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Channel 1’s Lou Cox with the “Experience” mural artists.

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Readers, it's been a doozy putting together these two "Best of New Haven" issues. Lots of interviews, writing, editing, all that stuff. Thank you, winners, for coming to our office last month to tell us about what makes you so special to our readers. Each April we meet a lot of great people with dynamic stories behind their wins. This year was no different.

Still, for all the things we come across each year while living and working in New Haven, some don't fit into standard categories. Here are our own "Best" picks that fell a little outside the margins. We hope you like this stuff as much as we do.

Best Local Victory Over the Corporate Radio Industry

When news first hit in early March that FM giant WPLR was set to silence James Velvet and Rick Allison's 21-year-old, weekly, half-hour long Sunday night "Local Bands Show" (thelocalbandsshow.com) devoted to local, original music, the people spoke with an outpouring of letters from local music fans. WPLR general manager Kim Guthrie listened, and reversed the decision to ax the show. Thanks to the passion of fans and the show's co-hosts, a true local treasure has been saved, David vs. Goliath–style.

Though Velvet and Allison may not play every local CD submission they get, they do promise to listen to all of them. Send yours to: Local Bands, P.O. Box 6508, Whitneyville, Conn., 06517.

— Kathleen Cei

Best Place for Pedestrians to Get Hit By a Car

Many walking East Rockers know the intersection of Trumbull and Lincoln streets well. It's the most treacherous stretch of pavement between their homes and downtown.

Crossing Trumbull Street can be hazardous any time of day. During rush hour, it's a free-for-all. At the intersection where Trumbull meets Lincoln Street, there's no traffic light to help the cause, just a new "yield to pedestrians" sign facing either direction. It's ignored by pretty much all drivers.

When the weather is warm, a small free-standing plastic yield sign is placed on the double yellow lines as a reminder, but it doesn't do much good. If you get the balls to make a Frogger-worthy leap of faith across the street, drivers tend to get downright angry that you're preventing them from rolling up to the red light. Is the city just waiting for someone to get hospitalized before it does something about this intersection? Maybe some flashing warning lights would do the trick.

— Mike Sembos

Best Fix Thanks to See Click Fix

See Click Fix, the hyper-popular interactive Web site (seeclickfix.com) that lets neighbors and concerned citizens point out problems, has goaded New Haven City Hall into fixing pot holes and the police to crack down on pesky ATVs. The best fix was the March bust of a street-level heroin drug deal on Eld Street in East Rock. Neighbors had been complaining about drug dealing in the neighborhood and the cops listened.

— Betsy Yagla

Best Media Makeover

Many student newspapers around the country have been ditching their print editions and existing solely online. The Yale Daily News ran in the other direction, making its front pages more inviting, adding several new shortform informational elements, and giving over large swaths of the paper to graphic designers and illustrators. The fresh attention to presentation reminds us of what print can do best. Beyond the good looks, the YDN's eager-student resources are scooping the depleted newsgathering staffs at the Register and Advocate on some big stories, and even giving the online New Haven Independent a run for its money on city-meeting coverage.

— Christopher Arnott

Best Thing College Kids Have Done for Journalism

Last year a group of Quinnipiac University student journalists started The Quad News, a student-run online newspaper independent of university funding. The decision to create an independent news source on campus was the result of a feisty argument between administrators and the student-journalists of Quinnipiac's official newspaper, The Chronicle. Said argument started when then editor-in-chief Jason Braff, after publicly voicing his dissent with a university policy restricting breaking news updates online before the weekly print edition came out, was warned by administrators that students in leadership positions were advised not to criticize university policy.

Ultimately, Braff and a handful of other student-journalists parted ways with The Chronicle to start the The Quad News.

Billed as "QU's independent voice," the The Quad News has been running since the start of the academic year. It's updated daily by a staff of dedicated students with news, sports, arts and entertainment, features, life/styles, opinion, live blogs covering campus elections; all the aspects of a serious newspaper. And today, relations with the administration have finally loosened up and an overall atmosphere of healthy competition exists between the two papers. Kudos, kids.

