Page 547 – Second Wave

The undead entertain downtown Battle Creek in search for brain food

By Newsroom

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May 27, 2010

As thunder rolled and rained drizzled down, zombies swarmed the streets of Battle Creek. The prophesied Zombie Apocalypse had come, reports Laura Adams in her blog, The Village Thinker.There were blood-covered zombies, drooling zombies and pre-school-age zombies with mommy zombies. With the exception of an irate security guard at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation who threatened to call the police, folks in downtown Battle Creek seemed to accept the swarm.Local photographer Dave Melges organized and captured the zombie antics. Soon, he's organizing a bride-themed photo shoot. And for five days in September, the zombies and the brides will do battle in the streets of Battle Creek as he shoots a feature-length movie called Brides vs Zombies.For video, still pictures and more commentary on the event check out Adams' blog.Source: The Village Thinker

Spring brings a fresh approach to eating local

By Newsroom

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Health

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May 27, 2010

Borgess Health's Farmer's Market is back for another season of fresh foods. Once again this year Borgess is making it easy for patients, visitors and employees to eat and shop local. Throughout the spring and summer, Borgess sponsors a farmer's market in its courtyard, just outside the Borgess Medical Center cafeteria, 1521 Gull Rd. Registered dietitians are also often on hand to provide counseling and meal suggestions.While customers shop, they can hear music performed by the students of Kalamazoo School of Music & Dance and Crescendo Academy of Music.The third edition of the Borgess Light Hearted Living Cookbook will also be for sale. Pick up a copy for $19.95.Market dates and times are: June 25, July 23, Aug. 27 and Sept. 24, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.Participating Farmer's Market vendors include: Pampered Chef, Riverstreet Flowerland, Fat Blossom Farms, Twice Maple Orchard, Nottawa Fruit Farm, Taste of Heaven, Russell Farm Market & Greenhouse, Apple A Day Farm, The Candy Lady, Water Street Coffee Joint, Country Life Natural Foods, Judy Vemma, Rykse's, Bella Joy Pottery, Sarkozy Bakery, Leduc Blueberries, DASH Minerals/Scentsy and Shelton Farms. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Borgess Health

Western Michigan University names new dean of business school

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Following a national search, Dr. Kay M. Palan has been named to the leadership position of Western Michigan University's Haworth Business College effective July 1. Her appointment was made pending approval by the WMU Board of Trustees. She comes from Iowa State University where she was associate dean for undergraduate programs for the College of Business."Dr. Palan's academic and professional background, her engaging manner and her clearly communicated shared values and commitment resonated with members of this campus community," says Dr. Timothy Greene, WMU provost and vice president for academic affairs. "There's a genuine sense of excitement about the direction the college will go under her strong leadership."During her tenure at Iowa State University, Palan managed and coordinated both an undergraduate minor in entrepreneurial studies and a graduate certificate program in the same field. She also undertook a number of marketing-related consulting projects with civic, nonprofit and corporate entities throughout the state. Those projects dealt with marketing strategy, market opportunity analysis, feasibility studies, communication branding strategies, marketing plan development and customer satisfaction and loyalty.The Haworth College of Business, WMU's second largest college, is the academic home to nearly 5,000 students studying in six departments."I'm really very excited about leading the Haworth College of Business," Palan says. "The faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders all impressed me with their passion for the college and their desire to move forward. My experience and background are a good match with the college's and University's mission and direction." Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Cheryl Roland, WMU

