'Show me a hero and I'll write you a tragedy," F. Scott Fitzgerald once quipped. Fitzgerald doubtlessly intended to limn a particularly American irony and indeed, it retains a thin, bitter truth. Currently embroiled as all Americans are in the vagaries of national tragedy with huge big swadges of irony to spare, the Bohemian chose this year to dedicate our biggest annual issue to stand against the tide of cynicism. And there's no easier, more refreshing and more humbling way to do that than to honor our community heroes.

Each of our six Best Of sections begins with a short sharp shout out to a different hero, some of whom will be familiar to you, some not. As always, we've included your picks for the best of everything in the North Bay, as well as the circumspect wisdom (and guaranteed tomfoolery) of our writers' favorite ways to dally through the year. We've reconstructed meals and forced ourselves to lounge at picnic, shop for lingerie, skinny-dip at weddings and eat fondue for hours all in a heroic effort to make this Best Of issue the best one ever.

Contributing to the Best Of Writers Picks this year are editorial heroes Brett Ascarelli, Karl Byrn, Tami Casias, Patricia Lynn Henley, Daedalus Howell, Molly Jackel, James Knight, Ella Lawrence, Gabe Meline, Matt Pamatmat, David Sason, Michael Shapiro and David Templeton.

Culture
Writers' Picks | Readers' Choice

Everyday
Writers' Picks | Readers' Choice

Food & Drink
Writers' Picks | Readers' Choice

Kids
Writers' Picks | Readers' Choice

Recreation
Writers' Picks | Readers' Choice

Romance
Writers' Picks | Readers' Choice

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