December 2017
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JINGLE ALL THE WAY
GOOD NEWS
december 2017
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
remember when Dimitri’s Dimitri’s was known for its superb food, exquisite atmosphere, leisurely dining and friendly “the customer is always right” service. The restaurant began in 1968 and was located in the Michigan Building in downtown Kalamazoo at 116 Portage Street at Michigan Avenue (where Casa Bolero is presently). Gourmet diners flocked to Dimitri’s to enjoy heaping portions of aged, high quality well-marbled 18 oz. sirloins and 25 oz. porterhouses. Lamb chops were full and half pounds and pork chops were one inch thick. In a 1969 menu that I got my hands on at the Kalamazoo Public Library, dinner prices were under $2 for a meal of meat and potatoes or salad. A large relish tray was delivered automatically to each table that often included creamed herring, baby corn on the cob, corn relish, meatballs, pickled cauliflower, peppers and huge green and black olives. The lunch menu was popular with the downtown business community with its extensive selection of sandwiches. Dimitri’s was also a popular watering hole, known for their giant sized cocktails. On the 1969 menu, prices ranged from 85 cents to $1.25 for popular drinks of the time such as: Manhattans, Tom Collins, Rob Roy’s and Gimlets. The menu also had a few drinks that I have never heard of - the Knuckle Head, Velvet Hammer and Ramos Fizz. Owner, Kosti Dimitry, had visited the former Chrystal Café for a bite to eat in 1967 and immediately saw the potential for a fine dining restaurant with its liquor license and prime commercial location in the heart of
downtown Kalamazoo. He purchased the property and began work on transforming the old café into a luxurious eating establishment with a Mediterranean motif. Dimitry did the interior work himself. Dimitry was always on hand at the restaurant to greet patrons and insure a good time. He was constantly exercising his entrepreneurial spirit by improving the restaurant and its offerings. He doubled the size of Dimitry’s when he took over the business next door, a former barbershop. He didn’t just enlarge the present restaurant; he added a new dimension called The Winery that opened in 1974 offering the outdoor patio dining experience indoors. The Winery also offered the most exten-
sive wine list in the area. In 1986 Dimitry began offering delivery for special occasions, complete with wine or champagne and often delivered it himself in his 4-door Jaguar. On April 29, 1987 they experienced a fire that caused $750,000 in damage and closed the restaurant for a few months, until the repairs were completed on July 10 when they reopened. Unfortunately Dimitri’s closed in August 1992. Dimitry cited the latest health kick and negative attitudes about eating red meat, fewer people treating them-
selves to fine dining and the lack of parking around the restaurant as reasons for their demise, in an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette on July 4, 1992. The restaurant was sold shortly after and a new restaurant, Trumpets, opened later that same year. Jackie Merriam
Welcome to the Good News Paper Have you ever wondered when candy canes arrived on the Christmas scene? According to folklore, a choirmaster in Germany, in 1670, was worried about the children sitting quietly all through the long Christmas nativity service, so he asked a local candy maker for some sugar sticks to keep them quiet. In order to justify giving candy to children during worship services, he asked the candy maker to add a crook to the top of the stick, which would help children remember the shepherds who visited the infant Jesus. In addition, he used the white color to teach the children about the Christian belief in the sinless life of Jesus.
