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INTRODUCTION/Best of the Springs 2008

A LAND OF

ARTISTS

Artists come in many forms. 25 Their artistry can be found in the flavors bursting from the region’s best burger, the 24 24 Area follicular designs of the best hairstylist or the window displays of the best snowboard shop. detailed This 14th annual Best of the Springs magazine pays tribute to that artistic flair. In these BIJOU ST. pages, you’ll find the best car wash, the best plumber, the best restaurant for kids and a lot 25 KIOWA ST. more. But our tribute doesn’t end there. We’re also celebrating that artistry with a gift to the city: a mural representing the greatness of our region. PIKES PEAK AVE. You can see the Best of the Springs Mural Project on the wall of the Grain Building in the Depot Arts District. If you’re on the Colorado Avenue Bridge, look north. If you’re on Interstate COLORADO AVE. Mural 25, look east and down. The Gazette commissioned Pueblo artist James Wolnick to paint the on the Grain mural, which depicts a few things that make our community great. You’ll find images of the Building mural on the cover of this magazine and several more views inside. VERMIJO AVE. We think the mural is fabulous, but it’s hardly all that’s special about this magazine. At 100 THE GAZETTE pages, this publication is among the biggest special sections The Gazette has produced. It contains more than 300 categories, many chosen by readers, who voted in record numbers (nearly 2,000). Others were chosen by our in-house experts, who spent more hours of research for this Best Of edition than they’ve ever spent before. Of course, when “research” means hanging out at Jose Muldoon’s, sipping margaritas, it’s hard to get much sympathy. TEJON ST.

CASCADE AVE.

SIERRA MADRE ST.

CIMINO DR DR.

COLORADO SPRINGS

BUT, WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Go to gazette.com, and you’ll find an electronic version of the Best of the Springs that’s so amazing, you’ll find yourself wasting hours that should be spent working. Highest on the coolness factor: A time-lapse video that shows how Wolnick created the mural. Also really cool: Videos and slide shows that give you an inside look at the Best Of winners. Essential: The comments function on this electronic version will allow you to add your two cents about the Best Of choices. In the coming weeks and months, those insights and arguments will make the online version an even richer and more valuable guide to everything wonderful in the Pikes Peak region. Bookmark it at thebestofthesprings.com. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 6

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

CONTENTS/Best of the Springs 2008

DINING 10

SHOPPING 78

SPORTS & LEISURE 94

The local dining scene has kicked it up a notch this year, with old standbys trying fresh ideas and newcomers blazing tasty new trails. In the Dining section, you’ll find surprises among both the staff choices and reader picks.

Oil the wheels on those shopping carts. Our Shopping guide will take you down the aisles of the best boutiques, thrift shops, ski stores, food markets and more. So if your best friend is getting married or your sister just had a baby, don’t freak out. We’ll tell you where you can find the best of everything.

The Pikes Peak region is home to some of the fittest people in America. When you see our guide to all the best hiking and biking trails, parks and climbing spots, you’ll understand why. We’re serious about the outdoors. We also give you the skinny on some indoor fun, including the region’s best bowling alley and the best place to watch the big game.

CITY LIFE 34 It’s not enough to tell you who’s the best TV reporter. We go one step further with a new category for best TV teeth. Our City Life section will lead you to the best luxury spa, the best homebuilder and even the best First Amendment mascot (who knew it’d be a guy in a chicken suit?!).

A&E 58 Think of this section as a guide to fun stuff to do after work, as well as a local Oscars/Grammys kinda thing. It will lead you to the best places to get your groove on, and it pays tribute to the best local actors, actresses, musicians and more.

FAMILY LIFE 90 Get your kids away from the Xbox for a few moments. They actually might have more fun jumping on trampolines with friends or screaming their way through a downtown fountain. Family Life is all about keeping the boredom at bay. We’ll tell you the best places for kids’ parties, teen nights out and outings for the whole family.

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 7

INDEX/Best of the Springs 2008

Artist James Wolnick in front of the mural he created especially for The Gazette’s 2008 Best of the Springs edition. Actor ......................................................60 Actress ..................................................60 Alfresco dining ....................................24 Ambassador ..........................................40 Antiques .................................................82 Art gallery .............................................64 Art gallery expansion .......................64 Art museum ..........................................64 Artist ......................................................66 Arts event .............................................66 Asian market ........................................88 Baby shop .............................................84 Bagels .....................................................16 Band for an event ..............................68 Bar ............................................................62 Bar for smokers ..................................68 Bar stools .............................................68 Barbecue ...............................................22 Bartender .............................................68 Benefit concert ...................................68 Big honkin’ breakfast burritos ........16 Bike shop ...............................................80 Birthday party for the active set ...92 Birthday party for budding artists. 92 Bison burgers .......................................16 Blues venue .........................................68 BEST OF THE SPRINGS 8

THE GAZETTE

Bookstore ..............................................84 Boost to arts’ visibility ......................68 Boutique ................................................84 Bowling alley ........................................94 Bread .......................................................16 Breakfast ...............................................32 Breakfast burritos ................................16 Breakfast pastries ................................16 Brewpub .................................................30 Buffet .......................................................16 Burritos ...................................................16 Business name ....................................84 Butcher shop .......................................84 Cajun ........................................................16 Cakes ......................................................20 Calamari .................................................18 Camera shop ........................................84 Car dealer ...............................................86 Car dealership gift shop ...................84 Car wash ................................................56 Carbo load .............................................16 Card shop ..............................................84 Caterer ..................................................88 CD .............................................................72 CD store ................................................80 Chain in the making ...........................30

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Chain restaurant .................................32 Chef .........................................................20 Children’s clothing store ..................84 Chinese ...................................................12 Chips and salsa .....................................16 Chocolate place ....................................18 Chowder .................................................16 Christian bookstore ...........................84 Cinnamon rolls ......................................16 Classical concert .................................72 Classical programming .....................72 Climbing wall .......................................94 Clubhouse ..............................................56 Cocktail ...................................................28 Coffee .......................................................16 Coffee place ..........................................32 Colorado cuisine .................................20 Comedy ...................................................74 Community gathering spot .............46 Community outreach .........................40 Consignment shop ..............................84 Cookies and brownies ........................16 Cultural celebration ..........................48 Dance event .........................................76 Dance school .......................................68 Day spa ..................................................34

Day trip ..................................................56 Deli ...........................................................16 Diner ........................................................24 Dog kennel or day care ....................56 Dog park ...............................................56 Drama ......................................................74 Dramatic exit ........................................66 Dress ........................................................76 Driving school ......................................56 Dry cleaner ..........................................56 Eclectic shopping ...............................84 Educator ................................................40 Exotic restaurant ................................14 Expression of love ..............................48 Extreme home .....................................42 Family fun center ...............................90 Farmers market ...................................88 Fashion row ...........................................84 Fast food ...............................................28 Fine dining ..............................................10 First Amendment mascot ................40 Fish tacos ...............................................16 Fishing spot .........................................94 Floral designs .......................................84 Flower shop .........................................82 Fly-fishing place ..................................94

Folk venue .............................................70 Franchisee .............................................84 Fried chicken .........................................16 Furniture store ....................................84 Future sports legend ........................52 Game shop ...........................................84 Garden center ......................................88 Gelato .......................................................18 German ....................................................14 Gift shop ...............................................84 Gift to hikers .......................................96 Gifts for gamblers ..............................84 Golf course ...........................................94 Gourmet shop ......................................84 Greek ........................................................14 Green chili .............................................20 Green office ..........................................42 Guest musicians ..................................70 Guitar hero ............................................70 Gyro .........................................................18 Hairstylist ..............................................34 Hair salon ..............................................34 Hamburgers ...........................................24 Happy-hour food .................................16 Hardware store ...................................80

INDEX/Best of the Springs

SPECIAL THANKS The Gazette would like to thank: Artist James Wolnick, seen on Pages 8 and 58, for his work on the Mural Project. Wolnick also has a mural at Nosh and has shown at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center and galleries throughout southern Colorado. You can see more of his work at celadon arts.com. Chuck Murphy of Murphy Constructors for the use of his Grain Building and painting equipment for the Mural Project. Model Kara Lockwood, a waitress from McKenzie’s Chophouse (winner of best wait staff), seen in the Dining section, Page 10; model Mike Miller, sales manager for Mountain Chalet, seen in Sports and Leisure section, Page 94; models Gerri Anne and Jackson Reed, seen in Family Life section, Page 90. (Other models are Gazette listings editor Jen Mulson on Page 78, the Shopping section, and hand model and sometimes Gazette A&E editor Warren Epstein on Page 34, the City Life section.) Restaurateur Joseph Coleman for suggesting the Grain Building for the mural. Don Goede and his crew at Smokemuse for the time-lapsed video of Wolnick’s mural.

EDITOR’S NOTE Some of the selections for Best of the Springs were voted on by readers and others were selected by The Gazette staff. The reader picks are labeled as such (with the newspaper-reading Hank the Cowboy sculpture). The rest are staff picks.

CREDITS EDITOR Warren Epstein DESIGNERS Carleen Clearwater, Stephen Olver, David Demi-Smith PHOTOGRAPHERS Mark Reis (cover and other mural photos), Christian Murdock COPY EDITORS Linda Doty, Kristina Iodice, Willow Welter, Trent Stephens, Mike Eiler WRITERS Teresa Farney, Nathaniel Glen, Warren Epstein, Mark Arnest, Andrew Wineke, Linda Navarro, Jen Mulson, Ed Sealover, Dave Philipps, Bill Reed, David Demi-Smith, Willow Welter ONLINE GURUS Brian McCarrie, Stephanie Weber, Carmen Boles, Trudy Thomas, videographer Charlie Balch

Health food store .........................88 Hidden gem .....................................16 Homebuilders .................................44 Homeowners association ...........44 Home sellers with heart ...............44 Hope for skateboarders ..............94 Hope for the local arts scene ....76 Hot dogs ...........................................16 Hot news hair .................................36 House concert ...............................68 Ice cream .........................................26 Ice rink .............................................94 Iced tea .............................................16 Illegal hike .......................................96 Indian ................................................14 Italian .................................................12 Italian market ................................88 Jam session ....................................68 Japanese ..........................................12 Jazz venue .......................................70 Jewelry store .................................84 Karaoke ............................................68 Korean ...............................................14 Liquor store .....................................78 Local actor and actress .............60 Local band .......................................70 Local beer .......................................30 Local exhibit ...................................64 Local film .........................................58 Local hero .......................................48 Local sports hero .........................52 Location to shoot a sci-fi video ...................................96 Looking food ...................................12 Luxruy spa ......................................34 Margaritas ........................................16 Men’s fashions ...............................84 Mexican .............................................12 Mexican market .............................88 Mountain bike trail ........................96 Movie theater .................................58 Mural .................................................66 Music store .....................................84 Musical extravaganza ..................72 Name for a teacher .....................48 Neighborhood ................................44 New Age store ...............................84 New arts organization ................66 New event ........................................56 New family attraction .................90 New planned community ............44 New play ..........................................74 New record holder .......................52 New restaurant ...............................10 New store ........................................86 New theater company .................74 New trail ...........................................96 News hottie .....................................36 Nickname for Douglas Bruce ....56 Nightclub .........................................62 Nonprofit .........................................46 Nonprofit event ..............................46 Obedience school .........................56 Office .................................................42 One-shot theater company .........74 Out-of-this-world adventure ......93

Outdoor art ....................................64 Outing for the whole family .......93 Oysters ...............................................16 Pancakes ..........................................16 Paramedic .......................................40 Park ...................................................94 Parking innovation .......................42 Performance in a musical ...........74 Picnic spot .......................................96 Pizza ...................................................22 Place for a basement makeover ................................... 84 Place for a kids birthday party. 90 Place for a meeting or gathering ....................................54 Place for bird lovers ....................84 Place for Frisbee golf ..................94 Place for singles to “network” ..68 Place for teens ...............................93 Place for vegetarians ...................16 Place for windows .........................84 Place to BMX ..................................96 Place to buy a faucet ..................84 Place to buy an HDTV ...................78 Place to dance ...............................68 Place to eat with your fingers ..18 Place to find bargains .................84 Place to find risqué ads .............56 Place to find unexpected things ...............................................82 Place to get married ....................54 Place to get pierced .....................56 Place to get your dog in shape 56 Place to nurture a child’s talent ..................................92 Place to put up wedding guests ..............................54 Place to save money on dining 16 Place to see babes on skates ....94 Place to spark imagination .......92 Place to take a muddy dog .......56 Place to take out-of-towners ....40 Place to volunteer ........................54 Place to watch a big game .........94 Place to work out with your kids ...............................90 Playground ......................................93 Plumber ...........................................56 Poet ....................................................72 Pool hall ...........................................94 Power lunch ....................................32 Prepared meals for home ............16 Public gardens ..............................44 Public official ..................................54 Radio personality ..........................36 Radio show .....................................36 Radio station ..................................36 Recycled clothing ..........................84 Red chili ............................................20 Restaurant for kids ......................22 Restaurant when somebody else is paying .................................26 Restrooms ........................................42 Revival of a 400-year-old play that isn’t by Shakespeare ...........74 Rising stand-up comic ..................72 Rock concert ...................................68 FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Rock trio ..........................................68 Rock venue .....................................68 Roller rink ........................................94 Romantic restaurant ....................16 Roofers ............................................56 Salad ...................................................18 Sale event .......................................84 Sandwich ...........................................18 Scenic drive .....................................56 School ..............................................40 Seafood .............................................14 Set .....................................................76 Shoe store ................................84, 86 Shopping center ...........................82 Showcase of local talent ............74 Silent auction find ........................82 Skateboard shop ....................84, 86 Ski shop ...................................80, 84 Snowboard shop ....................80, 84 Soup ....................................................16 Sporting goods store ..................78 Sports bar .......................................22 Sports complex .............................94 Station for TV news .....................36 Steak ..................................................12 Store for quilters ...........................84 Store pet ..........................................56 Student art event ..........................66 Student-curated art venue ........68 Sunday brunch ..............................28 Sunday brunch value ..................28 Supermarket ....................................78 Supporting actress .......................74 Sushi ...................................................18 Swimming pool ...............................94 Tamales .............................................16 Taqueria ............................................18 Tea .......................................................16 Tex-Mex .............................................32 Thai ....................................................14 Theater company ..........................60 Theatrical event .............................76 Theatrical special effects ............76 Toy store ..........................................84 Travel agency .................................56 Traveling exhibit ...........................64 Traveling show ...............................68 TV anchor ........................................36 TV hottie ..........................................36 TV news program .........................36 TV reporter .....................................36 TV teeth ............................................36 TV weatherperson .........................36 Used car salesman .......................84 Venue for hip-hop ........................68 Venue for intimate concerts ....68 Video store/video game store .80 Vietnamese ......................................12 Vintage clothing store .................84 Wait staff .........................................22 Wall treatments .............................86 Wal-Mart greeter ............................48 Wine by the glass ..........................18 Wine dinners ....................................18 Wine store .......................................84 Women’s fashions ..........................84 YouTube .............................................72

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 9

DINING Best fine dining THE PENROSE ROOM

READERS’ CHOICE

This AAA five-diamond den of decadence is sure to impress with its sweeping views, jazz trio, over-thetop service and sinfully delicious dishes, from lobster bisque to rich foie gras. It’s worth every penny. The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Ave., 634-7711 broadmoor.com

Best new restaurant NOSH

Best fine dining THE PEPPER TREE

Colorado Springs had flirted with tapas, or small plates, long before Nosh came along. But this stylish bistro attached to the Fine Arts Center Modern turned that flirtation into a full-blown love affair with a whimsical array of high-end nibbles for low-end prices. Nosh has gone through a few chefs and raised its prices in recent months but has maintained its flair.

This special-occasion spot knows how to turn up the romance. The city views are spectacular and the steaks, some flambéed table-

Plaza of the Rockies, 121 S. Tejon St., 635-6674 nosh121.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 10

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

side, are delicious.

888 W. Moreno Ave., 471-4888 restauranteur.com/peppertree

Best new restaurant NOSH We agree. See staff picks.

