Thursday, February 02, 2012 | Follow Us:
Kalamazoo | Leisa Thompson
Kalamazoo | Leisa Thompson | Show Photo

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo
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 Mall City are a few. The innovative thinking that brought downtown Kazoo the nation's first pedestrian mall in 1959 thrives today. Innovations in life sciences, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals combined with the expertise of Kalamazoo's universities - Western Michigan, Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Davenport College - make the city a center of research, development and technology. It's all part of an eclectic, vibrant city with a cultural scene that Kalamazooans love to boast about. The Kalamazoo Symphony, Kalamazoo Institute of Art and scrappy local theater companies are a few of the offerings. Locals love their festivals, many at the Arcadia Festival grounds, and their outdoors, whether it's taking to the Kalamazoo River or biking the Kal-Haven trail or golfing at the nationally-acclaimed Milham Park course. The city's 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 scholarships at any public university or community college.

A push to influence WMU med school curriculum

Western Michigan University is developing the curriculum for the medical school scheduled to be open to students in 2014. Ideas on what its curriculum should look like are perculating up. Dr. Janice Werbinski talks to Jane Parikh about what she sees as a real opportunity for the university to be ahead of its peers.

Taking more than time to heal all wounds

As diabetes, and the associated chronic wounds, become an increasingly serious problem for the nation, doctors are seeking out new therapies. That's where the Borgess Wound Healing and Hyperbaric Center comes in. Amie Heasley talks to those helping patients with the latest in wound care for those patients and others with wounds that don't heal.

A portfolio of change for downtown Kalamazoo

Some people hit a certain age and sit back to take it easy. Then there are people like Tom Huff who set out to change a downtown. Chris Killian talks with Huff about his work in Kalamazoo.

Record-setting gift giving continues with $23 million for Kalamazoo College

What if leaders for social justice in all its dimensions -- from anti-racism to economic justice to equality for all sexual orientations and gender identities -- were fostered at Kalamazoo College? The Arcus Foundation is convinced it can happen here.

Business boils for Bell's, expansion is the result

The popularity of craft beer in Michigan and beyond has been all good news for Larry Bell. Jane Parikh talks to the Bell's Beer owner about his plans to keep up with demand through expansion.

Bringing the best of the Middle East to the Midwest

With three businesses and more on the way, the Mandwee brothers are sharing their culture with Kalamazoo. Writer Zinta Aistars talks with Habib Mandwee about making a home in the United States and sharing some of home with others.

MacUpdate grows from downtown Kalamazoo

The two words "world headquarters" once evoked the image of tall buildings and hundreds of employees. From his loft apartment in downtown Kalamazoo, Joel Mueller is part of a group that is redefining the ways companies work. He talks to Jane Parikh about the early beginnings and what's coming in the future for MacUpdate.

Winter is no time for hibernation for CSA farmers

The ground may be resting, but the farmers are not. Zinta Aistars talks with two local CSA farmers about the planning that goes into the planting that leads to the harvest.

Kalamazoo Foods Market keeps it fresh through the winter

During the summer months local food fans get used to fresh produce. At the Kalamazoo Foods Market the opportunity to find local produce extends for months to come. Zinta Aistars talks to co-owner Damon Geary about the community that comes with creating such a place to shop.

Have a Happy Holiday Season

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.
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Local food offerings rise with opening of new bakery

Traditional Irish scones and cakes are just two of the goods that are attracting customers downtown to the new location of the Victorian Bakery, its first retail setting.

The Solar Project

The largest solar array in Michigan sits in a field in Charleston Township, the result of a DIY project by a father and son and business partner team, whose company, Kalamazoo Solar LLC, sells the power back to Consumers Energy. But their ultimate goal is to manufacture complete solar arrays in Michigan--at a price individual consumers can afford.
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