The Best of Livingston

The “Best of Livingston” is designed to be fun, an opportunity for the Livingston community to commiserate about favorite haunts, important issues, wishes for the future and celebrate the place we call home.  For being nothing more than a fun community poll, the Best of Livingston is also fraught with peril.  The concept is curious enough to elicit a range of responses from, “Why are you folks doing this” to “This balloting process offends my very soul!”  At the same time, many voters anxiously await the reader poll each year, some even joking about how they will rig the vote.

Rigging the vote is difficult, and we here at the Weekly like to think that we use all of our power and energy to tally results with the utmost integrity, recounting close calls where there might be a tie or a few ballots separating the winners.

For over two months, ballots are collected from three local coffee shops (Chadz, Coffee Crossing and MT Cup) as well as at the offices of the two major sponsors of the event, Livingston Weekly and KPRK.  Each ballot contains over 100 questions and although a few responders complain about the length of the process, most respondents use the ballot as a playground for creative self-expression—creative being an understatement in some cases.  Livingston folks seem happy to expound on any number of issues given a writing utensil and slight inspiration.

A team of ballot counters assembled last fall and completed the process of counting the over 300 responses.  Each counter was assigned a separate list of categories which had been split to reflect the greatest diversity.  The counting and recounting process took over 32 hours and each vote for every category was counted.  Duplicate ballots or obvious jokes were omitted, and as we indicated on the actual ballot, responses less than half-completed were thrown out. No one at the Livingston Weekly or KPRK chose the winners; this task was completed by the Livingston community who participated in the poll.

On October 27, 2007, Livingston Weekly culminated the promotion with the Deadrock Express Ball at the Livingston Depot Center.  Partygoers raised over $300 and over 15 cases of food for the Livingston Food Pantry.  Winners from the best live band and best musician categories The Fossils, the Shufflebums, Top Shelf and Caitlin Ryan as well as DJ Kondo the Tailor provided entertainment for the dancing ghouls, goblins, cavewomen, vampires, spacemen, gnomes, mummies, vikings, ducks, geese, clergymen, cops, ghostbusters, wicked mice, nuns, and aliens wrapped in duct tape and plastic sheeting.  Winners of the poll were posted at the party and are reproduced below.

The following results are neither scientific nor gospel.  The nature of the poll is to be both neutral and fair, not exclusive, and everyone in Livingston is invited to participate. We thank those who voted, hosted boxes and took time to be a part of the Best of Livingston 2007. Look for 2008 Best of Livingston to hit the streets and the internet in June.

Best Local Character
1. Rob Bankston
2. (tie) William Whelan and Blackfoot

Livingstonians were challenged to submit unique individuals who personified the heart and scenery of Livingston.  Popular characters also included the Weekly’s own Mitzi Maven, the now-absent former guitarist for Men at Work Ron Strykert, local artist Parks Reece, The Wizard, Tim the Magician, graffiti artist Brian White, keymaster Eric Stark, underground railroad conductor Mike Fleming, Chad at Chadz and Rich Ruggles at Pinky’s, author Jim Harrison, and Livingston shopkeeper John Fryer of Sax and Fryer.

Best New Business
1. Highsides
2. The Drawing Room
3. The Office

The new bar and restaurant Highsides Brews and Tunes on Main Street and its upstairs music venue, the Back 60 Ballroom garnered the most votes along with strong showings for Montana Gift Cabin, Breathing Room Yoga, Livingston Mercantile, The Night Spot, Conley’s Books, Music, etc. and the Northern Pacific Beanery.

Best Educator
1. Danny McGrath
2. (tie) Debbie Certier
Kelly Dick

In a third year sweep, “Senor” McGrath again came in as the voters’ favorite teacher.  The community also gave nods to John Feckanin, Kerry Counts, Jamie Isaly, Matt Wilhelm, Jim Walker, Natalie Davis and good old “mom and dad.”

Best Elected Official
1. Bob Ebinger
2. Steve Caldwell
3. Dick Murphy

Many voters seemed to think that writing “NOT...” and the individual’s name would somehow remove a vote from the individual.  The issue of politics is always charged with opinion but voters agreed on clear local winners: State Rep (and former City Commissioner) Bob Ebinger, current City Commissioner Steve Caldwell and County Commissioner Dick Murphy led the pack. 

