April 2017
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GOOD NEWS
April 2017
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April 2017
GOOD NEWS
Gardening When to Stop Feeding Birds Watching wild birds can be one of the most enjoyable parts of our outdoor living. A particularly enjoyable time for bird watching in Michigan is spring. This is the time when wild birds are choosing where to raise their families. In order to encourage the wild birds around for your viewing pleasure, you will need to provide the three main things they need; food, water and shelter. There are a few misconceptions about attracting & feeding birds. One is when to stop feeding wild birds for the year. Many people think it’s time to stop feeding birds in the spring. Their thought is that now there are bugs and insects for them to eat. But did you know that seed eating birds
do not switch to being bug eaters? (Conversely, bug eating birds do not switch to eating seeds!) This is the time of year birds are trying to attract a mate, defending their territory, building their nest and feeding their young. If seed eating birds don’t find seed at your feeder, they will probably move on to a neighbor’s house to settle in and raise their young. Another misconception is that birds will become overly dependent on your feeder and will then lose the ability to forage. Studies have shown that birds do not feed exclusively at your feeder, even though it may seem like it. The chickadees studied only got 30-35% of their daily food intake at a bird feeder.
The next misconception is that birds require different seed with the changing seasons. There is no need to switch seed varieties. Just be sure you are providing a good quality feed that doesn’t have any fillers all year. So, when should you stop feeding wild birds? Never! The other thing that is essential for wild birds is water. Bird baths, water features, and fountains can provide both you and the birds entertainment. Ideally, put your bird bath in the shade; the water will stay clean longer. Birds can’t fly as well when they are wet. They will feel safer if your bird bath is near some trees or shrubs that they
can get to and sit in while they are drying and preening. The prettiest birds will be picky about where they choose to nest. An evergreen tree provides excellent shelter. Having your feeder near some evergreens is ideal. You may want to provide a few bird houses in your landscape as well. Bird houses can look nice as well as be practical. Just be sure to look for houses that have an easy-to-clean feature. Some even have a hinged top so that you can peek in at the young birds without disturbing them. Providing food, water and shelter for birds will improve the quality of your backyard bird habitat and should provide you with a fantastic opportunity to observe bird behavior. Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
Bookends Proudly Announces
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Food Truck - Artisans - Vendors Live Entertainment Entertainment provided by Chris Falk of Kzoo Music Scene
•Interested vendors can stop by the store or email thebarbsbookends@gmail.com
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the Farmers’ Market, Beer & Skittles, Serafino’s, The Cheese Lady, Sawall’s, Tudor House Spice & Tea, ChocolaTea, Food Dance & Cherri’s Chocol’art. 245 S. Kalamazoo Mall • www.cherrischocolart.com • 269-998-7339
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GOOD NEWS
remember when If you grew up in the area, chances are that you remember Johnson-Howard Lumber. It was known for having anything and everything you would need for building or fixing up your home, as well as a friendly place to hang out and drink a cup of coffee. Floyd Johnson and Raymond Howard started the company on Oct. 10, 1910, when they bought out the William E. Mershon Co., at 137 E. Water. They began selling flour & seeds and building supplies - located in the lot behind what was Koopsen Paint & Wall Paper Co., on the north end of the Kalamazoo Mall. Soon after the duo established the company, Howard left the business to become the city clerk – a post he held for many years. His name stayed with the business. After fire destroyed the Water St. location in 1916, Johnson moved the business to N. Edwards Street. At the new location, they slowly shifted away from feed & mill products and focused on building supplies. Investors, including contractors and lawyers bought shares in the company, providing the needed money to expand. They soon became one of the major suppliers in the area for plaster, bricks, mortar and other products. Two small two-story brick buildings on Edwards Street were the extent of the business when Robert Van Blarcom joined Johnson-Howard in 1945. He formerly worked for the Kalamazoo Ice & Fuel Co.
500 North Edwards St. Kalamazoo
and ran it’s lumber operation. Van Blarcom pushed for expansion into the lumber business and when Floyd Johnson died in 1950, Van Blarcom bought his shares in the business and moved the firm away from bricks and mortar and expanded into lumber. The Johnson-Howard Lumber Company’s main yard stretched over two blocks between Edwards and Porter streets and included 8 warehouse buildings on the North Side. Lumber was delivered by rail car and unloaded by forklift at the east end of the yard. These large shipments offered the best wholesale prices. In 1982, they expanded to Paw Paw when they bought the former Affiliated Home Center. Van Blarcom also expanded their
retail hardware business, added a door shop that included custom built doors and a general woodworking shop where customers could have lumber cut to size or planed. They also added a kitchen cabinet shop. In November of 1985, JohnsonHoward celebrated their 75th anniversary. At that time, they had 50 employees and were possibly the largest retail lumber company in the area with sales of $9 million. Van Blarcom at this point had been with the company for forty years and had no plans for retirement. However, his son David & his two sons-inlaws James Horrocks and Gary Shafer bought into the business, with plans to take over upon Van Blarcom’s retirement. One half of their business came
from local building contractors, one quarter from regular corporate customers and the remainder from walk in trade. In 1995 the company was sold and Bob retired after working there for 50 years. The property was listed for sale at that time and was leased by Erb Lumber. Sadly, Van Blarcom passed away just four years later in 1999 at the age of 86. In 2003 Erb consolidated its Kalamazoo and Paw Paw lumberyards and moved them to Plainwell, but continued to lease space at the Kalamazoo property until 2005. On May 12, 2009, Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services purchased the property. They constructed a new building on the site - consolidating the three Kalamazoo area offices into one location. On a side note: While researching this story, I stumbled upon a website selling Johnson-Howard Lumber Company coffee mugs. Greg Gabry, administrator of the popular Vanished Kalamazoo Facebook page, had the mug produced as a gift for his dad, Nobert (Clem) Gabry, who worked at JohnsonHoward for 25 years. Once his dad’s friends saw the mug, they also wanted one, so Greg decided to put it on his zazzle site - they can be purchased at zazzle.com. Jackie Merriam
Welcome to the Good News Paper I am happy to announce that customer service is still alive and well! I’m in and out of hundreds of local businesses each month and find that many of these local gems not only help customers find what they’re looking for, but also make them feel welcome and appreciated. Local businesses provide a place to engage in the community and offer a sense of camaraderie. They greet their customers by name, know what they like and get to know them on a personal level. These businesses practice what the customer service legend and founder of Disney,
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Walt Disney preached, “Whatever you do, do it well. Do it so well that when people see you do it they will want to come back and see you do it again and they will want to bring others and show them how well you do what you do.” If you haven’t experienced good old fashioned customer service in awhile, visit some of the locally owned businesses in the area and prepare to be amazed! Jackie Merriam
Photo taken at Cherri’s Chocol ’art
Graphic Designer: Lauren Ellis Editor and Publisher: Jackie Merriam (269) 217-0977 - goodnews.jackie@gmail.com Like us on Facebook! This publication does not specifically endorse advertisers or their products or services. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the written permission from the publisher.
