In my hand lays the NEW ISSUE OF FOCUS MAGAZINE…IT IS SO FRECH THE INK IS STILL WET! GET IT HERE!

October was a pretty rough month in general. And then we lost a dear friend and group member, Kat Vargas, to complications with Covid. Many of us knew her well and for many years. She played a vitally supportive role in the music community. She will be missed.

I think one of the perplexing things about the death of a loved one is that life keeps on going, even though it may feel like it shouldn’t. The world has changed, but time keeps running as fast as ever, without looking back.

And events like these remind us that we need to recognize and be grateful for what we have — and have had — right now. Time will not wait. If we love someone, we have to say it now. If we find ourselves speaking or acting in a damaging way toward a loved one, put things in perspective and apologize now. Second chances may seem endless, until one day they stop forever.

And so, here we are, about to celebrate another Thanksgiving holiday in America. Worldwide, not many people are feeling particularly grateful. As a result, depression and suicide are rising. Abuse and neglect too. But I implore YOU, dear reader, to “count your blessings.” I don’t want to sound preachy or naïve but, my friends, we all have the choice to look at the good aspects of life, or not.

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

So, this issue is a bit late but it’s jam-packed and I promise every page is a worthwhile read.. In it we celebrate friends, family, and tons and tons of creativity, from galleries to weddings to photography and Matt’s Rant is back! I hope you enjoy it!