Back in the day -

Remembering The Review

1981-1985

Kathy Eber - circa 1985

Twenty years ago this Spring I walked into the Bay Area Review looking for

a job. Headquartered in a ranch- home-turned-commercial-rental on Bay Road,

the 9 x 12 office was manned (between sales calls, interviews and

distribution) by co-publishers Bob Martin and Jeff Scott with only

part-time production help.

I looked around the room. Graphic light table, typewriter, used typesetting

machine, copy waxer, magazine rack, and not much else as I remember. Still,

I was immediately taken with the minimalist operation. A week later I was

on board learning the delivery routes and how to sell advertising.

That summer the Review moved to Hamilton Street, and the adventures really

began. During the next four years, the Review became training center,

synergistic confab, creative studio, production mill, writer's workshop,

editing room, sanctuary, deadline panic zone, team challenge, inspiration

and family.

We were on a mission back then. And times weren't always easy with the

recession tightening its grip on budgets. Yet despite all adversity, Bob

and Jeff ratcheted up their efforts, recruited staff and contributors, and

marched on. Now, sixteen years later, we're reading the 500th issue of the

Review.

Though I marched on too, the years spent at the Review became the

foundation on which I built my career. I will never forget all that it gave

me-professional enrichment, generous caring friends, confidence, and

unforgettable times.  So to the Review and its editor, congratulations on

another milestone! And  thanks.  At a time when I was most hungry for a new

beginning, the Review provided a spectacular banquet.

Kathy (Reer) Eber

Manager, Marketing Communications

Daniel Woodhead Co.

Northbrook, IL

First off, I just want to say thanks for such a cool, fun and

interesting magazine (and website @ www.review-mag.com - check it out

sometime). Nothing like a really fun mag to while away the hours on a hot

summer day or a - well, you get the idea.

Thank you notes can be a little difficult to get right - finding the right

words to express such an ineffable emotion. But this is sort of my way of

making up for all those thank you notes never sent to Grandma & Grandpa,

even if I didn't appreciate all those socks at the time.

One of the perks of this job (job, what a funny word - like there's some

sort of sacrifice involved - certainly doesn't feel like a sacrifice. It's

just too, too)

Hey, is someone making bacon? That reminds me, I didn't have breakfast yet.

A big stack of pancakes sounds pretty damn good right now. Pardon my

French. J'ai faim. Mais tre's appy-nay.

Thanks again for giving me a chance to share this with the class. I never

did finish that degree, but you know what, it's never too - oops, forgot to

tell everyone the best part of this gig is the fact that class is never

over.

Mark Leffler

Review Feature Columnist

Valerie Markva

For many years the staff at Review Magazine has worked together,

and has been successful in bringing the issues that we feel strongly about

to the public. As individual writers I feel that each of us is given the

chance to make a difference, each in our own way.

I believe that this makes the Review a unique and special contribution to

our society. It carries the mark of many writers from different

perspectives and places in time that have cared enough to want to speak to

the public and to make a difference.

The Review will always be for me the place where I have been given a

tremendous opportunity to learn with and from other writers, and the

freedom to grow as a writer. Here's to continuing to serve the public with

a wealth of knowledge, insight, aspirations & dreams!

Valerie Markva

Lifestyle & Fiction Columnist & Writer

As an avid Review reader for the past decade I have relied on the

information provided to gain valuable insight pertaining to the happenings

in the ever-changing Tri-Cities music scene.  Now, I must admit that

contributing as a writer is a dream come true as well as a thoroughly

rewarding experience in many ways.

Those who know me can attest that I spend countless hours talking music,

music and more music, which this outlet allows me to do with the written

word.  Thank you for reading and long may it continue.

500 issues published over the past 22 years is quite an accomplishment and

worthy of the highest praise.  Keep up the great work Bob Martin - for you

have surely followed your heart in creating this area's cultural "Bible."

What a long, strange trip it's been!

Ed McArdle

Rock Music Critic and Concert  Reviewer

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