It’s Time To Think About Your Holiday Advertising!

 

I know it’s hard to believe but now is the time you should be considering what marketing you will do for the holiday season. The Urban Liaison Magazine is excited to offer special advertising opportunities to our Retail Clients just in time for Black Friday!

For less than $100 a month, you can be a part of the Western Treasure Valley’s ONLY Local, Full Color, Glossy Magazine and at NO ADDITIONAL cost be included in our local holiday shopping guide.

Let’s make your Black Friday BOLD and BLACK by letting local shoppers know what types of gift items you have to offer.

Rest assured your ad will be seen by more than 5,000 consumers as we distribute them throughout the Western Treasure Valley at our area drops, waiting areas, and holiday parades. Along with our print product we offer complimentary promotion via our Web site, blog & social media sites.

There is no better deal out there! Let us help … it’s what we do

Call today, space is limited and deadline is approaching fast! (208) 250-9707 | Casey@NeyComm.com

 

My Nose Is In … “Aspire” by Kevin Hall

Last week I wrote about my burning desire to consume books. I actually have several books I want to share with you, but today’s Book, “Aspire” by Kevin Hall has been pushed to the top of the list for a very important reason … Kevin is speaking in the Treasure Valley this Thursday!

Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words is a captivating read that focuses on words, their meanings and how they can change your life. Now obviously I would be a fan of this book because I am a fan of words. But even more so … I am always a huge fan of meeting authors! Not only do I get the pleasure of attending Mr. Hall’s seminars but I am also having dinner with him Wednesday evening prior to his Thursday appearance. Now I’m sure you’re wondering, “how in the heck did she negotiate dinner with a best selling author” but really I had little to do with it in the grand scheme of things. When the Urban Liaison Magazine learned of Kevin’s upcoming appearance, we jumped on board as a partnering sponsor and then SURPRISE I get to enjoy dinner with him along with the other sponsors.

I will share more about the book with you in the next few days, but I want to wait until after the Thursday appearances. In the meantime, if you are interested in learning more about Aspire and would like to register for one of the two events Kevin is hosting, visit aspire.ezregister.com.

As I mentioned, there are two events. The morning event takes place in Meridian and is focused on business professionals & business owners. Participants will learn about the power of words in the workplace and in their lives. The second event is in the evening in Boise and will focus on the family unit, specifically how words are powerful in the home, school and in life. This event is open for children (ages 8 and up) and adults.

 

 

 

 

Guitar Solutions Pretty Much Rules The World …

In case you missed it! The UL Ontario Networking Event took place last night at Mackey’s. We were blessed with a special treat from Guitar Solutions of Ontario … Bill and his nephew Nick came down and gave us a sweet performance.

You can listen to the video above, but I don’t recommend watching … my six-year-old side kick recorded it so it’s a bit bumpy

Enjoy!

Casey

My Nose Is In ….

It should come as no surprise that I am an avid reader. As many of you know, I got my “big start” as a writer and aspire to write an assortment of books and even a communication theory at some point in my life. In the meantime, I continue to devour books (actually, I can’t lie … I no longer read books, I download them and listen to them on my iPhone … but hey, it still counts in my book – pun intended – and besides we ARE in the 21st Century).

I was the kid who got yelled at for “reading too much.” Now before you ask yourself “is there such a thing?” I can set you straight with an assured “YES” … just ask my mother! I spent hours in my bedroom doing nothing but reading. It started with the BabySitter’s Club (I read them ALL) and the Sweet Valley Twins, then the Black Stallion Series before moving on to my beloved Christopher Pike and then to Dean Koontz (who still rocks my world … and I actually do “read” his books). Some kids had Nintendo (I sold mine to buy a sweet pair of red boots) I had an arsenal of books.

My addiction to reading led to a very bad habit of theft/borrowing from the Payette Public Library. We lived on Park Street prior to it being annexed into the city which meant a library card was not FREE and our household budget wasn’t exactly accommodating to anything else at the time (which, by the way, I consider an absolute crime … what kind of library doesn’t allow a poor kid to check-out a book?). So after I read everything of interest in our Middle School Library, I became a patron of the public library. I went there almost everyday after school and would grab a book off the shelf and curl up with the Library cat in a corner somewhere and lose myself for hours. It occurred to me one day that if I put a book in my bag and left the building who would be the wiser? So it was on, I began smuggling books out of the library and when I was done with them, I would swing by the library on the way to school (before they opened) and return the book via the night deposit.

