Best of Missoula 2017 by Independent Publishing

[2] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

e don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we have a lot of opinions here at the Indy. We know what we like—not that there’s exactly a monolithic we around here—and we know what we don’t. Just for instance: We don’t like people who lie and hit and have the initials… No, sorry, wait, back up—that’s not what this issue is for. We get to do that every week. You know what we do like? We like beer and clean water and dogs and the occasional cat and people who are doing their level best to make Missoula a more just and lovely place for us all to live. But you know what we like maybe more than anything? Taking a break from our own likes and dislikes. Honestly? It’s exhausting having so many opinions—formulating them, interrogating them, deploying them, defending them, sometimes even changing them. You know what’s really fun? Shutting the hell up every now and then, kicking back, and checking out what someone else likes. Someone like you. And that, when you get right down to it, is what we like best about Best of Missoula, this mammoth annual undertaking, the latest installment of which you hold in your hands. We’ve spent months working on it, refining the categories, counting the ballots, taking photos, selling and building ads, writing about the winners. It’s a challenge, no lie, and we’re usually pretty exhausted by the time it hits the stands, and if you’re kind enough to visit us at our Best of Missoula Party in Caras Park on July 6 and find us seeming a little wan for summertime Missoulians, well, that’s why. But please understand, we’re not complaining. That’s for some other issue, some other week. This issue, this week, is for celebrating what you like best about Missoula. And helping celebrate that is one of the things we like best about Missoula. Thanks for making it happen, and thanks for giving us a chance to be part of it. —the Independent staff ( Write-ups by Sarah Aswell, Dan Brooks, Derek Brouwer, Jule Banville, Erika Fredrickson, Margaret Grayson, Charley Macorn, Hunter Pauli, Alex Sakariassen, Jennifer Savage, Michael Siebert and Brad Tyer) cover by Charlie Wybierala

Best Fly-Fishing Guide: Chris Dombrowski

photo by Amy Donovan

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [3]

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ART GALLERY Dana Gallery On July 13, artists from across the country will convene at Lindbergh Lake to paint the breathtaking vistas of the Seeley-Swan valley. The annual Paint Out, which concludes with an exhibit of the en plein air works, is one of several beloved events and shows created by the Dana Gallery. Others include The Young and the Reckless, which offers a survey of emerging regional artists, and the Collectors Resale Show, where people can get their art items appraised, Antiques Roadshow style. Owner Dudley Dana has kept art lovers riveted for more than 20 years, which is why the gallery continues to thrive at the heart of Missoula’s art world. Dana Gallery: 246 N Higgins Ave • 7213154 • danagallery.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST ART GALLERY 2. Radius Gallery 114 E Main 541-7070 radiusgallery.com 3. 4 Ravens 248 N. Higgins Ave 317-1543 4 ravensgallery.com Best Art Gallery: Dana Gallery

[4] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Rebecca Keith

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [5]

BEST BAND Lil’ Smokies “Even kings and queens, sometimes they fall.” So goes the chorus of a harmonious, finger-picky song from the Lil’ Smokies’ forthcoming album, set to drop this fall. If the album isn’t out yet, how’d we know about the tune? Because this acoustic quintet has fans—fans they know can’t wait to hear something new. The music video for “Kings and Queens” hit the

BEST PLACE TO STAND ATHWART TWO MISSOULAS In addition to having one of the handsomest profiles in town, the California Street Bridge connects Missoula’s rich future to its stayingin-a-transient-motel-while-you-easeyour-way-off-OxyContin present. On one end you have Silver Park, tucked behind the Osprey stadium and overlooked by newly built luxury condos. On the other end you have West Broadway, replete with adult store, youth home, pawn shop and casino. Between them lies change, the rushing river, dappled by alighting geese and urinating winos alike. It’s enough to make you downright wistful. Best Dancer: Heather Adams, Downtown Dance Collective

[6] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Amy Donovan

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [7]

web this winter, accompanied by a note that it had “been on the stove … for a while.” It didn’t sound overcooked. If anything, it underscored that, unlike the royalty in their lyrics, these kings of bluegrass keep aspiring to new heights. Lil’ Smokies: thelilsmokies.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST BAND 2. Shakewell reverbnation.com/shakewellmusic 3. Dodgy Mountain Men dodgymountainmen.com

ing things interesting in a highly competitive field. Slikati’s calling card is two shooters—that’d be husband-and-wife team Tom and Tonya Slikati—and whether you’re looking to memorialize your wedding, spruce up your LinkedIn profile, document your fundraiser or update your headshot, they’ve got the angles covered. They’d probably be happy to hook you up with a new Tinder profile photo, for that matter. And

trust us, you need a new Tinder photo. Slikati Photography: 126 E Broadway, Ste 11 • 2740592 • slikati.com (BT) FINALISTS, BEST PHOTOGRAPHER 2. Mike Williams 736 S Higgins Ave 549-4474 mikewilliamsphotography.com

3. Brian Powers bpowphoto.com BEST WRITER Dan Brooks According to our online Best of Missoula archive (which goes back only to 2008, but still...), no single scribbler has ever taken the simultaneous crowns in both of these cate-

BEST MUSEUM Missoula Art Museum Since 1975, the Missoula Art Museum has served as the flagship of the city’s art scene. Any First Friday will find Missoulians filtering through the free-admission doors of the 115-year-old building to admire the work of artists from Missoula and afar, and a recent update has taken the art to the streets. The open-air Missoula Art Park opened at the corner of Pine and Pattee in April, providing a landscaped space for large-scale art and public gatherings and further securing MAM’s keystone role as an iconic Missoula institution. Missoula Art Museum: 335 N Pattee • 728-0447 • missoulaartmuseum.org. (MG) FINALISTS, BEST MUSEUM 2. Children’s Museum 225 W Front St 541-7529 childrensmuseummissoula.org 3. The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula 3400 Captain Rawn Way 728-3476 fortmissoulamuseum.org BEST MUSICIAN Tom Catmull In January, Tom Catmull shared some deep insights about gigging on a local podcast. The takeaway was that live music scenes everywhere are changing. Maybe so, but one thing remains constant: Tom. Whether he’s playing to a crowd at Livingston’s Murray Hotel or singing into a mic at Draught Works, Catmull infuses his music with an unmistakable Missoulaness. He’s a guy with great alt-country chops. He’s also one of us. Those steady qualities make him a Best of Missoula regular. Tom Catmull: tomcatmull.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST MUSICIAN 2. TIE: Travis Yost montanamusicians.com/profile/TravisYost John Floridis johnfloridis.com 3. Bob Wire BEST PHOTOGRAPHER Slikati Photography 2015 winner Slikati Photography is back for a second bite of the apple this year, keep-

Best Photographer: Slikati Photography

[8] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Slikati Photography

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [9]

gories. Until now. Brooks, our formidable columnist, proves with the repeat that his inaugural win in 2016 was no fluke, which of course it wasn’t, cos dude is a monster talent, but apparently Brooks wants to rule more than our newsroom, and this year he knocks off perpetual Best Writer James Lee Burke, who can at least take some small comfort in that fact that he still has about a 958-novel lead on Brooks. How did Dan do it, especially without even so much as a body slam to raise his Q-Score? Hell if we know, but it’s all the more impressive given that, according to the letters he consistently generates, at least half of you can’t even tell when he’s joking. Dan Brooks: combatblog.net FINALISTS, BEST WRITER 2. James Lee Burke jamesleeburke.com 3. Erika Fredrickson missoulanews.com BEST MOVIE THEATER The Roxy Theater What better place to spend an evening than the Roxy? A refuge for cinephiles and casual movie fans alike, this little independent theater has a little something for everyone. The programming is incredibly diverse, with cult classics and thoughtful art fare often showing side by side. And we’d be remiss to not mention that snack bar, where you can

load up on triple-organic popcorn and beer without breaking the bank. A Missoula treasure: Few places are, ever were or will ever be like it. The Roxy Theater: 718 S Higgins Ave • 728-9380 • theroxytheater.org (MS) FINALISTS, BEST MOVIE THEATER 2. AMC 3640 Mullan Rd 541-7469 amctheaters.com 3. The Wilma 131 S Higgins Ave 728-2521 thewilma.com BEST ACTOR Jeff Medley Jeff Medley is everywhere. His madcap style has made him popular in the theater, especially as the wacky Riff Raff in the Montana Actors’ Theatre’s annual production of The Rocky Horror Show. On screen, he often steals the show even when he’s a minor character, as in his performance in the Missoula-based superhero web series “M Squad,” where he plays Jin, a bizarro “all powerful” genie who offers to grant the superhero team 73 wishes. Medley isn’t one to be typecast, though. Earlier this year he pulled off a moving and understated performance in the mind-bending romantic drama Constellations. His charisma, sincer-

[10] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

Best Comedian: Michael Beers

photo by Cathrine L. Walters

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [11]

ity and comedic timing are just a few of the reasons he regularly wins this category. (EF) FINALISTS, BEST ACTOR/ACTRESS 2. Lily Gladstone 3. TIE: Howard Kingston & Rosie Ayers BEST ARTIST Monte Dolack Earlier this year, Bayern Brewing coowner Jurgen Knoller fondly recalled commissioning label art from acclaimed Missoula artist Monte Dolack in Bayern’s early days. The resultant labels endure as everyday reminders of the West’s outdoor splendor. All these years later, Montanans continue to turn to Dolack for images evoking that same timeless spirit. Gov. Steve Bullock commissioned Dolack’s “The Renewal,” a pastoral piece commemorating Bullock’s second inaugural ball. Towering clouds over dusky mountains, a gnarled pine, the gentle oxbow of a river—it’s signature Dolack, and by extension, signature Montana. Monte Dolack Fine Art: 139 W Front St • 8257613 • dolack.com (AS) FINALISTS BEST ARTIST: 2. Courtney Blazon courtneyblazon.blogspot.com 3. Jack Metcalf justicejackmetcalf.com Best Movie Theater: The Roxy Theater

[12] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Amy Donovan

BEST DANCER Heather Adams, Downtown Dance Collective This is the eighth year that readers have named Heather Adams, the founder and the executive director of the Downtown Dance Collective, Missoula’s best dancer. Adams says, “It’s awesome because it feels representative of what the Dance Collective is doing for the community. It’s not just about me.” This year, Adams has directed The Wizard of Oz and choreographed Tarzan for the Missoula Community Theater as well as expanded the DDC’s free Saturday community dance classes. In addition, the DDC held its second annual Dancing With the Missoula Stars fundraiser, which allows it to offer even more free public programming, including the new Social Dance in the Public Schools project. Downtown Dance Collective: 121 W Main St • 5417240 • ddcmontana.com (SA) FINALISTS DANCER: 2. Joy French, Bare Bait Dance 3. Aimee Bartel BEST FILMMAKER Marshall Granger Filmmaker Marshall Granger (Big White Moon Pictures) has written, directed and adapted for the screen raw stories that dig into uncomfortable life questions. In the fea-

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [13]

ture Toad to Nowhere, he explores trust and friendship through a hallucinogenic lens with fellow filmmaker Andrew Rizzo, and with Me is Being Great, written by Emily Johnson, he captures the ambivalence that can lie at the heart of romance. Granger’s mastery of mood and atmosphere translates well into documentary work, particularly with his Montana Songwriter web series, in which he’s profiled artists including Joseph Running Crane and June West with dreamlike precision. Marshall Granger: Bigwhitemoonpictures.com and marshalldorothygranger.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST FILMMAKER 2. Andrew Rizzo 3. TIE: Andy Smetanka & Michael Workman BEST NEW BAND Fantasy Suite Who would have thought that a band paying tribute to reality TV could come up with such sincere songs? Fantasy Suite takes scripts and storylines from ABC’s The Bachelor and The Bachelorette and turns them into sonic gold. Husband-wife duo Lukas and Zoë Phelan offer such genuine emotion you might wonder if the angst overwhelms their real lives (they say it doesn’t), and drummer Rachel Patrie and bassist Foster Caffrey keep the band’s en-

gine running with a 1970s-style pop-andcountry groove. The final rose? It’s for you, Fantasy Suite. Fantasy Suite: fantasysuiteband.bandcamp.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST NEW BAND 2. Close, But No Seger 3. Rotgut Whines BEST COMEDIAN Michael Beers Don’t know if you’ve noticed—nudge, nudge—but Missoula is a pretty funny town, and if there’s a growth industry on our arts front, it’s stand-up. And if there’s a leader of Missoula’s stand-up pack, it’s clearly Michael Beers, who fleshes out his impressive Missoula footprint with work as a disability advocate and a recent stint as a school board trustee. Helping people learn and making them laugh is a neat trick and a welcome talent, not least when it can sometimes seem that the rest of the world is trending mean. But Missoula isn’t the rest of the world, thank god, and we know how to appreciate a good guy and a good laugh. Beers—no joke—delivers on both counts. (BT) FINALISTS, BEST COMEDIAN 2. Sara Aswell 3. John Howard

[14] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

FASHION & BEAUTY BEST COSMETICS Smooch Cosmetic Boutique Walk into Smooch with a nube’s grasp of skin care and cosmetics and you’ll come out quite a bit smarter. Owner Ellie Schroeder keeps up with the latest trends in skin care, stocking exquisite brands, some of which can’t be found anywhere else in town, including the Korres fragrance line from Greece. The boutique is beautifully curated and offers some intriguing finds, like the Frog Prince lipstick that changes color depending on who’s wearing it. Smooch Cosmetic Boutique: 125 E Main St • 541-1600 • smoochcosmeticboutique.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST COSMETICS 2. Skin Chic 2901 Brooks Southgate Mall 541-8464 skinchic.com 3. Ulta 275 N Reserve 541-9155 ulta.com BEST DAY SPA BEST FACIALS Sorella’s Day Spa We get relaxed just reading descriptions

of the treatments and therapies that Sorella’s offers, from mud baths to massages to manicures. The chic day spa celebrates two decades in business this year, and we can see why it has lasting power: a

BEST PLACE TO (AVOID) GET(TING) FINED FOR MISDEMEANOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION College freshmen quickly learn that lighting up in the dorms is ill advised, but you don’t have to be 18 to know that the riverbank of the Clark Fork by the university is the best smoking spot in town. The relative seclusion and sound of water make this an excellent spot to avoid the watchful eye of the law. No guarantees when it comes to cops, of course, but you could make the case, awash as you are in white privilege, that even the possibility of a possession ticket is worth the risk. The way the light from the footbridge hits the water, the tree-laundered smell of fresh air, the fact that there’s a munchie-dispensing Albertsons mere minutes away—why would you get high anywhere else?

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [15]

calming, professional atmosphere, top-tier services and, yes, of course we’d like a bit of champagne to go with our pedicure, thanks for asking. In addition to winning Best Day Spa, Sorella’s also takes home the award for Best Facial—next time we’re equipped to splurge, we’re going to try their most popular option, the European facial, which includes a skin evaluation, deep cleansing, exfoliation, massage, masque, toning mist and moisturizer. Sorella’s Day Spa: 207 E Main St • 721-3639 • sorellasdayspa.com (SA) FINALISTS, BEST DAY SPA 2. Spa at the Peak 500 Blue Mountain Rd 251-8200 peakmissoulaspa.com 3. Cedar Creek Spa 110 Caras Drive 543-0200 cedarcreekspa.com FINALISTS, BEST FACIALS 2. Skin Chic 2901 Brooks, Southgate Mall 541-8464 skinchic.com 3. Salon 406 317 SW Higgins 728-7820 Best Tattoo Parlor: Blaque Owl Tattoo

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[16] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Matthew Roberts

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [17]

BEST JEWELRY Rockin Rudy’s Is there anything you can’t find at multiple category dominator Rockin Rudy’s (see Best Place to Buy Gifts and Best Store for Vinyl)? Maybe, but it’s not jewelry, where Rudy’s claims its third (or first depending what order you’re reading in) top prize of this year’s contest. Color us—and yourselves, for that matter, bedazzled. Rockin Rudy’s: 237 Blaine St • 542-0077 • rockinrudys.com (BT) FINALISTS, BEST JEWELRY 2. Adair Jewelers 1325 S Reserve 721-4025 adairjewelers.com 3. Studio Pandora 211 N Higgins Ave, #102 549-5100 studiopandora.com BEST KIDS’ CLOTHING La Stella Blu This independent shop has a whole host of chic accessories for your children, and the clothes are particularly cool. La Stella Blu owner Katie Albritton looks for items that are well (and often locally and organically) made with interesting designs. That means your kiddo can be stylish and environmentally friendly in summer rompers, a hoodie

with the state of Montana on it and Starry Knight Design shoes featuring whimsical patterns like mountain peaks and cacti. And those Kickee pants are made of bamboo so soft you’re going to wish you had a pair of your own. La Stella Blu: 612 S Higgins Ave • 317-1074 • lastellablu.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST KIDS’ CLOTHING 2. Kid Crossing 1940 Harve Ave 829-8808 kidcrossingstores.com 3. Carter’s 3275 N Reserve 541-7060 carters.com BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BEST MEN’S CLOTHING Betty’s Divine At Betty’s Divine you can find a retro-print dress for sipping martinis at a cocktail party, a bohemian blouse for casual afternoons reading a good book, lounge pants for curling up on the couch (so lazy), and a Monfuckingtana shirt from Statriot Designs for when you’re feeling sassy. And, yes, work clothes, too, because the daily grind feels better when you look like a million bucks. The men’s clothing section, aka “Manplanet,” includes basic jeans and white T-shirts, button-up cowboy shirts and hats with just enough style to turn

