This is my 200th review…read more I have been pondering what to write for this momentous occasion. All week I thought about it ... I even ran ideas by Candice at Yelp during our yummy lunch I have yet to review. And I realized it is not easy to write sometimes. If it is for your job, it can really suck the life right out of you ... if you HAVE to write. So that is why it is so fun for me to Yelp. Because I do not have too. But for all you media out there exchanging words and wit for a paycheck ... kudos to you if you can get it right. And since I am an Oaklander ... I want to send a big fat kudos to our local rag ... the Oakland Magazine ... with the beee-utiful Grand Lake Movie Theater gracing the cover this month. I am so happy there is a local magazine to highlight Oakland. Oakland is such a fantastic place with a huge heart and lots of charisma! We have access to everything the bay area has to offer ... and we have the best views. (In so many ways)! We are the melting pot of America. So it is no surprise that in a city with 500,000+ people ... we should have a magazine that is for us. By us and for us. But know that it is a lot of hard work to produce a magazine month after month in a slammed economy like this. There are many obstacles for the small business these days. Pinch ... ouch! Every month, Oakland Magazine is reaching out to the community and sharing information about what is going on in Oakland. The community and businesses are paying attention and you are doing excellent work sharing the buzz around town. We Oaklanders and East Bay residents love to come together for a festival or a party, excellent food, celebratory cocktails, great shopping and a healthy farmer's market too ... so keep on keeping us posted of the who, what, when, where, why and how of all things Oakland and its surroundings. And Dear Editor: I am sure you have figured out that it is impossible to make everyone happy. Readers, advertisers, bill collectors, employees and editors all of different definitions of happy. They always will. Just keep pounding the pavement and looking for great angles, good stories, decent advertisers and amazing supporters. And BTW: Thank you for the annual Best of Oakland and Best of the East Bay edition that came out this month. In Montclair, we are proud, surprised and amazed to be recipients of several of the Best of Oakland Awards! http://www.oaklandmagazine.com Best Charity Event Montclair Pet Mayor Contest Montclair Pet & Wildlife Fund 1955 Mountain Blvd., Suite 111 (510) 339-2400 www.petandwildlifefund.org/mayor Best Veterinarian Montclair Veterinary Hospital 1961 Mountain Blvd. www.montclairvethospital.com Best Place to Work Montclair Veterinary Hospital 1961 Mountain Blvd. www.montclairvethospital.com Thank You Oakland Magazine and the East Bay Community for your support. I hella heart Oakland! There is no place I would rather be.

Several years ago I was a subscriber to the Oakland Magazine. There was a period that I had to…read morecancel the subscription due to budgetary reasons. Being on a three day work furlough from state employment meant sacrificing during those lean years when the "guvernator" aka "terminator" was in office...less dining out, less going out to the movies, museums, excursions, baseball games, etc., and a cancellation of a local magazine. Last year I saw a representative from Oakland/Alameda Magazines at a spring event (Mother's Day weekend) on Park Street in Alameda. I wanted so much to subscribe to the magazine and I was given a choice - the Oakland one or the Alameda one. The decision was not an easy one. I am a native Oaklander, living in Alameda since September 1988. However, Oakland will always be in my heart. I may be out of "ghetto" Oakland, but the "ghetto" is still in me when my OCGA is out in the open. Thus, Oakland Magazine wins out over the Alameda Magazine. As I have mentioned in other reviews, I can't think of anything better than having what I consider the best around me...born and educated in Oakland, live in Alameda and work in San Francisco. Most of my reviews are based around these three cities (88%). They all have something that I truly enjoy besides the weather and our local sports teams. Let me not stray off the subject of this magazine, but elaborate as to why I enjoy reading it. The magazine is informative and it also offers me the opportunity to try the different restaurants and attend the events that are advertised, only to form an opinion and present my review thereof on this website. The last two issues (December 2012; January/February 2013) were enjoyable reading. What a pleasure it was to see Dr. Warren Strudwick on the front cover of the December issue. He is considered one of the best treating physicians in the field of orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He also provided excellent medical care to my husband when he injured his shoulder in an automobile accident. The January/February 2013 issue is as what's noted on the front cover..."Journey Back in Time". I do recognize the architectural designs on the some of the buildings. Location is in the vicinity of 14th & Broadway. In this issue, there is a restaurant review of Hopscotch. I haven't been to Hopscotch yet, but their location is across the street from where I was born - 1966 San Pablo Avenue...a journey back in time to the 50's. I'm not sure what was at 1915 San Pablo Avenue during the 50's and all I could think is Friedman's Appliances. However, a few doors north of Friedman's was a restaurant called Victor's Chinese American Cafe and who owned that restaurant. Well, none other than Victor "Shanghai Kid" G's dad. Here's to you, Victor, and the wonderful memories of growing up in that part of town. (Hey, the Greyhound Station is still there after all these years and it still looks the same...rundown.) Thanks, Oakland Magazine, for this publication. I hope to enjoy more years of reading your magazine and wish you continued success in publishing a wonderful magazine.

