Best Computer Repair Service
The phrase “computer geek” may carry the connotation of the kids no one sat with at the lunch table in high school, but these are the people who now solve all your problems when the screen on your PC inexplicably goes blank. Let’s face it: Not many of us know how the rapidly advancing technology works, let alone how to fix it, and PC Avenue has all the answers, and none of the pocket protectors — at least, not as many as you’d think.

2909 Falling Leaf Lane,
449-7932

Best Tire Repair
McKnight Tire, the powerhouse dealer famously staffed with knowledgeable, ready-to-assist-you employees, is a local breath of fresh air. The business constantly takes feedback from its customers, enabling it to give service tailored to Columbia’s needs. And McKnight doesn’t just do tires — they’ll also service batteries, cooling systems, engines, shocks, oil, brakes, and much more.

1909 N. Providence Road,
442-6178,
www.mcknighttire.com

Runner-Up: Big O Tire Stores,
2300 Business Loop 70 E.,
449-2457,
www.bigotires.com; and two additional locations

Best Pet Indulgences
Nearly everyone knows neighbors, friends or family members who are absolutely, head-over-heels enamored with their pet. If they’re the type who bundles up their pooches in designer duds or gives the cherished family cat her own Christmas stocking, chances are they shop at Treats Unleashed, a “gourmutt” bakery and boutique located in the Forum Shopping Center. Treats Unleashed offers events and classes, like massage therapy for your pooch, as well as a variety of all-natural brands of foods and fresh-baked treats, which make excellent gifts for showing that little friend some extra love.

1400 Forum Blvd.,
234-BARK (2275),
www.treats-unleashed.com

Best Local Musician
Locally based singer and songwriter Hilary Scott is making waves — on-air and musically — that are gaining momentum and sweeping up new fans as they stretch coast to coast from our Midwestern city. The independent 20-something chanteuse is a musical force to be reckoned with because her work is personal, uncategorical, rich, energetic, accessible and virtually incomparable to any one musical predecessor or contemporary. Whether she’s performing for charity events in a concert hall, arts festivals outdoors, or in underground bars for her fans, local music lovers just can’t get enough of Scott’s ever-evolving sound.

www.hilaryscott.com

Best Teacher
Jill Womack, artistic director for Theater Reaching Young People and Schools (TRYPS), understands better than most adults that playtime is a time for learning, too. Womack doesn’t stand at the chalkboard all day long, grade papers or monitor recess. Instead, she reaches, teaches and inspires Columbia’s youth through the theater of the mind via TRYPS, the only year-round professional company producing theater for young audiences. Since she founded TRYPS in 1999, Womack has used workshops and children’s theater performances to inspire creativity and tie classroom lessons to life lessons, which parents loudly applaud.

903 Old Highway 63 N.,
449-4536,
tryps.missouri.org

Best Women’s Clothing
Girl Boutique is hands-down the boutique for fashionistas in Columbia looking to flaunt a wardrobe distinct from what you can find at those national chains. Girl features a colorful and trendy assortment of handbags, jewelry, dresses, tops and designer jeans, and carries high-end brands like Seven For All Mankind, Joe’s Jeans, Paige Premium Denim, Splendid and Michael Stars. With its satiny pink dressing-room curtains and the daisies adorning the walls, Girl offers a truly feminine atmosphere and style.

1100 Club Village Drive, Suite 101,
442-7003; and one additional location

Best Art Gallery
PS:Gallery scours the country to bring Columbia rotating exhibits by local, regional and national artists. You’ll find fine art in every possible form — from wood to glass, jewelry to ceramics, and photography to sculpture. Stop in and see what’s new this month. The gallery also handles art appraisals and consultations, as well as event planning.