Now kids, don’t try this at home! If you can’t afford a library card call Aunt Casey and she will hook you up No need to follow my very bad example.

Anyhow, you can see that my love for the written word is deep. I still read non-stop and have decided to share my thoughts on books as I finish them. I will post my book reviews on this blog and maybe, just maybe, you can find some value in them.

Until Next Time …. Casey Clark Ney

PS – Do NOT tell my mother I stole from the library, she still believes I am an angel

 

Today Was A Fairytale …

I remember it like it was yesterday … that moment the first magazine arrived. It was a warm day in June and without a doubt it will go down as one of my best days ever.  James and I loaded up the suburban with what seemed like an endless amount of boxes and began making the drive through the Western Treasure Valley, introducing the first edition of the Ontario Urban Liaison Magazine to local business owners and residents. After nearly six months of planning and preparation, we were finally in print. At last I was ready to share my vision.

Somewhere between Nyssa and Vale, we were giggling like school children with only hope on the horizon and then Taylor Swift came on the radio and started singing “Today was a Fairy Tale.” I knew at that moment all was right in my world. It was beautiful … but then again life is beautiful, it all depends on what way you look at it.

That first edition marked an arrival I had been unknowingly striving for since I left high school so many years before. I had found my calling and answered with a determination even I didn’t know I had.

Ambition is a funny thing. It takes you places you didn’t even know existed and when you get there the feeling is so surreal you wonder what awaits you around the corner. But like I said, I saw hope. Hope for a successful magazine that provided value to its readers while helping support our local business and economy.

I was so proud of that first issue. It marked a major turning point in my life. It was the first time I had put all of me onto ink and paper. Unlike other projects in the past, this was mine … the magazine was me … and it still is and always will be.

The Urban Liaison changed my life in ways I never thought possible. It continues to test my sanity and creative nature on a daily basis. To look back and think I have made a career out of deadlines and public exposure makes me wonder how crazy I might be, but my friends argue that craziness is really bravery. To put yourself on the pages of a publication and distribute to an entire community for  review, judgment, criticism and compliments. I take it all in and at the end of the day the good always out weighs the bad.

I would like to thank the people and businesses who saw value in my vision and knew in their hearts that I had the energy to pull it off. Without you I might have allowed doubt to creep in. But you knew better, you had faith. Thank you James Ney (the best darn husband in the world!), Josh, Taylor and Maddox (who believe their momma can do anything), Yvonne Clark (a patient mother who always encourages even when she does think I’m crazy), Pat Caldwell (who I’m pretty sure hired me as a reporter back in the day based on the simple fact that I think Earnest Hemingway is the bomb), Cheryl Richard (who knew I had it in me and dived in to pull it out), Chris Kodama (who never fails to accuse me of inspiration), Kari Cowman (a neighbor who always has a bottle of wine and comforting words to share for those nights deadline is killing me), Bonnie Ney (the best mother-in-law on the planet who fully supported my efforts from the start), and Mackey’s Steakhouse (our first advertiser who believes in supporting other local businesses and our community). You guys rock.

 

Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That’s what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too…

— Hope Floats

Ontario’s Got Talent!

I really wanted to title this issue’s letter “The Western Treasure Valley’s Got Talent,” but it just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Regardless of how it rolls off my tongue, though, I can honestly tell you our community is overflowing with talented individuals and I am using the magazine to expose them one by one.

 

I first noticed our talent pool after the initial magazine came out last June. Chris Kodama at Care-O-Sell Consignment gave one of her customers a magazine (something she does quite often based on the sheer fact that she rocks). The customer’s reply went something like “I had no idea we had such pretty people around here.” By the way, former Weiser resident Monica Goto Beltran was on the cover of that magazine and yes, she is very pretty. But that got me to thinking, “well of course we have pretty people around here!” and even more so there are some seriously talented individuals who call the Western Treasure Valley “home.”

