Avenue) tied with Fred Meyer’s.

Other’s receiving votes were:

• Albertson’s
• Ray’s Food Place
• Safeway

BEST PLACE TO BUY “STUFF” FOR THE KITCHEN

Once again this category was a runaway, as The Kitchen Company, 301 SE 6th Street, was the winner. Frank and Roy have stocked the store with every conceivable kitchen appliance known to man and woman.

Also received a smattering of votes were:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Wal-mart

BEST PAWN SHOP

Pawn shops have seen a resurgence in recent years, mainly because of a down economy and the presence of such TV shows as Pawn Stars and Hard Core Pawn. Locally, Sneak Preview reporter Doug Beacham did a story on pawn shops four months ago, and we were curious which ones registered with our readers.

Winning this category for 2012 was Cash Connection, located at 754 SW 6th, followed by:

• Pawn Plus
• Rogue Valley Pawn & Jewelry

BEST THRIFT STORE

Doug Beacham also did a story on thrift stores which, amazingly, generated a little controversy. Again we were curious as to exactly which ones had the most local support, and this is what we found:

• Goodwill Store
• Salvation Army Store
• Humane Society Store
• Home for Good
• Second Chance
• St. Vincent de Paul

FAVORITE GAS STATION

You ever see that Norman Rockwell painting where a family of four pulls into a gas station back in the 1950s, and five guys dressed in white come out to pump gas, check the oil, clean the windshield, check the tires, etc.? Now that’s what I call the good old days!

That kind of service just isn’t possible today, but our local gas stations give it their best shot. Winning this category for 2012 was Larry Henderson’s “A” Street Chevron, followed by:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Lonnie’s Shell
• Redwood Texaco
• The ARCO Station at 7th & “M”
• Fireball
• Towne Pump

FAVORITE STORE IN MEDFORD/ASHLAND

They’re our neighbors to the south, and they’re always fun to visit, from the Expo and Britt to the Shakespeare Festival and the Craterian. And while there, you might as well do some shopping, right?

The number one choice according to our readers was once again CostCo, followed by:

• TJ Maxx
• Macy’s at the Mall
• Target
• Kohl’s in the Mall
• Paddington Station in Ashland
• Sportsman’s Warehouse
• Harry & David Store

POLITICS

FAVORITE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

This was kind of a runaway for Simon Hare, as both Don Reedy and Harold Haugen are just temporary replacements for the retired Dwight Ellis and the ousted Sandi Cassanelli. We’ll see how Simon does next year when he has some real competition.

FAVORITE CITY COUNCILOR

It’s been a couple of years since angry citizens gave the boot to a cantankerous group of city councilors, and things seem to have settled down to normal. Boring, isn’t it? Just kidding.

Anyway, taking down top honors in this category was Dan DeYoung, followed by:

• Kris Woodburn.
• Lily Morgan.
• Richard Michelon.

BEST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN THE LAST YEAR

I hate to pick on Sandi Cassanelli when she’s down, but many people picked her removal from office as number one in this category.

Other admirable things included:

• Replacing City Manager Laurel Samson
• Trying for a law enforcement levy
• Killing Osama bin Laden

WORST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN THE LAST YEAR

Many people chose trying for a law enforcement levy, and since others chose that as something “good” that government did, you can see how polarizing that issue is.

Also on the “bad thing” chart were:

• The bus stop shelters
• Supreme Court upholding the health care act
• Cutting funds to animal shelter

A VERY UNSCIENTIFIC POLITICAL POLL

Each year we ask our readers to answer four political questions just to gauge the mood of the community. These answers are “relatively” accurate since very few people stuff the ballot for them.

1. Should Grants Pass rent beds at the Josephine County Jail? Back in June I did a commentary after the law enforcement levy failed. What the citizens got was reduced patrols, a near-empty jail, a shuttered Juvenile Detention Center, and a D.A.’s office that will prosecute only the most heinous crimes. Since the City voters apparently like police protection, my proposal was for them to rent spaces at the jail to deal with criminals caught doing bad stuff within the city limits of Grants Pass. If that is successful, maybe county voters could try the same thing. Our readers apparently agree with this plan.

Yes, good idea: 77%
No, bad idea: 23%

2. Should marijuana be legalized and taxed? I don’t want to sound like a drugged-out pothead, but the War on Drugs has been an utter failure for 40 years. It not only hasn’t slowed the movement of drugs or stopped its usage, but the reverse is true. Yet we continue to spend billions of dollars a year on this “war,” and we have the highest percentage of incarcerated citizens per capita than any other country on earth. The first step to stopping this insanity would be to legalize marijuana. How do our readers feel about this?

Yes, it should be legalized: 43%
No, it should not be: 57%

3. Should horse racing at Grants Pass Downs be discontinued? Some people think that the horse racing industry is cruel to animals and that it causes unnecessary deaths. Should Grants Pass Downs be shut down? Our readers don’t think so.

Yes, it should be discontinued: 12%
No, it should not: 88%

4. Who are you voting for: Obama, Romney, or Undecided?

Well, whoever this Undecided guy is, he’s got a shot at winning in 2012.

Obama: 27%
Romney: 33%
Undecided: 39%

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

For the second year in a row, there were eight new restaurants listed in this survey, a testament to both our readers’ insatiable appetites and the desire for local restaurant owners to stay on top of their game. Having a lot of restaurants in town is actually good for business, as it motivates everyone to do his or her best.

The top two new restaurants, according to our readers, were River’s Edge, located at 1936 Rogue River Highway; and Twisted Cork, at 210 SW 6th Street. This is the second incarnation for River’s Edge, as Darla and Bob Feil reopened the popular river-side restaurant this year. The Twisted Cork is owned by Mike & Beth Forshay, and Walt & Leanne Eaton.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• MaMosa’s at 118 NW E
• Goodness Gracious Café, located at 221 SW G
• Pho Sur at 1887 NE 7th
• Saigon Xich Lo, the Vietnamese food cart
• Luigi’s, located at 755 SE 6th
• Starbucks at 115 NE 7th

BEST BREAKFAST

Breakfast is supposed to be the biggest meal of the day, when you load up on protein and essential nutrients to get you through the day. The last thing you need during that morning board meeting is for your stomach to be growling and expressing disgust.

Where to go to satisfy the demands of your digestive system? This ended up in a 3-way tie between Elmer’s Restaurant (175 NE Agness); the Train Depot, located at 577 NE F; and the Powderhorn Café at 321 NE 6th; and

Quite a few restaurants were mentioned, and the Top Ten were:

• The Gold Miner Restaurant at 786 SE 7th
• Shari’s, at 190 NE Agness
• Black Bear Diner, located at 1900 NW 6th
• Taprock Northwest Grill (971 SE 6th)
• Della’s, located at 1802 NW 6th
• Herb’s LaCasita, at 515 SE Rogue River Highway
• MaMosa’s

BEST LUNCH

By mid-day the energy levels start to wane, and it’s important to get a quick pick-me-up. It’s also a time to socialize with fellow workers, clients, friends and family. The lunch crew usually knows you’re in a hurry, and they work overtime to give you primo service.

Working their way to the top of the list for 2012 was both Taprock Northwest Grill at 971 SE 6th; and Circle J Café (located at 241 SW G), closely followed by:

• Rosso’s Delicatessen at 225 SE 6th
• Wild River Brewing & Pizza Company, at 595 NE E
• Elmer’s
• The Vine at 1610 Allencreek Road
• Abu’s Oasis Deli at 1330 NW 6th
• Blondie’s, located at 226 SW G
• The Powderhorn Café
• Della’s
• Twisted Cork
• Laughing Clam, at 121 SE G
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill at 219 SW G

BEST FRENCH TOAST

The first reference to this recipe was found in a 4th century Roman cookbook attributed to Apicius. Seventeen hundred years later we’re still addicted to this delightful breakfast-time repast, and if our readers have anything to say about it, they’ll first head over to Elmer’s, which won this category.

The Top Three were very close, and they included the Train Depot and Goldminer’s Restaurant, followed by:

• Shari’s
• Powderhorn Café
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Black Bear Diner
• Herb’s LaCasita
• Black Forest

FAVORITE SOUPS & SANDWICHES

Sometimes menus can be daunting, especially at lunch. There are way too many choices and so little time. Enterprising restaurant owners recognize that reality and usually offer “sandwich and soup specials” for lunch. Landing at the top of this category was Rosso’s, located at 225 SW 6th.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Powderhorn
• Train Depot
• Circle J Café
• Elmer’s
• Taprock
• Denny’s
• Della’s
• Wild River

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

They come in all shades and colors, from romantic enclaves to raucous steakhouses, but almost all dinnerhouses have one thing in common—the desire to make you feel confortable and at home.

It was close in this category, but our readers most often named 115 Broiler, located at 115 NE D; and Taprock Northwest Grill, at 971 SW 6th Street.

The Top Five included:

• The Vine
• River’s Edge
• Summer Jo’s

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• R-Haus, at 2140 Rogue River Hwy
• Blondie’s Bistro (226 SW G)
• Hannah’s Restaurant, at 234 SW 7th

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT/LUNCH

Lunch doesn’t always have to be a “wham bam” affair involving 178 people from work intent on gobbling down their food just to get back to their cubicles on times. Sometimes it’s fun to get away with that significant other and enjoy your meal in a relaxing environment. And when it comes to that our readers most often named Summer Jo’s, located at 2315 Upper River Road Loop.

It was extremely close at the top with River’s Edge, The Vine and Taprock coming in a close second, followed by:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• 115 Broiler
• The Bistro, at 2008 NW 6th St
• Blondie’s Bistro, at 226 SW G
• Rosso’s
• Hannah’s

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT/DINNER

This place just screams out “marriage proposal.” There’s soft lighting, soothing music, an attentive waitstaff, and a jewelry store on premises for that last-minute impulse buy … just kidding.

Our readers were in a romantic mood in this category, placing three establishments at the top. They included River’s Edge, R-Haus, and 115 Broiler. Other romantic spots included:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• The Vine
• Hannah’s Restaurant
• Summer Jo’s
• The Bistro
• Twisted Cork
• Morrison’s Lodge, located at 8500 Galice Road
• Blondie’s

BEST STEAK DINNERS ON MENU

Archaeologists estimate that the domestication of cattle occurred independently three times in Iran/Iraq, China and northern Africa 5,000 to 8,000 years ago. Our friendly moo-moos have a rich history of symbiosis with humans (they provide us with milk and meat, and we let them graze rent free on farmland).

Winning this category for the umpteenth time in a row was 115 Broiler, located at 115 NW D.

The rest of the list included:

• Applebee’s
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• R-Haus
• Blondie’s Bistro
• Sizzler

BEST SEAFOOD DISHES ON MENU

Five hundred years ago, Native Americans in Oregon thrived on plentiful game and fish. Not much has changed today, except it’s far easier to visit your favorite seafood restaurant than it is trying to land a 15-pound steelhead at Finley Bend. And in that regard, our readers most often named Laughing Clam, at 121 SW G.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• The Vine
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• 115 Broiler
• Summer Jo’s
• Hannah’s
• R-Haus

BEST PASTA DISHES ON MENU

In our version of Pasta Wars here in Grants Pass, three different establishments battled it out for top seeding with our readers. In alphabetical order, they were:

• The Bistro
• Ross’s
• The Vine

Other favorites included:

• Twisted Cork
• Wild River
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Laughing Clam

BEST CHICKEN DISHES ON MENU

To the millions of chickens around the globe who sacrifice themselves daily for our culinary tastes, we thank you. It may sound barbaric to you, but just think of all the innocent bugs you kill every day scraping in the dirt, and you should be able to relate.

Anyway, for great chicken entrees, our readers mentioned quite a few, and at the top it was a 3-way tie between Taprock Northwest Grill, The Vine, and Hannah’s, followed by:

• Elmer’s
• Thai BBQ, located at 428 SW 6th St
• Abu’s Oasis Deli
• Applebee’s
• Summer Jo’s

BEST SOUPS AND SALADS

Yeah, I know, an earlier category had “Best Sandwiches & Soups,” making this semi-redundant, so let’s concentrate on the salads, shall we? And in that regard, our readers were most impressed with the salads at both Rosso’s and Applebee’s.

Also popular were:

• Circle J
• Della’s
• Taprock
• Train Depot
• Sizzler
• Twisted Cork

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Sure, you can sail the boat down to Cabo san Lucas and visit Edith’s or the Giggling Marlin, but we have the next best thing here in the Rogue Valley, which is home to many former residents of Mexico. Eleven different restaurants were named in this survey, starting with numero uno, which was a tie between Casa Amiga (1720 Redwood Avenue) and Si Casa Flores at 202 Beacon Drive.

The Top Five were actually very close and they included:

• Taqueria Mexico (137 SE H)
• La Burrita, at 941 SE 7th
• El Paraiso, located at 201 E. Park Street

Also mentioned a lot were:

• El Patron (799 Rogue River Highway)
• Angela’s Hacienda, at 111 NE Hillcrest
• Tacos Locos in the Allen Creek Shopping Center
• Kalypsso Latin Cuisine, at 775 SE 6th
• Las Fajitas, in Parkway Village

BEST BURRITOS

This is the ultimate Mexican-style sandwich, and it’s practically a meal in itself, stuffed with every nutritious thing you can think of.

Where to go for great burritos? Our readers most often named El Paraiso and La Burrita, followed by:

• Casa Amiga
• Taqueira Mexico
• El Patron
• Si Casa Flores

BEST MARGARITAS

They’re actually considered a “tourist drink” in Mexico, but they sure are good. Tequila comes from the agave cactus, which is prevalent in the state of Jalisco (which is also home to mariachi music). Hundreds of years ago, some intrepid soul distilled the agave plant to make tequila, and we’ve been doing shots ever since.

Taking down number one in this category for 2012 were the margaritas as Si Casa Flores and Taqueria Mexico.

The list also included:

• Casa Amiga
• Angela’s
• El Paraiso
• Las Fajitas

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

It’s great to experience the exotic foods and tastes of different cultures, from China and Thailand to Japan and Vietnam. Our readers agreed and named 15 different restaurants in this category, reserving their number one choice for Matsukaze, located at 1675 NE 7th.

The Top Six were very close and they included:

• Thai BBQ at 428 SW 6th
• Hong Kong, at 820 NW 6th
• Four Seasons at 122 SE K
• Pongsri’s, at 323 NE E
• Pho Sur, a new Vietnamese restaurant at 1887 NE 7th

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Hunan Garden, located in the Grants Pass Shopping Center
• Musashi Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine, located at 314 SE H
• Royal Barge, at 120 SW H
• China Buffet, at 144 SE 7th
• Sunflower Thai Cuisine (1571 NE 6th)
• A Taste of China (211 NE A)
• China Hut (1434 NW 6th)
• Shiki Sushi Bar, at 125 SE G
• Saigon Xich Lo, the food cart

BEST THAI DISHES

When I first started the Sneak Preview in 1986, Thai food was just starting to become the “next big thing.” Today, there are many establishments offering Thai food on their menus, starting with Thai BBQ, which was most popular with our readers.

It was actually close at the top, with Pongsri’s and Royal Barge garnering a lot of votes, followed by:

• Sunflower Thai Cuisine
• Pho Sur

BEST JAPANESE DISHES

We waited a whole year for a women’s soccer rematch with Japan, and it was a good one. Japan beat the U.S.A. on penalty kicks in the World Cup last year, but the tables were turned in the Olympics, as the ladies in red, white and blue won 2-1 in the final game.

That calls for some Japanese food to celebrate, and where would our readers go locally? Most said Matzukaze (1675 NE 7th), but the list also included:

• Musashi
• Shiki’s (at G Street Bar & Grill)
• Hunan Garden

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

The Godfather trilogy were probably the best movies ever made, with Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino all making big names for themselves (well, Brando was already a household name, but who’s counting?). And when you want a little Italian offer you can’t refuse, our readers most often chose both The Vine (1610 Allen Creek Road) and The Bistro (2008 NW 6th Street) as their favorites.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Rosso’s Delicatessen
• Olive Garden in Medford

BEST SELECTION OF PIZZAS

When I was in college, pizza was definitely one of the four major food groups (ice cream, chicken nuggets and doritos being the other three). One of my most enduring memories as a twenty-something was coming home from the bars one night and seeing my roommate Mac asleep on the sofa, sitting up, with a piece of pizza in his hand and the TV set blaring in front of him.

Where to go when you want to indulge in this nutritious food group? Wild River Brewing Company, located at 595 NE E, was tops with our voters this year, edging out Abby’s Legendary Pizza (in the Williams Plaza and on NE Beacon).

The list of favorite pizzas also included:

• Papa Murphy’s (1011 NE 7th and 263 Rogue River Hwy)
• Circle J Café
• Papa John’s, at 107 SW 4th
• The Bistro
• Pizza Hut
• Figaro’s

BEST BUFFET/SALAD BAR

It was the end of an era when J.J. North’s closed earlier this year, but as with every other event that happens in this world, life goes on. Our readers responded to the pressure by naming Sizzler, at 1871 NE 7th, as their favorite this year, although Abby’s Pizza and Sunshine Natural Foods at 128 SW H also received a lot of votes.

BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

According to Wikipedia, vegetarianism can be adopted for various reasons, from ethical and religious beliefs, to heath, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic reasons. Whatever your reason, and whether you’re a full-time or part-time vegetarian, you may want to follow the advice of our readers, who were most impressed with the selection at Sunshine Natural Foods (128 SW H) and Abu’s Oasis Deli (1330 NW 6th), followed by:

• Summer Jo’s
• MaMosa’s
• Twisted Cok
• The Vine
• Blondie’s Bistro
• Pho Sur

BEST CAESAR SALADS

Poor Caesar. It’s March 15th, he’s minding his own business on the floor of the Senate in the year 44 BCE, when some political fanatics stabbed him to death. There was an immediate outcry to outlaw knives, but that movement didn’t get very far. He did, however, get a salad named after him, although there are rumors that it was named after some guy named Caesar in Tijuana. (Hey, man, give Caesar his due.)

Where to go when you want a great Caesars salad? Winning this category was a tie between Circle J Café and The Vine.

The list also included:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Elmer’s
• Train Depot
• Wild River
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill

BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP

This soup has ancient origins but underwent a resurgence in the 1960s when Jackie Kennedy renewed an interest in French cuisine (something that was begun in the White House by Thomas Jefferson). It’s basically an onion soup based on beef broth and topped with cheese and croutons.

When it comes to onion soup, our readers were able to pinpoint a couple of establishments, starting with Applebee’s, located at 250 NW Agness Avenue.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• 115 Broiler
• Train Depot
• Della’s
• Taprock

RESTAURANT WITH BEST COUPONS

Coupons have becoming increasingly more popular during the Great Recession, and while economists say we’re actually not in a recession anymore, it certainly doesn’t feel like it. So … let’s save up those coupons and do what our readers do by visiting Shari’s (190 NE Agness) and Elmer’s (175 NE Agness).

Other great coupons include:

• Train Depot
• Arby’s
• Carl’s Jr
• Taprock
• Abu’s Oasis Deli

RESTAURANT WITH MOST EXOTIC COCKTAILS

I went on the Internet to find “weird cocktails” and I’d have to say the winner was from Ken Stewart’s Grill in Akron, Ohio. They offer a $10 martini with a baby octopus on top. Seriously, does that sound disgusting or what? Those guys have been watching way too much Little Mermaid.

Here in the Rogue Valley, our bartenders don’t try to gross people out. Instead, they concentrate on preparing outstanding cocktails that a.) Taste great and b.) Provide a little punch. And in that regard, our readers were most impressed with the creations at Blondie’s Bistro, followed by:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Applebee’s
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Herb’s LaCasita
• Wild River Brewing Co
• 115 Broiler
• River’s Edge

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

I can just picture a group of cavemen sitting around the fire polishing off a side of mastodon, when ol Clog says something like, “What I’d give for a little banana soufflé.” So Mrs. Clog hustles off to the nearby jungle, finds a big ol’ banana and a couple of chicken eggs, mixes it with some honey and vanilla extract, preheats the fire to 400 degrees, and surprises the whole troop with a big dessert.

Fifteen different restaurants were mentioned by our readers in this survey with Blondie’s Bistro (226 SW G) and the R-Haus (2140 Rogue River Hwy) tying for top honors.

Others high on the list were:

• Powderhorn Café
• Shari’s
• Twisted Cork
• Applebee’s
• Bluestone Bakery & Coffee (412 NW 6th)
• Wild River
• Black Forest
• Hannah’s
• Taprock

BEST PLACE TO BUY PIES/CAKES

Pies and cakes are the quintessential American dessert … just ask Johnny Appleseed and Betty Crocker. Locally, our readers are most impressed with the creations at both Powderhorn Café and Shari’s, followed by:

• Bluestone Bakery and Café
• Chocolate Affair
• Black Forest

RESTAURANT WITH BEST VIEW OF RIVER

It starts up near Crater Lake and flows 215 miles through Shady Cove, Gold Hill, Rogue River, Grants Pass, Agness and Gold Beach. It’s world renowned for its fishing and whitewater rafting. And when you want to have dinner and watch this majestic river flow by, most people chose the cozy confines of Taprock Northwest Grill, located right on the river next to the Caveman Bridge and across from Riverside Park.

Other great views can be obtained upriver at both River’s Edge and R-Haus, while the view downriver at both Morrison’s Lodge and the O.K. Corral (via the Hellgate Jetboat Excursions) is also outstanding.

RESTAURANT WITH FRIENDLIEST WAITSTAFF

They don’t have to be your best friends (I mean, who needs waiters and waitresses asking to borrow money?), but they do need to be friendly. Surly and suicidal doesn’t make it when you’re sitting down for a relaxing meal.

This was another popular category, as our readers named 25 different restaurants, starting with this year’s winner, the friendly folks at Elmer’s Restaurant.

• The Top Ten included:
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Herb’s LaCasita
• Train Depot
• River’s Edge
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Della’s
• 115 Broiler
• Wild River
• Si Casa Flores

BEST “QUICK SERVICE” RESTAURANT

This is a genre that was practically invented by Americans. As a country that has been continually on the move (“Westward Ho,” “Go West, young man” and all that), time is sometimes of the essence. And when it comes to that, our readers most often picked the fast, efficient (and tasty) service at Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, located at 515 NE E, which tied with Arby’s (140 NE Terry Lane) in this survey.

Others mentioned quite a bit were:

• Carl’s Jr
• McDonald’s
• Casablanca Coffee & Grill
• Jack in the Box
• Dairy Queen
• Burger King
• Taco Bell
• Sonic Drive-In
• Wendy’s

BEST SELECTION OF BURGERS

American inventions … apple pie, basketball, jazz, action movies and hamburgers. No wonder everyone wants to move here! And when they come to Grants Pass looking for great hamburgers, they most often turned to Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, followed by:

• Carl’s Jr
• Applebee’s
• Burger King
• Eddie’s Old Fashioned Burgers
• Jack in the Box
• Wonder Bur Café
• Dairy Queen
• Sonic Drive-In
• Wendy’s
• McDonald’s

BEST MILKSHAKES

It’s closer to a dessert than it is to a refreshing beverage … just ask my sweet tooth for a testimonial. When it comes to great milkshakes, our readers named both Grants Pass Pharmacy (414 SW 6th) and Dairy Queen (1674 NW 6th and 610 Redwood Highway) as their favorites.

The list also included:

• Shari’s
• Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In
• Carl’s Jr
• McDonald’s
• Eddie’s Old Fashioned Burgers

BEST SELEC-TION OF SANDWICHES

Here’s a line from comedian Jim Gaffigan: “Parents get burned out in big families. You can even see it in the naming of children. It’s always, like, the first kid: ‘You were named after Grandma.’ The seventh kid: “You were named after a sandwich I had. I loved that. Now, get your brother Reuben.'”

And when our readers are looking to find a future name for their 8th born child, they most often turned to the selections at both Wild River Brewing Company (595 NE E) and Subway Sandwiches (with three locations in Grants Pass), followed by:

• Millie’s
• Circle J Café
• Quizno’s
• Pita Pit
• Rosso’s Delicatessen

BEST FISH & CHIPS

This dish contains fish, which are high in all those good omega 3’s. Although 99% of the population have no idea what that means, they’ve heard Dr. Oz talk about it on TV as something beneficial to your heart, so it must be good. Deep fried chips aren’t great for the ol’ arteries, but at least it all evens out, right?

Where to go for great fish & chips. Topping this category was the Laughing Clam, located at 121 SW G Street.

Others high on the list were:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Wild River
• Elmer’s
• Goldminer Restaurant

FAVORITE BARISTA (COFFEE SERVER)

You’re standing in line at your favorite coffeehouse and the Valley Girl in front of you is talking on the phone to … like … whomever! She finally makes it to the front of the line, puts her phone away and stares at the menu board for two minutes trying to figure out what she wants. Your only thought: “Why is murder illegal?” The barista feels your pain, moves the girl along, and gets you back focused on the important things in life, i.e., caffeine!

Quite a few baristas were named in this survey, including this year’s winner Chad Sweeley at the Dutch Brothers main store downtown.

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Caffeine is only part of the equation when it comes to popular coffeehouses. It’s also a social scene, where friends, relatives, colleagues and minor acquaintances meet to discuss the important issues of the day, like who will be the next person voted off Survivor.

Taking down the top spot in this category was once again Dutch Brothers, located at the corner of 6th & D.

It was actually fairly close this year as Rogue Coffee Roasters, Bluestone Bakery and Human Bean all have their followers.

Others mentioned were:

• Jumpin’ Bean
• The new Starbucks

RESTAURANT WITH BEST OUTDOOR SEATING

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy; fish are jumpin’ and the outdoor patio is fine … or something like that. All I know is when it’s hot outside, there’s nothing like sitting on the patio at your favorite restaurant and enjoying the great outdoors.

This category ended in an almost statistical dead heat as both Taprock Northwest Grill and River’s Edge scored well with our readers.

The list also included:

• Galice Resort
• Morrison’s Lodge
• Summer Jo’s
• R-Haus
• O.K. Corral
• El Paraiso
• Grants Pass Golf Club

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE GRANTS PASS

I heard that there’s talk of an Amtrak passenger train providing service from Eugene to Oregon. If that’s true, it would certainly make local travel a little more fun and exciting. You could get on a train and visit all of your favorite out-of-town restaurants, including:

• Bella Union in Jacksonville
• Morrison’s Lodge outside Galice
• Olive Garden in Medford
• Red Robin in Medford
• The Jacksonville Inn
• Porter’s in Medford
• The O.K. Corral
• Galice Resort
• Bambu in Medford

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ROCK/BLUES CONCERT IN GRANTS PASS LAST YEAR

A number of concerts were named by our readers, but the number one choice was Funktional Fusion, a 10-piece funk/soul band, which made quite a few local appearances last year.

BEST “CLASSICAL” CONCERT LAST YEAR

Classical music goes all the way back to Pythagoras, who in 485 BC created a tuning system and helped to codify musical notation. Here we are 2500 years later and still enjoying the interplay of different musical instruments, which provide variations on the same notes.

Still a favorite with our readers are the 6-7 concerts provided by the Rogue Valley Symphony every year, under the direction of Martin Majkut. Many people specifically mentioned the concert in November with Chas Barnard on cello.

Also receiving votes were:

• The Siskiyou Singers’ “Night at the Opera” concert
• Jefferson Baroque Orchestra
• Three River Chorale; Kate Campbell, director

FAVORITE CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL LAST YEAR

The Britt Festival celebrated its 50th season this year as “the Pacific Northwest’s premier outdoor summer performing arts festival.” Whether you have reserved seating in front or choice spots on the grassy knoll, the experience keeps thousands of people returning every year.

Landing at the top of the list with our readers this year was an appearance by The Avett Brothers, a rock band from Concord, North Carolina.

The list of favorites also included:

• Smokey Robinson
• Spearhead
• Natalie Merchant
• Chris Botti

FAVORITE CONCERT IN THE PARK

Every Tuesday night during the summer in Riverside Park, the Chamber of Commerce and some dedicated sponsors host “Concerts in the Park,” with musical entertainment ranging from Big Band music to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll.

Strumming their way to our readers’ hearts last year was The Boomer Band, which rocked everyone out in 2011 during the “Back to the 50s Celebration.”

Also mentioned were:

• Funktional Fusion
• Reggae band Indubious at the end of June this year

MOST FUN PLACE FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART NIGHT

It’s turned into one of the most fun social events on the Grants Pass calendar, as hundreds of people gather in downtown Grants Pass on the First Friday of every month to enjoy art, music, refreshments and conversation. And who knows, maybe it brings a small appreciation of art to some of the many teenagers who “hang out” there during the festivities.

Topping this category once again was the Grants Pass Museum of Art on G Street, followed by:

• FireHouse Gallery
• All along G Street
• Rogue Roasters
• Glass Forge
• Elegance
• Laughing Clam

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST

Quite a few local artists were mentioned by our readers, including this year’s winner, Donna Walsh, who also recently won “Best of Show” in the professional division at the Josephine County Art Fair. Donna’s paintings “have become known as authentically perfect around the country and have helped her to be noted as a celebrity painter.”

The list also featured:

• Janet Higgins
• Janet Gogue
• Del Hearn
• Vickie Killian
• Gene Rimmer, photographer

FAVORITE “BEAR” DOWNTOWN

Every summer for the last ten years, Brady Adams and Evergreen Federal Bank display some of their most popular public artworks, from eagles and doors to Independence Shield Monuments. Probably the most popular, though, are the bears, in which local artists creatively decorate their ursine buddies in a variety of costumes.

This summer was no exception, and the most popular bear according to our readers was Carmen Bearanda, complete with a fruit basket on her head.

Other ferocious bears were:

• Berry Potter
• Charlotte’s Web’s “Some Kind of Bear.”
• Pirate bear
• Picasso bear

FAVORITE CITY OR COUNTY PARK

There’s a reason why practically every city in the world has parks, from New York’s Central Park to L.A.’s Griffith Park—they provide a refuge from the hustle-bustle of everyday life and are a source of beauty in an increasingly concrete jungle. Plus they can be a source of recreation and meditation.

In Grants Pass, where city residents ensure that parks are included in the budget, the overwhelming favorite is Riverside Park. The All Sports Park, which was built by volunteers, came in a close second.

The county, however, is a different story, as the current budget crisis has slashed the park’s budget entirely, letting them twist slowly in the wind while the residents enjoy by far the lowest tax rate in the entire state of Oregon. Increased fees and minimal maintenance have kept many of them open, and the favorite with our readers is Indian Mary Park on the way to Galice, followed by:

• Tom Pearce Park
• Cathedral Hills
• Griffin Park
• Merlin Community Park

BEST SPORTING EVENT IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY LAST YEAR

We don’t have anything as exciting as Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, but who needs to see Joey Chestnut eat 68 hot dogs and buns anyway? Our readers were more interested in the horse races at Grants Pass Downs, which came in first place.

The list also included:

• The Boatnik Race
• GPHS football
• Adult flag football
• Girls softball tourney at the Boatnik

BEST PLACE TO GET A “WORKOUT”

Everything I’ve read about how to stay healthy and free of disease includes exercise as part of the program. So getting a workout is not just to help you keep the weight off; it’s also important for a healthy heart and as a deterrent to cancer, diabetes, and a whole host of other ugly things.

Where to go to get a workout? The majority picked Club Northwest, located on NW Vine St., followed by:

• Grants Pass Family YMCA
• Knockout Fitness
• Anytime Fitness
• Curves for Women
• The Zoo Health Club
• Walking at the All Sports Park

BEST PLACE TO GO DANCING

From Wikipedia: “Dancing was designed by the forces of natural selection as a potent tool to put groups of human ancestors in a battle trance, a specific altered state of consciousness.” That may be a little far-fetched, although some of the moves, e.g. “the bump,” I witnessed in discos back in the 70s certainly reminded me of Civil War battlefields.

When it comes to finding that inner battle trance, our readers most often named the friendly confines of the G Street Bar & Grill.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Herb’s Shenanigans
• Zumba at Club Northwest
• Concerts in the Park
• J.D.’s
• Cedarwood Saloon
• Black, White & the Blues
• Grants Pass Community Center
• The Eagles’ Lodge

BEST THING ABOUT “BACK TO THE 50s”

It’s a 3-day nostalgia festival sponsored every July by the Towne Center Association, and it has become extremely popular with locals and out-of-towners alike. Especially popular are the classic cars and the Saturday night cruise. Also on the list are:

• Musical entertainment
• The street dance
• Karaoke contest
• The sidewalk sales

FAVORITE THING ABOUT HELLGATE JETBOAT EXCURSIONS

In 1978 I hitchhiked into Grants Pass from Denver to visit some old college buddies, who’d opened a restaurant in town in 1975 (the Bistro) and bought a property twelve miles outside town on the river. They dubbed the property the O.K. Corral after their last names (Obremski and Kochis). The day I arrived (June 4) they informed me that they’d converted their guest house into a restaurant serving dinner as part of the jetboat excursions out of Grants Pass.

That night was the premiere opening of the O.K. Corral, and it has grown in size and popularity ever year since. Our readers definitely appreciate the dinner at the O.K. Corral but what they most love about the Hellgate trip is the boat ride and the drivers.

Especially popular are 360° spins that the drivers execute on the way back. Stopping in Hellgate Canyon is also on the list.

BEST PLAY LAST YEAR

There were actually more plays locally than you’d think, as I counted ten of them. And that doesn’t include the offerings by the Old Time Radio Players or any of the high school productions.

Envelope please for “Best Play Last Year” … and the winner is …The Great American Trailer Park Musical by the Barnstormers, which entertained full houses last spring.

Others in the running were:

• Singin’ in the Rain by Rogue Music Theatre
• Steel Magnolias by the Barnstormers
• The Nutcracker by Stillpoint Dance Studio
• Cinderella – Enchanted by One Eleven Theatre Company
• Crimes of the Heart by the Barnstormers
• Sound of Music by GPHS Theatre Arts Department
• The Winter Variety Show by the Old Time Radio Players

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (MALE)

For one of the few times in the 26-year history of this readers’ survey, an actor came away with back-to-back victories, as Kent Prickett was honored for his role in the Barnstormers’ An Enemy of the People.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Frankie Lane in the Barnstormers’ The Great American Trail Park Musical
• Adam Cuppy in RMT’s Singin’ in the Rain
• David Mannix in the Barnstormers’ The Delicate Balance
• Sig Dekany in the Barnstormers’ An Enemy of the People

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

On the female side of the ledger, the most recognition went to Trivia Drevets for her work in the Barnstormers’ Moon over Buffalo.

She was followed by:

• Julia Cuppy for RMT’s Singin’ in the Rain
• Lynn Beach in the Barnstormers’ The Delicate Balance
• Charlsie Lane in the Barnstormers’ the Great American Trailer Park Musical
• Angela Padilla for the Barnstormers’ Steel Magnolias

BEST DIRECTOR (LOCAL THEATER)

Every production contains the personal stamp of its director, and everyone appreciates the time and energy he or she devotes to every performance.

And in that regard our readers most often mentioned Daniel Grossbard for his work on RMT’s summer 2011 production of Singin’ in the Rain.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Penny King for Stillpoint’s The Nutcracker and for the Barnstormers’ The Great American Trailer Park Musical
• Russ Lloyd for the Barnstormers’ The Delicate Balance
• Nancy Ryan for the Barnstormers’ Steel Magnolias

BEST PLAY IN ASHLAND THIS YEAR

It’s world renowned, and every year thousands of tourists descend on Ashland to take part in the magic. Sneak Preview readers are no exception, and as far as this season is concerned, they are most impressed with Animal Crackers, a comedic take-off on the Marx Brothers.

Also popular is Romeo and Juliet.

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/SINGER

What would we do without music? It would certainly make life a lot more boring and routine. Can you image going to a football game or a parade without music? Or watching a movie? Or driving in the car? Or … oh well, you get the picture.

Our readers were able to name quite a few local musicians, and strumming his way to the top was Mike Brons, a guitar instructor at RCC who also plays gigs around town at the Twisted Cork and other venues.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Megan Sdudstad of Funktional Fusion
• Kristy Lee Cook
• Jenny Skudstad
• Mike Smith
• John Trujillo of Col. Mustard
• Joe Gomez

BEST LOCAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND

Rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay, and they built this city on rock ‘n’ roll. What more can you say? Rockin’ and rollin’ their way into our hearts was local band Col. Mustard, which plays regularly at the G Street Bar & Grill.

Also receiving lots of votes were:

• Hot Gossip
• Funktional Fusion
• River City Rhythm & Blues
• Lizard Mafia
• 100 Watt Mind

BEST JAZZ BAND IN THE VALLEY

My dad was a jazz aficionado, but mainly the Big Band variety. I grew up hearing Benny Goodman, Louie Armstrong and Artie Shaw, and how my dad claimed to have “discovered” Bing Crosby.

Locally, our readers named the Oregon Little Big Band as their favorite, and my dad would probably concur.

They were followed by:

• The Mixers
• RCC Jazz Band
• So. Ore. Jazz Orchestra

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

When you want to get out of the house and actually feel as if you’ve gone somewhere and done something, catching live music at a local nightclub is the perfect assignment.

Once again taking down the number one spot is the “G” Street Bar & Grill, followed by:

• Laughing Clam
• Herb’s Shenanigans
• JD’s Sports Pub
• Cedarwood Tavern
• Eagles Lodge

BEST PART OF THE 2012 BOATNIK FESTIVAL

No one can accuse the Active Club of sitting on their hands, letting other people do the work, and putting everything off to the last second. With a festival the size of the Boatnik, you have to start working on the next one the day the other one ends. So, from all us … good job, guys!

It’s no surprise that the Boatnik Parade won the hearts of the majority of our readers. The event has a little bit of something for everyone.

Also high on their lists were:

• The jet boat races
• Jet flyover
• The fireworks
• Beer and wine festival
• The V.I.P. tent
• Softball tourney

BAR WITH BEST SELECTION OF MIXED DRINKS

Sometimes you want something with a little more pizzazz and cachet than just a gin and tonic or a bourbon and water. Creatively is the key here, and in that regard our readers most often mentioned the selections at Blondie’s Bistro and Taprock Northwest Grill.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Hong Kong
• G Street Bar & Grill
• Laughing Clam
• Wonder Bur
• 115 Broiler

BAR WITH BEST SELECTION OF MICROBREW BEERS

The good old days when all you could get was Budweiser and Schlitz actually weren’t that good. Not that those beers were bad, but it’s just more fun when you have a lot of choices. Microbrewed beers have become such a science that you can now find varieties to fill almost every mood and taste.

And when it comes to having a great selection of microbrewed beers, our readers gave the nod to both the Laughing Clam and Wild River Brewing Co., followed by:

• JD’s
• Joe’s Bar & Grill
• Taprock Northwest Grill

BAR WITH FRIENDLIEST BARTENDERS

You want a bartender with good jokes like this one: A Chihuahua, Doberman and Bulldog are in a bar when a great-looking female Collie comes in and says, “Whoever can best say liver and cheese in a sentence can go on a date with me.” The Doberman says, “I love liver and cheese.” The collie replies, “That’s not good enough.” So the Bulldog says, “I hate liver and cheese.” She says, “That’s not creative enough.” Finally the Chihuahua says, “Liver alone … cheese mine.”

And when our readers wanted friendly bartenders with good jokes, it ended in a 3-way tie between The Cedarwood Saloon, JD’s Sports Pub & Grill, and the Wonder Bur.

Also high on the list were:

• Taprock
• G Street Bar & Grill
• Blondie’s
• Laughing Clam
• H Street Eatery
• Joe’s Bar & Grill

BEST BAR TO WATCH SPORTS ON TV

The Olympics is over, but we now have the baseball playoffs, college football and the NFL coming up (Fantasy Football here we come). Where to go when you want to root your favorite team onto victory? This was pretty close, but in the end, Joe’s Bar & Grill edged out JDs Sports Bar & Grill.

Also mentioned were:

• Wild River
• Applebee’s

FAVORITE PART OF THE GROWERS MARKET

It’s one of the oldest growers’ markets in southern Oregon, and it’s a veritable social scene every Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm behind the Post Office. This category received a lot of attention from our readers, and apparently everyone has an opinion. There’s no denying that the selection of fresh organic produce and all the people are important, but when we break the market down into individual entities, it turned out like this:

• The bread
• Rosie’s wood-fired pizzas
• Breakfast burritos
• Tamales by Maria
• The mushroom guy
• The donuts
• Marti Fate
• The fact that there are no dogs allowed

FAVORITE PART OF THE COUNTY FAIR

This year’s event was a huge success, but it happened after our readers filled out their ballots. They have great memories, however, of last year’s event, and they singled out all the music, including Starship and Marty Stuart.

• Also high on the list were:
• The Monster Trucks
• All of the animals
• The exhibits
• The Art Fair
• The photography exhibit
• The petting zoo
• The food

BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A SUNDAY DRIVE

Yes, the price of gas may be hovering around $4 a gallon, but surely there’s some comfort knowing that the price is $8.17 in London and $9.63 in Turkey. Where to go when you want to spend $8-$15 on a short drive through the countryside? Many of our readers picked the Applegate Valley as their number one destination, followed by:

• The Coast
• Galice
• Crater Lake
• Onion Mountain
• Jacksonville
• Ashland

BEST PLACE TO GO GAMBLING

Yeah, I know, the best strategy to use when gambling is to not bet. The house definitely has the edge, but you never know when you might hit the big one. And if you consider your losses as entertainment, it’s not that all bad … unless you bet the mortgage on the house, then it becomes bad (and stupid).

Taking this category in a runaway was Seven Feathers, which is a mere 35 miles north on the Interstate.

Also mentioned were:

• Las Vegas
• Reno
• The Mill Indian Casino
• Smith River Indian Casino
• Purple Parrot
• The horse races at Grants Pass Downs

* * * * *

Wow … 144 categories complete. I am now going to step out into the sunlight after three straight days in this basement office. I feel like Count Dracula. See everyone in 2013. If you have any suggestions for new entries next year, write to me at sneakpre@mind.net. —C.H.

VIEW THE 2011 BEST OF GRANTS PAsS

2011 Best of Grants Pass

I had to go through last year’s issues of the Sneak Preview to see exactly what happened in the placid, little town of Grants Pass.

The election in November produced a new County Commissioner (Simon Hare) and retained the incumbent sheriff (Gil Gilbertson). Since then, County Commissioner Dwight Ellis resigned to find a more placid (there’s that word again) lifestyle, leaving the remaining two commissioners (Hare and Sandi Cassanelli) to find a replacement. When that ended up in useless bickering, Ellis has again ridden to the rescue and agreed to take part in the process.

In February, the City Council voted to allow a cell tower in a residential neighborhood, forcing the Peaceful Pink People to appeal to the State.

In March the State Elections Division upheld a decision that City Manager Laurel Samson violated some “rules” during the 2009 public safety election. The headline of my story was “much ado about nothing,” and I stand by that opinion.

In May the City astounded everyone with a proposal for a sales tax in Grants Pass. Yeah, good luck on that one. And in June, we wrote about possible contaminants in the Rogue River due to the removal of Gold Ray Dam.

All in all, a fairly exciting year. No earthquakes or tsunamis … just your run-of-the-mill craziness in Josephine County. Which is why I want everyone to relax, take a deep breath, and enjoy this 25th running of the “Best of the Rogue Valley.”

We received 318 ballots this year, and we want to thank everyone for taking the time fill them out. Granted, this type of survey is not totally accurate and is subject to a certain amount of ballot stuffing, but all of that is taken into consideration by our team of professional ballot counters. The results are as close to reality as we can get in an imperfect world, and they also achieve an important goal—recognizing and naming as many individuals, businesses and organizations in the community as we can. And that’s a good thing.

But enough of the rhetoric and on with the show … the 2011 “Best of the Rogue Valley.”

DEMOGRAPHICS

We asked the question, “Ducks, Beavers or Others,” figuring it would provide some kind of hint as to what kind of people answered this survey. The results were 54% Ducks, 29% Beavers, and 17% “Others,” with the Raiders gaining the most “other” votes.

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 the Rogue Valley, we keep our haranguing on the radio to a minimum, which is why our readers once again gave their voice of approval to KAJO and KLDR, owned and operated by the Wilson family. They were awarded 37% of the votes, with Jefferson Public Radio coming in third with 19%.
Other favorites included:

• KBOY: 9%
• KDOV: 6%
• KRWQ: 6%
• KISS-FM: 5%
• KRRM: 4%
• 102.7 “The Drive”: 4%
• KROG: 3%
• KZZE: 2%
• KCNA: 2%
• All others: 3%

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 KAJOs Carl Wilson, who has won this event five times in the last 25 years. There ain’t an alien alive that would dare mess with ol’ Carl. We don’t call him “the Rock” for nothing … so thanks for saving humanity, dude.
Other deejay stalwarts featured:

• Jeanette Stark of KLDR.
• Don Matthews of JPR.
• Jason Allen of KRWQ.
• Cassie Callas of KLDR.
• Gemineye at KISS-FM.

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) continues to impress viewers with their coverage of the news.
KOBI/Channel 5 and KTVL (Channel 10) also received their fair share of votes.

FAVORITE TV SPORTS REPORTER

The local guys don’t get to cover the perp walks of Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, but they’re on the scene when our local high school teams make a run for the state championship. And seriously, isn’t that more interesting, anyway?
Topping the list for 2011 was Joe Camarlinghi of KOBI, who’s been with Channel 5 since 2007.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Chris Leone of KDRV.
• Chris Breece, who does weekend sports for KDRV.

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE DAILY COURIER

According to Wikipedia, the local daily started in 1885 as the Grant’s Pass Courier, then became the Rogue River Courier from 1886 until 1919. It was changed to its current nomenclature “to avoid confusion after the town of Woodville changed its name to Rogue River.”
Today, it is the second oldest, continuously running newspaper in the entire state of Oregon, and our readers appreciate their efforts, naming quite a few reporters. Topping the list was Zach Urness, a sports reporter who also writes “Zach’s Adventures,” taking readers to outdoor destinations in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Natural resources reporter Jeff Duewel.
• City editor Kevin Widdison.
• County reporter Stacy Stumbo.
• Entertainment editor Edith Decker.
• Police/courts reporter Shaun Hall.
• City reporter Jim Moore.
• Lifelines reporter Kathleen Alaks.
• News editor Patricia Snyder.

BEST ADS IN THE SNEAK PREVIEW

Whenever we ask the question “Favorite part of the Sneak Preview?” there are “x” number of people who invariably answer, “The ads.” So here’s your chance to single out your favorites for recognition. While the overwhelming choice was “coupon ads for restaurants,” we were actually looking for something a little more specific.
Taking down top honors in this category was the back page ad for Roe Motors, written by Ross Roe and laid out by yours truly. Ross and I have been collaborating on that back page spread for the last 24 years, and I suppose I should buy him lunch one day.
Also receiving their fair share of votes were:

• The ads for Martin Printing.
• Club Northwest ads.
• The Barnstormers’ ads.
• The ads for Wildlife Images.
• The Evergreen Federal ad with the bear on a motorcycle.
• The Kitchen Company ads.

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 for 2011 was Sleadd’s Adventure Depot, a “toy and hobby shop” at 420 SW 6th where you can find slot cars, train sets, remote-control helicopters, nerf guns, Lego sets and more.
Five different restaurants were also mentioned, which included:

• Black Bear Diner.
• Hannah’s Restaurant.
• Yogurt Hut.
• Chik-n-Ribs.
• Pita Pit.

MOST COMMUNITY-INVOLVED BUSINESSPERSON

This was an interesting category, as Grants Pass is home to an extraordinary number of businesspeople who devote themselves to the betterment of this community. Two of those are Cliff Bennett and his son Travis who get up every morning at 5:00 to water and plant fifty flower baskets scattered throughout downtown Grants Pass. The Bennetts have provided this beautification program to local residents for the last ten years and should be honored for it.
Others included:

• Brady Adams of Evergreen Federal.
• Ross Roe and Steve Roe at Roe Motors GM.
• Dave Thomason of Taprock and Elmer’s.
• Giff Gates of Gates Furniture.
• Rick Chapman of Plaza Sewing.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER (GRANTS PASS)

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. At GPHS, that list would include Marty Zottola, who teaches Advanced Humanities, college writing and English.
Also high on the list were:

• Teri Houghton, English.
• Kate Skudstad, Theater.
• Shaun Gross, Math.
• Bob Gulden, English and Journalism.
• Andy Frye, History.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER (JOSEPHINE COUNTY)

On the county side of the high school ledger, our readers most often named Sherry Zottola, a language arts and drama teacher at Hidden Valley, followed by:

• Greg Patch, science at North Valley.
• James Speelman, agriculture at HVHS.
• Robert Jackson, PE/Heath at Hidden Valley.
• Stuart Burgess, social studies, HVHS.

FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS COACH

Whether they win the state championship or come in last in their league is irrelevant to the real task: teaching kids to play together as a team and exhibit good sportsmanship. And in that regard our readers named Marlo Manzanares, the swimming coach at GPHS, as number one.
The list also featured:

• John Musser, GPHS football.
• Christy Pitts, GPHS Royalettes.
• Todd Willaman, North Valley football coach.
• Bill Cowell, GPHS basketball.
• Frank Pagni, GPHS bowling.

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 Ernie Baldwin, principal of Grants Pass High School, followed by:

• Ryan Thompson, Allendale Elementary.
• George Personius, Highland.
• Dennis Misner, Hidden Valley High School.
• René Cardiff, South Middle School.
• Jessica Durant, Manzanita Elementary.

FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR AT RCC

 Rogue Community College could easily be the best value for higher education in the entire state. With two campuses in Grants Pass and Medford, and a partnership with Southern Oregon University, not to mention a dedicated faculty, you can’t ask for much more.
And when it comes to dedicated faculty, our readers named quite a few, including this year’s winner Lutz Kramer, a Humanities instructor who also won this award back in 1993.
Others landing near the top were:

• Bobbi Kidder in theater.
• Midge Shaw in the Tutoring Center.
• Pete Ridgeway in the Automotive Department.
• Kate Campbell in music.
• John Salinas, science.

CUTEST BABY BORN IN LAST YEAR

We received an extraordinary number of submissions for this category, and in the end our team of pediatric professionals chose Calum Yarrish as number one. See all their photos on the front page for the complete list.

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.
All of the local dentists were mentioned by our readers at least once in this category, with the final nod going to Greg Bigelow, who is a 4-time winner of this event, dating back to 1988.
It was a tough battle for the top, and the Top Five were:

• Steven Rogers.
• Richard Miller.
• Matt Johnston.
• Mart Erickson.
• Also mentioned a lot were:
• Tyler Wright.
• Tim Dwyer.
• Peter Pastrell.
• Dan GaRey.
• Sara Riechers.

FAVORITE DOCTOR

You could have all the money in the world, live in a beautiful mansion, own expensive cars, and have your own private golf course in the backyard, but if you ain’t feeling well, it’s all for naught. You might as well be holed up in a compound in Pakistan, hiding from Navy Seals.
Visiting your family doctor and learning how to stay healthy is extremely important. Thirty-two different doctors were mentioned by our readers, with number one going to Dan Gleffe, a family practitioner who graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1984.
Others high on the list were:

• Steve Marshak, pediatrician.
• Tamara Medley at the Women’s Health Center.
• Heather Kahn, family practitioner.
• Lorene Hamilton, M.D.
• Derrick Sorweide, D.O.
• Bernie Hill, M.D.
• Edmund Glovinsky, D.O.
• Felicia Cohen, OB/GYN.

FAVORITE OPTOMETRIST/OPTICIAN

Your eyes are basically an extension of your brain, so it semi-behooves you to treat them right. Not staring into the sun right before a solar eclipse should be at the top of the list, and visiting an eye doctor or optometrist every year or two would be a close second.
Who to see (no pun intended)? Our readers most often mentioned Michael W. Schwartz, O.D., although the battle at the top was an eye-opener. They included:

• Mark Maffett, M.D., P.C., of Cascade EyeCare Center.
• Scott Walters, O.D., of the Eye Care Group.
• Dennis Kantor, O.D., of Exclusive Eyewear.
• Russell Leavitt, M.D., P.C., of Cascade.
• Kenji Hamada, O.D.

FAVORITE NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR/ACUPUNCTURIST

Surgery and a lifelong addiction to pharmaceutical drugs are not always the best solution 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 naturopathic medicine, they most often turned to Ellen Heinitz of the Naturopathic Medical Clinic, followed by:

• Kristin Plunkett.
• Stephanie Hansen Love.
• Acupuncture is another alternative to relieving symptoms and maintaining health. Our readers were most impressed with the work of Greg Doss of the Acupuncture and Herbal Medical Center and Janet Moret of River of Wellness. Also mentioned a lot were:
• Ráven Sárá of the Acupuncture & Herb Clinic.
• Deborah Lang of River of Wellness.
• Lisa Berger of Shen Ming.
• Ellen Leonard of Acupuncture at Riverside.
• Paula Edwards at the Naturopathic Medical Clinic.
• Kim Bibeau of Kaizen Healing Arts.

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, Sabina Hillman, of Body Evolution Massage, followed by:

• Charlotte Sperisen.
• Jocelyn Vodovoz.
• Sheri Vorberg.
• Cara Brown.
• Suzanne Rosa of Cloud 9 Massage.

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? In this popular category, 38 different hair stylists were named, so the competition was tough. It also turned out to be extremely close, so the award goes to the Top Three: Linda Whalen of Action Hair Designs; Kari Heglin of Shear Pleasure; and Carrol Oyler of  Carrol’s Image Connection.
The Top Ten featured:

• Gary Poulton.
• Traci Brown of Personal Touch.
• Jackie Simonsen of Spa at Club Northwest.
• Peggy Hayes of Cinderella Beauty Salon.
• Kelly Horban of Endulgence.
• Holly Riley.
• Richard Elling of Park Avenue Salon.

BEST PLACE TO GET FACIALS/SKIN CARE TREATMENT

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 in 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 to facials? The majority said The Spa at Club Northwest, although quite a few were mentioned, including:

• AesthetiSpa.
• La Bella Faccia.
• Ambiance.
• En Vogue.
• Skin Rejuvenation.
• Avenue Salon.

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 Tom’s Auto Service getting the number one nod. It was extremely close at the top, however, and the Top Five were:

• Extreme Auto Repair.
• Huck’s Garage.
• Star Automotive.
• Towne Center Auto Repair.
• Others high on the list were:
• Bridge Street Auto Repair.
• Roe Motors GM.
• Auto Smith.
• Jim Sigel Chevrolet.
• Mock’s Ford.
• Henderson’s.

FAVORITE AUTO BODY SHOP

In 1985 I finally bought my first new car, and two months later an idiot dinged it in a parking lot. I went and had the door repainted, but the color didn’t match. I had to endure a mis-matched door for the next eight years because I was too cheap to have it done right.
Where to go in order to do that? This one ended up in a tie between Apland’s Auto Body (2163 Spaulding) and DJ’s Bump & Paint at 3235 SW G, followed by:

• Ham’s Auto Body.
• Mock Ford.
• Roe Motors GM.
• Valles Auto Body.

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 the Rogue Valley, and our readers appreciate all the hard work that car salesmen put in. Topping the list for 2011 was Kevin Newins of Wheeler Toyota.
The Top Five included:

• Fred Shepherd at Roe Motors.
• Lon McKellar of Quality Cars.
• Mike Reese of Glenn Reese Auto Sales North.
• Scott Gigstad at Mock’s Ford.
• Joe Bouquet at Roe Motors.

FAVORITE CPA/ACCOUNTANT

Have you ever seen a college textbook on Accounting? It’s about as thick as a New York City phonebook and details all the mistakes people can make when they try to do their taxes and bookkeeping by themselves.
Where to go if you flunked Accounting 101? This one ended in a tie between Ken Behymer (237 SE J) and Cynthia Harelson (318 NW A), followed by:

• Randy Jentzsch.
• Bobbie Winters.
• David Raskin.
• Kathleen Kelly.

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

Okay, did you hear about the new sushi bar that caters exclusively to lawyers? It’s called “Sosumi.” Or did you hear about the terrorists who took a whole courtroom full of lawyers hostage? The threatened to release one every hour until their demands were met.
Seriously, though, we love our attorneys, especially when they’re there to bail us out of bad situations. The lawyer jokes always refer to the other guy’s lawyer.
Twenty-five different attorneys were mentioned in this survey, with the top spot going to Richard Lane, followed by:

• Ben Freudenberg.
• Chris Mecca.
• Pat Kelly.
• Dennis James.
• Matt Galli.
• Dan Simcoe.
• Bill Ransom.
• Jason Hayward.

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 21 different police officers were mentioned, including this year’s winner, Officer Pete Jenista of Grants Pass Public Safety. Others mentioned a lot were:

• GP Officer Mike Miner.
• Sheriff Gil Gilbertson.
• GP Officer Kevin Blaich.
• GP Community Service Officer Lyle Brown.
• Jo Co Officer Ernie Fields.
• GP Officer Scott Hyde.
• K-9 officer Jeff Gaunt.

FAVORITE MUSIC INSTRUCTOR

From the mating calls of crickets to the piano concertos of Chopin, music has been soothing souls since the beginning of time. Where to go when you want to join the music? Our readers were most often impressed with the work of Laura Boldon, who is the Orchestra Music Director at Grants Pass High School.
Also receiving lots of votes were:

• Paul Hendershott, guitar.
• Joann Pilcher.
• Larry Cavalier.

FAVORITE DANCE INSTRUCTOR

In lieu of dancing the Hayden Tango my entire life, I’m tempted to take at least one dance lesson to learn some basic steps. Dance, however, comes in all sizes and shapes, and our readers were most impressed with the work of Penny King at Stillpoint Dance Studio.
Filling out the list were:

• Kristen de Bellis of All That Jazz.
• Nancy Gordon.
• Lori Cangilose.
• Chris, a Zumba teacher at Curves.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

Grants Pass has had a renaissance in restaurants over the last ten years, and we can thank a strong cadre of dedicated restaurant owners for that. Fifteen different people were mentioned in this category, with the top spot going to Tim and Sandra Mock at Aja (which is now located at 2030 NW Vine) and Cucina Mista (where Aja used to be at 118 NW E).
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Bob and Darla Feil at Train Depot.
• Gwen and Tawni Hendricks of The Vine.
• Dave Thomason of Taprock and Elmer’s.
• Chris Parker at Herb’s LaCasita.
• Keturah Alger at Laughing Clam.
• Bret Musselman of 115 Broiler.
• Stephanie Jones of Circle J.

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 25 different waitstaff as their favorite. Taking down the top nod was Debbie Kelly at Herb’s LaCasita, followed by:

• Melissa Carnes at Train Depot.
• Marci Fenton at The Vine.
• Dotti Kochis at 115 Broiler.
• Debbie Hamblin at the Powderhorn.
• Karen Brown at Elmer’s.
• Shelly Chapman at the Mediterranean Bar & Grill.
• Joe Gomez of G Street Bar & Grill.

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 Marty Thomas of Blondie’s pulled out the win.
Other popular bartenders are:

• Willie Evans of the Wonder Bur.
• Kari Musselman of 115 Broiler.
• Bob Lewis of The Cedarwood.

FAVORITE CHEF

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 both Justin Gibson of 115 Broiler and Dennis Hanson of Taprock Northwest Grill.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Sandy Mock at Aja.
• Gordon Pitts at The Vine.
• Bruno Jappert of Morrison’s Lodge.

CUTEST PET

It was a tough decision this year, but Bonnie (the dog) and Cosette (the cat), belonging to the Drevets family,  were named “cutest pets” by our expert panel of judges, followed by:

• Turbo the dog.
• Fluffy the dog.
• Hunter the cat.
• Stevie the cat.
• Bly the dog.

FAVORITE NUTRITION COUNSELOR

Staying healthy, or even recovering from an illness, can be as simple as eating the right things. Where do our readers recommend we go to get the right advice? Number one on their list was Danielle Wirkkala of “the new well,” a weight loss and wellness center at Club Northwest.
Also receiving their fair share of votes as “Favorite Nutrition Counselor” were:

• Rob Pell at Sunshine Natural Foods.
• Ray Spencer at The Herb Shop.
• Diane Seehawer.
• Cynthia O’Dell.

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 most often turned to Jack Sutters of All American City Landscaping, followed by:

• René Paré of Mountain View Landscaping.
• Randy Furtado.
• Grow’s Landscape Maintenance.
• Ted Smith of Fall River Landscaping.

FAVORITE CARPET CLEANERS

Your daughter gave you a puppy for Christmas, and it took over two months to train the darling little animal not to do its thing on the carpet. Now that he knows to scratch at the door when nature calls, who do you call to have the carpets cleaned? Taking down the number one spot in the category was Al’s Carpet Cleaning & Restoration.
They were followed closely in the balloting by:

• Kleen-Masters.
• K&L Chem Dry.
• All Pro Carpet Cleaning.
• Stanley Steemer.
• American Carpet Cleaning.

FAVORITE HOUSE CLEANERS

Yeah, that party you threw at the house for all your buddies from work was fun, but now you have to get the house clean before your significant other gets back from that seminar. Who to call? Our readers were able to name a few, including the number one choice, Peggy Best of Helping Hands.
Others on the list included:

• Miracle Workers.
• The Cleaning Crew.
• Molly’s Cleaning Service.
• Southern Oregon Cleaning Services.

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

There’s talk of creating a “plaza” in downtown Grants Pass, and while it sounds like a good idea, I’m not sure of the logistics. Where would they place it? G Street would be the most obvious choice since that is the historic “downtown,” but how would it work? This may require a little more thought.
In the meantime, our readers mentioned 27 stores downtown that they thought were doing a good job. Winning this category again was The Kitchen Company, which recently moved across the street to 301 SE 6th.
The Top Ten were:

• Never a Bum Steer.
• Grants Pass Pharmacy.
• Gates Furniture.
• Shop River Rock.
• Listen Here Music.
• Primrose Lane.
• Blind George’s.
• La Bella Casa.
• Tierra del Sol.
• Savannah Faire.

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

Okay, Fred Meyer’s, Wal-Mart and Bi-Mart all got their share of votes, but we were looking for the smaller, more intimate stores that reflect the community. Winning that category was Emilia’s Closet, located at 1545 NE F in Parkway Village.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Rogue River Florist.
• The Dollar Store.
• Bath Thyme.
• Fashion Bug.
• Judy’s Florist & Gifts.
• Dan’l Boone’s Trading Post.
• Jan’s Hallmark Store.
• Probst Flower Shop.
• JC Penney’s.
• Roley’s Pacific Supply.

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 once again turned their attention to the selection at Hellgate’s River Rock Gift Shop, located at 966 SW 6th Street.
The list also included:

• Never a Bum Steer.
• Savannah Faire.
• Jan’s Hallmark.
• Real Deals.
• Elegance.
• Tierra del Sol.
• Grants Pass Pharmacy.
• Oregon Store.

BEST STORE TO SHOP FOR MOTHER’S DAY

If it’s something you want to buy for Mom, our readers most often turned to both The Kitchen Company and Grants Pass Pharmacy, with River Rock and Savannah Faire not far behind.

TOY STORE WITH MOST UNIQUE GIFTS

While toys are a great way to keep kids occupied, they’re also meant to help teach them how the world works. From Legos to Barbie dolls, they’re a microcosm of the real world.
While a lot of readers mentioned Wal-Mart and Toys R Us in the survey, the most support was shown for Cat & the Fiddle, located at the corner of 5th and G, and Sleadd’s Adventure Depot at 420 SW 6th,

BEST PLACE TO BUY FURNITURE FOR YARD/GARDEN

An ideal yard/garden would be an extension of the house, complete with chairs, tables, pottery, statuaries, the works. Where to go when you want to properly outfit that extra “room?” Many people picked Fred Meyer’s in this category, followed by:

• Diamond Home Improvement.
• Chet’s Garden Center.
• Gates Furniture.
• Wal-Mart.
• Chris Hart Studio.
• Redwood Nursery.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLAT SCREEN TVs

Those big, ol’ hunker TV sets may be a thing of the past. We just bought a flat screen TV, and I carried it with one hand. To replace the old one required two people to safely lift it. Technology is a wonderful thing, especially on backs.
Anyway, the votes were spread out fairly evenly on this category between four different stores:

• Wal-Mart.
• Photo Den.
• Fred Meyer’s.
• CostCo.

BEST PLACE TO BUY STUFF FOR SWIMMING POOL/SPA

Ah, nothing like jumping in the pool on a hot summer day … and relaxing in the spa late at night to soothe those aching bones. And when our readers wanted to make sure the pool/spa were in tip-top shape, they chose the friendly confines of both Jerry’s Pool/Spa (555 NE F) and Paradise Pool & Spa Supplies at 1578 NE 7th.
Others mentioned were:

• Action Pools & Spas.
• Wal-Mart.
• Grants Pass Pool Service & Sales.
• Fred Meyer’s.

BEST STORAGE UNITS

The ability of the average human being to collect “stuff” knows no bounds. Once the attic, garage, basement and off-shore safe deposit boxes are filled up, we’re forced to turn to storage units. And trust me, it doesn’t take long.
When and if that day happens, our readers had few suggestions, starting with Parkway Mini Storage, a state-of-the-art facility located at 1100 SE Milbank Road.
The list also featured:

• Lee’s Mini Storage.
• Mill Street Mini Storage.
• Booth Street Self Storage.
• A+ Mini Storage.
• Foothill Mini Storage.

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, starting with Emilia’s Closet and Fred Meyer’s, and followed by:

• JC Penney’s.
• Fashion Bug.
• Tierra del sol.
• Ross Store.
• Van Olpton’s Boutique.
• Goodwill Store.

BEST SELECTION OF MEN’S CLOTHES

If there’s a Lady Gaga, where’s Mr. Gaga? And what does he wear, an outfit with the heads of golf clubs glued to it?
Anyway, when it comes to men’s clothes, our readers most often chose Fred Meyer’s, with the rest of the votes spread out evenly between:

• JC Penney’s.
• Wal-Mart.
• Ross Store.
• Roley’s Pacific Supply.
• Goodwill.

BEST PLACE TO BUY SHOES

The first time a caveman wrapped a piece of mastodon leather around his feet, a huge technological leap occurred in the history of mankind. Today, we now obsess over our shoes (just ask Imelda Marcos), and luckily our readers can direct you to two stores downtown which are right next to each other: Norris Shoes at 133 SW G, and Never a Bum Steer at 125 SW G.
The list also included:

• Famous Footwear.
• Fred Meyer’s.
• Van Olpton’s.
• Shoes Right Here.
• Wal-Mart.

BEST PLACE TO BUY EARRINGS

Jewelry is the spice of life, and earrings are a perfect accent, almost like bookends to the unique human face. And where to go for those perfect bookends? Our readers were able to name 15 different places, starting with Hart Jewelers downtown.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• King Jewelers.
• Never a Bum Steer.
• JC Penny’s.
• Rue 21.
• Fashion Bug.
• Bead Merchant.
• Shop River Rock.

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 accomplishments that we have taken the best and brightest from the plant kingdom and turned them into beautiful bouquets.
Showing their appreciation, our readers voted Judy’s Grants Pass Florist & Gifts as their favorite this year. The votes were, however, very close, and they included:

• Rogue River Florist.
• Probst Flower Shop.
• Chet’s Garden & Pet Center.
• Albertson’s

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS/SHRUBS FOR THE 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 Chet’s Garden Center at 229 SW “H” Street, which also offers expert advice and follow-up service.
The list included:

• Greenleaf Greenhouse.
• Murphy Country Nursery.
• The Grange Co-Op.
• Fred Meyer’s.
• Redwood Nursery.
• Diamond Home Improvement.
• Bi-Mart.
• Sandy’s Nursery.

BEST PLACE TO GET FAMILY NEWSLETTER PRINTED

Sure, you can just slap something together and have a hundred copies made of your annual family newsletter, but what fun is that? You need a printer who can help you find graphics, maybe assist in laying it out, and then printing it up on full-color glossy paper. Now we’re talkin’!
And in that regard, our readers picked both Martin’s Design & Print Studio (111 SE G) and Ray’s Printshop (405 Union Avenue) as their favorites.
They were followed by:

• Apple Press.
• MacGraphically Yours.
• Logan Design.
• Staples.

GROCERY STORE WITH FRIENDLIEST CHECKERS

Grocery shopping is actually a social event, as you will regularly run into friends and acquaintances, exchanging hugs and war stories in the aisles. The checkers are like the emcees, keeping everything running smoothly and making sure there are no party crashers.
Who do our readers think have the friendliest checkers? The competition was tough among the top four, with Safeway eking out a win, followed by:

• Albertson’s.
• Fred Meyer’s.
• Ray’s Food Place.
• Grocery Outlet.
• Gooseberries.
• Bridge Street Market.

BEST PLACE TO BUY/RENT SCUBA EQUIPMENT

Put on the scuba equipment and head to the bottom of the ocean, and you are literally in another world. It is almost an out-of-the-body experience, and our readers appreciate the efforts of both Coral Sea Scuba and Sundance Divers, which received all the votes in this category.

BEST PLACE TO BUY “STUFF” FOR THE KITCHEN

Yes, you could sit and watch the Food Channel all day and fantasize about becoming an Iron Chef … or you could just go out and stock your kitchen with all the “stuff” necessary to make that happen. And according to our readers, the best place to start would be The Kitchen Company, located downtown at 212 SW 6th, which overwhelmingly won this event again.
Others on the list were:

• Wal-Mart.
• Fred Meyer’s.

BEST PLACE TO BUY HERBS/SUPPLEMENTS

If you want to stay healthy the natural way, I would recommend researching all the available literature for the best combination of herbs and supplements for your particular body type and lifestyle. My favorite is drdavidwilliams.com.
Where to go locally? Most readers mentioned The Herb Shop at the corner of 5th & G, with Sunshine Natural Foods at 128 SW H as their favorites.
Also included were:

• Farmer’s Market.
• Fred Meyer’s.
• the new well.

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR BOAT SERVICED

Whether out fishing or just relaxing on the lake, your boat can quickly become your best friend. What to do you when your little buddy is ailing? A lot of people called Lewis Enterprises at 214 NE Hillcrest, where Boatnik legend Jeff Lewis runs the show, and Rogue River Boat Shop at 1815 SW Bridge Street.

FAVORITE GAS STATION

It wasn’t shocking to me to learn that the reason for the recent high gas prices is because speculators back in New York have been driving the price up. I mean, these are the same kind of people who caused the housing bubble/crash, and as long as they can make some quick short term profit, they couldn’t care less what happens to the rest of us.
Whew! It was good to get that off my chest. Now I think I’ll go fill up the car. Where would our readers recommend? The top choice this year was the station at Fred Meyer’s, just off the GP Parkway.
The list also featured:

• Albertson’s.
• The ARCO Station at 7th & “M.”
• Larry Henderson’s “A” Street Chevron.
• Fairgrounds Shell.
• Lonnie’s Shell.
• Chevron Station on Redwood Highway.

FAVORITE STORE IN MEDFORD/ASHLAND

Yes, Virginia, sometimes it is good to get out of good ol’ Grants Pass 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? For the tenth year in a row, the runaway winner of this event was CostCo, followed by:

• Macy’s at the Mall.
• Target.
• Barnes & Noble in Medford.
• Lowe’s in Medford.
• Paddington Station in Ashland.
• Kohl’s in the Mall.
• Deja Vu in Ashland.

POLITICS

FAVORITE CITY COUNCILOR

This is always a fun category because at almost every meeting the eight City Councilors stick their necks out and take stands on local issues that they feel are important. Like society at large, there is rarely a unanimous decision, and that is a good thing.
It was also good to see that all eight councilor received votes in this category, and we will list the top four here:

• Kris Wodburn.
• Dan DeYoung.
• Richard Michelon.
• Rick Riker.

FAVORITE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

Dwight Ellis certainly threw county government a curveball when he decided to announce his early retirement a couple of months ago. Out of fairness, he removed himself from the debate on whom to replace him, but after the other two commissioners, Simon Hare and Sandi Cassanelli, couldn’t agree on a candidate, he volunteered to help out. It only makes sense. Who better to decide what candidate would best represent his views than Ellis himself?
Amazingly, this category ended in an exact tie between Dwight Ellis and Simon Hare. Even more amazing … former commissioner Dave Toler garnered more votes than Sandi Cassanelli.

MOST EFFICIENT CITY OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

Government employees have been taking a beating in the media lately, but seriously, they’re there to do jobs that we hired them for, and they take it very seriously. So cut them some slack!
This year, our readers with most impressed with the efforts of the Grants Pass Public Safety Department, which is responsible for both police and fire. They were followed by:

• Parks Department.
• Water Department.
• Community Development.
• Administration.

MOST EFFICIENT OFFICE/DEPARTMENT IN COUNTY

On the County side of the ledger, the ballots ended up in a tie between the Sheriff’s Office, which has to operate under a greatly reduced budget, and the County Clerk, which runs the local elections very efficiently.
Others mentioned were:

• Public Health.
• Parks Department.
• Planning.
• Public Works
• The Library, which actually is now run by a nonprofit group, was also recognized.

A VERY UNSCIENTIFIC POLITICAL POLL

Ah … my favorite part of the Best of the Rogue Valley. Being a political animal and having worked for a market research company in Denver for 14 years, I always find these answers fascinating. So let’s get it on …

1. 1. Do you support a specialized sales tax in Grants Pass? This idea was broached by staff last winter after the City Council asked them to find permanent funding for the Department of Public Safety. Unfortunately, it is so riddled with loopholes, restrictions and exceptions that not a whole lot of people took it seriously, our readers included.
   Yes, good idea: 11%
   No, bad idea: 89%

2. Should the cell tower in northwest Grants Pass have been approved? This also came to the City Council last winter, as AT&T wanted to put a 90-foot cell tower in a field off Hawthorne Street directly across from a residential neighborhood. The local residents naturally complained, but to no avail as the City Council approved the siting. The case is being appealed to LUBA, but apparently not everyone in town agrees with the neighbors.
   Yes, it should have been approved: 61%
   No, it should not have: 39%

3. Should people who disrupt public meetings be asked to leave? You’d think in a civilized society, this wouldn’t have to be asked, but some people just don’t know how to be civil. I’d name names, but I’m pretty sure you know who you are.
   Yes, they should be asked to leave: 86%
   No, they should not: 14%

4. Are the County Commissioners doing a good job? There’s a lot of turmoil right now surrounding a replacement for retiring Dwight Ellis, but have the commissioners been generally taking care of business? Our readers had mixed feelings.
   Yes, doing a good job: 52%
   No, they’re not: 48%

Patience is one of those virtues that every loyal reader of the Sneak Preview learns to cultivate at least once a year. It’s been a long five weeks since Part I of the “Best of the Rogue Valley” was published, and we’re glad to report that everyone waited patiently and there were no incidents of rioting or looting in Josephine County (as opposed to what happened when “The Best of London” came out a little late).
But enough of this long-winded introduction. Let’s move onto the real stuff—Part II of the “Best of the Rogue Valley,” featuring restaurants and entertainment. As always, multiple ties will be awarded in any category where the votes had a difference of five or less at the top.

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

As opposed to last year when only three new restaurants popped up in Josephine County, this year there were EIGHT! Who said there was a recession, anyway? I think the media is just making it all up.
Taking down the top spot for 2011 was an exact tie between Hannah’s Restaurant, featuring authentic Southern cooking at the corner of 5th & H; and Black Bear Diner, which opened at 1900 NW 6th Street, right near the Caveman Statue.
Coming in a close third was Chik-n-Rib, located at 407 NE 7th, followed by:

• Cucina Mista (118 NW E), Sandy and Tim Mock’s Italian Restaurant located where Aja used to be.
• Papa’s Smokin’ BBQ (1720 Redwood Avenue).
• Four Seasons at 122 K Street.
• Pita Pit (330 NE Beacon).
• Cowboy Camp Café, located at 221 SW G.

BEST PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS FOR BREAKFAST

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? This year was a 3-way tie between the Powderhorn Café at 321 NE 6th; Elmer’s Restaurant (175 NE Agness), and Black Bear Diner.
It was a vicious battle for the top, however, and other popular restaurants included:

• Train Depot, located at 577 NE F.
• The Gold Miner Restaurant at 786 SE 7th.
• Taprock Northwest Grill (971 SE 6th).
• Shari’s, at 190 NE Agness.
• The Black Forest, at 820 NE E.
• Tee Time, at 117 SE H.
• Herb’s LaCasita, at 515 SE Rogue River Highway.
• Della’s, located at 1802 NW 6th.

BEST PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS FOR LUNCH

This was probably the most popular category in the restaurant section of this survey, as 34 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 2011 was Taprock Northwest Grill at 971 SE 6th, which has attracted quite a loyal lunch following in the last two years.
I’ll admit that the Top Five were very close, and they included:

• The Train Depot.
• Circle J Café (located at 241 SW “G).
• Rosso’s Delicatessen at 225 SE 6th.
• Wild River Brewing & Pizza Company, at 595 NE “E.”
• Others featured a lot were:
• Black Bear Diner.
• Della’s.
• Elmer’s.
• The Powderhorn Café.
• Laughing Clam, at 121 SE “G.”
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill at 219 SW G.

BEST STEAK & EGGS

They say you’re supposed to load up on protein at breakfast. If that’s really the case, then steak & eggs is the perfect meal. And in that regard, our readers named both Train Depot and Black Bear Diner as their favorites.
Coming in a close third was Elmer’s, followed by:

• Herb’s LaCasita.
• Tee Time.
• Shari’s.
• Gold Miner’s Restaurant.
• Powderhorn Café.

BEST REUBEN SANDWICH

At chef school, they actually give degrees in Reubenology, because this isn’t just any ordinary pastrami sandwich … it’s a Reuben.
Which restaurant went to the top of the class this year with regard to this sandwich? Most of our readers saved their accolades for both 115 Broiler, located at 117 NE D Street; and Circle J Café.
Other top Rueben sandwiches included:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Rosso’s.
• Applebee’s.
• Bluestone Bakery at corner of 6th and D.

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 the Rogue Valley have a great selection to choose from. Ending in a tie for first were Aja, at 2030 NW Vine; Taprock Northwest Grill (971 SE 6th); and 115 Broiler, at 115 NW D.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• The Vine, located at 1610 Allen Creek Road.
• Summer Jo’s, at 2315 Upper River Road Loop.
• Laughing Clam.
• R-Haus, located at 2140 Rogue River Highway.
• Blondie’s Bistro (226 SW G).
• Hannah’s Restaurant.

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 both The Vine (1610 Allen Creek Road) and Summer Jo’s 2315 Upper River Road Loop) as their number one choice.
Blondie’s Bistro, at 226 SW G, was also mentioned a lot, followed by:

• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• Rosso’s.
• Hannah’s.
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill.

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 both The Vine and Hannah’s Restaurant as being particularly romantic.

• The Top Nine were actually pretty close, and they included:
• Summer Jo’s.
• 115 Broiler.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• Aja.
• R-Haus.
• Blondie’s.
• Morrison’s Lodge, located at 8500 Galice Road.

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 115 Broiler, located at 115 NW D, as their number one choice, followed by:

• Applebee’s.
• Blondie’s Bistro.
• R- Haus.
• Sizzler.
• Train Depot.
• Rogue Riviera (outside Gold Hill).

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 both Aja and the Laughing Clam, at 121 SW G, as their favorites.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• 115 Broiler.
• Summer Jo’s.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• The Vine.
• Hannah’s.
• R-Haus.

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 both The Vine, in the Allen Creek Shopping Center; and Cucina Mista at 118 NE D, as their favorites.
Other favorite pasta providers were:

• The Bistro, at 1214 NW 6th.
• Rosso’s.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• The Train Depot.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• 115 Broiler.
• Applebee’s.
• Summer Jo’s.

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 Rosso’s Delicatessen at 225 SE 6th as their favorite, followed by:

• Circle J Café.
• Train Depot.
• Blondie’s.
• Taprock.
• Summer Jo’s.
• Shari’s.
• Elmer’s.
• Bluestone Bakery.

BEST CHICKEN DISHES ON MENU

My daughter got up this morning and complained that someone ate all the eggs, so I simply went out to the chicken coop and collected four of them. Having chickens comes in handy at times. I also showed the eggs to our dog, Brody, and said, “Some pets pull their weight around this house.” He felt guilty, then went out and retrieved the morning paper for me. Now we’re talkin’, boy!
Where to go when you’re hungry for a really great chicken dish? Topping the charts this year was a tie between Applebee’s and Taprock Northwest Grill.
They were followed by:

• Rosso’s.
• Hannah’s.
• The Vine.
• Summer Jo’s.
• Aja.

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

It’s a slice of Mexico City every time you walk into a Mexican restaurant here in the Rogue Valley. 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, and winning this category was Casa Amiga, located at 1720 Redwood Avenue.
Coming in a close second was Si Casa Flores at 202 Beacon Drive, with Taqueria Mexico (137 SE H), placing third.
The list also included:

• El Patron (799 Rogue River Highway).
• Tacos Locos in the Allen Creek Shopping Center.
• La Burrita, at 941 SE 7th.
• El Paraiso, located at 201 E. Park Street.
• Angela’s Hacienda, which recently reopened at 111 NE Hillcrest.
• Kalypsso Latin Cuisine, at 775 SE 6th.
• Las Fajitas, in Parkway Village.

BEST CHILE RELLENOS

This is a dish that originated in the city of Puebla, which is also famous for being the site of the battle on Cinco de Mayo, 1862, when the Mexican army kicked butt on the French. You take a roasted pepper (Poblano, Anaheim, pasilla or jalapeño) and stuff it with all kinds of interesting things, and voilà (excuse my French), the end result is exquisite.
Where to go for great chile rellenos? Our readers most often named Si Casa Flores and Casa Amiga, followed by:

• Taqueira Mexico.
• El Paraiso.
• El Patron.
• La Burrita.

BEST MARGARITAS

A lot of Mexican bartenders try to take credit for this cocktail, but it probably got its start as the “Daisy” during Prohibition in the U.S. The drink was remade with tequila instead of brandy. Margarita, by the way, is Spanish for the word “daisy.”
Where to go for that perfect daisy? Our readers once again were most impressed with the margaritas at Si Casa Flores, although quite a few people raved about the concoctions at Angela’s Hacienda, which has returned to the scene after a few years off.
Other favorites include:

• Taqueira Mexico.
• Casa Amiga.
• La Burrita.
• El Paraiso.
• Las Fajitas.
• Herb’s LaCasita.

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, the Rogue Valley has seen a proliferation of outstanding Asian restaurants, covering the full spectrum of choices.
Taking down the number one spot this year was the triumvirate of Pongsri’s, a Thai restaurant in its new location at 323 NE E; Hunan Garden, located in the Grants Pass Shopping Center; and Hong Kong, at 820 NW 6th.
Other favorites included:

• Matsukaze, located at 1675 NE 7th.
• Thai BBQ at 428 SW 6th.
• Musashi Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine, located at 314 SE H.
• Royal Barge, at 120 SW H.
• Sunflower Thai Cuisine (1571 NE 6th).
• China Buffet, at 144 SE 7th.
• Four Seasons at 122 SE K.
• Aja (2030 NW Vine).
• A Taste of China (211 NE A).
• China Hut (1434 NW 6th).
• Shiki Sushi Bar, at 125 SE G.

BEST THAI DISHES

When you break it down into restaurants that cater to Thai cuisine, this ended in a tie between Thai BBQ and Pongsri’s, although I am happy to report that Royal Barge and Sunflower also have a huge cadre of loyal and happy followers.

BEST JAPANESE DISHES

I’m still mad at Japan for beating our women’s soccer team in the World Cup last month, but how can you stay mad at a country that just suffered a devastating earthquake, tsunami, and the breakdown of a nuclear power plant? You can’t, so you go, Japan!
Here in the Rogue Valley, our readers definitely love their Japanese-style restaurants, once again naming Matzukaze as their favorite, followed by:

• Musashi.
• Shiki’s.
• Aja.

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Poor Italy. It’s one of the most beautiful and fun countries in the world, and they have a president who controls most of the newspapers and TV stations and who messes around with underage girls. I mean, at least Monica was 24-years-old, dude.
We all love our Italian restaurants, however, and in this category our readers named The Vine as their number one favorite. This category was actually very close between the Top Five, which included:

• The Bistro.
• Cucina Mista.
• Rosso’s Delicatessen.
• Olive Garden in Medford.

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 the Rogue Valley, our pizza guys don’t get that crazy, but they do make some mean pizza. Topping the charts this year was Abby’s Legendary Pizza (in the Williams Plaza and on NE Beacon), although the competition was pretty tough between the top four, which included:

• Papa Murphy’s (1011 NE 7th and 263 Rogue River Hwy).
• Wild River Brewing Co., located at 595 NE E.
• Circle J Café.
• Others mentioned a lot were:
• Papa John’s, located at 107 SW 4th.
• The Bistro.
• The Vine.
• Figaro’s.
• Domino’s.
• Baldini’s in Merlin.

BEST BUFFET/SALAD BAR

Sometimes looking over a menu can be stressful. The names and descriptions all seem to blend together in your left brain, and what you need is to see what you’re going to be eating. That’s where a buffet and salad bar comes in handy … by going straight to the source.
For our readers, this category once again ended as a tie between J.J. North’s, located at 1150 NE E in the Grants Pass Shopping Center, and Sizzler, at 1871 NE 7th.
Also mentioned a lot were China Buffet and Abby’s Pizza.

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 the Rogue Valley offer vegetarian dishes to complement their omnivorous menu, with Blondie’s Bistro and The Vine receiving a lot of attention from our readers.
Also mentioned were Abu’s Oasis Deli, located at 1330 NW 6th Street; and Sunshine Natural Foods at 128 SW H, followed by:

• Circle J Café.
• Thai BBQ.
• Rosso’s.
• Pongsri’s.

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? This one ended up as a tie between Black Bear Diner on the north end, and Wild River on F Street.
The list also included:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• JJ North’s.
• Sizzler.
• Elmer’s.
• Train Depot.
• Della’s.

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 Chik-n-Rib, which recently opened at 405 NE 7th. They were followed by:

• Papa’s Smokehouse on Redwood Avenue.
• Hannah’s Restaurant.
• Leo’s BBQ.
• Train Depot.

RESTAURANT WITH MOST EXOTIC MENU

It’s always fun to step outside the box and create a menu with a little more flair, something that you don’t find everywhere. And in that regard, our readers were most impressed with the selection at Hannah’s Restaurant, with its concentration on authentic Southern cooking; and the Mediterranean Bar & Grill, with offerings from southern Europe.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Aja’s.
• Abu’s Oasis Deli.
• Musashi.
• Hunan Garden.
• China Buffet.
• Kalypsso.
• Blondie’s.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

I grew up in a family with nine kids, and we all ate dinner around a huge table. Somehow, my mom always had a dessert ready for us every night, and how she never got nominated for sainthood is beyond me.
Our readers would certainly like to nominate some local restaurants for desserthood, including this year’s winner, the Powderhorn Café at 321 NE 6th, where their award-winning pies are all the rage.
Others high on the list were:

• Blondie’s Bistro.
• Black Forest.
• 115 Broiler.
• Shari’s.
• Hannah’s.
• Chocolate Affair.

BEST PLACE TO BUY PASTRIES

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 the Fourth Street Deli & Bakery, located at 200 NW 4th Street. They were followed by:

• Bluestone Bakery and Café.
• Chocolate Affair.
• Shari’s.
• The Donut Shop.
• Saturday Grower’s Market.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST APPETIZERS

Instead of just making a decision off the huge entrée 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.
And when it comes to great appetizers, our readers most often chose the selection at Applebee’s, located at 250 NE Agness Avenue. The list also included:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill.
• Aja.
• Laughing Clam.
• Blondie’s Bistro.
• 115 Broiler.
• Hannah’s.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.

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 the new Yogurt Hut, which opened a few months ago at 162 NE Beacon.
The list also included:

• Baskin-Robbins at 300 Union Avenue.
• Dairy Queen.
• Blind George’s.
• Grants Pass Pharmacy.

RESTAURANT WITH FRIENDLIEST WAITSTAFF

It’s an unenviable assignment, trying to keep everyone happy during every second they’re in the restaurant, but our ever-friendly waitstaff are up for the occasion. Thirty-five different restaurants were mentioned in this survey, which is a testament to how friendly they are.
Topping the list for 2011 were the friendly folks at the Train Depot, who narrowly edged out Taprock Northwest Grill in this year’s balloting.
They were followed by:

• The Vine.
• 115 Broiler.
• Circle J Café.
• Powderhorn.
• Laughing Clam.
• Elmer’s.
• Aja.
• Herb’s.

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 2011 was both Carl’s Jr., at 6th & Hillcrest and Terry Lane & the Parkway, and Casablanca Coffee & Grill at 686 Union Ave.
The Top Five included:

• Jimmy’s Drive-In.
• Jack in the Box.
• Arby’s.

Others receiving a lot of votes were:

• Burger King
• Taco Bell.
• Dairy Queen.
• Carl’s Jr.
• Sonic Drive-In.
• McDonald’s.
• Wendy’s.

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 the Pita Pit, located at 330 NE Beacon, follwed by: on G Street, followed by:

• Circle J Café
• Subway Sandwiches.
• Quizno’s.
• Millie’s.
• The Vine.
• Rosso’s Delicatessen.
• Wild River.

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 Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, located at 515 NW E, which was once again voted “Best Burgers,” followed by:

• Carl’s Jr.
• Burger King.
• Wild River Brewing Co.
• Jack in the Box.
• Wonder Bur Café.
• Dairy Queen.
• Wendy’s.
• Sonic Drive-In.
• McDonald’s.

BEST FRENCH FRIES

When stationed in Germany in the army, my buddies and I used to go to Heidelberg and walk the Hauptstrasse, which was almost a mile-long pedestrian-oriented street jammed with tourists and students. We were semi-poor G.I.s, so I practically lived on pom frites, which is what the Germans called French fries. That diet probably did wonders to my G.I., but it was a lot of fun!
Where to go when I want to relive the good old days in Germany? Most readers steered me to the “sweet potato fries” at Circle J Café, located at 241 SW G.
Others garnering a lot of votes from local G.I.s were:

• Wild River Brewing Co.
• Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In.
• Dairy Queen.
• Carl’s Jr.
• McDonald’s.
• Wendy’s.

BEST WINERY/BEST PLACE TO GO WINE TASTING

These were actually two different categories until we realized that they overlapped each other. So we combined all the results into one grand overall category, and the winner was Troon Vineyard, located at 1475 Kubli Road in the Applegate Valley.
Also landing at the top of the list were:

• Schmidt Family Vineyards in the Applegate Valley.
• Bridgeview Winery in Cave Junction.
• Elegance Wine Shop in downtown Grants Pass.
• Rosella’s Vineyard in the Applegate Valley.
• Wooldridge Creek Winery in the Applegate Valley.
• Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill.
• Oregon Outpost in downtown Grants Pass.

BEST FAMILY-OPERATED RESTAURANT

When I was in grade school, my best friend’s family owned a bar and grill with an apartment above, where they lived. While my 10-year-old buddy didn’t go down and serve drinks or wait on tables, I always thought it was kind of neat that the family all chipped in toward the success of the business.
Winning this category for 2011 was the Powderhorn Restaurant at the corner of 6th and E, where Kathy, Tina and the crew still keep the family spirit alive.
Others in the mix were:

• Hannah’s Restaurant.
• Train Depot.
• The Vine.
• 115 Broiler.
• Aja.
• Si Casa Flores.
• Matsukaze.

FAVORITE BARISTA (COFFEE SERVER)

It’s amazing how friendly and upbeat every barista I’ve ever met is. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they have access to caffeine on a minute’s notice! That would make anyone happy.
Anyway, a number of baristas were named in this category, including this year’s winner, Nicole from Rogue Coffee Roasters.

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Twenty-five years ago, when the Sneak Preview first started, there were exactly zero coffee stands in Grants Pass. 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 during that time, and we can thank our local coffee purveyors for that.
Who do our readers first want to thank when it comes to coffee? Once again they voted Dutch Brothers, who opened 23 years ago, as their favorite.
Coming in second was Rogue Coffee Roasters, followed by:

• Bluestone Bakery.
• Human Bean.
• Ethereal Café.
• Copper Barrel.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST OUTDOOR SEATING

My wife and I have an outdoor patio where we enjoy dinner every night during the summer, so I understand the motivation behind everyone who answered this question. There’s nothing more fun than communing with nature and enjoying lunch or dinner.
And when it comes to that, Taprock Northwest Grill, with its wrap-around deck overlooking the river, Riverside Park and the Caveman Bridge, won this category going away.
Other outstanding outdoor seating areas included:

• Summer Jo’s.
• R-Haus.
• Galice Resort.
• O.K. Corral.

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE GRANTS PASS

As a great American once said: “Sometimes in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to get the hell out of Dodge and visit restaurants outside Grants Pass. 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 the Olive Garden and McGrath’s in Medford, although Morrison’s Lodge outside Galice came in a close third.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• The Jacksonville Inn.
• Porter’s in Medford.
• The Galice Resort.
• Bella Union in Jacksonville.
• The Roadhouse Grill in Medford.
• Peerless Restaurant in Ashland.

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ROCK/BLUES CONCERT IN GRANTS PASS LAST YEAR

Taking down the number one spot in this category was folk-rock singer/songwriter Marc Cohn, who made an appearance at the Rogue Theatre. Cohn is best known for his song “Walking in Memphis” from his 1991 album Marc Cohn.

BEST “CLASSICAL” CONCERT LAST YEAR

Many of the Rogue Valley Symphony concerts, under the direction of Martin Majkut, were named by our readers. Topping the list was the February concert featuring soloist Elinor Frey on cello.
Also mentioned a lot was the Jefferson Baroque Orchestra concert in November, “A Special Evening of Antonio Vivaldi,” with John Taylor on mandolin,

FAVORITE CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL

Our readers love the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, and they named quite a few performances, including this year’s favorite, Michael Franti and Spearhead.
Others mentioned a lot were Alison Kraus and Styx.

FAVORITE CONCERT IN THE PARK

Local funk/soul band Funktional Fusion won this category, followed by the Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra.

MOST FUN PLACE FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART NIGHT

You don’t have to have a degree in art to appreciate the First Friday Art Night. Many of the events offer food, refreshments and entertainment, and often the artist is there to explain some of the finer details of his or her work. All in all, it’s one big social event that introduces everyone to the scintillating and colorful world of art.
According to our readers, a good place to start (or end) the evening is the Grants Pass Museum of Art on G Street, which won this event for 2011. Also mentioned a lot were:

• Elegance.
• Kitchen Company.
• All along G Street.
• FireHouse Gallery.
• Laughing Clam.
• Glass Forge.

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST

Taking down the top spot in this category was Del Hearn, who also won in 2005. Del specializes in alykd oil paintings, and he has lived in the Rogue Valley since 1971.
The list also included:

• Janet Higgins.
• Julie Bickle.
• Janet Gogue
• Jeff Gogue.
• Judith Spahn.

FAVORITE PART OF THE “BEAR HOTEL”

Brady Adams’s Evergreen Federal Bank is famous for its displays of public art, including all the various Bear Fests that have adorned downtown Grants Pass over the last ten years. The “hotel,” which has been designated as a museum by the City of Grants Pass, serves artists, nonprofits and bank customers, while housing event displays. It is open for public tours by appointment and open tours during events.
Most popular with our readers was the Christmas on Mars display, followed by:

• All the bears.
• The murals.
• Finding Bigfoot.
• The tee-pee.
• The Wild Bunch bears on motorcycles.
• Winterfest.

FAVORITE ANIMAL AT WILDLIFE IMAGES

It’s one of the most famous wildlife rehabilitation and education centers in the country, established by J. David Siddon and his son Dave in 1981 on 24 acres twelve miles west of Grants Pass. Their passion is to rehabilitate and return injured wildlife back to their homes in the wild, and over the last the last thirty years they have released 35,000 animals back to their natural habitat.
The center is open to visitors year round, rain or shine, with 90-minute tours available. Many of our readers have obviously taken that tour because almost all of the animals at Wildlife Images were mentioned. The winners were Clark and Katrina, two adorable cougars that are permanent residents of the facility.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Lakota and Tundra, two grey wolves.
• The eagles.
• The five black bears and two grizzlies.
• The otters.
• The owls.

BEST SPORTING EVENT IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY LAST YEAR

Who needs the Super Bowl or World Cup when equally exciting sporting events take place locally on an almost daily basis? Topping the list in this category was the run that the Hidden Valley Volleyball Team made in the state tournament. Coach Dan Jackson guided them to a third place finish at the state tournament, chalking up a 27-2 record.
Other exciting events included:

• The Boatnik Race.
• Horse racing at Grants Pass Downs.
• GPHS football.
• Kinder soccer.

FAVORITE JETBOAT DRIVER AT HELLGATE EXCURSIONS

They know the Rogue River like the back of their hands, they’re on a first-name basis with practically every osprey, beaver and otter in the Valley, they know all the latest jokes, and they can execute flawless 360° wheelies with the greatest of ease. By the time you’re done with the trip, the boat driver has practically become your best friend. And when it comes to that, driver Derek Kellenbeck was voted this year’s favorite.
Others included:

• Donnie Brent.
• Beau Dunson.
• Craig Lawless.
• Rick Olsen.

BEST FITNESS CLUB

You could have all the money in the world and live in the nicest house on the planet with all the toys you ever wanted, but if you don’t have your health, it’s all meaningless. The best way to ensure that is to watch what you eat, stay away from cigarettes, try not to get stressed out … and exercise at least 4-5 times a week. I realize that’s easier said than done, but there are quite a few fitness clubs in the area that are willing to help you start.
Winning this category for the umpteenth time in a row was Club Northwest, located on NW Vine Street, where they have programs and exercise regimens for people of all levels. Grants Pass Family YMCA also received a lot of votes, as did Thrive, Anytime Fitness, and Curves for Women.

BEST BARNSTORMERS’ PLAY LAST YEAR

They’ll be celebrating their 60th year in 2012 and they are officially the oldest, continuously running community theater in the state of Oregon. Last season was a particularly exciting one, and our readers were most impressed with the production of Chicago, a musical that takes place in the Roaring 20s.
Others high on the list were:

• On Golden Pond.
• Scapino.
• A Child’s Christmas in Wales.

BEST OLD TIME RADIO PLAYERS’ SKIT LAST YEAR

Every two months the “Players” reenact a radio show from the 1930s-40s, complete with creative sound effects and the requisite melodrama/humor. Topping the charts this year as favorite skit was last February’s “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet: Buying a Valentine.”
Coming in second was “My Friend Irma.”

