Déjà vu, folks.In case you missed it the first time around,here’s a second dose of Folio Weekly’s Best ofJax, our annual readers poll. It’s updated withfabulous new photographs and, well, littleelse. Let’s be honest, in a world obsessed withvapid celebrity, pictures are all anyone caresabout anyway. So flip through the fabulousness on displayand enjoy the list of winners two times, yo.And don’t forget to stare.

25 Politics & Public Affairs26 Really Important Stuff28 News & the Media31 Eating & Drinking Out39 Shops & Wares46 Culture, Arts & Entertainment50 Sports & Outdoor Recreation

Folio Weekly would like to thank these businesses for their contributions to this issue:

Café Carmon in San Marco,Rosie True in San Marco,Simple Gestures in St.Augustine

and Tera Nova in Metro South.

Also,big thanks to model Matie Strickland and Chico the dog. Photos by Walter Coker.

Local Hero

Local Zero

Worst Thing to Happen to Northeast Florida

Best Local Huckster

Best-Looking Local Legislator

Mayor John PeytonIt’s not easy being all things to all people, butMayor Peyton comes damn close. This year’sBest of Jax poll reveals some profoundly mixedfeelings about the city’s top elected official.Since his easy re-election in March, Peyton hashad nothing but trouble — scandals overfriends benefiting from non-standard city con-tracts, a budget that both slashes services andraises fees on ordinary homeowners, and anagging sense that his administration mightleave the city little changed, or even worse forwear. Despite such misgivings, Peyton remainspopular enough to win the Local Hero categoryfor the fourth year in a row, and he’s enough ofa hottie to clinch this year’s new “best looker”category. In the end, his myriad victories maysay less about his administration than FolioWeekly readers’ schizophrenic tendencies.

Best Thing to Happen to Northeast Florida

Jaguars droppingByron LeftwichIt’s not entirely clear why Leftwich lost his jobwhen he did — just as season began, afterpromises from Coach Del Rio that his QB spotwas secure — but his departure has clearlykicked off a new era for the team. Since theJags came to town as an NFL expansion teamin 1993, debates have raged about why theteam hasn’t caught fire. Everyone from formerhead coach Tom Coughlin to owner WayneWeaver to the guy who washes the jock strapshas shouldered the blame. With Leftwich gone,Jags fans and management are hoping thingswill turn around for the beleaguered squad. Ofcourse, if the Jags still struggle, Weaver cansimply dump Del Rio or sell the team, as manyhave already suggested he’ll do. Major LeagueBaseball, anyone?

Best Local

Grassroots Initiative

St. JohnsRiver-keeperNo one can say theRiverkeeper didn’t earnthis one. This year, theRiverkeeper Neil Armin-geon, executive directorJimmy Orth and crewreleased a massive,hard-hitting report onwastewater dischargeviolations, one based onhundreds of hoursspent digging throughstate Department ofEnvironmental Protec-tion records. And that’son top of the privatelyfunded organization’sregular patrols of the St.Johns, its outreach boattrips and its public-pol-icy battles. Oh, yeah —and the production ofits national-award-win-ning “Revenge of theRiver” documentary,which aired on localpublic television. Upnext: The organizationmust fight state WaterManagement Districtplans to siphon offsome 262 million gal-lons of water a day fromthe St. Johns and itstributaries, for thirstyCentral Florida.

Best Local

Community Activist

ScottShineAfter moving to North-east Florida from Rich-mond, Va., 20 yearsago, Shine quicklytapped in to the growthproblems that plaguethis and other parts ofthe state. Shine’sactivism includesorganizing his chapterof Surfrider Foundation,suing the St. JohnsCounty Commission in2004 in order to clear

Ponte Vedra Beach’s impassable public accesspoints and focusing local surfers on environ-mental preservation issues. More recently, the47-year-old — a lifelong Republican until hebecame a Dem a few months ago — foundedthe West Beaches Community Coalition, agroup with a mission of reining in growth justwest of the Intracoastal. The former City Coun-cil candidate’s latest project is the JacksonvilleElections Reform Study Group, targeting thosepolitical heavyweights who funnel contributionsthat far exceed limits to candidates. As theysay, Shine — as in sunshine — is the best disinfectant.

Best Reason for

Development Moratorium

TrafficThere are actually a lot of pretty neat things todo to pass the time when sitting in NortheastFlorida’s almost-constant traffic. You can learnFrench, pick your nose, make obscene ges-tures at other drivers and wait to see whether

or not they have a gun. But let’s face it — all wereally do is whine, honk our horns and listen toNickelback’s “Rockstar” until our ears bleed. It’seasy to blame the development boom for thecongestion because, yes, I-95, JTB and I-10are perpetual construction sites, but where hasblaming developers ever gotten us? Certainlynot home in less than an hour.

Best Local Trend

Downtown RevitalizationFollowing years and years of talk about revivingJacksonville’s urban core, 2007 yielded incontro-vertible evidence that the movement has begunin earnest. Ubër-hip restaurant Chew opened onWest Adams. Next door, the Thief in the Knightgallery held some of the freshest art shows inrecent memory. Add a couple of new clubs onBay Street, Shelby’s Café in the Main Library,workingman’s pub Shantytown just north inSpringfield, a new donut shop, a cigar bar, asoon-to-be-opened bookstore and pizzeria, andlots of residential construction, and it’s undeniablethat downtown Jacksonville no longer blows.

Best Local Scandal

City Council Sunshine ViolationsThis story, first reported by The Florida Times-Union, shined a light on the dubious practices oflocal lawmakers who either ignored or deliber-ately evaded the state’s Government in the Sun-shine Law. The law, designed to ensure that localgovernment isn’t ruled by backroom negotiationsand secret handshakes, requires lawmakers toprovide reasonable public notice of meetings andtake minutes to reflect what occurs at thosemeetings. Jacksonville City Councilmembers didneither. Instead, they scheduled secret meetingsat places inaccessible to the general public andoffered little or no account of what was dis-cussed. When asked about it by the T-U, at leastone lawmaker even redacted his calendar to con-ceal the meetings. The issue is currently beinginvestigated by the Grand Jury — and more uglyrevelations are likely to follow.

Best Stupid Idea

Club ParisIn fairness, there are stupider ideas than open-ing a nightclub dedicated to vapid culturalmaggot Paris Hilton. How about Paris Hiltonbreakfast cereal? Or a line of Paris Hiltonprison scrubs? But since none of these ideascame to fruition, Club Paris is officially the beststupid idea in Northeast Florida — albeit onewhose days have come to an end. Unfortu-nately for those who didn’t think it was stupid,those heady times of tiaras and pink glitterhave drawn to a close. The club’s new ownerswill be turning the space into a country-and-Western club called Mavericks — not such astupid idea in Jacksonville.

Best Place to Violate Sunshine Law

Fox RestaurantBlame it on the syrup. Anyone who’s ever hadone of the Fox’s delectable waffles knows it’simpossible to take written minutes of a meetingwhile eating one. Perhaps that’s why there is norecord of what was discussed at those earlymorning tête-à-têtes among City Councilmem-bers Daniel Davis, Kevin Hyde, Michael Corri-gan and Art Shad — meetings that are nowbeing investigated by the State Attorney’sOffice. At least we can’t fault them for theirtaste. Ian and Mary Chase’s 10-table joint onSt. Johns Avenue in Avondale serves up someof the best, most consistent diner food in thecity in an arty, hip atmosphere. Our City Coun-cilmembers might not be trustworthy, but atleast they appreciate a decent joint.

Politics & Public Affairs

Best Reason to Love Northeast Florida

Best Reason to Hate Northeast Florida

The WeatherOnce again, Folio Weekly readers offer proofof their schizoid tendencies. We love thesunny November days, the warm summernights. We also hate the 110 percent humid-ity, the Interstate-closing rainstorms, the suf-focating heat. Of course, few of us could slogthrough a year here without our good ol’ A/C,so the weather, like the bitching it sometimesinspires, is relative.

Best Local Blog

UrbanJacksonville.infoJacksonville’s blogging scene has continuedto grow this year, with more and more “citizenjournalists” having a go at covering all thingsDuval. But what was arguably the city’s firstblog remains its best, according to Folio

Weekly readers. Inspired by city-centric siteslike NYC’s gothamist.com, Springfield residentJoey Marchy founded UrbanJacksonville.infothree years ago with a focus on downtowndevelopment. As other blogs — namely Metro-Jacksonville.com — have stepped up cover-age in that area, UJ has begun to incorporatemore arts and culture. The result is the city’smost popular “urban lifestyle” blog, saysMarchy. “I think Jacksonville is hungry for thisinformation right now and they need someoneto aggregate it in one place. I give the peoplewhat they want so they keep coming back.”

Best Sign of Nightlife in

Downtown Jacksonville

First Wednesday Art Walk“This looks like a real city!” God knows howmany times that’s exclaimed during

Really Important Stuff

downtown’s First Wednesday Art Walk. Theurban core’s most consistent draw is also itshippest, and in 2007 it even started to beat thecrappy weather that famously plagued its firstcouple years. There’s more art, more artists,more galleries, more music, more food, moredrinks and more you. As the event’s unofficial T-shirts read, “I AM the Art Walk.”

Best Tourist Trap

St. AugustineSt. Augustine’s history holds genuine allure,but kitschy attractions tout their own noblebackstory. Slap on a DayGlo-orange trolleysticker and ride the “trains” around to someof the long-running favorites. Gone may bethe creepy-cool Tragedy in U.S. Historymuseum (Jayne Mansfield’s death car! LeeHarvey Oswald’s ambulance!) but the “Foun-tain of Youth Experience” still bubbles justblocks away. There, among concrete statuaryand skittish peacocks, is a tiny planetariumwhere you can listen to a recorded narratordescribing Ponce de Leon’s world travelswhile a docent uses a laser pointer to high-light his route. If that’s too highbrow for you,a bald Britney Spears is currently featured atthe local wax museum.

Best Intersection to Avoid

Atlantic Boulevard & Kernan BoulevardIt’s not your imagination. There is always anaccident at this troubling crossroads. Eventhe Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the inter-section is one of the worst: It’s No. 1 on theagency’s list of Top 10 crash sites in DuvalCounty, based on a Crash Frequency Reportfrom January through December 2006. That’sno surprise, given that average daily trafficcounts at the intersection are closing in on30,000 from a little more than 12,000 in1999. That’s one reason that the debate overwhether to build an overpass at this site is soheated — and likely to last as long as a 5 p.m. backup.

