Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Image makers
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Best Cultural Attraction or Museum
Gold
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Main: 30 W. Dale St.
FAC Modern: Plaza of the Rockies, 121 S. Tejon St.
634-5581, csfineartscenter.org
2006 was a banner year for the FAC. Thousands of people flocked to see the works of Andy Warhol and Dale Chihuly. The elegant new FAC Modern hosted photos by Annie Leibovitz and paintings by American legend James McNeill Whistler, as well as Chihuly's glass fantasies. We can't wait to see what happens when the renovated building reopens. BS
Silver
Pioneers Museum
215 S. Tejon St., 385-5990
Bronze
Western Museum of Mining & Industry
125 Gleneagle Drive, 488-0880
225 Northgate Blvd., 488-0880
Best Alternative Art Show or Event
Gold
Art Wars
Presented by Funktion Flux
When Art Wars founder and creator Gwin Coleman moved here five years ago, she saw a hole in the Colorado Springs art scene. She filled that hole with chainsaws, sledgehammers and blowtorches all used for the destruction of art that goes unsold at auction. Equal parts exhibition, auction and pageant, this interactive event is gripping, humorous and unlike anything else. BS
Silver
Manitou Art Theater
515 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-4729
Bronze
Smokebrush Gallery
218 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 102, 444-1012
Best Place to See Emerging Artists
Gold
The Business of Art Center
513 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1861
Twenty years ago, Manitou Springs city planners really did something right when they opened the BAC. Not just a place for local artists to exhibit fantastic new work, it also aims to teach the ins and outs of gallery management and successful art. BS
Silver
The Black Sheep
2106 E. Platte Ave., 227-7625
Bronze
Smokebrush Gallery
218 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 102, 444-1012
Best Artwork on the Street
Gold
Chris Weed's "Flowers"
Cascade Avenue, near the Antlers Hilton
Chris Weed has been creating public art up and down the Front Range for the past five years. His sculptures include "Flowers" on Cascade, a cube across from the Kimball's Twin Peak Theater on Pikes Peak, and a giant watermelon slice in America the Beautiful Park. He describes his art as "uplifting." KB
Silver
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Kimber Fiebiger's "Humpty Dumpty"
North Tejon Street, across from Poor Richard's
Bronze
Kat and Bob Tudor's "Uncle Wilber Fountain"
Tejon and Bijou streets, in Acacia Park
Best Apartment Complex
Gold
The Retreat at Cheyenne Mountain
1735 Presidential Heights, 471-9966
theretreatatcheyennemountain.com/home.html
This gated community offers a spa, swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, theater and multiple business rooms. With oversized windows, spacious apartments and nearby recreational opportunities, the Retreat makes a good recipe for real homes and healthy living. TW
Silver
Stetson Meadows Apartments
6205 Mustang Meadows Point, 591-4700
Bronze
Broadmoor Terrace Apartments
816 Oxford Lane, 473-5359
Best Realtor
Gold
Brian L.A. Wess
6189 Lehman Drive, Suite 200, 528-6672
That a real estate agent could so care about our community makes me feel like I've slipped my soul into a pair of bunny slippers. Wess is vice chair of the Colorado Springs Historic Preservation Board and has spoken publicly against the idea of building skyscrapers in downtown Colorado Springs. See, someone cares. FG
Silver
Tyra Braley at Keller Williams
1307 Aeroplaza Drive, 213-7381
Bronze
Andrew Clague at Keller Williams
1307 Aeroplaza Drive, 955-1999
andrewclague.yourkwagent.com/home
Best Realty Company
Gold
RE/Max
Multiple locations
Here's a case where quantity does equal quality. RE/Max's millions of listings nationwide might be overwhelming if not for the agents, who are constantly in training and professional development. More important, the customer comes back: The company boasts that about 70 percent of its business is repeat or referral. BS
Silver
Keller Williams Realty
Four locations
Bronze
Home Team Realtors
1024 W. Colorado Ave., 632-8551
Best Movie Theater
Gold
Kimball's Twin Peak Theater
115 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 447-1945
When you first hear buzz around a movie, you can bet that Kimball Bayles and Co. already know the damn thing inside-out. In fact, they've probably already figured out whether it'll spark laughter, tears or dialogue in Colorado Springs. For those vital films and the beer and wine offered at the theater we say thanks. KW
Silver
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Cinemark Tinseltown USA
1545 E. Cheyenne Blvd., 576-0593
Bronze
Cinemark 16 Carefree Circle
3305 Cinema Point, 596-0442
Best Reason to Go to Pueblo
Gold
Colorado State Fair
1001 Beulah Ave., Pueblo, 800/876-4567 or 719/561-8484