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

Rogue Music Theatre featured Annie Get Your Gun in August 2010, and our readers didn’t forget the effort turned in by Jocelyn Vodovocz as Annie. Jocelyn was also recognized for her work in the Barnstormers’ production of the musical Chicago.
Other top female roles included:

• Geneva Hughes in the Barnstormers’ On Golden Pond.
• Lynn Beach in the Barnstormers’ Look Homeward Angel.
• Janeen McGinnis in the Barnstomers’ I Hate Hamlet and Noises Off.
• Julia Cuppy as Dorothy in RMT’s The Wizard of Oz.
• Ella Sachs as Clara in Stillpoint’s The Nutcracker.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (MALE)

The Barnstormers presented an unforgettable performance of On Golden Pond last fall, and Kent Prickett was recognized as number one by our readers for his role as Norman Thayer.
Other great performance included:

• Heath Koerschgen for his role as Butler in Rogue Music Theatre’s Annie Get Your Gun.
• Eric Epstein in the Barnstormers’ Scapino.    
• Adam Cuppy in RMT’s Wizard of Oz.
• John Stuart  in the Barnstormers’ Look Homeward Angel.
• Colin Hewitt in the Barnstormers’ A Child’s Christmas in Wales.
• Adam Gross in 111 Evelyn’s Peter Pan.

BEST DIRECTOR (LOCAL THEATER)

The competition was tough for this one, but Russell Lloyd ended on top with his work on the Barnstormers Scapino.
Also mentioned were:

• Tricia Drevets for the Barnstormers’ On Golden Pond.
• Burt Eikelberry for the Barnstormers’ Look Homeward Angel.
• Shane Skinner for RMT’s Annie Get Your Gun.
• Susan Cohen for the Barnstormers’ Noises Off.

BEST PLAY IN ASHLAND THIS YEAR

There was a collective groan heard throughout southern Oregon when the Angus Bowmer Theatre at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland cracked a beam in June and had to be shut down for six weeks. The Festival brings in $170 million a year to the southern Oregon economy, and the last thing we needed was for our bread and butter to suffer. The Festival responded by erecting a 600-seat tent theater in Lithia Park, and the show definitely went on.
As far as this season is concerned, our readers are most impressed with To Kill a Mockingbird.
Others included:

• The Language Archive.
• August: Osage County.

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/SINGER

Whether they’re kickin’ out the jams with rock ‘n’ roll or waltzing away with classical tunes, local musicians entertain us on a daily basis with their talents and creativity. A number of them were named by our readers, including this year’s winner Jen Ambrose, who plays a “stylistic blending of folk, blues and world music.”
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Megan Sdudstad of Funktional Fusion.
• John Trujillo.
• Dave Vestyns.
• Charles Wright.
• Mike Smith.
• Kristy Lee Cook.

BEST LOCAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND

They’re actually more of a funk/soul band, but Funktional Fusion won this category for 2011, followed by:

• River City Rhythm & Blues.
• Jen Ambrose Band.
• Broadway Phil & the Shouters.
• Mr. J.

BEST PLACE TO HEAR KARAOKE

A karaoke bar is the ultimate definition of spontaneous fun as total strangers get up before a crowd and start singing to background music while words to the song scroll across the screen.
Where to go when you want to have some go ol’ karaoke fun? Most people mentioned Shenanigans (at Herb’s LaCasita), which has karaoke Friday through Wednesday nights, followed by JD’s Sports Pub & Deli.

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

The scene for live music in Grants Pass 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 the “G” Street Bar & Grill, followed by:

• Laughing Clam.
• JD’s Sports Pub.
• Cedarwood Tavern.

BEST ENTRY IN THE 2011 BOATNIK PARADE

It’s probably the biggest parade in all of southern Oregon, and if you’re not there watching it, then you’re probably a part of it. Topping the list for the 2011 event was the entry by Dutch Brothers.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Wildlife Images.
• St. Anne’s Church.
• Grants Pass High School Marching Band.
• The YMCA.
• Three Rivers Community Hospital.
• South Middle School Marching Band.

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS AFTER WORK

Blue collar, white collar, or any color in between, once 5:00 rolls around you’re ready to PAR-TAY! Or at least hang out at the bar and talk about what a doofus your boss is.
Where do people most like to meet after work? The top two choices with our readers were the Laughing Clam and Blondie’s Bistro, which are across the street from each other on G Street.
The Top Ten in this category were:

• Herb’s LaCasita.
• Joe’s Place.
• Cedarwood.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• Taprock.
• H Street Bar & Eatery.
• JD’s Sports Pub.
• Wonder Bur.

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, there was a three-way tie between the Wonder Bur, G Street Bar & Grill, and Herb’s Shenanigans/Outback Lounge.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Cedarwood.
• Laughing Clam.
• JD’s.

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 both Hannah’s Restaurant and Blondie’s Bistro, followed by:

• 115 Broiler.
• The Vine.
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill.
• G Street Bar & Grill.

BAR WITH BEST LATE NIGHT MENU

The munchies can attack at any time, and you gotta be prepared. Luckily, there are quite a few bars to help out in that assignment, starting with the G Street Bar & Grill, which won our readers’ hearts (and stomachs).
Other favorites included:

• Taprock.
• Joe’s Place.
• Blondie’s.
• JD’s.
• Laughing Clam.
• Hannah’s.

FAVORITE PART OF THE GROWERS MARKET

Now in its 33rd year, the Saturday Growers Market has evolved into not only a great place 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 people and social scene.
• Tamales.
• Donuts.
• Crafts.
• Earl’s Eggs.
• 3-Mile Farm.

BEST SWIMMING HOLE

To the person who wrote, “Not telling,” we appreciate your candor and desire to skinny dip in peace. Quite a few people, however, gave away their secrets, including those who voted the Illinois River as their favorite.
It was followed by:

• Turtle Lane.
• Applegate River.
• Caveman Pool.
• Schroeder Park.
• Griffin Park.
• Lake Shasta.

FAVORITE CITY PARK (OTHER THAN RIVERSIDE)

There are certain reasons why we pay taxes: police and fire protection, good roads, good schools, water and sewer, public health protection, and parks. No urban environment would be remotely livable without a good system of parks, and in lieu of hosting bake sales every week to pay for maintenance, we all chip in and enjoy the beauty together. That’s America.
Anyway, when it comes to City parks, everyone knows that Riverside is the crown jewel. After that, our readers most often appreciated the Reinhart Volunteer Park, followed by:

• Lawnridge Park.
• Croxton Memorial.
• Ogle Park.

For all those who mentioned Indian Mary, Tom Pearce, Schroeder and Griffin Parks, you should be aware that those are County owned.
* * * * *
There we go … 144 categories and another year under my belt. Looking forward to 2012! If you have any suggestions for new entries next year, write to me at grantspass@sneakpre.com —C.H.

2025 Best of Grants Pass Part 1

It’s hard to believe that an entire year has gone by since the last “Best of the Rogue Valley.” Speaking of time, I started the Sneak Preview on my 39th birthday on July 28, 1986, and the Sneak Preview is celebrating its 39th birthday this year. That means exactly one half of my life has been devoted to this newspaper. But don’t worry, it’s not a job anymore. I officially retired, and the Sneak Preview is now my hobby. A lot of guys buy fishing rods and golf clubs to fund their hobbies; I buy ink by the barrel.

I need to make this introduction short and sweet since there are some space constraints this month, as “The Best” will take up most of the paper. That means no “Profile” this month, nor did I have room for two excellent letters to the editor about the tellurium mine controversy, and a letter about the city official arrested for downloading child porn. Those letters will have to wait for the October issue.

So without further ado, here is Part I of the 2025 “Best of the Rogue Valley.” Our thanks to the hundreds of people who sent in ballots, either by the mail or online. To keep the ballot stuffing to a minimum, we required a minimum of 20 categories filled out on each ballot, which gave us a more well-rounded accumulation of opinions. And congratulations go to Karen Morris of Grants Pass who was randomly chosen to receive a $100 gift certificate to 115 Broiler.

As Jackie Gleason would say … “And away we go!”

MEDIA

FAVORITE RADIO DJ

At the Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in Jasper, Indiana, visitors are entertained with recordings from famous disc jockeys over the years, including the gravelly voice of Wolfman Jack, who credited “shots of whiskey” for his unique sound. Then, of course, there’s Alan Freed out of Ohio, who popularized the term “rock ‘n’ roll” back in the 1950s and helped bring Black artists into the mainstream. Unfortunately, Freed was also caught up in the payola scandal of 1958, when he was found guilty of accepting bribes to play certain songs on the radio.

Here in the Rogue Valley, we have our own personal Hall of Fame, and topping the list was long-time favorite Cassie Callas at KLDR, followed by:

• Jason Allen of KRRM
• Ashley Main at KLDR
• Brian O’Connor of 102.7 The Drive
• Lisa Evans on Sirius-XM

FAVORITE LOCAL TV WEATHERPERSON

The weather is in the news a lot lately, from flash floods in Texas to 72 fires in Southern Oregon caused by lightning strikes on July 8. And now that the budget for the Weather Service has been slashed, we may have to rely on our animal friends for information. For example, birds often fly low, go silent, or gather when a storm is approaching. And cows lie down before a rain, while bees and butterflies retreat into shelter when weather becomes unstable. And, of course, frogs croak more when humidity rises. Who needs all those high-falutin’ weather forecasters with their fancy degrees when we have a wealth of information right before our eyes?

Our local TV weather people are still on the job, though, providing us with detailed reports straight from the Weather Service and the dog down the street (just kidding). Topping the list this year was Matt Hoffman of KDRV-12, who joined the NewsWatch team as Chief Meteorologist in 2018. Matt grew up in Minneapolis and graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Meteorology in May 2010.

The list also included:

• Milt Radford of KTVL-10
• Kade Stirling at KOBI-5
• Sara Kress of KDRV-12

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE DAILY COURIER

Covering the news in Josephine County is not for the weak of heart, as people from all political persuasions are out there hammering away at elected officials and their employees. Some people even want to shut the library down, which doesn’t make any sense. You’ve got to admire the Courier, though. They’re there for every county commissioner (and City Council) meeting, which can sometimes lead to fireworks. Then there are the people who love to shoot the messenger, as if reporting on the news was a bad thing.

Moving right along, our readers mentioned quite a few reporters at the Courier, reserving their number one choice for Vickie Aldous, who tackles quite a few local issues in depth.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Edith Decker, Entertainment Editor
• Reporter Chrissy Ewald
• Editor Scott Stoddard
• City Editor Chris Bristol
• Features Reporter Kathleen Alaks

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

Yeah, when the Sneak Preview started on July 28, 1986, not a whole lot of people thought it would last more than six months. Somehow, we proved them wrong although there have been some ups and downs. Just surviving the pandemic was a major accomplishment in the publishing world. So our hats are off to everyone who started a new business in Josephine County last year.

Our readers were able to name quite a few start-ups, including this year’s winner, The Growler Guys Taphouse, which opened its first growler station in Bend in 2012, “offering customers 45 of the most varied local craft beer favorites and not-so-local brews on tap.” The Taphouse is located at 901 NW E Street, while the fill station is at 531 NE F.

Also making the list were:

• Bath & Body Works, located at 959 NE D
• Chik ‘N’ Rib BBQ Restaurant at 405 NE 7th
• Taste & See, a coffee, Boba Tea and smoothie destination located at 239 SE G Street
• Blaze ‘N’ Monkeys, a food truck that makes the rounds
• Tia’s Puffy Tacos, another food truck
• Broadside Boats at 966 SW 6th
• Apothi-Crow, offering handmade candles, body products and skin care at 131 SW G
• The Mixed Grill Restaurant at 225 Rogue River Highway
• Beef Cakes Bakery & Patisserie, located at 331 NE 6th

FROM OUR READERS:

• Best Thrift Store: Rogue Valley Humane Society. They are also “Best Nonprofit” for their new public low-cost spay/neuter program.
• Favorite Vet: Heid Bohmer, Allen Creek Vet
• Kudos to Bill Derrick Excavation & Cat Work. He delivered a load of gravel to our new homesite with a smile.
• Best Pet Store: Mini Pet Mart
• Best Mini Market: Redwood Market
• Best Motorcycle/Collector Car Dealer: Ted Holman at Automania
• Best Bodywork and Massage: Karen Suggs and staff at Essential Wellness Bodywork & Massage, especially massage therapist Dave Pursell
• Best food trucks: El Callejon and Bobalastic
• Best Yoga Instructor: Chrysalis Holy Yoga
• Favorite Florist: Clara at Beyond the Garden Gate
• Best Place for Bicycle Repair: Don’s Bike Center, with Eric as “Best Bicycle Mechanic”
• Most Unique Gift Store: Apothi-Crow is celebrating its first year in business on G Street with many unique handcrafted items by local crafters and artists. It is a unique shopping experience.
• Best Crisis Service: Pregnancy Care Center, and the Sobering Center
• Special recognition to all those who made Porchfest possible. It’s a pleasure and honor to be a part of it. You all give in so many ways to make life a bit better for everyone. Keep it up!
• Best Volunteer Public Service Organization: Homeless Oregon Pet Project (HOPP), serving Grants Pass for over 18 years, “because pets are people, too!”
• Best Plumbing: Sherlock Homes
• Best Landscaping: Daley Yard Maintenance
• Three River Community Orchestra is the best local community orchestra
• Best Chiropractor: Connor Green (Total Performance); Best Massage Therapist: Tabitha Moser (Karma Day Spa); Best Nail Technician: Kate Cannon (Karma Day Spa)
• Favorite Preschool Teacher: Kathy Johnson (St. Anne School)
• Favorite Day Trip Location: Wildlife Safari
• Best Dog Trainer: Southern Oregon Dog Training
• Gone but not forgotten: Community member Jim Clark
• Rogue Cleaners & Laundromat is very clean and reasonably priced
• Best Sushi: Nikko Sushi

FAVORITE BUSINSSPERSON

They’re the lifeblood of every community, providing jobs and living wages to every person willing and able to do the work. They also volunteer time, energy and money to worthwhile community projects, knowing that all of that will be recycled throughout the business community, creating an even stronger economy.

Quite a few businesspeople were mentioned in this survey, and taking down the top spot this year was Sydney Mitchell of Shoefly Oregon (229 SW G below Grants Pass Museum of Art), a store offering a great selection of shoes, clothing, accessories and gifts. Sydney opened her first store in Alaska in 2005, and after she and her husband moved to Grants Pass in 2014, she opened a second store in 2020.

The list also included:

• Steve Roe of Roe Motors GM
• Travis Boersma of Dutch Brothers and Grants Pass Downs
• Jamie and Elvie Cartwright of Taprock NW Grill and Cartwright’s Valley Meat Co. and Specialty Market
• Ed Morey of Redwood Nursery
• Nick Gates of Gates Furniture & Mattress
• Hyla Lipson at the Grants Pass Museum of Art
• Keturah Alger of Laughing Clam
• Cliff Woodruff of Cliff Woodruff Construction

FAVORITE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER

I can tell you some hair-raising stories of my days substituting middle school. One of my favorites was in 1986, right after the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine melted down. I told the kids about a huge cloud of radioactive material was that swarming all over Western Europe, causing illness, open sores and mental illness (okay, I was exaggerating). I had them spellbound, then I looked out the window, saw a grey cloud in the distance and yelled, “Oh my God … there it is!!” The whole class jumped, and one girl even screamed. I laughed and said, “Just kidding,” and I thought they were going to kill me.

I have nothing bad to say about my middle school experiences in Josephine County because they were all perfect angels (and I have some beachfront property in the Gobi Desert to sell if you’re interested). Anyway, taking down the top spot as Favorite Middle School Teacher this year was Travis Reese of North Middle School, followed by:

• Cheyenne Davis at South
• Bob Bath at North
• Mitzi Grannis of South

CUTEST BABY BORN IN LAST YEAR

Our esteemed staff of baby connoisseurs couldn’t make up their minds this year, so we’re declaring this category a tie between Eleanor Yang and Lewis Barr. Keep up the good work, kids!

CUTEST PET

We received eight entries this year, and they were all cuter than the dickens. The sympathy vote, however, went to Stevie (Bourquin) the Cat, who turned 21-years-old in May, which translates to 100-years-old for a human. Congrats, Stevie, and hang in there, dude.

Other cuties included Nina the dog; Ruby the dog; Cinders the cat; Lucy the dog; Ollie the dog; and Pom Pom the cat.

FAVORITE DENTIST

The next time you see a cute little kitten, check out the upper incisors. They are fairly scary looking and are the mark of a true carnivorous predator, used to take down even the most intransigent wildebeest on the Serengetti. Human teeth are mainly for chewing and grinding, and you have wonder exactly how carnivorous we really are. Our teeth are more closely aligned with horses and cows, rather than cats and dogs. As apex predators, though, we really don’t need teeth to do our hunting. The brain is what sets us apart from other animals, and it figured out millions of years ago how to kill animals without resorting to inch-long canine teeth.

But I regress. Teeth are 32 of our most trusted allies, and it’s good to hang onto them for as long as possible. To ensure that, brushing, flossing, and yearly checkups/cleanings with a dentist should be on our to-do list. And when it comes to that, our readers mentioned quite a few local dentists, once again reserving their top not to both Rachel, Sten and Matt Erickson at Erickson Dental Care; and Blake Anderson at A Street Dental.

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

• Devin Nelson at C Street Dental
• Sara Riechers at Compassionate Dentistry.
• Steven and Aaron Rogers

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Matthew Hill of Hill Dentistry
• Peter Pastrell
• Brandon Scott of Smile Suite
• Matt Johnson
• Justin Buchanan
• Greg Bigelow

FAVORITE DOCTOR

Well, here’s a fun fact: The human body consists of 30 trillion cells, and each one is a metabolic machine, performing millions of transactions ever second. Those cells are constantly at work, and you would be dead if even one little thing went wrong. Then on top of that we have 38 trillion bacterial cells, most of them located in our digestive tract, and without them we’d also be dead. In fact, mother’s milk contains proteins that cannot be digested by the baby; they are there specifically to feed the bacteria that the baby will need to stay alive. It’s extremely complicated, and luckily we have doctors who can make sense of it all.

This was a popular category, as our readers were able to name 25 different doctors, starting with Kristin Miller, MD, at Siskiyou Community Health Center.

Others high on the list were:

• Heather Kahn of Rogue Medicine
• Andrew Pitzak of Grants Pass Clinic
• Tamara Medley of Women’s Health Center
• Jason Pilcher
• Marcel Wiggins of Grants Pass Clinic
• Felicia Cohen of Women’s Health Center

FAVORITE DERMATOLOGY OFFICE

Skin is nothing to mess around with because it can turn ugly quickly as far as melanomas are concerned. About 15 years ago I had a weird skin discoloration on my forehead, and they did a biopsy. Turned out to be benign and something unpronounceable, and the dermatologist worked feverishly to get rid of it. Took about five months, and in the interim I wore a baseball hat to hide it. One day I went to get an eye exam and as I took the hat off, I told the optometrist, “I have a little sore on my forehead and everything’s healing up, but I wear this hat because everyone thinks I got cancer and s**t.” He nodded, then turned around, saw my forehead and said, “Wow, it looks like you got cancer and s**t.” We both laughed.

And when it comes to getting your yearly skin exam, our readers mentioned the Advanced Skin Center (1021 NE 6th), Dr. David Young (1309 NE 6th); and Dermatology & Laser Associates of Medford (2959 Siskiyou Boulevard).

Also mentioned were Griffin Mansell and Joselin Tacastacas at 1619 NW Hawthorne in Grants Pass.

FAVORITE PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Your son-in-law called and needed help moving some safes, anvils, grand pianos and welding machines into their new house, and the next day you could hardly move. Stretching exercises just weren’t doing it, and massages only helped peripherally. The chiropractor referred you to a physical therapist, and before you knew it, you were back to normal.

Whom to call in Grants Pass? The first person mentioned was Jonathan Hill, DPT, of Siskiyou Physical Therapy. Jonathan was born and raised in Grants Pass and received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2008.

Also received lots of votes were:

• Cornerstone Health
• Benchmark Physical Therapy
• Essential Wellness
• Southern Oregon Orthopedics
• Riverside Physical Therapy

FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Sometimes it’s good to get a second and third opinion, especially from someone who is thinking outside the box. Not all physical ailments can fit neatly into a college textbook. There are all kinds of extraneous variables that are hard to measure, including stress, which is probably the root cause of most illnesses.

Our readers listed quite a few alternative medicine practitioners, including Kristen Plunkett, ND, of the Naturopathic Medical Clinic, and a number of acupuncturists led by Janet Moret; Greg Doss of Acupuncture & Herbal Medical Center; and Ellen Leonard at Acupuncture at Riverside.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• New Medicine Collaborative
• Deborah Lang at River of Wellness Acupuncture
• Cornerstone Health
• Raven Sara of the Acupuncture & Herb Clinic
• Essential Wellness
• Shawn Harris of Rogue Valley Acupuncture

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

You’re walking down the street minding your own business when a TV crew from CNN wants to ask you what you think about what was going on in Kashmir. No way I’m getting in front of a camera with my hair looking like this, you thought. Luckily your hair dresser was on speed dial, and she rushed over immediately to give your hair a quick going-over. Then you turned to the camera and said, “I think Kashmir sweaters are the absolute best, and you can quote me on that.”

Kashmir is actually a disputed area between India and Pakistan, and the above joke taken from the old TV show “The O.C.,” so I thought I should give the writers some credit. We writers need to stick together. Anyway, this is always a popular category, as our readers named 31 different hair stylists, with Jessie Vasilia of Beauty in the Rogue (1439 NE 6th) leading the way, followed by:

• Jordan Newell of Peerless Beauty Lounge
• Ronni Garcia of Rockstar LA Hair Studio
• Hair by Melissa
• The team at Spa at Club Northwest
• Stacey Brown at Wild Roots Salon
• Jackie McConnell of Salon Venusto
• Ginger Holder Skudstad at The Hairport
• Hair Design by Eva
• The Hair Channel

FAVORITE MECHANIC

The first car I ever bought was in Yellowstone the start of the Summer of 1968 (all in caps because it was epic). I went in with two other guys and bought an old 1950 Packard (or something like that) from one of the lifers we worked with. We drove down to St. Anthony, Idaho, to pick up the car (I think we spent $150 for it), and amazingly we didn’t even make it back to Madison Junction (where we lived) before the thing broke down. The lifer felt bad for us and had the car towed to “the shop” but it was beyond repair. I think it ended up in a junk yard.

Where were all those great mechanics when we needed them? Our readers named quite a few, with Jim Hill at Tom’s Auto Service getting the top nod.

Others high on the list were:

• Kelly’s Automotive Service
• Bridge Street Auto
• Autosmith
• AutoPro Automotive
• City Automotive Service
• Roe Motors
• Mock’s Ford

FAVORITE POST OFFICE MAIL CARRIER

You got to love the men and women who diligently deliver the Sneak Preview each month to everyone’s mailbox. I know I do. The next time you see them, give them kudos for a job well done. Tell them I sent you.

A number of carriers were named but not everyone knew their full names. The number one mention was Sue Fine, whose route includes the Portola area.

The list also included:

• Lindsay
• Rick
• Austin
• Frank
• Roger
• Tina

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

More funny scenes from the courtroom:
Attorney: How was your first marriage terminated?
Witness: By death.
Attorney: And by whose death was it terminated?
Witness: Take a guess.
* * * * *
Attorney: Can you describe the individual?
Witness: He was about medium height and had a beard.
Attorney: Was this a male or a female?
Witness: Unless the circus was in town, I’m going with male.
* * * * *
Our readers named quite a few attorneys in this survey, with Chris Mecca, a perennial favorite who has been practicing law in Grants Pass since 1976, as their favorite.

Other favorites included:

• Richard Adams
• Bill Ransom
• Rebecca Peterson
• Jack Davis
• Dan Simcoe
• Debbie Cumming
• Carl Clyde

FAVORITE POLICEPERSON

Well, I tried to Google “Funny Anecdotes with Police Officers Testifying in Court,” and all I found were some memes:
Officer: Ma’am, did you know you had a tail light out?
Woman: No, officer, because I drive from the inside of my car.
* * * * *
Officer to young girl: Have you been out drinking today?
Girl: Not yet, did you have some place in mind?
* * * * *
Meme with 2 police officers: inside car: “Obey the law and always pay attention to your surroundings.”
Next photo with caption, “Same cops later that day,” showing a broken hose stuck in the gas tank and trailing behind the car.
* * * * *
Yeah, I know, fairly lame, but that didn’t stop our readers from naming their favorites, including #1 officer Ken Frownfelter, with the Grants Pass Public Safety, followed by:

• Grants Pass Officer Darron O’Donnell
• Sheriff Dave Daniel
• Grants Pass Officer Jeff Craven
• Corporal Aaron Porter with the Sheriff’s Office
• Grants Pass Police Chief Warren Hensman
• Lt. Mike Miner with Grants Pass Police.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

There must be a thousand and one things to keep track of while running a restaurant, and having your cook call in sick ten minutes before the doors open doesn’t help. You have Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking turned to page 75 on how to make a Bouillabaisse, and you’re going crazy trying to find where the damn cook hid the saffron. Suddenly, the 16-year-old girl bussing the tables edges you aside and says, “Let me take care of this, boss; I can make Bouillabaisse in my sleep. Just go deal with that drunk guy at table 15.”

Yep, it’s never-ending which is why our readers love their restaurant owners, naming 21 of them in this category. Taking down the number one spot for 2025 was Clayton Leedy of Wild River Pub and Wild River Brewing and Pizza Co.

Others high on the list were:

• Jamie Cartwright of Taprock
• Manuel Flores of Si Casa Flores
• Doug Carson at Carson’s Bistro
• John Tamashiro of Matsukaze
• Beth Forshay of Twisted Cork
• Dustin Myers of The Vine
• Jose of Casa Amiga

FAVORITE WAITPERSON

Growing up in a family of eleven people on a limited budget, I don’t remember ever eating out in a restaurant all the way through high school. Actually, I went with a group of people the night of the Senior Prom to an iHop, but that can’t count. Then in the summer of 1965 (17 years old) I was on my own working in Washington, D.C., and lived just three blocks from the capitol building near Stanton Square. Every night I’d go to Stanton Park Grill, sit at the counter, and have a burger and fries. I got to know the server really well, and I think he felt sorry for me because every now and then he’d slip me my favorite oatmeal raisin cookie on the house. Despite the fact that I knew nothing about how to tip, he is still my favorite waitperson of all time.
Our readers were able to name 25 wait people in this category, with the number one spot going to Letty Morales at Taprock Northwest Grill. Letty has worked at Taprock since graduating from GPHS in 2012.

Also mentioned were:

• Marci Saunders at 115 Broiler
• Debbie Hamblin of Powderhorn
• Jessica at Carson’s
• Jillian Devecka at MaMosa’s
• Jennifer at Wild River
• Rodney Forberg at Black Bear Diner

FAVORITE BARTENDER

In the first part of the 20th century, the number of bars in many towns and cities across America far outnumbered those of churches. Alcohol abuse was literally tearing families apart and it got so bad that in 1919 the teetotalers convinced Legislatures across the country to approve the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibited the sale of alcohol. That only made things worse, and by 1933 the 21st Amendment repealed Prohibition, being the only amendment to ever be repealed. Alcohol abuse is still with us, but we learned that you can’t legislate your way out of that problem.

Meanwhile, bartenders are the first line of defense, as they happily serve us drinks while also making sure we don’t get too carried away. Our readers appreciate the effort, and this year they named Tim Coatney at Partake Shop, Lounge & Dine as their favorite.

Also mentioned were:

• Chayse Murphy at Growler Guys
• Ethan Bass at Weekend Beer Company
• Kenny Welich at Steam Distillery
• Krystal Graham at Area 61 Taphouse

FAVORITE HOUSE PAINTER

In the summer of 1975, I was staying at a frat house at the University of Denver, paying cheap rent and being in close proximity to a lot of partiers. The frat house across the alley was closed down for the summer as it was being painted. They hired a good friend of mine who was into construction, but halfway through the job he left for a gig in Utah. He’d already prepped it, and he asked me to finish, which I accepted. I then made out fake W-2 forms and had two friends of mine (both 20-something women) to help. All we had to do was slather the paint on, and I thought it turned out pretty good. The sight of Judy Lucero on a ladder painting the second floor was scary, though. The thought of what would happen if she fell and injured herself never occurred to me. Young and dumb, etc.

Here in the Rogue Valley, there are a number of house painters near and dear to our hearts. Taking down the number one spot was Stephen Edwards of Grants Pass Painting. Stephen grew up in Grants Pass and learned to paint while working construction with his dad. He opened his business in 2021 with a partner and became sole owner in 2023.

Others high on the list were:

• Healey’s Quality Painting
• John at Good Neighbor Painting
• Precision Paintworks
• Winston S Pro Painting
• Eric Jewkes

FAVORITE ROOFER

Yep, I worked two weeks as a roofer in Denver the summer of 1972. We were actually installing the joists that would support the roofing material. Anyway, at the tail end of the summer, I was all spaced out one day (hangover, maybe) and accidentally smashed my ring finger with a rigging axe (you know, the hammer with a corrugated edge). I had to say goodbye to the fingernail, and it was officially the end of my construction career. Got a job doing door-to-door surveys the next summer and never looked back.

Roofs are really something where you don’t want to practice deferred maintenance. It can come back to bite you really quicky. Whom to call? Many of our readers mentioned James Wright Roofing, followed by:

• Lawless Roofing
• Versatile Builders & Church Roofing
• Rhoads Roofing
• Brad Fox Roofing
• Accurate Roofing Company

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

Ever since the pandemic, there’s been renaissance in downtown Grants Pass, as more and more people are opting against the vapid Big Box experience and enjoying the vibrant community feel of shopping locally. There are plenty of retail stores, plus restaurants and bars that add to the fun. And you don’t have to be bombarded with loud “Attention K-Mart Shoppers” from speakers blaring out of the ceiling.

Anyway, our readers love visiting downtown, and once again they named over 30 stores as their favorite, including perennial favorite The Kitchen Company (301 SE 6th Street).

The Top Ten included:

• Shoefly
• Shop River Rock
• Fiona Bean
• Rita’s – Live, Love, Shop
• Glass Forge
• Oregon Outpost
• The Herb Shop
• Gallop & Glitz
• Grants Pass Museum of Art

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE THE DOWNTOWN AREA

Yep, you have stores south of the bridge, the north end, the shopping center area, Murphy, Merlin, Rogue River … so many places, so little time. There’s a lot to choose from, and in this category our readers most often mentioned Fred Meyer, located on the Parkway.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Bath & Body Works
• Maurice’s
• TJ Maxx
• Grange Co-op
• Ross Dress for Less
• Wal-Mart

BEST GIFT STORE

Just in case you need a good excuse to buy a gift, here are some holidays in August that will jog your memory. August 1: National Girlfriend Day. August 3: Sisters’ Day. August 9: Book Lovers Day. August 12: Middle Child Day. August 16: Tell a Joke Day. And last but not least, August 20: Chocolate Pecan Pie Day.

There … go for it. And where to go? Our readers most often mentioned Shop River Rock at 966 SW 6th in the Hellgate Jetboat Check-in.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Fiona Bean
• Kitchen Company
• Josephine Market & Interiors
• Red Canary
• Oregon Outpost
• Aquarius Books
• Bear Cave

FAVORITE JEWELRY STORE

Diamonds, gold, rare gems and stones all come from the ground, but once an experienced jeweler gets done with them, they become things of rare beauty adorned by human beings the world over.

Our readers certainly appreciate a little bling, and in that regard they voted Hart Jewelers at 225 SE 6th as their favorite, followed by:

• Fred Meyer Jewelers
• A Right Now Jewelry & Repair
• Fire Mountain Gems & Beads

BEST SELECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

I wonder why the typical shopping mall features 15 stores offering women’s clothes to every one store for guys. I’ll be the first to admit that the variety and options for women are vastly more interesting than pants and shirts, with a well-appointed baseball hat for guys being the only avenue for creativity.

Anyway, our readers love to go shopping for clothes, and they mentioned Rita’s—Live, Love, Shop, located at 121 SE 6th Street, as their favorite.

Also receiving their fair share of votes were:

• TJ Maxx
• Shoefly
• Fred Meyer
• Tierra del Sol
• Woven & Wyld
• Maurices
• Ross Dress for Less

BEST PLACE TO BUY STUFF FOR GARDEN

I’m a confirmed gardenholic and could spend hours going through a garden center picking out flowers, shrubs, herbs, even an occasional tree. Then, of course, there are garden tools and statuaries (we currently have Confucius, a horse’s head, a gnome, a dragon, Lao Tzu, a Japanese pagoda, a fountain and a bird bath … obsessive much?). Oh, and let’s not forget dirt, fertilizers and amendments. You’re on your own when it comes to all the water you’ll need to keep everything alive.

This category ended in a virtual tie between Grange Co-op (1710 W. Schutzwohl Lane) and Greenleaf Industries at 150 Union Avenue, followed by:

• Redwood Nursery
• New Hope Nursery
• Home Depot
• Diamond
• Bi-Mart
• Fred Meyer

GROCERY STORE WITH BEST SELECTION OF MEAT

Humans are officially omnivorous. We could easily survive without eating meat … just ask some marathon runners who are totally vegan. Meat, however, is part of our evolutionary background, and it’s a hard habit to break.

And when it comes to shopping for a great selection of meat, Cartwright’s Market, located at 825 Union Avenue, ran away with this category.
The list also included:

• Fred Meyer
• Safeway
• Winco Foods
• Grocery Outlet
• Albertson’s

FAVORITE APPLIANCE REPAIRMAN

When it comes to appliance repair, the top of the list has to be the refrigerator. You can live without a dishwasher, and you can go to a laundromat when the washing machine goes out. Even the stove is temporarily expendable if you don’t mind eating out every day. But the refrigerator? Each one contains hundreds of dollars worth of food which, if deprived of ice-cold air, will spoil within 8-9 hours. I know this for a fact because my wife accidentally left the door open to the freezer in our garden shed last year, and after 16 hours, it was adios amigos for all the food.

Whom to call when you need repair jobs on any of your appliances? This turned out to be a tie between Just-In Time Appliance Repair and Sean’s Appliance Repair, followed by:

• Appliance & Mower Center
• Active Home Furnishings
• Al’s Refrigeration
• Action Appliance Service

BEST PLACE TO GET HEARING AIDS

Thankfully, my hearing is hanging in there, and I owe it all to my decision years ago to not subject myself to loud rock ‘n’ roll concerts. Yeah, I might crank up the sounds in my car while driving down the Interstate (and believe it or not, that’s equal to the same number of decibels as a rock concert, but it’s only for one song, and I don’t have people screaming “this is righteous, dude” in my ear every 15 seconds).

My wife insists I go in for a hearing test because I’ve been saying “what” a lot lately. According to our readers, they most often preferred Audiology Associates of Southern Oregon (1665 Williams Highway), although My Hearing Centers (1833 Nebraska Avenue) came in a close second.

Others mentioned were:

• Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center
• Costco
• American Hearing Aid Centers
• Wal-Mart

POLITICS

A VERY UNSCIENTIFIC POLITICAL POLL

Each year we ask our readers to answer four political questions just to gauge the mood of the community. These answers are “relatively” accurate since very few people stuff the ballot for them.

1. Should the County give the okay to the tellurium mine? This issue has gotten a lot of coverage in the Sneak Preview over the last five years. Six years ago, the owners of American Mineral Research had discovered a mother lode of tellurium at a site in Josephine County and they applied to the County for a permit, only to be stonewalled every step of the way. It doesn’t make sense. Every politician I’ve talked to over the last 39 years gives lip service to how the County should exploit its natural resources, and that government should get out of the way. Yet AMR is still twisting in the wind because Josephine County politicians are talking out of one side of their mouth and doing another. Once again, it doesn’t make sense, but apparently that doesn’t translate well with Sneak Preview readers, as they were torn equally on this issue.
Yes, approve the mine: 50%
No, let then twist in the wind: 50%

2. Should people be able to opt out of the Library District? This is another one that doesn’t make sense. When the Library put the District up to a vote a few years ago, they were meticulous in only allowing those with easy access to a library the honor of voting in the election. Since we live in a majority-rule democracy, that means if the measure passes, everyone who voted has to respect the wishes of the majority. That’s just life in a democracy. Yet two years ago a Grants Pass couple appealed to the county commissioners to let them opt out of the Library District because they didn’t vote for it. Getting some misguided advice from Counsel, the commissioners agreed to the plan, forcing the Library to sue and costing everyone a lot of money in legal fees. The courts, of course, ruled that the people could not opt out, and it was a total exercise in futility. Our readers agreed.
Yes, let them opt out: 20%
No, do not let them opt out: 80%

3. Should the County give the Library a good deal on the rent? Amazingly, this one makes no sense either and you have to wonder if the county commissioners are thinking straight. About a year ago, one of the commissioners (we won’t name names) insisted that the lease arrangement with the Library, in which they were able to rent the building for $1 a year, needed to be re-assessed. What’s extraordinary is that the County Charter specifically states that the County should do everything in its power to support the Library, not try to run it out of business. The commissioners even hinted that the Library should pay the going rate on rent, which was about $10,000 a month. That would be the kiss of death for the Library. It certainly seems as if the commissioners are playing a game of chicken, and the voters are not happy about it.
Yes, keep the rent at $1 a year: 96%
No, put the squeeze on them: 4%

4. Is the Grants Pass City Council doing a good job? A whole new slate of councilors (and mayor) was voted in last November, and changes have been happening at a rapid pace. I haven’t really been keeping up with everything that has occurred, so I’ll defer to the judgment of my readers.
Yes, doing a good job: 23%
No, not doing a good job: 77%
* * * * *

Okay, after three days of counting ballots and writing up the results, it’s back to watching reruns of “Friends.” See you in September for Part II.
—C.H.

 

2025 Best of Grants Pass Part 2

Quite a few people missed the deadline for getting the ballots in, and while their votes weren’t counted in Part I, they did make it for Part II. And we’d like to extend belated congratulations to two dogs, Madison Fisher and Hank, who were recognized as “cute pets.”

There was a major faux pas in Part I of “The Best” last month. In the lead-in to the category, “Favorite Doctor,” I wrote that there were 30 million cells in the human body and 100 million bacterial cells. Well shoot, there’s actually 30 trillion cells and 100 trillion bacterial cells. I was only off by a factor of a million. What’s sad is that

I knew better. I have a master’s in neurobiology and read biology textbooks just for fun. Just days before I wrote that ditty, I told my daughter that her breast milk contained proteins that could not be digested by her baby. They were there solely to feed the 100 trillion bacterial cells in the digestive tract. I proofread that thing three times and still didn’t catch it. It was the Mother of All Brain Farts. I think I need to slow down.

In that same category, we misspelled the name of Doctor Marcel Wiggers. Our apologies.

That being said, let’s get right into the mistake-free, hopefully, Part II of the “Best of the Rogue Valley,” featuring restaurants and entertainment.

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

You gotta love all the variety that local restaurants provide in the greater Grants Pass area. Last year was a record, as our readers were able to name ten new restaurants as their favorite, everything from fine dining to small bakeries. This year was no different, as nine more restaurants were added to the scene. When will it slow down? Hopefully never, as we all love to check out the latest new restaurant destined to become our favorite place to go.

Topping the list this year with our readers was Growler Guys Taphouse, located at 531 NE F Street. Growler Guys is a Pacific Northwest creation, and the first one opened in Bend in 2012. The concept is simple: they “have 45 of the most varied local craft beer favorites, and not-so-local brews, on tap for you to choose from and take home in either a 32-oz or 54-oz growler.” Or just enjoy there on the premises along with an extensive menu.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Perez Kitchen & Bar at 241 SW G
• Mixed Grill, 225 Rogue River Highway
• Chik-N-Rib, located at 405 NE 7th
• Beef Cake’s Bakery at 331 NE 6th
• Magic Donuts, 945 NE D
• Bobablastic, at 104 NE Morgan
• Agora Artisan Eatery, 208 SW 6th

And while Taprock Northwest Grill isn’t exactly new, the new owners from Cartwright’s received quite a few votes.

BEST BREAKFAST

You have a 9:00 meeting with that delegation of China to discuss exactly how the tariffs on polonium will affect that nuclear reactor you’d hoped to have installed on the factory floor, and the last thing you need to do is make breakfast at home. The only resort is to head out to your favorite breakfast spot, and according to our readers that would be either MaMosa’s at 118 NW E or Elmer’s, located at 175 NE Agness.

Also landing near the top was the Powderhorn Café at 321 NE 6th, followed by:

• Depot Eatery
• Lulu’s for the Love of Food
• Black Forest
• Black Bear Diner
• Taprock NW Grill
• Sweet Tea Express
• Babe’s Bakery

BEST LUNCH

What a morning! Whether you’re sitting at a desk in an air-conditioned office deciding whom to report to Human Resources for sleeping on the job or laying down tarp on a roofing job with the sun beating down, once noon rolls around you’re ready to hang up the computer and/or hammer and head to your favorite lunch spot.

This is always a popular category in the Best of the Rogue Valley as our readers mentioned 29 different restaurants as their favorite. Leading the way for 2025 was a tie between Taprock Northwest Grill at 971 SW 6th and Casablanca at 412 NW 6th, with another location at 686 Union Avenue.

The Top Ten featured:

• River’s Edge
• Wild River
• Nelly’s
• Chik-N-Rib
• Depot Eatery
• Babe’s Bakery
• Powderhorn
• Elmer’s

BEST PANCAKES

Back in the day when the kids were still at home, it was my assignment to make pancakes on Sunday morning. Cooking around my wife is a little intimidating. When she was in her 20s, she read Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and reproduced every recipe in the two-volume book. Every meal at our house is like eating at a 5-star Michelin restaurant. And there I am trying to make the perfect pancake under her watchful eye. But I persevered, and I soon published my own book,

Mastering the Art of Cooking Pancakes … just kidding.
Where to go for masterful pancakes? Our readers most often mentioned the ones at Elmer’s, located at 175 NE Agness, followed by:

• The Powderhorn
• Black Bear Diner
• Depot Eatery
• MaMosa’s
• Black Forest
• Lulu’s

Also receiving a lot of votes was Murf’s Marvelous Pancakes & Handcrafted Syrups, which is a “pop-up breakfast” at Weekend Beer Company on the 2nd Saturday of each month.

BEST BLT SANDWICHES

I’ve probably told this joke before, so just humor me on this: In the last 15 years we lost Johnny Cash, Steve Jobs, and Bob Hope. Now we have no cash, no jobs, and no hope. Please, God, don’t let Kevin Bacon die.

Pretty funny, but we do love our bacon, especially when it comes with such nutritious items as lettuce and tomatoes. And when our readers go out searching for the perfect BLT, they named Depot Eatery at 577 NE F as their favorite.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• MaMosa’s
• Elmer’s
• Taprock
• Big Block Sandwich Shop
• Jersey Mike’s
• Babe’s Bakery
• Ajace

BEST FISH & CHIPS

My wife and I visited London for a week last October, and it is officially the capital of fish & chips. It’s where it all began, and before seeing the play Hamilton in the Theater District, we had dinner at the Duke of York Restaurant, where I ordered the obligatory fish & chips. When in London, do as the Londoners do, right? I did not come away disappointed, and in Grants Pass, our readers directed me to Laughing Clam, located at 121 SW G Street, which is as close to London as we’re going to get.

The list also featured:

• Wild River
• Taprock
• Elmer’s
• Black Forest
• Red Robin
• Sizzler
• 115 Broiler

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

I grew up in a family of nine kids, and my oldest sister didn’t leave the nest until she got married at age 21. So for all those years, eleven people gathered around the dining room table for dinner. It was total chaos, but my mom didn’t care. There wasn’t enough room at the table for eleven people, so she had a little table off to the side where she could eat in peace. Why she just didn’t pile everyone into the station wagon and take us out to dinner is beyond me.

Where would Hazel go if she wanted to take a break and treat the family to dinner? Most of our readers mentioned River’s Edge, located at 1936 Rogue River Highway with outstanding views of the river below.

Coming in a close second and third were 115 Broiler and Carson’s Bistro, followed by:

• The Twisted Cork
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• The Vine
• The Horny Goat
• Matsukaze
• Sizzler

RESTAURANT WITH MOST ROMANTIC DECOR

I realize that most guys would consider a sports bar as romantic, especially during Fantasy Football season, but that’s not what we were looking for here. We were thinking more along the lines of soothing music, nice table settings, some appropriately-placed antiques, and spotlessly attired waitpeople. And guys, you can always place your cell phone on your lap and surreptitiously check on scores every few minutes. But trust me … don’t overdo it. Screaming “YES!” just because your team scored a touchdown is a no-no.

Our readers named seven different restaurants in this category, reserving their number one choice for Carson’s Bisto, located at 220 SW H Street.
The list also included:

• 115 Broiler
• Twisted Cork
• River’s Edge
• Taprock
• Bohemian
• The Vine

BEST STEAK ENTREES ON THE MENU

For better or worse, humans and cows have developed a synergistic relationship over the last 10,000 years. If it weren’t for cattle’s ability to provide high levels of protein for a burgeoning human population, there is no way there would be near as many cows on the planet as there are today. Granted, most of them meet an untimely death (300 million are slaughtered every year), but before that time they’re fed and pampered and live the good life.

And when it comes to a nice variety of steak entrees on the menu, our readers once again named 115 Broiler at 115 NW D Street as their favorite, followed by:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Carson’s Bistro
• River’s Edge
• Horny Goat
• Twisted Cork
• Sizzler
• Wonder Bur Café
• Bohemian

BEST SEAFOOD ENTREES ON THE MENU

Here’s the thing about fish. They don’t marry for life and raise 2.2 children. The female lays over a thousand eggs, and the males fight over who gets to be the daddy, which isn’t very romantic but it gets the job done. If each of those eggs goes on to lay 1000 eggs, the original female will be responsible for one million little babies in just one generation. Pretty extraordinary, and it also makes for a fairly convenient source of human protein.

When it comes to seafood dishes, our readers once again named both River’s Edge at 1936 Rogue River Highway, and Twisted Cork (210 SW 6th) as their favorites.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Laughing Clam
• 115 Broiler
• Musashi
• Neko Sushi
• Matsukaze

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Yeah, I’m so old that I remember when Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, aka the Shack by the
Track, was the only Mexican restaurant in Grants Pass. Now that’s old. Today, there over 20, and they’re all near and dear to our readers’ hearts … and stomachs.

Once again taking down the number one spot was Si Casa Flores, located at the corner of E Street and the Parkway.

The Top Ten included:

• Casa Amiga
• Taqueria Mexico
• El Mocajete
• El Charro Viejo
• La Burrita
• Frida’s Cantina
• Si Casa Express
• Los Taquitos
• Taco Mania

BEST MARGARITAS

The first time my wife and I visited Cabo san Lucas in 1992, we stopped at an outdoor restaurant on the marina called Margaritavilla for Happy Hour. We ordered grande margaritas and I swear they were bigger than our heads. By the time we were done, we were extremely “happy,” and I do believe we stayed for dinner. They must have seen us coming.

Where to go in Grants Pass for Happy Margaritas? Many of our readers mentioned the ones at Taqueria Mexico, at 137 SE H, followed by

• Si Casa Flores
• El Mocajete
• La Burrita
• Casa Amigo
• El Charro Viejo
• Bohemian Bar & Bistro
• Food Studio

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

Not many people know that people of Chinese descent have been living in Southern Oregon since 1850, nine years before statehood. Yet according to the Oregon Historical Society, “Oregon’s public memory largely excludes those early Chinese residents’ role in shaping the state’s development.” Here in the Rogue Valley, we’ve caught up with the times, as our readers named 17 different Asian restaurants as their favorite.

Back to the real world, our readers mentioned all of the local Asian restaurants as their favorites, including their number one choice, Ban Mai Thai Cuisine, located at 1887 NE 7th, “offering a variety of meals that can be customized to your desired spice level.”

Others mentioned a lot

• Pongsri’s Thai Restaurant
• Matsukaze
• Four Seasons Restaurant
• Musashi
• Thai BBQ
• Neko Sushi
• Saigon Xich Lo
• Hong Kong
• China Hut
• Taroko
• Royal Barge
• Hunan Garden

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Not many people know that the spaghetti western movies (most notably the early Clint Eastwood films A Fistful of Dollars and For a Few Dollars More) were filmed entirely in southern Italy and Spain. In fact, from 1960 to 1978, nearly 500 spaghetti westerns were filmed, mostly set in the Western United States but filmed in Europe. The Italians know more about the history of the U.S. West than we do!

Where to go when you want to revisit a spaghetti western in Grants Pass? This ended in a tie between The Vine, located in the Allen Creek Shopping Center, and Giannelli’s A Taste of Italy at 211 NE A Street.

Also receiving votes were:

• Paisano’s in Rogue River
• Catalyst Pizza
• Vinny’s in Medford
• Olive Garden in Medford

FAVORITE PIZZA RESTAURANT

Ah college, when one could subsist primarily on Ramen and dollar slices of pizza. Good friends was all we needed. We’d pass out at three, wake up at ten, go out to eat, then do it again. I actually stole those lines from the song “I Love College” by Asher Roth, and I hope I don’t get in trouble for plagiarizing.
Pizza was a staple of life in college, and it has remained that way throughout life. And when it comes to pizzas, our readers were most impressed with the creations at Catalyst Pizza, with a new indoor location at 314 SE H Street, and a food truck at Weekend Brewing at 1863 NW Washington.

It was pretty close at the top, as both Wild River Brewing & Pizza and Abby’s Pizza received their own share of the votes, followed by:

• MOD Pizza
• Oregon Pizza Pour Authority
• Papa Murphy’s
• The Haul
• Domino’s

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

Ever since the first Caveman discovered cheesecakes, we’ve all had an obsession over desserts. Personally, I’ll take a tasty cherry pie over any of that fancy stuff, although a really good crème brulee is one of my weak points.