Best Community Project
1. Sacajawea Statue
2. New Indoor Pool
3. Farmer’s Market

The hard work of the Lewis and Clark Committee continues to pay off, as the newly-completed (summer 2006) Sacajawea Statue in Sacajawea Park was voted best community project for the second year running.  The Skate Park, the revamping of downtown, the B Street underpass mural, the downtown christmas lights and decorations, Relay for Life, fly casting lessons at the FFF and the fishing derby also received a number of votes as worthwhile community projects.

Best Non-Profit Group
1. Big Brothers Big Sisters
2. Stafford Animal Shelter
3. Corporation for the
Northern Rockies

The Park County Biodiesel Co-op, The Livingston Food Pantry, Loaves and Fishes, Counterpoint, CASA, Community Closet, Links for Learning, Friends of the Library, Angel Line, Montana Women For, The Park County Friends of the Arts, the Tri-County Network, Trout Unlimited, the Firehouse Five Playhouse, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, the new indoor pool committee and the Rotary Club all received votes for best non-profit.

Best Thing about Livingston
1. The People
2. The River
3. The Wind

Whether the view of the Milky Way or the fact that one can bike anywhere in town, voters weighed in on the best things about living in Livingston.  One voter admitted that “my wife” was his favorite thing about town while another noted the city shines “when all the tourists leave.”  Summer, Paradise Valley, the sense of commujnity, the scenic beauty, the history, Community Closet, the fishing, diversity and art, ambiance, the Wizard, Sacajawea Park and downtown were all noted but whether “the cliques” or “the sense of community,” respondents overwhelmingly voted for “The People” as the best thing about living in our unique town.

Most Important Local Issue
1. Dealing with Growth
2. Development
3. Garbage

Growth and development in Livingston are important issues facing residents today and voters noted concerns about urban and rural growth on nearly every ballot for the second year in a row.  Voters also expressed concern over cat control, education, street maintenance, affordable housing, the Ameya preserve, development on the Yellowstone River, the BNSF railyard cleanup, the meth addiction issue, installing an additional railroad crossing, the upkeep of the skate park, recycling and assessing flood zones.  One perceptive “Mantana” resident attested that the most important local issue was “not enough beautiful women,” but this would certainly be an issue up for debate.

Best Effort to Improve Livingston
1. Guest House Renovations
2. Downtown Renovations
3. The Sustainability Fair

Voters also noted Main Street Montana, the Livingston Historical Society, cat licensing, outdoor concerts, downtown trash cans, the new Yellowstone biodiesel busses, the Farmer’s Market, and one voter responded that the best effort was “yet to come.”

Best Street
1. Main Street
2. South Yellowstone
3. Park Street

Voters betrayed their locations by casting a vote for nearly every street in town including Lewis (“no stoplights”) Street and “Any street without speed bumps.”

Best Place to Have Picnic
1. Sacajawea Park
2. Mill Creek
3. Yellowstone River

Best Swimming Hole
1. Ninth Street Island
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. Highway 89 Bridge

Ninth Street Island swept the competition for Best Swimming Hole.  Many voters declined to share the “secret spot” they deem the best place to take a dip but also mentioned were the lagoon in Sacajawea Park, the Boiling River hot pots, the public pool and “next to the boat.”

Best Fishing Float
1. Carter’s Bridge to Mayor’s Landing
2. Pine Creek to Carter’s Bridge
3. Yankee Jim

Best Place to Commune with nature
1. Pine Creek Trail
2. Yellowstone River
3. Outside

Although one voter for the Best Place to Commune with Nature cited “The Underpass,” and another “the roof of the post office,” many others noted more natural settings such as Paradise Valley, “my front yard,” Deep Creek Bench, Dailey Lake, Mayor’s Landing, the Wineglass and Livingston Peak.

Best Place to Watch the Sunset
1. North Side Hill
2. My House
3. Livingston Peak

Best Place to Walk the Dog
1. Mayor’s Landing
2. The River Berm
3. Ninth Street Island

Best Camping
1. Pine Creek Campground
2. Mill Creek
3. On the Yellowstone

Best Bike Ride
1. Bike Path
2. East River Road
3. In Town

Best Drive
1. East River Road
2. Highway 89 South
3. Swingley Road

Best Teen Hangout
1. Chadz
2. The Night Spot
3. Mark’s In and Out

For the second year in a row, Chadz on Main Street takes the honor of Best Teen Hangout.  While one response noted “We need one,” and another, “as if...” voters also mentioned the Pickle Barrel, the Bowling Alley, Conley’s, Highsides, Coffee Crossing, the Pop Stand, Sacajawea Park, Yellowstone Rafting, the Skate Park, the Library, and the Elk’s.

