We receive volumes of phone calls and emails from readers, local and visiting, expressing continued excitement about the entertainment and recreational aspects of our region. One echoed comment has become a standard: “I had no idea there was so much going on around here!”

The chambers, city organizations, galleries, museums, theater groups, recreational entities, hotel/motels, restaurants, wineries and enthusiasts of Eastern Washington play a pivotal in what goes on the pages of VENUE Magazine. (Pick up your FREE copy monthly to plan your calendar).

An established networking of each of the communities we serve to funnel information about their events and amenities is a focused strong point of our endeavor to present you with in-depth and complete coverage of the happenings in the region.

And happenings are plentiful! Whether you are looking for a challenging game of golf, world class fishing, watchable wildlife, pleasure boating, historical landmarks, live music, live theater, exquisite cuisine, stargazing or summer tan lines – you are in the right place.

Eastern Washington people know a good thing when they see it, feel it, hear it, photograph it, paint it, perform it, eat it, drink it, do it… and lock it into their memories.

Welcome.

We receive volumes of phone calls and emails from readers, local and visiting, expressing continued excitement about the entertainment and recreational aspects of our region. One echoed comment has become a standard: “I had no idea there was so much going on around here!”

The chambers, city organizations, galleries, museums, theater groups, recreational entities, hotel/motels, restaurants, wineries and enthusiasts of Eastern Washington play a pivotal in what goes on the pages of VENUE Magazine. (Pick up your FREE copy monthly to plan your calendar).

An established networking of each of the communities we serve to funnel information about their events and amenities is a focused strong point of our endeavor to present you with in-depth and complete coverage of the happenings in the region.

And happenings are plentiful! Whether you are looking for a challenging game of golf, world class fishing, watchable wildlife, pleasure boating, historical landmarks, live music, live theater, exquisite cuisine, stargazing or summer tan lines – you are in the right place.

Eastern Washington people know a good thing when they see it, feel it, hear it, photograph it, paint it, perform it, eat it, drink it, do it… and lock it into their memories.

Welcome.

Leave things the same? No way.

I’ve often wondered about this. Why some people think nothing changes. When in reality our world is not what it was 10 years ago or 10 minutes ago! Our communities display change. New businesses are popping up all over bringing us exciting new choices, and the businesses that have been committed to serving you for years make up a solid foundation for new growth to happen. Our communities are being revitalized with an energy that is unstoppable. A welcomed change and progression towards excellence.

You can feel it.

And more and more people within our communities are coming forward and getting involved. Involved in organizing events and family activities that make where we live an incredible place. As you turn the pages of this issue of the VM you will see what I mean. Each and every event highlighted has been planned and organized with you and your family in mind. And there is something for everyone.

We at the VM take our hat off to the endless hours of hard work and vision it takes by countless committed community members to pull together all of these events and activities into action for everyone to enjoy. In years past, you would hear it said, “There is really not much to do around here.”  Not any more. Things are changing.

And whereas we can’t live inside yesterday, we can’t live without it. It helps us to know the direction we want to take things. And how to improve. No more is it a common thought to leave things as they have always been. Our communities have an energy moving forward to make life better than ever. Today is different and new and full of possibilities. It’s all of that and then some.

Melea Johnson, Publisher

I think the ability to get on track for the New Year, is personal. We have to appropriate every moment and make it our own with the task at hand of delving into the provenance and manifestations of that ineffable quality that not even people who profess to have it all figured out, may possess, which in short, is the ability to know what comes next.
What does 2012 have coming our way? Like all thorough examination of one’s own goals, personal style in accomplishment is a kind of development of a constructed world that has to be cultivated, heightened, and added to by a surprising range of influences, be it friends, family members, a theatrical character, a book heroine, positive community resources, the co-worker in the next cubicle over, and/or, of course, God, who is by far the greatest assistant, rescuer, freer, backer, guider, in how we shape our life… one day at a time.
You see, thoughts, beliefs and developed lifestyle defines a large life of amazing experiences, love, openess and honesty, or can be small and compressed, shrunk into a (self-made) box of limitations – fear, distrust, anxiety, pressure, anger, criticism. It is a choice. Simple. Magnify life or magnify problems.
The media magnifies problems because it is attractive to our nature. We are all drawn to a train wreck. And we magnify by exaggeration. ONE person becomes many. Problem here is what we magnify, we move towards. Yet, at some point in time we have all learned what we fear most will come to pass… unless we change it, of course.
The change comes when we realize….we have a choice, and we purposely make a decision to choose wisely, choose daily. We have that freedom. You have the freedom to create the life you truly want. It’s a new year and a chance for new decisions.
I am writing down my resolutions for change for the better and I encourage you to do the same. I hope your choice is to discover the fullness of what is planned for you in 2012.  And better yet, you become a gift for those who are watching you!

Happy New Year.
Melea Johnson, Publisher

The holiday season is upon us.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and that means that Christmas isn’t far away. Hopefully everyone was able to spend some time with friends and family. Venue magazine is happy to share some of the things that are going on this time of year.

This issue of Venue covers best businesses for holiday shopping, an article about Laura Mayer, the new season for Allied Arts, local events including the Geoffrey Castle concert presented by the Lioness Club, Believe at Moses Lake Alliance Church, Ag Appreciation Parade, Adore bridal show, the Reiman Simmons House Christmas events, Moses Lake Community Children’s Choir concert, Masquers Theater’s Velveteen Rabbit Musical, Miracle on Main Street in Ephrata, Soap Lake Winterfest, 2011 Winterfest Juried Art Show & Sale, and Porterhouse’s New Years Eve Party.

Laura Mayer of ARTGARDEN Pottery is proof that if you love something enough you can make that dream happen. Read more of her inspirational story in this issue and go check out her new store open in downtown Moses Lake.

There is another season of Allied Arts performances coming up. Read about the people on the Board of Directors and check out the upcoming season’s performances.

We hope that you and your family have a wonderful holiday season and thank you for reading the Venue.

Cheers!

–VM Staff