It is easy to get the wrong idea about (614) (the parentheses are part of its name), the free…read moremagazine available monthly at various places in town; it is not a rag to discover what weekend events are happening, what band are playing where, nor will it get you free entry to a gouging strip club like say the extinct Other Paper did. Though they do have monthly schedules, smart phones have put an end to prints that specializes in only that. What it does, as magazines do, is publish feature articles; stories from a wider perspective and more in-depth than hard news. For me, its deeper coverage of Columbus' culture and goings-on is my feature writing supplement to columbusunderground hard info. Together I am out of the dark about the community's civic and cultural trends. The covers are always graphically and photographically eye-catching. They make the issues look glossy, an illusion as one touch reveals its lower grade paper stock, a fact not to be disparage for a free publication. Still the artistry of the illusion should be applauded; often with city landmarks transported behind animated avatars they appear like old super hero comics--the city behind rendered like Gotham. Their photos laid covers are just as well done. Articles are usually well written and edited, with various levels of sophistication and acumen, but never underserving; I appreciate the general artsy style here than the tranquilized tone of the Dispatch's Art Section The February 2016 addition is typical of what you will find every month: the story of a local musician battling back after break up of his former band due to a theft; an electrically written interview with the band Animal Collective; a look into the art competition involving the Arnold Sports Festival; A look at the annual Dude-a-thon at Studio 35; a look back at the NFL's roots in Columbus; and a great article viewing the benefits and challenges of the social enterprise model embarked by Hot Chicken Takeover and other businesses in town. Packed with info and interests, it was a joy to read. Ending each addition are short-short stories written by Columbus area writer showcasing the talent in town. (They also have poetry that I think misses, but I am picky about that art form.) I usually pick one up while eating after a long work week. It is a must for anyone interested in the city's culture.

There are a core group of publications that I must have by my bedside to find what's coming up and…read morethe latest Columbus news. This is one of them. (614) is published each month and is in a nice, large format that is full color and chock full of useful local information. The tone of the magazine is similar to 'Alive' but with a bit more refined flavor. For example, the April 2010 issue has articles on African restaurants around town next to articles on the best Columbus locations to buy a house and how to go about getting a good deal. Their events section is beautifully laid out with large descriptions of each event and pictures accompanying each one which makes it nice to see something other than an endless sea of type. The stories and events are Columbus centered so you have a good chance of seeing someone that you know (if not yourself) in its pages. I usually pick up (614) at Cup O'Joe but they are scattered all about town with a high concentration in the Short North. But pick one up fast as they go quickly!!

Horrible, horrible customer service. No way to reach a live person and chats are not helpful in…read moreresolving delivery issues. I have to go back and chat repeatedly to get a credit for a missed delivery. Our delivery person has no back-up, so when she is sick or has car trouble, we get no newspaper. I don't know how much longer I can put up with this nonsense.

The Columbus Dispatch used to be a respected and qulaity newpaper. It has become one of the worst…read morenewspaper currently being printed. Let's start with the quality of the editing. The Dispatch prints the same story multiple times in the paper almost daily...probably to just fill space. Then, they will print the same story multiple times in a week...again to fill space. The editing is also terrible. Many articles have spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. It looke like some of the reporters are still in elementarty school...and the editor is asleep on the job to allow the mistakes to happen. Now, let's talk content. The Dispatch is obviously an extreamly liberal newpaper and prints articles that I think few people actually read. The Dispatch constanly backs liberal elected officials and their agendas while constanly bashing the conservative officials. I would just ask the Dispatch to be more objective and not what they currenly are. Currently the only thing worth reading in the Dispatch is abou two or three comics.

First off thank you Nicole W. for reminding me about this great FREE! publication that I now miss…read moreand want to read again. I picked it up every thursday at myu local grocery stores but also at bookstores, bars or restaurants downtown. Its written well, easygoing and fun, not too stuffy, like I like my newspapers, covering any and everything going on in the area that week. Always a good inspiration for weekend fun ideas, great paper!

