Photos

Audio/Visual Products & Services

No matter how convincing you are, no one is going to believe it when you say you just saw Spider-Man zip by on El Camino. What you need, wide-eyed one, is visual proof. Keeble & Shuchat has just about any photography- and video-related tool you can think of, housed in old-fashioned ambiance with regular photo exhibitions in a big upstairs room for inspiration. Need a tripod to hold your camera steady when Spidey swings past? Check. Looking for lighting equipment, a printer, a camera bag, a scanner and a lovely frame to display your best superhero photo? Yep and yep. 261 and 290 California Ave., Palo Alto; 650-327-8511 and 650-327-8996. www.kspphoto.com


Auto Care

Even the Green Hornet has to take the Black Beauty into the shop every once in a while. Our readers' choice for auto care? Larry's Auto Works. There are friendly technicians, comfy seats and kids' toys in the waiting area, and of course a full-service shop that's been recognized by the Mountain View City Council as a "green business." The voting was tight in this category: Many Weekly readers chose Palo Alto Bimmer, which came in a close second. 2526 Leghorn St., Mountain View; 650-492-5443. www.autoworks.com


Chiropractor

It's tough for Superman to lift a Buick off someone's leg when he's got a herniated disc in his lower back. Chiropractic care might be the way to go. Weekly readers recommend Peak Performance Chiropractic, which can also provide a lagging superhero with other support, including acupuncture, lifestyle advice, corrective exercises, massage therapy and nutritional counseling. No guarantees that any of this will make him bulletproof. 325 Sharon Park Drive, Suite B6, Menlo Park; 650-233-7333. www.peakperformancei.com


Day Spa/Skin Care

For a relaxing, rejuvenating experience, readers head to SkinSpirit, voted best day spa and skin care. Cosmetic treatments such as laser hair removal and Botox are available, along with therapeutic body treatments like mud wraps and full-body scrubs. (Clients with special needs, like The Joker, might want to schedule a complimentary consultation for skin-care advice.) For a healing touch that aims beneath the surface, SkinSpirit also offers massages including the classic Swedish, deep tissue, La Stone and pre- and post-natal. 701 Emerson St., Palo Alto; 650-324-9600. www.skinspirit.com


Dry Cleaner

How can you keep those primary colors looking bright after a hard week of battling crime? Take your capes and tights to Charleston Cleaners, where they'll track down stains and wrinkles and eliminate the threat to your crisp, comic-book image. They'll also throw in some complimentary Hershey's Kisses while they starch and press your civilian clothes to help you maintain your disguise. The proficiency of this family-owned business isn't a secret, but the owners will keep their lips sealed about yours. 3900 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; 650-424-1113.


Frame Shop

Even superheroes require spare time to reflect. Daredevil is rumored (in some circles) to spend hours browsing art shops for fabulous frames to preserve pictures of friends and foes alike. His trusty art supply store, University Art, stocks quality brushes, three grades of canvasses, paints and, most essentially, a collection of intricate frames. The family-owned chain has its flagship store in Palo Alto, where it is also equipped with a gift gallery, the Annex, stuffed with jewelry, journals and other knick-knacks. Word has it that Daredevil bought Elektra an exquisite heart necklace there last Valentine's Day. 267 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; 650-328-3500. www.universityart.com


Gym

With several strong thumbs up, the Palo Alto Family YMCA is Weekly readers' choice for best gym. Whether people are building core muscle mass to handle those biffs and bams to the gut or bulking up biceps for scaling buildings, the Ross Road Y has an array of services, including a 25-foot climbing wall, indoor heated 25-yard lap pool, warm-water therapy pool, sauna, and cardio- and strength-training center. There's also a Kids' Zone and teen programs, as well as pre- and -post-natal programs for super-moms. 3412 Ross Road, Palo Alto; 650-856-9622. www.ymcasv.org/paloalto


Hair Salon

Some Weekly readers might say Hair International has a secret power -- for getting hair just right. Besides snipping away at women's, men's, teens' and kids' hair, the stylists also offer perms, highlights and other color makeovers and manicures and pedicures. The salon has evening and weekend hours, and welcomes drop-ins and students, with student rates available. Men might particularly like the salon -- Weekly readers also gave it the most votes in the Best Men's Haircut category. 232 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto; 650-324-2007. www.hairintl.com


Hotel

There's nothing like being pampered in style at the Garden Court Hotel, the downtown Palo Alto luxury retreat that's only a step away from all the action on University Avenue. The staff provides every amenity imaginable from valet parking to evening port and cookie service in the lobby, and from Jacuzzi bathrooms to fresh gardenias at bedside. Guests can enjoy the Mediterranean-style architecture complete with fountains and flower-laden balconies, a perfect setting for stylish business meetings or dreamy wedding receptions. 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto; 650-322-9000. www.gardencourt.com