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If you would like to share your unique business with thousands of readers please contact Jackie Merriam at goodnews.jackie@gmail.com or (269) 217-0977
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GOOD NEWS
Home Decor A Nursery Tale
Decorating a nursery for the first time was daunting for me, not because I didn’t have options, but because there are so many cute ideas out there, its hard to settle on just one. As I near the end of my pregnancy, everyone keeps asking me what my theme is and to be honest, I’ve never been big on themes. I guess when it comes to design, the idea of a theme feels gimmicky and similar to purchasing a bedroom ensemble or bed in a bag, where all originality is gone. Instead I began narrowing my ideas for the nursery on color. I knew I wanted to use Kelly Green, since it is a favorite color of mine. I also wanted to use navy, regardless if we were having a boy or a girl. I just love the classic green and navy colors together. I figured I would
add a pop of pink or pop of orange depending on gender. We found out around 20 weeks we are expecting a boy, so orange it is! I also decided I would balance out the strong colors with a subdued gray and white as my neutral background color palette. Next it was determining how to layout the room and what furniture elements were necessary. A solid wood crib in a crisp white was what I settled on that converts into a toddler bed as he grows. Instead of a white dresser, I opted for a navy dresser that isn’t necessarily intended for a nursery. I didn’t want to invest money in a piece of furniture that I wouldn’t feel could work somewhere else in my house at a later point in time. I would rather buy a nicer piece of furniture now
that I’ll keep and always love as opposed to buying low quality piece for temporary usefulness. A closet system was a must for keeping his room organized with the multitude of little items I have acquired. I can’t believe how much “stuff ” you need when you have a baby! I also opted for a light fixture that has a mobile feel for over his crib. It serves as a statement piece for the room and a punch of metallic. In the corner I placed a glider/ rocker in a soft gray that I presume will be my favorite spot in my home in the coming months. Center stage I placed a large white fuzzy rug in the center of the room to add a refuge of softness against our hardwood floors. A few bold lamps, geometric shapes and stripes on a few blankets and crib sheets com-
plete the look. Lastly, I painted a large elephant on a canvas that will be hung directly above his crib. So, if you were to ask me today if I had a theme, I’d say no, but I do love elephants. If you are getting ready to plan a nursery, don’t immediately assume you need to have a theme either. Slow down and think about what you really love. It’s easy to get carried away and over invest in gimmicky themes. With a little thought and planning, you can create a look that is uniquely yours that you and your baby will enjoy for years to come. Julie Hite-Neilitz of HITE HOUSE Home Furnishings www.hite-house.com |New Location: 6360 Stadium Drive
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pets introducing your dog to a new dog
Are you thinking of adopting an additional dog into your household, but worry your current dog will not be as excited as you about the prospect of sharing his domain? Ever wondered how to introduce your dog to other dogs safely and calmly so that your dog can get out and enjoy the company of other canines at the park or at a friend’s house? Here are the top 10 do’s and don’ts of introducing dogs to each other: 1. Don’t let the dogs first encounter be in the car straight from the shelter. Instead allow your dogs to meet at a local park or on neutral ground and go for a good walk before heading home. 2. Don’t try to manage by yourself. Enlist the help of a friend so that both dogs can be 3. Don’t let the dogs run free on their first encounter. Always keep both dogs on a leash and encourage them to sniff each other, nose to tail is best. 4. Don’t allow your dog to feel tension from you or the leash. Encourage the dogs with positive and happy tones, but try to limit talking as much as possible. Stay calm and relaxed. It will help your dog to feel that way too. 5. Don’t rush the meeting. Allow the dogs to feel comfort-
able and get acquainted. If at any point the body language suggests that things could escalate, stop and move away, give them some space and then try again. Once they seem to be tolerating each other, take them home. 6. Don’t intervene with your hands. Should the dogs have a disagreement, always use a chair or large object to separate them. 7. Don’t leave toys, rawhides and chews around. These are likely to cause fights between the dogs so you should wait for a couple of weeks before giving them anything
TAKING HEALTH TO THE NEXT LEVEL!
Interactive Family Health Fair & Camp Extravaganza Join us for a day of fun, healthy, active, and engaging activities for the entire family! We’ll have activities for the kids and a wide variety of vendor booths to help you take your health to the next level! At our Camp Extravaganza, parents can sign up their child for camp, take a tour, try some fun camp activities and meet our Camp Directors!
Sunday, April 23, 1-4PM Sherman Lake YMCA 6225 N. 39th Street Augusta, MI 49012 FREE FAMILY FUN! FEATURED SPEAKER - TIM HILLER Tim is a former NFL quarterback and 2009 graduate of WMU where he set several major passing records. Tim now owns Next Level Performance - a sports performance training facility that helps athletes build both their on-field and leadership skills.
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like that. 8. Don’t leave your dogs together without supervision. Keep them separated when feeding and always supervise interactions around family members, especially children. 9. Don’t over-stimulate your dogs. Keep it brief as rough or extended play can lead to fights, but always spend time with both dogs on their own. 10. Don’t attempt any introduction without having good control of your own pet, with basic commands and training. Make sure you do
your homework on breeds and dog behaviors like body language. Whenever you are deciding to adopt a new pet, the decision should not be taken lightly. It is a lifelong commitment. Every adoption should mean that an animal finds his or her forever home. The decision has even greater importance when there are other pets to consider. Danielle Wallis
Reprinted with permission from the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue Newsletter, September 2011.
