2 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007

And the winner is …

Our Town

Best of Tracy cover con-test winner Trisha Lyons loves where she lives.“We love the sense of community,” she said of herself and husband Ed. “Every event has people involved who really enjoy living here and taking part in the community. You don’t find that in larger cities.

Lyons and her fam-ily, including children JessaLyn, 5, and Colin, 3, moved back to town two years ago after living out of state for more than a decade. She credits her time away for giving her a fresh perspective on the town that contrib-uted to her winning the cover contest.

“I wanted to show all the things about Tracy that I love, the things that drew us back here after being transferred around the country for several years,” she said.

Those things include the Tracy Dry Bean Festival and farmers market.

“I started with the traditional events that I attended when my husband and I were first married, like the car

shows in the park and bean festival,” the profes-sional art director said. “Then I added the new traditions we now share with our children, like Fourth of July parade and farmers market.”

She mixed in photos of local landmarks and photos of Jessa play-ing in Lincoln Park and

Colin taking swim les-sons at the Joe Wilson Community Pool.

“All of these things gives us a sense of com-munity spirit that we haven’t had because of our relocations; we are very thankful we moved back here and not some-where else.”

In addition to having

her design grace the cover of this year’s Best of Tracy section, Lyons has won a gift basket of prizes donated by local businesses. Her prize package includes a bottle of wine from Sunset Liquors and gift cer-tificates from Barista’s, Rusty’s, Gigi’s Pizza and Garnet’s Day Spa.

Glenn Moore/Tracy PressAWARD-WINNER: Trisha Lyons, winner of the Best of Tracy cover design contest, looks over a copy of her entry inside her home office. Lyons is an art director for a Houston-based marketing firm, which allows her to telecommute from her Tracy home.

Cover design entry shows off artist’s

love of Tracy Welcome to this year’s Best of Tracy, the annual special sec-tion that reveals which

businesses, activities and people in Tracy are the best in the eyes of our subscribers.

Every year, the Press prints a two-page ballot that only appears in the papers that are delivered to homes. Subscribers fill out the ballots and turn them into our office, where our staff gets busy tallying up the winners and verifying their contact information.

However, it’s become much more than just a popularity contest over the years.

With the flux of people moving in and out of town each year, it’s become a useful directory to help new residents learn what our com-munity has to offer. And longtime residents can thumb through to see if their personal favorites made it on this year’s list.

As you take a look at this year’s winners, make a note of those who might be of service to you, and don’t forget to tell them that you saw them listed here!

Readers weighin on local faves

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 3

ACCOUNTANT/BOOKKEEPER

Patricia and Alan Smith of A&L Financial Services know the value of customer loyalty, which explains why cli-ents come back year after year — some of them for generations.

The couple has served Tracy for more than 20 years, and now has cli-ents in Tokyo, London and other cities around the world and in the U.S. But it’s their commit-ment to the Tracy com-munity that keeps clients coming back.

Every year the Smiths offer summer jobs to West and Tracy high school students — giving them a chance to boost their resumes before graduation.

First Place: Alan A. Smith, A&L Financial, 1391 W.11th St., 832-1003

Second Place: Bill Pollard Jr. Financial and Tax Consultant, 79 E. 11th St., 832-5110

Third Place: Craig Mizuno, CPA, 527 W. 11th St., 832-1611

ATHLETIC TRAINERFitness Manager Louis

Gaskin said he’s confident it’s the energy, knowledge and practice-what-you-preach attitude of In-Shape’s personal trainers that keep people coming back to the local clubs.

The state-of-the-art equipment and diverse fitness programs at both Tracy branches appeal

an individual at Larry Nicholson’s Chiropractic and Sports Care. The goal for Nicholson is to get every patient better, and he believes keeping an open ear to the needs of his clients allows him to create highly effective plans for each person.

A practicing chiroprac-tor since 1986, Nicholson opened his Tracy office in 1992.

First Place: Larry Nicholson, Nicholson Chiropractic & Sports Care, 1011 Parker Ave., 836-0250

Second Place: Donald Ringer, Ringer Chiropractic, 1525 N. Tracy Blvd., 835-2225

Third Place: Lynn Friga, Friga Chiropractic, 404 W. Grant Line Road, 835-6625

COACHWest High School

teacher Steve Lopez’s attitude on the gridiron consistently earns him top billing as the best coach in Tracy. He’s built the football program at West into something of which he, the students and parents can be proud.

First Place: Steve Lopez, Varsity Football Coach, West High School

Second Place: Abel Dorado, Girls Soccer Coach, West High School

Third Place: Kevin Saenz, K Baseball Academy, 3402 Mars Way 102, 614-0928

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Just call him Mr. Christmas. Local travel

FAVORITE PEOPLE

As it turns out, you’re a people person. You always suspected you were, minus the doubts that creep in during obligatory hours with the in-laws and those scintillating discussions of the weath-

er. But doubt be gone: There’s proof positive.

It’s right here in black and white. You, dear voters, have spoken. These are the folks in town you love because of the way they inspire your kids, or give all the tender loving care your pooch Fluffy can handle. You anoint them because they can give you a measure of comfort while they prod you and poke you and drill in your teeth.

Your top picks fix what’s busted, they protect you when you’re vulner-able — and sometimes, they make your dreams come true.

to people of all fitness levels. In-Shape offers fit-ness boot camps, cardio, Pilates, yoga and a slew of other classes to suit pretty much any workout style. But when it comes down to it, it’s the one-on-one attention the trainers give their clients that makes In-Shape the go-to gym for personal training.

First Place: In-Shape, 101 S. Tracy Blvd, 836-2504, 239 W. 11th St., 833-3370

Second Place: Kevin Saenz, K Baseball Academy, 3402 Mars Way 102, 614-0928

Third Place: Quincy Ruffin, Ruffin Performance/Adventure Boot Camp, 3502 Mars Ct., Suite 111, 839-0415

CHIROPRACTORLarry Nicholson

treats every patient as

agent Gene Birk set out years ago to make sure every child in Tracy had something to open under the tree at Christmas. And that’s how Brighter Christmas was born.

Now, the local charity provides needy families with food and presents around the holidays, and local high school seniors with scholarships around graduation.

First: Gene Birk, Brighter Christmas

Second: Darlene Quinn, Tracy Interfaith Ministries

Third: Jim Rhodes

CONTRACTORCarl Gowan of Gowan

Construction works hard to be Tracy’s hometown contractor. After more than 30 years of con-struction experience both here and through-out the Bay Area, Gowan now stays in Tracy most of the time. He sees enough business in town

4 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007that he doesn’t need to travel as much anymore. Many of his employees live in town, and if there’s a job in Tracy, he wants to be the first one people think to work with.

First Place: Carl Gowan, Gowan Construction, 15 W. 8th St., 836-2482

Second Place: Dennis Alegre, DM Construction Inc., 835-0243

Second Place: John Melo, Melo Construction, 2235 N. McArthur Dr., 835-7314

Third Place: Joseph Jorge, Joseph M. Jorge Construction Inc., 835-5072 or 479-1629

DENTISTDr. Paul Teranishi

opened his dental practice more than 20 years ago in Tracy. And those who work with him are convinced that it’s Teranishi’s ability to put patients at ease that makes for a steadily growing clientele.