Penrose Room Private Dining

Summit

Charles Court Chef ’s Table

At The Broadmoor resort, the best connection is culinary. Exquisite food paired with fine wine and served in a unique atmosphere for a gathering of twenty, down to an intimate evening for two. The Broadmoor offers seven private dining areas. From Colorado’s only Five-Diamond restaurant, Penrose Room, and a Chef’s Table that serves a personalized menu only rivaled by the view, to Charles Court Chef’s Table where being part of the action is the experience, and Summit with a casual elegance equal to the finest brasseries from New York to LA, The Broadmoor makes dining personal, with menus designed to suit your taste.

Call Dining Reservations at The Broadmoor. Connect with us. 719.577.5733 for reservations and information. broadmoor.com

DINING

Best Mexican LA CARRETA This humble strip-center spot on a quiet street still manages to reel in schools of regulars. The combination plates at this central-Mexico-style restaurant make the most of simple dishes, and specialties like carne adobada and chicken mole keep people coming back.

READERS’ CHOICE

Best Mexican AMANDA’S FONDA

35 Iowa Ave., 477-1157

No place beats Amanda’s for fun, friendly service in a great atmosphere. Readers also love the creek-side patio.

Best Chinese CHOPSTICKS ASIAN BISTRO It took a lot to unseat perennial champ Silver Pond. It took such sumptuous, creative dishes as Grand Marnier prawns and the miso sea bass (a special worth calling about). It took a knowledge of wine pairings rarely found in Asian restaurants in the United States. And it took a level of service that the effervescent co-owner Kiyon Kim embodies.

3625 W. Colorado Ave., 227-1975

Best Chinese SILVER POND The upscale atmosphere and dynamic, inventive spins on Chinese classics make Silver Pond the most celebrated Chinese place in the Pikes Peak region. Go for the mango chicken.

120 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., 579-9111 chopsticksasianbistro.com

Best Italian PARAVICINI’S ITALIAN BISTRO It’s a good sign when you can smell the garlic from down the block. It’s an even better sign when every freshly made dish in this stylish, friendly restaurant tastes as good as it smells.

5670 N. Academy Blvd., 594-9343 bestsilverpondchinese.com

Best Italian PARAVICINI’S ITALIAN BISTRO

2802 W. Colorado Ave., 471-8200; 75 S. Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, 481-2222 paravicinis.com

We agree. See staff picks.

Best Japanese AKASAKA JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Best Japanese JUN JAPANESE

This is a rare sushi place where the cooked fish is as good as the raw. A steady stream of Korean and Japanese immigrants come in for traditional dishes, such as cold soba noodles and big, shared bowls of shabu-shabu.

A stylish setting, elegant sushi, and a full range of hot entrees and teppan tables keep diners flocking back to this perennial winner.

4737 N. Academy Blvd., 272-7301 akasaka.conous.com

Best Vietnamese LEMONGRASS BISTRO Not just another noodle-bowl cafe, Lemongrass goes for a more refined, more exotic and more flavorful take on Vietnamese dining. The Lemongrass Three Amigos offers a perfect starting point, tossing chunks of chicken, shrimp and beef with a rich, slightly spicy, slightly tangy lemongrass sauce.

1760 Dublin Blvd., 531-9368; 3276 Centennial Blvd., 227-8690 junjapanese.com MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE

Appetizers served at The Penrose Room at The Broadmoor hotel almost look too pretty to eat. Each dish at the restaurant is like a piece of art.

Best Vietnamese SAIGON CAFE

6840 N. Academy Blvd, 592-1391 restauranteur.com/lemongrassbistro

Best-looking food THE PENROSE ROOM

Best steak THE FAMOUS

Every dish served is like a piece of art with graceful swirls of sauce and colorful splashes of micro-greens garnish. Especially memorable is the collection of tiny appetizers served at receptions, like the ones served at the announcement that the eatery earned the state’s first AAA five-diamond rating. The chef displayed a collection of stunning little bites on special plates.

The area’s best noodle bowls and Vietnamese-style pork chops are served in a contemporary downtown setting. The place also offers a fine wine selection.

Try the rib-eye and you’ll be rewarded with a steak with bragging rights: juicy, perfectly marbled with fatty flavor. Steaks here take you back to the way steaks were intended to taste: beefy delicious. 31 N. Tejon St. 227-7333 restauranteur.com/famous BEST OF THE SPRINGS 12

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

1 Lake Ave., 577-5733 broadmoor.com

20 E. Colorado Ave., 633-2888

Best steak THE FAMOUS We agree. See staff picks.

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r with Entertaine d n a r o lt a lers Re do Wrang the Colora

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 13

DINING

READERS’ CHOICE

Best seafood RED LOBSTER It wins in a landslide every year and also garners the most carping in reader comments at thebestofthesprings .com. What are you gonna do? 275 S. Academy Blvd., 591-0771; 4925 N. Academy Blvd., 594-9494. redlobster.com

Best Korean YUMMY Clean, modern lines in the decor and a winning way with traditional Korean barbecue make this one of the top picks for the local Korean community. 4702 N. Academy Blvd., 266-9944

Best German EDELWEISS We agree. See staff picks.

Best Greek JAKE & TELLY’S

THE GAZETTE FILE

We agree. See staff picks.

Chef Dan French showed off the Red Snapper Ceviche he prepares at Palapa’s Surfside, 5710 S. Carefree Circle. The dish is served on dry ice and with plantain chips.

Best Indian MIRCH MASALA An outstanding lunch buffet and whimsical murals keep Mirch Masala on the go-to list for great Indian food. 5047 N. Academy Blvd., 599-0003 mirchmasalacuisine.com

Best Thai WILD GINGER THAI

3020 W. Colorado Ave., 634-5025

Best exotic restaurant THE ELEPHANT BAR The safari-themed chain restaurant has a great happy hour, legendary artichoke dip and elephant-size portions.

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 14

THE GAZETTE

Fish is flown in daily to this cool Powers spot. Unusual selections such as tile fish and escolar, prepared with the care and precision of some of the best chefs in town, make it worth the high prices. 5710 S. Carefree Circle, 574-3400 palapassurfside.com

This west-side spot offers authentic dishes at great prices. Huge variety and plenty of spicy attitude from owner Khon Onexayvieng make Wild Ginger a favorite.

7585 N. Academy Blvd., 532-0032 elephantbar.com

Best seafood PALAPA’S SURFSIDE

Best Korean KOHNAMI JAPANESE RESTAURANT Sure, it says it’s a Japanese place, but the menu shares equal space with Korean dishes that are excellent. There’s an impressive selection of kimchi (fermented vegetables), the gold standard condiment of Korean fare. 3105 Academy Blvd., (in Mission Trace Shopping Center), 328-9070

Best German EDELWEISS This heavenly slice of Bavaria, with its overthe-top German furnishings and waitress uniforms, boasts a sauerbraten that’s so moist

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

and savory it’ll make your German motherin-law cry. The desserts, particularly the lemon torte, are among the best in town, and the new Rathskeller, an underground gathering place, is a classy, cozy spot to drink your Heineken.

34 East Ramona Ave., 633-2220 edelweissrest.com

Best Greek JAKE & TELLY’S With its fusion-infused wine dinners and delectable way with steak and seafood, Jake & Telly’s also is one of the top contenders for the Fine Dining category. That’s not to take anything away from its gyros or mousaka. 2616 W. Colorado Ave., 633-0406 greekdining.com

Best Indian ASIAN GARDEN The name confuses people (yes, India is in Asia), but in recent months, Asian Garden’s delicious mix of Indian and Nepalese cuisines has launched it beyond even Mirch

Masala and India Palace. Go for the buffet, which features saag and chicken masala to die for.

1747 S. Eighth St., 477-6997 asiangardencolorado.com

Best Thai TASTE OF THAI SPICE Licorice-y Thai basil with sprigs of flowers still attached and green-striped, golf ballsize Thai eggplants show what makes this place: fresh, authentic ingredients. The low prices, quick service and seemingly limitless levels of spice don’t hurt either. 1609 SaShelle Way, 226-1999

Best exotic restaurant THE CASPIAN CAFÉ A former Denny’s has been transformed into a stylish, exotic, culinary oasis. Try the perfectly seasoned Persian Chicken — it will take your taste buds on a magic carpet ride. The salad with pomegranate dressing rocks, and the hummus is delicious. 4375 Sinton Road, 528-1155 caspiancafe.com

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 15

DINING

Best happy-hour food PLATE WORLD CUISINE Plate has managed to out-Nosh Nosh, with a phenomenal happy hour that cuts prices to absurdly low levels. Try the savory barbecued lamb chops with some Penfolds cabernet sauvignon for $10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 9420 Briar Village Point, 475-8000 platecolorado.com

Best hidden gem B&E FILLING STATION As the name suggests, you’ll get filled up here with some of the best gourmet food to be found in Colorado. The casual fine-dining restaurant has gotten better now that it serves breakfast and lunch. 25 Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, 481-4780 bandefillingstation.com

Best Cajun CULPEPPER’S LOUISIANA KITCHEN It’s hard to find so much Big Easy style and so many flavors this far west of the Mississippi. Sample the crispy, musky fried catfish or the down-home red beans and rice while you listen to recorded (and sometimes live) Zydeco. 8810 N. Union Blvd., 282-8479 culpeppers.net

SHORT TAKES

Best romantic restaurant THE MELTING POT For a memorable, slowly eaten dinner with plenty of time for gazing into your partner’s eyes, make a reservation for one of the private, cozy booths. Then order a bottle of wine from the excellent list. Now, take turns dipping forks of food into bubbling cheese or sizzling oil and feeding each other. Save room for one of the addictive chocolate fondues. 30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300 meltingpot.com

Best prepared meals for home DREAM DINNERS It stands out from similar services because of its unique menu options and consistent high quality of ingredients. The dishes always deliver on flavor.

5578 Powers Center Point, 282-3140; 3669 Star Ranch Road, 579-9550 dreamdinners.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 16

THE GAZETTE

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

The cinnamon twists at Marigold Cafe & Bakery, 4605 Centennial Blvd., take the cake for breakfast pastries.

Best soup: La Baguette’s French Onion Soup Best bread: La Baguette Best bagels: Bruegger’s Best carbo load: Panino’s Spaghetti Pie Panino Best hot dogs: Margo’s Vienna Station Best bison burgers: Wines of Colorado Best oysters: Carlos’ Bistro Best buffet: Ultimate Buffet Best burritos: Avocado and pork burrito at El Taco Rey Best breakfast burritos: Fajita burrito at La Casita Patio Cafe Best big honkin’ breakfast burritos: Gunther Toody’s Diner Best tamales: Salsa Latino Best fish tacos: La’au’s Taco Shop Best pancakes: Wade’s Cafe

Best place for vegetarians ADAM’S MOUNTAIN CAFE Vegetarians know pickings are slim for truly all-veg, all-the-time restaurants in town. The next-best option is mostly vegetarian Adam’s, which is even cooler in its new Spa Building

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best coffee: BB Bean Best tea: Bona Dea Tea Emporium and Chocolate Den Best iced tea: Rico’s Coffee, Chocolate and Wine Bar Best place to save money on dining: rubberdollar.com Best chowder: English Dockside Best cookies and brownies: Otho’s Best margaritas: Jose Muldoon’s Best deli: East Coast Deli Best chips and salsa: La Hacienda Best fried chicken: Barney’s Diner Best cinnamon rolls: Orange cinnamon rolls at Altitude Sweets Bakery Best breakfast pastries: Cinnamon twists at Marigold Cafe & Bakery

digs. Harvest crepes made with roasted butternut squash, mixed grains, caramelized onions, white cheddar and roasted corn in an egg-batter crepe with vegetarian red chili. Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Mozzarella with porcini, portobello, shiitake and oyster mush-

room compote over braised spinach with asiago cracker crisps, fresh thyme and fresh mozzarella. It’s so good, it must be some mad plot by the cows. 934 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs 685-1430 adamsmountain.com

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 17

DINING

Best place to eat with your fingers TAJINE ALAMI

Best taqueria EL RANCHITO NO. 3

Take off your shoes, wipe your hands with hot towels, then rip off a piece of homemade honey wheat bread so you can use it to scoop up a lamb stew with peaches and raisins. Who needs forks and knives?

In the back of this tidy meat market, a window serves the best traditional Mexican tacos in town. They come complete with a toppings bar loaded with half a dozen salsas, including tangy green tomatillo and dark, earthy chile carribe. Don’t miss the savory, shredded goat taco.

10 Old Man’s Trail, 685-1119 tajinealami.com

Best wine dinners THE MELTING POT

1714 Monterey Road, 630-0150

One of the best-priced wine dinners in town. You’ll get several courses of fondues, depending on the wine theme. These dinners fill up fast, especially the Ladies Night events.

Best calamari PARAVICINI’S ITALIAN BISTRO

30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300 www.meltingpot.com/colorado

If you like your calamari on the spicy side, go for the Calamari Fritti Arrabiatta. It’s really crispy rings and tentacles of breaded and fried squid topped with hot peppers. Tender tongues beware. Any way you order your calamari, it comes piping hot and yummy.

Best wine by the glass THE CRAFTWOOD INN Craftwood has the WineKeeper wine system that allows you to taste or order a single glass from one of the more exclusive bottles. The restaurant has expanded the wine selection to more than 200 bottles, and the system allows them to serve up to 12 superior wines by the glass without having to worry about cost.

2802 W. Colorado Ave., 471-8200; 75 S. Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, 481-2222 paravicinis.com

404 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, 685-9000 craftwood.com

Best gelato NOCON’S GELATORIA

Best sandwich SHUGA’S BLT

The equipment and recipes are straight from Italy and the results are delicious. What’s not to love about a sweet, creamy treat that is only 4 to 8 percent fat, compared with the 18 to 40 percent fat of ice cream?

Simple but stylish, Shuga’s BLT combines thick, crispy strips of bacon with spring greens, tomatoes, and a sweet, nutty slice of smoked gouda. 702 S. Cascade Ave., 328-1412 shugas.com

Best chocolate place BONA DEA TEAHOUSE & CHOCOLATE DEN Rico’s started the gourmet chocolate thing, but Bona Dea took it to the next level with a dainty room tucked in the back, where you can get some of the best chocolate teas, sipping chocolates and exotic chocolate bars from around the world. 1824 W. Colorado Ave., 473-8322 bonadeatea.com

Best gyro HEART OF JERUSALEM CAFE Most of the nominees in this category serve the same old preformed, thawed spindle of beef and lamb. For something wonderfully different, try the homemade loose meat schwarma at Heart of Jerusalem. 906 Manitou Ave., (but moving soon), 685-9554; 15 E. Bijou St., 477-1777 BEST OF THE SPRINGS 18

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

8816 N. Union Blvd., 282-3135 noconsgelatoria.com

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE

Sushi chef Shinji of Shinji’s Sushi Bar on south Eighth Street with a selection of some of the sushi choices available at the restaurant.

Best sushi SHINJI’S SUSHI BAR Shinji’s Sushi Bar isn’t so much about what is there as what isn’t. While American-style sushi continues to grow insanely elaborate and deep-fried, Shinji’s traditional menu is as simple and elegant as a traditional Japanese watercolor. It’s all about the best fish, prepared by a master. 308 M S. Eighth St., 475-0669

Best salads PHANTOM CANYON Two salads here invite some serious crunching. The first consists of simple greens, watermelon, warm goat cheese, toasted sunflower seeds and vanilla-orange dressing. The second is a mixture of baby spinach and blackberry salmon, spicy walnuts, sour apples and cider vinaigrette. 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2800 phantomcanyon.,com

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 19

DINING Awards keep pouring in for Eric Viedt, executive chef at The Margarita at PineCreek, who wows foodies with dishes such as this Leek and Dill Salmon. He was named Best Overall in a Chef-Media competition at the Restaurant Expo and Culinary Competition.

Best chef ERIC VIEDT His winning ways say it all. First, the chef at The Margarita at PineCreek won the People’s Choice at the Chef’s Gala for his 48-hour “Red” Braised Sous Vide Pork Belly. Then he won Best Entree at the Glass Slipper Ball for Seared Scallops with Amarillo Chile-Roasted Sweet Corn Sauce, Root VegetableManchego Cheese Mash and Avocado-Green Apple Salad. Most recently, he was named Best Overall in the Chef-Media competition at the Restaurant Expo and Culinary Competition at The Broadmoor. 7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667 margaritaatpinecreek.com

Best Colorado cuisine THE CRAFTWOOD INN It looks a bit like a hunting lodge with a fine dining flair, and it features Colorado game: pheasant, antelope, elk, venison, bison and more, prepared with an expert gourmet touch. 404 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, 685-9000 craftwood.com

Best red chili VI’S BURGERS, CARRY OUT AND MORE This extra-greasy greasy spoon in Security makes a Ferrari-red version of this spicy New Mexican sauce that’s a delight on burritos, tamales or the restaurant’s signature slopper. 1835 Main St., Security, 391-8257

Best green chili EL TACO REY Who knows what makes people in Colorado Springs line up out the door daily for this classic dish? The green-shirted women working in the kitchen won’t say, but try it ladled over a pork-and-avocado burrito and you’ll understand.

