Atomic Ranch

I was very excited to subscribe to this magazine through the convenience of Amazon. Because I wouldn't get my first issue till the fall, I went to Borders and got the summer issue. To my absolute SHOCK, the subscription card from the magazine said "one year only $19.99" (over a $14 difference than Amazon). You can not cancel a subscription with Amazon, and they have not responded to my complaints of the pricing difference. It's a great magazine, but go to your local book store. It's going to be a while before I order anything from Amazon again!

Ever since I saw "Atomic Ranch" in a bookstore, I knew I would be a long-term subscriber. The magazine is devoted to ranch homes built during the cold war (roughly the 1950s to 1970s) that were considered cool when they were built, and have been updated in unique and beautiful ways since then.

The first word that comes to mind when leafing through this magazine is "retro," and for good reason. The magazine explores the glory of a once-fading architectural form and brings it up to date with contemporary alterations, which in many cases go back to the roots of the house, undoing years of ill-advised "improvements" (especially notorious in the 1980s.) Fortunately the magazine is geographically diverse, exploring homes far from the coasts in places like Chicago, Charlotte, and Baton Rouge.

For once I am happy to read all the advertisements, normally the bane of a magazine. Here, though, the ads are for fun and cool products and are frequently as interesting as the articles.

I recommend "Atomic Ranch" with my highest possible endorsement: lovers of modern architecture and style trends will want to read every page of every issue like I do.

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Having submitted my order in May 2005, and getting my first issue in late July, I was somewhat irked when I also noticed the subscription price difference.

That aside, it's really an interesting magazine.

Please don't think it's for everyone, however. Unlike other publications that look at the archecture elements or design elements, I believe this is for folks interested in preserving a shrine to the '50s and '60s life-style. It is innocuous enough to use that weird green and pink, together, to make some sort of statement I suppose -but I didn't like it when it was "trendy." The boomerang accent tables are a wonderful comparison for the difference between "mod" and "modern" and why alot of folks wouldn't want to get too far back into that "mod" thing.

Overall, pretty good. Just don't get stung on the subscription price.

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I liked the magazine, being an owner in a neighborhood that 2 consecutive issues featured homes from was interesting, however, they did not fulfill our subscription, and when we brought this up to them via email they blamed us and the post office for not receiving it, they sent them out 2 months prior to us moving here, but they blamed us for not providing a new address, even though we had only been here 2 weeks when we contacted them. very rude and they never not once said, 'let us check our records", just a "we won't send another" end of chat. Very brassy for a start-up magazine. I am done with them

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I have had great customer service with this magazine and have loved getting every issue and reading it from cover to cover. When I called to subscribe to Atomic Ranch one of its employees even asked me questions regarding my own ranch home and suggested that I send pictures in for someone in their staff to review. I strongly recommend this magazine to anyone who loves mid-century modern homes and decor.

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Surfing (1-year auto-renewal)

Surfing is my favorite magazine. I've been surfing since I was 18 and having moved up to Northern California I do miss the tropical southern california days. Reading surfing keeps me motivated on those rainy cold days up here. Great photography and the stories of surf missions let me live vicariously!

I first encountered Surf magazine in the bathroom of my old job when I was at University. After that, I was hooked, and when I came home for the summer, I ordered it. I'll admit I don't surf, and never have, but I honestly love the way the articles are written--they actually interest you into reading them, and the whole magazine has a nice chill vibe to it. If you want to keep up with surfing and the surfing world, there is no other magazine to get!

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He would have to give you more details but this is the only one he is stuck on. He asks for a renewal every year.

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I have been buying this magazine for years for my boys. I love looking at it also. This is a great price and anyone who loves the water , will love this magazine

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Im a little bit worrie about my subscripcion of this magazine because i cant get it yet... when i supost to have it already!!!.

Please let me know about it. and when i can get it, PLEASE

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Interweave Crochet

I subscribe to Crochet! Magazine and this Interweave crochet publication is another of my favorite crochet magazines. It has the "quick & simple" project, but also lovely and imaginative patterns--check it out at your local bookstore or go their website: to get info and check out their free pattterns. Many of the patterns are of the vintage patterns modernized vein. I highly recommend this magazine for yourself or as a gift for that special person that loves crochet.

I am young and rather picky, but I can always find something to please my eye and needle wtih this magazine. The clothing patterns don't look hideous and boxy. I think that Interweave does a good job with it's offerings. I also like "Crochet Today!" by Future Publications. I think that between the both of them I always have more that I want to do than I have time for. IC is a magazine with a focus on patterns with a classic, but trendy and modern appeal. CT! is a fun look at the possibilities of crochet (such as, amigurumi)and an updated twist on older patterns with modern appeal. The two together give me so much to do that I never complete it all, but I love to look. CT! has more small scale projects and IC has a larger selection of non-craft items.

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I recommend this magazine 100%. Also the knitting version. I also advise that this product is better to subscribe going directly through their web site, you'll get a better price offer, and even though this is on special with Amazon (30% off today when I'm writing this review), when I subscribed in the web site, I got my first issue in about three weeks after subscribing.

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Over the past four to five years, I have spent several hundred dollars in publications, video downloads, eMags, etc. pertaining to my craft of the moment. I picked up spinning in the past two years and taught myself how to spin from Interweave's vast online resources. All in all, I am now able to spin with very good consistency, 3 ply sock yarn or 3 ply lace, on up to worsted weight using several drafting methods. I also am adept at plying, carding, combing and dying wool, alpaca, and cotton. All this from the information I obtained from Interweave and the virtual Judith Mackenzie, who has been at my side whether she knows it or not. I will not give Interweave a higher score because of an issue that I ran into this morning, which has happened several times before: Bait and switch price marketing.