812 E. Broadway,
442-4831,
www.perlow-stevensgallery.com

Runner-Up: Poppy,
920 E. Broadway,
442-3223

Best Ice Cream
I scream, you scream, we all scream for Cold Stone. The “crew members” at this creamery take ice cream scooping to performance-art levels. To begin this ultimate ice cream experience, diners choose a base flavor such as cake batter or sweet cream and watch as the crew folds in treats such as a whole chocolate brownie or a handful of marshmallows. The result? A sweet treat definitely worth screaming about.

904 Elm St.,
443-5522,
www.coldstonecreamery.com

Runner-Up: Shake’s Frozen Custard,
124 E. Nifong Blvd., 256-2636,
www.shakesfrozencustard.com; and two additional locations

Best Golf Course
Four! Yes, that’s right, there are four sets of tees to challenge all levels of play at Eagle Knoll public golf course. The 72-par facility features rolling fairways, bent grass greens, and elevation changes that will leave you breathless. The award-winning course, voted the third-best value in the nation and one of the best places to play by Golf Digest, is open year-round, weather permitting. But break out the clubs in the spring and fall to see the 75 varieties of native wild flowers blooming. That might take your mind off that horrible slice.

5757 E. Eagle Knoll Drive,
Hartsburg (just off U.S. 63 between Columbia and Jefferson City),
800-909-0564,
www.eagleknoll.com

Staff Pick: Best Return On A One-Hour Investment
Super Suppers makes it possible to put together weeks’ worth of delicious, nutritious meals for your family in just an hour. Super Suppers does the slicing, dicing and cleaning — you do just enough work putting the meals together that you won’t feel guilty about taking all the credit for the feast.

2011 Corona Road,
446-1823,
www.supersuppers.com

Best Breakfast
There’s nothing like a steaming mug of coffee and a stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes to start the day off right. And Lucy’s Corner Café is just the spot to indulge. This cozy diner invites customers to take a load off in one of the red vinyl booths and order up a good, old-fashioned breakfast of eggs over easy, crispy bacon, hash browns or biscuits and gravy. With great prices and tasty food, there just isn’t a better spot in town to read the paper and enjoy a hearty morning meal.

522 E. Broadway,
875-1700

Readers’ choice: Best Movie Theater
For your first date, you could take her to the megaplex, buy her a $10 box of Skittles and an $8 Dr. Pepper, and watch a second-rate actor in spandex do battle with a computer-generated monster … OR you could take her to an intimate downtown theater and view a thought-provoking independent film while sipping chardonnay. Choosy women choose men who take them to the Ragtag Cinema.
23 N. 10th St., 443-4359, http://www.ragtagfilm.com

Best Personal Trainer
Locals who need to step up their exercise regimens step on over to Wilson’s Total Fitness and see Scott Croom. Known for his passion, motivating ability, and positive attitude, this certified and nationally recognized personal trainer goes the extra mile to help weight-challenged clients and experienced athletes alike. He’ll even go grocery shopping with them to teach them how to read food labels to buy the right fuel for their bodies. If you’re hoping to jump on Scott’s fitness bandwagon, you have to move fast — there’s usually a waiting list to work with him.

Wilson’s Total Fitness,
2902 Forum Blvd.,
573-446-3232,
www.wilsonsfitness.com

Best Barbecue
The folks at Buckingham Smokehouse Bar-B-Q don’t mess around. With an extensive menu and meats that slow-smoke for hours, Buckingham’s guarantees a down-home meal that will leave you licking your lips and begging for more. To complement the tender, hickory-flavored star of a Buckingham’s meal, try one of their classic sides such as baked beans or slaw. You may want to invest in a bib, but every drop of sweet and tangy Buckingham sauce is well worth the mess.

213 Business Loop 70 E.,
449-7782; and one additional location

1st Runner-Up: Smokin’ Chicks,
4603 John Garry Drive, Suite 3,
256-6450,
www.smokinchicksbbq.com

2nd Runner-Up: Bandana’s Bar-B-Q,
1705 N. Providence Road,
256-2229,
www.bandanasbbq.com