What's Up Magazines

Best Place to Tee Off: Eisenhower Golf Course
Anne Arundel County's first public golf course (since 1969) is still your favorite, for its relaxed atmosphere and beautiful landscape. Eighteen holes cover 6659 yards. Can you make par 70? 1576 Generals Hwy., Crownsville, (410) 571-0973.

Best Place to Bowl a Strike: Annapolis Bowl
We'll spare you the verbiage: Annapolis's own bowling alley just down the lane is in a league of its own. With its 32 lanes, arcade games, and an onsite bar, you can strike Annapolis Bowl off your "To Do" list-that is, if you can pin down a lane during the popular Galaxy Glow late night bowling. 2057 Generals Hwy., Annapolis, (410) 266-0700.

Best Gym to Get You in Shape: Annapolis Athletic Club
Convenient to downtown, the Annapolis Athletic club offers all the right workout gear, classes covering many fitness topics, massage, personal trainers, and more. 1301 Bay Ridge Ave., Eastport, (410) 990-1095.

Best Scenic Bike Trail: B & A Trail
Stretching from Jonas Green Park in Annapolis to Dorsey Road in Glen Burnie, this 15.5-mile paved trail and park is abuzz on any a warm day with bikers, rollerbladers, joggers, walkers, et al. A simple recreational gem for outdoor enthusiasts. (410) 222-6244.

Best High School Rivalry (tie): Severn School vs. St. Mary's & Severna Park vs. Broadneck
The spirit of competition runs strong in the Annapolis area. By holding their rivals to higher standards, these four schools can only better themselves in sports and the values they instill. Be sure to catch a game between the Admirals and the Saints or between the Falcons and the Bruins.

Best Produce, Best Supermarket & Best Organic/Natural Food Store: Whole Foods
Whole Foods is at it again, claiming top billing for Best Produce. In addition to loving their renowned selection of fruits and veggies and floral department, you chose the grocer as best overall supermarket and a favorite for organic and natural food products. 2504 Solomons Island Rd., Parole, (410) 573-1800.

Best Seafood Market: Annapolis Seafood
The Annapolis Seafood Market has been serving fish, mollusks, and more-fresh, smoked, or prepared on a party platter-for 20 years and counting. Everything you need for a fish feast can be found at any of its four locations. 1300 Forest Dr., Annapolis, (410) 269-5380; 522 Ritchie Hwy. #7, Severna Park, (410) 544-4900; 3105 Solomon's Island Rd., Edgewater, 410956-2023; 2111 Crain Hwy., Waldorf, (301) 645-7500.

Best Place to Shop with a Friend: Nordstrom's and Westfield Annapolis Mall
Tied for first place, Nordstrom's and Westfield Annapolis Mall (known locally as the Annapolis Mall) were at the top of the list when it came to choosing the Best Place to Shop with a Friend. It's easy to include both the mall, with an array of shops, and Nordstrom's, the store that places service first. Nordstrom's (410) 573-1121; Westfield Annapolis (410) 266-5432.

Best Specialty Food Store: Trader Joe's
It's always an adventure shopping at Trader Joe's. You never know what new food treasure you'll find to sample and buy. Frozen seafood, fine chocolate, a wide array of nuts and dried fruits, fresh flowers, and gourmet cheese-it's all here. 160 Jennifer Rd., Annapolis, (410) 573-0505.

Best Home Improvement Store: Home Depot
Well, you simply can't argue with a one-stop shop for everything home and garden related. From simple fix-it jobs to major home renovations, Home Depot has exactly what you need to get any project off the ground. 145 Defense Hwy., Annapolis, (410) 571-0820; 55 Forest Dr., Annapolis, (410) 897-9077; 15410 Chrysler Dr., Upper Marlboro, (301) 780-6555; 4121 Crain Hwy, Bowie, (301) 809-3455.

Best Outdoor Accessories: Eastern Mountain Sports
If you call the Great Outdoors your home, Eastern Mountain Sports probably comes in a close second. Voted best store for outdoor accessories, EMS packs all your camping and outdoor needs into one convenient location. 2554 Solomons Island Rd., Parole, (410) 573-1240.