Albemarle recognized by American Chemistry Council

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Albemarle Corporation, a global leader in delivering innovative specialty chemicals and clean energy solutions, recently was recognized for acting with care when it comes to environmental stewardship -- and its facility in South Haven helped it earn the accolades. Albemarle received four awards from the American Chemistry Council for the company's contributions to the improved performance of the chemical sector.The company received the Responsible Care Performance Award, given to those that excel at helping the American Chemistry Council meet industry-wide safety and product stewardship targets. Since 1988, members of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) have significantly improved their environmental, health, safety and security performance through the Responsible Care initiative. Participation in Responsible Care is mandatory for ACC member companies.Albemarle is one of only 10 companies to receive the award, and also received a Responsible Care Facility Safety Certificate, presented to companies with particularly high-standard achievements in employee health and safety performance.Two Responsible Care Significant Improvement in Manufacturing awards also went to Albemarle for two plant projects. The Bayport Facility in Pasadena, Texas, and the South Haven facility were recognized for their continual efforts in energy conservation."For more than twenty years, Responsible Care has represented a common commitment of companies working together to continuously improve our industry's performance. The companies and individuals recognized today have distinguished themselves as leaders in our commitment to sustainability," ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley says.Niomi L. Krzystowczyk, Albemarle's Division Vice President of Health, Safety & Environment said the awards "formally acknowledge our commitment to promoting sound sustainability practices throughout our organization and the communities in which we work and live."Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Stephanie Dixon, Albemarle

Seneca Medical Inc. gets to work at Midlink

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Work is under way on an 83,000-square-foot warehouse for medical supplier Seneca Medical Inc.'s distribution operation across Southwest Michigan and beyond.By the time the project is done, Seneca Medical expects to have invested $3.5 million in land and building costs, including the purchase of 10.6 acres of land in Midlink Business Park.There may be as many 25 employees working at the site by the end of the warehouse's first year of business. There already are 10 employees working at the site. The warehouse and related operations in the Kalamazoo area expands the medical supplier's reach into Southwest Michigan and northern Indiana, says Todd R. Howell, Chief Financial Officer."It represents our long-term commitment to the State of Michigan that Seneca will be providing medical supplies for the foreseeable future," Howell says.The move also benefits the health care continuum -- acute care hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, surgery centers -- in Michigan by providing Seneca, a large regional option, as a viable alternative to the large national companies in the medical-surgical supply distribution space.If business goes well, the operation at the site could employ up to 50 workers in coming years. "It depends upon how the State of Michigan welcomes us to the area in terms of revenue growth," Howell says.Seneca Medical, founded in 1990 in Tiffin, Ohio, has five distribution facilities and provides a wide spectrum of product distribution and support services to health care providers and other market segments throughout Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia and surrounding states. Seneca Medical also has well-established distribution relationships with more than 1,200 high-quality market-leading manufacturers for a wide range of products and services. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Todd R. Howell, Seneca Medical Inc.

Portage resident offers favorite dining picks at updated online site

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Terry St. Louis of Portage sells insurance, and he spends a lot of time traveling Southwest Michigan, dining out at least five days a week. So many people asked St. Louis for advice on where to eat he decided to start Terry's Guide to Dining and Drinking to chronicle his picks for the best places to dine in Southwest Michigan. After a little over a year, the site has reviews and pictures of 350 places where St. Louis has found good food. Wineries, bakeries and breweries are all part of the mix. The site recently relaunched with a new look and features that are more friendly to mobile phone users and is constantly updated as St. Louis finds new places to eat. There are no negative reviews, only places where St. Louis can recommend good food. "When I go into a restaurant I ask what they are known for, what are their top sellers and build my review from that," St. Louis says.The restaurant guide covers all kind of eateries from dives to fine dining spots such Webster's in downtown Kalamazoo. The site also can be searched by city, cuisine and specialties. Hidden-away spots only the locals know about are also part of the package."One of my spots is two miles down a dirt road," St. Louis says. "I have reviews of places that are out in the middle of nowhere."The site recently has seen a lot more traffic -- 4,000 visitors last month -- and St. Louis attributes that to its redesign by Team Hypernet. He said the company not only provides attractive graphics but services to help drive traffic to the site.If the site continues to grow he hopes to eventually branch out and offer reviews from Grand Rapids, Muskegon and Grand Haven. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Terry St. Louis, Terry's Guide to Dining and Drinking

