One of the reasons I love Philly is that it's very active in the literary world. Between it's…read moreincredible Libraries, and it's amazing assortment of bookstores we're kept pretty up to date with whats going on in the reading world. But despite this it's hard to get a feel of who's who when it comes to our local writers. That's why it's great that a free magazine like Philadelphia Stories exists and is widely available throughout many coffee shops, etc. Philadelphia Stories is a quarterly magazine that showcases the fiction and poetry of many writers from our area. Each issue has at least 9 good reads to go through, a local author profile, and some reading suggestions. It also gives writers and artists the chance to readily submit their work. So you might be able to dust off that great American novel idea and send out a chapter. Going to their website also clues you in on some fun literary events that are going on throughout the city. And you can get some insight on some of the books that they put out too. Start reading!

Sweet, another bad ass first for McThrill. Wonka vision is the OG of Philly music zines and it's…read moredefinitely the most widespread. 11 years ago it was a black and white newspaper print that had The Descendents on the cover. and now its sporting Tegan and Sara on the cover in all of its full glossy glory. It definitely came a long way! When it comes to music Wonka Vision covers a lot of ground. If you skim through on the surface you'll primarily come across a lot of hardcore and punk rock (they definitely like Converge and Operation Ivy as much as I do) but if you actually read through you'll come across plenty of hip hop, rock, and fun bands like Polysics. and when they decide to take a break on music they decide to do random features on the likes of Todd McFarlane and Homestar Runner. and through it all they still find time to give it up for the locals. Wonka Vision is also about sweet deals and coolness. They hook up they're subscribers with bad ass record label exclusives (sometimes they even hook up graphic novel exclusives). and on top of all that Wonka Vision is a record label that features the likes of Philly's own Zolof The Rock & Roll Destroyer. Hot damn!

Ever since I picked up issue #0 at the Elite event a few months back I've seen grid get better and…read morebetter. It's definitely dedicated 100% to better sustainability in Philadelphia, and it dishes it all out on 100% recycled paper. So far I've been in debt to the how to tidbits the most. But then again how could you possibly go wrong with anything that teaches you how to make your own microwaveable popcorn, can your own tomatoes, and make pizza using an iron skillet. You can also learn about useful things like how to make your apartment greener. But my minds obviously on the food :) and the features have been dead on. Issue one went in depth on the local foods that Honey's dishes out on your plate, and dedicated the bulk of it's issues to biking in Philly. And issue #1 took a look at the possibility of solar power in Philly's future, and started a feature where you can ask Philadelphia's Director Of Sustainability a question each issue. And with the food issue right around the corner it looks like Grid should be getting better and better.

I first discovered Grid Magazine while sipping on an Aztec Mocha latte at Mugshots in Fairmount…read more Looking for some reading material to cozy up with on the couch, I scanned the rack of usual suspects in the way of free publications and saw there was a newcomer to the mix. Printed on recycled paper and distributed around the city, the mag is focused on the sustainability efforts of Philadelphia. Not only are the layout and photography easy on the eye, but the content is spot-on. They get us. And not just in a common denominator "GO EAGLES! PHILLY RULES! CHEESESTEAKS! BOBBY CLARKE! WILL SMITH! Your town sucks!" kind of way (not that we're not good for that too). But our monopoly over the sport of trashtalk isn't all we've got going for us. Features include restaurant profiles that would make any locavore swoon, seasonal recipes to make the best use of your weekly CSA grab bag (roasted heirloom tomato soup with jalapeño yogurt, anyone??), a great how-to section, and articles on local government and businesses that speak to the cause. Grid magazine is thoughtful, well-executed, and full of information. For that, I keep back issues as resources with tabs on places I'd like to hit up or things to try at home later. Next on my agenda? Taking on their master list of bánh mì.

given the pressures that newspapers - and all media - are under, I'm continually impressed at the…read morequality of this small, weekly paper. For full disclosure - I work part-time for the Exponent. But I've worked for a lot of businesses and have not been compelled to review them. And no, I'm not getting paid or even asked to write this. This shoestring staff manages to put out an insightful, interesting read every week. The paper has also won numerous awards, including recent honors for the newly designed website which has an interactive community calendar. If you want to know what's going on in the Jewish community of Greater Philly, or find something to do with other Jewish people of whatever affiliation, the Exponent is the best resource.

