November 2024 Venue Magazine by VENUE Mag

Play...for fun!

Some of my favorite memories are of playing games. My mom taught me how to play Cribbage on a ferry headed for Orcas Island when I was around 9. My friend and I were playing Rummy on a train in Italy when we realized we had missed our stop and ended up…woe was us… in Rome! Evenings of our honeymoon, my husband and I spent on the mezzanine of the Old Faithful Inn at Yellowstone playing Cribbage (I’ve gotten pretty good over the years – he’s not bad either).

I have so many other memories playing games –from Rummikub to Canasta, In it Bop it! to the original Mario Brothers, Miles Borne to Candy Land – at dining room tables, at picnic tables, on the couch. These aren’t necessarily all favorite memories… but they’re all good memories. This time of year we get so many articles on ‘How to not be rude to your family when they’re around them’, but I’ve yet to see one suggest, ‘Do something fun!’ So, for this holiday and winter edition of Venue, we’ve filled the pages with all sorts of things to inspire you at the table or on the couch: eat delicious food locally grown or made; play classic or new, regionally made and locally sold games; imbibe the best, responsibly; and enjoy your company, whether that is your own self, family, or (furry) friends.

We are fully transitioned into fall, running towards all things pumpkin and evergreen. There are lots of opportunities to take a friend and have special moments all over our region this season – from events, to dinner, to a nice road trip for shopping. Embrace the long indoor evenings for connecting or crafting. Be sure to seek out our famous Columbia Basin sunshine each day.

VENUE MAGAZINE

Published by: For Joy Media, LLC

Owner: Shawn Cardwell

Layout & Design: Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs

The holidays come quick and busy, and, the holidays can be lonely: remember you are not alone. We look forward to seeing you again in the spring.

I am having so much fun meeting new people, finding businesses and learning history about our region. As the new owner of the Venue Magazine, I am filled with gratitude for each of you who reads these pages, contributes to our advertising, and creates our content. I do this because I truly enjoy our region and all you people in it. I want us all to thrive, together. Please reach out with any ideas, stories, projects, history, photos, or something more.

To finding new joy in all our regular places, cheers!

Sincerely,

Shawn Cardwell

Contributing Writers: Shawn Cardwell, Julie Johnson, Melea Johnson, Angel Ledesma, Austin Foglesong, Dollie Boyd

Contributing photographers: estographs., Brayden Bise

Venue Magazine, PO Box 312, Ephrata WA 98823 info@thevenuem.com / thevenuem.com / on socials @thevenuemag

On the Cover: photo by estographs.

The housing market has something for everyone

Article/JULIE JOHNSON - REALTOR

T“The real estate market is always shifting, and lately, people are really rethinking what kind of home suits their lifestyle,” says Julie Johnson, Real Estate agent at CENTURY 21 Alsted Real Estate. Maybe it’s because so many of us are working from home more, the family is growing, or we’re just looking for more space. It’s not just about having a place to sleep anymore—people want homes that give them flexibility. Extra rooms that can serve as offices, play areas, or even home gyms have become super important, and big backyards are a big bonus. A lot of buyers also want homes that are move-in ready, with updated kitchens and modern features, but at the same time, there are plenty of people looking for a project where they can put their own stamp on a place.

Julie states the housing market can also feel a little intimidating for buyers, especially with interest rates playing a big role in what people can actually afford. Some are waiting for the right moment when rates drop a bit, while others are diving in now, knowing they can always refinance later. Timing is everything, but so is understanding your needs—whether you’re going for a starter home, your forever home, or something in between.

For sellers, this can be a fantastic time to list a property, especially in areas where there aren’t a lot of homes on the market. Homes with modern updates, energy-efficient features, and nice curb appeal—basically, homes that are move-in ready—are at the top of buyers’ wish lists. But even

if your home isn’t picture-perfect, there’s still a market for it. Fixer-uppers and homes with a lot of potential appeal to buyers looking for investments or those who are up for a little DIY.

At the end of the day, whether you’re buying or selling, Julie can help you figure out the best price, give tips on how to stage your home to attract more buyers, or help you navigate the competition if you’re a buyer. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything you hear about the market, but Julie will break it down for you and guide you step by step, making sure you feel confident along the way.

Another thing to keep in mind is that real estate is often about thinking long-term. If you’re buying, it’s more than just finding a house—it’s about finding a place that can grow with you, where you can build memories and invest in your future. And if you’re selling, it’s about making sure you’re setting yourself up for the next stage in your life, whether that’s upgrading to a bigger home or downsizing to something more manageable.