Sometime around 1900 the red stripes were added and they were flavored with peppermint or wintergreen. The earliest canes were manufactured by hand. In the 1920’s, Robert (Bob) McCormack, from Georgia, started making canes for his friends and family. They became more and more popular and he started his own business called Mills-McCormack Candy Company and later Bob’s Candies, had become one of the world’s leading candy cane producers. The canes had to be bent manually to create the curved shape and breakage often ran to over 20 percent. McCormack’s brother-in-law, Gregory Harding Keller, who was a Catholic priest, invented the Keller Machine in 1957 that automated the process of twisting soft candy into spiral striping ad cutting it into precise lengths. In 2005, Bob’s Candies was bought by Farley and Sathers and thankfully continued making candy canes. Celebrate the season by indulging in one of these delicious sugar treats. Happy Holidays! Jackie Merriam
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December 2017
gardening
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GOOD NEWS
CUT CHRISTMAS TREE SELECTION AND CARE
A fresh cut tree can be a wonderful addition to your holiday décor as well as a treasured Christmas tradition. Unfortunately, with poor care a cut tree can be looking wilted and worn long before December 25, but if you know a few tricks, you can keep your tree looking vibrant and lush throughout the season. Extend the life of your cut tree this Christmas and enjoy the beauty of the season much longer! In selecting a tree, make sure the “handle” at the bottom is long enough to allow the trunk to fit into your tree stand. Otherwise, it will be necessary to remove large branches near the base, which could ruin its appearance, shape and visual balance. Check the tree’s freshness before your purchase by bending, pinching or flexing needles. They should be somewhat pliable and not fall off easily. Avoid purchasing a tree that is already showing signs of dryness. Make a fresh cut to remove 1/4” to 1” of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. If you use a “center pin” stand, make sure the hole is drilled in the stem
after the tree is trimmed. (Wedel’s does this for no charge - just ask!) Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible within 6-8 hours after cutting the trunk. This will help the tree better absorb moisture to keep the needles plump and secure. If needed, trees can be temporarily stored for several days in a cool location, such as a garage, before being taken indoors and decorated. Place the freshly cut trunk in a bucket full of water. The tree may need to be supported to keep it from tipping over. Apply Wilt Stop, an antitranspirant; to branches to help prevent moisture loss and needle drop. This should be done as quickly as possible before decorating the tree. To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Use a stand that fits your tree. Some stands have circular rings at the top, so the ring must be large enough for the trunk to fit through the hole. Other stands are open, which may
allow a greater range in trunk size. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed. Keep your tree away from sources of heat such as fireplaces, heaters, heating vents and direct sunlight, all of which can make it dry out more quickly. Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process, resulting in less water consumption each day. Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree. With many stands, there can still be water in the stand even though the base of the tree is no longer submerged an unable to absorb water. Add Christmas Tree Preservative to the water in the stand. This will further help your tree stay fresh and last longer. Do not use other additives in the water, such as molasses, sugar, bleach, soft drinks, aspirin, honey, etc. Miniature lights, particularly LEDs and other energy-efficient bulbs will produce much less heat and reduce
drying of the tree. Do not overload the tree with too many lights. Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set. And, do not overload electrical circuits, fuses or circuit breakers. Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed. Minimize how long the lights are on, such as not leaving the lights on during the day when they are less visible. Monitor the tree for freshness by bending or pinching needles to test their flexibility. After Christmas or if the tree is dry and brittle, remove it from the house. With just a few common sense steps, you can find a lovely fresh cut tree and keep it beautiful throughout the holiday season. Enjoy the fresh evergreen green scent all season long! Terrie Schwartz Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
Thrift, Vintage, Antiques, Repurposed, Artisan & Hand Made
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5949 Lovers Lane - Portage - (269) 775-1015
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Thousands of gently used books at a fraction of the retail cost! We sell gift certificates too!
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Kalamazoo Public Library Lower-Level 315 S. Rose St. Wed. 12-7, Thur.-Sat. 10-4 friends@kpl.gov • kpl.gov/friends
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CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Join us for Food & Refreshments! STOREWIDE DISCOUNTS Sat., Dec. 2nd 10am-6pm Sun., Dec. 3rd 12-5pm 6187 W. D Ave.- Kalamazoo • 269-344-4000
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The Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra League will provide a fun and festive GALA HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AND RECEPTION at the Radisson Plaza Hotel on Thursday, December 14, at 5pm, with special guest, Sara Andon, flutist. (Sara Andon will appear with the KSO on Saturday, December 16, featuring favorite music from holiday films.)
The Frank Silva Trio will provide music at the GALA. More than likely, you will feel like dancing. If so, there will be a dance floor. This evening is the perfect time to get together with friends to celebrate the holiday season.
An elegant dinner is included in the ticket price of $100. For reservations contact nkerns513@sbcglobal.net. All proceeds go to the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
home decor dressing the christmas tree multiple lengths of ribbons and tying them into beautiful bows, starting from the top of the tree, I allow each individual piece of ribbon to fall from the top is soft, waves gently bending to and fro in a random pattern down the length of the tree.