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Vintage easter parade! It’s officially spring and that means Easter is right around the corner. There are many Easter traditions, but one of the most exciting vintage traditions is the New York City Easter Parade. In the late 1800’s, New York’s churches began decorating their sanctuaries with Easter flowers. People would walk from church to church to see the spring bouquets, and so began the NYC Easter Parade. As the practice grew in popularity, the displays grew more extravagant and carried over into the world of fashion. Those who attended churches incorporated these values into their Easter outfits. By the 1880’s, the Easter Parade had become *the* event for fashion and religious observance around the country. Participants would get decked out in their new high fashion clothing and try to outdo each other with their extravagant outfits, walking from church to church to show them off. Not everyone was a huge fan of this display of wealth and beauty. Many worried about the focus on material beauty and possessions rather than religious beliefs and traditions. During the Great Depression, unemployed workers protested the parade by wearing
worn out sack clothes and carrying banners. One protester compared the cost of a single Fifth Ave. gown to a year’s worth of welfare relief for one family. In 1933, Erving Berlin wrote the song ‘Easter Parade’, which became the basis for the film “Easter Parade” fifteen years later. This made the Easter bonnet even more popular, and the bigger the better! By the 1950’s the religious elements of the parade had faded and it had become a pageant of frolicking frocks with no apparent beginning, ending or purpose. Today, the Easter Parade takes place on 5th Avenue in Manhattan from 10am-4pm on Easter Sunday. Anyone may participate and all are encouraged to dress up in their finest and wildest vintage or creative fashion inventions. What are you wearing this Easter season? Here are a few photos through the years to help give you some vintage inspiration! Happy Easter, everyone! Jayne Gulliver Owner of J-Bird Vintage, 511 W. Vine, Kalamazoo
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The top books published this month that librarians across the country love The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
The Women in the Castle: A Novel by Jessica Shattuck “Three German women’s lives are abruptly changed when their husbands are executed for their part in an attempt to assassinate Hitler. They band together in a crumbling estate to raise their children and keep each other standing. Rich in character development, this book is narrated by each of the women, giving us a clear understanding of their sense of loss, inner strength and the love they have for each other. This story examines the human side of war, where the lines are blurred between hero and victim.”
“There are three types of hermits in the world, according to Finkel: protesters, pilgrims, and pursuers. But Christopher Knight doesn’t seem to fit any of these categories. So why, at the age of 20, did he drive into a forest in Maine and disappear for 27 years, his only human interaction a single ‘hi’ with a passing hiker? This book uses the incredible but true story of Knight, ‘the last true hermit,’ to explore themes of solitude, introversion and the meaning of life.”
Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX
Megan Tristao, San Jose Public Library, San Jose, CA
The Wanderers
The Hearts of Men: A Novel
“A private space exploration company is mounting a manned mission to Mars. To prepare for the actual event, the company plans an elaborate training program to match the conditions and potential problems the team might face. The ordeal, though simulated, is no less dramatic for the astronauts, their families, and the crew. The lines cross between fiction and reality and none of the participants is left unchanged. Part literary fiction, part sci-fi, all amazing.”
“In the summer of 1962, we are introduced to popular Jonathan and social outcast, Nelson, aka ‘The Bugler.’ The only thing the two seem to have in common is that they both spend a few weeks of one summer at Camp Chippewa in the woods of Wisconsin. Yet, over the course of decades, their lives and the lives of those they love the fiercest are intertwined. This wonderful novel peels back the layers of male friendship and shows what loyalty, compassion, and selflessness looks like.”
by Meg Howrey
by Nickolas Butler
Marie Byars, Sno-Isle Libraries, Oak Harbor, WA
Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien CT
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
April 22 — Opening Celebration 5-8pm 2017 SCHEDULE 6pm—An evening with juror Robert Haight OF EVENTS Who will read from his own poetry and present the poetry awards April 29, 1-4 pm “Poems Inspired by Art” - Beginning May 6, 1-4 pm “Poems Inspired by Art” - Experienced Workshops led by local poet Danna Ephland May 12, 6 pm Visual Art Awards Presentation with comments from juror Belinda Tate May 21, 4 pm Closing Concert featuring: Blarney Castle Exhibit will be open for self-guided viewing Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm, Friday 9am-4pm www.westminsterartfestival.org Facebook.com/westminsterartfestival Submissions due by April 10
1515 Helen Avenue-Portage • 269.344.3966
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In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series
Ellen: April Fools’ Day might be my least favorite day of the year (apart from tax day, that is…the fact that they both happen in the same month is cruel). It’s not that I can’t take a joke, I love them! And I do enjoy playing little tricks on friends and family--nothing wrong with some levity. What it comes down to is that it exposes one of my greatest weaknesses to full effect. I am extremely gullible. My sister and I often joke that I would be the worst private investigator in the world due to the fact that I genuinely want to believe people. For whatever reason I have never developed a functional sarcasm meter, or the ability to spot a fib, and as a result a certain portion of each week is devoted to
my brain trying to sort out between the literal, the sarcastic, the truth, and the lies. April Fools’ Day turns into a marathon of “Wait, really?” and “No way! Are you serious?” followed by the mirth that results from my utter cluelessness. Yep, I am the easy target. Jane: When I was in college we had an exchange student from Spain. Arturo was bright and charming and joined in debates at the drop of a hat. He could argue everything from politics to art history, and he seldom lost. We loved Arturo but that didn’t keep us from unleashing every April Fools’ joke on the unsuspecting fellow that year. My sisters and I woke him up by telling him there was a foot of snow on the ground, at breakfast we shouted that there was a spider on his shoulder, and we put a fake fly in his apple juice. He went to school and became the main target there, as well. In the evening, after struggling to get into his short-sheeted bed, he burst out of his bedroom to find us all rolling with laughter in the hallway. He flung up his hands. “What have you done to my sheets!” We helped him put the bed right and gave him hugs to let him know it was all in good fun. He rubbed a hand through his hair and grinned.
