Best Anchorperson
Craig Melvin
Runner-Up: Dawndy Mercer
Best Weatherperson
Ben Tanner
Runner-Up: Jim Gandy
Best Sportscaster
Rick Henry
Runner-Up: Mark Quinn
Best Local Blog
The Laurinline (laurenmanning.com)
Runner-Up: The Columbia Record
Best Local Website
Free-times.com
Runner-Up: Thestate.com
Best Talk Radio Station
WVOC 560AM
Runner-Up: ESPN Radio 93.1FM
Best Music Radio Station
WARQ 93.5 FM
Runner-Up: Steve FM 96.7
Best Local Talk Radio Host
Kevin Cohen
Runner-Up: Rich Taylor
Best Local Radio Personality
Jonathan Rush
Runner-Up: Dangerboy Dunn
Best Local Writer
Alex Riley
Runner-Up: Michael Graham
Best Free Times Story
Innovista
Runner-Up: 9/11 Anniversary
Best Media Hog
Mayor Bob Coble
Runner-Up: Joe Pinner
Best Thing
to Happen to Columbia in 2006
Filming of the Kevin Bacon movie, Death Sentence
Runner-Up: Fallout 2006
Best Use of Public Funds
Five Points Revitalization
Runner-Up: Main Street Construction
Biggest Waste of Public Funds
Five Points Revitalization
Runner-Up: Three Rivers Music Festival
Best Effort to Improve Columbia in 2006
Main Street Revitalization
Runner-Up:Five Points Revitalization
Best Political Stunt in 2006
Andre Bauer's Plane Crash
Runner-Up: Property tax relief by raising sales taxes
Best Local Politician
Mayor Bob Coble
Runner-Up: Governor Mark Sanford
Scariest Local Politician
Andre Bauer
Runner-Up: Joe Azar
Best Thing About Columbia
The Weather
Runner-Up: The People
Biggest Gripe About Columbia
Traffic
Runner-Up: Road Construction
Biggest Columbia Eyesore
Five Points Construction
Runner-Up: Busted Plug Plaza
Best Corporate Monopoly
Time Warner Cable
Runner-Up: SCE&G;
Most Annoying Billboard
Batexperts.com (I-26)
Runner-Up: Digital Billboard on Hwy 378
Best Traffic Nuisance
Five Points
Runner-Up: Malfunction Junction (I-26 at I-20)
Best Activist Group
Carolina Peace Resource Center
Runner-Up: Citizens Against Government Waste
Best Activist Individual
Brett Bursey
Runner-Up: Johnny Gardner (the abortion guy)
Biggest Political Faux Pas
Anything Andre Bauer does
Runner-Up: Eckstrom vacation in state vehicle
Best Place to Smoke Pot
At Home
Best Place for Public Sex
Five Points
Runner-Up: Finlay Park
Best Place to Fire Someone
At a Bar/ While Out Drinking
Runner-Up: On the Phone
Best Neighborhood
Shandon
Runner-Up: Rosewood
Best Housing Development
Ascot
Runner-Up: King's Grant and Lake Carolina (tie)
Best Apartment Complex
College Suites
Runner-Up: Granby Crossing
Best Condominium
The Spur and Yacht Cove (tie)
Best
Annual Event
St. Patrick's Day in Five Points
Runner-Up: The State Fair
Best
Underground Arts Venue
Art Garage
Runner-Up: The Artists' Basement
Best
Art Gallery
City Art
Runner-Up: The Artists' Basement
Best
Museum
Columbia Museum of Art
Runner-Up: S.C. State Museum
Best
Local Artist
Ernest Lee (The Chicken Man)
Runner-Up: Shayne Motley
Best
Dance Company
Columbia City Ballet
Runner-Up: Columbia City Jazz (Dance) Company
Best
Local Dancer
Miranda Bailey
Runner-Up: Katie Smoak
Best
Local Theatre Production
The Full Monty
Runner-Up: Sordid Lives
Best
Local Actor
Miranda Bailey
Runner-Up: Monica Wyche
Best
Movie Theatre
Columbiana Grande
Runner-Up: The Nickelodeon
Best
New Restaurant
Wild Wing Cafe
Runner-Up: Bonefish Grill
Best
Overall Dining Experience
Mr. Friendly's
Runner-Up: California Dreaming
Best
Place for a First Date
Gervais and Vine
Runner-Up: Melting Pot
Best
Place for a Last Date
McDonald's
Runner-Up: Waffle House
Best
Late Night Food
Waffle House
Runner-Up: Pita Pit
Best
Greasy Spoon
Waffle House
Runner-Up: Five Points Diner
Best
Place to Dine Outdoors
Harper's
Runner-Up: New Orleans Restaurant
Best
Take Out Food
Eggroll Station
Runner-Up: California Chicken Grill
Best
Bang for the Buck
The Grilled Cheese Company and Moe's Southwest Grill (tie)
Best
Wine List
Gervais and Vine
Runner-Up: Mr. Friendly's
Best
Coffeehouse
Starbucks
Runner-Up: Cool Beans
Best
Breakfast
IHOP
Runner-Up: The Original Pancake House
Best
Sunday Brunch
Motor Supply Co.