[18] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

heads. Don’t miss out on the Divine Trash Vintage section in the back, where you can reclaim the best fashions from decades past. Best of all, the independently owned clothing store has owners and staff with the knowhow and enthusiasm to outfit the most helpless of us, turning dull into dashing every time. Betty’s Divine: 509 S Higgins Ave • 721-4777 • bettysdivine.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST MEN’S CLOTHING 2. Dillard’s 2901 Brooks St, Southgate Mall 721-3100 dillards.com 3. Desmonds 129 N Higgins 728-8233 FINALISTS, BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING 2. Dillard’s 2901 Brooks St, Southgate Mall 721-3100 dillards.com 3. Cloth & Crown 329 N Higgins Ave 542-2626 clothandcrown.com BEST LINGERIE Victoria’s Secret Slap on some angel wings and your favorite undies—Victoria’s Secret has once again beaten

out the competition for best lingerie store in Missoula. The shop, which significantly expanded its square footage with a recent remodel, now offers an even greater range of underthings, ranging from the super sexy to the super comfortable. Apart from its skivvies and beauty products, the store also stands out for its service—uber-friendly sales associates make it easy and painless to find the right bra with complimentary fitting sessions. Victoria’s Secret: 2901 Brooks St, Southgate Mall, C10 • 721-1811 • victoriassecret.com (SA) FINALISTS, BEST LINGERIE 2. Adam & Eve 1401 W Broadway St 549-4688 adamevemt.com 3. Mood Boutique 208 N Higgins Ave 549-4000 BEST MEN’S HAIRCUTS ManCave Barber Shop Do as the big illuminated sign in the underground barber shop says: “RELAX.” At ManCave, that’s not going to be a problem. Lie back on the couch to wait, then step over to one of three barber chairs (or are they recliners?) while your every grooming need is attended to. As if that weren’t enough, ManCave’s Facebook page promises “a variety of complimentary beverages” to its loyal clientele. We’re

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [19]

not 100-percent sure what that means, but we suspect the “beer” sign on a wall might be a clue. ManCave Barber Shop: 315 N Pattee St • 542-2283 • www.facebook.com/ mancavemissoula (Brouwer) FINALISTS, MEN’S HAIRCUTS 2. Canvas Studios 429 Madison 926-1440 canvasmissoula.com 3. BoomSwagger 204 S 3rd St W 830-3192 boomswaggersalon.com BEST WOMEN’S HAIRCUTS BEST WAXING Canvas Studios The folks at Canvas truly know their way around hair. It’s a salon that caters to everyone. Need a professional-looking cut and dye job for that big interview? Looking for a goth chelsea cut instead? Fret not. The beauticians at Canvas do all that and more (including armpit dyeing). And they’re so friendly you won’t even mind having to wince your way through a waxing. And unlike that waxing, the complimentary tea, coffee or mimosa doesn’t hurt. Canvas Studios: 429 Madison St • 926-1440 • canvasmissoula.com (MS) Best Men’s Haircut: ManCave Barber Shop

[20] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Rebecca Keith

FINALISTS, BEST WOMEN’S HAIRCUTS 2. Boom Swagger Salon 204 S 3rd St W 830-3192 boomswaggersalon.com 3. Très Chic Salon 1627 South Ave W 542-2442 tres-chicsalon.com FINALISTS, BEST WAXING 2. Skin Chic Southgate Mall 541-8464 skinchic.com 3. Grizzly Bare Waxing Studio 725 W Alder St #14 290-9299 missoulawaxing.com BEST SHOE STORE Hide & Sole This downtown storefront ain’t no sprawling department store, and yet there were three (!) employees on the floor on a recent weeknight. That’s good news, because you’re going to be trying on a lot of shoes once you see the brands on these racks. We’re looking at you, Haflinger wool clogs. Oh, and while we’re here, shout out to that foot-shaped sandwich board. Those feet could use a nice pair of clogs, too. Hide & Sole: 236 N Higgins Ave • 549-0666 • hideandsole.com (Brouwer)

Best Tattoo Artist: Kyle Handley, Every Mother’s Nightmare Tattoo

photo by Cathrine L. Walters

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [21]

FINALISTS, BEST SHOE STORE 2. Dillard’s 2901 Brooks St, Southgate Mall 721-3100 dillards.com 3. Runner’s Edge 304 N Higgins Ave 728-9297 runnersedgemt.com BEST TATTOO PARLOR Blaque Owl Tattoo You don’t get voted best in Missoula by people who regret their tats. The downtown studio features lots of artists working in different styles, but the quality of each piece stands out. The colors are always vibrant, the line work consistently smooth. Whether you’re looking for traditional work or something more modern, Blaque Owl probably has an artist who’s right up your alley (though you might think twice about whether that’s really where you want to get inked). Blaque Owl Tattoo: 307 N Higgins Ave • 543-0688 • blaqueowltattoo.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST TATTOO PARLOR 2. Painlesss Steel 1701 S 5th St W 728-1191 painlesssteeltattoo.com 3. American Made 234 W Front St 721-3830 missoulatattoos.com BEST TATTOO ARTIST Kyle Handley, Every Mother’s Nightmare Tattoo A childhood doodler, Kyle Handley got into the ink-and-skin biz back in 1996. This October, his Missoula tattoo parlor, Every Mother’s Nightmare, turns 11 years old. Handley has come to realize how easy it can be to get over-involved in a client’s pitch, to make too many artistic suggestions. The real trick of his trade, he says, is listening. “When they come in with an idea, that’s my first goal, is to just hear what they’re getting across.” Once the work begins, Handley shoots for beautiful. Big sleeves, back pieces—he can’t pin down a favorite project, because “everything I take on I’m excited about.” Kyle Handley, Every Mother’s Nightmare Tattoo: 1518 South Ave W • 549-2258 (AS) FINALISTS, BEST TATTOO ARTIST 2. Buck Miller, Blaque Owl Tattoo 307 N Higgins Ave 543-0688 blaqueowltattoo.com 3. TIE: Bridget Stoltz, Blaque Owl Tattoo and Ian Caroppoli, Blaque Owl Tattoo 307 N Higgins Ave 543-0688 blaqueowltattoo.com

Best Cosmetics: Smooch Cosmetic Boutique

photo by Joe Weston

BEST BODY PIERCER Brenda Anderson, Altered Skin For 14 years, people have trusted Altered Skin’s Brenda Anderson to pierce their body parts. A certified body piercer, Anderson trained under San Francisco-based master piercer Fakir Musafar, a legend in the bodymodification world. Anderson has honed the techniques she learned from Musafar, winning over a loyal client base with her eye for aesthetics and a steady, confident hand. Brenda Anderson, Altered Skin: 103 Brooks St • 549-8544 • alteredskin.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST BODY PIERCER 2. Jackie, Painless Steel 1701 S 5th St W 728-1191 painlesssteeltattoo.com 3. Morgan, Painless Steel 1701 S 5th St W 728-1191 painlesssteeltattoo.com BEST THRIFT STORE Secret Seconds The name of the YWCA’s two thrift stores is perfect. They’re full of hand-me-down treasures—not necessarily vintage stuff, though we’ve certainly spied a classic wool jacket or two—but just fun and funky clothes to help you look chic on a budget. And while you’re filling your wardrobe, consider pitching

[22] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

in $35 to become a YWCA member—you’ll receive a 20 percent discount at the stores in return. Is it a donation? A deal? It’s both. Secret Seconds: 920 Kensington Ave • 5413210 and 1136 W Broadway • 549-1610 • ywcaofmissoula.org/thrift (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST THRIFT STORE 2. Goodwill 2501 S Reserve 549-6969 3. Bargain Corner 200 S California St 543-4926 BEST EYEWEAR Costco Optical Department Costco sells glasses, and you don’t even have to buy them 40 pairs at a time. The membership-based warehouse retailer has expanded beyond big groceries into gasoline, tire service, pharmacy and even hearing aides. Its optical department is one more reason to come in, and if you happen to leave with a giant bag of chocolate-covered pretzels, who will know? Costco Optical Department: 3220 N Reserve St • 728-7371 • costco.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST EYEWEAR 2. Rocky Mountain Eye Center 700 W Kent Ave 541-3937 rockymountaineye.com

3. Uptown Optical 111 N. Higgins Ave, #107 327-9988 uptownoptical.com BEST HAIRSTYLIST Janae Naab, Trés Chic Salon Janae Naab has been a hairstylist for 13 years, but this is her first win. She partners with Slikati Photography, which grabbed the Best Photographer award this year, and styles hair for area weddings and special events. For weddings, Naab says, “I try to make people look as beautiful on the outside as they are inside, and I try to create a nice experience for them that is low-stress and enjoyable.” For everyday cuts, she believes in practicality and education: “I like styles that my clients can fix at home themselves and walk around in. I make sure they understand how to use the products I’m using, and that they know how to style the cut they have.” Trés Chic Salon: 1627 South Ave W • 5422442 • www.tres-chicsalon.com (SA) FINALISTS, BEST HAIRSTYLIST 2. Katt Ahlstrom, Canvas Studios 429 Madison St 926-1440 canvasmissoula.com 3. Rachel Kenck, Shear Art Salon 2412 River Rd, Ste D 214-3112

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [23]

FOOD & DRINK BEST APPETIZERS Top Hat Lounge Eating wings with a knife and fork may seem strange, but when they’re as sticky and delicious as the Top Hat’s, it doesn’t matter how they make it to your mouth. The Top Hat’s menu has built a solid following with its flavor-forward, tapas-style apps. Crispy green beans coated in olive oil and sliced almonds. Those tender, sticky wings slathered in sweet chili sauce. Any item is as much a group snack as it is a full meal for the light eater. Top Hat Lounge: 134 W Front St • 728-9865 • tophatlounge.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST APPETIZERS 2. Tamarack Brewing Company 231 W Front St 830-3113 tamarackbrewing.com 3. Jakers Bar & Grill 3515 Brooks St 721-1312 jakers.com/missoula BEST ASIAN FOOD BEST DESSERTS Mustard Seed There’s really no bad time to go to the Mustard Seed. From family gatherings to romantic nights on the town, the menu has

something to satisfy all (but, you know, especially Asian-fusion) tastes. Try killer starters like Chinese roast pork and edamame and old favorites like the delightfully spicy wasabi shrimp cocktail. For entrees, General Mustard’s Chicken is high on the culinary bucket lists of expat Missoulians hungry for a taste of home. Even if you’re already stuffed, the decadent dessert menu will make you want to shatter your New Year’s resolutions no matter the season. Mustard Seed: 2901 Brooks, Southgate Mall • 721-7333 • mustardseedweb.com (CM) FINALISTS, BEST ASIAN FOOD 2. Sa Wad Dee 221 W Broadway 543-9966 sawaddeemissoula.com 3. Iza Asian Restaurant 529 S Higgins Ave 830-3237 izarestaurant.com FINALISTS, BEST DESSERTS 2. Bernice’s Bakery 190 S 3rd St W 728-1358 bernicesbakerymt.com 3. Black Cat Bake Shop 2000 W Broadway St 542-9043 blackcatbakeshop.com

[24] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

BEST BAKERY Bernice’s Bakery Just recently the very serious newspaper in your hands dedicated an entire column to gushing about surely the goofiest item ever to emerge from Bernice’s ovens: the “mookie,” a cookie baked in a muffin tin and concocted by the former owner’s teenage daughter. The bakery’s cakes, likewise, are as unpretentious as they are delicious (and gorgeous). Consider the Camel Spit. It’s a dark-chocolate cake filled with Ding Dong, caramel and chocolate mousse. “To make this cake more perfect than it already is,” the menu jokes, “we’ve frosted with salted caramel buttercream.” More perfect indeed. Bernice’s Bakery: 190 S 3rd St W • 7281358 • bernicesbakerymt.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST BAKERY 2. Black Cat Bake Shop 2000 W Broadway 542-9043 blackcatbakeshop.com 3. Le Petit Outre 129 S 4th St W 543-3311 lepetitoutre.com BEST BARBECUE The Notorious P.I.G. With a ridiculously friendly staff and the best rack of ribs in the county, it’s no wonder the

BEST UNIRONIC REVIVAL On May 5 of this year, now forever to be remembered as Seger de Mayo, a band sporting Oakleys and jean vests played to a crowd swilling beers and cocktails in the parking lot of the Iron Horse Brew Pub. It was the debut show for Close, But No Seger, a tribute act to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, but given the pumped-up reaction from showgoers, it felt like the band was somehow already at its peak. Some people came to the show because the musicians are well known in Missoula’s rock, punk and Americana scenes (including past and current members of the David Bowie tribute band Glass Spiders). Others came because they love Bob Seger and Bob Seger will never play Missoula. (OK, anything’s possible, but Bob Seger will definitely never play the Iron Horse parking lot.) Close, But No Seger delivered all the hits, “Against the Wind,” “We’ve Got Tonight,” and “Hollywood Nights,” plus some more obscure tracks and even “Shakedown,” Seger’s contribution to the Beverly Hills Cop II soundtrack. The band nailed the strutting but tender sweet spot as frontman Travis Yost channeled Seger’s gravelled vocals. Lighters were raised. Bad dancing was done. And as the sun set, band and audience seemed united in purpose as we all sang to “Night Moves” without shame, and not a hint of irony.

Notorious P.I.G. takes this category for the third year in a row. You like burnt brisket ends? (Damn, we do—can we have yours?) Pulled pork that’s just as good without a bun? You got it. Check your table manners at the door and eat until you can’t—and be glad that everything including the sides make for excellent leftovers. The Notorious P.I.G.: 247 W Front St • 9261344 • thenotoriouspigbbq.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST BARBECUE 2. Famous Dave’s 2915 N Reserve 541-7427 famousdaves.com 3. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit 2730 S Reserve 540-4091 dickeys.com BEST BREAKFAST Paul’s Pancake Parlor If it ain’t broke… Continuing to beat out trendier downtown locales is Paul’s Pancake Parlor, which serves up big portions of classic breakfast faves at modest prices, and has the weekend lines to prove it. The titular pancake menu includes buttermilk and sourdough varieties, but if savory is more your thing, the omelettes and hash browns have their own faithful fan bases. Paul’s Pancake Parlor: 2305 Brooks St • 7289071 • paulspancake.com (MG) FINALISTS, BEST BREAKFAST 2. Catalyst Cafe 111 N Higgins Ave, #111 542-1337 thecatalystcafe.com 3. The Shack 222 W Main St 549-9903 theshackcafe.com BEST BRUNCH BEST CATERER BEST CHEF Burns St. Bistro; Walker Hunter and Ryan Smith Burns St. Bistro doesn’t play brunch safe. The popular Westside eatery likes to challenge Missoula palates with an ever-changing menu of adventurous but delicious cuisine. Recently, BSB went full-on Nordic with karelian potato pasty, lefse, savory bacon pancakes and cured smoked halibut. A week later, in honor of baseball season, they shelled out coney dogs and 7-layer dip. Chefs Walker Hunter and Ryan Smith are the winningly mad scientists behind the well-executed experiments, and they also pull off a regular menu of tasty options, among which we’re especially fond of the huevos rancheros. BSB picks up a third category this year as Best Caterer, which is no surprise, considering the restaurant got its start feeding festivals and weddings with awardwinning slow-cooked meats and sides that give a new twist to cookout classics. Burns

St. Bistro: 1500 Burns St • 543-0719 • burnsstbistro.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST CHEF 2. Scott Gill, Scotty’s Table 131 South Higgins Ave U3 549-2790 scottystable.net 3. Bob Marshall Biga Pizza 241 W Main St 728-2579 bigapizza.com FINALISTS, BEST BRUNCH 2. Old Post 103 W Spruce St 721-7399 oldpostpub.com 3. Catalyst Cafe 111 N Higgins Ave 542-1337 thecatalystcafe.com FINALISTS, BEST CATERER 2. Silk Road 515 S Higgins Ave 541-0752 silkroadcatering.com 3. Bravo Catering 224 N Higgins Ave 541-4900 BEST BUDGET LUNCH BEST PLACE TO EAT ALONE Five on Black Once again, Five on Black takes this combo title for its fast, tasty Brazilian bowls. Just hop in line and mix and match. While some choices are basic (greens or rice? beans or sweet potatoes?) others may leave you torn, like picking between mango barbecue or spicy coconut sauce. The restaurant claims more than 70,000 possible combinations. As journalists, we can’t confirm the math, but we can offer a definitive recommendation: Say yes to the cheesy bun. Five on Black: 325 N Higgins • 926-1860 • fiveonblack.com (MG) FINALISTS, BEST BUDGET LUNCH 2. Taco del Sol Multiple locations 327-8929 tacodelsol.com 3. Bridge Pizza 600 S Higgins Ave 542-0002 bridgepizza.com FINALISTS, BEST PLACE TO EAT ALONE 2. Taco del Sol Multiple locations 327-8929 tacodelsol.com 3. Good Food Store 1600 S 3rd St W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [25]

BEST COFFEE Black Coffee Roasting Seven years have passed since Black Coffee Roasting Company started roasting coffee beans, and fever for the flavor has only grown. Today grocery stores as far off as Choteau carry a full complement of BCRC labels. With summer now fully upon us, the company’s shop on Spruce is once again offering its mint-infused cold brew. In other words, it doesn’t matter if you’re feverishly hot or teeth-shatteringly cold. Black Coffee’s always got you covered. Black Coffee Roasting Company: 525 E Spruce St • 541-3700 • blackcoffeeroastingco.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST COFFEE 2. The Loose Caboose Multiple locations 541-1748 loosecaboosemissoula.com 3. Good Americano 2350 S Resereve 529-2720 BEST TEA Lake Missoula Tea Co. The smell of sweet and earthy tea leaves at Lake Missoula Tea Co. is a fantastic antidote to the grind of work and traffic in the outside world. Sit at the bar and sip on the store’s daily special or peruse shelves filled with tea handpicked by

