In 1994, Westword published its eleventh Best of Denver issue, a celebration of the city that saluted everything from Best Italian Restaurant (the brand-new Carmine’s on Penn) to Best Makeover (the renovated Herb’s Hideout) to Best New Arts Venue (the Bug, on Navajo Street) to Best News for Blues (the reopened Bluebird Theater). But 1994 wasn’t all about things that had opened: By then, Denver International Airport had already missed one opening date, and it would also blow through our Best Guess When Denver International Airport Will Open. But one DIA feature was right on time, and right on target: Gary Sweeney’s “America, Why I Love Her,” the Best New Public Art.
DIA’s budget included $7.5 million for art, and although a few pieces flopped and one — Luis Jimenez’s horse — is now thirteen years late, Sweeney’s “America: Why I Love Her” is legendary. To create the large wooden map, Sweeney (a longtime fixture on the local art scene, and also a Continental baggage handler) traveled the country snapping pictures of odd tourist attractions. More than 200 of them — everything from Dan Blocker Memorial Head to the Steven Canyon statue in Idaho Springs — are featured on DIA’s most beloved feature. Sadly, when Continental pulled its planned hub from the finally open airport, Sweeney wound up relocating to San Antonio, where he continues to work for the airline — and continues to make art. But he left behind yet another reason to love Denver.
Here are the rest of the winners from 1994:
BEST OF DENVER 1994
PEOPLE & PLACES
Best Guess for When Denver International Airport Will Open: November 23, 1994 Readers' Choice: Never
Best Use for DIA Until Then: Thrill rides on the baggage system Readers' Choice: Homeless shelter
Best Way to Pay for DIA: Project DEBTOR (Decisions Enabling Bond Termination or Retirement) Readers' Choice: Garnish Federico Pena's wages
Best Song About DIA: Pam Clifton
Best Hotel at DIA: N/A
Best Joke About DIA: Governor Roy Romer
Best Joke at DIA: Gary Sweeney
Best Airport: World Indoor Airport, Metropolitan State College
Best DIA Grounds Crew: Boyer vs. Boyer
Best Airport Kvetch: Gene Amole, Rocky Mountain News
Best Religious Experience: World Youth Day
Best World Youth Day Souvenir: The Pope Mug
Best World Youth Day Kvetch: Arapahoe County Sheriff Pat Sullivan
Best Religious Transformation: Old BMH Synagogue Building
Best Good Deed by Firefighters: George Romero and Michael Kimsey, Denver Fire Department
Best Good Deed by a Cop: Officer Phil Newton, Denver Police Department
Best Good Deed by an Amateur: Loyal Burner
Best Volunteer: Shannon Castle
Best Brainiacs: Odyssey of the Mind Team, George Washington High School
Best New Undertaking: Calvin Natt
Best Philanthropy: Two Percent Club
Best Cutting-Edge Philanthropy: WhizBang!
Best Military Maneuver: Colorado Army National Guard
Best News for Fruits and Vegetables: House Bill 1290
Best Public Servants: Legislative Bill Room Clerks
Best Local Politician: Walter Cass, Moffat Tunnel Commission Readers' choice: Pat Schroeder
Best Imitation of a Local Politician: Loren Smith, Clive Cussler's Inca Gold
Best Hobby of a Local Politician's Aide: Chasing Butch Cassidy, Dan Buck, of Pat Schroeder's office
Best Political Prank: Henry Alford
Best Accidental Legislator: State Senator Mike Feeley
Best-Dressed Legislator: State Senator Paul Weissmann
Best City Council Contrarians: Mary DeGroot and Ted Hackworth
Best Sportsmanship: Denver Broncos
Best Tribute to a Good Sport: Billy Blues Barbecue Restaurant
Best Use of a Crack House: Family Star Child and Parent Education Center
Best Poetry Slam: Douglas Bruce
Best Poetry Flashback: Rodolfo "Corky" Gonzales
Best Poetry About DIA: Lou Malandra
Best Radical Cheek: The Lesbian Avengers
Best Appearance by a Local Lesbian in Seventeen Magazine: Melanie Klomp
Best New Law: House Bill 1164
Best Proof That Getting Fired Can Help Your Career: Peter Boyles, KTLK-AM 760
Best Proof That Getting Fired At Can Help Your Career: Ken Hamblin, KNUS-AM 710
Best Proof That There's Life After Sitcoms: Claudia Lamb, KHOW-AM 630
Best Ten O'Clock News: KMGH-TV Channel 7 Readers' Choice: KCNC-TV Channel 4
Best Hair on a Local TV Personality (Male): Alan Gionet, KCNC-TV Channel 4 Readers' Choice: Ron Zappolo
Best Hair on a Local TV Personality (Female): Anne Trujillo, KMGH-TV Channel 7 Readers' Choice: Aimee Sporer
Best Hair-Splitting of a TV Personality: Sherry Sellers, KUSA-TV Channel 9
Best Local TV News Anchor: Adele Arakawa, KUSA-TV Channel 9 Readers' Choice: (tie) Bill Stuart and Aimee Sporer
Best Local TV Weathercaster: Ron Allen, KMGH-TV Channel 7 Readers' Choice: (tie) Larry Green and Mike Nelson
Best Local TV Sportscaster: Les Shapiro, KCNC-TV Channel 4 Readers' Choice: Ron Zappolo
Best Local Radio Talk-Show Host: Scott Hastings, KTLK-AM 760 Readers' Choice: Ken Hamblin
Best Name for a Local Radio Talk-Show Host: Bob Heckler, KNUS-AM 710
Best Crackpot Radio Guest: Stewart Webb
Best Curbside Newspaper Vendor: Twyman Brown
Best Scoop: Air Jordan's retirement, Mike Monroe, Denver Post
Best Newspaper Feud: Woody "Fatboy" Paige vs. Norm "The Notes Clown" Clarke
Best Broadcast Feud: Bob Enyart vs. Mason Lewis