— Sarah Elizabeth Rosenbaum

Best Downspout/Gargoyle

No obviously mock-Gothic fantasy attached to some Yale College gutter in this category. Instead, a minimalist spout from Paul Rudolph's Temple Street Parking Garage; as if pinched from concrete, one more evidence that the splendor of this structure extends to its smallest detail.

— Stephen Vincent Kobasa

Best Place to Feel Small and Insignificant

Everyone needs an occasional reality check. Take a drive up to Hubbard Park in Meriden, where you can drive up to Castle Craig and just sit. You can see the park below (the lake and fountains look really cool from up there), and on a good day you can see New Haven, the Sound, and even Long Island if the weather's clear enough. Sit on a rock ledge, let your feet dangle, and realize that we are all tiny dots on this huge planet. If that doesn't help put things in perspective, nothing will.

— Alison Geisler

Best Place To See Spring Arrive

On Hughes Place in Wooster Square, spring arrives suddenly and with riotous abandon. Wooster Square celebrates the annual arrival of the clouds of pale petals with a dedicated Cherry Blossom Festival at the end of April featuring some of the best of local food.

If you're after an even more concentrated dose of spring exuberance, point yourself just north of the square on the 50-yard stretch of Hughes Place. The cherry trees reach across a narrow street, meeting in the middle to form a continuous canopy of ethereal beauty that is equally breathtaking in the solitude of a spring downpour and the glorious glow of April picnic weather. Ideal for a contemplative stroll or a romantic arm-in-arm, and everything in between.

—Andrew Iliff

Best Local Fizz

Family-owned for more than 80 years, still made with real sugar, and the 12-ounce size is still available in old-school glass bottles. Rule of thumb: If you walk into a pizza joint and see Foxon Park Soda (103 Foxon Blvd., East Haven; 203-467-7874, foxonpark.com) on tap or in bottles in the cooler, its a good sign a great pie will follow.

Among the 18 or so soda flavors are cherry, cream, gassosa, lemon-lime, kola, strawberry, white birch and the ever-mysterious "Iron Brew."

What does an Iron Brew taste like? According to the company's Web site, "It is tough to describe Iron Brew. You'll just have to try this old world, unique soda that has its roots in old Scotland. Do you like Kola? Do you like Cream? Do you like Root Beer? Then Iron Brew is the drink for you!"

— Kathleen Cei

Best Place to Risk Getting Puked On

While none of us has personally been barfed on while enjoying a night out on Crown Street in New Haven, we have seen some close calls. Late night club fiends leave their dance parties like loaded cannons and one can only hope that the puke fuse doesn't burn down until after they've stumbled home (hopefully by way of a designated driver).

Some are not so lucky. The Crown Street stairwell of the Temple Street Parking Garage seems to have a special place in the hearts of street barfers. We recommend taking the elevator. Shockingly, less barf.

— Alison Geisler

Best Taming of the Shrews

The Elephant Shrews at the Yale Peabody Museum: These ratty little charmers, who had a large glass enclosure in which to frolic on the first floor, had the distinction of being the only mammals in the building who weren't stuffed (except for the humans, that is).

Their mere presence in the place was also a much-needed slap in the face to crackpot Creationists, since they were the centerpiece of a major exhibit entitled "Tree of Life," about DNA and other connections between varied species. It was also just plain cute how they wriggled those long noses. The shrews have moved on, but new exhibits on Darwin and green living keep science studies fresh and lively for the whole family — and the plants they're closely related to.

— Christopher Arnott

Best Non-Chicken Buffalo Product

Archie Moore's (188½ Willow St., New Haven; 203-773-9870, archiemoores.com) has a well-respected hot sauce that all can enjoy. But what if chicken ain't your thang? Well, their Buffalo–style calamari happens to be fucking fantastic. This is particularly useful information for non meat-eaters who make an exception for creatures of the sea. Even wing fanatics will enjoy it. The calamari has the same saucy goodness, and let's face it — it's all about the sauce. I dare say calamari is a perfect vehicle to transport hot sauce from one's plate to one's mouth. A fork helps, too.

— Mike Sembos

Best Good Skate

A scene ain't much good if it can't get its gear locally. Lou Cox's Channel 1 (220 State St., New Haven; 203-789-0309, channel1online.com) outfits area skateboarders not just with wheeled equipment but clothing and shoulderbags. The walls are a popular gallery space for cutting-edge community art, and locally lensed feature films have held their premieres there.

