Montana : the Magazine of Western History

I have received Montana for the last three years. Articles are informative and often quite thought provoking. Recent articles on health-care history and social welfare in gold rush-era Virginia City relate directly to issues we face today. Other articles, if not directly relevant to me, have at least told interesting or entertaining stories on topics like pioneer women, Indian history, battles, etc. All in all, I look forward to each issue.

Love this!! I live in Montana and this is full of great information and beautiful pictures. Some family will be getting this as gifts.

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Aurorean

I've read many issues of The Aurorean, and it's always been a pleasure. The editor has a knack for choosing thoughtful, evocative, interesting, and accessible poems for her magazine. I'm not a poet (and I know it), but I always enjoy Ms. Brackett-Vincent's selections.

Romantic Homes

This magazine has gone from a unique, wonderful and one-of-a-kind magazine to a forgettable, can't-decide-on-a-style, vehicle for the over-blown ego of deMontravel, its self-involved-gotta-have-my-hand-in-every-article editor. I had saved every single issue of this magazine from the late 90's until it's demise under her "leadership".

What used to stand out was the uniquely identifiable shabby chic style. Lots of pink and roses may not appeal to many, but to those who love the look, we had found our "niche" publication. Now it is merely a mash-up of all the other decorating, craft and recipe magazines. There are already plenty of those type of magazines out there for those who want them. For die-hard Romantic Homes Magazine fans, the "how to make a valentine" and "new ways to cook beans" articles are completely out of place!

There are thousands of people who have turned away from this once-gorgeous publication that are just waiting for deMontravel's last day, hoping to have the OLD ROMANTIC HOMES MAGAZINE BACK.

Thanks for giving me a forum to vent here. If only RH online site would take feedback or allow readers' to write letters to the editor online, they would be buried in letters just like this one. But, even for those who take the time to write "snail mail", the chances of having their letter published is slim to none. It is obvious they screen out 99% of the critical "cancel my subscription" letters.

So I say SAVE ROMANTIC HOMES MAGAZINE! Dump deMontravel & her clique. Bring back the romance, roses and lace. I'll take a 5 year subscription!

I've loved this magazine since a teenage girl. My mom and I would pore over every isssue and save them all. However, I have been disappointed lately with all the changes. It's just not the same. I have not renewed my subscription because I don't want to waste my money on a magazine of which I only like two pages. I will only buy off the newsstand so as to be sure of liking the issue. I still have all the old issues and read them over and over. I miss the old Romantic Homes!

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I absolutely love this magazine. I look forward to sitting and enjoying it every month. I only wish it would be a weekly magazine because I can't wait for the next edition. I use so many ideas from Romantic Homes. Keep those great ideas coming.

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First, I've bought the magazine just about every months (for 6 months) but I liked it so much that I've decided to subscribe for it.

If you are into the shabby, cottage, romantic home decoration then you gonna love it!

I must tell you that the pictures are sooo inspirational, that when I put the magazine down I can't resist the urge to decorate and come up with great ideas! However these fabulous homes/shops futured in the magazine look very expensive, cost lots of bucks to put together! If you have planty of $$, then it's not a problem but the average person doesn't. So that's the time to get creative! I'd say get the decorator books out too, that will help!

Personally I dont' pay too much attention for the articles since about 80% of the time the Shop/Home owners only talking about how much they like to live/work in their great romantic cottage environment, which designer helpd them to get the look or which part of Europe they flew to purchase that chandalier and so on...but not a word of advice about decorating!

The other 20% of the time you get designers, or other people talking about THE look, etc. that is useful. There's also a great list of websides at the back of the magazine where you can shop on line or at one of the first pages quite often a few beutiful object futured (sometimes it's even affordable)!

There are not too many adds here, like in other magazines that sometimes you can't find the end of the article..so that's a big + too!

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I have enjoyed reading Romantic Homes for many years, but lately the style of the magazine has changed. Once you could count on every issue for romantic, whimsical, and lovely decorating and gardening ideas. The 2007 issues, however, have a very muddled style some articles/photo spreads are starkly modern, or downright pretentious. The Romantic Homes company itself has TERRIBLE customer service. The customer service representatives I've spoken to on the phone barely speak English, and are unable to perform simple tasks like an address change. Letters written to the customer service department receive no response at all. Romantic Homes is definitely not worth my money anymore.

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Yum Food & Fun for Kids

It's always exciting for me to see publications geared towards kids and family, so I was thrilled to see Yum Food & Fun for Kids magazine. It has an upbeat outlook with bright graphics and is filled with tons of nourishing and fun recipes that kids can get involved in, too!