Best High-Brow Feud: Judith Albino vs. the Board of Regents
Best Monument to a Feud: Thatcher Fountain, City Park
Best Newly Dedicated Monument: The Dalton Trumbo Free Speech Fountain,University of Colorado-Boulder
Best Tabloid Trial: Crystal Cartier vs. Michael Jackson
Best Tabloid College Course: Journalism 4871-810: Topics/Issues in Gender Media, University of Colorado-Boulder
Best Tabloid News Flash From Colorado: Weekly World News
Best Colorado Connection to the Tonya-and-Nancy Story: Shawn Eckardt
Best Colorado Connection to the Heidi Fleiss Story: Samantha Renee Burdette
Best Appearance by a Coloradan in Playboy: Casey Gray
Best Appearance by a Coloradan in Playgirl: Greg Lane
Best Self-Proclaimed Former Part-Time Prostitute: Roseanne Arnold
Best Hooker History: Phil Goodstein
Best Flying Object in a Local TV Commercial (Human): Dealin' Doug
Best Flying Object in a Local TV Commercial (Nonhuman): Franklin D. Azar's car
Best Balloon Payments: Bongo, Pearl Street Mall, Boulder
Best Capitalist: John Malone
Best Capitalist Punishment: John Malone
Best Arms Export: Soldier of Fortune
Best Disarmament Campaign: Felix L. Sparks
Best Visiting Dignitary: William Webster
Best Funeral: Bagpiper Gordon Speirs, Garden of the Gods
Best Candidate for a Funeral: Rocky Flats
Best Move by a Dead Guy: Major William Cooke Daniels
Best Deathbed Confessions: Lenny Jaramillo, Out Front
Best Sacred Visit: The Ganden Jangtse Tibetan Monks
Best Speed Trap: Emerson Street Readers' Choice: Speer Boulevard (assorted locations)
Best Road Construction Project: Broadway Readers' Choice: Speer Boulevard/Sixth Avenue underpass
Best Construction Site: Coors Field
Best Comedown: 16th Street Viaduct
Best Missing Link: RTD's Light Rail
Best Place to Watch Trains: Julesburg
Best Place to Watch Trains From a Porta-Potty: Limbach Park, Monument
Best New Old Neighborhood: North Downtown
Best Save by the Rockies: Union Pacific Headhouse
Best Reprieve From the Wrecking Ball: Rocky Mountain Consistory
Best Neon Sign: Benjamin Moore Paints Readers' Choice: The Cat Hospital
Best Appearance on Letterman by a Colorado Human: Amanda Archuleta, Fort Lupton
Best Appearance on Letterman by a Colorado Dog: Racer, Colorado Springs
Best Appearance on Letterman's Property by a Colorado Human: Margaret Ray
Best Letterman Top 10 List Devoted to a Former Coloradan: "Ten Signs You're in Love With Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena"
Best Resurrection of an Historic Trail (Urban): Colfax Avenue
Best Resurrection of an Historic Trail (Rural): Old Spanish Trail
Best Colfax Avenue Memory: Eddie Bohn's Pig `N' Whistle
SPORTS & RECREATION
Best Rockie: Andres Galarraga Readers' Choice: Andres Galarraga
Best New Rockie: Ellis Burks
Best Future Rockie: Quinton McCracken, New Haven Ravens
Best Homeric Measure by a Local Ballclub: The Rockies' new rule on home runs
Best Place to Live and Breathe Baseball: Mile High Stadium
Best Major-League Tradition: The Rockpile at Mile High
Best Number: 4,485,350
Best Sporting Activity With a Score: Classical Music River Journey, Dvorak's Kayak & Rafting
Best Sports Color: "Rocky Mountain Evergreen"
Best Rockies Book: Colorado Rockies: The Inaugural Season
Best Front-Office Executive: Bob Gebhard, Rockies
Best Team Trainer: Dave Cilladi, Rockies
Best Local Sports Team: Denver Nuggets Readers' Choice: Denver Nuggets
Best Nugget: Dikembe Mutombo Readers' Choice: Dikembe Mutombo
Best New Nugget: Rodney Rogers
Best Local Sports Coach: Dan Issel, Nuggets Readers' Choice: Dan Issel
Best Coach Quote: George Karl, Seattle Supersonics
Best Local Sports Mascot: Rocky, Denver Nuggets Readers' Choice: Rocky, Denver Nuggets
Best Easter Parade: Crested Butte
Best Bronco: John Elway Readers' Choice: John Elway
Best New Bronco: Anthony Miller
Best Boxer: Jerome Hill, middleweight
Best Swordswoman: Elaine Cheris
Best Race Driver: Michael Pettiford
Best Private Golf Course: Castle Pines Golf Club, Castle Rock Readers' Choice: Hiwan Golf Club, Evergreen
Best Public Golf Course: Fox Hollow at Lakewood Readers' Choice: Wellshire Golf Course
Best Place to Hit a Bucket of Balls in the Middle of Nowhere: Adventure Mountain Driving Range
Best Golf Hole: No. 13, Arrowhead Golf Club
Best Golf Shot: Dave Holman, No. 11
Best Place to Meet an Eagle: Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Area Eagle Watch Access
Best Public Tennis Courts: Washington Park
Best Ski Run for Aging Knees: Heavenly Days, Steamboat Springs Readers' Choice: Cranmer, Winter Park
Best Shredder Run: Floral Park, Berthoud Pass Readers' Choice: East Wall, A-Basin
Best Bump Run: Outhouse, Winter Park Readers' Choice: Outhouse
Best Ski Runs for Beginners: Discovery Park, Winter Park
Best Ski Run--Extreme: Spellbound/Flash/Phoenix, Crested Butte
Best Dog Run: Eagle Open Area
Best Skiing Within an Hour of Denver: Loveland Basin
Best Late-Spring Ski Trip: Quandary Peak, West side of Hoosier Pass
Best Summer Snow: Mount Evans
Best Cross-Country Ski Trip to a Hot Springs: Conundrum Hot Springs
Best Hot Springs: Indian Springs Resort, Idaho Springs
Best Shvitz for Ladies: Lake Steam Bath
Best Ladies' Locker Room: Denver Athletic Club
