Personalities

Editors’ choices

Best local activist

Pam Russell

For almost as long as anyone can remember, Pam Russell has been helping people who are hurting. These days, she directs the Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra, an organization that assists women who got off track in their teens or thereabouts get back on track. Before that, she worked for Washoe Legal Services. Before that, she was with United Way. Before that, she was with the Committee to Aid Abused Women. Somewhere in there, the region lost her for a time while she was running Turning Point of LeHigh Valley, a domestic abuse agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania. With any kind of luck, we won’t lose her again, because she’s a community asset.

Best local politician

David Parks

The “best local politician” category is always an interesting one. And the winner often also places in the “Most handsome or “Most beautiful” categories. Nevada is home to a lot of dedicated public servants, but perhaps the most exemplary among them is Nevada Senator David Parks. Parks was elected to the state senate back in 2008 and, before that, served in the state assembly since the 1997 session. Yep, Parks is from Southern Nevada, but every other year he parks his butt in Carson City from February to June to make a difference for all Nevadans. Parks is a consistent Democrat. He was the state’s first openly gay legislator. He stands up for LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, workers’ rights and more—and he does it all in his characteristic, slightly buttoned-up, well-spoken way.

Readers’ choices

Best aesthetician

1. Teresa Martinez

Posh Salon, 250 Crummer Lane, 826-7674

2. Jeri Miles

Murphy Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, 10401 Double R Blvd., 322-3446

3. Elvia Ledezma

Dolce Vita Wellness Spa, 730 Sandhill Road, 772-0032

Best attorney

1. Marilyn York

548 California Ave., 324-7979

2. Joey Gilbert

201 W. Liberty St., 574-4774

3. Jerry Snyder

429 W. Plumb Lane, 499-5648

Best barber

1. Vincent Gravallese

Derby Supply Company, 123 W. First. St., 440-1930

2. Patrick Sutton

Maxwell’s Barbershop, 555 S. Virginia St., 322-2466

3. Joe Foley

Commonwealth Barber Company, 200 S. Center St., 409-4972

Best barista

1. Matthew LeBlanc

Bibo Coffee Co., 945 Record St., 348-8087

2. Hannah Beesley

The Roost, 651 Booth St., 399-3855

Best bartender

1. Lacey Shea

Shea’s Tavern, 715 S. Virginia St., 786-4774

2. Annalisa Suarez

Pignic Pub & Patio, 235 Flint St., 376-1948

3. Toray Manwarren

Blind Dog Tavern, 50 N. Sierra St.