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“April Fools is a very strange holiday here in America. We do not have this in Spain.” Then his
expression became serious. “But tell me: does it last all month?” Jane & Ellen Knuth
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GET READY TO BE ON THE WATER! Come in and check out our great selection of kayaks and stand up boards. Lee’s has recreational easy paddling kayaks to full on touring models and many models in-between. Ask about our Kayak Demos on May 13 and 20 Lee’s Adventure Sports 311 W. Kilgore Rd. Portage, Mi. 49002 269 381 7700 LeesAdventureSports.com
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GOOD NEWS
two little leagues fight hunger
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes (KLF), Michigan District Two Little League, and TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® are teaming up to help hungry people in Kalamazoo County for this year’s second annual District Two Little League Opening Day Food Drive. Twelve leagues with various opening days in April and May are encouraging little leaguers, their family and friends to donate non-perishable food items at league complexes to kick off the season. District Two volunteer Ted Skartsiaris introduced the idea for the yearly event in early 2016. When Marvin King, KLF Procurement Specialist, heard the idea he thought it was a great way to reach segments of the community the organization may not be currently reaching. “Both Little League and the work we do at KLF place emphasis on fundamentals,” King said. “Little League makes sure every kid has a field to play on and quality coaches to teach them the fundamentals of the game. Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes makes sure everyone has food - a foundation we all need every day. With the 2017 League Opening Day a few weeks away, we are challenging this year’s
League community. The award rotates on a yearly basis within the district and goes to the league that collects the most pounds of food based on the number of players within a given league. The league that pulled out all the stops to claim the award in 2016 was Parchment Little League with nearly 2000 pounds of food donated.
leagues to have 100 percent participation which could result in 4,000 meals for area residents!” TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® will be instrumental in getting donated food from league complexes to KLF during Opening Day events again this year. They generously donated their time in 2016 to help ensure the inaugural drive was a success and that logistics ran as smoothly as possible. “We pride ourselves on living our Core Values and two that stand out
are Give Back to the Community and Being Our Best and Having Fun, “ Chad Jacob, Operations Manager for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® in Kalamazoo, said. “I can’t think of anything more rewarding than helping put a smile on someone’s face, and hopefully this year we’ll have many more smiles.” Leagues will compete for the Larry MacPhee Award, named for the late District Two umpire and longtime member of the local Little
For more information about District Two Little League, please visit eteamz.com/midistrict2/. For more information about Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, please visit kzoolf.org or contact Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes Marketing & Communications Coordinator Meg Gernaat at 269.488.2617 ext. 218 or meg@ kzoolf.org.
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April 2017
the gnome home
During my daily travels, I have watched an old stump on the side of Sprinkle Road be magically transformed into a gnome home. This adorable work of art brings a smile to my face, each time I pass by. On a mild sunny day during the Michigan warm-up in February, I decided to stop and snap a few pictures. The friendly property owner, Kim Davies, came out and invited me to pull into his driveway where it was safe from the busy roadway. I’ve been curious about this gnome home for months and Davies was more than happy to answer my questions and tell me all about it. When an old rotted walnut tree fell down on his property, he decided to use the stump and make it into a gnome home – knowing that his twin grandchildren, Ava and Jake, age 10, would enjoy it. He got started by searching online for “gnome homes” and saw quite a few examples. Before the house could be started, concrete was added to the middle of the tree for strength to hold up the trusses and the shake shingle roof. Davies used picture frames for windows and painted on latticework, cut out doors from some old
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cabinet wood he had lying around and added small hinges and added a gold button as a doorknob. Cutting a rung off of a piece of lattice was a simple way to make the ladders leading up to the doors. The colorful gnomes who reside in and around this gnome home were ordered online. The tiny lights that wrap around the home and twinkle at night are LED lights powered by solar energy – they come on by themselves! Apparently I’m not the only one who has stopped, taken pictures and marveled at the gnome home. Davies said people stop or honk and wave on a regular basis. One visitor even added a small Tyrannosaurus Rex to his display. Davies, who recently retired from Flowserve, says that this gnome home is a work in progress and has more creative ideas that he plans to implement in the near future. The gnome home is located in the 6000 block of Sprinkle Road, between D & E Avenues on the west side of the road. Be sure to look for it the next time you’re in the area. Jackie Merriam
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April 2017
GOOD NEWS
delton kellogg band
Each year the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade Committee invites two high school bands from around the country to perform during the annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade held in Hawaii. The Delton Kellogg Band was bestowed with the honor and invited to the 2017 parade to be held on December 7th. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we will find a way to get the students there to perform, said Marsha Bassett, Delton Band parent and Trip Committee Coordinator. When I asked if she knew why Delton was chosen to perform, she said, “I believe we were chosen because of what Delton Kellogg does to honor Veterans. Each year, they host a Veteran’s Concert and also show their appreciation to the men and women who have served their country with a presentation at the beginning of a football game. These events are posted on the school website and on their Facebook page. Delton band students and parents are devoted to make this once-in-alifetime opportunity a reality. Forty students (almost the whole band), and 17 parent chaperones have committed to the trip. Their goal is to fundraise for all the students’ expenses, which would be $99,000 for
20 TH AN
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students
the area. A
$2,475 per person to attend the 6-day event. The student fundraising committee began work right away on fundraising efforts. They developed a brochure, planned a concert and are applying for a grant from the Youth Advisory Council. The parent and student committee are installing a Mooville Milk machine in the school, all proceeds are earmarked for the trip. They are participating in the Scripts program. The program offers money back to non-profits for purchasing gift cards to restaurants and stores
