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Cannibalism in Illinois
As sponsors try to get the General Assembly to once again consider the issue of expanding riverboat casino gambling, there is growing concern about cannibalism in Illinois. New young casinos like to eat old established casinos, while Missouri casinos eat Illinois casinos and Illinois casinos eat Indiana casinos.

Editor’s note
The Best of Springfi eld, bigger and bester than ever, took up all our space in this week’s print edition, beginning on page 8. But go to our new website for breaking news and investigative reporting, plus more arts and entertainment. Here’s some of what you’ll fi nd at illinoistimes.

A poem for All Hallow’s Eve
how to cope with that word halloween a time before the day before a time for welcoming a healthy hour something wholesome a pleasing scent like bread baking in the oven someone with flour on her hands or her forehead where she brushed the hair away...

Monsanto buys a food prize
Right, but try this one: Imagine that an Iowa group announces that its “World Food Prize” will go to Monsanto for pushing its patented, pricey, genetically-tampered Frankenseeds on impoverished lands as an “answer” to global hunger. This would be so morally perverse that the “cyn” in cynical would be spelled s.

LETTERS
Back in 2002, I was an adjunct psychology, history and film instructor at Lincoln Land Community College. A student in one of my classes, Tom Synder, asked if there was a film club on campus. I told him there was not but that if he was interested we would start one, which we did (The Reel to Real Film Club).

Gunning for legislation
Mayor Emanuel’s Statehouse lobbyists are engaged in serious talks with the NRA and even the more strident Illinois State Rifle Association (something that Daley would never do, and vice versa) to try and work out a compromise on legislation to force convicted gun possession violators to remain in prison for a lot longer than they already are.

Welcome to BOS
Illinois Times presents to you, proudly, one more time, the Best of Springfi eld, as determined by our readers and the friends BOS wannabes recruit to vote for them. We had more than 12,000 votes this year – the largest turnout ever – and 140 categories, a third more than ever before.

BEST BUFFET
2309 S. MacArthur Blvd., 698-6033 The peak, it seems, is past. Ryan’s Steak House. New Buffet City. International Buffet. Old Country Buffet. Buffet King. Best Buffet. Heritage House. All gone. Not so long ago, Springfield’s plate overrunneth with all-you-can-eat places, but no longer.

BEST THAI RESTAURANT
115 North Lewis Street, 525-6975 4112 North Peoria Road, 525-2230 While Best Thai.

BEST FISH FRY
1900 South Grand Ave., 525-2571 Ever noticed that little building on South Grand Avenue with the long line of cars backed up into the street? That’s Carter’s Fish Market, and voters say it’s the best place in town for fried fish. They’ll give you a heaping helping (one voter described it as “mounds of food”), and it won’t cost much.

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
4525 Wabash Ave., 547-0011 We know not everyone is big on salad, but Bella Milano’s signature Milano’s Salad is superb. With a sweet and savory vinaigrette and bits of fantastic prosciutto ham, the salad alone is worth a trip. As for the main course, we prefer the old standby favorites: fettuccine alfredo, tortellini or ravioli.

BEST HORSESHOES
661 West Stanford Avenue, 492-8800 Ask just about anyone around where to send an out-of-towner for a horseshoe and they’ll likely point you to Stanford Avenue and D’Arcy’s Pint. In one of our most commanding victories, D’Arcy’s received more than double the votes of all other contestants combined.

BEST ROMANTIC DINING
4525 Wabash Ave., 547-0011 Send the kids to grandma’s house. You need a break. With an elegant, quiet atmosphere and soft lighting, Bella Milano is great for date night. Sit in one of the booths near the perimeter and feel the stress melt away as you gaze into your lover’s eyes…or into that beautiful plate of artichoke dip.

BEST ORIGINAL MENU ITEM
Tell anyone from out of town that you’re ready to chow down on a buffalo chicken horseshoe and you’ll probably get a funny look. Say it in Springfield, and we’ll know you’re at D’Arcy’s Pint.

BEST ILLINOIS BEER, BEST OUTDOOR DINING
500 S. Sixth St., 670-0627 Our favorite beer at Obed and Isaac’s is either 8.1 or 7.4. Oh, wait: You mean there are names – Ditzy Blonde Ale, Long Nine IPA, Upside Brown Ale – written next to the alcohol percentages on the chalkboard next to the entrance of Springfield’s signature brew pub? Yes, and you can’t get fresher suds anywhere.

BEST CRAFT BEER SELECTION
500 S. Sixth St., 670-0627 While the rest of the U.S. began enjoying the revival of craft brewed beer in the mid- 1980s, Springfield was waiting patiently for the trend to trickle down. And our patience has rewarded us: Obed and Isaac’s opened in 2012, offering the sweet nectar of beer brewed on-site in their now-popular gastro pub.

BEST SOUL FOOD
1121 E. South Grand Ave. 522-0386 The sauce, made from a recipe more than 100 years old the proprietors say, is smoky and full of tang, just like it should be, The menu is simple and the prices ridiculously low. The lunch special costs about the same, or even less, than a fast-food meal.