Best budtender

1. Brian Salazar

Blüm, 1085 S. Virginia St., 420-2586

2. Ashley Brunson

Mynt Cannabis Dispensary, 132 E. Second St., 686-6968

3. Alanna Hendrix

Kanna Reno Dispensary, 5398 Sun Valley Blvd., 674-0420

Best chiropractor

1. Dr. Todd Stevenson

Peak Performance Chiropractic, 241 Ridge St., 786-7325

2. Dr. Ricky Delacruz

Delacruz Chiropractic, 140 W. Huffaker Lane, 313-5494

3. Dr. Brittni J. Grider

Life Force NV, 2295 S. Virginia St., 685-8966

Best club or event DJ

1. Erik Riekenberg

Epik Weddings & Events, 748 S. Meadows Pkwy., 250-3745

2. Kenneth “DJ Kentot” Allen

Amplified Entertainment, 830-0689

3. Stephen “DJ Eyeque” Rivera

Quedup Entertainment, 501-5550

Best college instructor

1. Bob Felten

University of Nevada, Reno

2. Kurt Ehlers

Truckee Meadows Community College

3. Greg Nielsen

University of Nevada, Reno

Best creative writer

1. Christopher Daniels

2. Mikalee Byerman

3. Mark Maynard

Best dance instructor

1. Fanci Valles

The Loft Dance Theater Arts, 7025 Longley Lane, 762-5376

2. Haleigh Hoff

Nevada Dance Academy, 1790 W. Fourth St., 323-4227

3. Diana Sweeney

Creative Edge Dance Studio, 9475 Double R Blvd., 430-6416

Best dentist

1. Champagne Family Dentistry

735 Sparks Blvd., Sparks, 359-3934

2. Sala Family Dentistry

4875 Summit Ridge Drive, 473-9110

3. Dr. John Bocchi

Sierra Smiles, 5465 Kietzke Lane, 786-1911

Best elementary school teacher

1. Jesseca Lunardelli

Smithridge STEM Academy

Best family doctor

1. Dr. David Zucker

645 N. Arlington Ave., 329-2525

2. Dr. Andy Pasternak

10467 Double R Blvd., 853-9394

3. Dr. Amanda Magrini

5975 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 352-3080

Best gynecologist

1. Dr. Staci Paul

OB/GYN Associates, 645 N. Arlington Ave., 329-6241

2. Dr. Stacy E. Mellum

OB/GYN Associates, 645 N. Arlington Ave., 329-6241

3. Hilton Pollock

Associated Gynecology, 3645 Warren Way, 825-3838

Best hair stylist

1. Brian Jensen

Jensen & Co., 495 Morrill Ave., 657-6576

2. Stephanie Arredondo

An Epic Salon, 215 15th St., Sparks, 384-1848

3. Katie Catt

An Epic Salon, 215 15th St., Sparks, 384-1848

Best high school teacher

1. Rod Hearn

Damonte Ranch High School

2. Brent Busboom

Reno High School

3. Joseph Garton

Sparks High School

Best interior designer

1. Sarah Blackbern

Sarah Blackbern Interiors, 636-0699

2. Jade Bogan

Jade Moana, P.O. Box 999, Truckee, California

Best local activist

1. Meredith Tanzer

2. Bob Fulkerson

Best local actor/actress

1. Stacy Johnson

2. Christopher Daniels

3. Mary Bennett

Best local athlete

1. David Wise

2. Cody Martin

3. Jordan Caroline

Best local author

1. Mikalee Byerman

2. Laura Newman

3. Mark Maynard

Best local columnist

1. Cory Farley

Reno Gazette Journal

2. Bruce van Dyke

Reno News & Review

3. Kris Vagner

Double Scoop/Reno News & Review

Best local filmmaker

1. Emily Skyle-Golden

2. Tyler Bourns

Best local musician

1. Grace Hayes

2. Milton Merlos

3. Kayla Rae

Best local politician

1. Hillary Schieve

2. Oscar Delgado

3. Julia Ratti

Best local radio DJ or DJ team

1. Chris Payne

Alt 92.1

2. Bill, Deanna and RJ

Alice 96.5

3. Bella Rios

95.5 The Vibe

Best local rapper

1. Savy Balboa

2. Feeki

3. Eli McCoy

Best local songwriter

1. Grace Hayes

2. Gina Rose

3. Spike McGuire

Best local TV news anchor

1. Kristen Remington

KTVN

2. Joe Hart

KRNV

3. Landon Miller

KTVN

Best massage therapist

1. Robert Baum

Baum Therapy, 895 E. Patriot Blvd., 247-4947

2. Keisha Curtis

Sol State Massage, 505 South Arlington Ave., 530 250-5949

3. Karli Endres

Dolce Vita Wellness Spa, 730 Sandhill Road, 772-0032

Best middle school teacher

1. Shaughn Richardson

Traner Middle School

2. Levi Watson

Mount Rose School

3. Martha Taylor

