Readers' Poll 2012

Once upon a time, two enchanted villages grew together beside a mighty river. The two towns were magical places, abounding in beautiful lakes and streams, where all the people were nice, the weather was always fair, and every child was above average.

Over time, however, the people of the two villages began to take their blessings for granted, and they argued with each other about whose village was the worst. The inhabitants of one village refused to cross the river to the other town, saying there was nothing to do there. But the people of the second village mocked their rivals, insisting their smaller town had a better quality of life.

When the fairy godmothers of the enchanted towns heard the villagers bickering, they were angered by the people's ungratefulness. To punish them, the fairy godmothers decreed that henceforth, for five months a year, the region would be afflicted with terrible snow and ice and cold. They also demanded that, once a year, the villagers should come together to declare their many blessings. If they did not, the fairies warned, their cities would be cursed with ice and snow all year round.

And so we beseech you, good townspeople: Partake again in this yearly poll, and declare to us the Best of the Twin Cities. Tell us what you consider to be the most interesting people and places, the finest arts and entertainment, the best shopping and recreation, and your favorite food and drink.

In doing so, we will give thanks for our enchanted lives, appease our fairy spirits, and spare ourselves another seven months of winter.

Use the image below to tell your fans to vote for you!

To download this image for your website, click this link, then save the file to your computer.

To download this image for your website, click this link, then save the file to your computer.