Best Holistic Adventure for Women: Keystone Women's Mountain Tune-up Mini Spa
Best Birding in the Metro Area: Chatfield State Park
Best Urban Birding: Skyscrapers in downtown Denver
Best Play-by-Play Announcing: Charlie Jones and Dave Campbell, Rockies games
Best Ballpark Vendor at the Rockies Games: Johnsonville Bratwurst Readers' Choice: Coors
Best Lemonade Concession: Mile High Stadium
Best Preseason Baseball Ticket Deals: Colorado Springs Sky Sox
Best Uniforms: Colorado State University football
Best Place to See a Baseball Player With His Socks Showing: Vintage Baseball Association games, Four Mile Historic Park
Best Golden Buff (Woman): Shelley Sheetz, basketball
Best Golden Buff (Man): Chris Hudson, football
Best Player Quote: Kordell Stewart, CU quarterback
Best College Coach: Ceal Barry, CU basketball
Best DU Hockey Player: Angelo Ricci
Best Switch-Hitter: Geri Lisa Fritz
Best Place to Swim Bare: Mountain Air Ranch
Best Place to Swim (Bear): Aspen Ritz-Carlton
Best Indoor Pool for Adults: Westminster Swim & Fitness Center
Best Outdoor Pool: Congress Park Swimming Pool
Best Beach: Aurora Reservoir
Best Contest for Ugly Ducklings: Belly Flop Contest, Water World
Best Contest for Wannabe Olympians: Colorado State Games
Best Pickup Basketball Game: Glenarm Recreation Center Readers' Choice: Washington Park
Best Softball Field: Rude Recreation Center Readers' Choice: Garland Park
Best Trainer for the Exercise-Impaired: Sandra Smith
Best Place to Run in the Metro Area: High Line Canal between Hampden and Orchard avenues
Best Colorado Race in Cuba: Ernest Hemingway International 10K
Best City Run: Twilight Run, City Park
Best Foothills Run: Blood Cancer Run, Eldorado Springs
Best Place to Go the Distance: All-Comers Track Meets
Best Place to Conquer Acrophobia: Royal Gorge 10K Challenge
Best Also-Ran Run: Denver International Marathon
Best Bike Path: Boulder Creek Bike Path Readers' Choice: Cherry Creek
Best Way to Take Off at DIA: HeartRide
Best Bike Ride in the Middle of the Night: Moonlight Classic
Best Mountain Bike Trail: White Ranch Readers' Choice: Waterton Canyon
Best Way to Get Pumped Up: Bike to Work Day, Colorado Bike Week
Best Lowdown on Low riders: Royalty Car Club
Best Bargain Pool Game: Washington Park Grill
Best Place to Get Shot: Rampart Range Paintball Field
Best Place to Get a Fast Outdoors Fix: Lair o' the Bear Open Space Park
Best Mountain Park: Elk Meadow
Best Wildlife Course: Waterton Watershed Series, Front Range Natural Science School
Best City Park: Confluence Park
Best Sunday Drive: Bergen Park to Echo Lake to Idaho Springs
Best Place to See a Mountain Man in Action: Mountain Man Rendezvous, The Fort Restaurant
Best Outdoor Ice-Skating: Evergreen Lake
Best Indoor Climbing: Paradise Rock Gym
Best Virtual Reality Experience: Boardwalk USA
Best Indoor Amusement Center: Leaps and Bounds
Best Fast-Food Indoor Amusement Center: McDonald's
Best Place to Skateboard: Scott Carpenter Park Readers' Choice: DIA
Best Place for Illegal In-line Skating: Cherry Creek Shopping Center Readers' Choice: 16th Street Mall
Best Place for Legal In-line Skating: Tortilla Flat Restaurant
Best Place to Get Your Kicks: Colorado Foxes games, Mile High Stadium
Best Over-Thirty League Team: Boulder Red Sox
Best Over-Thirty League Player: J. Michael Russell
Best Prep Athlete: Jayson Peterson
Best Unknown Football Team: Colorado College Tigers
Best Thoroughbred: Madame Frank
Best Quarter Horse: Victory Coin
Best Jockey: Carl Kutz
Best Greyhound (Sprinter): Pat C Montecarlo
Best Greyhound (Distance): Princess Sally
Best Contest in a Bar: Hamster Races, Laddy's Restaurant and Bar
Best Bar Game: RollerBall, Sports World Bar & Grill Aurora; Barney's
Best Sports Bar: Wazoo's on Wazee
Best Traffic Thinner: Brooklyn's
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Best Place to Watch The Simpsons: The Sink
Best Comedy Club: Comedy Works, Larimer Square
Best-Dressed Band: 16 Horsepower
Best Rock Club: Lion's Lair Readers' choice: Aqua Lounge
Best Rap Artists No One Knows Are From Denver: Tag Team
Best Heavy-Metal Club: Alibi's Readers' Choice: Bangles
Best Proof That Ownership Changes Need Not Be Fatal: Seven South
Best Candidate for Resurrection: Boulder Theater
Best New Old Venue: Ogden Theatre
Best Booking: Cricket on the Hill
Best Improvement in Booking Policy: Fox Theatre and Cafe
Best Hole-in-the-Wall Club: Club 156, University Memorial Center, CU-Boulder campus
Best Black Light Club: Modeans
Best Hip-Hop Club: Club AD
Best All-Ages Club: Ground Zero Readers' Choice: Saturdays at Rock Island
Best All-Ages Open Stage: Wednesdays at the Mercury Cafe
Best Open Stage: Sundays at Cricket on the Hill
Best Listening Room: Swallow Hill Music Association
Best C&W Club: The Grizzly Rose Readers' Choice: The Grizzly Rose
Best Blues Club: Ziggie's Saloon Readers' Choice: Ziggie's
Best Jazz Club: El Chapultepec Readers' Choice: El Chapultepec
Best News for Denver's Jazz and Blues Scene: Bluebird Theatre, Vartan Jazz Club
Best Meat Market: 1082 Broadway
Best Club DJ: Paul Italiano Readers' Choice: Emad at Klub Kaos
Best Radio DJ: Brett Saunders, KTCL-FM 93.3
Best Public Radio DJ: Chas Gale, KUVO-FM 89.3
