What do you do when ‘social distancing’ isn’t an option?
Large gatherings are banned, but the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission exists to put a roof over the heads of lots of people.
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.
Spanish language newspaper gives voice to Latinx in Battle Creek and across Southwest Michigan
New/Nueva Opinion has changed how people see Latinx people in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo.
New authentic Mexican restaurant coming to Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood
New Mexican restaurant gets ready to move into space in Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood after Jersey Giants moves on.
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.
Experienced, long time businesses and those getting started all call Edison home
Kalamazoo’s largest community keeps plugging away.
Kalamazoo artists develop their work with support from the Artistic Development Initiative
A closer look at four of 15 artists who are developing their skills with the support of the Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative.
Efforts mount to get everyone counted in Kalamazoo
Some community leaders worry that whole households will avoid the 2020 Census and that could be particularly the case in neighborhoods such as Kalamazoo's Edison. But many groups are working to make sure everyone is counted.
It’s 80 years and counting for George’s Appliance Co. in Kalamazoo’s Edison Neighborhood
The independently-owned George’s Appliance Co. on the southern edge of the Edison Neighborhood in Kalamazoo says business has never been bad.
Climate Kalamazoo: ‘What can I do about climate change? I’m just a kid.’
Young people are mobilizing to demand action be taken on the climate crisis. In Kalamazoo, 4th and 5th graders at El Sol Elementary have formed a club and have set to work. And teens working with Kalamazoo Public Library have crafted a 30-day action plan. They're just getting started.
New work skills, a good lunch and a fresh cup of coffee are on the menu in Kalamazoo’s Edison
KPEP is set to give a vacant building in the Edison Neighborhood a new face as it creates job training and employment opportunities.
