The annual Best of the City issue has become an alt-weekly staple, with papers spending weeks — if not months — creating ballots, tabulating votes, booking talent and renting space for their ‘Best of’ parties and concerts.

But Baltimore City Paper has upped the ante with the creation of an anthropomorphic newsstand, Besty, as its mascot. The brainchild of City Paper mad scientist (aka: art director) Joe MacLeod, Besty was photographed taking part in some of the best Baltimore has to offer, and was the guest of honor at the Best of Baltimore 2010 party.

Through a spokesman, Besty declined AAN’s request for an interview.