Is it really that time again? Time for ballots, ballot counting, heated opinions and illegible replies? You bet it is. Welcome to Eugene Weekly’s Best of Eugene 2008! Once again, dear readers, it’s your opinion that counts — and on any number of topics. From bagels to blogs, politics to pizza, we want you to tell us what’s best in this town. And please do remember that this is the best of EUGENE; if you vote for non-local folks (or businesses based outside of Oregon), those votes won’t be counted. But there’s plenty here to opine about, right? So get started! Fill out this here page or head online to ballot.eugeneweekly.com and cast your vote there. We do love it when you vote online … civic pride eat your heart out Best local uproar Best coffee Person of the year (and why) Best bagel Best local politician Best all-you-can-eat buffet Best public space (indoor or outdoor) Best burger Best activist group Best bakery/sweets Best eco-improvement project Best locally baked bread Best boutique/clothing shop Best kids’ stuff store Best pet stuff store Best downtown business Best new business Best personal indulgence provider (spa, massage, salon, etc.) Best pizza creative endeavors Best blog sex, drugs and rock & roll Best veggie options Best DJ (live) Best BBQ Best acoustic musician/band Best Mexican/Latin American/Caribbean Best blues band Best Thai Best jazz band Best Asian (other than Thai) Best hip hop ensemble Best Italian/Greek/Mediterranean Best reggae/world band Best late-night dining (table service after 10 pm) Best rock band Best food cart Best bar Best recession special (meal under $5) Best bartender Best special occasion dining Best happy hour or drink specials Best restaurant Best locally brewed beer (brewery and style) Best new restaurant Best house drink Best restaurant in Corvallis/Albany Best winery Best restaurant in Cottage Grove Best selection of beer on tap Best restaurant on the coast Best writer Best performing arts group (dance, theater, etc.) Best visual artist Best art gallery Best non-gallery art space Best crafter the kitchen sink Best all-ages hangout Best moment in local sports (Aug. ’07-Aug. ’08) Favorite roller derby player Best local TV news Best radio show or DJ Best way to improve Eugene Best thing about Eugene Weekly Best live music venue Best hangover breakfast retail therapy Best naughty business Best bike shop/repair Best body art & mod shop Best outdoors/recreation store Bar with the best amusements (karaoke, trivia, pinball, pool, etc.) Best independent bookstore Best place to bust a move Best record/CD store Best place to meet someone you’d take home to Mom Best food producer (farm, business, etc.) Best place to meet someone you’d never take home to Mom Best environmentally friendly business Worst thing about Eugene Weeky Best category we didn’t include (and who’d win it) DEADLINE: All ballots must be received by 11:59 PM WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17! Mail or drop off ballots at Eugene Weekly, 1251 Lincoln St., Eugene, OR 97401 YOUR BALLOT CANNOT BE COUNTED WITHOUT THE FOLLOWING INFO (NO SPAMMO): NAME: PHONE: PRINT YOUR ANSWERS CLEARLY (WE CAN’T COUNT ’EM IF WE CAN’T READ ’EM.) YOU MUST VOTE IN AT LEAST 30 CATEGORIES. PLEASE KEEP YOUR ANSWERS LOCAL. ONLY ONE BALLOT PER PERSON! BALLOT STUFFING IS BAD KARMA — BALLOTS MAY NOT BE COLLECTED AND SUBMITTED EN MASSE BY INDIVIDUALS OR BUSINESSES. 2 AUGUST 21, 2008 EUGENE WEEKLY WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM