Business Facilities

Business Facilities is a professional magazine that I have been reading periodically for the past two years. It is a magazine that is dedicated to business relocation and growth, with an emphasis on corporate change and how to make it work.

Most of the pages in Business Facilities are dedicated to the reporting of corporate moves and state/metropolitan area demographics. The articles that talk about corporate expansions and relocations detail a specific company and its decision to make these types of changes. The articles about specific states or cities are basically advertisements. They spotlight a specific place and point out why that particular state/city is a good place for business.

Because the advertising of business climates is so important in this magazine, there are often several states or cities highlighted in each issue and it is common for the main departments to have multiple appearances in each issue. Corporate Moves and Business Reports often have two or three departmental listings in each issue. These articles focus on the state's demographics, available tax incentives, cost of labor, and other important considerations for a company that is considering making a move.

Business Facilities is a good professional magazine overall but it is certainly a magazine with limited appeal. The articles are more direct and, with the exception of the Making the Move department, they are less personal in nature and often include lots of statistics. If you work in management and/or have an interest in business relocation and expansion, then this might make a good choice for your reading pleasure. The articles are direct and to the point, making it s good choice for business minded individuals.

Saveur (1-year auto-renewal)

I say "fun" because food should

be a pleasure, as well as an

exploration of the new and

different. One of the great strengths

of this magazine is that you

can get most of the ingredients

without having to visit a particular

store somewhere in the depths of

New York City. The people creating

the recipes are making the effort

to make preparing the food easier

for American cooks.

"Coffee table" magazine? I don't

think so... "Food and Wine": now that

is a magazine more devoted to showing

breathless closeups of beautiful

food. You can't eat it, and you can't

find the ingredients, but it looks

lovely. Yes, the photography in

Saveur is very nice, but that

just enhances the experience for me.

I am a former subscriber to a LOT

of food magazines. Gourmet lost it

when they went PC, and you can never

find the very special ingredients

they mention, unless you live

on a particular street in NYC. F&W

already mentioned. Williams/Sonoma had a

nice magazine, but now sadly gone.

I also like the travel aspect to

the articles, which is generally

much more "real" travel than you get

in other food magazines. As an

example, Gourmet will send a reporter

to the most expensive hotel/restaurant

in Italy, while Saveur will explore the

wonderful food and drinks to be found in

the Italian countryside.

I think the best compliment is that

other food magazines are stealing

ideas from Saveur, in hopes of grabbing

the same audience. A theme shows

up in Saveur, only to be repeated

a month or two later in Food and

Wine.

Perfect? No, but Saveur is working

on it, having had some ups and

downs in the last few years. I

think that the patient is recovering

nicely at this time (6/03).

To me, Saveur is almost more about travel than it is about food. The articles tend to be about cuisines set in the context of their geographic and cultural origins. Rich photography and personal stories give you a flavor of the people and places behind familiar and new dishes. Articles in Saveur have inspired me to take several trips, to places I would not have otherwise considered, and seek out amazing little hole in the wall shops and restaurants.

If you love to travel, cook, and eat, you will love Saveur!

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I have received almost all of the cooking and travel magazines out there and have to say that Saveur is by far one of the best. Not only are the recipes unique and delicious, the beautifully written articles on the cities and countries where the recipes are from are mesmerizing. The photo essays capture the food and culture of the city of focus, bringing the reader closer to the experience of the recipes shared. Some months focus on a particular region, while others pick out an ingredient of the season (such as apples in the most recent addition). After living in Japan for many years, a recent article on Sumo brought back to life the exquisite culture and cuisine I once shared.

I was afraid that the ingredients might be difficult to find given that it is based on international locations, but I have not found this to be a problem. They even took the time to create an 'where to order the food' list at the back for ingredients that aren't at the corner store. This would make a perfect gift for the cook in your life who has an interest in international cuisine and culture.

