Forget all that X-marks-the-spot business. If you’re looking for treasure, drop the map and grab a copy of this year’s Santa Maria Sun Best Of readers poll. No booby traps. No dead men’s chests. Just a bounty of booty, from top restaurants to hip shops to community movers and shakers.
Sun Calendar Editor Joe Payne donned a patch and sword (the beard is really his) to kick off each section, so follow him to discover the most favored businesses and people in the seven seas.
Wine, Dine, and Devour – reveals the best places around to drop anchor and search for a meal.
Arts and Entertainment – offers up song, dance, and more—so kick up your heels!
Burnin’ Cash – presents plenty of opportunities for spending your hard-won loot.
Feelin’ Good – reveals the best ways to stay fit and healthy for shore leave.
And Community On My Mind – introduces local people and organizations working to make the world a better place.
Best Of is always a massive undertaking, and only happens thanks to the hard work of a tight crew of ballot counters, sales representatives, writers, designers, editors, photographers, and other staffers. The voyage wouldn’t be complete without the businesses, groups, nonprofits, and individuals whose quality work gives us a reason to assemble Best Of in the first place. And, of course, we all owe a huge debt to the readers, voters, and patrons whose voices determine the winners each year.
To everyone who worked to create this Best Of issue, I say: Arrrr.
Ryan Miller
executive editor
[NOTE] The Best of is now online. Click [HERE]
This article appears in Aug 28 – Sep 4, 2008.