Author

Al Jones

Al Jones

Al Jones is a freelance writer who has worked for many years as a reporter, editor, and columnist. He is the Project Editor for On the Ground Kalamazoo.

Al Jones's Latest Articles

Efforts mount to get everyone counted in Kalamazoo

Some community leaders worry that whole households will avoid the 2020 Census and that could be particularly the case in neighborhoods such as Kalamazoo's Edison. But many groups are working to make sure everyone is counted.

It’s 80 years and counting for George’s Appliance Co. in Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood

The independently-owned George’s Appliance Co. on the southern edge of the Edison Neighborhood in Kalamazoo says business has never been bad.

New work skills, a good lunch and a fresh cup of coffee are on the menu in Kalamazoo’s Edison

KPEP is set to give a vacant building in the Edison Neighborhood a new face as it creates job training and employment opportunities.

Curtain is going up on new theater in Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood

Kalamazoo's newest comedy troupe, Dormouse Theatre, makes its home in the Edison Neighborhood and its work will make you laugh and think.

Life’s a beach, a picnic, a reunion, and a makeover in Kalamazoo’s Oakwood Neighborhood

What's ahead for Oakwood in Kalamazoo in 2020? We take a look.

Three residents who are working with neighbors to create a better Oakwood Neighborhood in Kalamazoo

Sometimes the best way to get to know your neighbors is to do projects together, Oakwood residents say.

Don’t judge this store by its cover: Kazoo Books is one of Oakwood’s quiet successes

On Parkview Avenue, the Oakwood Neighborhood's front porch, Kazoo Books has become a destination point for book lovers from all over Southwest Michigan, and a small-town alternative for a growing number of out-of-state readers who find it online.

Oakwood is a place where kids – and sometimes deer – can play in the streets

The Oakwood Neighborhood, where close-ended streets give it the feel of secluded country living, is known as a solid neighborhood for its affordability, convenience, and safety and it's where you can get a decent home for under $150,000. 

Oakwood: A Kalamazoo neighborhood hidden in plain sight

Oakwood, an often overlooked neighborhood in Kalamazoo with an interesting and unique history looks to make improvements without losing its friendly feel. 

United Way tackles complex issues by investing in four key areas

Annual giving of $6.2 million pushes progress in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.

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