Best Crazy Guy

Marc FunariPeter Pan lives in Jacksonville Beach —minus the green tights. Businessman MarcFunari — former Neptune Beach lifeguard,ex-Border Patrol agent and one-time rodeoBrahma bull rider — refuses to grow up. At atable in Funari’s, the gelato shop he and hiswife, Dawn, opened a little more than twoyears ago, he sports a dark tan and shoul-der-length black hair, but confesses to beingsurprised by his BestCrazy Guy triumph. The31-year-old guesses hisrecent roadside stint asRocco, Funari’s mascot,helped rack up votes —along with the sign hewaved identifying him as Anna Nicole Smith’s baby daddy. Yep, that’d do it — no tights necessary.

Best Local Solution to

Global Warming

Riding BicyclesIn a city as spread out asJacksonville, most localcommuters are on theirway to leaving a carbonfootprint the size of amastodon’s. But whenyou’re not braving theFuller Warren Bridge dur-ing rush hour twice daily,why not hang up the carkeys and “put the funbetween your legs,” asbicyclists have beenknown to quip. Whetherit’s a trendy fixed-gearsetup, a mountain bikeor a beach cruiser, FolioWeekly readers thinkbikes are the best way

to prevent Florida from ending up underwater.In case that doesn’t work out, remember it’seasier to convert a bike into a boat than it is a car.

Best ReplacementSlogan for JagsWhile no one slogan was a clear winner, therewere many promising suggestions. Here, in noparticular order, are a few of our faves.

What took you so long, sleeping beauty?Hey! We got rid of Leftwich.We win sometimesWe’re tryingFree Tickets!Give us your money.No whammies.Help, we suckLet’s sell this team!L.A., here we comeWe’re Outta HereFree beerAre we still a team?Blackout!We don’t kill dogs.

Best Place to Panhandle

Downtown Notoriously and relentlessly, downtown Jack-sonville restaurateur Jerry Moran photographs,videotapes and harasses downtown panhan-dlers. But even the pasta-serving HemmingPlaza vigilante isn’t a strong-enough force tokeep the urban core from being the city’s mostlucrative spot for scoring a handout. Whetheryou’re in need of a pack of bologna or a coldtallboy, you’re best off heading downtown toscrape together some change.

BEST CHEF

Scotty Schwartz (right), at 29 South

BEST LOCAL COMMUNITY ACTIVIST

Scott Shine

Best Local News Story of 2007

Jaguars dropping QB Byron Leftwich“It was terrible,” the ex-Jacksonville Jaguarssignal-caller recently told The Atlanta Jour-nal-Constitution. “It was difficult becauseyou’re used to being out there.” “Out there”meaning on the gridiron at starting QB, theposition Leftwich held with the Jags. Nowhe’s third-stringing for the lackluster AtlantaFalcons in the year of Michael Vick. But if thetale was woeful for Leftwich, it was sports-news gold. Speculation before and analysisafter “the cruelest cut” occupied commenta-tors like the Hindenburg as it crashed inflames. The guy is working hard, though —to get to position No. 2. Oh, the humanity!

Best Folio Weekly Cover Story

Pierson Twins/Scariest PeopleFolio Weekly caught a lot of flak for featuringan illustration of the pre-pubescent PiersonTwins on the cover of our annual NortheastFlorida’s Scariest People issue in 2006.Luckily, our readership is as heartless andinsensitive as we are. Although we singled

out Toyota dealer (and living cartoon) KeithPierson’s little ones, what we were really try-ing to say is that all twins are creepy, espe-cially when they speak in unison (and partic-ularly when they’re made into advertisingshills for their parents). Take heart, PiersonTwins. You’re in good company.

Best Local Investigative Reporter

Ken Amaro at First Coast News, Channels 12 & 25**It doesn’t take an investigative reporter to dis-cover that, last week, Folio Weekly incorrectlyidentitfied the station for which Ken Amaroworks. In fact, we got lots of calls from ordinaryfolks who wanted to make sure we got ourstory straight this week. So here it is: For morethan 20 years, Ken Amaro — of First CoastNews fame — has been an advocate for the little guy, a defender of consumers and home-owners against avaricious companies. For that,he’s become part of the media elite. No onecracks on his glasses or bowtie anymore,because we all know that “I’m telling Ken!” is athreat worth heeding. We hear ya, Mr. Amaro.And we know where you work.

News & the Media

Best Local TV Anchor

Donna Hicken atFirst Coast News,Channels 12 & 25First Coast News anchor Donna Hicken is a perennial favorite in this category. TheJacksonville native is known for both her jour-nalistic style and on-air panache. A two-timebreast cancer survivor, she created TheDonna Hicken Foundation to help financiallysupport First Coast women as they battle thedisease. Hicken is also an author whosebook, “The Good Fight,” describes her sec-ond bout with breast cancer. Unfortunately,the fight continues. Recently, Hicken under-went surgery to remove a cancerous lesionfrom her lung and will again undergochemotherapy in the next few weeks. We’resending good vibes her way.

Best Local TV Newscast

WJXT Channel 4The competition between WJXT TV-4 and theFirst Coast News octopus is less about num-bers and more about self-perception. FCN isall high-def and glitzy, with their high-profileanchors and network links. It’s a faster, hotterprogram. WJXT is cool blue, old-money, zeroaggression. While its audience skews towardgeezerism, Folio Weekly readers (who aremostly young, hip and “with it”) reversedthemselves from last year. This year, Channel4 rules the news.

Best-Looking Talking Head

Mary Baer at WJXT Channel 4Is it the arched eyebrow? The perfectlycoiffed ’do? The flawless smile? Whatever theallure, Mary Baer is a certified — and humble— hottie. When asked why Folio Weeklyreaders find her so damn attractive, sheresponds: “I have no idea. What a thrill. It’s agreat little boost for anyone in this businessfor this long. I have been here for 15 years.” Well, it doesn’t show a bit.

Best Local TV Weather Forecaster

Tim Deegan at First Coast News,Channels 12 & 25Mr. Deegan is secure enough in his job thathe doesn’t have to fly around in 35-mphwinds to gain precious screen time duringhurricane season. And his laid-back, surfer-dude persona won’t allow him to go into afrenzy every time a tropical storm ventures acouple hundred miles off the coast. Still, Dee-gan has been doing his thing long enoughthat we believe him when he informs us ofimpending meteorological doom. Or even asunny day, for that matter.

Best Local TV Sports Anchor

Sam Kouvaris atWJXT Channel 4Why this guy isn’t doing color for a majorsports network by now is a mystery. Butthen, Sam Kouvaris is a bit of an enigma.Rumor has it he does his sportscasts onWJXT Channel 4 without the help of ateleprompter. He’s a verbose blogger (samsportsline.com) and a crooner of poptunes (he often performs at fundraising con-certs around Jacksonville). And what’s upwith those pearly whites? The man alsoboasts an encyclopedic sports knowledge ofeverything from baseball to curling. Hang ona sec. ESPN is calling on the other line.

Best Local TV Morning Show

“Good Morning Jacksonville,” First Coast News, Channels 12 & 25Not only do they provide a comprehensivenewscast — including sports and weather —the news team’s friendly rapport just makesthem a pleasure to watch. “It’s just a goodchemistry,” says “Good Morning Jacksonville” anchor Patty Crosby. “It makes getting upearly in the morning is easy when you knowyou’re working with friends.”

BEST LOCAL INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER

Ken Amaro,First Coast News

BEST LOCAL

TV ANCHOR

Donna Hicken,

First Coast

News

BEST LOCAL

TV WEATHER

FORECASTER

Tim Deegan,

First Coast

News

Best Local Radio Personality

Klinger on Planet Radio 107.3Klinger’s logo on the Planet Radio webpagecontains a hand in the “shocker” configura-tion. That pretty much sums up the attitude ofboth Planet Radio and their mainstay after-noon personality, Klinger. At the helm of“Road Rage,” Klinger spins tunes while givingNortheast Florida drivers a chance to ventabout their traffic woes. Kind of like a Nickel-back-blasting Dr. Phil.

Best Local Radio Show

David Luckin’s “Electro Lounge” 89.9 FM or wjct.orgAfter four years on the air, Luckin’s show continues to wow listeners and enthrallfans. From 9 to 11 p.m. every Tuesdaythrough Friday (10 p.m.-midnight on Saturday), Luckin delves into musical genres that most of us find difficult to define— downtempo, nu-jazz, dub, chill — with an emphasis on smooth, funkygrooves. Luckin isn’t just about spinningdiscs, though. His goal, and his greataccomplishment, is transforming the ordi-narily staid public airwaves into a clandes-tine hipster zone. (Now if only he could get the station to hold off on the recorded promos for “The Diane Rehm Show” …)

Best Local Radio Station

Planet Radio 107.3When Jacksonville’s residents aren’t practicingBeethoven’s violin concertos or watching“Masterpiece Theatre,” chances are they’rewatching football or rockin’ out to PlanetRadio’s array of fine programming. Yourfavorite ’90s alt rock bands — Nine Inch Nails,Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, StoneTemple Pilots — are alive and well and still onPlanet’s airwaves. Even if you’re not into thatbit of nostalgia, you can always get your dailydose of “Lex and Terry,” who still affectionatelyrefer to their former hometown as “Freakville.”

Best Local Sports Radio Personality

David Lamm on 930 AMThis guy is old-school. Host of “Lamm atLarge” (6-10 a.m., Monday through Friday),David Lamm is the go-to guy for straight-upsports talk. Since he moved from Greens-boro, N.C., in ’77, he’s been sports editorfor the daily paper and even a TV pitchmanfor various local businesses. But his callingcard is his radio show, where he and co-host, Joe Cowart, bat the chat (so to speak)about all things athletic.

BEST LOCAL

TV SPORTS

ANCHOR

Sam Kouvaris,

WJXT

Channel 4

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

Klinger on Planet Radio 107.3

Best Restaurant to Impress a Date

Best Restaurant When Someone Else is Paying

Best Steak

Ruth’s Chris Steak HouseIt may be more expensive than your averagehunk of beef, but it is so worth it — andeven better if someone else is footing thebill. Ruth’s Chris uses prime cuts and broilsthe heck out of them at 1800 degrees, guar-anteeing that no matter how you order yoursteak, it’s seared to perfection. The atmos-phere is formal but not stuffy, and the gin-and-tonics are particularly strong, which maymake it even easier to impress that specialmeat-loving someone.

