And the Winners Are



We’ve got the goods on what Alameda Magazine readers say is the best of our city, from shopping and your neighbors to Island living. And for good measure, we’re sprinkling in some staff picks that were derived from majority vote.
    Triple the number of readers voted in this year’s contest than in our inaugural 2004 competition, so thanks to all of you who cast a ballot for your favorites. We’ll do it all again next year, so watch for your chance to vote.
    A bunch of 2004 winners—Rick Tabor, Kent Rosenblum, Jan Mason, Du Vin Fine Wines, Vignettes of Alameda, the Mayor’s Fourth of July Parade, Grand Street and small-town feel—are now twofers, earning top honors in this year’s Best of. But readers celebrate a host of newcomers as well. A few hotly contested categories—Best Spot for Singles and Best Company to Work for in Alameda, for instance—end in ties. We detected an instance or two of ballot stuffing, though we won’t name names. (Shame on you.) We’re saving the food and drink results, by the way, for our November 2005 edition, so read about those raves in the next issue.
    Our ballot did ask readers to tell us what they like the most about Alameda, and their answers, from friendly people to Webster Street, sound like a love letter to all things Alameda, as does our Best of 2005 coverage.
    I can’t talk about this year’s Best of without mentioning my personal favorite category and response—Best Place to be Pampered: “The Pampered Pup.” It just made me laugh out loud.
     Elsewhere in the issue, learn how three Alamedans entering the second halves of their lives rekindle long-dormant artistic passions in Katherine Kam’s “Never Too Late to Create.” Also, read how local recording giant Michael Denten hip-hops to the top of his industry, tour a beautiful Bay Farm home with a stunning San Francisco Bay view and enjoy a culinary survey of Alameda pizzerias. For your viewing pleasure, flip to the last page where Lane Hartwell offers more great photography for Alamedia—just another view of our city.

                    Until next issue,

                    Judith M. Gallman
                    judy@alamedamagazine.com