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Funny how we take things for granted. Most of this year's Top of the Town awards are greater Lansing institutions. They're linchpins, mainstays and staples. (We mean that literally - Staples won Best Office Supply.) It seems like they've always been there for you and always will.

But in December 2012, after the "long count" Mayan calendar ends and apocalyptic disasters sweep the planet, you may see things differently.

In a crater somewhere near the site of the Common Ground Festival (Best Festival), under a volcano where the State Capitol used to be, you%u2019ll huddle with a handful of survivors and weep over every one of these winners, no matter how predictable they seem now.

"God, the choking, searing dust! How many beers did they have at Oade's (Best Liquor Store)? 500?"

"88.9 FM (Best Radio Station) says a tsunami is coming."

"I'd give anything to be back at the Green Door (Best Dance Scene, Weeknight Hangout, Venue) and listen to Root Doctor (Best Blues Band). Guess I'll never hear music again."

"All my vinyl from FBC (Best Record Store) melted in the first eruption."

"Remember the lady who played piano at Horrock's (Best Produce)? It used to drive me crazy, but I'd cut off my face to hear it now."

"CLook! It%u2019s raining salamanders! Ow! They bite! I feel numb ... ."

So eat, shop, and enjoy your favorites today. You never know what Maya-cur tomorrow.

Write ups by: James Sanford, Lawrence Cosentino, Neal McNamara, Allan Ross, Joe Turock, Brandon Kirby, Rich Tupica and Megan Murphy

Arts and Culture

BEST SHOPPING

by City Pulse

Antique shop:Mega MallRunners-up: Little Red School House, Wooden Skate Art Gallery:Creole GalleryRunners-up: Mackerel Sky, Kresge Museum On the “Antiques Road Show,” they call it “provenance.” It’s a combination of priceless authentici...

Arts and Culture

BEST DINING

by City Pulse

Appetizers Houlihan’s Runners-up: Tavern on the Square and Beggar’s Banquet The Houlihan’s chain location inside the Lansing Mall wasvoted Best Appetizers, after winning last year for Best Happy Hour. Most likelyit’s for the same reason: T...

BEST HANGOUTS

by City Pulse

Coffee shop:Gone WiredRunners-up: Soupspoon Cafe, Espresso Royale and Decker's Spread out over two levels, Gone Wired manages to feel both intimate and spacious, depending on where you sit. Coffee is always brewing, but the cafe also features an assortment of teas and...

BEST PEOPLE

by City Pulse

Bartender Craig Doepker (Mac's Bar) Runners-up: “Inky” (Chrome Cat) and Megan (Rookies) Craig Doepker (pronouced “depp-ker”) has become a fixtureof the diverse Lansing music scene — he also has really cool/wild hair. Afte...

Arts and Culture

BEST MUSIC

by City Pulse

Blues band Root Doctor Runners-up: Steppin’ In It and Frog & the Beeftones Combing traditional blues with classic soul, Root Doctorhas been entertaining Lansing for nearly 20 years. Led by vocalist FreddieCunningham (who formed the band with ...

BEST SERVICES

by City Pulse

Alternative health:Better Health StoreRunners-up: Foods for Living, Creative Wellness Auto care:Lisky'sRunners-up: Spartan Car Care, University Foregin Auto Bank/credit union:MSUFCURunners-up: NuUnion, LAFCU Barber:Barber LoveRunners-up: Frandor Barber, Douglas J ...

Arts and Culture

WORST

by City Pulse

Newspaper Lansing State Journal Runners-up: City Pulse and “this category is unkind” Fine. But this does not overshadow the LSJ’s 2008 win forbest newspaper Web site from the Associated Press (and, no, Associated Press isnot the name...