Garlands of Joy
Sprigs of evergreen with berries encrusted with snow, glistening golden metallic sprays and beads are just a small number of beautiful garlands you can use to adorn your tree. Homemade garlands of paper and popcorn can be just as beautiful. The secret has more to do with how its placed and the volume of the material than what you are placing. Ensure the garland weaves in and out of the boughs, where some of the garland is on the outer boughs and some on the inner boughs, similar to how the lights are placed, but not quite as deeply. Sprigs and clip on birds add a touch of magic and drama to a tree and can be randomly placed all over the tree for a little of the unexpected.
Tree Skirts
The Christmas tree is my most treasured decoration at Christmas, it’s the heart of the home and it doesn’t quite feel like Christmas until it is standing tall dressed in all its glory with twinkling lights, festive ribbons, garland and special ornaments - each with their own unique story that carries memories from Christmas’ past.
Lights
I prefer clear lights, not the led variety, since they tend to feel cold and the color often feels cool. In the blustering cold and snow, the golden clear white lights radiate a warm, welcoming ambiance in the home and create a neutral backdrop for all of my other decorations. I begin at the base of the tree and plug in my first row, ensuring all bulbs are lit and functioning. Wearing gloves and long sleeves to protect my hands and arms from the prickly boughs. I work my way up the tree,
but I push the lights deep into the boughs. I like for the tree to appear lit from within. Once I reach the end my string of lights, I begin a second row and so on. I work my way around the tree, but first working from the inside toward the trunk and then out toward the outer boughs before I move into another section of the tree.
A tree skirt is essential for creating a soft layer and backdrop beneath gifts. It disguises cords, the tree stand and protects the floor from falling needles. I like using an extra large skirt so that it extends beyond the layer of gifts beneath. Mixes of faux furs and natural linen and hemp are
nice options that offer a nice contrast of texture.
Ornaments
After the tree is adorned with all of the other trimmings, I place my ornaments. Generally I wait to do this part with family members and little ones, since it tends to be such a magical part of the process and the ornaments often hold meanings and memories from years gone by. From a design perspective, each ornament would be perfectly placed to balance the tree, but for me, the perfect tree is perfectly imperfect where everyone, big or small has the chance to contribute. Lastly, we place the angel on top and sometimes a star! My favorite Christmas Tree tradition Finally, after the tree is done, we get on the floor and lay on our backs with our heads tucked under the tree and look up into the glorious tree. It’s a cozy and magical view of the Christmas tree and one you won’t soon forget! Merry Christmas from HITE HOUSE to yours! Julie Hite-Neilitz of HITE HOUSE Home Furnishings www.hite-house.com 6360 Stadium Drive
Layers of Ribbons
I like to purchase 2 or 3 inch wide ribbons that are sold on a large spool. I use varying patterns, textures and colors. They do cost more initially, but they can be used year after year. I generally do not find it necessary to secure the ribbon to the tree. Instead I simply weave it in and out of the boughs, tunneling it through and allowing the ribbon to simply rest from bough to bough in soft waves. Be mindful not to make the ribbon too taught or tight. You may need to buy extra ribbon to achieve this look. Another approach is gathering
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December 2017
pet projects: GOOD NEWS
keeping the holidays fun and safe
The end-of-year holiday season is a great time to plan special celebration activities and to show family and friends how much you love them. This love, of course, includes our furry family members, who are always in the center of the action. While you are making your four-footed companions part of the fun, be sure to take a few safety tips into consideration. Even if you have pet-proofed your home before adopting your fur-baby, holiday decorations and treats can present some new and deadly challenges. • Holiday decorations: both our canine and feline friends are very curious and often like to explore interesting new items
in their environment using their mouths. Chewing on wires, cables, or strings can be hazardous or even deadly if your pet swallows any of these items. Tinsel on the Christmas tree can also present a hazard to the digestive system, with sharp metallic edges that can do damage while passing through the intestinal tract and being expelled. Keep all of these long and string-like items away from curious mouths and paws to avoid a holiday tragedy. • Decorative plants: popular holiday plants such as poinsettia and mistletoe present the danger of poisoning your pet. Never allow your cat or dog to chew on
any plant unless you are absolutely certain that it is not poisonous to your furry friend. A list of toxic and nontoxic plants can be found at aspca.org. It is always better to be safe and to keep all plants away from your pets so that they are not encouraged to eat any plant they can find. • Human treats: many foods that humans eat with delight can be hazardous or deadly to our four-footed companions. The best rule of thumb is to feed your pet his normal diet and to reserve all the holiday foods for the human family members. No matter how irresistible those big pleading eyes look, your pet’s health must take priority. For details of holiday foods
