Mailbag - September 2016

Annual photo issue is favorite

Thank you to all at The Buzz who put on the photo contest [The Buzz Magazines 2016 Photo Contest, July 2016]. I look forward to the contest and the photo-edition magazine each year. This year’s photos were again fantastic. As an amateur photographer it is a great thrill to have my photos chosen for an award and worthy to be printed in a magazine. I was especially grateful and happy to see my photo on the cover of the [West University Buzz] magazine again this year. I have five children, three girls and two boys. Now that my daughters have all graced the cover of your magazine I have to try my best to get my sons on the cover too. (I do not want them getting jealous). I am already hard at work/play taking photos for next year’s contest.

Bradley Sabloff

Response from the publisher: Thank you, Bradley. Congratulations on having your photo, Rodeo Fun, featured on our West University Buzz cover. We are often asked how we decide which of the winning photos to feature on our covers, since they are not necessarily the first-place winners, so here is a good chance to explain. First, is it a vertical shot and can it be used without cropping out any critical information? Second, is the file size (resolution) large enough to print as a full page? Third, does the photo lend itself for a cover, allowing for the masthead and headlines? To see all our covers, click on “In Print” at thebuzzmagazines.com.

Life is good

This was so touching [Life is Good: Robert Flatt lives in focus with photography and Parkinson’s, by Cheryl Ursin, July 2016]. How brave he is to embrace his disease as a chance to start a new chapter in his life rather than consider it the end of his life. I am inspired.

Kathy Knott

Editor’s note: Thank you, Kathy. We are also inspired by Robert Flatt and his extraordinary life.

Super moms are so yesterday

Thank you for for the article by Andria Frankfort titled Early rising for late risers [Back Porch, August 2016], about the stressful back to school reality that many parents dread – getting our kiddos back on task and ready for school bright and early. I thought Andria did a great job as a writer combining humor, imperfectly perfect parenting and some real mom perspectives. She offered the perspective that parents can get creative and do what works for your individual family. In fact, the super mom image is SO yesterday! One of the moms interviewed spoke about putting her kid to bed in her school clothes, and even though as a parenting coach, I can’t exactly imagine doling out that suggestion, my motto is “connection not perfection,” so if the pajamas/school clothes system is working for ya to keep the peace, then it sounds like a success to me! I appreciated Andria reaching out to me, picking my brain, and was so happy to help contribute on this topic. I have received lots of positive feedback from the community on this fun article. Thanks again!

Randi Rubenstein

Buzz Baby fan

As a first-time mom, I look forward to learning about my baby and what is yet to come. The topics you cover range from lighthearted child's play to real postpartum issues. I take comfort in knowing that there are other moms nearby that are going through the same stages and changes as me. Thank you for doing what you do and keep up the good work!

Kristi Vidaurri Foley

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to Annie Blaylock McQueen, writer of our print column Buzz Baby and the online blog Mommy Moments.

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