As you read, keep in mind: I liked “Spider-Man 1” and “Spider-Man 2.”

In mid-May, the ACT—the major alternative to the SAT—released a nationwide study of last year’s high school graduates...

Now that O’Donnell has left the daytime TV chat-fest “The View,” the show’s ratings will most likely tumble...

Generally, print journalists are better in print than in conversation...

Later marriages take more risks—but are more stable than ever

By Caren West

Can we really predict this year’s hurricane season?

Sunday brunch makes me feel fine...

Comedian Dane Cook gets serious with 'Mr. Brooks'

Party in the park

The Sunday Paper visits Italy’s sister city, Rome, Ga. 

The Sistahs of Harlem bring shirt-shredding to the masses

Well, the good news is that I don’t have to worry about pooping on the table...

At least five nights a week, C. and I share a bed...

Cinderella dressed in yellow...

Dad's Garage revs up slammin' summer show

Atlanta: Get ready to be steeped in teetotalers

Andés Loaiza is the restaurant manager of the Epicurean...

Your handy guide to 99X's Big Day Out

Engaging 'Crowns' earns tip of the cap

I never pass up an opportunity to get that Metrofreshual feeling...

Berry, Buck, Mills, Stipe

Fruity concoctions are good for your health

The Sunday Paper takes to Georgia’s skies

Braves’ utility player Willie Harris stays true to his roots

'Virgin' director delivers raucous follow-up

The past few weeks, I’ve been describing a form of fundamentalism—democratic fundamentalism—at work in American politics...

Recent high school graduation statistics from Texas and California confirm my direst predictions...

About a month ago, the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs heard the brief but scathing testimony of Michael F. Scheuer...

The man behind your meal

It was October, but the temperature in the car reached 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and the desperate 3-year-old, who'd been left in the car in a Buckhead parking lot, had clawed frantically at her face in the heat as she died.

Georgia places seventh in number of women killed by men

Tom Catherall adds a purebred to his stable of restaurants

“Under no circumstances!” Jimmy protested as I pulled two hats out of a Swoozie’s bag...

Here’s a sure sign that a country is ready to welcome the world: It has attracted top hoteliers...

It’s 10 a.m. on Sunday, and for a while I’ve been trying—without much success—to give life to a boring section of a book project I’m working on...

THE NUTRITIONAL BALANCE OFA MACROBIOTIC DIET

Republican state legislators take issue with U.S. senators

Georgia competes for a new bio-terrorism facility—just an hour outside Atlanta

I’ve always aspired to live a seasonal lifestyle so I can say things like, “I’m summering in New England this year...

Bloc Party and Kings of Leon

Soccer great Nel Hayes on the Silverbacks, law school and her newborn daughter

Goodell must act now

What would we do without Michael Moore?

And other Dr. Phil maxims

Sipping cocktails in the garden of earthly delights

GOP frontrunner sticks to positions on terrorism, immigration and abortion

While Georgia's forests burn, the legislature purges environmentalists

Getting to the bottom of the ‘chips with attitude’ bag

Ari Hest and Slow Motion Crash

Theater veterans take pride in deflating prejudice

It’s not the fact that my thighs touch that has me upset...

Seven things that’ll change your life (well, sort of)

The Sunday Paper gets its sea legs on the coast of Maine

The initial reaction of many Americans was to speculate...

Two bits of news from the “Peachtree Battle” front

USE IN MICROWAVE ONLY AS DIRECTED

I’ve never lived with a boyfriend, which in some ways I consider a badge of honor...

The phrase “failure to connect the dots” became a flashpoint...

This week, I dedicate this column to something local—something egregious and shameful which I can no longer ignore

2007 Reader's Choice Awards

Dogfish Head’s domestic brews extraordinaire

Bohemian Bhojanic is Indian comfort food with a twist

Kelly Johnson and Scott Thorman, up close and personal

Schuerholz makes it look so easy

Tennis rescued UGA star from childhood taunts

SP's summer music guide, from Justin to Kelly

A New Fundamentalism, Part II

Best local celebrity
Elton John
The Lowdown: Between endless world tours, a Vegas residency and appearances at countless A-list functions, how much time can Atlanta’s favorite pop pianist spend in his Buckhead condo? About three months a year, actually. And besides, he’s more relentlessly positive about our city than many lesser musicians who actually live here, so let’s show our Rocket Man some love.

