Home Ace Issues Ace Best of Lexington 2001 9.27.2001

Ace Best of Lexington 2001 9.27.2001

 

Welcome to the BEST of Lexington 2001
The more things change…


Best Of Lex Logo 2001No one wants to be unpopular. Through popularity comes acceptance. Acceptance leads to assimilation. Assimilation leads to bliss. We calm and reassure. We embrace people with the message that we’re all in it together and that there is nothing, absolutely nothing WRONG.

Ace Best of Lexington 2001In 1997, that’s the quote we used to end our “welcome” to the inaugural edition of the Ace Best of Lexington Readers’ poll. It was from the defunct thirtysomething, and it was all about the “dance of advertising.” The episode revolved around Desert Storm, an ad campaign that got canceled because of a war protest, and what it was like NOT to be a Yankee Doodle Dandy in the midst of a national crisis.

Here it is five years later.

And in so many ways, it’s déjà vu all over again.

The more things change, the more they stay the same…

The “Best Local Band” in 1997 was a three way tie: the Metropolitan Blues All-Stars, Catawampus Universe, and the Yonders. All three are still alive and kicking in some form or fashion, though Catawampus Universe remains the most prolific.

Readers had begun bemoaning the loss of the Wrocklage – as they still are today. (If half as many people showed up there as voted for it, it’d be bigger than Bogart’s by now.)

Many winners in the 1997 food and drink category still maintain a significant presence in the local restaurant scene (and in the voting). Dudley’s, a la lucie, Common Grounds, and Natasha’s were all favorites in 1997, and remain just as popular today.

Gatewood tied with Ed McClanahan as most beloved local character. And you’ll see, one of ’em is back this year.

That said, there are many newcomers in this year’s list. Hopefully you’ll be inspired to visit them, listen to them, watch them or whatever’s appropriate.

This is the issue where the readers get their say.

So without further ado, let’s give the people what they want…

 

Arts and Entertainment


Gallerie Soleil Exhibition Coordinator Robert Morgan
Gallerie Soleil Exhibition Coordinator Robert Morgan gets lost in the art.

BEST ART GALLERY

Galerie Soleil

Loudoun House

Wingspan

BEST VISUAL ART EXHIBIT

Horse Mania

Nude 2001

Teahouse Exhibit at ArtsPlace

 

Forrest Payne
The Seldom photographed Forrest Payne.

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER (ARTISTIC).

Forrest Payne

James Archambeault

Guy Mendes

BEST LOCAL PAINTER

Robert Tharsing

Paul Nowacki

Lawrence X. Tarpey

 

BEST BOOK BY A KENTUCKIAN

TIE: ‘Jayber Crow’ by Wendell Berry

‘Prodigal Summer’ by Barbara Kingsolver

Clay’s Quilt by Silas House

Cast Of Vagina Monologues
The cast of the Vagina Monologues (Kelly Flood, Missy Johnston, Debra Hensley, Cathy Rawlings, and Kathy Stein) know how to act out.

BEST LOCAL THEATER PRODUCTION

Vagina Monologues

Grand Night For Singing

Skin This

 

BEST PLACE TO SEE LIVE MUSIC

Lynagh’s

High on Rose

TIE: A1A and

Kentucky Theatre

 

The Hub's Complex Circuitry
The Hub makes some noise winning “Best New Local CD.”

BEST NEW LOCAL CD

The Hub’s ‘Complex Circuitry’

Little Miss Tammy Smith (as far as we know, Little Miss Tammy has not released a CD but let us know if we’re wrong)

Pontius Copilot’s Madagascar

 

BEST BAND DUE FOR A NATIONAL BREAKOUT

Supafuzz

Damn Rathers

Triple Thick (now known as Steggo)

 

BEST LOCAL SONGWRITER

Mike Tevis

George Glasscock

Mark Heidinger (the Hub)

 

Beauty, Health & Fitness


Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis knows how to curl up and dye, baby.

BEST HAIRDRESSER

Mark Lewis (Trademark Salon)

Troy (J. Allen)

Kendall’s

 

BEST MANICURE/PEDICURE

Hair & Now

Nail Perfection

Pam (Planet Salon)

 

BEST WAX JOB

Jenny King (Regis)

J. Allen

Nicole (Planet Salon)

Editor’s Note: Jeff’s Car Wash made a valiant showing here – but given the category (Beauty, Health & Fitness) – we didn’t mean THAT kind of wax job. 