First Place: Dr. Paul Teranishi, 612 W. 11th St., Suite 201, 835-8408

Second Place: Dr. Lance M. Matsune, 612 W. 11th St., Suite 201, 835-8408

Third Place: Dr. Royal C. Aaby, 1419 N. Tracy Blvd., 835-3821

HANDYMANNot everyone is a bud-

ding Tim Taylor. In fact, nowadays, many people can’t even remember who Tim Taylor was. But that’s beside the point. The point of the matter is that when it comes to needing the services of a handyman, Tracy Press readers rec-ommend Randy Fehlhafer of Handy Randy’s Handyman Service. So consider yourself referred.

First Place: Randy Fehlhafer, Handy Randy’s Handyman Service, 220 Tassajara Ct.,

800-399-1415

Second Place: Bruce Feller, Fix-It Feller, 170 Alum Rock Court, 832-7535

Third Place: Ed Caporusso Jr., 835-4196

HAIR STYLISTWith more than 30

years of experience styl-ing, crimping, curling and creating every cut imag-inable, hairstylist Janet Corsaro has become Tracy’s favorite hairstyl-ist. Corsaro said she values the diversity of her job and the individuality of each client. She started her career in Tracy and recently moved to Tresses on 10th Street.

First Place: Janet Corsaro, Tresses, 205 W. 10th St., 834-2887

Second Place: Valarie Aldrete, On Top Hair & Nail Design, 458 E. 10th St., 835-3947

Third Place: Michelle Coury, Tangles Salon, 110 W. 10th St., 835-1355

INSURANCE AGENTInsurance isn’t any-

thing to take lightly. Not only does it offer asset and livelihood protection, your agent knows more about you than most peo-ple. And just that alone means you should choose wisely in this depart-ment. Local flock to Paul Ritter of Ritter Insurance Agency to protect what’s important to them — and you should, too.

First Place: Paul Ritter, Ritter Insurance Agency, 2880 N. Tracy Blvd., 835-0776

Second Place: John & Mindy, S.J. Frerichs & Son, 28 W. 10th St., 835-1764

Second Place: Ron Yerian, Allstate Insurance, 4600 S. Tracy Blvd., Suite 118, 832-2002

Third Place: Terry Langley, State Farm Insurance, 28421 S. Chrisman Road.,

fingers and toes combine to make a woman look sharp. And when look-ing sharp matters most, locals flock to Patricia Jones at On Top Hair & Nail Design. She can do everything from basic nail services to acrylics, gels

and even airbrushing.

First Place: Patricia Jones, On Top Hair & Nail Design, 458 E. 10th St., 835-3947

Second Place: Loanne Bui, Nails Elite, 1140 Adam St., 833-9711

Third Place: Christine La,

Nail Art by Christine, 118 E. 11th St., 833-7824

OPTOMETRIST/OPHTHALMOLOGIST

The eyes are the win-dow to the soul, and Tracy residents don’t trust those eyes to just

Cera Renault/Tracy PressNUMBER CRUNCHERS: Darla, the office dog, sits on the front desk of A&L Financial Services, which has been open 35 years and has up to nine employees during tax season. The firm was voted best bookkeeper/accountant in Tracy.

835-1400

LEGAL ADVISORMost of Sidney

Alegre’s 10-year law career has been spent at her Tracy practice, where she specializes in estate, trust and pro-bate law. Her employees respect her for both her erudite decision-making and loyalty to her clients. Alegre takes her time when it comes to under-standing what her clients need.

First Place: Sidney Alegre, Law Offices of Sidney Alegre, 120 E. 12th St., 830-2939

Second Place: Arch Bakerink, Bakerink & McCusker Law Office, 1030 Central Ave., 835-9592

Third Place: Mark Connolly, Law Office of Mark Connolly, 121 E. 11th St., 836-0725

NAIL TECHNICIANFreshly manicured

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 5anyone. They trust them to David Hartzell at Eaton Optometry on Tracy Boulevard, where they can get impeccable service, skilled treatment and great glasses.

First Place: David Hartzell, Eaton Optometry; 4598 S. Tracy Blvd., Suite 130, 835-1181

Second Place: David Moline, Tracy Optometry Group, 36 W. 10th St., 835-7446

Third Place: Frank Balestrery, Eaton Optometry, 4598 S. Tracy Blvd., Suite 130, 835-1181

ORTHODONTISTOrthodontist Andrew

Trosien tries to focus on two things: excellence in patient care and the friendliest customer ser-vice. Trosien has been voted favorite orthodontist for Best of Tracy since the category was first created. Since opening his Tracy practice in 1999, Trosien said he’s come to love the small-town atmosphere and plans to stay for years to come.

First Place: Andrew Trosien, Trosien Orthodontics, 2850 N. Tracy Blvd., 833-1240

Second Place: Steven Jung, Orthodontics for Children & Adults, 1417 N. Tracy Blvd., 835-0977

Third Place: Dr. Ronald Miller, Miller’s Family Dentistry, 1409 Tracy Blvd., 835-5116

Third Place: David C. Coykendall DDS, Millennium Dental, 436 W. Beverly Place, 835-6487

PET SITTERIt’s hard to have a good

time away from home if you’re worried about how your pet is faring in your absence. But if you hire Cindy Rogers at For Pet’s Sake, you can set your mind at ease. She’ll feed, walk and talk to your pet. Who knows? Your pet might be not want you back when she’s done!

First Place: Cindy Rogers, For Pet’s Sake, 836-8981

Second Place: April Rodgers,

Glenn Moore/Tracy PressPUMPING IRON: In-Shape fitness manager Louis Gaskin watches Rosa Hasan perform leg squats at the health club. Tracy Press readers voted In-Shape as having the best personal trainers in town, which makes Gaskin quite proud.

April’s Dog Grooming, 324 W. 11th St., 833-0080

Third Place: Old River Veterinary, 520 W. 11th St., 835-5166

Third Place: Petsmart Inc., 2477 Naglee Road, 836-6080

PHOTOGRAPHERPhotographs serve as

long-lasting memories of special occasions and unrepeatable moments in time. Because of that, you don’t want to trust your photography to just anyone. Tracy readers recommend both Carolyn Hall and Luis Rosario.

Hall, of Carolyn Hall Photography, is known

for her hand-colored prints and candid shots of kids and families. Rosario, who works at Johnson Studio, shoots most school events and a host of other special occasions. They both prove you can’t go wrong if you shop local when it comes to finding a sharp photographer.

First Place: Carolyn Hall, Carolyn Hall Photography, 9 E. Sixth St., 833-1254

First Place: Luis Rosario, Johnson Studio, 29 W. 10th St., 835-1254

Second Place: Sears Portrait Studio, West Valley Mall, 3200 Naglee Road, 830-2369

6 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007

AUTO BODYNeed a brand-new

bumper to replace the one you left behind on the interstate when tail-gating during your morn-ing commute? Tracy Body and Fender Works is the place to go. In busi-ness since 1977, the Grant Line Road body shop offers collision repairs on all makes and models. Who knows? Your car might look better when it leaves the shop than it did before your little fender-bender.