Channel 1's proximity to Cafe Nine (250 State St., New Haven; 203-789-8281, cafenine.com) means the parties can just move down the street until they're done. This year, Cox solidified his standing in the neighborhood by organizing (with the city Department of Cultural Affairs) a positivist mural, painted by city children, in a nearby parking lot. Channel 1's message is really getting out there: Make art, and you'll get noticed.

— Christopher Arnott

Best Homage to The Wizard of Oz on a Front Porch

If we know only the movie rendering of the Tin Man's story, we are completely unaware of the fact that he is a multiple amputee, dismembered by a charmed ax, his cardiac needs forgotten in the course of prosthetic repair. In any case, these local decorations suggest that duplicate companionship might ease the Tin Man's loss, leaving the resulting pair rusted and cheerful, if heartless.

— Stephen Vincent Kobasa

Best Place to Buy a Unique Gift

Now celebrating their 41st anniversary, Group W. Bench (1171 Chapel St., New Haven; 203-624-0683) is the novelty shop that puts all other novelty shops to shame. They've got dozens, maybe hundreds, of toy robots. They've also got little green army guys, hippie clothing, greeting cards that don't suck, jewelry and, um, smoking devices.

Since opening two years after the Summer of Love, the staff at Group W. has kept the spirit of the '60s going non-stop within the shop's walls. Dylan, The Beatles or The Dead are usually piped over the speakers while you shop, and the smell of incense permeates all. While there are many stores around the country that strive to do what Group W. does, the Bench does it right. Their walls are filled with unique stuff that's fun to look at and buy for unsuspecting friends.

— Mike Sembos

Best Dressed Couple at City Hall

Deputy economic director Chrissy Bonanno and chief administrative officer Rob Smuts. Foxy Bonanno can usually be found wearing sky-high heels and a sleek dress or shirt-and-skirt combo. Smuts is typically clad in a preppy, brightly colored tie and a slim suit. True, the two don't have much competition for the award — there are only a few couples at City Hall (and thanks to recent layoffs, one-half of a City Hall couple lost their job) but these two always dress the power-couple part.

— Betsy Yagla

Best Local Music Fan

Scan the crowd at any local band show and chances are you'll see Brad Jacobs. Not only does the locally-loyal, likeable Jacobs support the scene by going to gigs, he also books his own gigs with help from pal Dave Kelsey under the name Golden Microphone. Their free acoustic shows are usually held at Neverending Bookstore (810 State St., New Haven; neverendingbooks.net), with all donations going to the musicians. (Next up: Tory Lawson and Elisa Flynn on May 16).

Golden Microphone's MySpace page (myspace.com/goldenmicrophone) has a great slideshow archive of live photos from local band shows, and you'll find the devoted duo's videos posted on YouTube, too. Jacobs got the defunct Nortons to reunite to play for his 50th birthday party last month. As a result, The Nortons have booked several more shows. Next time you see Jacobs and Kelsey, why not turn around and give them a round of applause?

— Kathleen Cei

Best Monday Night Mexican Deal

c.o. jones (969 State St., 203-773-3344) has different specials every day of the week, but for one of the best combinations, some imagination is required. See, burritos are half-price on weekdays from 10–11 p.m., along with half price drafts.

Say you don't want a draft and would rather have a salt-laden, giant margarita. Monday nights, margaritas are half-price until 10 p.m. If you're willing to show up at 9:45 and order drinks, then snack on chips until the burrito hour arrives...you get the idea.

— Mike Sembos

Best Tiny Post Office

The post office on the corner of Fountain Street and Alden Avenue in New Haven is so little and childrens'-book-cute there should be wee, dancing postal elves behind the counter. Feckin' adorable.

— Craig Gilbert

Best Busted Block

It seems unusual that one of the most noticeable and well-traveled downtown blocks, Chapel Street between College and Temple streets, right across from the Green, should have so many empty storefronts. But we're used to it. The old Performance Studio/New Haven restaurant space, for instance, has been vacant since the mid-'90s, and the spacious former furniture store/Sam Goody's near it seems no more likely to be filled anytime soon. There are others, and a new vacancy just joined the list: Blockbuster Video.