Best Requests: Livin', Lovin' and Leavin' Songs, KYGO-FM 98.5
Best Reborn Music Series: KTCL's MusicLink, Mercury Cafe
Best Audio Babysitter: KKYD-AM 1340
Best Place to Be Young and Urban: Big Fridays at Rock Island
Best Place to Be Young, Urban and Gay: Club 69 at the Aqua Lounge
Best Neighborhood Gay Bar: The Compound
Best Gay Bar for Porn-Star Wannabes: Colorado Triangle Lounge
Best Drag Show: Lipstick at the Metro Express Club
Best Gay Bar for Beginning Drag Queens: The Outlet
Best Concert of the Year: George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, December 11, 1993, Ogden Theatre Readers' Choice: Pink Floyd
Best New Year's Eve Show: Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Ogden Theatre
Best Reason Not to Complain About the Moody Blues Coming Back to Town This Summer: Charitable Donations by Fey Concerts
Best Summer Concert Series: Chautauqua Auditorium
Best Jazz Series: Creative Music Works
Best Classical Music Festival: Colorado Music Festival, Chautauqua Auditorium
Best Music to Go: The Strolling Strings of Aurora high schools
Best Dancing in the Street: LoDo Music Festival
Best Summer Family Musical Outing That Costs: Denver Botanic Gardens Concert Series
Best Summer Family Musical Outing That's Free: Museum of Outdoor Arts' Lunch Beats Concert Series, Samson Park, Fiddler's Green Circle at Greenwood Plaza
Best Place to Play the Tuba: The Annual Christmas Tuba Concert
Best Place for a Tuba to Play: Denver Municipal Band Summer Concerts
Best Local Rock Band: Spell Readers' Choice: Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Best Rock Recording: Mean Uncle Mike, A Mechanism for Crying
Best Local Band Video: "Joy," Tie Up Michelle
Best DJ From Hell: Boyd Rice
Best Arresting Performances: The Boys in Blue
Best Musical Reunion: Pete and Brian Nalty in the Jinns
Best Musical Union: The Christina Hollar Benefits
Best Rock-and-Roll Soap Opera: The Babihed Saga
Best Living Tribute to T.D. Lingo: Neil Slade & the Brain Revolutionaries
Best Gig Flyers: Foreskin 500
Best Local Record Label: The Caustic Fish Company
Best Commercial Breakthrough by a Local Band: Big Head Todd and the Monsters
Best Local Rap Group/Artist: Cool eMCees Readers' Choice: Lord of the Word and the Disciples of Bass
Best Rap Recording: Various Artists, An Inner Circle Soundtrack
Best Local Heavy-Metal Band: Wretched Refuse Readers' Choice: Chatterbox
Best Local Instrumental Rock Band: Fourth Estate
Best Local Dance Band: Lord of Word and the Disciples of Bass Readers' Choice: Monkey Siren
Best Local C&W Band/Artist: Celeste Krenz Readers' Choice: Timothy P. & Rural Route 3
Best Bluegrass Recording: Pete Wernick, On a Roll
Best Local Folkie: Willie Jaeger Readers' Choice: (tie) The Mother Folkers and Mary Flower
Best Folkloric Series: The Canciones del Pasado Project
Best Band Name: Dictator Tot
Best Irish Band: Colcannon
Best Blues Band/Musician: Stanley Milton's Mean Streak Readers' Choice: Underground Railroad
Best Local Blues Recording: Mary Flower, Blues Jubilee
Best Local Jazz Up-and-Comer: Rudy Royston
Best Local Jazz Band/Musician: Fred Hess Ensemble Readers' Choice: Dotsero
Best Local Jazz Recording: Fred Hess, Sweet Thunder
Best Orchestral Maneuvering: Perpetual Motion
Best Rehearsal Hall: McFarlane Foundry, Central City
Best Musical Minimalists: Arkestra Pirata
Best Unclassifiable Recording: Aubrey Carton, The Pleasure Dance
Best Van Cliburn Medalist From Colorado: Christopher Taylor, Boulder Bach Festival
Best Slummin' Cellist: Jonas Tauber
Best Addition to the Colorado Symphony Orchestra: Marin Alsop
Best Live Music Venue That's Really a Gallery: Pirate: A Contemporary Art Oasis
Best Commercial Gallery: Artyard
Best Noncommercial Gallery: Metropolitan State College Center for the Visual Arts
Best Cooperative Gallery: CORE New Art Space
Best Coffeehouse Art: Common Grounds
Best Local Art Gallery Exhibit: Louise Bourgeois, Ginny Williams Family Foundation Readers' Choice: Pirate Gallery
Best Local Museum: Museo de las Americas Readers' Choice: Denver Museum of Natural History
Best Local Museum Exhibit: "Colorado Sculpture: The Object" Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities Readers' Choice: Star Trek: Federation Science, at the Denver Museum of Natural History
Best New Arts Venue: The Bug
Best Factory Tour: Celestial Seasonings
Best Pop Art: Coca-Cola Museum, Heritage Square
Best Monument to Living History: Littleton Historical Museum and Living History Farm
Best Old Toys: Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys, Pierce-McAllister Cottage
Best New Public Art: Denver International Airport Readers' Choice: DIA
Best Art Walk: LoDo First Fridays
Best Outdoor Art Experience: Reflections in City Spaces, Blake's Small Car Salvage, Erie
Best Outdoor Mural: Denver Civic Theatre
Best Indoor Mural: Mexi-Dan's
Best Dog Art: Ralston Purina Dog Chow Logo, Eastbound I-70
Best Yard Art: Passionatta Inner City Garden Project
Best Grocery Store Art: John Higby, Capitol Hill Alfalfa's
Best Outdoor Arts Festival: Conifer Country Affair
Best Indoor Arts Festival: The Art Affairs, Grant-Humphreys Mansion
Best Arts Organization: The Alternative Arts Alliance
Best Fine Art Printmaking Facility: CSK Gallery/Open Press
