Editors’ choices
Best local activist
Pam Russell
For almost as long as anyone can remember, Pam Russell has been helping people who are hurting. These days, she directs the Women and Children’s Center of the Sierra, an organization that assists women who got off track in their teens or thereabouts get back on track. Before that, she worked for Washoe Legal Services. Before that, she was with United Way. Before that, she was with the Committee to Aid Abused Women. Somewhere in there, the region lost her for a time while she was running Turning Point of LeHigh Valley, a domestic abuse agency in Allentown, Pennsylvania. With any kind of luck, we won’t lose her again, because she’s a community asset.
Best local politician
David Parks
The “best local politician” category is always an interesting one. And the winner often also places in the “Most handsome or “Most beautiful” categories. Nevada is home to a lot of dedicated public servants, but perhaps the most exemplary among them is Nevada Senator David Parks. Parks was elected to the state senate back in 2008 and, before that, served in the state assembly since the 1997 session. Yep, Parks is from Southern Nevada, but every other year he parks his butt in Carson City from February to June to make a difference for all Nevadans. Parks is a consistent Democrat. He was the state’s first openly gay legislator. He stands up for LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, workers’ rights and more—and he does it all in his characteristic, slightly buttoned-up, well-spoken way.
Readers’ choices
Best aesthetician
1. Teresa Martinez
Posh Salon, 250 Crummer Lane, 826-7674
2. Jeri Miles
Murphy Plastic Surgery & Medical Spa, 10401 Double R Blvd., 322-3446
3. Elvia Ledezma
Dolce Vita Wellness Spa, 730 Sandhill Road, 772-0032
Best attorney
1. Marilyn York
548 California Ave., 324-7979
2. Joey Gilbert
201 W. Liberty St., 574-4774
3. Jerry Snyder
429 W. Plumb Lane, 499-5648
Best barber
1. Vincent Gravallese
Derby Supply Company, 123 W. First. St., 440-1930
2. Patrick Sutton
Maxwell’s Barbershop, 555 S. Virginia St., 322-2466
3. Joe Foley
Commonwealth Barber Company, 200 S. Center St., 409-4972
Best barista
1. Matthew LeBlanc
Bibo Coffee Co., 945 Record St., 348-8087
2. Hannah Beesley
The Roost, 651 Booth St., 399-3855
Best bartender
1. Lacey Shea
Shea’s Tavern, 715 S. Virginia St., 786-4774
2. Annalisa Suarez
Pignic Pub & Patio, 235 Flint St., 376-1948
3. Toray Manwarren
Blind Dog Tavern, 50 N. Sierra St.
Best budtender
1. Brian Salazar
Blüm, 1085 S. Virginia St., 420-2586
2. Ashley Brunson
Mynt Cannabis Dispensary, 132 E. Second St., 686-6968
3. Alanna Hendrix
Kanna Reno Dispensary, 5398 Sun Valley Blvd., 674-0420
Best chiropractor
1. Dr. Todd Stevenson
Peak Performance Chiropractic, 241 Ridge St., 786-7325
2. Dr. Ricky Delacruz
Delacruz Chiropractic, 140 W. Huffaker Lane, 313-5494
3. Dr. Brittni J. Grider
Life Force NV, 2295 S. Virginia St., 685-8966
Best club or event DJ
1. Erik Riekenberg
Epik Weddings & Events, 748 S. Meadows Pkwy., 250-3745
2. Kenneth “DJ Kentot” Allen
Amplified Entertainment, 830-0689
3. Stephen “DJ Eyeque” Rivera
Quedup Entertainment, 501-5550
Best college instructor
1. Bob Felten
University of Nevada, Reno
