Page 543 – Second Wave

South Haven’s shore, shopping and more attract attention

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June 17, 2010

It's the time of year when publications are putting out their recommendations for summer getaways. This year the Chicago Tribune Travel section suggests South Haven, a place that lures families with its beaches and berries. Excerpt: There's little that can compare with traveling the world and exploring new places; the rewards are endless. But there's something comforting and nurturing in returning again and again to a familiar destination. Part of it is that the trip becomes easier: You know which restaurants you prefer, where to shop for necessities, what to do when it rains. There are fewer decisions to make. And there is the anticipation of being able to repeat, or share with others, the thing that you enjoyed most the last time around. Either way, South Haven is a winner. It has small-town charm with world-class beaches, a variety of attractions and decent restaurants. And there's just something about the sunsets. For advice on places to stay and where to eat, read the entire story. Source: Chicago Tribune

Both Portage high schools make Newsweek list of nation’s best

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In The News

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June 17, 2010

Newsweek says Portage Central and Portage Northern high schools are in the top 6 percent of all high schools in the nation.The Challenge Index is designed to honor schools that have done the best job in persuading average students to take college-level courses and tests, Newsweek reports. There were 33 schools in Michigan to make the list.The ranking is based on the total number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate or Cambrdige tests give at a school each year divided by the number of seniors graduating in June. Schools also are ranked on what the listmakers call Equity and Excellence -- a percentage of all graduating seniors, including those who have never taken an AP course, who passed at least one AP test. The average Equity and Excellence rate in 2009 was 15.9 percent. At Central 45 percent passed at least one AP test and Northern 39 percent did so.Excerpt:Each year, Newsweek picks the best high schools in the country based on how hard school staffs work to challenge students with advanced-placement college-level courses and tests. Just over 1,600 schools — only 6 percent of all the public schools in the U.S. — made the list. Check out the profiles by clicking on the name of any school in the list.Source: Newsweek

Horses and their people could call this place home

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General

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June 17, 2010

Planners have removed the hurdles to a $6.1 million Concord Ridge Equestrian Center, reports the Herald-Palladium.The Royalton Township development calls for a large indoor arena area plus stables for up to 46 horses on the 39-acre site on the west side of Michigan-139, south of Marquette Woods Road. The project also would have seven single-family houses and six upscale condominium units in three duplex buildings. The idea is for the homes to be sold to people who want to be close to their horses. Planners stipulated residential construction on the site must be single-family, and another is that any commercial activity on the site must be related to equestrian activities. Construction is expected to start in July.Excerpt:Trustee William Foust said the center will be "a very positive entity for our township."The center's 160- by 220-foot main building would be built along M-139, south of Marquette Woods Road. The center, which would employ five people, would have stalls for 44 horses, two dressage areas and a second-floor viewing area.For more details, read the rest of the story. Source: Herald-Palladium

WMU team says here comes the Sunseeker

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Innovation News

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June 17, 2010

WMU's solar race car team is in Texas readying the Sunseeker for a round of qualifying events.The new Sunseeker has been in development for 18 months. It is lighter and more aerodynamic than previous WMU racers, weighing in at about 650 pounds with the driver on board.This year's race marks the 10th time WMU students have participated in the biennial American Solar Challenge race that draws the best engineering schools from the United States and Canada. WMU solar powered vehicles have placed as high as sixth and captured best design awards in post-race ceremonies. WMU is one of only four teams in North America to have participated in all nine previous races.A team of 10 engineering students and two advisors from WMU are now in Cresson Texas for the American Solar Challenge qualifying events -- four days set aside for the evaluation of all the vehicle systems and the Formula Sun Grand Prix track race, June 16-18, to ensure the vehicles are up to the demands of the road trip.This year, competitors will race for 1,100 miles through four states on a course chosen to include pieces of routes used in previous events in a historical tribute to the 20 years of organized solar racing events in North America. The cross-country road race will start June 20 in Tulsa, Okla., and conclude June 26 in Chicago.Race updates are available online. The team also has its own Facebook page.The event offers students a chance to apply classroom knowledge to a hands-on project that culminates in a test of the efficiency, safety and durability of the solar vehicles. The teams also promote the use of renewable alternative energy and the advancement of related technologies by educating the public through the presentation and demonstration of a solar powered vehicle.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cheryl Roland, WMU