KIRK SPEER, THE GAZETTE

Stop in at Little London Cake Shoppe to try its Orange Dreamsicle, a cake that may make you think you’re eating ice cream. Chocophiles order it with chocolate frosting.

Best cakes LITTLE LONDON CAKE SHOPPE City founder Gen. William Jackson Palmer and his friends would have been happy to have this sweet shop in their Little London. There are cakes and tortes for every taste and event — and they’re pretty, too. For many regulars, it wouldn’t be a special occasion without Orange Dreamsicle, a light delicacy reminiscent of the ice cream treat. Its subtle orange flavor — with chocolate frosting if you want — makes you go “Yum.” Don’t miss out, order your cakes in advance.

330 E. Colorado Ave., 475-9722 CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE BEST OF THE SPRINGS 20

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

620 S. 25th St., 475-2340 littlelondoncakes.com

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 21

DINING

Best barbecue BIRD DOG BBQ A beautiful plate of ribs, pork and brisket reaffirmed our devotion to this humble strip-center eatery and satisfied every barbecue craving: The meat was wonderfully smoky, moist, high quality, plentiful and was pulled off the fire at just the right time. The sides lean toward the pedestrian, but who cares? If you want really good sides and are willing to settle for good but not exemplary barbecue meats, mosey on over to Front Range Barbeque, which is a really good barbecue restaurant. Bird Dog, where the meat is king, is more of a barbecue JOINT, and we mean that in a good way. 5984 Stetson Hills Blvd., 596-4900 birddogbbq.com

Best pizza BORRIELLO BROTHERS This locally owned favorite fought off a serious challenge from delicious NYPD Pizza this year by focusing on fundamentals: good crust, good sauce and good cheese that make for a delectable, steaming hot slice. Three locations with a fourth on the way

Best sports bar INDIGO JOE’S Our town is blessed with several great sports bars, but Indigo Joe’s wins by a nose, or a field goal, or maybe a suicide squeeze bunt in the bottom of the 13th inning . . . Whatever your sport, you’ll love the juicy hamburgers, Colorado-made beers on tap that are served in really, really big mugs, and the 50 TV screens (including a private screen on every table so you can watch what you want and flip channels to check several games). In other words, my friends, it’s a little slice of heaven.

The Smokehouse sandwich is served with sausage and brisket at Bird Dog BBQ.

THE GAZETTE FILE

6120 Barnes Road, 302-0969 indigojoes.com

READERS’ CHOICE

Best restaurant for kids SOLO’S RESTAURANT We may be wrong about this, but we think Solo’s is the only local restaurant with a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker inside it. Kids love airplane food. At least, they do here. 1665 N. Newport Road, 570-7656 solosrestaurant.com

Best wait staff MacKENZIE’S CHOP HOUSE The service here is as personal and professional as it gets. From the moment you make a reservation to the time when you get the check, you’ll be taken care of by servers who are friendly, helpful and have a deep knowledge of the wine and food they’re serving. Ask them, “What’s good?” and you’ll get a lot more than “everything.” 128 S. Tejon St., 635-3536 mackenzieschophouse.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 22

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best barbecue FAMOUS DAVE’S Famous Dave’s may look like just another serve-something-for-everybody chain joint. But somebody in this organization has serious skills when it comes to smoking meats. The ribs, brisket and pulled pork are some of the best you’ll find. 8330 Razorback Road, 265-6227 famousdaves.com

Best pizza BORRIELLO BROTHERS Borriello Brothers edged out Papa

Murphy’s by one vote. We also love the Bros. See staff picks.

burgers and fries and an employee stuffed into a giant bird suit. What’s not to like?

Best sports bar OLD CHICAGO

2230 Southgate Road, 447-8810; 3680 Citadel Drive N., 597-2473; 1410 Jamboree Drive, 598-2473 redrobin.com

Old Chicago scores big with more than 20 TVs at each location, good pizzas and a “World Beer Tour” that will sate even your snobbiest beer connoisseur.

Best wait staff STEAKSMITH

Four locations oldchicago.com

Best restaurant for kids RED ROBIN Video games, fun kids’ menu, great

Steaksmith’s team approach, the restaurant equivalent of the zone defense, sounds tough, but Steaksmith makes it work, never sacrificing personality in the name of efficiency. 3802 Maizeland Road, 596-9300 steaksmith.com

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THE GAZETTE

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 23

DINING

CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE

Kate Brophy worked the counter at King’s Chef.

Best diner KING’S CHEF

Best hamburgers STEAKSMITH

Inside the purple castle, the sovereign of all grillage, Gary Geiser, has returned, so you know to expect a heaping of good-natured abuse with your giant burger and fries. King’s Chef goes way beyond your diner expectations. Take the side salad, which is huge and features a tasty variety of greens, or the vegetarian green chili, which is spicy as all get out and delicious. Finish your meal, and Geiser will slap a “Clean Plate Club” sticker on your shirt and offer some free candy.

Grind up trimmings from your house-aged steaks, serve the juicy results on fresh-baked bread for the bargain price of $7, and you have the best burger in town, regardless of price.

110 E. Costilla St. 634-9135 kingschefdiner.com

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 24

3802 Maizeland Road, 596-9300 steaksmith.com

Best alfresco dining THE MARGARITA AT PINECREEK Laze under the shady ponderosas of this rambling patio and enjoy a view of Pikes Peak and a menu that does it justice. 7350 Pine Creek Road, 598-8667 coloradoeats.com/margarita/home.html

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

READERS’ CHOICE

Best hamburgers RED ROBIN Fourteen varieties of burgers, plus a customizable feature might lead you to believe this place is all about the toppings. Not so. The charbroiled flavor of the burger itself puts this far ahead of most burger joints. 2230 Southgate Road, 447-8810; 3680 Citadel Drive N., 597-2473; 1410 Jamboree Drive, 598-2473 redrobin.com

A Z Z I t P Buffe S

’ ian l Y a t I L BIL , Pasta & Pizza

Recipient of 13 Food Critic Awards We bake the pizza the old fashioned way.

Family Restaurant

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Best Pizza Buffet

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BEST OF THE SPRINGS 25

DINING

THE GAZETTE FILE

John Krakauer of Josh & John’s offers up a creamy treat at the downtown Colorado Springs store.

Best ice cream JOSH & JOHN’S

READERS’ CHOICE

When you see the ice cream churning right in the shop, you know you’re getting the good stuff. Josh & John’s has built a fanatical following by sticking to the basics: natural ingredients, creamy texture and silly bulletin boards where customers ask Josh and John for the answers to life’s great mysteries. 111 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 632-0299; 152 N. Academy Blvd., 593-1220 joshandjohns.com

Best restaurant when somebody else is paying CHARLES COURT Sure, sister restaurant The Penrose Room gets more attention. But the impeccably elegant Charles Court has been, at times, even more impressive, with its focus on fresh Colorado cuisine and chef John Brand’s culinary artistry. 1 Lake Ave., 634-7711 broadmoor.com

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 26

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best ice cream JOSH & JOHN’S We agree. See staff picks.

Best restaurant when somebody else is paying THE FAMOUS The Famous has earned its fame one amazing steak at a time. If somebody else is paying, you have to go for the 20-ounce prime Kansas City bone-in strip, which is $39.95 before you even add the necessary baked potato and martini. 31 N. Tejon St., 227-7333 restauranteur.com/famous

Yes, we won Best of the Springs ‘07, but our o favorite accolades are fr from our guest book. “...sigh... Thank you.” “Remarkable! Ambiance Galore!” “I love this place! It is amazing. Love love love it!” “Speechless... Amazing place!” “Simply wonderful...”

Free

WiFi

2902

632-3322

Colorado

Ave.

Agia Sophia is a non-profit organization that donates all profits to local and international charities.

w w w. a g i a s o p h i a c o ff e e s h o p . c o m

Best Place for Kids! Kids Club Sundays! Best Place for Group Outings!

Best Place for a Sporting Event!

Best Fireworks Show! Best Place for Hot Dogs!

719-591-SOXX(7699) OR VISIT SKYSOX.COM

DINING

Best cocktail SHUGA’S LAVENDER BLOSSOM MARTINI Rich, floral lavender and fresh-squeezed lime make this $9 gin concoction worth every penny. 702 S. Cascade Ave., 328-1412 shugas.com

Best Sunday brunch THE BROADMOOR The Broadmoor’s Lakeside Terrace has solved the problem of the buffet, which is how to provide the lavish spread people want without sacrificing food quality as eggs, meats, etc., sit in trays. The Broadmoor’s solution: expand the idea of the omelet station. There’s now a fresh-carved cheese station, a smoothie station, a Benedict station, a bananas foster and hotfudge sundae station, an “international station,” where, during our visit, a chef was sautéeing morsels of ostrich. We counted 10 chefs making food to order. The price for brunch is steep at $38, but what a treat. 1 Lake Terrace, 577-5733 broadmoor.com

Best Sunday brunch value MOZAIC Not quite as posh as The Broadmoor nor as endless as Cheyenne Mountain Resort, Mozaic focuses on a few dishes served with perfection. The made-toorder Belgian waffles with fresh fruit toppings and whipped cream are so fluffy, you almost have to peel them off the ceiling, and the shrimp pasta is so good, you’d be pleased if you ordered it off the menu. For $22, this champagne brunch is a steal. 443 Colorado 105, Palmer Lake, 481-1800 restauranteur.com/mozaic

Best fast food GOOD TIMES Culver’s and Good Times have been neck and neck, both offering great burgers and frozen custard. But Good Times pushed ahead with its Bambino sliders, available as miniburgers or minichicken sandwiches. 3855 Astrozon Blvd., 392-3633; 8020 N. Academy Blvd., 598-3571; 5808 Barnes Road, 597-5372 goodtimesburgers.com

READERS’ CHOICE

Best Sunday brunch THE BROADMOOR We agree. See staff picks.

Best fast food TIE: CHICK-FIL-A and CHIPOTLE The ONLY tie on our ballot matched up two outstanding fast-food places — Chick-fil-A, the ambitious chicken-sandwich restaurant that started in malls, expanded to stand-alone outlets and successfully ventured into breakfast; and Chipotle, the burrito place with the healthful meats and veggies that perfected the choose-your-fillings-cafeteriastyle thing. Multiple locations

THE GAZETTE FILE

The Lavender Blossom Martini is a specialty drink at Shuga’s, a restaurant and bar. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 28

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

For the love of Sushi More than 100 Sushi and Rolls to choose from, only at the Garden of the Gods Location.

Voted Best Japanese Restaurant 4655 Centennial Blvd. (at Garden of the Gods)

266-5858 or 266-6644 www.aisushi.us

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DINING

THE GAZETTE FILE

Ray and Deborah Cordero of Colorado Springs played billiards at Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.

Best brew pub PHANTOM CANYON BREWING CO.

Best local beer SKULL AND BONES CUVEE

Best chain in the making LA’AU’S TACO SHOP

Not resting on its laurels (or past Best Of awards) Phantom Canyon recently hired head brewer Andrew Bradley, who amped up such old classics as the Cascade Amber Ale and the Phantom IPA. The blend of gourmet and homey bar food comes out piping hot, and the lines for the pool tables are usually small enough that you only need to down one pitcher until you’re grabbing a cue.

When this exquisite apple-and-cherry-toned American-style sour ale took home a silver medal at last year’s Great American Beer Festival, it was recognition that was long overdue. Though available for only part of the year, the cuvee is the most uniquely jaw-dropping beer in Colorado Springs — if not in all of Colorado.

The humble taco has undergone an extreme makeover thanks to Joseph Coleman, owner of the Blue Star and Nosh, and Denver professor Matt Shea. They’ve topped the soft corn tortilla with a Pan-Pacific pile of goodies, like peanutand-miso-marinated grilled chicken with cool green papaya, or mahi-mahi seared with cumin and pepper and tucked under napa cabbage with a golden crown of mango. This exotic taco thing could give Chipotle a run for its money.

2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-2800 phantomcanyon.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 30

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Bristol Brewing, 1647 S. Tejon St. 633-2555 bristolbrewing.com

830 N. Tejon St., Suite 110 (through the alley), 578-5228 laaustacoshop.com

2006 2007

The Food Designers • Award Winning Chef • Personalized Menu • Innovation in Cuisine • Corporate Events • Wedding & Receptions • Dinner Parties & More

719.632.5414 115 S. 25th Street Colorado Springs, CO www.fooddesigners.com

DINING

Best coffee place RICO’S COFFEE, CHOCOLATE, AND WINE BAR Rico’s kicked up the coffee salon concept by adding a tapas bar, wine bar and acoustic music and placing it all in a fun, sophisticated setting. 322 N. Tejon St., 630-7723 poorrichardswebsite.com

Best power lunch MARIGOLD CAFE & BAKERY Who’d have thought the suit-and-tie crowd would migrate from the dark, stone-walled environs of the boardroomlike downtown dining spots to a bright, airy cafe on Garden of the Gods Road? They were lured by Marigold’s fresh seafood, gourmet sandwiches and desserts, which put fine use to that expense account. 4605 Centennial Blvd., 599-4776

Best breakfast THE OLIVE BRANCH The fascinating gizmo next to the bar squeezes oranges into orange juice. It’s almost as much fun to watch as the juice is to drink. But that’s just one of many things that pushed Olive Branch to the top. It also has some of the city’s best Benedicts and baked goods, a classy but comfortable atmosphere and excellent service. 23 S. Tejon St., 475-1199 theolivebranchrest.com

Readers of The Gazette just love the java from big chain coffee shop Starbucks.

THE GAZETTE FILE

READERS’ CHOICE

900 E. Fillmore St., 633-7770 co-spgs-omeletteparlor.com

Best coffee place STARBUCKS Starbucks taught the masses what rich, dark roast coffee is supposed to taste like, which is why they’re sprouting at every street corner. Multiple locations starbucks.com

Try getting in after church on a Sunday and be prepared to wait. The fresh-squeezed OJ, excellent eggs and country atmosphere draw huge crowds. THE GAZETTE

We agree. See staff picks.

Best chain restaurant CHILI’S

Best breakfast OMELETTE PARLOR

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 32

Best power lunch MARIGOLD CAFE AND BAKERY

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Watch your back. That sizzling fajita tray is coming through. Oh, yeah. Chili’s has earned our loyalty with not only some of the first chain fajitas but top-notch baby-back ribs and burgers. Six locations chilis.com

Best chain restaurant THE MELTING POT Atmosphere that’s as hip as it is romantic, a dining experience that’s fun and gives you something to do while you eat — the Melting Pot is much more than a restaurant. And although it’s part of a chain, franchise owner Tracy Carlson has made it distinctive by the way she runs the place and the way she reaches out to the community. 30-A E. Pikes Peak Ave., 385-0300 meltingpot.com

Best Tex-Mex CAFÉ EL PASO The name says it all: a restaurant with roots from the Texas border town of El Paso. The owners, from El Paso, blend the flavors of Tex-Mex food with those from Juarez, Mexico, to throw a fiesta in your mouth. 3840 N. Nevada Ave. 634-3940

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CITY LIFE are treated to a heavenly experience just like yours.

