Here at last! The Chronicle Ultimate Houston Awards voting has begun and the polls will be open through August 9th. 6° Lounge is nominated in three categories, so please vote for Julian Ritchey as best bartender, and for 6° as best happy hour and as best place to see and be seen. Click here www.chron.com/banners/images/ult_form_2005/form.html. Also, vote for Midnight Rodeo as best Country bar because I used to work there, and my former boss, Duane Thompson, deserves an Ultimate Houston Award, because he IS the ultimate! The polls will be open through Aug. 9, so vote as soon as you finish reading this newsletter. Starting Sept. 6, the Chronicle will roll out a few Reader Picks a week in the paper and online before the Ultimate Houston results publishes on Sept. 18. I invite you to put your spectacular comments about 6° so we can get some readers picks recognition. Tell the chronicle to add best marketing director to their polls next year, or maybe best online newsletter. Just an idea I thought I'd throw out there. You can also win sweepstakes prizes like movie passes at www.chron.com/banners/images/ult_form_2005/rules.html.

When you get finished voting with the Chron, head over to the link for the Houston Press Music Awards and remember to vote LOUD AND PROUD for my favorite DJ, Champa Moore http://houstonpress.com/musicshowcase/2005/. I love Sean Carnahan too, but for some reason, lately I have severe Champa-envy. I think I need to get my tail to some clubs to see Sean soon so I can remember why I love him so much, too. It's been MUCH too long since I've heard him play! Anyway, vote for your favorite DJ on the list. Big news! Wristbands for the Music Awards event are only $7 and that gets you into ALL participating venues, get in touch with me to buy yours. I have them and you get the QOC "hook-up": $7 and a free drink card for 6° that night too! Call me at 713-228-2990 to buy yours. Ultra, the Speak Easy and Copa Cabana are participating venues so don't hesitate to come to 6° Lounge too while you're down at the coolest part of downtown, NODO (that's North Downtown lingo, if you don't know yet.) NODO, learn it, live it!

I haven't shown love to Escobar lately and it's been months since I've visited them. I'm a bad Queen for not getting out in Midtown enough! They've added Jeremiah Wedgeworth (formerly of Copa Room) to their dream team and he has really added a great dimension to the ESCO-mania. Escobar is nominated in two categories with the Chronicle competition, best Dance Club and best place to see and be seen. The crowds there have remained solid every Thursday through Sunday. Escobar is at 2905 Travis, and I never have troubles parking when I go there, which is delightful.

NEWS IN THE BIZ: I'm still accepting resumes for my resume bank, and employers let me know when you need employees, perhaps I can make a match! There is no fee for this service. Everyone, please keep your fingers crossed for the gorgeous Kelly Richard who will represent 6° in Playboy's search for America's Sexiest Bartender. Special thanks to photographer Richard Ramirez and Make-up Artist, Carl Crenshaw for their work on the photo shoot at 6° Lounge. Great job, guys! We will soon add a web page of the shoot to our web site with photos of Kelly, so stay tuned to www.sixdl.com. The Lost Boys will be playing at Pub Fiction (2303 Smith) every Thursday for Flashback Thursdays. Enjoy Retro $2 beer prices and $4 for 16 ounce Bacardi Fiction drinks those nights too. See more at www.pubfiction.com. Happy 8-year anniversary to Cleverley's newsletter, subscribe at www.cleverleysnewsletter.com.

Silver Spoon Events is having an event, "The Secret Society of Six Figure Women Who Love Shoes" July 27th at 6:30PM at 6° Lounge at 911 Franklin. Complimentary Hors 'doeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar with happy hour prices until 11PM. What to wear? There will prizes awarded to Funky Most Original/Bright/Outlandish/Sexy shoes for ladies, or ties for gentlemen. Remember to clean out your men's, women's or children's shoes and bring them to be donated to a Houston Shelter. If you would like to donate a prize to represent your company, call Dianne at 281-320-0750. RSVP to Dianne@SilverSpoonEvents.com.

THIS WEEK AT 6°: Single and want to mingle? If you are between the ages of 23-32 and want to meet other busy, single professionals, make plans to attend the "Must Love Dogs" speed-dating party hosted by www.8minutedating.com on July 21st. You must visit their web site first to pre-register.

Getting married soon? Are you crazy? Just kidding! Let the Bridal Extravaganza show you everything you will need for your special day. The event includes over 500 companies with 800 display showcases, including a fashion show. The Bridal Extravaganza will take place on Saturday, July 23rd from 10AM - 5PM and Sunday, July 24th from 11AM - 5PM at the George R. Brown Convention Center located in Downtown Houston, enter at Hall C. Tickets may be purchased on the days of the event at the George R. Brown Convention Center for $9 each. For more information, please visit www.bridalextravaganzashow.com.

Houston filmmaker, Shawna Baker, has documented the 'ups and downs' of being a female musician in today's music industry. The movie features Velvet Hammer, XOX, Cowboy's Nightmare, Dreamtrybe, Wyrdgrl, the Fematics, and more. Be one of the first to see it, at the Houston screening on Saturday, July 23rd at CHANCES, 1100 Westheimer, 713-523-7217 www.chancesbar.com. There is a $5 cover charge and the film begins at 7PM with music following at 9PM. Live performances by Dana Davis, Ginger Doss & Lynda Millard (Velvet Hammer / Dreamtrybe) and the Fematics. Get there early to see this great documentary before the rest of the world does. I found out about this event from Rhavyn of Rhavyn's Keep Productions/Havyn Key Events. For more information, call 832-741-8487 or visit www.havyn.com or email musicthatmatters@havyn.com.

The Black Eyed Peas and Gwen Stefani will be at the Toyota Center on November 10th. Ever since the days of the band "No Doubt," Gwen Stefani has been one of rock's most cool females. The name of Gwen's much anticipated debut album is Love. Angel. Music. Baby, like her clothing line, L.A.M.B. She is rhythmic, rebellious, sexy, fierce, playful, funky, spunky, sassy, ballsy, emotional and, oh yeah, very f-ing cool. The Black Eyed Peas have a style that sets them apart from their peers and has earned them fans of all genres. "We made songs that could be understood by the normal listener where you don't have to be a part of the scene to understand what we're talking about," say the Black Eyed Peas members. "We know the hip hop world will be feelin' the Peas and so will fans of all types of music." Tickets went on Saturday, July 16th, so hurry before they are all gone. Tickets prices are $65.50, $49.50 and $35.50, plus service charge. This event is produced by PACE Concerts.