Stryker takes the LEED for facilty in Portage

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

Stryker Corps.' patient handling and emergency medical equipment building in Portage -- home of manufacturing and divisional headquarters office space -- has been recognized for the way it has reduced its impact on the environment. Since the building's construction in 2005, Stryker has reduced the facility's energy usage by 27 percent through implementing a building operations plan, an energy audit and a retro-commissioning plan. Improvements have included the re-use of pallets, diverting plastic from landfills and overall trash cost reduction.The company's efforts have resulted in LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. Stryker has earned a silver designation in the LEED rating system for existing building operations and maintenance, the first manufacturer in Michigan to do so.The rating system under which Stryker's efforts were evaluated assesses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues, water efficiency, energy efficiency, sustainable purchasing, recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs and ongoing indoor air quality. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, which provides a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.The LEED rating system for New Construction has similar goals that apply to newly built facilities. Stryker's manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, has achieved a gold designation in the LEED rating system for new construction, one of only five facilities in China to achieve this rating. These certifications recognize Stryker's ongoing, company-wide efforts, many of which began in its European plants, to design and operate its facilities in a more sustainable and responsible manner.Stryker, one of the world's leading medical technology companies, provides innovative orthopedic implants as well as state-of-the-art medical and surgical equipment to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Stryker Corp.

Exporting the Kalamazoo Promise to help other communities grow

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

Community leaders interested in finding out more about the Kalamazoo Promise and similar programs are in Kalamazoo this week for the third annual PromiseNet.The conference is designed to bring together representatives of communities that are investing in education and economic development through scholarship programs."Investing in Youth for Community Transformation," this year's theme, is aimed at helping other cities accomplish the same kind of transformation the Promise has created in Kalamazoo.Conference speakers include: • Nationally renowned economist, author and commentator Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College for Women. • Kalamazoo investor William D. Johnston, president and chair of Greenleaf Companies.• Gregory M. Darnieder, special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Education and advisor on the secretary's Initiative on College Access. Conference sessions are being led by a number of individuals connected with the Promise and Promise-type initiatives. They include Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Michael Rice and school officials affiliated with similar initiatives in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Wisconsin and other states."The goal of PromiseNet 2010 is to connect communities that are working together to transform themselves," executive director of the Kalamazoo promise Dr. Janice Brown says. "The conference is designed to bring together individuals from all over the United States who are invested and engaged in education-based economic renewal like Kalamazoo, as well as those in the planning stages."The conference comes on the heels of President Barack Obama's national attention given to The Kalamazoo Promise, a college tuition guarantee for graduates of the Kalamazoo Public Schools. During his commencement address for Kalamazoo Central High School's Class of 2010, the president praised the Promise initiative, saying: "I think that America has a lot to learn from Kalamazoo about what makes a successful school in this new century."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cheryl Roland, WMU

Champions for Change a sign of what’s new in twin cities

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

A popular saying these days is be the change you want to see in the world. A new initiative launched in the twin cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph asks people to let others know you're the one making a change.The initiative, led by the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce, is expected to last at least two years. The Chamber hopes that by increasing the visibility of volunteer work that is leading to positive change there will be an increased sense of pride and encourage even more people to volunteer.When a volunteer effort is under way, groups or businesses are encouraged to use the Champions for Change logo to show how such work is making a difference in the community.Anyone gives of their time and talent to make the community better is a Champion for Change.The program will do well if participants "talk about it, believe it, live it," Chamber organizers say. They hope participants will encourage others to be a "Champion" and then join them on Facebook at the Champions for Change page. "The Michigan's Great Southwest community is truly blessed to have so many individuals willing to give of their time to make a difference in the area. This community is full of Champions for Change," says Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan Executive Director Doris Higgins.For more information contact the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce staff. The staff of Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce is serving as the driving force behind this community initiative. The staff also can be readched by e-mail or telephone. Contact Pat Moody, at 269-757-0216 or Regina Ciaravino, at 269-757-0227.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Jamie Balkin, Cornerstone Alliance

