The simple fact that something is free does not diminish it's value, especially in this case…read more Community Impact is chock full of useful information including active and planned construction projects on local roadways. It also has a list of new business openings, old business closings and a whole host of other information that we find particularly useful. They also have a pretty nice selection of restaurant and other business coupons that we frequently use. If you never look at this publication, I suggest that you start with the next issue. I think that you will see the value therein

Journalists are not keen to research their stories well. One example comes from an article written…read morea few years ago that stated that Emerson moved to Round Rock to be close to Dell, and that Dell was the reason Emerson existed. Emerson has been around since 1890 and is a multinational conglomerate involved in many industries and consumer markets. Perhaps the article may have been enhanced by interviewing someone in Emerson to determine why such a large company moved out of the city of Austin. I remember when Emerson was on Cameron Road, then Research Blvd before it moved to Round Rock. Dell, as well, was near Braker and Metric before it moved to Parmer, and eventually to Round Rock. There have also been other poorly researched articles related to construction projects in the area, and I find it difficult to rely on some of the information in CI newspaper. CI may open my eyes to something newsworthy, but I must conduct my own research to accurately determine what is going on in my community. Maybe CI should consider hiring journalists who are a little older and have lived in Austin long enough to understand what is really going on in the city, or who are diligent researchers before publishing inaccurate or misleading information.

When I worked at a well-liked local 24-hour diner, L Style G Style was dropped off for distro and I…read moregot to read a few issues. Fantastic magazine representing the gay community in Austin. Well-writen features, excellent photography, and interesting, eye-pleasing layout. In an increasingly paperless world in which even libraries are trimming their list of publications to which they subscribe, it's great to see a dedicated publication committed to serving their readers.

Last month was the preview of a new lifestyle/fashion magazine in Austin. It's intended audience is…read morethe lesbian and gay community, hence L Style G Style. The layout is professional, smooth and slick, similar to lifestyle mags in Dallas or Houston. The magazine hosts bimonthly parties around town.

I love the Austin Chronicle. Every Thursday, I pick up a copy and work through the crossword…read more.. only after reading what The Luv Doc has to say, of course...

The Austin Chronicle are real ones! I wrote them an email asking if they had physical copies of a…read moreparticular issue and they replied yes and offered to personally mail a copy to me! If that isn't community-centered journalism, then I don't know what is! The Austin Chronicle has constantly kept me informed on critical topics that otherwise more mainstream Austin papers wouldn't ever cover. This periodical helps to keep Austin weird and I couldn't recommend it more!

This corporation exists solely to spin out copies of the scathingly funny and infuriatingly…read morefrustrating restaurant review books reflecting the opinions of Robin Goldstein and his chef buddies. Being a critic of any sort (food, music, book, etc) always is an invitation to be hated and maligned (yet secretly read in an avid fashion). Goldstein's books focusing on restaurants in Austin and Houston are undoubtedly a magnet for abuse and some hero worship. First of all, the writing is very good...and funny. Its combination of rapier sharp wit and sarcasm make for a very entertaining reading experience even if they're dissing your favorite restaurant. However, if you're honest with yourself, you'll find that they're usually quite accurate with their assessments. They are starting a website too. It will be interesting to see whether it competes with or complements Yelp. They have taken a swipe at Yelp-like websites in self-promoting ads in the front of their Houston dining guide... -------------------- "the steak was FATTY, then they reffused to take my 50 cent off coupon. my wife left in tears...the WORST MEAL IVE EVER HAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ready for a Houston restaurant website whose reviews are actually useful? -------------------- Now those are fighting words to someone like myself who finds Yelp extremely useful. Being a Houstonian, I will only comment on the Houston guide. Its highlights (and lowlights) include: (1) The unjustifiably harsh C+ given to Houston's best steakhouse, Pappas Bros, yet, the review is hilarious because it's delivered as a series of Limericks (a favorite past time of this reviewer). (2) The review of the crap food at a local strip joint, The Men's Club, which also received a C+ (probably because grades aren't the only inflationary aspect of its ambiance). (3) The over-the-top gush-age over Da Marco, a very fine but not extraordinary restaurant. (4) The ballage to give Whataburger a C+ too! (5) Their dead-on "D" indictment of Willy G's (another restaurant ruined by the Tilman Fertitta corporate juggernaut). I suspect the Austin reviews engender similar comments.

Oh, Fearless Critic how I love and loathe thee…read more My new dining regime includes checking Yelp and then running to my copy of the Fearless Critic to see how much they match up. Usually if the reviews are varied, I'll be more willing to check it out to see who I agree with more. There are times that I've wanted to throw the book across the room. How dare they make snide comments about some of my favorite places? In the end though, the book has intrigues me. What they focus on tends to be pretty helpful, though I get irritated at their abhorrence to established goodies within the city. I sometimes get the feeling that they rail popular places just to spark controversy. But since controversy sells, more power to them. I've now made it a goal to visit their top restaurants and figure out how much I agree with them. So far, we're at about 50/50, so I'll be interested to see how we end up. It definitely entertaining to peruse a book with a friend and compare all of the differing opinions--a sure fire way to get people talking and keep a strong discussion going.