Best Fine Art Education: Art Students League of Denver
Best Commercial Art Education: Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Best Budding Artist: Michelle Martinez, Denver School of the Arts
Best Art Romp for Kids: Saturdays for Families, Denver Art Museum
Best Driving Culture Tours: The Milagro Tours
Best Walking Culture Tours: Downtown Denver History Walks, Metropolitan State College
Best Real-Life Adventure for Grown-Ups: Inner Reality
Best Dance Showcase: Colorado Dance Festival
Best Inner City Dance Venue: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Theatre
Best Outer City Dance Venue: Space for Dance
Best Place to Do-si-do: Temple Events Center
Best Local Theater Production: Black Elk Speaks, Denver Center Theatre Company Readers' Choice: Black Elk Speaks
Best Production of a Bad Play: Baltimore Waltz, Victorian Theater
Best Performance by a Ghost: Pam Clifton, Rebecca, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Best Production of a Dysfunctional Family Drama: A Breeze From the Gulf, Theatre on Broadway
Best Theater Company Season: Industrial Arts
Best One-Man Show: Don Becker, Back on a Limb, Avenue Theatre
Best Old-Fashioned Fun in the Theater: Stage Door, Hunger Artists
Best Play That Got Rotten Reviews: Romeo and Juliet, Mirror Players
Best Actress: Debra Persoff
Best Supporting Actress: Cheryl McFarren
Best Actor: Christopher Selbie
Best Supporting Actor: Keithwayne Brock Johnson
Best Contrasting Roles by an Actor: Phil Luna
Best Impresario: John Ashton
Best Food Run: Nicholas Nickleby, Parts 1 & 2, Denver Civic Theatre and El Noa Noa
Best Acting Between the Lines: Asphalt Adventures, Chameleon Stage
Best Free Entertainment: International Buskerfest, 16th Street Mall Readers' Choice: 16th Street Mall
Best Parking Deal for Theatergoers: Al Fresco
Best Reason to Be Late to the Theater: DCTC Ten-Ten Tix
Best Movie Theater: The Mayan Readers' Choice: The Mayan
Best High-Tech Movie Theater: The Continental
Best First-Run Bargain Theater: Paradise Village Three
Best Drive-in Theater: Cinderella Twin
Best Movie Theater Snack Bar: Esquire, Mayan, Chez Artiste (tie) Readers' Choice: The Mayan
Best Popcorn: Mayan Theater
Best Pre- or Post-Movie Watering Hole: Chives, An American Bistro
Best Pre-Movie Dinner: Sfuzzi, Cherry Creek Mall
Best Revival: A Streetcar Named Desire, Mayan Theater
Best Film Series: Boulder Public Library
Best Showcase for Unknown Filmmakers: Eye for an I Cinema
Best Denver Film Festival Film: The Piano
Best Denver Film Festival Sleepers: Vacas and The Red Squirrel
Best Local Feature Film: Alferd Packer, The Musical
Best Local Short: Everything Has a Spirit
Best TV Series Set in Denver: Diagnosis: Murder
Best Future Shock: Star Trek: Federation Science, Denver Museum of Natural History
Best Place to Eyeball an Alligator: Tropical Discovery, Denver Zoo
Best Place to Track Down a Dinosaur: Dinosaur Ridge
Best Set for a Horror Movie: Forney Transportation Museum
Best Place to Go Trick-or-Treating: Trick-or-Treat Street, Children's Museum
Best Place to go Autograph Hunting: Tattered Cover Book Store
Best Literary Salons: Capitol Hill Books
Best Marathon Literary Event: Bloomsday Celebration and Reading, Wynkoop Brewing Company
Best PR for Poets: Denver Poets Audio Tape Series
Best Book Festival: Rocky Mountain Book Festival
Best Way to Get Lit for Free: Slack
Best Underground Music Publication: The Seed
Best Underground Music: Starkland Records
GOODS & SERVICES
Best Star Trek Paraphernalia: Starland
Best Nuclear Fallout: Atomic Antiques
Best Funky Furniture: Anthony's Used Furniture
Best Upscale Boutique: Tapestry
Best Upscale Women's Clothing Buys: The Back Room at Loehmann's
Best Junket for Shopaholics: Nordstrom's Sky Trip
Best Hole-in-the-Wall Boutique: Come-Hither
Best Footwear: Garbarini, Larimer Square
Best Place to Indulge in an Imelda Marcos Fantasy: Fashionation
Best Incredibly Cool--and Incredibly Expensive--Cowboy Boots: Cherry Creek Shoe Biz
Best Gay Apparel: The Pink Planet
Best Place for Rich Relatives to Buy Clothes for Your Kids: Gap Kids, Cherry Creek Mall
Best Children's Clothing Consignment Store: Kids Again
Best Place to Buy Boxer Shorts: U-Trau
Best Upscale Eyewear: Europtics
Best Full-Figured Gal Consignment Shop: Christine's UpScale Plus
Best Art of Darkness Store: Benediction
Best Ankle Bracelets: BI Inc.
Best Rubber Room: Uzi
Best 16th Street Mall Vendor: Keys Deluxe Readers' choice: Christian's 50-cent hot dog stand
Best Lollapaloozers: Pandora Jewelry
Best Used Tuxedoes: American Aces
Best One-Stop Antiquing: The Antique Guild/Market
Best Antique Buys: West's Antiques
Best Place to Buy Old Baseball Cards: Bill's Sports Collectables
Best Used Sporting Goods Store: Play It Again Sports
Best Thrift Store: ARC Value Village Readers' Choice: ARC Value Village
Best Thrift Shopping Area: 88th Ave. and Washington St.
Best Flea Market: Mile High Flea Market
Best Place to Buy Mardi Gras Beads: Fat Tuesday
Best Slipcovers: I Do Slipcovers
Best Eclectica: Desert Heart Inc.
Best Erectica: Adult Book & Video
Best All-Around Vice Shop: Jerri's Tobacco Shop
Best Secondhand Smoke: Edward's Tobacco Inc.