 

From that point on I started making it a real effort to feature local talent within the pages of the magazine. Or, if you are Royce Nowlin from Weiser, the cover of the magazine. For those of you who don’t know Royce, we met on Facebook (by the way, if you aren’t on Facebook you are missing out). He owns a landscaping business in Weiser and happens to really enjoy photography. He is an amateur … sure … but he looks at life through his lens unlike anyone else I know.

 

For those of you keeping track, last issue our cover was shot by Jacque Osbourn Bacon who I happened to go to school with in Payette. Jacque is a professional photographer who lives in Idaho Falls. A little closer to home, Crystal Samson, also a Payette Alumni, recently began assisting the UL with her Photoshop skills.

 

Now I could seriously go on and on detailing all the talented (and pretty) people I know in the Valley, so I will try to wrap this up. In Vale, you have Adam Tolman who founded and distributes Yoshio’s Teriyaki Sauce (can you say “yum”), Amber Heidi Abercrombie (hold your breath people, this one get’s deep … was the editor of the newspaper at Payette High School when I was the feature’s editor back in 1996) spearheads a money saving blog and is now a UL Contributor, and of course Chris Kodama who has the energizing gift of laughter! I even hear that Fruitland’s Kyle Sanders has some song and dance in him and no one can whip up a cocktail and 5-course meal like our favorite person Cheryl Richard.

 

We are literally surrounded by people dripping with talent (and beauty!). The days of us putting our community down are over in my book. I come from Payette and I am quiet proud. I had great teachers (Mrs. DeBord … of course I still love you) and childhood memories of riding my horse to the Big C for deep fried turkey burritos. I lived on South Park Street which wasn’t exactly “you know what Hill” but I developed friendships that are still important to me.

 

I still enjoy floating the Payette River but oh how I miss taking the horses for a swim after 4-H practice out at the Payette Valley Riders Arena. I long for those days when Sandy Lirgg would saddle up ole Tess and make the path down Park to pick up Lesli Wolery Willet  and I. Often riding from clear across town to join us were Serena Rayburn, Melissa Heck Dobney, Rachelle Eberly and KaDee Agin-Batten. We were like 9 back then. Who grows up like that I ask you? How many people do you know have hitched their horse to a pole at Smith’s to buy candy? Well that’s how they do it where I come from, and I happen to think it’s pretty cool. I also happen to think that our way of life breeds inspiration and beauty. Want proof? It’s sitting in your hands ….

Rock What You Got ~ Casey Clark Ney

A New Year of Possibilities

It’s hard to believe that just a little more than 12 months ago I made it my mission to create a local magazine for my hometown and surrounding communities. Today I give you the fourth edition of the Urban Liaison Magazine made possible by more than 30 local businesses who saw the benefit in marketing their products and services in the area’s only local lifestyle magazine.

In a lot of ways, getting the UL off the ground was harder than I first predicted. But I’m the kind of girl who won’t back down. I guess I’ve always been that way. Taped to my desk is a small ribbon I earned my freshman year at Payette High School. The award was given to me during our end-of-the-year banquet for the Pi-Rette Dance Team. We each received a ribbon based on how our fellow teammates voted. It is small, it is simple, yet it packs a powerful message. When the going gets tough, I look at that ribbon to remind myself of where I came from and how people see me. The ribbon contains two simple words … “Miss Determination.”

No, being the publisher of a magazine is not easy. In fact, I find it comparable to having a child. There are those sleepless nights, the need for endless patience, times when I’m ready to quit, and those moments when I realize that despite the chaos, it’s worth it.

Needless to say, it’s been a busy year. The UL has grown in page count and supporters. We recently secured commercial locations to make our magazine easier to find (see Page 11). We are also proud members of the Downtown Ontario Business Association, BNI Stateline, & Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Recognizing a need for more networking opportunities in the area, we helped establish the Idaho Business Women’s Network – West Valley Chapter and started our own networking group – The UL Magazine Social & Networking Event (5-7 pm, second Thursday of every month at Mackey’s Steakhouse). I am also proud to announce our partnership with Heather Madden (MaryKay) and Jennifer Morgan (Jewels by Park Lane). These two beautiful women, in conjunction with the UL Magazine are organizing “A Night of Fashion” that is sure to be unlike any fashion event seen in our area in a long time.  Several local business are coming together to put on a fun-filled evening “featuring the finer things in life for men and women.” The event will take place at the Payette Arts & Events Center (aka the old City Hall building on Main Street). Seating is limited and tickets are $7.50. To learn more, go to Page 39.