Numerous time I have found coupon codes that will give a discount during the checkout process only to mysteriously disappear before the bill in finalized. I've been offered $1 off on third party issues of Colorways eMags, through iTunes, only to be charged the full price by iTunes. And once again this morning I received a VIP Early Pass to receive 70% overstock items before everyone else since I am 'such a good customer.' The item is advertised in the email at $8.98. It shows up in the shopping cart as $20.98 even after I log into my account and go to PayPal. And I've been down the road of completing the purchase and it 'supposedly' sorts itself out in the end. It does not. You have to call to sort it out if you want you discount. Even then, they make it sound as if I have done something wrong. I warned customer service the last time that this happened that I would write a scathing review it it happened again, so here it is.

Cheating is stealing and I don't appreciate it. I challenge Interweave to fix this problem and make it right.

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Interweave Magazine is a great magazine for crocheters who love to crochet clothing and to see and read about the latest out there for crochet. Interweave brings many different types of designer patterns. The magazine is a must have for budding crochet designers and those who love to make clothing.

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Instrumentalist

The Instrumentalist is one of the primary resources for a band director. This magazine is published for an audience of music directors, professional instrumentalists, instrumental music education specialists, and instrumental teachers. Articles appearing in The Instrumentalist are written by prominent and noteworthy music educators and performers in their fields. Topics include: rehearsal techniques, conducting tips, programming ideas, instrument clinics, master classes, repertoire analyses, and interviews with composers, performers, conductors, and teachers. Keeping their audience in tune with the upcoming, it also includes monthly new music reviews, numerous color photos, job guides, summer camp directories, and announcements of festivals. With the expertise of the authors and the broad range of topics, The Instrumentalist is an invaluable resource for any performer, teacher, or wind ensemble conductor.

Each issue is filled with helpful advice for school band and orchestra directors. Regular features include interviews with outstanding directors and musicians, conducting suggestions, clinics for various instruments, and research on trends in school music.

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Teachers Helper - Kindergarten ed

I have been a fan of Teacher's Helper for years. If I had to give up all but one of my teacher subscriptions, this is the one I would keep. This magazine has just what I need to reinforce and reteach skills. The editors are right on target with the skill set. Each new issue is filled with material I need and can use immediately. Very high quality product!

Our class bought a subscription to this magazine for our Kindergarten teacher as a thank you. We had no idea if it was 'worthy' or not, but our teacher LOVED IT. She was very grateful and said she really enjoyed it.

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Teacher's Helper is extremely helpful to have as a teacher. It provides timely and relevant material for students to practice. Because it only requires copying on the photo copier, unlike some other kindergarten projects, this one does not take a lot of prep! I highly recommend this product to new teachers and even as an experienced teacher, I like to get it so that I can see some new material. Each year there are new things I want to use with my students.

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National Observer Book of Crosswords

Although it may not have the cachet of the New York Times, the National Oberver Book of Crosswords are consistently challenging. I was pleasantly surprised at their high quality and would highly recommend them for the crossword enthusiast!

This is for anyone who likes a crossword challenge. I have subscribed for over ten years.

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If you like themed puzzles on the harder side of the street, you will adore these. I love harder puzzles with themes and these are some of the best I have ever done. If you don't know, you should check out what the US version of the National Observer was. It was an actual publication created by the man who started the The Wall Street Journal and was in existence from 1962 to 1977. I would love to find a copy in some library on microfiche. But, I digress.

There are a total of 70 crosswords in each issue and from puzzle 31-70, the puzzles are the larger, Sunday-type version. The man who edits the publication, Mr. Preston, seems to take great care because the selections are varied, delightful and enjoyable. I also like the fact that Kappa Publishing takes great care to eliminate any errors even in the headers and footers. I'm sure he has a lot of help in doing this, too. But, it's obvious, that the company cares about every detail.

The books are digest-size so you could carry in your backpack, purse or other bag, which is cool for the train or something. Something I appreciate, too, is the fact that the books do not crumble after a lot of abuse in terms of falling apart from the spine. The spine is pliable because unlike any crossword magazines I've ever worked, you can open a page, move it around a bit and the book lays flat. To me, that's a great asset. The paper is akin to a slightly heavier newspaper, so your pencil or pen glides quite smoothly. I use erasable ink pens for my crosswords and the paper is awesome with these.

There's not much of a discount here at Amazon for a subscription, so frankly I would plunk down the extra bucks to start getting the subscription faster. It's ridiculous to wait months when you have paid for it. Mail the coupon inside one of the books or just go to the Kappa company website and order online directly.

I hope everyone enjoys solving these crosswords!

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I can rarely complete one of these, but I love the challenge. It is a good mix of fairly easy, fairly difficult, and totally impossible puzzles.

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I have been a fan of National Observer crossword puzzles for years. The puzzles range from fairly easy to challenging. However, over the past couple years I have noticed a lot of errors in the publication and think that if there is one place there should be zero errors, it is in a crossword puzzle book. This drives me crazy. I have been tempted to call and apply for the job of proofreader! Another complaint I have is that too many of the puzzles are becoming "cutesy". They are not straight crossword puzzles but puzzles that, say, require you to leave out certain letters, or insert Roman numerals for letters,or have some other sort of twist. I realize that some people may enjoy this, but I just want the straight crosswords. Also, and this probably isn't the case in fact, but sometimes I get the feeling the puzzles must be fairly old, because many of the answers probably would completely elude anyone under the age of forty, which, unfortunately, I am not. Despite these flaws, this is still the best crossword puzzle publication on the market. I am giving it only four stars because of the first two issues addressed above.

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