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Looking forward: New editor putting her mark on Chicago
Tue Dec 20 2011
As Chicago magazine's new editor-in-chief, Beth Fenner has been careful not to second-guess her predecessors' decisions. But in an online chat with readers last week, she broke the news that we won't be seeing a repeat of The 50 Most Beautiful Chicagoans.
For my money, that March 2011 cover story may have been the most vacuous in the magazine's 40-year history. For Fenner, it's about staking her claim on worthier subjects.
"What I want to know is: Is this story something that helps readers, or informs them, or engages them?" she explained. "If a story doesn't meet those criteria then I'm not sure why we're running it."
Fenner, 47, has been on the job since September, shortly after she was hired to replace Richard Babcock, who stepped down voluntarily after an unprecedented 20-year run. Given the monthly's long lead time, the current January issue is the first for which Fenner feels responsible from cover to cover. So she took the occasion to introduce herself — and a few new features she initiated — in an editor's note to readers and in the online chat.
"As a reader, when you open a magazine and see that there are different sections, you think: "Whoa, I don't remember seeing that here,' " she told me in an interview last week. "Readers get kind of attached to a magazine if they've subscribed to it or read it for a long time, so I felt it was important to speak directly to them and tell them the reasons for some of these changes. I was also asking them to tell me what they think about them, and opening up a dialogue in a way that I think is important these days."
Among the new features Fenner launched is a page devoted to Chicago politics, showcasing the outstanding work of blogger Carol Felsenthal, among others. She's given more room to Jeff Ruby's Outer Drive column and moved it up from the back page. She's added a neighborhood Insider's Guide. And there have been a few other tweaks here and there.
A native of Chicago's North Shore, Fenner spent most of the last two decades editing Time Inc. publications in New York. The hometown to which she returned seemed much more vibrant and energetic to her than the one she left — both qualities she hopes to infuse in the Tribune Co.-owned magazine.
Given a choice between stories about Chicago's past and examinations of high-profile crimes (both favorite themes under Babcock) or pieces on forward-looking trends, it's clear which Fenner would choose.
"Chicago has a rich and storied history, and I like good stories that reference that," she said. "But I want to make sure that our coverage reflects the vibrancy of the city and the things that are happening now. When people who read us go out to a dinner party, I want them to talk about the stories they read in Chicago magazine because they touched such a nerve, they were about the topics on everyone's minds and that everyone wants to talk about.
"I know there are a lot of people who care about those kinds of [historical and crime] stories, but I don't think I'm interested in seeing them as often. Look, journalists all have different interests, right? That's what makes magazines interesting. And every editor is going to make a magazine that has a little bit of a different look and feel than his or her predecessor. My interests are little more what's going on right now."
The recession's toll on advertising has forced Chicago to undergo retrenchment. Two of the magazine's recent spinoffs were affected, with Chicago Fashion reabsorbed by the main magazine and publication of Chicago Home + Garden reduced from six times a year to four. As a result of staff layoffs, there'll be a greater reliance on freelance writing.
In addition, Fenner said she doesn't plan to hire a new managing editor to replace Shane Tritsch, a Babcock protégé who resigned last week after 18 years in the No. 2 job. Instead, she plans to reorganize editorial roles internally.
Look for Fenner also to make improvements to the magazine's website, introduce a new tablet app, and boost interaction with readers in other ways. Toward that end, she finally activated a long dormant Twitter account last week.
"I want people to read us and engage with us. If they're interested in what the editor-in-chief of Chicago magazine has to say, great, follow me. That's fine. The main thing is I want everyone to know how incredible our brand is, and the great things we have planned for the year ahead. We are going to produce the kind of great journalism going forward that people expect from us. I just want people to come along with us, and they won't regret it."


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News from around the Hillsdale area, including a five-week Bible study on the book of Hebrews, senio
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subset: commoncrawl


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Takoyaki Pan
Usually dispatched within 24 / 48 hours (business days).
Japan lovers, you might be crazy about those ball-shaped pancakes filled with pieces of octopus that we call here Takoyaki !
Now you can make them at home thanks to the Takoyaki pan.
The shape of this pan also allows you to prepare little donuts like the dutch poffertjes.
You an make 14 balls of about 4cm in diameter.
Dimensions : 33,5cm long (13.2"), 18cm wide (7") and 7cm high (2.75").
Pan in cast iron, suitable for every kind of hobs, even induction one !
Full array of products to create the perfect Takoyaki, are available here.
Made in China.
Looking for a recipe, watch the fantastic Cooking with dog 's one.