And when it comes to desserts, our readers most often appreciated the selection at Twisted Cork, located at 210 SW 6th Street, although Carson’s Bistro and House of Glory were close on their heels.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Powderhorn
• The Vine
• River’s Edge
• Wild River
• GG Sugarplums
• Babe’s Bakery
• 115 Broiler

RESTAURANT WITH FRIENDLIEST WAITSTAFF

When at the pearly gates facing down St. Peter’s withering look, every waitperson dreads the inevitable question: “That day your dog got run over by a cement truck, were you still able to put on a smiley face when serving your customers?” The only answer that will get you into heaven is a yes, and despite St. Peter rolling his eyes, you’re allowed in.

And when it comes to friendly waitstaff, our readers named 22 different favorites, starting with this year’s number one, Casablanca, at 412 NW 6th with another location at 686 Union Avenue.

Also landing near the top were:

• Taprock
• The Powderhorn
• Carson’s Bistro
• Wild River
• Oregon Pour Authority
• Black Bear Diner
• Bohemian
• 115 Broiler

FAVORITE “QUICK SERVICE” RESTAURANT

In my junior year of high school, the first McDonald’s opened in Evansville, Indiana, and as impatient teenagers always in a hurry, it fit perfectly into our lifestyle. Just drive up, order your burgers and fries (15 cents for the burger, by the way … does that date me?), then head on down the highway to that kegger at Mike Clayton’s house. Just kidding about that last part. I didn’t really run with that crowd in high school, and 50 years later, I have to ask myself why not?
Our readers were all over the board on this category, but in the end they named In-N-Out Burger as their favorite, followed by:

• Casablanca
• Carl’s Jr.
• Panda Express
• Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In
• Taco Bell
• Wendy’s
• McDonald’s
• Muchas Gracias

BEST SELECTION OF BURGERS

Do you think the cavemen made mastodon burgers? I can just see them around the campfire now. Fred Flintstone has a “kiss me, I’m a Cro Magnon” apron on, flipping burgers with his sabertooth tiger bone spatula, while tending to a Lascaux beer imported from southern France. Wilma, meanwhile, being the “gatherer,” is chopping up turnips and lettuce for the salad while sipping on that Chardonnay made from fermented boysenberries that she stumbled across in the forest.

Okay, I might have gotten a little carried away there, but when it comes to burgers, our readers know what they’re talking about, and they chose both In-N-Out Burger (124 NE Morgan Lane) and Eddy’s Burgers at 956 Rogue River Highway as their favorite.

The Top Five were pretty close, and they included:

• Jimmy Classic Drive-In
• Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews
• Valentino’s (at Weekend Brewing)
Others high in the balloting were:
• Barney’s Burgers
• Carl’s Jr.
• Corvette Bar & Grill

BEST MILKSHAKES

I am clinically addicted to milkshakes, and at the last MA meeting, I laid out my entire sordid history, leaving no stone unturned. Like the time in 1973 when I holed up in a basement with some fellow addicts and had Dairy Queen on speed dial, gorging on milkshakes, watching reruns of Mister Ed, and putting on 32 pounds in four days. It was a scary moment, indeed.

Our readers apparently have the same addiction as they were able to name fifteen different establishments that serve up some great milkshakes, including this year’s favorite, Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, located at 515 NE E Street, followed by:

• Dairy Queen
• In-N-Out Burger
• Barney’s Burgers
• Udder’s Ice Cream & Gelato
• Big Block Sandwich Shop
• Carl’s Jr.
• McDonald’s

BEST SELECTION OF SANDWICHES

According to Wikipedia, “In the first century BC, Jewish sage Hillel the Elder is said to have wrapped meat from the Paschal lamb and bitter herbs in a soft matzah—flat, unleavened bread—during Passover in the manner of a modern wrap made with flatbread.” Twenty-one hundred years later, we can thank ol’ Hillel for his culinary insight, as the sandwich is now ubiquitous the world over.

Where would Hillel go when he wanted to sample some really great sandwiches in Grants Pass? This category ended in a tie this year between Cartwright’s Market (825 Union Avenue) and Babe’s Bakery (1701 NE 6th).

The list also included:

• Big Block Sandwich Shop
• Jersey Mike’s
• Subway
• Wild River
• Millie’s

BEST COFFEHOUSE

My hobby is breaking human processes down to the molecular level. While everyone else can just sit back and enjoy a good cup of coffee, I ruminate over how caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that helps to increase alertness and reduce fatigue by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain. It’s known for its wakefulness and cognitive-enhancing properties. Yeah, I’m real fun at parties.

In this category our readers totally appreciate both Dutch Brothers (corner of 6th & D) and Rogue Roasters (610 SW 6th), followed by:

• Wheeelhouse
• Human Bean
• Casablanca
• Starbucks

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST LOCAL CONCERT LAST YEAR

Our readers were torn over this category, as they have fond memories of the annual Porchfest Festival, in which two blocks on Washington Street are reserved for local bands performing on selected front porches. Not to be outdone, the Concerts in the Park was also mentioned a lot, and a performance by the Lack Family in July was singled out.

And, of course, concerts by Rogue Valley Symphony at the Performing Arts Center are always popular.

Weekend Beer Company also hosts concerts throughout the year, and our readers specifically mentioned an appearance by Brothers Reed.

And the concert by Sawyer Brown at the 2024 Josephine County Fair was a big hit.

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST

As a writer, I can almost see (and hear) the words in my head while writing. It doesn’t require anything more than letting the grey matter do the work. Trying to draw something, however, is another story. It is almost impossible for me to visualize the finished product. I’m totally lost, and I have the utmost respect for artists who can see the image in their head and reproduce it effortlessly.

A number of artists were mentioned by our readers, and the number one choice was Julie Birkle, whose art can be seen periodically at the Grants Pass Museum of Art.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Janet Higgins
• Tina Albrecht
• Susan Williams
• Bob Eding
• Paula Fong
• Dan Kennedy
• Del Hearn
• Kel Letvinchuck

MOST FUN PLACE FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART STROLL

Our readers apparently love getting out of the house because this was a very popular category. And downtown is hopping every First Friday, making it the perfect occasion to socialize, see some great art, and top it off with a visit to a local restaurant or bar.

Winning this category once again was the friendly confines of the Grants Pass Museum of Art (and Gallery One), followed by:

• Glass Forge
• The Hivve
• Dutch Brothers
• Kitchen Company
• All along G Street
• The Bear Cave
• Oregon Outpost

FAVORITE BEAR DURING BEARFEST

When Evergreen Federal Bank’s Brady Adams started the first Bearfest twenty years ago by enlisting a few local artists to make whimsical sculptures of bears and placing them at strategic street corners in downtown Grants Pass, little did he realize that it would grow into a major attraction downtown (and off the beaten track), now featuring 55 cuddly little bears. Our readers were able to name 21 of those bears, including this year’s favorite, “Going Bearfoot” at the library, with artist Janet Gogué.

The Top Five were:

• “Barry Potter” at Oregon Books; artists Tommi Drake and Tomorrow Nelson
• “Rockabilly Bear” at the Fairgrounds; artist Tami Richardson Saffer
• “Nikov Tyme, Jet Boat Racing Bear” at Evergreen Federal Bank; artist Jon Peterman
• “Captain Rogue: Pirates of Bear Cove,” at 6th & K; artists Julie and Ben Bickle

BEST PLAY LAST YEAR

Grants Pass is still a hotbed of theater, with the Barnstormers, One Eleven Theatre, Rogue Music Theatre, and the RCC Theater Arts Department putting on performances. Even the local high schools present plays every year. Quite a few were mentioned by our readers, and topping the charts for the 2024/2025 season was 9 to 5: The Musical, which was presented by the Barnstormers in May. An all-star cast of local actors reprised the roles of Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 movie.

Also receiving votes were:

• One Eleven Theatre’s production of Oliver!
• Angel Street (Gaslight) by the Barnstormers
• Lost (and Found) in IKEA by the Barnstormers
• The Nutcracker Ballet by Stillpoint Dance Studio
• Two Gentlemen of Verona at RCC
• The Unsinkable Molly Brown at Grants Pass High School

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE – MALE

Quite a few performances were turned in by the men this year, but the number one choice was Chris Green, who played the lecherous, egotistical boss Franklin Hart in the Barnstormers’ production of 9 to 5 last year.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Sharif Abdulrahman for the Barnstormers’ Lost (and Found) in IKEA
• Zach Dodge, for both Angel Street (Gaslight) and Devour the Snow by the Barnstormers
• David Blake for the Barnstormers’

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE – FEMALE

On the female side of the ledger, the number one favorite was The Female Cast of 9 to 5, featuring Mairen Ogle, Janeen McGinnis, Michelle Spohn, and Shannon Veon-Kase.

The list also included:

• Angela Padilla for the Barnstormers’ Angel Street (Gaslight)
• Anna Nelson for the Barnstormers’ Lost (and Found) in IKEA
• Sharon Giddings for the Barnstormers’ The Outsider

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/SINGER

Quite a few local musicians were singled out in this survey, including the number one choice, Trevor Hanks, who plays at a number of local venues, including the County Fair and Concerts in the Park, with his band, The Blackburn Rebels, and other guest artists.

Other musicians mentioned were:

• Janeen McGinnis
• Jen Ambrose
• Gretchen Owens
• Jerry Hurley and his “Elvis Imitation”
• Matt Spurlock of American Contraband
• Broadway Phil
• Scott Head
• Steve Howell, bass player for the John Dough Boys

BEST LOCAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND

We built this city on rock ‘n’ roll, so let’s just right into this. The number one choice for our readers was Rock Steady, who appear at a lot of local venues, followed by:

• Starvation Heights
• Free Creatures
• The John Dough Boys
• Brothers Reed
• Broadway Phil & the Shouters
• American Contraband
• A Band of Brothers

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS AFTER WORK

Work isn’t always a four-letter word. Most of us actually enjoy what we do, but at the end of the day, it’s always good to blow off some steam and meet with friends to commiserate over all the fires you had to put out at work that day.

Where to go? Winning this category was Weekend Beer Company (and food trucks) at 1863 NW Washington, followed by:

• Growler Guys
• Area 61
• Horny Goat
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Wild River
• River’s Edge
• Cedarwood Saloon
• Laughing Clam
• The Haul

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS LATE AT NIGHT

Night life is definitely for the young and/or the young at heart, and there are plenty of places in Grants Pass that cater to that particular lifestyle. Topping the list this year was Bohemian Bar & Bistro, located at 233 SW G Street.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Weekend Beer Company
• Wonder Bur
• Steam Distillery
• Growler Guys
• JDs Sports Pub
• The Haul
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Taroko
• River’s Edge

BAR WITH BEST MUSIC VENUE

Live music is the lifeblood of any community, and luckily for Grants Pass, we have a number of venues that keep us entertained and our musicians employed. Taking down the top spot in this category was Weekend Beer Company, followed by:

• Area 61
• Shenanigans Lounge at Herb’s LaCasita
• The Hivve
• G Street Bar & Grill
• JDs Sports Pub
• Wonder Bur
• Sound Lounge

FAVORITE VENDOR AT THE GROWERS’ MARKET

It’s a huge social scene ever Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm in the parking lot behind the Post Office, as hundreds of local vendors offer everything from fruits and vegetables to cheese, desserts, tamales, and crafts.

Our readers definitely appreciate the local Growers’ Market, now in its 45th year, and their number one favorite vendor was Pennington Farms, a “90-acre farm located in the heart of the beautiful Applegate Valley.”

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Rise Up Artisan Breads
• Sweetwater Farms
• Windmill Bakery
• Bright Star Bakery
• The donut guy
• Fort Vannoy Farms
• Plaisance Ranch
• The tamale lady

FAVORITE HIKE IN SOUTHERN OREGON

They say that hiking in the woods is good for your health, and if that’s so, then Southern Oregon is the place for you. Entire books have been written on the hiking trails within 50 miles of Grants Pass. I look the liberty of Googling “hiking trails in Southern Orgon,” and then had a list of about forty different ones. So go for it!

And in this regard, our readers most often mentioned the Cathedral Hills, located in an area of BLM land in southeast Grants Pass.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Rainie Falls
• Limpy Creek
• East Applegate Trail
• Rogue River Trail
• Butte Creek Falls
• Table Rock Trail
• Mount McLoughlin

BEST CANNABIS DISPENSARY

It took decades of protests and lobbying, but six years ago Oregon voters finally realized that the criminalization of marijuana was doing more harm than good, kind of like Prohibition back in the 1920s. So a bill was crafted together that put restrictions on where it could be sold and consumed, and how it was going to be taxed, with much of the proceeds returned to the counties and cities where it was sold.

There are a number of cannabis dispensaries in Josephine County, and our readers most often mentioned Diamond Cannabis in this survey, located at 300 SW 6th Street, followed by:

• Nectar
• Southern Oregon Cannabis
• Redwood Cannabis
• Zuni Farm Stand Dispensary

FAVORITE WINERY/VINEYARD

Forget Napa Valley and the Willamette Valley. In the last 20 years, Southern Oregon has emerged as one of the most important wine-growing regions in the Pacific Northwest. Our readers could only scratch the surface, naming 19 of them in this survey, including its number one choice, Schmidt Family Vineyards, located at 330 Kubli Road.

Other favorites included:

• Two Rivers Vineyard
• Woolridge Creek Winery
• Red Lily
• Dancin’
• Apricity
• Del Rio Vineyards & Winery
• Kriselle Cellars
• Plaisance
• Troon Vineyard
* * * * *

Well, there you go. Another year, another Best of the Rogue Valley. If you have any suggestions for new entries next year, write to me at sneakpre@mind.net. —C.H.

 

Back in July 1986, when I started the Sneak Preview, I modeled it after a free, alternative newspaper in Denver called Westword. I had been dividing my time between Denver and Grants Pass since 1976 and felt it was time to settle down and do something productive. Back in the day, Westword had an annual readers’ survey, “The Best of Denver,” that was extremely popular, and in September 1987, I decided to introduce the concept to the Rogue Valley. It was a big hit, and today our sister publications, the Ashland and Medford Sneak Previews, and the Talent News & Review, also include readers’ surveys.

The concept is so popular that I have counted four other publications in the valley that have attempted the same thing. I’m not complaining, mind you. Since I borrowed the idea from Westword, it’s not like I had a patent on it. I do take comfort in the fact that we were the first, the trendsetters, and all the other publications are mere copycats (smiley face).

What I have noticed is that all of the other publications allow readers to vote online. I’m just not comfortable with that. Yes, it’s easier, but it opens the whole thing up to rampant ballot stuffing. As an individual, I have received emails from people with links to particular readers’ surveys, telling me to vote for them. All I had to do was click on the link and make the vote. That’s way too easy. Sure, it’s easier to count—you just let the computer do the work—but people can have all their relatives and friends vote for them simply by sending them a link.

Granted, making everyone fill out ballots and mail them in doesn’t eliminate ballot stuffing, but it accomplishes two purposes: 1.) It makes people at least put a little effort into it, and 2.) It makes it a lot easier to catch. And we take ballot stuffing into consideration when counting all the votes.

That being said, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and see what happened in the Rogue Valley since the last “Best Of.”

• Our October 2014 issue covered the race for county commissioner between Simon Hare and Mark Gatlin. At the last second Toni Webb entered the race as a write-in candidate. Hare still won comfortably, but in December he’d get in a little hot water after pulling a prank in the Cedarwood Tavern by surreptitiously sending texts on a friend’s cell phone. Turns out it was someone else’s cell phone, and her family didn’t think the joke was funny. Some called for Hare’s resignation, but if we didn’t allow public officials to attempt practical jokes, we’d be setting them up for an impossible standard. That’s just my opinion, of course.
• Then in November we covered the race for sheriff. You could also almost see in the lines of Gil Gilbertson’s face that he was a little stressed out over his job, and the voters decided to give him a rest as they elected challenger Dave Daniel the new sheriff.
• Our December issue featured an interview with former TV weatherman and meteorologist Leon Hunsaker, who reminisced about the infamous Flood of 1964.
• In February, we reported on a local group that was determined to get a public safety levy passed. This time they paid for a scientific survey to be conducted to see exactly how much the public was willing to pay and exactly what they expected to get for it. So the measure went to the voters in May and was rejected decisively. Sigh. I’ve told everyone for years that a small, supplemental levy earmarked for specific items will pass easily, but no one will listen to me (see our “Best of the Rogue Valley” question on page 22 for more information).
• In March 2015, our cover story featured county commissioner Cherryl Walker and political activist Toni Webb arguing over economic development. I tried not to pitch it as a catfight, but that’s basically what it boiled down to. Now Webb has filed an ethics complaint against Walker (and Simon Hare) for promoting a hemp farm that they had invested in.
• The brouhaha over a 6-year-old boy at Lincoln Elementary being punished for tardiness by having to sit behind a divider at lunch made national and international headlines. Our reporting in April tried to put everything in perspective and calm down the hysteria.
• In May and June we featured some Gonzo journalism from yours truly, as I reported on jury duty and also an interview with a homeless man.

It was definitely a fun year, but let’s move on to the 2015 “Best of the Rogue Valley,” our 29th annual readers’ survey. In categories that were too close to call, we awarded multiple winners.

DEMOGRAPHICS

To gauge exactly what kind of people were answering this survey, we asked the question “favorite TV show.” Again, we received multiple responses but only recorded shows that received at least two answers. And the top six were:

• NCIS.
• Game of Thrones.
• Criminal Minds.
• Walking Dead.
• Downton Abbey.
• Modern Family.
• Jeopardy.

MEDIA

RADIO STATION PLAYING THE “BEST” MUSIC

The Arc of Music runs from classical to pop, with a lot of iterations in between. There’s not a radio station alive that can appeal to everyone because human variation in musical preferences is just too broad. There aren’t many country fans who appreciate a good Snoop Doggy Dogg recording, and very few Big Band aficionados care much for the latest gig from Judas Priest. But when it comes to providing the greatest number of listeners with music to their ears, KAJO (1270AM) won this category over its sister station KLDR (98.3 FM).
They were followed in the balloting by:

• KCMD (99.3).
• KROG (96.9).
• KBOY (95.7).
• KCMX (Lite 101).
• KDOV (91.7).
• KZZE (106.3).

BEST LOCAL TALK RADIO SHOW

Winning this category hands down was the Tuesday Morning Talk Show at KAJO, which “brings interesting topics and guests to talk about the issues important to Grants Pass.” The guests can range from the county commissioners and the Grants Pass City Council to the Constitution Study Group.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Don Monette at KCMD.
• Perry Atkinson at KDOV.

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS STATION

I just went through the online headlines of a local TV station and it included “Police search for suspects in white truck,” “Prison escape caught on camera,” “Fatal crash on Highway 46,” “Shooting investigation in Grants Pass,” and “Police report details from Springfield double murder.” Pretty uplifting stuff, huh? To their credit, our local news teams do report on positive events in the community and keep us informed on political and social issues. It’s just that crime and mayhem appeal to our rubbernecking natures.
For the umpteenth time in a row, our readers chose NewsWatch 12 (KDRV), with “Brian, Ashley, Brian and Kate” leading the way, followed by KTVL (Channel 10) and KOBI/Channel 5.
Also receiving votes were Fox 26 and Southern Oregon Public Television.

FAVORITE TV WEATHERPERSON

Last December we did a story on former weatherman/meteorologist Leon Hunsaker, who regaled us with stories about the Flood of 1964, which he accurately predicted 50 years ago based on a theory of movements in the jet stream that he had developed. It was fascinating stuff, and you can hear that and more almost every night from many talented meteorologists on our local TV news stations, starting with Kate McKenna, who is the Chief Meteorologist at KDRV, which she joined in June 2014. A native of Kentucky, she became interested in weather at age nine while witnessing a historic hailstorm in Bowling Green, Kentucky, that resulted in $500 million in damage.
Also making the list were:

• Kevin Lollis of KTVL.
• Jeff Heaton of KOBI.
• Seth Philipps of KDRV.
• Milt Radford of KTVL.

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE DAILY COURIER

While the Sneak Preview recently celebrated its 29th birthday, the Courier has been around since 1885, which makes it 130 years old. It started off as the Grant’s Pass Courier (complete with a misspelling of the name), changed to the Rogue River Courier in 1886, and then became the Grants Pass Daily Courier in 1919 after the city of Woodville changed its name to Rogue River. Its claim to fame? When the Courier became a daily in 1910, Grants Pass was the smallest city in the world to have leased wire service from the United Press. (Thank you, Wikipedia!)
One hundred and thirty years is a tough act to follow, but the faithful crew at our favorite almost-daily newspaper is up to the challenge. Taking down the top spot was sports editor Ben Maki, who has been with the Courier since 2011. Ben grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, received his degree in journalism from Texas Tech, and his favorite major league baseball team is the Texas Rangers.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Edith Decker, entertainment editor.
• Jeff Duewel, natural resources.
• Jim Moore, city beat.
• Shaun Hall, business reporter.
• Ruth Kingsland, education reporter.
• Kevin Widdison, editor.
• Kathleen Alaks, features reporter.

CUTEST BABY BORN IN LAST YEAR

We had three contestants this year (actually four, but someone didn’t label the photo, and it got lost in the shuffle). It was a tough, tough race for the top spot, but in the end Wesley Harmon emerged as cutest.
The list also included:

• Lylan Renée Brown.
• Reid Jacoby.

FAVORITE ADS IN THE SNEAK PREVIEW

For everyone who wrote in “all,” we (and our advertisers) thank you. And while a lot of people mentioned restaurant coupons, we were actually looking for ads that showed a little zip and creativity. And in that regard, many of our readers mentioned the back page, public service ad that Steve Roe at Roe Motors GM offers every month.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Club Northwest.
• Human Bean.
• AesthetiSpa.
• Caveman Heating.
• Evergreen Federal.

FAVORITE LOCAL FACEBOOK PAGE

The Grants Pass Sneak Preview is actually in the process of developing a Facebook page, so for all of you wringing your hands over our absence, you can rest easy. A number of local Facebook pages were mentioned, and RogueWeather.com landed on top. It’s a local compendium of forecasts and current conditions.
Others receiving some notice were:

• Jo Co Scanner Group.
• Grants Pass Happenings.
• Glass Forge.
• Broad Adventures.

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

You have to admire anyone who takes the initiative to start a new business. Despite what Rand Paul says, nine out of ten new businesses do not fail. The true statistic is that within four or five years, 50% of all businesses fail, but even that may be overstated depending on the definition of “failure.” Either way, it’s not easy running a business, and our hats are off to those who give it a try.
Taking down the number one spot this year was The Haul, a new restaurant/bar/social space in Grants Pass at 121 SW H Street.
Also mentioned were:

• Ready Ride, a non-emergency transportation service for AllCare members in Southern Oregon.
• Climate City Brewing (509 SW G), the area’s newest addition to the craft beer scene, serving beer and upscale pub food.
• Oregon Mattress Authority at 424 SW 6th.
• Tommi’s Ice Cream at 101 SW 4th.

FAVORITE BUSINESSPERSON

Not everyone is cut out to be a businessperson. It entails a certain amount of responsibility, risk, and stress, and usually only the strong (and even tempered) survive. Quite a few local businesspeople were mentioned in this survey, but in the end Travis Boersma of Dutch Brothers landed on top. Travis made the news recently when he decided to claim some thoroughbreds at Grants Pass Downs. Hopefully, his enthusiasm will inject some new energy into local horse racing.
The list also included:

• Scott and Annette Draper at Club Northwest and Spa at Club Northwest.
• Frank Wright and Roy Heinzle of the Kitchen Company.
• Steve Roe of Roe Motors GM.
• Virginia Kramer of Thrive Wellness.
• Giff Gates of Gates Furniture.
• Dave Thomason of Taprock (and other restaurants).
• Carl and Mimi Raskin of Elegance.

MOST COMMUNITY-MINDED BUSINESS

Giving back to the community is the credo of quite a few local businesses, and topping the charts in this category was Evergreen Federal Savings (we miss you, Brady!) and Roe Motors GM. They were followed by:

• Dutch Brothers.
• Greenleaf Industries.
• Human Bean.
• Club Northwest.
• Three Rivers Community Hospital.

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (CITY)

Back in my substitute teaching days, I concentrated mainly on high school and middle school. One day at a morning assignment in Denver, I was asked if I wanted to fill in at an elementary school for the afternoon. No problema. If I can handle teenagers, 7 and 8-year-olds will be a snap. Well, I was certainly wrong. After about four hours of herding the young’uns around and dealing constantly with their needs, I was so spent I drove straight home and took a 2-hour nap. My admiration for elementary school teachers increased dramatically.
Quite a few teachers were mentioned in this survey, starting with the number one choice, Heidi Sembach, a second grade teacher at Riverside Elementary.
She was followed in the balloting by:

• Jennifer Seymour, 4th grade at Highland.
• Michelle Kunst, 5th grade at Redwood.
• Janis Morgan, Kindergarten at Parkside.
• Steve Fuller, 5th grade at Redwood.
• Angie Kassab, Kindergarten at Riverside.

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (COUNTY)

On the Three Rivers School District’s side of the ledger, 3rd grade teacher Carrie Simpson of Madrona Elementary won this category.

FAVORITE PRINCIPAL

As principal of a school—elementary, middle, or high—you’re faced with the age-old conundrum of not having enough hours in the day to get everything done. Not only do you have to cater to every little whim of the darlings under your care, but there are teachers, janitors, cafeteria staff, and of course, parents. Oh, and if you make one little mistake, the press (and Facebook) will be all over your case. So coming up with that 25th hour in the day shouldn’t be too hard an assignment.
Working his way through the new, improved 25-hour day is this year’s winner, Jake Musser, principal of Allen Dale Elementary, followed by:

• Dennis Misner, North Valley High School.
• Dave Stone, Hidden Valley High School.
• Ryan Thompson of Grants Pass High School.
• Jeff Weiss, South Middle School.
• Jessica Durant, Riverside Elementary.

FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS COACH

It’s a labor of love to put in a full 8-hour day as a teacher, then help guide athletes through the rigors of training and game-day. Our local sports coaches do a great job, and nowhere is that more evident than with Jenner Yriarte, track coach at Grants Pass High School, who was voted this year’s favorite. Jenner led the Caveman to a 2015 state championship.
Also in the running were:

• John Musser, GPHS football coach.
• Lowell Anderson, GPHS soccer coach.
• Maria Kilborn, GPHS volleyball coach.
• Todd Willaman, North Valley High School football.

FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR AT RCC

As an alumnus of RCC (I took Biology, Botany and Chemistry in the fall of 1980, and Anatomy & Physiology Summer 1981), this is always a fun category for me. I also taught a Community Ed class there from 1980-82 but didn’t quality for a retirement watch. The college has definitely grown leaps and bounds since my days as a student/”professor.” Winning this category among our readers this year was Pat Enos in the Art Department, followed by:

• Mike Strickler, Science.
• Randy Wade, Business.
• Steve Carlino, Health/PE.
• Karl Brake, Art.

FAVORITE DENTIST

So a woman and her husband interrupted their vacation to go to the dentist. “I want a tooth pulled, and I don’t want Novacaine because I’m in a big hurry,” the woman said. “Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible, and we’ll be on our way.” The dentist was quite impressed. “You’re certainly a courageous woman,” he said. “Which tooth is it?” The woman turned to her husband and said, “Show him your tooth, dear.”
Favorite Dentist is always one of our more popular categories, and this year was no exception, as almost everyone had an opinion (when it comes to your teeth, there’s no middle ground). The competition was stiff, but landing at the top this year was Darren Huddleston and Sara Riechers.
The Top Six were:

• Steven Rogers.
• Matthew Hill.
• Greg Bigelow.
• Mart Erickson.

Also receiving lots of votes were:

• Richard Miller.
• Paul Anderson.
• Ray Sutton.
• Jim Hales.
• Peter Pastrell.

FAVORITE FAMILY DOCTOR

A man goes to his doctor and says, “I don’t think my wife’s hearing is as good as it used to be. What should I do?” The doctor replies, “Try this test to find out for sure. When your wife is in the kitchen doing dishes, stand fifteen feet behind her and ask her a question. If she doesn’t respond, keep moving closer asking the question until she hears you.” The man goes home and sees his wife preparing dinner. He stands fifteen feet behind her and says, “What’s for dinner, honey?” He gets no response, so he moves to ten feet behind her and asks again. Still no response, so he moves to five feet. Still no answer. Finally he stands directly behind her and says, “Honey, what’s for dinner?” She replies, “For the fourth time, I SAID CHICKEN!”
Thirty-one different MDs were mentioned in this year’s survey, and the top featured a tie between Heather Kahn (Rogue Medicine), Steven Foutz and Donna Givens (Grants Pass Family Medicine).
The list also included:

• Felicia Cohen (Women’s Health Center).
• Andrew Luther (Grants Pass Clinic).
• Angela Mount (Asante Physician Partners).
• Mark Rondeau, family practitioner.
• Kristin Miller, Siskiyou Community Health Center.
• Andrew Pitsak.
• David Abdun-Nur, Mountainview Family Practice.
• Tamara Medley (Women’s Health Center).

FAVORITE PEDIATRICIAN

I couldn’t really find any good pediatrician jokes, so we’ll just move right into the voting. And winning this category, with strong support from the 6-18 month voting bloc, was Dr. Steven Marshak, D.O., of the Siskiyou Pediatric Clinic.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Judy Black, Grants Pass Clinic.
• Salma Yahya, Siskiyou Pediatric Clinic.
• Yung K. Kho.
• William Kohn.

FAVORITE PHYSICIAN’S ASSISTANT

A physician’s assistant “is a nationally certified and state-licensed medical professional who practices medicine on healthcare teams with physicians and other providers.” Most programs are approximately three years in length and require the same prerequisite courses as medical schools. There are subtle differences between them and nurse practitioners, and to try and explain them all would take more space than is available.
Many of our readers, however, know the difference and they named a few local PAs in this survey. Topping the list was Brett Rasmussen at Wellspring Family Practice, followed by:

• Shanna McGowan at Grants Pass Clinic.
• Chelsea Burchette at Mountainview Family Practice.
• Scott Swindells, Siskiyou Community Health Center.
• Esther Moore at Grants Pass Clinic.

FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE PRACTITIONER

Don’t let the “alternative” part of this nomenclature fool you—naturopathic doctors and acupuncturists know their stuff, and while they’ll attempt to cure your current aches and pains, they’ll also try to lead you down a path of optimal health that could cut future health care costs.
Our readers mentioned quite a few alternative medicine practitioners in this survey, reserving the number one spot for naturopathic doctor Ellen Heinitz at the Naturopathic Clinic.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Acupuncturist Janet Moret.
• Acupuncturist Gregory Doss of the Acupuncture & Herbal Medical Center.
• Kristin Plunkett of the Naturopathic Clinic.
• Acupuncturist Raven Sara.

FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR

It all started in 1895 when D.D. Palmer performed the first chiropractic adjustment on a partially deaf janitor. Later that year, he helped another patient who had heart troubles, and he made the pronouncement that “spinal manipulation is the cure for all diseases for the human race.” He might have been exaggerating, but there’s no disputing the fact that the spine, and the nerves encased within them, work a lot more efficiently when everything is lined up correctly. Which is why a lot of us swear by our chiropractors.
Where to go when the spine is starting to get all kattywampus? Our readers most often mentioned Scott Thorsen, followed closely by:

• David Krauss.
• Owen Martin.
• Kevin Teagle.
• Ryan Baker.
• David Willing.
• Glen Litwiller.
• Edward Welch.

FAVORITE OPTOMETRIST

The biggest difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is that no one in the Western world can spell ophthalmologist. Just kidding, the latter is actually an MD who can do operations on the eye, while an optometrist “provides primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment and management of vision changes.”
Topping the charts in this category was Dan Vidlak of the Eye Care Group.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Michael Schwartz.
• Jeff Pelson of the Eye Care Group.
• Scott Walters of the Eye Care Group.

And we promise that next year we’ll include the category “Favorite Ophthalmologist.” Just be ready to spell it!

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

You know, if you put the root of a hair cell under a microscope, it’s beyond butt ugly, but once everything grows out and gets cut and buffed and combed, it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the human body. Who do you go to when you want those hair cells to cooperate? Many of our readers this year chose Holly Knoll and Amy Taradash, both of whom work at the Spa at Club Northwest.
This is another one of those favorite categories with readers, and 28 different hair stylists were mentioned.
The Top Eight included:

• Jackie McConnell of Salon Vanusto.
• Carol Oyler at Carol’s Image Connection.
• Kathy Johnson.
• Erin Camacho at Salon Venusto.
• Janie Peters.
• Kelcie Easter of Serendipity—Studio 201.

FAVORITE MANICURIST

Well, I spent about two hours weeding in the garden last week, and my nails looked like something out of Creature from the Black Lagoon. I literally spent an hour trying to pick dirt and grime out of the nails, and I’ll admit I felt a lot better when they were clean. Then I had this interesting thought: “Maybe, just maybe, I should visit a manicurist!” My wife, of course, thinks I’m insane for not visiting them on a monthly basis, but that’s a story for another day.
Anyway, where to go when those nails need a little extra work? Many of our readers mentioned the talented staff at Forever Nails, followed by:

• Katrina Lorentz of Spa at Club Northwest.
• Kelsey Collins.
• The staff at Blue Door Salon.
• The staff at Get Nailed.

FAVORITE AUTO BODY SHOP

Yeah, we know, it wasn’t your fault. What idiot placed those metal bars in the parking lot, anyway? Oh, they were there to protect a gas meter? That makes sense, but it still wasn’t your fault! That scenario actually happened to me a couple of years ago as I was backing out of a restaurant parking lot. It cost a pretty penny to get fixed.
Where to go when that happens in Grants Pass? The top dog in this category turned out to be DJ’s Bump & Paint Parlor, located at 325 SW G.
The list also included:

• Apland’s Auto Body.
• Star Body Works.
• Ham’s Body Shop.
• Valle’s Auto Body.

BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A TUNE-UP

You’re spewing black smoke from the muffler, the car suddenly lurches when you’re driving down the highway, and sometimes it takes 37 times turning the ignition just to get it started. You also suddenly went from getting 32 miles a gallon to eight. Something’s wrong, right? If you start with the simplest solution, the car’s probably due for a tune-up. And when that happens, our readers suggest visiting Tom’s Auto Service, followed by:

• Best Auto Service Center.
• Autosmith.
• Wheeler Toyota.
• Star Automotive.
• Huck’s Garage.
• Roe Motors GM.
• Smerdon Automotive.
• Xtreme Auto Repair.
• Bridge Street Auto.

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

When you think of famous lawyers, a few come to mind—Clarence Darrow, F. Lee Bailey, Johnnie Cochrane, William Kunstler. All of those guys achieved notoriety by defending controversial cases or causes. The vast majority of attorneys, however, work cases that never make the front page. They work hard, and they come in handy whenever you get entangled in the legal system.
This is another popular category with our readers, and they named quite a few attorneys, including this year’s number one, Kathi Holmbeck.
She was followed in the balloting by:

• Chris Mecca.
• Lynn Myrick.
• Richard Adams.
• Jim Dole.
• Jack Davis.
• Duane Schultz.
• Dennis James.
• Dan Simcoe.

FAVORITE POLICEPERSON

I talked with a police officer a few years ago who told me that even he got nervous on the highway if a police car appeared in his rear view mirror. That’s what happened to a friend and me while driving to Reno last week. We got pulled over, and my buddy, who was driving, was so nervous that the cop probably thought we had a dead body in the trunk. It turned out to be a false alarm, but we lost about five pounds sweating out the ordeal.
We’re hoping this isn’t just a honeymoon period, but newly elected Sheriff Dave Daniel was the runaway winner in the category for 2015. He is, unfortunately, facing even more budget cuts and if something isn’t done soon, public safety in Josephine County will really become problematic.
Moving onto more positive things, our readers also recognized:

• Grants Pass Police Chief Bill Landis.
• Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Heller.
• Grants Pass Detective Pete Jenesta.
• Grants Pass Deputy Police Chief Jim Hamilton.
• Grants Pass Officer Jason Peil.
• Grants Pass Officer John Moore.

FAVORITE ACCOUNTANT/CPA

My wife and I did all of our taxes—both personal and business—for twenty years until one day we had an epiphany: “Why don’t we let a professional do this?” It turned out to be a wise decision. Not only did it save us time, but it was done right, and we actually ended up saving money.
On that front, our readers named quite a few local accountants and CPAs. The final tally ended up as a tie between Randy Jentzsch and Brenda Patton, followed by:

• Bobbie Winters.
• Cynthia Harelson.
• Ken Behymer.
• Karen Doyle.
• David Raskin.
• Stu Watson.
• Linda Lemmons.

FAVORITE FINANCIAL ADVISOR

There are a lot of things more important than money—health, love and the Chicago Cubs come to mind—but being financially secure certainly helps jumpstart the whole circle of life. And whenever you have a little left over, it’s always good to invest it for rainy days. Sure, you could go out and buy that 60-foot yacht or have a putting green installed in the back yard, but getting a little return on your money is the smart thing to do.
Where to go when you need some advice? Our readers first mentioned Chris Isabell of Rogue Advisors. He was followed by:

• Nelson Maler of Morgan Stanley.
• Danny Sawyer of Securities America.
• Todd Thompson of Rogue Advisors.
• Ken Guerra of Investment Resources.
• Jeff Voigt of Primerica.
• Paul Hart of Edward Jones.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

There are about a thousand and one things to keep track of every day when running a restaurant—food, employees, utilities, bathrooms, billing, fussy chefs, public health inspections, advertising salespeople, the list goes on. Our hats are off to the many restaurant owners out there who give it 100% every day.
Quite a few owners were mentioned by our readers, and landing at the top was Manuel Flores, owner of Flores Family Restaurants in Grants Pass, which include Si Casa Flores, Taqueria Mexico, Flores Tacos Locos and Si Casa Xpress.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Dave Thomason of Taprock and Elmer’s.
• Bob and Darla Feil of the Train Depot and River’s Edge.
• Tina Gotchall of the Powderhorn.
• Mike and Beth Forshay of Twisted Cork.
• Bret Musselman of 115 Broiler.
• Jose Palomino of Casa Amiga.
• Nancy Bowers of Goldminer Restaurant.

FAVORITE WAITPERSON

You’re about ready to call it a day, when a group of twenty people walk in the door wanting to be served. They’re loud and semi-rude, but you get the table prepared, put on your best smiley face, and start taking orders. It turns out that they’re all movie stars who are in town to shoot a scene for the next segment of Game of Thrones. While Tyrion would keep you busy by continually ordering more wine and Daenerys was a little haughty, that Jon Snow guy sure was cute, and Jamie Lannister actually grew his hand back.
Anyway, 26 different waiters and waitresses were mentioned in this survey, and topping the charts this year was Katie Roselle of the Train Depot.
The list also featured:

• Jessica Pardue of Taprock.
• Tricia Walker of Elmer’s.
• Dotti Kochis at 115 Broiler.
• Rachel Geiger of River’s Edge.
• Debbie Hamblin at the Powderhorn.
• Joe Gomez of G Street Bar & Grill.
• Frank Arturi of 115 Broiler.
• Lupita at Taqueria Mexico.
• Tina Gotchall at the Powderhorn.

FAVORITE BARTENDER

Why didn’t the bartender serve the snake? Because he couldn’t hold his drink. Or: So a dyslexic walks into a bra … Or: What does a termite say when he walks into a bar? “Is the bar tender here?” Or: What did the bartender say when two jumper cables walked into the bar? “You guys better not start anything in here.”
So … moving right along. Winning this year’s category for Favorite Bartender was Bob Lewis of the Cedarwood, followed by:

• Willie Evans at the Wonder Bur.
• Danielle Brooks at the Alibi.
• Butch at the Wonder Bur.
• Perry Selkner at the Taprock.

FAVORITE TREE PRUNERS

When we moved into our house in 1992, we planted 35 trees on the property. As you can imagine, some of them are gigantic now … and some of them have died. Just within the last year, we’ve had to have five huge trees removed. It was kind of sad, but life goes on. There are lots of tree pruners in the valley, and our readers named almost all of them, reserving their top spot for Eric’s Tree Service.
Also landing high on the list were:

• Southern Oregon Tree Care.
• Tree Servicing Pros.
• A-Z Tree Service.
• Reliable Tree Service.
• Jeff Dean’s Tree Service.

FAVORITE WHITEWATER RAFTERS

Back in the day, I practically lived on the Rogue River, floating down in Tahitis or tackling the Lower Rogue in drift boats. We were fearless back then (too much alcohol, perhaps), but every time I read about someone drowning in the Rogue River, I realize how lucky I was. If I ever decide on another whitewater trip, it will definitely be in the hands of a competent professional.
And in that regard, our readers gave top nod to Orange Torpedo Trips, based out of Merlin.
They were followed by:

• Rogue Wilderness Adventures.
• Ferron’s Fun Trips.
• Alternative Whitewater Adventures.
• Hellgate Jetboat Excursions.

FAVORITE PLUMBER

I went to a wedding a couple of years ago at a private residence, and while the guests were in the backyard waiting for the ceremony, we all looked up to see a plumber on the roof inserting a “snake” into a pipe. It turns out that right before the ceremony was to start, all of the plumbing in the house backed up! That’s what I call unlucky. Thankfully, the plumber saved the day, and the ceremony, reception and party afterward went off without a hitch.
Whom to turn to when the wedding is on the line? Our readers first mentioned Rich at Aristocrat Plumbing, followed by:

• Michael’s Plumbing.
• Frank Rauch Plumbing.
• Al’s Plumbing Service.
• Heritage Plumbing.
• Grants Pass Plumbing.
• Mr. Rooter.

FAVORITE ELECTRICIAN

They say that a bolt of lightning can have 100 million to one billion volts and contains billions of watts. When I was golfing in Tahoe last month, we encountered lightning late in the afternoon on all three days. On the third day, it got so bad that they actually shut the course down. But I guess when you’re talking about one billion volts, it’s probably not something to mess with, especially when you consider that the typical DC current carries anywhere from 48 to 120 volts.
There’s a certain amount of risk being an electrician. You definitely want to make sure the power is turned off before you start sticking screwdrivers into mysterious places. And when it comes to that, our readers were able to name quite a few. Leading the charge this year was Norm Sky of Sky Electric.
He was followed in the balloting by:

• Advanced Electrical Services.
• Brownell’s Electric.
• Bormuth Electric.
• Michael Gatt.
• Darrin Fowler.

CUTEST PET

This was a total landslide as Mikey, the greeter at Thrive Wellness, won this contest.

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

While the city of Grants Pass wasn’t incorporated until 1887, the first post office was established in 1865, and the town was named after Gen. U.S. Grant’s victory at Vicksburg. At that time, the downtown area consisted of a couple of blocks on Sixth Street, and a few buildings on Historic G Street. Today, the downtown core has shown a revival that is unmatched in most cities in Oregon. And we can thank our loyal, downtown merchants for helping with that rejuvenation.
Winning this category in a landslide once again was The Kitchen Company, a kitchen appliance store at 301 SE 6th Street.
They edged out Grants Pass Pharmacy in the balloting, while the Top Twelve included:

• Fiona Bean.
• Never a Bum Steer.
• Shop River Rock.
• La Bella Casa.
• Blind George’s.
• Oregon Outpost.
• Tierra del Sol.
• Bead Merchant.
• Herb Shop.
• Violet Continued.

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

Fred Meyer was the top dog in this contest, followed by:

• Wal-Mart.
• Fields Home Center.
• Cartwright’s.
• Rogue River Florist.
• J.C. Penney.
• Maurice’s.
• Cary’s of Oregon.
• Bi-Mart.
• Home Depot.
• an’s Hallmark Store.

BEST GIFT STORE

If you look carefully at one of those special, gift-giving calendars, you can find reasons to buy gifts for almost every day of the month. I almost have to draw the line at Groundhog Day and National Dairy Day, but most of the others deserve gifts, especially if I’m the recipient. Where to go when you want to buy the editor of the Sneak Preview a gift?
Our readers most often named Hellgate’s Shop River Rock, although the vote was close at the top with Jan’s Hallmark receiving a lot of support.
Others high on the list were:

• Never a Bum Steer.
• Oregon Outpost.
• Kitchen Company.
• Grants Pass Pharmacy.
• Rogue River Florist.
• Violet Continued.
• La Bella Casa.
• Fiona Bean.
• Sandi’s Candies.

BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE

The Pacific Northwest is famous for its outdoor activities, from whitewater rafting and hiking to fishing, hunting, camping, golf, baseball, softball, tennis and lake kayaking. There are plenty of stores catering to the outdoor needs, with Big 5 topping the charts with our readers.
The list also included:

• Bi-Mart.
• Fred Meyer.
• Bradbury’s Gun-N-Tackle.
• Competitive Athletics.
• U-Save Gas & Tackle.
• Club Northwest Pro Shop.

BEST PLACE TO BUY KIDS CLOTHES

Now that I have grandkids, there’s something I never noticed about little kids—they grow out of their clothes real quickly. Just kidding … I noticed it as a parent, also, but it just didn’t seem to happen so fast!
Where to go when the kids outgrow their clothes and need more? Most of our readers mentioned Fred Meyer and Wal-Mart, but when you want a little more personal service, they chose:

• Chesi Jo’s Baby Boutique.
• Eco Tots Boutique.
• Kids Corner.
• It’s a Small World.
• Baby Connection.

BEST PLACE TO BUY MATTRESSES

For some reason, you wake up in the morning and it feels as if a band of wild monkeys had been jumping on your back all night. Then you turn on your computer, and your daily tip of the day reads, “A mattress that has been in use for 7-10 years is no longer providing you with the best comfort and support and should be replaced.” Well, duh, and you thought they lasted forever … or was it the wild monkeys?
Our readers were able to name most of the local mattress dealers in this survey, reserving their number one spot for Gates Home Furnishings, located downtown at 700 SW 6th.
Others high on the list were:

• Oregon Mattress Authority.
• Active Home Furnishings.
• Mattress Land.
• Quality Mattress.
• Mattress Experts.
• Bed Store.

BEST PLACE TO BUY REFRIGERATORS/STOVES

Keeping up with the Jones’ really doesn’t apply when it comes to kitchen appliances. How many neighbors peek through the window and tell everyone, “Did you see the 20-year-old refrigerator they have?” “I know,” another busybody says, “and that stove; I think it was used in the Civil War.” No, that kind of stuff doesn’t happen, but having the engine go out in the frig or the stove malfunction—well, now there’s a reason to buy a new one.
Taking down top honors in this category for 2015 was Sears Hometown Store, located at 1533 NE F. They were followed closely by:

• Home Depot.
• Active Appliance.
• Appliance & Mower Center.
• Household Furniture & Appli-ances.
• T&N Appliance.

BEST SCUBA SHOP

I’ve only tried scuba once. It was on the Illinois River back in the Summer of 1979, and my “instructor” gave me about two minutes of instruction, then threw me into the deep end. I floundered for about a minute, then decided that maybe I should have received a little more instruction and preparation.
Where would I go? This ended up in a tie between Coral Sea Scuba, located at 1680 Williams Highway, and Sundance Divers, at 543 NE E.
Gary Bluhm’s Northwest Scuba School was also mentioned as a great place to take scuba classes.

FAVORITE BOOKSTORE

One of the greatest inventions in the history of mankind was Gutenberg’s printing press in 1440. The mechanization of bookmaking led to the first mass production of books in Europe, allowing authors like Martin Luther to distribute hundreds of thousands of books in their lifetimes. Will the Kindle make books obsolete? It will be a sad day when you can’t sit in front of a fire with a good book in your hand, not a piece of technological metal.
Anyway, there are still a few good bookstores left to cater to the Gutenberg crowd, including this year’s winner, Oregon Books & Games at 150 NE E, followed by:

• My Bookstore.
• Magazine Exchange.
• Evangel Books.
• Iguana Comics & Gifts.
• Heartsong, Inc.

BEST PLACE TO BUY BLINDS/CURTAINS

There are essentially three things to consider when buying blinds and curtains: 1.) How well do they modulate the sunlight? 2.) How well do they provide privacy? And 3.) How good do they look? I mean, you can always just nail some aluminum siding over the window if all you wanted to do was keep out the sun. And when it comes to blinds and curtains, our readers were a little discerning, picking Draperies N Things (547 NE E) as their favorite.
Others mentioned were:

• Mr. Mini Blind.
• Budget Blinds.
• Home Depot.
• Michelle Jueden Custom Drapery & Design.

BEST SELECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

As a spectator sport, shopping isn’t that exciting. Every year my daughter and I take an annual 3-day road trip, which always ends with her shopping at a mall somewhere. I do my best to keep up, but I always take a book with me and invariably will fall asleep, like in a comfy sofa at H&M or Forever Young, despite rock music playing at ear-splitting levels.
Here in Grants Pass, there are a number of places to shop for women’s clothes, and while the big three of JC Penney’s, Fred Meyer and Ross received a lot of attention, so did:

• Maurice’s.
• Violet Continued.
• Tierra del Sol
• Fiona Bean.
• Emilia’s Closet.
• Never a Bum Steer.

BEST SELECTION OF MEN’S CLOTHES

Every year or so I go shopping for a couple of new pairs of pants, some new shorts and shirts, and, uh, socks. Then I rely on my wife and daughters to supplement the wardrobe at Christmas and on my birthday. They have my back … literally.
And where should they go to shop? Most readers picked Fred Meyer, although JC Penney came in a close second, followed by:

• Ross.
• Wal-Mart.
• Roley’s Pacific Supply.
• Goodwill.

