Welcome to Best of Burque, the Alibi’s user-generated guide to Albuquerque! If you’re an old hand at this issue, you’ve probably already skipped ahead to Best Pet Store, or Best Art Gallery, or Best Anything We Forgot (which is magnificent this year). But if you’re new to BoB, please allow us to make a formal introduction.

Best Local Podcast: "10 Drink Minimum"

Best Tanning: 2nd To Sun Tanning

Best City Service: 311

Best Skate/Snow Shop: 4d’s Board Shop

Best Metaphysical Shop: Abitha’s Herbary

Best Babysitters: ABQ Sitters

Best First Thing to Do in Albuquerque: ABQ Trolley Co.

Best Bluegrass Band: Adobe Brothers, The Squash Blossom Boys

Best Bed and Breakfast: Adobe Nido, Apache Canyon Ranch, Los Poblanos Bed and Breakfast

Best Student Organization: Agora Crisis Center

Best City to Live in: Albuquerque

Best Private School: Albuquerque Academy

Best Church / Place of Worship / Spiritual Center: Albuquerque Center For Spiritual Living

Best Computer Help: Albuquerque Computing Solution

Best Thing About Being Mayor So Far

The chance to work with the city employees—just working with dedicated people who get up every day and try to make the city a better place. They're all over. They're at the Solid Waste Department, the Fire Department, they're in the administration at City Hall. I just run into people over and over again who bring so much energy to their jobs. Plus, you get a chance to sit with people who are creative and have good ideas on how to move the city forward.

Worst Thing About Being Mayor So Far

Where's your favorite post-play hangout?

If we're not hangin’ out at The Filling Station after the show—definitely the favorite—we like to head to the upstairs bar at Slate Street Café. Great wine and portobello french fries! Hard to beat.

Where do you go for a guilty pleasure?

What makes Winning Coffee Co. what it is?

The people. Those behind the counter and those in front of it. It's a special place for people. I worked at Winning for five years and it was such a great place to work. The owners were so good to me and really had an ethic that was about making a great place to spend your life. The business came after that. Then when the old owners wanted to sell and offered it to us [at q-Staff theatre], I had no idea what it would mean to be the owner, but I just tried to keep it the same good-feeling place to live and work. That was seven years ago and I can honestly say that 80 percent of the time I really love the staff and the customers. I keep a rolled up newspaper in my office for the 20 percent.   

How did you come by your love of music?

I grew up listening to music through the influence of my older cousins, parents and grandparents. There was always music playing. Many of my early memories include the music of the time.

What qualities are embodied in your favorite kind of live show?

I like energetic shows. When musicians have a reasonable level of craft and a great sense of humor it is infectious and very entertaining.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Best Cure for a Sweet Tooth

Smoked Sea Salt and Honey Caramel Gelato from Van Rixel Bros.

315 Juan Tabo NE, 797-1193

chocolatecartel.com

Sweet sugary manna from Heaven! I'm not a dessert kinda guy, but I could eat this stuff for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to the shop on Juan Tabo, you can pick it up at select supermarkets like Sunflower. Get some now. Keep your hands off mine.