The Best of voting for our fair city of Federal Way has turned sweet 16. Like every other 16-year-old that you know, this one has had its ups and downs.
Fortunately, it can’t get pregnant and we don’t have to buy it a college education or a new car. Through the years, you have helped us raise this from an infant of just a few categories, to its adolescent years when everything was a free for all and we included every category under the sun so as to avoid monumental meltdowns, bad hair days and an order of magnitude in sulking. Around rolls year 16 and all is bliss, at least for one year.
Or so it may seem.
There is trouble lurking under the soft exterior of this sweet baby. This year we had our first-ever three-way tie for first place. This is the indecisiveness a teenager would be proud of.
Over the years we have received some incredible comments for some of the categories only a teenager could appreciate.
In the category best cop – check the donut shops; city leader – we have one?; best education – Ross Dress for Less – I suppose there is math to be learned during retail therapy; voters were asked what country they were from and answered with King and Pierce rather than the United States; some had car companies listed as best adult care; an entry for a car dealer listed pygmy goats as a selling point.
Hopefully they weren’t referring to the staff; the Washington State Liquor Board was listed a number of times as their favorite wine store, followed closely by the entire city of Federal Way; and the list goes on.
Sometimes the best part of this entire process is reading through the comments of the voters.
It is with great pride I present to you the winning votes for our sweet 16 teenager. Thanks for taking the time to vote.
I welcome your continued help in rearing this sweet baby into its adult years.
SERVICE
Adult in-Home Care
FIRST PLACE|
COMFORT KEEPERS
2nd Home Instead Senior Care
3rd Emeritus of Federal Way
Attorney
FIRST PLACE|
HERMAN C. BREWER IV
2nd [tie] Gary Slater
Joe McGoran
Auto Body/Collision
FIRST PLACE|
BOB BJORNEBY’S CARSTAR FEDERAL WAY COLLISON
2nd Blackstone’s Collision
3rd Precision Collision Auto Body
Auto Repair Shop
FIRST PLACE|
SPARKS CAR CARE
2nd Bob Bjorneby’s CARSTAR Federal Way Collison
3rd Eagle Tire
Bank/Credit Union
FIRST PLACE|
HERITAGE BANK
2nd BECU
3rd [Home Street] Bank
Barber Shop
FIRST PLACE|
GENTS FINE GROOMING FOR MEN
2nd SportClips
3rd Twin Lakes Hair Salon
Barista/Location
FIRST PLACE|
MARIA KUEHLTHAU/MARISTA’S
2nd Julie Walkup/Starbucks at Dash Point
3rd Emma Gremer/Starbucks on 320th
Bartender/Location
FIRST PLACE|
JASON BOSSHART/RJAY’S SCOREBOARD
2nd Ryan Gray/Time Out Ale House
3rd Lacey Johnson/R-Jay’s Scoreboard
Chiropractor
FIRST PLACE|
DR. DEBORAH KLOBY
2nd Wolf Chiropractic Center
3rd Ball Chiropractic Center
Clinic/Hospital
FIRST PLACE|
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL
