Who is the best dentist in town? Is it Sean Sangalang, Al Tonne, Ricardo Cuevas, Trang Duong, Marvin Bledsoe, Pamela Andrews, Mary Richmond, John Trueb, or someone else?

What’s the best Manteca retirement community – Del Webb, Merrill Gardens, Prestige Living, Almond Terrace, the Commons at Union Ranch or someplace else?

And who is the best Realtor here in the Heart of California? Steve Roland, Jennifer Harnden, Carol Perdew, Carol Bragan, Jim Muthart, Jackie DeZarn, Tom Wilson, Linda Aksland or someone else?

You can nominate your favorites in those three categories –or one of more than 70 others – as part of the nomination process for the 2009 Best of Manteca that runs through Monday, March 16. Voting will start March 23 on the top three individuals or stores that get the most nominations in each category.

The Manteca Convention & Visitors Bureau is spicing up the awards presentations this year with live entertainment – including singers and musicians who are named Manteca’s favorites in various categories. The actual winners will also be notified in advance to make it more of a celebration gala of those who are voted the Best of Manteca.

Voting this year is going to be exclusively on-line. To nominate individuals or businesses in the categories that appears below go to the CVB’s website at www.visitmanteca.org and go to Best of Manteca to make your nominations.

The top three individuals or businesses in each category in terms of nominations will then have their names placed on the Best of Manteca ballot.

The winner in each category will be notified in advance. The celebration will take place at Manteca Trailer on May 8 complete with a circus theme that will include jugglers, stilt walkers, clowns, and face painting. Entertainment will also be provided by the persons selected as Manteca’s best female singer as well as the best male singer. The group that wins the most votes as Manteca’s best band will also perform.

For more information call the CVB at 823-7229.