Best Mall for Smokers: Northglenn Mall
Best Use of Rhodesian Railroad Ties: The Baobab Tree
Best Folk Art: Fish Head Soup
Best Place to Buy a Creche: Galeria Mexicana
Best Ticket-Stub Promotion: Manos
Best Southwestern Crafts: Casa de Santa Fe
Best Craft Gallery: Show of Hands
Best Wall Mart: Barry's Paint and Wallpaper
Best Art Supplies: H.R. Meininger Co.
Best Snap Judgments: Robert Waxman Camera and Video
Best Place to Buy Someone Else's Old Snapshots: The Gizmo Shop
Best Delivery of Oversize Packages: Bulk Male magazine
Best Delivery of Undersize Packages: Ken Whelpdale, Zoom Delivery of Denver
Best Used Bookstore: Books Books Books
Best Place to Find Out Whodunit: Murder by the Book
Best Community Bookstore: Park Hill Book Store
Best Christian Bookstore: The Ark Book Store
Best Books on Tape: Reel Books, Writer Square
Best African-American Bookstore: Hue-Man Experience
Best Hispanic Bookstore: Cultural Legacy Bookstore
Best Reviews You Can Use: Boulder Bookstore
Best Bookstore for Superheroes: Mile High Comics
Best Bookstore for Antiheroes: All in a Dream
Best Modern First Editions: Bella Luna Books
Best Midnight Copy Service: Kinko's
Best Time to Browse at the Tattered Cover: Monday nights
Best Downtown Newsstand: Johnny's Newsstand
Best Suburban Newsstand: Newsland of Aurora
Best Public Library: Park Hill Branch Library Readers' Choice: Denver Public Library, central branch
Best Language Instructor: Dawn Sprouse, Hamilton Community School
Best Mail Bonding: U.S. Post Office Merchant Station
Best Way to Tick Off Coloradans for Family Values: The Darwin Fish Bumper Plaque
Best Folksy Advice: The Denver Folklore Center
Best Free Advice: Denver Bar Association Legal Clinics
Best Free Advice for Tourists: Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Center
Best Low-Cost Therapy: Professional Psychology Center, University of Denver
Best Do-It-Yourself Gynecological Examination Kit: Personal Insights, Enterprising Women
Best Free Service: Birth Coach, Inc. Readers' Choice: 16th Street Mall shuttle
Best Free Service for Dogs: King Soopers meat department
Best High-Tech Animal Communication: Dog Net, BBS 830-1113
Best High-Touch Animal Communication: Janet Dreifus, The Thoughtful Alternative
Best 24-Hour Veterinarian: North Metro Animal Hospital and Boarding Kennel
Best Horseshoe Sense: Doug Butler
Best Hog Heaven: Clemenswine Memorial Potbellied Pig Sanctuary
Best Cheap Pets: Denver Dumb Friends League
Best Cheep Pets: Contented Birds Domain
Best Place for a New-Age Cat: South Penn Cat Clinic
Best Cat House: The Cat Care Society
Best Cheap CDs: Best Buy
Best Album Selection: Wax Trax
Best Used Vinyl: Twist and Shout
Best Neighborhood Jazz Record Store: Twilight Jazz Discs & Tapes
Best Collection of Used Go-Go's Records: Black and Read
Best Place to Find Old Phonograph Needles: Bosley's TV and Radio
Best Video Rentals (Current Titles): Video City Readers' Choice: Blockbuster
Best Video Rentals (Classics): Videotique Readers' Choice: Blockbuster
Best Combination Romantic Weekend Getaway and Lamaze Class: Hyatt Regency Downtown
Best Way to Spend a Long Lunch Hour: Media Play
Best Used Computers: Discount Used Computer
Best Bulletin Board System: The Pinecliffe BBS
Best Free Public Access to the Internet: Nyx, the Spirit of the Night,Computer Science Department, University of Denver
Best Local Stop on the Information Superhighway: CARL Corp.
Best Alternative School: Colorado's Finest Alternative High School
Best Educational Alternative for Adults: Emily Griffith Opportunity School
Best Institution of Really Higher Learning in a Former Motel: Maharishi Vedic University
Best New-Age Mecca: Naropa Institute
Best Extra-Credit Project: Inferno Effects Corporation
Best Hair-Raising Invention: Alfred Natrasevschi, RoboCut
Best Shoe-Repair Shop: Veto's Shoe Shop
Best Nostalgic Dry Cleaners: Belaire Cleaners
Best Collection of Washing Machines: The Warehouse of Yesteryear
Best Old-Fashioned Dish Towels: Central Bag and Burlap
Best Place to Register for Wedding Gifts: The Artisan Center
Best Place to Buy Wedding Gifts: Tuesday Morning
Best Place to Hold a Wedding Reception: Parkside Suites
Best Outdoor Hitching Post: Panorama Point, Golden Gate Canyon State Park
Best Bed-and-Breakfast: Capitol Hill Mansion
Best Place to Swing From the Chandeliers: Livran's
Best Party Invitations: Bradford Publishing
Best Place to Get Out on the Dance Floor: The Academy of Creative Dance
Best Floor-Sanding Guys: Certified Cleaning Supplies & Equipment
Best Ski-Tuning Guys: Denver Sports
Best Short Hop: RTD's Rockies Ride, Market Street Station
Best Way to Get Folks on the Bus: Eco Pass
Best Airline: Morris Air Readers' Choice: United
Best Place to Ride Out of Town on a Railcar: RNTX Corporation
Best Valet Parking: Larimer Square Readers' Choice: Cherry Creek Mall
Best Place to Buy a Teddy Bear: Coppelia Classical Dolls, Bears and Cookie Jar
Best Alternative to Barbie: Jus' Like Me!
Best Toy for Grown-ups: Cross Conditioning Systems
Best Mobile Munchies: Tasty Taxi
Best Mobiles: Wimmer-Ferguson Child Products Inc.
Best Recovery Room: The Get Well Shop
Best Place to Buy Roses: Blue Moon Floral & Gifts
Best Nursery: Dardano's Flowerland Readers' Choice: (tie) Dardano's and Tagawa Garden Center & Florist
Best Place to Get Free Fertilizer: Echter's Greenhouse and Gardens
Best Free Seeds: Colorado State University Cooperative Extension Seed and Plant Giveaway
Best Free Botanical Advice: Denver Botanic Gardens' Helen Fowler Library
Best Living Carpet: Applewood Seed Co.