Best hairstylist HEATHER LONDON Forget a makeover. Heather takes it a step further with an “Image Transformation,” and it’s a good one. Extensions? She specializes in them. Her faithful clients — who are friends as well — wouldn’t trust their hair to anyone else. Cellar Hair Gallery, 27 W. Cimarron St., 205-1092

Best luxury spa THE BROADMOOR One of the best resort spas in the country, it’s the absolute ultimate in luxury. The spa was wonderful before, and there were even more decadent pleasures added in April. Leave a “Spa for the Troops” donation, and wives of the deployed BEST OF THE SPRINGS 34

READERS’ CHOICE

1 Lake Ave., 634-7711 broadmoor.com

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best day spa MATÉOS Enter the “Quiet Zone,” relax and let the world go away. Everything here is soothing: Fountains bubble, music is soft, lights are low, candles flicker, and there’s lavender in the air. The massage masters will work their magic, adding a touch of decadence in the form of Peruvian chocolate and Tuscan wine. Facials and peels unveil a new you, and, for something more intense, there’s a medical-grade skin-care clinic on site. 5919 N. Delmonico Drive, 266-9295 mateosdayspa.com

Best hair salon VEDA The three Veda Salon & Spa locations have won top honors so many years they’re their own Best of the Springs Hall of Fame.

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Best day spa VEDA The magic word here is “rejuvenation.”

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CITY LIFE porter, though, and we’re sure she’ll be back on our TV sets

Best radio personality VAL HART, KCCY (96.9 FM) Hart returned to the Springs last summer after a year with a country station called “The Wolf,” up in Seattle. Evidently, the espresso IV drip they issue at the Seattle airport didn’t agree with her. In any case, we’re happy to have her back — and glad somebody’s around to keep her morning cohost, Willie, in line.

Best radio station KILO (94.3 FM) KILO is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year — 30 years of head-banging, eardrumbusting, turn-that-noise-down rock. They say rock ‘n’ roll will never die, so expect more KILO anniversaries to come.

Best radio show TRON SIMPSON, MORNINGS, KCME (1530 AM) Although Tron’s a pretty funny guy all by himself, what’s really amazing are the guests he gets (by phone, but still . . .). Where else can you tune in on a given morning and hear Geraldo Rivera, Kenny Loggins, David Carradine, Bill Cosby or Charles Grodin?

Best TV weatherperson MARTY VENTICINQUE, KRDO/CHANNEL 13 It took us four tries to spell Venticinque right, so he’d better be worth it. Marty’s geeky, but in a good way. You can tell he loves this stuff, even if he’s not loving getting up at 3 in the morning. James Jarman is making his mark on KOAA/Channels 5&30.

Jeannette Hynes recently left KXRM/Channel 21.

Best TV news program KOAA/CHANNELS 5&30’S 5 P.M. NEWS The numbers don’t lie, and KOAA’s 5 p.m. team of Georgiann Lymberopoulos and Rob Quirk was the top local newscast, beating out KOAA’s 10 p.m. team of Rob Quirk and Lisa Lyden by the slimmest of margins in the latest ratings. In your face, 10 p.m. Rob Quirk!

Best TV reporter JAMES JARMAN, KOAA/CHANNELS 5&30 Jarman’s turned into the Springs’ very own Chris Hansen (who made his name with “To

Laura Rojas of News First Now boasts a dazzling smile.

Catch a Predator” on NBC’s “Dateline”) with his series of reports on local sex offenders. Plus, those “Most Wanted Predators” promos? Totally cool.

Best TV anchor JEANNETTE HYNES, KXRM/CHANNEL 21 We renamed this category the “Lisa Lyden Memorial Award” last year so we could spread the wealth a little more. This year, it’ll have to be the Jeannette Hynes memorial award, since she left our local Fox affiliate the very day we went to press with this section. Hynes is a capable anchor and re-

Best hot news hair — team award KRDO/CHANNEL 13’S 10 P.M. NEWS It’s a good-hair-day group, and they’re making Veda Salons proud: Jon Karroll, who’s graying quite nicely and naturally; Nina Sparano’s updated shorter ‘do; Matt Meister, a multiple “TV Hottie” winner; Rob Namnoum, thick, wavy sports-guy hair.

Best TV teeth LAURA ROJAS, NEWS FIRST NOW (COMCAST CHANNEL 9) Rojas, host of the 4 and 9 p.m. news on KOAA’s cable sibling News First Now, has network-quality teeth. Stone Phillips would kill for these choppers. If Rojas is ever stranded on a desert island, she can signal the search planes with just a smile.

READERS’ CHOICE

Best radio personality CAPTAIN DAN AND PAUL, KKLI (106.3 FM) Paul Richards and Captain Dan Jackson are like a warm pair of slippers for your ears. They’re comfy, broken-in and make easing into another day just a wee bit easier.

Best radio station KRCC (91.5 FM) The Springs’ favorite radio station just keeps getting better. This year, it added digital subchannels chockablock with more of the music and public radio programming that keeps this community supporting the analog mothership. In a radio world filled with narrow formats and niche programming, KRCC offers something for everyone. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 36

THE GAZETTE

Best TV anchor LISA LYDEN, KOAA/CHANNELS 5&30 You know, Lyden has won this for the last we-don’tknow-how-many Lisa Lyden years. We’ve completely run out of anything intelligent to say. Lisa, you rock.

Best station for TV news KOAA/CHANNELS 5&30 KOAA has been the top-rated station in town for years — no small feat for an NBC affiliate, since that network has been struggling. The keys to KOAA’s success

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

have been stability and commitment. Lisa Lyden and Rob Quirk have been holding down the anchor desk since Zebulon Pike was scouting the area, and the station’s reporters, weather forecasters and support staff are all top-notch.

Best female news hottie GEORGIANN LYMBEROPOULOS Is it just us, or is Georgiann looking hotta than evah these days? She’s the Mary Ann of this broadcast island — I guess that makes her co-anchor, Adam Atchison, Gilligan. And every morning, they take us on a two-hour tour of the news. Hmmm, so who does that make the Skipper?

Best male news hottie MATT MEISTER, KRDO/CHANNEL 13 Those eyes, those teeth, that hair . . . that weak system developing over Montana that could bring a trace of snow to the higher elevations. Matt gives us all these things.

Best TV reporter TAK LANDROCK, KRDO/CHANNEL 13 As KRDO’s investigative reporter, Landrock takes on a lot of serious stories: “Former councilman accused of drugging his date,” “Bridging the racism gap,” “Prostitution problem in Colorado Springs,” “Investigation finds cotton candy sweet, sticky.” We kid. We kid because we love.

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CITY LIFE READERS’ CHOICE

Best place to take out-of-towners GARDEN OF THE GODS Let’s all send some love out to the children of railroad magnate Charles Elliot Perkins, who, in 1909, donated this extraordinary park to the people of Colorado Springs. The towering red rock formations, the meandering trails, the Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site — these are things that make Colorado Springs unique. Of course, it’s the first place we take Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Al when they’re in town.

Best place to take out-of-towners STARR KEMPF HOUSE Even with three of the sculptures removed, the yard of Kempf’s hand-built home, with its massive yet ethereal wind sculptures, is one of the city’s most beautiful and poignant spots: a monument to one man’s burning artistic vision and obsession. 2057 Pine Grove Ave., starrgideonkempf.com

Best ambassador JACQUELINE LUNDQUIST Her husband, Richard Celeste, president of Colorado College, used to be the American ambassador to India. But these days, she’s the real ambassador. Some of her ambassador duties play out through her One World 2 U store, which sells a treasure of furniture, rugs, etc., from India at wholesale prices. The business, in a warehouse at 1120 Elkton Drive, is open to the public just seven weekends a year. Her role as cultural ambassador continues in her home, where she and Celeste annually play host to about 6,000 people (including stars from Bollywood).

THE GAZETTE FILE

Dave Willis of Waste Management let Carson Blehm get behind the wheel of his garbage truck during a stop at Carson’s house. Willis was named in the category of best community outreach.

Best community outreach DAVE WILLIS, WASTE MANAGEMENT Carson Blehm, 8, of Woodmoor loves trash trucks — especially the one driven by his best buddy. Dave Willis, the man with the big heart in the big trash truck, uses his break time to stop by and visit with the little guy with autism, who waits patiently for him in his front yard. If only every little kid could have a Dave Willis.

Best First Amendment mascot CHICKEN MAN He thought he was just hawking Wild Wings ’n Things. Woodland Park officials thought he was violating a sign ordinance. But what Chicken Man, the guy in the funny chicken suit, was really doing as he waved at motorists along U.S. Highway 24 was defending the rights of all of us. Really. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 40

THE GAZETTE

Best educator JUDITH MCCOLLUM FILE PHOTO, THE GAZETTE

Chicken Man became a flash point in Woodland Park’s battle to keep its look as a quaint mountain town.

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

The principal of Bates Elementary School in Colorado Springs School District 11 was named the 2007 Colorado National Distinguished Principal of the Year for her radical approach to teaching — trading traditional letter grades for a process that dramatically

improved reading levels.

Best school THE VANGUARD SCHOOL Vanguard, in Cheyenne Mountain School District 12, has bragging rights. It’s ranked the No. 1 high school in the state by the Colorado Department of Education. 1605 S. Corona Ave., 471-1999 www.cmsd.k12.co.us (click on District Information)

Best paramedic JAMES “JT” ORTA What was it that earned Orta the title of Colorado’s Paramedic of the Year? Co-workers say it’s not his mouth-to-mouth. It’s his patience — his ability to sit for hours listening to victims.

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CITY LIFE

Best extreme home “EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION” HOME The Woodhouse family: When Ty Pennington and company came to town in October to build a home for 10-year-old Kayla Woodhouse and her family, our hearts melted. But when we saw the bowling alley, the ice cream shop, the drive-in theater and the wall-size fish tank, we admit to suffering a teeny twinge of envy.

Kayla Woodhouse, right, and her friend, Danielle Aulino.

Best parking innovation EASY PARK CARDS No change in your pocket? Keep the meter maid at bay with the new Easy Park Cards. Cards start at $10, and they’re accepted at most meters in the downtown area. You can order the cards at springsgov.com. (Look under the Easy Park link.)

Best office PRACO It’s funky chic and modern and filled with textures and vivid color. Add a whole lot of artsy eclectic and you have a public relations/advertising office with visual treats around every corner or angle. On the fourth floor at 6 N. Tejon St., there’s a grand view of the bustling downtown below.

THE GAZETTE FILE

The Woodhouse family’s new home, near the intersection of Marksheffel Road and Fontaine Boulevard, during construction.

First Affirmative Financial Net has won recognition as the best green office in town. We don’t mean color, of course — it’s green because it’s made using recycled wood, energy-efficient lighting and other features.

Best green office FIRST AFFIRMATIVE FINANCIAL NETWORK Cabinets made from 100 percent recycled wood, paints and carpets that don’t emit chemicals, lights with motion detectors — this attractive office at 5475 Mark Dabling Blvd. may be the healthiest spot to work (aside from the great outdoors).

Best restrooms PLATE WORLD CUISINE World-class tile work is highlighted by a sinkless hand-washing station. A slanted counter drains the water in this innovative — and yet Old World-style — setup. 9420 Briar Village Point, 475-8000 platecolorado.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 42

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FILE PHOTO, THE GAZETTE FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

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CITY LIFE

COURTESY OF LA PLATA

These miniature versions of artist Chris Weed’s downtown sculptures are part of Cordera, named best new planned community.

THE GAZETTE FILE

Mariya Zvonkovich put finishing touches on a painting of pansies she had been working on while in the Horticultural Art Society of Colorado Springs’ Demonstration Garden in Monument Valley.

Best new planned community CORDERA This new development near Powers Boulevard and Briargate Parkway is the first “Built Green” community in Colorado Springs. All the homes are required to be certifiably energyefficient. Cordera’s playgrounds carry fun themes, including “Alice in Wonderland,” “Charlotte’s Web” and “The Secret Garden,” and the parks are adorned with miniature versions of the cool Chris Weed downtown sculptures, including the “Sunflowers” and “My Surreal World” (the distorted open door near the Pikes Peak Center). 266-8581, cordera.com

Best homebuilders SADDLETREE HOMES While most major builders are letting buyers pick their colors, Saddletree is encouraging homeowners to funadmentally alter the building plans to create personalized dream homes. 593-2900, saddletreehomes.com

Selling houses in the Pikes Peak region is tough enough, THE GAZETTE

Three office locations erashields.com

Best homeowners association VILLAGE SEVEN How can HOA people serve their neighborhood and maintain standards and property values without becoming covenant Nazis? Well, Steve Ballard and Art McDonnell figured it out. Instead of threatening to fine people if they didn’t fix their fences or cut their grass, these HOA folks are actually doing a lot of the work themselves. It’s part of a new “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program. What a concept. villageseven.org

Best home sellers with heart ERA SHIELDS REAL ESTATE BEST OF THE SPRINGS 44

especially lately. But ERA Shields doesn’t stop there. It also supports the community with some outstanding charity events, including “Expressions of Hope,” an art show that benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best neighborhood THE WEST SIDE This is the anti-cookie cutter neighborhood, where each

street has its own distinct personality and where, more often than not, some 8,000 households pull together as a single community.

westsideneighbors.org

Best public gardens HORTICULTURAL ART SOCIETY’S MONUMENT VALLEY PARK GARDENS Just what grows here has been the head-scratcher since Gen. Palmer founded Colorado Springs. In 1962, green-thumb volunteers started the Demonstration Garden in Monument Valley Park to show newcomers which flowers, plants and trees are happy where it’s dry and high. Now there are three educational gardens, with the addition of the Heirloom Vegetable Garden and the Heritage Garden.

Beside the Monument Valley Park Trail from West Cache La Poudre Street to south of the former Van Briggle Pottery building at Glen Avenue and Uintah Street.

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CITY LIFE Dogtooth Coffee is among the hippest hangouts around. Julie Powell studied at the shop for her nursing course, taking advantage of the laptop bar, complete with extra outlets that the owners had installed especially for the purpose.

THE GAZETTE FILE

Best community gathering spot DOGTOOTH COFFEE While a little girl in a white church dress licks her pistachio gelatto and mom sips her lattè, a huddle of laptoppers pretend to work and a folk singer serenades everyone. What a cool place Dogtooth has become. 505 E Columbia St., 632-0125 dogtoothcoffee.com

Best nonprofit ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF COLORADO SPRINGS Over the past 38 years, more than 58,000 local children have had new school clothes to wear, thanks to this all-volunteer corps of dedicated women. But “Operation School BEST OF THE SPRINGS 46

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Bell” is just one of their projects. They’re also busy with hearing screenings for little ones, providing assault-survivor kits, giving Buddy Bears to first responders for children in emergencies, running the Bargain Box thrift shop, naming the community’s volunteer of the year and teaching children how to deal with those who are different through the Kids on the Block puppet theater. Not only that, they’re building a new facility so they can expand. 211 E. Costilla St., 475-2627 coloradosprings.assistanceleague.org

Best nonprofit event MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM FOUNDATION GALAS Every gala is more clever than the one before, and they’ve

dynamited same-old, same-old out of fundraising events. One year, the sold-out crowd followed the yellow brick road past witches and scarecrows, Dorothy and Toto to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the planned children’s hospital. Last spring, during the construction of Memorial Hospital North, partygoers donned hard hats and tool belts with their tuxedoes and gowns, wound through construction zones to get to their tables and turned into little kids playing with Tonka heavy-equipment centerpieces. Topping them this April was a Dr. Suess night, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” celebrating the new Memorial Hospital for Children. Dress for the evening: Black tie and/or Seussian. The Whos raised money for the children’s “Play Zone.” What fun.

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Authentic German Cuisine

Bakery & Rathskeller Indoor & Outdoor dining in a quaint Bavarian setting at the foot of Pikes Peak. Reservations Accepted

Open Every Day 11:30-9:00 Dinner Starts at 4:00

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719.633.2220

CITY LIFE

COURTESY OF LATA REDDY

The local Indian community holds a Diwali celebration each year in November, complete with cultural performances and, of course, Indian food.

Best cultural celebration DIWALI Bollywood has nothing on the Indian Community of Colorado Springs, which puts on an annual extravaganza every November that features wildly colorful costumes, elaborate choreography, music, special effects and delicious Indian food. cosindia.com

Best Wal-Mart greeter DON HENDERSON Henderson does more than greet customers with a smile. He BEST OF THE SPRINGS 48

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

greets them with a song, as his warm baritone voice belts gospel tunes from the chip aisle to the gardening supplies area.

Best local hero COLT HAUGEN Others may turn away, not wanting to get involved, but Haugen saw a possible crime and did something about it. New to the wait staff at Ruby Tuesday, 1340 Garden of the Gods Road, the 23-year-old reported seeing a man slip what proved to be a tranquilizer into a woman’s drink. Haugen retrieved the drink, police were called, and the man was ar-

rested.