I'm a big fan of Columbus Alive. It seems like you see the crew out everywhere, and everyone there…read moreis so young. They give interns a shot, and they hire young writers. It's tough finding a good gig like this when you're young. Kudos to Alive for taking chances on young talent. That aside, Alive is a good read too. The staff seems to be up on all the current events. I like that they cover entertainment, fashions, food, everything every week. My favorite section is the weekly question, which is answered by the staff and by people on the street. The questions are usually fairly bizarre and have hilarious answers. This week: What's your favorite Italian export? Someone answered 'Giada De Laurentiis.' Agreed! I was once caught by the team and asked where the worst place to go for a first date; I said the cemetery and made it into print! Celebrity status? Maybe not, but it was fun. My favorite issue of the year is the Best of Columbus. Everyone in the city votes on all their favorite stuff from best bathroom and best billboard ad to best gyro and best place for live jazz. This issue makes a terrific to-do list.

The Short North Gazette is the ultimate chronicling agency in the Short North. For over twenty…read moreyears they've been pumping out detailed articles with corresponding pictures telling about every new business, every change in leadership, every district discussion, every everything. If you want to be in the know about the Short North, read the Gazette. Even better, if you need to go back in time to answer a question, use the Gazette's website. (Or just use it for fun; you'll learn a lot of interesting things.) The website has all the old articles, and though they're not 100% accurate, they're usually pretty close. Even when you do a Google search, the Gazette usually pops up between the first and third spot with an article. The website also has a great A-Z directory of businesses in the district. It's mostly up-to-date, and I like that they keep the addresses of old businesses on there for quite a while too or the old locations if a business moves. Sometimes that stuff comes in handy. The only bad things about the website are that the photos and info on the homepage don't change very often and the site itself has some pretty shoddy layout, but when you have a small staff, you don't have much time to focus your energy on a website. The hardcopy publication comes out once a month. I like the hardcopy print better just because I like being able to hold something tangible in my hands. I even like getting a little newsprint on me from time to time. But the web/hardcopy combo is helpful in many situations.

If you are in the neighborhood of the Short North and want to pick up a paper reflecting events…read morecurrently going on, but also want a feel for the history of this independently minded neighborhood, then you get all of that in the Short North Gazette.

I recently picked up the 7th issue of CMH magazine at the Gallery Hop. I'm still not sure what to…read morethink of CMH though. It's still new enough that it has a lot of potential but I still haven't quite figured out what their angle is. It definitely is pretty! It's full color, glossy and has really great, artistic photography. It's the stories that seem a bit weak and I often find myself wondering 'Why am I reading this?' They're on the right track (articles such as spring fashion trends and how to import wine to Columbus) but there's something missing to make it resonate as more than just a fluff piece. All the articles, photos, and models are from Columbus and they feature advertisements from Columbus as well. I think that CMH definitely has the potential to be a major player in the Columbus Magazine market as soon as they find and refine their niche.

Do you have to be gay to enjoy Outlook Weekly? Absolutely not! I love, love, love Outlook…read more I'm super impressed by the quantity and quality of their writing since they have such a small staff. They pump out a full set of articles every seven days, and they're really great articles. I love the quirky topics and the fun writing style. They also tackle serious issues. The graphics always keep my interest. I think they use a local cartoon artist a lot of the time. Everything they do fits together somehow. It's a good look. The boys at Outlook are huge community supporters too. If it's happening in the Short North or in the gay community in general, it's guaranteed to be in Outlook Weekly. The community supports them too. You can't swing a dead cat in the Short North without hitting an Outlook Weekly stack (another testament to the power of their tiny staff - hell yes for distribution technique). This is a great information source and a great entertainment source too. Pick it up.

Outlook Weekly is now Outlook Monthly…read more so ...... we all have to guess what might be trendy for the weeks in-between.

Other than glossy photos and few write-ups on Columbus night spots this magazine serves as the…read morejournal for The Columbus Young Professional's Club. That said, subscribe and keep it on your desk at work or read in front of your coworkers to let everyone know that you are a professional and take your job serious! No matter what you do for work this 30 something club has a lot to offer. If you still can't function without your college club, team, sorority or fraternity this group can fill that void. They play sports, take trips, compete in scavenger hunts, participate in walk-a-thons...etc. Or in my case if you like free drinks and a night out to meet other c-bus socialites join the club!

I started reading C-BUS Magazine with their Fall 2006 Dining Issue and thought I had found a great…read morelocal magazine that dealt mostly in restaurant reviews. And while every issue has had some kind of local food review, each issue seems to focus more and more on Young Professionals in Columbus. I am young, but I am in no way a professional and I feel increasingly alienated from this publication. I'll still pick it up to enjoy reviews, but I am certainly not in their designated demographic.