Culture

Best 4th of July fireworks

1. John Ascuaga's Nugget

1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks, 356-3300

2. Lake Tahoe

3. Reno Aces Stadium

250 Evans Ave., 334-4700

Best animal shelter

1. Nevada Humane Society

2825 Longley Lane, 856-2000

2. SPCA of Northern Nevada

4950 Spectrum Blvd., 324-7773

3. Boxers & Buddies

P.O. Box 895, Virginia City, 342-5789

Best art gallery

1. Nevada Museum of Art

160 W. Liberty St., 329-3333

2. Stremmel Gallery

1400 S. Virginia St., 786-0558

3. The Holland Project

140 Vesta St., 742-1858

Best mural

1. Craft Wine & Beer

22 Martin St., 622-4333

2. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

Best charity race or walk

1. Moms on the Run

2. Nevada Humane Society Walk for Animals

3. Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Best church

1. Living Stones

445 S. Virginia St., 622-9772

2. Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada

780 Del Monte Lane, 851-7100

3. Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church

1138 Wright St, 323-6894

Best day trip

1. Lake Tahoe

2. Virginia City

3. Sand Harbor State Park

2005 Highway 28, Incline Village, 831-0494

Best dog park

1. Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

1595 N. Sierra St., 785-4512

2. Link Piazzo Dog Park

Hidden Valley Regional Park, 4740 Parkway Drive, 823-6501

3. Sparks Marina Park

300 Howard Drive, Sparks, 353-2376

Best drag queen

1. Ginger Devine

Best gay pride event

1. Reno Gay Pride Festival

2. Northern Nevada Pride Festival & Community Parade

Best independent art gallery

1. Reno Art Works

1995 Dickerson Road, 391-0278

2. Stremmel Gallery

1400 S. Virginia St., 786-0558

2. The Holland Project

140 Vesta St., 742-1858

Best kept secret

1. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

2. Awful Awful burger

The Little Nugget, 233 N. Virginia St., 323-0716

2. Won't tell

Best local band

1. The Greg Golden Band

2. Jelly Bread

3. Moondog Matinee

Best local band album

1. Vacancy at the Wonder Lodge by Moondog Matinee

2. Funk in Public by Mojo Green

Best dance instructor

1. BB Flanders

2. Lesa Dusich

3. Haleigh Hoff

Best local dance company

1. Reno Dance Company

2. AVA Ballet Theatre

3. Nevada Dance Academy

Best local theater company

1. Brüka Theatre

99 N. Virginia St., 323-3221

2. Good Luck Macbeth

713 S. Virginia St., 322-3716

3. Reno Little Theater

147 E. Pueblo St., 329-0661

Best local website

1. www.bizarreguitar.com

2. www.bunnyranch.com

3. www.newsreview.com/reno

3. http://renomomsblog.com

Best monthly event

1. Wine Walk

2. First Thursdays at the Nevada Museum of Art

3. Food Truck Fridays

Best neighborhood

1. Midtown

2. Old Southwest Reno

3. Northwest Reno

Best non-casino thing to do downtown

1. Downtown Riverwalk

2. Float/play/walk by the Truckee River

3. Artown

Best place to meet gay singles

1. 5 Star Saloon

132 West St., 329-2878

2. Tronix

303 Kietzke Lane, 333-9696

3. The Patio

600 W. Fifth St., 323-6565

Best place to meet straight singles

1. St. James Infirmary

445 California Ave., 657-8484

2. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

3. Shea's Tavern

715 S. Virginia St., 786-7447

Best place to people watch

1. Truckee River Walk

2. Downtown Reno

3. Wingfield Park

300 W. First St.

Best radio station

1. 100.1 KTHX

2. 104.1 KRZQ

3. 104.5 KDOT

Best talk show host

1. Bill & Connie

2. Rob, Arnie & Dawn

3. Chris Payne

Best scandal

1. Harvey Whittemore

2. Firing of Pedro Martinez

3. Mayoral race/election

Best reason to live in Reno

1. The weather/seasons/climate

2. Lake Tahoe

3. Outdoor recreation

Most environmentally conscious company

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

2. Patagonia

8550 White Fir St., 746-6878

3. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., 826-2121

Best local farm

1. Lost City Farm

512 S. Center St., www.lostcityfarm.com

2. Girlfarm/Grow for Me Sustainable Farm

1400 Long Valley Road, 221-0001

3. River School Farm

7777 White Fir St., 747-2222

Best non-profit group

1. Nevada Humane Society

2825 Longley Lane, 856-2000

2. Moments of Memory

2346 Palmer Court, 848-4757

3. Urban Roots

3001 W. Fourth St., 636-5105

Best green event

1. Earth Day

2. KTMB's Great Community Cleanup

Best green store

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

2. Whole Foods

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Trader Joe's

5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621

Best special event in downtown Reno

1. Artown

2. Hot August Nights

3. Nevada Humane Society Duck Race and Festival

Best special event in downtown Sparks

1. Best-in-the-West Nugget Rib Cook-off

2. Hot August Nights

3. Farmers' Markets