With local heroes like the Austin Chronicle and Texas Monthly, the little guys are often…read moreovershadowed. I stumbled upon The Good Life one weekend when I noticed their newstand outside a retail location on South First. I initially though it was a mass-produced, low-budget publication that personalizes according to city. Not so. The Good Life: A Monthly Journal of Austin Stories is a homebred collection of articles that are informative, anecdotal, and mostly specific to the current interests of our local community. While GL will not blow you away with its content, the stories can be interesting, helpful and relevant. In one issue, they interviewed a group of parents of adopted children. I couldn't help but think how insightful the article was for anyone who was planning on adopting. Good Life is easy to read and has an unusually minimal amount of advertising. The mag is distributed at 350 Austin locales and is 100% gratis. Good Life might be worth a glance.

This It's Ok To Be Healthy monthly serves a demographic better than Tribeza or Rare, and even…read moreAustin Monthly in its COMPREHENSIVE calendar! They cover events ranging (alphabetically) from Art Spaces to Writers and everything in between, and you can literally plan your month from its pages. The design is nothing to write home about, really, and they should make better use of their color scheme to keep the reader organized, but it's big, it's free and it's fine. I like best that they enlist an architect every month to ruminate on design or specific topics (the most recent being the need to densify instead of sprawl) that are really, really good. There's something for everyone in this monthly rag, great for getting your butt in motion.

Where else are you going to read headlines like, "Fitbit Releases New Tracking Collar That Gets…read moreTighter Every Second You Are Inactive" This is truly America's finest news source. Everything you read in here is vital information. Their horoscopes are the most accurate. Their stock quotes are financially sound. I appreciate the opinion page. I trust the Dimple Trainers, the Phillips Head Advocates and Yarn Sorters they ask for opinions. The Onion is still available in Print, last I checked in Austin. It's harder to find than the Observer, but is also available online. You can even get a weekly subscription mailed to you. I always like to quote Onion articles and statistics. They're the most reliable.

Maybe I'm just imaging it, but it seems like The Onion is writing more Trump stories than they ever…read moredid Obama stories. Yes, Trump is easier to caricature. Oh well, I guess just read them, smile, and move along. Eventually, they'll get bored and go back to writing about failing movies, stupid television shows and the silly horoscope predictions.

Bad boys, Bad girls, Whatcha gonna do??…read more Whatcha gonna do When they publish you... A co-worker brought this "rag" to my attention (actually another employee was IN it) and like a trainwreck on the Springer show, I had to check it out. I actually went and purchased one today for Yelpsearch (again, you can thank me later). This thing is sold behind the counter at certain convenience stores (check the webbie for locations) for $1 and NO tax. One dollar to make you holler. And just like Springer, I don't know whether to love it or hate it or be embarrassed by it....so 3 stars. A few thoughts I had whilst perusing this publication: How in the hell do they get away with putting peoples' mugshots in print???? (apparently thru the Freedom of Info Act and by mentioning on every page that all are innocent until proven guilty) I thought I was having a bad day.... I thought I was having a bad HAIR day...... There but for the grace of God go I...... What kind of pic would I have??? (see morning after pic, most likely) This thing posts everyone (watch yourselves out there creepy peeps!) from general public intoxication offenders, to repeat sex offenders (with "notorious recidivism"), to child beaters, and from "old farts" to "whipper snappers" and "busted beauties" to "handsome hooligans" (btw, they're all innocent til proven guilty). It also posts restaurant inspection ratings, little games to match the mugshot with the offense, and always reminds us that "Jesus Loves You" (I shit you not!). And just like daytime TV, this makes me feel a little dirty and ashamed for viewing it. I nervously laugh at these people, convincing myself that my life is sooo much better and I am soo much better until I remember some of the stuff I've done and......(I am innocent til proven guilty!).

Knowing that friends, family and co-workers could possibly see me in this publication if I got…read morearrested makes me think twice before doing things such as urinating in public, driving under the influence, and domestically abusing someone. A little shame goes a long way.

ATX is run by the cousins Garcia, a couple of South Austin boys with a huge interest in engaging…read morethe local community. They started off building an advertising network to promote local businesses, and have since expanded to printing and publishing. Adam has always provided me with amazing service. He's really concerned with individualizing their services and providing every customer with the best experience. Best of all, when I've been unable to pick up my orders, he's gone out of his way to deliver! What other printing company will do that?! Jon Marc is the design genius behind this company (he's an ACC graphic design professor, too!). He has consistently developed tasteful, creative, unique designs for my various projects. Love these boys!

I have been trying to reach the guys at ATX Publishing but with no luck, the number provided is not…read moreworking. Any help ut there?