BEST PERSONAL TRAINER

Michele de Jesus

Kevin Balsirac

 

Gold’s Gym
Gold’s Gym lets you sweat it out.

BEST GYM

Gold’s Gym

YMCA

Powerhouse

 

BEST PLACE TO BUY RUNNING/OUTDOOR GEAR

John’s Run/Walk

Phillip Gall’s

Dick’s Sporting Goods

 

BEST MASSAGE

Lexington’s Professional Massage Center

Chesney Turner

 

Dr Vasconez
Dr. Vasconez knows where beauty lies.

BEST PLASTIC SURGEON

Dr. Henry Vasconez at UK Medical Center

TIE: Dr. Sherwood Moore AND Dr. Andy Moore

(they’re brothers; they can fight it out)

Dr. Henry Wells

 

BEST LASER EYE SURGERY

Commonwealth Eye Surgery

Dr. William Offutt of the Eye Consultants of Kentucky

 

BEST SHRINK

Dr. Stephen Cox

TIE: Jane Brake, Ph.D, of The Woodland Group

and Carla Wolff, LCSW

 

Eat & Drink


Laura Beth Elliott and Chef Rodney
Laura Beth Elliott and Chef Rodney pick the perfect vintage.

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Rossi’s

TIE: Holly Hill Inn

Natasha’s (at least it’s in a new incarnation)

 

BEST BUSINESS LUNCH

Dudley’s

Portofino

Café Jennifer

 

BEST DATE RESTAURANT

a la lucie

Jonathan at Gratz Park

Emmett’s

 

BEST FANCY FINE DINING

Jonathan at Gratz Park

The Homestead

Emmett’s

 

Gene and Natasha Williams
Gene and Natasha Williams enjoy a cup of joe.

BEST ETHNIC FARE

Natasha’s

Kashmir

Oasis

 

BEST BAR/RESTAURANT PATIO

Cheapside

Emmett’s

TIE: Dudley’s

Atomic Cafe

 

BEST CATERER

Phil Dunn

Scarborough Fare/Kate Savage/Bleu Ribbon

Donna Potter

 

BEST GOURMET CARRY-OUT

Phil’s on Romany

Scarborough Fare

Cosmo’s

 

BEST DIVE (hole in the wall)

Tolly Ho

Meadowthorpe Café

Stella’s

(In past years, not everyone has considered a win in this category an honor. We used to call it “best greasy spoon,” but that just made the “winners” more angry. Everybody loves a good dive though, or as some readers prefer to describe them, “an undiscovered treasure.”)

 

BEST RESTAURANT SERVICE

Emmett’s

The Homestead

Jonathan at Gratz Park

 

BEST VEGGIE-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Alfalfa’s

Natasha’s

Desert Moon

 

BEST ROLE MODEL FOR A LEXINGTON RESTAURANT

Zola (Nashville)

Fressen (NYC)

Zen Palate (NYC)

Bourbons
Sorry, we got thirsty halfway through the photo shoot.

BEST KY BOURBON

Labrot & Graham’s Woodford Reserve

Blanton’s

Maker’s Mark

 

BEST COSMOPOLITAN

Jonathan at Gratz Park

Pacific Pearl

Oscar’s

 

BEST PLACE TO SHOP FOR WINE

Thoroughbred Shop

Le Matin Wine Cellar

Liquor Barn

 

BEST COFFEE HOUSE

Common Grounds

Café at Joseph Beth

Cosmo’s

 

The Goods


BEST AUTO DEALER

Don Jacobs on Nicholasville

Quantrell Volvo

Paul Miller

 

BEST USED/NEIGHBORHOOD BOOKSTORE

Black Swan Books

Sqecial Media

Glover’s Bookery

 

Steve Baron, owner of CD Central
Steve Baron, owner of CD Central, minds the shop.

BEST/MOST DIVERSE LOCAL RECORD STORE

CD Central

Pop’s Resale

Spy Records

 

BEST PET STORE

Petsmart

Incredipet

MVP

 

Isle of You
The fashionistas of Isle of You (Amy Lee, Lori Houlihan, and Meredith Walker).