Best Place to Take/Send Tourists
1. Yellowstone National Park
2. Home
3. Chico Hot Springs

Voters also mentioned the rodeo, floating on the Yellowstone, Boiling River, “Texas,” Natural Bridge, Matt’s Meats, the Beartooth Highway, “back to California,” Community Closet and the Night Spot.

Best Bumper Sticker Seen Locally
1. “I miss my ex but my
aim is improving”
2. “Who’s your farmer?”
3. “Be a yokel, buy local”

Best Local Conspiracy Theory
1. The Ameya Project is
a Green Development
2. Local Cat Killings
3. “California did it”

Local voters weighed in on the issues that have caused controversy in town.  “California did it” actually received an honest showing for third place and the fact that many residents believe this to be true is interesting.  Voters also indicated theories of celebrities taking over, Yellowstone Preserve bringing in a Wal-Mart, the missing J Street, the Marbles the dog controversy, half of the town is in the witness protection program and the ghosts living in the Murray Hotel.

Best Prediction for Livingston’s Future
1. Growth
2. Increase in the Cost of Housing
3. More Businesses Move to Town

Voters also indicated that Livingston will become another Jackson Hole or Boulder, Colo., and “the community feel will be gone and the friendly thoughtful nature of the locals will disappear,” while others indicated that the town will stay recognizable as a community or will become “one hip town,” and “everyone will start communicating and understanding each other.”  While other voters predicted, “blown up by supervolcano” and “Pompeii preserved in ashes.”

Best Bathrooms
1. The Community Closet
2. The Office
3. Whisky Creek

One thoughtful voter indicated in this category, “The closest one when in need,” while another commented, “Why not have a public bathroom in Rotary Park?”

Best Fine Dining
1. Second Street Bistro
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. Montana’s Rib and Chop House

Adagio, The Rack, the Stockman and Pine Creek Cafe also received a strong showing in the category.

Best Service
1. (tie) Pinky’s
Second Street Bistro
3. Montana’s Rib and Chop House

The Yellowstone Angler, Matt’s Butcher Shop, Mark’s In and Out, Chadz, Fiesta en Jalisco, Chico, Tom’s Jewelers and the Slack Knuckle also received a notable amount of votes.

Best Breakfast
1. Pinky’s
2. The Northern Pacific Beanery
3. Yellowstone Truck Stop

Best Lunch
1. Pinky’s
2. Chadz
3. (tie) Highsides
The Northern Pacific Beanery

Best Sandwich
1. Pinky’s
2. The Pickle Barrel
3. Matt’s Butcher Shop

Best Ethnic Food
1. Fiesta en Jalisco
2. Crazy Coyote
3. The Wok

Best Burger
1. The Stockman
2. Mark’s In and Out
3. Montana’s Rib and Chop House

Other notable burgers the town voted for were: Second Street Bistro, the Sport, Pine Creek Cafe, Dairy Queen, the Slack Knuckle, Highsides, Clark’s Crossing and the Pop Stand.

Best Steak
1. Montana’s Rib and Chop House
2. The Stockman
3. Matt’s Butcher Shop

Best Pizza
1. Yellowstone Pizza Company
2. Rosa’s Pizza
3. Second Street Bistro

Best Coffee
1. Coffee Crossing
2. Chadz
3. MT Cup

Other noted coffee hotspots: TJ’s Gas n’ Convenience, the Pickle Barrel, Cafe D’Arte, Jumpin’ Trout Java, Coffee Creek, Pinky’s and the Second Street Bistro.

Best Barista
1. Chad at Chadz
2. Kate at MT Cup
3. Chuck (formerly of Coffee Crossing)

Best Espresso
1. Coffee Crossing
2. Chadz
3. MT Cup

Best Desserts
1. Second Street Bistro
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. Bittersweet

Hearthstone, the Night Spot, Dairy Queen, Montana Rib and Chop House, Pine Creek, Albertsons, the Rack, the Northern Pacific Beanery and Homemade Kitchen were also singled out as sweet places to enjoy treats.

Best Chef
1. Jim Liska at Adagio
2. Dan Shapiro at Pine Creek Cafe
3. (tie) Tina Struble at the Night Spot
Brian Menges at Second Street Bistro

Best Waiter/Waitress
1. Rich Ruggles at Pinky’s
2. (tie) Ellen Richards at Montana’s Rib and Chop house
Chad Petrulis at Chadz
Jose Cisneros at Fiesta en Jalisco

Best Catering
1. (tie) Second Street Catering
Mustang Catering
2. Zac’s Montana Kitchen

Also getting nods: Northern Pacific Beanery, Homemade Kitchen, Crazy Mountain Catering and Valley Catering.