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SARASOTA - The law that would require welfare recipients to be drug tested before they can receive assistance is stirring up more controversy. Governor Rick Scott has announced he's not giving up the fight to make drug testing a part of the qualifying process to get public assistance.
"I feel it is ridiculous because it has nothing to do with feeding our kids," said Amanda Elrod.
Elrod was having a tough time supporting her family so she applied for public assistance. But if some lawmakers get their way, before she or anyone else can qualify for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, they would first have to pay for and pass a drug test.
"It's just going to make so the people can't get the food stamps they need to feed their children," said Elrod.
The controversial Welfare Drug Test Law was passed back in 2011, but on February 26th of 2013, the law was found to be unconstitutional by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. But, the fight isn't over yet, Governor Scott is now appealing that decision.
"If the Governor wants to challenge that decision, I think its appropriate on the behalf of the people because it's public dollars," said Representative Ray Pilon.
Rep. Pilon voted for the measure and he says the change is necessary to make sure the assistance being provided isn't being misused. "We've had problems in the past where people have been involved in drugs and we don't want that money going to those areas," said Pilon.
In addition to making sure the funds are used properly, Rep. Pilon says drug testing is a good idea whenever public funds are involved. "I'm in favor of drug testing Welfare applicants. They do it in jobs all the time. I'd be happy for anyone to come up and drug test me since I represent the people," added Pilon.
But for people like Elrod, coming up with the money to take the test is easier said than done.
"A lot of people don't have the money to pay for that, a lot of people are having a hard enough time paying their bills alone."
Before the drug testing was halted by the courts, less than 3% of the applicants failed it. After reimbursing the cost of the tests to applicants that passed, the state has a net loss of $45,780.


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4 Recommendations
rubystephens's recommendation
The perfect day-to-night, week-to-weekend dress in gorgeous green jersey.
ResidentStylist's recommendation
LaSienna's recommendation
Anything Rachel Pally seems very practical, comfortable and yet stylish and elegant all at the same time! Worth the money b/c you will wear it everywhere. I wore my convertible 'Mexico' dress to a wedding and got tons of compliments, but I can wear it to the beach or around town as well. I just had a baby, so this seems to hide the extra pounds I've yet to shed and compliment my figure all the same.
rubydoo's recommendation
Added to my Shopping Guide Wish List


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12 U.S. Code § 2278a–13 - Transitional provisions
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(a) Exercise of powers
The powers of the Assistance Board under this subchapter shall be exercised by the Farm Credit Administration Board until the issuance of the charter of the Assistance Board, or such later date not to exceed 30 days thereafter, as may be requested by the Assistance Board.
(b) Limitation on assistance
Any assistance provided to System institutions by the Farm Credit Administration in accordance with this section shall be provided from, and shall not exceed, the amounts contained in the revolving fund established under section 2151 of this title.
(c) Issuance of stock
Each institution that receives assistance from the Farm Credit Administration during the interim period specified in subsection (a) of this section, in consideration thereof, shall issue preferred stock to the Financial Assistance Corporation in an amount equal to the amount of such assistance. Payments by the Financial Assistance Corporation under subsection (d) of this section shall be considered to be payments to each such institution for such stock.
(d) Repayment
The Financial Assistance Corporation shall pay to the Farm Credit Administration, for return to the revolving fund established under section 2151 of this title, the full amount of all financial assistance provided by the Farm Credit Administration in accordance with this section, from the proceeds from the sale of the first issue of obligations by the Financial Assistance Corporation in accordance with section 2278b–6 of this title.
Source(Pub. L. 92–181, title VI, § 6.13, as added Pub. L. 100–233, title II, § 201,Jan. 6, 1988, 101 Stat. 1594; amended Pub. L. 100–399, title II, § 201(n),Aug. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 991.)
1988—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–399inserted ", for return to the revolving fund established under section 2151 of this title," before "the full".
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–399effective as if enacted immediately after enactment of Pub. L. 100–233, which was approved Jan. 6, 1988, see section 1001(a) ofPub. L. 100–399, set out as a note under section 2002 of this title.
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