Arts and Culture

The undead entertain downtown Battle Creek in search for brain food

By Newsroom

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May 27, 2010

As thunder rolled and rained drizzled down, zombies swarmed the streets of Battle Creek. The prophesied Zombie Apocalypse had come, reports Laura Adams in her blog, The Village Thinker.There were blood-covered zombies, drooling zombies and pre-school-age zombies with mommy zombies. With the exception of an irate security guard at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation who threatened to call the police, folks in downtown Battle Creek seemed to accept the swarm.Local photographer Dave Melges organized and captured the zombie antics. Soon, he's organizing a bride-themed photo shoot. And for five days in September, the zombies and the brides will do battle in the streets of Battle Creek as he shoots a feature-length movie called Brides vs Zombies.For video, still pictures and more commentary on the event check out Adams' blog.Source: The Village Thinker

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FireKeepers Casino keeps its word to Battle Creek

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Arts and Culture

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May 13, 2010

FireKeepers Casino has kept its promise to spend locally, reports the Battle Creek Enquirer.About 40 percent of FireKeepers' spending happens within a roughly 60-mile radius of the Emmett Township casino, according to the newspaper's analysis of spending data provided by the casino.Excerpt: FireKeepers spent nearly $12.8 million on supplies between its August opening and late-April, according to the documents.About 22 percent of that $12.8 million was spent in nearby counties, including $2.5 million, or about 20 percent of the casino's total spending, in Calhoun County.FireKeepers spent about $1.94 million in Battle Creek, according to the documents.The story goes on to say a big, positive impact on the local economy was one of the casino's biggest selling points to critics before it opened.And $2.5 million could be a big, positive impact for Calhoun County, said George Erickcek, a senior analyst with Kalamazoo's W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research who is studying FireKeepers' impact on Calhoun County. While FireKeepers could be tough competition for existing restaurants, the casino is spending the kind of money that could allow the beneficiaries of that spending to add jobs, Erickcek said.For a further breakdown on the casino's spending, read the entire story.Source: Battle Creek Enquirer

Benton Harbor’s award-winning designer expands to ready-to-wear

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Arts and Culture

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March 25, 2010

Angela Wolf has met her long-term goal of launching her first ready-to-wear line, reports the Herald-Paladium. Wolf, the creative mind behind Benton Harbor's own fashion company, is now offering Angela Wolf Couture and 'Abo Apparel, in her local studio at 85 East Main Street Studio No. 405. Excerpt: After winning the 2008 American Sewing Expo's Passion for Fashion Challenge and landing on the American Sewing Expo magazine cover in September 2009, Wolf is having a blast trying to keep up with all her new opportunities. She also has participated in the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals' Threads Magazine's Fluid Fabric Challenge for two years in a row, and both submissions made the top 20. "Ready-to-wear is fun for me," Wolf says, relaxing with a cup of tea surrounded by pieces from her new line in her shop in Vincent Place in downtown Benton Harbor. "This is my lifestyle. I travel, I'm very busy." Her spring ready-to-wear line consists of separates in different colors and fabrics that can be dressed up or down. "I do my own patternmaking," Wolf says, which allows her more flexibility and variety. "Most designers present 10 pieces. I'm able to have 30 outfits in 15 patterns. Almost all the tops are hand wash, and they don't wrinkle, which makes them perfect for travel. I love the bright colors." The story goes on to say 'Abo Apparel is not selling on a national level yet, but that's Wolf's 2010 goal. She's compiled look books for boutiques and has met with high-end boutique owners in Illinois, Michigan and Florida. Read the full story for more about Wolf's full alteration business, and her experience as a wardrobe and image consultant.