Each year, as we flip through the results of our annual Best of Humboldt voting, Journal staff members shrug, nod, raise skeptical eyebrows and shake fists at the sky. The fist shaking is a bit much. But like you, dear readers, we have our favorites and our priorities (see turnout numbers), and seeing our county's tastes tallied up makes us feel alternately vindicated, puzzled and like there is no justice in the world. Pretty much like all voting results. So as you survey the winners, noting the dynasties and the upsets, feel free to let it all out. We're right there with you.

Big Turnouts

Can we extract Humboldt's life priorities from Best of Humboldt balloting? If so, we're doing admirably. Here are the categories that received the largest interest, as measured by total votes cast:

Best Brewery: 885 (of course)

Best Grocery Store: 848 (they sell beer)

Best Sandwich: 845 (Gotta find something to sop up all that beer)

Low Turnouts

If an analysis of Best of Humboldt voting tells us anything, it's that you, dear readers, don't care much about advanced degrees or weed — legal weed, anyway. Take a look at the categories that received the least interest:

CR Professor: 255

215 Physician: 276

Medical Marijuana Dispensary: 269

Landslides

Apparently, in some categories, there's just no contest. Here's a look at the bouts that were over almost before they began:

Locally Made Specialty Food: Larrupin Sauce (73 percent)

Wine Festival: Art in the Park (72 percent)

Bank/Credit Union: Coast Central (71 percent)

Well, That Was Close:

Let's face it, in some ways Humboldt is just bitterly divided, whether it's logging practices, marijuana or the General Plan Update. Well, we can add another few things to that list of conversations to avoid around unfamiliar company, lest a blood feud ensue. Here are the Best of Humboldt categories that saw the tightest finishes:

Best Clothing Store For Adults:

Hot Knots — 150 | Vintage Avenger — 140

Auto Body Shop:

Myrtletown Auto Body — 154 | Kreations — 151

Onion Rings: Toni's — 239 | Surfside Burger Shack — 235