Best Restaurant in Jacksonville

Bistro AixBest Server

Parker McKeller atBistro AixAccording to our non-mathematical calcula-tions (that we didn’t actually calculate) thereare about a million restaurants in NortheastFlorida. If there are, say, 10 servers at each restaurant, that gave waitress ParkerMcKeller a one-in-10 million chance ofbeing voted Best Server. OK, we might havefudged the numbers. Still, it’s no small featfor this six-year Bistro Aix veteran and first-time Best of Jax winner. Even cooler is thefact that McKeller serves at Folio Weekly

readers’ favorite restaurant. For eight yearsnow, executive chef Tom Grey and the restof the Aix crew have served more than justeclectic, French-inspired cuisine — they’veserved a much-needed main course ofclass. Upscale but still hip, Bistro Aix con-tinues to be the epitome of casual fine din-ing in Northeast Florida.

Best Restaurant in St.Augustine

Gypsy Cab CompanyGypsy’s “urban cuisine” extracts the “Mmm-mmmmm” from a variety of culinary influ-ences including Italian, German, Cajun,Southern and Caribbean, and injects it into adaily-changing menu. A favorite with localsand in-the-know tourists, Gypsy Cab is arare place where you can order nachos orduck, chili rellenos or lamb — as well as therestaurant’s signature Gypsy Chicken withgarlic smashed potatoes. And their housesalad dressing is in such demand, they evensell it in bottles you can take with you.

Best Restaurant on Amelia Island

Brett’s Waterway CaféSituated on the Intracoastal Waterway in thehistoric district of Fernandina Beach, Brett’sWaterway Café not only offers excellentseafood and steaks, but outstanding views.“We have a beautiful veranda that surroundsthe restaurant, where people can sit, have acocktail and enjoy the sunset,” says BrettCarter, who co-owns the restaurant withpartner Robert “Tip” Fisher. The menu is asoutstanding as the riparian vistas. “We liketo utilize the freshest foods available thatare indigenous to the area,” says Carter.

Eating & Drinking Out

“You’re not going to find Maine lobster on the menu. But you’ll find shrimp andflounder and mahi mahi and all the freshestvegetables we can use.”

Best Chef

Scotty Schwartz at 29 SouthYou gotta love a chef who likes to “play withfood.” Chef and owner Scotty Schwartz, alongwith executive chef Robert Podrasky, createwhat they call “classic world cuisine with amodern twist.” The menu at this FernandinaBeach restaurant features whimsical variationson traditional favorites, including a pulled-porkspring roll or a lobster corn dog. Entréesinclude the man-eating fried shrimp and grits orsweet-tea brined pork chops on macaronigratin with warm blackberry preserves.

Best New Restaurant

ChewLocated on West Adams Street in downtownJacksonville, Chew shines like a beacon ofhope for the city’s revitalization. Sleek andsexy inside and out, Chew opened for lunch inOctober 2006 — serving a variety of gourmetsandwiches and salads — and did so well thatit began serving dinner just a couple of monthsago. So, as downtown grows from a hayseedteenager into a sophisticated adult, Chew willbe there, providing refreshments.

Best Bar Food

Ale HouseWith four Jacksonville locations anda staggering array of menu items,Ale House reigns supreme with FolioWeekly readers when it comes topub grub. The popularity of AleHouse’s exclusive Zingers (bonelesschicken wings coated in a choice ofsauces) spiked when the pop group‘N Sync appeared on the old RosieO’Donnell show. As the groupsashayed onto the stage, theypromptly found the way to Ms.O’Donnell’s heart with a few ordersof their favorite appetizer — youguessed it: Ale House Zingers!

Best Burger in Jacksonville

The LoopLeave it to Folio Weekly readers tovote a pizza-making franchise thearchitects of the best burger intown. While it may not be the

flashiest bun-based cuisine, the freshness ofthe ingredients and the steak fries on the sidemake The Loop burger a complete package.Apple-smoked bacon and bleu cheese crum-bles on a grilled hunk of meat? You know it.

Best Burger in St.Augustine

OasisSpacious, accessible and close to the beach,Oasis Deck and Restaurant goes after beachbums with their award-winning burgers. Thelarge platters don’t hurt, nor does the full barand casual atmosphere. Plus, the deckupstairs gives a hint of the next set as it rollsin. Remember: Wait half an hour before youhit the waves.

Best Burger on Amelia Island

T-Ray’s Burger StationNever mind that there is a call for the head ofOsama Bin Laden on the front door. Nevermind that the place is located in a former gasstation. T-Ray’s rocks. The place provides fullrolls of paper towels on the tables, and youwill need them. The T-Ray half-pounder all-the-way is a tough one to eat without soilingyour shirt, but it’s worth a small sartorialinvestment. The staff treats you like you livethere, and the customers often cram into thelittle place in search of Folio Weekly readers’fave burger.

Best Pizza in Jacksonville

Al’s PizzaWhat was once only an Atlantic Beach insti-tution has grown into a destination for pizzalovers all over the region, with five locations(Atlantic Beach, Riverside, Ponte VedraBeach, Intracoastal West and now PhilipsHighway on the Southside). And they’vetaken top honors in this coveted category forthe past decade. Guess their pies are prettyfreakin’ good. They’re hand-tossed to theceiling, slathered with any number of top-pings and cooked to perfection. (The Alzonesare killer, too.)

Best Pizza in St.Augustine

Borrillo’sHoused in a converted uptown gas station,Borrillo’s brick-oven pizzas keep the cozydining room full and lively. The dough andsauces are made fresh daily, and the foottraffic alone ensures this spot is constantlybeing rediscovered. Whether you opt for theSupreme Pie or just a slice, the brick-ovencooking combined with the right balance ofcrust, cheese and sauce makes Borrillo’s thebest pizza — outside of New York, anyway.

Best Pizza on Amelia Island

Moon RiverThis fun and funky joint has enough soul toqualify as the Mystic Pizza of North Florida —without the drama or bad ’80s hairstyles.Aside from the cool artwork and a down-to-earth staff, Moon River serves up the besthand-tossed pizza on Amelia Island, accord-ing to Folio Weekly readers, but locals knowit kicks out a mean calzone as well. A wideselection of beer and wine complement amenu already packed with Italian goodness.

Best Chicken Wings

Dick’s WingsFor those who crave something differentevery single day of the year, Dick’s Wingsserves ’em more than 365 different ways.Flavors include BBQ, Flying Fajita, Italian andWanna Tee Awanna, and can be preparedwith no heat or as hot as “great balls of fire.”The franchise expects to serve 1.75 millionpounds of chicken wings in 2008. “There’s nomajor secret,” confesses Mike Rosenberger,CEO of American Restaurant Concepts, par-ent company of the Dick’s Wings & Grill fran-chise. “The wings we buy are an expensive

BEST SURF SHOP

Aqua East

BEST-

LOOKING

TALKING

HEAD

Mary

Baer,

WJXT

Channel 4

wing. But we stick by a quality product, putthe right sauce on it and serve it hot. That’sit. I wish there was something more compli-cated about it, but there isn’t.”

Best Hot Dog

Hot Dog HutThis little gem has been open only about ayear “down the beach” (after feeding life-guards and sun-baked tourists nearBeaches Town Center), but it’s already wonthe hearts and stomachs of Folio Weeklyreaders. Tucked away between 14th and15th avenues on South Third Street in Jack-sonville Beach, Hot Dog Hut boasts a vastarray of wieners, sausage sandwiches, roastbeef sandwiches and burgers, as well asbeer-battered onion rings — and indoorseating (a big plus). Bonus: Hot Dog Hutnow serves beer.

Best Quick Lunch

Best Bagel

PaneraYou can kick your Atkins diet to the curb whenentering Panera, what with their companymission of putting “a loaf of bread in everyarm.” Because Panera is open all day withlocations around town, carb-hounds can graba cream-cheesed onion bagel for breakfast, aturkey sandwich on wheat with alfalfa sproutsfor lunch and a flat-bread pizza for dinner.Besides, didn’t you read the recent study thatlow-carb diets are bad for your brain?

Best Sub

Firehouse SubsIt’d be nice to think that loyalty to America’sfirefighting heroes is what keeps FolioWeekly readers voting Firehouse Subs No. 1in this category. More likely, it’s steamed,meat-piled subs such as the Hook-‘N’-Lad-der and Engine Company that get people tostand in ridiculous lines that often stretch outthe door during lunch hour. There’s no doubtthat Firehouse Subs, founded in Jacksonville

by firefighters in 1994, has become one ofthe region’s most successful businesses,with franchises currently — pardon the pun— spreading like wildfire.

Best Dessert

bb’sOne wouldn’t expect a restaurant this osten-sibly sophisticated to indulge in suchwretched excess, but there you have it. Thedessert case at this Southbank hotspot isinspired, indulgent and downright irresistible.Which means all the good behavior you seefolks exhibit at lunch — what with theirdemure salads, delicately prepared salmonsand “Oh, I couldn’t possibly eat this wholesandwich” — is blown all to hell with onegiant slab of Oreo-cookie-infused, cheese-cake based, whipped-cream-topped pie.Make that cake. Or perhaps it’s a brownie?Whatever it is, it’s pure bb’s — and FolioWeekly readers love it for being so naughty.

Best Key Lime Pie

Best Breakfast

Metro DinerThere are so many good reasons to eat atMetro Diner — from its laid-back, semi-resi-dential digs on Hendricks Avenue in SanMarco to the effusive and friendly staff to theway it makes comfort food seem good foryou, health-wise. But there’s no questionthat the pie and breakfast are two big draws.Whether you’re just craving a sweet wedgeof Florida’s state pie or looking to power upon fluffy French toast, Metro Diner servesboth in a setting you’d be happy to live in.

Best Smoothie

Smoothie KingWith nine locations around Northeast Florida,Smoothie King is designed for maximumeffect with minimal effort. The menu is simplya guide, with suggested smoothie combosand their supplements listed on ginormoussigns behind the counter. But don’t be shy.

