Who has time for misery in Memphis when you have sea lions, fierce roller derby women, grand hotels and great places to stay? Mayor Wharton accentuated the positive at the Memphis Zoo – winner of the Best Memphis Attraction category for its 3,500 animals plus its educational and conservation programs and cool facility. Zoo employees were hollering “A C! A C!” and the sea lions were belching and honking as the mayor deftly tossed fish food to the performing pinnipeds.

“This is better than what I’m doing now,” Mayor Wharton said very quietly but with a big smile. Whatever could he have meant?

The variety of other winners in this category speaks even louder than a hungry sea lion. The new Mirimichi won as Best Golf Course, a distinct honor because it was open only six months, then closed in January for further renovations. When it re-opens Sept. 4, it will be an ecological exemplar with its emphasis on green as well as greens, and gorgeous to boot.

Meanwhile, Memphis Roller Derby won as Best Event, bringing about 500 spectators to each rough and tumble bout. Starting four years ago as a grassroots effort via Facebook and e-mail, it has grown attracted a healthy fan base. There are three regular teams and one all-star outfit wreaking havoc. Don’t get in the way of these ladies.

Best Memphis Attraction

Winner: The Memphis Zoo

The Memphis Zoo is where you can learn about the facts of life, but hurry, the seasonal Birds & Bees exhibit closes Sept. 1. Lots more to do, though, from polar bears to sea lions to pandas, and plenty of good information on conservation, great opportunities for education and  —  the celebrations. Zoo Brew and Zoo Rendezvous, are coming up soon, so don’t cage your party animal.

2000 Prentiss Place, 276-9453; memphiszoo.org

Finalist:  Orpheum

203 S. Main St., 525-7800; orpheum-memphis.com

Finalist: Graceland

3734 Elvis Presley Blvd., 332-3322; elvis.com/graceland

Best Memphis Event

Winner: Memphis Roller Derby

The Memphis Roller Derby is something like a Victorian tea party where the ladies exchange pleasantries while hurtling around a circular track on wheels, gouging each other and causing general mayhem. No wonder it won the Memphis Most award! It’s picked up steam and fans, establishing local teams, including a touring group of all-stars. The organization plans to oust University of Memphis Tigers basketball next year as best sports team in the Memphis Most bout. Wonder if Josh Pastner likes tea?

memphisrollerderby.com

Finalist: Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest

memphisinmay.org

Finalist: Beale Street Music Festival

memphisinmay.org

Best Golf Course

Winner: Mirimichi

You’ll have to see Mirimichi to believe it. “Green” doesn’t just describe an area of play — it’s an astounding effort to make the most of environmental and ecological possibilities. You can love it without ever hitting a golf ball, but they also make that part of it pretty alluring, too, so why not? Grand reopening is Sept. 4, and you’re invited.

6195 Woodstock Cuba Road, Millington, 259-3800; mirimichi.com

Finalist: The Links at Galloway

3815 Walnut Grove Road, 685-7805; thelinksatgalloway.com

Finalist: TPC Southwind

3325 Club at Southwind, 748-0330; tpcsouthwind.com

Best Apartment Community

Winner: Harbor Town Square

Harbor Town Square takes the Memphis Most prize this year for its attractiveness and its contribution to the new urbanism movement on Mud Island. It’s surrounded by green, has plenty of amenities in walking distance and can easily make you think you’re living in the City of Good Abode. Right!

1440 Island Park Drive, (866) 487-5978

Finalist:  South Bluffs

4 Riverview Drive W., 522-9800; southbluffsapartments.com

Finalist: Fielder Square

70 S. Fourth St., 543-8700

Best Retirement Community

Winner: Kirby Pines

Kirby Pines does it again, taking another Memphis Most award. The 50-acre life-care community is upscale with a variety of services, from independent living to assisted living, skilled nursing and Alzheimer’s care. Lots of amenities, too, although the fact that it offers Wii games just might be what put it over the top. Game on!

