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John Borgmeyer
Runner-up: C-VILLE Weekly
A perennial favorite, C-VILLE’s erstwhile news editor John Borgmeyer capped his seven-year career here with that most precious of professional achievements: two consecutive “Best Of” awards. Whether the Missouri native (who’s heading back there to chase down a law degree with the same vigor he chased local government and development questions) was waxing poetic on the McIntire Golf Course or leveling a year-end “Cheap Shot” at an overstuffed law enforcement official, he always delivered the goods with wit and wisdom.
Of course, Borgmeyer didn’t do it alone, and that’s where C-VILLE Weekly comes in. On behalf of all of us, we thank you.
PHILANTHROPIST
Dave Matthews
Runner-up: John Grisham
To be fair, the winner should be Dave Matthews Band (didn’t we make this point when Dave won last year, too?), as it’s through the Bama Works Fund that Dave and his DMB peeps give out the millions. And we do mean millions: more than $4 million at last count.
Not to be outdone in the nice-rich-guys-who-live-here-and-make-a-difference category, megastar novelist John Grisham set an example for everyone with his and wife Renee’s response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster: They seeded a clean-up fund with $5 million faster than you could say “Mardi Gras.”
If we were rich and famous, we’d want to be just like these guys.
PLACE TO WORK, Other than UVA
Charlottesville Newsplex
Runner-up: Martha Jefferson
While the “one viewer as a time” model of manager Roger Burchett hasn’t earned the top TV spot yet, it has hooked employees at the news center, which broadcasts news for CBS 19, ABC 16 and Fox 27. As C-VILLE reported April 4, virtually everyone at the station talks about the fun they have at work.
Maybe it’s the real-life “Grey’s Anatomy,” or maybe it’s the hospital food. Regardless, voters chose Martha Jefferson as the runner-up. It bested electronics retailer Crutchfield in a real squeaker.
PLACE TO READ C-VILLE
Downtown Mall
Runner-up: Mudhouse
Thank you. We love you all, wherever you read this fine paper. For those reading it while stuck in traffic on Route 29N, or in the privacy of your own home (you know who you are), we salute you, too.
PICK-UP SPOT
Downtown Mall
Runner-up: Blue Light Grill
There’s something about the trees, the open sky and the plethora of available alcohol that makes Charlottesville’s epicenter also its center of love. Short of adding gondoliers, it would be tough to make this favorite pick-up spot more conducive to romance. And it seems that one Downtown Mall spot, in particular, epitomizes the appeal of flirt central: the runner-up, Blue Light Grill, which provides plenty of lounge-in-the-window people-watching opps for romance-minded readers (and its bar scene can’t be beat for young, available professionals looking to experience the Mall à deux).
BARTENDER
Ted Norris at Zocalo
Runner-up: Al Zappa at Rapture
Once again, the quick-handed and entertaining Ted “top shelf” Norris left other Charlottesville drink-slingers chasing his ponytail in the race for best bartender. While the congenial, always-working Al “perfect pour” Zappa is nearly as well-beloved by Downtown drinkers, in the end he came up just a few shots shy of first place.
SERVER
Tie: Janet Knight at West Main;
Jill Emerson at Mas and Bluegrass Grill
Read The Rant for one week and you’ll realize how many servers there are in this city (and how angry so many of them seem to be). Waiting tables is no easy task, but these two serving-savvy gals would make you think it’s a piece of cake. Friendly and attentive service, knowledgeable suggestions and fun conversation: According to our readers, Janet Knight and Jill Emerson provide that experience for their customers every chance they get (bet you won’t find them letting out any steam over low tips in the back of a certain weekly paper). Heaven knows that in this town, a good server is not to be undervalued. Keep up the good work, ladies.
LOCAL WEBSITE
cvillemovies.com
Runner-up: C-VILLE.com
Charlottesvillians obviously love their movies. So much so that their favorite local website is a simple, one-page site that does nothing but provide (sometimes questionable) movie times for area theaters, and looks like it was designed by a colorblind monkey who taught himself html from eBay’s help page. But then, we’re probably just sore because C-VILLE. com came in second.
FAMILY DOCTOR
Greg Gelburd
Runner-up: John Hong
With a special interest in homeopathic, natural medicine, Dr. Greg Gelburd is a recurrent favorite in a town that doesn’t shy away from the experimental or alternative approach. Last year he and his wife, Kathy, an optometrist, put the “act” in family practice (his specialty) when they ventured to Pearlington, Mississippi, to offer relief to families upended by Hurricane Katrina. That was by no means Gelburd’s maiden experience with outreach: He’s also active with Advancing Native Missions, a local group that for 14 years has had the goal of “supporting indigenous ministries.”
Taking the runner-up slot is the media-savvy (and ever-quotable) Dr. John Hong, who most recently earned fame for a very personal, ultimately televised offer he made to D-list comedienne Kathy Griffin when she was in town to perform at the Paramount.
DENTIST
David Dalley
Runner-up: Rebecca and David Swett
No one gets excited about going to the dentist. It’s an experience that everyone would be happy to give up if doing so didn’t mean cavities and other painful problems, so Charlottesville’s “favorite” dentist can be somewhat of a misleading term. But hey, if you’ve got to go under the drill, or just get a little routine cleaning, who doesn’t want friendly, relaxed people doing the job? Your choice for the masked man lurking over your chair (with the added bonus of watching you drool) is Dr. David Dalley, with Drs. Rebecca and David Swett coming in second. Thanks to these brave individuals (after all, who wants people to dread visiting them?), Charlottesville’s pearly whites are staying in top shape.
VETERINARIAN
Georgetown Veterinary Hospital
Runner-up: Dominion Animal Hospital
Your favorite place to take Fluffy, Fido and all of your other small furry and feathered friends is Georgetown Veterinary Hospital, in operation since 1959. Coming in second is holistic healer Dominion Animal Hospital, which offers such natural remedies as acupuncture, chiropractic care and herbal therapies. Fido, can you say Namaste?