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Saveur got a new Editor-in-Chief in 2006, when Colman Andrews (one of the original founding crew from the magazine's inception) stepped down after long-running battles with the new corporate ownership (World Publications out of Winter Park Florida.) Andrews was a curmudgeon, and a brilliant iconoclast. For years, he refused to run an image of a turkey on the cover of the November issue, to the displeasure of the newsstand sales dept. He was replaced by James Oseland, a contributor and Associate Editor at the magazine (one of his first acts was to run a picture of a turkey on the cover of the November issue get it?) Saveur has fallen on tough times. Since most ad budgets for the food category are gobbled up by Rachel Ray, Gourmet, BonAppetit, Food and Wine and the like, Saveur is left with table scraps, and issues are skinny. Photography and art direction have always been first rate, and Oseland builds on this tradition with his passion for food photos that border on pornography, they are so luscious) But a shift in focus from Andrews' euro-centric vision to Oseland's more pan-asian outlook (he is the author of an excellent book on Indonesian cuisine, "Spice Islands") leaves something in translation as these themes don't resonate as heartily with Saveur's core audience. But he does seem to be attracting some younger, more urban readers. (Somehow, images of sweaty, grimy cooks behind-the-scene in a Bombay restaurant doesn't stir my soul for Indian food, though.) There is one bright spot a greater focus on Asia has lightened up Saveur's previous artery-clogging fare. The editorial staff write for themselves mainly, so if you share their vision, then you'll love Saveur. (A special issue in 2007 was all about Chicago for instance, which happens to be Oseland's home town.) And other reviewers are spot-on about the recipes if you don't live in NYC, you'll have trouble handily finding ingredients such as chicken feet, although they do reference websites for you to source things via mail-order. Wine coverage since Andrews left has been improving but still not back to where it should be Oseland isn't a wine drinker, and wine stories compete for precious editorial space in these lean times for magazine advertising. I give Saveur high marks for uniqueness. If you do subscribe, broaden your palette and pair Saveur's mineral, flinty undertones with a more practical, off-dry recipe holder such as Bon Appetit, Southern Living, or even Everyday with Rachel Ray (especially if you are the type that likes to hit the "Easy" button!)

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I love this magazine because it gives the background and history of food. When I get the magazine each month,I have to read it right then and there. I finally found out where Salisbury Steak originated. In Ohio, by a doctor during the Civil War. Not in England. The photography is beautiful and some of the stories are memories of what the certain food means to them. They make you want to try everything in the magazine. Saveur is not pretentious as "Food and Wine" or "Gourmet." It is nice to read about regular people that make great food at reasonable expenses. Subscribe to this magazine!

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Consumer Reports Money Adviser (1-year auto-renewal)

I would recommend this publication to anyone that wants unbiased information regarding personal finance. I have been a subscriber for several years now, and I look forward to getting this magazine in the mail. The great thing about Consumer Reports is that it does not receive advertising dollars; thus, the publisher is less likely to be persuaded to push particular financial products. Every month, there is a feature that discusses a topic regarding a financial issue, and the article provides in-dept instructions regarding that issue. I have not seen another financial magazine that is as thorough regarding financial instructions to improve one's financial capabilities and assets as this magazine.

I got a hold of a 6 months issues of "Money Adviser". In the nutshell, Money Adviser is an 16-page publication without advertisement (hence the cost of publishing is transferred to the subscriber). Here is the content of the November 2011 issue (and my summary of the article). Tell me if it is something you don't hear elsewhere...

1. Article: "Watch out for the new bank fees" (Summary: Banks ramp up fees, examples of fees; consider switching to a small community bank; how to switch)

2. "Why you can't judge a deal by its list price" (Don't believe the list price stated on the price sticker, check the price on the internet. Examples)

3. "Black Friday survival tip" (Check prices carefully, sign up for email alerts, check return policy)

4. "Don't sabotage your portfolio" (Stick with a long-term plan, Maintain the balance, Keep the right amount of cash, Don't invest impulsively)

5. "Refinance to a shorter-term mortgage?" (Calculate savings in interest, Can you afford higher payment? Are you better off investing the difference in stock market?)

6. "Dividends or stock buybacks" (What's better for a shareholder dividends or stock buybacks? Bottom line either one is good)

7. "Is another recession on the way?" (Economists can be wrong, so stay put and stick with your long-term plan)

8. "Real estate that pays dividends" (Look into REITs for they pay high dividends, Table with REIT Mutual Funds)

9. "When did charities get picky" (Some charities got picky, so have a plan B when your old sofa is refused by the charity)

10. "A plan for charitable bequests" (Your heirs will benefit more from appreciated assets than your IRA and why)

11. "Get the best deal on a used car" (Don't reveal what you can afford, negotiate, be ready to walk away, check vehicle history)

12. "Rebalance and consolidate" (Rebalance and consolidate)

13. Q&A (Q: Should I tip a workman? Q: Where to check annuity issuers? Q: Cashier wants my security code why?)

I hope by number 5 you realized (like I did), that Money Adviser is no different from any other financial publication (in terms of contents). However, it's much smaller (compare with 80 pages of Kiplinger's or Money Magazines).