Best Use of a Dead Tree: David Mitchell, The Enchanted Forest
Best Christmas Tree Lot: Rocky Mountain Fireworks Readers' Choice: Sears, Cherry Creek
Best Use for Christmas Trees When They're Dead: Treecycle Mulch Giveaway,City of Denver
Best Place to Buy Garden Hats: Hobby Lobby
Best Place to Buy a Cactus: City Floral Greenhouse
Best Place to Buy a Grotto: Ruins Etc.
Best Ruin Repair: Boltswagon Car Care
Best Place to Buy an Auto: H.M. Brown & Associates
Best Comeback: Ice cream trucks
Best Place to Study the Classics: Soneff's Master Garage Inc.
Best Place to Take an Indian: Harry's Motors
Best Place to Buy Wooden Indians: Pro Tint
Best Wood: Centennial Wood Inc.
Best Hardware Store: True Value General Hardware
Best Used Tools: Charlie's 2nd Hand Store, Inc.
Best Place to Buy Used Chrome: V&R Job Lot Co.
Best Cooking Instructor: Aurwan "Noy" Farrell
Best Cooking School: The Seasoned Chef
Best Kitchen Soul: Peppercorn Gourmet Goods, Peppercorn Collection
Best Boon for Brown-Baggers: HaSQA-WARE
Best Herbal Remedies: Green Earth Farm
Best Local Bottled Water: PeakRock Springwater
Best Place to Buy Wine and Beer (Selection): The Wine Company Readers' Choice: Applejack
Best Place to Buy Wine and Beer (Price): Argonaut Liquors Readers' Choice: Argonaut
FOOD & DRINK
Best Asian Deli: Mekong Market
Best Italian Deli: Deli Italia
Best Fresh Pasta: Pasta Pasta Pasta
Best Place to Cut the Cheese: The Cheese Company
Best Smelly Cheese: Old Fashioned Italian Deli
Best Stiff Upper Lip Service: House of Windsor
Best Jewish Deli: Zaidy's Deli
Best Bagels: Finster Brothers Bagels
Best Cinnamon Rolls: Paris Bakery
Best Muffins: The Muffin Company
Best Bakery: Baker's Street
Best Mexican Bakery: Rosales
Best Gourmet-to-Go: Mortensen's
Best Kosher Candy: East Side Kosher Deli
Best Place to Stop and Smell the Roses: Lydia's, Inc.
Best Snapping Turtle: Dale's Exotic Game Meats
Best Place to Still Buy Natural Foods: Wild Oats Market
Best Alfalfa's: 900 E. 11th Ave.
Best Healthy Milkshake: Gab's Sandwiches
Best Vegetable Milkshakes: Pho Pasteur
Best Milkshakes: Gunther Toody's
Best Drink: Mall Exchange
Best Ice Cream Flavor: Jack Daniels, Josh and John's
Best Fountain Cokes: Watson's
Best Place to Drink an "Orange Julie": The lunch counter at Union Station
Best Bar Makeover: Herb's Hideout
Best Bartender: Doc Green, Butterfield Eight
Best Guinness Draw: Sheabeen Irish Pub
Best Beer Selection: The Cherry Cricket
Best Microbrew: Tabernash Brewing Company Readers' Choice: Wynkoop Brewing Company
Best Place to Sample Colorado Beers: Broadway Brewing Company
Best Place to Sample Colorado Wines: Plum Creek Tasting Room
Best Wine List (Price): The Philadelphia Filly Readers' Choice: Cliff Young's
Best Wine List (Selection): Laudisio's Readers' Choice: Flagstaff House
Best Happy Hour for Free Food: Brendan's Market Street Pub Readers' Choice: Aqua Lounge
Best Hot Chocolate: Dietrich's Chocolate and Espresso
Best Iced Tea: Augusta, Westin Hotel Tabor Center
Best Iced Coffee: Colorado Espresso Company
Best Coffeehouse: Paris on the Platte Readers' Choice: St. Mark's
Best Cappuccino: Dario's Restaurant Readers' Choice: Starbucks
Best Espresso: Espresso Roma Readers' Choice: Starbucks
Best Espresso Cart: Eye Opener Espresso
Best Espresso Quickie: Xpresso
Best Espresso for Commuters With a Long Drive: Fly Thru Espresso,Colo.
Best Outdoor Shmoozing: The Market, Larimer Square
Best Place to Watch Teen Vampires: Muddy's Java Cafe
Best Place to Play Chess With Teenagers: Cafe Euphrates
Best Place to Watch Teen Runaways at 2 a.m.: Sun Cafe
Best Clearinghouse for Budding Artists: Dot's Diner
Best Performance: Art by Fast-Food Cooks, Wok to You Chinese Kitchen
Best Metaphysical Readings in a Pizza Place: Wazee Supper Club
Best Freebie From a Waitress: Gennaro's
Best Children's Menu: Paul's Place Readers' Choice: McDonald's
Best Place to Play With Your Food: Caldonia's Roadside BBQ
Best Place to Bone Up: Shorty's Pit Restaurant
Best Drive-in Atmosphere: J-B's Drive's
Best Drive-in Food: Crown Burger
Best Untouched Decor in a Restaurant: Colacci's
Best Place to Be Seen: Barolo Grill
Best Outdoor Deck: Cadillac Ranch, Larimer Square Readers' Choice: Jimmy's Grille
Best Place to Avoid Turkeys: The Vegetarian Thanksgiving Potluck
Best Free Breakfast (With Politics): The State Capitol
Best Free Dinner (With Religion): International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Best Breakfast Under $2: Louie's Cafeteria Readers' Choice: McDonald's
Best Buttermilk Biscuits: Nancy's Restaurant
Best Pancakes: Hot Cakes
Best Breakfast Burrito: Pete's Kitchen
Best a la Carte Brunch: Le Central
Best Place to Take Your Mom for Sunday Brunch: The Merritt House
Best Brunch Buffet: Marina Landing Readers' Choice: Fresh Fish Co.