BEST PLACE TO BUY HATS

If anything, you need a place to buy a hat when the Kentucky Derby rolls around. Where to go when you want to cheer American Pharaoh onto a win, or just generally want to look good? A lot of people mentioned Ross Dress for Less.
Also topping the list were:

• Tierra del Sol.
• Never a Bum Steer.
• Fred Meyer.
• The pro shop at the golf course.
• Roley’s Pacific Supply.

BEST PLACE TO BUY HEARING AIDS

It’s amazing that mere sound waves in the ear canal move tiny bones in the middle ear, which create a fluid movement in the cochlea, triggering a response in the hearing nerve. And that’s how you hear everything from a whisper to a sonic boom. It’s extraordinary that hearing lasts as long as it does, but when things do go south, you want to take care of them right away.
There are a number of great hearing aid specialists in town, and our readers named all of them, including their first choice, the Audiology Associates of Southern Oregon.
Also high on the list were:

• Beltone Hearing Center.
• Quality Hearing Care.
• My Hearing Centers.
• Miracle-Ear Hearing Aid Center.
• American Hearing Aid Systems.

FRIENDLIEST FLORISTS

Flowers are perfect for almost every occasion, from births and weddings to birthdays and funerals. They brighten up every room, and many restaurants even feature fresh flowers at the table. Because they are surrounded by so much beauty 24/7, florists have a natural tendency to be happy about their jobs, and our readers appreciate their efforts.
Taking down the number one spot this year was Probst Flower Shop, located in the Williams Highway Plaza.
The vote was close, however, as both Rogue River Florist and Judy’s received a lot of votes.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS/SHRUBS/TREES

Back in June, I didn’t think we were going to have enough water to get our flowers through the summer. Then the big deluge in July came, and I think we’re going to be all right. Late summer and fall is actually a good time to do some planting, as the roots will get established before winter sets in and they’ll be ready to go at spring time.
With Chet’s shutting down and moving to Brookings, we thought it would be interesting to see how this category played out, since Chet’s had won it for the last ten years. And as the last precincts were reported, Redwood Nursery, located at 1303 Redwood Avenue, was the winner, followed by:

• Penniesworth Acres Nursery.
• The Grange Co-Op.
• Home Depot.
• Fred Meyer.
• Sandy’s Nursery.
• Diamond Home Improvement.
• Greenleaf Greenhouse.
• Bi-Mart.

BEST PLACE TO BUY CELL PHONES

They’re definitely ubiquitous and worse than that, they’re everywhere (that’s a joke, by the way). They’re also like little kids—every night that have to be plugged into bed and recharged (I almost feel like reading Good Night Moon to them). And then they make weird little noises right in the middle of your backswing at the golf course. And … oh never mind; no matter how much we complain about cell phones, life would be unbearable without them, so let’s just enjoy the moment.
There are a number of places to buy cell phones locally, and our readers named U.S. Cellular at 1610 Allen Creek Road and 220 NE Beacon as their favorite.
The list also included:

• Verizon.
• AT&T.
• Sprint.
• Chat Cat.

GROCERY STORE WITH FRIENDLIEST CHECKERS

They move a lot of food in the course of one day, and they know the price of every item down to the nearest penny (or at least the code scanner does, but who’s counting?). Through all that, they still have time to chat and get to know you, commenting on the weather and how the Seahawks are doing, and what did the price of Microsoft look like this morning, etc.
Winning the hearts and minds of our customers this year were the friendly checkers at Safeway
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Fred Meyer.
• Albertson’s, which is now Haggens.
• Cartwright’s.
• Gooseberries.
• Ray’s Food Place.
• Grocery Outlet.

BEST PLACE TO BUY STEAK KNIVES

Your neighbor just unloaded 34 pounds of zucchinis from the garden on you, and you’ve got to get them cut for that Mother of All Salads that you promised your church group for the Summer Social. You’ll be going through knives like crazy, and you’re going to need the best and the brightest. Where to go? Our readers strongly recommended the selection at The Kitchen Company, located at 301 SE 6th, where every kitchen item under the known sun is available.
Also receiving votes were:

• Bi-Mart.
• Cartwright’s.
• Wal-Mart.

FAVORITE GAS STATION

Now that the deal with Iran has been brokered, our former enemies will be opening up their oil spigots to the global market. And I guess y’all know what that means, right? When supply goes up, the price goes down. Yay, free market system!
And when it comes to anticipating lower gas prices, our readers once again named Fred Meyer, at the corner of the Parkway and Beacon Drive, as their favorite gas station, followed by:

• Lonnie’s Texaco at 7th & Morgan.
• Larry Henderson’s “A” Street Chevron.
• Towne Pump.
• The ARCO Station at 7th & “M.”
• Union 75 South.
• U Save.
• Fireball.

FAVORITE STORE IN MEDFORD/ASHLAND

Going to shop in Medford and Ashland is our own little version of a global economy. Despite the fact that everything we buy is from China or Bangladesh, it seems as if we’re keeping all the money in Southern Oregon. And when it comes to that, our readers once again named both CostCo and Trader Joe’s as their number one.
Other favorite destinations are:

• Macy’s at the Mall.
• TJ Maxx.
• Sportsmen’s Warehouse.
• Kohl’s.
• REI.
• Paddington Station in Ashland.
• Winco.
• Renaissance Rose in Ashland.

POLITICS

FAVORITE CITY COUNCILOR

It was another uneventful year on the City Council, although I suppose that’s a good thing. We really don’t want to see fistfights break out, or audience members screaming for recalls, or earthquakes destroying the Council chambers. There are good things to being uneventful.
Once again, all eight City Councilors received votes, with the number one spot going to Lily Morgan, followed closely by Dennis Roler and Dan DeYoung.

FAVORITE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

“Uneventful” is not the word to describe the county commissioners. First, Simon Hare got in a little hot water for a prank he pulled in a local bar. After that died down, there was another attempt to get a public safety levy passed. Then local activist Toni Webb filed an ethics complaint against Commissioners Simon Hare and Cherryl Walker, claiming they had a conflict of interest while lobbying for a hemp farm when they actually were investors in said farm. Just another day at the office in Josephine County.
All three of the commissioners have their supporters, but once again Cherryl Walker won this category, followed by Keith Heck and Simon Hare.

BEST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN LAST YEAR

Locally, a lot of people were ecstatic over recreational marijuana being legalized. On the statewide level, Gov. Kitzhaker resigning was also a good thing. And on the national level, a lot of people were happy that the Affordable Care Act was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court.

WORST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN LAST YEAR

A lot of people were upset over the failure to pass a public safety levy. For the fourth time in five years, a levy went down to defeat, as the supporters just can’t seem to find the right arguments for its passage.
Also making the list were:

• The new, unimproved logo for the City of Grants Pass.
• Legalizing marijuana.
• The Supreme Court’s affirmation of Obamacare.
• Suggesting a city sales tax.

A VERY UNSCIENTIFIC POLITICAL POLL

Each year we ask our readers to answer four political questions just to gauge the mood of the community. These answers are “relatively” accurate since very few people stuff the ballot for them.

1. Should outdoor growing of marijuana in the city limits of Grants Pass be banned? Okay, here’s the thing: we all passed Measure 91, which made recreational marijuana legal. It also allowed everyone to grow four plants at their home, similar to making home-brewed beer or wine. The only thing is some marijuana plants can get stinky (think skunk) and for a few people it’s unpleasant, especially if they voted no on Measure 91. The City Council is planning to vote on an ordinance that would not allow those four plants to be grown outside. Is that within the letter of the law? What about people who hate the smell of lavender? Should it be moved inside? Or cilantro? I hate cilantro. Anyway, I digress, and our readers disagree with me.

• Yes, ban outside growing: 62%
• No, it’s fine outside: 38%

2. Would you vote for a small, supplemental county levy to fund the jail? This is a plan that I have been pushing for five years, and I’m desperately waiting for someone on the Board of County Commissioners to take some leadership. The commissioners could put something on the ballot today asking for a mere 50¢ per $100,000 assessed evaluation as a supplemental, one-year levy just to get us through the year. Then next year the Budget Committee will look at what we have and decide how much the supplemental levy would need to be for the next year. It sounds like a hassle doing this every year, but what else are we going to do? My readers, by the way, agree with me on this one.

• Yes, would vote for: 75%
• No, would not vote for: 25%

3. Do you like the new City of Grants Pass logo? I really haven’t stayed on top of this issue very well, but apparently the City paid a local tourism-related firm to come up with a new logo, and the final result is not sitting well with a lot of people.

• Yes, looks great: 24%
• No, it’s butt ugly: 76%

4. Do you think cell phones cause brain tumors? This is one of those things that sounds logical. When you ask someone if placing a small device next to your brain for long periods of time as it emits strong electro-magnetic radiation would be harmful to your health, the vast majority would say yes. It sounds gruesome. Few studies, however, have shown any negative health effects. Do cell phones really cause brain tumors? Our readers aren’t buying it.

• Yes, cell phones are bad: 41%
• No, they’re completely safe: 59%

* * * * *
Well, let’s just break open that bottle of Basil Hayden bourbon that I placed on top of my computer two days ago as a motivation to finish this. I’ll see you next month for Part II of the “Best of the Rogue Valley.” May Basil Hayden be with you (he’s my great-great-great granduncle, by the way).

PART 2

Turn off that Reality TV show you’ve been watching and settle in for the Rogue Valley’s next best thing: Part II of the Sneak Preview’s annual readers’ survey, “The Best of the Rogue Valley.” It was a painstaking job counting all the ballots, but with the support of friends and family (and a case of Red Bull), I was able to make it through unscathed. Recognizing that any readers’ poll is extremely subjective, we awarded multiple ties whenever the top vote-getters were only separated by a couple of votes. Enjoy!

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

A handful of restaurants bit the dust last year, but taking up the stack were six new additions to the scene. Topping the charts was a tie between two new establishments specializing in microbrews and good food: Climate City Brewing Company, located at 509 SW G in the old Brewery building; and The Haul, a pub/brewery at 121 SW H.
Also mentioned a lot were:
• Gtano’s Nuevo Latin Cuisine at 218 SW G.
• Griess Family Brews & Taproom (220 SW H).
• Uptown Bar & Grill, located at 2030 NW Vine.
• Asian Persuasion at 1887 NE 7th.

BEST BREAKFAST

You were having a dream about being cornered by relatives of Cecil the Lion and just as they’re growling and ready to pounce, you wake up. Then you realize it was your stomach that was making the growling noise. Nothing to do but get up and head out to your favorite breakfast haunt to load up on carbs and protein. Where to go? This ended up as a tie between perennial favorite Elmer’s (175 NE Agness) and MaMosa’s at 118 NW E.
The Top Five, however, were extremely close, and they included:
• The Powderhorn.
• Black Bear Diner.
• Train Depot.
Rounding out the Top Ten were:
• Goldminer.
• Shari’s.
• Herb’s.
• Black Forest.

BEST LUNCH

There’s no official rule that you have to eat three times a day, but whenever noon rolls around there’s some kind of biological imperative that emerges from the midbrain saying, “Dude, we need to do lunch!” And our readers certainly agree, as they named 27 different restaurants in this survey as their favorites.
Taking down the number one spot this year was a 3-way tie between Taprock Northwest Grill (971 SE 6th); the Powderhorn (321 NE 6th); and Circle J at 241 SW G Street.
The Top Ten also featured:
• Twisted Cork.
• Laughing Clam.
• Goodness Gracious.
• MaMosa’s.
• The Vine.
• River’s Edge.
• Bohemian.

BEST PANCAKES

The best pancakes I ever experienced were in Yellowstone National Park, Summer of 1968. I worked there on a road crew, and our bosses hired a woman to cook for us every morning. Bessie was a large Montana woman, and in her previous life she must’ve cooked for lumberjacks. She presented breakfasts you wouldn’t believe, and the pancakes were addicting. Where would I go to recreate Bessie’s joie de pancakes? Many of our readers pointed me in the direction of Black Bear Diner, which is located at 1900 NW 6th Street, followed by:
• Elmer’s.
• Powderhorn.
• Train Depot.
• Denny’s.
• Goldminer.
• Shari’s.
• Avenue Diner.

BEST BLT SANDWICHES

According to Google, the Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato sandwich didn’t become popular until after World War II with the rapid expansion of supermarkets “which allowed ingredients to be available year-round.” Today, it’s on almost everyone’s list of favorite sandwiches, and our readers can choose between a number of places that offer particularly good ones.
Slicing its way to the top were both Laughing Clam (121 SW G) and Wild River Brewing Co. at 595 NE E.
Also mentioned a lot were:
• Circle J.
• Black Bear Diner.
• Taprock.
• Sixth Street Deli.
• Wonder Bur Café.

BEST SOUP & SANDWICH SPECIALS

Your in-laws insisted on a late breakfast, then your co-workers wanted to have an early lunch. You walk into the restaurant not feeling especially hungry, but a good ½-sandwich and soup special could be just what the doctor ordered. There are a lot of places to choose from, but according to our readers, they love the specials at Rosso’s Trattoria (225 SE 6th) and Babe’s Bakery (1701 NE 6th), followed by:
• Bluestone Bakery & Coffee Café.
• Black Forest.
• Applebee’s.
• Circle J.
• Elmer’s.
• Goldminer.

TASTIEST SALADS

A recent New York Times article revealed that Americans are actually cutting back on their calories and concerned about what they eat. Took you long enough (smiley face)! One way to accomplish that is by including a green salad with every meal (well, maybe not with pancakes). If you want, you can always splurge with one of those fancy salads with all kinds of meat and cheeses added to it.
Taking down the top spot in this category for 2015 was Roux 26, located at the corner of 5th and H. Others in the running were:
• Taprock.
• The Vine.
• Blondie’s.
• Laughing Clam.
• 115 Broiler.
• River’s Edge.
• R-Haus.

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

If breakfast can be characterized as “on the run,” and lunch as “leisurely commingling,” then dinner is a “major production.” Eating at home may follow a certain laid-back routine, but at restaurants, you’re treated like kings and queens. The waitstaff is attentive, you can order anything you want, and best of all, they clean up after you! There have been an explosion of great restaurants lately, and the Rogue Valley is starting to gain a reputation.
Taking down top honors this year was a 3-way tie between 115 Broiler (at 115 D Street); River’s Edge, located at 1936 Rogue River Highway; and Taprock.
It was a tough battle at the top, though, and the Top Six featured:
• Roux 26.
• Twisted Cork.
• The Vine.
Also mentioned a lot were:
• R-Haus.
• Blondie’s.
• Matsukaze.
• Bohemian.

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

You’re ready to pop the question, so you take your coworker to lunch just to practice your pitch. Unexpectedly, your intended walks in and sees you opening a small box in front of Ms. X. She confronts you and is ready to start throwing plates and steak knives, when you suddenly get down on one knee and propose. The entire restaurant applauds, and all is well, although it will probably go down in the Guinness Book of World Records as “Weirdest Marriage Proposal Ever.”
Where to go when you want to set a world record? Most of our readers picked the friendly confines of River’s Edge for lunch proposals, followed by:
• The Vine.
• Rosso’s.
• Taprock.
• Twisted Cork.
• Galice Resort.

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR DINNER

It’s your 25th wedding anniversary, and you just don’t feel like going to Taco Bell as you did the year before. You want to feel as if you’ve been whisked off to some remote Caribbean island where everyone in the restaurant is ready to help celebrate. Locally, our readers named quite a few romantic spots, starting with Roux 26, and followed by:
• River’s Edge.
• 115 Broiler.
• Taprock.
• The Vine.
• R-Haus.
• Morrison’s Lodge.
• Twisted Cork.

BEST RIBEYE STEAKS

The domestication of cattle goes back a good 12,000 years so good luck on trying to get everyone to become vegetarians overnight. It’s pretty much ingrained in our DNA, plus it tastes so darn good. Once again this category was won decisively by 115 Broiler.
Others in the hunt were:
• Blondie’s.
• Roux 26.
• Train Depot.
• Taprock.
• Shari’s.
• G Street Bar & Grill.

BEST SALMON DINNERS

My father-in-law (Edsel Colvin of Gold Beach) fished the Rogue River since he was five years old, and he knew how to track down salmon. Whenever we visited Gold Beach, Edsel would invariably have a salmon that he pulled out of the river that day, and it was exquisite. It kind of makes you spoiled, but it’s always fun to find a restaurant that can replicate that experience.
Where to go when you want that perfect Edsel Colvin moment? Most of our readers picked the selections at Taprock and Roux 26, followed by:
• River’s Edge.
• The Vine.
• R-Haus.
• 115 Broiler.

BEST RAVIOLI DISHES ON MENU

It’s actually “a type of dumpling composed of a filling sealed between two layers of thin pasta dough.” It’s what goes inside, though, that makes it so irresistible. They’re a staple at all Italian restaurants and are now as American as apple pie. When our readers want to sample some particularly good raviolis, they first mentioned The Vine, located at 1610 SW Allen Creek Road in the Allen Creek Shopping Center.
Other raviolis mentioned were:
• Rosso’s.
• Roux 26.
• Paisano’s in Rogue River.

BEST SELECTION OF CHICKEN DISHES

They’re probably the most popular dishes in America. They have great taste and texture, and the mark-up from the seller doesn’t make you take out a second mortgage on the home. There are a number of places in town offering great chicken dishes, and this ended up being a tie between Applebee‘s (250 NE Agness) and River’s Edge.

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

I don’t understand the big deal about this immigration thing. The Spanish-American culture has been a part of this country since 1836, when the Republic of Texas seceded from Mexico (think Battle of the Alamo, etc.). What we should really do is open the borders and let everyone move freely whenever and wherever they wish. It would help both economies, and it would save billions with border patrol. That’s what Europe does. The anti-immigration people are way too OCD over this thing.
Phew, it was good to get that off my chest. But let’s move onto more important things, like “Favorite Mexican Restaurant.” Topping the list for 2015 was Si Casa Flores (202 NE Beacon), followed closely by Casa Amiga, located at 200 McDonald Lane.
The list also included:
• El Patron.
• Tacos Locos.
• Taqueria Mexico.
• El Paraiso.
• Gtano’s Neuvo Latin Cuisine.
• La Burrita.
• Lupita’s.

BEST CHILES RELLENOS

This dish originated in the city of Puebla and normally uses a fresh poblano chili pepper (named after Puebla) stuffed with all kinds of goodies. Where do our readers like to go in lieu of flying down to central Mexico? Many of our readers chose the selection at El Patron, located at 799 Rogue River Highway, followed by:
• El Paraiso.
• Si Casa Flores.
• Casa Amiga.
• La Burrita.
• Tacos Locos.
• Gtano’s.

BEST MARGARITAS

Found these quotes on Pinterest: “The only thing better than a margarita is two margaritas.” “I’m no doctor but I’m pretty sure a Nyquil margarita will solve all your problems.” “I’ll be happy to listen to your complaints about work if margaritas are involved.” “This margarita tastes like I don’t even have kids.” Pretty funny.
And when you’re ready to relax with a good margarita, our readers most often mentioned the concoctions at Gtano’s Nuevo Latin Cuisine, located at 218 SW G Street.
Also receiving lots of votes were:
• Casa Amiga.
• Si Casa Flores.
• Tacos Locos.
• El Patron.
• Taqueria Mexico.
• El Paraiso.

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

They say tribes from Asia crossed the Bering Sea 25,000 years ago to start colonizing the American continents. The second wave occurred in the 19th century via steamships; now here we are in the 21st century and 747s are the way to go. Thankfully, they brought all their cookbooks with them, because Asian restaurants, from Japanese and Chinese to Thai and Vietnamese, are extremely popular here in the Rogue Valley.
Our readers were able to name 15 in this survey, starting with their number one choice, which was Pongsri’s Thai Restaurant, located at 323 NE E.
The Top Ten included:
• Royal Barge.
• Matsukaze.
• Thai BBQ.
• Hunan Garden.
• Saigon Xich Lo.
• Tokyo Grill.
• Hong Kong.
• Musashi.
• Kobe Sushi Buffet.

BEST PHAD THAI DISHES

Back in my bachelor days, I could serve up some mean stir-fry dishes, but they were nothing compared to Phad Thai. It’s made with soaked, dried, rice noodles, stir-fried with eggs and chock full of all kinds of nutritious stuff. Where to go when I want to relive the bachelor days? Many of our readers chose the Phad Thai dishes at Thai BBQ, located at 428 SW 6th Street, followed by:
• Pongsri’s.
• Royal Barge.
• Sunflower.

MOST FUN SUSHI CHEFS

t’s always fun to sit at the sushi bar and bond with the chef, but in this case they’re not serving alcohol but cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients, a.k.a. sushi. There are a number of great sushi places in the Rogue Valley, and our readers loved the talented chefs at all of them, including this year’s number one, Musashi, located at 314 SE H Street.
Also mentioned a lot were:
• Umi Sushi.
• Shiki (at G Street Bar & Grill).
• Tokyo Grill.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST COUPONS

If you’re on a tight budget, the first thing you do when the Sneak Preview comes in the mail is check out the restaurant coupons. And in this case, Elmer’s won hands down, followed by:
• Arby’s.
• El Paraiso.
• Carl’s Jr.
• Shari’s.

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Forget all the mob movies; they’re a poor representation about what Italy is all about. Italy is actually about romance—movies like Roman Holiday, Under the Tuscan Sun and Enchanted April. And where do our readers go when they want to experience the true taste of Italy? This was pretty much a runaway as The Vine was once again the top choice, followed by:
• Rosso’s.
• Paisano’s in Rogue River.
• The Olive Garden in Medford.

BEST SELECTION OF PIZZAS

According to Wikipedia, modern pizza evolved from flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy, in the 18th or early 19th century. The first pizzeria in the United States was at Lombardi’s in New York City in 1905. Following World War II, the whole pizza scene exploded and it is now more American than apple pie. Hmm … an apple pie pizza doesn’t sound bad.
This category is always popular with our readers, and this year ended in a tie between Wild River Brewing Co. (523 NE F) and Abby’s Pizza (205 NE Beacon and 1560 Williams Highway).
Also mentioned a lot were:
• Climate City.
• Papa Murphy’s.
• Figaro’s.
• Domino’s.
• Papa John’s.

BEST BUFFET/ SALAD BAR

It’s always important to arrive hungry to a buffet line. I’m not saying you have to fast for forty days and forty nights, but at least hold off on those Twinkies right before heading out the door, because when you get to the buffet, there will be a dazzling array of food items from which to choose. And when it comes to that, our readers were most impressed with the buffet at Kobe Sushi Buffet (1550 NE E in the Shopping Center) and the salad bar at Sizzler (1871 NE 7th).
The list also included:
• Abby’s.
• Wild River.
• Seven Feathers.

BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

There’s something to be said for a vegetarian diet. When you consider how much food is grown just to feed animals, you have to wonder what’s going to happen when the population on earth starts to reach 10 billion people. And did you know that a cow releases as much methane every day as a car? And it’s not coming from where you think—cows actually burp methane, which can’t do much for their love life. I’ll bet that’s a fun fact that might help turn you vegetarian.
Anyway, our readers mentioned a few places that serve some good vegetarian fare, including this year’s winner, which was a tie between MaMosa’s, located at 118 NW E St, and Sunshine Natural Foods at 128 SW H.
Others receiving votes were:
• Pongsri’s.
• The Vine.
• Casablanca Coffee & Grill.
• Thai BBQ.

BEST BBQ DISHES

Barbecue always reminds me of summertime in Evansville, Indiana, especially when my parents used Wolf’s Barbecue, which was generally regarded as the best barbecue sauce in the land. I checked online and you can actually still get Wolf’s delivered to your door. In lieu of that, you can also visit some local restaurants that serve up some particularly good BBQ dishes.
Topping the list was Papa’s Café & BBQ at 1720 Redwood Avenue, followed by:
• Cartwright’s Deli.
• Casa Amiga.
• Leo’s BBQ (now closed).
• Applebee’s.
• Thai BBQ.
• The Haul.
• Wild River.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST APPETIZERS

You take a look at the menu and your mouth starts watering. To avoid any embarrassing drool incidents, you decide to immediately order an appetizer and forestall disaster. What restaurants would our readers recommend to find some great appetizers? According to them, both River’s Edge at 1936 Rogue River Highway and Bohemian Bar & Bistro (233 SW G) are their favorites.
The list also included:
• Applebee’s.
• Taprock.
• Twisted Cork.
• Laughing Clam.
• Blondie’s.
• 115 Broiler.

RESTAURANT WITH MOST EXOTIC MENU

We weren’t looking for places with menus straight out of Bali or Zimbabwe—just restaurants that offered some interesting dishes that you don’t find anywhere else. We were looking for those chefs who like to push the envelope and break out a new dish or present an interesting twist on an old standard. And when it comes to that, our readers were most impressed with the work at Twisted Cork, located at 210 SW 6th Street, followed by:
• Gtano’s Nuevo Latin Cuisine.
• MaMosa’s.
• Taprock.
• Tokyo Grill.
• Musashi.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST COCKTAIL SELECTION

Even if you’re a teetotaler, it’s still fun to read the descriptions of wild and crazy cocktails offered up at some of our local restaurants. The ones that stand out most in our readers’ minds were those at Bohemian Bar & Grill and Blondie’s, conveniently located across the street from each other on G Street just in case you wanted to bar hop.
Others mentioned a lot were:
• Roux 26.
• Taprock.
• Applebee’s.
• River’s Edge.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

I grew up in a family of nine kids, and for breakfast my mom was a short-order cook. She got to relax for lunch, but dinner was total chaos (did I mention we’re a loud family?) and she handled it with beauty and aplomb. Amazingly, she made sure there was dessert every night, and we kids certainly appreciated that.
Our readers also appreciate restaurants with great desserts, and tops on their list this year were both Twisted Cork and Shari’s (190 NE Agness), followed by:
• Powderhorn Café.
• Taprock.
• 115 Broiler.
• The Haul.
• Bohemian.
• Black Forest.

BEST PLACE TO BUY PASTRIES

You’re walking down the street minding your own business when all of a sudden you get a craving for a bear claw … or an apple strudel … or a scone … and there’s nothing you can do but make a beeline to the nearest pastry store. It’s either that or have a complete meltdown in public, and that hasn’t happened for a good three weeks.
Where to go? Many of our readers mentioned the delicacies at Babe’s Bakery (1701 NE 6th), although Bluestone Bakery & Coffee Café also received a lot of votes, as did:
• Daash Bakery & Deli.
• Chocolate Affair.
• 4th Street Bakery/Deli.
• Donut Land.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST VIEW OF RIVER

The Rogue River pretty much defines Grants Pass, and riverfront property is a valued possession. Having an entire restaurant on the river is even better, both for customers and staff. Having a view of the majestic Rogue River only adds to the experience.
And when it comes to that, our readers were a little torn as they gave an equal number of votes to River’s Edge, about two miles upriver, and Taprock, which not only has views of the river but also Riverside Park and the historic Caveman Bridge.
Other favorite locales include:
• Morrison’s Lodge.
• Galice Resort.
• R-Haus.
• O.K. Corral.

RESTAURANT WITH FRIENDLIEST WAITSTAFF

It’s not the easiest job on earth. Everything has to be done with precision, from setting the table and taking orders to making sure the cooks get the food out quickly and efficiently. At any time, something can go wrong and you’re back to Square One. None of the customers are allowed to know, though, that disaster was averted only because of a quick-thinking busboy. Which waitstaff is most capable of smiling and joking their way through the ups and downs of restaurant life? Our readers most often picked the friendly folks at Elmer’s Restaurant, followed by:
• Black Forest.
• El Patron.
• Train Depot.
• Black Bear Diner.
• Laughing Clam.
• 115 Broiler.

BEST “QUICK SERVICE” RESTAURANT

The first McDonald’s opened in 1940 in San Bernardino, California, and they now serve 68 million customers a day in 119 countries. Just think, when the Sneak Preview goes public and we become famous in 120 countries, you can tell everyone you knew us when. Anyway, “quick service” has become fairly de rigeur now in this country, as we have all accepted the fast-paced lifestyle of the 21st century and sometimes need fast food service so that we can keep pace with the Joneses.
Anyway, this category for 2015 was a 3-way tie between Arby’s (140 NE Terry Lane); Carl’s Jr. (220 NE Terry Lane and 1700 NW 6th); and Wendy’s, located at 1829 NE 6th.
Rounding out the Top Ten were:
• Casablanca Coffee & Grill.
• McDonald’s.
• Taco Bell.
• Jimmy’s.

BEST SELECTION OF BURGERS

This is about as American as you can get, although it is named after a town in northern Germany. I would imagine that the average American has eaten 17 million hamburgers in his or her lifetime, but I could be exaggerating. Either way, we love our burgers, and in that regard our readers once again named Jimmy’s Classic Drive-in at 515 NE E as their favorite this year, followed by:
• Carl’s Jr.
• Circle J.
• Johnny’s.
• Wild River.
• Eddy’s.
• Wendy’s.

BEST MILKSHAKES

I should probably have a bumper sticker on my car that says “I Brake for Milkshakes.” I love ’em, even though I do have a very slight lactose intolerance problem. I’ve learned to limit my milkshakes to only 45 a month, and that solved the problem … just kidding, by the way.
Where to go when you want to shake (excuse the pun) your lactose intolerance problem? Our readers gave the top nod to both Grants Pass Pharmacy (414 SE 6th) and Jimmy’s Classic Drive-in.
Others in the running were:
• Sonic Drive-In.
• Dairy Queen.
• Baskin-Robbins.
• Arby’s.
• McDonald’s.
• Johnny’s.

BEST SELECTION OF SANDWICHES

When I was a teenager, I used to bribe my 10-year-old sister Anita to make fried baloney sandwiches for me. In return, I agreed to play games of Canasta and Monopoly with her. So I’d be sitting on the living room couch watching TV and I’d yell, “Nita, make me a fried baloney sandwich!” and she’d hop to it. Then I’d let her win at Canasta.
Where to go when you want something a little more upscale than that? The favorite with our readers was the masterpieces at Cartwright’s Deli, located at 162 Beacon Drive.
Other favorites included:
• Circle J.
• Goodness Gracious.
• Millie’s.
• Climate City.
• Johnny’s.
• Wild River.

BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY

For all you screenwriters from Hollywood, here’s a great pitch for a Reality TV Show: It would be set in a restaurant where every week a different large family would come in for dinner. Each of the families would have their own set of problems and issues which the staff would have to deal with. We could call it Restaurant Wars or something like that.
Anyway, our readers definitely know where to go when they want to take their entire family out, and it turned out to be a tie between Black Bear Diner and Wild River, followed by:
• Taprock.
• Si Casa Flores.
• Elmer’s.
• River’s Edge.
• Train Depot.
• Abby’s.

FAVORITE BARISTA (COFFEE SERVER)

If Hollywood doesn’t like the restaurant script, we can move on to coffee baristas. They serve people stimulating drinks all day when they’re in a hurry, and if they don’t have any hair-raising tales to tell, no one will. We could call it Coffee Wives of Grants Pass. My people will talk to your people.
Our readers named quite a few baristas in this category, but taking down the number one spot was Chad Sweeley of Dutch Brothers. Chad also won this category back in 2012, and he also plays in the local band Funktional Fusion.
Others mentioned a lot were:
• Emily Gill of Human Bean.
• Danielle Andrade of Rogue Roasters.
• Renee Johnson of Dutch Brothers.

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Little did the Ethiopian goatherder Kaldi realize back in the 10th century that his discovery of coffee would spawn one of the largest agricultural pursuits in the history of mankind. Ol’ Kaldi was out tending his goats one day when he noticed that his charges wouldn’t sleep at night after munching on berries from certain trees. He reported his findings to the abbot of a local monastery, who made a drink from the berries that made him alert enough to write Nobel-Prize winning sermons. And the rest is history.
There are quite a few places in the Rogue Valley to get your coffee fix, but once again our readers chose Dutch Brothers, with their main location at 6th & D, as their favorite, followed by:
• Rogue Coffee Roasters.
• Bluestone Bakery & Coffee.
• Human Bean.
• 6th Street Coffee & Deli.
• Black Forest.

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE GRANTS PASS

I know it’s hard to believe, Virginia, but there’s actually a whole ‘nother world out there to discover and enjoy. It’s tough to extricate yourself from the beauty and wonder of Grants Pass, but when you do, here are some restaurants that our readers recommend you visit, starting with their number one choice, the Olive Garden in Medford, followed by:
• Kaleidoscope Pizza in Medford.
• Morrison’s Lodge past Galice.
• Texas Roadhouse in Medford.
• Bella Union in Jacksonville.
• Smithfield’s in Ashland.
• Porter’s in Medford.
• Paisano’s in Rogue River.

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ROCK/BLUES CONCERT LAST YEAR

The Rogue Valley is starting to become a hot spot for local rock/blues bands, and this year our readers were most impressed with Lovebite’s performance at the annual Black, White & the Blues fundraiser in February.

BEST “CLASSICAL” CONCERT LAST YEAR

Our readers were impressed with the performance turned in last February by the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon, which presented a special “Winter Concert Series” at the Grants Pass Performing Arts Center.
And of course, the Rogue Valley Symphony, under the direction of Martin Majkut, received a lot of mentions, especially their April concert which featured a special appearance by Portland band 3 Leg Torso, a violin, cello and accordion trio.

FAVORITE CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL

It always fun to stock up the picnic basket with an array of goodies and head out to the Britt Festival with a group of friends. My introduction to the world-famous festival was in August 1979 when a bunch of us went to see jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. Fun times.
Our readers were able to name quite a few entertainers last year, with Michael Franti and Spearhead topping the charts. Franti’s 2009 song “Say Hey (I Love You)” reached #1 on Billboard’s R&B songs that year.
Others mentioned a lot were:
• Peter Frampton.
• Robert Plant.
• Tribute to the Beatles

FAVORITE CONCERT IN THE PARK

It’s organized every year by the Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses and organizations put up the sponsorship money. It has become extremely popular over the last ten years, as every Tuesday night during the summer another local musician or band takes the stage in beautiful Riverside Park for a night of music and dancing.
Winning this category was the appearance in July by Sound Stage Revue, which kicked off the Back to the 50s celebration.
Also receiving votes were:
• Funktional Fusion.
• The Matt Hill Band.
• Broadway Phil & the Shouters.

MOST FUN PLACE FOR 1st FRIDAY ART WALK

They’re celebrating their 21st year as an event, and it has grown beyond the wildest dreams of original founders Tommi Drake, Cisco Cunningham and “the world famous artist Linda.” Every month on First Friday, art galleries throughout the downtown area (and the RCC campus) open their doors to art, food, music and fun, and it attracts hundreds of people each month. Where do people like to congregate the most? This year ended up a tie between the Grants Pass Museum of Art on G Street and The Glass Forge at 501 SW G.
The list also included:
• The Kitchen Company.
• Firehouse Gallery.
• Blondie’s.
• Gallery One.
• Twisted Cork.
• Bohemian.

FAVORITE ARTIST

It is extremely ironic that Vincent Van Gogh lived his entire life in abject poverty (the classic “starving artist”), and in 2013 his “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” sold for $149 million. Here in the Rogue Valley, our readers recognized quite a few budding millionaires, reserving their number one admiration for Cheri Van Syoc, whose work “is similar to a musician, using jazz rhythms to manipulate watercolor across Yupo paper.”
Others on the list featured:
• Donna Walsh.
• Bob Edding.
• Del Hearn.
• Julie Bickle.
• Jeff Gogue.
• Jon Peterman.
• Vicki Magallon.

FAVORITE BEAR

Back by popular demand, the “Bears” infiltrated downtown Grants Pass this year to great public acclaim. This is an especially notable Bearfest, as it’s the first one since its founder, Evergreen Federal’s Brady Adams, died in April. We’ll miss you, Brady, and this Bearfest is for you!
Topping the list of favorite bears for 2015 was the Inner Tube Bear, a.k.a., “Root Bearly Afloat,” featuring the artwork of Jon Peterman, located in front of Hellgate Excursions and Shop River Rock.
The list of favorites also included:
• The Tahiti river rafting bear in front of Evergreen Federal (artist Eric Wonsyld).
• The backpacking bears in front of Gates Furniture (artists VacieAnna Berry and Kel Letvinchuck).
• One-bear band at Riverside Park, the work of artist Kyle Eding.

FAVORITE ANIMAL AT WILDLIFE IMAGES

It began as a nonprofit back in 1981 by Dave Siddon, Sr., “to provide for the care and treatment of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.” It has since expanded to “provide educational programs on wildlife, conservation, and the environment to schools, organizations and the general public.” Today it’s under the direction of Dave’s son, Dave Siddon, Jr., and the great work continues. Wildlife Images is proud of its release rate of intakes of 50%, which is far above the national average of 33%. It’s not a zoo, but the general public is invited to take tours at any time. For those who do, they say their favorites are Kodi and Yak, two grizzly bears who were orphaned in Alaska in 1992 when their mother was killed by a territorial male. According to Wildlife Images, they could not be released “because of concerns that they may have been more inclined to get close to people.” Instead, they have “become important ambassadors for bears worldwide and have taught many people about conservation.”
Other favorites include:
• Ms. Jefferson, a bald eagle.
• “Nubs” the badger.
• The cougars.
• The wolves.

FAVORITE PART OF THE BEAR HOTEL

Brady Adams and Evergreen Federal Bank have always been big supporters of the local art scene, and about ten years ago, they built a permanent facility on Spalding Avenue “to house artwork, artist studios and unique meeting rooms.” It’s almost like a giant storage room for public art, and it is also available for personal tours at any time. It has been said “that you can’t experience Grants Pass without a visit to the Bear Hotel.”
Topping the list of favorite things about this unique facility was Winterfest, an annual fundraising event every December which includes four days of festivities and a dazzling display of Christmas trees.
Also mentioned a lot were:
• The Christmas on Mars display.
• All of the bears from previous Bearfests.
• The Magical Musical Christmas Murals.

FAVORITE HELLGATE JETBOAT DRIVER

I have a friend who recently took some out-of-town visitors to the O.K. Corral for dinner. The ride down, of course, was fun since the jetboat drivers took their time and pointed out wildlife and local history. Then there was dinner at the O.K. Corral, with ample carafes of beer and wine. It was 98° in the shade that day, and the boat drivers decided to cool everyone off by doing 10-15 360s on the way back. “We were totally soaked,” my friend said, “and it was so hot that within a minute we were dry already.”
And that’s why we love our jetboat drivers. They’re willing to go the extra loop-de-loop to cool us off. Topping the list of favorite drivers this year was Rick Olsen, followed by:
• Donny Brent.
• Bo Dunson.
• Craig Lawless.

BEST FITNESS CLUB

A recent article in the New York Times reported that even Coca-Cola was jumping on the fitness bandwagon. They hired a public relations firm to convince people that as long as they worked out, they could drink all the sugary, empty-calorie drinks they wanted! Unfortunately, that’s not entirely true. For optimal fitness, you will want to do two things—work out and watch what you eat and drink (sorry, Coca-Cola). Where to go when you want to maintain a fitness program? Many of readers first named Club Northwest, located at 2160 NW Vine Street.
It was extremely close at the top, though, as Thrive Wellness, at 1550 Nebraska Avenue, also received a lot of votes, as did:
• Grants Pass Family YMCA.
• Eternia Athletics.
• The Zoo Health Club.

FAVORITE SPORTS/FITNESS TRAINER

Just walking into a fitness club expecting to lose weight immediately and/or start looking like Arnie, is not very realistic. This is a situation where you really want to put your trust in a professional, someone who can guide you through a program tailor made to your needs and capabilities. It may not sound like rocket science, but it’s close.
And when it comes to that, our readers most often mentioned Virginia Kramer at Thrive Wellness.
Others high on the list were:
• Amanda Valle at Club Northwest.
• Lisa Keesee at Thrive Wellness.
• Scotty Lookabaugh at Eternia Athletics.
• Bear Perrin.
• Jesse Sallas at Club Northwest.

BEST PLACE TO PLAY TENNIS

As I write this, the U.S. Open tennis tournament will start tomorrow, and Serena Williams will attempt to become the first grand slam winner (Australia, French, Wimbledon and U.S. Opens) in tennis since Steffi Graf did it in 1988. It’s been a crazy year in sports. First, we had American Pharaoh win the triple crown in horse racing—the first in 37 years. Then Jordan Spieth gave the grand slam in golf a good shot, something that was only achieved once by Bobby Jones in 1930. And now it’s Serena’s turn. Should be fun.
Locally, our tennis players most often prefer the friendly confines of Club Northwest, followed by:
• Gilbert Creek.
• All Sports Park.
• Morrison’s Park.
• Lawnridge Park.

BEST PLAY LAST YEAR

There was a full lineup of plays last year, from the Barnstormers and Rogue Music Theatre to 111 Evelyn, Stillpoint and Heartland. Topping the list for last year (2014/15) was the Barnstormers’ production of the Shakespeare classic Macbeth, which played to full houses last October.
The list also included:
• Young Frankenstein by Rogue Music Theatre.
• A Day in Hollywood, A Night in the Ukraine by the Barnstormers.
• Little Women by the Barnstormers.
• Mary Poppins by 111 Evelyn Theatre Company.
• True West by the Barnstormers.
• The Nutcracker Ballet by Stillpoint Ballet Studio.
• The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Heartland Dance Studio.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (MALE)

It’s not always easy to portray a semi-crazed king of Scotland consumed by ambition, spurred to action by a devious wife (“Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell, that summons thee to heaven … or to hell”), then consumed with paranoia and guilt after killing an opponent. But Frankie Craig, who was voted number one by our readers, pulled it off effortlessly. According to Craig, he was practicing lines for the play two months before the audition.
Others high in the running were:
• Shane Skinner for 111 Evelyn’s Mary Poppins.
• Dylan O’Hara and Stewart Towie in the Barnstormers’ True West.
• Michael Meyers in the Barnstormers’ Death Trap.
• Davey Kashuba-Reum in Rogue Music Theatre’s Young Frankenstein.
• Patrick Dolan in the Barnstormers’ Love List.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

On the female side of the ledger, there were quite a few nominations. Topping the list was Melissa Christensen, who played the lead role in 111 Evelyn’s Mary Poppins.
Rounding out the favorites were:
• Margaret Sundin-McCann for Rogue Music Theatre’s Young Frankenstein.
• Margaret Goodwin as Lady Macbeth in the Barnstormers’ Macbeth.
• Darcy Schmeider in the Barnstormers’ A Day in Hollywood, a Night in the Ukraine.
• Bryony Bowman for Stillpoint’s Nutcracker.

BEST DIRECTOR (LOCAL THEATER)

Their fingerprints can be found all over any production, and our readers appreciate their efforts, as they named seven different directors in this survey, reserving their number one accolade for Russell Lloyd and his work with the Barnstormers’ Macbeth.
Also mentioned a lot were:
• Susan Russell for RMT’s Young Frankenstein.
• Penny King for Stillpoint’s Nutcracker.
• Wayd Drake for the Barnstormers’ Love List.
• Tricia Drevets for the Barnstormers’ Little Women.

BEST PLAY IN ASHLAND

Thanks to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Oregon Cabaret Theatre and Camelot Theatre Company, there are tons of plays to see year round in southern Oregon. This was an extensive list, but our readers were most impressed with Guys and Dolls, currently playing at OSF.
Other plays mentioned were:
• Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Oregon Cabaret Theatre.
• Into the Woods at OSF.
• Les Miserables at Camelot Theatre.

FAVORITE LOCAL MUSICIAN/SINGER

Where would be without musicians to soothe our souls? This was a popular category with our readers, and this year they named Megan Baker, lead singer for the popular band Funktional Fusion, as their number one, followed by:
• Matt Hill Band.
• Phil King, singer/songwriter.
• Josie Holman, singer.
• Jazz singer Donna Tennaro.
• Mike Brons, singer/guitarist.

BEST LOCAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND

There were a number of local rock bands mentioned in this survey, but rocking their way to the top for 2015 was Hot Gossip, a group that plays at various venues throughout the valley, including G Street Bar & Grill and JDs.
Others receiving lots of votes were:
• Funktional Fusion.
• Broadway Phil and the Shouters.
• Lavender Blue.
• The Roadsters.

BEST LATIN BAND IN THE VALLEY

We received a request to add this category to our list this year, and the overwhelming winner was Salsa Brava, a 7-piece salsa band that plays at various venues throughout the Rogue Valley. Olé!

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

There’s nothing like the energy and camaraderie of hearing a live band. It’s almost like a symbiotic relationship. They get the crowd worked up, then feed off that energy to take it all to another level. After a while, you’d almost think that the guy on the dance floor playing air guitar was part of the band.
Where to go when you want to hear some great live music and dance like crazy? Our readers again named “G” Street Bar & Grill as their favorite, followed by:
• JD’s Sports Pub.
• Laughing Clam.
• Herb’s Shenanigans.
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• The Haul.

FAVORITE PART OF THE 2015 BOATNIK PARADE

It’s probably one of the largest parades in southern Oregon, and thousands of people line 6th Street every Memorial Day to catch all the fun, from floats and marching bands to politicians and local organizations. Our readers certainly love it, and they voted the Grants Pass High School Marching Band as their favorite.
Others mentioned a lot were:
• The “Cavemen.”
• The jets’ flyover.
• The middle school bands.
• Wildlife Images.

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS AFTER WORK

It was a long day at the cubicle, putting together work orders to sell 840,000 widgets to an eager Chinese audience. Not only that, but the water cooler broke down, your boss’s dog died, and the Cubs (who you were watching surreptitiously on your smart phone) lost to the Phillies. You need to unwind and what better place to do that than at Bohemian Bar & Bistro (233 SW G) and The Haul (121 SW), which tied in this category.
Other favorites with our readers were:
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• Taprock.
• Twisted Cork.
• Laughing Clam.
• Climate City.
• Wonder Bur.
• River’s Edge.
• Wild River.

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS LATE AT NIGHT

If you’re safely in bed by 9:30 or 10:00 at night, these results might not mean anything, but for a sizeable portion of the younger audience, this was probably the most popular category in the entire Best of the Rogue Valley. And taking top honors was a tie between the Wonder Bur Lounge & Café (116 SW H) and JDs Sports Bar & Brewery (690 Redwood Highway), followed by:
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• Herb’s LaCasita.
• River’s Edge.
• The Haul.
• Laughing Clam.

BAR WITH ROMANTIC ATMOSPHERE

We’re not talking about places with pinball machines and pool tables (although those bars are definitely fun), but a more intimate, relaxed setting where you can discuss important social issues without having to shout, and can play footsy with your significant other under the table. And with regard to that, our readers most often named Blondie’s Bistro (226 SW G) and Roux 26 (corner of 5th and H) as their favorites.
Also high on the list were:
• Twisted Cork.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• Applebee’s.
• River’s Edge.
• 115 Broiler.

BAR WITH BEST LATE-NIGHT MENU

You’re not going to be getting a filet mignon sent to your table, but you can still order some great appetizers and sandwiches at most places (in fact, legally they have to be able to serve you something). Which ones have the best late-night menu? According to our readers it was a tie between The Haul and Bohemian, followed by:
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• JDs.
• Wonder Bur.

FAVORITE VENDORS AT THE GROWERS MARKET

The Growers’ Market is all part of the farm-to-table movement, and it’s a good thing. Why would you want to eat lettuce that was grown two weeks ago in Ecuador, using who knows what kind of fertilizer and pesticides, when you can buy the same stuff locally and actually talk to the guy who grew it?
Our readers agree, and they were effusive with their praise for a number of local growers, including this year’s winner, Fry Family Farms.
The list also included:
• Pennington Farms.
• Rosie’s pizzas.
• Sweet Water Farm in Hugo.
• The egg man from Cave Junction.
• Tracy’s kale chips.
• Wild Bee Honey Farm.

FAVORITE PART OF RIVERSIDE PARK

It’s definitely the jewel of Grants Pass, and it has turned into a multi-use garden spot for everyone to enjoy, both locals and out-of-town visitors. Our readers gave special kudos to the new playground that was installed, followed by:
• Proximity to the river.
• The beautiful trees.
• Ducks and geese.
• The rose garden.
• The gazebo.
• The baseball field.

FAVORITE VINEYARD/WINERY

Look out Napa and Willamette valley! Twenty-two years ago, when I did an article on local wineries, there were about five of them in the entire valley. Today, there are 47. And with all that competition, it means each individual winery is working harder to come up with a superior product. There’s nothing more fun than to join a local wine tour and visit some of the area’s finest.
Which would our readers place at the top of that list? Many of them listed Schmidt Family Vineyards outside Grants Pass as their favorite, followed by:
• Bridgeview Vineyards in Cave Junction.
• Toon Vineyard in Grants Pass.
• Red Lily Vineyards (Jacksonville).
• Del Rio Vineyards (Gold Hill).
• Wooldridge Creek Vineyard (Grants Pass).

* * * * *

Phew … 144 categories. It was fun, but now I can concentrate on more important things, like my upcoming Fantasy Football draft. If you have any suggestions for new entries next year, write to me at sneakpre@mind.net. —C.H.

