James Miller, new Venue president, hopes to increase community notice

Raising the profile of The Venue: A Place for Teens is one of the goals of the organization's newly elected teen president.

James Miller shares the leadership duties with Chris Miller, who will serve as the group's adult president. The Millers are not related by blood, just by purpose.

"A lot of people don't know what we do," James said. "The Venue has a lot of public relations it needs to utilize. So I see myself as trying to get The Venue more involved and noticed by the community."

James says he'll do that by becoming The Venue's "meet and greet" front man.

"It's a task that requires somebody with good people skills," he said. "I plan to give presentations around town to get support."

James and other Venue regulars are already raising the profile by showing up at Town Plaza Park on Wednesdays to help set up and tear down Jazz on the Plazz sponsor booths.

"We get everything set up by 3:30 p.m.," James said. "Then we have lunch and come back when we see the concert is finishing up. The majority of the work is done by 9:30 p.m."

While the Venue is best known as a place to hang out, shoot pool or attend a concert, James expects to see more serious programs offered in the coming year.

"What we're planning on doing is using the Venue to host classes after school and on weekends," James said. "Maybe we'll offer a babysitting certification class or dog classes — how to train dogs, maybe even show them. I know