On a regular basis each year I run three columns: Charliesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Angels Christmas List, Podgesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Tourist Guide of Where to (and not) to Go, and this weeksa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Best-of list.

Winners are based on my observations as well as those of Tez and a few close friends. They are not named because of anything to do with advertisers nor because of anything but the fact that I think they deserve the pat on the back. So here are the highlights of those from the past year:

Best combination view/food Kelowna - Earls on Top, Cactus Club on Water St., Pyramid Winery.

Best combination view/food rural - Ancient Hills Winery, Quails Gate.

Best Kelowna restaurant for dinner - Kelly Osa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™Bryansa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s, Memphis House of Blues, The Grand Hotel, Montanasa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s.

Best Kept Secret (funky place to eat) - Central (Central Kitchen and Bar - CPH).

Best Waterfront Pub/Food - Rosiesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s, Cactus Club on Water, The Eldorado, Manteosa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Resort.

Best Regional Waterfront Food - Gasthaus on the Lake (Peachland), Blue Rooster (Peachland).

Best Kelowna lunch - Grateful Fed, Brownsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Social House, Brown Bag.

Best Breakfast - Perkins, Cafe Soleil, Rickeysa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s, IHOP.

Best Chinese Food - Yum Yum Tree at Capri Centre.

Best Soup sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½“ Grateful Fed.

Best Italian sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½“ Momma Rosa.

Best pizza - Olympia Greek Taverna in Rutland.

Best Kelowna pub (small) - McCullough Station, The Exchange.

Best Kelowna pub (large) - BNA, Original Joes, Rosiesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s.

Best regional pub - Turtle Bay Marina sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½“ Lake Country.

Best Social Pub or hangout - Brownesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Social House.

Best sports pub - Sturgeon Hall, Dakotasa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s, Baxtersa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s.

Friendliest restaurant staff - Grateful Fed, Rickysa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s, Yum Yum.

Friendliest sales staff Kelowna - IDA (Capri Mall), Home Depot.

Best Bakery - Nesters.

Best Butcher - Johnnysa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Meats, Nesters.

Best Book Store - Robbiesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Rare Books, Mosaic Books.

Best Music Store - Wentworth Music.

Best Clothing Store - Mooresa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s, Robertsonsa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Clothing.

Best live Music - Grateful Fed, Blue Gator, Osa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™Flannigans.

Best rural live music - Blue Rooster (Peachland).

Best Concert Facility - Kelowna Community Theatre.

Best Jam night - Rileysa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Pub with the Green Room Riders, anything hosted by Jim LeGuilloux.

Favourite Bands - Linus, Jimmy LeGuilloux Band, Dirt Road Opera, Sherman Doucette.

Solo Musician - Keith (Papa) Thom, Rick Halisheff.

Best Local Magazine - Okanagan Life.

Best Free Outdoor Concerts - Music in the Parksa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½“ listing on City web site.

Best Roofer - Mike Pearce. He might be an east-coaster and just a tad too much fun, but Mike can fix a roof quick and efficiently. He is not crazy about it but if you whine enough he may just help you.

Best Electrician/Handyman - Robert (Bob) McKinnon claims to be retired but he keeps pretty busy and for good reason.

Best Oral Surgeon team - Dr. Russell Naito, Dr. Bell, RN Deb Naito, and CDA Kathy Truant at Okanagan Oral Surgery. Amazing and accommodating.

New Dentist in Town - Jeff Kozak at Bernard Dental.

Best Respiratory Nurse - Robin Carter.

Best Financial Consultant - Charlie Peet.

Best walk/dog walk - Mission Creek Greenway.

Best Place to People Watch - Rosiesa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½™s Waterfront Pub, The Sails, Wings.

Intersections to Avoid - Highway 97 and Spall, 97 and Gordon.

Favourite Hideaway - Echo Lake with Curtis and my canoe, Bear Creek Canyon, Maud Roxby bird sanctuary, my back yard.