New Haven's consumer needs have always been a pleasant curiosity. Cutler's chugs along while several major record store chains couldn't survive here. The city subsisted for years without Starbuck's before succumbing. Decrepit areas turn themselves into haute cuisine destinations while central city blocks fester. For a city so marked by uban renewal and development schemes, you'd think it'd all be clearer.

—Christopher Arnott

Best Use of Music on a City Official's Answering Machine

Beaver Hills Alderman Moti Sandman's home phone answering machine message begins with the sweetly crescendoing "bom, bom, bom, bom" of the 1954 pop song, "Mr. Sandman." Just before The Chordettes request that the Sandman bring them a dream, the music fades and alderman Sandman's wife, Miriam, informs you that you've called the residence of Moti, Miriam and all their brood.

— Betsy Yagla

Best New Way to Hear Live, Local Music on the Airwaves

"The Jef Sessions" on WYBC 1340 AM (wybc.com), Saturdays from noon–2 p.m. As host of this new local radio show, musician/recording engineer Jef Wilson of New Haven's East Rock Recording Studio (eastrockstudio.com) doesn't just play local CDs, but goes the extra mile and crams guest bands and all their gear into the studio to play live on the air — usually two bands per session.

Wilson welcomes listeners to call in with questions. Some may have been hung up on during the first few shows, but Wilson was learning the board. His D.J. skills get fine-tuned each week.

Wilson keeps things loose, which puts guests at ease and keeps things comfortable, and good vibes make good radio. Guest bands have included Atrina, Eula, The Sawtelles, The Lonesome Sparrows and others. If your band wants to play, e-mail jef@eastrockstudio.com.

— Kathleen Cei

Best Landmark Made by a Mythical Creature

Connecticut's early inhabitants apparently had a strange love/hate relationship with Satan, since they named so many landmarks after the guy. The Devil's Hopyard State Park is one of them. Inside the park at Chapman Falls, the rocks have perfectly round holes in them. The early settlers, with no way to explain these holes, and with a healthy fear of Satan, made up a bunch of reasons for their existence. One of them says the Devil must have gotten his tail wet when walking by the falls, and got so pissed off that he stomped a bunch of holes in the rocks with his hooves. Not likely, but the holes are totally cool, and that explanation is way better than whatever the real reason could be.

— Alison Geisler

Best Revival of a Live Local Music Series

The re-institution of UltraRadio's "Hard Drive Live" series (242 College St., New Haven; ultraradio.com). After nearly a year's hiatus (following runs at both Alchemy and Ola Martini's), the weekly Wednesday live local band series has started up again in delightful new digs: Daniel Street club (21 Daniel St., Milford; 203-877-4446; danielstreetclub.com), a comfy setting with a great sound system.

Hard Drive's hardworking, charming host D.J. Eric "E-Bomb" Bruce is on the scene to introduce bands and hand out raffle prizes, along with staunch scene supporter/station manager Randy Borovsky, who takes photos to post on UltraRadio's Web site. Admission is free (featuring cheap beer specials, too), and the hosts seek a variety of local bands to book; e-mail promotions@ultraradio.com.

— Kathleen Cei

Best Public Affairs Show

"Where We Live," the local talk show hosted by WNPR news director John Dankosky, succeeds because it goes beyond the daily headlines — and doesn't bore the crap out of you. Dankosky and his eclectic array of guests intelligently explore topics ranging from Connecticut immigration trends, to the future of books, to smart parenting. Since debuting in 2006, "Where We Live" has cultivated a loyal audience and callers who add to conversations with expert advice and thoughtful questions. "If you walked up to people in Connecticut on the street and said 'what's on your mind?' everyone would say something different," Dankosky says. "Some would say the school budget, some the war in Iraq, others something else. We try to program the show to those varied interests." Dankosky's the voice of the show, but behind the scenes are senior producer Catie Talarski and producer Libby Conn, who Dankosky credits with pushing him into topics unfamiliar to him. "Where We Live" also takes the show on the road once a month for live tapings. Next stop: May 26 at Real Art Ways in Hartford, starting at 7 p.m. "Where We Live" airs weekdays 9–10 a.m. on WNPR 90.5 FM and wnpr.org.

— Andy Bromage

editor@newhavenadvocate.com