Best Budget Lunch, Best Place to Eat Alone: Five on Black

[26] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Rebecca Keith

owners Heather and Jake Kreilick from vendors across the world, including super antioxidant blends and teas that support elephant habitat. Lake Missoula Tea Co.: 136 E Broadway • 926-1038 • lakemissoulateacompany.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST TEA 2. Butterfly Herbs 232 N Higgins Ave 728-8780 butterflyherbs.com 3. Liquid Planet 223 N Higgins Ave 541-4541 liquidplanet.com BEST DELICATESSEN Tagliare We’re smiling like a dog in a butcher shop just thinking about the cold cuts behind Tagliare’s deli case. No, really—if this write-up goes on much longer we might start drooling on the keyboard. You’d think meats like these would be displayed big and boldly, but Tagliare’s deli case is compact, at the shop’s far end, like a tasteful neighborhood secret. Evidently, the secret is out. Tagliare: 1433 S Higgins Ave • 8303049 (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST DELICATESSEN 2. Worden’s Market & Deli 451 N Higgins Ave 549-1293 wordens.com 3. Good Food Store 1600 S 3rd St W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com BEST DOUGHNUTS Rosauers The doughnut world can be an intimidating place. With so many styles, so many variations, you could literally spend hours trying to make up your mind. The triedand-true old fashioned? An oh-so-Montana bear claw? Fortunately there are no wrong answers at Rosauers, where whatever winds up in your doughnut box, you’ll know it’s freshly made, from scratch, and tailored to the tastebuds. Rosauers Supermarket: 2350 S Reserve • 721-5430 • rosauers.com/missoula (AS) FINALISTS, BEST DOUGHNUTS 2. Krispy Kreme 1025 W Central Ave 926-2810 krispykreme.com 3. Tandem Doughnuts Clark Fork Market and other locations 239-3997 tandemdoughnuts.com

BEST BURGER Missoula Club For eight years now, the Missoula Club and Five Guys have been going toe to toe for Best of Missoula burger supremacy, sucking pretty much all the air out of the contest even in a town that suffers no shortage of quality burgers. This year, the old reliable Mo Club burger noses back into the lead again, forgoing as ever anything that might be construed as fancy in favor of the greasily tried and true. No need to see a menu, just pick your patties—1, 2 or 3—and settle in at the bar with a beer to watch that little grill light up. And yeah, sure, that’s the ghost of coronaries future you’re wolfing down, but if that’s the worst thing that happens to you during a night of downtown drinking, well, we’d say you’re winning. Missoula Club: 139 W Main St • 728-3740 • facebook.com/ missoulaclub (BT) FINALISTS, BEST BURGER 2. Five Guys Burgers & Fries 820 E Broadway 830-3262 fiveguys.com 3. Flipper’s Tavern & Casino 125 S 3rd St W 721-4895

BEST FRIES James Bar Oh, your best friends from back East are in town? You’re looking for somewhere to meet that better-than-average Tinder date? You’ll never go wrong at James Bar, especially if you’re eating. Don’t get us wrong, the Moscow Mules rival frosty cocktails anywhere, but oh my, the fries. Garlicked! Truffled! Those perfectly salted fries arrive piled in a paper cone—and don’t neglect the mango ketchup and tartar sauce. If only the sweet potato tots didn’t make us secondguess. Lest you’re looking for something not deliciously oil-crisped, try the burger, any burger, though we’re partial to the tiny-yetpowerful Mini Stan: Montana beef topped with an over-easy quail egg, pepper cheese and a fried onion. So good. And don’t worry if you’re not into cow. The falafel plate produces similar exclamations. James Bar: 127 W Alder St • 721-8158 • jamesbarmontana.com (JB/MG)

• Open 9am – 2am daily

• Full Packaged Liquor Store

• Full Bar in the Casino

• Serving Food until 2am

• Players club, with daily, weekly, and quarterly drawings

• Open 11am – 2am daily

• Live Poker

• 56 TV’s with every Sports

• Huge Game Room filled with

Package available

new and vintage arcade games

• Covered, Smokeless Patio

• Serving Food until 2am

• Free Shuttle Friday & Saturday • Pizza Delivery, Carry-Out & Take-n-Bake available 7 days a week

FINALISTS, BEST FRENCH FRIES 2. Five Guys Burgers & Fries 820 E Broadway St 830-3262 fiveguys.com 3. Hoagieville Multiple locations hoagieville.com

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [27]

BEST FOOD TRUCK/CART BEST MEXICAN FOOD El Cazador / El Cazador Taco Truck Alfredo and Maria Hernandez have been serving traditional Mexican dishes in the heart of Missoula since 1995, and readers have long considered them the best. The big, warm restaurant is known for authentic offerings, quick service and consistency, from the carne asada to the enchiladas. We aren’t sure what Higgins would be like without it. Thankfully, the rest of Missoula doesn’t have to suffer El Caz’s absence entirely, thanks to the El Caz South location on Brooks. And if that’s not enough El Caz in your life (and it obviously isn’t), the restaurant’s mobile Taco Truck serves up delicious late-night treats that are big on taste and easy on the wallet. Nothing caps an evening of weekend drinking with friends better than a trip to the taco truck, and if daylight hours are more your thing, it’s a regular and welcome sight at Missoula’s seemingly endless summer festivals, too. El Cazador: 101 S Higgins Ave • 728-3657 and 3021 Brooks St • 829-3800 • elcazadormissoula.com El Cazador Taco Truck: various locations (SA/CM) FINALISTS, BEST MEXICAN FOOD 2. Fiesta en Jalisco Best Coffee: Black Coffee Roasting Company

photo by Rebecca Keith

125 S. 3rd St. West • 721-4895 8am-2am • Seven Days A Week Just off the Hip Strip [28] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

3701 Brooks St, #A 728-1323; 4888 N Reserve 543-7757 fiestaenjalisco.net 3. Tia’s Big Sky 1016 W Broadway 317-1817 tiasbigsky.com FINALISTS, BEST FOOD CART/TRUCK 2. Beastro, Burns St. Bistro 543-0719 burnsstbistro.com 3. Big Thai Country 240-9511 BEST FRESH PRODUCE BEST SALAD BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD Good Food Store Talk about living up to your name. This year the Good Food Store again takes the blue ribbon for best salad, best fresh produce and best vegetarian food. Opened by a group of friends 45 years ago, the store’s mission is to provide natural, organic and local products to the Missoula area, with an added focus on waste reduction, reuse, recycling and community giving. Over the past two years, the store has grown more than 8,000 square feet,

adding a larger bakery, expanded seating, a wares store, a bigger kitchen and additional storage space—changes that make the store better able to offer what readers consistently like best. Good Food Store: 1600 S 3rd St W • 541-3663 • goodfoodstore.com (SA) FINALISTS, BEST PRODUCE 2. Orange Street Food Farm 701 S Orange St 543-3188 orangestreetfoodfarm.com 3. Farmers markets Downtown Missoula (seasonal) FINALISTS, BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD 2. Masala 206 W Main St 926-6444 3. Green Source 617 S Higgins Ave 239-5272 greensourcemissoula.com FINALISTS, BEST SALAD 2. Romaines 3075 N Reserve #N 317-1829 romainessalads.com 3. Jakers Bar and Grill 3515 Brooks St

721-1312 jakers.com/missoula BEST ICE CREAM/FROZEN YOGURT Big Dipper We all saw this one coming. Big Dipper, with its neon sign and a line almost always stretching down the sidewalk, is a Missoula landmark. Stop by any summer evening and you’re all but guaranteed to see someone you know. Try one of the daily rotating flavors or stick with classics like White Mint Oreo, Espresso Heath or Huckleberry. Big Dipper: 631 S Higgins • 543-5722 • bigdippericecream.com (MG) FINALISTS, BEST ICE CREAM/ FROZEN YOGURT 2. Sweet Peaks 420 N Higgins Ave, #D 549-0028 sweetpeaksicecream.com 3. Dairy Queen Multiple locations 549-6075 dairyqueen.com BEST MILKSHAKE Uptown Diner You walk in on Friday morning. Jim’s down at the other end of the bar reading the newspaper, ordering “the usual.” You aren’t in the

mood for the usual. You see those classic shake glasses all lined up, the cup of long spoons and red straws. The Flying Nun is made with espresso, you notice. It comes out topped with chocolate chips and a cherry. Ah, a good old-fashioned breakfast shake. You could get used to this. Uptown Diner: 120 N Higgins Ave • 542-2449 (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST MILKSHAKE 2. Big Dipper 631 S Higgins Ave 543-5722 bigdippericecream.com 3. Butterfly Herbs 232 N Higgins Ave 728-8780 butterflyherbs.com BEST PIZZA Biga Pizza If there’s one slice of advice to offer Biga newcomers their first time through the door, it’s this: Show up hungry, because this is serious pizza. Exotic cheeses, fresh seasonal toppings, that distinctive wood-fired flavor. The sight alone of one of these pies coming out of the oven is enough to make your eyes go wide. Unless you’re willing to watch that last piece disappear on your friend’s plate, you’ll want an appetite to match. Biga Pizza: 241 W Main St • 728-2579 • bigapizza.com (AS)

THANK YOU, MISSOULA! Also, one small request: 22 million Americans (79,000 Montanans) will lose health insurance under the US Senate’s current healthcare plan. Please call Senator Steve Daines at 202-224-2651 and tell him not to penalize the sick on the backs of their greedy, partisan thuggery.

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [29]

FINALISTS, BEST PIZZA 2. Bridge Pizza 600 S Higgins Ave 542-0002 bridgepizza.com 3. Pie Hole 525 N Higgins Ave 926-2233 pieholemissoula.com BEST RESTAURANT BEST RESTAURANT SERVICE BEST ROMANTIC DINING Pearl Café You know that moment when a truly gorgeous, cared-for plate of food is placed in front of you like a present so nice you’re not sure if you should even open it? Open it. Take a bite. You don’t need to talk about it right away because the person across from you will know: This is a place that gets it right. Chef Pearl Cash, likely the person who picked up the phone and took your reservation, has been at this more than 40 years, and her restaurant is a classic for all the right reasons. It’s also staffed by Missoula’s best, inside and outside the kitchen, and absolutely the right choice if you feel like getting fancy with a person you really like. Pearl’s got ambiance, an interesting wine list and amazing service, but we’ll be honest here: Even all that kind of pales compared to the perfect rabbit confit.

Best Waiter: Matt Maddox, Sushi Hana

[30] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Amy Donovan

Pearl Cafe: 231 E Front St • 541-0231 • pearlcafe.us (JB) FINALISTS, BEST RESTAURANT 2. Red Bird 111 N Higgins Ave, #100 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com 3. Scotty’s Table 131 South Higgins Ave U3 549-2790 scottystable.net FINALISTS, BEST ROMANTIC DINING 2. Red Bird 111 N Higgins Ave, #100 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com 3. Plonk Wine Bar 322 N Higgins Ave 926-1791 plonkwine.com FINALISTS, BEST RESTAURANT SERVICE 2. Jakers Bar & Grill 3515 Brooks St 721-1312 jakers.com/missoula 2. Red Bird 111 N Higgins Ave, #100 549-2906 redbirdrestaurant.com BEST NEW RESTAURANT Tia’s Big Sky Tia’s Big Sky garnered its fair share of buzz when it made the jump from food truck to permanent restaurant last fall. With four flavors of tamales, chocolate-y chicken mole tacos and homemade pozole, among other treats, Tia’s has established itself as a onestop shop for all your Mexican food favorites, plus a few you probably haven’t tried yet. Trust us: Try them. Bonus: much of the produce is locally grown by one of the restaurant’s owners. Tia’s Big Sky: 1016 W Broadway • 317-1817 • tiasbigsky.com (MG) FINALISTS, BEST NEW RESTAURANT 2. Poke Bowl 101 S Higgins Ave 926-3733 thepokesushibowl.com 3. Green Source 617 S Higgins Ave 239-5272 greensourcemissoula.com BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT Red Robin Sometimes there’s just nothing better— or more likely to satisfy a panoply of picky tastes—than burgers and fries. When your parents come to town, what what could be more safely uncontroversial? Red Robin has just about any burger configuration and topping you could possibly want (yes,

even a veggie version), a crazy complement of sides, an absurdly elaborate drink menu and a nostalgic atmosphere that will have you all swimming in reminiscence of the good times—even if you hardly get along at all anymore. If you’re a kid, what’s not to like? And if you’re a parent of kids who’d complain about dinner out at Red Robin, well, just take someone else’s family. Red Robin: 2901 Brooks St • 8303170 • redrobin.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT 2. Montana Club 4561 N Reserve 541-8141 2620 Brooks St 543-3200 montanaclub.com 3. Top Hat Lounge 134 W Front St 728-9865 tophatlounge.com BEST PLACE TO BUY MEAT Diamond Bar Meats You could make like Ron Swanson and buy your ground at Food ’n’ Stuff, but why? (Cheap meat isn’t nearly as funny on the plate as it is on TV.) In a world of shrink-wrapped meatiocrity, Diamond Bar is an oasis for quality protein. And while Diamond Bar’s beef, chicken and pork are top notch, the expertise that comes from 50 years of family operation is worth its weight in prime rib, at least. Don’t forget cash, because Diamond Bar doesn’t take anything else, and for Swanson’s sake, don’t leave without a hunk of Missoula’s best beef jerky tucked into your order. Diamond Bar Meats: 1500 S Russell St • 549-7272 • facebook.com/diamondbarmeats (BT) FINALISTS, BEST PLACE TO BUY MEAT 2. Cloven Hoof 101 N Johnson St 529-9536 theclovenhoofmeat.com 3. Good Food Store 1600 S 3rd St W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com BEST RESTAURANT WINE LIST Red Bird The Red Bird wine list is small and masterfully curated. According to one sommelier, the menu tends toward old world wines, especially from Italy, as well as wines from the Northwest, including the Napa and Columbia valleys. Mostly these are food-driven wines, so they pair well with the tasty dishes on the Red Bird menu. And the list is created with an eye for introducing customers to new and different wines, meaning they’ll often forgo trendy selections for under-the-radar delights. Apparently Indy readers appreciate that a lot.

Thank you Missoula! Congratulations to our extraordinary providers!

Best Gynecologist Janice Givler, MD

Best Physical Therapist Jeff Brooks

2nd Place Gynecologist Jennifer Mayo, MD 2nd Place Doctor Mae Bixby, MD 3rd Place Doctor Heather Maddox, MD 2nd Place Health Clinic Western Montana Clinic 60 Healthcare Providers | 15 Different Specialities | 2 Urgent Care Facilities

406.721.5600 | 800.525.5688

www.westernmontanaclinic.com

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [31]

A Note From Store Manager Vanessa Hendrix

Alexander

Alissa

Andrew

Anthony

Arica

Austin

Brittany

Manager, 6 Years

General Merchandise Manager, 6 Years

Cashier, 1 Year

Manager, 3 Years

Person In Charge, 2 Years

Manager, 2 Years

CSR, 2 Years

Caleb

Dan

Dylan

Eric

Cashier, 2 Months

Produce Manager, 8 Years

Dairy Manager, 1 Year

Deli Manager, 3 Years

Holly

Hunter

John

Kate

Cashier, 6 Years

Cashier, 2 Years

Dairy Manager, 1 Year

Baker, 2 Years

Kyle

Lori

Mike

Mike G.

Nick

Robert

Ryan

Produce Assistant Manager, 13 Years

Office Manager, 3 Years

Deli Assistant, 3 Years

CSR, 2 Years

Grocery Manager, 18 Years

CSR, 9 Years

Butcher, 1 Year

Employees of Orange Street Food Farm are the Best of Missoula. Ask them to show up for work, they'll show up and work their hearts out. Invite them to show up for fun, they play harder and longer than anyone. Ask them to be there for each other, they transform the entire store into a family and make sure everyone is doing alright. They learn from each other every day—they've taught me more than I can explain. They go out of the way to be the best grocers AND great people. This year as we humbly accept your votes for Best of Missoula, we sincerely thank our crew for being one big reason you all keep coming back to OSFF. Vanessa Hendrix Store Manager ~Food-Farmer-4-Life~

[32] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

Honorable Mentions Ann - 13 Years DJ - 10 Years Paul - 23 Years Steve

Tim

Vanessa

Victoria

Zach

Manager, 1 Year

Meat Department Manager, 11 Years

Assistant Meat Department Manager, 10 Years

Store Manager, 16 Years

Cashier, 1 Month

photos by Emma Haines

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [33]

Red Bird: 111 N Higgins Ave • 549-2906 • redbirdrestaurant.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST RESTAURANT WINE LIST 2. Plonk Wine Bar 322 N Higgins Ave 926-1791 plonkwine.com 3. Caffè Dolce 500 Brooks St 830-3055 caffedolcemissoula.com BEST OUTDOOR DINING Finn & Porter If there’s a better place to find yourself during the evening’s gloaming than the deck at Finn & Porter, perched above the Clark Fork, gazing at the changing light on the mountains as a day slips away, all while sipping something delicious and having a skilled server deliver just what you’re in the mood for… well, we don’t know where it is. This is arguably the perfect Missoula spot. Tables are abundant, but not crammed too close together. Umbrellas provide that elusive balance of sun and shade. The menu hits all the right marks, from snacky to substantial. Why would you leave? Umm, maybe so we can have your table, please? Finn & Porter: 100 Madison • 5424660 • finnandporter/missoula (JB) FINALISTS, BEST OUTDOOR DINING 2. Plonk Wine Bar 322 N Higgins Ave 926-1791 plonkwine.com 3. Iron Horse 501 N Higgins Ave 728-8866 ironhorsebrewpub.com

[34] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

BEST TROLL The ink was hardly dry on rapid-fire press releases announcing Logjam Presents’ new KettleHouse Amphitheater and, not to be outdone, Big Sky Brewing’s revamped concert stage and grounds, and Missoulians could be forgiven for resting their satire detectors while we basked in a surfeit of almost-too-good-to-be-true live music news. But because a quality troll is all about the timing, that’s precisely when Montgomery Distillery piped in with a press release announcing its own imminent entry into the amphitheater arena with a funicular-accessible venue perched above the M—soon to stand for “Montgomery”—on Mount Sentinel. “Not only will this be the largest venue in Montana, accommodating roughly 30,000 concert-goers,” the spoof release claimed, “but it will definitely be the highest in elevation. We’re going to be literally looking down on everyone.” What Missoula no longer lacks in mid-size outdoor concert venues, it occasionally matches in a paucity of humor, and a commenter on the Indy’s Facebook page couldn’t help but weigh in with an earnestly dour, “And ruin our mountain.” Well played, Montgomery Distillery. Well played.