Best expression of love HEART-SHAPED SPUD Briargate resident Melanie Allums found a valentine-shaped potato at a local grocery store.

Best name for a teacher PROFESSOR SNAPE Unfortunately, the Colorado College visiting professor’s first name isn’t Severus (a baddie in “Harry Potter”). It’s William.

A Taste of The Old West.

Relive Old Times With Family And Friends Nothing captures the rugged romance of the Old West like a hearty dinner cooked over open ﬂames, or a moonlit night trembling to the lonesome strains of a classic cowboy ballad. This summer, relive the past with family and friends. Make your reservations soon to enjoy an authentic evening of traditional chuckwagon fare, accompanied by live entertainment from the world-renowned Flying W Wranglers.

Call (719) 598-4000 today or Visit us online at flyingw.com

Thank you Colorado Springs for making us the success we are today, as we enjoy our 3rd year as your favorite neighborhood tavern.

Happy Hour 3 - 7pm Everyday

Open 11am • Seven Days a Week • Live Music • Plenty of Parking 520 S. TEJON • 633-3300

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11:08

Your life...

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The Citadel is proud to bring many good things to the community of Colorado Springs. Each year, The Citadel generates over $13 million in sales taxes and provides an employment base of more than 1,600 jobs for the community. However, The Citadel’s commitment to the community is not just limited to economic stimulus. Our commitment is far-reaching.

The Citadel is proud to donate the Celebration Place space which serves as the Imagination Celebration’s “creativity space” offering year-round visual and performance arts experiences including: Dream Makers Exhibition, Pikes Peak International Reading Association Family Literacy Day, 45th Young People’s Art Exhibition, Spring Break and Summer Workshops and much more.

Hollister Crabtree & Evelyn Lane Bryant The Body Shop Limited Too Steve & Barry's University Sportswear Sportsman's Warehouse ...and over 40 stores you won't find anywhere else in Southern Colorado.

Through cash, in-kind and volunteer hours, The Citadel supported many local community causes and organizations including Imagination Celebration, Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers, Komen Colorado Springs Race for the Cure, Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation, Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce Annual Armed Forces Luncheon, “It Takes Five” Teen Ticket to the Arts, Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, Mayor’s 100 Teens, Pikes Peak Library District, The Greenberg Center, Sky Sox Salute Sundays, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Safari, KIDPOWER, American Heart Association Heart Walk and Go Red for Women Education Day. The Citadel hosted a wide variety of events and activities for area organizations in 2007 including Girl Scouts Annual Lock In, Victim’s Awareness Day & Education Fair, El Paso County Bar Association Ask A Lawyer Days, Komen Colorado Springs Race for the Cure Race Shoppe and Registration, Senior Resource Council Senior Expo, Bonfils Blood Drives, Wellness Walkers and Memorial Hospital Flu Shot Clinic, MDA Stride & Ride and Fill the Boot drive, and The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree and Kettle Campaigns.

ONLY AT THE CITADEL

North Shore

The Citadel assisted over 20 organizations in raising more than $200,000 with community awareness programs, partnerships and fund raising events held at The Citadel including The Salvation Army, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Girl Scouts, Komen Colorado Springs Race for the Cure, Colorado Springs Youth Symphony and The Gazette & El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund.

In collaboration with Women’s Resource Agency the new Dress for Success Boutique opened in October at The Citadel, providing the opportunity for expanded client services and training space.

Our

contributions to the

community

Management employees volunteered over 200 hours for community organizations including Imagination Celebration, Colorado Springs School District 11, Harrison School District 2, Go Red for Women, Dress for Success, Boy Scouts, and KIDPOWER. One area graduate from the Class of 2007 was the recipient of a $1,000 Citadel Business Scholarship. Several area organizations participated in The Citadel’s Community Table program affording non-profits an opportunity to interact with and educate the public about their programs and needs.

The Citadel • Academy Boulevard & Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO

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CITY LIFE

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Rick “Goose” Gossage got the phone call from Cooperstown to inform him that he was being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Best local sports hero GOOSE GOSSAGE We loved Rich “Goose” Gossage long before the Baseball Hall of Fame folks finally achieved a moment of sanity and recognized his greatness. The Wasson High School graduate with the handlebar mustache played 22 seasons in the majors and had one of the best fastballs the game has seen.

Best future sports legend REGGIE JACKSON No, not THAT Reggie Jackson. As a senior at Palmer High School, basketball player Jackson averaged about 30 points per game, was named Gatorade Colorado Boys Basketball Player of the Year and The Gazette’s Big Schools Boys Basketball Player of the Year. He’s headed for Boston College.

Best new record holder MILES SEMINARIO Never mind that Miles is just 4 years old, he already holds three world records in his age group for competitive cup stacking. Want to bet you’ll be hearing the name Miles Seminario for years to come? BEST OF THE SPRINGS 52

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

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Palmer High School athlete Reggie Jackson scored about 30 points per game during his senior year. The talented youth is planning to attend Boston College.

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CITY LIFE

THE GAZETTE FILE

Jan Martin, center, was sworn in at the Pioneers Museum by City Clerk Kathryn Young. With Martin were her sister Jean Wilkie and brother Harry Martin.

great way to impress the boardroom.

Best public official JAN MARTIN

475-9555, cmzoo.org

If you really want to know Colorado Springs, follow this Colorado Springs City Council newbie around. She’s here, there and absolutely everywhere, listening, learning, helping and observing and just plain enjoying her hometown. Wondering just how wonderfully diverse this city really is? As we said, spend some time following Jan around.

This new wedding and events center has two major things going for it: a splendid setting amid the woods of Black Forest and a single-minded focus. Getting couples hitched in style is just about all they do.

Best place to volunteer THE NEW MARIAN HOUSE DINING HALL AND KITCHEN There are hundreds of ways to volunteer and give back. This one is basic: a hot meal. Volunteers can sort, serve, clean up, chop, stir or do any of a variety of chores to help more than 400 people a day — even more at the end of the month — have a good meal. Quite often it’s their only meal of the day. 14 W. Bijou St., call volunteer coordinator Frank Mora, 475-7314 ccharitiescs.org

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 54

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Best place to get married THE PINERY

12375 Black Forest Road, 495-9499 thepinery.com THE GAZETTE FILE

Sixteen-year volunteer Ron Stull made soup at Marian House soup kitchen.

Best place for a meeting or gathering MOOSE LAKE LODGE AT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO It’s an unexpected meeting spot where you can commune with nature on the side of Cheyenne Mountain and your guests will talk to the animals during breaks. If it’s an evening event, go all out and rent the entire zoo. What a

Best place to put up wedding guests ROCKLEDGE COUNTRY INN, RED CRAGS BED & BREAKFAST INN AND HISTORIC ONALEDGE BED & BREAKFAST The three historic Manitou B&Bs join forces to not only house guests, but also provide venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions.

328 El Paso Blvd., rockledgeinn.com, 685-4515; 302 El Paso Blvd., redcrags.com, 685-1920; 336 El Paso Blvd., onaledge.net., 685-1272

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Thank You Colorado Springs! Thank you Colorado Springs for making The Melting Pot your BEST CHOICE for dinner! Check out our new Caribbean Big Night Out! Colorado Springs | 30-A East Pikes Peak Avenue | 719.385.0300

CITY LIFE Don’t limit your daylong excursions to Cripple Creek to just the summer months. The town hosts interesting events in winter, too, such as the Cripple Creek Ice Festival, which was held in February this year.

THE GAZETTE FILE

and great baby boomer-appeal concerts in the Palladium.

Best day trip CRIPPLE CREEK The old gold camp has morphed into a Vegas version of a Western movie town. It’s a favorite destination for quick getaways from the Springs, and for good reason. Not only does it have the gambling thing going on, it also has some cool entertainment possibilities, including quality plays by the Thin Air Theatre, the narrow gauge railroad, mine tours, the nifty new Heritage Center

visitcripplecreek.com

Best scenic drive GOLD CAMP ROAD So often when newcomers arrive in Colorado Springs, they look at the stubby skyscrapers downtown and wonder if there’s really a city here. Take them up this winding route, though, and they’ll get a tremendous

overlook that shows the full size and scope of our town. Plus, it’s awfully pretty up there.

Best place to take a muddy dog ALL BREED RESCUE & TRAINING QUARTERLY DOG WASH Let the volunteers turn Fido back into a pretty pup — and they’ll mop up the wet floor, too. It’s a quarterly fundraising event for the rescue group, held at Wag N’ Wash, 1625

W. Uintah St.

Check out the next wash at 264-6460 or HaveaNiceDog.org

Best dog kennel and day care CANINE CAMPUS It breaks your heart to drop off the doggy kids as you flit away on vacation, but this is one joint they’ll dig. Playtime is always supervised, classical music plays in the kennel area and reminders from home are highly encouraged in the large overnight alcoves. 3116 Karen Place, 448-9600 or caninecampus.us

SHORT TAKES Best nickname for Douglas Bruce: Doug Bruce Lee Best new event: Concours d’Elegance Best plumber: A+ Choice Plumbing BEST OF THE SPRINGS 56

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Best travel Agency: Gateway Travel Best roofers: Prime Roofing Best place to find risque ads: Newspeak, the alternative newspaper

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best dry cleaner: Summit Best place to get pierced: Shrap Metal Piercings Best clubhouse: The Club at Flying Horse Best car wash: Speedy Shine

Express Car Wash Best dog park: Bear Creek Dogpark Best store pet: Cheney at All That Glitters Best place to get your dog in

shape: Lucky Dog Resort & Training School Best obedience school: The MuttMasters School for Dogs Best driving school: Master Drive

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A&E

Best movie theater KIMBALL’S TWIN PEAK

Best local film “HAZE”

We’re not sure whether to applaud or be appalled by owner Kimball Bayles’ strategy of “selling” the rights to seats in the auditorium to finance new seats, but it’s definitely innovative, and, hey, he said he’ll give buyers the old seats to keep. The new seats should arrive this summer. Beyond that, the Kimball’s formula remains the same: Wine bar, microbrews, Oscar winners. We’re not complaining.

You haven’t seen it yet — heck, we haven’t seen the whole thing — but Pete Schuermann, the dude that gave the world the Claymation stylings of “Star Warp’d” in 2002 and the sleaze and cheese of “Alice in Wasteland” in 2006 is back with a very serious documentary on the perils of binge drinking in college. Plus, an introduction by Robin Wright Penn. Rowrrrr.

115 E. Pikes Peak Ave. kimballstwinpeak.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 58

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

hazethemovie.com

READERS’ CHOICE

Best movie theater CINEMARK 17 It’s still the niftiest kid on the block, and what’s not to like about the Cinemark? It has the IMAX Theatre, it has a jillion screens, it has ample parking (even if the outside spots are on the Kansas border). Pass us a pair of those groovy 3-D glasses and fire up the popcorn machine! 3305 Cinema Point, 596-2173 cinemark.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Kelly Walters gave a charismatic performance as Father Flynn in TheatreWorks’ “Doubt.” He also played an elf in the comedy “Santaland Diaries.”

READERS’ CHOICE

Best theater troupe STICK HORSES IN PANTS No two shows are the same for the Springs’ most popular improv troupe, which frequently sells out houses at the Colorado Springs School and elsewhere. 650-7343 thestickhorses.com

Stick Horses in Pants member Jeremy Badry, left, played the arms of Hunter Willis during an improv performance at The Broadmoor in November.

COURTESY OF THEATREWORKS

Best actor KELLY WALTERS

THE GAZETTE FILE

Steve Emily was fabulous in the Fine Arts Center’s “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Fuddy Meers.” But Walters showed even more range: hilarious in his reprise of Crumpet, the elf in TheatreWorks’ “Santaland Diaries,” charismatic yet veiled as Father Flynn in TheatreWorks’ “Doubt,” and heart-meltingly vulnerable as the Baker in the FAC’s “Into the Woods.”

Jim Jackson and Birgitta De Pree produced and acted in the Manitou Art Theater’s talent show “Ten Minutes Max.”

Best actress LEAH CHANDLER-MILLS Our conscience would have been clear had we given this award to Amy Brooks or Alysabeth Clements, both of whom gave outstanding performances. But Chandler-Mills’ season was both huge and deep, as she played a slew of mothers — including Hamlet’s in “Hamlet,” Seurat’s in “Sunday in the Park with George,” and a mother superior in “Doubt.” And she saved her best mother for last: Gertie in the Fine Arts Center’s “Fuddy Meers” — a beautifully nuanced portrayal of a person who has important things to say but just can’t get them out.

COURTESY OF MANITOU ART THEATER

Best local actor JIM JACKSON

Best theater company THEATREWORKS No local theater company has ever produced a more impressive season: the marvelous Elizabethan double bill of “Hamlet” and “Antonio’s Revenge,” the charming commission “Zorro,” the searing “Doubt,” the hilarious “Santaland Diaries” and “Blithe Spirit,” and another double bill, exploring Islam and Arabian culture through the intriguing new “Dar alHarb” and the harrowing “9 Parts of Desire.” Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, 3955 Cragwood Drive, 262-3232 theatreworkscs.org BEST OF THE SPRINGS 60

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

COURTESY OF THEATREWORKS

Leah Chandler-Mills had a busy year full of performances that helped her edge out other talented local actresses.

OK, we screwed up here. On our ballot, we omitted the word “local.” The actual winners for best actor and actress were Johnny Depp and Julia Roberts. Since this is supposed to be Best of the SPRINGS, we decided to eliminate the non-Springs types from the running. Among the locals, Jackson got the most votes. As Art Guffaw in the Manitou Art Theater’s New Year’s Eve Family Theater Extravaganza, the celebrated clown displayed his physical comedy skills — and in “Hut,” the dark finale of Jackson’s trilogy about growing up in Cañon City, he

displayed his serious side, tackling issues of mental illness and institutionalized violence.

Best local actress BIRGITTA DE PREE Adults loved the tall, exuberant actress as Babette, the pushy Franco-BulgarioBrazilian emcee of the Manitou Art Theater’s “Ten Minutes Max”; children loved her in the MAT’s “The Museum of Dreams,” in which she played a mischievous ghost who unlocks the Pioneers Museum’s treasures. She also happens to look exactly like Julia Roberts.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Get Three Coffins Ready opened for The Mansfields at The Rocket Room in June. The bar hosts live music about twice a week.

Best bar THE ROCKET ROOM

Best nightclub SODO

Since opening a year ago, the bar at Wahsatch Avenue and Cimarron Street has slowly built its target audience — old school rock ’n’ rollers with tattoos and an appetite for beer and music. So it’s a good thing (maybe too much of a good thing) that pints of Bristol’s Red Rocket beer are only $2.50 all the time. On weekend evenings, music fans pour in to drink, play pool or pinball and dance.

This lounge-style dance club is the place to gyrate those hips until they go numb. Shake your rump on theme nights Wednesdays through Sundays and peruse the impressive calendar of events that includes national DJs and fun fallen stars like Tone Loc.

230 Pueblo Ave., 447-4990 BEST OF THE SPRINGS 62

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527 S. Tejon St., 314-0420 sodonightlife.com

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

THE GAZETTE FILE

READERS’ CHOICE

Best bar JACK QUINN IRISH ALEHOUSE & PUB

Best nightclub COWBOYS

Quinn’s goes above and beyond the call of duty. Sure, it offers fine drinks, outstanding Irish food, fun live music, the occasional trivia night. But how many pubs have their own running club? Every Tuesday at 6 p.m., a gaggle of runners meets at Quinn’s before heading off on a 5K run through downtown.

Cowboys was a great club on Academy Boulevard, and it’s even better downtown. The second level not only gives you better views of your favorite country stars when they come to town, it also makes the place more airy and inviting.

21 S. Tejon St., 385-0766; jackquinnspub.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Gwen Laine’s “Passing Through” — 153 transparent photos of people’s forearms and open palms suspended by helium balloons — was part of the Fine Arts Center Modern’s impressive and unpredictable “Altered Space” exhibit.

