Letter from the Editor

Nothing just happens. 

There’s always an outside force. Buildings don’t build themselves, businesses don’t suddenly open with no employees, and neighborhoods don’t appear out of thin air. In a community, that driving force is the people.

When we talk about what makes a city great, we aren’t talking about the brick and mortar, the pavement and street lights. We’re talking about the culture, the community, the food, the nightlife, the arts scene — all created entirely by the people who live there. 

Every single person in a neighborhood, city or state is part of what makes that region what it is, including you! Like an atomic structure, a community fundamentally changes every time even a single person joins or leaves.

Still, some people just happen to be particularly fascinating. Whether by choice or not, they’ve moved into a position where they’re having an especially large effect on the community — which is to say, on the people around them. They’re the kind of people you don’t forget, because their passion is infectious and their stories are captivating.

Those are exactly the kinds of people we wanted to highlight with our first-ever People Issue. We talked to some of the movers and shakers of West Michigan working hard to make a difference, connect with the community and give a platform to those around them. 

These are not spotlight-seeking folks. In fact, some of them nearly said no to being included at all, so don’t think them vain by any means. That’s not going to stop us from singing their praises, however, because we know you’ll benefit from their stories. Hopefully, you’ll even feel inspired to make a difference yourself, however you can.

’Til next time, 
Josh Veal, Managing Editor

On the Cover: Erica Lang, Founder of Woosah Outfitters. Photographed by Katy Batdorff.

Scene: Whats Going on, Biz Beat, Potshots, Teach The Children Well: The uphill climb to teach comprehensive sex ed in West Michigan

The People Issue:Brandy Arnold, Erica Lang, Eleanor Moreno,Jack Woller, Jenny Kinne, Josh Bochniak, Ace Marasigan, Kim Collins, Sofía Ramírez Hernández

Music: Local: Michigan House

Dining & Drinking: Hot Dogs

Sights: The Comedy Project

Revue Arts

Visual arts, classical and jazz music, theater, arts event previews and more. (See the center of this issue)

- February 2019: The Cheap Issue
- January 2019: 50 Things to Do in 2019
- December 2018: Rearview Mirror
- November 2018: Holiday Gift Guide
- October 2018: The Beer Issue
- September 2018: The Arts Issue
- August 2018: Best of the West
- July 2018: Summer Fun Issue
- June 2018: The Music Issue
- May 2018: Wine & Spirits Issue
- April 2018: Food Issue
- March 2018: Cooking Issue
- February 2018: Wintertime Blues
- January 2018: Revue turns 30

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- September 2017: The Arts Issue
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