hazardous to pets visit aspca.org. Our pets love us unconditionally and we want to shower them with our love to strengthen that special bond. Instead of giving your dog or cat unhealthy holiday food or exposing him to other hazards, why not give him your time instead? Taking time to play with your furry best friend, especially if a new toy is involved, will be a much bigger treat than sharing the human goodies that may leave him ill or injured. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season sharing your love with the special humans and fur people in your life! Karren Jensen
FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
FOR COMMUNITY GIVING THE ESSENTIALS for the HOLIDAYS
Throughout DECEMBER, we’re collecting (new) underwear for both genders at both of our branches for Ministry with Community, Kalamazoo County’s day-time shelter for the homeless. Please stop by and drop off donations. Socks, long underwear, briefs, boxers, etc. will be very appreciated. Thinking to join the Y? Donate five or more (new) 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. kzooymca.org
Maple Branch 1001 W. Maple St. Kalamazoo MI 49008 269-345-9622
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
e Have Yourself a Very Merry g a t n i V Vintage Holiday Season
The Holidays offer a unique opportunity to celebrate our passion for vintage. While parties, cocktail dresses and dapper suits are popular this time of year; there is also room for sporting vintage accessories and adding to your home décor to really set the Holiday Season apart. These can be simple, fun and easy to find, so follow along for some helpful tips! As far as clothing, think red, gold and green, even white and black. Look for vintage dresses and men’s
suits in these colors and add fun vintage accessories for some Holiday flair. A bright, warm vintage Christmas or winter themed scarf can be added around the neck or as a belt. Christmas Tree and snowflake or snowman brooches added to a lapel, hat or scarf give a festive look. Some red, green or gold tights paired with a festive vintage hat and purse can make an outfit go from every-day to Holiday wear. For comfort Holiday wear at home, don’t forget the footie pajamas. Matching footie pajamas, or blanket sleepers, originated in 1950 with the synthetic fabric, no slip soles and zip up fronts. Holiday traditions have changed significantly over the centuries, but going back to our childhood memories is one of the things that connect us to our family and our past. Sometimes it’s the little things that can remind us of home. Who remembers the aluminum Christmas trees?
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Originally sold in 1955 in Chicago, Ill, these metallic faux-firs would shift in a kaleidoscope of color thanks to a spinning red-blue-green wheel and spotlight. Train sets around the tree peaked in 1953. This brought a touch of the department store window into the living room and kids loved it. Spray on snow is another way to add some vintage nostalgia to your Holiday Season. Back in 1953, patents for the spray on snow were filed and Christmas trees were soon covered with the white fluff across the country. An older tradition is stringing popcorn on the tree. When Christmas trees first became popular in the United States, they were often decorated with fruits and small outdoor objects. From this, a tradition of stringing cranberries with popcorn into a garland around the tree was born. The first record of a Christmas tree being on display in the U.S. was in the 1830s by the German settlers in Pennsylvania. You can also dress your tree with satin and Styrofoam balls. The major post war trend was synthetic materials, and this carried over to Holiday décor, including the ornaments and tinsel. Actually, tinsel
dates back to 1610 when real silver was used! During the 1950’s and 60’s lead was the most popular option used for tinsel, but was banned in 1972, leading to its decline. I’d like to note, I have covered a number of the Christmas Holiday traditions in this article. That is not to say the other religious and cultural Holidays are not equally important and significant. I am not as familiar with holidays such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, etc., and don’t feel qualified to write about them as I might leave something important out! I would love to share stories from readers who are practicing in these traditions and would like to include your stories in a future Good News Paper article. Please feel free to email me your Holiday traditions at jbirdvintage@ gmail.com. If I get enough information, I’ll include your story in an upcoming article! May you enjoy your Holiday in vintage style, with family, friends and lots of love. Jayne Gulliver Owner of J-Bird Vintage, 511 W. Vine, Kalamazoo
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Deadline for all scholarships is March 1 (unless otherwise noted)
Visit www.kalfound.org/scholarships Students who plan on using The Kalamazoo Promise can use our scholarships for other educational expenses.
