Here's one example of how Michelle Obama is, as the New York Times said in a profile of her today, "softening her image."

Big moves in tab-land! The unstoppable Janice Min has signed up two new high profile writers for Us Weekly, her glossy juggernaut of Brangelina speculation and Hills entrail-reading. The new issue (Inside Beyoncé's Wedding!) features articles by Bill Clinton and Michelle Obama. The articles are each teased on the cover with "Vote For My Spouse!"

Mr. Clinton is the author of 2004's My Life, an autobiography. He has also contributed to The New York Times on April 29, 2007 and August 22, 2006. Mrs. Obama is currently being courted by several publishers interested in her work, according to The Observer's Leon Neyfakh.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which each year rewards what they view as positive depictions of gay people in various media from reality shows to newspapers to comic books, has made a happy woman of Us Weekly editor Janice Min.  read more »

Yesterday evening at the Four Seasons, scores of well-dressed Manhattan women gathered to chat and mingle at the fifth annual Dinner & Dis(course) cocktail and dinner party. The event, organized by MediaBistro.com, drew together an array of female leaders in the magazine industry, along with one visibly uncomfortable male, Media Bistro associate editor Noah Davis. "At least I have good odds," he quipped.

Laurel Touby, the evening's hostess and the founder of MediaBistro.com, donned a chic Pucci dress, a white feather boa (apparently its been her signature party piece for years) and those quirky-cute glasses. "I just thought we needed to get the girls together to bitch and brag and brawl in the face of ever-increasing stupidity in the marketplace!" she explained. "But really, I know how lonely it can be for people in the industry, how isolating it can be, and I just thought it would be a great chance for us all to get together and mingle with one another,"  read more »

Owing to an impasse over staff perks--including catered meals--Min's contract expired last week before a new one could be signed. Though the New York Post reported last month that the two sides had settled on a deal, Min is now a free agent.

This is Min's first contract negotiation since she moved atop the masthead in 2003, after Bonnie Fuller decamped to American Media. Circulation is up nearly 13 percent under Min, and revenue shot up by 59 percent last year.

"More than anyone," said Kent Brownridge, Wenner's general manager, "we believe Janice is one of the best and most valuable editors in the world. And we very much want to keep her. We have done everything necessary to keep her interested in staying at Wenner for a really long time."