Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight

10 things to know about Kalamazoo's Black Arts and Cultural Center Read Article

Fran Dwight

Bringing the world to Kalamazoo for idea exchange; Global Ties hosts diplomacy summit Read Article

Planting the Z flag: One writer finds her version of home Read Article

Zinta Aistars

Features

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Longform Balloon Festival Arts and Culture

Capturing the magic: Balloon festival photos of Battle Creek's Field of Flight

John GrapThursday, July 11, 2024
If you missed Battle Creek's Field of Flight Airshow and Hot Air Balloon Festival this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year. On the Ground Photographer John Grap captured some photos for us — and a story, too.
Longform Battle Creek Fire Station Community Development

Battle Creek Fire Department seeks to modernize its facilities

Jane ParikhThursday, July 11, 2024
Long-overdue updates to Battle Creek's fire stations will help bring the structures into the 21st Century. The city is seeking a $20 million plus bond to fund the improvements.  
Feature Story Sacred Earth Sustainability

Green Sanctuary: Ahead of the curve, People's Church commits to carbon neutrality by 2030 Where do Kalamazoo's carbon emissions stand?

Sam KappThursday, July 11, 2024
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.”
Feature Story Sponge Bob Arts and Culture

Spongebob musical to be performed by all-youth cast at Marshall’s Franke Center for the Arts

Jane ParikhThursday, July 11, 2024
"I’m a very awkward person and sometimes not the best person to get along with. Being with the theater community, it’s like a family where I can be myself and feel accepted."
Feature Story Artist/Designer: Mahdi Hassnawi. Please see Artist's Statement below. Sustainability

Voices of Youth: The price of fast fashion — Is it worth it?

Rosie HillThursday, July 11, 2024
“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.”
Longform Amy Nichols, campus coordinator for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging, at the Campus for Creative Aging's booth in the South Haven Art Fair. She shows an example of the Window to Our World art project for care partners. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, July 11, 2024
Since 2017, the Campus for Creative Aging has been offering a variety of innovative opportunities for older adults in Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties – and helping younger residents understand and respect their older neighbors.
Feature Story small-hunting-8 Equity

How Hunt 2 Heal provides free, accessible opportunity to spend time outdoors

Shandra MartinezTuesday, July 9, 2024
Carson Nyenhuis started Hunt 2 Heal to provide an accessible outdoor experience for others after being outdoors helped him recover from a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Feature Story SMALL-Adaptive-Zip Equity

Muskegon adventure park showcases accessible recreation

Shandra MartinezTuesday, July 9, 2024
Muskegon Luge and Adventure Sports Park, located in Muskegon State Park, offers accessible recreation activities such as zip lining, archery, luge, rock climbing, and more.
Feature Story Black Arts Festival Arts and Culture

10 things to know about Kalamazoo's Black Arts and Cultural CenterA conversation with Dani Lewis

Maya JamesThursday, July 4, 2024
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.
Feature Story Global Ties Building Communities

Bringing the world to Kalamazoo for idea exchange; Global Ties hosts diplomacy summit

Mark WedelThursday, July 4, 2024
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.
Feature Story Scenes from Z Acres Community Development

Planting the Z flag: One writer finds her version of home

Zinta AistarsThursday, July 4, 2024
On this birthdate of our nation's freedom, maybe you, too,  have dreams of finding your own version of independence and home. As the child of Latvian immigrants, Zinta Aistars never felt quite at home. Until she discovered a remote 10 acres with a 'writer's cottage.' Twelve years ago, she found Z Acres. And hasn't looked back.
Longform Series Teaser: Green Burial. Artist's comment: "A body transferring energy back into nature, back to the stars, and roots of dandelions releasing seeds." Sustainability

Green burial: An eco-friendly option increasingly embraced by families and faith communities

Casey GrootenThursday, June 27, 2024
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.
Feature Story BIPOC Tech Technology and Innovation

Battle Creek is ground zero to change complexion of the region’s tech sector

Jane ParikhThursday, June 27, 2024
 “The exponential growth of electric vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, and semiconductor industry investments provides underserved populations an opportunity to leapfrog into higher-paying careers, and solidify African American economic freedom for decades.”
Feature Story County HOusing Community Development

County's Housing for All building momentum in Kalamazoo

Mark WedelThursday, June 27, 2024
Approved in 2020, the Kalamazoo County Homes for All Millage was a historic gesture by voters to increase housing affordability in the area. What's been the progress so far? County Housing Director Mary Balkema recently gave a rundown of past, present, and future projects.
Feature Story Kalamazoo County Land Bank Community Development

After years of planning, Eastside Square condominiums set to open in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, June 27, 2024
Long-awaited Eastside Square, a mixed-use housing and commercial development on East Main conceived of by residents in partnership with the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, is complete and ready for occupancy. 
Feature Story Binder Park Zoo Arts and Culture

Day Trippers and Staycationers: A wealth of fun options for families in the Cereal City

Jane ParikhThursday, June 27, 2024
With the holiday weekend approaching, there's a lot to be said for staying close to home. In the first of this summer series focused on touring Calhoun County, we share fun family things to do in Battle Creek. Next up: new and old ways to learn about Cereal City's rich history.  
Longform The Inclusive Health Care Taskforce hosted an information and resource fair on June 13. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan coalition works to address health disparities for older adults

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, June 27, 2024
A broad coalition of Michigan organizations has come together to address health disparities that affect Michigan's rapidly growing population of older adults.
Partner Content OUCARES day camps create a space where autistic kids don’t feel judged, gain some independence from parents, and interact with peers. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Summertime is “a time of possibilities” and challenges for autistic kids and adults

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, June 26, 2024
Summer break creates opportunities for fun and family adventures along with the challenges of changing routines.
Longform Molly Brouwer, infant and family specialist; Bethany Vukusic, Maternal Infant Health Program team su Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

How public health cares for Michigan's infants and new parents

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, June 25, 2024
Michigan’s state and local public health systems make great efforts to ensure that expectant mothers and infants get the best start possible.
Feature Story Devin DuMond KCAD, Assistant Professor, Digital Art & Design | Illustration Program

KCAD educator and artist Devin DuMond paints path for public art

Rapid GrowthTuesday, June 25, 2024
Devin DuMond's dual roles as an artist and educator underscore their commitment to nurturing talent while leaving a lasting impact on the community through public art.
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Battle Creek

Battle Creek's Washington Heights reaching new heights in affordable housing stock

“We have demonstrated that we’ll do what we say we’re going to do. Some of the barriers we’ve had to overcome we’ve looked at as opportunities. These new homes will be an opportunity for residents to create generational wealth and go from renter-ship to homeownership.” For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change

In this first installment of our Sacred Earth series, we speak with Dr. Cybelle Shattuck, whose combined interests in sustainability and religion have helped her identify how faith institutions engage, support, and undertake earth care. Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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