BEST BBQ
2660 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 528-6410 So maybe they’re not exclusive to Springfield, but Smokey Bones has quite a following here. Even more than the food, voters lauded the attentive and friendly wait staff, with whom many voters appear to be on a first-name basis.

BEST STEAK
2540 West Iles, 698-5700 Last year, just 11 votes separated the top two in our “best steak” category. This year, the margin was even smaller, as just 8 votes made the difference. But for the second consecutive year, Texas Roadhouse takes the top spot.

BEST MARGARITA
2941 W. Iles Ave., 546-3116 3210 Northfield Dr., 544-9206 6901 Preston Dr., 483-1006 Been a long week, and it’s only Monday night? Xochimilco’s margaritas will make it better. They come frozen or on the rocks, and you can get them in a variety of flavors like lime, strawberry, mango and more.

BEST PIZZA
300 East Laurel, 528-9629 How can anyone resist a no-frills old-school eatery by the railroad tracks that features a classic bar, a sassy staff and a picture of poker-playing dogs? Not only does Gabatoni’s have the atmosphere down, they know a thing or two about pizza.

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT
2941 West Iles Avenue, 546-3116 3210 Northfield Drive, 544-9206 6901 Preston Drive, 483-1006 It was a close race this year, but when it comes to Mexican, the readers have spoken: Xochimilco ranks above the rest. Those who voted pointed to the longtime establishment’s authentic dishes, good prices, weekly specials and friendly wait staff.

BEST SEAFOOD
3045 Clear Lake Drive, 522-5220 After placing second last year, Springfield’s north side seafood spot dethroned its Red Lobster rival in the 2013 edition of BOS. There aren’t many places in town where you can dine in an 1850s mansion, and Chesapeake lets you do so while feasting on the freshest and most succulent seafood around.

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT
1899 East Sangamon Avenue, 789-0800 China Star stands alone atop the category again this year with their pleasing menu ranging from Thai favorites (panang curry) to Szechuan and Hunan hits (shrimp or chicken with cashews) to Cantonese delights like Happy Family – a combination of lobster, scallops, crabmeat, shrimp, beef, chicken and pork.

BEST WAITPERSON
2100 W. White Oaks Drive, 698-1900 Last year, we introduced you to Dan Sparks and his loyal following of customers at TGI Fridays. One year later, Sparks is still doing his thing, serving regular customers and newbies who appreciate his quick service and friendly demeanor.

BEST ILLINOIS WINE
23753 Lounsberry Road, Oakford 635-9900 Readers didn’t specify which variety is the best, but Hill Prairie certainly offers plenty of options, from traditional whites and reds made from grapes to stuff like Prairie Berry, made with blackberries and blueberries.

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT, BEST SUSHI
1665 Wabash Avenue, 726-8037 When it comes to Japanese fare in Springfield, Osaka stands out from the crowd. The perennial favorite is back atop the BOS in multiple categories this year. And for good reason – Osaka does many things well. The Japanese/Thai fusion hotspot is all about entertainment and presentation.

BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS
1580 Wabash, 787-0392 4211 Conestoga Drive, 698-9439 3184 S. Dirksen Parkway, 529-5823 2465 North Dirksen, 492-5925 Where else but SNS? Few places in town are open late, but with its four locations across the capital city, diners in search of a place to satisfy those late-night cravings can’t go wrong with Steak ’n Shake.

BEST CHICKEN WINGS
2808 North Dirksen Parkway, 670-0048 4420 West Wabash Avenue, 546-9453 Where else? If you’re looking for good wings, cold beer and every live sporting event, head over to one of two Buffalo Wild Wings locations in town. With 60-cent wings every Tuesday and Thursday, the neon lights of B-dubs beckon us.

BEST SUB BEST DELI / SANDWICH SHOP
Head West Sub Stop 1124 West Jefferson, 793-9101 530 East Capitol, 789-9101 3311 Robbins Drive, 726-9202 1281 Toronto Road, 585-7990 2432 Denver Drive, 744-7990 7032 Kings Mill Court, 670-0111 450 State Street, Rochester (inside Phillips 66 Station)...

BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
3317 Robbins Road, 793-1900 BOS voters chose Mariah’s this year for its awesome buffet, delicious food and warm atmosphere. And did we mention the food? There’s almost not room to list all you can choose from in the $20 all-you-can-eat smorgasbord every Sunday between 10 a.

BEST BURGER
2501 Wabash Avenue (White Oaks Mall), 546-8230 From the super-friendly staff, to the fresh-cut fries, to the free peanuts, to the amazing burgers, what’s not to love from one of Springfield’s newest and most anticipated chains? Five Guys (amid an...

BEST CHILI
820 South Ninth Street, 522-3722 Not many Springfield food haunts are so famous that they have to include shipping options on their website. Then again, Joe Rogers’ “The Den” is not your average spot.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT
2501 Wabash Avenue (White Oaks Mall), 546-8230 Simple is good, and that’s why we like Five Burgers and Fries. The burger menu is the essence of uncomplicated: hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger, bacon cheeseburger, all with either one or two patties.

BEST GYROS
2907 S. MacArthur Blvd., 698-6463 This is getting ridiculous. Six consecutive years of serving the best gyros in Springfield? Believe it, and the voting this time wasn’t close. That’s not to say that there aren’t other places that serve perfectly fine gyros, but Gyro Stop is a step beyond, with always fresh ingredients and plenty of them.

