I have to say I’m just a little glad it’s over – tallying your votes, contacting the winners, doing write-ups and taking photos – it’s a lot of work, all done at breakneck speed at the last minute. BIG THANKS go out to all who helped with this issue – you know who you are and I hope I’ve expressed my heartfelt gratitude enough that you’ve truly felt my sincerity. (Perhaps, a friend suggested gently, you might want to start the voting in December, end it the first week of February, and then announce the winners in March? Next year!)

That said, here we are again, with another Mazzie Award “Best of Mazatlán” issue, full of your favorite people, places and things. This year, there were some surprising winners and some very interesting ties – look inside and see what you think. There were some double winners, too, either in two categories or for two years in a row. Big congrats to all of these!

We got lots of votes from the Marina/Cerritos area (thanks folks!) and also from Centro/Olas Altas. In the M! offices, though, we’ve wondered why the Zoners have been so silent (last year as well) when it comes to the Mazzie Award voting; certain long-time favorites don’t get mentioned, and those of us who live in other areas of town or who are new here miss out on finding out who and what these are. (Maybe that’s the plan?!) Whatever the case, I’ll encourage you all to vote next year, then, and also to let us know if there are any categories you think we should add.

Also special this month is Mazatlán’s astrological birthday report, expertly calculated and written by M!’s astrologer, Risa D’Angles. Using the city’s incorporation date of March 23, 1792, she looked at exactly where the planets and constellations were at this time and then put together a “picture,” if you will, of the personality of the city and the influences and activities most likely to prosper here. Whether you “believe” in astrology or not, it makes for very interesting reading. Feliz cumpleanos, Mazatlán!

Our cover design is by graphic designer, Roberto Vasquez Tirado, who designs our pages every month. Kudos and thanks to him for his consistently fabulous – and on-time - work.

Alrighty then; another issue “put to bed,” as we say. I hope you enjoy reading about all the 2010 Mazzie Award winners as much as we did – and have an equally great time eating, drinking and playing all over town as you check them all out.

Que te vaya bien!

Janet