2. Kurt Ehlers
Truckee Meadows Community College
3. Greg Nielsen
University of Nevada, Reno
Best creative writer
1. Christopher Daniels
2. Mikalee Byerman
3. Mark Maynard
Best dance instructor
1. Fanci Valles
The Loft Dance Theater Arts, 7025 Longley Lane, 762-5376
2. Haleigh Hoff
Nevada Dance Academy, 1790 W. Fourth St., 323-4227
3. Diana Sweeney
Creative Edge Dance Studio, 9475 Double R Blvd., 430-6416
Best dentist
1. Champagne Family Dentistry
735 Sparks Blvd., Sparks, 359-3934
2. Sala Family Dentistry
4875 Summit Ridge Drive, 473-9110
3. Dr. John Bocchi
Sierra Smiles, 5465 Kietzke Lane, 786-1911
Best elementary school teacher
1. Jesseca Lunardelli
Smithridge STEM Academy
Best family doctor
1. Dr. David Zucker
645 N. Arlington Ave., 329-2525
2. Dr. Andy Pasternak
10467 Double R Blvd., 853-9394
3. Dr. Amanda Magrini
5975 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks, 352-3080
Best gynecologist
1. Dr. Staci Paul
OB/GYN Associates, 645 N. Arlington Ave., 329-6241
2. Dr. Stacy E. Mellum
OB/GYN Associates, 645 N. Arlington Ave., 329-6241
3. Hilton Pollock
Associated Gynecology, 3645 Warren Way, 825-3838
Best hair stylist
1. Brian Jensen
Jensen & Co., 495 Morrill Ave., 657-6576
2. Stephanie Arredondo
An Epic Salon, 215 15th St., Sparks, 384-1848
3. Katie Catt
An Epic Salon, 215 15th St., Sparks, 384-1848
Best high school teacher
1. Rod Hearn
Damonte Ranch High School
2. Brent Busboom
Reno High School
3. Joseph Garton
Sparks High School
Best interior designer
1. Sarah Blackbern
Sarah Blackbern Interiors, 636-0699
2. Jade Bogan
Jade Moana, P.O. Box 999, Truckee, California
Best local activist
1. Meredith Tanzer
2. Bob Fulkerson
Best local actor/actress
1. Stacy Johnson
2. Christopher Daniels
3. Mary Bennett
Best local athlete
1. David Wise
2. Cody Martin
3. Jordan Caroline
Best local author
1. Mikalee Byerman
2. Laura Newman
3. Mark Maynard
Best local columnist
1. Cory Farley
Reno Gazette Journal
2. Bruce van Dyke
Reno News & Review
3. Kris Vagner
Double Scoop/Reno News & Review
Best local filmmaker
1. Emily Skyle-Golden
2. Tyler Bourns
Best local musician
1. Grace Hayes
2. Milton Merlos
3. Kayla Rae
Best local politician
1. Hillary Schieve
2. Oscar Delgado
3. Julia Ratti
Best local radio DJ or DJ team
1. Chris Payne
Alt 92.1
2. Bill, Deanna and RJ
Alice 96.5
3. Bella Rios
95.5 The Vibe
Best local rapper
1. Savy Balboa
2. Feeki
3. Eli McCoy
Best local songwriter
1. Grace Hayes
2. Gina Rose
3. Spike McGuire
Best local TV news anchor
1. Kristen Remington
KTVN
2. Joe Hart
KRNV
3. Landon Miller
KTVN
Best massage therapist
1. Robert Baum
Baum Therapy, 895 E. Patriot Blvd., 247-4947
2. Keisha Curtis
Sol State Massage, 505 South Arlington Ave., 530 250-5949
3. Karli Endres
Dolce Vita Wellness Spa, 730 Sandhill Road, 772-0032
Best middle school teacher
1. Shaughn Richardson
Traner Middle School
2. Levi Watson
Mount Rose School
3. Martha Taylor
Clayton Middle School
Best minister/spiritual advisor
1. Christopher Daniels
2. Jessica Levity
3. David Pretlove
Best model
1. Cassi Salo
2. Holden Wunders
3. Natalin Luke
Best muralist
1. Joe C. Rock
2. Anthony Ortega
3. Erik Burke
Best music teacher
1. Tim Wood
2. Terry Thompson
3. Eric Stangeland
Best nail technician