BEST SANDWICH SHOP Doc’s Sandwich Shop Sick of bland sammies? Doc’s will fix that. In what ought to be a competitive category, Doc’s has been filling Missoula’s sandwich scripts for nine years running. Why? Maybe it’s because the Doc Holiday, stuffed with turkey, cranberry sauce and, well, stuffing, makes us wish every day was the day after Thanksgiving, and then makes that wish come true. Or the grilled-teriyaki-chicken-in-a-pita stroke of genius that is the Doctor Spock. Last time, we tried the Doctor Demento, a classic Italian job with thick salami and soft bread. Just like heaven. Doc’s Sandwich Shop: 214 N Higgins Ave • 542-7414 • docsgourmet.com (Brouwer)

BEST SUSHI BEST SEAFOOD BEST WAITER Sushi Hana and Matt Maddox Raise your hand if you don’t at least occasionally crave sushi. Yeah, that’s what we thought. That’s why we see you there every Wednesday night, studying the $1 sushi menu like some Rosetta Stone of mouthly pleasure. We added the new Best Sushi category this year, since there are some fresh players in Missoula’s raw fish game, and with the idea of opening up the longstanding Best Seafood category to the cooked competition. But Sushi Hana—Montana’s first sushi restaurant, est. 1998—didn’t miss a beat, not only retaining its Best Seafood crown but picking up the new Sushi title and garnering manager/server Matt Maddox a Best Waiter nod for good measure. Maybe it’s time to start feeding that craving more than once a week. Sushi Hana: 403 N Higgins Ave • 5497979 • sushimissoula.com (BT)

FINALISTS, BEST SANDWICH SHOP 2. Tagliare 1433 S Higgins Ave 830-3049 facebook.com/tagliaredelicatessen 3. Worden’s Market and Deli 451 N Higgins Ave 549-1293 wordens.com

FINALISTS, BEST SUSHI 2. Nara Korean BBQ and Sushi 3075 N Reserve # K 327-0731 naramissoula.com 3. Kobe Seafood and Steakhouse 3331 N Reserve 540-4480 kobemissoula.com

FINALISTS, BEST SEAFOOD 2. The Depot 201 Railroad St W 728-7007 depotmissoula.com 3. Jakers Bar & Grill 3515 Brooks St 721-1312 jakers.com/missoula FINALISTS, BEST WAITER/WAITRESS 2. Cheryl Nickey, Jaker’s Bar & Grill 3. Kate, Scotty’s Table

Best Barbecue: The Notorious P.I.G.

photo by Rebecca Keith

BEST STEAK Lolo Creek Steakhouse The Lolo Creek Steakhouse’s reputation—already solid in western Montana—got a national boost earlier this year when it was featured on the Food Network as one of the country’s best destinations for steak. The buzz hadn’t yet died down when owners Matt and Mike Grunow announced they’d be establishing a distillery adjacent to the steakhouse this year. All that excitement and Lolo Creek hasn’t missed a beat, serving up sizzling steaks in a friendly, homey atmosphere in the same manner that’s made it a Best of Missoula favorite year after year. Lolo Creek Steakhouse: 6600 US HWY 12 West • 273-2622 • lolocreeksteakhouse.com (AS)

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [35]

FINALISTS, BEST STEAK 2. The Depot 201 Railroad St W 728-7007 depotmissoula.com 3. Jakers Bar and Grill 3515 Brooks St 721-1312 jakers.com/missoula BEST SUPERMARKET BEST RETAIL BEER SELECTION Orange Street Food Farm There’s nowhere quite like Orange Street Food Farm. It may not be the ritziest place to get your groceries, but who needs frills when all the food you could ever need is in the house? That obscure microbrew (the beer selection is jaw-dropping), a loaf of local bread, quality meat that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg—it’s all there. Add a helpful, down-to-earth staff you’d like to hang out with and the likelihood of bumping into at least three good friends on any given visit and there’s no better place to stock your kitchen. Orange Street Food Farm: 701 S Orange St • 5433188 • orangestreetfoodfarm.com (MS)

Best Delicatessen: Tagliare

[36] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Rebecca Keith

FINALISTS, BEST SUPERMARKET 2. Good Food Store 1600 S 3rd St W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com

3. Missoula Fresh Market 800 W Broadway 721-6009 3801 S Reserve 251-3311 missoulafm.com FINALISTS, BEST RETAIL BEER SELECTION 2. Worden’s Market & Deli 451 N Higgins Ave 549-1293 wordens.com 3. Pattee Creek Market 704 SW Higgins Ave 721-2456 BEST RETAIL WINE SELECTION Worden’s Market & Deli We’re staring at the wall of French wines, top shelf of course, when a staffer in an apron comes over to help us pick something out. We peel our eyes away from a $95 bottle of Meursault Perrieres and ask instead how many varieties they stock in this joint. He does some mental math and decides on 300. It’s a lowball estimate. Wine is kind of Worden’s thing, he says. An understatement at best. Worden’s Market & Deli: 451 N Higgins Ave • 549-1293 • wordens.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST RETAIL WINE SELECTION 2. Good Food Store 1600 S 3rd St W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com 3. Orange Street Food Farm 701 S Orange St 543-3188 orangestreetfoodfarm.com BEST WINGS Desperado Sports Tavern It’s simple enough to make passable wings, but making them something to die for takes skill. The wing savants at Desperado know exactly what they’re doing, and it shows—after all, they’ve taken this crown four years running. Take your pick of sauces (dare ya, sissy)—your body may tell you to stop at a dozen, but tell your body to shut up. Your body is stupid. Desperado Sports Tavern: 3101 S Russell St • 5499651 • facebook.com/DesperadoSportsTavern (MS) FINALISTS, BEST WINGS 2. Buffalo Wild Wings 2615 Radio Way 829-9464 buffalowildwings.com 3. Bridge Pizza 600 S Higgins Ave 542-0002 bridgepizza.com

BEST COFFEE HUT Florence Coffee Co. If recreation fuels Missoula, it’s safe to say coffee fuels the recreationists. They’re an early rising bunch by necessity, and whether it’s powder they’re after or trout, the first stop is always the same: wake-up juice. Rolling through any one of Florence Coffee’s hut locations is a nice reminder, too, that another human being is up and at ’em and already wearing a smile. And when the day’s adventures are done, Florence’s baristas are once again there with a warm cuppa something to help you keep those eyelids open long enough to get home safe. Florence Coffee Co.: Multiple locations • 546-3538 • florencecoffeeco.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST COFFEE HUT 2. The Loose Caboose Multiple locations 541-1748 loosecaboosemissoula.com 3. Good Americano 2350 S Reserve 529-2720 BEST CONVENIENCE STORE Ole’s Country Store Discerning the differences in the quality of petroleum is difficult for even the most distinguished sommelier (seems like every barrel tastes the same), so it takes more than a house brew to stand out among gas stations. (Wait, we’re not talking about the gas? Oh, right, sorry.) Ole’s Country Store actually delivers on the cleanliness that most truck stops advertise, and the Russell Street location carries a surprisingly adequate selection of fancy cheeses and dessicated meats to go with that 40 oz. of King Cobra and a soft pack of Turkish Royals. Ole’s Country Store: 1600 S Russell St • 728-7681 and 923 N Orange • 721-2170 (HP) FINALISTS, BEST CONVENIENCE STORE 2. Grizzly Grocery 447 Hill St 721-2679 grizzlygrocery.com 3. Holiday Stationstore 605 S Higgins Ave 721-6911 BEST LIQUOR STORE Grizzly Liquor When you want to shop at your favorite Missoula liquor store, it helps to know that remembering all the words to “Up With Montana” is not required, just encouraged. Once you’re past the iconic bear on the outside, you’ll find yourself in a world populated with just about any bottle you could conjure. Especially notable is the selection of Montanamade spirits and wines from the Northwest, and if you like your booze in brown, you’ll be

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [37]

Best Place to Buy Meat: Diamond Bar Meats

hard-pressed to find a better selection of bourbons, whiskeys and scotches. Cheers. Grizzly Liquor: 110 W Spruce St • 549-7723 • grizzlyliquor.com (JB) FINALISTS, BEST LIQUOR STORE 2. Krisco Liquor 1300 S Reserve 549-7242 kriscoliquor.com 3. Magic Diamond on Brooks 2230 Brooks St 542-8761 BEST PIZZA DELIVERY Bridge Pizza There’s nothing like the feeling of returning home from a long day of work where nothing went right and the world is falling apart and your fridge is empty except for a single beer and a stick of butter and you suddenly remember the magic that is Bridge Pizza delivery. In no time, there’s a piping hot pie in your kitchen topped with housepickled peppers, ricotta and soppressata, and everything is right with the world again, at least until tomorrow. They’re open tomorrow, too. Bridge Pizza: 600 S Higgins Ave • 542-0002 • bridgepizza.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST PIZZA DELIVERY 2. Howard’s Pizza 2010 South Ave W 721-2011 howardspizza.com 3. Pizza Hut Multiple locations 721-0149 pizzahut.com BEST ALL-NIGHT DINING The Oxford Saloon & Café Is anyone surprised? The Ox is the king

[38] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Brad Tyer

of the late-night burger, and a true judgment-free zone where Missoula’s drunken, huddled masses convene to shovel greasy delectables down their throats as one. Don’t get sassy with the no-nonsense cast of cook-servers—they’ve seen your likes before. But they do care about what they’re serving, and it still shows after all these years. There’s no better place to eat a burger at 4 a.m.—then stick around for breakfast. Oxford Saloon & Café: 337 N Higgins Ave • 549-0117 • the-oxford.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST ALL-NIGHT DINING 2. Denny’s 2922 Brooks St. 829-8500 3. 4Bs 700 E Broadway 926-2364 BEST BARISTA Sammy Rodriques, Liquid Planet Hold on to your latte, we’ve got a repeat winner! Rodriques is the first barista to defend his title in this category since it was introduced in 2014. The manager at Liquid Planet Grille, he’s also trained many of Liquid Planet’s baristas, including (probably) whomever made that latte you just spilled all over yourself. Hey, we told you to hold on to it. Don’t worry, Rodriques can whip up a replacement. It’ll be just as good as the last one. Sammy Rodriques, Liquid Planet: 1025 Arthur Ave • 540-4209 • liquidplanet.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST BARISTA 2. Kendra Bell, Drum Coffee 3. TIE: Bri Polluck, Loose Caboose Racquelle, Burns St. Bistro

GOODS & SERVICES BEST ADULT STORE Adam & Eve Variety is the spice of life, and doubly so in the bedroom. While Adam & Eve may not necessarily cater to your boyfriend’s diaper fetish (we’re not judging, and neither are they), they have just about any other tool of sexual exploration you might hope to find without plumbing the far corners of the internet. Best of all, the clean, well-lit atmosphere won’t make you feel like you’re doing something naughty. That’s for later. Adam & Eve: 1401 W Broadway • 5494688 • missoula.adamevestores.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST ADULT STORE 2. Fantasy For Adults Only on Brooks 2611 Brooks St 542-1801 fantasyforadultsonly.com 3. Fantasy For Adults Only on Main 210 E Main St 543-1867 fantasyforadultsonly.com BEST AUTO REPAIR Kent Bros. Kent Bros. convincingly claims that no one knows your ride better than they do. It’s not just that they’re the automotive experts that so many Missoulians trust to pop the hood of a Subaru and understand how it all fits together.

It’s that they’ll greet the dog hair on your seats and the fly rod in the back with the knowing grin of a kindred spirit. You need to get back on the road. They get that. And they’ll make sure you do—in a ride you can trust to be ready for the journey ahead. Kent Brothers Automotive: 127 S 4th St W • 728-1747 • kentbrothersautomotive.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST AUTO REPAIR 2. Master Technician, Inc. 128 S 5th West 327-0014 yotaservice.com 3. Roemer’s Point S 240 E Broadway 549-6425 pointstire.com/roemers BEST BANK/CREDIT UNION Missoula Federal Credit Union In the 21st century, there is something magical about calling the number on the back of your debit card and getting a live person who is actually inside your bank. Missoula Federal Credit Union makes “local” a customer service strategy. In an industry that feels massive and remote, it manages to compete with multinational chains while still offering the comforts of home. Missoula Federal Credit Union: 126 W Spruce St and multiple locations • 523-3300 • missoulafcu.org (Brooks)

FINALISTS, BEST BANK/CREDIT UNION 2. First Security Bank Multiple locations 728-3115 fsbmsla.com 3. First Interstate Bank Multiple locations 523-4200 firstinterstatebank.com BEST BOOKSTORE (NEW BOOKS) Shakespeare & Co. Shakespeare is a bookstore for the most voracious of readers. Owner Garth Whitson somehow seems to read everything that winds up on his shelves, and he can drop a recommendation for sci-fi, philosophy or anything else at the drop of a hat. The staff picks don’t patronize, and the displays seem designed to expand your interest beyond the comfort zone, with offerings from publishers both large and small. Never mind (oh, but do!) the stellar readings. You could easily spend an entire day perusing Shakespeare & Co., a space that seems to grow larger with every minute you spend inside. Shakespeare & Co.: 103 S 3rd St W • 5499010 • shakespeareandco.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST BOOKSTORE (NEW BOOKS) 2. Fact & Fiction 220 N Higgins Ave 721-2881

5 Campus Dr 243-1234 factandfictionbooks.com 3. Barnes & Noble 2640 N Reserve 721-0009 barnesandnoble.com BEST BOOKSTORE (USED BOOKS) Book Exchange We hear that book-trading thing is great, but the truth is we’re really more the bookhoarding type. We’ve recently added to our collection with an early Rick Bass hardback, a couple of ethnic cookbooks and a Kenzaburo Oe novel we found while waiting for a seat at Paul’s next door, and those usedbook prices make it easy. Confession: Our book-buying habit is starting to get out of hand. If it does, we might come back to check out that book-trading situation. Book Exchange: 2335 Brooks St • 728-6342 • booksmontana.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST BOOKSTORE (USED BOOKS) 2. Green Ribbon Books 829 S Higgins Ave 493-0475 greenribbonbooks.com 3. Bird’s Nest Books 219 N Higgins Ave 721-1125

Don’t just bank. Missoula’s Best Bank / Credit Union in 2017 — 18 years in a row. We couldn’t do it without you. Our members. Our co-workers. This great community. Thank you!

missoulafcu.org

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [39]

BEST MUSIC AND VINYL BEST STORE FOR GIFTS Rockin Rudy’s We guess it’s possible to pop into Rockin Rudy’s and get a gift quickly. It’s certainly within the realm of earthly possibility that you could carve out, say, 10 minutes and find something unique, quirky, sparkly, funny, thoughtful or vinyl (or possibly all of the above?) for anyone, kid or old fart, you might happen to know. But why would you do that? Taking the time to visit every Rudy’s anteroom and check out the crannies full of cool stuff you missed last time is one of the great pleasures of life in this town. So stop with the phone-checking. Pet the store cat. Take your time. Indulge yourself, not just the lucky recipient of whatever you’re gifting. There’s so much going on at Rockin Rudy’s that you could almost forget that at the shop’s heart is a good old-fashioned record store. But Missoula obviously doesn’t forget, because here is Rudy’s again, adding to its pan-categorical Best of Missoula haul as your favorite place to buy vinyl. Rudy’s spins us right ’round. Cue applause. Rockin Rudy’s: 237 Blaine St • 542-0077 • rockinrudys.com (BT)

Best Green Business: Home ReSource

[40] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Amy Donovan

FINALISTS, BEST MUSIC & VINYL 2. Ear Candy 624 S Higgins Ave 542-5029 earcandymusic.biz

3. Electronic Sound & Percussion 819 S Higgins Ave 728-1117 FINALISTS, BEST STORE FOR GIFTS 2. Green Light 301 N Higgins Ave 541-0080 greenlightmt.com 3. Butterfly Herbs 232 N Higgins Ave 728-8780 butterflyherbs.com BEST DRY CLEANER BEST LAUNDROMAT Green Hanger Just because you don’t have a fancy house with one of those newfangled laundry rooms doesn’t mean you don’t need a place to wash away the grime of your dirtbagging Garden City adventures. With two locations—one close to campus and the other tucked away behind the Hip Strip—Green Hanger is handy, and it offers drop-off laundry service at a great price. But with the free soap, free Wi-Fi and actually pretty comfy setting, laundry day can seem less like a chore than a mini-vacation, so why not stay awhile and clean your clothes yourself? For those with more elaborate wardrobe maintenance needs, the Executive Shirt Service can press an Oxford into ship-shape for a court appearance, and the in-house tailor can even give that sport coat a tuck, since your mom probably bought you the wrong size. Heck, at the Broadway location you can even wash your car. Green Hanger: 960 E Broadway • 728-1919 and 146 Woodford St • 728-1948 • greenhangermissoula.com (CM/HP) FINALISTS, BEST DRY CLEANER 2. Missoula Textile 111 E Spruce 543-5171 1201 Burlington Ave 543-7798 missoulatextiles.com 3. Fresh Natural Cleaners 1132 SW Higgins, #220 542-8100 freshnaturalcleaners.com FINALISTS, BEST LAUNDROMAT 2. Sparkle Laundry 812 S Higgins Ave 721-5146 3. Grimebusters 1202 W Kent Ave 721-3429 grimebusters.findalaundry.org BEST FURNITURE STORE Wagner’s Home Furnishings You’ll never get that eager-beaver saleslot treatment when you walk into Wagner’s. That’s true whether you know you’re in the market for a comfy, two-cushion, light-

taupe, nailhead-trimmed sofa with wooden legs, or you’re just browsing with only the vaguest idea that it’s time to ditch the second-hand Ikea junk and start some serious hardwood adulting. Wagner’s has been helping Missoulians settle in since 1953, and it still caters to furniture hunters of varied tastes and incomes—and those who respect a little space while they look to make themselves a home. Wagner’s Home Furnishings: 916 SW Higgins Ave • 728-3214 • wagnershomefurnishings.com (JB) FINALISTS, BEST FURNITURE STORE 2. Donation Warehouse 1804 North Ave W, Suite D 240-4042 donationwarehouse.net 3. The Living Room 2610 S Reserve 721-1340 thelivingroomfurniture.com BEST GARDEN CENTER Caras Nursery “Life begins the day you start a garden.” Those words—a Chinese proverb—are plastered at the top of Caras Nursery’s website, a fitting mantra for Missoula’s go-to for greenery. Life may begin with a seed, but it takes a whole lot more to nurture and cultivate it, like soil, mulch and fencing to keep those nibbling deer at bay. Caras has all that and bird baths besides, ensuring that once you get life started, you won’t have to struggle to keep it going. Caras Nursery: 2727 S 3rd St W • 543-3333 • carasnursery.com (AS)