Best Pet Store: Paws
Collar? Check. Leash? Check. Crab-shaped, peanut butter doggie bones dipped in yogurt from Paws? Check! Whether you're shopping for the pooch or for the feline, Paws provides everything from novel water bowls to custom-made treats, ensuring that when it comes to your pets, they've thought of everything. 64 State Circle, Annapolis, (410) 263-8683.

Best Yoga: Golden Heart Yoga
Yoga novices and experts can gain from the classes offered at Golden Heart Yoga. It offers a professional staff, teacher training, and sampler courses for those beginning to let the light of awareness shine within. 179 Admiral Cochrane Dr., Suite 210, Annapolis, (410) 224-3278.

Best Massage: The Body Connection
Connect with your body's needs by treating yourself to a masterful yet gentle massage given by Jennifer-and Natasha-at the Body Connection. 2521 Riva Rd., Annapolis, (410) 224-4107.

Best Guilty Pleasure Shopping Experience (tie): Lilac Bijoux & Sitting Pretty
For the latest in quality jewelry and high fashion, Lilac Bijoux and Sitting Pretty indulge those looking to splurge on that new elegant earring and necklace set or that coveted summer dress. And at the price of looking good, the guilt is worth every penny. Lilac Bijoux, 145 Main St., Annapolis, (410) 263-3309; Sitting Pretty, 35 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, (410) 267-1722.

Best Car Wash/Service: Maritime Auto Wash
For the best shine paired with hospitality, Maritime Auto Wash pampers your car from the roof to the wheels while providing a while-you-wait coffee and tea bar outfitted with lounge chairs and a gift shop with everything from baby gifts to cards to custom-made napkins. Who would have thought having your car washed could be so much fun? 2473 Solomons Island Rd, Parole, (410) 897-927.

Best Caterer: The Main Ingredient

Whether for a wedding party or a gathering of close friends, The Main Ingredient knows how to accommodate a client's taste, encompassing menu, service, decorations, and atmosphere. 914 Bay Ridge Rd., Towards Bay Ridge, (410) 626-0388; 547 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, (410) 647-6920.

Best Nurturing Environment: Ridgely Retreat
Large airy spaces, the sounds of trickling water, gentle music, and warm wood surfaces all combine to make Ridgely Retreat a true retreat from everyday stresses, with exercise classes, massage, yoga, facials, acupuncture, and nutrition counseling. 203 Ridgely Ave., West Annapolis, (410) 433-0462.

Best Salon to Pamper You: Robert Andrews
Robert Andrews provides clients with the best pampering experience, from head to toe, by offering services like unique body treatments, facials, and hydrotherapy-a true mind and body rejuvenation that focuses on the most important person: you. 1328 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, (301) 261-3844.

Best Stylist to Update Your Hair: Jen McGraw at Robert Andrews
She's perhaps the one person people trust with scissors in hand-that is, when it comes to cutting hair. Whether they want a simple trim or an entirely new look, stylist Jen McGraw knows how to keep the heads of Annapolis looking beautiful. 1328 Main Chapel Way, Gambrills, (301) 261-3844.

Best Dog Park, Best Place to Canoe or Kayak, Go Running & Have a Picnic: Quiet Waters Park
Open every day except Tuesday, Quiet Waters Park, with its 336 acres, offers an incomparable setting with lovely trails for running, picnic tables, a large playground, and docks for launching your kayak or canoe. Bring your dog to play in the dog park, which features enclosed pens for large and small dogs, plus a designated dog beach for swimming. County residents pay a $5 entry fee for parking or $25 for the entire year. Hillsmere Dr., Annapolis, (410) 222-1777.

Best Place to Unleash Your Creative Talent: Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts
Feel like learning how to sculpt, paint, dance, write poetry, use a camera, act, or create from wood or clay? Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts is the place to enjoy, learn, and develop new skills year-round. It offers space for performing groups, teachers, and community groups. 801 Chase St., Annapolis, (410) 263-5544.

The Best Free Activity: Walking Around Downtown
Historic Annapolis, downtown by the waterfront, can provide hours of entertainment. Just take a stroll and see, like all the folks who voted to select a walk downtown as the Best Free Activity around. www.visitannapolis.org.

Best Place to Be Single and Mingle: Maryland Upscale Singles
Anywhere there's a Maryland Upscale Singles event taking place-that's where you single socialites want to be. A social club for singles over 30, MUS has been matching great events to great people throughout the area since 2003. www.marylandupscalesingles.com.