BEST BREAKFAST
700 North St., 217-241-2104 Springfield offers a lot of choices for breakfast, but Charlie Parker’s has the day’s first meal all figured out. They’ve been featured on numerous national and regional TV shows, and their breakfast horseshoe is truly a delicacy.

BEST RESTAURANT WHERE KIDS EAT FREE
100 North Street, 241-2104 One of Springfield’s most well-known restaurants (featured on many shows like “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”) is also home to one of its best-kept secrets – kids eat free! Mike and Cindy Murphy purchased the famous Quonset hut restaurant in 2009, and their kids’ meals are FREE for kids 3 and under with a paid adult meal.

BEST PORK TENDERLOIN
229 West Mason, 492-1110 One glance at our voters’ comments, and you’ll be heading to West Mason to order a tenderloin at Sportsman’s Lounge. “Hangs over the plate!” “Great breading!” “So good!” and “Yum yum yum,” they say.

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
3115 Chatham Road, 726-6890 While many readers admitted they lack the culinary courage to sample Indian food, others say the owners and servers at Gateway to India welcome questions and are happy to suggest menu items first-timers will enjoy.

BEST DOWNTOWN DINING
Maldaner’s 222 S. Sixth St., 522-4313 Obed and Isaac’s 500 S. Sixth St., 670-0627 These two restaurants have different aims, but both are equally fantastic, depending on your mood and the occasion. For an upscale lunch or dinner, it’s tough to beat Maldaner’s, no matter where you go.

BEST VEGAN / VEGETARIAN DINING
Holy Land Diner 106 West Cook Street, 544-5786 Afaf Rashmawy’s locally famous lunch buffets roll out every Monday through Saturday with dinner versions on Friday and Saturday. The herbivores in town will want to try the mix of Greek and Lebanese food on Saturday night, as that’s when Rashmawy serves up vegetarian offerings.

BEST RESTAURANT OFF THE BEATEN BATH
Abe’s Hideout 200 Main Street, Mechanicsburg, 364-9386 If you’re searching for great grub, don’t forget to explore outside of Springfield city limits! You’re bound to discover many of our more hidden gems, like Abe’s Hideout and Saloon just off exit 114.

BEST DESSERTS BEST BREADS AND PASTRIES
Incredibly Delicious 925 South Seventh Street, 528-8548 There’s just one problem – you have to choose. Every time we step inside this beautiful Seventh Street sanctuary, we start an inner battle over what to order. The sweet and crumbly mixed berry tart? A handmade cinnamon role with cream cheese frosting? Or perhaps just a whole cake would do.

BEST MEAL UNDER $10
Multiple locations You gotta love Steak ’n Shake. Consider the Royale Steakburger, the best breakfast sandwich to hit the fast-food scene since the Egg McMuffin, and you can get it all day long. The five-way chili eats like a true sit-down meal, and you don’t have to go to Cincinnati, where this concoction is de rigueur.

BEST BLOODY MARY
300 E Adams St., 753-7933 It’s hard to get more “Irish pub” than JP Kelly’s. They proudly fly the Irish flag out front and even display their emptied Jameson whiskey bottles behind the bar. So what’s Irish about a bloody mary? Not much, unless you start drinking them at 10 in the morning.

BEST RESTAURANT WHEN SOMEONE ELSE IS BUYING
Bella Milano 4525 Wabash Ave., 547-0011 Bella Milano is one of those places where you can eat pretty well for not much money, or you can go hog wild and blow your whole paycheck on a feast fit for a king…or several kings. College kids, take note: It’s a great place to take your visiting parents when dad is in a generous mood.

BEST ICE CREAM
124 S. Sixth St., 523-6666 Two words: birthday cake. That’s pretty much all you need to know about Cold Stone Creamery. Their Birthday Cake Remix ice cream sundae tastes just like the real thing – maybe even better. In fact, it even has cake batter swirled into the ice cream.

BEST MARTINI
1665 Wabash Ave., 726-8037 We don’t know what they do for martinis in Japan, but we like to imagine that they put as much care and hard work into their drinks as Osaka Japanese Restaurant does. Osaka infuses their liquor with delicious flavors like honey dew cantaloupe, jalapeño pepper, vanilla and pineapple.

HOTTEST BARTENDER
We’re beginning to think Marla Sparks has a fan club. She won this award last year, too, and she got 120 votes this year. You’ll find Marla at the top of the Crowne Plaza, in the Mahogany Bar and Grill. She makes a killer drink and even better small talk.

BEST BAR TO PLAY DARTS
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, 529-5806 Not all of us play darts, but if we’re going to do so, it’s nice to have a dedicated space instead of being shoehorned in between tables and having to worry about putting someone’s eye out. The Curve Inn calls itself a “darts bar,” but you don’t have to be a pro to throw a few quills at Curve.

BEST BAR TO SHOOT POOL
1277 Toronto Road, 529-7616 It’s no wonder Mowie’s Cue was voted Best Bar to Shoot Pool; they have rows of pool tables and a well-stocked bar to back them up. Drinks are cheap, and league nights are always a hoot. Go for the pool; stay for the fried food and fun.