Yum Food & Fun for Kids has ideas like how to make easy chocolate dipped strawberries that are gorgeous for any occasion and a great way to get kids to eat more fruit! There are many scrumptious ways shown to help ensure your children are getting the recommended daily allotment of fruits and veggies like the World's Simplest Smoothie recipe, with only three ingredients. If you like themed parties, you'll love this magazine as there are several delightful suggestions, like an Alice in Wonderland or an Ice Cream Sundae party.

I loved the recipe for "Overnight Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal" which is cooked with old fashioned oats in the crockpot! It's super easy to make and is ready when you are in the morning with lots of healthful nutrients all in one bowl.

These are only a few of the awesome ideas in Yum Food & Fun for Kids. Highly recommended!

I reordered this magazine November 2012 for me and for a Christmas present for my granddaughter. Neither one of us has received an issue yet. It is now March 18, 2013. It is very disappointing! Also embarrassing, since it was a Christmas gift for her.

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I've been picking this up on the news stand every quarter for about a year so I finally decided to subscribe. Every issue is packed with really fun, and mostly easy, ideas for families. There are crafts, recipes and fun activities to do togehter. I love this magazine and will continue to subscribe to it until my kids are too old for it!

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This was purchased as a gift for my grandchildren and I imagine they are having a lot of fun with it. The initial report is that it looked great.

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I really enjoy all the craft and food ideas provided by Yum Food and Fun for Kids. Also there is great nutrition information within too.

ShopSmart (1-year auto-renewal)

I consider this magazine to be the feminine version of Consumer Reports. The articles are condensed versions of most that can be found in the regular Consumer Reports mag as well as the website. But these are mostly "female" related items, bras, saving at the grocery, purses, wines, etc. The colors are flashy and eye catching whereas the Consumer Reports magazine itself is more utilitarian.

I really like this magazine because it's shorter to the point articles, I don't have to search long lists to find the top 3 of something. This magazine gives the best recommendations as well as those not recommended. They've left out most of the dirty details to get to that point. The magazine also covers stories about the top 10 tips to save at the grocery, the top 10 websites that save you money, cleaning products you can't live without, the best little black dress and on and on.

They also have articles about single females' necessary household tools, and gives the best recommendations for power/hand tools for women. So that's why I'm saying it's meant for women mostly rather than guys.

It is expensive for 6 issues but in one purchase you could save $20, so to me the magazine is worth the cost. If you want, just get the online consumer reports, website only access and you'd have the best of both worlds.

The price listed is $22.95 for 12 months (6 issues). But the magazine is published 10 times a year and the publisher is assigning expirations based on six issues (approx. seven months). This makes the cost per year $42 (considerably more than a year on Consumer Reports at $29).

The magazine itself is fine (three stars) but the dishonest advertising is completely unacceptable.

Also, they seem to be charging a 30% premium to edit CR for a "feminine" audience.

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I've bought the magazine a few times now at the newsstand, and I like the content and layout. However, much like its parent company's Consumer Reports, it is expensive for what it is. Six issues for $23? Not too mention, I have to take even more issue with that price.

If you look at the magazine's website you'll see that it is actually $18 for six issues and $4.95 for shipping and handling.

Shipping and handling for a magazinereally?

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I recommend that you subscribe to Consumer Reports OR ShopSmart, but not both. Here's why:

Since ShopSmart is published by Consumer Reports, I knew I could count on reliable reviews and ratings, no outside advertising, and advice that would save me money. I've subscribed to Consumer Reports for years, and knew what to expect. ShopSmart follows in the footsteps of Consumer Reports in all of these respects.

What really bothers me, though, is the amount of duplication between the two magazines. The January 2011 issue of ShopSmart contained the following, all of which appeared in the January 2011 issue of Consumer Reports:

1. Rating the best cookware sets

2. Rating the best frozen pizzas

3. An article on where sugar is "hidden" in various foods.

4. A discussion about the best all purpose cleaner

5. A review of the Duracell MyGrid charger (including the exact same accompanying photo in both magazines)

6. An article about the dangers of mercury in tuna fish

7. An article about the dangers of shattering glass bakeware

And more...and this is pretty much par for the course each month. I noticed this much overlap in a free trial issue, but thought it was an anomaly...not their standard operating procedure.

It is my opinion that the same organization I trust for their reviews is taking advantage of my trust by making two magazines with so much duplicate content. I will continue to subscribe to Consumer Reports, but I will NOT be renewing my ShopSmart subscription unless it stops duplicating so much of Consumer Reports.

