Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone - hope you all enjoyed a fantastic beginning to 2012! I want to encourage you again to spend more time than money making memories this year! A lot of folks tell me they "don't know how you do all the things you do." I just make the time to maximize every second that I can. After all, today is all we're guaranteed; I may get hit by a bus tomorrow! So I try to squeeze as much into every day that I possibly can so I leave something behind that hopefully makes a difference to someone!  I think that's why old buildings and the Rialto Theater in particular speak so loudly to me; it's stood since 1937, in the face of hurricanes, economic challenges and multiple generations.

You may not think so but using time creatively is as much an art as painting or playing an instrument. And we all have that creative spark; some just leverage it more than others. Let's talk about one of the greatest losses we experienced in 2011: Steve Jobs. He's typical of how the most creative people look across disciplines and seemingly unrelated areas to inspire change. His fascination with the age-old art of calligraphy and design inspired the unique Apple products we know and love today.

So, open up your mind in 2012 - and use it, don't waste it! While you're at it, please show some respect for your talents. I lost an acquaintance over the holiday; yet another wonderfully creative person lost too soon to drugs and alcohol. Life is just too short to lose sight of what you can offer if you just make the choice to share it. Take care of yourself (and your creativity) this year, give back, and make the most of the time you have today!

Artisan Events:

• Fridays & Saturdays, January 6-21, 7:30 p.m. - "Always, Patsy Cline" Live on Stage. Rialto Theater. Admission: $15.
• Fridays & Saturdays, January 6-February 19, 7:30 p.m. - "Little Shop of Horrors" Aurora Arts Theatre. Admission: $14.
• Friday, January 6, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. - "First Friday Opening Art Reception. On Exhibit through January 25. Art Center for the Islands. Admission: Free.
• Sundays, January 8-22, 2:00 p.m. - "Always, Patsy Cline" Live on Stage. Rialto Theater. Admission: $15.
• Sundays, January 8-Feb 19, 2:30 p.m. - "Little Shop of Horrors" Aurora Arts Theatre. Admission: $14.
• Tuesday, January 10, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Open Acoustic Jam. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Daily through January 25 - "Whimsy" Exhibit by KiKi D's, Gary Hansen & Jackie Anderson. Rialto Theater. Admission: Free.
• Daily through January 28 - "Currents" Annual All-Member Show. Rockport Center for the Arts. Admission: Free. 

Jen Rubinowitz is a member of the Board of Directors of the Rialto Theater, an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization fostering art and education through visual art, music and live stage productions in the historic movie theater in downtown Aransas Pass. Her day job is in real estate at Coldwell Banker The Ron Brown Company. If you have someone you'd like to spotlight in this column, drop her a line at jen@jenscoastalbend.com.