Citylife Critic's Picks 

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THE OVERLY TRUSTFUL PHILANTHROPIST AWARDAndreas BechtlerArt collector Andreas Bechtler wants to donate a more-than-1,000-piece collection of modern European art worth somewhere in the vicinity of $20 million to the city. In return, he, and the Arts and Science Council, want the city to pony up millions to help build a museum uptown to house the works. So far so good; this is the kind of thing that has been done all over the world for ages. Charlotte City Council, of course, has engaged in endless rounds of politics over the issue, posing as money-savers of all things. Now, there's a task force, backstabbing, recriminations, you name it. Surely Bechtler should have realized our clueless local politicos would make a mess of his proposal. It may still happen, but don't hold your breath. Thanks anyhow, Andreas.THE DUMB CROOK AWARDCharlotte Mecklenburg Police RecruitsHow stupid was this? A slew of police recruits were caught with the answers to their recruitment exam, giving the department a black eye. Subsequent investigations resulted in inadequate slaps on the wrist, furthering the damage.

THE TARNISHED IMAGE AWARDDuke EnergyThe utility sure is popular with federal regulators, from the EPA to the FBI, these days. It can't seem to go six months without being sued, investigated or charged with something. Recent accusations have included everything from neglecting pollution controls to underreporting profits. Duke is still facing pending investigations into its role in California's blackouts in 2000 and 2001. In addition, their refusal to seriously consider burying power lines in a city that has suffered massive blackouts, despite popular support for the idea (not to mention the all-too-frequent losses of power during routine thunderstorms in parts of Charlotte), has put a huge dent in their previous image as a customer-oriented utility.

MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES IN CHARLOTTE(tie) Carolina Heel Splitter Mussels and Kids On BikesLet us know if you spot either.

THE INSUFFERABLE SANCTIMONY AWARDBill James' Crusade Against Gay ParentsUnder the guise of asking for a "clarification" of rules, County Commissioner Bill James has begun a campaign to discredit and eventually ban gays and lesbians from adopting children in Mecklenburg County. Ever the spokesperson for a quasi-medieval view of life, James apparently couldn't care less that study after study has shown that the children of gays and lesbians turn out to be as happy and well-adjusted as the kids of straight parents. In addition, considering that the need for adoptive parents is huge, James' crusade isn't just ideologically driven small-mindedness, it's deliberately hurtful and a disgrace to the term "family values."

BEST ACTIVIST GROSS-OUT Operation Save America's Fetus-Mobiles What better way is there to convince people of your position on an issue than shocking them with bloody pictures? None, apparently, to the folks at Operation Save America. They and their supporters rode around uptown back in the Spring with huge photos of aborted fetuses on the sides of their vans, supposedly in an attempt to convince viewers to oppose legal abortion. If they weren't so nuts and the images so grotesque, it'd almost be funny.

NEXT BEST THING TO GAY MARRIAGE Little Shiva and Jenn Jacobsen For once, Charlotte was way ahead of the times -- and in the area of gender issues, no less! Late last August, Little Shiva, the esteemed editrix of local "zine QZ and self-described Minister of Fun, got married downtown at the courthouse. Sounds kind of old-fashioned, huh? And it was, except that her betrothed was Jenn Jacobsen, a male-to-female pre-op transsexual with gender dysphoria who, technically at least for now, is a man. The pair, wearing matching red dresses and trailing a small entourage, attracted gawkers galore uptown as they made their way to the courthouse. Once there, a friend played the accordion, the lovebirds showed their papers and they were wed in short order. The judge was in such good spirits, she even asked for e-mail copies of the photos. The bride kissed the bride and all was well. Somewhere, Bill James broke out in a cold sweat.

BEST CELEBRITY HAIRDOSterlin Benson-Webber, WCNCIt's certainly the most consistent; when other glam girls are getting highlights or flippy cuts, Benson-Webber's coif has remained smooth and sleek, curling toward her face to draw your attention to her winning smile.

BEST LOCAL PRO ATHLETEJake Delhomme, Carolina PanthersJust thinking back to the confident way quarterback Delhomme led the Panthers into the Super Bowl last season, it's hard to believe he was signed as an unrestricted free agent from the New Orleans Saints in March 2003. The sportsmanship, maturity and poise demonstrated by this 29-year-old make him a role model, for sure.