BEST PIZZA IN JACKSONVILLE

Al's Pizza

Ask for any combination of flavors or add-ins— say, a strawberry/cocoa/peanut buttersmoothie with extra beeswax and a hint ofpoppy. (Too extreme? Hold the beeswax.) Ifyou can think it, they will let you drink it.

Best Coffeehouse

StarbucksOmnipresent storefronts, omniscient baris-tas, omnipotent marketing strategy. ThoughStarbucks threatens to replace McDonald’sas a symbol of American corporate hege-mony, there is no denying the appeal of aplace that caters to caffeine junkies, com-puter nerds and children alike. Whether it’san accidental landing spot on a rainy after-noon or a regular part of your daily routine, afrothy latte and a slab of crumb cake servedto a soundtrack of Thelonious Monk is anoffer that’s hard to refuse. Or, to paraphraseFolio Weekly readers, I’m Lovin’ It.

Best Deli

Sun DeliSeems like everyone’s in the deli game thesedays — Publix, Super Target, Super Wal-Mart— but Folio Weekly readers believe the tried-and-true indie Sun Deli in Jacksonville Beachis the real thing. Brothers Mark and GeorgeChiarello hold down the counter when owner(aka Mom) Barbara Chiarello takes a well-deserved break. Dripping wetsuits and bikinisdon’t bother them — especially the bikinis,says Mark — since Sun Deli’s been an aprèssurf destination on South Third for more thana decade. You can still get a Hart Attack(named for hard-core local surfer Old ManDave) along with a variety of high-quality subsand sandwiches made with freshly bakedCinotti’s Bakery breads and rolls.

Best Burrito

Burrito GalleryPacked so tightly, the burritos from this hip,Adams Street restaurant in downtown

Jacksonville are like scaled-down punchingbags, only better tasting. Eat one of thesesuckers — stuffed with yellow curry chicken,ginger teriyaki tofu or blackened mahi, plusblack or pinto beans, cheese, romaine, riceand salsa — and it’s high time for a siesta.Or perhaps a warm bath in the BurritoGallery’s famous “green sauce.”

Best Barbecue

Mojo’s KitchenIf you are on a crusade to quell your carnivo-rous cravings, Mojo’s on Beach Boulevard inJacksonville Beach is the place to go. TheSouthern Blues Kitchen, as it’s identified inthe neon sign, serves up huge portions ofpork with just about any side you can thinkof, including their famous onion rings. Whereelse can you enjoy Mississippi catfish fingerswhile perusing portraits of blues and countrylegends? And speaking of, the joint oftenfeatures touring blues artists.

Best Fish Camp

Clark’sSteak, rattlesnake, shrimp, kangaroo —Clark’s Fish Camp in Mandarin boasts one ofthe wildest menus around. Originally a bait-and-tackle shop on Julington Creek, Clark’shas been a local favorite for decades. Andwhile the fish camp atmosphere is intact, theinterior has seemingly taken on a life of itsown. Hundreds of stuffed birds and animalssuch as lions and zebras are on display, andcan be almost as much fun to stare at as theboats cruising by.

Best Caribbean Cuisine

De Real TingNortheast Florida’s best Jamaican restaurantis also one the region’s most frequentedspots for the kind of music that goes bestwith the food (i.e., reggae). The menuincludes oxtail, curried goat and jerk chickenor fish (with extra jerk sauce for those crazy

BEST MARTINI,BEST BAR TO NETWORK,BEST PLACE TO GET YOUR GROOVE ON

Twisted Martini

enough to go for it). De Real Ting’s originallocation was razed as part of the new MainLibrary project a few years ago, so it movedover to the former site of the Milk Bar. Moreroom means more people, and on somenights memories are stirred of the once-vibrant Adams Street club scene.

Best Italian Cuisine

Carrabba’sThis chain doesn’t use frozen, pre-packagedfoods. Instead, fresh ingredients are key tothe delicious dishes, and many of the recipescan be traced back through the Carrabbafamily tree to Italy. The menu includes clas-sics such as lasagna, spaghetti with meat-balls, chicken parmesan, calamari, pizzacooked in a wood-burning oven and a heartyminestrone — just like Nonna used to make.

Best Chinese Cuisine

P.F. Chang’sP.F. Chang’s has been around for more thana dozen years in other cities serving tradi-tional Chinese fare and some innovativedishes, too — including Shanghai cucum-bers and vegetarian Ma Po tofu. Now they’reat Southside Jacksonville’s newish St. JohnsTown Center. Chang’s offers gluten-freedishes as well as a menu designed expresslyfor those training for athletic events — heavyon the protein and carbs. Chang’s is wellworth a trip to this shopping mecca, even ifit means you won’t feel like trying on anycute little outfits afterwards.

Best Thai Cuisine

LemongrassLike many of Jacksonville’ better restau-rants, Lemongrass wears a disguise of sub-urban obscurity, tucked away in a grocerystore strip mall. But the cool, elegant interiorof this Baymeadows storefront has made it

the choice destination for power-lunchersand dinner-dates alike. Both the sophisti-cated, wasabi-hued décor and the efficientservice are appealing, but it’s the cuisine thatseals the deal. The ginger-infused salad ispossibly the best bowl of leafy greens inNortheast Florida, and only the truly braveconsider trying Lemongrass’ signature dish,“The Amazing” — if only because you’llnever be able to order anything else again.

Best Mexican Cuisine

La NopaleraUsed to be Jacksonville’s best keep secret(at least when it came to Mexican food). NowLa Nopalera is all over town — literally. Withseven locations — including a new one onPhilips Highway — “La Nop,” as it is affec-tionately referred to, is The Place for burritos,enchiladas and tamales, not to mention wig-gly flan and salty margaritas. The ever-expanding San Marco locale is always nutty,with mariachi music blasting and soccer onthe TVs. The Philips Highway spot is prettyspiffy as well, with a sweet bar (big-screens,too) and lots of comfy booths. Of course, thewaitstaff at all of the locations is well-schooled in balancing, like, 97 steamingplates up their forearms. Skills, people. Skills.

Best Indian Cuisine

India’sAh, India. Home to such great cuisine, but sofar away. Fortunately for us Bible Belters,Northeast Florida has no shortage of top-notch Indian restaurants. The aptly namedIndia’s, whose no-frills digs are located atBaymeadows Road and Southside Boule-vard, takes the cumin-flavored cake, accord-ing to Folio Weekly readers. The lunch buffet— at $6.95, a pittance — features all the cur-ried veggies and meats, pakora and steam-ing piles of naan a Westerner can handle.

BEST BURGER ON AMELIA ISLAND

T-Ray’s Burger Station

Best Japanese Cuisine

Daruma’sThe preparation of Japanese cuisine is anart, and the best place to enjoy such ediblecreations is Daruma Japanese Steakhouseand Sushi Bar — either on Beach Boulevardor in Bartram Park. Knives fly with skill andshowmanship at the teppanyaki tables wherebeef, shrimp, scallops, lobster, chicken andassorted vegetables are seared to perfection.Or if sushi’s what you crave, watch the expe-rienced sushi chefs wrap and roll fish andseaweed into colorful, tasty creations.

Best Middle Eastern Cuisine

Hala Café and BakeryAny self-respecting Middle Eastern foodiegoes to Hala’s Café — in Mandarin or on theSouthside — for authentic dishes such asfalafel, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh,hummus, freshly baked pita bread andbaklava. There’s also a buffet, which featurestasty rice dishes and meats. Hala’s also fea-tures a grocery, so don’t forget to pick upyour favorite string cheese, olive oil andauthentic hand drum while you’re there.

Best Vegetarian Cuisine

Heartworks CaféLocal herbivores and omnivores alike lovethis Five Points restaurant for its simple,meat-free brunch, lunch and dinner. It hasweathered some tough times — includingtemporarily closing in September due to aninvestor pullout — but the Riverside institu-tion perseveres. Though the building is undernew ownership, founder Elaine Wheelerplans to continue making Jacksonville’s best(and frankly, only) solely veggie cuisine.

Best Seafood

Gene’sLike the ebb and flow of the mighty Atlantic,Gene’s can be counted on year in, year out— and 2007 is no exception. Folio Weeklyreaders are as attached to the seafoodrestaurant as barnacles on a shrimp boatbottom. The half-dozen Northeast Floridalocations consistently serve up just aboutany marine cuisine, any style. General man-ager Carmen Peet echoes Bubba in “Forrest

Gump” as she enumerates the preparationmethods for Gene’s cuisine: “Fried, broiled,blackened or even boiled, sautéed, scampistyle, barbecued — any way you want it.”The front-runner, of course, is shrimp, butnot just any shrimp — Gene’s uses only local(usually Mayport) crustaceans.

Best Sushi

Sushi CaféJaguars wide-receiver Jimmy Smith mayhave retired, but his legacy lives on in theform of a smoked salmon, crab and creamcheese-filled roll at Sushi Café in Riverside.Sure, the deep-fried deliciousness that isJimmy Smith (the sushi, not the man) keepscustomers returning, but Sushi Caféemployee Diana Zou says there’s more thanjust a Jag-roll to thank for the café’s suc-cess. “We always do the best for our cus-tomers,” Zou says. “We treat customers likefriends, and we want them to keep comingback.” Food, football and friendliness — aJacksonville tradition.

Best Chowder

Chowder Ted’sHe’s the antithesis of the Soup Nazi. TedEmerson is not only a pleasant, homegrown(Clearwater) fella, he keeps his chowderselection easy-to-order: seafood chowder.Neither New England nor Manhattan in styleor flavor, Chowder Ted’s liquid joy is a spicyconcoction replete with shrimp, fish andclams, powered up with any number ofspices and held together with a tomato-ybase more gumboesque than stewish. Tedhas been offering loyal customers — obvi-ously, a majority of whom are also FolioWeekly readers — his special version ofchowder for years at his establishmentlocated off Heckscher Drive, where the St.Johns River winds around Dames Point.

Best Wine Selection

The Grotto Wine & Tapas BarAny real wine lover knows that wine isn’t justa beverage, it’s an experience. Take a crisp,fruity Oregon Pinot Noir or hearty ArgentineanMalbec and serve them in a plastic cup and,

BEST B&B IN JACKSONVILLE

The Riverdale Inn

well, you’ve just about spoiled the whole thing.But atmospherics alone aren’t enough to res-cue a bad wine. That’s why both the mood andthe quality at Grotto are essential to the experi-ence. The San Marco store and restaurantcaters to the wine snob in selection, butsoothes the soul with comfortable seats,accessible servers and a satisfying menu oftapas. A repeat winner in this category, TheGrotto continues to raise the bar for wineappreciation in Northeast Florida.