Manicure/Pedicure

Sometimes you need to retreat into a calming world where the only choice to make is between lavender and citrus body lotion. (That's assuming you've already picked your polish color.) At Pinkies Nail Salon, the massage chairs and cheery yellow walls also help bring on the alpha brain waves. Besides offering simple and deluxe mani-pedis, Pinkies also caters to the little ones with princess manicures and pedicures, complete with crowns. Kids between the ages of 5 and 12 are eligible. 177 Main St., Los Altos; 650-941-5600. www.pinkiesnailsalons.com


Hall of Fame: First Year

Even in a tough economy, many people still choose a mani-pedi as a splurge to retain. There's just something so pleasant about having pretty feet. For their peppermint and lemonsage manicures, many Weekly readers swear by LaBelle Day Spas, now a new fixture in the Best Of Hall of Fame. Then there's the ginger-wasabi warming pedicure. By the time you're finished, you should have a healthy appetite. Good thing you're now in the habit of packing brown-bag lunches. 95 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto; 650-327-6964. 36 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto; 650-326-8522. www.labelledayspas.com


Massage

After a long day or night of fighting crime, what better way to unwind than with a massage at Watercourse Way? The masseuses know just what each customer needs to release tension, work out aches and pains or simply relax. There's also the option to combine each massage with a soothing soak in a hot tub. (Hey, or jump into a cold-plunge tub, if that's what relaxes you.) Massages can also include aromatherapy aspects, with essential oils. 165 Channing Ave., Palo Alto; 650-462-2000. www.watercourseway.com


Men's Haircut

Hair International was the winner in both this category and as Best Hair Salon. See full listing above.


Painters

A fresh coat of paint says that new beginnings and fresh starts are possible. Family-owned Avi Decorative Painting, founded 21 years ago, services Palo Alto and the Bay Area in new construction jobs, repaints and remodels. It also specializes in historical restoration. Avi painters pledge to use green paints, properly dispose of leftovers and use proper ventilation, painting the town pretty in an environmental fashion. 650-329-0770. www.avipainting.com


Personal Fitness

Sleek, pleasant and bright, the private studio Poised is a place to get your energy boosted and sweat on with a smile. Specializing in Pilates, core strength training and wellness consulting for individuals and small groups, Poised also provides nutritional consulting, in-home cooking classes, menu planning and a boutique. Watch out, Catwoman. 209 El Camino Real, Menlo Park; 650-566-1388. www.poisedfit.com


Shoe Repair

People who spend more time flying -- or swinging on webs -- than running might not need Midtown Shoe Repair. The rest of us, though, are plagued with broken heels, worn soles and scratched leather. Sure, it's a throwaway world, but in this economy you just might want to hang on to your designer shoes a little longer. That's where Midtown, a perennial Best Of winner, steps in. 2796 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto; 650-329-8171.


Value Hotel/Motel

When the Batcave is booked, a business traveler or tourist might do well to check out the Country Inn Motel. It's close to Caltrain, Stanford Shopping Center and the downtowns of both Palo Alto and Mountain View. Besides having non-smoking rooms, continental breakfasts, a heated pool, a barbecue and picnic area and gardens, the motel also offers free high-speed wireless Internet, something that's difficult to find in a subterranean lair. 4345 El Camino Real, Palo Alto; 650-948-9154. www.paloaltocountryinn.com


Veterinarian

Where to go when Catwoman has hairballs, Mighty Mouse wants a checkup or Underdog needs a flea dip? Adobe Animal Hospital, once again the readers' choice for outstanding veterinarian, is well-equipped to tend to creatures of all kinds, with a 24/7 emergency room and vets specializing in exotic and farm animals in addition to more common pets. The clinic is gearing up for a move to a soon-to-be-built facility in Mountain View, which will double the space and allow these veterinary superheroes to do even an even greater job for our furry friends. 396 First St., Los Altos; 650-948-9661. www.adobe-animal.com


Yoga

Chasing bad guys, flying and performing astounding feats of strength can be hard on the body, not to mention stressful. Superheroes would do well to sign up for a class at Darshana Yoga (a repeat winner in this category) to stretch out, keep limber and unwind their troubled minds. Don't worry if you don't know your lotus from your side angle. With multiple teachers, classes for all levels and themed workshops, Darshana has something to awaken the yogi or yogini in everyone. Om. 654 High St., Palo Alto; 650-325-9642. www.darshanayoga.com

— Palo Alto Weekly staff