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.
Within walking distance to downtown Kalamazoo and with houses that attract those who love history with their domicile, Stuart Neighborhood attracts people who know what they want.
At the recent National Day of Healing in Kalamazoo, community leaders explored the truths that can lead to healing and transformation.
When it comes to the COVID-19 vaccine, "I recommend it to all my loved ones. So I recommend it to you," says Dr. Martinson Arnan said of the first and second shots produced by Pfizer.
"What happens when centuries of lies become accepted truths?" asks Dr. Benjamin C. Wilson, keynote speaker for the Northside Ministerial Alliance's 35th annual celebration of the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Wilson suggests that the accomplishments of African-Americans and the travails they suffered are left out.
A new grassroots group in Kalamazoo has generated an outpouring of support for those living in Kalamazoo area homeless camps. This is how that turned into a little bit too much love, how the group has repaired its early over-enthusiasm and how it's pushing ahead.
Kevin McCarthy is an active, moderate Republican. He says, "All my fears of how Trump and his hardcore followers would endanger the country came to fruition on Jan. 6, 2021."
"We've been way more successful than we could have hoped. We were really happy when we were able to make an offer on the property and it was accepted this summer,” says Erin Fuller, president of the Stewards of Kleinstuck.
Second Wave reporters, correspondents, and photographers were as busy as they could be during 2020. We're grateful that you read and shared Second Wave stories (readership is up nearly 35 percent when compared to the previous year). We hope you will let us know what you want to read about in 2021.
The beavers at Asylum Lake Preserve have been very busy indeed. But their activity shows the area's ecological health.
The City of Kalamazoo and the regional United Way are partnering to help city-based businesses with fewer than 50 employees that need funds for personal protective equipment.
Our Sponsors
Our Media Partners
Common Ground Is Brewing
Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).
Drink Better, Read Local