Runner-Up: Liberty Taproom
Best
Subs
Jersey Mike's
Runner-Up: Subway
Best
Sandwich Shop
Groucho's
Runner-Up: Gourmet Shop
Best
Deli
Groucho's
Runner-Up: Andy's Deli
Best
Vegetarian Menu
Blue Cactus
Runner-Up: Nice & Natural
Best
Bagel
Holey Dough Café (formerly Manhattan Bagel)
Runner-Up: Panera Bread
Best
Barbecue
Maurice's
Runner-Up: Shealy's
Best
Burrito
Moe's Southwest Grill
Runner-Up: El Burrito
Best
Pizza
Mellow Mushroom
Runner-Up: Dano's Pizza
Best
Chicken Wings
Wild Wing Café
Runner-Up: D's Wings
Best
Ribs
Carolina Wings and Rib House
Runner-Up: Sticky Fingers
Best
Hot Dog
Sandy's
Runner-Up: Hot Dog Heaven
Best
Hamburger
Five Guys Famous Burgers
Runner-Up: Rush's
Best French Fries
McDonald's
Runner-Up: Five Guys Famous Burgers
Best Onion Rings
Sonic
Runner-Up: Rush's and Fuddrucker's (tie)
Best Salad
California Dreaming
Runner-Up: Grecian Gardens
Best Steak
Longhorn Steakhouse
Runner-Up: Outback Steakhouse
Best Mexican Restaurant
Monterrey
Runner-Up: San Jose
Best Chinese Restaurant
Miyo's
Runner-Up: Eggroll Station
Best Italian Restaurant
Carraba's
Runner-Up: Olive Garden
Best Greek Restaurant
Zorba's
Runner-Up: Grecian Gardens
Best Japanese Restaurant
Yamato
Runner-Up: Inakaya
Best Southern Restaurant
Lizard's Thicket
Runner-Up: Mr. Friendly's
Best Indian Restaurant
India Pavilion
Runner-Up: Delhi Palace
Best Thai Restaurant
Thai Lotus
Runner-Up: Baan Swaan
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Al-Amir
Runner-Up: Mediterranean Tea Room
Best Sushi
Inakaya
Runner-Up: Camon
Best Seafood Restaurant
Bonefish Grill
Runner-Up: Blue Marlin
Best Place for Dessert
Nonnah's
Runner-Up: Melting Pot
Best Ice Cream
Marble Slab
Runner-Up: Coldstone Creamery
Best Server
Lauren (Publick House)
Runner-Up: Michael Fomby (Mr. Friendly's)
Best Chef
Marshall Hill - Columbo's (Radisson on Bush River)
Runner-Up: Jon Campagna - Solstice
Best Annual Event
St. Patrick's Day in Five Points
Runner-Up: The State Fair
Best
Concert
Fallout
Runner-Up: Story of the Year - Headliners
Best Rock Club
Headliners
Runner-Up: New Brookland Tavern
Best Jazz Club
Speakeasy
Runner-Up: Mac's on Main
Best Blues Club
Mac's on Main
Runner-Up: Blue Martini
The "You're Still Around?" Award
Hootie and the Blowfish
Runner-Up: Group Therapy
Best Karaoke
Mr. B's Goodtime Karaoke Explosion
Runner-Up: Kelly's
Best New Local Band
Cities Apart
Runner-Up: Sunbrewed Soul
Best CD by a Local Artist
Deleveled - Keep Them Closer
Runner-Up: The Movement - On Your Feet
Best Local Rock Band
Cities Apart
Runner-Up: Deleveled
Best Local Solo Artist
D.B. Bryant
Runner-Up: Danielle Howle
Best Local Jazz Band
The Skipp Pearson Band
Runner-Up: Rod Franco
Best Local Blues Band
J. Edwards Band
Runner-Up: Elliott and the Untouchables
Best Local Beach Band
Jump Start and Men of Distinction (tie)
Best Local Latin Band
Sabor
Best CD Store
Manifest
Runner-Up: Papa Jazz
Best Store for Used CDs
Manifest
Runner-Up: Papa Jazz
Best Store For Vinyl
Papa Jazz
Runner-Up: Manifest
Best Musical Instrument Store
Sims
Runner-Up: Pecknel
Best Recording Studio
The Jam Room
Runner-Up: Strawberry Sky
Best Bar To Go To With $10 to Your Name
Art Bar
Runner-Up: Chubby's 2 x 4
Best Place to Pick Up Guys
Art Bar
Runner-Up: Liberty Taproom
Best Place to Pick Up Girls
Sharky's
Runner-Up: Locals
Best Bathroom Wall Wisdom
Art Bar
Runner-Up: New Brookland Tavern
Best Bartender
James Pickle (Copper River Grill)
Runner-Up: Tim Bedford (Art Bar)
Best Brewpub
Hunter-Gatherer
Runner-Up: Flying Saucer
Best Hippie Bar
