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Mining for Santa Cruz's Riches By Michael S. Gant THIS YEAR'S GOLDIES BALLOTING wasn't exactly Super Tuesday; it was more like Super Wednesdays, as floods of returns inundated our new downtown offices each week until we finally had to cry 'Halt!' and start counting. The turnout--mail-in, walk-in, cyber-in--exceeded our expectations and beat the previous voting record by three times, giving us a statistical sampling better than a George W. Bush push poll. Our readers' thoughtful (if on a few occasions, we noted, self-serving) choices for the county's best people, places and unique treats follow. In more than 100 categories, you've awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze winners (with a couple of exceptions--how many video-rental chains are there, after all?). This list of Readers' Choice will be worth saving: we've already learned about some great new stores, restaurants and personalities, and the results will also be good fodder for dinner-table controversies. In addition to your choices, we've solicited some selections by our crack staff of editors and critics, who've scoured the county looking for the unusual and the unsung. Best Food & Drink       Reader's Choice       Critic's Choice Best Arts       Reader's Choice       Critic's Choice Best Music & Nightlife       Reader's Choice       Critic's Choice Best Goods & Services       Reader's Choice       Critic's Choice Best People & Places       Reader's Choice       Critic's Choice Best Sports & Recreation       Reader's Choice       Critic's Choice Best Write-in Web Exclusive: More Goldies Credits Critics' Choices: Kelly Altshuler, Janet Blaser, Bruce Bratton, Michael S. Gant, Traci Hukill, Matt Koumaras, Kelly Luker, Jessica Lyons, Mary Spicuzza, Christina Waters, Bruce Willey, John Yewell, Dan Young They Also Serve Who Sit and Count: Rob Pratt, Emily Yeast Design and Production: Foster Barnes, Dan Pulcrano, Marty Stevens, Dianna Woods Special Thanks: Mary Nestor, Erika Mazzocco, Tami Roadarmel, Lucy Roadarmel, Christopher Samuels, Stuart Stair, Debra Whizin Photography: George Sakkestad, David Heller, Jeff Kearns [ Santa Cruz | MetroActive Central | Archives ]