BEST BEER GARDEN
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, 529-5806 The only thing better than sipping a cold beer after work is doing it outside with your friends. The Curve Inn’s beer garden is large enough to hold a foot-stomping band and a rowdy crowd, and they have outdoor heaters to extend the party just a bit longer than summer usually allows.

BEST SPORTS BAR
3136 W. Iles, 546-2745 217 S. 5th St., 679-1500 We don’t know much about sports. So when somebody wants to watch the big game, we don’t mind throwing back a few cold ones at Brickhouse, because it doesn’t feel.

BEST BAR FOR SUITS
301 W Edwards St., 679-3752 Located conveniently just steps away from the Capitol complex, it’s no wonder Boone’s Saloon was voted best bar for suits. When lawmakers are in town, you’ll find Boone’s hopping with legislators, lobbyists, journalists and hangerson of all stripes.

BEST BAR FOR CHEAP DRINKS
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, 529-5806 There’s something almost patriotic about being able to tie one on for not a lot of cash. It’s practically an American right. One of the nice things about The Curve Inn is that even the good beers are priced attractively.

BEST BAR TO FIND A DATE
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, 529-5806 If you’re looking for love at a bar, The Curve Inn is as good a place as any. It’s usually packed when there’s live music or a darts league night, and the crowd tends to range pretty wide in age and lifestyle. A voter comment for Curve in this category said, “Watch out for Reggie.

BEST LOCALLY SOURCED MENU, BEST WINE LIST
American Harvest Eatery 3241 W. Iles, 546-8300 If you want to see where your American Harvest food comes from, head on down to the farmers market or drive the rural roads around town. Owner August Mrozowski and chefs Jordan and Aurora Coffey are bringing a local approach to food, using farmers from almost 20 nearby locales.

BEST MEAT MARKET
1820 S. 15th St., 544-7445 This venerable purveyor of fine meat and produce has been a favorite in town for close to 80 years. Still in its original location, a major component of Humphrey’s appeal is the nostalgic feeling of actually going into a family-operated specialty store to buy food.

BEST CHEF
3241 W. Iles, 546-8300 Not yet 30, Jordan Coffey isn’t just the best young chef in Springfield, he’s the best, period. So say our readers who, presumably, know Coffey both from his days at Augie’s Front Burner and at American Harvest, which opened in 2011 with Coffey as executive chef.

BEST GAY/LESBIAN BAR, BEST DANCE CLUB
306 East Washington St., 525-0438 If you’re looking to cut a rug, Club Station House is the place to be. (In most circles, people just call it “Station House” for short.

BEST PLACE TO SHOP FOR MUSIC GEAR
1808 W. Jefferson St., 546-8980 Over the course of 30 years, the Rock Shop (their motto: “Just because you suck doesn’t mean your gear has to”) has grown from humble beginnings to become one of the largest music shops in central Illinois and one of...

BEST PLACE FOR VIDEO GAMING
215 N. Second St., 789-7777 This video gaming thing really took off once the state of Illinois finally rolled out the new system of regulations. Butternut Hut was one of the first places in town to get the new machines, and they’ve become quite a destination for gaming.

BEST MALE LOCAL SINGER-SONGWRITER
Micah Walk Since bursting onto the Springfield scene several years ago direct from his hometown of Girard, Micah Walk continually presents the public with a good, honest voice, finely picked guitar playing and well-crafted, provocative original songs.

BEST AMERICANA/FOLK BAND
Along with the huge national scene of groups creating and performing music based in folk, blues and country, our fair city has its share of the wide-ranging genre termed “Americana.” There are more acoustic instruments in electric bands than ever before and Springfield is no exception.

BEST FEMALE LOCAL SINGER-SONGWRITER
Elizabeth Eckert With a voice that shakes the stars and soothes the soul, Springfield native Elizabeth Eckert is our favorite singersongwriter of the female persuasion. Perhaps most famously known and acclaimed locally as an American Idol, Hollywoodround finalist from season seven, she released her first fulllength album, Retrospect,.

BEST CLUB DJ
DJs, once the kings of radio, hence the name disc jockey, now generally do not even use discs and run music from a downloaded computer playlist without even coming close to a radio.

BEST LOCAL CD OF THE YEAR
With the early May release of Give Away the Night,.

BEST PLACE FOR KARAOKE
Located in the friendly confines of AMF’s Strike ’n’ Spare on the near west side, Sluggo’s is still the place for singers to go a-karaoke-ing.

BEST JAZZ GROUP/ARTIST
Don’t ask us why ’cause we don’t know either and even Debbie Ross herself wonders why it is she wins in the Best Jazz Group/Artist category again and again.

BEST BLUES BAND/ARTIST
Once again Hipbone Sam (aka Kevin Hawkins) easily took this category, making him nearly ready for the BOS Hall of Fame (there really isn’t one yet) and surely declaring him our most popular blues performer.

BEST COUNTRY BAND
Readers were slightly confused since the winning band changed names from Brushfire to Brushville (there was already a Brushfire out there) just this past August, but the votes for -fire and -ville combined edged out the reigning champs, Still Kick’n, who actually just disbanded in August.