It is important to recognize that I could not have done this alone. I appreciate the efforts and support of my dear friends & colleagues, James Ney, Cheryl Richard, Liz Amason, Janine Little, Heather Madden, David Clark, James & Amber Deaton, Bob & Suzie Larson, Yvonne Clark, Jeff Ward, James & Melissa Dobney, Suzanne Garner, Kyle Sanders, Sydney Holgreen, Ted & Bonnie Ney, Brandon Badiola, Lee Nelson & Chris Kodama … you all rock.

Someone once said, “There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream” … I’m determined to find out.

Shine On ~ Casey Clark Ney

A Merry Christmas To YOU!

This edition of the Urban Liaison Magazine has me more excited and encouraged than ever before. As we approach the holidays, many local businesses chose to partner with the area’s only local lifestyle magazine to get the word out about their local products and services this shopping season.

I know you’ve heard it before and I am going to say it again, shopping local is critical to our local economy. The power of your purchasing decisions in our community is not to be underestimated. The problem for many shoppers, however, is being informed enough to make those local purchases. That is why we are cutting some of the legwork out of the equation and providing you with a local shopping guide that details area businesses and recommended gift items. We’ve even included price points and pictures for you!

We know you want to shop local and now you have a resource to make it happen. So before you map out your Christmas shopping list, flip to Page 14 and find out what your local merchants have in store for you this year.

On another note, our Holiday Edition is filled with fun stories including topics such as holiday decorating, green living this season, and (of course) food. Speaking of food, I want you to know I had to promise my husband I would pre-wash the dishes before I put them in the dishwasher just to get him to share his fantastic Almond Roca recipe for the Christmas candy section in the magazine.

Now I know what you are thinking (or maybe I’m the only one thinking this) but shouldn’t the dishwasher wash the dishes? Is it really necessary to “pre” wash them? Frankly I’m appalled the dishwasher doesn’t load and unload itself and now I’m being subjected to actually washing the dishes before the dishwasher washes them? But every time I bring this up my husband mumbles something about tea stains on mugs and petrified cheese on plates. My argument is “at least they are sanitized,” but this is a point he simply won’t budge on.

With that said, pre-washing the dishes (at least until he forgets about our little deal) is definitely worth it in the long run! Anyone who knows my husband knows his almond roca is to die for (or at least do dishes for). I’m not even a chocolate fan but I basically live off of almond roca through the months of November and December. So please be sure to check out his recipe in the Urban Food section on Page 24. You can think of me when you are enjoying succulent almond rocca and you better believe I will be thinking of you as I reacquaint myself with the kitchen brush and sponge.

Well that’s enough of that. I hope you enjoy our Holiday Edition and take the time to consider our local retailers when shopping this season.

From our family to yours, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to another successful year in 2011.

 

Shine On ~ Casey Clark Ney

Let’s Just Say I’m Adapting

Welcome to my destiny. That may sound like a rather peculiar statement, but looking back I can honestly say I have arrived without question. My journey to the here and now has been a long one, but alas here I am and things have never been better.

It all began in 1995 when I was a senior at Payette High School. I signed up for the school’s newspaper – a class that I opted to take for two specific reasons. One, the school newspaper staff attended a conference in Sun Valley each year and I was determined to get there one way or another. Two, the only other class available to me was already occupied by a not-so-nice girl who had proven she would slap me whenever she wanted. And so, I became a Cutlass staff member in which our fearless leader Anne DeBord assigned me as the lifestyle editor and gave me the task of writing a weekly column on the high school for the Independent-Enterprise.

After high school I worked for the Three Rivers Chronicle in Payette for a short stint before heading off to college. While studying communications at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, I officially realized my future was in print media. At the time I was focused on starting a career in public relations. I even had aspirations to be a television reporter. But one day while standing in the hall after a graphic design class my professor asked about my future career plans. I explained my intentions were to go into PR and then, without consent, I heard myself say, “but I will probably end up working at a newspaper.” Within a year I found myself back in the Treasure Valley and sure enough working for the local newspaper.

