"It's the water."

No matter if you're a full-blown alcoholic or not, you're likely familiar with the famed Olympia Beer motto of yesteryear. Whether describing the easy-to-drink suds that helped make the town famous, the Budd Bud Inlet that helps give it character and beauty, the artesian wells that pump vitality into downtown, or simply the constant drizzle, there's a reason "It's the water," has outlived production of the iconic beer it was coined to sell.

After all these years, it's still the water.

This marks the Weekly Volcano's second Best of Olympia issue. Much like you, we've spent the past 12 months dining, drinking, and shopping our way across Thurston County - and the 2012 Best of Olympia issue will immortalize the best of the best. Packed with picks from the Volcano's staff, and built on the extensive readers' poll that you'll find below, the Volcano's 2012 Best of Olympia issue - which hits streets Feb. 16 - promises to be the best "Best Of" issue ever produced.

This is fitting, given the fact that - at least according to that pesky Mayan calendar - 2012 will be the world's last year.

Best of Olympia 2012 - your last chance to let your voice be heard. Speak up or forever hold your peace.

And remember: It's still the water.

NOTE: The official Weekly Volcano's 2012 Best of Olympia Readers' Poll is not for wimps. It's 113 questions of pure awesomeness, designed to get to the root of exactly what makes Olympia so damn cool. Pace yourself. Take breaks. Complete it by section. Skip questions you don't know the answer to (or just don't give a shit about it). The important thing to remember is the 2012 Best of Olympia Readers' Poll is your chance to give recognition to the people, places and things in Olympia and Thurston County that deserve it. It's a task not to be taken lightly, and you better believe we appreciate your participation.