We listed the names of all contributors, large and small, in the masthead of our debut issue. We hoped this inclusion would serve as a thank-you.

Binn says. ''There is no connection whatsoever.

Atkinson insists. ''I would never have taken this job if I didn't think it was completely free of advertisers' influence.

says Jack Limpert, editor of Washingtonian, a city magazine that competes with Binn for some ads. ''Now Binn can get national ads from Prada and Ralph Lauren.

says Binn. ''We tell people where to buy things -- we celebrate each city we're in.

I knew I had to do something that would stand out.