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Evolutionary experts adore the term convergence. 


Convergence happens when relatively unrelated organisms develop strikingly similar adaptations to the world. 


Take the flying fish and the penguin. Species separated by eons of evolution. Yet their fins – aka wings – take almost identical shape. More symmetry: Each uses those flappers to thrive in settings totally foreign to the rest of their families. (Fish to leap above the water’s surface; penguins to dive below.)


Duck-billed platypi and pterodactyls both have beaks. Furry nocturnal bats and feathered birds both fly. Lizards and mammals couldn’t be on much more distant branches of the family tree, yet both chameleons and anteaters deploy sticky and lengthy tongues to fish out delicious insects, and snakes and monkeys enjoy the evolutionary advantages of prehensile tails.


Speaking of monkeys, The Guerrilla – pictured doing the revolutionary type of photo shoots that don’t fit with conscripted media, hence the name Guerrilla, not Gorilla – has discovered convergence with the scores of winners in Monterey County Weekly’s 23rd Annual Best Of Readers’ poll. 


Whether they are in fact geared for fitness (Best Health Club: CVAC) or more synced for survival (Best Politically Incorrect Substitute for a Zoo: Hunters Supply) – or just really juicy melts (Best Burger: r.g. Burger) – every single one carries the exact same evolutionary adaptation: bestness.


The Best of Monterey County® was written by Kera Abraham, Mark C. Anderson, Jessica Bray, Rachel Center, Nic Coury, Erik Cushman, Mary Duan, Joel Ede, James A. Foley, Selena Gonzales, Yumang Guintu, Adam Joseph, Karen Loutzenheiser, Jessica Lyons Hardcastle, Linda Maceira, Josh Marcus, Sara Rubin, Janet Rumsey, Walter Ryce, David Schmalz, Gabriel Skvor, Arvin Temkar, Stuart Thornton and Kate-Marie Wolcott. No animals were harmed in the making of this issue. But The Guerrilla did grope a giant banana.

The Best Of Monterey County 2013 digital edition: www.mcweekly.com/best