Best Local TV News
WIS-TV
Runner-up: WLTX-TV

Best TV Anchorperson
Dawndy Mercer, WIS-TV
Runner-up: Craig Melvin, WIS-TV

Best TV Weatherperson
Ben Tanner, WIS-TV
Runner-up: Jim Gandy, WLTX-TV

Best TV Sportscaster
Rick Henry, WIS-TV
Runner-up: Tim Hill

Best Talk Radio Station
NPR
Runner-up: WVOC 560 AM

Best Music Radio Station
93.5 FM WARQ
Runner-up: WUSC 90.5 FM

Best Local Talk Radio Host
Kevin Cohen, WVOC

Best Local Radio Personality
Dangerboy Dunn, WARQ-FM
Runner-up: Jonathan Rush, WNOK-FM

Best Local Writer
Alex Riley
Runner-up: William Price Fox

Best Free Times Story
Mustache Backlash
Runner-up: Animal Mission

Best Media Hog
Joe Pinner
Runner-up: Columbia Mayor Bob Coble

Best Use of Public Funds
Five Points Renovations
Runner-up: Riverwalk Development

Biggest Waste of Public Funds
Five Points Renovations
Runner-up: 1-277 Pedestrian Bridge

Best Local Politician
Mayor Bob Coble
Runner-up: Andre Bauer

Scariest Politician
Mayor Bob Coble
Runner-up: E.W. Cromartie

Best Effort to Improve Columbia
Five Points Renovations
Runner-up: Main Street Renovations

Best Thing About Columbia
The People
Runner-up: USC

Biggest Gripe About Columbia
Construction
Runner-up: Traffic

Best Thing to Happen to Columbia in 2005
Steve Spurrier coming to USC

Biggest Columbia Eyesore
Five Points Renovations
Runner-up: Busted Plug Plaza

Best Corporate Monopoly
SCE&G
Runner-up: Time Warner Cable

Most Annoying Billboard
UG Buys Ugly Houses-Homevesters
Runner-up: Religious-themed billboards (various)

Worst Traffic Nuisance
I-26 at 1-20 - Malfunction Junction
Runner-up: Five Points Construction

Best Political Stunt
U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (in general)

Best Activist Group
NORML
Runner-up: Carolina Peace Resource Center

Best Individual Activist
Brett Bursey
Runner-up: Johnny Gardner

Biggest Political Faux Pas
Confederate Flag
Runner-up: Will Folks

Best Neighborhood
Shandon
Runner-up: Rosewood

Best Place to Smoke Pot
At Home
Runner-up: Carolina Peace Resource Center

Best Place for Public Sex
Finlay Park
Runner-up: USC Horseshoe

Best Annual Event
St. Patrick's Day in Five Points
Runner-up: 3 Rivers Music Festival

Best Art Gallery
Columbia Museum of Art
Runner-up: Blue Sky Gallery

Best Local Artist
Blue Sky
Runner-up: Lyon Hill

Best Dance Company
Columbia City Ballet
Runner-up: Southern Strut

Best Movie Theatre
Columbiana Grande
Runner-up: Nickelodeon

Best Local Theatre Production
Cabaret at Trustus
Runner-up: Shakespeare in the Park

Best New Restaurant
Free Mountain
Runner-up: Smoky Bones

Best Overall Dining Experience
Hampton Mr. Friendly's
Runner-up: Carrabba's Italian Grill

