Mark Wedel's Latest Articles
Stadium Drive construction begins as Kalamazoo moves to slow traffic and create complete streets
The Stadium Drive project now underway will make the wide four-lane road into a "gateway" for downtown Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University. The project is also a gateway to the city's complete streets goals.
Jazz pianists will be getting their own Gilmore award with an $8 million endowment from Larry Bell
The first Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist will be selected in 2026. The award is similar to the Gilmore Artist Award, where jurors hunt for the classical pianists whose talent deserves a boost. An anonymous committee will choose the jazz recipient every four years.
Let’s talk: Why get vaccinated? COVID-19 is not done with us, public health figures say.
With every wave of cases, the pandemic has had a huge impact on both Bronson and Borgess, from their main hospitals to the small-town clinics. We recently spoke with three figures in Kalamazoo public health about the pandemic and where it stands now.
The Gilmore Festival Fellows Program teaches young artists what it takes to build a music career
It takes more than practicing long and hard to make a career in music. These days it also takes business savvy. The Gilmore Festival Fellow program is helping young artists learn skills they need to make it work.
Let’s talk: Overcoming roadblocks to transportation in rural and urban communities
People and organizations are working to help residents outside of city limits get from here to there. Today's urban planning aims to make it possible for all -- pedestrian, bicyclist, bus passenger, and motorist -- to use streets in a safe, accessible, and practical manner.
Live shows at some Kalamazoo bars have returned. The Sexy Toxins are ready.
After a year's hiatus due to COVID-19 precautions, Bell's Eccentric Day is back, Dec. 3. It's one of a number of bars with live shows that are bringing folks out of their isolation. Mark Wedel recently visited the venue to see what a show with COVID safety precautions in place looks like.
Poems on Buses is back: Friends of Poetry brings youth poetry to Metro Transit riders once again
It's been a long time since the Kalamazoo Friends of Poetry presented poems on local buses. Now the poems are back. They are some of the winners of the Poems That Ate Our Ears Contest.
Let’s talk: Rural and urban service organizations discuss common concerns around food insecurity
Local food banks that serve both rural and urban constituencies are being hit hard by fluctuations caused by the pandemic. In 2020, donation sources closed, food drives stopped. In 2021, food prices rose, deliveries slowed, food was being diverted to commercial use as restaurants and other businesses opened. Nonprofits' needs continue to be great.
Community celebrates couple with events as WMU Libraries acquire the archive of Small and Stewart
If you've been seeing writer and illustrator David Small's name popping up around Kalamazoo lately the events and recognition come as Western Michigan University Archives has acquired an archive of his works and that of his wife Sarah Stuart.