Grant for $1 million will improve science education

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Prospective science teachers soon will get a chance to work in the laboratory next to scientists and in turn pass what they learn on to their students.A $1 million grant to Western Michigan University from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will help teachers learn how to translate science into practical experiences for their future students. The four-year award to WMU will focus on identifying and working with high school science teachers who are trained first as scientists and will then learn how to turn their own research experiences into practical tools that can help them convey scientific principals to their students."We're out to create scientists who choose the profession of teaching," says Dr. Susan Stapleton, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and a professor of chemistry and biological sciences at the University.Beginning this fall, WMU will recruit a group of 15 students who are interested in teaching high school science, chemistry, physics or biology. Those 15 students will spend the summer of 2011 working in a campus research lab, building their own scientific skills and credentials. During the following academic year, they will take a newly-developed course aimed at helping them translate their laboratory experience into practical tools. In summer 2012, they will use those new teaching tools in a summer science camp WMU offers annually for middle school students. A new group of students will be recruited in each of the four years of the project, so as many as 60 prospective science teachers will be part of the initiative."We hope that these programs will shape the way students look at the world," says Howard Hughes Medical Institute President Robert Tjian, "whether those students ultimately choose to pursue a career in science or not." Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Cheryl Roland, WMU

Studio 246 invites fans and new friends to support theater

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Some theaters invite patrons to fundraisers with champaign and chocolate covered strawberries. Kalamazoo's newest theater plans a tailgate party. The party, June 6 at 4 p.m., is part of four days of shows Studio 246 has planned raise money for needed renovations and improvements to the space. The weekend also is a celebration of the completion of the first season at Studio 246. To mark the event, Crawlspace Theatre Productions, Kinetic Affect and Fancy Pants Theater plan a series of shows titled Fancy Affection in the Crawlspace.On the first weekend in June, the theater troupes will fill the studio space with spoken word poetry, original theater works, improv and sketch comedy. Performances will include some favorite work from this past season, along with pieces getting their debuts. The actors hope to raise at least $5,000 over the four days of events for such projects as a highly visible mural that patrons of events in the Arcadia Festival Site will notice, new signage out front, improvements to the lobby and air conditioning that will allow the space to be used during the summer."Studio 246 is not satisfied with being Kalamazoo's best kept secret," says Dann Sytsma, Artistic Director for Crawlspace Theatre Productions. "We're aiming to enhance the aesthetics of Kalamazoo by improving our facility. Studio 246 is a storefront theater, and our storefront needs some attention. The leadership of Studio 246 wants to enhance the North end of the Kalamazoo Walking Mall with proper signage, an enhanced building front that exclaims 'the arts are growing in Kalamazoo.'"The studio at 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall has chosen to be "the theater for those seeking less traditional expressions of art," Sytsma continues. "Spoken word poetry, non-traditional plays, homegrown comedy, are just three examples of what you'll see in this space. Studio 246 celebrates the performing arts in its rawest form. It is not so much a theater as it is an incubator of ideas." For showtimes and ticket information visit the Crawlspace Productions Web site.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Dann Sytsma, Crawlspace Eviction Productions

Used medical equipment helps creatures far and near, great and small

By Newsroom

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Development News

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May 27, 2010

Equipment that has outlived its usefulness at Battle Creek Health Systems sometimes is sent abroad. Donations have gone to medical missions in the Caribbean and the Philippines. Other times it goes no further than Binder Park Zoo. BCHS gladly obliged when a local request came from the zoo asking if the hospital might have some specialized equipment that it might be able to use in its veterinary clinic. Dr. Chris Tabaka, staff veterinarian at Binder Park Zoo recently performed a "spring teeth cleaning" for one of the zoo's snow leopards. He worked under a special light that was donated to the zoo by Battle Creek Health System. One piece of equipment donated has been a pulse oximeter, a medical device that indirectly measures the oxygen saturation of a patient's blood and changes in blood volume in the skin. The hospital also has given the zoo a surgical light, x-ray viewbox, and surgical instruments and trays. "Even though our medical staff does not treat animals, it does not mean that the hospital cannot be supportive with medical equipment for the zoo," says Tammy Clinger, BCHS director of materials management. "We had a number of medical devices that had outgrown our use, so what better way of extending their lives than to help our local zoo residents." Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent organizations -- Trinity Health and BCHS Community Partners -- promotes wellness for the whole person with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical information, visit the BCHS web site. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Peter Phelps, Battle Creek Health Systems

Funerals on the digital edge are all about better goodbyes

By Kim North Shine

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General

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May 27, 2010

Funerals have entered the digital age. Writer Kim North Shine talks to the innovators behind the growing network of Life Story Funeral Homes that have modernized the memorial.