Bottom line Decide for yourself if it's worth extra 20 dollars a year.

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It took a little while to get this product (maybe 2 weeks). They indicated when I subscribed it would take longer so I wasn't too disappointed. I read through the magazine and it reads much like the regular Consumer Reports magazine it appears to be unbiased and trustworthing information that I can trust. I do wish it was a little longer but for the price I believe it is fair.

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After a year's subscription I honestly have to say that I am disappointed. Most of the financial info is the same as some of the websites that get my daily news and from one of the major big box stores that issue a free magazine. The only thing this is really good for and what I got out of it is that it confirms what I already know. After a year's time and a few dollars spent on this, I would rather ask my financial adviser instead of renewing another year.

Update. While this subscription may not be for me, I do have to say that for someone who does not have a financial background it would be worth the money because not everyone is familiar with finance and CR is very credible for the general public.

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I've been a subscriber for several years and still look forward to getting the publication in the mail and reading it. And I usually read it a couple of times there aren't a lot of pages so it doesn't take that long. Much of the info is general in nature and is available elsewhere if you keep up with basic financial news and events. But I occasionally pick up a "gem" from the publication which makes the cost worth it. I wish it contained more information in each issue (had more pages). And in the title of this review I say "mostly unbiased" because every person, organization, and company in the world is biased in one way or another, including Consumer Reports. In conclusion, 4 stars = very good, but not great. Will I continue to subscribe? Yes.

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Faces

Faces is packed with all kinds of information on a range of topics that spans the world. Issues cover individual countries and cultures or things that affect the whole world, like human rights. Its light but educational articles are accompanied by tons of photos, contests, plays or stories and topic related activities. Targeted at 9 to 14 year olds, it's fun and interesting for adults as well.

FACES is a great magazine that lets children explore many cultures from around the world. Through folk tales, photos, and maps FACES takes its readers on an adventure that teaches them about the lives, traditions, and pastimes of many cultures. FACES' target audience is between the ages of 9 and 14, but its interesting articles and entertaining themes are suitable for any reader looking for knowledge. You will learn about many places in the pages of FACES.

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An excellent resource for children to learn about other people and cultures. I use this in my homeschooling.

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In a market flooded with fashion magazines for female tweens and teens, it's unbelievably tough for mothers to find alternative reading materials in periodical format for their daughters -but Faces saves the day! Although it's a slightly expensive subscription, the educational information it provides about the world -and especially about the world's children -is well worth the cost. I HIGHLY recommend either substituting a Faces subscription for a fashion magazine one, or adding it to a tween/teen girl's periodical library.

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My son started getting this when he was 10. He is now eleven and still really enjoys the articles. He is absorbed in the magazine from cover to cover. His love of geography, people, and places is fed by the content.

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D Abruzzo

This magazines is excellent if you want to explore Abruzzo. The magazine is in Italian.

Although this is a tourist magazine, it is more appropriate for an Italian tourist...or Italian speaking tourist as it is entirely in Italian.

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Asian Diver

Living in northern Australia there are a range of Asian destinations that are closer to me than other parts of my own country. Hence my next dive is just as likely to be overseas as domestic. Which is where this magazine comes in. I'm not going to tell you it's the best dive magazine in the world because I haven't read them all but I will opint out a few things;

A) Firstly it is in English. There, that's said.

B) It is not overly expensive and has all the benefits of wonderful photography and by concentrating on Asian dive sites it is perhaps the perfect magazine to score yourself a copy or three of if you are considering travelling to that part of the world. Further if you already live in that divers paradise of a continent then you might as well subscribe.

C) The articles are well laid out and there is a variety of subjects covered. Just flicking through my last issue there are articles on ice diving, cave diving, the Dead Sea (not every article is about Asia) and as per many other magazines there is a selection of regular segments to back up the 'feature' articles.

If I have a criticism it is that once again we have a magazine somewhat more aimed at those with fairly significant budgets or who have had the time to get highly skilled at their craft. As per many other dive magazines (or any specialty magazine for that matter) there is a bit too much coverage given to 'dream scenario' stuff rather than things that you or I might actually be able to do with our more modest time/finances.