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING

Isle of You

Bella Rose

AJ’s Casuals

 

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING

Banana Republic

Eddie Bauer

J Crew

(Almost all voting in this category went to chains/mall stores. Many votes were accompanied by handwritten complaints about the dearth of men’s clothing options in this town.

Just to let you niche-seeking, fashion-forward entrepreneurs know.)

 

BEST ECLECTIC/ARTSY/FUNKY JEWELRY

Black Market

David Hungerford Goldsmiths

Artique

 

Shelia of Shelia’s Fine Jewelry
Shelia of Shelia’s Fine Jewelry shows off the merchandise.

BEST FINE JEWELRY

Shelia’s Fine Jewelry

Farmer’s Jewelry

David Hungerford Goldsmiths

 

BEST CONTEMPORARY/MODERN FURNISHINGS

Modern Details

Alteriors Unique Imports

Medusa

 

BEST ANTIQUES

Thompson & Riley

Baldwin

January

 

Artique
Artique invites you inside.

BEST PLACE TO SHOP FOR PERSON W/ EVERYTHING

Artique

Natasha’s

Black Market

 

BEST PLACE TO BUY A BABY GIFT

Babies R Us

Animal Crackers

Zany Brainy

 

BEST PLACE TO BUY A WEDDING GIFT

Williams Sonoma

The Galleria

TIE: Crystal on Vine

Linens Limited

 

BEST STORE YOU WISH LEXINGTON HAD

Pottery Barn

 

Sex & City


Sticky Bachelor
Is that a microphone or are you just happy to see me, Sticky?

MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR

Sticky

Ben VanMeter

Bill Meeks

 

MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELORETTE

Jennifer Nime

Holly on Z103 [not currently on air]

Rhonda Reeves

 

Nyoka Hawkins and Gurney Norman
Nyoka Hawkins and Gurney Norman use their power for good not evil.

BEST POWER COUPLE

TIE: Alan and Kathy Stein

Gurney Norman (author) and Nyoka Hawkins (Old Cove Press)

Brian and Kathleen Collins

 

SEXIEST LOCAL BAND

The Hub

The Hangovers

Brother’s Keeper

The Hub
The Hub strut their stuff as “Sexiest Local Band.”

 

SEXIEST LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR (MALE)

Marvin Bartlett

Scott Padgett

(not really fair – he’s usually a meteorologist)

 

Jennifer Nime and Marvin Bartlett
“Sexiest Anchors” together again (Jennifer Nime and Marvin Bartlett).

SEXIEST LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR (FEMALE)

Jennifer Nime

Alexa Gromko

Nancy Cox

 

SEXIEST RADIO PERSONALITY (MALE)

Sticky (Z103)

Andy Mason (WRFL)

Freakdaddy (Z103)

 

SEXIEST RADIO PERSONALITY (FEMALE)

Holly (Z103) [not currently on air]

Suzy (Z103)

Ann Deck (WUKY)

 

Ernesto Scorsone
Ernesto Scorsone strikes a pose.

SEXIEST ELECTED OFFICIAL

Ernesto Scorsone

Bill Farmer

 

BEST HEALTH CLUB/GYM (TO MEET A MATE)

Gold’s Gym

TIE: Powerhouse

Lexington Athletic Club

 

BEST BAR (TO MEET A MATE)

Cheapside

Atomic Café

A1A

 

Services


BEST ARCHITECTURAL FIRM

Tate/Hill/Jacobs Architects

GBBN

Johnson/Romanowitz

 

Richard Kimbrel
Always on the phone, Richard Kimbrel sits on hold.

BEST INTERIOR DESIGNER

Richard Kimbrel

Cathy Burgess Interiors

Linda Roberts

 

BEST BANK

 

First Security President John Shropshire
First Security President John Shropshire (left) opens a new branch on Main street.

First Security

Bank of the Bluegrass

5/3

 

 

BEST VETERINARIAN

Dr. Eric Headley
Dr. Eric Headley works on his four-legged friend.

