It's Best Of time

Welcome to this week's Reno News & Review.

OK, here we go. Assuming everything works as planned, as you read this Editor's Note, our Biggest Little Best of Northern Nevada popularity contest is live at www.newsreview.com/reno/ballot/bestofreno13. We'll be accepting nominations and votes through Friday, July 19 at 3 p.m.

Every year, we choose to highlight a certain aspect of Northern Nevada, and this year, we're all about innovation. It's something I've been thinking about a lot the past few years, as I watch Reno reinvent itself. When you log on to vote, you'll see what I mean. Be creative in your thinking.

We've added new categories, based on the “Freestyle” results from last year. We've also removed the least voted-in categories and combined some others. The biggest change you'll see is we've added an autocomplete function so that when you start typing in an answer, a list partially based on last year's winners will come up. If you don't see your intended nomination on the list, just keep typing. As we see trends in the voting, we'll add to the autocomplete list.

Why the autocomplete list? Two reasons: First, we see this as a way of making results more accurate. Why should a chain store beat a locally owned and operated store just because there are more of the chain stores? Bigger doesn't always mean better. Second, we're trying to make the counting easier and more accurate. Do you know how many ways there are to spell “Ascuaga,” for example, or how many “Nuggets” there are in Northern Nevada?

Of course, it does create the potential for a chain to win first, second and third-place spots. But you know me, I love the chaos.

I'm excited. If you've been around, you know how we like to mix this thing up, using local artists and themes to make it our most anticipated issue of the year. Well, this year, we have an idea that'll induce eyegasms.

I love it when a plan comes together. At least, I hope it all comes together because by the time you read this, I should be 6,535 miles away, trying to avoid international incidents.