"Our bagels are like vaginas: What's not to love?," asks the notice for River City Bagels. (The ad mistakenly omitted a context-altering line noting that the restaurant is a sponsor of a local production of Vagina Monologues, according to owner Jodi Kummermehr.) Employees tell New West Boise that a few women have complained and some boys were supposedly suspended from school for talking about the ad in class, but foot traffic in the restaurant has increased significantly. "I think it's really funny," says River City manager Sri Galindo. "The only thing I'd feel bad about is if it really offended people, but they learned that word in health class!"

Continue Reading‘Sexy’ Bagel Ad in Boise Weekly Causes a Stir

The Richmond, Va., alt-weekly won two Awards of Merit from the Grade 2007 awards, sponsored by the Richmond chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Led by Art Director Jeffrey Bland, Style Weekly received kudos for "24 Reasons to Love Richmond" and "Original Tales."

Continue ReadingStyle Weekly Wins AIGA Design Awards

Mayor Frank Melton of Jackson, Miss., was jailed yesterday for violating the terms of his probation that were established last fall after he pleaded guilty to three gun charges. Stories by the Jackson Free Press led directly to those gun convictions, and last month, the alt-weekly broke the news that Melton had violated his probation by breaking midnight curfew. The Jackson Free Press' coverage also led directly to five felony charges Melton faces in April for allegedly leading police officers and juvenile friends on a warrantless raid.

Continue ReadingMayor Dogged by Jackson Free Press Sent to Jail