The magazine, that is, which is a finalist in eight separate categories in the '09 National City and Regional Magazine Awards. By way of comparison, Boston's finalist tally last year was one.

In the running: former staffer Joe Keohane in the column category; Paul Kix for writer of the year; the entire publication for "Excellence in Writing" (specifically, the November issue); the whole magazine again for best cover (for the December issue); best "special issue" (for August); best ancillary issue (both Boston's travel and weddings publications are finalists); online excellence (for bostonmagazine.

That would be Boston magazine writer-at-large Joe Keohane, who's departing both the city and the publication.

With the recent departure of John Gonzalez, BoMag has now lost two big bylines in a span of three months. Like Gonzalez, Keohane is a very talented writer. He also brought a native's perspective to a publication dominated by transplants from out of state.