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Community Garage Sale is planned for the beginning of May. Online and live auctions are being planned during the summer months, Many other fundraising ideas will also be implemented. Like their Facebook page: Delton Band to Pearl Harbor, for upcoming events and fundraising. The local Rotary Club has offered a unique opportunity for students to “learn and earn” donations toward their trip. The Rotary will ask students to read a Time Life Book about Pearl Harbor and then the students take a quiz to earn donations to their account based on their
knowledge. In addition to marching in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade, students will tour Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. They will visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, take an island tour with visits to the International Market, a pineapple plantation and visit other island highlights. “Visiting Pearl Harbor, the place where history was made, will make a lasting imprint in students minds about the sacrifices men and women have made for our freedom,” says, Bassett. If you’re interested in supporting the Delton Kellogg Band Boosters in their fundraising efforts, contact Marsha Bassett at (269) 998-2829. Donations are being accepted at the Thornapple Credit Union, in Delton. You may also send a check to the Delton Kellogg Band Boosters, 10425 Panther Pride Dr., Delton, MI 49046. In addition, a special fund has been established at The Barry Community Foundation where tax-deductible donations will be accepted. Links to this fund can be found on their Facebook page. All Accounts are named: Delton Band to Pearl Harbor. Jackie Merriam
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parenting
It’s 3 AM and he’s up again for the third time tonight. Is he hungry? Does he need to be tucked back in? Is he just plain mad? No. This isn’t my newborn. This is my 4 year old with Autism. I’m tired. Last night was a bad night. Dinnertime turned into a battle field and I still have not had time to clean up the spaghetti splatter from the ceiling or check for any small broken pieces of the plate. What am I doing wrong? Why do I have so much resentment for this lively child with a smile who lights the room? Because I’m tired. Oh so tired. We are up by 6 every morning to prepare the same breakfast in the same spot on the counter with the same plate and same cup. We are off to school by 8 then ABA therapy at noon. OT, Speech, Equine or Hydrotherapy after that nearly every day of the week. Then the night time struggle starts all over again. I am tired. Oh so tired. And I hate myself for the bad thoughts I have about him. Why is this happening
13
to me? Signed, Exhausted Mother of a 4 year old with Autism My favorite analogy about selfcare is the one about the oxygen masks in an airplane. You know the one. The part of the flight attendant speech that we tend to zone out. If you are traveling with a person who needs assistance and the oxygen masks come down, you put yours on first then place the mask on the other person. If you aren’t breathing, you are not going to be able to help your child. It seems like an impossible task. For me, as a professional, to ask you to take time for yourself seems trivial and like psycho-babble. I know. But we’re not talking about hours. Just minutes. Listen to your favorite song while you cook dinner. Close your eyes while you’re taking a shower and do some visualization about being in your favorite place. Pop in some earbuds and listen to a 5 minute meditation
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GOOD NEWS
permission granted: take a break
track when you lay down for bed. Join a support group. Get a parent mentor. Talk to a therapist. Go out for coffee once a week while he’s in school. Take a minute to recognize you are strong enough and have to give yourself the tools to stay
strong. Self-care is not selfish. Take care of you. He needs you. Arlene Kemp, LMSW Clinical Social Worker Integrated Behavioral Health Psychological Services
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14
April 2017
Recipes
GOOD NEWS
hail caesar, hail spring!
Quick, crisp, delicious and yes, nutritious, a Caesar salad is an awesome way to welcome the coming of spring and also a fabulous way to feast on something fresh, filling and, most importantly, fast! Happy Easter and Happy Spring! Food Stylist/Photographer: Laura Kurella
Extra Special Caesar Salad 2 cloves garlic, chopped, or to taste 1 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup half-and-half 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 16 ounces Hearts of Romaine 2 ounces Parmesan Salt and Pepper, to taste 1 cup garlic croutons Garnish: Fresh lemon In the bowl of a food processor, combine garlic, mayonnaise, Parmesan, half-and-half, lemon juice, Dijon
mustard, and Worcestershire sauce until creamy. Refrigerate for one hour - or more - before serving. To serve, place clean romaine in a salad bowl then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, salt and black pepper, to taste, croutons and serve with fresh lemon wedges so diners can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired Approximate servings per recipe: 4. Nutrition per serving: Calories 376; Fat 27g; Sodium 755 mg; Potassium 335 mg; Carbohydrates 26g; Fiber 1g; Sugars 6g; Protein 11g.
Simple Caesar Salad (For those in a hurry) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons milk 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 garlic clove, minced Dash cayenne pepper 16 ounces hearts of Romaine 1 cup croutons Garnish: grated Parmesan cheese, optional
In a small bowl, whisk together Parmesan, mayonnaise, milk, lemon juice, Dijon-mayonnaise blend, garlic and cayenne pepper. In a large salad bowl, place clean Romaine then drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salad croutons serve additional cheese if desired. Approximate servings per recipe: 8. Nutrition per serving: Calories 149; Fat 8g; Sodium 235 mg; Potassium 323 mg; Carbohydrates 15g; Fiber 1g; Sugar 3g; Protein 6g.
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Classic Caesar Salad 16 ounces hearts of romaine lettuce 1 cup plain croutons 1 large clove garlic, peeled 1/4 cup premium olive oil, divided use Salt, to taste, divided use 1 large egg Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 whole lemon, halved and seeded 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons freshly grated par mesan cheese With the flat side of a chef ’s knife, crush garlic clove, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt then mince well. Place onto a plate and pour a tablespoon of olive oil over the garlic then mash with the back of a spoon, rubbing and pressing to make a soft purée. Scrape this purée into the frying pan, add another tablespoon of oil then warm over low-medium heat. Add the croutons and toss for a minute or two to infuse them with the garlic oil then remove from the heat. To
coddle egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer then place the egg into the boiling water for exactly one minute. Place clean Romaine leaves in a serving bowl then drizzle with two tablespoons olive oil, tossing to coat. Sprinkle leaves with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper, toss once or twice, then add the lemon juice and several drops of the Worcestershire and toss again. Taste for seasoning, and add more, if needed. Crack the egg and drop it right on the romaine leaves, then toss to break it up and coat the leaves. Sprinkle on the cheese, toss briefly, then add the croutons and the garlicky bits, then toss for the last time, just to mix them into the salad. Approximate servings per recipe: 4. Nutrition per serving: Calories 224; Fat 17g; Sodium 259 mg; Potassium 209 mg; Carbohydrates 11g; Fiber 2g; Sugars 2g; Protein 8g.