Best Beer Selection

European StreetServing Chimay from Belgium, La Fin Du Mondefrom Canada, Spaten from Germany, Almazafrom Lebanon, Baltika from Russia and about amillion other brews, it’s no surprise that Euro-pean Street is continuously voted as offering thearea’s best beer selection. Each location (in JaxBeach, San Marco, Riverside and Southside)features about 20 on tap plus some 150 bottledvarieties, including premium domestic brandslike Rogue and White Rascal. And in the off-chance you don’t find what you’re looking for,E-Street staff will usually special-order it for you.

Best Margarita

Campeche BayThe genesis of the margarita is a murky tale,offering no clear origin for the wildly popularlibation. Most accounts do credit Hispanicbirth — whether in California or Mexico isunknown — and a mysterious senorita as itsinspiration. Regardless, the evolved versionsCampeche Bay serves by the boatload (atboth the Jax Beach and Arlington locations)are from jealously guarded recipes that includetequila, triple sec and/or other liqueurs, vari-ous fruity mixers and the genre-defining saltedrim — or not. Folio Weekly readers like their’ritas any which way: by the glass, half-liter orliter, as long as they’re Campeche Bay ’ritas.Salud, amigos.

Best Martini

Twisted MartiniSometimes they’re pink and girly. Sometimesthey’re salty and dry. Sometimes they’re so bigand strong you wind up going home withsomeone big and strong whose name youcan’t quite remember. However you like yourmartinis, Twisted Martini’s two locations (one inThe Jacksonville Landing and a newer spot in

Ponte Vedra) have Northeast Florida covered.Marketing director Steve Anderson says thatwhen mixing Northeast Florida’s best martinis,good booze, creativity and SIZE matter. Hesuggests the popular Raspberry Martini, theEspresso Martini and, of course, their signatureTwisted Martini, a red, green and yellow layeredconcoction that Anderson claims patrons say is “too pretty to drink,” but we bet they do anyway.

Best Pub or Brew Pub

Lynch’s Irish Pub“Man Who’s 1/16th Irish Proud Of His Irish Her-itage,” reads a headline from an old issue ofThe Onion. Whether you’ve just relocated fromBelfast or can’t find the Green Isle on a map,you’re bound to feel at home at Lynch’s. Witha hearty selection of Irish brews (including oneby the name of Guinness) and an even heartiermenu of authentic Irish gutbusters, this Jack-sonville Beach pub is as Irish as it gets thisside of the pond. Head over on a weekend (oreven on a Monday night, when ’80s revivalistband Little Green Men perform), and thingsget a little nutty. People on stage, clothesripped off. You get the pitcher — er, picture.

Best Bartender

Sarah Savannah atGreen Turtle TavernWhy is Sarah Savannah Folio Weekly readers’favorite bartender? With Zenlike simplicity, afellow Green Turtle Tavern employee puts it:“She’s great.” Her manager declined to com-ment on her appearance out of deference to,well, our litigious society, but a customer in thebackground confirms, “Yeah. She’s a cutie.”Of course, it takes more than good looks tosling a good drink. And Sarah’s good attitudewins her accolades — and customers — fromaround the region. Finally, nice girls finish first.

Best Neighborhood Bar in Jacksonville

Best Bar When You’re Out of Work

Best Pool Hall

Pete’s BarJust before 7 p.m. on a recent rainy Tuesday,loyal pool junkies — don’t call it billiards here— shuffle in, shaking the water from their per-sonal pool cue cases. These guys are serious.Games are still just a quarter, and players arebasically polite; bartender Jeremy swears alter-cations have been few. The first table on theright is usually designated for regulars —there’s even a sign-up board so everyoneknows who’s next. And the players arerespectful, keeping their beers off the tablesand never gambling on a game (at least as faras we know). Of course, Folio Weekly readerswhose trust funds have run dry also head toPete’s for cheap drinks and valuable compan-ionship. The atmosphere has a way of easingyour pain before you even take that first sip. Soif you’re on the skids, in the mood for somepool or just wanna hang with friends, FolioWeekly readers say, head to Pete’s. Everybodyelse is already there.

Best Neighborhood Bar in St.Augustine

Scarlett O’Hara’sThis Hypolita Street watering hole is a feistyand fun place to spend time in when visitingSt. Augustine — especially if you don’t feel likebeing serenaded by pirates. In addition to livelocal music at night, Scarlett’s serves up meanbar food and offers priceless people-watchingfrom the rocking chair-laden front porch. It’sthe kind of place college kids and tourists rubshoulders, swill ice-cold lager and hang in theoutdoor oyster bar — all without fear of being pillaged.

BEST

VEGETARIAN

CUISINE

Heartworks Café

BEST BARBECUE

Mojo’s Kitchen

BEST WINE

SHOP

Total Wine

BEST BAR FOOD

Ale House

Best Neighborhood Bar on Amelia Island

O’Kane’s Irish Pub There are certain things every neighborhoodis required to have: a nosey old lady, a dogthat never stops barking, a family thatreserves their lawn mower for use on everyother vernal equinox and a local wateringhole. On Amelia Island that hole is O’Kane’sIrish Pub, a quaint little joint located some-where between home and the Emerald Isle.Owned by Bob and Denise since 1994,O’Kane’s boasts a nostalgic atmosphere, ayoung staff, Irish eats (like Steak and Guin-ness Pie), and, of course, beer. Lots and lotsof beer. Face it, the ’hood just wouldn’t bethe same without it.

Best Bar to Network

Twisted MartiniThere’s one cocktail that makes boozing andschmoozing with business contacts new andold all the more dignified: the martini. So it’sno wonder that Folio Weekly readers votedTwisted Martini the Best Bar to Network. Forsuccessful corporate types, Twisted Martini isthe preferred spot to “grow” their corporate“friendships” — with the added benefits of

certain grain-based social lubricants. Toimprove workplace synergies, Twisted Martiniholds what they call Happy Hour Office Par-ties. Call in advance to secure a reservationfor your office, show up, and Twisted providesa complementary cocktail for each personand hands out a $150 gift certificate eachweek to the office that brings the most peo-ple. Now that’s just good business sense.

Best Bar After Work

Sherwood’sSure, most people could probably use a littleexercise, a good meal and maybe a catnapafter a long, hard day at the office — but isn’tit more fun to catch a buzz? The folks downat Sherwood’s, located where HendricksAvenue crosses under I-95, certainly thinkso, and that’s why they’re Northeast Florida’sfavorite place to hang after work. At around5:30 p.m., members of Jacksonville’s work-force enter the dimly lit watering hole to hud-dle around the bar, play tunes on the juke-box, maybe shoot a game of pool and a deer(via the Big Buck Hunter arcade game), orchew the fat with work buddies. If you’regoing to loosen your tie at the end of the day,why not do it over a round of cold ones?

Best Convenience Store

GateIt’s not just the place where Mayor John Pey-ton got his start (swabbing toilets at Pop’sgas station chain, he swears). It’s also a vir-tual petrol-and-munchies amusement park.Gate dominates the region’s conveniencestore market, with brightly lit lots, acres ofgas pumps and a grocery store’s inventoryunder one convenient roof. Nobody likes $70fill-ups, but it goes down easier when youcan shop for wine, greeting cards and KrispyKremes while you’re at it.

Best Pet Store

PetSmartThis national pet superstore had the rightidea all along. If you’re gonna shop for yourpet, why not bring the fuzzy bastard alongwith you? On a leash or in a cart, Fido, Fluffyor Fandango can pick out his or her favoritefood, treats and Halloween costumes. PetSmart, with locations around the region,also has an in-house groomer and vet, andoften hosts pet-adoption days, during whichrepresentatives from local shelters bringalong homeless pets that need good homes.

Best Bike Shop

Open RoadRealizing just how dangerous it can be to ridebikes down SUV-busy streets, many Jack-sonville residents have made the trek to saferterrain, like nature trails and the beaches.Open Road carries all of the accessories onemight need for an off-road bike excursion —and then some. With stores in San Marco,Avondale, Fleming Island and in the St. JohnsCommons center on C.R. 210, Open Roadsells all-terrain bikes, road bikes and every-thing in between. For those who can’t makeit to one of those locations, the store’s web-site features an interactive personal trainer.

Best Scooter Shop

VespaSo you’ve got the urge to throw on a shark-skin suit and porkpie hat and cruise downThird Street on a scooter covered withenough chrome to blind everyone withinseven blocks? You, young mod, are in aVespa mood. From vintage-style scooters tochic mainstays like Piaggio, and a certifiedmechanic on hand, Vespa at the beach isFolio Weekly readers’ favorite place to getyour Quadrophenia on. Considering Jack-sonville Beach drivers, however, you mightwant to replace the pork-pie with a helmet.Just a suggestion.

Best Indie Record Store

InertiaSometime in September, Riverside residentsJosh Jubinksy and Joe Flowers packed uptheir indie records and subversive literatureand called it a day. With changes underwayat Heartworks — the Five Points restaurantinside which Inertia Records and Books waslocated — the gritty little record shop wasasked to leave. The story has a happy ending— or beginning, depending on your perspec-tive. Having recently reopened just off Spring-field’s commercial corridor, Inertia is now bet-ter than ever, with loads of music, books, filmscreenings, live shows and classes, all inInertia’s trademark DIY style.

Best Musical Instrument Store

George’s MusicIt’s always nice to have the guy next door fixyour classic Fender Twin or polish up youramber John Bonham-look-alike Ludwig Vistal-ites, but when it comes to selection and serv-ice, sometimes you just gotta go to the bigboys. George’s, in Jacksonville Beach andOrange Park, has it all, from sound and lightsto guitars and amps to drums to and sticks.They even cater to non-musicians, like DJs,with an array of turntables and mixers. And thecorporate monolith has a conscience as well,sponsoring Jacksonville Beach’s annualSpringing the Blues festival and its attendantBlues in the Schools project, which educateskiddies on the history and significance of thetruly American art form.

Best Dive Shop

Atlantic Pro DiveSince 1974, more than 5,000 people havelearned to dive from the pros at Atlantic ProDive. “That’s the main part of our business,”

Shops & Wares

says owner Steve Park, “teaching people todive.” The shop also sells diving equipment,organizes trips and even has a charter boatfor diving off the coast. Although the waterhere is generally less clear than in places likethe Keys, Park says that’s more than madeup for in the wealth of fish and marine life.“There are sunken wrecks, artificial reefsmade of planes and a bus, and natural lime-stone ledges,” he says — all great reasonsto strap on your SCUBA and go diver down.

Best Surf Shop

Aqua EastBeing a good surfer takes more than emo-tional distance, sun-bleached hair and a tol-erance for odd-shaped freckles. You need allsorts of gear, and for years Aqua East hasbeen Folio Weekly readers’ favorite place toget it. They’ve got boards, swimwear, wax,leashes and top-notch customer service.Employee Megan Welfare vows that AquaEast’s staffers “are going to help you andmake sure you get what’s right.” Now if onlythey could get rid of that pesky melanoma.

Best Skate Shop

Skate BombIn the ‘80s, cops and cranky old peopleprayed that skateboarding was just a passingtrend. Today, those naysayers are replacedby skateboarders and their spawn, who con-tinue to dominate skate parks, empty poolsand the steps of government buildings inNortheast Florida. Skate Bomb, in Jack-sonville Beach, continues to outfit skaters ofall ages, offering a wide variety of shoes,boards, helmets and pads — and whateverelse those rascally kids need to ollie their waythrough the Bank of America drive-thru.

Best Smoke Shop

Edward’sWhat’s big, humid and smells of cedar?That’s right, a humidor. And if having thelargest humidor in North Florida makes youthe best, then Edward’s of San Marco hasrightfully earned the title. Selling pipes,tobacco and, of course, many, many cigars,Edward’s is Northeast Florida go-to guy forall things smoke-able. There’s even a poshlittle smoking lounge tucked away in theback where customers can enjoy theirRomeo & Juliets or Arturo Fuentes.

Best Day Spa

Clayman’s Miracle SpaBest Plastic Surgeon

Dr. ClaymanFolio Weekly readers know where to gowhen they need anything from a little pam-pering to full-on plastic surgery. Dr. Clay-man’s Miracle Spa offers everything fromaqua massages to body wraps, manicuresto pedicures, chemical peels to body wax-ing. Plus, Loren Clayman is double-board-certified in otolaryngology (that’s treatment ofear, nose and throat, and head and neckdisorders) and plastic surgery. For more than30 years, he’s provided “cutting edge” careto his patients — and made NortheastFlorida a little better-looking in the process.

Best Nail Salon

Amy’s NailsWhen asked what services Amy’s offers,management replies: “Waxing.” When askedwhat they wax, management responds:“Everything.” Let your imagination run wild.Brows, backs and buttocks immediatelycome to mind. We’ll stop there. Of course,there’s also the standard mani and pedi,offered at Amy’s Jacksonville Beach locationseven days a week, along with a rainbowconnection of polishes and products.

Best Wine Shop

Total WineWith “total” in the name, it’s pretty obvious thisTown Center Parkway warehouse has a hugeselection. What may not be evident in thename is the degree to which the store catersto individual needs and tastes. Whether you’relooking for the perfect wine to serve at sum-mer parties (Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc —a bargain at $7.79) or to pair with your Thaifood (Caymus Conundrum 2005 — well worthit at $21.99), this superstore is willing and emi-nently able to give you the hook-up — alongwith a by-the-case discount. What’s more, you can browse and shop online (wineaccess.com/store/totalwine-jacksonville)and pick up your purchase on the way home from work.

Best Local Florist

Kuhn FlowersBob Kuhn founded the biz in 1947, and hiswife, Nancy, joined the biz when they marriedin 1953. The floral shop, originally located onDuval Street downtown, moved to BeachBoulevard in 1957 and expanded to the current two-story store in 1972. No holidayseason is complete without a visit to see theannual Christmas window display at theBeaches location, when the windows arepacked each year with trees, lights, gifts andan animated Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph.

Harry Graham and sons, Andy and Rick, nowown the shop, but they say the hard work ismostly behind them. “Bob and Nancy Kuhnspent a whole lot of time and sweat buildingthis business to what it is,” says Andy Gra-ham. “We’re fortunate. We’re not so muchbuilding a reputation as maintaining it.”

Best Consignment Shop

Fifi’sThe Devil may wear Prada, but she probablypaid full price. Folio Weekly readers don’thave to if they skip on over to Fifi’s FineResale Apparel in Mandarin, Ponte Vedra andSan Marco when looking for designer namesat bargain prices. The consignment boutiquefeatures such notables as Ann Taylor, DKNYand, yes, Prada. “We’re offering a more high-end selection,” says Donna Suber, districtmanger. “We won’t take it if it looks used and abused.” If you see something you like, however, better grab it. Inventorychanges frequently.

Best Vintage Clothing

Clothing WarehouseD’ya think the people who made inexpensivecowboy shirts and screen-printed band T-shirts back in the ’70s ever dreamed thatthey’d become such a hot commodity in the’00s? Doubt it, but kids can’t seem to getenough of the old, used and weatheredclothes their parents probably donated toGoodwill decades ago. Vintage shop ClothingWarehouse has quickly become a neighbor-hood fixture in Five Points, fulfilling every localhipsters’ quality used-clothing needs. A tip:You might want to hold onto that lame-oJustin Timberlake tour shirt — it’ll be worth anice chunk in 2030.

Best Men’s Clothing Store

Rosenblum’sEstablished in 1954, Rosenblum’s on SanJose Boulevard (and in south Jacksonville

BEST CONSIGNMENT SHOP

Fifi’s

BEST MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STORE

George’s Music

Beach) has been helping men hone their per-fectly dapper look for a half-century. Themuch-heralded clothing store features cus-tom suits, shirts and shoes by Jack Victor,Robert Talbott and Otabo, to name a few.According to management, people still travelfrom as far as New York to sift throughRosenblum’s authentic, Italian-made attire.For you, of course, it’s just a short trip across town.

Best Women’s Clothing Store

Stein MartTrends come and go, but Stein Mart keepsinventory current by training a keen eye onthe runways, specialty stores and boutiques.Fashion-savvy shoppers also appreciate thecarefully matched color palette usedthroughout the entire women’s department,so that clothes, shoes and accessories allcoordinate. Stein Mart also uses fit modelsto ensure that a size 8 is really a size 8.

Best Kids Clothing Store

KydsIt’s an age-old lament: a closet full of clothesand nothing to wear. That’s not a problem forfashion-conscious children whose parentsshop at Kyds at St. Johns Town Center,where they can pick up the latest fashionsfrom hip kids designers like Charlie Rocket.Kyds offers casual sportswear, shoes andaccessories for children from birth to size 14,and is a great place to find unique baby andbirthday gifts. Of course, you’ll leave with alittle wardrobe envy, but you can consoleyourself with the fact that it’s for the children.

Best Liquor Store

ABC Fine Wineand SpiritsABC encompasses the best of both eco-nomic worlds. Here you can purchase inter-national beers such as Poland’s Zywiec orBelgium’s Leffe, as well as universal faves likeJameson Irish Whiskey or Belvedere Vodka.Of course, ABC is also well-stocked withPabst and Popov for those desperate nightswhen you are scrounging for change and a

quick fix. With locations around NortheastFlorida and an ever-expanding inventory ofgifts, drinking-related gear and mixers, ABC isone-stop shopping for Folio Weekly imbibers.

Best Tattoo Parlor

Inksmith & RogersTattoos come in all shapes and sizes, fromcutesy little “tramp stamps” to big, bad backpieces, but they’re all equally permanent.Since 1984, Jacksonville’s residents havetrusted the artists at Inksmith & Rogers —with six locations covering most of Jack-sonville — to apply the indelible flesh art andaccessories. With six locations and morethan a dozen artists, you’re bound to findsomeone who’s willing to tattoo a portrait ofbald Britney Spears on your chest.

Best Yoga Studio

Power YogaSo you think yoga is all about relaxation,meditation, getting in touch with the inneryou? Balderdash! At Power Yoga, located onHendricks Avenue in San Marco, the focus ison Vinyasa — or athletic — yoga. Sure, youstill meditate, introvert and all that yogi-typestuff, but you also get a workout. WithVinyasa, there’s an emphasis on structure,safety and alignment while putting your bodto the test. Massage therapy is also on theschedule at this 7-year-old independent yogastudio. Yoga supplies are available, too.

Best Chiropractor

Dr. Alexander at St. Johns MedicalMore than 100 people a week seek Dr.Stephen Shane Alexander’s help for ailmentsincluding chronic back pain, sports injuries,auto accident-related injuries and headaches.Why? Quality service and personal attention,say Folio Weekly readers. “We treat everyindividual as an individual,” concurs Alexan-der. Alexander Chiropractic not only offerschiropractic care, but other services includingphysical therapy, massage therapy and nutrition counseling.

BEST PLASTIC SURGEON

Dr.Clayman

Best Alternative Healer

Dr. Beth Hopkins-AcamporaAs a child, Beth Hopkins-Acampora wasdestined to be an acupuncture physician.“Even as a little kid, I was sticking needlesin my dolls,” says Hopkins-Acampora,acupuncture physician and president of theCenter For Natural Health. In her practice,Hopkins-Acampora offers acupuncture, Chinese herbs, medical Qigong, Tai Chi, andnutritional and lifestyle counseling. She alsospecializes in fertility enhancement, andclaims some success. “We have a lot ofbabies going on around here,” she says.

Best Health Food Store

Native SunLast year saw the opening of Native Sun’ssecond store, a sleek, high-ceilinged outfit atBaymeadows and 9-A. This year, the home-

grown organic-foods biz opened its thirdlocation — a café featuring wraps, juicesand ready-to-eat snacks at Brooks Health &Fitness on Centurion Parkway on Jack-sonville’s Southside. Whole Foods may haveplans for Mandarin, but the smartly expand-ing Native Sun has kept the emphasis onextraordinarily friendly service and amazingproduce — suggesting it plans to hold itsown against the big boys from out of town.