BEST NEW LOCAL BAND
Again topping the tallies in yet another category, this band has actually been around for awhile, but they do have a new name so readers seemed to think they qualified as a new local band.

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC BAND
Beating out Hipbone Sam by one vote, this popular country group based in Bloomington is not known for original music, but perhaps our readers heard about the band’s recent Kickstarter project to record in Nashville and just figured they’d be writing songs soon.

BEST METAL BAND/ARTIST
With this category voters took a lot of leeway, voting for several bands not quite in the “metal music” genre, but the closest with the most-est votes was Novocaine.

SOUND TECHNICIAN
Mr. Major scored over a hundred votes beyond his nearest rival with many folks simply writing in “Skippy.” A longtime expert in his field, Ric began his career in the 1970s running sound at school and moved to beginning bands, then worked his way to regional touring levels.

LIVE MUSIC VENUE (SMALL: BAR/CLUB)
Boondocks Carole Grigiski took the old Rockin’ Robin’s and transformed it into the largest live music venue in central Illinois in just over a year in business.

BEST PUNK BAND/ARTIST BEST HARDCORE BAND/ARTIST
NIL8 Was there any question that those Williams boys, Jeff (guitar vocals) and Bruce (bass), would, could and should take these categories? As one of the first skateboard punk bands in Springfield during the early ’80s, the brothers Williams, always...

BEST ROCK/POP BAND BEST LOCAL COVER BAND
Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters It was no contest as this Jacksonville-based group handily collected the most votes to rule in both these categories. Named after a band in the Tom Hanks film That Thing You Do!.

BEST HIP-HOP BAND/ARTIST
Actually “none” won this category, which may speak volumes about our readers’ knowledge of the local world of hip-hop, but Gypsy Collabo got the most votes for a real group. Formed in 2002 when local rockers Tipsy Gypsys collided with area hip-hop collective Collabo to create the genre-busting, Gypsy Collabo, the group relocated to St.

BEST OPEN MIC
What makes a good open mic is the camaraderie between the fellow performers, combined with an appreciative audience to support the musicians working on their craft while entertaining, with a good host making it all work. In a hotly waged contest, Bar None, on the corner of Fifth and Monroe, wins this most prized of categories.

BEST LOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
With a change in booking agents and tactics in 2013, the OCB&B forged ahead with more local acts, along with stellar headliners and remains the most popular festival in town by far, receiving over 300 more votes than the nearest competitor.

BEST UNDER-21 BAND
No doubt about it, the under-21, all-ages scene is at a high in Springfield and readers voted Our Lady easily into the winning chair for best band of this exciting part of our music scene.

BEST ALL-AGES VENUE
There was a little confusion in this category, with a strange mix of other places getting votes not generally considered “all-ages,” which really means “under-21.” But the only joint that allows all ages, all the time and features music geared toward those ages, is the Black Sheep Cafe.

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE (BIG: THEATER/AUDITORIUM)
Sangamon Auditorium Located on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield in the Public Affairs Center (PAC) building, the Sangamon Auditorium opened on Feb. 21, 1981. Since that first showing of Hal Holbrook’s Mark Twain Tonight,.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE - MALE
Cory Blissett - RENT In a courageous and defining performance, obviously well-respected and received by the Muni’s audience, Cory Blissett’s portrayal of drag queen/drummer Angel resonated with readers as the best male theater performance of 2013.

BEST THEATER PERFORMANCE - FEMALE
Anna Bussing - Peter Pan The delightful story of Peter Pan coming to terms with growing up is a part of our Western consciousness ingrained through literature, theater and film.

BEST WEDDING ENTERTAINMENT
The Shenanigans specialize in music from “classic rock and Motown to new pop and dance” and it should be no surprise that such a crowd-pleasing musical array won this category handily.

BEST SPORTS COMPLEX
With three state football championships since 2005, the Cyclones have long looked great on the field, but it was always someone else’s field until SHG opened a state-of-the-art sports complex last year that features seating for 4,000 fans, a fancy electronic scoreboard and a synthetic turf field.

BEST PLACE TO BUY A CAR
1200 S. Dirksen Pkwy, 525-1370 A huge selection of new and used cars along with an outstanding reputation for customer and automotive service put Green Hyundai over the top in this category, leaving the competition in the dust. One reader commented that “they focus on your needs, both car-wise and financially.

BEST SOUVENIR/TOURIST STORE
212 N Sixth St., 782-5764 If there is a better one-stop shop for Abraham Lincoln-themed tchotchkes… well there just isn’t.

BEST WEDDING CAKES
925 S. Seventh St., 528-8548 The motto of this 18-year-old family-run bakery and restaurant is “the name says it all,” and really, what more is.

BEST PET BOARDING
2508 W. Jefferson, 793-3647 “Fantastic place to leave your fur babies!” So enthused one of the commenters who swept Dal Acres West to a win in this close contest. This 30-year veteran of pet care has the trust and affection of both the animals and the owners who adore them.

BEST SHOPPING FOR HOME DÉCOR
Hobby Lobby 3325 S. Veterans Pkwy., 726-9782 This Oklahoma City-based chain is known for its knickknacks and craft supplies, allowing customers to purchase ready-made items to beautify their homes or provide materials to create their own unique décor. Hobby Lobby also offers general art instruction as well as a stained glass class for beginners.