Best Place for A First Date
Mr. Friendly's
Runners-up: Gervais and Vine

Best Place for a Last Date
McDonald's
Runner-up: Waffle House

Best Late Night Food
Waffle House
Runners-up: Five Points Diner, Wendy's

Best Greasy Spoon
Five Points Diner
Runner-up: Waffle House

Best Place to Dine Outdoors
New Orleans Restaurant
Runner-up: Salty Nut Café

Best Take Out
Eggroll Station
Runner-up: Pasta Fresca

Best Bang for the Buck
Moe's Southwest Grill
Runner-up: Eggroll Station

Best Wine List
Mr. Friendly's
Runner-up: Hampton Street Vineyard

Best Coffeehouse
Starbucks
Runner-up: Cool Beans

Best Breakfast
IHOP
Runner-up: Waffle House

Best Sunday Brunch
Motor Supply Co.
Runner-up: Liberty Taproom and Grill

Best Subs
Subway
Runner-up: Jimmy John's

Best Sandwich Shop
Groucho's
Runner-up: Beezer's

Best Deli
Groucho's
Runner-up: Andy's Deli

Best Vegetarian Menu
Blue Cactus
Runner-up: Mediterranean Tea Room

Best Bagel
Manhattan Bagel
Runner-up: Carolina Bagel

Best Barbecue
Maurice's
Runner-up: Shealey's

Best Burrito
Moe's Southwest Grill
Runner-up: El Burrito

Best Pizza (tie)
Dano's Pizza
Mellow Mushroom
Papa John's

Best Chicken Wings
D's
Runner-up: Carolina Wings and Rib House

Best Ribs
Sticky Fingers
Runner-up: Carolina Wings and Ribs

Best Hot Dogs
Sandy's
Runner-up: Hot Dog Heaven

Best Hamburgers
Rockaway Athletic Club
Runner-up: Rush's

Best Onion Rings
Sonic Drive-In
Runner-up: Rockaway Athletic Club

Best Salad
California Dreaming
Runner-up: Ruby Tuesday

Best Steakhouse (tie)
Longhorn Steakhouse
Outback

Best Mexican Restaurant
Eric's San José
Runner-up: Monterrey Mexican Restaurant

Best Chinese Restaurant
Miyo's
Runner-up: Sesame Inn

Best Italian Restaurant (tie)
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Pasta Fresca

Best Greek Restaurant
Zorba's
Runner-up: Devine Foods

Best Japanese Restaurant
Yamato's
Runners-up: Inakaya

Best Southern Restaurant
Lizard's Thicket
Runner-up: Mr. Friendly's

Best Indian Restaurant
India Pavillion
Runner-up: Delhi Palace

Best Thai Restaurant
Golden Chopstix
Runner-up: Thai Lotus

Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Al-Amir
Runner-up: Mediterranean Tea Room

Best Sushi
Sushi Yoshi
Runner-up: Camon

Best Seafood Restaurant
Red Lobster
Runner-up: Blue Marlin

Best Place for Dessert
Nonnah's
Runner-up: Marble Slab Creamery

Best Ice Cream
Marble Slab Creamery
Runner-up: Ben and Jerry's

Best Waiter/Waitress
Courtney Phillips - Delaney's
Runner-up: Michael Fomby - Mr. Friendly's

Best Chef
Eric Muck - Mr. Friendly's
Runner-up: Luin Aye - Golden Chopstix

Best Concert
Jimmy Buffett - Colonial Center
Runner-up: Kenny Chesney - Colonial Center

Best Rock Club
New Brookland Tavern
Runner-up: Art Bar

Best Jazz Club
The Blue Martini
Runner-up: Delaney's Speakeasy

Best Blues Club
Mac's on Main
Runner-up: The Blue Martini

The "You're Still Around?" award
Hootie & the Blowfish
Runner-up: Tokyo Joe

Best Karaoke
Mr. B's Goodtime Karaoke Explosion
Runner-up: Karaoke with Rockin' Robbie

Best New Local Band
Baumer
Runner-up: If All Else Fails

Best CD by Local Artist
In This Lifetime - Tokyo Joe
Runner-up: Dead Letters - Sunshone Still

Best Local Rock Band
Deleveled
Runner-up: D.B. Bryant Band

Best Local Solo Artist
Pamela Dale
Runner-up: Danielle Howle

Best Local Jazz Artist
Rod Franco
Runner-up: Skipp Pearson

Best Local Blues Band
Ellott and the Untouchables
Runner-up: Fat Back and the Groove Band

Best Local Beach Band
Second Nature

Best CD Store
Manifest
Runner-up: Papa Jazz

Best Store for Used CDs
Papa Jazz
Runner-up: Manifest

Best store for Vinyl
Papa Jazz
Runner-up: Manifest

Best Musical Instrument Store
Pecknet
Runner-up: Sims

Best Recording Studio
The Jam Room
Runner-up: Modern Music Studio

Best New Club
Club Ra
Runner-up: The Whig

Best place to go with only $10 to Your Name
McCary's
Runner-up: Pub on Santee

Best Place to Pick Up Guys
Club Ra
Runner-up: Jake's

Best Place to Pick Up Girls
Club Ra
Runner-up: Pavlov's

Best Bathroom Wall Wisdom
Art Bar
Runner-up: The Village Idiot

Best Bartender
Jamie Frick - Corner Pocket
Runner-up: Tim Bedford - Art Bar

Best Brewpub
Hunter-Gatherer

Best Hippie Bar
Minglewood
Runner-up: The Tavern on Greene

Best College Bar
Sharky's
Runner-up: Group Therapy

Best Dance Club
Club Ra
Runner-up: Art Bar

Best Neighborhood Bar: the Vista/Downtown
Kelly's Deli & Pub
Runner-up: Liberty Tabroom and Grill

