

BEST THANK GOD, ITS OVER
The WMNF Building Fund Drive
BEST NATURE TRAILS
Brooker Creek Preserve
BEST EYESORE
The remnants of Florida International Museum
BEST LOCAL WEBSITE
Sticks of Fire: A Tampa Blog
BEST LOCAL BLOG
Tampa Rail
BEST PLACE TO CURSE ASPIRING HAIRSTYLISTS UNDER YOUR BREATH
Third Street and Third Avenue S., St. Pete
BEST REASON TO GET OFF I-75 AT EXIT 217
The Linger Lodge
BEST PLACE TO BE ABDUCTED BY ALIENS
State Road 52, between the Suncoast Parkway and I-75
BEST PLACE TO RECYCLE AND FORAGE FOR FREE DETRITUS
Recycle Center in N.E. St. Pete
BEST PLACE FOR A DARTS SHOWDOWN
The Tamiami at Jannus Landing
BEST PLACE TO SLIP ON VOMIT
Guavaween
BEST BAR TO DRINK ALONE IN
Friendly Tavern
BEST PLACE TO NAB FREE SAMPLES
Saturday Morning Market
BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Sunrise Lanes
BEST DRIVING RANGE
The Downs Golf Practice Facility
BEST PUTT-PUTT
Polynesian Putter
BEST BASKETBALL LEAGUE FOR AGING JOCKS
The St. Pete Beach Over-30 League
BEST OLD FOLKS SPORT REVIVAL
The St. Pete Shuffle
BEST CONVENIENCE STORE WATCHDOG
Max, Gita Food Store
BEST BAD BILLBOARD
AdSizzle Marketing, Inc.
BEST SHORTCUT
83rd Avenue N./San Martin Boulevard, St. Petersburg
BEST TBT* HEADLINE
Another Hard Re-Entry, July 17
BEST HEADLINE THAT STATES THE OBVIOUS
Tampa Tribunes Chamberlain prom coverage
BEST WTF?
The Band-Aid Painting on All Childrens Hospital
BEST AUTOMATION ATROCITY
WUSF Jazz Goes Digital
BEST DEAD AIR
WMNF-88.5 FM
BEST LANDSCAPING
WMNF-88.5 FM Radio Station
BEST GAY BAR
Georgies Alibi
BEST MEAT MARKET (SENIOR CITIZENS DIVISION)
Captain Kosmakos Restaurant
BEST ERGONOMICALLY EFFICIENT MENS ROOM
Ford Amphitheatre
BEST LAWN TO WATCH FIREWORKS FROM
Lassing Park, St. Pete
BEST TREE
The Kapok at The Museum of Fine Arts
BEST STROLL AT DUSK
Downtown St. Pete on the water between The St. Pete Yacht Club and The Vinoy
BEST PLACE TO WATCH A SUNSET
The lounge at Armanis
BEST PIZZA
Westshore Pizza
BEST MARTINI
Blue Martini
BEST BEER SELECTION
New World Brewery
BEST CHEAP EATS
Taco Bell
BEST CUBAN/SPANISH
La Teresita Restaurant
BEST VEGETARIAN
Evos
BEST ASIAN
Thai Coconut
BEST OUTDOOR DINING
Café Dufrain
BEST ITALIAN
Carrabbas Italian Grill
BEST WAITSTAFF (TIE)
Berns Steakhouse
BEST WAITSTAFF (TIE)
Thai Coconut
BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Bonefish Grill
BEST SUSHI
Samurai Blue Sushi and Saki Bar
BEST BARBEQUE
Sonnys Real Pit Bar-B-Q
BEST LOCAL BLOG
Midnight Culmination
BEST LOCAL ISSUE THAT YOURE SICK OF
Terry Schiavo
BIGGEST WASTE OF TAX DOLLARS
Crosstown Expressway
BEST BEACH
Clearwater Beach
BEST BRIDGE
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD
Hyde Park
BEST DOWNTOWN
St. Petersburg
BEST LOCAL BAND
Cuban Sandwich Crisis
BEST DIVE BAR
The Hub
BEST DANCE CLUB
The Castle
PATRICK MENTRY: Emily Robson and EMILY ROBSON: Emily Robson
Personal Best: Patrick voted for his mom as Best Mom, Emily voted for herself as Best Mom, and they both added a bonus vote for Clearwaters Los Mariachis as Best Mexican.
BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Jannus Landing
HEATHER TINNARO: Tangelo’s
Personal Best: When the waitstaff will approach you in the grocery to ask about your kids BY NAME, thats the best. Dennis, Rosemary, et al are AWESOME! Heather cited Papa Joes for Best Waitstaff, Outdoor Dining, Cuban/Spanish and Cheap Eats.Tangelos Grill, 226 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-894-1695.
SYLVESTER SlY THOMAS JR.: The El Cap
Personal Best: Im crazy about the El Cap St. Petersburgs best all-around everything. The clientele there range from newborn to senior citizen. Once there, you will be a regular. Boom Goes The Dynamite. Sylvester chose El Cap for Best Cuban/Spanish and Best Waitstaff.El Cap, 3500 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-521-1314.
BEST SPORTS BAR
Beef O Bradys
BEST HAPPY HOUR
MacDintons Irish Pub & Restaurant
HEIDI SUMNER: Papa Joe’s Country Cafe
Personal Best: If you have not experienced a sub and Latin salsa at Papa Joes Country Market in St. Petersburg you have been deprived! Heidi chose Joes for Best Cuban/Spanish and Best Vegetarian.Papa Joes, 2498 13th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-327-0296.
BEST PARTY DISTRICT
Ybor City
ROXANNE MOULTON: Salvador Dali Museum
Personal Best: The Dali Museum is an international treasure. Im a Friday afternoon docent and Im fun and cool and not boring! Locals should check it out! Roxanne voted for the Dali as Best Kept Secret and is that also a vote for Best Docent?Salvador Dalí Museum, 1000 Third Street S., St. Petersburg, 727-823-3767.
BEST DEVIL RAYS PLAYER
Carl Crawford
BEST BUCS PLAYER
Derrick Brooks
BEST THEATER COMPANY
American Stage
THE ERIKSENS: Café Ponte
Personal Best: Café Ponte is indeed the place! Polished service, surroundings, fabulous and innovative food and one of the most amiable chefs around a true master Chris Ponte! The Eriksens chose Café Ponte for Best Waitstaff, Best Chef and Best Martini. Café Ponte, 13505 ICOT Blvd., Clearwater, 727-538-5768.
BEST WINE SHOP
Vintage Wine Cellars
BEST WINE LIST THAT ISNT BERNS
Circles Restaurant
BEST NEW WINE BAR
Tastings, A Wine Experience
BEST MIX & MATCH SIXER
Sheps Deli
BEST PLACE TO DRINK ON MONDAY NIGHT
Ricky Ts Tiki Bar
BEST MARTINI DEAL
The Wharf
BEST CAFÉ CON LECHE
West Tampa Sandwich Shop
BEST SMOOTHIE
Jammin Java
BEST THING ABOUT SoGan
Interbay Meat Market
BEST PLACE FOR FRESH FISH AND FRESH GOSSIP
Backfin Blue Cafe
BEST MEAL TO BRING ALONG A DEFIBRILLATOR FOR
Fat Kevin Sandwich, Subslingers Jersey Subs
BEST FISH SPREAD
The Sports Bar
BEST LOCAL BBQ SAUCE
Mr. Mikes
BEST LOCAL HOT SAUCE
Weapon of Mouth Destruction
BEST HONOR-SYSTEM HONEY