Best Hospital

Baptist Medical CenterBaptist was one busy place last year. Withfive hospitals and 899 beds, 7,718 employ-ees helped delivered 5,152 babies, per-formed 31,846 outpatient surgeries andtreated 45,173 inpatients. There were also190,454 emergency room visits. “The colle-giality between the medical staff and theadministration and the governance [at Bap-tist] is rare,” says Richard Stromberg, chief

of emergency services. “Ithink that breeds a cultureof clinical excellence andcaring. Those are the twothings that people come toa hospital for.”

Best Lawyer

Eddie FarahHis is a familiar face. Ubiqui-tous, in fact, considering hisbillboard, television andphone book ad campaigns.That may be one of manythe reasons Eddie Farahwas voted numero uno inthis category. (Would havebeen pretty weird if he wonBest Place To Skinny Dip.)Farah seems to have aknack for reaching out tothe common folk, so muchso that voters seem able tooverlook the fact that heuses The Rolling Stones’“Gimme Shelter” as thetheme music for his radioprogram on WOKV 690-AM(Saturdays at noon).

BEST DIVE SHOP

Atlantic Pro Dive

BEST ALTERNATIVE HEALER

Dr.Beth Hopkins-Acampora

BEST NAIL

SALON

Amy’s Nails

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR ON AMELIA ISLAND

O’Kane’s Irish Pub

Best Bookstore

Borders Books & MusicThe little guys run screaming when corpo-rate bookstores pull into town, but the fact isthat Borders has lots of great books, lots ofgreat mags, lots of great CDs and DVDs —and lots of great coffee in their extra-comfycafé (where one can kick back with a hotbev and read an entire freaking book if oneso chooses). Borders also mounts somekiller sales on occasion, like all DVD box setsmarked down 40 percent. Hello, “The OfficeSeasons 1 and 2” for, like, next to nuthin’.

Best Independent Bookstore

Chamblin BookMineWhat to do when your bookstore — alreadyexpanded beyond reason — is positivelybursting with books? Open another location,of course. The legendary, independentWestside bookseller’s second store is set toopen this fall. What’s more, the new place isdowntown, on Laura between Monroe andAdams, which is sure to give the urbancore’s ongoing revitalization an old-dusty-book-scented boost. Rare, out-of-print andjust plain weird books populate the shelves,floors, closets and counters of this one-of-a-kind bookstore. DVDs, CDs and Barbie dolls(yes, Barbies) are also up for grabs.

Best Car Wash

Beaches Car WashThe fast-moving folks who render your vehiclespic-n-span at Beaches Car Wash are reallygood at washing cars. But they suck at co-edsoftball. According to the city of Jax Beachwebsite just two weeks ago, they hadn’t wona single game this fall. But on-the-job excel-lence, not the ability to nail a grand slam, iswhat Folio Weekly readers look for in a carwash. Beaches (at Penman and Beach) hasstate-of-the-art equipment and a gift shoppacked with trinkets you don’t need but really,really want. Says general manager GregJohns, who’s been with the company morethan three decades: “If you don’t have goodpeople to run the car wash, you’re dead in thewater.” Get it? Water.

Best Jewelry Store

Underwood’sFounded in Palatka and located in Jack-sonville since 1953, Underwood’s, now inSan Marco, Avondale and Ponte VedraBeach, gleams with trust and tradition. Recognized by the American Gem Societyand involved with the Jewelers VigilanceCommittee, an organization that monitors theethics of the jewelry business, owner ClaytonBromberg is an AGS award-winning Alabamaboy with the drawl to prove it. With diamondsfrom Di Modolo to Tacori, as well as watchesand fine china, Underwood’s caters to allstrata of gem and jewel hounds.

Best Place to See a Movie

TinseltownYou probably won’t be checking out a Felliniretrospective at Tinseltown, but your favorite

action-packed CGI-driven blockbuster is surerepresent in full — for weeks on end. This first-run theater boasts giant chairs in a stadium-seating configuration, a full-blown snack barand sweet game room, too. Every detail ofevery fiery explosion or comedic ball-kick iscaptured on their enormous screens andbooming sound system. There’s even a JTAbus stop at the front door for the two of you inJacksonville who use public transportation.

Best Hairstylist

Corrie Blehm at Hair PeaceThe modest exterior of this Five Points main-stay belies the transformative services offeredwithin. Hair Peace is one of the most recog-nized salons in the region, attesting to a rep-utation built over the past decade. StylistCorrie Blehm won Folio Weekly readersprops this year for her easy charm andexceptional skill. Blehm can’t change the hairyou were born with, but she can damn suremake it look better than when you walked in.

Best B&B in Jacksonville

The Riverdale InnBack in the day, oh, sometime around 1900,some 50 mansions lined Riverside Avenue.The strip was affectionately known as “TheRow.” These days, precious few of theseclassic structures remain, but one — TheRiverdale Inn — stands as a reminder of whatonce was. The three-story behemoth offers10 comfy yet classy rooms, some of whichmay be combined to create suites. Greatlocation (in the heart of Riverside), a warmand friendly staff, and The Row restaurant(with the Gum Bunch Pub for nightcaps)

make The Riverdale a killer place to hang for acouple of days, even for Jacksonville resi-dents. Further evidence of The Riverdale’sawesomeness: Pets weighing less than 20pounds are welcome. Very cool.

Best B&B in St.Augustine

Marin HouseThe newly renovated Marin House bringsanother upscale Matanzas bayfront B&B tothe oldest city. What separates it from thepack? The gazebo! Situated just south of theBridge of Lions, the 15-room Victorian lodgeis filled with porches and magnificent views.But spend some downtime in the courtyardon the gazebo, where you can take in morn-ing sunrises, the St. Augustine Lighthouse inthe evening and dolphins at play in the baythroughout the day.

Best B&B on Amelia Island

Elizabeth PointeLodgeYou have to admire a place that brags that“sleeping late” and “wine at any hour” aresome of its highlights. The Elizabeth PointeLodge includes the 20-room Main House,constructed in a 1890s Nantucket shinglestyle, the two-bedroom Miller Cottage andthe Ocean House, which features four deluxesitting rooms. Folio Weekly readers know thisbeautifully decorated oceanfront bed-and-breakfast is perfect for a relaxing getaway. Soleave the alarm clock at home.

Best Place to Attend a Concert

The Florida TheatreThis classic structure recently celebrated its80th anniversary, and for an octogenarian, The Florida Theatre still rocks hard. State-of-the-art lights and sound, handsome Mediter-ranean architecture and décor, a couple ofbars and great sightlines make for a killer concert-going experience. And it’s locateddowntown, so you can hit the town afterchecking out Ben Harper. (He plays on Thursday, Nov. 1.)

Best Live Music Club

Freebird LiveA while back, the Lynyrd Skynyrd-themedFreebird Café dropped its dinner menu,stacked its performance calendar with rockbands and changed its name to FreebirdLive. Since then, the club has seen perform-ances by a dizzying array of acts. Jam bands(Blues Traveler, The Codetalkers), funk bands(Fishbone, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band),reggae acts (Yellowman, Michael Franti),metal and hardcore (Unearth, Strung Out),

indie (Boys Like Girls, Of Montreal), alt-country (Hank III, Shooter Jennings) and ahost of tribute bands (from Zep to Poison toSublime to GNR) all took the stage in 2007.Lots of high-drawing local acts got topbilling, too, and were often coupled withtouring acts of similar genres. With a kick-asssound system, a wide-open dance floor(mosh with care) and a balcony that offersunobstructed views, Freebird Live is still FolioWeekly readers’ fave medium-sized big-rockvenue in town.

Culture, Arts &Entertainment

Best Concert

Kenny ChesneyIsn’t it a little too appropriate that a guy withsongs like “Flip Flop Summer,” “Keg in theCloset” and “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Prob-lem” would be popular in Northeast Florida? In fact, ex-Mr. Zellweger is so popular withlocals that his April appearance was votedBest Concert of 2007 by Folio Weekly readers— beating out alt-metal band Tool by a merefive votes. Five.

Best Local Band

The Red JumpsuitApparatusBest Local CD

“Don’t You Fake It”The Red Jumpsuit ApparatusFor the second year in a row, Jacksonvillehas voted Middleburg natives The RedJumpsuit Apparatus’ major-label debut“Don’t You Fake It” the Best Local CD. Butthis year the emo-rockers also stole thevotes for Best Local Band. After spendingthe summer as one of the most popular actson the Warped Tour, TRJA is now pushingits third sin gle, “Your Guardian Angel,” fromits Gold-certified album. After the success of“Face Down” and “False Pretense,” “YourGuardian Angel” just might give TRJA thepush it needs to become Jacksonville’s nextplatinum-selling artist, following in the foot-steps of previous Best of Jax winners LimpBizkit and Yellowcard.

Best Museum

Cummer Museum of Art & GardensThe Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens isthe centerpiece of the city’s art palette, itsgeneral eschewal of modernism aside. Thepermanent exhibit features works of themasters, and the gardens are simply stun-ning. Tuesdays are free, and membershipsare worth the price. A former private home inhistoric Riverside, the Cummer now exists asa landmark for the general public to enjoy.Whether it’s Egyptian antiquities the currentexhibit of the paintings of Joseph JeffersDodge, the classical music concerts or theupbeat fashion shows, the Cummer has art— and local culture down.

Best Community Theater

Theatre JacksonvilleFounded in 1919, Theatre Jax is one of thelongest continually running community the-aters in the country. That longevity owes, inpart, to TJ’s ability to balance newer workswith classics, as evidenced by this season’sofferings — everything from David Bottrell’sand Jessie Jones’ “Dearly Departed” toWilliam Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’sDream.” Plus, this nicely-aged space is com-fortably at home in San Marco, whichembraces it like the bosom friend it is.

Best Dance Club

Ocean ClubA three-room complex situated right in theheart — and in the dunes — of Jacksonville

Beach, Ocean Club is the perfect place toshake it en masse. In the front, along FirstStreet, resides Liquor Lounge, a bar and poolhall with big screen TVs and live music onweekends. In back is the Tiki Bar, a rustichaunt that features DJs blasting reggae andhouse with a live band dropping in on occa-sion to rock the shoreline. But the real attrac-tion is the Ocean Club, proper. Sandwichedbetween the aforementioned nightspots, theOC features regional, national and interna-tional DJs spinning till the wee hours. Theclub’s dancing girls offer encouragement tothe lazybones in the crowd, but it typicallydoesn’t take much. It’s usually elbow-to-elbow and sweaty as hell.