Best Place for a First Date
1. Pine Creek Cafe
2. (tie) Chico Hot Springs
Second Street Bistro

Voters also suggested the Firehouse Five Playhouse, the Empire Theatre, the Night Spot, Chadz, Marks’ In and Out, Vegas, a Yellowstone River picnic and finally, a few raunchy votes for “bed.”

Best Place to Eat when Someone Else Pays
1. Second Street Bistro
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. Montana’s Rib and Chop House

Best Expression of Dinner AS Art
1. Second Street Bistro
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. The Night Spot

Best House Salad Dressing
1. Montana’s Rib and Chop House
2. Second Street Bistro
3. Adagio

Best Place to Dine Alone
1. Second Street Bistro
2. (tie) Chadz
The Night Spot
Adagio

Voters also noted Pinky’s, Matt’s Butcher Shop, Hearthstone, the Buffalo Jump bar, Homemade Kitchen, Yellowstone Truck Stop, the Slack Knuckle and Mcdonald’s.

Best Bar/Tavern
1. The Office Lounge
2. (tie) The Murray Bar
The Owl Lounge

Other local bars with a strong showing include Chico Saloon, the Elk’s Lodge, Highsides, the Slack Knuckle, Neptune’s Z-Bar, the Stockman and the Livingston Bar and Grill.

Best Happy Hour
1. The Murray Bar
2. The Office Lounge
3. Livingston Bar and Grill

Nicest Bar Staff
1. The Office Lounge
2. The Owl Lounge
3. The Murray Bar

Also in the running: the Elk’s Lodge, Montana’s Rib and Chop House, Buffalo Jump, the Fireside Lounge, the Slack Knuckle, Neptune’s Z-Bar, the 49’r and Highsides.

Best Bartender/Bartendress
1. Glenn Godward at Livingston
Bar and Grill
2. (tie) Danny McGrath at the Second Street Bistro
Tasha Iglinski at the Murray Bar
Shefije Miftari at The Office Lounge

Best Martini
1. Second Street Bistro
2. Livingston Bar and Grill
3. Chico Hot Springs

The Owl, Montana’s Rib and Chop House, The Office, The Murray Bar, the Stockman and Neptune’s Z-Bar all received a healthy number of votes for the best cocktail stirred or shaken.

Best Wine List
1. Second Street Bistro
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. Adagio

Also noted: Livingston Bar and Grill, The Office, Montana’s Rib and Chop House, The Rack and The Gourmet Cellar.

Best Draft Beer
1. Neptune’s Z-Bar
2. The Slack Knuckle
3. The Murray Bar

Best Place to Watch Sports
1. The Office Lounge
2. (tie) The Slack Knuckle
The 49’r

Also recommended: Park High School, The Murray Bar, Montana’s Rib and Chop House, Neptune’s Z-Bar, Highsides, and “home.”

Best Place to Drink Alone
1. Home
2. The Owl Lounge
3. The Office Lounge

Voters also indicated good lonely watering holes such as “on the Yellowstone,” Highsides, the Mint, Fireside Lounge, Livingston Bar and Grill, Capone’s, the 49’r and the Livingston Country Club.

Best Fly Fishing Shop
1. Dan Bailey’s
2. Sweetwater Fly Shop
3. George Anderson’s
Yellowstone Angler

Also Mentioned: Hatchfinders Fly Shop, Knoll’s, Angler’s West and Yellowstone Gateway Sports.

Best Women’s Clothing
1. Saphire
2. Livingston Mercantile
3. Bob’s Outdoor

Also indicated were Corral West, Wild West Clothing, the Vogue Shop, Community Closet, Montana Fleece and Flannel, Way Out West, Timber Trails, Obsidian and Pamida.

Best Men’s Clothing
1. Livingston Mercantile
2. Bob’s Outdoor
3. Community Closet

George Anderson’s Yellowstone Angler, Yellowstone Gateway Sports, Corral West, Timber Trails, Gene Brue’s Bluffs Trailers, Pamida and Way Out West.

Best Window Display
1. (tie) The Vogue Shop
Bob’s Outdoor
3. (tie) Sax and Fryer
The Office Lounge
Catherine Lane
Dan Bailey’s

Also receiving votes: Timber Trails, Fleece and Flannel, LIvingston Floral, At Home on the Range, B. Civilized, Sax and Fryer. Livingston Mercantile, The Hiatt House, The Obsidian CollectionWild West Clothing and Garre Fine Art.

