The Readers Have Spoken

HPR readers have spoken and the winners have been named. The 2009 Best Bets winners announced at The Aquarium last Thursday night were good company for us to keep, not only that night but through the whole year.

Named Best Original Band for ‘09, The Fillers were a surprise hit at Thursday’s awards party. The four-member band played a handful of songs to an entirely receptive audience before going out to do a real gig, warming up for none other than Heatbox, who played later that night in Fargo. The Fillers lived up to the expectation of being the best original band. They are off to a good start this year, no doubt about it. Welcome them to the winners circle of best bands in Fargo-Moorhead.

Not necessarily surprising was the selection again—now two years in a row—of Brenda Weiler as Best Musician. After returning back to Fargo from Portland and touring the West Coast, Fargo-Moorhead has enthusiastically embraced Brenda as a hometown star with national acclaim. We celebrate that she is based out of Fargo. Congrats, Brenda, a well-deserved kudo your way from HPR readers.

Jon Offutt, a glass blower who multi-tasks as arts educator and activist, resurfaced as Best Artist for 2009, a title he’s held sporadically since the contest’s inception. We join the throngs of folks who named him Best Artist and give him our congratulations.

Evidence of a more vibrant downtown dining scene bubbled into Best Bet voting this year as well. A big new surprise was the naming of The Silver Moon Supper Club as both Best Fine Dining and Best Place to Take a Date. Monte and Jerry proudly received their awards Thursday and could not have looked happier about the ballot outcome.

Toscana was named Best Italian. And the Thai Orchid fared exceptionally well, winning Best Asian and Best Vegetarian Menu. The Taco Shop serves up the Best Taco, Burger Time the Best Burger, Bertrosa’s (again) the Best Lunch, Juano’s Best Mexican Dining, Grand Junction the Best Sandwich, Pita Pit Downtown the Best Late Night Eats, Duane’s Best Pizza, and Ruby Tuesdays Best Salad Bar.

Obviously—it perhaps goes without saying—we really like music, art and food. A new category this year was Best Chef. Voters gave that first-ever distinction to Andrea Baumgardner at the Green Market. We look forward to seeing future chefs joining that category of celebrities because, in our opinion, we need to celebrate our chefs more here in Fargo-Moorhead.

In the world of bars, several victors surfaced in the 2009 balloting. The Empire Tavern squeaked out more awards, however, being named Best Bar and Best Hangout and for having the Best Happy Hour. Congrats to everyone at the Empire. The Aquarium was named Best Live Music Bar and The Hub the Best Place to Dance. Best bartenders are Jeff Fonder at Dempsey’s and Jacob Johnson at Usher’s, and Heather Hans at the Empire.

While this week’s cover story features Best Bets winners and there is a full page listing all winners, we simply cannot overlook making mention of some in this space in this week’s HPR. For example, John Lamb being named Media Personality and Funniest Person—congrats, John. And Justin Nudell winning the new category for Best Tattoo Artist, congrats Justin. And to The S.O.L. Band for Best Cover Band, way to go!

Thursday’s party was fun and we were certainly in good company. Food provided by Bertrosa’s and Dempsey’s was gobbled up and people were even licking the plates, thanks Bert and Klaus, it was awesome. We thank The Fillers and Best Drag Performer and Celebrity Just ‘N Tyme for surprise appearances, rousing the crowd. We thank musicians who carried the party several hours into the night: The Great Remainder, Inside Out Strings, Women and South Moorhead Scratch Dungeon.

Special thanks to: Miranda Roberson and Trevor Fortin for the huge job of tallying ballots this year, Ben Hamilton for his graphic design contributions, Ryan Gustafson and Richard Schaan for their help with the cover story, and The Aquarium for bestowing so much hospitality upon us at our party.

Good News for Roxana

We join the multitudes of people around the planet who are immensely relieved that Iran has released Fargo journalist Roxana Saberi from prison. It was an emotional roller coaster, we would guess, for the Saberi family and an experience beyond fathom for Roxana, we suspect.

The joining of voices calling for her release from prison after trumped up charges of espionage was powerful indeed. People delicately spoke out while being ever so careful to not contribute to an international incident between Iran and the U.S. Those impassioned yet firm depictions of solidarity with Roxana very likely contributed to the Iranian decision to reduce her charges down to a suspended sentence and to release her to her family awaiting her in Tehran.

Around the globe, yellow became the color associated with the plea for Roxana’s release from prison. Yellow ribbons, yellow clothing: truly, a color of courage.

It is certainly good news that this standout Fargo North High School and Concordia graduate, and former Miss North Dakota, gets to come home after an unimaginable ordeal. Nonetheless, that is the good news countless of thousands of people were praying for.

Welcome back, Roxana, and kudos to you for your extraordinary courage.