COURTESY OF FINE ARTS CENTER

Best local exhibit “ALTERED SPACE: 21ST CENTURY INSTALLATION ART” Installation art is inherently risky, but the risks were rewarded at the Fine Arts Center Modern with contemplative, thought-provoking works by Christina Marsh and Gwen Laine and one sensory-overload piece by Matt Barton. Plaza of the Rockies, First Floor, South Tower 121 S. Tejon St. 477-4308 csfineartscenter.org

Best art gallery GALLERY TWO-TEN The city’s newest high-end art gallery raises the bar locally, with uncrowded spaces, warm light and an excellent selection of regional art ranging from BEST OF THE SPRINGS 64

THE GAZETTE

John Baker’s luminous abstracts to Julie Kirkland’s magical realism. 210 E. Cimarron St. 632-2132 gallerytwo-ten.com

Best art gallery expansion HUNTER-WOLFF GALLERY In the difficult world of art galleries (Christopher Lynn, curator at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs’ Gallery of Contemporary Art, has said they have the life spans of fruit flies), Hunter-Wolff is one of the success stories, outgrowing its space in less than three years. Its new location — just a block away from the old — has twice the exhibition space and more natural light. 2510 W. Colorado Ave., 520-9494 hunterwolffgallery.com FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best art museum FINE ARTS CENTER The best got better when the Fine Arts Center opened its $29 million expansion in August — enabling the center to bring in traveling exhibitions larger than ever before. David Owen Tryba’s tasteful expansion managed to leave John Gaw Meem’s original building largely intact while nearly tripling the exhibition space on a very small lot. 30 W. Dale St., 634-5581 csfineartscenter.org

Best traveling exhibit “IMPRESSIONISM AND MODERN MASTERS” The Fine Arts Center’s exhibit of work from the New Orleans Museum of Art was just the sort of glamorous traveling exhibit that

director Michael De Marsche had in mind for the expanded center. It included a handful of truly great works — such as Monet’s “Snow at Giverny” — and a generous cross-section paintings ranging from old masters to the 20th century.

Best outdoor art ART ON THE STREETS The Art on the Streets Program grew last year, with additional major sponsorship (adding Nor’wood Development Group to U.S. Bank), a hired juror (Bruce Guenther, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Portland Art Museum), and $30,000 in prize money. The result was bigger, edgier artworks, making a cohesive exhibit that’s hard to ignore.

READERS’ CHOICE

Best art gallery FINE ARTS CENTER The expanded Fine Arts Center features more of its permanent collection than ever before, in a more flattering setting. And curators Blake Milteer and Tariana Navas-Nieves keep the exhibits fresh by regularly rotating the work. 30 W. Dale St., 634-5581 csfineartscenter.org

Best art museum FINE ARTS CENTER We agree. See staff picks.

Best outdoor art ART ON THE STREETS We agree. See staff picks.

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Solo’s centerpiece is a fully intact Boeing KC-97 tanker. Built in 1953, this magnificent airplane refueled aircraft throughout the world. Then, in May 2002, it began its second mission~ to be the preeminent aviation restaurant in the United States. Forty-two passengers can actually eat in the plane of the 275-seat restaurant. Rich in aviation history, displaying 100’s of pictures, memorabilia and rare artifacts, Solo’s offers much more than great food, it offers a flight through aviation history. Treat yourself to first class and celebrate the 105th Anniversary of Flight and fly onto Solo’s!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

A 70-by-14-foot mural created by Colorado artist Ken Bernstein depicts five children standing in front of the Rocky Mountains.

Best mural “COLORFUL COLORADO HISTORIES” Boulder artist Ken Bernstein created this amazing 70-by-14-foot mural, which hangs above the main entryway of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex. It depicts five adorable children in a montage that includes Western landscapes and legendary figures. (James Wolnick’s mural, seen throughout this magazine, wasn’t in contention.) 270 S. Tejon St., across from Pioneers Museum

Best arts event FINE ARTS CENTER REOPENING CEREMONY For one weekend in August, Colorado BEST OF THE SPRINGS 66

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Springs felt like a huge city. The Fine Arts Center’s reopening included a gala, a massive exhibit of contemporary art and appearances by film director John Waters, actor Joel Grey and arts maven Thomas Hoving.

Best dramatic exit MICHAEL DE MARSCHE De Marsche arrived at the Fine Arts Center with a bang in 2003, shaking up the center’s staff, building enthusiasm and membership with major exhibits of Dale Chihuly, Andy Warhol and Peter Max, and spearheading a massive expansion that had seemed like a pipe-dream just a few years earlier. Then he exited with a bang, announcing just five

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

days after the center’s grand reopening that he’d been hired by the Kasfejian Museum of Modern Art in Yerevan, Armenia.

Best student art event WUNDERKIND Every year, a group of the region’s most talented high school artists work with the Business of Art Center to produce a polished exhibition that you’d hardly guess was a student show. 513 and 515 Manitou Ave., 685-1861 thebac.org

Best artist MARY ANN BRANSBY The Pikes Peak Arts Council recently hon-

THE GAZETTE FILE

ored muralist Eric Bransby with a lifetime achievement award. But a major retrospective last summer at Cottonwood Artists School showed that his wife is his equal, with a vibrant sense of color and a strong, sinuous line.

Best new arts organization COPPeR The Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region — aka COPPeR — raised awareness of the importance of the region’s arts with a flashy report on their economic impact, and has made it easier to stay connected with everything that’s happening through its extensive listings at PeakRadar.com. 634-2204, coppercolo.org

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Jim Adams played a steel guitar at his music venue Jimbo’s Take 2, in the Audubon Shopping Center. The small venue packs a big sound that caters to the blues crowd. The backdrop of the stage is part of a house from Kansas, where Adams is from. The venue hosts about eight shows a month.

SHORT TAKES

THE GAZETTE FILE

Best blues venue JIMBO’S TAKE 2 Cop a squat at Jimbo’s back porch and get ready to hear the blues. The tiny venue (65 seats) is centered around an honest-to-goodness back porch, in body and spirit, making it a magical place for musicians and fans. Jimbo Adams hosts about eight shows a month, and though they’re not all blues, that is his first love. The place has drawn great national acts such as Otis Taylor, John Hammond, Eden Brent, Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin (a former Muddy Waters band member), and Al Chesis, as well as offering a home to local talent such as John-Alex Mason and Jeremy Vasquez. 2427 N. Union Blvd., 244-1601 jimbostake2.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 68

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Best jam session EAST LIBRARY BLUES JAM Whether you’re a pro or just picked up a bass, you’re welcome to join in this group that meets every third Saturday. 5550 N. Union Blvd. 337-6715 ppld.org

Best place for singles to “network” (wink, wink) COLORADO SPRINGS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS Formed about three years ago to help young people make business contacts, it has expanded the concept of business to include a bit of monkey business. The group, FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

at last count, had more than 1,300 members. They meet 6-8 p.m. every second and fourth Thursday at different locales, mostly bars.

csyoungprofessionals.com

Best bartender NATHAN WINDHAM If you liked him downtown at The Red Martini, you’ll love him at Palapa’s Surfside, where he’s been turned loose on a seasonal menu of cocktails featuring unusual liquors, fresh-squeezed juices and hand-crafted syrups made from things such as basil and elderberry flower. 5710 S. Carefree Circle 574-3400 palapassurfside.com

Best bar stools: Cowboys’ saddles Best venue for intimate concerts: House concerts Best house concert: Cliff Eberhardt Best venue for hip-hop: SoDo Best benefit concert: The Joleen Bell Benefit Concert Best rock concert: Matchbox Twenty and Alanis Morissette at World Arena Best place to dance: Cowboys Best band for an event: N Tha Mixx Best rock trio: Fremont Street Preachers Best student-curated art venue: Hillside Community Center’s ARTspace Best boost to arts’ visibility: Springs Culture Cast Best traveling show: Cirque du Soleil’s “Dralion.” Best dance school: Rocky Mountain Dance Studio

Best karaoke GOOD COMPANY BAR

Best rock venue THE BLACK SHEEP

The nightclub lives up to its name, offering a fleeting chance at stardom five nights a week and a supportive environment for spot-on singers and wannabe singers.

Five nights a week you can get your face rocked off at The Black Sheep, the king of live music venues in the Springs. Not only does it bring in some of the best upand-coming bands in the country, it showcases many of the best bands the Springs has to offer. (And nearly all shows are all ages.) Indie rock, hard rock, heavy metal, screamo, smart and sweet dork-rock, folk rock — you can get your rocks off no matter what you like.

7625 N. Union Blvd. 528-8877 goodcompanybar.com

Best bar for smokers COWBOYS The new downtown location has the coolest second-floor, glassedin patio that lets you smoke without feeling like such an outcast. 25 N. Tejon St. 596-1212 csnightclubs.com/cowboys/header.html

2106 E. Platte Ave. 227-7625 myspace.com/sodajerkcospgs

Best of 2006 Experience the new Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Get closer than you’ve ever dared to the animals that define the West, including moose, mountain lion, grizzly bear and more. It’s the ultimate Colorado adventure!

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

THE GAZETTE FILE

Ben Eberle, 9, competed with other video gamers and guitar heroes at Entertainmart in February. The competition was an Urban League fundraiser.

Best guitar hero BEN EBERLE The 9-year-old went wild on Metallica’s “One” during a February Urban League “Guitar Hero” rock-off at Entertainmart.

Best jazz venue THE THIRSTY PARROT Dedicated jazz venues in the region have tended to fold like bad poker hands. Jazz heads can find great concerts if they’re willing to look for them all over the city, but sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. From 6 to 8 p.m. every BEST OF THE SPRINGS 70

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Wednesday, you can catch the Springs Contemporary Jazz Big Band at The Thirsty Parrot. It boasts a big stage, good sound, good lights, and a dance floor right next to the band.

32 S. Tejon St., 884-1094 thirstyparrot.net

Best folk venue BLACK FOREST COMMUNITY CENTER This cozy spot is essentially a cabin in the woods, built in 1929, which is the perfect place for rootsy music. Luckily, the Black Rose Acoustic Society has recognized that and for years and years has made it the

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

home for its “open stage” shows the second and fourth Fridays of each month. The shows are cheap, friendly and a great place to mingle with other fans of acoustic music.

Willow Welter, was disqualified because we couldn’t be objective.)

creatinganewsense.com

12530 Black Forest Road, Black Forest blackroseacoustic.org

Best guest musicians WILLIAM BOLCOM AND JOAN MORRIS

Best local band CREATING A NEWSENSE

We loved pianists Yuja Wang and Yakov Kasman, and violinist Miriam Fried. But for sheer elegance and charm, nobody equaled the husband-and-wife team of Bolcom and Morris — a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and a celebrated singer — in a program of American songs at Colorado College’s Packard Hall.

This tight, five-piece Manitou bluegrass band plays a mix of covers and originals that take in rock, reggae, blues and jazz. Their original sound will make every part of your body want to move. (The outstanding Abracastabya, featuring Gazette copy editor

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Comedian Ryan Lowery cracks up crowds with his deadpan delivery.

Best classical concert YUJA WANG WITH THE COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC Conductor Lawrence Leighton Smith has a knack for finding soloists who are as amazing as they are unknown to the public, but he outdid himself with Wang. The 20-year-old Chinese pianist’s March performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 was delicately spellbinding. csphilharmonic.org

Best musical extravaganza “CARMEN” For a decade, Opera Theatre of the Rockies has made steady progress — but this year’s production of “Carmen” was a quantum leap. Without compromising its mission of relying on regional talent, the company put on a first-class production of Bizet’s masterpiece, highlighted by Jennifer DeDominici’s fiery performance as the gypsy temptress. operatheatreoftherockies.org

Best classical programming “BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN”

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s programming usually suffers in comparison with its more nimble counterpart, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. But even the chamber orchestra has never gone further out on a limb than the philharmonic did at its September performance of “Battleship Potemkin” — Eisenstein’s classic silent movie with live music by Shostakovich. csphilharmonic.org

Best YouTube “305” COURTESY OF MANITOU ART THEATER

Best rising stand-up comic RYAN LOWERY The deadpan comic has killed audiences throughout the state with material dealing with the joys of domestic life. One of his bits talks about the precious little quirks that are so endearing when you first get married. “Like the way she opens a bag of potato chips upside-down. Or the way her nose makes that adorable whistle when she sleeps. Now, take this batch of endearing idiosyncrasies and let it simmer for a year. Or two. Before you know it, precious quirks become probable cause.” laughatryan.com

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 72

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FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

COURTESY OF PAMELA MARTINEZ

Musician John-Alex Mason’s mosaic of acoustic guitar and rootsy blues fits together perfectly on his CD “Town & Country.”

When twin brothers (and Air Academy grads) Dave and Dan Holecheck decided to spoof the hit action flick “300,” they created a swords-and-sandals short that felt more like “The Office” than ancient Greece. It was also very, very funny. The clip became a YouTube sensation that millions of people have downloaded. The Holechecks have now made a feature-length version, available on DVD in July. the305movie.com

Best poet AARON ANSTETT Anstett was recently named the first-ever Pikes Peak poet laureate, responsible for creating poetry projects in the community for the next two years.

Among Anstett’s ideas: writing poetry with returning military personnel, introducing baseball poems at a Sky Sox game, and “Poetry While You Wait,” a plan to put poetry in unexpected places such as medical offices, laundromats and the DMV — “someplace where your other choice might be a two-year-old issue of People,” he said. Via Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region 634-2204 pikespeakpoetlaureate.org

Best CD JOHN-ALEX MASON’S “TOWN & COUNTRY” Mason is among the best young bluesmen in the country, and he just happens to live in town. The “country” side of his latest album features him and an acoustic guitar, intimate and real, kickin’ rootsy blues like it’s 1935. The “town” side features his oneman-band rig and has a little more giddy-up, with electric guitar, a “LoweBow” cigar box guitar for bass, and foot-pedal drums. Put these songs in your iPod, close your eyes, and walk into a juke joint for a night of real blues. johnalexmason.com

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Best new theater company THEATRE D’ART

Best comedy “FUDDY MEERS”

It’s rare that this is even a category, much less a contested one — in this case, by Cripple Creek’s capable Thin Air Theatre Company and two local companies, JAKES Theatre Company and Moody Mystery Theatre. Theatre d’Art, formed by former UCCS students Brian Mann and Jonathan Margheim, gets the nod because it fills a niche that’s usually empty here: contemporary and avant-garde theater.

An excellent cast, an imaginatively nonrealistic staging, and a fresh story brimming with inspiration: The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s production of David Lindsay-Abaire’s bizarre, madcap comedy was one of the season’s highlights.

Best one-shot theater company STUDIO 802

“Never more woe in lesser plot was found,” Antonio said near the end of this Elizabethan spoof of Elizabethan revenge plays, and the crowd howled. TheatreWorks’ production of this protean example of the “Airplane” genre was over-the-top hilarious, from Bruce Carter’s scenerychewing ghost — just stay dead, will you? — to Micheal Cobb’s gleefully evil Piero.

264-9476 theatredart.org

For the 10,000th time, and this is not hyperbole, Tom McElroy formed a theater company, produced a show or two — in this case, just the brooding, intense “Hamletmachine” — and decided it was just too much trouble. Here’s to next time! studio802.blogspot.com

Best drama “DOUBT” TheatreWorks’ production of John Patrick Shanley’s drama about suspected child abuse in an early ’60s Catholic school kept the dark currents nearly hidden beneath a placid surface, and featured one of the strongest small casts ever seen on a local stage: Kelly Walters, Leah Chandler-Mills, Julie Sweum and Lynne Hastings. Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, 3955 Cragwood Drive, 262-3232, theatreworkscs.org

Best new play “DAR AL-HARB”

COURTESY OF FINE ARTS CENTER

Colin Fitzgerald as Kenny, from left, Elizabeth Frazier as Heidi and Dylan Mosley as Richard in the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s comedy “Fuddy Meers.” BEST OF THE SPRINGS 74

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Locally, Murray Ross is an icon for his work as a director for TheatreWorks, but he’s also a superb writer. He proved that in this hallucinogenically lurid play about Sayyid Qutb, the Egyptian educator-turned-Islamicradical, and his experience in 1949 in Greeley, where his hatred of America crystallized. Liberally embellishing Qutb’s writings, “Dar al-Harb” was bizarre, thought-provoking, and featured a spellbinding performance from Michael Cobb as Qutb.

30 W. Dale St. 634-5581 csfineartscenter.org

Best revival of a 400-year-old play that isn’t by Shakespeare “ANTONIO’S REVENGE”

Best supporting actress LYNNE HASTINGS We added this category just to honor Hastings, who, as Donald’s mother in “Doubt,” propelled the theater season’s single most powerful and surprising scene.