April 2017
15
GOOD NEWS
health eat slow, eat small, eat smart
What role does our brain have in our eating habits and, if it does, what can we do about it? As I said in last month’s article on procrastination, we often think that the brain controls everything, our actions, our thoughts, and our dreams. That happens not to be entirely true. There are several things we can do to train our brain so it becomes an ally and not an enemy. This time let’s talk about food and here are some proven strategies for training our brains to help us eat healthier. 1. Take a 20-Minute Break. If you are trying to cut down on the amount of food that you eat, slow down during meals. First, eat a moderate amount and then take a break for about 15 to 20 minutes. If you are still hungry, after the break, you can have more. However, most people find that they aren’t as hungry as they thought they were. What’s going on here? Well there are 2 actors in this plot, leptin and ghrelin. (Imagine them as being part of a dramatic play, but one is a little slower than the other.) Both of these actors happen to be hormones. Leptin is produced by our fat cells (many of which just happen to be close friends of ours); cells that live in our intestines
produce ghrelin. The problem stems from them not being produced at the same rate. From the time you start eating, the full impact of the food on leptin and ghrelin can take up to 20 minutes. So, if you give your body enough time to finish the process by allowing leptin to catch up with ghrelin, you might find yourself satisfied with less food. 2. Eat With Men. A group of researchers observed people ordering food in restaurants. When women ordered food in all-female groups, they tended to order and consume about 833 calories. When women
ate with a man in the group, they ordered less, about 721 calories; that’s 13% less. The same held true for men. When only women were around they tended to eat 1162 calories. If there were other men in the group, the men consumed about 952 calories or 18% less. (BTW, I’m seriously considering renting myself out just to sit at a table of all women or men while they eat; sounds like a second career.) 3. Clean Your Kitchen. Studies have shown that eating behaviors are influenced by the cleanliness and orderliness of the kitchen.
Bottom line is that people eat more in kitchens that are less orderly. In 10 minutes, people ate 53 calories more in a chaotic kitchen than an orderly one. Think of how many more calories would be consumed over 60 minutes. 4. Place Food in Opaque (not transparent) Containers. When snacks are placed out of site, it’s not that you’re no longer aware of them. What changes is your behavior. Your inner child is no longer reaching for food that is out of site. Even in packaged snacks, a transparent window on an otherwise opaque package is enough to whet our appetite. 5. Use Smaller Plates. This one is kind of obvious but still worth mentioning. An experiment was conducted at an ice cream social. The experimenters presented people with different size bowls and then recorded how much people scooped out for themselves. Guess what happened. The people who selected the small bowls put less ice cream in the bowl than people who selected large bowls. You might consider this when you’re planning your next party. More on how we can train our brains to modify our behavior, next time. Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal Trainer.
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April 2017
GOOD NEWS
Kalamazoo Valley to Host Daytime Activities for
Astronomy Day 2017 Saturday, April 29th, 10am-4pm
Kalamazoo Valley Community College, in partnership with the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society (KAS), present Astronomy Day, “The 2017 Great American Eclipse,” at the Texas Township Campus, 6767 West O Avenue in Kalamazoo. The free event is geared toward people of all ages. It will include activities for school age children as well as a day of outstanding lectures in the Dale B. Lake auditorium and items for adults and families alike. Astronomy Day will focus on the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse that will cross the United States from coast to coast. It will give tens of millions of people along a 70-mile-wide, 2,500-mile-long path from Oregon to South Carolina a chance to see the sun’s spectacular corona, a sight hidden from view except during a total eclipse. Occurring during the summer vacation season, it holds the potential to be seen by more people than any
Omens to Awe.” He will be followed at 1 p.m. by Mr. Anderson who will present, “Moonshadow Madness: The Lure of the 2017 Total Eclipse.” Then at 3 p.m., Fred Espenak (“Mr. Eclipse”) will close out the afternoon with his talk “Predicting and Chasing Solar Eclipses.” Astronomy Day concludes with an observing session for the public at the Kalamazoo Nature Center starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting. other event of its kind in history. The daytime activities include a solar star party, educational and informative displays, hands-on activities, an eclipse photography workshop, and special eclipse talks for kids. The KAS will also have “Eclipse Shades,” one of the easiest ways to safely view the eclipse, available for purchase. Three noteworthy guest speakers will share their insight to help
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participants prepare for the best possible viewing and appreciation of the eclipse. Author and astronomer Dr. Tyler Nordgren, and world-renowned eclipse chasers Jay Anderson and Fred Espenak will give presentations. Between them, the speakers have witnessed 60 total eclipses of the sun. Dr. Nordgren will lead off at 11 a.m. with his talk entitled “Sun Moon Earth: Solar Eclipses from
For more details, visit the Kalamazoo Astronomy Society’s website at kasonline.org.
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17
April 2017
GOOD NEWS
On Your Marks. Get Set. GROW!
It’s officially time to start playing outdoors in the dirt to get a jump on your edible garden! April is one of my favorite months of year because I can finally scratch my gardening itch by getting cold-hardy veggies in the ground. In mid-March/earlyApril you can direct sow onion sets, spinach, peas, lettuce, carrots, beets, and even potatoes into your garden space. If you’re doing container gardening, it’s also safe to get the abovementioned seeds into containers, too. If space allows, you can do multiple plantings of lettuce, spinach, and other spring veggies (usually two to three weeks
apart) to have a continuous supply throughout the season. Uncover strawberries, garlic, rhubarb and other perennials in your garden and top dress them with a bit of compost. If you haven’t already started warm-weather seedlings like cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, melons and herbs, it’s a good time to get those going (either indoors or in a protected outdoor greenhouse-like space). April is also a great time to divide and transplant perennials like hostas and bee balm. Speaking of bees. You may notice dandelions and clover appearing in your yard soon. As ingrained in FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
COMMUNITY HELPING the YWCA’s Domestic Assault Shelter
Throughout April, we’re collecting toiletries at both of our branches for The YWCA’s Domestic Assault program, which provides crisis shelter to victims and their families. Please stop by and drop off donations. Trial size or small unit items are recommended.
Thinking to join the Y? Donate ten or more items and we’ll waive the joiner fee. For over 150 years, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has provided support and services to our local area to build healthy body, mind and spirit. We’re not just a gym. We’re a community center built up through a membership that lifts our neighbors and each other.