First: Tracy Body & Fender Works, 56 W. Grant Line Road, 835-5472

Second: Anthony’s Auto Body & Paint, 24195 S. Chrisman Road, 832-9201

Third: Troy’s Auto Body and Paint, 7474 W. 11th St., 832-2943

AUTO DEALERSHIP (NEW)

Stan Morri Ford Mercury is a consistent winner in the Best of Tracy dealership catego-ries. The owners say the

FAVORITE BUSINESSES

Apparently, business makes the world go ’round — or at least Tracy’s little piece

of it. It’s the one category in which the jumbo list of winners reads like a run-on sentence, takes up nearly every letter of the alphabet and will no doubt bring smiles to the faces of the Chosen Ones.

You may cuss out your car when it breaks down, but you’ve got your favorite mechanic to take care of it. You hate your wrinkles but adore your laserologist, cosmetic surgeon, technician or whatever it is they call de-wrinklers and botox-ers these days.

You’ve got your preferred plumb-er, your prized pest killer, your darling dog-groomer, your beloved barber, your treasured tattoo art-ist, your dearest dry cleaner, your pet painter.

Third Place: Glenn Moore, Tracy Press, 145 W. 10th St., 835-3030

PHYSICIANEven if you only visit the doctor

once in a blue moon, you want to make sure you have the best at your disposal whenever the need strikes.

Tracy Press readers voted Dr. Lazdins as the best physician in Tracy. Lazdins, a graduate of the Creighton University School of Medicine, special-izes in family practice medicine and has been practicing for three decades.

First Place: Dr. Andris Lazdins, 433 W. Eaton Ave., 833-3930

Second Place: Dr. Jagdish Patel, 44 W. 12th St., 833-0525

Third Place: Dr. Manuel De La Cruz, 518 W. Eaton, 833-2228

Third Place: Dr. Harpreet Grewal, 530 W. Eaton Ave., 835-4332

REAL ESTATE AGENT A reputable real estate agent can

make the different between a positive property transaction and a negative one. In Tracy, there are many to choose from, but readers recommend Sue Langdon at Corral Hollow Property Management for all your home-buying and selling needs.

First Place: Sue Langdon, Corral Hollow Property Management, 628 Central Ave, 836-5575

Second Place: Jennifer West, Corral Hollow

Property Management, 628 Central Ave, 836-5575

Third Place: Laurie Ellis, ERA Executive Real Estate, 1863 W. 11th St., 836-6444

Third Place: Eric Boehm, Caldwell Banker, 403 W. 11th St., 833-3333

Third Place: Ben Curran, Curran Real Estate, 445 W. 11th St., 835-4000

TEACHERGreat teachers motivate students to

excel both in and out of the classroom. In Tracy, West High School’s John Anderson rules as the top teacher. Students respect him, as do parents — and that amounts to a job well done.

First Place: John Anderson, West High School

Second Place: Joan Keith, TUSD Independent Study, West High School & Tracy High School

Third Place: Susan Petrucelli, Monticello Elementary, first grade

VETERINARIANFor veterinary needs related to large

or small animals, Tracy residents flock to Thomas Ross on Schulte Road. He’ll give your pet or livestock the attention they need and deserve.

First Place: Thomas Ross, Large & Small Animal Veterinary Services & Supplies, 840 W. Schulte Road, 836-0796

Second Place: James Matteson, Tracy Veterinary Clinic, 20 W. Grant Line Road, 835-0626

Third Place: Kecia Valdez, Jules Veterinary Center, 1855 W. 11th St., 833-7387

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 7

FIX IT AND FORGET IT: Tracy Body & Fender Works was voted best auto body repair in the Best of Tracy contest.

Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy Press

reason for that is simple — a great staff and com-munity involvement. Being a family-owned business doesn’t hurt matters, either. It’s always a good thing when the owners have a vested interest in their customers.

First: Stan Morri Ford Mercury, 3500 Auto Plaza Way, 835-4821

Second: Tracy Toyota, 2895 N. Naglee Road, 834-111

Third: Tracy Honda, 3450 Auto Plaza Way, 832-1400

AUTO DEALERSHIP (USED)

Stan Morri Ford Mercury has been sell-ing cars in Tracy for more than 30 years. The company’s used car dealership on 11th Street ensures that it offers something for everyone. So, if you’re in the market for a used car, shop where Tracy Press readers shop: Stan Morri Ford.

First: Stan Morri Ford Mercury, 430 W. 11th St., 835-9365

Second: Tracy Honda, 3450 Auto Plaza Way, 832-1400

Third: Tracy Toyota, 2895 N.

Naglee Road, 820-6000

AUTO MAINTENANCEM&M Automotive is

the readers’ choice for the best place in town to seek auto maintenance. According to owner Richard Moe, the reason is simple.

“We have always put our customer concerns first and foremost,” he said. “We have earned their trust.”

His staff accomplishes that, he added, by explaining what work is needed and how much it’ll cost before mechan-ics work on the vehicle, so customers know exactly what to expect. Must be the reason the place has been in busi-ness on 10th Street for more than 30 years.

First: M&M Automotive, 60 E. 10th St., 835-7071

Second: City Garage, 604 W. 11th St., 835-3741

Third: Fagunde’s 10th Street Garage, 137 E. 10th St., 835-4471

BANK/CREDIT UNION

Tracy Press readers

agree, year after year, that the best financial institution in town is the Bank of Stockton branch on Tracy Boulevard, in business since 1981. Since then, the bank’s customers have come to know and love Teri, Joann, Maria and Pam almost like family. As a testament to the branch’s commitment to customer service, a live person always answers the

phone. And they wouldn’t have it any other way.

First: Bank of Stockton, 1175 N. Tracy Blvd., 820-2000

Second: Washington Mutual, 691 W. 11th St., 836-1490

Third: Wells Fargo, 1900 W. 11th St., 835-5752,

BARBER SHOPJim Golden has been

clipping and cutting in Tracy since 1968. As one of Tracy’s few true

barbers, he specializes in trims for businessmen, fades, flat tops and kids’ cuts.

First: Golden’s Barber Shop, Jim and Mark Golden, 324 West 11th St., 835-8276

Second: Supercuts, 1980 W. 11th St, 832-3884

Third: Al’s Barber Shop, 1292 W. 11th St., 836-0833

BEAUTY SALON

Since opening up shop in downtown Tracy a handful of years ago, Tangles Salon & Spa has been a success. So much so that the owners expanded to a second storefront on 10th Street just two doors down. The salon employs 25 stylists, in addition to nail techni-cians and aestheticians.

First: Tangles Salon & Spa, 110 W. 10th St., 835-1355; 118 W. 10th St, Ste. A, 835-1115

8 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007Second: Tresses Salon, 205 W.