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I have subscribed to "Consumer Reports" for years as I like their unbiased reviews and policy of not accepting advertising revenue. I still subscribe to "Consumer Reports" and have decided to subscribe to "ShopSmart" as well, as it retains the unbiased, no advertising attributes of "Consumer Reports" and focuses on making daily purchasing decisions without any hype or gimmicks.

"Consumer Reports" is extremely useful, but can be quite tedious and detailed, particularly when dealing with electronics or durable goods. "ShopSmart" retains the same general editorial tone, but is much more concise. The individual articles are informative but rather brief, focusing more on value choices versus technical minutiae: of the two it is the more readable magazine by far.

While I still consider "Consumer Reports" as the gold standard for product evaluation and differentiation, "ShopSmart" provides useful, easy to apply information in a highly readable package.

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Guitar Techniques

I've been buying guitar magazines since 1990 and have a collection of hundreds of them. This one is the best! It has always been good, but these days I think it stands out from the crowd even more. I've seen magazines start out good, full of useful information and sheet music, then plunge to the depths of crappy industry gossip and little else. These guys have kept a strong loyalty to the musicians who wanna play, rather than the ones who care about image and nothing much else.

Guitar Techniques gives you a really wide variety of styles to learn. So if you're into metal, country, jazz, folk, or whatever, I've seen it covered. They have regular workshops on beginner tips and advanced soloing techniques. Nothing escapes these guys. They also cover different artists all the time. So if you want to learn the latest song by The Darkness, or Jeff Beck, or Hendrix, or whatever the latest metal band on the scene is playing, then it will eventually turn up here.

It's common for them to delve deeply into a particular person's playing style as well. In that case, you'll get a whole chapter of the mag on, say, "Diamond" Darryl and how he gets his sound, followed with examples of how he plays and in which songs he employs special techniques or scales.

The sheet music itself is comprehensive and easy to follow. Not only that, but this mag comes with a CD each month so that you can pick up things by ear. They also include 'Jam Tracks' that allow you to play along with tabbed songs adding in your own guitar lines.

Plus, of course, the have all the regular magazine stuff: letters to the editor, equipment reviews, album reviews, artist news, and so on. But the bulk of the magazine is taken up with things you can get your fingers into right away.

I highly recommend this magazine subscription to anyone who is wanting to take their guitar playing to a greater level; it has something for everyone at all levels.

Good luck with your playing.

Most guitar magazines seem to be heavy on discussion of artists but light on actual music. GT still talks about artist's styles, but then gives you the tab and standard notation for one of their works or a class on how to solo in their style. A standard issue contains sections like rock, jazz, acoustic fingerstyle, Funk and country, followed by workshops on (for eg.) using altered tunings, increasing fretting speed, and other interesting things.

The accompanying CD gives multiple examples for each piece or exercise, usually with tracks played at different speeds and/or and example track and a backing track to play with.

The only downside to this magazine is that you hardly have time to work on eveything you wanted to before the next issue comes out.

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I agree with the other reviewers who point out the many useful music tools in this mag. The UK is where English started so if you like literate writers rather than being pitched to like an 8 year old you'll like this magazine. My gripes are that I can buy them at big box bookstores for pennies more than the subscription rate. The price fluctuates with market $ vs Pound/Euro and the delivery time for the 1st issue is 12 to 16 weeks! The stores get them faster. So if they had a better subscription deal and faster delivery I would definitely subscribe. Besides anyone that calls a tube a valve and a wrench a spanner is okay in my book.

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This subscription is a gift for a guitar player, who is very happy to have me renew it each Christmas.

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this was a gift for, my grandson. this is his love. he is waiting to be accepted at a college in Boston with his guitars.

Coonhound Bloodlines

"Coonhound Bloodlines" is the best coon hound magazine there is. It has all the UKC (United Kennel Club) hunts for all states and Canada, all event winners (with pictures of major events), all the dogs who have recently received a title from UKC, stories about top breeders in each of the seven recognized breeds, and stud dog ads. It is lots of fun to read whether you enjoy the competition hunts, or just hunt for your own entertainment.

If you want to know more about coon hunting, this is the magazine for you. They dedicate 7 issues a year to a different breed. In that breeds issue, you will find stud ads by them (not exclusively, but more so than usual) and articles about prominent breeders both past and present.

There are too many good features to possibly explain in this short area. I couldn't possibly tell you all the advantages "Bloodlines" has over the other coon hound magazines. It is so good, many coon hunters simply call it "the book." You deserve it to yourself to get this magazine.