Maine Boats, Homes & Harbors (1-year auto-renewal)

This is a great magazine whether you live in Maine or have just visited and are fond of the state. It looks at life along the coastwith a focus on boats but it's not JUST about boating. Food, houses, nature, fine art are all covered--some good recipes! The writing is really good and kind of timeless. We keep it at our summer place and guests pick up old issues and read them cover to cover--heck, we do too!

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Virginia Quarterly Review

The VQR is high quality magazine for serious readers and those with a sense of humor. Ted Genoways, the current editor, has brought a new breath of fresh air into an old Southern (very traditional) magazine. Now, the VQR has lots of pictures, cartoons, political commentries--beyond just the routine poems, essays, and short fiction. The magazine is very relevant in today's world because it dares to go below the surface. For instance, the current Winter 2008 centers around the moral/political issue of torturing prisoners of war and terrorists.

To those who want something to laugh about, there's always an installment of "graphic fiction" -essentially short fiction in a comic book form. But those comics are not your average Superman stories. They talk about issues of idenity, growing up, and even visiting the South Pole! The Dead Eye comics at the end of each issue addresses politcal issues with same cutting wit and humor.

Over all, the VQR is definitely worth the money. It doesn't have the same snobbery like the New Yorker, but it will definitely make you look and sound smarter.

This is my favorite "literary" review. Although it seems to verge on a current affairs publication, it's much more in depth than most newspapers and, head over hills, better than TIME and NEWSWEEK. There seems to be a theme to each issue--mostly connected to a region or special issue. The current issue is about "Outcasts" and covers a civil rights era kidnaping, the post Katrina Gulf states, and much more. I couldn't stop reading on a recent plane trip.

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Rarely does a university-based journal attempt to engage readers as potential intellectuals and not merely as academics. VQR is such a publication. VQR is striking for its blend of poetry, fiction, political commentary, art reviews, author interviews, book reviews, and--perhaps its most distinctive feature--stunning color photography. Unlike mass-market literary magazines, it does not use poetry as filler in between articles. Poetry, like all VQR material, is given equal time with fiction and non-fiction pieces. When most Americans cannot even name ten living poets, VQR features ten or eleven poets in every issue. That said, I also really enjoyed reading a supposedly lost Robert Frost poem with commentary from Glynn Maxwell. I especially liked the feature on Canadian writer Alice Monroe, including perspectives on Monroe from various authors and friends, in the summer 2006 issue. Of late, VQR has examined post-Milosevic Serbia and the political upheaval in East Timor. If you like bonuses, VQR decided to treat its subscribers to an extra fiction issue in celebration of its winning two national magazine awards. And, again, VQR is visually interesting. You'll find full-page color photographs and art work-a rarity in this type of publication. If you are bright and curious and interested in arts and politics, it would be in your best interest to subscribe to VQR.

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To be absolutely clear, I am a fan of VQR and if I were only rating them here, I'd give them 4 or 5 stars. My beef is with Amazon's advertising "up to 75% off" for subscriptions. I've checked the rates for VQR, Poetry, Writer's Digest, and Poets & writers, and I'm four for four: Amazon's rates are either exactly the same as those posted on these journals' websites, or (in the case of Writer's Digest and P&W) more expensive. It's nice, I guess, that Amazon is providing more exposure for these journals; nonetheless, for them to claim they're offering a discount, while not exactly a lie (since they're offering a discount over the per-copy price), is deceiving, as they don't seem to be offering a cheaper rate than that already offered by the journals. Caveat, as always, emptor.

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I had high hopes for this subscription. So far I have gotten 3 issues and have decided not to resubscribe. Each issue has a portion of a graphic novel inside. If I wanted that I'd buy a comic book. There are also academics writing short stories about academics. The other thing that bothers me is that it has a political slant, in this case left. I don't care left or right, what I do care is that I don't need propaganda.

Stay away.

Bear Hunting

I have been a subscriber to Bear Hunting Magazine since it's second issue. It is still the only magazine devoted solely to Bear Hunting. It is also the only magazine that I read cover to cover. If you are interested in bears or bear hunting at all I highly recommend this magazine. It is not as "commercialized" as the other, bigger hunting mags. I think the editor must have some great connections with bear hunters because he gets stories noone else has. The photography is great, too.

This magazine is EXCELLENT for anyone interested in bear hunting. Every isue is packed with a ton of information from just getting started to a well seasoned hunter its got it all. if your interested in bear hunting you CANT find a better magazine.

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