So, whether you’re buying your first home, looking to upgrade, or considering downsizing, the housing market has something for everyone. It’s just a matter of understanding your priorities and working with someone who can help guide you through the process. Real estate agents like Julie are there to take the pressure off and make sure you’re making smart, informed decisions, no matter what side of the deal you’re on.

Article/MELEA JOHNSON

We see more. Clearly.

Alens focused on positivity—clarity in viewing things not as they are but as they could be. We are fortunate to live in rural America, where we know and care about each other. Genuinely care. It is not only about patronizing each other’s businesses to support the dreams we start with and hope to continue with, but also in complicated times and unpredictable circumstances.

Our community swings in this awkward space of time like a giant pendulum. Yet, we remain resilient. The details of distractions may blur our vision, but we always find our way back to peace.

Now, more than ever, we must recognize the incredible goodness that exists in our communities, even amidst complicated times and unpredictable circumstances. This recognition is a beacon of hope, a reminder that constructive actions continue to take place all around us.

Our community is a role model for how great things happen when love is the source. We gather to mindfully and respectfully find the positive strength within our community to help where help is needed, to make a way for someone when there seemingly is no way, to recognize a person who, for whatever reason, feels invisible, or listen to a heart speak of dreams and encourage that person to never give up.

We all have much to give. Even the tiniest ray of hope is mighty. When you open yourself to helping others, you see what is truly important. Then, something wonderful happens. You realize the secret of having it all is knowing you already do.

POWERING OUR FUTURE

OUR MISSION: TO SAFELY, EFFICIENTLY AND RELIABLY PROVIDE ELECTRIC POWER AND FIBER OPTIC BROADBAND SERVICES TO OUR CUSTOMERS.

A Clean Energy Future

Monday

Tuesday

Friday 11am-12am

Saturday 10am-12am

Saturday Karoake @8pm

Sunday 10am-8pm

STOP SCROLLING, START STROLLING through your local variety stores

Article/SHAWN CARDWELL

VVariety and drug stores are the old souls of retail –at once nostalgic and entirely relevant. They carry better quality items than a dollar store and are less daunting than a big box store. They carry the items you need every day, the items you forget to pack, and the best gifts. They are the perfect place to get to know a community a little better. They are, often, the heart of our remote and rural communities.

On a recent trip north, Coulee Wall Variety Store was the perfect spot to start Christmas shopping. I stopped in with no notice, but on site was Launi Lockard, Store Manager and daughter to Mary Lou and Doug Lockard, who own the business and are always around working. Immediately my basket was filled with books, games, electronic doodads, and a couple necessities I wouldn’t have to make a separate trip for on the way home. No wonder I found something… Coulee Wall has 24 unique departments, a quirky sense of fun and constant seasonal updates!

“Each aisle is like its own store.”

The building where Coulee Wall lives has almost always been a variety store, originally called Vordahl’s, after the owners’ family name, founded in the 1980’s. It was sold as a variety store a few different times over the years before a brief stint as a pizza parlor – hence the black and white checkered floors – and then sat empty for many years. It opened again in the mid-00’s in the old tradition as “The Variety Store”. It closed ten years later, selling everything, down to the shelving.

“The community had a really hard time with losing The Variety Store,” Launi said.

“Oh, I need to go get thumbtacks… but I can’t anymore… you know, just the little things,” Mary Lou added.

Frequenting the area to visit Launi, Mary Lou and Doug felt the loss of the business like the rest of the community. Curious and business-minded through their other endeavors, Mary Lou found an old shipping box from The Variety Store that had been left on a shelf, and looked up the supplier’s information on the internet.

“We didn’t know anything about retail – had never been in the retail business before,” Launi said, “but people were still needing the store.”

“People were excited we were going to do it, but it fell through the first time”, Mary Lou said – there was even an article in the local paper about it. It was a year after this first attempt when the time was finally right for the family and the town. Mary Lou called the number on the box again, this time to order their first shipment.

Toasters to apparel, pet supplies to electronics, baby products to pillows to crafts to outdoor equipment and more.

Coulee Wall keeps the spirit of the variety store alive by providing the residents of and around Electric City, Grand Coulee, Coulee Dam and surrounding communities,

including the south end of the Colville Tribe Reservation, an alternative to driving the hour it takes to get to any other major retailer for everyday items, “Like the little filter things on the end of your facet,” Launi said.