Excellent source of information for the conhunting enthusiast. Whether you are a sport coon hunter or grand nite champion hunter, this magazine has it all! Even kids love this. Great reading for the entire month!

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American Craft

American Craft is a feast for the creative spirit. Fresh ways of viewing traditional crafts, new ideas, beautiful photos. What more could one want from an arts magazine!!

This is a pretty magazine but I won't be renewing the subscription. This would be a good magazine for trained artists who take their stuff to art shows and art galleries. I do mosaics and sell my stuff at craft shows and online. I didn't find much that interested me.

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If most periodicals were produced with the finesse and quality of American Craft, we would not be having a discussion about the decline of such in the marketplace. It's a wonder to hold and a wonder to read. I've not tossed or even recycled a single issue.

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Everything about this magazine is great. It has excellent photos & articles about unique crafts, plus the design & layout is outstanding.

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Games (1-year auto-renewal)

If you like board games, word games, logic games, video games--any games--this is the magazine for you. A typical issue of Games magazine contains interesting articles on a variety of subjects--from hobbies like card tricks to online gaming communities; unique and colorful puzzles; and "ordinary" puzzles put together with a twist.

From crosswords to crostics to word finds to logic puzzles and teasers, whatever tips your hat, you will likely find it here. In addition, they print a number of Conceptis Paint by Number puzzles in each edition, a type of language-independent picture-forming logic puzzle that is a growing trend: each numbered puzzle turns into a pixel picture when completed.

Even the advertisements in this magazine are interesting. While you are hunting for the fictional ad, you will come across tournaments, board games, and websites that you would never have heard about anywhere else.

This magazine is highly recommended for most any age and type of puzzler. I've been receiving it for years and have never been disappointed.

Side Note: If you find a mistake or a unique answer to a puzzle, Games Magazine will send the first such finder a finder's fee: a Games Magazine t-shirt.

I have been teaching academically gifted students for the past 25 years and GAMES magazine has been a part of my curriculum for awhile. It is never out of date and the crytograms and puzzles are wonderful for left brain / right brain thinking.

GAMES magazine teaches kids to focus and become absorbed in the thinking process. These are learning characteristics which are surprisingly scarce these days, even in very bright students.

GAMES magazine is also balanced between mental gymnastics and humor it is fun to find the fake ad and enter the contests. It is the only magazine I have ever read in which I even like to read the ads!

It is a thumbs up publication!

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I've been a fan of GAMES magazine for many years! My favorite section is "Pencilwise" which is crosswords, logic puzzles, word games, and other puzzles. The puzzles come in different levels, with some puzzles geared for kids, some for beginners, and some that are very difficult.

My only complaint is that the magazine is only published 10 times a year.

If you like GAMES, try GAMES World of Puzzles Magazine!

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I've been "reading" Games Magazine for over 10 years. The puzzles range in difficulty from the very easy to the obscenely hard. Every issue has at least one contest (requiring the reader to solve puzzles and games, of course) with a prize that can vary from a t-shirt to $1,000. Whether you are a fan of crosswords, logic puzzles, cryptograms, or word games, you'll find something to spend your free time on with GAMES Magazine.

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This isn't just a book of jumbles, it is games for smart people. The logic and crossword puzzles are really challenging, and keep you on your toes. There are some light weight ones to help you cool down, but their annual treasure hunt is the best!

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Magnifikid!

Great magazine for young children to

bring with them to Mass. Our seven year old

enjoys reading the liturgy of the Word ahead of time,

and then reading along during Mass. The activities and puzzles

are enjoyable and apply to the readings.

This is a great. Our church uses a missellet that is not laid out all that well and it covers the entire year. My kids did not always follow along and when they tried to they would spend time looking for the appropriate page instead of paying attention to the service. Magnifikids solves these problems, each issue is specific to that week, so it is very easy to follow. Also, some of the key words and phrases are defined at the bottom of the page.

I really like this and would recommend it to anyone.

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I started a subscription to MagnifiKid! for my great-nephew for his sixth birthday. He just turned eight, and I've renewed it for the second time. He looks forward to getting it--he reads each one from cover to cover. He's learned so much! As a result, he is comfortable discussing Catholic topics. He'll be taught about the Eucharist in CCD this year; and when he receives First Communion next spring, I'm confident that he will understand what he is doing and be able to appreciate our Lord in the Blessed Sacrement. MagnifiKid! is an attractive presentation of the Catholic faith that makes it easy for children to participate in the Mass and to live their faith throughout the liturgical year. What a great way to help them grow in the knowledge and love of God!