10th St., 834-2887

Third: On Top Hair & Nail Design, 458 E. 10th St., 835-3947

BUILDING/LUMBER SUPPLY

An Iowa corn farmer once heard a voice tell-ing him that if he built it, “they” would come. Folks in Tracy know that if you’re going to build anything, you’d be insane not to start by going to M&M Builder’s Supply. Having served Tracy for 60 years, owner Shawn Kelley is an expert in what it takes to get your project done, and he doesn’t mind sharing with you the cheapest way to do it.

First: M&M Builder’s Supply, 8111 E. 11th St., 835-4172

Second: Home Depot, 2785 W. Grant Line Road, 834-8975

Third: Orchard Supply Hardware, 371 W. 11th St., 835-3947

CAR RENTALWhen it comes to rent-

ing cars, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is the best in town. All managers are trained in the business from the

ground up, which means customer service is always their top priority. They’ll even drive to your home, hotel or place of business to pick you up. Now that’s service.

First: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 3500 Auto Plaza way, 835-3600

Second: Hertz Local Edition, 2830 Auto Plaza Drive, 832-0102

Third: Tracy Toyota, 2895 N. Naglee Road, 834-1111

CAR WASH/DETAILWhether you like the

immediate gratifica-tion of washing your car yourself or prefer to have others do the dirty work, RAS Car Wash fits the bill. The full-service washing and detail sta-tion always seems to have a wait, but that’s a sure sign the workers provide quality service.

First: RAS Car Wash & Detail Center, 124 E. 11th St., 836-3039

Second (tie): Chevron Stations, 755 S. Tracy Blvd., 830-0370; 2615 W. Grant Line Road, 836-6008; 1960 W. 11th St., 836-3181,

Glenn Moore/Tracy PressALL ABOUT WHEELS: Above, Stan Morri Ford is tops when it comes to buying both new and used cars in Tracy. At right, Enterprise Rent-A-Car manager Andrea Williams checks a car out for a customer. Enterprise has won favor among readers as the best car-rental agency in town.

Second (tie): Tracy Express

Wash & Lube, 2480 N.

Tracy Blvd., 835-9128

Third: Delta Steam, 2481

Garrett Court, 835-9075

CARPET CLEANINGNothing makes a house

look new like freshly cleaned carpets, and Tracy Press readers know the best cleaners in town are those who work

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 9

for Delta Steam. The five-year-old business prides itself on its regu-lar clientele, believing that repeat business is the highest compliment a customer can bestow.

First: Delta Steam, 2481 Garrett Court, 835-9075

Second: Saabye’s Superior Chem-Dry, 334 E. 22nd St., 835-2886

Third: At Your Service Carpet Cleaning, 832-2863

CELLULAR PHONE SALES

First it was Pac Bell Wireless, then it was Cingular and now it’s AT&T. But names don’t matter. Cingular prided itself on having the few-est dropped calls and “raising the bar,” and as AT&T, that commitment remains — as does the wireless company’s flexi-ble calling plans, Rollover minutes and other key features.

First: Cingular Wireless (AT&T), 2986 W. Grant Line Road, 834-1368

Second: Verizon Wireless, West Valley Mall, 3200 N. Naglee Road, 832-1764

Third: Sprint Nextel, 3290 W.

Grant Line Road, 834-0800

CHILD CAREConsidering the hours

most locals spend on the road and in the office, child care providers often function as co-parents, rather than just baby sitters. The people at Tender Loving Care understand that and focus on both nurturing and educating the chil-dren in their care. The low teacher-to-student ratio ensures that kids can’t wait to be dropped off and don’t want to leave. What more could a parent want?

First: Tender Loving Care, 1001 Cambridge Place, 836-8948; 2324 Parker Ave., 835-9088; 4750 Darlene Lane, 839-1313; 1219 Whispering Wind Drive, 833-6144

Second: Kinder Care Learning Centers, 265 W. Grant Line Road, 835-9247

Third: Great Beginnings Pre-School, 330 Acacia St., 835-1321

Third: Baby Steps, 839-0031

COFFEEHOUSEWith all the caffeine-

crazed commuters in this

town, coffee is no laugh-ing matter. The folks at Barista’s in downtown Tracy take their job very seriously, making it a point to memorize the names and preferences of each regular customer. Everyone is greeted with a warm hello and a smile, and it’s obvious the employees have as much fun as the customers who visit them for a brief respite from a hurried day.

First: Barista’s, 112 W. 10th St, 830-6050

Second: Starbucks, 2459 N. Naglee Road, 839-0875; 1857 W. 11th St., 830-1348; 569 W. Clover Road, 221-6755

Third: Java Makers, 835 S. Tracy Blvd., 839-9800; 1886 W. 11th St., 839-0932; 2179 Grant Line Road, 832-9598

COSMETICS STORE/DEPARTMENT

If you’re addicted to the gift-with-purchase deals offered at makeup counters, Gottschalks is the place for you. You can find Estée Lauder, Clinique, Elizabeth Arden and Lancôme

Glenn Moore/Tracy PressSHEAR WINNER: Mark Golden gives Jack Rose a hair cut at Golden’s Barber Shop, which was voted as best barber in Tracy.

10 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007all under the same roof — and close enough to one another that you can compare their deals.

First: Gottschalks Department Store, West Valley Mall, 3400 Naglee Road, 835-0500

Second: Longs Drugs, 3320 Tracy Blvd., 836-2162; 1885 W. 11th St, 836-2300

Second: Wal-Mart, 3010 W. Grant Line Road, 836-5786

Third: Rite Aid, 1970 W. Grant Line Road, 830-7388

DOG GROOMINGPet lovers declare

that Linda’s 4 Paws Pet Grooming is the best salon in town for Fido and Fluffy. For 15 years, Linda’s groomers have clipped, shaved and sheared the fur babies that keep readers com-pany.

First: Linda’s 4 Paws Pet Grooming, 14 W. 11th St., 835-7234

Second: Petsmart, 2477 Naglee Road, 836-6083

Third: April’s Dog Grooming, 324 W. 11th St, 833-0080

DRY CLEANERSTracy may be a long

way from the big city, but we have our own Park

Avenue — Cleaners, that is. The local dry cleaner offers first-rate service and is quick about it, too. Whether you have a regular need for laundry services or just want a special-occasion outfit pressed for an event, Park Avenue is the place to go.

First: Park Avenue Cleaners, 2529 N. Tracy Blvd., 832-3706; 1296 W. 11th St., 836-4000

Second: De Lux Dry Cleaners, 24 E. 10th St., 835-3346

Third: Tracy Valley Cleaners, 785 S. Tracy Blvd., 832-7400; 1880 W. 11th St., 833-1600

ELECTRICAL SERVICE/REPAIR

Electrical services are nothing to mess around with. The work needs to be done by skilled, experi-enced professionals. S&S Electric fits that descrip-tion to a “T” and provides service to residential and commercial clients.

First: S&S Electric, 912 W. 11th St., 835-2040

Second: Roy’s Electric, 23775 Chrisman Road, 835-6688

Third: AC/DC Electric 27509 W. Etcheverry Court, 832-1212

EMBROIDERYWhen local busi-

nesses and sports teams need branding added to apparel, they seek out Tracy Embroidery on 11th Street. The company specializes in embroidery, screen-print-ing and heat press and is equipped to handle orders of all sizes in an efficient and professional manner.