That was 10 years ago. Today, I am a self-employed writer and graphic designer. Last year I met the publisher of the Urban Liaison Magazine in Canyon County – Cheryl Richard. Cheryl founded the UL as a way for small businesses to advertise their products and services at an affordable rate while also showcasing local people and events and encouraging area residents to spend their dollars locally. Currently there are UL Magazines in Seattle, Boise, Canyon County and now Ontario.

At the Ontario UL, we serve Malheur and Payette Counties and Weiser. Our primary objective is to produce a magazine that informs its readers about local people, events, trends, and businesses. Let’s face it, so many of you out there rock and it’s time the rest of the Treasure Valley knows it!

So I invite you to read our first publication that was made possible thanks to the endless efforts of my team and community contributors. I would also like to thank all the people who have been so supportive during this venture including my husband, James (you’re the best … really!); children Josh, Taylor and Maddox (my world revolves around you); mother, Yvonne Clark (what would I do without you?); Ted and Bonnie Ney (the best in-laws on the planet); Cheryl Richard (you pretty much rule the world); Telori Watson (for making me take time for myself); Kathy Buckley (hey, 15 years counts for something!); my neighbor, Kari Cowman (for dragging me to Zumba and thus preserving my sanity); the rain (because rain makes corn …); Gladiator (so what if you’re a horse, you can still be my best friend!); and of course, God (you are my ROCK).

Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius once said, “Adapt yourself to the life you have been given; and truly love the people with whom destiny has surrounded you.” I think Marcus would be proud.

Shine On ~ Casey Clark Ney

Something To Celebrate

Around here we like to celebrate. In fact, if you haven’t noticed, the Urban Liaison is all about celebrating local business, people and anything else that comes our way. We believe there is a lot of good out there and we aren’t about to let it pass by without a positive nod.

Celebrating is important. Take for example the upcoming season. Until recently, fall has been more like a four-letter word to me than something to appreciate. But once I learned to embrace the falling leaves (even though they take weeks to rake up at my home) and celebrate the season, it became much easier to appreciate. After all, who doesn’t like to bust out the pumpkins and corn stalks and create an outdoor display that screams harvest? If I weren’t busy organizing decorative gourds on my front deck I would spend my time dwelling on the looming winter months ahead.
Ah yes, celebrating is good! But let’s not stop with fall.
In this edition of the UL Magazine, we are celebrating an assortment of things. Perhaps my most favorite is the recently evolved Care-O-Sell Consignment that now carries women’s clothing And let’s not forget about the upcoming Pirate Football season (our alma mater) and the rockin’ Jeff Ward at Backroads Broadcasting who is dedicated to documenting the entire season via his radio show and Internet video feeds.
This issue even provides you details with how to celebrate fall with your exterior décor and plants along with a feature story on Payette’s The Bee’s Box where you can purchase holiday interior décor or kick off your holiday shopping (yes, I just suggested you start Christmas shopping in September).

But one thing we are really excited to celebrate this month is the Urban Liaison! In honor of the area’s only local magazine, we are throwing a Launch Party to celebrate the publication’s founding. Of course, all are invited (just send me an e-mail RSVP) to the big event to take place at 5:30 p.m., Wed., Sept. 8 at Romio’s Pizza & Pasta in Ontario. And while we are on the topic, many thanks to Romio’s for sponsoring our launch party. If you haven’t eaten there lately, I highly recommend you stop in and check it out. If you are at a loss as to what to order, I suggest the gyro. One can never go wrong when ordering Mediterranean.
But back to fall. As the weather cools you will find many awesome events going on in the area. Case in point, the Ontario Air Faire will take place Sat., Sept. 11. Last year thousands of local residents turned out for this fun-filled day of food and entertainment, I hope this year you will be one of those individuals! And if you do find yourself at the event, be sure and stop by the UL booth and say hi. For other events going on this fall (and what’s left of summer), please visit the calendar of events on our Web site at TheUrbanLiaisonOntario.com.

From our family to yours, have a happy fall and remember to celebrate the Western Treasure Valley and yourself this season.
Shine On ~ Casey Clark Ney