On a regular basis each year I run three columns: Charlie’s Angels Christmas List, Podge’s Tourist Guide of Where to (and not) to Go, and this week’s Best-of list.

Winners are based on my observations as well as those of Tez and a few close friends. They are not named because of anything to do with advertisers nor because of anything but the fact that I think they deserve the pat on the back. So here are the highlights of those from the past year:

Best combination view/food ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç - Earls on Top, Cactus Club on Water St., Pyramid Winery.

Best combination view/food rural - Ancient Hills Winery, Quails Gate.

Best ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç restaurant for dinner - Kelly O’Bryan’s, Memphis House of Blues, The Grand Hotel, Montana’s.

Best Kept Secret (funky place to eat) - Central (Central Kitchen and Bar - CPH).

Best Waterfront Pub/Food - Rosie’s, Cactus Club on Water, The Eldorado, Manteo’s Resort.

Best Regional Waterfront Food - Gasthaus on the Lake (Peachland), Blue Rooster (Peachland).

Best ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç lunch - Grateful Fed, Brown’s Social House, Brown Bag.

Best Breakfast - Perkins, Cafe Soleil, Rickey’s, IHOP.

Best Chinese Food - Yum Yum Tree at Capri Centre.

Best Soup – Grateful Fed.

Best Italian – Momma Rosa.

Best pizza - Olympia Greek Taverna in Rutland.

Best ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç pub (small) - McCullough Station, The Exchange.

Best ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç pub (large) - BNA, Original Joes, Rosie’s.

Best regional pub - Turtle Bay Marina – Lake Country.

Best Social Pub or hangout - Browne’s Social House.

Best sports pub - Sturgeon Hall, Dakota’s, Baxter’s.

Friendliest restaurant staff - Grateful Fed, Ricky’s, Yum Yum.

Friendliest sales staff ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç - IDA (Capri Mall), Home Depot.

Best Bakery - Nesters.

Best Butcher - Johnny’s Meats, Nesters.

Best Book Store - Robbie’s Rare Books, Mosaic Books.

Best Music Store - Wentworth Music.

Best Clothing Store - Moore’s, Robertson’s Clothing.

Best live Music - Grateful Fed, Blue Gator, O’Flannigans.

Best rural live music - Blue Rooster (Peachland).

Best Concert Facility - ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Community Theatre.

Best Jam night - Riley’s Pub with the Green Room Riders, anything hosted by Jim LeGuilloux.

Favourite Bands - Linus, Jimmy LeGuilloux Band, Dirt Road Opera, Sherman Doucette.

Solo Musician - Keith (Papa) Thom, Rick Halisheff.

Best Local Magazine - Okanagan Life.

Best Free Outdoor Concerts - Music in the Park– listing on City web site.

Best Roofer - Mike Pearce. He might be an east-coaster and just a tad too much fun, but Mike can fix a roof quick and efficiently. He is not crazy about it but if you whine enough he may just help you.

Best Electrician/Handyman - Robert (Bob) McKinnon claims to be retired but he keeps pretty busy and for good reason.

Best Oral Surgeon team - Dr. Russell Naito, Dr. Bell, RN Deb Naito, and CDA Kathy Truant at Okanagan Oral Surgery. Amazing and accommodating.

New Dentist in Town - Jeff Kozak at Bernard Dental.

Best Respiratory Nurse - Robin Carter.

Best Financial Consultant - Charlie Peet.

Best walk/dog walk - Mission Creek Greenway.

Best Place to People Watch - Rosie’s Waterfront Pub, The Sails, Wings.

Intersections to Avoid - Highway 97 and Spall, 97 and Gordon.

Favourite Hideaway - Echo Lake with Curtis and my canoe, Bear Creek Canyon, Maud Roxby bird sanctuary, my back yard.