Thank God for Wurd Radio. So grateful there is a Black radio station which addresses politics,…read morehealth, current events, Sunday morning gospel, and a host of topics affecting the Black community. It is an outstanding medium that is most informative--A BLACK PERSPECTIVE THAT IS APPRECIATED BY THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.

James Bishop, Jr., co-host of the Gospel Time Radio program, exhibited blatant insensitivity and…read moreirresponsibility in my plight to get him to return to me one of two earlier submitted compact discs or arrange for compensation of both CDs at $10 per CD. He and his radio co-host, Rev. Louise Williams Bishop, each compelled me to provide to the station my sacred music CD after I emailed to the station an MP3 audio of a song from the CD sent for programming review. He acknowledged that the CD given to his co-host was apparently misplaced. It was not until my two CDs were submitted that I was told that the station was not accepting new music. It was during this time that I left a voicemail for Sara Lomax Reese, president of WURD Radio, asking if she or an associate would contact me in an effort to resolve the matter. I heard nothing from her or an associate. Mr. Bishop's violation of an implied code of professional conduct, including his act of perjury in court during litigation of the matter, was reported to the Federal Communication Commission for FCC files.

Al Dia News Media is more than just a Philadelphia Spanish paper. They host outstanding events you…read morecan find on Eventbrite and are great for networking and learning more about what is happening in the community. They provide and share current news commentary on Twitter and other social media sites keeping us connected with what's happening right now. If you are a business trying to connect with the Latino community this is the paper you want to use. They have the perfect distribution practically on every corner in the Latino community. You will even find the paper in mostly all the Latino restaurants so it's pretty much everywhere. I'm really interested and supportive of the community work the Al Dia News Media has and I recommend everyone support them. :)

Al Dia must have one of the best distribution teams around, because theirs is the one smallish…read morePhiladelphia paper I seem to see on EVERY street corner. The paper is the leading Spanish language news source Spanish in Philadelphia. Unfortunately, the quality of the writing isn't stellar---it's essentially what you'd expect from a local English paper in San Jose, Costa Rica. And the pieces aren't exactly the most timely, ether. The other day I looked at a piece about how American presidents of the past have dealt with immigration: interesting, on a certain level, but not exactly something you'd read in the New York Times (or a leading Latin American newspaper, like Reforma in Mexico City.) But, honestly, I guess I'm also a little uncomfortable with "newspapers" that represent very specific groups: political, ethnic, whatever. My parents used to get the Jewish Exponent delivered to the house, and even as a kid I used to think: THIS is supposed to be journalism?

How cool is this magazine?? It is like Philly finally grew up and got a shiny new classy stylish…read moremag for ourselves! Kudos to John Colabelli and Kristen for bringing this uber cool rag to the streets!

Brand new issue where are yooooooooooou?…read more The full blown super gloss hype of 215 Mag is still very much alive and well in Philly. Yet it just feels likes it's been months since I've seen a new issue come out. I've been along the print road long enough to know that it's a hard thing to do in these times. But of late it seems like 215 isn't even being consistently released as a quarterly. And at this rate by the time a new issue comes out, the city of Philadelphia leaves to many stories on the plate for the magazine that bears it's area code to cover. At least The website does a good job of keeping it fairly up to date. But I hope they prove me wrong and hook up a new issue soon!

215 = a magazine that fills me with Philadelphia pride…read more The magazine is, of course, quite hip - but somehow, it doesn't get too pretentious, or, hipster. 215 covers the overwhelming mix of cultures that make this city so unique - through art, music, fashion, and stunning photography. This magazine truly captures the heartbeat of the city in ways that Philadelphia Magazine, City Paper, and Philly Weekly are so sadly out of touch with. This ain't no Sixth Borough - it's Philadelphia. We're here, and we're happening.