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
The top books published this month that librarians across the country love The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty
Artemis by Andy Weir
“A wonderful fantasy debut set in an 18th century Cairo and featuring a young woman, Nahri, who has no relatives and who lives by her wits as a con artist. Her odd supernatural healing talents and ability to understand and speak languages come in handy as she struggles to survive day by day while trying to save up money for medical training. Unfortunately, during one job, she accidentally calls up inimical ifrits and a wily, handsome djinn that turn her life upside down. Action packed, with interesting folklore and an evocative setting.”
“Weir’s second book does not disappoint! The setting is Artemis, a city on the moon where a young woman named Jazz is a smuggler and a courier trying to eke out a living. Adventure unfolds as Jazz is asked to do a different sort of job by her millionaire employer. He asks her to sabotage the mining operation that provides the city’s entire oxygen requirements. She works out a plan, but several calamities befall and all is not what it seems. Jazz must risk her life to save the city that is her home. A fast paced adventure from start to nail-biting finish!”
Ann-Marie Anderson, Tigard Public Library, Tigard, OR
Cynde Suite, Bartow County Library, Cartersville, GA
Heather, The Totality
Future Home of the Living God
“Mark and Karen start a seemingly charmed life that becomes even more so with the birth of their gifted daughter Heather. Things take an alarming turn when renovations begin in their building. They have always known how special their daughter is, but will Heather see that there is danger lurking outside the world they have created for her when others become captivated by her gifts? Weiner has an insight into human nature that most of us would rather not admit exists and he takes you down a dark road that you don’t want to travel, but somehow can’t turn back.”
“Future Home of the Living God explores the possibility of evolution reversing and is told from the perspective of a pregnant woman who is writing a journal to her unborn child. Along the way we meet her adoptive parents, her birth mother, and she reports on society unraveling and detaining pregnant women. Erdrich provides compelling characters and a strong storyline about a near future in this piece of innovative dystopian fiction.”
by Matthew Weiner
by Louise Erdrich
Ian Stade, Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis, MN
Selena Swink, Lake Public Library, Lake, MS
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
Buy a Winnie-Wink Candy Bar & Be 1 of 3 Lucky Winners Find the Golden Ticket
3 Grand Prize’s includes dinner, a movie and a night’s stay at the Radisson! A portion of each bar will benefit Loaves and Fishes
Winnie-Wink candy bars will be sold throughout the holiday season at various retailers and other outlets in Downtown Kalamazoo. Each candy bar purchase is a chance to Find the Golden Ticket hidden inside to win!
The Art of Chocolate
245 S. Kalamazoo Mall • www.cherrischocolart.com • 269-998-7339
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series Ellen: Southwest Michigan is the best place for the winter season but it isn’t for the reason you would expect. Yes, it offers lake-effect snow, winter sports venues, and a fantastic food and drink scene for those not inclined to be outside in the cold. It also is home to friendly, festive communities of Midwesterners determined to cheer their way through the winter months. There are music venues, holiday events both crowded and intimate, and shopping for all tastes and budgets, but what is our superpower that we take for granted? The pine trees. I don’t know about anyone else, but balsam fragrance and pine branches shine brightly in my memories of this time of year. This may be partially due to my allergy of pine trees but despite the sniffles and fevers they induce, I love the stately conifers. Whether covered in snow, bedecked in dazzling lights, or providing the wonderful crackle and pop to our winter hearth fires, they are a centerpiece of the imagery, landscape, and tradition of this time of year.
Tannenbaum y Chris tmas & r r e M e w N Ye ar y p p Ha
From the staff at Nancy’s Kitchen:
Nancy 0 Colleen 0 Dianne 0 Marilyn 0 Marcia Danielle 0 Brandy 0 Kaylee
Plainwell Tree Lighting Celebration
Friday, Dec. 1st 7 -7:30pm Caroling, holiday lights & hot cocoa too!