1. Shannon Ochoa
Jensen & Co., 495 Morrill Ave., 657-6576
2. Riley Catt
Catt’s Claws, 215 S. Wells Ave., 379-237
3. Megan Lang
Nails by Megan L., 4875 Kietzke Lane, 843-7635
Best personal trainer
1. Sherilyn Cabanting Allen
Orangetheory Fitness Reno, 8056 S. Virginia St., 800-2308
2. Mena Spodobalski
Evoke Fitness, 895 E. Patriot Blvd., 827-1995
3. Morgan Dawn
Sports West Athletic Club, 1575 S. Virginia St., 348-6666
Best pet groomer
1. Lulu’s Pet Grooming
11331 S. Virginia St., 852-5252
2. Groomingdale’s Paw Spa
4840 Vista Blvd, Sparks, 683-3311
3. CJ’s Dog Grooming
4690 Longley Lane, 443-6883
Best photographer
1. Epik Weddings & Events
748 S. Meadows Pkwy., 250-3745
2. Alexa Woodmancy
Woodmancy Photography, 843-8215
3. Macu Binette
Macu Binette Photography, www.facebook.com/macubinettephotography
Best Pilates instructor
1. Lisa Castaneda
Evoke Fitness, 895 E. Patriot Blvd., 827-1995
2. Maddison Paul
Juice Box Yoga, 1635 Robb Drive, 971-8292
3. Meagan Ball
Ball Fitness Studios, 460 California Ave., 324-3224
Best plastic surgeon
1. Dr. Tiffany McCormack
10791 Double R Blvd., 284-2020
2. Dr. James Murphy
10401 Double R Blvd., 322-3446
3. Dr. Louis Bonaldi
6630 S. McCarran Blvd., 828-7400
Best police officer
1. Jason Soto
Reno Police Chief
2. Darin Balaam
Washoe County Sheriff
3. Tim Broadway
Reno Police Department
Best power couple
1. Jennifer Janiga & Timothy Janiga
2. Erik Riekenberg & Frances Riekenberg
3. Bella Rios & Mike Meraz
Best principal
1. Krissy Brown
Mount Rose School
2. Jeff Batavia
Rollan Melton Elementary School
3. Brianne Thoreson
Bishop Manogue Catholic High School
Best public relations professional
1. Abbi Whitaker
Abbi Agency, 1385 Haskell St., 323-2977
2. Sara Robbins
The Row, www.therowreno.com
3. Kerry Sutherland
K. Sutherland Public Relations, 18 Winter St., 360-6101
Best real estate agent
1. Kayla Dalton
Dickson Realty, 4870 Vista Blvd., Sparks, 685-8800
2. Rogelio Garcia
Keller Williams Group One, 10539 Professional Circle, 502-9887
3. Sarah Scattini Goles
Re/Max Premier Properties, 5476 Reno Corporate Drive, 544-5412
Best tattoo artist
1. Tony Medellin
Lasting Dose Tattoo & Art Collective, 888 S. Virginia St., 324-0666
2. Joe Zeigler
Absolute Tattoo, 707 S. Wells Ave., 324-2223
3. Ron Rash
Twofold Tattoo, 28 Hillcrest Drive, 737-9079
Best therapist/counselor
1. Leslie Delacruz
403 Flint St., 233-6789
2. Caitlyn Wallace
Renown Behavioral Health, 850 Mill St.
3. Nora Ann Brucklacher
Sierra Sunrise Wellness Group, 855 S. Center St., 224-0703
Best veterinarian
1. Klaich Animal Hospital
1990 S. Virginia St., 826-1212
2. Dr. Christina Martini
Southwest Veterinary Hospital, 960 W. Moana Lane, 825-7984
3. Mountainview Animal Hospital
6474 Bonde Lane, 853-6900
Best visual artist
1. Matthew McDowell
2. Anthony Ortega
3. Jaxon Northon
Best volunteer
1. Evelyn Mount
2. Shanda Golden
Best wedding planner
1. Karie MacLeod
She Said Yes Weddings and Events, 240 Bonnie Briar Place, 276-8798
2. The Hytch
526-0441
3. Emily McClintock
Jàlie Premier Event Planning, 901-0567
Best yoga instructor
1. Angie Fraley
2. Tanya Rose Bordner
3. Kelly Aguilera
Most beautiful person
1. Kristen Remington
2. Frances Riekenberg
Most handsome person
1. Erik Riekenberg
2. Arnie States