THANKS FOR VOTING US AS A FINALIST! thewomensclub.com 2105 Bow Street Missoula, Montana 59801 406.728.4410

FINALISTS, BEST GARDEN CENTER 2. Pink Grizzly 1400 Wyoming St 728-3370 3. Ace Hardware’s Fancy Plants 1101 Burlington Ave 532-3478 montanafancyplants.com BEST GREEN BUSINESS Home ReSource Sustainability, yeah, yeah. Of course Home ReSource is sustainable (they’re reselling salvage from the Merc’s wreckage, after all). But let’s talk about how much fun this place is. The aisles are Missoula’s DIY sandbox, a place where grownups can let their imaginations run wild. Practical imagining, to boot. When our dog chewed up the carpet last month, we headed over before the landlord could find out. Bingo, bango, bongo, we found just the right scrap. Consider the carpet repaired. Cost? $2. Home ReSource: 1515 Wyoming St • 541-8300 • homeresource.org (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST GREEN BUSINESS 2. Green Light 301 N Higgins Ave 541-0080 greenlightmt.com

Best place for kids’ fun! carouselformissoula.com Caras Park on the Clark Fork River Open daily 11am to 7:00pm

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [41]

3. Good Food Store 1600 S 3rd St W 541-3663 goodfoodstore.com BEST HARDWARE STORE Ace Hardware If there’s a retail biz where customer service still matters, it’s the hardware biz. And here’s a challenge: Try walking through one of Missoula’s Ace Hardware stores without an associate offering to help you find what you need. Go ahead, we dare you. We’ll even stand at the front of the store and clock how long it takes— while we munch on the complimentary popcorn, of course. Ace Hardware: 2301 Brooks St • 728-3030 and 905 E Broadway • 7219690 • acehardware.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST HARDWARE STORE 2. Home ReSource 1515 Wyoming St 541-8300 homeresource.org 3. Lowe’s 3100 N Reserve 329-1800 lowes.com BEST HEAD SHOP Mellow Mood For those of you with a fondness for patchouli, there’s no better place to acquire bon… sorry, water pipes, bubblers, vaporiz-

ers and hookahs of all shapes and sizes. But it’s the bonus accessories that really make Mellow Mood shine, like the fake soda can containers you can hide your… um… keys in. Mellow Mood: 630 S Higgins Ave • 728-0777 • mellowmood.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST HEAD SHOP 2. Piece of Mind 123 W Main St 830-3206 pieceofmind.net 3. Atmosphere Smoke Shop 115 W Main St 728-4420 atmomt.com BEST MARIJUANA DISPENSARY Flower With push-me-pull-you court rulings, ballot initiatives and a raft of legal uncertainties, 2016 wasn’t a particularly easy year for Montana’s medical marijuana business. Did that stop longtime provider Bobby Long from moving into a downtown storefront? Or from advocating for badly needed changes in state policy? Faced with adversity, Long transformed Flower into an art space dedicated to showcasing the importance of his industry for Montanans. Long fought the good fight on behalf of his patients, and if you ask him, it’s those patients who won. Flower: 133 N Higgins Ave • 541-0420 • flowermontana.com (AS)

[42] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

FINALISTS, MARIJUANA DISPENSARY 2. Lionheart Caregiving 2007 Brooks St 586-2837 lionheartcaregiving.com 3. Starrbuds 1323 W Broadway St 926-2092 starrbuds.com BEST HOBBY/CRAFT SHOP The Treasure Chest Looking to get into cake decorating? Or maybe you think it’s finally time to try your hand at flying a drone? Perhaps you finally found the space for that model train set you’ve always wanted. Whatever your craft or hobby scenario, the Treasure Chest has you covered. Not only does the venerable hobby shop have the supplies for just about any DIY project you can imagine, it’s also staffed by folks who know what they, and you, are doing, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. They’re happy to give it. The Treasure Chest: 1612 Benton Ave • 5497992 • treasurechesthobbies.com (CM) FINALISTS, BEST HOBBY/CRAFT SHOP 2. Michael’s 2850 N Reserve 542-0128 michaels.com 3. Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft

1900 Brooks St 543-5244 joann.com BEST LODGING DoubleTree Edgewater The back deck at Finn & Porter, DoubleTree Edgewater’s in-house restaurant and bar, may have the best view in Missoula. The hotel’s location on the Clark Fork, just a few minutes’ walk from downtown and the university, make it the preferred lodging for business travelers, Griz fans, fly fishers and this writer’s mother. The free cookies don’t hurt, either. DoubleTree Edgewater: 100 Madison St • 728-3100 • hilton.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST LODGING 2. C’mon Inn 2775 Expo Parkway 543-4600 cmoninn.com/missoula 3. Holiday Inn Downtown 200 S Pattee St 721-8550 ihg.com BEST MOTORCYCLE/ATV DEALER Grizzly Harley Davidson Your younger self probably never saw this coming (did your younger self see anything coming?), but here you are anyway, pushing 50, kids out of the house, their college paid for, and

Best Marijuana Dispensary: Flower

not only are you gainfully employed—at a badass local newspaper, let’s say—but your badass local newspaper just got snapped up by a giant chain of even more wildly profitable newspapers, let’s say, and the new bosses are so eager to keep you happy—because that’s just how the newspaper business rolls—that they’ve arranged a big fat bonus as a token of their appreciation. Your younger self might have used the windfall as a down payment on a house, but you bought your house years ago, when you could still do that in Missoula without being a millionaire, and it’s almost paid off by now. So, what to do with $25,000 and the hot breath of late middle age breathing down your neck? Three words: Road King, baby. You’ve earned it. And when you’re ready to claim your reward, you go to Grizzly Harley Davidson, because that’s where this dream comes true. Grizzly Harley Davidson: 5106 Harrier Dr • 800-431-2453 • grizzlyhd.com (BT) FINALISTS, BEST MOTORCYCLE/ATV DEALER 2. Maverick Motorsports 4950 N Reserve 549-4260 mavmotorsports.com 3. Kurt’s Polaris 2904 W Broadway 541-3651 kurstpolaris.com BEST NEW-CAR DEALER Karl Tyler Chevrolet We’re not sure what’s cooler about Karl Tyler Chevrolet: the Corvettes in the showroom or the trophy mounts above them. Or maybe the voters had Karl Tyler’s VW lot next door in mind? Were they thinking about Karl Tyler’s reputation for customer service? The good deals? It’s impossible to say, but here’s a sure thing: The voters trust Karl Tyler to put them in the driver’s seat of the car of their dreams. Karl Tyler Chevrolet: 3663 N Reserve St • 7212438 • gmofmontana.com (Brouwer)

photo by Rebecca Keith

FINALISTS, BEST NEW-CAR DEALER 2. Lithia Auto Center 5001 Grizzly Court 721-5000 lithia.com 3. Subaru of Missoula 1600 Stephens Ave 728-2510 subaruofmissoula.com BEST USED-CAR DEALER Lithia Toyota Geography books say grizzly bear, but we all know the real state animal of Montana is the used Toyota. The automaker’s reputation for reliability means a lively market for pre-owned vehicles, and no one in Missoula has a wider selection than Lithia. Its showroom, finance and service departments operate as a finely tuned machine, enabling the kind of volume that keeps prices low and sales pitches soft. Lithia Toyota: 4001 Brooks St • 5524959 • lithiatoyotamissoula.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST USED-CAR DEALER 2. Eide Motors 3010 S Reserve 721-2323 eidemt.com 3. Jim’s Used Cars 1801 W Broadway 543-8269 priced-riteauto.com BEST NEW RETAIL STORE Campfire Collective For anyone looking to represent the Treasure State with a Montana-centric gift, Campfire Collective was a distinctive—and obviously popular—addition to Missoula’s downtown shopping scene. Alas, the brick and mortar storefront recently closed. Happily, you can still shop a selection of the collective’s 406-

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [43]

themed fashions online. Campfire Collective: camp406.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST NEW RETAIL STORE 2. Flower 133 N Higgins Ave 541-0420 flowermontana.com 3. Castle & Pony 1555 Liberty Ln C2 926-1377 BEST PET SUPPLIES PetSmart So. Many. Dog beds. The back of this store might as well be a mattress clearinghouse for Fido. As we’re staring at the wall of memory foam, an associate comes over and offers some guidance. We leave satisfied, carrying a red Kong crate liner said to feature a great combination of durability and bounce. We can only assume PetSmart treats its reptile, bird, fish and cat owners just as well. Best of Missoula voters certainly think so. PetSmart: 2850 N Reserve St • 549-9188 • petsmart.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST PET SUPPLIES 2. GoFetch! 3275 N Reserve 728-2275 gofetchdog.com 3. Petco 3662 Brooks Ave 251-1362 petco.com BEST RANCH SUPPLY STORE Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply Taste is taste, but for our money there’s probably no better aspirational browsing in Missoula than Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply. Clothes that are tougher than you are. Hand tools and hardware. Tillers and transfer pumps. Knives and Noconas. Have you ever considered all the cool things you could do with a galvanized stock tank? You may go to Murdoch’s to keep your ranch supplied, and good on ya, but we go bimonthly to buy dog food and feel like a cowboy doing it. Murdoch’s rocks either way. Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply: 2801 W Broadway • 549-2355 • murdochs.com (BT) FINALISTS, BEST RANCH SUPPLY STORE 2. Mountain West Co-Op/Cenex 4570 N Reserve 543-8383 cenexmt.com 3. Tractor Supply Co. 12150 US-93, Lolo 273-4777 tractorsupply.com

[44] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

BEST PLACE TO REGAIN YOUR DIGNITY There are plenty of places to lose your dignity in Missoula. For example: any number of monthly standup comedy open mics this town now offers, including Missoula Homegrown Comedy’s open mic at the Union Club, and Revival Comedy’s open mic at the Badlander. Think you’re funny? You might be. But those events are almost perfectly designed for making a fool of yourself in front of a live audience, and there’s no amount of beer that can erase that memory. Fortunately, there’s BASE Missoula’s Thursday evening workshops, which allow you to rub elbows and compare notes with local comedy veterans who can help hone your jokes and get the audience laughing with you, not at you. BASE is a collaboration between Summit Independent Living and other arts nonprofits, and it caters to all ages, abilities and interests. That makes it a safe space in which to pick up the pieces of your shattered ego and, like the masochist you are, climb right back on the stage that bucked you. BASE Missoula: 725 W Alder Suite 4 • 215-1080 • basemissoula.org BEST STORE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Morgenroth Music Center Before digital song downloads, compact discs, cassettes and records, there was sheet music. And wouldn’t you rather listen to a member of your household than TPain? With instruments from recorders to pianos and lessons available in-house, Morgenroth Music Center has a way to bring music into anyone’s life. Morgenroth Music Center: 1105 W Sussex Ave • 800462-0013 • montanamusic.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST STORE FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS 2. Electronic Sound & Percussion 819 S Higgins Ave 728-1117 espmusic.com 3. Greg Boyd’s House of Fine Instruments 311 Knowles St 327-9925 gregboyd.com BEST TOY STORE Imagination Station Walk into Missoula’s favorite toy store and you won’t just find stuffed narwhals, dinosaur eggs, board games and fidget spinners. You’ll also see smiling parents and caregivers guiding wide-eyed children through a place that truly lives up to its name. And the magic doesn’t just register with kids—adults, too, can be

seen with that same gleam in their eyes as they rediscover classic toys from their childhood. Imagination Station: 227 N Higgins Ave • 926-3325 • montanatoys.com (CM) FINALISTS, BEST TOY STORE 2. Rockin Rudy’s 237 Blaine St 542-0077 rockinrudys.com 3. Whippersnappers 127 N Higgins Ave, Suite B 728-7400 BEST ANTIQUES Montana Antique Mall Chairs made from wagon wheels. Vintage clothes. A Mickey Mouse rotary phone. All manner of knick-knacks and rarities are spread out over four floors of this downtown treasure trove, with each dealer offering a different portal to the past. Of course, the treasure we covet most—that papier-mache Spider Manin-sunglasses crawling above the elevator— doesn’t seem to have a price tag. Montana Antique Mall: 331 Railroad St W • 721-5366 • montanaantiquemall.com (Brouwer)

Best Toy Store: Imagination Station

photo by Parker Seibold

FINALISTS, BEST ANTIQUES 2. Circle Square Second Hand Store 519 N. Higgins Ave 549-3512 2ndhand.com

T THIS HIS A AWAR WA R D C CAN’T A N ’ T BE B E WON WO N W WITHOUT I T HOU T A ALL LL OF Y YOU OU! I T SSURE URE M MEANS EANS L O T. A LOT.

Thanks, Missoula for voting Dr. Anthony Lambert one of the Best Chiropractors.

4 0 6.5 41.WEL L ( 9355 ) • w w w.lamber t fc.com

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [45]

Best Lawyer: Paul Ryan

3. Zootown Thrift 1444 W Broadway St 552-7732 zootownthrift.com BEST CAR WASH Happy Days Car Wash When your trusty adventure rig is filthy, it’s likely there’s plenty else in need of a scrub. Happy Days has everything you need to return your car to sparkling glory, along with services to ensure a matching interior. Fido been romping in the mud? Give him a rinse in the dog wash. Boots leaking river water? Send those floormats through the automatic washing machine. You can even snag an air freshener to help erase whatever odiferous evidence remains from your weekend fun. Happy Days Car Wash: 3831 Brooks St • 251-7009 • happydayscarwash.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST CAR WASH 2. Dazzlers 2610 Radio Way 728-6262 3. Splash 2050 Cooper St 721-3743 BEST FARMERS MARKET VENDOR Ninja Mike’s Three words: sausage, egg, cheese. Any combination of these on bread served by repeat winner Ninja Mike’s will deliver the perfect morning munch as you stroll through the Clark Fork Market—though you might want to grab a chair and settle in to enjoy one of these sizable breakfast sandwiches. Made with all-local products, they’re pretty much peak Missoula, and just plain tasty. Ninja Mike’s: Clark Fork Market on Saturdays • ninjamikes.com (MG)

[46] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Amy Donovan

FINALIST, BEST FARMERS MARKET VENDOR 2. Mmmm…Waffles 3. Poppy Bakery BEST FLORIST Bitterroot Flower Shop Missoulians can be forgiven for lingering in Bitterroot Flower Shop even if they don’t have an anniversary coming up. The bright space and thicket of plants familiar and strange make the inside of this sprawling florist feel like another world, or at least another climate zone. They also deliver, though it’s a mystery how anyone can bear to leave. Bitterroot Flower Shop: 811 S Higgins Ave • 542-0309 • bitterrootflowershop.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST FLORIST 2. Habitat Floral 211 N Higgins Ave, #101 543-0967 habitatfloralstudio.com 3. Garden City Floral 2510 Spurgin Rd 543-6627 gardencityfloral.com BEST HOME ACCESSORIES Cost Plus World Market We’re not sure why you weren’t aware that you absolutely need a spoon rest inspired by a pale blue octopus, but now that you know, better head over to World Market. You’ll probably find it there, but if you don’t, it’ll be OK. You’ll discover instead about 150 other clever, lovely items that somehow seem totally unique to you and your offbeat taste. And there’s so much more to this store than accessories, from globally sourced comestibles to bigticket coffee tables, patio benches, chandeliers and that one special pillow or

cabinet knob that makes you happy every single time it meets your eye. You’re obviously glad that World Market landed into Missoula. We are too. Please never leave. Cost Plus World Market Missoula: 3025 Paxson • 542-6669 • worldmarket.com (JB) FINALISTS, BEST HOME ACCESSORIES 2. Green Light 301 N Higgins Ave 541-0080 greenlightmt.com 3. Real Deals on Home Decor 2150 South Ave W 830-3059 realdeals.net/missoula BEST LAWYER Paul Ryan It’s no surprise Paul Ryan took home the win this year. After all, he’s a lawyer of the people, taking on cases in difficult fields like DUI and medical malpractice litigation. Ryan and his team help people in their greatest hour of need, taking an ethical approach to their practice. Paul Ryan & Associates have the kind of long-standing relationship with Missoula’s legal circuit that you’ll be happy to have on your side in a pinch. Paul Ryan & Associates: 208 E Front St • 542-2233 • paulryanlaw.com (MS)