Marion Lambert
BEST SURPRISINGLY GOOD GROUPER SANDWICH
The Undertow
BEST GRATUITOUSLY HAPPY SANDWICH MAKERS
Lennys Sub Shop
BEST CHEAP LUNCH
Anderson Road Café
BEST BREAKFAST JOINT
Moms Place
BEST MALL CHICKEN
Bourbon Street, Westshore Plaza
BEST PRE-MADE KEBABS
Shaners Land and Sea Market
BEST ITALIAN MARKET
Mazzaros Italian Market
BEST CARIBBEAN SUPERMARKET
Caribbean Trade
BEST FROZEN DESSERT
Its Custard Mon
BEST SPINACH DIP
Miguels Mexican Café
BEST CROUTONS
Ruby Tuesday
BEST BAKERY
Pane Rustica
BEST DOLLAR SUSHI
Pacific Wave
BEST OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH RESTAURANT
Café Dufrain
BEST DOLLAR SUSHI
Pacific Wave
BEST JAMAICAN
Jerk Hut
BEST VIETNAMESE
Pho Quyen Vietnamese
BEST CRAB RANGOON
Hooks
BEST GYRO
Athenian Garden
BEST SOUP
Clam Chowder, Noho Bistro
BEST SALAD AS A MEAL
Chopped House Salad, Bonefish Grill
BEST VIDEO GAME ARCADE
The D-Pad Console Gaming Center
BEST IMPASSIONED THEATER FANS
Jobsite devotees
BEST NEW PUBLIC SPACE
Airside C, Southwest terminal, TIA
BEST INEXPENSIVE ART
Rock n Roll Swap Meet
BEST USE OF PREVIOUSLY DEAD SPACE
Flight 19 Gallery
BEST PLACE TO BUY A GUITAR AND THE LATEST ISSUE OF AQUAMAN
Green Shift Music & Comics
BEST CONCERT VENUE FOR BASEBALL FANS
Bright House Networks Field
BEST KARAOKE
Wilsons Sports Lounge
BEST SPONTANEOUS DANCE PARTY
Los Lobos, Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival, Vinoy Park
BEST LOCAL CONCERT DEBUT BY A NATIONAL ACT
The Black Keys, Skippers Smokehouse
BEST LOCAL MC
Eyeznpowa
BEST LOCAL CD
Dumbwaiters, Musick
BEST LOCAL LABEL
New Granada Records
BEST LOCAL-SCENE HANGOUT
New World Brewery
BEST MUSIC-VENUE UPGRADE
Java Junction
BEST NEW VENUE
The Bank Nightclub & Concert Venue
BEST LOCAL-SCENE JACK-OF-ALL-TRADES
Steve Connelly
BEST PIANO COLOSSUS
Charles Farrells Glossolalia
BEST RETURN TO BRUTAL FORM
Obituary
BEST SINGER-SONGWRITER
Rebekah Pulley
BEST NEW LOCAL BAND
Candy Bars
BEST SOUL FOOD
Atwaters Cafeteria
BEST BAGEL
St. Pete Bagel Company
BEST PIZZA SHOP IN A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Domenics New York Pizza & Deli
BEST CHAIN PIZZA
Westshore Pizza
BEST GOURMET PIZZA
The Gourmet Pizza Company
BEST CHEF
B.T. Nyugen, Café B.T.
BEST GOURMET MARKET
The Fresh Market
BEST WINE STORE
Wine Warehouse
BEST DAY SPA
Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
BEST WOMENS CLOTHING STORE
Nordstrom
BEST MENS CLOTHING STORE
Mens Wearhouse
BEST FLEA MARKET
Wagon Wheel Flea Market
BEST GYM/ HEALTH CLUB
Lifestyle Family Fitness
BEST TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR
Moniques Body Essentials
BEST MECHANIC
Greg Baileys Automotive
BEST SMOKE SHOP
Tampa Sweethearts Cigar Co.
