Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo’s name is so distinctive strangers around the world have been known to break into song at hearing the name. With such a recognizable moniker you’d think Kalamazoo wouldn’t need nicknames, but through the years changing names have reflected the city’s refusal to stand still. The Zoo, Celery City and the Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown K’zoo the nation’s first pedestrian mall in 1959 continues to work today. Innovators have developed thriving life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms. They build on the expertise of Kalamazoo’s universities. Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College all are centers of research, development and technology. They surround a downtown vibrating with condos, apartments and homegrown, top-notch restaurants. The universities are woven into the city’s social fabric and contribute to a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and a vibrant local theater community are a few of the offerings. Locals also love their festivals that fill the air with music and the scents of ethnic foods wafting over the Arcadia Festival grounds and the Kalamazoo River. Outdoor activities from biking on the Kal-Haven trail to disc golf and standard golf on a nationally-acclaimed course in Milham Park are the start of the city’s leisure side. Sports fans have competitive college teams, minor league baseball and hockey to follow. And it all comes with a Promise. All high school graduates who live in Kalamazoo qualify for a scholarship that pays 100 percent of their tuition at any public university or community college.

MDOT work will support companies that promise jobs

Two area firms that are promising local jobs are getting some love from the Michigan Department of Transportation in the form of road work that will help them do business. […]

Hospital, WMU work together on new IT center
Funding leads to testing for new Metabolic Solutions Development Co. therapies
Growing the local economy with locally grown food

Almost everyone knows buying local fruit and vegetables means you eat better. But it's just as tasty for the local economy. And it's easy to do  in Michigan, the state second only to California in agricultural diversity. Writer Zinta Aistars talks to those in the know on the local food scene about all the benefits.

Critical care: Borgess researchers’ goal is saving women’s lives

Two physicians at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo play prominent roles in the area of women's health and gender-specific medical research nationwide. Kelle Barr profiles the work being led by doctors Janice Werbinski and Soundos Moualla.

Success ferments for two Battle Creek area’s brewing companies
MSHDA says Kalamazoo leader helps the homeless
Second Wave Media takes a week off, returns Nov. 4
Private companies asked for proposals to bring back historical roots of WMU
Studio 246 unveils new look and upcoming season

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