FINALISTS, BEST LAWYER 2. John Velk 3. Joanne McCormack BEST PAWN SHOP Downtown Pawn & Gun Digging through thrift stores can be fun, but the thrill of finding an item you want and then actually haggling over the price is something else entirely. Downtown Pawn & Gun is your local favorite not just for its selection—on any given day, God knows what must-have gun, guitar or electronic device you might find—but for its reasonable staff. You won’t overpay if you’re buying, and when the time comes to pawn your possessions for rent money, you’ll get the fairest shake possible. Downtown Pawn & Gun: 219 W Broadway • 549-8622 (MS) FINALISTS, BEST PAWN SHOP 2. 1st Interstate Pawn 3110 S Reserve 721-7296 3. A Nickel’s Worth Pawn Shop 2424 W Central Ave 728-2112 anickelsworth.net BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Garden City Property Management They’re Missoula’s local landlords, and

they’re proud of it. They flaunt each team member’s years of service right there on the website. Add ’em up and you get 118. Rest assured, bungalow browsers, the folks at Garden City know the answers to your questions. Plus, they’ve got your housewarming gift covered: a yearlong membership to Costco. Now get out there and stock those cupboards. Garden City Property Management: 422 Madison St • 549-6106 • gcpm-mt.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY 2. Missoula Property Management 2809 Great Northern Loop 251-8500 rentinmissoula.com 3. Plum Property Management 410 Expressway 541-7586 rentplum.com BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR Scott Smith Property Solutions Whether you’re looking to build your dream home or remodel that university-area bungalow you’ve been holding onto since the early 1990s, Scott Smith at Property Solutions is your guy when it comes to navigating all the complexities of the design and construction process. It doesn’t matter if your aesthetic involves antlers or corrugated metal or both,

he’ll work with you and your budget to deliver something you’ll be proud to call home. Scott Smith Property Solutions: 240-5135 • facebook.com/sspropertysolutions (JS) FINALIST, BEST GENERAL CONTRACTOR 2. JM Moran & Co. Construction 3. Ayers Construction, Inc. BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT Anne Jablonski, Portico Realty If you’re looking to buy or a sell a house, look no further than Anne Jablonski at Portico Realty to help make the process smooth and stress-free. Committed, dedicated and experienced, Jablonski will listen to you and follow through. She’s friendly, patient and steady in a business known for chaos. You’ll be glad to have her by your side from the search to the closing and every twist and turn along the way. Anne Jablonski, Portico Realty: 445 W Alder St • 327-8787 • movemontana.com (JS) FINALISTS, BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT 2. Liz Dye, Portico Real Estate 445 W Alder St 531-4508 homemissoula.com 3. Mindy Palmer 1020 South Ave W 239-6696 mindypalmer.com

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [47]

BEST PET CARE/BOARDING Quick Paws Need someone to check on your pooch during an extra-long day at work? How about day care? A day hike? Boarding? Grooming? At Quick Paws, the answer is yes. No matter which service you need, the Quick Paws crew is ready to build a relationship with your pet. Prove it, you say? Look no further than the online day-hike gallery, which includes a most excellent recent photo of a galloping pug named Jacques. Jacques is having fun. Jacques might not mind if you get tied up with work all week. Quick Paws: 1720 S 3rd St W • 721-1943 • quickpaws.net (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST PET CARE/BOARDING 2. Alpine Canine 3275 N Reserve #D 541-4453 alpinecanine.com 3. Cats on Broadway 1450 W Broadway 728-0022 catsonbroadwayhospital.com BEST STORAGE UNIT River Road Storage We’ve been thinking a lot these last few days about what might make one set of storage units stand out among all the rest as the best in Missoula, and frankly we can’t figure it out. Is it price? Cleanliness? Friendliness of

proprietor? Location? Honestly we’re just not sure. But we do know one thing. Next time we need a storage unit we’re going to take the advice of Indy readers, who had no trouble at all picking River Road Storage out of the crowd. They must be doing something right. River Road Storage: 2220 River Road • 926-3158 • riverrdstorage.com (BT) FINALISTS, BEST STORAGE UNIT 2. Copperstone Stor-All 8700 Roller Coaster Road 728-7867 copperstonestorage.com 3. Mr. T’s Self Storage 5075 Expressway 541-7777 mrtss.com BEST VETERINARY CLINIC/HOSPITAL Missoula Veterinary Clinic Fine, we admit it: As seriously as some people take them, most Best of Missoula categories are pretty small beans in the scheme of things. You might like this burger a little bit better than that burger, but there are plenty of good burgers in this town, and you’ll do yourself no disservice by trying them all. But best veterinary clinic? That’s some life-or-death stuff right there, and in a town where lots of dogs get better health care than some people we know, reliable reader recommendations carry extra weight.

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[48] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

Missoula Veterinary Clinic is a serial contender in this category, previously winning it in 2014 and 2016, and doctors Andrew Cross, Scott Bovard, Jessica Hanson and Adam and Katie McDougall and the rest of the MVC crew have obviously earned your trust. If we let animals vote in this category (Ed. note: Hey, we should let animals vote in this category), they’d doubtless agree. Missoula Veterinary Clinic: 3701 Old US 93 • 251-2400 • missoulavetclinic.com (BT) FINALISTS, BEST VETERINARY CLINIC/HOSPITAL 2. Alpine Canine 500 S 5th St W 728-4605 alpinevetcare.com 3. Pruyn Veterinary Hospital 2501 S Russell St 829-8150 pruynvet.com

NIGHTLIFE BEST BAR BEST PLACE TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC Top Hat Lounge The Top Hat is a place where you can go on a fancy date for cocktails and grilled salmon or sit at the bar and sip whiskey with old friends. The bar’s atmosphere is stylish but rustic, a

comfort zone where Deadheads feel at home listening to rare bootlegs on Monday evenings during the Grateful Dead Hour, and citizens gather to watch national political debates on a big screen. The Top Hat is for everybody. It’s also a place that Indy readers praise for live music, and no wonder. The acts that have played so far this year—Old 97s, Mandolin Orange, Blitzen Trapper and Hillstomp, to name a few—put on high-caliber shows that audiences buzz about for weeks. The upcoming lineup of artists includes James McMurtry, Turkuaz and Shooter Jennings, plus a long list of cherished Montana-made acts such as Laney Lou and the Bird Dogs and the Hasslers. How do we ever choose? The Top Hat Lounge: 134 W Front St • 728-9865 • tophatlounge.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST BAR 2. Charlie B’s 428 N Higgins Ave 549-3589 3. James Bar 127 W Alder St 721-8158 jamesbarmontana.com FINALISTS, BEST PLACE TO HEAR LIVE MUSIC 2. The Wilma 131 S Higgins Ave 728-2521 thewilma.com

Best Bartender: Anne Hancock, The Rhino

photo by Cathrine L. Walters

3. Union Club 208 E Main St 728-7980 unionclubbarandgrill.com

but by welcoming all patrons with a friendly nod and a generous splash of whatever they’re craving. Al’s & Vic’s: 119 W Alder St • 728-4804 • alsandvics.com (AS)

BEST BAR FOOD James Bar Oh, your best friends from back East are in town? You’re looking for somewhere to meet that better-than-average Tinder date? You’ll never go wrong at James Bar, especially if you’re eating. Don’t get us wrong, the Moscow Mules rival frosty cocktails anywhere, but oh my, the fries. Garlicked! Truffled! Those perfectly-salted fries arrived piled in a tall paper cone—and don’t neglect the mango ketchup and tartar sauce. If only the sweet potato tots didn’t make us second-guess the choice. Lest you’re looking for something not deliciously oil-crisped, try the burger, any burger, though we’re partial to the tiny-yetpowerful Mini Stan: Montana beef topped with an over-easy quail egg, pepper cheese and a fried onion. So good. And don’t worry if you’re not into cow. The falafel plate produces similar exclamations. James Bar: 127 W Alder St • 721-8158 • jamesbarmontana.com (JB/MG)

FINALISTS, BEST BAR FOR A STIFF POUR 2. Charlie B’s 428 N Higgins Ave 549-3589 3. The Rhino 158 Ryman St 721-6061

FINALISTS, BEST BAR FOOD 2. Top Hat Lounge 134 W Front St 728-9865 tophatlounge.com 3. Dinosaur Cafe at Charlie B’s 428 N Higgins Ave 721-3808 BEST BAR FOR A STIFF POUR Al’s & Vic’s More than a decade ago, in this very space, the Indy proclaimed Al’s & Vic’s a place where “jiggers are for sissies.” For years before, and every year since, the esteemed downtown watering hole has continued to prove it. Not by consistently winning Best of Missoula—though they’ve done that too—

BEST BEER SELECTION BEST BARTENDER The Rhino, Anne Hancock Bartending at the Rhino seems like it might have less to do with mixing exotic drinks and more to do with managing the 50 or so kegs the bar has tapped at any given time, but what do we know—we just drink there. Either way, bartender Anne Hancock is just as adept at assembling a Long Island Iced Tea as she is at helping patrons navigate the Rhino’s gallery of daily beer specials. And whatever she’s doing, she’s obviously doing it right, having climbed from 3rd place in this category in 2015 to runner-up last year to queen of the hill. Come to think of it, we’ll just have what she’s she’s having. Anne Hancock, The Rhino: 158 Ryman St • 7216061 • therhinomissoula.com (HP) FINALISTS, BEST BEER SELECTION 2. Dram Shop 229 E Front St 540-4303 dramshopmt.com 3. Tamarack Brewing Company 231 W Front St 830-3113 tamarackbrewing.com FINALISTS, BEST BARTENDER 2. Eric Plonk 3. Jack Metcalf Al's and Vic’s

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [49]

BEST BLOODY MARY Tamarack Brewing Company Tamarack’s weekend Bloody Mary bar (Sat. and Sun., 10 to 4) is an exercise in social pressure, as recuperating revelers compete to see how extravagant a cornucopia can be crammed into a pint glass without sloshing a couple of ounces of vodka overboard. Anyone who needs a helping hand can count on the assistance of bartender-approved recipes, and summertime sees an influx of fresh produce from the farmer’s market down the street. You don’t have to be hungover to appreciate Missoula’s repeat favorite hair of the dog, but it doesn’t hurt (except for the parts that hurt). Tamarack Brewing Company: 231 W Front St • 830-3113 • tamarackbrewing.com (HP) FINALISTS, BEST BLOODY MARY 2. Last Run Inn, Montana Snowbowl 1700 Snow Bowl Rd 549-9777 montanasnowbowl.com 3. Montgomery Distillery 129 W Front St 926-1725 montgomerydistillery.com

Best Bloody Mary: Tamarack Brewing Company

photo by Brad Tyer

BEST COCKTAIL SELECTION BEST MARGARITA Plonk Missoula has always been a beer town, but some nights it’s impossible to beat a good

cocktail, and Plonk’s mixologists will whip you up something special. A traditional whiskey sour? You got it. An Indian Paintbrush? Coming right up. And Lord knows their sage-infused margaritas can’t be beat. Plonk: 322 N Higgins Ave • 926-1791 • plonkwine.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST COCKTAIL SELECTION 2. Montgomery Distillery 129 W Front St 926-1725 montgomerydistillery.com 3. Iron Horse 501 N Higgins Ave 728-8866 ironhorsebrewpub.com FINALISTS, BEST MARGARITA 2. El Cazador 101 S Higgins Ave, #1 728-3657 elcazadormissoula.com 3. Jakers Bar & Grill 3515 Brooks St • 721-1312 jakers.com/missoula BEST CASINO The Silver Slipper The Silver Slipper doesn’t serve gas by the gallon like most of Montana’s “casinos,” but the in-house pizzeria more than makes up for it. The Slipper wears many hats, doubling (tripling?) as an event space and sports bar, and even provides a shuttle service for

\[_S TG# For Choosing Wagner’s as the Best Furniture Store!

916 SW Higgins Ave. Missoula, MT

(406) 728-3214 MONDAY - FRIDAY 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM SATURDAY 9:30 AM to 5 PM WagnersHomeFurnishings.com

[50] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

Best Karaoke Bar: Bowl Dog Lounge, Westside Lanes

larger parties. Feeling lucky, Missoula? The Silver Slipper—moving from last year’s runner-up slot into the No. 1 spot—is your favorite place to put that feeling to the test. The Silver Slipper: 4055 US-93 • 2515402 • thesilverslipperlounge.com (HP) FINALISTS, BEST CASINO 2. Flipper’s Tavern & Casino 125 S 3rd St W 721-4895 3. Diamond Jim’s Multiple locations 829-9898 BEST DISTILLERY Montgomery Distillery It’s easy to get caught up in the elegant designs of Montgomery Distillery’s bottles, but everyone knows it’s what’s inside that counts. Owners Jenny and Ryan Montgomery created Whyte Laydie Gin and Quicksilver Vodka after studying centuries-old distilling techniques in Scotland, then getting a certification in herbal studies in Montana. Last year, the couple, along with head distiller Chad Larrabee, unveiled their first batches of Montgomery Single Malt and Sudden Wisdom Rye, all of which are made with wheat and rye from a farm in Heath, Montana, run by Ryan’s parents. Sipping on these old-world recipes made with Montana ingredients—straight, or mixed in cocktails—makes it plenty clear why the distillery gives so much attention to those pretty bottles: They have to compete with the contents. Montgomery Distillery: 129 W Front St • 926-1725 • montgomerydistillery.com (EF) FINALIST, BEST DISTILLERY 2. Montana Distillery 631 Woody St 541-1889 flatheadvodka.com 3. Rattlesnake Creek Distillery 128 W Alder St 239-5050 rattlesnakedistillers.com

photo by Rebecca Keith

BEST HAPPY HOUR Jakers Bar and Grill From 4 to 6 every evening and again from 9 to 11 (Sun.–Wed.) or 9 to 12 (Th.–Sat.), the people-watching at Jakers Bar and Grill is possibly out-matched by the thirst-friendly drink prices and the better-than-it-has-to-be happy-hour menu. Draft beers (there are many), house wines and well drinks are straight-up half-price. And doesn’t that ice-cold G&T make you want to nosh some seared peppered tuna or tender steak bites? Happy hour apps (and top-shelf liquors, for that matter) are $3 off, so you’ll have no excuse for not returning the favors with a healthy tip. Jakers Bar and Grill: 3515 Brooks St • 7211312 • jakers.com/missoula (JB) FINALISTS, BEST HAPPY HOUR 2. Top Hat Lounge 134 W Front St 728-9865 tophatlounge.com 3. Finn & Porter DoubleTree Edgewater, 100 Madison St 542-4660 finnandporter.com/missoula BEST KARAOKE BAR Bowl Dog Lounge, Westside Lanes & Fun Center Yes, it’s a phenomenal bowling alley, and yes, there’s also a top-notch arcade. But the real draw of Westside Lanes is the Bowl Dog Lounge, where Missoula’s best (and worst) vocalists offer their takes on classic tracks from all eras of popular music. Want to try your hand at the Eagles? Go for it. Nu-metal more your style? Trust us, all the Korn and Limp Bizkit you could want is available. The crowd will love you even if you suck, and the adjacent bar is always ready to deliver the liquid courage you need to belt out your troubles. Westside Lanes & Fun Center: 1615 Wyoming St • 7215263 • missoulabowling.com (MS)

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [51]

Best Cocktail Selection, Best Margarita: Plonk

FINALISTS, BEST KARAOKE BAR 2. The Badlander 208 Ryman St 549-0235 3. Dark Horse 1805 Regent St 728-0934 BEST LATE-NIGHT MUNCHIES Pie Hole Ultra-thin, extra-large pies. Ambitious toppings that cater to meat lovers and vegetarians alike. Slices that’ll set you back less than $3. Open less than two years now, Pie Hole has already dialed in the recipe that bar-hoppers love. Even when half of Missoula is piled inside at bar-closing time, the staff keeps the line moving. No rush, though—Pie Hole doesn’t stop serving till 3 a.m. Pie Hole: 525 N Higgins Ave • 9262233 • pieholemissoula.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST LATE-NIGHT MUNCHIES 2. The Oxford Saloon & Cafe 337 N Higgins Ave 549-0117 the-oxford.com 3. El Cazador’s Taco Truck Various locations BEST MICROBREWERY BEST BREW KettleHouse Brewing Cold Smoke Scotch Ale Big things have been brewing at KettleHouse over the past year, and we’re not just talking about that 8 percent Brick and Mortar ale at the Northside taproom. Last summer, Cold Smoke picked up another gold medal at the North American Beer Awards. Then, in December, KettleHouse announced the addition of an outdoor music amphitheater at its new Bonner production facility. And while it may be tempting to speculate on what could possibly be next, it makes a lot more sense to sit back and enjoy the ride with them. Clutching a frosty

[52] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

photo by Rebecca Keith

one, of course. KettleHouse Brewing Company; Cold Smoke: 313 N 1st St W and 602 Myrtle St • 728-1660 • kettlehouse.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST MICROBREWERY 2. Draught Works 915 Toole Ave 541-1592 draughtworksbrewery.com 3. Bayern Brewing 1507 Montana St 721-1482 bayernbrewery.com FINALISTS, BEST BREW 2. Summer Honey, Big Sky Brewing Co. 3. Eddy Out, KettleHouse Brewing BEST PLACE TO DANCE BEST POOL TABLE Union Club Free pool at the Union has always been a charming way to burn through a Missoula afternoon, though the new $5 buy-in Sunday tournaments have injected some muchneeded capitalist competition into the old felt. You’ll probably lose to some 65-year-old roughneck (or a 22-year-old student dressed like one), but you can always show up again on Friday for the no-cover live band and challenge boomers on the Union’s legendary and soon to be refurbished dance floor. But be warned: All that juking and jiving combined with cheap hooch and the new greasy-spoon kitchen window may make you hope that renovations include the men’s room stalls. Union Club: 208 E Main St • 728-7980 • unionclubbarandgrill.com (HP) FINALISTS, BEST PLACE TO DANCE 2. Sunrise Saloon 1805 Regent St 728-1559 sunrisesaloonandcasino.com 3. The Badlander 208 Ryman St 549-0235 thebadlander.com

