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.
The City of Kalamazoo aims to be 'net zero' by 2050. Kalamazoo's Sustainability Planner Justin Gish plans to help the city get there. VOY's Dmitri Agdanowski sits down with Gish to find out more.
"How is it we show Mother Earth that we care so much for her?... We need a transformation toward kinship, that's the living world. I hope you give it a try."
In its 52nd year, the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy serves more than 50 area families, teaching language, performing arts, and traditional dance to both Chinese and non-heritage learners.
The 2024 Kindleberger Summer Festival for the Arts took place from July 10 to 15 in Parchment. This longstanding, popular festival brings the community together in celebration of the arts, autos, and more. Check out Fran Dwight's joyful photos.
Kalamazoo street work may be slowing you down; that could have some advantages for a burgeoning downtown nightlife scene. Stay tuned for more stories in our summer series on Kalamazoo After Dark.
The City of Kalamazoo's Sustainability Director, Justin Gish, spoke on Kalamazoo's carbon emissions to the People's Church Green Sanctuary Committee. "The Green Sanctuary Committee is essentially walking the talk…even when it seems like it's just a drop in the bucket.”
“I think the metaphor that sticks with me is like if you buried it in the woods, would it be there when you came back 20 years later? I want my clothing to add to the planet and not take away from the planet, and so I try as much as possible to only sew with things that will biodegrade so that they are not going to follow future generations.”
Since its inception 38 years ago, the Black Arts & Cultural Center has been expanding its programming, moving locations, and even opening a new Cafe. With the Black Arts Festival coming soon, we catch up with Dani Lewis about BACC's past, present, and future.
Global Ties Kalamazoo connects people from around the world with their counterparts for meaningful conversation. To further promote the exchange of ideas, the organization is also hosting a Diplomacy Begins Here summit on July 11 and 12. Find out more here.
Considering a green (or natural) burial for yourself or a loved one? An eco-friendly burial is a way of caring for the dead that minimizes environmental impact. Learn what is involved, about local initiatives, and how faith communities provide support.
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