BEST LIVE THEATER PRODUCTION
The talent pool in central Illinois seems to be growing as our theater productions become more adventurous, all to the benefit of our artistic sensibilities and creative experiences. When the Muni folks tackled Les Miserables,.

BEST CATERER
3005 Great Northern Rd., 787-9443 The patented “Port-a-Pit” cooker may well have given Nelson’s a slight edge in this very fierce competition.

BEST WINERY
23753 Lounsberry Rd., Oakford, 635-9900 The lush scenery of the landscape surrounding Hill Prairie Winery is as much of a reason to visit as the opportunity to sample their award-winning wines and experience the live entertainment which has become another calling card.

BEST PLACE TO SPEND A RAINY DAY
Forget napping on the couch (fifth runner-up), a trip to the Illinois State Museum (fourth runner-up), an excursion to Scheels (third runner-up) or a stroll through White Oaks Mall (second runner-up). The best place to spend a rainy day, readers say, is a movie theater.

BEST THRIFT STORE
Various locations, 789-0400 Land of Lincoln Goodwill is part of nonprofit network Goodwill International, which has 164 affiliates and somewhere near 25,000 retail outlets throughout the U.S. and Canada.

BEST BANK
301 N. Main St. Chatham, 483-2491 Various locations The perennial local financial favorite known to its friends as UCB takes top honors in a close banking competition. Bank of Springfield was not far behind. The fact that UCB is locally owned and operated, rather than being run by a faceless multinational corporation, is a large part of its appeal.

SHOPPING FOR WOMEN’S FASHION
2901 S. Veterans Pkwy, 698-0540 For a huge selection of name-brand styles for the full range of possible body types, there is nowhere more reliable than Kohl’s. The corporate giant can be counted on not only to have what you are looking for on hand but also offers great coupons and regular sales.

BEST PLACE TO SPEND A SUNNY DAY
Washington Park The botanical gardens. The carillon. Kids somersaulting down grassy slopes. The pond. Ducks. Playground laughter. Magnificent trees. Female joggers in spandex. Singing birds. Shirtless guys playing Frisbee. Is this really any contest? Runner-up: Lake Springfield.

BEST VENUE FOR A PARTY OR EVENT
4965 S. Second St., 585-2941 Named after Erin Elzea, who passed away from an enzyme deficiency at age 17, this multiuse facility at Southwind Park is maintained by the Park District and was built with the needs of those with disabilities in mind. It also has the distinction of being Springfield’s first LEED-certified green building.

BEST VETERINARY CLINIC
1115 Stevenson Drive, 529-4211 “They really love our pets like their very own,” trumpeted one voter and there’s no higher praise for a veterinary clinic. Drs. Blakemore, Kelly and Fisherkeller were all singled out by readers for their excellent care at a facility that has been locally owned and operated in the Springfield area since 1961.

BEST YOGA/PILATES STUDIO
1051 W. Wabash Ave., 725-2373 Walk into Ahh Yoga, and you’ll immediately feel welcome, even if you’re a complete stranger there. The three friendly owners try to make everyone feel relaxed and right at home. Maybe that’s why voters chose Ahh Yoga as the best yoga/pilates studio.

BEST TUTOR/ADVANCE ACADEMICS PROGRAM
Sylvan Learning Center 2735 S. Sixth St., 855-377-9582 Sylvan Learning Center on South Sixth Street boasts a friendly staff of seven local tutor/instructors and two center directors all who have fine credentials in education and/or classroom experience.

BEST LOCAL PLACE FOR FAMILY FUN
Knight’s Action Park 1700 Knight’s Recreation Drive, 546-8881 Knight’s Action Park is central Illinois’ choice for family fun. As one parent remarks, “Our family has the most fun here.

BEST PAWN SHOP
107 W. Cook St., 544-7322 “Good guys!” exclaimed one of the voters who put Pawn King over the top in this category. Part of a chain with locations throughout Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, Pawn King’s website trumpets that they will loan money “on almost anything of value.

BEST CREDIT UNION
Various locations, 726-8877 As the economy continues to struggle, credit unions have become an increasingly attractive alternative to banks when deciding where to store your money. One advantage is the fact that members are the owners at a credit union, something of a comfort in a culture of predatory lending practices.

BEST GARDEN CENTER
2001 Wabash Ave., 787-1061 “We try to carry nursery quality plants for box store prices,” says Mark Edwards of Farmers Market, which has been operating locally since 1980. Edwards has found that variety is his company’s biggest asset, along with listening to customers’ needs.

BEST CHARITABLE EVENT
The Fat Ass charity run has exploded since the inaugural event in 2008, when fewer than 300 runners completed the five-kilometer course in times that ranged from 20 minutes, four seconds to more than 54 minutes.

BEST EYEWEAR
121 North Grand Avenue West, 528-3233 2741 Prairie Crossing Drive, 800-272-7393 Most eye care shops are pretty similar, so it’s the little things that set a place like Vision Care Associates apart. The staff is friendly, the docs know their stuff, and the décor is a lot swankier than your typical sterile office.