3101 S Russell St 549-9651 3. Thomas Meagher Bar 130 W Pine St 540-4402 thomasmeagherbar.com

FINALISTS, BEST POOL TABLE 2. Feruqi’s 318 N Higgins Ave 728-8799 3. Flipper’s 125 S 3rd St W 721-4895 BEST SPORTS BAR The Press Box Your needs doubtless vary, and the Press Box has obviously been satisfying them for years, but you want to know our measure of a quality—nay, indispensable—sports bar? You can watch the Wimbledon finals there. That means you need a TV tuned to ESPN or NBC or whoever the hell is broadcasting tennis this year at 7 a.m. Mountain Time on Sunday morning. And in Missoula, that means you’re at the Press Box, milking a $7.95 Griz Breakfast and coffee almost till lunchtime. Not only will the wait staff adjust the volume for you, they don’t even look at you funny for being in a sports bar at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning. They get it. Come back in the fall and ask nicely and they might even dial up a baseball game for you, too. Or what’s that other one? Right—soccer. The Press Box: 835 E Broadway • 721-1212 • pressboxsportsbar.org (BT) FINALISTS, BEST SPORTS BAR 2. Desperado Sports Tavern

SPORTS & RECREATION BEST BIKE SHOP Hellgate Cyclery What makes a bike shop the best? Well, first, it has to carry cool bikes. (How about Salsa and All-City for starters?) And it has to know how to keep them running. It has to be newbie-friendly (nobody likes a bike snob) and the staff should be avid riders themselves (Hellgate’s website is basically just a blog full of riding pics). But honestly, that could describe any number of bike shops in this bike-happy town, and lucky us. Since 2008, this category’s trophy has been traded among Bike Doctor, Missoula Bicycle Works and Open Road, quality LBSs all, so you know Hellgate’s little hole in the alley downtown is doing something extra special to sprint to the head of that pack. Give ‘em a try next time you’re in the market for your next bit of heaven on wheels. In the meantime, ogle the for-sale bikes on the shop’s Flickr page and try not to drool on the keyboard. Hellgate Cyclery: 316 N Higgins Ave • 549-8785 • hellgatecyclery.com (BT)

FINALISTS, BEST BIKE SHOP 2. Bicycle Hangar 1801 Brooks St; 140 N Higgins Ave 728-9537 bicycle-hangar.com 3. Bike Doctor 1101 Toole Ave 721-5357 bikedoctormissoula.com BEST FLY-FISHING SHOP Grizzly Hackle Whether you’re planning a multi-day guided trip on the Missouri River or just dropping a line in Rock Creek after work, Grizzly Hackle has everything you need—including custom flies—to outfit your summer fishing adventures. The Hackle folks are long on local wisdom thanks to more than 25 years in the business, and they’re happy to dish out advice when the fish aren’t rising, and even when they are. Grizzly Hackle: 215 W Front St • 721-8966 • grizzlyhackle.com (JS) FINALISTS, BEST FLY-FISHING SHOP 2. Kingfisher Fly Shop 926 E Broadway St 721-6141 kingfisherflyshop.com 3. Missoulian Angler Fly Shop 802 S Higgins Ave 728-7766 missoulianangler.com

BEST SIGN OF THE END TIMES Oh god, where to start? Was it the ignominious downfall of the old Merc? The unplumbable fire hydrant of financial distress currently masquerading as the University of Montana? The white power clown car that Richard “Race War” Spencer managed to steer from Whitefish all the way to D.C.? Was it the closing of Tower Pizza, or the retirement of sausage master Uncle Bill, or the last show at the Crystal Theater? Maybe it was Greg Gianforte’s confusion of a town hall meeting with a town hall beating, or the electorate’s enthusiastic embrace of unreconstructed thuggery, as long as it’s white, rich and “Christian.” But no—that was all business as usual in Montana last year. The real proof of the apocalypse arrived without warning in April, when Lee Enterprises, owner of the long-suffering punching bag that is the daily Missoulian, purchased the widely beloved and previously independent Independent. The news so overwhelmed what remained of Missoula media that nobody even bothered to report the day’s other news: the squadron of unidentified flying pigs spotted at cruising altitude over Mount Jumbo, and meteorologist Mark Heyka’s little-noted forecast of a hard spring freeze in hell, proving that you need a damn fine publicist if you want to compete with the end of the world.

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ea entley, Tr • Emily B for Mayor ula, MT 59806 en ng E by so Paid for 423 • Mis PO Box 5

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [53]

BEST FLY-FISHING GUIDE Chris Dombrowski Chris Dombrowski’s world has two seasons: writing and fishing. When summer drifts into the Big Sky like a caddis on a riffle, that’s Dombrowski’s cue to reconnect with the water. For the past 20 years he’s been guiding a familiar collection of fly-fishing clients. They come back for any number of reasons: the dynamic waters, his contagious environmental passion or the extravagant lunches (think elk steaks, grilled pheasant, top-shelf wine). As for what keeps Dombrowski married to his summers on the river, well, that’s simple. “Guiding helps me keep a finger on the pulse of the landscape and the watershed.” (AS) FINALISTS, BEST FLY-FISHING GUIDE 2. Stacy Jennings, Stacy Jennings’ Fly-fishing School 926 E Broadway 370-4027 kingfisherflyshop.com/FlyFishing-School 3. Drew Miller, Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop 215 W Front St 721-8996 grizzlyhackle.com BEST GOLF COURSE University Golf Course “A community treasure, nestled against Mount Sentinel, the course offers championship golfing in a spectacular setting.” So

reads the University of Montana web description. Toot your own horn, much, UM? Go right ahead. This is golf for the people, by the people. That must be why our readers give it the green jacket every year in this contest. A true master’s course, you might say. University Golf Course: 515 South Ave W • 728-8629 • umt.edu/golf (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST GOLF COURSE 2. Canyon River Golf Club 1268 Bandmann Trail 721-0222 canyonrivergolfclub.com 2. Larchmont Golf Course 3200 Fort Missoula Rd 721-4416 larchmontgolfcourse.com BEST HEALTH CLUB Peak Health & Wellness Resolutions to finally get healthy are hard to keep, but the Peak bends over backward to help you stick with your plan. The club has two Missoula locations—on Blue Mountain Road and downtown—and a vast supply of equipment, personal trainers, nutrition programs and classes. At the Blue Mountain location, you can play almost every form of court sport imaginable and take advantage of the lap pool. Downtown, it’s easy to pop in for pilates or spinning class or a circuit on the machines. You do have to work—that’s the reality—but the Peak makes the road as smooth as possible. Peak Health

[54] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

& Wellness: 5000 Blue Mountain Road • 251-3344 and 150 E Spruce St • 317-1960 • peakmissoula.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST HEALTH CLUB 2. The Women’s Club 2105 Bow St 728-4410 thewomensclub.com 3. The Source 255 S Russell St 541-3114 thesourcemissoula.com BEST PLACE FOR PADDLESPORTS GEAR BEST STORE FOR MOUNTAINEERING GEAR The Trail Head Ascents, descents—either way, as long as it’s not lazing at a static elevation, it’s in the Trail Head’s wheelhouse. On the water front, there’s no better place to try before you buy. The Trail Head will rent you canoes, kayaks, rafts, paddle boards, packrafts (check out the new line of Alpacka rafts) and all the accoutrement to make for a safe day on the river (or lake, if that’s your thing). If fighting gravity is more your speed, they’ve got the gear for that, too, from helmets to harnesses to grappling hooks. Not sure quite what you require? Just ask. They’re happy—and well equipped—to help. The Trail Head: 221 E Front St • 543-6966 • trailheadmontana.net (BT)

FINALISTS, BEST PLACE FOR PADDLESPORTS GEAR 2. Strongwater 614 S Higgins Ave 721-2437 strongwatermtnsurf.com 3. Last Best Ski & Paddle Shop 802 W Spruce St 493-7073 loveboatpaddleco.com FINALISTS, BEST STORE FOR MOUNTAINEERING GEAR 2. REI 3275 N Reserve 541-1938 rei.com 3. Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors 3015 Paxson St 728-3220 bobwards.com BEST PLACE TO GET A SNOWBOARD Board of Missoula Board of Missoula opened in 1989, when snowboarders were the black sheep of the ski slopes. The shop rebranded as Edge of the World in 2003 and has continued to be a favorite shopping spot and cultural mecca for the skateboard/snowboard crowd. In March, Chris Bacon took over as owner and renamed the shop Board of Missoula, taking it back to its roots. Bacon’s own roots in the community

Best Bike Shop: Hellgate Cyclery

bode well for a shop that continues to cultivate a space where cutting-edge gear is sold by some of the biggest and baddest boarding geeks in town. Board of Missoula: 618 S Higgins Ave • 721-7774 • bomskate.com (EF) FINALIST, BEST PLACE TO GET A SNOWBOARD 2. Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors 3015 Paxson St 728-3220 bobwards.com 3. Gull Ski and Snowboard 2601 W Broadway 549-5613 gullski.com BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE BEST STORE FOR GUNS Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors There’s no shortage of outdoor supply shops in Missoula, but Bob Ward’s offers a magic combination of selection, price and customer service in a Montana-made package. Camping supplies, hunting gear, a wide selection of guns and optics—it’s all there. The online store lets you access the store even if you’re not from here, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to check it out in person. Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors: 3015 Paxson St • 728-3220 • bobwards.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE 2. REI 3275 N Reserve 541-1938 rei.com 3. The Trail Head 221 E Front St 543-6966 trailheadmontana.net FINALISTS, BEST STORE FOR GUNS 2. Axmen Firearms 5175 Hwy 93 S 251-3399 axmenfirearms.com 3. Cabela’s 3650 Brooks St 203-5400 cabelas.com

photo by Cathrine L. Walters

BEST STORE FOR SKIS Gull Ski and Snowboard Bob Anderson started Gull Ski and Boats as a maker of fiberglass products in 1942. Three quarters of a century later, they’ve stopped manufacturing but kept on selling. Gull Ski and Snowboard arguably has Montana’s largest selection of skis. The staff of winter sports enthusiasts test the wares themselves, offering a level of personalized service that’s made the shop a Missoula institution. Gull Ski and Snowboard: 2601 W Broadway • 549-5613 • gullski.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST STORE FOR SKIS 2. Bob Ward’s Sports & Outdoors 3015 Paxson St 728-3220 bobwards.com 3. The Trail Head 221 E Front St 543-6966 trailheadmontana.net HEALTH & WELLNESS BEST DOCTOR/HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEST HEALTH CLINIC Eric Ravitz; Blue Mountain Clinic You’re new in town, or newly back in town, and maybe it’s been a while since you’ve seen a doctor on the regular, and you’re getting to that age where you might want to start developing an actual relationship with one, so you check out the most recent Best of Missoula and see that this guy Eric Ravitz seems to have a following, so you give a call and surprise! (given his obvious popularity), he’s accepting new patients, so you make an appointment, and you arrive at the way-cozier-than-necessary waiting room 30 minutes early to fill out the paperwork, which takes about 10 minutes, and at a quarter till—still 15 minutes before your appointment—the receptionist comes out to apologize for the wait, and you start to think, “Hey, I can see why people like this place.” Then they take you back to an exam room,

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weigh you (the results are not their fault), stick you for bloodwork so gently you don’t even know it’s happening, and then Dr. Ravitz drops by and makes you feel so darn comfortable you don’t even bother lying when he asks how much you drink. You decide then and there that this is your doc. You’ll be back. Because you trust that he, at least, knows what’s good for you. Eric Ravitz, Blue Mountain Clinic: 610 N California St • 7211646 • bluemountainclinic.org (BT)

Thanks, Misssoula, for the 11-year winning streak. It continues to be a fun run! Though I haven't guided for 3 years now, I'm still committed to introducing and advancing the skills of men, women and kiddo fly fishers for years to come. I very much appreciate your recognition over the years! –Stacy J. Werner

FINALISTS, BEST DOCTOR/ HEALTHCARE PROVIDER 2. Mae Bixby, Western Montana Clinic 500 W Broadway 721-5600 westernmontanaclinic.com 3. Heather Maddox, Western Montana Clinic 500 W Broadway 721-5600 westernmontanaclinic.com FINALISTS, BEST HEALTH CLINIC 2. Western Montana Clinic 500 W Broadway 721-5600 westernmontanaclinic.com 3. Costcare Multiple locations 728-5841 721-5513 costcare.com BEST ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER Mindy Opper, Red Willow Center Mindy Opper is in her third decade as a primary care physician assistant. Her career has taken her from Planned Parenthood to private practice, with a study of Ayurvedic medicine along the way. Now she combines Western-style treatments and practices with Ayurvedic lifestyle consulting at Red Willow Center. At a moment when the health-care system is searching for ways to meet everyone’s needs, Opper has found a model that satisfies patient and physician alike. Mindy Opper, Red Willow Center: 825 W Kent St • 7210033 • redwillowcenter.org (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST ALTERNATIVE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER 2. Christine White, Black Bear Naturopathic Clinic 2831 Fort Missoula Rd, #105 542-2147 blackbearnaturopaths.com 3. Erika Krumbeck, Montana Whole Health 714 Kensington Ave 552-1717 mtwholehealth.com

[56] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

BEST GYNECOLOGIST Janice Givler, Western Montana Clinic Janice Givler has been taking care of women in Missoula for more than 20 years. From intervention-free natural births to complications that call on her calm head and quick thinking, Givler has earned readers’ trust. From puberty to menopause, Missoulians rely on her to help them navigate the vast territory that is being female. Janice Givler, Western Montana Clinic: 601 W Spruce St • 7215600 • westernmontanaclinic.com (JS) FINALISTS, BEST GYNECOLOGIST 2. Jennifer Mayo, Western Montana Clinic 2835 Fort Missoula Rd, #200 721-5600 westernmontanaclinic.com 3. Timothy Burke, Western Montana Clinic 2835 Fort Missoula Rd, #305 721-5600 westernmontanaclinic.com BEST CHIROPRACTOR Ivan Van Eerden Whether your neck is kinked from too much time riding an office chair or your back is tweaked from hitting the deck on that epic ride last week, Ivan Van Eerden can get your spine back in line. For the second year in a row, Missoulians recommend Eerden as the man to turn to for post-injury adjustments or run-of-the-mill maintenance. Ivan Van Eerden: 225 Hickory St • 541-6400 (JS) FINALISTS, BEST CHIROPRACTOR 2. Anthony Lambert, Lambert Family Chiropractic 1290 S 3rd St W 541-9355 missoulachiropractic.com 3. Matz Family Chiropractic 1519 S Reserve 549-2006 matzfamilychiropractic.com BEST DENTIST Joshua Green, Discovery Dental Group Everyone knows that if you want to live to be 100, you have to take care of your teeth, right? Doesn’t everyone know that? Joshua Green at Discovery Dental Group does, and he can help you do it. Whether you need implants, cosmetic work or just a regular cleaning for your squirming 6-year-old, Green is Missoula’s choice for the best dentist around. Joshua Green, Discovery Dental Group: 2825 Connery Way • 549-5861 • discoverydentalmt.com (JS)

FINALISTS, BEST DENTIST 2. Ike Heaphy 712 Kensington Ave 543-8347 3. Ryan Huckabee, Twin Cranes Dental 1227 S Higgins Ave 728-9442 BEST OPTOMETRIST Will Thomas, Family Vision Known to nerds across Missoula as Dr. Willie, Will Thomas makes wearing glasses fun. His therapeutic training makes treatment for glaucoma, ocular injuries and eye infections fun, too! OK, maybe fun isn’t the exact word for that, but patients at Family Vision are glad to see Dr. Willie nonetheless. And they tend to leave seeing him a little better, too. Will Thomas, Family Vision: 2106 Oxford St • 549-2541 • missoulafamilyvisioncare.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST OPTOMETRIST 2. Kim Everungham, Rocky Mountain Eye Center 700 W Kent Ave 541-3937 rockymountaineye.com 3. Peter Babcock, Rocky Mountain Eye Center 700 W Kent Ave 541-3937 rockymountaineye.com

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST Farrah Lachina, Therapeutic Massage Therapy Farrah Lachina came to appreciate the therapeutic power of massage in high school, after she was injured in a car accident. Since graduating from massage school in 1995, she’s worked with chiropractors, physical therapists and personal trainers. For the last seven years she’s been in private practice, helping Missoulians manage chronic pain or just relax. Goodness knows we need it. Farrah Lachina, Therapeutic Massage Therapy: 1048 Burlington Ave Ste 100 • 396-1385 • farrahlachina.amtamembers.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST 2. Danielle Maxwell, MaxWellness Massage 1620 Regent St 531-3588 maxwellnessmassage.com 3. Taylor Beckman, Sorella’s 207 E Main St 721-3639 sorellasdayspa.com

