We at Go! magazine would rather re-asphalt the Post-Dispatch parking lot than hear Katy Perry's "California Gurls" one more time this summer. We also are over grilled meats, chlorinated pools and underarm sweat stains.

But there are some sounds, sights and flavors of summer we wish we could savor forever. Here, we look back at what made this summer the best ever — or at least the best one since last year.

STAGE & BOOKS

Most memorable advice a parent gave a child in Forest Park: "This above all, to thine own self be true,/ And it must follow as the night the day/ Thou canst not then be false to any man," delivered by the estimable actor Anderson Matthews, as Polonius, to Justin Blanchard, as his son Laertes. Everybody knows that line, but Matthews made it sound like a surprise — a feat achieved again and again by the actors in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' free production of "Hamlet." Directed by Bruce Longworth and starring Jim Butz in an unforgettable portrayal of the prince of Denmark, "Hamlet" was the festival's 10th production, and the show of the summer. By Judith Newmark

Most memorable homeless animals that Stray Rescue never has to worry about: Grizabella (Stephanie J. Block) and Old Deuteronomy (Ken Page) from the lovely production of "Cats" at the Muny. With "Cats," "Footloose" and "Damn Yankees," this turned out to be the Muny's summer of great dance shows, respectively choreographed by Suzanne Viverito, Michelle Lynch, and the late Bob Fosse, whose brilliant work was re-created by Mary McLeod. By Judith Newmark

Best reason to think about winter: "Winter's Bone" may be one of the best movies of the year, movie critic Joe Williams says, and it's certainly the best one based on a book (sorry, "Eat, Pray, Love"). The movie version of Missourian Daniel Woodrell's novel is pitch perfect. It heralds a fine young actress (Jennifer Lawrence), and supporting actress Dale Dickey embodied her role so fully she deserves a handsome statuette of some sort. The film is sympathetic, but not sentimental, toward an extended impoverished family of white Ozarkers affected by meth cooking and dealing. By Jane Henderson

Best book mixing oysters, raccoons and Mark Twain: "Twain's Feast" isn't the most important book this year about Samuel Clemens (that would probably be "Autobiography of Mark Twain," which comes out in November). But Andrew Beahrs provides a crackerjack look at Twain's list of favorite American foods (raccoon and possum was included, but he actually preferred steak and anything with an oyster). Beahrs wraps that around how our suppers, not to mention edible resources, have changed in the past 100 years, making "Twain's Feast" an unusual way to explore both national food culture and Missouri's favorite son. By Jane Henderson

Best spoiled brat: As Violet Beauregard, one of the four bad children you love to hate in "The Golden Ticket," the vertically challenged Tracy Dahl successfully impersonated a spoiled-rotten 10-year-old. In the world premiere of the operatic version of Roald Dahl's "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," Dahl simultaneously chewed gum, waved pom-poms, danced and tossed off some of the most florid, high-flown coloratura roulades this side of "Lucia di Lammermoor," popping out high notes while popping her gum. By Sarah Bryan Miller

Best place to see a New York fashion designer outside of New York: In June, fashion guru Isaac Mizrahi wowed audiences with his stage directorial debut, Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music." The show at Opera Theatre of St. Louis featured memorable performances, but Mizrahi's style was most evident in his lush woodland set design and lavish costumes. By Jody Mitori

MUSIC

Best summer song you haven't heard yet: "Sink/Let It Sway" by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin boasts all of the best elements of the classic summer pop song: bouncy hooks, a catchy chorus and, best of all, clapping. We hear SSLYBY tried to get Snoop Dogg to record a guest rap, but he already was booked. By Diane Toroian Keaggy

Most tolerable radio station for the pool: Not every song on the Arch (106.5 FM) is good, but they are all tolerable. We didn't realize the importance of that distinction until the pool went country for the afternoon. Where was Aerosmith, Sheryl Crow and, the likable master of mediocrity, Bryan Adams? By Diane Toroian Keaggy

Hottest mess of a concert by a living legend: When we heard Liza Minnelli was coming to town in June, we expected kooky. What we didn't expect: sloppy. Minnelli's concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra left many people scratching their heads. She performed barefoot, she came and went randomly, songs stopped and started abruptly, and there were times we doubted Minnelli had even laid eyes on the show's set list beforehand. In fairness, she was recovering from a knee replacement. But tickets to see divas like Liza don't come cheap. A rescheduled show may have been a welcome alternative. By Gabe Hartwig

Hottest mess of a different kind: If birds could talk, they certainly had their say loud and clear at the July 23 Kings of Leon concert at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. A single bird, or a total infestation, depending on whom you ask, rained feces on Kings of Leon and opening bands the Stills and the Postelles. Kings of Leon called off the concert after three songs, leaving fans furious. Coverage from CNN, MTV, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, and even the BBC and the Onion made it one of the quirkiest — and most disgusting — stories of the summer. By Kevin C. Johnson

