The Oxford Concise Dictionary of Music broadly dates classical music from the 11th century through present times. We haven’t done the exact math, but that’s a longer track record than just about every other genre of music we can think of — combined. Some musicians chase the latest trends and fads, like electronica, dub step, drone, 8-bit and trance, to keep their sound fresh.

According to ancient legend, chai tea was first brewed as a healing elixir by a king in the courts of India and later became frequently used in the tradition of “ayurveda” alternative medicine in the East. But now, chai tea is as common as a Subaru on the streets of Boulder: Every college hipster and aging hippie is familiar with the drink.

It’s fun to speak rapidly when saying you’re going to a tapas bar, because sometimes people think you said “topless bar.” In Sanskrit, the term “tapas” can mean either spiritual suffering or spiritual ecstasy.

This year’s Best of Boulder County is our biggest — and most exciting — ever! And it’s no wonder. Boulder County residents came out in force this year to support their favorite restaurants, businesses, performers and more. With the biggest voter turnout in Boulder Weekly history, it’s clear readers take this contest seriously. But with so much interest in the contest, we’re often asked, “How does voting work?” and “Where can I get a ballot?” and “Why did you leave out the BEST sandwich shop in town?”

TIRE SHOPDiscount Tire 3215 28th St., 303-440-6811Runner-up: Barnsley Tire Co IncIn Colorado, buying tires can be as important as buying the car itself. Most residents have had the frightening experie

We all know cycling is next to godliness, and EcoPasses are the coolest badges you can flash after a CIA ID card. But this is America — huge, sprawling America. And as hard as it is to admit, our public transit systems aren’t quite up to snuff yet.

In Boulder, buying a car is the third biggest investment you can make, after your home and your Roubaix SL2 Saxo road bike. And that car will probably end up having to carry around Investment No. 2, so you'd better make sure it's a good one. So when it's time to pick out a new bicycle transporter, pedal on over to Blue Spruce Auto Sales.

Got a joint? Of course you do more than 300 of them. Don't worry though, you're not in danger of being nabbed for possession. We're talking about the joints in your body, and more specifically the ones in your spine.

Ok, let's face it. In this economy, one of the first things that people cut down on is the discretionary money for the arts. But that is one of the most important things to invest in to keep a place like Boulder County the vibrant, cultural mecca that it is.

Beer. A wondrous, bubbly, golden liquid. Quencher of thirst, loosener of tongues, restorer of courage and uniter of strangers; faithful companion to sports, counterbalance of salty foods and food group for college students. The virtues of this beverage, old as written history itself, are many.