Best Unknown Breakfast Buffet: The Burnsley Hotel
Best Southwestern Brunch: Silverheels Southwest Grill
Best Breakfast Caesar: Cherokee Bar and Grill
Best Caesar Salad: Philippe's Readers' Choice: Josephina's
Best Salad Bar: Healthy Habits
Best Salad Dressing: Cafe Paprika
Best Vegetarian Menu: Rudi's Readers' Choice: Greens
Best Business Lunch: Compari's, Sheraton Hotel, Denver Tech Center Readers' Choice: Zenith
Best Inexpensive Lunch That Feels Like a Splurge: Tango
Best Seafood Lunch: Cherry Crest Seafood Market and Restaurant
Best Dinner Under $5: Kokoro Readers' Choice: Taco Bell
Best Late-Night Meal: City Spirit Cafe
Best Sure Bet in a Casino: Emily's Fine Dining Parlor, Harrah's Casino
Best Place to Eat Bull's Testicles and Listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd: Tommy's Corner Bar
Best Unexpected Hot Dog Stand: Ray's Boathouse Stand-Up Restaurant
Best Healthy Hot Dog: Alfalfa's
Best Hot Dog: Joseph Feleman's Stand Readers' Choice: Mustard's Last Stand
Best Brats: Benders' Brat Haus
Best Cheap Burgers: Nick's Cafe
Best Burger: The Cherry Cricket Readers' Choice: My Brother's Bar
Best Out-of-the-Way Burger: Buck Snort Saloon
Best Side Dish With a Burger: Annie's Cafe
Best French Fries: The Links at City Park Readers' Choice: McDonald's
Best Subs: Pasquini's Readers' Choice: Subway
Best Subs for Transplanted Easterners: Tommy's Terrific Subs
Best Chicken-Fried Steak: Bullwhackers
Best Rattlesnake: The Black Swan, Scanticon
Best Wings: Buffalo Bar and Restaurant Readers' Choice: Hooters
Best Funky Chicken Wings: Sadie's Caribbean Cafe
Best Fried Chicken: Duffy's Shamrock Readers' Choice: KFC
Best Fried Catfish: Pierre's Supper Club
Best Cornbread: Ethel's House of Soul
Best Meatless Ribs: Wolfe's Barbeque
Best Barbecue: The Links at City Park
Best Cheap Steak: Teddy T's Readers' Choice: Club 404
Best Cook-Your-Own Steaks: Minturn Country Club
Best Kabobs: House of Kabob
Best Hummus: La Casbah
Best Pita Stuffings: Gindi's Pita-ria
Best Surprise Black-Bean Soup: The Breakfast Inn
Best Black-Bean Soup: Cafe Brazil
Best Minestrone: Ristorante Catalano
Best Hot-and-Sour Soup: Blue Ocean
Best Pho: Viet Huong
Best Dim Sum: Empress Seafood
Best Egg Rolls: Champa Foods
Best Spring Rolls: Viet Nam Inn
Best Sesame Chicken: Red Dragon
Best Sushi: L'Auberge Zen
Best Soft-Shell Crab: New Orient
Best Crabcakes: 240 Union Restaurant
Best Pickled Octopus: Central 1 Restaurant
Best Jellyfish: Golden Plate
Best Fish Dish: Sushi Den
Best Ravioli: Cliff Young's
Best Breadsticks: Fratelli's
Best Thin Pizza: Papa's Pizza Readers' Choice: Pizza Hut
Best Thick Pizza: Pantaleone's Readers' Choice: Beau Jo's
Best Stuffed Pizza: Cappuccino's Readers' Choice: Old Chicago
Best Pizza That Tastes Like a Hot Dog: Bourbon Street Original Pizza Bar
Best Pizzelles: Gargaro's Italian Bakery
Best Canolis: Carmine's on Penn
Best Noodle Kugel: East Side Kosher Deli
Best Baklava: Cedars
Best Dessert Fondue: La Bonne Soupe, Writer Square
Best Chocolate Cake: Rocky Mountain Diner
Best Brownies: Racine's
Best Carrot Cake: Star Market Deli
Best Cheesecake: Romano's Cheesecake
Best Desserts: Pour La France! Readers' Choice: Strings
Best Dessert: Chocolate Truffle, Zenith American Grill
Best Chips and Salsa: Las Brisas
Best Red Chile: Curtis Park Creamery Readers' Choice: Benny's Cantina
Best Green Chile: Mexico City Lounge Readers' Choice: Chubby's
Best Gringo Green Chile: Mr. Steak's Firegrill
Best Sinus-Clearing Green Chile: La Cueva
Best Soft Chile Relleno: RosaLinda Mexican Cafe Readers' Choice: Juanita's
Best Crispy Chile Relleno: La Fiesta Supper Club Readers' Choice: Benny's Cantina
Best Gringo Chile Relleno: Campus Lounge
Best Soft Tacos: Chipotle Mexican Grill
Best Taco: Las Palmas Jr. Readers' Choice: Taco Bell
Best Burrito: El Taco de Mexico Readers' Choice: Chipotle
Best Margarita: Margarita Bay Club Readers' Choice: Las Brisas
Best Romantic Restaurant: Brittany Hill Readers' Choice: La Coupole
Best Seafood Restaurant: McCormick's Fish House and Bar Readers' Choice: Fresh Fish Co.
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant: Jerusalem Restaurant Readers' Choice: Jerusalem
Best Vietnamese Restaurant: New Saigon Readers' Choice: New Saigon
Best Chinese Restaurant: Ming Garden Readers' Choice: Imperial
Best Japanese Restaurant: Mori Readers' Choice: Sushi Den
Best Thai Restaurant: Thai Orchid Readers' Choice: Tommy's Oriental
Best French Restaurant: The Normandy Readers' Choice: La Coupole
Best Italian Restaurant: Carmine's on Penn Readers' Choice: Baci
Best New Restaurant: Zolo Grill Readers' Choice: Cadillac Ranch