2nd Virginia Mason Medical Center
3rd Group Health Federal Way Medical Center
Day Care
FIRST PLACE|
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERS
2nd La Petite Academy
3rd Spring Valley Montessori School
Day Spa
FIRST PLACE|
TWIN LAKES HAIR SALON
2nd MeMe & Company
3rd 8th Day Spa
Dentist
FIRST PLACE|
DR. STACY R. KANDA, DDS
2nd Dr. Kenneth Brossel, DDS
3rd Dodobaras, DDS
Financial Advisor
FIRST PLACE|
CHAD STALDER
2nd Dan Altmayer
3rd Doug Legg
Fitness Facility/Location
FIRST PLACE|
LA FITNESS
2nd FW Community Center
3rd 24 Hour Fitness
Hair Salon
FIRST PLACE|
TWIN LAKES HAIR SALON
2nd MeMe & Company
3rd The Hair Joint
Healthcare Professionals
FIRST PLACE|
JADE RIVER ACUPUNCTURE
2nd Virginia Mason Medical Center
3rd Group Health Federal Way Medical Center
Insurance Agent/Company
FIRST PLACE|
JEFF BURNETT/ALLSTATE
2nd Carrie Kuhel/State Farm
3rd Karl Kuntz/American Family Insurance
Nail Salon
FIRST PLACE|
Twin Lakes Hair Salon
2nd Cute Nails & Waxing
3rd MeMe & Company
Pet Groomer
FIRST PLACE|
BISCUITS FEDERAL WAY
2nd Simply Paws
3rd Designs in Fur
Photographer/Videographer
FIRST PLACE|
ED STREIT IMAGES
2nd [tie] Battan Photography
Bruce Honda
Real Estate Agent/Company
FIRST PLACE|
DEBI BRAULIK/KELLER WILLIAMS
2nd Jackie King/Better Properties
3rd Lori DeVore/John L Scott
Senior Living Facility
FIRST PLACE|
VILLAGE GREEN RETIREMENT CAMPUS
2nd Foundation House of Federal Way
3rd Emeritus at Federal Way
Tutor
FIRST PLACE|
SYLVAN LEARNING OF FEDERAL WAY
2nd Treehouse
3rd Math Prep Academy
Veterinarian
FIRST PLACE|
SACAJAWEA HEALTHCARE FOR PETS
2nd Cascade Veterinary Hospital
3rd Twin Lakes Veterinary Hospital
Waiter/Location
FIRST PLACE [tie]
DUSTIN VISTANTE/PUERTO VALLARTA
MIKE JONES/BLACK ANGUS
ROBERT THOMPSON/TIME OUT ALE HOUSE
Waitress/Location
FIRST PLACE|
FRANCES HERRING/BLACK BEAR
2nd Maria Roman/Vince’s
3rd [tie] Cassandra Mangialardi/Applebees
Em Ketusiri/Thai Bistro
SHOPPING
Auto Parts
FIRST PLACE|
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS
2nd AutoZone Auto Parts
3rd G&M Honest Performance
Beer/Wine/Spirits Store
FIRST PLACE|
99 BOTTLES
2nd Costco Wholesale
3rd Trader Joe’s
Clothing Store
FIRST PLACE|
MACY’S
2nd Ross Dress for Less
3rd T.J. Maxx
Discount Store
FIRST PLACE|
TARGET
2nd Walmart
3rd Costco Wholesale
Hardware/Lumber Store
FIRST PLACE|
NEW LUMBER & HARDWARE CO.
2nd Lowe’s
3rd Home Depot
Jewelry Store
FIRST PLACE|
JEFFREY’S JEWELERS
2nd Fred Meyer
3rd Federal Way Custom Jewelers
Nursery & Garden Store
FIRST PLACE|
BRANCHES GARDEN CENTER
2nd Home Depot
3rd Lowe’s
Pet Store
FIRST PLACE|
MUD BAY
2nd Petsmart
3rd Petco
Second Hand Store
FIRST PLACE|
GOODWILL
2nd Deseret Industries
3rd Heaven Sent Children’s Resale
Tire Store
FIRST PLACE|
LES SCHWAB
2nd Eagle Tire
3rd Discount Tire
FOOD
Asian
FIRST PLACE|
INDOCHINA SEAFOOD AND SATAY BAR
2nd Garden Korean Cuisine
3rd Thai Bistro
Bakery
FIRST PLACE|
GREAT HARVEST BREAD CO.