BEST RADIO SHOW/DJ
Amie brought enough vivacious verve and wholesome enthusiasm to her morning show every day and sent out her charm into the world where listeners picked up on it and obviously liked it enough to handily vote her as favorite DJ.

BEST REALTOR
“There’s not a better feeling than helping my clients with one of their biggest financial investments,” says Jami Winchester, who began her real estate career in 1998. “Their support and referrals are the bedrock of my business.” Jami is also known for offering complimentary use of a moving truck to clients.

BEST DOCTOR
Koke Mill Medical Center 3132 Old Jacksonville Road, 862-0800 Dr. Florence, an internist and pediatrician, won this category by a wide margin in our reader poll. “Best pediatrician in town,” declared one voter. “I am so lucky to have her!” gushed another.

BEST PLACE TO SHOP FOR ANTIQUES
Lisa’s Antique Malls 4266 Frazee Rd, Divernon, 628-1111 For more than two decades, these two structures, a half mile apart in Divernon, housing a mere 175 dealers between them, have been something like a nirvana for inveterate area antique hounds.

BEST BIKE SHOP
2500 S. MacArthur Blvd., 523-0188 “We do our best to make our customers comfortable and at ease when purchasing their new bike,” says Pete Meeker of Ace Bike Shop, a family-owned business which has operated in Springfield since 1957. “We enjoy educating people on cycling, helping them to find the right bicycle to fit their needs.

BEST GYM OR FITNESS CENTER
FitClub 2811 W. Lawrence Ave., 787-1111 2701 E. Sangamon Ave., 788-8250 3631 S. Sixth Street Road, 787-8348 FitClub has it all: plenty of equipment, skilled personal trainers, nutrition help, group classes and three locations – two of which have swimming pools.

BEST OUTDOOR FESTIVAL
This one was surprisingly close in our reader poll. Not only can you catch a concert, pet a cow, ride a Ferris wheel, eat a corn dog, see a bazillion state troopers, buy a t-shirt, win a stuffed animal, watch horses race and devour your-favorite-food-on-a-stick, you can also drink beer.

BEST AUTO REPAIR
Various locations, main office 525-7233 Car repair, when it’s done right, is a no-nonsense business and voter comments such as “Super quick!” and “Good prices” speak volumes.

BEST BOWLING ALLEY
2660 W. Lawrence Ave., 787-6111 When Springfielders want to knock down a few pins, while perhaps knocking back a few brews, the choice du jour is clearly Strike and Spare West.

BEST SEAFOOD MARKET
1615 W. Jefferson, 546-3089 Another longtime, family-owned favorite, Robert’s has been providing sustenance for Springfield area seafood enthusiasts since 1916, plenty of time to shore up the support for an overwhelming win here.

BEST NAIL SALON
3055 Professional Drive, 753-8880 3300 Robbins Road, 787-7770 Are you man enough for a pedicure? Yep, BJ Grand Salon does men’s nails. You can get a manicure (no pun intended), and they have a “sports pedicure” that includes toenail clipping, nail and cuticle conditioning, and callous treatment, as well as a foot massage.

BEST MASSAGE
3055 Professional Drive, 753-8880 3300 Robbins Road, 787-7770 Hot stones, honey and mud are just a few of the things BJ Grand Salon will use for your massage. Voters couldn’t say enough about their massage therapists, using phrases like “healing hands” to describe them.

BEST HAIR SALON
3055 Professional Drive, 753-8880 3300 Robbins Road, 787-7770 Getting all dolled up for that special event? BJ Grand Salon can do it all. They have so many options it’s almost dizzying. Not only do they cut and style hair, but they’ll “treat” it to take care of problems like dry scalp or damaged hair.

BEST PLAYGROUND
4965 S. Second St., 753-0702 If you build it they will come. And families come to Southwind Park playground by droves as witnessed any nice weekend, evening or summer day. And there’s not just one playground.

BEST CHILDREN’S DANCE SCHOOL
100 Iles Park Place, 529-8888 This year’s winner in the category Best Children’s Dance School is Dance Creations Dance Studio. Not only is the school a winner but it comes as no surprise that its owner and lead instructor, Janet Cripes, is considered a master at what she does and is beloved by all.

BEST DAY CARE
805 S. Chatham Road, 698-8877 770 Apple Orchard Road, 528-8028 Ahead of the pack by a long shot, Building Blocks Preschool takes the 2013 Best of Springfield Best Day Care title this year. With two convenient locations, one at Chatham Road and Lawrence Ave.

BEST SUMMER CAMP
100 Iles Park Place, 529-8888 Coming in far above all other camps as the best summer camp around, folks rave about Janet Cripes’ summer camps for dancers at Dance Creations Dance Studio.

BEST JUDGE
Lawyers tend not to like her, which explains why Leslie Graves received such low marks in a county bar poll prior to last year’s election that she was deemed not recommended. Graves also had a poor showing in the bar poll when she won the seat in the 2000 election.

BEST MUSEUM
For all the criticism of rubber Lincolns, the ALPLM has staying power. There really is something magical that happens when you walk through the doors, as if you have been transported back to the 19 th century, which is what every good museum does. Just eight years old now, it is hard to imagine downtown without the ALPLM.