Summertime in the city is festival time

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

Summertime is festival time in downtown Kalamazoo. Lots of towns host a festival or two during the summers. But for Kalamazoo that's just not enough. Greek Fest kicked off the festival season. Next up is Island Fest. Yet to come are Blues Fest, the Black Arts Festival, the Irish Festival, Rib Fest, Rock for Kids, Taste of Kalamazoo, Woofstock and Boiling Pot, the area's newest festival. Community Relations Director for Downtown Kalamazoo Inc. Vicky Kettner says over years the festival season has continued to expand as residents have found new ways to use the Arcadia Creek Festival Place. The $2 million festival site opened in 2004, developed through private funding, is managed by DKI. in 2009, an estimated 180,000 people were drawn to various events there from mid-April to mid-October. To promote a sense of community, all the festivals downtown must have a theme, Kettner says. "All our festivals have deeply rooted community connections." Some raise money for local causes. For example, proceeds from RibFest benefit Community Advocates, an organization that supports those with developmental disabilities. Others are simply a place to meet up with people from across the region. Once local retailers and restauerters dreaded the way the festivals siphoned off their business. Now, through a survey, local businesses have a say in the hours of operations of new festivals requesting to use the downtown site. As attendance at the festivals as burgeoned local businesses are finding their ... is brisk. Kettner says she heard reports that during Greek Fest the local bar and restaurant Ouzo Taverna -- within walking distance of the festival site -- was standing room only. "We are not hearing the complaints we once did." When a festival is not in full swing, Arcadia Creek Festival Place is a spot for picnics, weddings and other low key uses by people who want to be near the creek. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Vicky Kettner, Community Relations Director

Top entrepreneur recognition goes to Kalexsyn founders

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Development News

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June 17, 2010

Kalexsyn Inc.'s leadership has been recognized for promoting excellence in technology. David Zimmermann, CEO, and Robert Gadwood, Ph.D., president and chief scientific officer, of the company have been named Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs Of The Year. The Kalamazoo-based company that focuses on providing medicinal chemistry services to the pharmaceutical industry and has averaged 30 percent growth each year since its founding. The award, in its 24th year, is given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate success in innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Kalexsyn competed for the award with companies in Michigan and Northwest Ohio. "These entrepreneur of the year award winners are best in class, and we are proud to honor their outstanding success," says Frank Maselli, Ernst & Young L.L.P. Zimmermann and Gadwood founded Kalexsyn, a contract research organization, in 2003 with assistance from Southwest Michigan First, Western Michigan University and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "This award recognizes the quality and value Kalexsyn brings to each of our clients," Zimmermann says. "Contract research organizations like ours thrive on the skills and qualities found in our exceptional staff and scientific team." Kalexsyn is a world-class medicinal chemistry contract research organization (CRO). Our scientists average 15 years of experience in hit validation, lead optimization and solving tough synthetic problems. We offer clients an outstanding CRO experience, including tailored short- and long-term FTE arrangements. Kalexsyn is privately owned and located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: David Zimmermann, Kalexsyn Inc.

Kalamazoo Community Foundation celebrates 85th birthday with Match Day

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Community Development

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June 17, 2010

If you've ever wanted to help out a local nonprofit with a financial gift, but never quite got around to it, the right time to give is at hand. All it takes is a walk through the park and a willingness to donate. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation hosts Match Day June 23. On that day, donors will be able to contribute to the endowment funds of the nonprofits of their choice. And the Foundation will match 50 cents for every dollar given.The Foundation will donate as much as $85,000 to local nonprofits. PNC Bank and an anonymous donor who has a donor advised fund with the Foundation also will contribute $85,000.Representatives from 56 nonprofit organizations will be at tables set along the paths in Bronson Park. From there they will describe to would-be donors the services they offer. Organizations have sent out reminders of the Match Day event to friends and contributors in hopes for a good turn out. In order for a donation to be matched, it must be made to the endowment fund of a participating organization, and must be made in person on June 23.Donor Relations Officer for the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Coby Chalmers says, "Donors will celebrate the past by giving at an event that marks Kalamazoo Community Foundation's 85th birthday with gift in the present. By helping organizations build their endowments so they will have greater support available to them in the future."Founded in 1925, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation works to address existing and emerging community issues in the areas of individuals and families, youth development, early childhood learning and school readiness, and economic and community development. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Coby Chalmers, Kalamazoo Community Foundation