Best Fresh Produce Selection
1. Albertson’s
2. Farmer’s Market
3. Town n’ Country

Mark Rehder’s Geyser Farms was also a contender as well as Food Works Natural Market

Best Grocery Store
1. Town n’ Country
2. Albertson’s
3. Food Works Natural Market

Best Retail Wine Selection
1. The Gourmet Cellar
2. Town n’ Country
3. Albertson’s

Best Retail Beer Selection
1. Town n’ Country
2. Albertson’s
3. The Gourmet Cellar

Best Hardware Store
1. Ace Hardware
2. True Value
3. Kenyon Noble

Best Car Dealer
1. Yellowstone Country Motors
2. Whiting Motors
3. Headwaters GMC

Best Realtor
1. Dude Tyler
2. (tie) Gillian Swanson
Jon Ellen Snyder

Best Bank
1. First Interstate Bank
2. Sky Federal Credit Union
3. Bank of the Rockies

Best Furnishings/Home Decor
1. Truex
2. Catherine Lane
3. Community Closet

Best Convenience Store
1. TJ’s Gas n’ Convenience
2. Loaf n’ Jug
3. Town Pump

Best Place to Buy Cowboy Boots
1. Way Out West
2. Corral West
3. Bowman’s Wilson Boots

Voters also picked Pamida, The Bluffs, the Senior Citizens’s Thrift Store and Grandma’s Treasures.

Best Place to Buy Used Clothing
1. Community Closet
2. Senior Center Thrift Store
3. Lil’ Buckaroos

Best Spa Services
1. Chico Day Spa
2. Tangles and Company
3. Firehall Fitness

Best Masseuse
1. Linda Mahr
2. (tie) Amory Engle
Kristen Kovash

Best Auto Repair
1. Larry’s Foreign Car Repair
2. American Auto
3. A-1 Muffler

Best Hairdresser
1. Laura Bolduc at The Salon at
Main and Callender
2. Karen O’Connor at Grace Studios
3. (tie) Larisa Viers at Tangles and Co.
Hana McClennen at Grace Studios

Best Salon
1. Grace Studios
2. The Salon at Main and Callender
3. Tangles and Company

Best Doctor
1. (tie) Dr. Michelle Donaldson
Dr. Doug Wadle
3. Dr. Denise Helin

Best Nurse
1. Peggy Scanson
2. Chris Kinslow
3. Michelle Marti

Best Dentist
1. Dr. Gary Jagodizski
2. Dr. Liz Blavatsky
3. (tie) Dr. Andrew Orton
Dr. William Venable
Dr. Tony Frederickson

Also noted: Dr. Kulaga, Dr. Tom Venable, Dr. Lavallry, Dr. Daton and “soon-to-be Dr. Matt Katney.”

Best Chiropractor
1. Steven Dobelbower
2. Merle Bouma
3. Louis Buffalino

Best Web Services
1. Sparkling Dawg
2. WispWest
3. Bresnan

Best Veterinarian
1. Duane Colmey
2. Jim Murray
3. Jeff Dickerson

Best Fitness Instructor
1. Carol Stern
2. Pam Schoenen
3. Jen Tanner

Best Accommodations
1. The Murray Hotel
2. Chico Hot Springs
3. Best Western Yellowstone Inn

Also mentioned: “my house,” Econolodge, Comfort Inn, Clark’s Crossing, The Grabow, Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Montana Art and Garden Bed and Breakfast, Pine Creek lodge and Deep Creek Guest Cabins.

Best Local Artist
1. Parks Reece
2. Edd Enders
3. Russell Chatham

Voters also noted Brian White, Renee Evanoff, Jason Cajune, Tom Murphy, Opal Miller, Karen Garre, Dan Beresford, Bob Story, Ray Quarles, Brad Bunkers, Robin Zank, David Swanson and Amber Jean.

Best Gallery
1. The Danforth Gallery
2. b. civilized
3. (tie) Visions West
Park’s Reece Gallery

Other noted galleries were Moosehorn Gallery, Tierra Montana, Garre Fine Art, Livingston Center for Art and Culture, Banovich Gallery, the Frame Garden, Paradise Art Works, Reed Lehman and the JR Gallery.

Best Local Author/Poet
1. Jim Harrison
2. William Hjortsberg
3. (tie) Doug Peacock
Christopher Paolini

Also in the running were Tim Cahill, Kelly Dick, Jamie Harrison, Andrea Peacock, Dan McCann, “me,” Jo Sykes, Doris Whithorn, Elwood Reed, Sandy Seaton, Charlotte Freeman, Richard Wheeler, Walter Kirn, Thomas McGuane and Susan Connell.

