photo by Carrie Waite Credit: CARRIE WAITE

BEST BLOODY MARY
Café Alma

Saturday afternoons are best spent lounging about Café Alma, and since I am not here to talk about its gorgeous food, I won't dwell on the Blue Crab Cakes or Frittatas. 'Cause Saturday afternoon is all about the Bloody Mary Buffet. Yo. You get a tall pint glass of ice and yummy vodka. From there it's up to you — spicy? Tomato-y? Do you want a whole lunch in your glass (baby corn, okra, marinated mushrooms, wee pickles) or just simple smakin' good (V-8 with Guinness)?

Café Alma, 260 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-502-5002.

BEST BREATH FRESHENERS
Penguin brand
They freshen your stanky breath, and have caffeine.

MOST MOVING ART SHOW
Sacred Space: Angkor Wat in 19th and 20th Century Photography The Museum of Fine Arts Oct. 11-Dec. 28, 2003

The beauty and calm of these mute images spoke profoundly of devotion, mystery, faith and labor. Angkor Wat was being discovered by the West, when photography was becoming commercial, and the images must have thrilled both the photographers and the public. Our now sophisticated eyes may glide past the technique, but still, the wonder of it is undeniable. If Robert and Elizabeth Sanchez lend their collection again to a public institution, go go go to it.

BEST LOW-KEY DAMN-FINE BIG-FUN SWANKY MUSIC EVENT
Rock 'n' Roll Swap Meet

You get to hear a bunch of really good bands — without down time between each band — drink some ice-cold beer, and shop for cool stuff simultaneously. On a Sunday afternoon. There's no down side.

Rick's ACL Club, 1750 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-823-6183.

BEST PROGRAMMING CHANGES (ON YOUR COMMUNITY RADIO STATION)
WMNF's
Sonic Detour
and
11th Hour
(Especially Tuesdays)

88.5 sometimes has to fight to shake up the schedule, and usually gets a terrible (in a pacifist, Volvo-driving, Birkenstock-and-linen-wearing kinda way) backlash for reducing folk, roots and singer-songwriter music, but it is so nice to be able to listen in the afternoon (Sonic Detour, 4-6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.) and late evening (11th Hour, 11 p.m.-1 a.m. Mon.-Thurs.). Both strips play new, alternative, alt-country, indie, smart and funny music that appeals to a younger demographic without pandering, ensuring that new generations listen to Florida's radio jewel. Tuesdays are paradise, because you have Flea (4-6 p.m.), Dave Bailey (11 p.m.-1 a.m.) and then Hip Hop Flavas (1-4 a.m.).

BEST BROKEN HEART DRIVE (ONLY IF YOU´RE NOT GOING TO JUMP)
Over the Skyway Bridge and back, several times

That beautiful bridge is exhilarating, thrilling and scary. When you are on the actual span, you aren't anywhere; you are suspended; you are not just betwixt and between; you are soaring and somehow grounded. There are little parks on either side where you can fight, cry, throw certain things away, or just sit and watch the birds and dolphins.

BEST FRIEND
I don't know if I can include her name, but I can tell you what makes a best friend. She (or he) thinks about the important things in your life before you do; is unabashedly generous; is your biggest fan; knows your antagonists are definitely wrong and you are most assuredly right; thinks you are the easiest person in the world to shop for; worries more about your heart than her own; and shares passions, gossip, hopes, schemes and dreams readily. I hope one day I can be half the friend my best friend is, and I hope you have one too. (P.S. her name is Laura Keane, and she is an amazing artist too: Paintedmarys.com.)

BEST BAUBLES
Bossa Nova

This store has more tasty treats than Willy Wonka, and these last longer. The discerning Jorge and Teresa Vidal carry necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets you won't find anywhere else in town. Their prices fit all budgets, and they have all sorts of other pleasures — books, cards, lo-mo cameras, vases, things you never knew you needed. But at Bossa Nova and the couple's first store, If and Only If, it is the lovely, desirable, sexy, alluring jewelry that is my siren song.

Bossa Nova, 213 First St. N., St. Petersburg, 727-896-5855.

BEST SMART ART
Alternative Art Spaces

Galleries, museums and art centers are vital to our area's visual arts, but the alternative spaces create the energy that fires us up in the art world. The indelible link between art and music and poetry gives us Hot Freaks (at The Emerald Bar), Solo Creo (The Pier), Gala Corina (various cool old buildings), and warehouse parties, movie theaters and Laundromats with ear and eye candy. The D.I.Y. movement not only brings people to see upcoming and experimental artists — it teaches them to be art audiences and patrons. That $5 painting you just bought is the beginning of a lifetime addiction.

BEST LISTENING
The Mercy Seat

Sometimes songs sneak up on you and catch you when you aren't looking. After just a few spins, this band's CD pulled its way into my daily heart. I had to listen, again and again, until I could sing along to pain and devotion and dark daytime bars and mystery. The Mercy Seat rips up rock 'n' roll, then soothes the silly beast back to sleep.

BEST TWISTED EYE CANDY
JoshComics.com

I'm afraid that Josh is all grown up now, what with a fiancée and serious artwork. So it comes as a huge relief that he hasn't gotten too sensitive. Chauncey, the half pig-dog, is a crappy drunk, and Nick the Knife and the Flying Straw still chop and poke, punks still throw bricks and so on. The David Hasselhoff Photocomics deserve worldwide recognition.