Tavern on Greene
Runner-Up: Art Bar
Best College Bar
Sharky's
Runner-Up: Group Therapy
Best Dance Club
Club Ra
Runner-Up: Art Bar
Best Neighborhood Bar, Vista Downtown
Art Bar
Runner-Up: The Whig
Best Neighborhood Bar, Five Points/Shandon
Goatfeathers
Runner-Up: Locals
Best
Neighborhood Bar, St. Andrews/Irmo
Wild Wing Cafe
Runner-Up: Copper River Grill
Best
Place to Drink Alone
Home
Runner-Up: Speakeasy
Best Outdoor Deck
Jake's
Runner-Up: Salty Nut
Cafe
Best People-Watching Bar
Art Bar
Runner-Up: Dr. Rocco's
Best Gay Hangout
Art Bar
Runner-Up: PT's Cabaret
Best Club DJ
Peter Adolphson - iPop
Runner-Up: Sindoolah
Best Sports Bar
Wild Hare
Runner-Up: Jillian's
Best Pool Hall
Jillian's
Runner-Up: Bailey's Sports Bar
Best Happy Hour
Monterrey
Runner-Up: Kelly's
Best Bottled Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Runner-Up: Publick House
Best Draft Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Runner-Up: Jake's
Best
Car Dealership
Jim Hudson Toyota
Runner-Up: Honda Cars of Columbia
Best Used Car Dealership
CarMax
Runner-Up: Dick Smith (Nissan, Infiniti)
Best
Motorcycle Dealership
Harley Haven
Runner-Up: Thunder Tower Harley Davidson
Best
Auto Repair
Complete Car Care
Runner-Up: Bob Bennett Ford
Best
Bank
Wachovia
Runner-Up: Bank of America
Best
Travel Agency
Forest Lake Travel
Runner-Up: Pal Travel
Best
Newsstand
Capitol Newsstand
Runner-Up: St. Andrews Newsstand
Best
Hardware Store
Lowe's
Runner-Up: Hiller Hardware
Best
Tanning Salon
Ultra Tan
Runner-Up: Sun Your Buns
Best Hair Salon
Logan Raye
Runner-Up: Pia and Steve's
Best
Day Spa
Logan Raye
Runner-Up: Urban Nirvana
Best
Massage Therapist
Greg Shealy (Logan Raye)
Runner-Up: Wendi Freeman (Urban Nirvana)
Best
Tattoo Parlor
Five Points (Custom) Tattoo
Runner-Up: Mr. Shorty's Tattoo Emporium
Best
Piercing Studio
Body Rites
Runner-Up: Knotty Headz
Best
Furniture Store
Whit-Ash
Runner-Up: Ashley Furniture Store
Best
Pet Shop
Petsmart
Runner-Up: Pet Supplies Plus
Best
Shoe Store
Kicks
Runner-Up: GB Shoe Warehouse
Best
Men's Clothing Store
Granger-Owings
Runner-Up: Lourie's
Best
Women's Clothing Store
M Boutique
Runner-Up: Luna
Best
Alternative Clothing
Loose Lucy's
Runner-Up: Hip-Wa-Zee
Best
Jewelry Store
Jewelry Warehouse
Runner-Up: Handpicked
Best
Antique Store
Antique Mall (Huger Street)
Runner-Up: Olde Town Antique Mall
Best
Florist
Rosewood Florist and the Blossom Shop (tie)
Best
Bakery
Tiffany's Bakery
Runner-Up: Publix
Best
Place for Fresh Seafood
The Fresh Market
Runner-Up: Publix
Best
Place for Fresh Produce
Publix
Runner-Up: The Fresh Market
Best
Natural Food Store
Earth Fare
Runner-Up: Rosewood Market
Best
Beer Store
Green's
Runner-Up: Total Wine and More
Best
Wine Store
Green's
Runner-Up: Total Wine and More
Best
Store for New Books
Barnes and Noble
Runner-Up: Books-a-Million
Best
Store for Used Books
Ed's Editions
Runner-Up: The Book Dispensary
Best
Thrift Store
Goodwill
Runner-Up: His House
Best
Electronics Store
Best Buy
Best Local Athlete
Syvelle Newton
Runner-Up: Sidney Rice
Best
Gamecock Store
Jewlery Warehouse
Runner-Up: Gamecock Country
Best
Park
Finlay Park
Runner-Up: Riverwalk Park
Best
Bike Shop
Outspokin'
Runner-Up: The Cycle Center
Best
Outdoors/Camping Gear Store
Adventure Carolina
Runner-Up: The Backpacker
Best Sporting Goods Store
Dick's
Runner-Up: Todd and Moore
Best Golf Store
Golf Headquarters
Runner-Up: Golf Warehouse
Best Fitness Club
YMCA Downtown
Runner-Up: Gold's Gym
Best Bowling Lanes
Anchor Lanes
Runner-Up: AMF Lanes