BEST PLACE TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET
Let’s face it: There really is no good place to get a ticket, but some spots are better than others. Interstate 55, for instance, is too noisy and scary with all those cars moving so fast so close. We much prefer the quiet and civility afforded by a traffic stop in Leland Grove, which edged out Jerome in our reader poll.

BEST HISTORIC BUILDING
Be honest: You’ve never heard of Susan Lawrence Dana, who first owned this gem in the heart of the Aristocracy Hill neighborhood, or Charles C. Thomas, who acquired the home after Dana departed and later sold it, with furnishings intact, to the state of Illinois for $1 million in 1981.

BIGGEST (OR BEST) SCANDAL
You know it’s bad when the arrest of a Lanphier High School teacher for allegedly having sex with students, one of whom collected a $100,000 settlement after claiming that school officials knew about it, doesn’t get a single vote from readers.

BEST LAWYER
Patrick “Tim” Timoney is well over six feet tall, but he stands out in the courthouse in other ways. Don’t think he loves being a lawyer? Check out the ringtone on his cell phone – it’s the theme from the television show “Law and Order.” And Timoney, a former assistant state’s attorney, has argued the law from both sides since 1990.

BEST CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE OR MOSQUE
Blessed Sacrament 1725 S. Walnut St., 528-7521 This vote wasn’t close, and with good reason. Blessed Sacrament has everything you could want in a church: a quiet neighborhood setting, majestic Gothic Revival architecture, plus ample parking.

BEST HEALTH FOOD STORE
1512 Wabash Ave., 793-8009 The market for vegan baked goods may not be huge in Springfield, but Food Fantasies practically has it cornered. Their vegan cupcakes are so delicious that you’ll hardly be able to tell the difference.

BEST GOLF COURSE
7112 Piper Glen Dr., 483-6537 In addition to its popularity among our readers, Piper Glen’s reputation extends well beyond Springfield’s borders. It received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from Golf Digest.

BEST TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR/REPORTER
Joe Crain Gus who? Joe Crain, who is closing in on a full decade at WICS, doesn’t do scandals or sports or crime. He’s a weather guy, and not even in prime time – he’s up early to deliver the morning forecast and he leaves after the midday news show.

BEST COURAGEOUS ACT
You don’t have to storm the beaches of Normandy or pull little old ladies from the paths of speeding freight trains to be a hero. Just getting out of bed can be an act of courage on some days, it seems. Readers in our poll weren’t specific about exactly what little things constitute acts of courage.

BEST POLITICIAN
Springfield Ward 6 Ald. Cory Jobe gets the nod in this category. One look at Jobe and you know the guy’s ambitious: impeccably dressed, always looking attentive and always showing up at the right neighborhood meetings. He’s as good as declared his candidacy for mayor in 2015, and he’s run even with the incumbent on the fundraising trail.

BEST BLOG OR WEBSITE
Stuff happens. Lotsa stuff. Stuff that you won’t necessarily see in the newspaper or on television, but stuff that you need to know, or at least see. Like the unfortunate loss of a “g” and “l” from a reader board sign at a local auto parts store that found itself pitching “ass cleaner” instead of something to put on windows.

Logic and romance clash in Time
On his 21st birthday, Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) is told by his father (Bill Nighy) that the men in their family have the ability to travel through time. All they have to do is go to a dark place, clinch their hands into fists, think about where they’d like to go into the past and voila – they’re there.

This “Best of” business
My first personal experience with BoS occurred in 1992 when we won for Best Folk Band – we, being Bruce Williams, Brad Floreth, Tony Berkman and I, with Raoul in there somewhere. The mainstays of that mostly, un-folk-like group were as surprised as the members of the folk community in Springfield.

BAND SPOTLIGHT | Studebaker John
Young John Grimaldi was born and raised in an Italian-American neighborhood in Chicago. His first taste of music came in the form of a harmonica at age 7. Soon he visited the famed Maxwell Street area, home to Chicago blues and became a lifelong disciple of the blues.

PUB CRAWL
Dates, times and locations are subject to change, so we suggest calling before attending an event..

CULTURE | On the shoulders of giants
Joining the Downtown First Fridays lineup is the Illinois State Museum. Nov. 1, Springfield’s unsung gem will stay open past hours and present an array of activities. In the lobby, you can watch the assembly of a huge sculpture by Michael Ferris Jr. named Rusty Finnegan.

THE CALENDAR
Nov 9, Through Nov 10. 11am, 2pm, 7pm Sat; 2pm, 5pm Sun. Five performances of beloved children’s book. $15, $10 kids. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006..

COMEDY | Cutting edge funny
Back by popular demand, Second City returns for two shows to the Hoogland Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 2. Drawing on classic material from The Second City archives as well as scenes ripped from the morning headlines, The Second City’s Happily Ever Laughter is your chance to see stars in the making in an evening of smart, cutting edge comedy.

FILM | Independent flicks
Included in the lot to be screened at Capital City Bar and Grill which has a room with an oversized screen, theater and café seating: animation, comedy, drama, experimental, foreign language, Abe Lincoln or history, student and films made in Illinois.