Best-dressed local celebrity
Sara Blakely
The Lowdown: The naturally gorgeous Sara Blakely—wildly successful undergarment entrepreneur, philanthropist and, let’s face it, total babe—looks effortlessly fabulous in everything she wears, and doesn’t seem to need her very own Spanx. And she’s getting married to a foxy younger man. But we’re not jealous or anything. Why on earth would you say that?

Best local pro athlete
Jeff Francoeur
The Lowdown: His numbers improve every year, and his raw athletic ability could have taken him to the NFL had he chosen to go that route. But he chose baseball and is now the future of the Braves. And don’t be surprised when he becomes our starting center fielder next year after Andruw Jones bolts for the big bucks. You heard it here first.

Best local chef
Kevin Rathbun
The Lowdown: Kevin Rathbun was pretty much a shoo-in here. He operates two of the city’s best restaurants and is also known as a tireless advocate of Inman Park, a frequent participant in charity events and just an all-around good guy. And with Kevin Rathbun Steak opening later this year, he just might have this category wrapped up for a while longer.
The BASICS: Rathbun’s and Krog Bar, 112 Krog St., Atlanta, 30307, 404-524-8280, www.rathbunsrestaurant.com.

Best health club for working out
Colony Square Athletic Club
The Lowdown: Pilates, Body Pump and free parking are just a few of the perks at this 15,000-square-foot Midtown gym. Check out the Diesel class, an intense circuit of weights and bursts of cardio. Afterward, get a sauna, tan, massage and lunch at the Internet café or the Colony Square food court.
The BASICS: 1197 Peachtree St.,
Atlanta, 30309, 404-745-9309, www.colonyathletic.com.

CITY LIVING

Best reason to live in Atlanta
The weather
The Lowdown: Admit it, you’ve called friends in Wisconsin to gloat about an early spring. Sure, our summers are hot and humid, but they’re more than offset by several months of spectacular dogwood- and azalea-filled goodness. Just don’t ask us to drive in the two inches of snow we get each year.

Click on the Thumbnails to view the SP's 2007 Reader's Choice Awards

A + E	City Living	Food
Health	Sports	Style

"The state withered. But faith didn't. Failure only led back to the faith...

Meet Tech star Roberto Castro, efficiency expert

Royal Treatment at the Jim Stewart 400

A.D. Allushi on downtown Atlanta

Bright Eyes and Arctic Monkeys

Aftermath drama '28 Weeks Later' injects new thrills

Putting it all together in a sample pool workout

Debunking the “best U.S. cities to meet men” myth

“I think what happens is you sort of mess your first kid up and then you do better with the second one,” I said to Jimmy...

Treadmills, elliptical machines and free weights don’t exactly spark thoughts of a fun and entertaining exercise session...

It was one of those questions that has very little to do with the presidency but reveals much about a candidate...

  have suffered under the political stewardship of George W. Bush for 10 years, from the middle of his first term as governor through today...

New book: Stay-at-home moms are risking their financial future

'I am a welfare mom'

As Congress eyes cuts to assistance, SP talks to a welfare mother

OK, so it wasn’t technically May 5...

Every summer when I was a kid, my parents took my brother and me to Ocean City, Md...

Brace yourself for a losing season, Falcons fans

I was issued a speeding ticket on March 20...

It hasn’t been easy for Delta Airlines

The sky is falling on the Braves’ bullpen

Vick doesn’t care—and doesn’t have to

One couple’s quest for the perfect creamy confection

The craftsmanship behind Batdorf & Bronson

Hooray for Mother’s Day

Son Volt and Cowboy Junkies

Are comic-book movies in need of rescue?

Advice for the self-trained triathlete

I bring up a topic of conservation he’s become immensely weary of: his ex-girlfriends.

I think I’ve made it pretty clear that my body has morphed from a size 4 to a size not yet recognized by the fashion industry

The porn king and an anti-porn pastor

Finding good fortune in Hong Kong

The decision rehearses and reaffirms the essential findings of previous Supreme Court decisions about abortion beginning with Roe v. Wade

Immigration policy

Mostly, I write about foreign affairs...

Former Middle East envoy gives opposing view of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Bixente Pery wants you to eat more escargot

One of Atlanta’s hottest trends raises questions of cultish behavior—but does the label fit?

Braves’ Hudson poised for breakout season

For as long as I can remember, I’ve gone through bouts where I can’t sleep, or when I finally do, I have horrible nightmares...

Have you seen something amiss at your local restaurant?

Women’s sports in the ATL: Bring on the WNBA

The Force’s Willie Gary—and the career that nearly wasn’t one

 The al-Qaida-fueled insurgency in Iraq may have beaten you but they haven’t beaten me.