Eric Headley @ Chevy Chase Small Animal Clinic

Romany Road Animal Clinic

Remmele

 

BEST PLUMBER

Tommy Taylor

John Estes

Hunter Plumbing

 

BEST LAW FIRM

Stites & Harbison

Stoll, Keenon & Park

Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs

 

Charlotta of Tatoo Charlie’s
Charlotta of Tatoo Charlie’s slings some ink on her customer’s shoulder.

BEST TATOO ARTIST

Charlotta (Tatoo Charlie’s)

Robert Alleyne (Skinfinity)

Renee Mikell (Skinfinity)

 

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY

Commonwealth

Avant Travel

AAA

 

BEST FLORIST

E. Stephen Hein

Michlers

Chase Clark

 

BEST CPA

Greg Mullins (Potter and Co.)

Jenny Dulworth at Dulworth, Breeding, & Karns

 

BEST BROKER

Betsy Brooks Bulleit at Hilliard Lyons

J.C. Bradford

Carl Schreiber

 

BEST REALTOR

Jim McKeighan at Turf Town

Gina G. Re/Max Creative Realty

Linda Wilson

 

Lowell, the tool man
Lowell, the tool man, gets ready for another job.

BEST MECHANIC

Lowell’s

Rotary Connection

Steve at Perfect Auto

 

BEST ISP

QX.NET

Open World

BEST CELL SERVICE PROVIDER

Cingular

SunCom

Verizon

 

Local Color


 

Gatewood Galbraith
Gatewood is perennially beloved. Illustration by Zach Trenholm

BEST BELOVED CHARACTER/PERSONALITY

Gatewood Galbraith

Sue Wylie

Anita Madden

 

BEST CELEB W/ KY ROOTS

Ashley Judd

 

Ashley Judd
Ashley Judd edges out George Clooney this year.

George Clooney

Johnny Depp

 

BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO DOWNTOWN

Farmers’ Market

Horsemania

Keeping Vine Street

 

BEST LOCAL POLITICIAN YOU LOVE TO HATE

Scott Crosbie

Pam Miller

 

Bill Farmer
Bill Farmer is all smiles as “Best Council Member.”

BEST COUNCIL MEMBER

Bill Farmer

Scott Crosbie

 

BEST STATE LEGISLATOR

Kathy Stein

Ernesto Scorsone (not currently in office)

 

BEST IDEA YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE W/ LFUCG

Build Bikepaths

More lanes on Richmond Road

 

BEST/MOST RESPONSIBLE LOCAL DEVELOPER

Oxymoron

 

BEST TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION PROJECT YOU CAN’T WAIT TO SEE COMPLETED

Rose St./UK Hospital

Courthouse

Limestone

 

Media


BEST PUBLIC ACCESS SHOW

Off the Air

Woodsongs (radio and webcast)

 

Brains on Film
Brains on Film keeps the dotcommers informed.

BEST NEW LOCAL WEBSITE

www.Brainsonfilm.com

www.electrictoiletbrush.com

www.karmastudios.net

 

BEST EVENING NEWSCAST

WLEX 18

FOX 56

WKYT 27

(While the Daily Show made a valiant showing in this category, it is definitively not local.)

 

Brian Collins
Brian Collins has his eye on the sky.

BEST LOCAL METEOROLOGIST

Brian Collins

Scott Padgett

T.G. Shuck

 

BEST LOCAL RADIO TALK SHOW

Sue Wylie (WVLK)

Curtains at Eight (WUKY)

Freakshow (Z103)

(While the Freakshow isn’t talk-radio per se, they do, in fact, talk – often quite a bit – on the show. And since voting was so heavy for them, we didn’t think it fair to disqualify them.)

 

WLAP’s Tom Leach
WLAP’s Tom Leach mans the sports controls.

BEST LOCAL SPORTS REPORTER

Tom Leach

Rob Bromley

Jeff Zurcher

 

BEST OBSCURE ‘ZINE

‘Eugene’

 

Ace Cover Little Miss Tammy Smith
Little Miss Tammy Smith lights up on Ace’s “Best Cover.”

BEST ACE COVER STORY IN LAST YEAR

Honky Tonk Diva

Worst of Lexington

 

BEST ACE COVER IN LAST YEAR

Honky Tonk Diva

UFOs in Crab Orchard

Moms and Work

 

BEST TOPIC YOU WISH ACE WOULD COVER

Arts/Downtown

Development Issues

Fayette County Public Schools