Eric Scicchitano
Click
here to vote.
For some of us, the best thing about 2009 was remaining employed.
This past year saw a slew of companies fold, leaving thousands upon thousands scrambling to find a new job or seeking help from Uncle Sam. Wall Street was teeming with hopelessness as every small surge was met with a steep decline, and just when everyone thought we hit bottom another dip in the DOW proved we hadn’t smacked into the pavement just yet.
The economic recession couldn’t put a stop to our Circles obsession at the diamond city office, but it did add way too many bar bills to our credit accounts. As much as we like beer, we like it much better when its exchanged for greenbacks rather than a reluctant signature on yet another credit slip. Thankfully, the drunken haze brought on by too many brews temporarily eases the sting, but it’s a hangover like none other when the monthly credit bill finds its way into the mailbox.
It appears our national economy is on the rebound, but that doesn’t mean most of us aren’t still pinching pennies or trying not to blow budgets that once seemed easily manageable. But one thing remains constant — the best things in life are free, and that includes diamond city and our sister in Scranton, electric city. Free, too, is a vote in our annual “Best Of” Readers’ Poll where you tell us who and what shines in Luzerne County.
The polls are open and can be found online at
www.diamondcityweekly.com/bestof. All ballots are due by the end of the day on Nov. 29. We’ll need a little time to tally the votes as our readers respond en masse each year to let everyone know what’s best in food, music, the social scene and all that it entails. Need proof? Last year we received more than 50,000 votes, and a calculator from accounting to boot.
A few things you need to know before logging onto our Web site to vote:
First, you can vote only once. We’ll be keeping a close eye on voting trends and just where they’re coming from, so let’s not try and beat the system because just as in Vegas, the house always wins. If you feel you need to vote more than once, we’ll feel the need to get rid of all of your hard work.
Second, you’ve got to vote for at least 25 categories. This weeds out the desire to vote for your own business or that of your close friend, and in turn cheating out all those other categories that deserve your attention. Don’t bother filling in “Person X” for Best Place to Buy Sex Toys. Unless we know that person sells dildos, we’re not going to accept that answer. Same goes for other ways to cheat. So if you’re going to be lazy and vote for “Restaurant Y” as Best Place to get a Tattoo, save it. It’s not going to tabulate and neither will any of your other votes.
Third, keep it local. We’re asking for Sexiest Musician, but we want to know which local artist makes you blush. Same goes for Best Italian. Tell us which local chef and restaurant fulfills your pasta needs. If it’s Olive Garden, file that under Best Chain Restaurant, but keep every other vote local.
Our massive “Best Of” edition will hit the streets on Dec. 10, so be on the lookout. And if you’re a fan of all things Lackawanna County as well, be sure to pick up the following week’s edition to find out the results from electric city’s “Best Of” Lackawanna County.
Click
here to vote.