Find out who really is the best

Who's the best?

That, of course, is a subjective judgment, but we try to quantify it on a local level with our annual readers' poll that leads to "The Best of the Flathead," a special publication that will be in Saturday's newspaper.

The Daily Inter Lake asked readers to name some of their favorite people, food, places and things.

Voting was fast and furious this year, with some new winners plus some tried-and-true repeat champions.

We offered a dozen new categories this year - "best of" slots for top mechanic, veterinarian, doctor, lawyer, brunch, sandwich, wine selection, grocery store, nonprofit group, car dealer, men's and women's shopping.

There also were a host of traditional categories for everything ranging from the best burger to the best bartender.

Find out just who or what is best in Saturday's Inter Lake.

Last Saturday was a gorgeous day in the Flathead Valley, but it's a safe bet that plenty of people spent the day inside - buried in the pages of a book.

Not just any book, mind you, but the seventh and final installment of the enormously popular Harry Potter series.

The release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was preceded by midnight gatherings, attended by dedicated followers dressed in Hogwarts garb and waiting in fidgety anticipation for the book to be released officially at 12:01 a.m.

That all this attention was focused on a book release is testament that - in the age of the Internet and the onslaught of Web offerings - the printed word still packs plenty of power.

This is the final frenzy in the unprecedented publishing phenomenon surrounding the boy wizard Harry Potter. It's a phenomenon that has led to 335 million books being sold worldwide - 10 million copies of the newest book sold last weekend alone - and made Pottermania a cultural staple.

It has been quite a ride that author J.K. Rowling has taken us on. Most of the millions of Potter fans wish the ride hadn't ended, but it has been a magical literary journey.

And besides, there's always the movie to look forward to.

ANYONE LOOKING for some down-home fun this weekend ought to head to Columbia Falls.

The town's annual festival, Heritage Days, is in high gear from Friday evening through Sunday. Heritage Days features reunions, rodeo, running races and a whole host of other family activities.

One highlight will be a wild horse drive Saturday afternoon from Columbia Heights to the Blue Moon area.

There should be fun for all in Columbia Falls.