FROM THE EDITOR.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha

In May and June I took to wearing spring dresses and sandals. The weather didn't really warrant it, but I was operating under a theory of manifesting change: if I dressed for warm weather, it would suddenly appear. As of press time in June my success is up for debate. Some might say it still feels like a cold spring although we're nearing the summer solstice. Others may point to at least one Anchorage Sunday that was sunny and warm; my sandals may have done that.

I accept that my efforts to force statewide climate patterns to suit my need for sunshine might have been ambitious, but I think I was inspired by working on this issue.

Planning and preparing the Best of Alaska Business is always a high energy, uplifting endeavor. We're running forty-three categories this year, which works out to the potential that we are highlighting and celebrating 129 exceptional Alaska companies. The actual number of individual companies is slightly less, as there is some overlap. For example, this year First National Bank Alaska was lauded by our readers in four categories: Best Bank, Best Place to Work 250+ Employees, Customer Friendly Company, and Best Corporate Citizen. A few other entities also snagged spots in more than one category, but even still this year we are featuring 118 organizations, many of which are new.

To assure accuracy, we research every new company that our voters elect to the top ranks. We check to make sure business licenses are in order and that their services match the intention of the category (so no pharmacies win Best Bike...