First: Tracy Embroidery, 22 E. 11th St., 832-3514

Second: Tracy Awards and Embroidery, 1119 Adam St., 836-5029

Second: Brenda’s Fashion, 738 Central Ave., 839-8506

Third: Grant Davis

EMPLOYMENT AGENCY

We’re definitely in the midst of an employer’s market, which means job seekers have to work hard to make an impression on hiring managers. Doing so requires time and effort, but smart job hunters know the secret to making the most of their time is to work Adecco.

The sixth-largest staffing company in the world, Adecco has the contacts to match the right employee to the

Cera Renault/Tracy PressNOTHING BUT THE BEST: Workers at RAS Car Wash & Detail Center dry off a Tracy Police Department cruiser Tuesday. RAS is such a staple in town that all police cruiser are washed and detailed there. The business has been open since 1985 and gives a free cappuccino with every purchase of a car wash.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 11

right job in just about any field. And that’s good news for employers and prospective employees alike.

First: Adecco Employment Service, 780 W. Clover Road, 833-4477

Second: Hedy Holmes Staffing Service, 2766 N. Tracy Blvd., 830-6555

Third: Westaff Inc., 324 E. 11th St., 836-9630

FITNESS/HEALTH CLUB

Health clubs in Tracy come and go, but there’s one in town that is almost an icon in itself: In-Shape. Boasting two locations in Tracy — a sports club on Tracy Boulevard and a 24-hour workout center on 11th Street — In-Shape has

something for everyone. The club offers sports and fitness programs for all ages, and both sites provide personal-training services and group exer-cise classes.

First: In-Shape Health Clubs, 239 W. 11th St, 833-3370; 101 S. Tracy Blvd, 836-2504

Second: Curves for Women, 2513 N. Tracy Blvd., 834-2424

Third: World Gym, 2340 East St., 836-3488

FLORISTYou can buy flow-

ers nowadays from just about anywhere — the grocery store, farmers market, even roadside stands — but nothing compares to the personal attention at the Little Flower Shop on 11th

Street. The florists there aim to please and guar-antee customer satisfac-tion on all orders. You just don’t get that sort of service anywhere else.

First: The Little Flower Shop, 84 W 11th St., 835-1534

Second: Flower Pavilion, 98 W. 10th St., 836-3751

Third: Cottage Gardens, 901 Central Ave., 832-7266

GLASS SERVICE/REPAIR

A baseball careening through your window is no big deal when you know who to call. Those in the know call Jason and Toni Cooper at Tracy Glass Shop on Sixth Street. The couple has been in business together for 13 years and handles everything from shower doors to wind-

Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy PressTOP GROOMER: Teri Villarreal, a pet groomer at Linda’s 4 Paws Pet Grooming, trims a springer spaniel at the shop. Linda’s 4 Paws Pet Grooming was voted best pet groomer.

Glenn Moore/Tracy PressTOPS IN TRACY: Alva Perez (left) and Maureen Troiano of Tracy Embroidery know exactly why the shop is favored among read-ers: great service and great quality.

12 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007

shields and even special requests.

First: Tracy Glass Shop, 69 W. Sixth St., 835-1472

Second: D&C Roadrunner Glass Co., 464 E. 10th St., 836-1725

Third: Borge’s Glass, 7928 W. 11th St., 836-4209

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

Even with the Delta breeze, Tracy can get scorching hot in the sum-mer. When the mercury

soars and the A/C goes out, Skelton Heating & Air Conditioning is the company you want com-ing to your rescue.

First: Skelton Heating & Air Conditioning, 5431 W. Grant Line Road, 832-7602

Second: Church Heating & Air Conditioning, 7580 Carmelo Drive, 835-2364

Third: JC Rego Refrigeration, 2259 N. MacArthur Drive, 836-5353

HOTELThe Holiday Inn

Express prides itself on being more than just a room for a night. The hotel and meeting center offers pristine quarters and impeccable service, whether you’re putting up friends from out of town or just need a night away from the kids. All rooms come with Internet, microwaves, refrigerators and satel-lite TV.

First: Holiday Inn Express, 3751 Tracy Blvd., 830-8500

Second: Hampton Inn, 2400 S. Naglee Road, 833-0483

Third: Tracy Inn, 24 W. 11th St, 835-4700

HOUSE CLEANINGThere’s hardly enough

hours in the day to do everything that has to be done. Tracy residents who value their time find Merry Maids the best place to outsource house-cleaning chores. Merry Maids’ stellar service

gives clients peace of mind, while leaving them more time to spend on other priorities in life.

First: Merry Maids, 832-0900

Second: Molly Maids, 832-9940

Third: Ramona’s House Cleaning Service, 832-4486

INTERIOR DESIGN

The interior of your home can look as elegant as a model home with the tasteful designing of From House to Home. Interior design is no longer only for the rich. With From House to Home’s network of pro-fessionals, designing your home can be less expen-sive than you think. So dare to make your dream home a reality with From

Tracy PressHOME AWAY FROM HOME: Holiday Inn Express is most trusted by Tracy Press subscribers when it comes to needing a bed for the night.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 13House to Home.

First: From House to Home, 46 W. 10th St., 835-4735

Second: First Impression Homestaging Redesign, 835-4483

Third: Vallejo Design, 835-7621

INVESTMENT FIRMAmeriprise has ser-

viced the financial needs of people in Tracy for 17 years. With its experi-ence, Ameriprise moti-vates clients to reach their goals. Ameriprise assists with total life planning by addressing the day-to-day needs of its clients, from paying down debt to protecting assets through invest-ments and insurance.

Certified financial planner Alfred Ruiz, who also teaches a class on personal finance at Tracy Adult School, says achieving the goals of others is his passion.

“I try to service all clients the best that I can, that’s always been a focus of my business.”

First: Ameriprise/American Express Financial Advisors Inc., 1548 N. Tracy Blvd., 836-6400

Cera Renault/Tracy PressSUPPLYING THE DEMAND: Juan Lozano picks up a rock to be weighed while working at Sherman Landscape and Masonry Supply, where he has worked since it opened four years ago.

Second: Edward Jones, 1026

B St., 833-1325

Third: Bill Pollard Jr., 79 E.

11th St., 832-5110

LANDSCAPINGThere is nothing quite

like a well-landscaped yard to make a home sparkle and a neighbor green with envy. If yard

work isn’t your thing, do what many Tracy Press readers do and hire an expert. Dominque’s Landscape Maintenance has been serving locals

since 1992 and is con-stantly expanding to serve its clients by offer-ing installation, weed control, yard mainte-nance and sprinkler ser-

vices. They work hard, so you don’t have to.

First: Dominique’s Landscape Maintenance, 835-1169

Second: C & M Landscape, 832-4648

Third: Max Galvao & Sons, 833-1216

LASER/COSMETIC SURGERY

Tracy Press readers looking for a little cos-metic lift put their trust in Solutions Medical Spa. Fairly new to Tracy, the staff at Solutions offers laser hair removal, Botox, dermal fillers, chemical peels, facials, massage, permanent makeup and acupunc-ture. How old you are is your business, but leave how old you look to Solutions.

