Category: Culture

In the city of Kalamazoo, there are more than 20 neighborhoods, each with unique needs and a distinct culture. Whether it’s proximity to the downtown nightlife, a home full of history, walking distance to small businesses, or ample green spaces, each of Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods has its own unique features. When the city unveiled the Imagine […]

Although hidden beneath the earth, strong roots are essential to the livelihood of a tree, just like the first five years of a child’s life are essential to a solid foundation. During the first five years, a child’s brain is the most flexible, and 90 percent of capacity is developed. With this in mind, KC […]

The cancellation or postponement of many fall sports has left sports fans feeling like they’re searching aimlessly for the 19th hole come Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Instead of feeling down about not watching others play a game, we think it’s time you got out of your house to try something new. What would entice […]

With a heart for community, faith, and good BBQ, Ken Smeader, owner of Skinny Kenny’s BBQ food truck, launched into the BBQ business following his retirement from serving as a pastor for 18 years. With a logo designed by a friend, a smoker gifted for his retirement, and an awesome deal on a food truck, […]

The year 2020 has been a year of challenges, but through it all, there have been numerous ways that communities, organizations, and individuals have risen to the occasion and shown kindness to their neighbor. This week, August 25 through 31, is Be Kind to Humankind Week, an annual celebration of kindness that is recognized globally. […]

Fueled by a deep love for food and bringing people together that dates back generations, Curtis Woods Junior was inspired to open his food truck, PJW Creole Cuisine as a way to support his goal of one day opening a restaurant where he could provide musicians a space to perform. “My great, great, great grandfather […]

Our communities are fortunate to have dedicated teaching professionals who have quickly innovated to support education and the needs of families facing changes in how education is being delivered this coming academic year. Whether your students is planning to take part in virtual, in-person, or a hybrid version of learning, this school year is going […]

New federal data shows that Michigan’s beer production in 2019 increased four percent since 2017, equaling 1,428,445 barrels of beer for the year. This increase is notable since overall beer production in the U.S. has been trending down for years with a ten percent drop over the past decade. In Kalamazoo county, we’re brewing up […]

August is National Back to School Month! While the return to school is going to feel a little different this year, it doesn’t mean we still can’t celebrate it. Normally, this month is filled with as many emotions as there are colors in a 64-pack of Crayola crayons. This year, as schools, teachers, students, parents, […]

A $50,000 goal to win a matching grant through the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative is on! Haymarket Alley will soon be rehabilitated and turned into a community space within downtown Kalamazoo through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), City of Kalamazoo, Monroe Brown Foundation, Southwest Michigan First, Catalyst, and […]

The mission of the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo is to help communities learn, grow, and thrive through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. While its ability to provide indoor fitness is still limited, the organization has been able to adapt to provide for the needs of the greater community because of the support from […]

A hot summer day out on the baseball diamond with lemonade and Cracker Jacks is an iconic American tradition. Baseball began in the U.S. before the Civil War; in 2019. almost 170 million people called themselves fans. Familial love for the game runs deep for families like that of Amy DiMaggio, director of counseling at […]