As somewhat a new homeowner in Brentwood, it's nice to find a local Great Magazine that helps you…read moreget to know the community. And, I love how closely 110 Magazine works with the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and Brentwood Rotary Club. I moved here a little over a year ago and have found many "new" friends! Thank you 110 Magazine for reaching out to me and helping me feel right at home. Gloria Guzman

The most recent edition of 110 magazine's cover is in very poor test. The cover is show casing an…read morearticle within the magazine called "Job Whore" The article is about a women that goes from one bad job to another. The word "whore" typically refers to a women who trades sex for money or other commodities. The caption on the cover indicates that one is trading sex for a job. This magazine sets out in public view in many businesses where any one can read, including children of all ages. I am not a prude but I believe our publications should show some restraints in what they put on the covers of their editions in order to get readers to pick up their magazine. This edition places 110 in the same category of the magazines we find in grocery store check out lanes. Not very professional. How about raising the bar instead of stooping to the level of "rags"

To echo the sentiments of Nish, I feel a tad biased as well since Hyphen has kindly allowed me to…read morehelp volunteer for them, but I enjoyed their content way before I plucked up the courage to ask to help out. It's nice to see a magazine run by a group of volunteers that is focused on covering interesting facts, news, and events - and not so hung up on beating the "We're ASIAN AMERICAN, feel our PAIN" issue to death. They sponsor cool events, encourage writers, and provide fun tidbits. Ever wonder what an ear picker is? Read Hyphen and find out. :)

i knew people involved with hyphen since it's inception in 2003, and have volunteered* with them…read moreoff an on since 2005, and five stars do they deserve! hyphen is all about the culture of asian america, grassroots-style. while they focus on the magazine, they also host awesome events like mr. hyphen! i think the best description of it is one they wrote themselves: "Like its readers, Hyphen is many things--cool librarian, shy musician, dorky hipster, cute techie. Like Asian America, its interests are varied--politics, art, health, music. Much like the hyphen connects words and concepts, Hyphen magazine connects readers with Asian America as it happens." word y'all! * hyphen is COMPLETELY volunteer run!

Thank you, California Home and Design Magazine, for from time to time including photos of me in…read moreyour social pages. I really love attention and nothing makes me happier than to stare at pictures of myself and my fabulous friends in fine and respectable periodicals such as you. Paper City's got nothing on you guys. And you can quote me on that one (but hey, Paper City, don't let that discourage you). Narcissism aside, after growing up in the design business, I find CHDM one of the most interesting, diverse, engaging magazines of it's kind. Keep doing what you're doing and keep on supporting local SF business! And keep putting my fabulous face on those pages.

The Pleasanton Weekly is a pro-real-estate-development freebie that purports to serve the local…read morecommunity, but which really does not. The competing paper -The Independent, provides much more balanced reporting of and perspective on local events. The only reason to have the PW sent to your home is so that you will have the pleasure of throwing it in the trash unread - at the paper's expense.

Not a bad paper, and it is free. Very local and pretty much only about Pleasanton; produced once a…read moreweek. Wish they had less bias or more viewpoints of both sides.