First: Solutions Medical Spa, 4600 S. Tracy Blvd., No. 118, 834-0744

Second: Dr. Peter Chi, Beauty Renewed, 1770 N. Tracy Blvd., Ste. A, 478-8700

Third: Dr. Thomas McNemar, 467 W. Eaton Ave., 834-0626

LOAN/MORTGAGEIt’s become a buyer’s

14 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007

market here in Tracy, and that means many renters might just take the plunge and buy a home. Assuming you don’t have wads

of cash sitting in the bank, financing will be a requirement. Countrywide Home Loans is conveniently located on 11th Street

and equipped to handle all your home loan needs.

First: Countrywide Home

Loans, 1890 W. 11th St.,

839-2560

Second: Mortgage Masters,

324 E. 11th St., 836-9000

Third: National City

Mortgage, 2880 N. Tracy

Blvd., 839-2880

Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy PressRECOMMENDED REALTOR: When it comes to buying or selling a home, Tracy residents prefer Realty World Corral Hollow above all other real estate professionals.

Third: Delta Mortgage & Real Estate, 204 W 11th St., 830-8765; and 557 W. Clover Road, 229-9200

MASONRY/LANDSCAPE SUPPLY

It’s never a dull moment at Sherman Landscape & Masonry Supply. With the prolif-eration of do-it-yourself shows on cable TV, just about everyone is hit by the home-improvement bug. With a wide selec-tion of materials and fair prices, Sherman is the place to go.

First: Sherman Landscape & Masonry Supply, 23100 S. Kasson Road, 839-9778

Second: M&M Builders Supply, 8111 E. 11th St., 835-4172

Third: Delta Landscape Supply, 155 W. Larch Road, 835-6081

MASSAGE THERAPYThe glamorous life is

a desirable one when everything seems busy and stressful. Why not make an escape to Peaches & Cream Skin Care and be pampered for a day? Peaches &

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 15

Cream’s full-service day spa offers everything from nails to facials to waxing — and even mas-sages for two. The spa’s qualified employees always look for new ser-vices to provide to loyal customers. It’s no wonder why clients keep coming back to enjoy a unique, relaxing ambience.

First: Peaches & Cream Skin Care, 118 E. 11th St., 833-6211

Second: Sharon Gibson, 120 E. 10th St., 830-1702

Third: Garnet’s Day Spa, 67 E. 10th St., 832-1139

NAIL SALONThere’s a nail salon on

almost every corner in town, making it tough to choose which one to try

out. Follow the advice of Tracy Press readers and visit 10 Perfect Nails for your manicure and pedi-cure needs.

First: 10 Perfect Nails, 1870 W. 11th St., 839-0342

Second: Nails Elite, 1140 Adam St., 833-9711

Third: On Top Hair & Nail Design, 458 E. 10th St., 835-3947

OPTOMETRY/EYEWEAR

They say the eyes are the window to the soul. You can’t afford to be short-sighted when it comes to taking care of your eyes. Whether you need an eye exam, con-tacts or glasses, Tracy Optometry can help you

out.

First: Tracy Optometry, 36 W. 10th St., 835-7446

Second: Eaton Optometry, 4598 S. Tracy Blvd., No. 130, 835-1181

Third: Costco, 3250 W. Grant Line Road, 830-5340

PAINTING SERVICEA fresh coat of paint

brightens any living space, but not every-one is talented with a brush and roller. But not to worry, Borncamp Painting excels where many of us fail. With its staff of painters hard at work, you just might find yourself doing a double-take.

First: Borncamp Painting, 835-7000

Second: Patterson Painting, 835-1602

Third: Sam’s Painting Service, 835-9486

PEST CONTROLNobody likes bugs.

After all, they’re called pests for a reason. If you’re looking to fight an infestation or to prevent one, Clark Pest Control is the exterminator to call. You can even set up a regular schedule to keep the creepy-crawlies away.

First: Clark Pest Control, 835-8078

Second: Patriot Pest Management, 835-8005

Third: AAI Termite & Pest Control, 925-754-0113

PHARMACYAs medicine becomes

more corporate, it’s nice to know that we still have

a local pharmacist in town who prides himself on good, old-fashioned customer service. Harold Reich has built a reputa-tion for himself as a car-ing, compassionate phar-macist since purchasing his 10th Street pharmacy in 1990. And that’s why readers keep voting him as the best in Tracy year after year.

First: Harold K. Reich’s Pharmacy, 39 W. 10th St., 835-1832

Second: Longs Drugs, 3320 N. Tracy Blvd, 836-2162, 1885 W. 11th St., 836-2300

Second: Safeway, 16900 W. 11th St., 833-4700

Third: Walgreens, 1830 W. 11th St., 832-1495

PHOTO DEVELOPINGThey say a picture is

worth a thousand words. If that’s the case, you’ll

Enrique Gutierrez/Tracy PressGAS & GO: The Safeway service station was voted best station in the Best of Tracy contest. Club Card holders always receive 3 cents off each gallon of gas purchased, but those who spend $50 or more at once in the grocery store receive 10 cents off.

16 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007want to make sure you don’t trust your photo printing to just anyone. Readers agree Costco is the best photo developer in Tracy. One visit to the Grant Line Road ware-house store will reveal why: quick service and quality reproduction.

First: Costco, 3250 W. Grant Line Road, 830-5340

Second: Wal-Mart, 3010 W. Grant Line Road, 836-5786

Third: Longs Drugs, 3320 N.

Tracy Blvd., 836-2162; and 1885 W. 11th St., 836-2300

Third: Walgreens, 1830 W. 11th St., 832-1495

PLUMBINGIf there’s something

strange with your plumb-ing, who are you going to call? Louie the Plumber, of course! For 8½ years, Tom Pombo has served Tracy residents as Louie the Plumber. But he says he couldn’t do it alone.

He credits his success to his secretary, Linda Pombo, who “keeps everything going.”

First: Louie the Plumber, 835-8357

Second: Delta Plumbing, 835-3114

Third: Aaron Sanders Plumbing, 834-8830

POOL SERVICE/REPAIR

As the number of peo-

ple in Tracy increases, so does the number of swimming pools. And there’s no need for a hot temper when your pool needs equipment repairs. John’s Pool Service offers a little bit of everything. For 12 years, the com-pany has given quality service to its valued cus-tomers.

“We really care about customer service and appreciate that our cus-tomers make us what

we are,” owner Terri Mannos said.

First: John’s Pool Service, 2830 Auto Plaza Drive, No. 120, 835-1250

Second: Fremont Pool Supply, 475 W. Grant Line Road, 833-9200

Third: Blue Lagoon Pool & Spa Service, 992-7118

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

If you’re a prop-erty owner, you know that you can’t be all places at once. That’s where Jordan Property Management comes in. Jordan will oversee the

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 17

day-to-day operations of your property so you don’t have to.