BEST SEX SHOP
Thee Love Shack
BEST MILITARY SURPLUS STORE
Army Navy Surplus
BEST PLACE TO BUY SNEAKERS
Feet First
BEST REASON TO PRIMP
TampaBayBeauty.com
BEST AFFORDABLE MENS FASHIONS
Dillards, International Plaza
BEST PLACE TO BUY NEW AND USED WOMENS THREADS
Unique Boutique
BEST ANTIQUES
South Tampa Yard Sales
BEST TYPEWRITER SHOP
Dicks Typewriters
BEST FREE INTERNET HOTSPOT
St. Petes Finest Coffee House
BEST FLEA MARKET
Oldsmar Flea Market
BEST PLACE TO GET MARRIED WHILE GETTING WET
Florida Aquarium Explore-A-Shore
BEST OVERACHIEVING GAS STATION
Hess Express
BEST FRAMER-UPPERS
Master Art & Frame
BEST HEP CATS
Daddy Zero
BEST INDEPENDENT PHARMACY
West Shore Pharmacy
BEST LAST-MINUTE GIFTS (DUDES)
Skyway Chevron Food Mart & Deli
BEST LAST-MINUTE GIFTS (CHICKS)
Serendipity
BEST WISE-CRACKING FURNITURE DIVA
Linda Cox, Robb & Stucky
BEST DRIVE-THRU ATTENDANT
Carlos Nierdes, Café Con Trey
BEST OPTICAL ASSISTANTS
Keith & Rosalie, Sams Club-South Tampa
BEST ORIGINAL JEWELRY
Beadlejules
BEST EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR
Katharine Williams, Lifestyle Family Fitness
BEST WAY TO GO COMPLETELY BATSHIT CRAZY
Waiting for Bright House
BEST BASEBALL INSTRUCTION
All-Star Baseball and Softball School
BEST SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS
KidsMakeMovies Summer Camp
BEST BAIT SHOP
Gandy Bait & Tackle
BEST NEWSSTAND
Franklin St. News
BEST COFFEE BEANS
El Molino Coffee Shop
BEST MOM N POP LIQUOR SHOP
4th Street Liquor Mart
WORST LOCAL POLITICIAN
Ronda Storms
BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN
Pam Iorio
BEST RADIO DJ
MJ WFLZ-93.3 FM (93.3FLZ)
BEST LOCAL REALITY STAR
Hulk Hogan Hogan Knows Best, VH1
BEST LOCAL PRINT JOURNALIST
Howard Troxler St. Petersburg Times
BEST LOCAL TV REPORTER
Gayle Sierens WFLA-Ch. 8
BEST WAY TO BECOME A CELEB
Become a barista
BEST POLISH MOTHER-DAUGHTER BARTENDING TEAM
Ania Dumler (mother) and Ania Kuitowska (daughter), Uptown Bar
BEST BARTENDERS
Rob and Alice, the Swigwam
BEST PROFESSOR
Dr. Deby Lee Cassill, USF-St. Petersburg
BEST REALITY SHOW STAR
Mary Delgado, The Bachelor IV and VI
BEST LOCAL ATHLETE
Winky Wright
BEST EXAMPLE OF GAY PRIDE IN ACTION
Nadine Smith and the Equality Florida team
BEST DOOMED MAIDEN VOYAGE
The Ocean Jewel
BEST PLACE TO GET IN TROUBLE FOR TAKING NOTES
International Plaza
BEST CELEBRITY BREAKUP
Morgan, Colling & Gilbert becomes Morgan & Morgan
BEST BAIT-AND-SWITCH
The new Tampa Museum of Art
BEST PARK WITH POTENTIAL
NCNB Bank Plaza Park
BEST HYPE
Trump Tower
BEST CURSED ROAD PROJECT
The Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway expansion
BEST GIFT TO POLITICAL WRITERS, PART 2
Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair
BEST GIFT TO POLITICAL WRITERS, PART 1
U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris
BEST JOB
Paul Wilborn, Creative Industries Manager, City of Tampa
BEST NEWSPAPER STORY (FACTUAL)
The St. Pete Times What Went Wrong series
BEST NEWSPAPER STORY (FICTIONAL)
Brad Smiths tow truck tale
BEST NEWSPAPER STORY (FICTIONAL)
Mike Deeson, Tampa Bays 10
BEST TELEVISION REPORTER
Mike Deeson, Tampa Bays 10
BEST NEWSPAPER REPORTER
Jeff Testerman, St. Petersburg Times
BEST COURAGEOUS ACT (CITIZENS)
Fighting Wal-Mart in St. Petersburg
BEST COURAGEOUS ACT (POLITICIAN)
