Battle Creek

With an economic development organization that is the envy of many communities, Battle Creek is building on its food industry roots and maximizing the space that makes it the state's third largest city in land area. For fun each year Cereal City, world headquarters to the Kellogg Co., celebrates the most important meal of the day with the World's Longest Breakfast Table. Bikers, joggers and nature explorers have a trail system of parks, forests and streams linked by a 24-mile linear park. Campers and outdoor-lovers visit Fort Custer Recreation Area for fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing and boating. For animal lovers, Binder Park Zoo is a must. The Battle Creek Art Center and Battle Creek Symphony stoke the city's many cultural offerings and the new Firekeeper's Casino adds to the city's fun side. B.C's Math and Science Center is acclaimed and secondary education needs are met by Kellogg Community College, Robert B. Miller College and a branch of Western Michigan University. As a touchstone to the city's history, Sojourner Truth, who lived here, watches over downtown from a memorial built in her honor.

Have a Happy Holiday Season

Kathy Jennings Thursday, December 15, 2011

Tis the season for shopping and baking and much merry making. We're taking a break to make the most of it. We have this video to show our holiday spirit. Southwest Michigan's Second Wave remains online and our social media will remain entirely sociable till we come back in early January.

Makerspace: A place to learn and build skills, friendships

Kathy Jennings Thursday, November 17, 2011

Whether you call it a hackerspace or a makerspace it's a space that fosters creativity. A new group has formed to turn a warehouse in the Edison Neighborhood into a place to learn new skills and teach those you know to others.

What's Working In Cities: Placemaking

Michelle Bruch Thursday, September 22, 2011

We're taking a closer look at people and organizations in cities across the country that are transforming neighborhoods and driving change in urban areas. The second in our series about good urban ideas focuses on how the best city spaces are built from the ground up rather than planned from the top down.

Mentorship program builds building trades managers

Kathy Jennings Thursday, September 01, 2011

A firm belief that catching the interest of young people early drives the ACE mentorship program for architecture, construction and engineering, led locally by Skanska. Second Wave editor Kathy Jennings explores an example of how local companies are cooperating in an educational program to keep their industry's workforce growing.

Seeds of the future: Restoring Chipman Preserve

Kathy Jennings Thursday, August 04, 2011

The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy has 12 properties entrusted to its care. Of those, the Chipman Preserve in Comstock Township draws the most visitors and volunteers. Second Wave's Kathy Jennings reports on what makes this property a place people come back to over and over.

What's Working in Cities: CreateHere in Chattanooga

John Davidson Thursday, July 21, 2011

An unconventional nonprofit working in Chattanooga to transform the city into a creative hub through various programs aimed at attracting talent and strategically allocating resources. It's working and other cities are checking out the model. Could it work here?

Theater company wants to be sparkplug for Battle Creek

Jane C. Parikh Thursday, July 14, 2011

What A Do Theatre in downtown Battle Creek has big plans for its future and believes the downtown can grow with it. Ed Creech, managing director of city's newest entertainment organization, talks with Jane Parikh about how arts and culture make a difference.

Downtown Battle Creek's menu of restaurants is about to expand

Jane C. Parikh Thursday, May 19, 2011

In Battle Creek they're on a mission to make the downtown more vibrant. Two new restaurants going in fit nicely in those plans. Jane Parikh talks with the owners of East Egg and Tavern on Michigan to find out more about their business model and how it will work in the Cereal City.

Recycler wants to paint the town green

Jane C. Parikh Thursday, April 14, 2011

Jim Cosby didn't have a job, so he went out an made one for himself. Jane C. Parikh talks to Cosby about his Battle Creek-based business that uses his own process to keep paint out of the landfill.

One of the state's oldest roofing companies offers latest innovations in its newest market

Jane C. Parikh Thursday, February 17, 2011

A bump up of business in Battle Creek inspired McDonald's Roofing to open an office in the city. Jane Parikh talks with Danielle Wallace about what customers want in roofs these days and how to keep a green roof looking good.

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Mustache Society changes the face of charity

Olga Bonfiglio Thursday, February 10, 2011

More than 800 people dressed for the cold and headed out to the Battle Creek Metropolitan Area Mustache Society's (BCMAMS) third annual Festivus celebration to raise more than $2,000 for the Leila Arboretum Society. And that only begins to tell the tale of the hair growing fundraisers' event.

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