First: Jordan Property Management, 1103 Holly Drive, 835-1315

Second: Corral Hollow Property Management, 1103 Holly Drive, 835-1313

Third: Curran Real Estate, 445 W. 11th St., Ste. A, 835-4000

Third: Mary Souza Mitracos, 835-1025

REAL ESTATE AGENCY

Whether you’re a buyer or seller, finding a quality real estate agent should be at the top of your priority list. Lucky for you, though, you don’t have to do the research yourself. Just follow the advice of Tracy Press readers and check out Realty World Corral Hollow on Central Avenue.

First: Realty World Corral Hollow, 628 Central Ave., 836-0890

Second: Realty World Millennium, 1486 W. 11th St., 835-4545

Third: Coldwell Banker the

Vintage Group, 403 W. 11th St., 836-9100

Third: Homebuyers, 2880 N. Tracy Blvd., Ste. 5, 834-2682

ROOFING SERVICE/REPAIR

Need a new roof? Then go to Pinnacle Roofing Co. in Tracy, where the staff offers 100 percent customer satisfaction and supe-rior customer service. Pinnacle has been in business 16 years and offers specials in resi-dential and commercial roofing.

“We thank our cus-tomers in Tracy for voting us No.1,” owner George Coelho said.

First: Pinnacle Roofing Co., 300 W. Larch Road, 835-7174

Second: Barth Roofing, 833-9917

Third: J.O. Roofing, 839-9766

Third: Safe Roofing 835-4103

SEAMSTRESS/TAILOR/ALTERATIONS

Whether you need a dress made, taken in or let out, Tracy Alterations can get it done. Located down-town, the staff knows their reputation depends on customer satisfaction, and treat that as their primary goal.

First: Tracy Alterations, 902 Central Ave., No. 4, 832-0249

Second: Brenda’s Fashion, 738 Central Ave., 839-8506

Third: De Lux Cleaners, 24 E. 10th St., 835-3346

SERVICE STATIONFueling up never

seems fun, but it is always nice to go to a place where you know that you will be helped and receive the best deal. Tracy Press read-ers voted Safeway as that place.

“We have the best service-station employ-ees,” manager Frank Yrigoyen said. “They go out of their way to make customers happy.”

Along with great service, Safeway offers special deals. Club Card

holders always get 3 cents off per gallon pur-chased, and those who spend $50 or more at the grocery store get 10 cents off. It’s no wonder the gas station was voted No. 1.

First: Safeway, 1804 W. 11th

St., 830-2950

Second: Chevron Stations, 775 S. Tracy Blvd., 830-0370; 3775 N. Tracy Blvd, 836-9442; 2615 W. Grant Line Road, 836-6008; 1960 W. 11th St., 836-3181; 22888 S. Kasson Road, 835-1097

Third: Costco, 3250 W. Grant

Line Road, 830-5340

STORAGE FACILITYAlmost everyone in

America suffers from having too much stuff. If you find yourself sur-rounded by clutter that you’re not willing to

Tracy PressROOM FOR RENT: Though it may sound silly to pay someone to store the stuff you don’t have room for but can’t part with, there’s a definite need for such services here in Tracy, and the best place to go for such needs is Public Storage.

throw away, rent space at Public Storage and let them deal with it for you. Just make sure not to add more stuff in its place or you’ll find your-self outgrowing your unit before you know it!

First: Public Storage, 1615 W. 11th St., 830-1880

Second: Tracy Mini Storage, 385 Enterprise Place, 835-3000

Third: Tracy Self-Storage, 250 W. Valpico Road, 830-7509

TANNING SALONWant a natural-look-

ing tan without the sun? Down Under Tanning Center is the place to go, offering low prices and excellent customer service. Down Under features more than 20 tanning beds and unlim-ited tanning with a low monthly fee. Customers come in looking pasty and leave with a golden glow, all in a matter of minutes.

First: Down Under Tanning Center, 1831 W. 11th St., 833-8268

Second: A Perfect Tan, 2227 Tracy Blvd., 830-8263

Third: Beyond Bronze Tanning (formerly Bronze Image), 1984 W. 11th St., 830-6200

TATTOO PARLORTwelve Monkeys

isn’t your typical tattoo parlor. It’s not open all hours, and its artists do not cater to drunks who might regret getting inked in the morning. Instead, the downtown tattoo shop strives to provide a comfort-able and professional atmosphere for those in search of body art.

“We try to make cus-tomers feel comfortable and safe,” said owner Jon Highland, adding that the shop’s consistency is what contributes to its popularity. “When people go in, they know they are in the hands of profes-sionals.”

First: 12 Monkeys, 917 Central Ave., 839-1265

Second: Mad Tatter, 209 W 10th St., 830-7203

Third: Pins & Needles, 64 W. 11th St., 839-8287

TIRE SHOPNeed new tires? Then

go to Big O Tires, where

18 | BEST OF TRACY FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007

the customer service is definitely top notch.

“Customers are our first priority,” said owner Singh Dale.

The shop offers free shuttle service to cus-

tomers and considers that chief among its many customer-service qualities.

First: Big O Tires, 940 Central Ave., 836-2683

Second: Cox Bros. Tire

Service, 507 E. 11th St.,

835-0880

Third: America’s Tire

Company, 2785 W. Grant

Line Road, 834-2858

TRAVEL AGENCYOld World Travel

allows customers to trav-el the world, without the heavy price tag. Nance Jaques and Marie Morris have been in business for

APPAREL- CHILDREN’S

Stylish and affordable — those are the top two traits that keep Tracy residents shopping at Old Navy. The store car-ries great deals in every department, from infants to kids to adults — and the clearance racks

always offer a steal!

First: Old Navy, West Valley Mall, 3200 Naglee Road, 834-8568

Second: Target, West Valley Mall, 2800 Naglee Road, 833-3494

Third: Gottschalks, West Valley Mall, 3400 Naglee Road, 835-0500

APPAREL- MEN’S Have a special occa-

sion approaching? Take a gander at Tracy’s best men’s apparel store, Richard’s Men’s Wear. With loyalty to their cus-tomers, Richard’s Men’s Wear provides a lot of variety and price ranges of clothing. Looking

SHOPPING FAVORITES

It’s a consumer culture. Everyone knows that. But before you can consume, you must buy. And, of course, that means shopping.

Go ahead. Pretend, if you must, that you hate to lay down cash to cradle in the palm of your hand the object of your desire. We concede that, naturally, people hate to shop for certain items. (Think guys in a women’s cloth-ing store.) On the flip side, just about everyone who’s not an ascetic guru loves to shop for some things. (Think back-to-earthers paying actual money — ick! — for a copy of Adbusters.)

So, here we give you your favorite spots to exchange your moolah for the stuff you covet.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 1926 years, and their expe-rience has made them connoisseurs of travel. To ensure that their custom-ers are getting the best deals, they compare pric-es with other businesses.

“We give the complete package,” Jaques said.

First: Old World Travel Services, 18 W. 11th St., 836-3570

Second: Tracy Travel, 902 Central Ave., No.5, 839-9200

Third: Drake Cruise & Travel, 3200 N. Naglee Road, 835-5300

TUTORINGNot many tutoring

centers have the reputa-tion of Sylvan Learning Center. People go to Sylvan for help in math, reading, SAT preparation and study skills.