The last “Best of the Rogue Valley” was in August/September 2012, and since then we’ve had a massive storm on the East Coast, a presidential election (and inauguration), a royal pregnancy (and birth), a scandal within the IRS (they should be audited!), a leak within the National Security Agency (they should be bugged!), and Phil Michelson winning the British Open. I almost feel as if I’m in a time warp.
Locally, the November election brought us two new county commissioners—Cherryl Walker and Keith Heck—while the voters also rejected proposed changes to the Grants Pass City Charter. In the spring, voters narrowly rejected a county-wide public safety levy, leaving the county jail as a revolving door for criminals.
Cover stories in the Sneak Preview included updates on the Library and Fairgrounds, both of which are struggling for funds since they got cut off during the budget crisis. Meanwhile, the City is still contemplating a pedestrian mall on 5th Street between G and H, and the Caveman Statue will stay. We did a cover story on the ol’ Caveman in last month’s issue, and sadly, the man gracing the cover, Hank Geiske, died a couple of weeks ago. The community will miss him.
This is the 27th running of the “Best of the Rogue Valley,” and despite the fact that I forgot to put a little starburst on the cover announcing the ballot, we still got over 400 responses. Counting the submissions was painstaking but fun (a bottle of Old Granddad helped), and I did my best to ferret out the ballot-stuffing.
Some people have suggested that we make the balloting available online, but in my expert opinion, it would open the system up to voter fraud. Uncle Jimmy wants Aunt Sally to win “Favorite Mud Wrestler,” so he sends a link to the ballot to 343 of his relatives, and voila, ol’ Sal is the winner. I personally don’t mind counting the ballots, so for now, the system will remain in the Dark Ages.
Anyway, onward and upward … the 2013 “Best of the Rogue Valley,” our 27th annual Readers Survey.

DEMOGRAPHICS

We asked the question, “In which state were you were raised?” and I’m happy to report that Oregon actually edged out California in the balloting. Other states in the Top Ten were: New York, Texas, Alaska, Missouri, Ohio, Arizona, Washington and Colorado.

MEDIA

FAVORITE RADIO STATION

The first AM radio station began transmitting on August 31, 1920, out of Detroit. Despite challenges from television and the Internet, we all still have our favorite radio stations. Whether driving to and from work, relaxing at the beach, or background entertainment while preparing that 7-course French dinner for friends, we want to hear the latest top songs, old classics, and scintillating news coverage.
Winning this category for the 27th time in a row was both KLDR and KAJO, although the new kids on the block, KCMD, gave them a run for their money this year.
Other favorites included:

• Jefferson Public Radio.
• KRWQ.
• KDOV.
• KISS-FM.
• KAKT (The Wolf).
• KRRM.
• KCNA.

FAVORITE DJ

The genetics of being a great deejay is well researched in biological literature. First, you need a strong voice (chromosome 5), a sense of humor (chromosomes 6 and 7), the desire to be listened to (#13) and, at the same time, the ability to shake off mistakes and move onto the next part of the schtick (the X chromosome). The action is fast and furious, and you have to be ready.
Broadcasting his way to the top this year was Don Monette at KCMD. Don also won this award in 1998 and 2008. The list also included:

• Carl Wilson of KAJO.
• Jeanette Stark at KLDR.
• Don Matthews at Jefferson Public Radio.
• Cassie Callas at KLDR.
• Gemineye at KISS-FM.

BEST LOCAL TV NEWS STATION

Want to hear about the latest mayhem on I-5? Or that 5-alarm fire in the wee hours of the morning? How about the latest machinations at City Hall? Or a heart-warming story about an adopted woman who found her birth mother in a jail in Zimbabwe after a ten-year search. Our local news stations work overtime to keep us informed about late-breaking news, and we all appreciate their efforts.
Once again, the winner of this category was NewsWatch 12 (KDRV), followed by KTVL (Channel 10) and KOBI/Channel 5.

FAVORITE TV NEWS ANCHOR/REPORTER

Okay, you just got hired to be a news anchor after five years out in the field reporting on meth labs, and the last thing you need is to flub one of your lines and have it go viral on the Internet. You practice all night on every conceivable tongue twister possible, you think you got it all set, then you get in front of the camera and refer to First Lady Bichelle Omama.
Luckily, that hasn’t happened to any of our local news anchors, especially this year’s winner Brian Morton of KDRV, who first won this recognition by our readers in 1999.
Others high on the list were:

• Ron Brown of KDRV.
• Trish Glose of KTVL.
• Kevin Lollis of KTVL.

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE DAILY COURIER

I still have major egg on my face for writing on the front page last month that the Courier only prints five days a month. We ALL know that I meant five days a WEEK, and I hope my buddies at the “daily” aren’t mad at me. If they are, they’re welcome to do an exposé on faulty proofreading at local MONTHLY newspapers. I’ll even speak on-the-record and name names.
This year our readers were in an entertaining mood as they named Entertainment Editor Edith Decker as their favorite. A long-time reporter for the Courier, Edith was also recognized back in 1995 and 2006
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Stacey Stumbo, County.
• Shaun Hall, police/courts.
• Lindsay Cathey, health and business reporter.
• Kathleen Alaks, Lifelines/Entertainment.
• Kevin Widdison, City Editor.

BEST ADS IN THE SNEAK PREVIEW

Things have sure changed over the last 27 years. Instead of flipping through clip-art books, making copies, then using scissors and wax sticks to literally glue the images onto paper, the whole thing is done digitally on a computer screen. Life is infinitely easier, and the Sneak Preview looks a million times better. While we’d like to take credit for all the cool ads in the paper, most of them are done by graphic artists or even the clients themselves.
Being the thrifty buyers they are, our readers most often mentioned the restaurant ads with coupons, followed by:

• The Roe Motors ad on the back page.
• AesthetiSpa.
• Club Northwest.
• Sundance Divers.
• Caveman Heating.
• Siskiyou Community Health Center.

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

The free enterprise system doesn’t revolve around Wall Street and the stock market. Its bread and butter are creative and innovative individuals who are willing to take a chance and open their own businesses. And the system is alive and well in Grants Pass, as our readers named quite a few new businesses, including Roux 26, Jon Bowen’s new restaurant at the corner of 5th and H.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Bohemian Bar & Bistro, at 233 SW G.
• Kobe Sushi Buffet at 1150 NE E in the Grants Pass Shopping Center.
• Babe’s Bakery, located at 1701 NE 6th.
• Infuzed Xpress, at 401 NE F.
• Lily Bee’s Consignment, 142 SE H.
• Pack Ratz, a thrift store at 930 SE M.

FAVORITE BUSINESSPERSON

Life at the top ain’t easy. You have to unlock the door every morning, turn on the A/C, make sure the till is adequately stocked, oversee “x” number of employees (all of whom have their own personal life stories and/or foibles, by the way), place orders, organize the store room, hold clients’ hands, etc., etc. The list is endless.
After all the votes were counted, our readers reserved their number one appreciation for Travis Boersma who, along with his brother Dane, opened Dutch Brothers Coffee in 1992. Today, it is the country’s largest privately-held drive-thru coffee company.
Others receiving a lot of votes were:

• Brady Adams of Evergreen Federal.
• Steve Roe of Roe Motors GM.
• Bob McLaren of Never a Bum Steer.
• Rick Chapman of Plaza Sew ‘n’ Vac.
• Frank Wright and Roy Heinzle of the Kitchen Company.
• Cliff Bennett of Chet’s.
• Scott and Annette Draper at Club Northwest and Spa at Club Northwest.
• Carl Wilson of KAJO.
• Carl and Mimi Raskin of Elegance.

FAVORITE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER (CITY)

The last job I had before starting the Sneak Preview in 1986 was as a substitute teacher at Lincoln Savage Middle School. For the lesson plan, the teacher arranged for a movie to be shown, and I thought it would be something boring like a documentary on the “Mating Habits of Pine Martens” or something. Instead, it was my favorite movie of all time, Back to the Future, and I watched it five times that day.
Winning this category for 2013 was Robert Bath, a science teacher at North Middle School. Bob grew up in southern California and received his undergraduate degree in Biology from UC-Irvine. He has been teaching secondary school for the last 23 years.
Other favorites included:

• Lois MacMillan, Social Studies/History at South Middle School.
• Shelly Bigelow, a P.E. teacher at South.

FAVORITE MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER (COUNTY)

On the Three Rivers School District side of the ledger, the winner was Julie Barnes, a social studies teacher at Fleming Middle School, followed by:

• Steve Stuckey, a language arts teacher at Fleming.
• Mary Rae Anderson, a language arts teacher at Lincoln Savage.
• Scott Zurhellen, a science teacher at Lincoln Savage.

FAVORITE SCHOOL SECRETARY

Yeah, the principal might sit at the Big Desk and make Important Decisions, but it’s the secretary who really runs the school. Our readers were able to name a few of them, including Dayle Powell of Madrona Elementary, who won this category for 2013.

FAVORITE LOCAL SPORTS COACH

By all rights, the Quiz Bowl team should get as much coverage as sports, but that ain’t the world we live in. And when it comes to high school sports in the United States, football has reigned supreme for almost a hundred years. Nowhere is that more evident than in Grants Pass, where the Cavemen pack in the crowds on Friday nights at Mel Ingram Field.
And in that regard, our readers named GPHS Head Football Coach John Musser as their favorite. The Cavemen hope to improve on their 2012 record of 3-7.

FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR AT RCC

It’s not a sprawling campus of ivy-covered buildings like in Eugene or Corvallis, but Rogue Community College is a major economic and social engine in Josephine and Jackson Counties. They help provide an educated workforce plus an entertainment schedule of art, music and theater.
A number of RCC faculty were named by our readers, including this year’s number one, Wayd Drake of the Humanities and Drama departments.
Also featured were:

• Suzanne Chavez, Foreign Language Coordinator.
• Midge Shaw, Humanities.
• Chelsea Fine, Humanities.
• Pat Enos, Art.
• Donald Schultz, Science.

FAVORITE DENTIST

I used to go into a panic attack when visiting the dentist, but with all the innovations that have been developed over the last twenty years, it’s like a walk in the park these days. I even received a complimentary hand-paraffin dip at the last dentist I visited.
Twenty-five different dentists were mentioned by our readers, and in the end Greg Bigelow and Richard Miller ended up sharing the top spot.
The vote was very close, however, and the Top Ten featured:

• Steven Rogers.
• Matt Johnston.
• Michelle Johnson.
• Sara Riechers.
• Matt Hill.
• Don Lanahan.
• Ray Sutton.
• Darren Huddleston.

FAVORITE DOCTOR

My daughter is home for the summer, and we have been watching 3-4 reruns of House every day. The show always has one or two weird diseases that have to be diagnosed, and I almost feel as if I could hang my shingle somewhere and tell people, “no, you don’t have a muscle disorder; it’s merely a hole in your left ventricle that was not diagnosed.” Or something like that.
And when it comes to diagnosing and curing illnesses, our readers most often mentioned Doctors Mark Rondeau and Tim Roberts.
Other favorites included:

• Bruce Murray, MD.
• Heather Kahn,MD.
• Edmund Glovinsky, D.O.
• Ed Groenhout, MD.
• Tamara Medley at the Women’s Health Center.
• Dan Gleffe, family practitioner.
• Eric Perry, MD.

FAVORITE NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR/ACUPUNCTURIST

There will never be a House-type TV show centering around naturopathic doctors and acupuncturists because in most cases, afflictions can be explained by something very simple, like a lack of selenium in the diet.
And in that regard, our readers most often named naturopathic doctors Ellen Heinitz and Kristen Plunkett of the Naturopathic Clinic.
On the acupuncture side of the ledger, most of the 13 acupuncturists in town were mentioned, with Raven Sara and Janet Moret landing at the top, followed by Gregory Doss, Lisa Berger, and Ellen Leonard.

FAVORITE NURSE

There are a lot of famous nurses in history, from Florence Nightingale and Nurse Betty to Clara Barton and Nurse Ratched. Here in the Rogue Valley our readers were able to name quite a few nurses, starting with their favorite, Brenda Birdsong, RN, of Mountainview Family Practice.

FAVORITE PHYSICAL THERAPIST

The human body is chock full of hinges, pulleys and axles, each of which has to be in perfect harmony with the other. A lot of times, either because of accidents, injuries or general wear and tear, the system breaks down. And that’s where a physical therapist can set everything straight.
Taking down number one is this category for 2013 was Chad Thorson of Impact Physical Therapy, followed by:

• Jessie Elliot of Siskiyou Physical Therapy.
• Anne O’Brien of Impact.
• Donato Edsen of Riverside Physical Therapy.
• Steve Baksay of Impact.

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

I always wondered who said, “It’s better to look good than to feel good,” so I looked it up. It was Fernando Lamas. Then I had to look him up. He was an Argentine actor who made it big in Hollywood playing “Latin lover” roles. And let me tell you … his hair looked good!
Where would Fernando go if he were in Grants Pass wanting to look good? Landing at the top according to our readers was Kelcie Easter of Serendipity—Studio 201.
Others high on the list were:

• Holly Knoll of Spa at Club Northwest.
• Jackie McConnell of Panache.
• Linda Whalen of Action Hair Design.
• Amy Taradash at Spa at Club Northwest.
• Sandy Graham of Studio 121.
• Janie Peters at Red Heels Salon.
• Kathy Gillaspie at Gillaspie’s Hair Design.

BEST PLACE TO GET FACIALS/SKIN CARE TREATMENT

You’ve seen those before and after pictures, right? The lady on the left looks like she’d just walked across the Sahara Desert, fighting off snakes and pit vipers, then voila, one visit to a beauty salon and a quick facial, and she suddenly looks like Michelle Pfeiffer.
Where to go for that perfect facial? Our readers most often picked AesthetiSpa, followed by:

• Spa at Club Northwest.
• La Bella Faccia.
• Spa E’vie.
• Thrive Wellness.
• Headhunters.
• Blue Door Salon.
• Ambiance.

FAVORITE MASSAGE THERAPIST

You just claimed third place in the National Anvil & Safe Weightlifting Tournament, and your muscles are aching like crazy. Where to go? Our readers named quite a few massage therapists, including this year’s winner, Jessica Hull of Thrive Wellness.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Anita Crew.
• Haley Berry.
• Sheri Morris.
• Suzanne Rosa.
• Nancy Huebsch.
• Cara Brown.

BEST LOCAL DAY SPA

Pamper, vt: To treat with extreme or excessive care and attention. Syn., see indulge.
That pretty much describes what happens at a day spa, and in that regard our readers most often named the Club at Spa Northwest as their favorite, followed by:

• AesthetiSpa.
• Spa E’vie.
• Blue Door Salon.
• En Vogue.
• Headhunters.
• Ambiance.
• Headquarters.

FAVORITE AUTO REPAIR SHOP

Owning a car is not an easy matter; it’s almost like having another kid. You’re constantly fretting that it will get into an accident, and every time something goes wrong, you rush it to the emergency room. Filling it up with gas is like giving it an allowance. On the positive side, they can never run off and join the circus and/or operate a meth lab.

• Where to go when your child is acting up? The top vote-getter for 2013 was Tom’s Auto Service at 242 NW F, followed by:
• Huck’s Garage.
• Star Automotive.
• Roe Motors GM.
• Jim Sigel Chevrolet.
• Autosmith.
• Mock’s Ford.
• Wheeler Toyota.
• Autopro.
• Extreme Auto Repair.

BEST AUTO BODY SHOP

I bought my first-ever brand new car in 1985, and within three weeks some idiot at a grocery store left his or her shopping cart unattended, and it rolled down the hill, smashing into my car. It was a big bummer. I immediately called an auto body shop and had the dent removed and got a new coat of paint on the door … as good as new.
Where to go when something similar happens? Our readers most often picked DJ’s Bump & Paint Parlor. The vote was close among the Top Three, and they included Apland’s Collision Repair and Star Collision Center.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Roe Motors GM.
• Ham’s Body Shop.
• Valle’s Auto Body.
• Grants Pass Collision Repair.

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

All of the lawyer jokes go flying out the window after you’ve been sued and really need a lawyer. Then you’re ready to do bodily harm to anyone who even insinuates that your attorney isn’t the most wonderful person on earth. And when it comes to wonderful attorneys, our readers most often mentioned Dennis James, who also won this category in 2010.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Chris Mecca.
• Jack Davis.
• Ben Freudenberg.
• Debra Cummings.
• Jim Dole.
• Richard Lane.
• Pat Kelly.
• Claudia Browne.
• Matt Galli.

FAVORITE POLICEPERSON

Being a police officer in Grants Pass and Josephine County is a little strange right now. Since some residents take a perverse pride in having the lowest property tax rate in the state because of a poorly-conceived law written in 1937, the rest of us have to suffer because there’s no money for a jail, district attorney, juvenile detention center, or sheriff patrols.
Anyway, we still appreciate everything they do, and this year our readers named Grants Pass Public Safety Officer Pete Jenista as their favorite, followed by:

• Officer Joe Robles of Grants Pass.
• GP Public Safety Director Joe Henner.
• GP Officer Laura Zeliff.
• Sheriff Gil Gilbertson.

FAVORITE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER

The earliest known surviving photograph was taken in 1825, printed from a metal plate, which was exposed under an ordinary engraving and copied by photographic means. Now, 188 years later, digital photography and Instagram have made this process available to everyone at a fraction of the cost.
Yes, everyone can point and click, but it takes a professional to do it right. Our readers were able to name a few local photographers, and landing at the top was Tim Bullard, who is the photographer for the Daily Courier.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Michael Newcomb.
• Jim Ingraham.
• Traci Buck.
• Len Holzinger.
• Bill Stanfill.

FAVORITE PERSONAL TRAINER

You just got a call from Hollywood and they want you for a part in the next Iron Man movie. It requires some killer abs, legs that won’t quit, and an upper body to die for. Then you wake up. It inspires you, though, to be as fit as possible. Who do you call? Our readers named several, starting with Joey Villareal, a CrossFit advocate and personal trainer.
Also receiving their share of votes were:

• Amanda Valle at Club Northwest.
• J. Brown at Elemental Healing Arts.
• Heidi Whitehead at YMCA.
• Debbie Marshall at Thrive.

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

This is a labor of love, but if you’re willing to put in the time and energy, it can be very rewarding. You definitely have to be a people-person, and you have to love food.
Our readers were able to name 26 different people in this survey, with the top nod going to Glen and Tawni Hendricks of The Vine.
They were followed by:

• Jill Dini of the Bohemian.
• Ryan Clark of the Bistro.
• Bob and Darla Feil of the Train Depot and River’s Edge.
• Dave Thomason of Taprock and Elmer’s.
• Bret Musselman of 115 Broiler.
• Tina Gotchall of the Powderhorn.
• Tim and Sandra Mock of Beacon Bar & Grill.
• Jodi Haines of MaMosa’s.
• Carol and Danny Walters of the R-Haus.

FAVORITE WAITPERSON

You don’t want to get between a waitperson with a tray of food and his or her table. The odds of being trampled are high; kind of like facing down a rhino on the Serengetti. They’re extremely focused and goal-oriented at that point in time. As soon as they land and reveal the “Mission Accomplished” banner, though, they revert back to the fun-loving people they are.
A total of 30 different waitpersons were singled out by our readers, and it turned out to be a tie between Tricia Walker of Elmer’s and Carol Walters of the R-Haus.
The competition was fierce, though, and other favorites included:

• Riese Proudfit of Circle J.
• Dotti Kochis at 115 Broiler.
• Debbie Hamblin at the Powderhorn.
• Lance Gilmore at Taprock.
• Joe Gomez of G Street Bar & Grill.
• Kezia Taylor at the Laughing Clam.
• Scott Waldie at Elmer’s.

FAVORITE BARTENDER

An older man walks into a bar wearing a stovepipe hat, a waistcoat and a phony beard. The bartender asks, “Going to a party?” He says “Yeah, a costume party. I’m supposed to come dressed as my love life.” The bartender replies, “But you look like Abe Lincoln!” The man says, “That’s right. My last four scores were seven years ago.”
Sorry for the PG-13 joke. I think I’ve been at the computer too long. Maybe I need a drink! Where to go? Our readers had quite a few suggestions, and most often mentioned Kari Wegat of the Laughing Clam, followed by:

• Bob Lewis of The Cedarwood.
• Christian Hahn of Taprock.
• Gail Hardin at the Beacon.
• Dennis Getz of the Wonder Bur.
• Kari Musselman of 115 Broiler.

FAVORITE CHEF

The kitchen at any restaurant is a great example of controlled chaos. Orders come in, refrigerators are opened, oven temperatures are adjusted, and condiments, slabs of meat and vegetables are flying in every direction. Above it all, like a maestro at a symphony, stands the chef, and every night he deserves a standing ovation.
A number of local chefs were mentioned in this survey, with Richard Howard of Musashi taking down top honors.
Others receiving plenty of votes were:

• Sandy Mock of Beacon.
• Carrie Cattrall of MaMosa’s.
• Danny Walters of R-Haus.

FAVORITE BUILDER/CARPENTER

From home remodeling to new construction, the industry is back on the move. The Great Recession is now becoming just a vague memory in the minds of a lot of builders, one that we hope will not be repeated.
And when it comes to builders, contractors, and carpenters, our readers named twenty different ones, starting with Kirk Chapman Construction.
The list also included:

• Randy Hagerman.
• Dave Jacoby.
• Bedford Smith.
• Dave Adams.

FAVORITE HANDYMAN

You gotta love a handyman who can take care of any problem, large or small, around the house. Almost makes me want to go to Handyman school. Taking down top honors in this category was Russell W. Foster Handyman Services, followed by:

• Andy Pimentel.
• Richard Siler.
• Terry Cooke.
• Mike “On the Spot” Malara.

FAVORITE LANDSCAPER/YARD MAINTENANCE

You keep having this recurring nightmare. You’re sitting in your patio garden having a vodka martini, and long vines suddenly crawl across your body, tying you to the chair, while a Venus flytrap named Audrey chugs down your drink. You wake up and immediately call your yard maintenance people to help restore your yard to sanity.
And when it comes to that, our readers named both Duane Geurin of Geurin Landscaping and Réné Paré of Mountain View Landscaping as their favorites.
They were followed in the balloting by:

• Grow’s Professional Land-scaping.
• All American City Landscaping.
• Randy Furtado of Three Oaks Landscaping.
• Lloyd’s Quality Landscape.

FAVORITE ACCOUNTANT/CPA

We all agree that the U.S. tax code is too long, but it’s funny to hear politicians in Washington complain about it. In quotes taken from the Congressional Records, our elected representatives have listed the tax code as being anywhere between 2,500 and 2.5 million pages long. In reality, it’s 13,458 pages, which is why you need an accountant and CPA when tax season rolls around.
Who to call? Our readers were able to single a few out, including this year’s winner, Randy K. Jentzsch, followed by:

• Ruthe Gunn.
• Wayne Voigt.
• Joan Haley.
• Karen Bodeving.
• Cynthia Harelson.
• Mike Roots.

CUTEST BABY

There were four contestants, and all of them were just cuter than the dickens. I had my family rank their favorites on a scale of 1-4, then, using a mathematical formula I honed in freshman year algebra, I came up with the winner: Piper Stricklan. It was close, however, and the cute runners-up were Payton Allen, Branden Wade Martin, and Amelia McKenzie.

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

It’s been growing in popularity for years, and now there is an active discussion about having one or two Plazas for everyone to enjoy. Anything we can do to make the downtown area more appealing is a plus because there’s nothing like a robust downtown to boost the morale of any town.
There are a lot of different stores in downtown Grants Pass, and our readers were able to name 26 of them as their favorites. Once again they selected The Kitchen Company, a store at 301 SE 6th Street, as their number one.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Grants Pass Pharmacy.
• Chet’s Garden Center.
• Blind George’s.
• Never a Bum Steer.
• Savannah Faire.
• Bead Merchant/Violet Con-tinued.
• Tierra del Sol.
• Shop River Rock.
• The Herb Shop.
• Oregon Outpost.

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

Fred Meyer was the top dog in this category, beating out the other “big stores,” Ross, Wal-Mart, JC Penney, and Bi-Mart.
When it comes to the “little stores,” it was a tie between Rogue River Florist, a floral/gift shop located at 789 NE 7th, and Emilia’s Closet, in Parkway Village.
The list also included:

• Jan’s Hallmark Store.
• The Dollar Store.
• Judy’s Florist & Gifts.
• Maurice’s.
• Probst Flower Shop.
• Aquarius Books.

BEST PLACE TO BUY MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS

I don’t know why the Vatican is spending so much energy trying to decide whether to confer sainthood on Pope John Paul II when everyone knows my mom deserved sainthood.
Where to go when I want to buy something special for St. Hazel? Most of our readers recommended the Kitchen Company or Jan’s Hallmark Store, followed by:

• Hellgate’s River Rock Gift Shop.
• Savannah Faire.
• Grants Pass Pharmacy.
• Rogue River Florist.
• La Bella Casa.
• Never a Bum Steer.
• Tierra del Sol.
• Bead Merchant/Violet Continued.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FATHER’S DAY GIFTS

Most dads aren’t into frou-frou gifts, but get him that new weedeater or a dozen Titleist Pro V1’s, and he’ll just get ecstatic.
And in that regard, the majority of our readers named Fred Meyer as the place to go, followed by:

• Home Depot.
• Diamond.
• Grange Co-op.
• CostCo.

CUTEST PET

We had five eligible contestants this year (repeats from last year were disallowed), and once again I lined all the pictures up and had my entire family vote on them. In the end, Murphy Galey won in a landslide.Runnersup included Rocky Draper, Willow Barrymore, Chewie Sheahan, and the fivesome of Mimi, Mr. Dudley, Aunt Rosie, Beans and Oly. Pictures of all contestants are printed here.

BEST PLACE TO BUY TOYS

Children are amazing creatures. Every second of every day is a process of learning about the world they were brought into, and toys are a great facilitator in that education. Where to go when you want to find toys for the kids? Most of our readers were impressed with the selection at Wal-Mart, although Fred Meyer came in a close second.
Also mentioned were:

• Sleadd’s Adventure Depot.
• Chesi Jo’s Baby Boutique.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FURNITURE

The first time early humans found a cave, they immediately built some lounge chairs to sit around the fire and drink grog. The home entertainment center was a few years down the road.
Where would our friendly cavemen go to find furniture today? The overwhelming choice was Gates Home Furniture, located at 700 SW 6th, followed by:

• Parker’s Furniture.
• Aaron’s Lease to Own.
• Household Furniture & Appliances.
• Active Home Furnishings.

BEST PLACE TO BUY MATTRESSES

One of the keys to staying healthy is getting a good night’s sleep, and having the right mattress for you is extremely important. And when it comes to that, our readers most often picked both Mattress Experts (260 NE Agness) and Mattress Land (550 SW 6th) as a great place to start.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Gates Furniture.
• Quality Mattress.
• Active Home Furnishings.

BEST PLACE TO BUY APPLIANCES

If anyone wants to know what it was like before electricity, read the chapter “The Sad Irons” from Robert Caro’s first book on LBJ, The Path to Power. The life of the average homemaker was brutal before electrification, and this is one case where we can thank government for getting involved.
Anyway, where to go for refrigerators, washers, dryers, and other electrical appliances? Many of our readers mentioned Sears Home Services, followed by:

• Household Furniture and Appliances.
• Active Home Furnishings.
• Home Depot.

BEST FUNERAL HOME

Most funerals are a combination of good and bad. You’re saying goodbye to a good friend but you’re also celebrating his or her life in remembrance. Funeral homes do a great job of walking us through that whole process.
In this category, our readers most often mentioned both Stephens Family Chapel and Hull and Hull Funeral Directors.
Also receiving a lot of votes were:

• Chapel of the Valley.
• Lundberg’s L.B. Hall Funeral Home.

FAVORITE PHARMACY

Whether it’s prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs, pharmacies provide a valuable service for the community, and our readers appreciate their efforts. It was a close-fought battle, but in the end both Grants Pass Pharmacy and Service Drugs won our readers’ approval.
They were followed by:

• Rite-Aid.
• Bi-Mart.
• Wal-Mart.
• Walgreen’s.
• Fred Meyer.

BEST SELECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

It’s been confirmed by the Human Genome Project that the shopping gene is located on the X chromosome. In a related study, it was found that the obsessing-over-the-playoffs gene is definitively located on the Y chromosome.
Where to go to shop for women’s clothes? There’s actually a lot of variety in Grants Pass, and our readers most often chose Fred Meyer, followed by:

• Tierra del Sol
• JC Penney’s.
• Emilia’s Closet.
• Ross Store.
• Maurice’s.
• Consigning Women.
• Rue 21.
• Van Olpton’s Boutique.
• Goodwill.

BEST SELECTION OF MEN’S CLOTHES

The shopping options for men are not as extensive, and I won’t even get into the socio-cultural reasons why. Just point me in the right direction when I need some new jeans. And in that regard, our readers most often named JC Penney’s as their favorite, although Fred Meyer came in a close second.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Ross Store.
• Grange Co-op.
• Bi-Mart.
• Goodwill.
• Roley’s Pacific Supply.

BEST PLACE TO BUY EARRINGS

They’re “one of the oldest known forms of body modification” (Wikipedia) and are even mentioned in the Bible. Plus they look really good. Where to go when shopping for earrings? Our readers mentioned both Hart’s Jewelry and Never a Bum Steer as their favorites, followed by:

• Fred Meyer.
• Chuck King Jewelry.
• Growers’ Market Craft Fair.
• Maurice’s.
• Bead Merchant/Violet Continued.
• J. Austin Coin & Jewelry.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOOR/WINDOW COVERINGS

It’s the little things in life that can sometimes be the most pleasing. Having a nice wood floor, a beautiful carpet, and some tasteful blinds/drapes on the windows can make the difference between happiness and just accepting our fate. I may be exaggerating a little bit, but you get the gist.
And when it comes to window coverings, our readers most often named Colonial Decorators, although Draperies ‘N’ Things and Mr. Mini Blind also received a lot of votes, along with Jueden Custom Drapery & Design.
For floor coverings, they turned to Lippert’s Carpets, followed by Inkrote Floors.
Home Depot and Diamond Home Improvement were also mentioned.

FRIENDLIEST FLORISTS

Working around flowers will make anyone happy, and in that regard our readers most often appreciate the friendly service from Probst Flower Shop, where Pat and Michelle’s family have been serving the Rogue Valley since 1978, buying it from the Probst family who’d been here since the early 1940s.
The voting was close, however, as Rogue River Florist, Judy’s Grants Pass Florist & Gifts, and Chet’s Garden Center all received their share of votes.

BEST PLACE TO BUY “STUFF” FOR THE GARDEN

I should have that bumper sticker that says, “I Brake for Garden Nurseries.” Every time I walk into a store that sells flowers, I walk out with two pallets in my arms. It’s gotten so bad that my family did an intervention and checked me into the Betty Ford Center for Landscaping Addiction.
A lot of our readers share that addiction, and once again they named Chet’s Garden Center at 229 SW H Street as their favorite.
They were followed by:

• Greenleaf Greenhouse.
• The Grange Co-Op.
• Bi-Mart.
• Home Depot.
• Diamond Home Improvement.
• Redwood Nursery.
• Sandy’s Nursery.
• Fred Meyer.
• Growers’ Market.

FAVORITE ANTIQUE SHOP

Grants Pass has become known as a mecca for antique lovers throughout the Pacific Northwest. To add to the allure, the Antique & Collectible Street Fair held every May has become extremely popular.
Most of the local antique stores were mentioned by our readers, including the two favorites, Old Town Antique Mall at 324 SW 6th, and Elegance, across the street at 331 SE 6th.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Blue Moon.
• Gasoline Alley.
• H Street Antiques.
• Stovepipe Antiques.

FAVORITE GROCERY STORE

Most grocery stores are like mini social events, as you can run into friends, neighbors and family. A quick stop for a few essentials can turn into an hour-long gossip session.
Where do our readers like to go to socialize and shop for food? Many of them mentioned Albertson’s and Safeway, closely followed by:

• Fred Meyer.
• Cartwright’s.
• Gooseberries.
• Grocery Outlet.
• Ray’s.
• Farmer’s Market.

BEST PLACE TO BUY “STUFF” FOR THE KITCHEN

During my bachelor days, my kitchen utensils consisted of a frying pan for eggs and a pot to boil water for macaroni and cheese. After I met my wife, a whole new world opened up to me, including strainers, wooden spoons and thermometers. I never knew such things existed … just kidding.
Anyway, winning this category again was The Kitchen Company, located in downtown Grants Pass at 301 SE 6th Street.
Also received votes were:

• Fred Meyer’s.
• Wal-mart.
• La Bella Casa.
• The Dollar Store.

BEST CHILD CARE PROVIDER

Someone called in asking for this category, and we’re still not sure exactly what a “child care provider” is. And neither are our readers as they concentrated on day care centers with their answers.
In that regard, the top choice was Kids Kastle Day Care & Preschool, followed by:

• Little People’s Day Care.
• Coalition for Kids Day Care.
• Kid Zone at Club Northwest.

FAVORITE LOCAL RETIREMENT CENTER

Getting old doesn’t have to be a drag. If you’re surrounded by good friends and attentive staff in a relaxing environment, it could actually be fun. My philosophy is that a day in the life is no different at 88 than it is at 18. It’s still 24 hours, and you decide what to do with it.
Moving right along, there are a number of high quality retirement centers in Grants Pass, and our readers mentioned most of them, including the top two, Oak Lane and Foothill Retirement Center.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Spring Village.
• Countryside Village.
• Highland House.
• The Bridge.

FAVORITE GAS STATION

The world’s first purpose-built gas station was constructed in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1905 (the second one was in Seattle). Today, there are 118,756 of them in the United States. So fill ‘er up, boys.
Where to go when you want to be part of the 118,756? Our readers most often mentioned Fred Meyer, at the corner of the Parkway and Beacon Drive.
Other favorites are:

• Larry Henderson’s “A” Street Chevron.
• Lonnie’s Texaco at 7th & Morgan.
• Redwood Texaco.
• Towne Pump.
• The ARCO Station at 7th & “M.”

FAVORITE STORE IN MEDFORD/ASHLAND

When our readers just have to get out of town, they most often go to CostCo and Trader Joe’s in Medford, closely followed by:

• Macy’s at the Mall.
• TJ Maxx.
• Crafter’s Warehouse.
• Barnes & Noble.
• Target.
• Paddington Station in Ashland.

POLITICS

FAVORITE CITY COUNCILOR

Everything seems to be going along fairly smoothly at the City Council these days (knock on wood). As long as they keep their eyes on the ball and don’t buy too many $100,000 bus shelters, we should all be fine. But seriously, you can almost buy an entire house for $100,000!
Anyway, taking down top honors in this category was Lily Morgan, followed by:

• Dan DeYoung.
• Jim Williams.

FAVORITE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

There are two brand new county commissioners this year, and one of them, Cherryl Walker, was voted favorite by our readers. Simon Hare came in a close second.

BEST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN LAST YEAR

Quite a few people were happy that the county commissioners put the public safety levy back on the ballot last May and, in fact, it came within two percentage points of passing. Other than that, our readers were scratching their heads trying to come up with something positive that government did last year.

WORST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN LAST YEAR

A lot of people are upset over the revolving door at the jail, along with the lack of sheriff’s patrols and no juvenile detention center. The money for that has to come from somewhere, though, and in the Dream World of Josephine County, residents think it’s just going to be given to them because, you know, they deserve a free handout. Don’t get me started.

A VERY UNSCIENTIFIC POLITICAL POLL

Each year we ask our readers to answer four political questions just to gauge the mood of the community. These answers are “relatively” accurate since very few people stuff the ballot for them.

1. Would you vote for a small levy to fund the jail? This is something I proposed over a year ago, when the first public safety levy failed. Lane County, which has seen numerous public safety levies fail over the last ten years, put a jail levy on the ballot just last November, and it passed 60% to 40%. So instead of asking voters for the whole enchilada, you propose a modest increase in taxes to pay for the most crucial element, the jails. Some may argue that other things are just as crucial, but while we’re debating the merits of this and that, criminals are running free and making a mockery of crime prevention in Grants Pass and Josephine County. Our readers absolutely agree with me.

Yes, will vote for the jail: 74%
No, bad idea: 26%

2. Should Josephine County government turn everything over to the state? This has become an issue lately, as O&C counties like Josephine and Curry have run out of money. The federal government has cut them off from their O&C welfare payments, and the citizens have become so used to living on welfare that they refuse to pony up. There’s talk of having the National Guard take over police duties in Josephine County, and of bureaucrats in Salem running the administration. What do you our readers think?

Yes, State should take over: 9%
No, they shouldn’t: 91%

3. Should transients be required to work for food and shelter? This sounds insensitive, but sometimes tough love is the only way to turn someone around. When you know you can get something for nothing, why take the initiative to improve your life? Our readers agree with this sentiment.

Yes, they should have to work: 90%
No, they shouldn’t: 10%

4. Should the City close off 5th Street between G & H for a pedestrian mall? The model for this mall is beautiful and will certainly be a fun place to hang out. It’s kind of off the beaten track but maybe if you build it, they will come. Once the parking issues get corrected, it would be a nice addition to downtown. Our readers agree.

Yes, build it: 60%
No, don’t: 40%

* * * * *
And there we go. That only took three fingers of Old Granddad. Part II of the “Best of the Rogue Valley” will include Restaurants and Entertainment and will be featured in our September issue. Later! —C.H.

 

Since Part I of the “Best of the Rogue Valley” hit the stands, we’ve been hit with massive forest fires and smoke inhalation. Here’s one thing I don’t understand: We can spend a zillion dollars to develop the nuclear bomb, put a man on the moon, and download the entire contents of the Library of Congress onto an iPhone, and we can’t figure out how to put out forest fires. Something’s not right here.
But let’s move on to more important things, specifically Part II of the “Best of the Rogue Valley,” featuring restaurants and entertainment. As always, multiple ties will be awarded in any category where the votes had a difference of five or less at the top.

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

If our readers are staying on top of their culinary game and actually know what they’re talking about, then there were officially eight new restaurants/bakeries in the Grants Pass area last year.
The voting for the top spot was neck and neck this year, but after the last precincts were counted, the Bohemian Bar & Bistro, Jill Dini’s new establishment at 233 SW G, edged out Roux 26.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Kobe Buffet at 1150 NE E in the Grants Pass Shopping Center.
• Infuzed Express at 401 NE F.
• La Burrita’s new location at 1501 NE F.
• Babe’s Bakery at 1701 NE 6th.
• Avenue Diner, located at 1867 Redwood Ave.
• Dassh Bakery at 102 SW 5th.

BEST BREAKFAST

All night long your stomach has peacefully acquiesced to that notion that it wasn’t going to get any food for 8-9 hours. Then BAM, once you wake up, patience is not its strong suit. It wants to be fed, and it wants it NOW.
Where to go to placate the demands of your stomach? The Top Four were very close, and our readers named both Elmer’s Restaurant (175 NE Agness) and Black Bear Diner (1900 NW 6th), number one, followed closely by the Train Depot, located at 577 NE F; and the Powderhorn Café at 321 NE 6th.
The favorites also included:

• MaMosa’s, at 118 NW E.
• The Gold Miner Restaurant at 786 SE 7th.
• Taprock Northwest Grill (971 SE 6th).
• Shari’s, at 190 NE Agness.
• Black Forest, in the Grants Pass Shopping Center.
• Herb’s LaCasita, at 515 SE Rogue River Highway.

BEST LUNCH

You have an appointment scheduled with the head of the Chinese delegation in order to discuss your idea to sell widgets in China (sell one billion of them for a dollar each, and you’re suddenly a billionaire). Hoping to make an impression, you look through the list of outstanding restaurants in Grants Pass that offer lunch, and if you’re anything like our readers, you’ll have to decide between forty different ones.
In the last analysis, you’ll follow the advice of our voters, who chose the comfortable surroundings of the Taprock Northwest Grill at 971 SE 6th, overlooking the Rogue River and Riverside Park.
The Top Five were very close and they included:

• Rosso’s Delicatessen at 225 SE 6th.
• Wild River Brewing & Pizza Company, at 595 NE E.
• River’s Edge at 1936 Rogue River Hwy.
• Elmer’s.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• The Vine at 1610 Allencreek Road.
• 115 Broiler.
• Abu’s Oasis Deli at 1330 NW 6th.
• Blondie’s, located at 226 SW G.
• The Powderhorn Café.
• Circle J at 241 SW G.

BEST OMELETS

If you like eggs, you’re going to love omelets. They take three eggs and stuff them with things like cheese, vegetables and meats, then flip them over to produce the perfect breakfast entrée.
Where to go for perfection? Most of our readers went gaga over the omelets at the Powderhorn Cafe, followed by:

• Elmer’s.
• Black Bear Diner.
• Train Depot.
• Herb’s LaCasita.
• MaMosa’s.
• Della’s.
• Shari’s.

BEST BLT SANDWICHES

Bacon is almost an aphrodisiac for some people, and the perfect combination is to add some lettuce and tomatoes to it, making it America’s all-time favorite lunchtime sandwich. Seriously, Google it.
Our readers were all over the bacon landscape on this one, reserving their top nod to both Taprock Northwest Grill and Black Bear Diner.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Goldminer’s Restaurant.
• Elmer’s.
• Wonder Bur Café.
• Elmer’s.
• Black Forest.
• Train Depot.

BEST SOUPS

Sometimes you just don’t feel like going for that 2,500-calorie lunch or dinner. You want something that will be filling yet not a total protein-bomb. A fresh, homemade soup is just the answer, and in that regard, our readers most often mentioned Rosso’s, followed by:

• Roux 26.
• Sunshine Natural Foods.
• Babe’s Bakery.
• Wild River.
• Bohemian Bar & Bistro.
• Laughing Clam.

BEST SALADS

Back in the Caveman days, there wasn’t a whole lot of refrigeration. You just couldn’t pull a mastodon thigh out of the freezer at night as leftovers from that hunt two months previous. Half the time you had to resort to … vegetables and salads!
Where does our friendly Caveman go when the mastodon cache has run out? These votes were spread out fairly evenly at the top with Elmer’s, Taprock, Sizzler (1871 NE 7th) and GoodnessGraciousCafé (221 SW G) all receiving a lot of votes.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Wild River.
• Applebee’s.
• Vine.
• Sunshine Natural Foods.
• Twisted Cork.
• Train Depot.

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

The next best thing to eating at home for dinner is to find a restaurant that makes you feel as if you’re right at home. And when it comes to that, our readers mentioned 15 different local restaurants, with 115 Broiler, R-Haus and River’s Edge taking down top honors.
It was very close, however, as Taprock Northwest Grill received a lot of votes.
Other favorites included:

• Roux 26.
• The Vine.
• Blondie’s.
• Twisted Cork.
• Della’s.
• The Bistro.

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR LUNCH

“Romance” sometimes can mean simply getting away from the fast lane and stepping into an establishment that caters to your every wish at lunch even when it’s 102° outside and forest fires are raging right outside the doors. Sounds “romantic” to me.
And when our readers wanted to find a serene, romantic background for lunch, they most often chose both Twisted Cork at 210 SW 6th and Taprock Northwest Grill, closely followed by:

• The Vine.
• River’s Edge.
• 115 Broiler.
• Blondie’s Bistro.
• Roux 26.
• Rosso’s.

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT FOR DINNER

The list of people who have written us letters over the years thanking us profusely for recommending a romantic restaurant for dinner, which then turned into marriage proposals, is too long to even count … just kidding. Our readers were, however, in a romantic mood when they filled out this category as they named River’s Edge as number one in this category.
The Top Four were really close, as R-Haus, 115 Broiler and Taprock all received a lot of votes, followed by:

• The Vine.
• Twisted Cork.
• Roux 26.
• The Bistro.
• The Bohemian.
• Blondie’s.

BEST SELECTION OF STEAKS

Red meat sometimes gets a bad rap from cardiologists, and you probably don’t want to eat it morning, noon and night, but a nice juicy steak a couple of nights a week has to be good for you. It just tastes too good and is packed with necessary protein.
Anyway, taking down top honors in this category were our friendly steak-servers over at 115 Broiler, located at 115 NW D.
The list also included:

• R-Haus.
• Applebee’s.
• Sizzler.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• Vine
• Blondie’s Bistro.
• Della’s.
• Roux 26.

BEST SELECTION OF SEAFOOD

Water covers over two-thirds of the earth, and the amount of wildlife under the ocean is staggering. Here’s hoping that commercial fishermen know what they’re doing and are replenishing what they remove, because having a tasty halibut or ahi or red snapper is one of the comfort foods of life.
Our readers agreed and named 15 different establishments that serve great seafood, including the number one choice, the Laughing Clam, located at 121 SW G. They were followed closely by 115 Broiler.
Others high on the list were:

• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• River’s Edge.
• The Vine.
• Twisted Cork.
• Applebee’s.
• R-Haus.
• McGrath’s and Red Lobster in Medford.

BEST PASTA DISHES ON MENU

Pasta is a type of noodle and a staple food of traditional Italian cuisine, which dates back to the first century BC. It’s typically made from an unleavened dough of wheat flour mixed with water. Wikipedia can sure make someone seem smart, can’t it?
And when it comes to pasta, our readers are very smart, choosing The Vine, located in the Allendale Shopping Center, as their favorite, followed by:

• Rosso’s.
• The Bistro.
• Olive Garden in Medford.
• Applebee’s.
• Roux 26.
• River’s Edge.

BEST CHICKEN DISHES ON MENU

They’re descended from a beautiful bird called the Red Junglefowl and were probably first domesticated in Southeast Asia back in the day. Thanks to humans, they have expanded to 24 billion birds worldwide, providing us with both meat and eggs.
Where would Friends of Red Junglefowl like to go locally when wanting to partake in some really good chicken dishes? Number one this year was Applebee’s, located at 250 NE Agness Avenue, followed by:

• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• River’s Edge.
• R-Haus.
• Matsukaze.
• The Vine.
• Abu’s Oasis Deli.

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

If only Congress could approach the immigration bill as efficiently as Mexican restaurants are run. They could sit down, order a margarita, write a couple of rough drafts over salsa and chips (with a side of guacamole), meet in full session with an order of macho burritos and chicken fajitas, then take the final vote with a complimentary serving of flan for dessert.
Our readers are very appreciative of all the great Mexican restaurants in the valley as they named twelve of them in this survey. The number one choice was both Si Casa Flores at 202 Beacon Drive and Taqueria Mexico (137 SE H).
The Top Five were actually pretty close and they included:

• Casa Amiga (1720 Redwood Avenue).
• La Burrita, at 1501 NE F.
• Tacos Locos in the Allen Creek Shopping Center.
• Also mentioned a lot were:
• El Paraiso, located at 201 E. Park Street.
• El Patron (799 Rogue River Highway).
• Angela’s Hacienda, at 111 NE Hillcrest.
• Kalypsso Latin Cuisine, at 775 SE 6th.
• Muchas Gracias at 1999 NE 7th.
• Lupita’s, located at the corner of 7th & E.

BEST CHILE RELLENOS

These are so addictive they could easily be placed on the Attorney General’s list of banned substances. Just kidding, but when you stuff a fresh poblano or Anaheim chile pepper with all kinds of goodies, then cover it with deep-fried egg batter, you want to order more … and more … and more.
Where to go for great chile rellenos? Our readers most often named La Burrita, followed by:

• Si Casa Flores.
• Tacos Locos.
• Casa Amiga.
• Taqueira Mexico.
• El Paraiso.

BEST MARGARITAS

They may not be the national drink of Mexico (that would probably be the “atole”), but it’s certainly taken the United States by storm. Our readers definitely love their margaritas, as they placed three different establishments at the top of their list: Tacos Locos, Si Casa Flores and Taqueria Mexico.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Casa Amiga.
• Angela’s.
• La Burrita.
• El Paraiso.
• El Patron.
• Bohemia Bar & Grill.

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

We’re only separated by a teensy-weensy little ocean, so we’re practically neighbors to Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam and Thailand, which are the main Asian restaurants prevalent in the Rogue Valley. And when it comes to that, our readers named 15 of them as their favorites, and we will take the liberty of naming all of them.
We’ll start at the top, where both Matsukaze, located at 1675 NE 7th, and HongKong (820 NW 6th) were mentioned most often.
The favorites also included:

• Pongsri’s, at 323 NE E.
• A Taste of China (211 NE A).
• Royal Barge, at 120 SW H.
• Thai BBQ at 428 SW 6th.
• China Hut (1434 NW 6th).
• Sunflower Thai Cuisine (1571 NE 6th).
• Pho Sur, a Vietnamese restaurant at 1887 NE 7th.
• Hunan Garden, located in the Grants Pass Shopping Center.
• Musashi Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine, located at 314 SE H.
• China Buffet, at 144 SE 7th.
• Shiki Sushi Bar, at 125 SE G.
• Saigon Xich Lo, the food cart.
• Four Seasons at 122 SE K.

BEST THAI DISHES

Thailand has become such a popular tourist destination that the movie Hangover II was filmed there. Where will Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis go when they’re stuck in the Rogue Valley while filming Hangover VII and want to reprise their roles in a Thai restaurant? Most of our readers chose Thai BBQ, followed by:

• Pongsri’s.
• Royal Barge.
• Sunflower Thai Cuisine.
• Pho Sur.

BEST JAPANESE DISHES

If you thought Japan was just a small island country in the north Pacific, you would be wrong. It’s actually an archipelago of 6,852 islands with over 126 million people. The greater Tokyo area, in fact, is the largest metropolitan area in the world, with over 30 million people.
That calls for some Japanese food to celebrate, and where would our readers go locally? Most said Matzukaze (1675 NE 7th), but the list also included:

• Musashi.
• Shiki’s (at G Street Bar & Grill).
• Hunan Garden.

RESTAURANT WITH MOST FUN SUSHI CHEFS

The knives were out for this category, as the fun-loving crew at Musashi edged out Shiki Sushi Bar by a whisker.
Also receiving lots of votes were the guys at Matsuakze.