Best Hidden Gem: Reynolds Tavern
Take a respite from the busy world and partake of some English tea and fine food inside this 18th century tavern on the corner of Church Circle in Annapolis. It's a hidden treasure located in plain sight in the Historic District. 7 Church Circle, Annapolis, (410) 295-9555.

Best Place to Unwind: Sly Fox Pub
A cozy basement tavern (beneath Reynold's Tavern) in the winter and a spacious patio in warm weather, plus live entertainment, make the Sly Fox Pub a fun place to relax while partaking of both good food and good drink. 7 Church Circle, Annapolis, (443) 482-9006.

Best Place to go on a Rainy Day: Barnes & Noble
This bookstore will keep you busy for hours, with its large selection of reading material for all tastes and ages. A comfortable café provides food and drink to feed your body while the books feed your soul. Annapolis Harbour Center, 2512 Solomon's Island Rd., Annapolis, (410) 573-1115.

Best Event to Ring in the New Year: First Night Annapolis
First Night Annapolis has been constantly changing and growing since its inception 15 years ago. With new outreach programs combined with the old party atmosphere, First Night Annapolis has become the perfect metaphor for the very night it celebrates. (410) 268-8553; www.firstnightannapolis.org.

Best Charity Event: Annapolis Leukemia Cup Regatta
It seems only natural that Annapolis's best charity event involves sailing. For a $100 donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, captains can register for a 2-day event hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club and the Eastport Yacht Club, which includes parties, live auctions, and prizes for the race winner. (410) 825-2500; www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/regatta.

Best Volunteer Organization (tie): Junior League of Annapolis and Maryland Therapeutic Riding
The JL of Annapolis is an organization of women that promotes volunteerism and improvement in the overall community. Maryland Therapeutic Riding focuses on helping children with a range of physical, mental, and emotional disabilities through horse riding. Though these two organizations have different methods and goals, both fulfill their lofty ideals and improve the lives of many. JL of Annapolis (410) 224-8984; MTR (410) 923-1187.

Best Christmas Decorations: Homestead Gardens
In celebration of Christmas, Homestead Gardens provides an overwhelming maze of detailed themed holiday decorations, outfitted with elaborate train sets, rows of colorful trees, a variety of plants, and an array of ornaments to buy or simply ooh and ahh over with your loved ones. 743 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, (410) 798-5000.

Best Local Author: Lucia St. Clair Robson
Prize-winning author of eight novels, Arnold resident Lucia St. Clair Robson specializes in historical fiction. Her most recent book, Shadow Patriots, tells of the Culp Ring, a group of spies operating during the American Revolution. You can purchase Robson's books at just about any major bookstore, online booksellers, or her official Web site. www.luciastclairrobson.com.

Best Local Celebrity: Gary Jobson
Jobson is to sailing what Michael Jordan is to basketball-he's a phenom and the face of the sport in the United States. He also happens to reside in our hometown. In '77 he made headlines winning the America's Cup as Ted Turner's tactician-today he makes headlines for his loyal service with countless organizations, promoting the sport of sailing and maritime culture. www.jobsonsailing.com.

Best Local Visual Artist: Liz Lind
From the St. Thomas Lighthouse to Paris to even under the sea, artist Liz Lind has captured it all. Her trademark colorful watercolors, using Annapolis scenery and culture as inspiration, are recognized throughout town and can be found in her two galleries, in Edgewater and Annapolis. Annapolis gallery, (410) 295-6880; Edgewater gallery, (410) 956-9063.

Best Local Designer: Ahni
An artist who has chosen clothing as her medium, Ahni Salloway started her clothing business in 1986. She's an Annapolis institution-it's not unusual to hear one patron inquire of another, "Is that an Ahni?" Ahni Ltd., 2014 Renard Ct., Suite B, Annapolis, (410) 266-8089.

Best CEO: Reggie Broddie of the Boys & Girls Club
For the past 14 years Reggie Broddie has served the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County with passion, fulfilling the organization's mission of "inspiring and enabling young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens." Under Broddie's leadership, the club has had back-to-back winners of the State Youth of the Year award and it will soon see the opening of its new flagship club at Bates-a project that is expected to benefit 5000 youth. www.bgcaa.com.