Best excuse to buy glitter and hot glue: Lady Gaga performed at the Fox Theatre in January and at Scottrade Center last month. Too much of a good thing? We don't think so. By Gabe Hartwig

MOVIES & TV

Best movie about what's best about movies: Just because you've seen "Inception," the science-fiction blockbuster starring Leonardo DiCaprio, doesn't mean you understood it — and that's a big part of the film's charm. A true mind trip, director Christopher Nolan's imaginative take on the heist flick is at once exhilarating and unsettling, and the most eccentrically entertaining mainstream film since "2001: A Space Odyssey." It's doubtful that anyone but Nolan could have got "Inception" made, but it helps when your previous film, "The Dark Knight," took in more than half a billion dollars. By Calvin Wilson

Best animated horror movie: Posing as a harmless cartoon, "Toy Story 3" is really a parable about obeying The Man (Walt Disney). Estranged from Uncle Walt, childhood becomes a minefield of heartless huggy bears, button-eyed baby assassins and sexbot stormtroopers in color-coordinated outfits, a nightmare where disobedient children are sent to the furnace. By Joe Williams

Best hosts for an ABC game show that airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays during the summer: Wow, who would have guessed the competition in this category would be so tough? But "Wipeout" host John Henson and sideline reporter Jill Wagner give us a reason to watch week after week. (As if watching mud-splattered contestants get gut-checked by the Blades of Fury wasn't enough.) Henson is goofy; Wagner is snarky. Henson is good at dumb puns; Wagner is good at wincing. But Henson closes each show with, "Good night and big balls." Advantage: Henson. By Diane Toroian Keaggy

Best place to see a St. Louis fashion designer outside of St. Louis: Ex-St. Charles resident Santino Rice came close to winning the second season of "Project Runway," and Qristyl Frazier of St. Louis was eliminated early in the game in the sixth season. But now in Season 8, we've upped our odds in the fashion competition with two local designers, Michael Drummond and A.J. Thouvenot. At press time, both were still in the running; we hope they can make it work. By Jody Mitori

FOOD, DRINK & MISC.

Best dish served in a mason jar: One week at Farmhaus (3257 Ivanhoe Street, farmhausrestaurant.com), every table was topped with a mason jar that was half-filled with water and a single decorative flower. The next week, mason jars were still everywhere around the dining room, but this time they served a different purpose. Inside the glass canister, chef Kevin Willmann stuffs his sublime summer vegetable salad ($9). The layered mix of beans, beets, squash, corn, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and goat cheese bursts with the sunny flavors of summer. But there's something playful about the serving vessel — the way you can see a perfect green bean toward the bottom of the jar, then go hunting for it — that makes this salad at standout. By Evan S. Benn

Best canned peach: This has been a great summer for peaches, hasn't it? Problem is, you get those suckers home from the market, and they're soft before you can say, "Better make pie." Which is why my favorite summertime peach comes in a can — a beer can. Wheach is the peach-wheat beer from O'Fallon Brewery in O'Fallon, Mo. For the first time, the brewery put this popular summer release in cans this year (about $14 per 12-pack), which means you can take Wheach camping, fishing, floating or any number of other spots where glass is a no-no. If you're smart, you'll stash away some cans in a cool, dark place for the winter months. Imagine that: a juicy peach in January. (Wheach is available at most area supermarkets and liquor stores.) By Evan S. Benn

Best observations from the Old Spice guy: Isaiah Mustafa, you had us with, "I'm on a horse." But your personalized videos to Twitter followers made you our favorite washed-up-NFL-player-turned-Hollywood-darling. Some of Mustafa's best:

• "Your love has blossomed from a seed into a fully grown love plant."

• "I personally have never had a fever because my body is 98 percent muscle, and muscles can't get sick."

• "Did you know when one handsome man compliments another handsome man, somewhere in the world a luxury-style hottub is born?"

• "I am the president of female noses and the prime minister of their hearts." By Diane Toroian Keaggy

Most welcome bridge demolition: Though it didn't really explode as advertised, the Skybridge over Washington Avenue that connected the old St. Louis Centre mall with the old Dillard's building finally came down. At a street party in June, dignitaries took swings at the structure with a wrecking ball, and the whole thing has since been razed. Last week, the first tenant was announced: a restaurant and hall of fame to honor St. Louis' blues musicians. A huge step toward downtown's revitalization, for sure. By Gabe Hartwig

Best excuse to show up wasted for work: World Cup soccer. What was all that talk about groups and Maradona even about? All we know is that caipirinhas make for a mean hangover. By Diane Toroian Keaggy