Best Journalist
1. David Nolt
2. (tie) Scott McMillion
Pete Vandergrift
Jen Eames

Kate Lende, Tom Gersack, Amber Bauer, Rainy Martin, Dwight Harriman, David Lewis, Garret Cheen and Tahlia Ganser also placed in the category.

Best Disc Jockey
1. Gary Weiss
2. Denny Derglin
3. Spamber

Best Book Selection
1. Sax and Fryer
2. Conley’s Books Music, Etc.
3. Livingston Public Library

Also in the running were local grocery store Albertson’s, Bob and Lu’s, Community Closet and the now-defunct Independent Media Room.

Best Local Musician
1. Sheamus Conley
2. Caitlin Ryan
3. Jimmy Conley

Also in the running: Scott Evje, Libby Caldwell, Justin Brown, Brent Cook, Shelly Besler, Kevin Toll, Sean Devine, Rich Ruggles, Quinn Conley, Jamie Jean, Mike Boise and Kyle Brennan.

Best Local Live Band
1. The Fossils
2. Caitlin and the Clutch Riders
3. Top Shelf

Voters also showed support for Montana Rose, the Ringling 5, the Bridger Creek Boys, Satori Sky, the Pretty Good String Band, Open Range, Otherwise, Hilary and the Foul Hooks, ADM, Big Quinn and the Broken Hearts Band, The Max and the Meatskin Jubilee Jug Band.

Best Live Music Venue
1. Pine Creek Cafe
2. (tie) Highsides
The Murray Bar
The Miles Park Bandshell

Best Place to Play Pool
1. (tie) The Office Lounge
The Murray Bar
2. The Owl Lounge

Best Jukebox
1. The Murray Bar
2. Highsides
3. Paradise Valley Pop Stand

Best Casino
1. Whisky Creek
2. Lucky Lil’s
3. The 49’r

Best Actor/Actress
1. Gary Fish
2. Margot Kidder
3. Michael Keaton

Best Museum/Exhibit
1. Yellowstone Gateway Museum
2. Livingston Depot Museum
3. Federation of Fly Fishers Museum

Best Local Festival or Event
1. Summerfest
2. Park County Rodeo
3. Farmer’s Market

Best Local Celebrity
1. Margot Kidder
2. Michael Keaton
3. (tie) Dennis Quaid
Peter Fonda

Voters also noted local Farmer’s Market master Rob Bankston, musician Ron Strykert, actor and resident Jeff Bridges, historic figure Calamity Jane, historian Doris Whithorn, Chad Petrulis at Chadz, actress Bridget Fonda, newsman and seasonal resident Tom Brokaw, Livingston Weekly editor Jen Eames, Rich Ruggles at Pinky’s, resident and author Walter Kirn, and drag queen Virginia Ham.

Best Place to Party
1. (tie) The Murray Bar
“My House”
3. The Office Lounge

Best Place to People Watch
1. Chadz
2. Main Street
3. The Murray Bar

Best question we forgot to ask...
Although some voters claimed that the ballot had too many questions, most had plenty of suggestions for future categories: Best Pharmacist, Best Acupuncturist, Best Holistic Doctor, Best Fishing Guide, Best Place to Worship, Best Local Newspaper, Best Vocalist, Best Volunteer, Best Season in Livingston, Best All-Around Salesman, Best Historian, Coldest Beer, Best Lunch Special, Best Livingston Legacy, Best Movie About Livingston, Best Pastor, Best Playground, Best Service Club, Best Free Lunch, Best Nursing Home, Best Intellect, Best Day of the Year, Best Dog, Best Lie to Tell Visitors about Livingston, Best Rumor, Best thing that Never Happened, Who’s Your Daddy?, Best Coffee Shop Music, Best Local Photographer, Best In-store Music, Why DO You Live in Livingston, Best Front Yard, Best Pretense, Best All-night Hangout, Best Greenhouse/Nursery, Best Local Zine, Best Bed and Breakfast, Best Fast Food, Best View, Best Hike, Best Avon Lady, Best Town Sweetheart, Best Gay Bar, Best Computer Dude, Best Retail Store to Spend Too Much in and finally, Best All-around Good Guy.

Thank you again Livingston, for voting and supporting our local events, businesses and each other.  We look forward to counting your votes again in 2008!