Best Sports Bar

SneakersSneakers Sports Grille is the kind of estab-lishment that makes watching the Jaguarslose a communal event. Although, with gar-gantuan 22-foot screens, a Garrard intercep-tion may look more devastating than it actu-ally is. Give Sneakers credit for understandingthat most sport fans are not there to watchtheir waistlines, as the kitchen serves uphuge portions of wings and colossal steaks.They still hang framed jerseys of famous athletes on the wall, but you might be hard-pressed to find Michael Vick’s uniform. (It was there last year.)

Best Gentleman’s Club

Gold ClubUsually when someone informs you of a nicegentleman’s club, what they really mean isthat the dancers bathe and still have all oftheir teeth. Managing to delicately balancekeeping things classy while still spicing it up alittle, The Gold Club has become the goldstandard in gentleman’s clubs, according toFolio Weekly playahs, and the haters who love them.

Best Gay or Lesbian Club

MetroIf you’ve yet to witness one of Metro’s fabu-lous drag shows, you’ve yet to live. ThisRiverside watering hole also featuresKaraoke, amateur male strip contests, coun-try line dancing — basically, a schedule that’sas diverse and fabulous as its clientele. That’sprobably why it’s consistently voted Best GayClub by Folio Weekly’s readers. From the Rain-bow Room to the dance floors to the innumer-able bars, Metro is — inch for inch — thebiggest and gayest (in a good way) club inJacksonville. Next time you’re in the mood tosee a female impersonator sashay and shan-tay to “(insert drag queen song here),” youknow where to go.

Best Club DJ

DJ Ricky at The PearlYou could say that DJ Ricky has put moremen in the pink than Sheriff Joe Arpaio, but that would be rude. Let’s say insteadthat Ricky is the most-decorated DJ in Bestof Jax history, a spot he earned by puttingfashionable feet on the dance floors with aconsistency that shocks even his mostloyal customers.

Best New Club

Tera Nova“Terra Nova” means “newfound land” in Latin.Though the name is spelled a little differently,Tera Nova is sort of a fitting moniker, as itwas picked by Folio Weekly readers asNortheast Florida’s Best New Club. But youwon’t be waltzing into the upscale establish-ment in your chocolate-milk-stained T-shirtand cut-off jeans any time soon. TN enforcesa dress code that “must portray a clean,sophisticated look.” Sorry, Britney, you’re not invited.

Best Comedy Club

Comedy ZoneFolio Weekly readers have chosen The Comedy Zone as the premier area venue atwhich to get their laugh on. In addition to fea-turing favorite national comedians, the Zonemakes it a policy to allow local comics toopen shows. Hell, if you’ve got the cojones,The Comedy Zone is also an excellent placeto try your hand at stand-up comedy duringtheir workshop and amateur nights. Hey,even Seinfeld had to start somewhere.

Best Karaoke Night

Cliff’sThere’s something exhilarating about singing ina room full of drunken strangers — or so weassume. That’s why Cliff’s offers up the mic toa packed house of local performers five nightsa week (three at their Monument Road loca-tion and two at the Beaches spot). Really,what could be more fun than throwing backsome cold ones and wailing Bonnie Tyler’s ’80s anthem “Total Eclipse of the Heart”? Ohyeah, watching someone throw back a fewcold ones and wail “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”Karaoke at Cliff’s — always a win-win.

Best Megachurch

First Baptist ChurchThings continue to change at “The Miracle ofDowntown Jacksonville.” For one, the place ispacked most Sunday mornings. Secondly,with pastor Mac Brunson having taken theministerial reins from Jerry Vines in 2006,what’s arguably the city’s most powerfulchurch actually seems to be showing an inter-est in the city outside its formidable walls.Earlier this year, Brunson’s faithful suppliedwater to participants during an anti-violencerally. And on Sept. 8, First Baptist partneredwith other local congregations to host “It’sTime To Pray In Jacksonville,” a follow-up tolast year’s “Day of Faith” anti-violence rally.Whether Brunson is “changing the tone” ofthe church’s dialogue with the communityremains to be seen, but there’s little questionthat he’s talking more than his predecessors.

Best Place to Get Your Groove On

Twisted MartiniUnless you’ve had professional training,chances are you look nuts when you dance.At any good nightclub, though, you’ll be waytoo drunk to care. Good music and gooddrinks collide nightly at Twisted Martini,Northeast Florida’s Best Place to Get YourGroove On, according to Folio Weekly readers. Between Thursday Latin Nights andFlashback Fridays downtown, and Band-stand Thursdays at the Ponte Vedra location,there’s a little something for everyone togroove to — and, yes, look nuts in the process.

BEST CLUB DJ

DJ Ricky at

The Pearl

Best Hiking Trail

Best Place to Canoe or Kayak

Best Place to Bike

Best Park

Kathryn AbbeyHanna ParkA respite amid the region’s rampant devel-opment, Hanna Park remains Folio Weeklyreaders’ favorite place to hang out withnature. Its grills and picnic tables, freshwaterlakes, camping facilities, parking areas(some tucked up under tree lines along thedunes) and 20 miles of killer unpaved biketrails are among the more obvious reasons

for the repeated wins in these categories.And some discerning — and happy —campers enjoy the park rangers’ educationalpresentations, recreational activities andalmost 450 acres of lush beachfront.

Best Road Race

Gate River RunNortheast Florida has no shortage of roadraces, so it says a lot that Folio Weekly readers continuously vote this downtown15k as the best. With the next River Run —the 31st annual — mere months away (OK,it’s on March 8), it wouldn’t hurt to dust offthe ol’ clodhoppers, do a little quads/groin/calf stretch, and hit the pavement. Just be

Sports &

Outdoor Recreation

sure to load the extended version of “GonnaFly Now” into your iPod before trotting pastthe meat-packing district.

Best Public Golf Course

City of Jacksonville BeachWith more than 60 golf courses, including30 semi-private golf communities in thearea, it’s refreshing that Folio Weekly readershave awarded the best course nod to theJacksonville Beach Golf Club. Owned andmaintained by the City of JacksonvilleBeach, the near 50-year-old track is still oneof the only public-access courses in its area.The challenging course has been updated inrecent years, but still has a beautiful look,thanks to the abundance of water hazardsand the absence of McMansions that seemto line the fairways of most new courses.

Best Bowling Alley

Beach BowlThe peculiar social ritual that is CosmicBowling is never better than when it’s doneat Beach Bowl in Jacksonville Beach. Theblack lights, the deafening music — it’senough to send a parent for another pitcher,then sit back while the kiddies bowl their lit-tle brains out. And forget that nasty rumorthat this Beaches hallowed institution willsoon go the way of oceanfront restaurantsand trailer parks. Beach Bowl ain’t goingnowhere. Manager Brett Roberts says thelease isn’t up till 2012, enough time foreveryone to grab their balls, put on some-one else’s fugly shoes and roll gutters totheir hearts’ content. Folio Weekly readerscan’t get enough of the alley, beer-batteredfries, tacky-shirt clad league teams and all.

Best Health Club/Gym

World GymLiving near the beach gives a person extraincentive (read: pressure) to look good. Jiggly arms and flabby legs do not a sexybody make. Folio Weekly readers who give acrap about their body-mass indices head tothe World Gym location nearest them. Thereyou can pump, stretch, lift, crunch, jog andsquat your way to the perfect body withplenty of time to spare before the summerbeach season kicks in again — say, two orthree months from now.

Best Surf Spot

The PolesThe Poles — it’s still one of Jacksonville’sbest places to catch a wave, particularlywhen the winds are out of the north. This favespot is located inside Kathryn Abbey HannaPark, so you have to pay to ride ($1 per per-son before 10 a.m., then $3 per car for up tosix people until the park closes), but when aNor’easter blows, you’ll find cleaner condi-tions here than most any place else. That’sworth a few bucks, ain’t it?

Best Skate Spot

Kona SkateparkHidden behind a stand of trees and what usedto be a Steak-‘n’-Ale stands Kona, Jack-sonville’s longtime skate haven. Everyone frompros like Steve Caballero to Tony Hawk to local

groms and grommettes has braved the oft-unforgiving asphalt of Kona. With a skate shopon-site and gear available for rent, Kona is theperfect place to slap on some pads and givethe concrete wave a try. What’s the worst thatcan happen? You end up on YouTube with abroken ankle and a bruised ego. Best-casescenario: You catch crazy air off the half-pipevert lip and pull off a 540 before executing aflawless re-entry. Sweet.

Best Scenic Drive

A1AThe twin As are often said to stand for“Atlantic 1 Alternate,” which doesn’t seemgive this unique highway its due props. Never-theless, scenic S.R. A1A offers motorists andbikers with miles of picturesque environs. TheNortheast Florida stretch is indeed aworthy alternate route. The drive unrollsthrough miles of pristine coastline, largesand dunes blanketed with native wild-flowers and sea oats, lazy, quaint fishingspots and majestic moss-draped live-oakcanopies. It ain’t what it used to be, true,but it’s better now than it will be later.

Best Fishing Spot

Jacksonville Beach PierThe nearly new Jacksonville Beach Fish-ing Pier, located on the ocean at FifthAvenue North and First Street, has 1,300feet of concrete and wood, rod-and-reelrentals, a concession stand, a bait-and-tackle shop, restrooms and fish-cleaningstations along its wide wooden deck. Plusit’s operated by Faye Cotner — Miss Fayeto locals — who’s been around fisherper-sons most of her adult life and is morethan qualified to guide and advise oldsalts and first-timers alike. For $4 you canfish the pier all day or pay just $1 to strollto the end. There are some rules MissFaye expects you to follow, but for the

most part, fishing from the Jax Beach FishingPier is just good clean fun.

Best Place to Skinny-Dip

Beaches/Jacksonville BeachAs evidenced by that happy little baby on thecover of Nirvana’s 1991 classic “Nevermind,”there’s just something fabulous about swim-ming naked. Maybe it strikes a metaphysicalchord, a way of returning to nature sans theshackles of civilization. Maybe it’s just nice tofeel water flow past those sensitive parts.Either way, Folio Weekly readers head to JaxBeach to swim au naturel — which is interest-ing, ’cos there’s always a lot of cops around.Dip at your own risk.

BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Dr.Alexander at St.Johns Medical

BEST FISHING SPOT

Jacksonville Beach Pier