Congratulations once again to the Best of Fremont 2017 winners! Fremont has such amazing people, places and projects underway.
For Fremont’s Best Business, Fremocentrist readers chose a relatively new establishment. Bar House, open only 11 months of 2017 (since February,) still managed to capture the favor of Fremonsters. When presenting the award to owner Ben Verellen early on a Monday evening, Bar House was already jumping.
For Fremont’s Best Citizen, readers chose long-time Fremont employee Elyse Kaiser. Formerly a manager at the Fremont Blue C Sushi, Kaiser won the award while working as a bartender at Red Star Taco Bar. Taking time off to help out a struggling relative, Kaiser is still spending time at the Center of the Universe – accepting her award at Fremont Coffee.
The award for Fremont’s Best Community Project went to a non-sentient being – the Fremont Lenin statue, created by Emil Venkov. Having successfully fought to keep his perch, Fremont’s Lenin had a turbulent year in 2017. The statue’s artist, a world-wide respected sculptor, Venkov passed away in June – weeks before Seattle’s now-ex-mayor would recommend the statue be toppled. Fremonsters reacted strongly, standing up for the statue’s rights, and ultimately voting him their favorite Fremont Project.
As a non-sentient being, Fremont’s Lenin statue wasn’t presented the award. Instead, it was given in vivo to the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, which acts as sales rep for the statue, and Suzie Burke, who is currently the Chamber rep for Lenin. Burke accepted the award after the January Fremont Fireside Chat at the Fremont Branch Library.
Thank you to all the Fremocentrist readers who voted for the Best of Fremont 2017! Ballots for the Best of 2018 will be accepted starting on November 15th, 2018. It is never too early to start thinking of your favorite candidates!!