The Y. For All. For a better you. For a better us. Maple Branch 1001 W. Maple Str. Kalamazoo MI 49008 269-345-9622
kzooymca.org
Portage Branch 2900 W. Centre Str. Portage MI 49024 269-324-9622
most of us as it may be break out the weed killer, try to leave these little flowers alone. Bees and other pollinators depend on these blooms for nutrients before late spring and summer plants flower, and dandelion leaves can be utilized in salads, as cooked greens or as a detoxifying tea, and the roots of the plant can be roasted and used to make a coffee-like drink. I also like to use it as my excuse to let my lawn grow a bit longer during spring months. Be thinking ahead this month and be sure you have what you’ll need come May to grow healthy warm-weather edibles like tomato cages and cucumber trellises. Keep
turning your compost pile, and consider adding additional red worms to generate über-rich plant food from your kitchen and yard waste. Head to the library and grab a few books on how to make the most of what your garden produces this year through canning, freezing or drying what you grow. Spring has sprung! Happy planning and planting! Meg Gernaat Meg is a Kalamazoo native growing what she can on her almost-acre of land. See what she’s up to at WestEHomestead.com.
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April 2017
Environment So let’s talk about protecting our bodies of water. Using too much fertilizer in your lawn or garden can cause nitrates and phosphates to enter bodies of water. Nitrates and phosphates are the cause of algal blooms. The input of nutrients allows algae to prosper, but the larger algae population then uses most or all of the available oxygen in the body of water, causing dead zones. Another, less commonly thought off, runoff pollutant is gasoline and oil. Cars that leak gasoline or oil onto pavement contribute to pollution. If your car is leaking oil or
GOOD NEWS
april showers bring may flowers
gasoline, be sure to get the problem repaired. Of course, litter, especially small plastic pieces are problematic. Plastic can be ingested by aquatic life and can cause digestive issues. Finally, whenever drinking a consumable substance, whether it is water, pop, or coffee, dump out the rest of the liquid when you are finished. Water that is trapped in plastic water bottles cannot return to the environment! Judy Smith Heidelberg University Student
butterfly training Michigan Butterfly Network Hosts Butterfly Training at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and throughout Michigan! The Michigan Butterfly Network (MiBN) is a citizen science initiative led by the Kalamazoo Nature Center that seeks to assess the changing population status of our state’s butterfly species, evaluate the quality of Michigan ecosystems, and engage the Michigan public in citizen science research. MiBN is looking for new citizen science volunteers to survey butterfly routes in the Kalamazoo area and all throughout Michigan. Due to habitat loss, climate change, and the use of lawn and garden chemicals many of our state’s butterfly species have become imperiled. Butterflies are one of our state’s important pollinator species and without them much our state’s local agriculture would not be able to thrive. In order to combat this, we need dedicated citizen scientists to help gather data across our beautiful state so we can better understand butterfly ecology, their population
participate in one of the following field trips for exciting opportunities to observe butterflies throughout the state! These trips are open to everyone: Newaygo Prairie and Karner Blue Nature Sanctuaries, Wednesday, May 24th from 2-5pm changes, and direct our attention to those butterflies that are most threatened before it’s too late. Help us preserve and protect these magnificent insects for future generations to enjoy! MiBN Trainings at the Kalamazoo Nature Center (7000 N. Westnedge Avenue) New Monitor Training Registration Required Tuesday March 28 & April 11, 2017 from 5:30-7:30pm Field Day: Saturday May 20, 2017 from 2:30-4:30pm (This is a two-part training. Attendance at
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Chipman Preserve, Wednesday, June 28th from 1-4pm Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve, Saturday, July 15th from 1-4pm Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, Thursday, August 17th from 2-5pm No experience is necessary to participate in these field trips and all ages are welcome. Carpooling is available - if interested contact Jennifer Tagett, jtagett@naturecenter.org. Car pool meets at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Field trip pre-registration is required and will be available at the beginning of April at michiganbutterfly.org, on the field trip page.
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April 2017
GOOD NEWS
FREE april EVENTS Through April 9 Exhibit: The Wizards of Pop: Sabuda and Reinhart Pop-up Book Exhibit Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990 Through June 4 Exhibit: And Still We Rise: Race, Culture, and Visual Conversations Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990 Saturday, April 1 Annual Spring Coin Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-3pm, 381-8669 Saturdays, April 1,8,15,22,29 Music: BenJammin’ and Analisa Educational entertainers & Kids breakfast Old Dog Tavern 10 – 11am, 381-5677 Saturday, April 1 First Saturday – Central Branch Stories, activities, guests & prizes Kalamazoo Public Library 2-3:30pm, 342-9837 Saturdays, April 1,8,15,22,29 Music: Duffield Caron Project Old Dog Tavern 5-7pm, 381-5677 Saturday, April 1, 15 All Ears Theatre First Baptist Church, Kalamazoo 6-7pm, 342-5059 Sundays, April 2,9,16,23,30 Jazz Brunch Old Dog Tavern 10am-Noon, 381-5677 Sunday, April 2 90 Years of Sustaining the Vision W.K. Kellogg Manor House 1-5pm, 671-2400 Sunday, April 2 WMU 28th International Festival Bernhard Center @ WMU 4-8pm, 387-4853 Sundays, April 2,9,16,23,30 Irish Jam (join in or listen to the music) Boatyard Brewing Co. 4-7pm, 226-0300 Sundays, April 2,9,16,23,30 Bell’s Eccentric Café Sunday Team Trivia Doors open at 5pm Trivia 6-8pm, 382-2332 Sundays, April 2,9,16,23,30 Professional Blues Jam Old Dog Tavern 6-9pm, 381-5677 Monday Apr. 3- Friday Apr. 7 Spring Break Hands-on Happenings Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1-4pm, 373-7990 Mondays, April 3,10,17,24 Music: Tom Duffield Boogie Woogie on the Upright Old Dog Tavern 5-7pm, 381-5677 Monday, April 3 Book Grp..:The Summer Before the War Parchment Community Library 7pm, 343-7747 Tuesdays & Wednesdays, April 4,5,11,12 Indoor Flea & Antique Market Kalamazoo County Expo Center 8am-2pm, 383-8761 Tuesday, April 4 Talk: West MI Area Show Artists Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Tuesdays, April 4,11,18,25 Open Mic Night Hosted by Steve Pesch & The DOC! Old Dog Tavern 8pm-midnight, 381-5677
Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 5:30-8:30pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Wednesday, April 5 Music: Whisky Before Breakfast O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Wednesdays, April 5,12,19,26 Ladies Night & Rainbow Key Karaoke Old Dog Tavern 9pm, 381-5677 Thursdays, April 6,13,20,27 Crafty Needles - Knitting Night Boatyard Brewing Co. 4-9pm, 226-0300 Thursdays, April 6,13,20,27 Singer/Songwriter Night Boatyard Brewing Co. Sign up at 6pm Performances 7-11pm 226-0300 Thursdays, Apr. 6,13, 20, 27 Music: Homegrown Kalamazoo Music Performer’s workshop Old Dog Tavern 8-11pm, 381-5677 Thursday, April 6 Music: Tom Duffield O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, April 7 Art Hop Downtown Kalamazoo & In the Vine Neighborhood 5-8pm, 342-5059 Friday, April 7 Art Hop Downtown Kalamazoo & In the Vine Neighborhood 5-8pm, 342-5059 Friday, April 7 A Night of Printmaking Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 5-8pm, 349-7775 Friday, April 7 Food Not Food Art Exhibit Kalamazoo Valley Museum 5-9pm, 373-7990 Fridays, April 7,14,21,28 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 6-9pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Friday, April 7 Music: Steve Pesch Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Friday, April 7 Kalamazoo Late Night Food Truck Rally on Water Street 9-11:45pm, 388-2830 Saturday, April 8 Art Detectives: Make an Impression! For kids 4-8 years & their adults Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 11am-12:30pm, 349-7775 Saturday, April 8 Music: Jeff Willson Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Saturdays, April 1,8,15,22,29 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7-10pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Sunday, April 9 Portage Winter Indoor Market Portage Senior Center 10am-2pm, 359-6727 Sunday, April 9 Exploring Kalamazoo’s Foodways Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Sunday, April 9 WMU Concert Band @Miller Auditorium 3pm, 387-4667
Sunday, April 9 Music: Hired Hands Parchment Community Library 7pm, 343-7747 Tuesday, April 11 Video: The Art of Kumi Korf Kalamazoo Valley Museum Noon, 349-7775 Tuesday, April 11 Protecting MI Lakes & Rivers From Invasive Species W.K. Kellogg Biological Station 7-9pm, 671-2360 Wednesday, April 12 Music: Carrie McFerrin O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, April 13 Gold Company II WMU Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 387-4667 Thursday, April 13 Music: Megan Dooley O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, April 14 Teen Night Galleries, make art, pizza & pop Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 6-8pm, 349-7775 Friday, April 14 Music: Hired Hands Band Old Dog Tavern 6-9pm, 381-5677 Saturday, April 15 Indoor Flea & Antique Market Kalamazoo Expo Center 8am-3pm, 383-8761 Saturday, April 15 Front Page: Donuts & Discussion Parchment Community Library 10:30am-Noon, 343-7747 Saturday, April 15 Greenathon Earth Day Festival Celery Flats in Portage 11am-3pm, 329-4512 Saturday, April 15 Lifespring Church Easter Egg Hunt 1-2pm, 808-3934 Saturday, April 15 Music: The Coz Effect Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Saturday, April 15 WMU Student Composers IV Dalton Center Recital Hall 8pm, 387-4667 Monday, April 17 Job Hunting Skills Parchment Community Library 10am-12pm, 343-7747, register Monday, April 17 Snack & Learn Art Lecture Series Design Street in Plainwell 11am-Noon, 615-0884 Monday, April 17 What does the 911 Surcharge mean? Senior Services of Kalamazoo 1:15-2:45pm, 373-5147 Tuesday, April 18 Talk: Meet the Resident Artists Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, April 19 Music: Out of Favor Boys O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, April 20 Presentation: Why Writers Write Richland Community Library 7pm, 629-9085
Friday, April 21 Entrepreneurs Expo Girl Scouts Building, Kalamazoo 5-9pm, 569-1894
Friday, April 21 Music: The Dow Family Band Boatyard Brewing Co. 6:30-9:30pm, 226-0300 Saturday, April 22 Earth Day – Free Admission W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 9am-5pm, 671-2510 Saturday, April 22 Earth Day – Free Admission Kalamazoo Nature Center 9am-5pm, 381-1574 Sat., Apr. 22 – Sun., Apr.23 Kazoopex Stamp & Cover Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 10am-3:30 pm, 375-6188 Saturday, April 22 Art Festival Opening Celebration Westminster Presbyterian Church 5-8pm, 6pm Poetry Reading & Awards Sunday, April 23 Summer Camp & Health Fair Sherman Lake YMCA 1-4pm, 731-3000 Sunday, April 23 Talk with Earnest Green, Music Director of Play It Again, Marvin! Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Sunday April 23 WMU Symphony Concerto Miller Auditorium 3pm, 387-4667 Monday, April 24 Lunch & Learn: The King’s Speech Disability Network SW Michigan Noon-2:30 pm, 345-1516 Tuesday, April 25 Talk: West MI Area Show Artists Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, April 26 Music: Joe Wang and The Test Pilots O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, April 27 MI Women Poets @ Kazoo Books 7-8:30pm, 553-6503 Friday, April 28 Music: Keith Scott Blues Boatyard Brewing Co. 7:30-10pm, 226-0300 Fri. & Sat., April 28 & 29 Open House Vandersalm’s Florist 8am-5:30pm, 343-2671 Saturday, April 29 Astronomy Day Free Activities KVCC Texas Township Campus 10am-4pm, 488-4219 Saturday, April 29 Poems Inspired by Art Westminster Presbyterian Church 1-4pm, 344-3966 Sunday, April 30 Sarkozy Brunch Concerts KSO Percussion Duo 11am, 349-7759 Sunday, April 30 Kalamazoo Record & CD Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 11am-4pm, (734) 604-2540 Sunday, April 30 Honor Your Elders: Saving Stories Parchment Community Library 2pm, 343-7747
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