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST Jeff Brooks, Western Montana Clinic IT band bugging you? Can’t figure out why your lower back hurts when you run

farther than 20 yards? Maybe you should see a physical therapist. According to this year’s Indy voters, the guy to go to is Jeff Brooks at Western Montana Clinic, who can recommend a tailored combo of exercise and lifestyle adjustments that will get you back in the game—whatever your game is. Jeff Brooks, Western Montana Clinic: 500 W Broadway • 721-5600 • westernmontanaclinic.com (JS) FINALISTS, BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST 2. Anna Soulia, Alpine Physical Therapy Multiple locations 251-2323 alpineptmissoula.com 3. TIE: Brent Dodge, Alpine Physical Therapy Multiple locations 251-2323 alpineptmissoula.com John Fiore, Sapphire Physical Therapy 1705 Bow St 549-5283 sapphirept.com.com BEST PERSONAL TRAINER Rhea Black, Momentum Athletic Training Whether you’re a top-of-your-game athlete or a busy mom getting back into shape, Rhea Black can help you find a realistic exercise plan that works, and teach you

some healthy eating habits while she’s at it. An accomplished trail runner, Black coowns Momentum Athletic Training with Kiefer Hahn. She’s been helping people train for endurance sports and accomplish their personal goals for more than a decade. Rhea Black, Momentum Athletic Training: 214 E Main St • 531-1625 • momentumat.com (JS) FINALISTS, BEST PERSONAL TRAINER 2. Laura Bender, Bodies By Bender 113 W Main St 546-7716 bodiesbybender.com 3. TIE: Rachel Plumage, Ridge Fitness 2425 W Central Ave #100 549-9181 ridgefitnessmt.com Kimberly Agnew, Phyzique Fitness 2615 Connery Way 541-3481 BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR Laura Bender, Bodies By Bender For almost three decades, Laura Bender has been helping Missoulians get in shape with personalized training plans. If you’ve never seen her walking one of our local trails, encouraging a client to keep moving, you must not get out much. But a few years ago she began to hear from clients who needed

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more help than the trail could offer, so she began offering a more holistic personal-training practice that now includes success coaching, workplace well-being, meditation and yoga. This year Missoulians voted Bender the best yoga instructor in town. That’s a high honor in Missoula, and Bender, after taking care of us for years, deserves it. Laura Bender, Bodies By Bender: 214 E Main St • 546-7716 • bodiesbybender.com (JS) FINALISTS, BEST YOGA INSTRUCTOR 2. Brian Baty, Inner Harmony Yoga 214 E Main St 581-4093 yogainmissoula.com 3. Brandon Sheehan, Hot House Yoga 127 N Higgins Ave 541-9642 hothouseyogamissoula.com PEOPLE & MEDIA BEST ATHLETE Mike Foote Mike Foote ran his first ultramarathon in 2009. Three years later, he was on the North Face national team. Now he’s one of the most decorated athletes in Missoula, and as race director for Runner’s Edge, he’s also nurturing a larger community of run-

ners. They might see him on one of his favorite trails, from Woods Gulch to Sheep Mountain, but never for very long. Mike Foote, Runner’s Edge: 304 N Higgins Ave • 728-9297 • runnersedgemt.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST ATHLETE 2. Sam Schultz 3. Megan Fischer BEST JOURNALIST Dan Brooks According to our online Best of Missoula archive (which goes back only to 2008, but still...), no single scribbler has ever taken the simultaneous crowns in both of these categories. Until now. Brooks, our formidable columnist, proves with the repeat that his inaugural win in 2016 was no fluke, which of course it wasn’t, but apparently Brooks wants to rule more than our newsroom, and this year he knocks off perpetual Best Writer James Lee Burke, who can at least take some small comfort in that fact that he still has about a 958-novel lead on Brooks. How did Dan do it, especially without even so much as a body slam to raise his Q-Score? Hell if we know, but it’s all the more impressive given that, according to the letters he consistently generates, at least half of you can’t tell when he’s joking. Dan Brooks: combatblog.net

FINALISTS, BEST JOURNALIST 2. Martin Kidston, Missoula Current missoulacurrent.com 3. Erika Fredrickson, Missoula Independent missoulanews.com BEST METEOROLOGIST Mark Heyka, KECI A few years ago, YouTube empire-builder Hank Green had Mark Heyka on his “SciShow” to discuss tornados. The KECI meteorologist humbly referred to himself as “just a middle-aged guy who loves to tell the story of weather,” and then went on to dissect the science and beauty of tornadoes in a way that blew even Hank Green’s mind. Just a guy, Mark Heyka? Everyone knows you’re a force of nature when it comes to giving us the weather in the most entertaining way possible. Mark Heyka: nbcmontana.com/keci (EF) FINALISTS, BEST METEOROLOGIST 2. Erin Yost KPAX kpax.com 3. Russ Thomas KPAX kpax.com

BEST POLITICIAN Mayor John Engen It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. OK, maybe that’s a touch dramatic, but just a touch. Since last year’s Best of Missoula, in which he also won this category, Missoula’s longest-serving mayor has been spirited out of the city for a stint in alcohol rehab and seen the city’s historic acquisition of its water utility through to fruition. While both events have engendered criticism in certain quarters, neither seems to have made any substantial dent in the mayor’s ongoing popularity. We just plain like the guy. We’ll see if that’s enough to carry him to an unprecedented fourth term in November, but you aren’t likely to find many Indy readers betting against him. Mayor John Engen: 435 Ryman St • 552-6000 • ci.missoula.mt.us (BT) FINALISTS, BEST POLITICIAN 2. Sen. Jon Tester 3. Rob Quist BEST RADIO PERSONALITY Craig Johnson, Trail 103.3 Morning show host Craig Johnson confesses he’s never particularly liked the alarm going off at 3:15 a.m. But he feels those early hours alone in the studio are “a gift.” Johnson’s been doing the radio thing for 44 years now, and he started listening to the

THANK YOU MISSOULA!

Catering [58] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

Trail long before joining its ranks. He relates to the listening audience, he says, because “I am the listening audience.” Even now, he never tires of making people think or feel or laugh. “More than anything, that’s my job.” Craig Johnson, Trail 103.3: 7216800 • trail1033.com (AS) FINALISTS, BEST RADIO PERSONALITY 2. Angel, 96.3 The Blaze 3. Charene, 94.9 Kyss FM BEST RADIO STATION KUFM 98.1 Montana Public Radio is a champion when it comes to providing well-rounded news, music and storytelling programming. Popular syndicated programs like “This American Life,” “The Moth Radio Hour” and “All Things Considered” give the station a boost, but smart, locally produced shows provide the Missoula character. John Floridis talks shop with musicians on “Musician’s Spotlight,” Annie Garde and Sam Manno entertain children with songs and stories on “The Pea Green Boat” and a rotating cast of DJs play their favorite pop, jazz, folk and blues records on “Freeforms.” And when fundraising week comes around, there’s nothing better than “pet wars,” where listeners donate money to the station via their dogs, cats and other pets in what has become a hilariously fierce competition. KUFM 98.1: mtpr.org (EF) FINALISTS, BEST RADIO STATION 2. Trail 103.3 3. KBGA 89.9 BEST RELIGIOUS LEADER Jeff Valentine, Missoula Alliance Church “So many emotions, so many memories, and so many of you I can walk down the line (with) and talk about our experiences together,” Valentine said at Missoula Alliance Church’s May 7 service. “It’s been just a blessing. I’ve loved every minute of it.” At the service’s conclusion—Valentine’s last after 24 years of ministry in Missoula— members of the congregation came from the pews to pray with him and his family. Consider this award—a debut category this year—a parting gift. Jeff Valentine, Missoula Alliance Church: 100 E Foss Ct • 251-3983 • macmissoula.com (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST RELIGIOUS LEADER 2. Terri Grotzinger Holy Spirit Episcopal Church 130 S 6th St E 542-2167 3. Scott Klaudt Zootown Church 3623 Brooks St 333-0535

BEST TV NEWSCAST KPAX In the future, when all news is fake and the Washington Post is operated by Moldovan teenagers, Missoulians will still trust the KPAX news team. Jill Valley is a five-time Montana Broadcaster of the Year. Derek Buerkle is a boy from Big Timber who’s been at the station for a decade. And it’s not Erin Yost’s fault that it snowed in May. Along with reporters Dennis Bragg and Don Fisher, they give fresh news a familiar face. KPAX: 1049 W Central Ave • 542-4400 • kpax.com (Brooks) FINALISTS, BEST TV NEWSCAST 2. KECI nbcmontana.com/keci 3. MT PBS mtpbs.org BEST TV PERSONALITY Jill Valley Jill Valley sees her job as a way to help the people around her. “I get the most pleasure,” she says, “when I get the chance to share a story about someone’s life, about how they’ve turned tragedy into something good, or when something amazing has happened to them.” Valley takes her job seriously. Her phone number is posted on Facebook so anyone can call and talk about concerns with a story. Her longstanding reputation for class, accessibility and trustworthiness are all reasons she wins this category every year. Jill Valley: kpax.com (EF) FINALISTS, BEST TV PERSONALITY 2. Mark Heyka KECI nbcmontana.com/keci 3. TIE Heidi Meili KECI nbcmontana.com/keci Erin Yost KPAX kpax.com BEST UM PROFESSOR Tobin Miller Shearer It’s been an eventful year for AfricanAmerican studies professor Tobin Miller Shearer. Last fall he found himself on a conservative academic watchlist, and penned an essay about the experience that ended up being one of the Indy’s most-read articles of the year. He published his latest book on race in America in April, and he’s already busy working on another one. Despite the developments good and bad, his enthusiasm for teaching remains the same. It’s a cliche, he says, but it’s all about the students. “They’re smart, they’re passionate, they have great ideas … It’s just a delight.” That’s the sort of attitude that makes for solid teaching, and Best of Missoula winners. (AS)

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Best Religious Leader: Jeff Valentine, Missoula Alliance Church

FINALISTS, BEST UM PROFESSOR 2. Kyle G. Volk History 3. Ona Renner-Fahey Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures BEST WEBSITE Missoulaevents.net Websites have gotten better since the early 2000s, but the internet is still full of designs gone wrong. Missoulaevents.net continues to win this category because it offers exactly what viewers want: a straightforward and comprehensive compendium of Missoula activities, color-coded by category, with short blurbs in tasteful fonts. It’s free to post events and free to use, and founders Molly Bradford and Colin Hickey have improved on it without ever making it more complicated to use, bless them. Missoulaevents.net: missoulaevents.net (EF) FINALISTS, BEST WEBSITE 2. Grizzly Hackle grizzlyhackle.com 2. Missoula Independent missoulanews.com

photo by Amy Donovan

543-6952 uccofmissoula.org 3. Zootown Church 3623 Brooks St 333-0535 zootownchurch.com BEST ANNUAL FESTIVAL River City Roots Festival The River City Roots Festival always feels like a celebratory finale to summer. The annual party on West Main Street caters to a wide swath of Missoula revelers—college students, families, professionals, wanderers and townies—with music, food, art exhibits, kids’ activities and a 4mile run. Last year, Rodney Crowell seduced a streetful of people into singing Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” as the sun set, and the same kind of enchantment happens every year. This year’s Roots Fest runs August 25-26 and sports a lineup of favorite musicians including Anders Osborne and Malcolm Holcombe, who are bound to provide a satisfying soundtrack to the last of summer’s long, sunny days. River City Roots Festival: rivercityrootsfestival.com (EF)

UNIQUELY MISSOULA BEST CHURCH CHOIR Holy Spirit Episcopal Church This may just be the most contested Best of Missoula category. For the past decade, Holy Spirit has been battling with St. Francis Xavier for the title, and after two years of second place, now it’s comeback time. Under the leadership of choir director and organist Nancy Cooper, the Holy Spirit choir brings the joyful noise. Holy Spirit Episcopal Church: 130 S 6th St E • 542-2167 • holyspiritmissoula.org. (MG) FINALISTS, BEST CHURCH CHOIR 2. University Congregational 405 University Ave

[60] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

FINALISTS, BEST FESTIVAL 2. Garden City BrewFest 3. Celtic Festival BEST ACTIVIST Ellie Hill With the Democratic Party reduced to ceremonial resistance across much of the nation, our town’s own District 90 Rep. Ellie Hill managed to not only survive the 2016 election (her fourth and, due to term limits, final win as a state rep.) but even pass a couple of bills during this year’s session, keeping the rabble well roused all along the way. Ellie Hill: 501 Daly Ave • 218-9608 • elliehillforhd94.com (HP)

BEST PLACE FOR A TINDER DATE Tinder’s identity may be tied to its origins as a hook-up app, but here in Mayberry, Montana, the phrase “no hookups” is almost ubiquitous in user profiles. Many potential new flames claim to be looking mostly for friends and climbing buddies first, with the coy prospect of “possibly something more” left to the ill-defined future. That can create some confusion when it comes to where you and your maybe-someday paramour should choose to meet up for the first time. If the average profile is to be trusted, Missoula’s Tinderers are a hike-hungry bunch, and Missoula isn’t short on options. Probably the best, for these purposes, is Waterworks Hill. It’s quiet enough for conversation, exposed enough for safety, and you can show off the puppy that your date actually swiped right for. Best of all, your constant movement means you won’t become the unwitting subject of someone else’s game of “spot the Tinder date.” FINALISTS, BEST ACTIVIST 2. Erin Erikson, Missoula Rises 3. Amy Cilimburg, Climate Smart Missoula BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION The Zootown Arts Community Center The ZACC is a serious force when it comes to the arts. The center offers classes for kids and adults in ceramics, painting, printmaking and other mediums. There’s Bob Ross Night, where everyone paints along with old videos of the now-deceased public television oddball, and the annual monster show where adult artists recreate drawings of monsters by elementary school kids. But it’s special programs like the kids’ rock camps that have really created a buzz in Missoula. Rock camps teach kids to play instruments, write their own songs and perform in front of an audience at the Top Hat (8-year-olds playing their first gig at the Top Hat? That’s something to brag about). And the ZACC staff has added similar programs for veterans and older women. Executive Director Kia Liszak and her staff, board and volunteers recently won $25,000 from the Missoula Federal Credit Union to do even more good work, and we’re guessing they’re going to keep building on the belief that anyone and everyone can—and should—make art. The Zootown Arts Community Center: 235 N 1st St • 549-7555 • zootownarts.org (EF) FINALISTS, BEST NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION 2. YWCA 1130 W Broadway 543-6691 ywcaofmissoula.org

3. Missoula Food Bank 1720 Wyoming St 549-0543 missoulafoodbank.org BEST PLACE FOR KIDS’ FUN A Carousel for Missoula & Dragon Hollow Kids simply can’t resist Missoula’s carousel. It’s somewhat heartening to know that even in this age of endless tech innovation, the simple pleasure of sitting on a big fake horse and spinning in a circle still enchants the young’uns. The associated Dragon Hollow is a world-class playground that even adults can’t help wanting to play in. A Carousel for Missoula & Dragon Hollow: 101 Carousel Dr • 5495105 • carouselformissoula.com (MS) FINALISTS, BEST PLACE FOR KIDS’ FUN 2. Children’s Museum 225 W Front St 541-7529 childrensmuseummissoula.org 3. Missoula Insectarium 218 East Front St 317-1211 missoulabutterflyhouse.com BEST PLACE FOR PEOPLE-WATCHING BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS Caras Park It’s easy to take a place like Caras Park for granted—not that there’s really any place like Caras Park. Missoulians spend so much time in and around the pavilion by the river, in the heart of downtown, that it’s almost become just part of the scenery. We drink here, we rally here, we juggle fire and hula-hoop and watch the surfers here. Caras is where we Missoulians parade our particular way of life. Not many towns have such a stage. Caras Park: 123 Carousel Dr (Brouwer) FINALISTS, BEST PLACE FOR PEOPLE-WATCHING 2. Farmers markets 3. Southgate Mall FINALISTS, BEST PLACE TO TAKE OUT-OF-TOWNERS 2. Farmers markets 3. Mount Sentinel, the “M” BEST PLACE FOR A WEEKEND GETAWAY Glacier National Park Sorry, but there’s zero chance anyone in Montana is going to shut up about Glacier National Park anytime soon. With 26 glaciers and more than 700 lakes and peaks reaching as high as 10,479 feet (that’s Mount Cleveland), Glacier’s vistas are unmatched. Much of it is easily seen from a car with a drive up Logan Pass, but for the

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960 E. Broadway 146 Woodford St. 728-1919 728-1948 greenhangermissoula.com missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [61]

more adventurous—and you’re really missing out of you don’t take advantage—Glacier offers 745 miles of trails, including four wheelchair-accessible walkways. And at just two-and-a-half hours north of Missoula, why aren’t you there now? Glacier National Park: 888-7800 (MG) FINALISTS, BEST PLACE FOR A WEEKEND GETAWAY 2. Quinn’s Hot Springs 3. Flathead Lake BEST PLACE TO WALK DOGS Blue Mountain Recreation Area It’s a little known fact—outside of the Indy’s ballot-counting bunker, at least—that “Best Place to Walk Dogs” is the one and only Best of Missoula category in which dogs are allowed to vote. (You should see their ballot signatures. Totes adorbz.) Missoula’s dogs have spoken, and if you don’t want your shoes pooped on, you’d best listen up: Your pups want to walk at Blue Mountain. Of course they do. The horses. The space. The other dogs. So many smells. So take them. But you should also heed the comments that Missoula’s dogs felt compelled to write in on their Best of Missoula ballots. You know that thing you do where you bag their poop and then

[62] Missoula Independent • July 6–July 13, 2017

leave it at trailside to pick up on your way back? You’re not fooling anyone. Even your dog knows you’ll “forget.” Just carry it till you get to the poop can, OK? Blue Mountain Recreation Area: Blue Mountain Road at Forest Hill Ln • 329-3814 (BT) FINALISTS, BEST PLACE TO WALK DOGS 2. Riverfront trails 3. Jacob’s Island Bark Park CATEGORY WE FORGOT K-12 Teacher How could anyone possibly forget K-12 teachers? We can promise they have not forgotten you! They didn’t forget you in first grade when they dried your tears after that weird kid Wayne pushed you down in front of the swings. They didn’t forget you when your so-called girlfriends turned nasty in fourth grade and wouldn’t let you join their club. (That club was stupid, by the way.) They didn’t forget you that first day of middle school when you forgot your backpack and they definitely didn’t forget you when they made you repeat calculus because, God, calculus. So come on, Indy, add Best K-12 teacher to the Best of Missoula ballot next year. Just be warned that your inbox is likely to overflow with some serious awesomeness. (JS)

missoulanews.com • July 6–July 13, 2017 [63]