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

This isn’t just pizza and pasta, but an ambiance that makes you think of Rome and Tuscany. A few original Michelangelo friezes would help, and some sculptures by Modigliani, but unless you have a couple of million dollars to spend on ambience, it’s not totally necessary.
When it comes to Italian restaurants, our readers once again mentioned both The Vine (1610 Allen Creek Road) and The Bistro (2008 NW 6th Street) as their favorites.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Rosso’s Delicatessen.
• Olive Garden in Medford.

BEST PIZZA RESTAURANT

I love the scene in Lady and the Tramp when the two dogs share a pizza together. Or was that spaghetti? Well, if it wasn’t pizza, it should have been, because this Italian delicacy has something to appeal to everyone.
Where would Lady and the Tramp go in the remake of that classic old movie? Most of our readers recommended Wild River BrewingCompany, located at 595 NE E, followed closely by Abby’s Legendary Pizza (in the Williams Plaza and on NE Beacon), and The Bistro.
Others high on the list featured:

• Papa Murphy’s (1011 NE 7th and 263 Rogue River Hwy).
• Circle J Café.
• Papa John’s, located at 107 SW 4th.
• Little Caesar’s.
• Pizza Hut.
• Figaro’s.

BEST BUFFET/SALAD BAR

You have to bring a big appetite because it’s all-you-can-eat when you step up to the buffet line for the third or fourth time. And when it comes to buffet, our readers most often mentioned ChinaBuffet, located at 144 SE 7th, followed closely by KobeSushiBuffet.
The R-Haus was also mentioned a lot.
On the salad bar front, the big vote-getter was Sizzler, at 1871 NE 7th, followed by:

• Abby’s Pizza.
• Sunshine Natural Foods.
• Wild River Brewing Co.

BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

Believe it or not, you can get the exact same nutritional requirements from a vegetarian diet as you can from the traditional Western diet … you just have to work a little harder at it and use some creativity.
Where to go when you want to get creative? Our readers loved the selection at Natural Foods Café, located at 128 SW H, followed closely by Abu’s Oasis Deli (1330 NW 6th).
Others making the list were:

• The Vine.
• Thai BBQ.
• Pongsri’s.
• Twisted Cork.
• River’s Edge.
• Blondie’s Bistro.

BEST BBQ DISHES

I was at a party once and overheard a heated argument between two guys over which was better—Texas BBQ or Carolina BBQ. Apparently, it’s all in the sauce, but I thought there was going to be another Civil War on our hands.
You certainly don’t have to travel to Houston or Raleigh to get your hands on some great BBQ. Number one locally among our readers was Leo’s BBQ Bar & Grill, located at 6401 Rogue River Highway.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Casa Amiga.
• Thai BBQ.
• Cartwright’s.
• Applegate River Ranch House.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST APPETIZERS

You get to the restaurant famished and there is seriously no way you’re going to wait. You immediately ask for the appetizer menu and order buffalo wings, mushroom puffs, tomato and cheese skewers, and some bacon-wrapped pineapple shrimps. By the time dinner comes, you’re stuffed and move straight onto dessert.
Where to go to start dinner off right? Our readers most often named both Applebee’s and the Bohemian Bar & Grill.
The list also included:

• Blondie’s Bistro.
• Twisted Cork.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• Laughing Clam.
• Roux 26.
• 115 Broiler.
• R-Haus.
• River’s Edge.

RESTAURANT WITH MOST EXOTIC COCKTAILS

One of my favorite books is Art of the Bar, written by two bartenders at the Absinthe Brasserie & Bar in San Francisco. They go through all of the most exotic drinks throughout time, from the Singapore Sling and Sazerac to the Mint Julep, Cosmopolitan and the Quarterdeck (rum, sherry, lime juice, angostura bitters).
Taking down top billing in this category for 2013 was The Bohemian Bar & Grill, followed by:

• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• Blondie’s Bistro.
• Applebee’s.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

I grew up in a family of nine kids, and every night our mom had a dessert ready for all of us. That is just one of the reasons she was recently nominated for sainthood at the Vatican.
Where would St. Hazel go if she were to visit Grants Pass looking for some great desserts?
Our readers were most fond of both Powderhorn Café and Shari’s.
The list also included:

• Blondie’s Bistro.
• 115 Broiler.
• R-Haus.
• Wild River.
• Bluestone Bakery & Coffee.
• Twisted Cork.
• Applebee’s.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• The Vine.

BEST PLACE TO BUY PASTRIES

They’re a quick shot of energy and they taste great, from donuts and bear claws to baklava and croissants. They can also be addictive, so try not to end up in a Bear Claw Rehab Unit.
When it comes to local pastries, our readers most often mentioned both 4th Street Bakery-Deli at 200 NW 4th and Babe’s Bakery at 1701 NE 6th.
They were followed by:

• Bluestone Bakery & Coffee Café.
• Jelly Donut.
• Dassh Bakery.
• Chocolate Affair.

RESTAURANT WITH BEST VIEW OF RIVER

Don’t be fooled by watching the placid Rogue River flow by. Underneath the water, it’s a massive system of energy propelled by deadly currents, undercurrents, eddies and debris. Armed with that knowledge, your river-watching experience can be taken to a whole new level.
And where to best apply that newfound knowledge? Most readers mentioned both the Taprock Northwest Grill, located right on the river next to the Caveman Bridge and across from Riverside Park, and River’s Edge, with fantastic picture windows and outdoor seating.
The list also included:

• R-Haus.
• Galice Resort.
• Morrison’s Lodge.
• O.K. Corral (via the Hellgate Jetboat Excursions).

RESTAURANT WITH FRIENDLIEST WAITSTAFF

It may look like an easy job, but waiting tables can be extremely demanding and stressful, requiring the utmost in concentration. To the credit of waitstaff everywhere, they continue to show a smiling face amid all the chaos.
Our readers were able to pinpoint 26 different restaurants in this survey, reserving their most praise for the waitstaff at Taprock Northwest Grill, followed by:

• River’s Edge.
• 115 Broiler.
• Elmer’s.
• Powderhorn Café.
• Twisted Cork.
• Train Depot.
• Wild River.
• Herb’s LaCasita.

BEST “QUICK SERVICE” RESTAURANT

According to Wikipedia, the first fast food restaurants originated in the United States in 1919 with A&W, and in 1921 with White Castle. Most of today’s chains are multinational corporations with outlets all across the world.
Here in good old Grants Pass, we had an exact three-way tie in this category between Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In (515 NE E), Burger King (north and south), and Carl’s Jr. (in three locations).
Others mentioned quite a bit were:

• Arby’s.
• Taco Bell.
• Casablanca Coffee & Grill.
• McDonald’s.
• Jack in the Box.
• Dairy Queen.
• Wendy’s.
• Sonic Drive-In.

BEST SELECTION OF BURGERS

There’s actually a secret to making great burgers, and I have been sworn to secrecy by a number of local chefs. A hint: it’s all in the wrist and how you flip the burger. No? Well, then, find your own mole in the restaurant industry if you don’t believe me.
Where to find that perfect burger? A lot of our readers turned to the creations at Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, followed by:

• Burger King.
• Eddie’s Old Fashioned Burgers.
• Carl’s Jr.
• McDonald’s.
• Wonder Bur Café.
• Wendy’s.
• Jack in the Box.

BEST FRENCH FRIES

Per the Third Law of Thermodynamics, it’s almost physically impossible to eat a hamburger without having a side order of fries. Where do people go when they want to comply with the laws of nature? A lot of our readers turned to the creations at Bohemian Bar & Grill, located downtown on G Street.
The voting was close at the top as Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In and Circle J came in a close second and third, followed by:

• McDonald’s.
• Carl’s Jr.
• Wendy’s.
• Dairy Queen.
• Wonder Bur Café.
• Sonic Drive-In.
• Wild River.

BEST SELECTION OF SANDWICHES

Making a great sandwich is actually an art. Rumor has it that Michelangelo had been admitted to the Sandwich Making College of Bologna before he realized he was actually good at painting murals on top of ceilings. Don’t believe me? Google it.
Anyway, where would Michelangelo go when he wanted to get really creative sandwiches? Many of our readers recommended Circle J Café, located downtown on G Street.
The list also included:

• Quizno’s.
• Subway Sandwiches.
• Millie’s.
• Wild River Brewing Company.
• Pita Pit.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• Beacon Bar & Grill.

BEST RESTAURANT TO TAKE THE ENTIRE FAMILY

This doesn’t necessarily have to be the entire family. Some people, like the crazy aunt living in the attic, really don’t need to be seen in public … just kidding. But when you do pile everyone into the station wagon (do they still make station wagons?) for a night on the town, where would our readers recommend you go? Many of them chose the friendly confines of both Taprock Northwest Grill and Wild River Brewing Company.
Also making the list a lot were:

• Black Bear Diner.
• Elmer’s.
• Casa Amiga.
• Abby’s.
• Hong Kong.
• Applebee’s.

FAVORITE BARISTA (COFFEE SERVER)

This job is so important that it deserves a cabinet position at the White House. Secretary of Coffee Serving or Secretary of Offense (caffeine gets everyone going) … or something like that.
When it comes to baristas, our readers named quite a few, including this year’s winner Sarah Isabelle, manager of the Dutch Brothers’ store at the Shopping Center.

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

This is a place where you can get coffee, mingle with friends, sit in the corner and write the Great American Novel, get caught up with all the local gossip by overhearing conversations, and solve all the world’s problems with the able assistance of our good friend caffeine.
Our readers mentioned seven different coffeehouses as their favorites, starting with their number one choice, Dutch Brothers, located at the corner of 6th & D.
The list also included:

• Human Bean.
• Rogue Coffee Roasters.
• Bluestone Bakery.
• Ethereal Café.
• Starbucks.
• Casablanca.

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE GRANTS PASS

To all those who mentioned restaurants in Cabo san Lucas, New York City and Seattle, we thank you for your input, but we didn’t mean that much outside Grants Pass. We were thinking more along the lines of a 45-minute drive, tops.
Leading the way this year was the Olive Garden in Medford, followed by:
Home Town Buffet in Medford.

• Red Lobster in Medford.
• Porter’s in Medford.
• The Jacksonville Inn.
• Galice Resort.
• Morrison’s Lodge outside Galice.
• India Palace in Medford.
• Peerless Restaurant in Ashland.

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST CONCERT IN PARK

The weather every Tuesday night is almost always perfect, and the only thing you have to worry about is smoke from forest fires. Last year our readers loved the appearance in late July by the Sound Stage Review during the “Back to the 50s Celebration.”
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Funktional Fusion.
• Reggae band Indubious.

BEST ROCK/BLUES CONCERT LAST YEAR

Our readers were all over the stage on this one before finally settling on the appearance by Curtis Salgado at the Black, White and the Blues fundraising event last winter.

BEST “CLASSICAL” CONCERT LAST YEAR

A lot of musical orchestras and groups journey to Grants Pass to take advantage of the outstanding acoustics at the Grants Pass High School Performing Arts Center.
The Rogue Valley Symphony, under the direction of Martin Majkut, brings in the crowds, and they were mentioned most often by our readers in this survey. The concert last September featuring soloist Stephanie Chase on violin was singled out.
Also receiving votes were:

• Rogue Opera’s concert Madame Butterfly in April.
• The Rogue Valley Women’s a Cappella Chorus’s “Holiday Presents” concert in December.

FAVORITE CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL LAST YEAR

It attracts some of the top names in the musical industry, and they pack them in practically every night during the summer months in Jacksonville. Our readers were definitely impressed, and they named Michael Franti & Spearhead as their favorite act, followed by:

• Heart.
• Willie Nelson.
• Bush.
• Ziggy Marley.
• Dukes of September.

MOST FUN PLACE FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART NIGHT

The Rogue Valley has a wealth of artistic talent, and First Friday Art Night is a chance for them to show off a little bit. It’s also a great social event, as downtown Grants Pass is packed with people enjoying art, food, refreshments and entertainment.
Especially popular with our readers was the “whole scene on G Street,” with the Grants Pass Museum of Art, Laughing Clam, Glass Forge and others catering to the crowds.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• FireHouse Gallery.
• Kitchen Company.
• Roux 26.
• Elegance.
• Twisted Cork.

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST

Quite a few local artists were mentioned by our readers, including this year’s winner, Julie Bickle, who has a studio in the Rogue Valley and is also an art teacher at Hidden Valley High School.
Others on the list featured:

• Donna Walsh.
• Del Hearn.
• Janet Higgins.
• Bob Worley.
• Cheri Van Syoc.

BEST DOWNTOWN PROMOTION LAST YEAR

A thriving downtown isn’t just about brick-and-mortar stores. It’s also the overall ambience and special events that draw people and turn the downtown core into a vibrant, exciting destination.
The Towne Center Association, along with the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Grants Pass, and the Visitor’s Center work together to present a number of events throughout the season. The two most popular, according to our readers, are The Back to the 50s Celebration in July and the Art Along the Rogue promotion in the fall.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• The Cool Yule Celebration.
• Tap Walk in October.
• The First Friday Art Night.
• The Antique Fair.
• The Wine Strolls.

BEST THING ABOUT THE ALL-SPORTS PARK

It’s officially named the Reinhart Volunteer Park after the man who led the way, along with the hundreds of volunteers who did all the grunt work to get it constructed. It’s now used by thousands of people every week and is a testament to what can happen if a community can just concentrate on the positive.
It certainly has something for everyone and topping the list in this survey was the Footbridge that crosses the Rogue River.
The list also included:
The many walking trails.
Fishing ponds.
The shaded playground.
Variety of playing fields.
The doggy bags.

BEST SPORTING EVENT IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY LAST YEAR

We’re not going to host the World Cup next year nor the Olympics in 2016, but other than that, Grants Pass isn’t that much different from Rio de Janeiro. Or have I been drinking too many margaritas?
There are some great sporting events in Josephine County, including this year’s favorite, American Legion baseball games at the All-Sports Park.
Coming in a close second were the horse races at Grants Pass Downs, followed by:

• The Boatnik Race.
• Any high school playoffs.
• GPHS football.
• Little League games.
• Special Olympics.

FAVORITE JETBOAT DRIVER FOR HELLGATE EXCURSIONS

Every day through late spring to early autumn, 15 to 20 boats leave the boat ramp at Hellgate Excusions, giving thousands of people a chance to enjoy the Rogue River in an up close and personal way. What makes the experience so enjoyable is the entertaining style of the jetboat drivers who mix a little history and nature notes with good humor and a down home delivery.
Topping the charts this year with our readers was jetboat driver DonnieBrent.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Mark Higgins.
• Rick Olsen.
• Brent Coon.

BEST PLACE TO GET A “WORKOUT”

While this country’s health care industry hemorrhages money, most of us are working overtime to try and stay healthy. Yes, it takes some motivation and requires a little bit of work, but the health and monetary benefits in the long run more than make up for it.
Where to go to get a workout? Many of our readers chose both Club Northwest, located on NW Vine Street, and the Grants Pass Family YMCA on Redwood Avenue.
Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Thrive Wellness.
• Knockout Fitness.
• Nitrofit.
• Curves for Women.
• Anytime Fitness.
• The Zoo Health Club.
• Crossfit Grants Pass.

BEST PLACE TO GO DANCING

I met my wife at a singles dance back in 1988, and we ended up winning the dance contest that night, so I have a soft spot in my heart for dancing. Where do our readers go when they want to cut the rug? Many of them mentioned the G Street Bar & Grill, followed by:

• Herb’s Shenanigans.
• J.D.’s.
• The Vault.
• The Fairgrounds during the County Fair.
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• Grants Pass Community Center.
• Black, White & the Blues.

FAVORITE ANIMALS AT WILDLIFE IMAGES

It was founded in 1981 by renowned wildlife rehabilitator J. David Siddon as a place “to provide for the care and treatment of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.” The center currently operates under the direction of David Siddon, Jr., who continues on with his father’s mission. The center is staffed by more than 80 dedicated volunteers who donate nearly 1,400 hours each month. For more info or to donate money to this nonprofit center, call 541-476-0222.
Meanwhile, our readers chimed in on their favorite animals at W.I., naming the bears number one this year.
The list also included:

• The cougars.
• Eagles.
• The owls.
• Mountain lions.
• The otters.
• Wolves.

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/SINGER

The Rogue Valley seems to attract a large number of talented musicians and singers willing to forego the hustle-bustle of L.A. or Nashville for the more serene environment of the valley.
Our readers named quite a few, including this year’s winner, Vincenzo Cangilose, who specializes in playing classical, jazz, and flamenco style guitar at various venues around town.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Debbie Stadola of the band Ellipse.
• Folk musician Jen Ambrose.
• Megan Skudstad of Funktional Fusion.
• Kristy Lee Cook.

BEST LOCAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND

It’s an amalgamation of blues, jazz, folk, country and soul, and it can definitely get your heart racing and foot tapping. A number of local rock bands were mentioned, including this year’s winner Hot Gossip, which is a high energy dance band that plays classic rock from the 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond.
Also receiving lots of votes were:

• Funktional Fusion.
• Col. Mustard.
• Sound Stage Revue.
• Slippery Zipper.
• Lavender Blue.

BEST JAZZ BAND IN THE VALLEY

I was in New Orleans last October and took the Treme Tour, which is the music-rich district just north of the French Quarter. Our tour guide was a student of music, and he let us know that New Orleans was where jazz got its start in America. That night we hit a couple of jazz clubs just to get the feel of the place. It’s a great town!
Here in the Rogue Valley, we also love our jazz, and our readers again named the Oregon Little Big Band as their favorite.
They were followed by:

• Rhythm City Blues Band.
• RCC Jazz Band.
• Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra.

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

Grants Pass and the surrounding valley definitely doesn’t roll up the sidewalk at 9:00. There are a number of venues that provide live music, and the list keeps growing every year.
In this survey, our readers still voted the “G” Street Bar & Grill as number one, although they also mentioned:

• Herb’s Shenanigans.
• Laughing Clam.
• JD’s Sports Pub.
• Cedarwood Tavern.
• Roux 26.
• River’s Edge.

BEST PLAY LAST YEAR

The Barnstormers is the main action in town these days, although Stillpoint Dance Studio, Heartland Dance, the high school, RCC, 111 Evelyn Theatre Company, and the Old Time Radio Players all provide theatrical action throughout the year.
A number of productions were named by our readers, including this year’s winner, Tomatoes, which was actually the world premiere of a play written by Southern Oregon’s Diane Nichols.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by the Barnstormers.
• Our Town by the Barnstormers.
• The Nutcracker by Stillpoint Dance Studio.
• The Angel Capone by the Barnstormers.
• High School Musical by One Eleven Theatre Company.
• West Side Story at Grants Pass High School.
• The shows produced by the Old Time Radio Players.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (MALE)

The voting was fast and furious in this category, but as the last precincts came in, the winner was Frankie Craig for his portrayal of Al Capone in the Barnstormers’ October production of The Angel Capone.
Also mentioned a lot were:

• Kent Prickett for his role in the Barnstormers’ Tomatoes.
• Patrick Dolan as Brick in the Barnstormers’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
• Keith Fuller as Big Daddy in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
• David Kruse in the Barnstormers’ Our Town.
• William Babishoff as Bogart in the Barnstormers’ Play It Again, Sam.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

On the female side of the ledger, the winner was Amy Fox for her stunning portrayal of Maggie in the Barnstormers’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
The list also included:

• Nancy Ryan in the Barnstormers’ Tomatoes.
• Flora Albano in the Barnstormers’ 70, Girls, 70.
• Barbara Jackson in the Barnstormers’ Our Town.
• Sage Ashley as Clara in Stillpoint’s The Nutcracker.

BEST DIRECTOR

The success of the Barnstormers’ Tomatoes certainly proved that you don’t have to do Neil Simon or Tennessee Williams all the time. The writer and director of Tomatoes was a Southern Oregon resident, Diane Nichols, and she was recognized by our readers as “Best Director.”
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Russ Lloyd for the Barnstormers’ Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and The Angel Capone.
• Tricia Drevets for the Barnstormers’ Our Town.
• Penny King for Stillpoint’s The Nutcracker.
• Sig Dekany for the Barnstormers’ Play It Again, Sam.

BEST PLAY IN ASHLAND THIS YEAR

They have both the world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the polished Oregon Cabaret Theatre, plus the Camelot Theatre in Talent, and the Southern Oregon University Theatre Department on the SOU campus.
The hills of Ashland are alive with the sounds of theater, and our readers appreciate their efforts. This year they named the musical My Fair Lady at OSF as their favorite, although Dog Park: The Musical at Oregon Cabaret Theatre got a lot of votes.

FAVORITE FLOAT IN ’13 BOATNIK PARADE

It all started back in the late 50s when the Russians had sent the first rocket, Sputnik, into space. Being the fun-loving guys they are, the local Active Club changed the name of the Gladiola Festival to Boatnik, featuring a jetboat race as the weekend’s main attraction. It eventually grew into the largest festival in southern Oregon, and the parade is a huge draw.
A number of floats and entries made the short list of our readers’ favorites including this year’s winner, the float from St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Also receiving a lot of attention were:

• March Against Monsanto.
• Special Olympics.
• Wildlife Images.
• Humane Society.
• Grants Pass High School Marching Band.

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS AFTER WORK

Whether you’re working on the chain gang or just punching the clock at Wal-mart, once the workday is over, you’re ready to meet with friends and get on with your real life.
Where to go? The most popular spots with our readers were the Laughing Clam and Bohemian Bar & Grill.
The list of favorites also included:

• Blondie’s Bistro.
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• River’s Edge.
• Taprock Northwest Grill.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• Laughing Clam.
• Wonder Bur.
• H Street Bar & Eatery.
• JD’s.

BEST BAR TO MEET FRIENDS LATE AT NIGHT

Bars aren’t just a place to drink alcohol. I mean, you can do that in the comfort of your own home. Bars are actually places offering you a built-in venue for socializing. Just make sure you don’t drive while intoxicated!
And when our readers wanted to do some late-night socializing in a great, relaxing environment, they most often chose the Wonder Bur and Cedarwood Saloon, followed by:

• JD’s.
• Laughing Clam.
• Bohemian Bar & Grill.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• Herb’s Shenanigans.

MOST ROMANTIC BAR

This isn’t a place where there are 84 TV screens along the walls showing the latest Mixed Martial Arts brawl, with a lot of guys screaming and the jukebox playing “Take This Job and Shove It.” We’re talking a little more relaxing and romantic than that. And in that regard, our readers most often mentioned both Blondie’s Bistro and Taprock Northwest Grill as their favorites, followed by:
Bohemian Bar & Grill.

• Roux 26.
• R-Haus.
• 115 Broiler.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• River’s Edge.

BAR WITH BEST LATE-NIGHT MENU

The munchies can hit at any time, and in lieu of ordering those pickled pig knuckles that have been sitting behind the bar since the Great Depression, you just might want to have something a little more tasty.
And in that regard, our readers most often named the late-night menu at Bohemian Bar & Grill.
Others mentioned a lot were:

• Laughing Clam.
• Herb’s Shenanigans.
• G Street Bar & Grill.
• JD’s.
• Cedarwood Saloon.
• Applebee’s.

FAVORITE PART OF GROWERS MARKET

They’re celebrating their 33rd season as one of the oldest and largest Growers’ Markets in the entire southern Oregon region. Our readers certainly love it, and they especially love all the fresh, organic vegetables and fruit that can be bought there.
The list also included:

• The donut guy.
• Ft. Vannoy Farm.
• The Fry Family Farm.
• All of the crafts.
• The social scene.
• Dave’s tomatoes.

BEST SWIMMING HOLE IN THE ROGUE RIVER

For the few people who pointed out that the river was “too dangerous,” you probably have a point, but with some safety rules thrown into place, you should be all right. And according to our readers, the best place to swim is at Schroeder Park, followed by:

• Eisman Stillwater.
• Indian Mary Park.
• Baker Park.
• Griffin Park.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT RIVERSIDE PARK

I was at a family reunion twenty years ago and talked with a long-lost cousin who, when she heard I was living in Grants Pass, talked about how she had traveled through here a few years previously and how impressed she was with Riverside Park. We’re famous!
What do our readers like most about this world-famous park? Most of them mentioned the beautiful trees, but the list also included:
The ducks and geese (and feeding them).

• The landscaping.
• Rogue River.
• The playground.
• The roses.
• Disc golf.
• Boatnik Festival.

BEST VINEYARD/WINERY

Southern Oregon is becoming a veritable mecca for grape growing, vineyards and wineries, so look out Napa Valley! Our readers agreed and named quite a few in this category, including the top two, Schmidt Family Vineyard (Applegate Valley) and Troon Vineyard (Applegate Valley).
Others high on the list featured:

• Bridgeview Vineyards & Winery (Cave Junction).
• Red Lily Vineyards (Jacksonville).
• Wooldridge Creek Winery (Applegate Valley).
• Del Rio Vineyards (Gold Hill).
• Rosella’s Vineyard (Applegate Valley).

FAVORITE GETAWAY ON THE COAST

Since my wife is a 6th generation Oregonian whose family has lived in Gold Beach since 1853, I’m sorely tempted to stuff the ballot in this category just to gain some brownie points in the Colvin family. But that wouldn’t be right, and I’ll have to admit that Brookings won this fair and square.
Coming in a close second was Gold Beach, situated at the mouth of the Rogue River. Ireland’s Rustic Lodges in Gold Beach also received a lot of votes.
Others on the list included:

• Bandon.
• Newport.
• Florence.
• Crescent City.

* * * * *
Wow … 144 categories complete. If anyone wants me, they can call the Betty Ford Center for Editorial Abuse, where I am being treated for a bad case of dangling participles and misplaced modifiers. See everyone in 2014. If you have any suggestions for new entries next year, write to me at sneakpre@mind.net. —C.H.

Before jumping into this 26th annual readers’ survey, let’s review some of the more momentous events of the last year. In a supreme example of irony, two female political figures—County Commissioner Sandi Cassanelli and City Manager Laurel Samson—were ousted from their jobs. Now, to fill the gender void, two women are running for the open County Commissioner spots. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.

We did a special report in November about dwindling funds at the Animal Control Center. That facility is something I think most people feel is important to the community. The commissioners could put an extremely small tax increase on the ballot to pay for the Animal Shelter, and I think it would pass.

It took about a month, but in December the toxic oil spill at the River Road Reserve got a cleanup. The area next to it is part of the Josephine County Food Bank, but unless the City wins the lottery, the rest of the 248 acres won’t be developed anytime in the near future.

In February, we reported on the County’s efforts to supplement its dwindling finances by advocating a Forest Management Plan that would set aside “x” acres of forest land for conservation and “y” acres for timber harvesting. It may be a few years away, but the plan has the potential to replace all the lost federal largesse we used to get.

In March, we did a followup to the Raphael Amoroso story, in which we admitted that our original reporting might have been a rush to judgment. Raphael had been picked up by police in October for a DUI after seen hanging out in the high school parking lot, and a subsequent search of his home found guns and incendiary literature. His neighbors testified to his character and claimed he was being railroaded. The case is still in federal court.

In the May primary, 14 candidates vied for the two open county commissioner positions. There will be no incumbents on the ballot, as newcomers Toni Webb and Keith Heck will face off in Position 2, while Cherryl Walker and Bob Just will battle for Position 3.

In that same primary, voters soundly rejected a proposal for a property tax increase that would fund law enforcement. Then on May 31, 39 inmates were released from the Josephine County, and that night four scumbags robbed the offices of UCAN, a non-profit agency whose sole mission is to help low income people and those just barely hanging on.

Now back to more important things … the 2012 “Best of the Rogue Valley.” We received over 400 ballots this year, and we congratulate everyone who took the time to fill them out. Those who only answered three or four categories were put into the “suspicious” stack, but everyone else did an admirable job.

The reason we have 144 categories is because we want to try and recognize as many people, businesses and organizations as possible. We like to spread the wealth around. That being said, let’s proceed.

DEMOGRAPHICS

We asked the question, “Favorite TV Show,” 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 two mentions. The top seven were: The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Dancing with the Stars, House Hunters, Modern Family, American Idol and Downton Abbey. It’s obviously a very well-rounded group of respondents.

MEDIA

FAVORITE RADIO STATION

I went on Google and typed in “Radio Stations Grants Pass Oregon,” and unbelievably there are 51 of them in the region, from Cave Junction to Hornbrook. Make that 52 since the list did not include Don Monette’s new station KCMD.

Anyway, taking down top honors again in the category were the friendly folks over at KLDR and KAJO, which has been entertaining and informing local listeners since August 15, 1957.

• Other favorites included:
• Jefferson Public Radio.
• KRRM
• KDOV
• KRWQ
• KISS-FM
• KCMD

FAVORITE DJ

In 1959 the most famous deejay of all time, Alan Freed, lost his job at WABC in Cleveland when it was learned that he accepted money (payola) from artists to play their songs on the radio. He was basically a scapegoat since practically everyone was doing the same thing at that time.

Here in the Rogue Valley, payola is not an issue, although sometimes I feel like paying them money not to play some of the music I hear. Topping the charts for 2012 was Jeanette Stark, a stalwart at KDLR who also won this in 2000 and 2010.

The list also included:

• Carl Wilson of KAJO
• Cassie Callas at KLDR
• Gemineye at KISS-FM
• Chris Barnett at KLDR
• Don Monette at KCMD

BEST LOCAL TV

NEWS STATION

Every night they present a cross section of life in the Rogue Valley, from local heroes to scurrilous villains, keeping us apprised of community events as they happen.

Winning this category for the umpteenth time in a row was NewsWatch 12 (KDRV).

They were followed by KOBI/Channel 5 and KTVL (Channel 10).

FAVORITE TV

WEATHER PERSON

One thing you can say about the Rogue Valley: we don’t have to worry about hurricanes or tornadoes. Sure, we have occasional floods and fires, and the rare earthquake, but for natural disasters caused by weather, we’re fairly insulated.

And when we have to rely on someone to tell us to “head to the hills,” we most often turn to Scott Lewis of KKRV, Channel

Also high in the ranking were:

• Jeff Heaton of KOBI-5
• Kevin Lollis, KTVL-10
• Lindsay Matherly, Channel 10
• Milt Radford, KDRV-12

FAVORITE REPORTER AT THE DAILY COURIER

Well, heck, I just Googled “Most Distrusted Professions” and learned that politicians were number one, bankers #2, and journalists #3. Sad, isn’t it? They spend their entire waking hours trying to keep you informed of the news, and this is the thanks they get.

Locally, our intrepid reporters at the Courier diligently strive to dispel that stereotype, and leading the way is Health & Business reporter Lindsay Cathey, followed by:

• Zach Urness, sports
• Shaun Hall, police/courts
• Kathleen Alaks, Lifelines/Entertainment
• Patti Richter, Education
• Stacey Stumbo, County
• Edith Decker, Features Editor

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. While “The Best of the Rogue Valley” 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:

• Kudos & Klunkers
• The covers stories
• Letters (and the editor’s responses)
• Business Grapevine
• All of the ads/coupons
• The Calendar of Events
• Doug Beacham’s articles

PEOPLE/BUSINESS

BEST NEW BUSINESS IN TOWN (LAST YEAR)

The vast majority of people in this country have 9-5 jobs but practically everyone “dreams” of owning their own business. It’s a risky proposition, though, and if you don’t do your homework, it can end ugly. Our hats are off to anyone who even attempts it.

Our readers also appreciate their efforts, naming quite a few new businesses in town, including this year’s winner, The Twisted Cork, a restaurant and bottle shop located at 210 SW 6th Street (in the old Kitchen Company building).

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Home Depot.
• River’s Edge (new and improved at 1936 Rogue River Highway)
• Maurice’s, a clothing store in the Grants Pass Shopping Center
• Goodness Gracious Café & Catering at 221 SW G
• MaMosa’s, a restaurant the recently opened at 118 NW E
• The Vietnamese Food Cart
• Red Heels Salon at 221 NE D
• Adorn Me Fashion Boutique & Gifts at 543 NE E (Suite 206)

FAVORITE BUSINESSPERSON

They may technically be the CEO/boss/jefe, but most of them put in longer hours than their employees and take an active interest in every aspect of the business, from greeting customers and cleaning the bathrooms to public relations.

Landing at the top in this category for 2012 were Frank Wright and Roy Heinzle of the Kitchen Company, who have turned their store into a mecca for food lovers in southern Oregon.

The Top Ten included:

• Cliff Bennett of Chet’s
• Brady Adams of Evergreen Federal
• Scott and Annette Draper at Club Northwest and Spa at Club Northwest
• Giff Gates of Gates Furniture
• Tom Hart, Jr., at Hart Jewelers
• Dave Thomason at Taprock Northwest Grill
• Steve Roe at Roe Motors GM
• Michelle Belcher of Grants Pass Pharmacy
• Rick Chapman of Plaza Sew ‘n’ Vac

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (CITY)

We all remember that first day of elementary school. Landing on the moon would have been infinitely easier—at least there wouldn’t have been scary-looking figures of authority ready to swallow you up for every little mistake. Then you met your first teacher, and he/she immediately put you at ease, introduced you to fellow classmates, and the vistas of a new life suddenly opened up.

Quite a few teachers were mentioned in this category, including this year’s winner Connie Hagerman, a first grade teacher at Lincoln.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Carla Healey, a kindergarten teacher at Allendale
• Holly Rousaville, a Title 1 teacher at Allendale
• Abby Harden, first grade at Redwood
• Kelly Moodie, music teacher at Lincoln
• Laura Richardson, second grade teacher at Riverside

FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER (COUNTY)

On the Three Rivers School District side of the ledger, the winner was Sharon Fisher, a 2nd grade teacher at Madrona, followed by:

• Cecilia McKee, kindergarten teacher at Jerome Prairie
• Kari O’Brien, 3rd grade at Ft. Vannoy
• Carrie Simpson, 3rd grade at Madrona

FAVORITE SCHOOL JANITOR

In first grade, you see men and women going around sweeping up the halls and cleaning your rooms, and you think to yourself, “I thought Mom was supposed to do that!” Just kidding, of course.

Sweeping the honors in the category for 2012 was Mike DeLay, head custodian at Jerome Prairie Elementary.

FAVORITE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE

To the enterprising writer who requested that we add the category, “Favorite Brain Bowl Participant” or “Favorite Math Club Member,” all we can say is, “Maybe next year.” For now, we’re sticking with the athletes. And in that category, GPHS baseball player Matt Cole took down top honors, followed by:

• Tony Shriven, GPHS basketball
• Chad Lowe, GPHS football
• Rashaun Sells, GPHS softball
• Tyler Bennett, GPHS baseball

FAVORITE INSTRUCTOR AT RCC

Rogue Community College was established in November 1970 by the voters of Josephine County. In 1996 the boundaries were extended to include all of Jackson County, and today it “provides a wide range of educational programs, job-training opportunities, and greater college access for students throughout the Rogue Valley.”

The faculty, of course, is excellent, and our readers recognized quite a few including this year’s winner, Midge Shaw, in the Humanities Department.

The list also included:

• Wayd Drake, Humanities and Drama
• Sandy Contreras, Health/PE
• Cynthia Charat, Humanities
• Debbie McLennan, Mathematics
• Ann Hackford, Nursing

FAVORITE DENTIST

It may cause a panic attack just thinking about dental work, but taking care of your teeth is one of the best investments you can make when it comes to eliminating pain down the line. Just ask my third molar, which I had to have removed while in basic training in the army.

The ballots were coming in fast and furious with this category, and bunched up at the top was a 3-way tie between Don Lanahan, Steven Rogers and Matt Hill, followed by:

• Greg Bigelow
• Richard Miller
• Peter Pastrell
• Matt Johnston
• Mart Erickson
• Sara Riechers
• Michelle Johnson
• Tim Dwyer
• Ray Sutton.

FAVORITE DOCTOR

It’s one of mankind’s higher calling—spending your life making sure that we all stay healthy and then healing us when things turn south. Our readers certainly appreciate their efforts, as they named 35 different doctors in this survey.

Topping the charts this year was Heather Kahn, a family practitioner who also won this category in 2007.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Edmund Glovinsky, DO
• Tamara Medley at the Women’s Health Center
• Dan Gleffe, family practitioner
• Eric Perry, MD
• Ron Sinclair, MD
• Felicia Cohen, OB/GYN
• Derrick Sorweide, DO
• Ed Groenhout, MD

FAVORITE NATUROPATHIC DOCTOR/ACUPUNCTURIST

Occram’s Razor tells you to always search for the simplest solution to any problem. That stomach ache you have might not be an ulcer which requires surgery; it just might be an imbalance of beneficial flora in your bowels which needs some adjustment. That is the whole basis behind naturopathy, and when our readers are looking for their favorites, they most often chose Ellen Heinitz and Kristen Plunkett of the Naturopathic Clinic.

Acupuncture, meanwhile, is an alternative medicine methodology that originated in ancient China 2500 years ago … you know, when Europeans were living in crude huts without a clue about medicine other than herbal remedies.

Our readers were able to name most of the area’s acupuncturists in this survey, reserving their number one choice for Janet Moret of River of Wellness.

FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR

It was a long day of unloading anvils, safes and refrigerators at the factory, and your back seems a little out of whack. Where to go? Our readers most often chose both Glen Litwiller and Edward Welch as their favorite, followed by:

• Owen Martin
• Kevin Teagle
• Ryan Baker
• David Krauss
• David Willing
• Todd Harris

FAVORITE HAIR STYLIST

You were on your way to meet the future in-laws for the first time, and your significant other insisted that you ride in his convertible with the top down. “Come on honey, it will fun.” By the time you got there, you looked like you’d just crawled out of a dipsy dumpster. Desperate, you called your favorite hair stylist for a quick once-over.

And when it comes to making sure your hair always looks perfect, our readers were able to name 39 different hair stylists. So once again, we’re going with a three-way standoff between Kathy Johnson at Roberta’s Shear Pleasure; Amy Taradash at the Spa at Club Northwest; and Ashley Lawson at RockStar Hair Studio.

The top of the list also included:

• Carrol Oyler of Carrol’s Image Connection
• Ron Gillaspie at Gillaspie’s Hair Design
• Shawna Maddox at Shine
• Traci Brown of Personal Touch
• Sally Roudebush, Progressive Beauty Center
• Linda Whalen of Action Hair Designs

BEST PLACE TO GET MANICURES/PEDICURES

Okay, I hang my head in shame for labeling this category “Best Place to Get Medicures/Pedicures.” My proofreader (wife) didn’t even catch it. And what’s amazing is that back in 2010 when we ran this category, the same mistake was made. And to everyone who circled “medicures” with about nineteen exclamation points, thank you for your attention to details.

Anyway, who are our readers most impressed with when it comes to manicures/pedicures? The number one choice was Forever Nails, located at 1634 Williams Highway, followed closely by Spa at Club Northwest.

Others bunched up near the top were:

• Ambiance Hair & Nail Studio
• Da-Vi Nails
• Avenue Salon
• En Vogue
• La Belle Vie Salon
• Indulgence

FAVORITE AUTO MECHANIC

America has a love affair with their automobiles and when the relationship goes sour, you both agree to talk to a therapist, in this case your mechanic. “He doesn’t give me enough oil,” the car complains. “She doesn’t give good gas mileage,” you counter. Being a professional, the mechanic puts you both back on track.

Winning this category for 2012 was Ken Cook of The Shop.

The field was very crowded, however, and the top vote-getters included:

• Tom Hill at Tom’s Auto
• Jim Lefeber at Star Automotive
• Larry Anberg at Revolvo West
• Gary Smerdon
• Frank Miranda at Extreme Auto
• Huck Webb of Huck’s Garage
• Mike Dunbar of Bridge Street Auto

BEST PLACE TO BUY USED CARS

As much as you want to, sometimes you just don’t have the money to spring for a brand new car. Buying a used car is chancy, however, because you never know if the previous owner used it to go fishing at the tip of the Baja every spring. That’s where a knowledgeable car salesman comes in handy.

• And in this category, the friendly folks at Mock’s Ford came in first, followed by:
• Roe Motors GM
• Wheeler Toyota
• Quality Used Cars
• Jim Sigel
• Best Used Cars
• And craigslist

BEST PLACE TO BUY TIRES

The vulcanization of rubber was developed by Charles Goodyear in the year 1839, and the first practical pneumatic tire was developed by John Boyd in Ireland in 1887 to “prevent the headaches his son had while riding a bicycle on rough roads.” By the 1920s synthetic rubber was developed in the laboratories at Bayer, and today over one billion tires are produced annually in over 400 tire factories.

A certain percentage of them end up here in Grants Pass, and according to our readers the best place to buy them is at Les Schwab, with two locations at 1694 NW 6th and 320 Union Avenue.

They were followed in the balloting by:

• Expert Tire
• Towne Center Tire Factory
• Quick Lane Tire & Auto
• River City Auto & Tire

FAVORITE ATTORNEY

You really didn’t mean to burn the neighbor’s house down when the charcoal grill got out of control. It was the neighbor’s fault for not properly pruning his shrubs and leaving combustible material on the ground. He sued you anyway, so where do you go? Many of our readers most often named Jack Davis, followed by:

• Chris Mecca
• Ben Freudenberg
• Lynn Myrick
• Jim Dole
• Claudia Browne
• Walt Cauble
• Dan Hughes
• Richard Lane

FAVORITE POLICEPERSON

Here’s a rhetorical question: do policemen get a panic attack when they’re off duty and driving 74 miles an hour down the Interstate and see a police car off to the side with a radar gun? Kind of like does a tree falling in the forest make a noise if no one is around to hear it? Just askin’.

Anyway, our readers were able to put the radar gun on 19 different officers this year, including the year’s winner, Officer Joe Robles of Grants Pass Public Safety.

Others high in the standings were:

• GP Public Safety Director Joe Henner
• GP Officer Scott Hyde
• GP Community Service Officer Lyle Brown
• GP Officer Pete Jenista
• Sheriff Gil Gilbertson
• County patrol officer Joel Heller

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Okay, you just won the lottery, and you’re trying to decide where to invest that $35 you got on the scratch-off ticket. Just kidding … let’s assume just for assuming sake, that the amount was $1 million. Who would you turn to for advice? Our readers were all over the board on this one, naming quite a few. In the end, Ken Guerra of Independent Financial Group was the top vote-getter. He was followed by:

• Jeff Voigt of Pfs Investments
• Jon Mainard of Financial Network Investment
• Rick Wilson of Ameriprise Financial Services
• Brian Sachs of Edward Jones
• John Beckstead of Edward Jones
• Rodger Jordan of Lpl Financial
• Jason Lewis of Allstate Financial Services
• Nelson Maler of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

FAVORITE VETERINARIAN

Having your dog or cat come down sick is almost as painful as when it happens to you. When my cat Mau Mau lost four kittens giving birth in the vet’s office three years ago, I was freaking out that something might happen to her. A great vet is worth his or her weight in gold.

There were quite a few bunched up at the top, so we’ll name the top four in alphabetical order.

• Russell Codd of Lincoln Road Vet Clinic
• Heidi Buehner-McKenzie of Allen Creek Vet Hospital
• Ron Guzman of Riverside Vet Clinic
• Jean Manhart of Pacific Vet

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Bob Cole of the Animal Clinic
• Lorain Abel of Cedarview Vet Hospital
• Charles Meyer of Applegate Animal Clinic

FAVORITE LOCAL RESTAURANT OWNER

Back when I first visited Grants Pass in 1976 there were about five restaurants in town. Today, there are over one hundred, and I think that’s a good thing. A little healthy competition is what keeps restaurant owners on their toes.

Our readers agree, and they named 25 different people in this survey, with the top nod going to Bob and Darla Feil of the Train Depot. Bob and Darla also did a service to the community recently by re-opening River’s Edge on the banks of the Rogue River.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Dave Thomason of Taprock and Elmer’s
• Emilio Guerrero of El Patron
• Gwen and Tawni Hendricks of The Vine
• Bret Musselman of 115 Broiler
• Tina Gotchall of the Powderhorn
• Adam Wehab of Abu’s Oasis Deli
• Tim and Sandra Mock of Beacon Bar & Grill

FAVORITE WAITPERSON

These people are the ultimate multi-taskers and someone you’d want in a foxhole during a battle. They have peripheral vision, engaging personalities, can handle stress, and can hold everything together when mere mortals are reaching for the razor blades.

Twenty-eight different waitpersons were mentioned in this survey, and the top choice for 2012 was Marty Thomas of River’s Edge who, ironically, won for “Favorite Bartender” in last year’s “Best of the Rogue Valley.”

The list at the top also included:

• Tricia Walker of Elmer’s
• Joe Gomez of G Street Bar & Grill
• Debbie Hamblin at the Powderhorn
• Dotti Kochis at 115 Broiler
• Jennifer Cochran at Taprock
• Rebecca Carpenter at Wild River
• Melissa Carnes at Train Depot

FAVORITE BARTENDER

A horse walks into a bar with a pair of jumper cables wrapped around its head. He orders a drink and the bartender says, “Okay, but don’t try to start anything around here.” Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a lame joke but it was the best I could find on the Internet.

When you want bartenders who can really tell jokes, you merely have to visit some local favorites, like this year’s winner Christian Hahn of Taprock Northwest Grille.

Other popular bartenders are:

• Bob Lewis of The Cedarwood
• Dennis Getz of the Wonder Bur
• Kari Musselman of 115 Broiler

BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR DOG GROOMED

In lieu of vacuuming up three tons of dog hairs each week, it’s best to just take Ralphie in and let the professionals take over. And in that regard, our readers most often named Home Away from Home Pet Spa at 100 NE Mill Street as their favorite, followed by:

• Purr-fect Pet Grooming
• Specialized Grooming
• A Dog Gone Cute
• Champion Grooming

FAVORITE THERAPIST/COUNSELOR

No one really ran away with this category, and the whole thing was stressing me out, so I’m going to name the top five in alphabetical order:

• Paige Bender
• Kim Brouhard
• Libby McClain
• Michael Stattel
• Lori Worden

FAVORITE PLUMBER

Your diamond wedding ring slipped off your hand and down the drain, sending shivers down your spine. You immediately cordoned off the area with police crime tape, then called your local plumber to come to the rescue.

Who to call for that all-important job? Rick Samuelsen of Heritage Plumbing edged out a long list of excellent local plumbers, including …

• Matt and Dan Headley at Rogue Valley Plumbing
• Rich Shane at Aristocrat Plumbing
• Pat Murphy of Shamrock Plumbing
• Mike Murphy of Murphy’s Plumbing
• Frank Rauch Plumbing
• Michael Toch of Michael’s Plumbing
• Bill Fairhurst of Grants Pass Plumbing

FAVORITE ELECTRICIAN

That little electrical outlet in the corner just wasn’t working right, so you decided to “fiddle with it” and see what was wrong. Five minutes later, after a little CPR from your wife and every hair on your body burned off, you come to the realization that maybe, just maybe, you should have called a professional.

According to our readers, you have a lot of options, starting with the guys at Pro Electric. A lot of electricians were bundled near the top, however, including:

• Danny York of York Electric
• Brownell’s Electric
• Norm Sky
• Darrin Fowler
• Tom Bormuth

CUTEST BABY BORN IN LAST YEAR

Well, shoot, our expert panel of judges (my family) couldn’t decide on this one. “They’re all cute,” was the opinion of my wife. So we are making this category of three-way tie between Ethan Blackhurst, Cole Jacoby, and Riley Arrijotti. Congratulations, kids!

BEST APPLIANCE REPAIRMAN

You probably open and shut a refrigerator door 30-40 times a day. That means 245 times a week; 980 a month, and 11,760 a year. Appliances definitely work overtime in an average house, and it’s no wonder that they sometimes break down or need servicing. Who to call? The number one choice was Tom Bange of Action Appliance, followed by:

• Dan Biller of Biller Appliance Repair
• Al’s Refrigeration
• Active Appliance Center

FAVORITE HOUSE PAINTER

That house you bought that was painted bright pink might look good in Disneyland, but it’s semi-hideous to the discerning eye. Who to turn to when you need it repainted. Brushing their way to victory this year was TM3 Painting Co., followed by:

• Curt & Dave Healy
• Scott Warner
• Joe Stevens
• Dennis’ Painting
• Bob Emery of Maranatha Painting

FAVORITE STORE DOWNTOWN

The Towne Center Association, the City, and the Chamber of Commerce have worked overtime the last 25 years to turn downtown Grants Pass into a happening place. With the help of some outstanding stores and restaurants, plus some well-timed promotions, they have succeeded.

Our readers agree with that analysis, as they named 25 different establishments as their favorites. And for the fourth year in a row, this event was won by The Kitchen Company, a store at 301 SE 6th Street, which caters to the chef in all of us.

The top five were close, though, and they included:

• Blind George’s
• Never a Bum Steer
• Savannah Faire
• Grants Pass Pharmacy

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Tierra del Sol
• The Herb Shop
• La Bella Casa
• Oregon Outpost
• Shop River Rock

FAVORITE STORE OUTSIDE DOWNTOWN

I think next year I’m going to turn this category into “Big Store” and “Little Store.” The usual suspects of Fred Meyer’s, Wal-Mart, Ross and Bi-Mart were mentioned a lot, but when it came to smaller stores, the winner was Rogue River Florist, a floral/gift shop located at 789 NE 7th.