Coloradans have been enjoying the fair for 134 years. True to its agricultural roots, the fair still features farm life, rodeos, 4-H events, carnival rides, chili dogs and country music. With attractions from 10 a.m. to midnight, and ticket prices $5 to $8 per adult, it's one of the best entertainment deals around. JET
Silver
Historic Arkansas Riverwalk
Bronze
Pueblo Reservoir
Best Place to Be Seen
Gold
Downtown Colorado Springs
Petula Clark sang, "The lights are much brighter there / You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares / So go downtown, things'll be great when you're / Downtown no finer place, for sure / Downtown everything's waiting for you." Everything and everyone? We couldn't say it much better. So if it's been a while, head downtown! CSB
Silver
Ritz Grill
15 S. Tejon St., 635-8484
Bronze
Eden Nite Club
217 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 635-0999
Best People-Watching Spot
Gold
Acacia Park
You can always count on something to look at in Acacia Park. But the people-watching hits its stride during community events, when the half-dome stage plays host to concerts, talent shows and wonderfully random performances. Bring a lawn chair, sit back and watch Colorado Springs strut its weird glory. LP
Silver
Tejon Street
Bronze
Colorado Springs Airport
Best After-School Hangout
Gold
Citadel Mall
750 Citadel Drive East, 591-5515
Seems to me that in a boxing match between Chapel Hills and Citadel Mall, Citadel would win. I don't know why; maybe it just sounds tougher. Offers one local youth, "Citadel is a lot closer to schools, and their stores are more modern and younger." Booya. FG
Silver
Boulder Street Coffee Roasters
332 N. Tejon St., 577-4291
Bronze
Starbucks
16 locations
Best Night View of the City
Gold
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Gold Camp Road
Enjoy a trek into the evergreen tree-lined road at sunset without worrying about traffic. Eighteen years ago, a collapsed tunnel barred cars from entering the road, making it a pedestrian favorite. High above the city, the nighttime lights of Colorado Springs take on a starry appeal for those who wander after sundown. NZ
Silver
Palmer Park
Bronze
Cheyenne Mountain area
Best Local Scandal
Gold
D-11 school board follies
It's hard to remember life before Eric Christen and the gang. In the three years since being elected to the school board, Christen, along with sidekicks Sandy Shakes, Craig Cox and Willie Breazell, have truly transformed the city's largest district. Meetings now dissolve into screaming matches, and decorum has been replaced with publicity stunts. CD
Silver
Police evidence handling
Bronze
Smoking ban
Best Reason to Live in Colorado Springs
Gold
The mountains
This one's as close to a lock as you get in this poll. And we think it's pretty cool that even though we all see Pikes Peak every day, readers still appreciate its beauty and its reminder that life's bigger than the day's trials and triumphs. KW
Silver
The weather
Bronze
Beauty and scenery
Best Alternative Energy Project
Gold
Wind power
Out of all the alternative resources for power, wind is the only option out there that is completely sustainable, creates no waste and offers abundant, renewable energy. Plus, no matter the season, wind is always available. Wind turbines can easily be installed into any backyard. For more info, visit dcpower-systems.com. JK
Silver
Biodiesel
Bronze
Solar power
Best Person Likely to Leave Us in The Dust
Gold
Richard Skorman, regional director for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar
Unlike at least a few of the self-centered readers who responded, "Me," Richard Skorman openly and honestly works to better serve our community. "I don't have any plans to run for elected office," he says. "It doesn't mean I won't in the future." All of you narcissists probably aren't going anywhere, either. FG
Silver
Matt Carpenter, trail runner
Bronze
Michael DeMarsche, FAC president
Best Person We Can't Believe Lives Here
Gold
James Dobson, Focus on the Family founder
Two million people around the globe listen to him on the radio every single day. They buy his books and get his newsletter and cannot tell the difference between James Dobson, the folksy family psychologist who dispenses handy advice about dealing with your bed-wetting child, and James Dobson, the political animal likened to the Protestant Pope of the Republican Party. CD
Silver
Douglas Bruce, El Paso County commissioner
Bronze
Goose Gossage, Major League Baseball legend
Best Category We Forgot
Gold
Best Chicken Wings
So, you've noticed the peculiar influx of wings places that have sprung up all over town like forgive the pun chicken pox. You want to honor your favorite spicy sauce, ranch or blue cheese dip. After all, nothing goes better with football. Look out, Hooters. The competition is out in force. MS
Silver
Best Photographer
Bronze
Best Nonprofit