Best performance in a musical MERCEDES PEREZ, “INTO THE WOODS” It was tough to stand out in the strongest cast ever for a local musical, but Perez’s witch pulled it off by being brassy, cynical and yet still somehow a vulnerable mother — all projected with a bright, powerful voice — in the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s production.

Best showcase of local talent “TEN MINUTES MAX” In just six years, the Manitou Art Theater has made a tradition out of this regional variety show — in which just about anything goes, as long as it doesn’t last more than 10 minutes. 515 Manitou Ave., 685-4729 themat.org

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s production of “Sunday in the Park With George” featured a colorful and creative set that recreated a Georges Seurat painting.

COURTESY OF FINE ARTS CENTER

Best set “SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE” True, we wanted to move into Michael Stansbery’s opulent set for TheatreWorks’ “Blithe Spirit” — but scenic designer Christopher Sheley and scenic artist Brian Jude Beacom take the honors for the imagination with which they re-created Georges Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” for the Fine Arts Center Theatre Company’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical. 30 W. Dale St., 634- 5581 csfineartscenter.org

Best theatrical special effects “BLITHE SPIRIT” TheatreWorks’ production of Noel Coward’s comedy was full of charm, but set designer Michael Stansbery and technical director Roy Ballard saved some tricks for the final BEST OF THE SPRINGS 76

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scene, when a pair of angry but invisible ghosts began to tear up the drawing room.

Dusty Loo Bon Vivant Theater, 3955 Cragwood Drive 262-3232 theatreworkscs.org

Best dress CARMEN MOCK, “SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE” More kudos to Fine Arts Center set designer Christopher Sheley: Mock’s Dot spent most of a song complaining about having to stand still while being drawn — leading to a sublimely silly moment when her confining dress opened up to let her out.

Best theatrical event COLORADO FESTIVAL OF WORLD THEATRE Another year, another new direction for this ambitious festival. But this time it looks as

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

though Suzy Bassani’s international festival has a viable permanent direction, as it teamed up with Colorado College and other local institutions to present “Beautiful Girls,” a glittering tribute to Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, a thought-provoking production of the South African play “Truth in Translation,” and master classes and conversations with such luminaries as Zoe Caldwell, Peter Shaffer, and Janet Suzman.

cfwt.org

Best hope for the local arts scene CORNERSTONE ARTS CENTER Sure, the Fine Arts Center expansion was huge, but it was, after all, an expansion. When Colorado College’s new Cornerstone Arts Center opens this summer, it will be the largest addition to the city’s artistic infrastructure since the Pikes Peak Center for

the Performing Arts opened in 1982. Architect Antoine Predock has said the college’s commitment to interdisciplinary studies enabled him to produce a design he’s proud of.

825 N. Cascade Ave.

Best dance event “SUCCESS OF THE SPRINGS” Like nearly all cities its size, Colorado Springs exports performing arts talent: If you’re serious about a career, you have to go somewhere else. Colorado Springs Dance Theatre’s “Success of the Springs” concert gave a thrilling — but sobering — glimpse of just how much talent that is, when 17 locally trained ballet dancers returned to strut their stuff. If ballet dancers can ever truly be said to strut. 630-7434 csdance.org

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SHOPPING Best supermarket GRAND VIEW MARKET PLACE KING SOOPERS

Best liquor store POWERS LIQUOR MART

Sure, we love Whole Foods and Wild Oats, but if you’re looking for low prices and an attractive, useful layout, you can’t beat this King Soopers.

The huge selection coupled with a staff that knows its merlots as well as it knows bourbons would be reason enough to rank this among the best liquor stores in town. What puts it over the top is a great wine-tasting room, where weekend tastings regularly sell out.

Best supermarket KING SOOPERS

Best liquor store CHEERS LIQUOR MART

We agree. But we have a favorite King Soopers. See staff picks.

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Best sporting goods store DICK’S SPORTING GOODS

For 25 years, Cheers has been developing a following. The secret of its success? It’s not just that Cheers boasts 35,000 square feet of quality wines, beers and spirits. It’s that when you wander cluelessly down the aisle of Aussie sauvignon blanc, a clerk will quickly guide you to the exact bottle you need for tonight’s party.

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Best sporting goods store MOUNTAIN CHALET Here’s an etiquette tip: If you really value having a local store with a staff that knows what it’s talking about and a good selection of quality brands, do NOT go try on that new pair of telemark boots at Mountain Chalet and then buy them on the Internet. However tempting that might be. If you do, at least buy your new soft-shell and headlamp locally. Mmm’kay? 226 N. Tejon St., 633-0732 mtnchalet.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 78

It’s a big boy’s candy store, with big screens on every vertical surface and speakers that cost more than most cars lined up on the floor. It’s not the place to go if you’re still struggling with setting the clock on your VCR (or, for that matter, if you still own a VCR), but it will set any videophile’s heart aflutter and wallet smoking. 230 N. Tejon St., 633-2600 listenup.com

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

READERS’ CHOICE

It’s big. And big is good. We’re pretty sure there’s not another place in the Springs to get a spray skirt, a bike pump, a new 5-iron, a 45-pound barbell, a lacrosse stick, a pingpong table . . . and so on. 1710 Briargate Blvd., 264-1810; 3133 Cinema Point 638-3400 dickssportingoods.com

1105 N. Circle Drive, 574-2244 spiritsusa.com/pages/pages.cfm? page=home&store=2

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Serving Colorado Springs for 24 years!

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SHOPPING

Best bike shop CRITERIUM BICYCLES Criterium has a huge selection and a knowledgeable staff, but what we really like about the store is how involved it is in the local cycling community. Plus, now that COSMIX is finally finished, you can get to the store in your car as well as on your bike. 6150 Corporate Drive 599-0149 criterium-bicycles.com

case, it’s hard to beat Entertainmart. Prices are good, new and used, the selection is large, there’s a ton of movie posters if you’re into that sort of thing and it’s usually not impossible to get on an open console and try out a game. They don’t do rentals, but browse the bargain bins and you can line your walls with DVDs to cherish forever for about the price of a rental. Entertainmart is a chain, but the only other two branches are in Texas and Missouri, so you don’t have to feel like you’re supporting the Borg. 651 N. Academy Blvd. 719-380-8580 entertainmart.net

Best CD store INDEPENDENT RECORDS & VIDEO Independent is a throwback to a different era, a time when music store managers and clerks actually knew about the CDs they were selling. What a concept. Four locations. beindependent.com

Best video store/video game store ENTERTAINMART We’re combining this category, since picking the best video store seems increasingly like selecting the best buggy whip store. In either

Best hardware store UINTAH GARDENS ACE HARDWARE Friendly help, aisles of widgets, doohickeys and thingamabobs and free popcorn in the back make this our favorite stop for washers, house numbers and spare keys. Did we mention the free popcorn in the back? Because it’s free. And in the back. 1830B W. Uintah St. 227-7134 acehardware.com

Learn to Dive! ONLY

$359 www.theunderwaterconnection.com

CALL TODAY! 599-DIVE (3483) • Open waters in Santa Rosa • All certification fees • FREE use of our on-site pool (after certification)

Does not include:

• • • •

Course materials Transportation/Parking Meals Park Fees

4337 North Academy Blvd. • 1 block North of Austin Bluffs BEST OF THE SPRINGS 80

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best bike shop CRITERIUM We agree. See staff picks.

Best CD store INDEPENDENT RECORDS & VIDEO We agree. See staff picks.

Best ski shop COLORADO KITE & SKI Kite & Ski has moved around a bit — from downtown to U.S. Highway 24 and now to Colorado Avenue — but what’s remained consistent is the commitment to serious high- and middle-end ski and board gear. Owner and manager Stan Wolf makes you feel that every time you’re in there, you’re getting the deal of a lifetime. 2820 W. Colorado Ave., 633-6227 ckski.com

Best snowboard shop COLORADO SKI & GOLF You can get lost among the hot new multicolored Romes, Burtons, Flows, Gnus, etc., and the prices are about the best you’ll find in town. 2454 Montebello Square Drive, 268-9522 coloradoskiandgolf.com

escape. explore. experience.

Includes: • All class, pool & open water training • Use of all equipment • 2 nights in N.M.

READERS’ CHOICE

Expires 06/30/08

Call Today!

Free

Introductory

Class

684-0900

Dance starts June 2nd!

The Little Gym

(719)447-9153

8045 West Highway 24 • Cascade, CO (take Pikes Peak Hwy exit) Open 10:30 - 8:30 7 Days a Week (Summer Hours Extended)

The Little Gym of Colorado Springs 4011 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO, 80922 www.tlgcoloradospringsco.com / (719)447-9153

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3030 N. Circle Dr. Suite 212 Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719.578.1112 ~ www.heinzmd.com

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SHOPPING

Best shopping center PROMENADE SHOPS AT BRIARGATE When you want top of the line, that one-of-a-kind outfit or gift, head here. If it’s a stroll-in-the-sunshine day, this is the place that makes window shoppers smile. And, compared with most local centers, this one’s fairly dog-friendly. 1885 Briargate Parkway; 265-6264 thepromenadeshopsatbriargate.com

Best antiques ANTIQUE GALLERY The gallery has moved from its Nevada Avenue location to a spot with more convenient parking. Inside, you’ll find more than 50 dealers and 100 consignors, and you’ll discover a huge variety of furniture, art, jewelry, sterling, clocks, linens and pottery. You can also bring your treasures here to sell. 117 S. Wahsatch Ave. 633-6070

Best silent auction find LUISA GRAFF’S SIGNATURE WATCH The popular diamond jeweler probably can’t count how many of her custom Swiss watches she has donated to support area nonprofits over the last eight years. For the fellows there’s a diver’s watch with timer and guy gadgets, and there’s a dressier watch for women. Spot one on a wrist and you’ll know it’s worn by the high bidder at a nonprofit event.

Best place to find unexpected things CURRENT FACTORY OUTLET Have all sorts of fun plowing through boxes of wrapping paper, party items, big boxes of cards, scrapbooking supplies and things from last season as you scoop up really great buys. You just might find you can’t go home without the “Why I retired” T-shirt and the goofy coffee cup. 1025 E. Woodmen Road 630-7446 currentfactoryoutlet.com

READERS’ CHOICE

Best shopping center PROMENADE SHOPS AT BRIARGATE We agree. See staff picks.

Best flower shop PLATTE FLORAL

PROMENADE SHOPS AT BRIARGATE

Whether window shopping or dropping real cash, the Promenade Shops at Briargate offer plenty of stores to choose from, such as Talbots, Banana Republic, Colorado Co-op and Gloss Denim Bar. BEST OF THE SPRINGS 82

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

The staff here knows how to put together arrangements that will wow your significant others and make less-thansignificant others feel more significant than they are. Of course they deliver the flowers. They also carry an impressive line of patio furniture, fountains and related gifts. 1417 E. Platte Ave., 632-2607 plattefloral.com

Retire to a life of fun activities. Even the ones with really goofy shoes.

Free Daily Tours!

THE U.S. OLYMPIC SHOPS

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the great thing about friends. You can wear those funny bowling shoes and they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even snicker. And the great thing about Winslow Court? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make so many friends youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll always have someone to hang out with. Call now for your complimentary lunch and tour. Then get ready to have a ball. Assisted Living Services available.

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U.S. OLYMPIC TRAINING CENTER 1750 E. Boulder, Colorado Springs

719-866-4792 www.usolympicshops.com

Patio Dining Open

Magnifique!

A Family Restaurant

Enjoy the rich flavors of authentic French cuisine in a private and friendly atmosphere.

4&37*/( $0-03"%0 SINCE Famous Chicken Fried Steak Slow Roasted Prime Rib Sandwiches, Salads, Soups Homemade Cobblers

French Contemporary Cuisine

1015 W. Colorado Avenue

Open daily for lunch & dinner

719.632.4887

www.lapetitemaisoncs.com W. Colorado at 30th Colorado Springs

MasonJarColorado.com

SHOPPING

Best furniture store DREXEL HERITAGE COLORADO SPRINGS If you’re looking for sophisticated, classic pieces for your home, this is the place. And it’s great to know that owners Eric and Ann Fetsch give back as major supporters of their community. They’ve been a vital part of Partners in Housing since 1992 and support the arts and many nonprofits. 888 E. Woodmen Road, 598-7788 www.drexelheritage.com

Best women’s fashions GLOSS AT THE PROMENADE SHOPS AT BRIARGATE This denim bar is home to the trendiest in designer jean names that adorn the behinds of female celebrities. True Religion, Joe’s Jeans and People’s Liberation are among the store’s 20 or so premium lines. Gloss also carries dresses, tops and more. 1845 Briargate Parkway, Suite 429, 623-1652 shopgloss.com

Best vintage clothing store SWISH Shelley Laur’s quaint shop is a vintage treasure trove with touches of new as well. 1816 W. Colorado Ave., 635-8375

Marie Marques prepared a doll for the Goodwill Doll & Holiday Decor Sale last year.

THE GAZETTE FILE

top or a costume for that office Halloween party, Goodwill has you covered.

Best place to find bargains GOODWILL INDUSTRIES Whether you’re looking for a blender, a skirt to go with your new

Eight locations goodwill-colosprings.org

Best consignment shop EVE’S REVOLUTION Eve has an eye for the best, and she won’t accept less, which poses a challenge for those looking to consign. But that also means amazing clothes for you. 1312 W. Colorado Ave., 633-1357 evesrevolution.com

SHORT TAKES Best sale event: Thrift House of the Episcopal Churchwomen’s fill-a-bag sale Best skateboard shop: BC Surf and Sport Best snowboard shop: Colorado Kite & Ski Best ski shop: The Ski Shop Best jewelry store: Luisa Graff Jewelers Best camera shop: Shewmaker’s Camera Best baby shop: Babies R Us Best children’s clothing store: Tantrums Consignment Store Best card shop: Rico’s Coffee, Chocolate and Wine Bar Best Christian bookstore: Family Christian Stores Best new age store: Celebration Conscious Living Store Best music store: Graner Music BEST OF THE SPRINGS 84

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

Best gourmet shop: Par Avion Best butcher shop: Andy’s Market Best store for quilters: Ruth’s Stitchery Best game shop: Compleat Games and Hobbies Best gift shop: The Wickerbill Best floral designs: Rich Designs Best boutique: White House Black Market Best men’s fashions: Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Best shoe store: Yarid’s at The Broadmoor hotel Best eclectic shopping: West Colorado Avenue Best fashion row: Tejon Street downtown Best car salesman: Doug Salvino at Daniel’s Chevrolet. Even though he’s the manager, he’s a heck of a salesman. Best recycled clothing: Plato’s Closet

Best bookstore: Hooked on Books Best place to buy a faucet: Rampart Supply Best place for windows: Pella Best place for a basement makeover: Solid Rock Construction Best wine store: Wine Seller, Monument Best gifts for gamblers: slot machines from Now & Then Best business name: Shoegasm Best franchisee: DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of the Pikes Peak Region Best toy store: Toys 4 Fun Best car dealership gift shop: Red Noland Cadillac Best place for bird lovers: This Place is for the Birds

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Locations:

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Vision Source! ÂŽ

593-1559 1801 S. Academy Blvd S. Academy & Chelton

390-7700

Eye exams Contact lens fittings LaserVision Care Glaucoma treatment Dry eye treatment Foreign body removal Cataract care 24-hour emergency treatment Wheelchair accessible at both locations In-office lens fabrication for faster service

Our Doctors Experience You Can Trust Over 15 years of experience in: Detection & Treatment of Eye Diseases Foreign Body Removal Diabetic Eye Exams Contact Lens Fitting

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

North 719.638.4010

South 719.577.4400

7095 Lexington Drive

1541 South 8th Street

WWW.ARCHDALEEYECARE.COM

Ted Archdale, O.D.

Nicole Bergamo, O.D.

SHOPPING

READERS’ CHOICE

Best car dealer HEUBERGER MOTORS This family-owned dealership sold more Subarus in 2007 than any other dealership in the country. The many customer-satisfaction awards might have had something to do with that. 1080 Motor City Drive, 866-6411 www.heubergermotors.com

Best new store COSTCO We agree. See staff picks.

