Author

Mark Wedel

Mark Wedel has been a freelance journalist since 1992, covering a bewildering variety of subjects. He also writes books on his epic bike rides across the country. He's written a book on one ride, "Mule Skinner Blues." For more information, see www.markswedel.com.

Mark Wedel's Latest Articles

What will COVID-19 mean for the November election? Secretary of State predicts safe polling

"We want every citizen to know that the election this fall will happen and that they have the right to vote in it regardless of what's changing, in regards to the pandemic or anything else," says Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

Grants will help Kalamazoo area arts groups through period when there’s no income from live events

A group of Kalamazoo area foundations are rallying behind arts organizations so they can keep the lights on and their staffs paid at a time when stay-at-home orders have halted live performances and events.

Quarantine Week 7: To hit the bike trail or stay home. For some, that’s this week’s question

More people are turning to bikes as a way to relieve stuck at home syndrome. Mark Wedel tells us what we should know before going pedaling into the world with a new virus on the loose.

May 1 Art Hop will be on the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Facebook page

You've probably never been able to take in a whole Art Hop all and once and comment on the art, too. For the May 1 Art Hop the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo Facebook page is the place to do it all.

Streaming, rescheduling, refunds: 2020 Gilmore Keyboard Festival pulls out the contingency plans

When you are planning one of the region's biggest events it's common to plan for all kinds of contingencies. A novel coronavirus isn't usually one of them. Here's how the Gilmore Keyboard Festival is adjusting to the new reality.

Kalamazoo’s Art Hop and other arts events ask audiences to catch them online

In a time when audiences can't come to Kalamazoo arts organizations the arts groups come to the audiences by moving events online.

Now more than ever, everyone needs to read, says the Kalamazoo Literacy Council

Literacy is at the root of healthcare, says Michael Evans, executive director of the Kalamazoo Literacy Council. And they are working to give learners the tools they need during a pandemic. 

Portage welcomes author Jason Reynolds, who finds ways to engage young readers with stories in verse

Author Jason Reynolds is not only getting kids to read, he invites them to join him in a new way to talk about anger and humanity. He visits Portage on March 18.

Face Off: Where one can sing, take a deep look at social activism, or examine a rigged school system

This season Face Off Theatre productions in Kalamazoo will show youth and others that "you can fix the problems in your community just as well as anyone else." 

Latin American music from classical to traditional is in the spotlight at three upcoming events

Two Kalamazoo concerts and one in Battle Creek will challenge what listeners think they know about Latin American music.

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