Clayton Middle School

Best minister/spiritual advisor

1. Christopher Daniels

2. Jessica Levity

3. David Pretlove

Best model

1. Cassi Salo

2. Holden Wunders

3. Natalin Luke

Best muralist

1. Joe C. Rock

2. Anthony Ortega

3. Erik Burke

Best music teacher

1. Tim Wood

2. Terry Thompson

3. Eric Stangeland

Best nail technician

1. Shannon Ochoa

Jensen & Co., 495 Morrill Ave., 657-6576

2. Riley Catt

Catt’s Claws, 215 S. Wells Ave., 379-237

3. Megan Lang

Nails by Megan L., 4875 Kietzke Lane, 843-7635

Best personal trainer

1. Sherilyn Cabanting Allen

Orangetheory Fitness Reno, 8056 S. Virginia St., 800-2308

2. Mena Spodobalski

Evoke Fitness, 895 E. Patriot Blvd., 827-1995

3. Morgan Dawn

Sports West Athletic Club, 1575 S. Virginia St., 348-6666

Best pet groomer

1. Lulu’s Pet Grooming

11331 S. Virginia St., 852-5252

2. Groomingdale’s Paw Spa

4840 Vista Blvd, Sparks, 683-3311

3. CJ’s Dog Grooming

4690 Longley Lane, 443-6883

Best photographer

1. Epik Weddings & Events

748 S. Meadows Pkwy., 250-3745

2. Alexa Woodmancy

Woodmancy Photography, 843-8215

3. Macu Binette

Macu Binette Photography, www.facebook.com/macubinettephotography

Best Pilates instructor

1. Lisa Castaneda

Evoke Fitness, 895 E. Patriot Blvd., 827-1995

2. Maddison Paul

Juice Box Yoga, 1635 Robb Drive, 971-8292

3. Meagan Ball

Ball Fitness Studios, 460 California Ave., 324-3224

Best plastic surgeon

1. Dr. Tiffany McCormack

10791 Double R Blvd., 284-2020

2. Dr. James Murphy

10401 Double R Blvd., 322-3446

3. Dr. Louis Bonaldi

6630 S. McCarran Blvd., 828-7400

Best police officer

1. Jason Soto

Reno Police Chief

2. Darin Balaam

Washoe County Sheriff

3. Tim Broadway

Reno Police Department

Best power couple

1. Jennifer Janiga & Timothy Janiga

2. Erik Riekenberg & Frances Riekenberg

3. Bella Rios & Mike Meraz

Best principal

1. Krissy Brown

Mount Rose School

2. Jeff Batavia

Rollan Melton Elementary School

3. Brianne Thoreson

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School

Best public relations professional

1. Abbi Whitaker

Abbi Agency, 1385 Haskell St., 323-2977

2. Sara Robbins

The Row, www.therowreno.com

3. Kerry Sutherland

K. Sutherland Public Relations, 18 Winter St., 360-6101

Best real estate agent

1. Kayla Dalton

Dickson Realty, 4870 Vista Blvd., Sparks, 685-8800

2. Rogelio Garcia

Keller Williams Group One, 10539 Professional Circle, 502-9887

3. Sarah Scattini Goles

Re/Max Premier Properties, 5476 Reno Corporate Drive, 544-5412

Best tattoo artist

1. Tony Medellin

Lasting Dose Tattoo & Art Collective, 888 S. Virginia St., 324-0666

2. Joe Zeigler

Absolute Tattoo, 707 S. Wells Ave., 324-2223

3. Ron Rash

Twofold Tattoo, 28 Hillcrest Drive, 737-9079

Best therapist/counselor

1. Leslie Delacruz

403 Flint St., 233-6789

2. Caitlyn Wallace

Renown Behavioral Health, 850 Mill St.

3. Nora Ann Brucklacher

Sierra Sunrise Wellness Group, 855 S. Center St., 224-0703

Best veterinarian

1. Klaich Animal Hospital

1990 S. Virginia St., 826-1212

2. Dr. Christina Martini

Southwest Veterinary Hospital, 960 W. Moana Lane, 825-7984

3. Mountainview Animal Hospital

6474 Bonde Lane, 853-6900

Best visual artist

1. Matthew McDowell

2. Anthony Ortega

3. Jaxon Northon

Best volunteer

1. Evelyn Mount

2. Shanda Golden

Best wedding planner

1. Karie MacLeod

She Said Yes Weddings and Events, 240 Bonnie Briar Place, 276-8798

2. The Hytch

526-0441

3. Emily McClintock

Jàlie Premier Event Planning, 901-0567

Best yoga instructor

1. Angie Fraley

om2yoga.com

2. Tanya Rose Bordner

yogajuicebox.com

3. Kelly Aguilera

www.sacredrootsreno.com

Most beautiful person

1. Kristen Remington

2. Frances Riekenberg

Most handsome person

1. Erik Riekenberg

2. Arnie States