Favorite Female Political Figure
Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish
If you haven’t had the pleasure of listening to Lieutenant Governor Diane Denish speak, try tracking her down and hear her words of encouragement, support, and compassion for New Mexico and its entities. Despite her workload, Lt. Gov. Diane Denish manages to keep a smile on her face and keep time for various organizations and programs throughout New Mexico.

Favorite Art Gallery/Frame Shop
Weems Art Gallery
Located in Old Town and in the Eastdale Shopping Center in Albuquerque, Weems Art Gallery offers many artistic services, such as framing, decorating, and showcases art work from national and internationally known artists.

Favorite Overall Eating Place
Flying Star Cafe
Looking for great desserts and other tasty treats to soothe your palate? Look no further; Flying Star offers amazing entrees, drinks, and sweets. There are six locations in Albuquerque, with banquet facilities and an atmosphere that is relaxing enough to spend an entire afternoon.

Favorite New Mexican Food
Sadie’s
Ask anyone in Albuquerque where are the greatest places to get Mexican food and Sadie’s restaurant is surely to be named. Sadie’s is also known for their smoking salsa, which can be purchased by the ounce or the gallon. Stop in for a delicious Mexican dish or make an appointment for Sadie’s to cater your next party.

Favorite Fast Food
The Dog House
Many local residents of Albuquerque say there is nothing like the chili dogs at The Dog House. If you are in the mood for a good hot dog or chili dog, or would like to take the kids out for a quick bite, try The Dog House on Central Avenue, between Old Town and Downtown Albuquerque.

Favorite Fine Dining
Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro
Nobody does fine dining like Zine Wine Bar & Bistro, where they offer American, French, and Californian cuisines. You can go in and have a private room, enjoy the live band, sip at a fine glass of wine, or get takeout, all of which are affordable.

Favorite Barbeque
Rudy’s
This restaurant has great barbeque. There is almost never a time when you drive by that the parking lot is empty. See what all the fuss is about at a Rudy’s restaurant.

Favorite Seafood
Pelican’s
A restaurant for fish, seafood, prime rib, and steak, which offers a fun fisherman’s environment for the family to enjoy.

Favorite Asian Food
China Luck
This Chinese restaurant has a large menu with a variety of beef, pork, seafood, and poultry dishes, not to mention their donuts. The buffet is open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The all-you can-eat-dinner is served from 5 to 8 p.m.

Favorite Italian Food
Scalo’s
Scalo’s Northern Italian Grill has white linen-topped tables inside and a temperature-controlled patio only do locals enjoy a Scalo specialty but tourists do as well. Scalo serves salads, wood-fired pizza, oodles dishes, and a selection of desserts that changes daily. There is a tasty wine for every dish on the menu.

Favorite Female Radio Personality
Jamie
Jamie is a D.J. for 100.3 The Peak. Tune into what Jamie has to say Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Her cute personality shines through the speakers of your radio. Listen as she talks with celebrities and musicians. She gladly plays music to help put an extra pep in your step.

Favorite TV Personality
Sasha Andrade
Sasha Andrade joined the KOAT Action 7 News team in August 2005. She is a reporter for Action 7 and a delight to see on screen giving us our daily news. She has been seen in gusty winds and harsh winters informing New Mexico. She reports with sincerity and dedication.

Favorite Female Living Artist
Nancy Youngblood
Nancy Youngblood, also known by her Native name Yellow Aspen, does pottery and has been published in various publications. She was awarded the 2004 New Mexico Governors Award for Excellence in the Arts for pottery. Check out her website at www.nancyyoungbloodinc.com.

Favorite Female Entertainer
Julia Roberts
Who doesn’t know this lady? She is seen on the big screen as well as in the town of Taos, where she has a home with her family. She became a big-time entertainer after she shared the screen with Richard Geer in Pretty Woman ; since then her fame has grown worldwide with other big movies and television appearances.

Favorite Furniture
American Home
American Home is a place you can go to see traditional and contemporary furniture for your home or office. American Home has operated in New Mexico and the Southwest since 1936 and has six locations displaying fine furnishings in every style.

Favorite Antiques
Morningside Antiques
Run out of places to look for antiques? Try driving down Central in Albuquerque and come to Morningside Antiques. They have antiques of all kinds. There is so much to be said about history but when you can own pieces of history in your own home, it is great to have such conversation starters at your fingertips.

Favorite Female Designer
Anna Rossiter
Anna offers consultation on color selection, lighting, plumbing, tile, flooring, furnishings, and window coverings—in short, complete interior design services for residential interior design, new construction, and remodeling projects. A native New Mexican, she has owned Interior Concepts for a decade and has been a designer since 1992, with clients in Albuquerque and Placitas. Contact her at (505) 688-4464 or by email: intercncpt@msn.com.

Favorite Business Clothing for Women
Elsa Ross
Shoppers at this upscale boutique in Albuquerque’s Nob Hill are in good company: Santa Fe set costumer Susan Weese says it’s among the shops she frequents in finding wardrobe for the ABC Family network’s “Wildfire,” which is filmed Albuquerque. Owned and operated by a mother/daughter team, Elsa and Emma Ross, the trendy shop offers clothing by designers like Trina Turk and Betsey Johnson—very hip.

