In what is intended to be a fun new local competition with our Bulletin readers, the Best of Manteca, Lathrop, Ripon, and beyond will be selected in a Readers Choice to tell us where your favorite places are to shop, entertain and do your family business.

Whether it’s which Mexican or Chinese restaurant is a favorite, or those in nearly 100 other categories, the 2012 Readers Choice awards will line up the best of the best, in your eyes, if you vote, of course.

Ballots will appear several times in The Bulletin, starting today on page C6.

All readers need to do is fill in the names of their favorite places in the space provided and return the ballot to the Manteca Bulletin office at 531 E. Yosemite Avenue. 

The deadline for submitting ballots is Friday, March 2, at 5 p.m.

Winners will be identified in the Readers Choice special edition on March 28. They will receive Winner Certificates to display at their place of business throughout the year.