2nd Panera Bread
3rd Wild Wheat Bakery Café & Restaurant
Barbeque
FIRST PLACE|
JIMMY MAC’S ROADHOUSE
2nd Billy McHale’s
3rd Pitmaster’s BBQ
Brunch/Breakfast
FIRST PLACE|
BLACK BEAR DINER
2nd Salty’s
3rd IHOP
Buffet
FIRST PLACE|
OLD COUNTRY BUFFET
2nd Salty’s
3rd Mika Japanese Buffet
Coffee Shop
FIRST PLACE|
POVERTY BAY COFFEE COMPANY
2nd Marista’s
3rd Starbucks
Deli / Sandwich
FIRST PLACE|
JOE’S DELI
2nd Subway
3rd Poverty Bay Coffee Company
Family
FIRST PLACE|
BLACK BEAR DINER
2nd Red Robin
3rd Applebee’s
Hamburger
FIRST PLACE|
RED ROBIN
2nd Burger Express
3rd Fatburger
Ice Cream
FIRST PLACE|
SUBZERO
2nd Cold Stone Creamery
3rd Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt
Indian
FIRST PLACE|
EAST INDIA GRILL
2nd Taste of India
3rd Indochina Seafood & Satay Bar
Italian
FIRST PLACE|
VINCE’S
2nd Verrazanos Italian Restaurant
3rd Olive Garden
Lunch
FIRST PLACE|
BLACK BEAR DINER
2nd Denny’s
3rd Applebee’s
Mexican
FIRST PLACE|
AZTECA
2nd Puerto Vallarta Family Mexican Restaurants
3rd Chipotle Mexican Grill
Pizza
FIRST PLACE|
ROUND TABLE PIZZA
2nd The Rock
3rd Vince’s
Seafood
FIRST PLACE|
SALTY’S
2nd McGrath’s
3rd Red Lobster
Steakhouse
FIRST PLACE|
Outback Steakhouse
2nd Black Angus Steakhouse
3rd Jimmy Mac’s Roadhouse
LIVING
Best Cop
FIRST PLACE|
ANDY HWANG
2nd Brian Wilson
3rd Officer, Keith Pon
Best Firefighter
FIRST PLACE|
GORDON OLSON
2nd Al Church
3rd Ryan Herrera
City Leader
FIRST PLACE|
JIM FERRELL
2nd Jeanne Burbidge
3rd Skip Priest
Community Volunteer
FIRST PLACE|
CINDY DUCICH
2nd Janice Siebenaler
3rd Doug Nelson
Educational Facility
FIRST PLACE|
SYLVAN LEARNING OF FEDERAL WAY
2nd Highline Community College
3rd DeVry University
Kid’s Activity
FIRST PLACE|
WILD WAVES THEME PARK
2nd Federal Way Community Center
3rd Marine Hills Swim & Tennis Club
Local Charity
FIRST PLACE|
MULTISERVICE CENTER
2nd Communities in Schools
3rd FUSION
Teacher/Elementary
FIRST PLACE|
TRISA DIXON/BRIGADOON ELEMENTARY
2nd Denita Blount/Chinook Elementary
3rd Cheryl Stark/Panther Lake Elementary
Teacher/Middle School
FIRST PLACE [tie]
CHRISTOPHER LEZCANO/ILLAHEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
YVETTE GREGG/ILLAHEE MIDDLE SCHOOL
3rd Kelsey Alig/Saghalie Middle School
Teacher/High School
FIRST PLACE|
Luke Thompson/Decatur High School
2nd Linda Morris or Michele Morris/Auburn HS
3rd [tie] Numerous teachers
Tourist Attraction
FIRST PLACE|
FARMER’S MARKET
2nd Wild Waves Theme Park
3rd Dash Point State Park
NIGHTLIFE
Bar/Night Club
FIRST PLACE|
RJAY’S SCOREBOARD
2nd Time Out Ale House
3rd Muckleshoot Casino
Casino
FIRST PLACE|
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO
2nd Iron Horse Casino
3rd Emerald Queen Casino
Local Arts Group
FIRST PLACE|
CENTERSTAGE THEATRE
2nd Federal Way Symphony
3rd Rosebud Children’s Theatre Conservatory
Movie Theatre
FIRST PLACE|
CENTURY 16 MOVIE THEATRE
2nd Gateway Movies 8
3rd Regal Auburn Stadium 17
Special thanks to Bruce Honda for contributing some of the photos in the slideshow. Bruce also placed second as the Best Photographer in the annual Best of 2014 contest.