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We currently get Magnifikid in a bulk order through our homeschool group, which saves us a bunch and is terrific because 4 of my kids are currently using them. My 9yr old, 8yr old, 6yr old, and almost-5yr old all like it quite a lot and are learning a great deal as well. I like that it includes not only the readings but also many of the prayers that the priest says, so it is easy for them to follow along. They enjoy the games and stories that go along with each week's readings too. I guess the price is a bit of a downside, although it is very much worth it even at the regular subscription price. You won't be sorry for ordering this for your children, grandchildren, godchildren, or any special child in your life!

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My daughter likes it a lot. Great for mass and discussion. It has fun activities in the back. We will continue our subscription.

High Country News

This review refers to the High Country News magazine and the subscription.

First the magazine... I can not say enough good things about it, so for starters I'll let them speak for themselves:

"High Country News is a 501(c)(3) independent nonprofit media organization that covers the issues that define the American West. Its mission is to inform and inspire people to act on behalf of the region's diverse natural and human communities."

And inform and inspire with in-depth articles it does. The articles which concern all aspects of the environment from the land,the air, the waters, endangered species, people making a difference and much more are some of the most informative and well researched and written I've read on these subjects. Some articles run several pages and have back-stories as well. Anything you can imagine or have not imagined is well reported. Farming, the logging industry, the dairy industry,migration problems and solutions, trees in danger,animals in the wild, are a few topics among the many.

The journal(larger in height than you're usual magazine) may run from about 25-40 pages but it is packed with interesting and educational stories.And they are not short blurbs! Full page ads? you may see 1 or 2 at the most, and those are usually for some good cause like Heifers Int. Even the back page is filled with fabulous blogs of 'Heard Around the West" stories. There is a few pages of classified in the back section where you can find a job in the outdoors or find some land;tours and travel there's an advertisement for Tucson, Arizona that opens: "Pay no attention to the Arizona Governor." ; does your horse need to be shod you'll find someone for that as well.

There is a Research Fund that you can contribute to to help the researchers and journalists of the nonprofit org. continue the important work they are doing. But you will not be bombarded with pleas. One of those full page ads is for this purpose, and they list the contributors each issue.

The Subscription-

I am truly a happy camper when I see my newest issue in my mailbox between all the bills and junk mail. It arrives every two weeks like clock-work My only problem there is that, there is so much to read that I usually haven't finished my last issue yet. When I first ordered it, I really wasn't expecting to see it for the usual 6-8 weeks of most periodicals, however it arrived within 10 days of the day I wrote the check. There was only one time of which I was informed that the issue would be delayed for the New Year. But I would suggest checking the web site of HCN(.org) for a much better deal than the subscription price here. Also it is available there in digital form(for less) or an iphone app. I did not see it available for kindle(yet), but if you subscribe to the mail service you also get the digital. And of course it is printed on recycled paper.

If you are interested in environmental issues you will love this informative magazine. Even if you don't live in a Western state.This is news that really effects everyone on earth.

Get Inspired and Enjoy the read....Laurie

In High Country News, you'll read what's happening from grassroots enviro groups, not just Sierra, Wilderness Club, etc. That said, you'll get full and unbiased reporting of all sides of an issue, such as its cover story on the northern spotted owl early this fall.

And, it's not just environmental news.

For instance, I'll bet you didn't know thast Espanola, N.M. and not NYC or LA, is the per-capital heroin death capital of the world.

You would if you read High Country News.

Throw in its take on Western politics, such as being the first magazine of note to report on the LDS's funding of California's Prop. 8, and you have a most-0read for anybody who lives in or vacations in the West.

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The best source for news, analysis and commentary on all aspects of environmental stewardship (wildlife conservation, public lands, growth, politics "which as of today in 2005 the polices being implementing are forever altering these beautiful natural lands forever" Let me remind you...are, the people of the U.S.'s public lands!), as well as the the great people's life stories who live in the 11 Western states, and truly love & care for this special place they call home. I've been a subscriber for many years, and a reader for the last 20 years, and I couldn't recommend a better source of accurate and educational information about the West and the critical issues it faces.

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Provides a balanced view with an eye toward good stewardship. Takes into account the views of farmers and ranchers as well as conservationists and environmentalists. And such perspectives are increasingly found in the same groups of folks. In depth feature articles and sysnopses of other reports, studies and articles. But not too long to read every two weeks if you also enjoy reading lots of other things and don't have the time for a 50 page magazine. I like it and have turned quite a few people on to it. I'm here to resubscribe after letting my prior sub expire. Try it!

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