Republican lawmakers who voted against intervening in Terri Schiavos life
BEST NEW PUBLIC OFFICIAL
Pinellas School Superintendent Clayton Wilcox
BEST IRONICALLY NAMED HOUSING TRACT
The Preserve @ Placido Bayou
BEST CONTROVERSY OVER MANS BEST FRIEND
Palma Ceia Dog Park
BEST CONSPIRACY THEORY
Killing Terri Schiavo
BEST DROPPING THE BALL
The Ford Amphitheatre
BEST KOOKY CAMPAIGN
Randall Terry for Florida Senate
BEST MELTDOWN
Scott Maddoxs campaign for governor
BEST SECURITY FOR A TERRORISM TRIAL
The U.S. Marshals Office
BEST VETO
Jeb Bush nixes the Road Rage Reduction Act
BEST SHOOT-FROM-THE-HIP LEGISLATION
Senate 436: Relating to Protection of Persons/Use of Force
BEST POLITICAL MOVEMENT
Political redistricting reform in Florida
BEST LEFT-WINGER
Norwood Orricks BlogWood
BEST RIGHT-WINGER
Ronda Storms
Best Of 2005
Our annual compendium of all thats bright and beautiful in Tampa Bay (plus all thats bad and tacky) has everything you need to know and more. Best new restaurant? Check. Best place to buy sneakers? Check. Best way to go completely batshit crazy? Check again. Plus this year, in the spirit of our favorite supermarket…
Personal Bests
As part of our Readers Poll this year, we gave voters a chance to expand a bit on their favorites. In 25 words or less, they were invited to tell us more about one of the people or places they voted for, or write about something that should have won if only wed included…
Out of this World
The Weekly Planet has been living with a secret: For the last seven years, weve been harboring an illegal alien. Arnie showed up on our doorstep in 1998, back when we had some sweet digs in Ybor City. We figured he was just another fellow sleeping off a Saturday all-nighter, but his green skin, saucer-like…
Egypt’s presidential election: democracy or sham?
Your War Questions Answered
Daydream believer
Songstress Lizz Wright returns with the beguiling Dreaming Wide Awake
After Katrina
Disaster relief agencies
The Wine List
Events around the city
Futurama
2046
Evacuation plan
The list I hope I’ll never have to use
Waterway appreciation
World Rivers Day Fest
Letters to the Editor
Two dads
In the big room
Reveling in the clichés at a quintessential arena rock show
Spins
Kanye West, The Rolling Stones, Laura Cantrell
Indict the Klan killers
Heal past wounds
Capsule reviews of recently released movies
Asylum, The Beat My Heart Skipped
WP’s picks for the week’s best shows
Rock for the Cure, Greg Trooper, Morgan Heritage
Survival of the fittest
Going mano à mano in the fight to get fit
Face forward
Figurative work with a spiritual dimension at the Arts Center
Experience preferred
Dinner at Vino e Pasta is about more than just calories and carbs.
The Blotter
Bizarre crimes from Tampa police files
Election detection
St. Pete’s District 4 features three good candidates, few differences
Way of the gun
Style blows away substance in Lord Of War
Upcoming releases
Tues., Sept. 20, 2005
Slip of the lip
Given recent courtroom slips, can Al-Arian get a fair trial?
See & Do
Exhibits at Florida Holocaust Museum
Giller’s thriller
Hammerjack
See the Invisibles
Los Amigos Invisibles
Send in the clones
The challenging A Number pushes the audience, while Alice engages only the actors
What can Brown do for you?
Wal-Mart and the human brain