Coming in a close second was Emilia’s Closet, followed by:

• Judy’s Florist & Gifts
• Maurice’s
• Cowboy Corral
• The Dollar Store
• Curiosity Company
• Field’s Home Center
• Jan’s Hallmark Store
• Probst Flower Shop

BEST PLACE TO BUY GIFTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY

This kind of store requires a huge selection with a lot of variety, and in that regard our readers were most impressed with Hellgate’s River Rock Gift Shop, located at 966 SW 6th Street.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Kitchen Company
• Grants Pass Pharmacy
• Rogue River Florist
• La Bella Casa
• Savannah Faire
• Tierra del Sol
• Never a Bum Steer

BEST PLACE TO BUY GIFTS FOR FATHER’S DAY

Dad is another whole animal, and topping this category was Fred Meyer’s, followed by:

• JC Penney’s
• Diamond
• Fields Home Center
• Sears
• Home Depot
• Grange Co-op

BEST PLACE TO BUY TOYS

Now that I’m a grandparent, I suppose I’ll be back in the game for toy buying. Three months ago I was cleaning out the attic and bundled up about 75 beanie babies for a trip to Goodwill. Ah, the good old days.

Taking down the top spot in this category was Wal-Mart and Fred Meyers, followed by:

• Eco Tots Baby Boutique
• Chesi Jo’s Baby Boutique
• Sleadd’s Adventure Depot
• Cat & Fiddle

CUTEST PET

It was a real dogfight this year, but in the end “Chester” Jacoby edged out “Max” DelVaglio for the trophy.

Others in the hunt were:

• Mopsy and Hobo Roser
• A cat, “Stevie” Blackhurst
• “Augie” Walker

BEST PLACE TO BUY JEWELRY

Human beings are genetically wired with a desire to “look good.” And nothing says it better than diamonds, gold, pearls and gemstones. When our readers were looking to find the best in jewelry, they most often picked Hart Jewelers at 235 SE 6th, followed very closely by King Jewelers at 221 SE 6th.

Others receiving some recognition were:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Never a Bum steer
• Tierra del Sol
• Cash Connection

BEST PLACE TO BUY CANDY

The first candy dates back to ancient civilizations, where they indulged in fruits and nuts rolled in honey. We’ve gotten a little more sophisticated since then, and when our readers want to placate their sweet teeth, they most often turn to Cary’s of Oregon, located at 413 Union Avenue.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Sandie’s Candies
• See’s
• Blind George’s
• Dollar Store
• Wal-mart

BEST PLACE TO BUY KNITTING/QUILTING SUPPLIES

My mother was a world-class quilter, and if she followed the advice of our readers, she would be spending a lot of time downtown at Plaza Sew ‘n’ Vac, which was the runaway winner in this category.

The list also included:

• Unique Lee Yours.
• Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts in Medford.
• Wal-mart.

BEST PLACE TO BUY CDs/ALBUMS

Back in the day when I was collecting albums, they would take up the entire back seat of my car whenever I moved somewhere. Today, CDs take up a fraction of the space, but it’s just not the same. The cover art of some of those old albums made them something special. Oh well … progress.

And in that regard, our readers most often liked to visit Listen Here, a music store located downtown at 234 SE 6th Street.

Others mentioned were Fred Meyer’s, Evangel Store, and Wal-Mart.

BEST SELECTION OF WOMEN’S CLOTHES

Ever since the first cavewoman donned that sporty little sabertooth tiger coat, clothing has been an obsession with the human species. Locally, there are quite a few places to shop, and the two top vote-getters were Fred Meyer’s and JC Penney’s, followed by:

• Tierra del sol
• Emilia’s Closet
• Fashion Bug
• Ross Store
• Second Chance
• Goodwill Store

BEST SELECTION OF MEN’S CLOTHES

Functionality is the key word when it comes to men’s clothes, and once again this ended in a tie between Fred Meyer’s and JC Penney’s.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Ross Store
• Extreme Board Shop
• Bi-Mart
• Roley’s Pacific Supply
• Goodwill

BEST PLACE TO BUY HATS

Hats are a combination of functionality and just looking cool. They keep the sun out of your face, protect your head from meteorites, and let everyone know how stylin’ you can be. Where to go? Many of our readers said Hellgate’s River Rock Shop, followed by:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Cowboy Corral
• Bi-Mart

BEST PLACE TO BUY T-SHIRTS

I’ve been collecting T-shirts for a long time, mainly because they’re comfortable to wear and they carry messages that can be conversation pieces. I can walk down the street wearing my Madras Basketball shirt and someone can stop me and say, “Hey, you from Madras?” No, I reply, this is a hand-me-down from one of my nieces. Then it turns out he went to high school with my niece, and we end up in a bar drinking shots for a couple of hours … just kidding.

Anyway, according to our readers the best place to buy cool T-shirts is at Ol’ Champion Outlet, located at 401 SE 6th Street.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Never a Bum Steer
• Oregon Outpost
• Fashion Bug
• Fred Meyer’s

FAVORITE FLORAL SHOP

Sure, you can grow flowers in your backyard and cut them for bouquets, but it’s a lot easier to just trust your local florist for that assignment. And in that regard our readers named Rogue River Florist, located at 789 NE 7th, as their favorite.

The top four were actually pretty close and they included:

• Judy’s Grants Pass Florist & Gifts.
• Probst Flower Shop.
• Chet’s Garden & Pet Center.

BEST PLACE TO BUY FLOWERS/SHRUBS FOR THE GARDEN

When I’m not working or spending time with the family, you can usually find me at a.) the golf course or b.) the backyard taking care of the thousands of flowers, trees and shrubs that I’ve nurtured for the last twenty years. It’s a full-time hobby, and a very rewarding one. I can walk the backyard and think I’m in paradise.

Helping me with that assignment are the local nurseries. Number one according to our readers is Chet’s Garden Center at 229 SW “H” Street.

The vote this year was very close as Greenleaf Greenhouse came in second, followed by:

• The Grange Co-Op
• Diamond Home Improvement
• Murphy Country Nursery
• Sandy’s Nursery
• Home Depot
• Redwood Nursery

BEST PLACE TO BUY WINE

The production of wine became a growth industry 15 years ago when doctors released studies showing that the consumption of wine led to a reduced incidence of heart disease and cancer. Well, duh, I’ll drink to that.

Where to go for the best deals on quality wines? This category ended in a tie as both Elegance (321 SE 6th) and Grocery Outlet (350 NE Agness) were mentioned a lot.

The list also included:

• Twisted Cork
• Fred Meyer’s
• Ray’s
• Schmidt Family Vineyards
• Bridgeview Vineyards in Cave Junction
• Del Rio Vineyards in Gold Hill

GROCERY STORE WITH FRESHEST SELECTION OF FISH

Fish is one of those products that you really want to get as fresh as you can. Not that a three-day old fish is bad; it’s just that something fresh out of the river or ocean can be exquisite.

This category ended up in a statistical dead heat as Cartwright’s Valley Meat Company (825 Union Avenue) tied with Fred Meyer’s.

Other’s receiving votes were:

• Albertson’s
• Ray’s Food Place
• Safeway

BEST PLACE TO BUY “STUFF” FOR THE KITCHEN

Once again this category was a runaway, as The Kitchen Company, 301 SE 6th Street, was the winner. Frank and Roy have stocked the store with every conceivable kitchen appliance known to man and woman.

Also received a smattering of votes were:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Wal-mart

BEST PAWN SHOP

Pawn shops have seen a resurgence in recent years, mainly because of a down economy and the presence of such TV shows as Pawn Stars and Hard Core Pawn. Locally, Sneak Preview reporter Doug Beacham did a story on pawn shops four months ago, and we were curious which ones registered with our readers.

Winning this category for 2012 was Cash Connection, located at 754 SW 6th, followed by:

• Pawn Plus
• Rogue Valley Pawn & Jewelry

BEST THRIFT STORE

Doug Beacham also did a story on thrift stores which, amazingly, generated a little controversy. Again we were curious as to exactly which ones had the most local support, and this is what we found:

• Goodwill Store
• Salvation Army Store
• Humane Society Store
• Home for Good
• Second Chance
• St. Vincent de Paul

FAVORITE GAS STATION

You ever see that Norman Rockwell painting where a family of four pulls into a gas station back in the 1950s, and five guys dressed in white come out to pump gas, check the oil, clean the windshield, check the tires, etc.? Now that’s what I call the good old days!

That kind of service just isn’t possible today, but our local gas stations give it their best shot. Winning this category for 2012 was Larry Henderson’s “A” Street Chevron, followed by:

• Fred Meyer’s
• Lonnie’s Shell
• Redwood Texaco
• The ARCO Station at 7th & “M”
• Fireball
• Towne Pump

FAVORITE STORE IN MEDFORD/ASHLAND

They’re our neighbors to the south, and they’re always fun to visit, from the Expo and Britt to the Shakespeare Festival and the Craterian. And while there, you might as well do some shopping, right?

The number one choice according to our readers was once again CostCo, followed by:

• TJ Maxx
• Macy’s at the Mall
• Target
• Kohl’s in the Mall
• Paddington Station in Ashland
• Sportsman’s Warehouse
• Harry & David Store

POLITICS

FAVORITE COUNTY COMMISSIONER

This was kind of a runaway for Simon Hare, as both Don Reedy and Harold Haugen are just temporary replacements for the retired Dwight Ellis and the ousted Sandi Cassanelli. We’ll see how Simon does next year when he has some real competition.

FAVORITE CITY COUNCILOR

It’s been a couple of years since angry citizens gave the boot to a cantankerous group of city councilors, and things seem to have settled down to normal. Boring, isn’t it? Just kidding.

Anyway, taking down top honors in this category was Dan DeYoung, followed by:

• Kris Woodburn.
• Lily Morgan.
• Richard Michelon.

BEST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN THE LAST YEAR

I hate to pick on Sandi Cassanelli when she’s down, but many people picked her removal from office as number one in this category.

Other admirable things included:

• Replacing City Manager Laurel Samson
• Trying for a law enforcement levy
• Killing Osama bin Laden

WORST THING GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IN THE LAST YEAR

Many people chose trying for a law enforcement levy, and since others chose that as something “good” that government did, you can see how polarizing that issue is.

Also on the “bad thing” chart were:

• The bus stop shelters
• Supreme Court upholding the health care act
• Cutting funds to animal shelter

A VERY UNSCIENTIFIC POLITICAL POLL

Each year we ask our readers to answer four political questions just to gauge the mood of the community. These answers are “relatively” accurate since very few people stuff the ballot for them.

1. Should Grants Pass rent beds at the Josephine County Jail? Back in June I did a commentary after the law enforcement levy failed. What the citizens got was reduced patrols, a near-empty jail, a shuttered Juvenile Detention Center, and a D.A.’s office that will prosecute only the most heinous crimes. Since the City voters apparently like police protection, my proposal was for them to rent spaces at the jail to deal with criminals caught doing bad stuff within the city limits of Grants Pass. If that is successful, maybe county voters could try the same thing. Our readers apparently agree with this plan.

Yes, good idea: 77%
No, bad idea: 23%

2. Should marijuana be legalized and taxed? I don’t want to sound like a drugged-out pothead, but the War on Drugs has been an utter failure for 40 years. It not only hasn’t slowed the movement of drugs or stopped its usage, but the reverse is true. Yet we continue to spend billions of dollars a year on this “war,” and we have the highest percentage of incarcerated citizens per capita than any other country on earth. The first step to stopping this insanity would be to legalize marijuana. How do our readers feel about this?

Yes, it should be legalized: 43%
No, it should not be: 57%

3. Should horse racing at Grants Pass Downs be discontinued? Some people think that the horse racing industry is cruel to animals and that it causes unnecessary deaths. Should Grants Pass Downs be shut down? Our readers don’t think so.

Yes, it should be discontinued: 12%
No, it should not: 88%

4. Who are you voting for: Obama, Romney, or Undecided?

Well, whoever this Undecided guy is, he’s got a shot at winning in 2012.

Obama: 27%
Romney: 33%
Undecided: 39%

RESTAURANTS

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

For the second year in a row, there were eight new restaurants listed in this survey, a testament to both our readers’ insatiable appetites and the desire for local restaurant owners to stay on top of their game. Having a lot of restaurants in town is actually good for business, as it motivates everyone to do his or her best.

The top two new restaurants, according to our readers, were River’s Edge, located at 1936 Rogue River Highway; and Twisted Cork, at 210 SW 6th Street. This is the second incarnation for River’s Edge, as Darla and Bob Feil reopened the popular river-side restaurant this year. The Twisted Cork is owned by Mike & Beth Forshay, and Walt & Leanne Eaton.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• MaMosa’s at 118 NW E
• Goodness Gracious Café, located at 221 SW G
• Pho Sur at 1887 NE 7th
• Saigon Xich Lo, the Vietnamese food cart
• Luigi’s, located at 755 SE 6th
• Starbucks at 115 NE 7th

BEST BREAKFAST

Breakfast is supposed to be the biggest meal of the day, when you load up on protein and essential nutrients to get you through the day. The last thing you need during that morning board meeting is for your stomach to be growling and expressing disgust.

Where to go to satisfy the demands of your digestive system? This ended up in a 3-way tie between Elmer’s Restaurant (175 NE Agness); the Train Depot, located at 577 NE F; and the Powderhorn Café at 321 NE 6th; and

Quite a few restaurants were mentioned, and the Top Ten were:

• The Gold Miner Restaurant at 786 SE 7th
• Shari’s, at 190 NE Agness
• Black Bear Diner, located at 1900 NW 6th
• Taprock Northwest Grill (971 SE 6th)
• Della’s, located at 1802 NW 6th
• Herb’s LaCasita, at 515 SE Rogue River Highway
• MaMosa’s

BEST LUNCH

By mid-day the energy levels start to wane, and it’s important to get a quick pick-me-up. It’s also a time to socialize with fellow workers, clients, friends and family. The lunch crew usually knows you’re in a hurry, and they work overtime to give you primo service.

Working their way to the top of the list for 2012 was both Taprock Northwest Grill at 971 SE 6th; and Circle J Café (located at 241 SW G), closely followed by:

• Rosso’s Delicatessen at 225 SE 6th
• Wild River Brewing & Pizza Company, at 595 NE E
• Elmer’s
• The Vine at 1610 Allencreek Road
• Abu’s Oasis Deli at 1330 NW 6th
• Blondie’s, located at 226 SW G
• The Powderhorn Café
• Della’s
• Twisted Cork
• Laughing Clam, at 121 SE G
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill at 219 SW G

BEST FRENCH TOAST

The first reference to this recipe was found in a 4th century Roman cookbook attributed to Apicius. Seventeen hundred years later we’re still addicted to this delightful breakfast-time repast, and if our readers have anything to say about it, they’ll first head over to Elmer’s, which won this category.

The Top Three were very close, and they included the Train Depot and Goldminer’s Restaurant, followed by:

• Shari’s
• Powderhorn Café
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Black Bear Diner
• Herb’s LaCasita
• Black Forest

FAVORITE SOUPS & SANDWICHES

Sometimes menus can be daunting, especially at lunch. There are way too many choices and so little time. Enterprising restaurant owners recognize that reality and usually offer “sandwich and soup specials” for lunch. Landing at the top of this category was Rosso’s, located at 225 SW 6th.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Powderhorn
• Train Depot
• Circle J Café
• Elmer’s
• Taprock
• Denny’s
• Della’s
• Wild River

FAVORITE DINNERHOUSE

They come in all shades and colors, from romantic enclaves to raucous steakhouses, but almost all dinnerhouses have one thing in common—the desire to make you feel confortable and at home.

It was close in this category, but our readers most often named 115 Broiler, located at 115 NE D; and Taprock Northwest Grill, at 971 SW 6th Street.

The Top Five included:

• The Vine
• River’s Edge
• Summer Jo’s

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• R-Haus, at 2140 Rogue River Hwy
• Blondie’s Bistro (226 SW G)
• Hannah’s Restaurant, at 234 SW 7th

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT/LUNCH

Lunch doesn’t always have to be a “wham bam” affair involving 178 people from work intent on gobbling down their food just to get back to their cubicles on times. Sometimes it’s fun to get away with that significant other and enjoy your meal in a relaxing environment. And when it comes to that our readers most often named Summer Jo’s, located at 2315 Upper River Road Loop.

It was extremely close at the top with River’s Edge, The Vine and Taprock coming in a close second, followed by:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• 115 Broiler
• The Bistro, at 2008 NW 6th St
• Blondie’s Bistro, at 226 SW G
• Rosso’s
• Hannah’s

MOST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT/DINNER

This place just screams out “marriage proposal.” There’s soft lighting, soothing music, an attentive waitstaff, and a jewelry store on premises for that last-minute impulse buy … just kidding.

Our readers were in a romantic mood in this category, placing three establishments at the top. They included River’s Edge, R-Haus, and 115 Broiler. Other romantic spots included:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• The Vine
• Hannah’s Restaurant
• Summer Jo’s
• The Bistro
• Twisted Cork
• Morrison’s Lodge, located at 8500 Galice Road
• Blondie’s

BEST STEAK DINNERS ON MENU

Archaeologists estimate that the domestication of cattle occurred independently three times in Iran/Iraq, China and northern Africa 5,000 to 8,000 years ago. Our friendly moo-moos have a rich history of symbiosis with humans (they provide us with milk and meat, and we let them graze rent free on farmland).

Winning this category for the umpteenth time in a row was 115 Broiler, located at 115 NW D.

The rest of the list included:

• Applebee’s
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• R-Haus
• Blondie’s Bistro
• Sizzler

BEST SEAFOOD DISHES ON MENU

Five hundred years ago, Native Americans in Oregon thrived on plentiful game and fish. Not much has changed today, except it’s far easier to visit your favorite seafood restaurant than it is trying to land a 15-pound steelhead at Finley Bend. And in that regard, our readers most often named Laughing Clam, at 121 SW G.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• The Vine
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• 115 Broiler
• Summer Jo’s
• Hannah’s
• R-Haus

BEST PASTA DISHES ON MENU

In our version of Pasta Wars here in Grants Pass, three different establishments battled it out for top seeding with our readers. In alphabetical order, they were:

• The Bistro
• Ross’s
• The Vine

Other favorites included:

• Twisted Cork
• Wild River
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Laughing Clam

BEST CHICKEN DISHES ON MENU

To the millions of chickens around the globe who sacrifice themselves daily for our culinary tastes, we thank you. It may sound barbaric to you, but just think of all the innocent bugs you kill every day scraping in the dirt, and you should be able to relate.

Anyway, for great chicken entrees, our readers mentioned quite a few, and at the top it was a 3-way tie between Taprock Northwest Grill, The Vine, and Hannah’s, followed by:

• Elmer’s
• Thai BBQ, located at 428 SW 6th St
• Abu’s Oasis Deli
• Applebee’s
• Summer Jo’s

BEST SOUPS AND SALADS

Yeah, I know, an earlier category had “Best Sandwiches & Soups,” making this semi-redundant, so let’s concentrate on the salads, shall we? And in that regard, our readers were most impressed with the salads at both Rosso’s and Applebee’s.

Also popular were:

• Circle J
• Della’s
• Taprock
• Train Depot
• Sizzler
• Twisted Cork

FAVORITE MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Sure, you can sail the boat down to Cabo san Lucas and visit Edith’s or the Giggling Marlin, but we have the next best thing here in the Rogue Valley, which is home to many former residents of Mexico. Eleven different restaurants were named in this survey, starting with numero uno, which was a tie between Casa Amiga (1720 Redwood Avenue) and Si Casa Flores at 202 Beacon Drive.

The Top Five were actually very close and they included:

• Taqueria Mexico (137 SE H)
• La Burrita, at 941 SE 7th
• El Paraiso, located at 201 E. Park Street

Also mentioned a lot were:

• El Patron (799 Rogue River Highway)
• Angela’s Hacienda, at 111 NE Hillcrest
• Tacos Locos in the Allen Creek Shopping Center
• Kalypsso Latin Cuisine, at 775 SE 6th
• Las Fajitas, in Parkway Village

BEST BURRITOS

This is the ultimate Mexican-style sandwich, and it’s practically a meal in itself, stuffed with every nutritious thing you can think of.

Where to go for great burritos? Our readers most often named El Paraiso and La Burrita, followed by:

• Casa Amiga
• Taqueira Mexico
• El Patron
• Si Casa Flores

BEST MARGARITAS

They’re actually considered a “tourist drink” in Mexico, but they sure are good. Tequila comes from the agave cactus, which is prevalent in the state of Jalisco (which is also home to mariachi music). Hundreds of years ago, some intrepid soul distilled the agave plant to make tequila, and we’ve been doing shots ever since.

Taking down number one in this category for 2012 were the margaritas as Si Casa Flores and Taqueria Mexico.

The list also included:

• Casa Amiga
• Angela’s
• El Paraiso
• Las Fajitas

FAVORITE ASIAN RESTAURANT

It’s great to experience the exotic foods and tastes of different cultures, from China and Thailand to Japan and Vietnam. Our readers agreed and named 15 different restaurants in this category, reserving their number one choice for Matsukaze, located at 1675 NE 7th.

The Top Six were very close and they included:

• Thai BBQ at 428 SW 6th
• Hong Kong, at 820 NW 6th
• Four Seasons at 122 SE K
• Pongsri’s, at 323 NE E
• Pho Sur, a new Vietnamese restaurant at 1887 NE 7th

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Hunan Garden, located in the Grants Pass Shopping Center
• Musashi Sushi Bar & Japanese Cuisine, located at 314 SE H
• Royal Barge, at 120 SW H
• China Buffet, at 144 SE 7th
• Sunflower Thai Cuisine (1571 NE 6th)
• A Taste of China (211 NE A)
• China Hut (1434 NW 6th)
• Shiki Sushi Bar, at 125 SE G
• Saigon Xich Lo, the food cart

BEST THAI DISHES

When I first started the Sneak Preview in 1986, Thai food was just starting to become the “next big thing.” Today, there are many establishments offering Thai food on their menus, starting with Thai BBQ, which was most popular with our readers.

It was actually close at the top, with Pongsri’s and Royal Barge garnering a lot of votes, followed by:

• Sunflower Thai Cuisine
• Pho Sur

BEST JAPANESE DISHES

We waited a whole year for a women’s soccer rematch with Japan, and it was a good one. Japan beat the U.S.A. on penalty kicks in the World Cup last year, but the tables were turned in the Olympics, as the ladies in red, white and blue won 2-1 in the final game.

That calls for some Japanese food to celebrate, and where would our readers go locally? Most said Matzukaze (1675 NE 7th), but the list also included:

• Musashi
• Shiki’s (at G Street Bar & Grill)
• Hunan Garden

FAVORITE ITALIAN RESTAURANT

The Godfather trilogy were probably the best movies ever made, with Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino all making big names for themselves (well, Brando was already a household name, but who’s counting?). And when you want a little Italian offer you can’t refuse, our readers most often chose both The Vine (1610 Allen Creek Road) and The Bistro (2008 NW 6th Street) as their favorites.

Others receiving lots of votes were:

• Rosso’s Delicatessen
• Olive Garden in Medford

BEST SELECTION OF PIZZAS

When I was in college, pizza was definitely one of the four major food groups (ice cream, chicken nuggets and doritos being the other three). One of my most enduring memories as a twenty-something was coming home from the bars one night and seeing my roommate Mac asleep on the sofa, sitting up, with a piece of pizza in his hand and the TV set blaring in front of him.

Where to go when you want to indulge in this nutritious food group? Wild River Brewing Company, located at 595 NE E, was tops with our voters this year, edging out Abby’s Legendary Pizza (in the Williams Plaza and on NE Beacon).

The list of favorite pizzas also included:

• Papa Murphy’s (1011 NE 7th and 263 Rogue River Hwy)
• Circle J Café
• Papa John’s, at 107 SW 4th
• The Bistro
• Pizza Hut
• Figaro’s

BEST BUFFET/SALAD BAR

It was the end of an era when J.J. North’s closed earlier this year, but as with every other event that happens in this world, life goes on. Our readers responded to the pressure by naming Sizzler, at 1871 NE 7th, as their favorite this year, although Abby’s Pizza and Sunshine Natural Foods at 128 SW H also received a lot of votes.

BEST VEGETARIAN DISHES

According to Wikipedia, vegetarianism can be adopted for various reasons, from ethical and religious beliefs, to heath, political, environmental, cultural, aesthetic or economic reasons. Whatever your reason, and whether you’re a full-time or part-time vegetarian, you may want to follow the advice of our readers, who were most impressed with the selection at Sunshine Natural Foods (128 SW H) and Abu’s Oasis Deli (1330 NW 6th), followed by:

• Summer Jo’s
• MaMosa’s
• Twisted Cok
• The Vine
• Blondie’s Bistro
• Pho Sur

BEST CAESAR SALADS

Poor Caesar. It’s March 15th, he’s minding his own business on the floor of the Senate in the year 44 BCE, when some political fanatics stabbed him to death. There was an immediate outcry to outlaw knives, but that movement didn’t get very far. He did, however, get a salad named after him, although there are rumors that it was named after some guy named Caesar in Tijuana. (Hey, man, give Caesar his due.)

Where to go when you want a great Caesars salad? Winning this category was a tie between Circle J Café and The Vine.

The list also included:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Elmer’s
• Train Depot
• Wild River
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill

BEST FRENCH ONION SOUP

This soup has ancient origins but underwent a resurgence in the 1960s when Jackie Kennedy renewed an interest in French cuisine (something that was begun in the White House by Thomas Jefferson). It’s basically an onion soup based on beef broth and topped with cheese and croutons.

When it comes to onion soup, our readers were able to pinpoint a couple of establishments, starting with Applebee’s, located at 250 NW Agness Avenue.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• 115 Broiler
• Train Depot
• Della’s
• Taprock

RESTAURANT WITH BEST COUPONS

Coupons have becoming increasingly more popular during the Great Recession, and while economists say we’re actually not in a recession anymore, it certainly doesn’t feel like it. So … let’s save up those coupons and do what our readers do by visiting Shari’s (190 NE Agness) and Elmer’s (175 NE Agness).

Other great coupons include:

• Train Depot
• Arby’s
• Carl’s Jr
• Taprock
• Abu’s Oasis Deli

RESTAURANT WITH MOST EXOTIC COCKTAILS

I went on the Internet to find “weird cocktails” and I’d have to say the winner was from Ken Stewart’s Grill in Akron, Ohio. They offer a $10 martini with a baby octopus on top. Seriously, does that sound disgusting or what? Those guys have been watching way too much Little Mermaid.

Here in the Rogue Valley, our bartenders don’t try to gross people out. Instead, they concentrate on preparing outstanding cocktails that a.) Taste great and b.) Provide a little punch. And in that regard, our readers were most impressed with the creations at Blondie’s Bistro, followed by:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Applebee’s
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Herb’s LaCasita
• Wild River Brewing Co
• 115 Broiler
• River’s Edge

RESTAURANT WITH BEST DESSERTS

I can just picture a group of cavemen sitting around the fire polishing off a side of mastodon, when ol Clog says something like, “What I’d give for a little banana soufflé.” So Mrs. Clog hustles off to the nearby jungle, finds a big ol’ banana and a couple of chicken eggs, mixes it with some honey and vanilla extract, preheats the fire to 400 degrees, and surprises the whole troop with a big dessert.

Fifteen different restaurants were mentioned by our readers in this survey with Blondie’s Bistro (226 SW G) and the R-Haus (2140 Rogue River Hwy) tying for top honors.

Others high on the list were:

• Powderhorn Café
• Shari’s
• Twisted Cork
• Applebee’s
• Bluestone Bakery & Coffee (412 NW 6th)
• Wild River
• Black Forest
• Hannah’s
• Taprock

BEST PLACE TO BUY PIES/CAKES

Pies and cakes are the quintessential American dessert … just ask Johnny Appleseed and Betty Crocker. Locally, our readers are most impressed with the creations at both Powderhorn Café and Shari’s, followed by:

• Bluestone Bakery and Café
• Chocolate Affair
• Black Forest

RESTAURANT WITH BEST VIEW OF RIVER

It starts up near Crater Lake and flows 215 miles through Shady Cove, Gold Hill, Rogue River, Grants Pass, Agness and Gold Beach. It’s world renowned for its fishing and whitewater rafting. And when you want to have dinner and watch this majestic river flow by, most people chose the cozy confines of Taprock Northwest Grill, located right on the river next to the Caveman Bridge and across from Riverside Park.

Other great views can be obtained upriver at both River’s Edge and R-Haus, while the view downriver at both Morrison’s Lodge and the O.K. Corral (via the Hellgate Jetboat Excursions) is also outstanding.

RESTAURANT WITH FRIENDLIEST WAITSTAFF

They don’t have to be your best friends (I mean, who needs waiters and waitresses asking to borrow money?), but they do need to be friendly. Surly and suicidal doesn’t make it when you’re sitting down for a relaxing meal.

This was another popular category, as our readers named 25 different restaurants, starting with this year’s winner, the friendly folks at Elmer’s Restaurant.

• The Top Ten included:
• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Herb’s LaCasita
• Train Depot
• River’s Edge
• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Della’s
• 115 Broiler
• Wild River
• Si Casa Flores

BEST “QUICK SERVICE” RESTAURANT

This is a genre that was practically invented by Americans. As a country that has been continually on the move (“Westward Ho,” “Go West, young man” and all that), time is sometimes of the essence. And when it comes to that, our readers most often picked the fast, efficient (and tasty) service at Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, located at 515 NE E, which tied with Arby’s (140 NE Terry Lane) in this survey.

Others mentioned quite a bit were:

• Carl’s Jr
• McDonald’s
• Casablanca Coffee & Grill
• Jack in the Box
• Dairy Queen
• Burger King
• Taco Bell
• Sonic Drive-In
• Wendy’s

BEST SELECTION OF BURGERS

American inventions … apple pie, basketball, jazz, action movies and hamburgers. No wonder everyone wants to move here! And when they come to Grants Pass looking for great hamburgers, they most often turned to Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In, followed by:

• Carl’s Jr
• Applebee’s
• Burger King
• Eddie’s Old Fashioned Burgers
• Jack in the Box
• Wonder Bur Café
• Dairy Queen
• Sonic Drive-In
• Wendy’s
• McDonald’s

BEST MILKSHAKES

It’s closer to a dessert than it is to a refreshing beverage … just ask my sweet tooth for a testimonial. When it comes to great milkshakes, our readers named both Grants Pass Pharmacy (414 SW 6th) and Dairy Queen (1674 NW 6th and 610 Redwood Highway) as their favorites.

The list also included:

• Shari’s
• Jimmy’s Classic Drive-In
• Carl’s Jr
• McDonald’s
• Eddie’s Old Fashioned Burgers

BEST SELEC-TION OF SANDWICHES

Here’s a line from comedian Jim Gaffigan: “Parents get burned out in big families. You can even see it in the naming of children. It’s always, like, the first kid: ‘You were named after Grandma.’ The seventh kid: “You were named after a sandwich I had. I loved that. Now, get your brother Reuben.'”

And when our readers are looking to find a future name for their 8th born child, they most often turned to the selections at both Wild River Brewing Company (595 NE E) and Subway Sandwiches (with three locations in Grants Pass), followed by:

• Millie’s
• Circle J Café
• Quizno’s
• Pita Pit
• Rosso’s Delicatessen

BEST FISH & CHIPS

This dish contains fish, which are high in all those good omega 3’s. Although 99% of the population have no idea what that means, they’ve heard Dr. Oz talk about it on TV as something beneficial to your heart, so it must be good. Deep fried chips aren’t great for the ol’ arteries, but at least it all evens out, right?

Where to go for great fish & chips. Topping this category was the Laughing Clam, located at 121 SW G Street.

Others high on the list were:

• Taprock Northwest Grill
• Wild River
• Elmer’s
• Goldminer Restaurant

FAVORITE BARISTA (COFFEE SERVER)

You’re standing in line at your favorite coffeehouse and the Valley Girl in front of you is talking on the phone to … like … whomever! She finally makes it to the front of the line, puts her phone away and stares at the menu board for two minutes trying to figure out what she wants. Your only thought: “Why is murder illegal?” The barista feels your pain, moves the girl along, and gets you back focused on the important things in life, i.e., caffeine!

Quite a few baristas were named in this survey, including this year’s winner Chad Sweeley at the Dutch Brothers main store downtown.

FAVORITE COFFEEHOUSE

Caffeine is only part of the equation when it comes to popular coffeehouses. It’s also a social scene, where friends, relatives, colleagues and minor acquaintances meet to discuss the important issues of the day, like who will be the next person voted off Survivor.

Taking down the top spot in this category was once again Dutch Brothers, located at the corner of 6th & D.

It was actually fairly close this year as Rogue Coffee Roasters, Bluestone Bakery and Human Bean all have their followers.

Others mentioned were:

• Jumpin’ Bean
• The new Starbucks

RESTAURANT WITH BEST OUTDOOR SEATING

Summertime, and the livin’ is easy; fish are jumpin’ and the outdoor patio is fine … or something like that. All I know is when it’s hot outside, there’s nothing like sitting on the patio at your favorite restaurant and enjoying the great outdoors.

This category ended in an almost statistical dead heat as both Taprock Northwest Grill and River’s Edge scored well with our readers.

The list also included:

• Galice Resort
• Morrison’s Lodge
• Summer Jo’s
• R-Haus
• O.K. Corral
• El Paraiso
• Grants Pass Golf Club

BEST RESTAURANT OUTSIDE GRANTS PASS

I heard that there’s talk of an Amtrak passenger train providing service from Eugene to Oregon. If that’s true, it would certainly make local travel a little more fun and exciting. You could get on a train and visit all of your favorite out-of-town restaurants, including:

• Bella Union in Jacksonville
• Morrison’s Lodge outside Galice
• Olive Garden in Medford
• Red Robin in Medford
• The Jacksonville Inn
• Porter’s in Medford
• The O.K. Corral
• Galice Resort
• Bambu in Medford

ENTERTAINMENT

BEST ROCK/BLUES CONCERT IN GRANTS PASS LAST YEAR

A number of concerts were named by our readers, but the number one choice was Funktional Fusion, a 10-piece funk/soul band, which made quite a few local appearances last year.

BEST “CLASSICAL” CONCERT LAST YEAR

Classical music goes all the way back to Pythagoras, who in 485 BC created a tuning system and helped to codify musical notation. Here we are 2500 years later and still enjoying the interplay of different musical instruments, which provide variations on the same notes.

Still a favorite with our readers are the 6-7 concerts provided by the Rogue Valley Symphony every year, under the direction of Martin Majkut. Many people specifically mentioned the concert in November with Chas Barnard on cello.

Also receiving votes were:

• The Siskiyou Singers’ “Night at the Opera” concert
• Jefferson Baroque Orchestra
• Three River Chorale; Kate Campbell, director

FAVORITE CONCERT AT THE BRITT FESTIVAL LAST YEAR

The Britt Festival celebrated its 50th season this year as “the Pacific Northwest’s premier outdoor summer performing arts festival.” Whether you have reserved seating in front or choice spots on the grassy knoll, the experience keeps thousands of people returning every year.

Landing at the top of the list with our readers this year was an appearance by The Avett Brothers, a rock band from Concord, North Carolina.

The list of favorites also included:

• Smokey Robinson
• Spearhead
• Natalie Merchant
• Chris Botti

FAVORITE CONCERT IN THE PARK

Every Tuesday night during the summer in Riverside Park, the Chamber of Commerce and some dedicated sponsors host “Concerts in the Park,” with musical entertainment ranging from Big Band music to good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll.

Strumming their way to our readers’ hearts last year was The Boomer Band, which rocked everyone out in 2011 during the “Back to the 50s Celebration.”

Also mentioned were:

• Funktional Fusion
• Reggae band Indubious at the end of June this year

MOST FUN PLACE FOR FIRST FRIDAY ART NIGHT

It’s turned into one of the most fun social events on the Grants Pass calendar, as hundreds of people gather in downtown Grants Pass on the First Friday of every month to enjoy art, music, refreshments and conversation. And who knows, maybe it brings a small appreciation of art to some of the many teenagers who “hang out” there during the festivities.

Topping this category once again was the Grants Pass Museum of Art on G Street, followed by:

• FireHouse Gallery
• All along G Street
• Rogue Roasters
• Glass Forge
• Elegance
• Laughing Clam

FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST

Quite a few local artists were mentioned by our readers, including this year’s winner, Donna Walsh, who also recently won “Best of Show” in the professional division at the Josephine County Art Fair. Donna’s paintings “have become known as authentically perfect around the country and have helped her to be noted as a celebrity painter.”

The list also featured:

• Janet Higgins
• Janet Gogue
• Del Hearn
• Vickie Killian
• Gene Rimmer, photographer

FAVORITE “BEAR” DOWNTOWN

Every summer for the last ten years, Brady Adams and Evergreen Federal Bank display some of their most popular public artworks, from eagles and doors to Independence Shield Monuments. Probably the most popular, though, are the bears, in which local artists creatively decorate their ursine buddies in a variety of costumes.

This summer was no exception, and the most popular bear according to our readers was Carmen Bearanda, complete with a fruit basket on her head.

Other ferocious bears were:

• Berry Potter
• Charlotte’s Web’s “Some Kind of Bear.”
• Pirate bear
• Picasso bear

FAVORITE CITY OR COUNTY PARK

There’s a reason why practically every city in the world has parks, from New York’s Central Park to L.A.’s Griffith Park—they provide a refuge from the hustle-bustle of everyday life and are a source of beauty in an increasingly concrete jungle. Plus they can be a source of recreation and meditation.

In Grants Pass, where city residents ensure that parks are included in the budget, the overwhelming favorite is Riverside Park. The All Sports Park, which was built by volunteers, came in a close second.

The county, however, is a different story, as the current budget crisis has slashed the park’s budget entirely, letting them twist slowly in the wind while the residents enjoy by far the lowest tax rate in the entire state of Oregon. Increased fees and minimal maintenance have kept many of them open, and the favorite with our readers is Indian Mary Park on the way to Galice, followed by:

• Tom Pearce Park
• Cathedral Hills
• Griffin Park
• Merlin Community Park

BEST SPORTING EVENT IN JOSEPHINE COUNTY LAST YEAR

We don’t have anything as exciting as Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, but who needs to see Joey Chestnut eat 68 hot dogs and buns anyway? Our readers were more interested in the horse races at Grants Pass Downs, which came in first place.

The list also included:

• The Boatnik Race
• GPHS football
• Adult flag football
• Girls softball tourney at the Boatnik

BEST PLACE TO GET A “WORKOUT”

Everything I’ve read about how to stay healthy and free of disease includes exercise as part of the program. So getting a workout is not just to help you keep the weight off; it’s also important for a healthy heart and as a deterrent to cancer, diabetes, and a whole host of other ugly things.

Where to go to get a workout? The majority picked Club Northwest, located on NW Vine St., followed by:

• Grants Pass Family YMCA
• Knockout Fitness
• Anytime Fitness
• Curves for Women
• The Zoo Health Club
• Walking at the All Sports Park

BEST PLACE TO GO DANCING

From Wikipedia: “Dancing was designed by the forces of natural selection as a potent tool to put groups of human ancestors in a battle trance, a specific altered state of consciousness.” That may be a little far-fetched, although some of the moves, e.g. “the bump,” I witnessed in discos back in the 70s certainly reminded me of Civil War battlefields.

When it comes to finding that inner battle trance, our readers most often named the friendly confines of the G Street Bar & Grill.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Herb’s Shenanigans
• Zumba at Club Northwest
• Concerts in the Park
• J.D.’s
• Cedarwood Saloon
• Black, White & the Blues
• Grants Pass Community Center
• The Eagles’ Lodge

BEST THING ABOUT “BACK TO THE 50s”

It’s a 3-day nostalgia festival sponsored every July by the Towne Center Association, and it has become extremely popular with locals and out-of-towners alike. Especially popular are the classic cars and the Saturday night cruise. Also on the list are:

• Musical entertainment
• The street dance
• Karaoke contest
• The sidewalk sales

FAVORITE THING ABOUT HELLGATE JETBOAT EXCURSIONS

In 1978 I hitchhiked into Grants Pass from Denver to visit some old college buddies, who’d opened a restaurant in town in 1975 (the Bistro) and bought a property twelve miles outside town on the river. They dubbed the property the O.K. Corral after their last names (Obremski and Kochis). The day I arrived (June 4) they informed me that they’d converted their guest house into a restaurant serving dinner as part of the jetboat excursions out of Grants Pass.

That night was the premiere opening of the O.K. Corral, and it has grown in size and popularity ever year since. Our readers definitely appreciate the dinner at the O.K. Corral but what they most love about the Hellgate trip is the boat ride and the drivers.

Especially popular are 360° spins that the drivers execute on the way back. Stopping in Hellgate Canyon is also on the list.

BEST PLAY LAST YEAR

There were actually more plays locally than you’d think, as I counted ten of them. And that doesn’t include the offerings by the Old Time Radio Players or any of the high school productions.

Envelope please for “Best Play Last Year” … and the winner is …The Great American Trailer Park Musical by the Barnstormers, which entertained full houses last spring.

Others in the running were:

• Singin’ in the Rain by Rogue Music Theatre
• Steel Magnolias by the Barnstormers
• The Nutcracker by Stillpoint Dance Studio
• Cinderella – Enchanted by One Eleven Theatre Company
• Crimes of the Heart by the Barnstormers
• Sound of Music by GPHS Theatre Arts Department
• The Winter Variety Show by the Old Time Radio Players

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (MALE)

For one of the few times in the 26-year history of this readers’ survey, an actor came away with back-to-back victories, as Kent Prickett was honored for his role in the Barnstormers’ An Enemy of the People.

Also mentioned a lot were:

• Frankie Lane in the Barnstormers’ The Great American Trail Park Musical
• Adam Cuppy in RMT’s Singin’ in the Rain
• David Mannix in the Barnstormers’ The Delicate Balance
• Sig Dekany in the Barnstormers’ An Enemy of the People

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

On the female side of the ledger, the most recognition went to Trivia Drevets for her work in the Barnstormers’ Moon over Buffalo.

She was followed by:

• Julia Cuppy for RMT’s Singin’ in the Rain
• Lynn Beach in the Barnstormers’ The Delicate Balance
• Charlsie Lane in the Barnstormers’ the Great American Trailer Park Musical
• Angela Padilla for the Barnstormers’ Steel Magnolias

BEST DIRECTOR (LOCAL THEATER)

Every production contains the personal stamp of its director, and everyone appreciates the time and energy he or she devotes to every performance.

And in that regard our readers most often mentioned Daniel Grossbard for his work on RMT’s summer 2011 production of Singin’ in the Rain.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Penny King for Stillpoint’s The Nutcracker and for the Barnstormers’ The Great American Trailer Park Musical
• Russ Lloyd for the Barnstormers’ The Delicate Balance
• Nancy Ryan for the Barnstormers’ Steel Magnolias

BEST PLAY IN ASHLAND THIS YEAR

It’s world renowned, and every year thousands of tourists descend on Ashland to take part in the magic. Sneak Preview readers are no exception, and as far as this season is concerned, they are most impressed with Animal Crackers, a comedic take-off on the Marx Brothers.

Also popular is Romeo and Juliet.

BEST LOCAL MUSICIAN/SINGER

What would we do without music? It would certainly make life a lot more boring and routine. Can you image going to a football game or a parade without music? Or watching a movie? Or driving in the car? Or … oh well, you get the picture.

Our readers were able to name quite a few local musicians, and strumming his way to the top was Mike Brons, a guitar instructor at RCC who also plays gigs around town at the Twisted Cork and other venues.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Megan Sdudstad of Funktional Fusion
• Kristy Lee Cook
• Jenny Skudstad
• Mike Smith
• John Trujillo of Col. Mustard
• Joe Gomez

BEST LOCAL ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BAND

Rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay, and they built this city on rock ‘n’ roll. What more can you say? Rockin’ and rollin’ their way into our hearts was local band Col. Mustard, which plays regularly at the G Street Bar & Grill.

Also receiving lots of votes were:

• Hot Gossip
• Funktional Fusion
• River City Rhythm & Blues
• Lizard Mafia
• 100 Watt Mind

BEST JAZZ BAND IN THE VALLEY

My dad was a jazz aficionado, but mainly the Big Band variety. I grew up hearing Benny Goodman, Louie Armstrong and Artie Shaw, and how my dad claimed to have “discovered” Bing Crosby.

Locally, our readers named the Oregon Little Big Band as their favorite, and my dad would probably concur.

They were followed by:

• The Mixers
• RCC Jazz Band
• So. Ore. Jazz Orchestra

BEST NIGHTCLUB TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC

When you want to get out of the house and actually feel as if you’ve gone somewhere and done something, catching live music at a local nightclub is the perfect assignment.

Once again taking down the number one spot is the “G” Street Bar & Grill, followed by:

• Laughing Clam
• Herb’s Shenanigans
• JD’s Sports Pub
• Cedarwood Tavern
• Eagles Lodge

BEST PART OF THE 2012 BOATNIK FESTIVAL

No one can accuse the Active Club of sitting on their hands, letting other people do the work, and putting everything off to the last second. With a festival the size of the Boatnik, you have to start working on the next one the day the other one ends. So, from all us … good job, guys!

It’s no surprise that the Boatnik Parade won the hearts of the majority of our readers. The event has a little bit of something for everyone.

Also high on their lists were:

• The jet boat races
• Jet flyover
• The fireworks
• Beer and wine festival
• The V.I.P. tent
• Softball tourney

BAR WITH BEST SELECTION OF MIXED DRINKS

Sometimes you want something with a little more pizzazz and cachet than just a gin and tonic or a bourbon and water. Creatively is the key here, and in that regard our readers most often mentioned the selections at Blondie’s Bistro and Taprock Northwest Grill.

Others mentioned a lot were:

• Mediterranean Bar & Grill
• Hong Kong
• G Street Bar & Grill
• Laughing Clam
• Wonder Bur
• 115 Broiler

BAR WITH BEST SELECTION OF MICROBREW BEERS

The good old days when all you could get was Budweiser and Schlitz actually weren’t that good. Not that those beers were bad, but it’s just more fun when you have a lot of choices. Microbrewed beers have become such a science that you can now find varieties to fill almost every mood and taste.

And when it comes to having a great selection of microbrewed beers, our readers gave the nod to both the Laughing Clam and Wild River Brewing Co., followed by:

• JD’s
• Joe’s Bar & Grill
• Taprock Northwest Grill

BAR WITH FRIENDLIEST BARTENDERS

You want a bartender with good jokes like this one: A Chihuahua, Doberman and Bulldog are in a bar when a great-looking female Collie comes in and says, “Whoever can best say liver and cheese in a sentence can go on a date with me.” The Doberman says, “I love liver and cheese.” The collie replies, “That’s not good enough.” So the Bulldog says, “I hate liver and cheese.” She says, “That’s not creative enough.” Finally the Chihuahua says, “Liver alone … cheese mine.”

And when our readers wanted friendly bartenders with good jokes, it ended in a 3-way tie between The Cedarwood Saloon, JD’s Sports Pub & Grill, and the Wonder Bur.

Also high on the list were:

• Taprock
• G Street Bar & Grill
• Blondie’s
• Laughing Clam
• H Street Eatery
• Joe’s Bar & Grill

BEST BAR TO WATCH SPORTS ON TV

The Olympics is over, but we now have the baseball playoffs, college football and the NFL coming up (Fantasy Football here we come). Where to go when you want to root your favorite team onto victory? This was pretty close, but in the end, Joe’s Bar & Grill edged out JDs Sports Bar & Grill.

Also mentioned were:

• Wild River
• Applebee’s

FAVORITE PART OF THE GROWERS MARKET

It’s one of the oldest growers’ markets in southern Oregon, and it’s a veritable social scene every Saturday morning from 9am to 1pm behind the Post Office. This category received a lot of attention from our readers, and apparently everyone has an opinion. There’s no denying that the selection of fresh organic produce and all the people are important, but when we break the market down into individual entities, it turned out like this:

• The bread
• Rosie’s wood-fired pizzas
• Breakfast burritos
• Tamales by Maria
• The mushroom guy
• The donuts
• Marti Fate
• The fact that there are no dogs allowed

FAVORITE PART OF THE COUNTY FAIR

This year’s event was a huge success, but it happened after our readers filled out their ballots. They have great memories, however, of last year’s event, and they singled out all the music, including Starship and Marty Stuart.

• Also high on the list were:
• The Monster Trucks
• All of the animals
• The exhibits
• The Art Fair
• The photography exhibit
• The petting zoo
• The food

BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A SUNDAY DRIVE

Yes, the price of gas may be hovering around $4 a gallon, but surely there’s some comfort knowing that the price is $8.17 in London and $9.63 in Turkey. Where to go when you want to spend $8-$15 on a short drive through the countryside? Many of our readers picked the Applegate Valley as their number one destination, followed by:

• The Coast
• Galice
• Crater Lake
• Onion Mountain
• Jacksonville
• Ashland

BEST PLACE TO GO GAMBLING

Yeah, I know, the best strategy to use when gambling is to not bet. The house definitely has the edge, but you never know when you might hit the big one. And if you consider your losses as entertainment, it’s not that all bad … unless you bet the mortgage on the house, then it becomes bad (and stupid).

Taking this category in a runaway was Seven Feathers, which is a mere 35 miles north on the Interstate.

Also mentioned were:

• Las Vegas
• Reno
• The Mill Indian Casino
• Smith River Indian Casino
• Purple Parrot
• The horse races at Grants Pass Downs

* * * * *

Wow … 144 categories complete. I am now going to step out into the sunlight after three straight days in this basement office. I feel like Count Dracula. See everyone in 2013. If you have any suggestions for new entries next year, write to me at sneakpre@mind.net. —C.H.

VIEW THE 2011 BEST OF GRANTS PAsS