You’ll find Coulee Wall Variety in Grand Coulee on Midway Ave., with Coulee Hardware on one side and Safeway on the other. Launi said they literally and figuratively fill that space, providing area residents everything you might need between hardware and groceries. “We fill in the gaps with suggestions from customers,” Launi said. They purposely only stocks items that does not compete with other businesses in the area. It is this community input, from people to peers, that makes the store more successful…beginning from their very first days loading in a store full of shelving followed by 21 pallets of inventory, all with the help of the community.

Along with its own history, and all its everyday goods, Coulee Wall holds an additional piece of local history: the original Penny Press Machine from the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center. Stored in a series of damp and dusty basements around town for decades, when Doug got his hands on the machine it needed some refinishing and care. It is now completely refurnished and back on the international PennyCollector.com website.*

“Did you know there is another Penny Press Machine in the Columbia Basin? It’sat the Moses Lake Museum & Art Center!”

Gifts and treasures I found recently at our local variety stores include: Grandpa Beck’s Games which are card-based games created in Washington, choose-your-own adventure books for toddlers and a full line of things to-put-your-pennies-in (for pressed pennies) at Coulee Wall Variety; great baby toys at Ritzville Drug that I’ve never seen before and that my kiddo loves; and all the super cute kitchen wares at Odessa Drug.

Don’t just scroll through your holiday shopping. These stores hold the history of our region and stock really great items. They are worth visiting if you’re driving through, and they’re a great reason to go.

The Variety Store is second to none but certainly cousin to the local Drug Store, with the main difference being the addition of a licensed pharmacy. Both Odessa Drug and Ritzville Drug stores are nestled in their respective, and historic downtowns and offer a wonderful selection of ev-

eryday items, gifts, and prescription services. Odessa Drug is the longest operating business in Odessa – originally opened in 1901 it has been open even longer than the town itself which was officially established in 1902. Ritzville’s first drug store was opened in 1898, a mere 18 years after the town of Ritzville was founded. These businesses are as vital now to the communities they serve as when they first opened. There is a variety of variety stores.

Othello Community Learning (OCL) classes are coming to Othello this winter! We want to hear from you. What classes do you want to see offered? Are you interested in teaching a class? Use the QR codes or links below to share your ideas.

Elevate Othello Community Meeting December 8th, 2023 discuss priority area project ideas

Based on the community priorities, community members identified a number of projects that support one or more of these priorities. They include the following:

Elevate Othello Vision | February 2024

¡Las clases de Othello Community Learning (OCL) llegarán a Othello este invierno! Queremos escuchar de ti. ¿Qué clases quieres que se ofrezcan? ¿Estás interesado en impartir una clase? Utilice los códigos QR o los enlaces a eas.

FINANCIAL FOCUS: Are your heirs ready to receive an inheritance?

Article

IIn the popular imagination, receiving an inheritance always sounds like a good thing — after all, who doesn’t want a financial windfall? And inheritances can certainly be life-altering events. But they can cause challenges, so you’ll want to help your heirs be prepared.

To assist in this preparation, try to address some key questions affecting your heirs:

• Do they know what’s in your estate plans? Your family and other heirs will be much better prepared to deal with an inheritance if they know what to expect. That’s why it’s so important that you share your estate plans with everyone involved. You need to let them know the wishes and decisions you’ve expressed in your will and other legal arrangements, such as a living trust. Of course, sharing this information doesn’t necessarily mean that all your heirs will be completely satisfied with your choices — but at least they won’t be surprised, and perhaps will be less likely to cause disputes when the time comes to settle your estate.

• Will they know what to do with the money or other assets? You may be planning to leave your grown children a sizable amount of assets, possibly including cash, stocks, real estate, IRAs, 401Ks or other types of valuable personal property. But this inheritance brings with it several possible questions: Do your heirs already have an investment platform ready to accept inherited stocks? If you do leave behind rental property or a vacation home, can it be easily sold? These types of issues are generally not hard to resolve, but the more prepared your heirs are for their inheritance, the quicker they can take whatever actions are needed.

unlikely your heirs will be on the hook for any outstanding expenses, such as credit card balances or funeral costs. If you do still carry a mortgage, though, and you are planning on leaving your house to your heirs, they may want to be prepared to act quickly to sell it.

When leaving an inheritance, there’s a lot involved — emotionally, financially and legally. So, do whatever you can to make the entire process as easy as possible for your loved ones. By communicating your wishes regarding the inheritance, and by considering all the issues that may arise, you can go a long way toward achieving the outcomes you desire.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors are not estate planners and cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your estate-planning attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

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