Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore. From its art deco architecture to the various sculptures and statues scattered around downtown, you know you're in Asheville.

But what really makes Asheville such an anomaly? Is it the bevy of locally made beverages? (Readers overwhelmingly voted beer -- namely Highland Ale -- as the top Asheville-Made Product.) Is it the deluge of street performers? (Bobby Sax is still holding onto the top slot.) Or maybe it's the abundance of local lore, from such favorite haunts as Helen's Bridge to Bizarre Local Trends (homeless people with pets was trumped only by dreadlocks).

However you happen to click your heels -- there's simply no place like home. Which, by the way, is best if it happens to be in West Asheville, as voters made clear.

Best Asheville-made Product

1. Highland Ale
Crafted in the Highland Brewery, located beneath Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria

2. Beer (in general)

3. Tree Huggin' Treats
Vegan, organic, wheat-free candy found at www.treehuggintreats.com

Best Neighborhood

1. West Asheville

2. Montford

3. Downtown

Best Local Scandal/Squabble

1. The construction of a Super Wal-Mart on the former Sayles Bleachery property

2. The I-26 Connector, which will increase the 19/23 and 240 route into West Asheville to a 6- or 8-lane highway

3. The Asheville Police Department

Thing Asheville Needs Most

1. Affordable Housing

2. Bike lanes/paths

3. Jobs

Most Bizarre Local Trend

1. Dreadlocks

2. Homeless people with pets

3. (tie) Hippies, body piercings

Best Street Performer

1. Bobby Sax

This high-profile saxophonist takes requests

2. Billy Jonas
An inventive percussionist and songwriter, Jonas is a big hit with kids

3. Michael Farr
Often playing peace rallies, Farr proffers catchy folk melodies

Best Reason to Vote in the Next Election

1. Because you can

2. Civic duty

3. Air quality

Best Urban Legend/Rumor

1. Helen's Bridge
This spooky (and now closed) over-pass can be spotted on Beaucatcher Mountain

2. "Pink Lady" at the Grove Park Inn
Said to have fallen to her death during the Inn's early days, she haunts room 545

3. Celebrities moving to Asheville

Best Historic Site

1. The Biltmore Estate
1 Approach Road, Asheville, 225-1333

2. Thomas Wolfe Memorial
52 N. Market St., Asheville, 253-8304

3. Grove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave., Asheville, 252-2711

Best Public Mural

1. Person holding flowers
On the wall of 62 Broadway, Asheville

2. Outdoor market on the wall of West End Bakery
757 Haywood Road, West Asheville

3. YWCA donor wall
185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville

Winners with this symbol have been voted best in their category for the previous four or more years.