Author

Jane Parikh

Jane Simos
Jane Parikh is a freelance reporter and writer with more than 20 years of experience and also is the owner of In So Many Words based in Battle Creek. She is the Project Editor for On the Ground Battle Creek.

Jane Parikh's Latest Articles

Agreement between KCC and GVSU eases transfer concerns for students
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May 4, 2023

Kellogg Community College is strengthening its bridge from associates to bachelors degrees at Grand Valley State University. Credit alignment, programming, and pre-transfer support are part of the collaborative effort. "Our advisors will be coming to KCC to work with these students," says Al Shiflett, Director of Community Engagement with GVSU's BC Regional Outreach Center. "They’ll be Lakers from day one even if they’re not at GVSU yet."

Voices of Youth: Through words and art, Battle Creek youth share what matters to them
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May 4, 2023

Southwest Michigan Second Wave is thrilled to launch its third cohort of stories from Voices of Youth Battle Creek, a student-paid journalism-training program. Over the next four weeks, we will be publishing the students' passionate stories and artwork that reflect on issues that matter most to them. Read on to learn more.

Learning Tool or Teaching Threat: Students and educators talk ChatGPT
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April 27, 2023

Since its November launch, ChatGPT has created a stir of controversy. Some local teachers and students can see both its benefits and drawbacks. One Lakeview High School senior says she can see how the AI tool could help with generating essay ideas, but as far as using it in place of her own writing, she says, “It would create an interesting perspective, but it would never be your own work."

Battle Creek’s Litter Ladies and Lads make a difference one piece of trash at a time
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April 27, 2023

On the first publicly-celebrated Earth Day since the pandemic, Southwest Michiganders gathered to plant, weed, and beautify. For the Litter Ladies and Lads in Battle Creek who pick up trash year-round to protect humans and wildlife, every day is Earth Day.

Tribal Governance focus of new graduate certificate at Western Michigan University
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April 20, 2023

Southwest Michigan Native American Tribal leaders and Western Michigan University are inauagarting a long-desired Graduate Certificate in Tribal Governance. “This program is not only for Native citizens but also for people who don’t have any affiliation with Tribal Communities,” says Ben Brenner, member of the Gun Lake Tribal Council. “I hope it will be the spark that guides people back home to their Tribes."

Artistry at Marshall barbershop not limited to haircuts
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April 20, 2023

A unique and artistic barbershop in Marshall is drawing clientele from around Southwest Michigan. In the front, CAMP, a family-friendly barbershop, and in the back, Huntsman's Hound for the "distinguished gentlemen" where clientele can expect to be shaved with razors containing Japanese Feather Blades and with a "teaspooon more of exclusivity," says owner Noah Saber who had plenty of help in bringing his vision to life.

New Arts Collaborative supports and boosts Battle Creek’s creatives
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April 13, 2023

Exciting things are happening in Battle Creek's art scene. The new Arts and Culture Collaborative of Battle Creek will provide resources, support, space to create, and possibilities for creative collaboration, with a specific focus on helping marginalized artists. "Without creative careers, a city will fail," says Vania Word, ACCBC Executive Director.

Charlie-Jo Sauceda is a recent graduate of The Haven’s Women’s Life Recovery Program
Battle Creek’s Women’s Life Recovery Program is for all women
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April 6, 2023

Battle Creek's Women's Life Recovery Program, housed in the beautiful historic Andrus House, has successfully supported women in recovery for almost 70 years. Andrus House welcomes women from all walks of life, race, ethnicity, and age (over 18), including mothers with their children. Program Manager Gloria Givhan is implementing an aggressive marketing campaign to invite BIPOC women seeking support with addiction recovery to apply for this transformational program.

Lakeview Middle School student spells her way into National Spelling Bee
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April 6, 2023

The odds of making it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee are the same "as being struck twice by lightning in your lifetime," says Barb Galonsky, who runs the Lakeview Public Schools Spelling Club which has sent an impressive four students to the Scripps National Spelling Bee since 2016. Jane Parikh looks into Lakeview's spelling success and interviews this year's national contender, eighth-grader Emily Demlow.

Women influencers in Battle Creek made history
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March 23, 2023

In a city whose well-known historical figures include revered, fiery abolitionist Sojourner Truth, other influential women have also made their mark by following paths that were uniquely their own. As part of On the Ground Battle Creek’s coverage of Women’s History Month, Jane Parikh shares stories of three women who secured their unique spots in the city’s history.

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