Best skateboard shop BC SURF & SPORT This may be a chain store, but that doesn’t take anything away from its impressive selection of boards, friendly service and unprecedented community outreach. Manager Shannon Davis has been way out front in the grass-roots efforts to turn the Memorial Park skateboard park into a reality.

PHOTOS BY CAROL LAWRENCE, THE GAZETTE

Colorado Springs got its first Costco warehouse in February. It’s hard to miss at Powers Boulevard and Barnes Road.

Best new store COSTCO How can you beat the huge opening of the nation’s fourth-largest retailer? The membership warehouse opened in February and is the ninth one in our state — a 158,000-square-foot warehouse filled with groceries, appliances, automotive supplies, housewares, toys, furniture and office supplies. Its opening caused major traffic jams along Powers Boulevard.

Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd., 590-7873 bcsurf.com

Best shoe store DSW SHOE WAREHOUSE

5885 Barnes Road, 591-3000 costco.com

There are aisles upon aisles of shoe-y goodness here, plus lots of room to strip down to your little twinkies for optimum try-on and strut time.

Best wall treatments GOLD LEAF WALL DESIGN Forget about the cheap faux finishes with the paint buckets and sponges. As the name suggests, Gold Leaf does serious wall treatments, often painstakingly created with thin sheets of real gold leaf or silver. It can take on an elaborate Asian design or resemble a sun-splashed kitchen wall in Tuscany.

7639 N. Academy Blvd., 264-8007 dswshoes.com BEST OF THE SPRINGS 86

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

2616 W. Colorado Ave., No. 14, 598-9740 fauxgoldleaf.com

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101 Fun Days of Summer! Plenty to choose from each and every day from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day * Weekend trips * Annual events * Extreme outdoor activities * Leisurely pursuits YS N DA U F * Fun that’s local, mer of Sum throughout the state and beyond

11 A Specia

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• Voted Best Sunday Brunch by “the Gazette 2005, 2006 & 2007 and The Independent 2005, 2006 & 2007” • Complimentary champagne and an incredible array of foods to include crab legs, shrimp, roast beef, an omelet and pasta station, carving station and much much more.

BEAT THE CLOCK arrive before 10:30am and receive $4 Off regular price Seniors and active Military discount

Reservations Recommended

(719) 598-8990

230 Pointe of the Pines Drive www.thesunbird.com

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Promotions subject to change without notice and not valid on holidays or combined with other promotions.

SHOPPING Find fresh produce and plenty of bulk foods at Whole Foods Market, on North Academy Boulevard near Chapel Hills Mall. Whole Foods also owns the former Wild Oats store, near the Cinemark off Powers Boulevard.

THE GAZETTE FILE

Best health food store WHOLE FOODS MARKET The array of bulk foods is impressively large, as is the variety of organic and natural foods, vitamins and supplements. The knowledgeable staff can guide you through the basics of what you need to buy.

Hispanic meats, featuring pork, beef and goat. There’s always a huge tray of fried pork skins there, too. On fair weather days, there’s a lady outside selling hot corn on the cob dressed with lime juice, sour cream and chile peppers. Try the mango on a stick, too. 3736 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 637-2641

7635 N. Academy Blvd., 531-9999; 3180 New Center Point, 622-1099 wholefoods.com

Best Italian market NANA LONGO’S ITALIAN MARKET

Best caterer FOOD DESIGNERS

This little place tucked in the corner of a strip mall is where you’ll find imported and homemade fresh pasta, sausages and artisan cheeses. Looking for a quick bite? Try anything with the local Italian sausage.

One of the first local full-scale caterers, it’s been wowing with its gourmet fare for homes or offices since 1984. The company prides itself in using fresh ingredients and making everything from scratch. 115 S. 25th St., 632-5414 fooddesigners.com

Best Mexican market LEONELA MEAT MARKET Visiting this place is like taking a trip to Mexico without buying an airline ticket. The meat counter is jam-packed with BEST OF THE SPRINGS 88

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

1725 Briargate Blvd., 599-9595 nanalongos.com

Best Asian market ASIAN PACIFIC MARKET Need a crispy Peking duck for a weekend dinner? You can pick up a whole or half duck on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s a huge selection of fresh Asian veggies and live fish. The store is organized into sections for various Asian cuisines. It’s your go-to for any Oriental meal. 615 Wooten Road, 573-7500

Best farmers market FARM AND ART MARKET If you care about getting to know the farmer who has grown your food, this is the place to go. Though the selection of food may be smaller than other markets, the food being sold is by the family who owns the farm and works the soil. There are vendors who sell meat and other Colorado-produced foods such as salsas and mustards. The artists bring their finest pieces to sell. Starting June 11, the market is at America The Beautiful Park on Wednesday evenings and The Margarita at PineCreek on Saturday mornings. farmandartmarket.com

Best garden center GOOD EARTH GARDEN CENTER If you have willpower of steel, you could simply just walk around this beautiful place and not buy a thing. But we don’t think that’ll be the case when you see the rows of baby herbs and vegetables ready for planting or the cascading flowers in hanging pots. It costs a little bit more than, say, Wal-Mart, but the quality is worth every nickel. 1330 N. Walnut St., 473-3399

Walterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bistro

9420 Briar Village Point

146 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Colorado Springs, CO 80906

719.475.8000

719.630.0201

www.platecolorado.com

www.waltersbistro.com

FAMILY LIFE Best place to work out with your kids VILLASPORT This health club goes way beyond the old room in the back where you warehouse the kids while you work out. Instead, the VillaKids program here engages them in music, dance or other structured activities so you can cycle without guilt. 5904 Prairie Schooner Drive, 522-1221 villasport.com

Best new family attraction IT’Z iT’Z combines the high-end video games of Dave & Busters with the kind of thrill rides we miss from JoyRides, the carnival games of Manitou’s Arcade AmuseBEST OF THE SPRINGS 90

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

ments and an elaborate Golden Corral-style buffet. It’s sure to ensure fun for kids 5 to 17 and exhaustion for parents of all ages. 3035 New Center Point, 623-1550 itzusa.com/colorado

Best family fun center MR. BIGGS FAMILY FUN CENTER The Bigg man certainly has some tough competition with iT’Z. But Biggs continues to play with a wider assortment of toys: from the Little Bigg Town, where toddlers can pretend they’re bakers, princesses or explorers, to the LaserJam arena, where teens and tweens can take on their parents with laser guns. 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., 955-7220 mrbiggsffc.com

READERS’ CHOICE

Best place for a kid’s birthday party MR. BIGGS FAMILY FUN CENTER If you’re the birthday girl or boy, it doesn’t get much more fun than this. You have your own special party room, essentially a base of operations where you can eat pizza or cake before launching into the endless diversions Mr. Biggs offers. They include go-carts, laser tag, video games, a carousel and much more. 5825 Mark Dabling Blvd., 955-7220 mrbiggsffc.com

Join Centura Health, and follow all your passions. e At Centura Health, you can fulfill your passion for nursing and your passion for life. The ng people of Centura Health's Regional Float Pool help provide the highest quality nursing etting. care using the most sophisticated technology available in a faith-based, not-for-profit setting. e Plus, with over three hundred days of sunshine a year, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no place in the world like uls. Colorado. So come join the Centura Health family and help heal minds, bodies and souls.

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St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center St. Thomas More Hospital EOE OE / AA

One year in the life of Pikes Peak

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Order Online Today!

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Experience Japan Enjoy the finest Japanese cuisine made fresh to order by our talented chefs. Stop in and sample over 100 varieties of sushi, sashimi and tempura.

FAMILY LIFE

Best birthday party for the active set ARTSPORTS

Best place to spark imagination THE IMAGINATION CELEBRATION

Sometimes, you need to pry those game controllers from your kids’ hands and get them bouncing. And nobody does the big bounce like ArtSports, home of the 100-foot-long, inground trampoline, promoted as the largest foam block pit in the country, and extreme swings and bungees that will get the kids feeling like Spider-Man.

Born as an outreach program of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the local initiative has grown legs even the folks in Washington never would have expected. The Imagination Celebration regularly holds kid-centered arts events at the Pikes Peak Center, does countless programs in the schools and has a regular outlet for fun and imagination — Celebration Place — in The Citadel mall.

780 Vondelpark Drive, 531-5867 artsportsworld.com

Best birthday party for budding artists ARTFUL ADVENTURES This place has a cool alternative to those horrid goodie bags parents feel required to buy all the guests. Instead, they all get to create their own piece of art as they paint pottery they can take home. 3586-C Hartsel Drive, 264-6767 artful-adventures.com

imaginationcelebration.org

Best place to nurture a child’s talent THE COLORADO SPRINGS CONSERVATORY There may be better places to learn to sing or play the guitar. But if you’re looking for an arts immersion that will transform your children into maestros in any art forms they choose, The Conservatory is the place to go. 1430 N. Hancock Ave., 577-4556 coloradospringsconservatory.org

3478 B. Research Parkway (Union & Research) 282-8238

The Original Hawaiian Barbecue ®

What is L&L Hawaiian Barbecue?

out Dine-in or Take-

Open Tue - Sat 11 am - 8 pm

by * Smoked Meat d un the Po

Inspired from the islands of Hawaii, Hawaiian BarbecueSM is L&L’s brand of unique fusion of Asian and American dishes prepared with a unique island flare. The eclectic flavors of Hawaiian BarbecueSM are synonymous with the cultural cornucopia that Hawaii is famous for. Comfort food of the islands serving fresh plate lunches, in generous portions, and low prices!

Delicious, Fresh and Affordable Food!

Specialty Items Include: * * * * *

Chicken & Sausage Gumbo Jambalaya Crawfish Etouffee Blackened Chicken Po-Boys

* * * * *

CAJUN & BARBQ Fare Ribs Pulled Pork Smoked Beef Brisket BARBQ Chicken Smoked Salmon

481 Hwy 105, Suite G, Monument, CO O Barnes Marketplace Colorado Springs, on the NE corner of Powers & Barnes

5850 Barnes Rd. 719-570-1888

(719) 488-2799 BayouBarBQ.com

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FAMILY LIFE

Enjoy fine dining, Experience an intimate atmosphere and Escape from the city! The Inn at Palmer Divide and moZaic Restaurant are designed to meet your needs in our public and private dining room, conference center, ballrooms, and lodge rooms. THE GAZETTE FILE

Children love to play around the Uncle Wilber fountain at Acacia Park.

Best out-of-this-world adventure CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER

Best place for teens EAST TEEN CENTER

Step into Mission Control and you become the ultimate space geek. Challenger can simulate an entire space mission and stimulate your child’s intellect in new ways.

As an ETC blogger says, this place gets a three-smiley-faces rating. Sure, it’s in a library, but it’s packed with teens just hanging with friends, having snacks, playing video games and music, watching movies and working on fun projects in the computer center. There are special events, too. No adults allowed without a teen.

10215 Lexington Drive, 598-9755 clccs.org

Best playground UNCLE WILBER From Memoral to Labor Day weekends, this moving, spraying, musical piece of art on the southwest corner of Acacia Park attracts huge crowds of kids and plenty of screams. The contraption was designed, built and donated by the Smokebrush Foundation. smokebrush.org/unclewilber.htm

You’ll have our attention to your details.

www.innatpalmerdivide.com

719.481.1800 • 443 Hwy. 105, Palmer Lake Located between Palmer Lake & Monument. Take Exit 161 oﬀ I-25, 3 miles west on Hwy. 105

JUNIPER VNow ALLEY DINING ROOM in 57th season!

East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. ppld.org

Best outing for the whole family THE CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN ZOO We thought our zoo was amazing even before it opened its new $8.2 million Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit — a place to schmooze with mountain lions, North American river otters, lynx, bald eagles and grizzlies. 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, 633-9925 cmzoo.org

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Specializing in skillet fried chicken or baked ham dinner

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Reservations Recommended

576-0741

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The Best

Sushi

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SPORTS & LEISURE Best fishing spot ELEVENMILE CANYON At this magical place on the South Platte River, the dam filters the water, so you can see clearly as you hook that trout. The scenery isn’t too shabby, either, with canyon walls stretching toward the heavens. uppersouthplatte.net/ijourney/msoplatt/11milecn.html

Best fly-fishing place THE ARKANSAS RIVER April offers the best fishing all along the Arkansas. Wait until July and you’ll have to dodge the rafters. THE GAZETTE FILE

Tamra Bowman, center, practiced with the Pikes Peak Derby Dames — recognized as the best place to see babes on skates.

Best bowling alley HARMONY BOWL With 40 lanes, Harmony is easily the biggest bowling center in town. But what really makes Harmony so popular are the food and bowling specials. The best is on Sunday nights: For $8 you get three hours of bowling, shoes, nachos, fries and a soda.

SHORT TAKES

3845 N. Academy Blvd., 591-1000

Best pool hall: Phantom Canyon Best ice rink: Sertich Best roller rink: Skate City Best place to see babes on skates: Pikes Peak Derby Dames Best park: Garden of the Gods Best swimming pool: The Antlers Hilton Best climbing wall: Sport Climbing Center Best sports complex: Colorado Sports Center Best golf course (private): The Broadmoor’s Mountain Course Best golf course (public): Patty Jewett Best place for Frisbee golf: Widefield Park Best hope for skateboarders: The proposed Memorial Park Skatepark BEST OF THE SPRINGS 94

THE GAZETTE

Best place to watch a big game THE WORLD ARENA The Pikes Peak region offers sports fans plenty of exciting options: Air Force Academy football, Sky Sox baseball ... But none gets the adrenaline pumping like Colorado College hockey. The Tigers have dominated the ice during the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular seasons, and with a young team, the future is looking bright. 3185 Venetucci Blvd., 477-2100 worldarena.com

READERS’ CHOICE

Best bowling alley HARMONY BOWL We agree. See staff picks.

Best fishing spot ELEVENMILE RESERVOIR OR CANYON We agree. See staff picks. FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

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Maps and directions to over 1,200 Baseball and Softball fields.

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SPORTS & LEISURE

The BMX track at Rampart Park near Rampart High School is the longest such track in the state.

READERS’ CHOICE

Best place to work out YMCA The Village People were so right. It is fun to go to the YMCA, especially with our seven Pikes Peak-area locations that feature state-of-the-art equipment and elaborate aquatics. And membership prices there won’t trigger personal foreclosure crises.

Best hike GARDEN OF THE GODS The trails at Garden of the Gods give you excellent views, not only of the sandstone formations, but also of Pikes Peak.

Best place to BMX RAMPART PARK With 1,500 feet of gnarly berms, hits and table tops, this volunteer-maintained city facility is the longest BMX track in Colorado. 270 Lexington Drive

Best gift to hikers CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN The city and state are halfway through a three-year process to buy 920 acres on top of Cheyenne Mountain that will link Cheyenne Mountain State Park with other public land.

Best illegal hike THE INCLINE Mount Manitou Incline draws hundreds of

BEST OF THE SPRINGS 96

THE GAZETTE

FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008

trespassers each week who use the steep trail as a kind of Rocky Mountain StairMaster. Most of the land is owned by the Manitou and Pikes Peak Cog Railway.

Best new trail RED ROCK’S ROUND-UP TRAIL This volunteer-built singletrack offers a rolling loop through little-visited corners of Red Rock Canyon Open Space that are great for hiking, biking or just finding a little peace. Map at gazette.com/outthere

Best mountain bike trail BEAR CREEK’S MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE COURSE County park employees envisioned this trail, built in 2007, as a place for races. Three are planned for this summer. Riders, take your mark.

THE GAZETTE FILE

Best location to shoot a sci-fi video THE PAINT MINES INTERPRETIVE PARK The colorful spires and hoodoos in this 750-acre park are so otherworldly, when you hike through, it feels like you should wear a spacesuit. Southeast of Calhan on Paint Mine Road http://adm.elpasoco.com

Best picnic spot SCOTSMAN CAMPGROUND AT GARDEN OF THE GODS This scenic spot has great views of Kissing Camels and Pikes Peak and even has its own awesome rock formations. There also are 11 picnic tables and a few barbecue grills, making this a fine spot for a family reunion.

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in The Springs 9 Years in a Row The Gazette & Readers’ Choice

Fine Dining • Cocktail Bar Banquet Room • Gift Certificates Available Catering Available We Now Deliver Hunan, Mandarin Cantonese, Szechwan, & The most Extensive Vegetarian menu & Desserts in town

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