3535 Kirby Road, 365-3665; kirbypines.com

Finalist: Trezevant Manor

177 N. Highland St., 515-2800; trezevantmanor.com

Finalist: The Village at Germantown

7820 Walking Horse Circle, Germantown, 737-4242; village-germantown.com

Best Private School

Winner: Harding Academy of Memphis

Harding Academy of Memphis has been dedicated to offering a liberal arts education since 1952. The Christian, co-ed day school serves kids from age 2 through 12th grade. In July, two students were named National Merit Scholars, and that’s a nice indication that Harding must be doing something right.

1100 Cherry Road, 767-4494; hardingacademymemphis.org

Finalist: Christ Methodist Day School

411 S. Grove Park Road, 683-6873; cmdsmemphis.org

Finalist:  St. Mary’s Episcopal School

60 Perkins Extended, 537-1472; stmarysschool.org

Best Public School

Winner: White Station High School

White Station High School turns out some impressive grads: Oscar-winning actress Kathy Bates, physicist/writer Alan Lightman and fashion designer Dana Buchman, to name a few. These people are making a difference. Wonder who will be next? Go Spartans!

514 S. Perkins Road, 416-8880; www.mcsk12.net/schools/

whitestation.hs/site/index.shtml

Finalist: Germantown High School

7653 Poplar Pike, Germantown, 756-2350; www.scsk12.org/SCS/high/

Germantown/index.htm

Finalist: Richland Elementary School

5440 Rich Road, 416-2148; www.mcsk12.net/SCHOOLS/

richland.es/richland.html

Best Place of Worship

Winner: Hope Presbyterian Church

Hope Presbyterian Church takes this Memphis Most prize the second year in a row. The church for the unchurched continues its variety of ministries, feeding mind, spirit and body. Senior pastor Craig Strickland has been there since the start in 1988 with eight souls. Now 6,000 visitors and members come by every weekend. Amen to that.

8500 Walnut Grove Road, 755-7721; hopepres.com

Finalist: Christ United Methodist Church

4488 Poplar Ave., 683-3521; cumcmemphis.org

Finalist: Bellevue Baptist Church

2000 Appling Road, 347-2000; bellevue.org 

Best Hotel

Winner: The Peabody

The Peabody is what you think of when you hear “grand hotel of the South,” and it has the history to prove it. And the lobby and the ducks. It’s convenient to everything Downtown and boasts the Italian steakhouse Capriccio Grill, along with the legendary Chez Philippe restaurant. There’s also Sunday brunch, afternoon tea and maybe a visit to the Memphis Most-winning Gould’s for a little pampering.

149 Union Ave., 529-4000; peabodymemphis.com

Finalist: The Madison Hotel

79 Madison Ave., 333-1200; madisonhotelmemphis.com

Finalist: Westin Memphis Beale Street Hotel

170 Lt. George W. Lee Ave., 334-5900; Westin.com/Memphis

Best Casino for Entertainment

Winner: Horseshoe Tunica

Horseshoe Tunica has the very cool  Bluesville Showcase Nightclub that lures a variety of acts — Tony Bennett, Joan Jett and LeAnn Rimes for example — and is surprisingly intimate yet versatile. Meanwhile, there’s frequent live music at the Stage Bar, and that’s why the joint keeps jumpin’ for that Memphis Most award.

horseshoetunica.com

Finalist: Harrah’s Tunica

harrahstunica.com

Finalist: Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino

samstowntunica.com

Best Casino for Playing

Winner: Horseshoe Tunica

Horseshoe Tunica remains a favorite for players with blackjack, craps, roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Let it Ride Poker and Three Card Poker. And, of course, lots and lots of slots. More than 1,700 of ’em. Horseshoe has won Memphis Most so many times, it’s on a streak!

horseshoetunica.com

Finalist:  Harrah’s Tunica

harrahstunica.com

Finalist:  Gold Strike Casino Resort

goldstrikemississippi.com

Best Casino for Staying

Winner: Gold Strike Casino Resort

Gold Strike Casino Resort gets you, as they say, a bit closer to heaven. The hotel, at 31 stories, is the second tallest building in Mississippi and underwent an extensive multi-million dollar renovation and remodeling project a couple of years ago. Its elegant design, unique artworks and easy access to dining, entertainment and gaming areas make it easy to check in.

goldstrikemississippi.com

Finalist:  Harrah’s Tunica

harrahstunica.com

Finalist: Horseshoe Tunica

horseshoetunica.com