It's not Craig Melvin's good looks or charming voice that brings him to the top. It's how much better he makes the people around him. He is the ying to co-anchor Dawndy Mercer's yang, the anchor who moves past technical glitches like he sees them coming and the one who keeps the flow flowing. Melvin isn't even 30 yet, and he could deliver the news from New York City before he reaches 35 if he desires. But we hope he stays in the Palmetto State a few more years. Wendy Pagonis

Author and USC professor William Price Fox kicks ass - corporate ass, right-wing ass, religious whack-job ass. All ass. Fox is admirable as much for what he isn't as for what he is. He doesn't go thesaurus digging or run on about grandiose gobbledygook, nor does he obsess with the bane of faux "journalists" and the modern media in general - me-ism. What Fox does is convey insights on humanity in humorous, compelling and penetrating plain-language ways. Eric Ward

For a city its size, Columbia has a wealth of options for eating Indian food. And while all of them are worthy, Touch of India is truly the best. Order a Masala Dosa for an appetizer and get a taste of why this restaurant's partisans are so loyal. Dan Cook

Be prepared to wait if you show up on a Sunday morning, because those in the know know that Original Pancake House is the place for breakfast in Columbia. From its enormous fluffy omelettes to its incredible apple pancake, this place simply puts others to shame. The coffee's not too shabby, either. Dan Cook

Lord have mercy. Vegetarians and vegans beware, this place even puts barbecue in its baked beans. Serving vinegar, tomato and mustard-based varieties of barbecue alongside a country spread that'll make you slap your grandma, Little Pigs is decadence done right. Kevin Langston

Hot Dog Heaven, a little family-run stand in Irmo, knows dogs like it knows people. There's a dog for every personality ‹ and they even offer decent burgers and chicken sandwiches for those who aren't "dog people." The best part about it is its shtick as a local hangout: It's staffed by polite teenagers; there are pictures of patrons plastered all over the walls; and there's even a bell to ring on the way out to let the owner know you liked his dogs. Rumor has it, Heaven plans to open stands in other parts of the city soon. Heidi Thomas

OK Columbia, here are five easy ways to tell if a place serves good Mexican: (1) The food is served out of a van; (2) none of the food is made with ground beef; (3) none of the food is smothered in a soupy American cheese sauce; (4) the salsa is made with fresh tomatoes, onions and cilantro, not tomato sauce and Tabasco; (5) if all else fails, it must serve a kick-ass margarita. El Chico may not follow all the rules, but at the very least, it has the last, and most important, rule down pat. Heidi Thomas

With the release of its uncannily infectious self-released debut, Vocals and Orchestrations, this quartet has proven its mettle in the local scene in 2005, garnering a sizable following as well as establishing itself as a potential threat to the indie pop hierarchy on a national level. Eric Greenwood

So it's not nearly as big a deal as Kenny Chesney or Jimmy Buffet, but on a local-music level, this Art Bar event is worthy of the crown jewel. In both its concept and execution, Crooners and Swooners was the kind of event we hope to see more of in the future. Local luminaries illuminated The Great American Songbook with style and grace. A ring a' ding ding, folks. Kevin Langston

The Thirsties bring the real deal in indie rock ‹ powerful guitar-driven quality with subtle brilliance musically and lyrically. The Thirsties also possess an essential quality all too lacking in the band world: They are unpretentious. Five veterans of the local scene, The Thirsties are Ken Dubard (lead guitar, vocals), Josh Green (drums), Vic Jenkinson (Rhodes piano, vocals), Kris Pluss (bass guitar) and Will Stewart (vocals, guitar). They're working on their second album and they've been on satellite radio. Look for their gigs around town. Eric Ward

The addition of The Whig to Main Street's sparse nightlife offerings gives me hope for downtown. Unassuming is the name of the game in this underground bohemian delight. Already, there are myths about where the spiral stairs lead, not to mention such idiosyncrasies as the out-of-tune piano and 50¢ Taco Night on Tuesday. The jukebox might be its main attraction, sporting a hipster's haven of selections, but nothing to sneeze at, either. Kevin Langston