“We have a well-estab-lished anchor in the com-munity,” director Mike Shaw said.

First: Sylvan Learning Center, 1190 W. 11th St., 830-6322

Second: Capricorn Consulting, Bob Zeimer, 839-6654

Second: Tracy Kumon Center, 1884 W. 11th St., 833-9400

Third: Tutoring Club, 933 S. Tracy Blvd., 830-1139 or 848-8867

UPHOLSTERY SERVICE/REPAIR

For six years, Delta Steam Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning has helped Tracy residents make over well-loved fur-

niture. With more than 2,800 customers in San Joaquin County, the fam-ily-owned-and-operated business makes sure to do an excellent job.

“We’re really attentive,” said owner Elizabeth Kalleveen. “We put as much as we can into it.”

First: Delta Steam Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning, 835-9075

Second: Medina’s Custom Upholstery, 452 E. 10th St., 835-7539

Third: Upholstery Room,814-4699

VETERINARY CLINICThere are plenty of vet-

erinary clinics Tracy resi-dents can go to, but many choose Tracy Veterinary Clinic. It has been in busi-ness for 15 years, and it’s obvious that the people who work there truly love what they do.

“It’s my second home,” supervisor Susan Gilbert said.

The full-service clinic offers checkups, surgery and dentistry.

First: Tracy Veterinary Clinic, 20 W. Grant Line Road, 835-0626

Second: Old River Veterinary Clinic, 520 W. 11th St., 835-5166

Third: Jules Veterinary Center, 1855 W. 11th St., 833-7387

WINDOW REPLACEMENT

Oh no! Your window has just broken. Now what? Just go to Tracy Glass Shop and you know you will be in good hands. Customers do not need to worry about hearing a sales pitch as soon as they walk in.

“We don’t sell them anything they don’t need,” said owner Tonlyn Cooper.

They have been in Tracy for almost 61 years, and they credit their success to their team. “Everyone partici-pates and gives 100 per-cent,” Cooper said.

First: Tracy Glass Shop, 69 W. Sixth St., 835-1472

Second: Borges Glass Home & Auto of Tracy, 7928 W. 11th St., 836-4209

Third: D&C Roadrunner Glass, 464 E. 10th St., 835-1147

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE

For six years, Tracy residents have recognized Safeway Food and Drug’s superior customer service.

“It’s the entire team that makes us stand out,” man-ager Frank Yrigoyen said. “They make sure that someone is always avail-able to help a customer.”

First: Safeway Food & Drug, 1801 W. 11th St., 830-2950

Second: Van’s ACE Hardware, 2695 N. Tracy Blvd., 835-8286

Third: Stan Morri Ford, 3500 Auto Plaza Way, 835-4821

sharp shouldn’t cost you the shirt off your back, and when you shop at Richard’s, it won’t.

First: Richard’s Men’s Wear, 70 W. 10th St, 835-4684

Second: Gottschalks, West Valley Mall, 3400 Naglee Road, 835-0500

Third: JC Penney, West Valley Mall, 3100 Naglee Road, 839-9353

APPAREL- WOMEN’SSharp women know

where to go when they need a new outfit: Gottschalks in West Valley Mall. Whether you’re a career woman, a woman of leisure or a multitasking mom, Gottschalks has the styles to suit you.

First: Gottschalks, West Valley Mall, 3400 Naglee Road, 835-0500

Second: JC Penney, West Valley Mall, 3100 Naglee Road, 839-9353

Third: Old Navy, West Valley Mall, 3200 Naglee Road, 834-8568

Third: Marshalls, 2481 N. Naglee Road., 833-5006

AUTO PARTS/ACCESSORIES

Need reliable and affordable auto parts? Kragen Auto Parts in Tracy will do the trick. The store pledges to beat competitors’ prices by 5 percent, ensuring it offers the best prices in town. ASE certified, Kragen offers diagnostic tests for batteries, alter-nators and starters

First: Kragen Auto Parts, 3323 N. Tracy Blvd., 836-0606, 1210 N. Tracy Blvd., 836-0677

Second: Napa Auto Parts, 80 E. 11th St., 835-7014

Third: Monument Car Parts, 208 E. 11th St., 835-3514

DISCOUNT STOREEverybody loves a good

bargain, and Tracy Press readers think Big Lots offers the best. With ever-changing inventory, the Tracy Boulevard discount store is a worthwhile regular stop. You can find everything from furniture and home décor to dishes and products hawked on infomercials. At least it’s never boring.

First: Big Lots, 2681 N. Tracy Blvd., 830-6312

Second: Wal-Mart, 3010 W. Grant Line Road, 836-5786

Third: 99 Cents Only, 1320 W. 11th St., 839-9619

BOOK STOREReading is one of the

most relaxing past-times imaginable, and Tracy resi-dents all need a little R&R whenever they can get it.

Voted best bookstore in town, Barnes & Nobles Booksellers in West Valley Mall pro-vides friendly customer service and a soothing atmosphere, whether you want to browse, read or enjoy a nibble and a sip in the café.

Even the staff enjoys

the ambiance.“We love selling books

and we have a good time here,” Manager Brandi Hollingsworth said.

First: Barnes & Noble Booksellers, West Valley Mall, 3150 Naglee Road, 832-9744

Second: Tracy Books, 76 W. 10th St., 833-9101

Third: Kings Comics, 245 E. 11th St., 830-6320

CAMERA SHOPIn a family-oriented

town like Tracy, cameras are a requirement not a

luxury. Tracy Press read-ers visit Best Buy for all their camera needs. And with a friendly staff that doesn’t work on commis-sion, it’s understandable why. The staff is focused on meeting the custom-er’s needs, not their own.

First: Best Buy, 2550 Naglee Road, 832-2166

Second: Costco, 3250 W. Grant Line Road., 830-5340

Third: Wal-Mart, 3010 W. Grant Line Road, 836-5786

CARPET/FLOOR In business since 1936,

Glenn Moore/Tracy PressFACILITATING STUDENT SUCCESS: Diane Knox, left, Mike Shaw and Bill Nahorn of the Sylvan Learning Center are passionate about helping students excel, which is why the tutoring center is the best in Tracy.

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2007 BEST OF TRACY | 20Spencer Floor Covering in Tracy is where custom-ers turn to for quality and friendly hometown service.

Spencer Floor Covering takes an over-whelming task you might have and breaks it into bite-sized pieces.

They specialize in hardwood and provide free design services. Next time you think about redoing the floor-ing in your house, keep Spencer Floor Covering in mind.

First: Spencer Floor Covering, 154 W. 10th St., 835-5537

Second: Tri-Valley Carpets Kitchens & Baths, 2358 East St., 836-4332

Third: Accent Carpets, 141 W. 11th St., 835-9763

COMPUTER STOREIf you want the latest

and greatest in computer technology, shop Best Buy. The store offers a variety of brands and styles to meet the needs of every user. Whether you’re a gamer, a hob-byist or a technophobe, Best Buy has a computer for you.

First: Best Buy, 2550 Naglee Road, 832-2166