Best Neighborhood Bar: Five Points/Shandon (tie)
Bar None
Group Therapy
Jake's

Best Neighborhood Bar: St. Andrews/Irmo
Hemingway's
Runner-up: Corner Pocket

Best Neighborhood Bar: Northeast Columbia
Icy's
Runner-up: Garrett's Grill and Grog

Best Place to Drink Alone
McCary's
Runner-up: Home

Best Place Outdoor Deck
Jake's
Runner-up: Salty Nut Café

Best People-Watching Bar
Art Bar Runner-up: Dr. Rocco's

Best Gay Hangout
Art Bar
Runner-up: P.T.'s Cabaret

Best Club DJ
Peter A - ipop!
Runner-up: DJ Keane

Best Sports Bar
The Wild Hare
Runner-up: Bailey's

Best Pool Hall
Jillian's
Runner-up: Bailey's

Best Happy Hour
The Village Idiot
Runner-up: Kelly's Deli and Pub

Best Bottled Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Runner-up: Delaney's Speakeasy

Best Draft Beer Selection
Flying Saucer
Runner-up: Jake's

Best Car Dealership
Herndon Chevrolet
Runner-up: Jim Hudson

Best Used Car Dealership
Freedom Car Sales
Runner-up: Carmax

Best Motorcycle Dealership (tie)
Harley Haven
Carolina Honda

Best Auto Repair
Bob Andrews
Runner-up: K&A Automotive

Best Bank
Wachovia
Runner-up: Back of America

Best Travel Agency
Travel Unlimited
Runner-up: Forest Lake Travel

Best Newsstand
Capitol Newsstand
Runner-up: St. Andrews Newsstand

Best Hardware Store
Hiller Hardware
Runner-up: Lowe's

Best Tanning Salon
Ultra Tan
Runner-up: East Coast Tanning Salon

Best Hair Salon
Logan Raye
Runner-up: Austal Salon

Best Day Spa
Logan Raye
Runner-up: Urban Nirvana

Best Massage Therapist
Katie Pickel - Logan Raye
Runner-up: Wendi Reeman - Urban Nirvana

Best Piercing Salon
Body Rites
Runner-up: Dave's VooDoo Den

Best Furniture Store
Whit Ash

Best Pet Shop
PetsMart
Runner-up: Pet Supplies Plus

Best Shoe Store
Kicks
Runner-up: GB Shoe Warehouse

Best Boutique
M Boutique
Runner-up: Luna

Best Alternative Clothing
Hip-Wa-Zee
Runner-up: Loose Lucy's

Best Jewelry Store
Marks and Morgan
Runner-up: Jewelry Warehouse

Best Antique Store (tie)
Antiques on Meeting Street
Old Towne Antiques

Best Florist(tie)
Blossom Shop
Rosewood Florist

Best Bakery
Tiffany's
Runner-up: Rising High

Best Place for Fresh Seafood
The Fresh Market
Runner-up: Publix

Best Fresh Produce (tie)
Publix
The Fresh Market

Best Natural Food Store
Earth Fare
Runner-up: Rosewood Market

Best Beer Store
Greene's Beverage Warehouse
Runner-up: Total Wine & More

Best Wine Store
Green's Beverage Warehouse
Runner-up: Total Wine & More

Best Store for New Books
Barnes and Noble
Runner-up: Books-A-Million

Best Store for Used Books
Ed's Editions
Runner-up: The Book Dispensary

Best Thrift Store
Goodwill
Runner-up: His House

Best Electronics Store
Best Buy
Runner-up: Circuit City

Best Place to Buy a Cell Phone
Verizon
Runner-up: Cingular

Best Local Athlete
Blake Mitchell - USC Gamecocks
Runner-up: Ko Simpson - USC Gamecocks

Best Gamecock Store
Jewelry Warehouse
Runner-up: Gamecock Country

Best Park
Finlay Park
Runner-up: Riverfront Park

Best Bike Shop
Outspokin'
Runner-up: Cycle Center

Best Outdoor/Camping Gear
The Backpacker
Runner-up: Half Moon Outfitters

Best Sporting Goods
Dick's
Runner-up: Todd and Moore

Best Golf Store
Dick's
Runner-up: Golf Headquarters

Best Fitness Club
Gold's Gym
Runner-up: Columbia Athletic Club

Best Bowling Lanes
Anchor Lanes
Runner-up: Royal Z Lanes