[Best of 2008: http://www.sfweekly.com/bestof/2008/award/best-free-print-music-magazine-1032587/]…read more It's easy to lose track of what's important in life. http://www.yelp.com/biz/west-coast-performer-san-francisco But every now and again, you're reminded, whether it be from seeing a couple kiss in the cold lamp-lit night or watching some homeless crackhead get hyphy in the middle of Market. And you feel fortunate for your relative lack of disfigurement and abundance of resources. You start hearing uplifting voices in your head. Self-fulfilling prophesies and delusions of grandeur. Motivational momentum. Something a big orange cat said in that Disney film. (Free West Coast indie music news.) I consider myself very fortunate. I quit my job, had enough money for traveling, and came back as an Editorial Assistant position opened at Performer. And while the position offered no money, it certainly wasn't without pay. I didn't have a background in journalism or English and, in all respects, I'm still a pretty shitty reader. Changing careers isn't easy, but then if it were it wouldn't be any fun. (Free live show and record reviews.) I've been reading Performer ever since we first moved into H.I.T. Wall Studios a few years back. The fact that the magazine devotes itself to the independent musician, as opposed to the casual music listener, sets it apart from other trade publications like Rolling Stone or Zero. Because West Coast Performer only deals with the West Coast, all the info proves itself useful and relevant. The longevity of the guides and articles ensures that I always have a copy around from each month. And seeing your name skip over time from "Editorial Assistant" to "Contributing Writer" is pretty cool, too. (Free gear reviews and in-depth tour guides.) From Performer, I ably transitioned to my current editing position, which, as luck would have it, was in the process of moving to a more convenient location. And when I finally went full-time and left Performer as an Editorial Assistant, Performer moved to this shinier but more distant location. It clicked like a jigsaw falling into place, and I feel caressed by the blessing of fine timing... and thus, I consider myself very fortunate. (Free at most places you frequent in attempts of looking hip: Guitar Center, record stores like Amoeba, bars like Edinburgh, etc.) "Remember who you are." A 20-something year-old with ten working digits and a guaranteed meal tonight, taking advice from a dead, cartoon lion.

I very much enjoy this paper, largely for the invaluable listing of all kinds of local events. It's…read morehard to find things like what's playing in all the small local theatres otherwise. One quirky but nifty aspect of a local newspaper in a town with a huge physics lab is that there are always interesting articles about the latest LNLL or Sandia news, with a pretty good description of the science behind it. The Independent magazine which is monthly I think is also very informative about local activities. And it's always cool to see your kid's name in print with the complete little league coverage!

Local newspapers are hard to find. Even harder to find is one that hasn't sold out to developers…read moreand political power in the town. The Independent is a good local paper that posts honest reviews, and openly allows debate from all sides of issues. I do not always agree with the editor, but when she states her opinion, she states it AS HER OPINION. So editorial honesty is present. When our City Council sold out to a developer to pack the downtown and ruin its parking and atmosphere, she stated so. And she also printed opposition to her opinion. That is fair journalism. The Independent and Carmel's PineCone are two papers everybody should read. You get a small town approach from people who care. We may have lost control of the two local papers we had, as they are now controlled by outsiders, but we have the Independent. Take a free subscription, you won't regret it.

MEETING PLANNERS BEWARE! Registration and attendance at "Smart Meeting" events is a SCAM. Women:…read morePrepare to be HERDED LIKE CATTLE by the one man on staff. Appointments with properties are handled like you would expect "speed dating" would take place. Every few minutes move to a different table. At the end of break time their lone male employee walks around with an outdated theatre type instrument to "round you up" again. I had to leave to catch my flight a few hours early and was never reimbursed for my airfare. VERY DISAPPOINTING.

It's easy to see why Smart Meetings magazine is one of the top publications in the meetings and…read moreevent industry when compared to other magazines in this niche. The publication has a lot of real editorial content instead of only advertorials unlike certain other publications. I find their Smart Talk and Industry Watch sections informative and their online exclusive blurbs often tie in well with the rest of the magazine content and cause me to visit their website. If you're in the travel / hospitality or meetings and event industries you should be subscribing to this magazine. And the best part? It's a free publication!