Favorite Casual Clothing for Women
Viola & Company
Women’s wear for your life and style, jackets to jeans, skirts, tops, trousers, and classic styles with an edge. You can find basic black to bold colors inside Viola & Company. Drop by at 7610 Menual NE at the Town & Country Shopping Center. Open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Favorite Jewelry
Mark Diamond’s Jewelers
For three generations and more than 35 years, Mark Diamond’s has helped New Mexicans commemorate special occasions with rings, jewelry, watches, and other gifts. They also repair jewelry and watches, offer appraisals, and will help you design a special piece. Located east Wyoming on Montgomery in Albuquerque, Mark Diamond’s also has an online store.

Favorite Shoe Store
Shoes on a Shoestring
Remember the billboard? Husbands with “missing wives” were told to look for them at SOS, where it’s not uncommon to see women juggling two or three boxes of shoes (they can’t live without) while surveying the store’s many aisles looking for more. No wonder. It’s the largest selection in the Southwest, with two Albuquerque stores.

Favorite Vintage Clothing
My Best Friend’s Closet
Business, vintage, and formal wear all can be found at this high-end consignment and rental shop, located at 7915 Menaul NE in Albuquerque, just west of Flying Star Café. Owner Rebecca Montoya offers name-brand casual and career clothes, plus handbags, shoes, and jewelry. She also has vintage and contemporary housewares.

Favorite Museum
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Your favorite last year as well, this trip through time offers displays of dinosaurs, fossils, gorgeous gems, a volcano, and hands-on exploration for the kids and the perennially curious. Plus, it boasts the IMAX Dynatheater, where you can surround yourself with the sights and sounds of Earth’s most amazing places. Stepping into the museum is stepping into another world. Located near Albuquerque’s Old Town. Tours available.

Favorite Romantic Evening/Weekend
Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
This world-class hotel at Santa Ana Pueblo made our list last year as Favorite Resort & Spa. With its spacious rooms, fine dining, awesome views of the Sandia Mountains, and horseback riding along the bosque, it’s also a great place for a romantic getaway. You can also golf, play tennis, swim, walk the grounds, enjoy fresh horno-baked bread, or visit nearby Santa Ana Star Casino.

Favorite Book Store
Page One
Albuquerque ’s largest independent bookstore has been a favorite for two decades, and was among the first bookstores in the nation to pioneer the concept of combining a bookstore with sales of CDs, music, and computer software. Now, that’s the norm. Just across the street from Page One’s location, 11018 Montgomery Blvd. NE, is the area’s largest used bookstore, Page One, Too.

Favorite Day Spa
Ten Thousand Waves
This mountain resort spa is located on the road to the Santa Fe ski area, but feels Japanese. Offered are private hot baths, communal baths, cold plunges, saunas, massages, facial treatments, and more. Hop in a tub on the way back from skiing or hiking, or plan ahead to stay in unique, Zen-like lodging. Just a short walk through the trees from the baths and treatment areas are 13 hotel suites.

Favorite Health & Fitness Club
Anytime Fitness
Why is this Albuquerque club on Menaul near Juan Tabo so popular? Their goal is convenience and comfort. Anytime Fitness offers 24-hour access, state-of-the-art equipment, including cardio and strength builders, and a member-friendly atmosphere for folks of all ages, shapes, sizes, and exercise levels. They also offer flexible payment plans, personal training, and tanning. Give them a call at (505) 332-3493.

Favorite Hot Spring
Jemez Springs
The Jemez Springs Bath House is a State Historical Site more than 100 years old, owned and operated by the Village of Jemez Springs. Eight large concrete tubs, separately enclosed for privacy, are filled with mineral water from natural hot springs using a combination of hot and cold water.

Favorite Health & Beauty
Body Language
This Pilates studio in Albuquerque specializes in teaching the classical mat format created by Joseph Pilates, but also offers yoga, spinning, hikes, and a summer program for teens. Body Language Pilates is located east of I-25 and south of Paseo del Norte, at 6011 San Francisco NE. They also offer University of New Mexico Continuing Education classes.

Favorite Elder Care
Pauline VanVeen
We all care for and hold our elders with the utmost respect. We expect others to treat our grandparents with the same love, respect, and care. Pauline VanVeen understands this concept thoroughly. She specializes in diligent and gentle elder care.

Favorite Attorney:
Diane Strader
Attorney Diane Strader has spent her legal career representing seniors, helping them with living wills, guardianship, and other issues. She is president of the New Mexico Guardianship Foundation, the tax exempt arm of the New Mexico Guardianship Association, and practices in Albuquerque.

Favorite Real Estate Agent
Jan Allen
Looking to buy or sell? Jan Allen will see to it that you find that home or buyer, and that you understand the process and your options. Call her at (505) 292-8178.

Favorite Insurance Agent
Rhawnie D. Milliorn
Rhawnie Milliorn understands insurance — and his clients’ needs. He can be reaced at (505) 473-1260.

Favorite Bank
New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union
With nearly 100,000 member-owners of its not-for-profit cooperative, New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union is the largest credit union in New Mexico, serving the faculty, staff, and students of Albuquerque public and private schools and colleges, and select employee groups. It’s also quite community-oriented. Thanks to its generous gift early this year, the University of New Mexico’s main campus is expected to be wireless by 2008.