Plainwell Christmas Parade Saturday, Dec. 2nd 1-1:30pm Parade is on Main St., visits with Santa after at Design Street (115 W. Bridge)
Jane: The chain saw is whining and tree bows are crashing in our backyard as James from Busy Beaver Tree Service takes out two fifty-foot tall red pines behind our house. I hear my phone “ping” and pull it from my
pocket to see what story Ellen has sent me for the December column in the Good News Paper. “Uh oh,” I say to Dean as he drags a large, resin scented branch past me. “Ellen has gone all sentimental about pine trees.” Dean, puffing and covered with sawdust, gives me an incredulous look. “Which pine trees? These two? They are both nearly dead already. How in the world does she even know we are taking them down?” “She doesn’t. And I doubt she will miss them in the line of twenty trees. But apparently, pine trees are her new best friends. It must be one of those childhood Christmas memory things. You know: the best traditions are the ones we recall from our youth.” My long-suffering husband sighs and hands me his ax to carry. “I’ll buy her a brand new baby white pine next week. She can name it whatever she likes.” Then he stops tugging on the branch and stands up straight. “Wait a minute--Ellen is allergic to pine trees!” “Yeah, they really mess her up,” I agree. “Who knew she was so fond of them?” Dean sighs again. I am beginning to wonder if he is one of those people who struggles with paradox. Jane & Ellen Knuth
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
Be An Art Detective! Join Arty Mouse, Art Detective, each month at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts for kids ages 4-8 with their adult. The program teaches children how to look at and appreciate art through storytelling, guided looking, and art making. They explore traveling exhibitions on view in the museum, along with artwork from their permanent collection (of more than 4,000 objects!) Read a picture book together; look for art in the museum and make a fun art project – all for free. Presented by the Meader Fine Art Library and the Museum Education Department, Art Detective meets on the second Saturday of each month from September through May from 11am-12:30 pm and is sponsored by First National Bank of Michigan. Each month there is a different theme. My daughter, grandsons and I attended the Art Detectives event on a rainy Saturday in October. The theme was, “I’m an Artist.” When we arrived, we were welcomed and given nametags for the children to write their own names upon. While attendees were shuffling in and getting registered, the children kept busy coloring pictures of Arty the mouse. Promptly at 11am, we were invited into the auditorium for the interac-
tive reading of Patrick McDonnell’s picture book titled “Art.” Children were introduced to the imaginative and colorful world of splotches, blotches, squiggles, curlicues, and more. The reader kept the children engaged by asking questions along the way and his helper entertained the kids with a puppet of Arty the Mouse. After the story, maps were given out to the families to become art detectives through out the galleries looking for specific pieces of art. Helpers were available at each selected art piece and engaged the children by asking them questions about the art. The event concluded with the children making their own art pieces to tell a story, using white or black paper, chalk and cut out pictures of people and shapes to incorporate into their creations. The next opportunity for your children to become an art detective is on December 9th, with the theme, “Totally Terrific Texture.” Children and their adults will explore how artists use texture that can be felt as well as texture we can only see with our eyes, but we know it’s there. Children will make art that will involve creating texture that can be felt by touch as well as being seen by the eye. We also visited the Upjohn Mason Grandchildren Interactive Gallery located on the lower level and enjoyed this special space for families
to look and learn together. The opposite of a “don’t touch” space - kids get to play with all kinds of hands-on art activities, like oversized pegboard and drawing walls, magnet walls, and rotating activities provide lots of fun. Kids can even curl up with a book in the reading nook filled with imaginative, playful stories for the whole family. My grandson’s especially enjoyed the pool noodles with connectors, where their imaginations ran wild – pretending their huge creation was a tent that they could curl up under. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is located at 435 W. South Street in downtown Kalamazoo. Entrances
are on South and Lovell streets. Free parking is available in lots across from both entrances. The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 11am-5pm, Thursday & Friday 11am-8pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Regular admission is Adults $5, Students with ID: $2, and Free for children through age 12, active military personnel and members. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts offers programs for all ages. For more information visit their website kiarts. org, Call (269) 349-7775, or find them on Facebook. Jackie Merriam
Celebrate the Season with Beautiful Holiday Arrangements
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1120 S. Burdick At Crosstown • 269-343-2671 www.kalamazooflorist.com
Lee’s has great gifts for the whole family. Check out all the warm winter wear from all the best brands. Plus see our selection of ski, snowboard and xc ski equipment. Stop in today! Lee’s Adventure Sports 311 W. Kilgore Rd. Portage, Mi. 49002 269 381 7700 LeesAdventureSports.com
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December 2017 Curate and Co. is a modern gifting and lifestyle store in downtown Kalamazoo. It’s the place to shop for the latest brands, discover hip local artists/makers, and be a part of the creative and vibrant downtown scene. You will find gifts for her, lifestyle items for the home, apothecary (Herbivore Botanicals-plant based skin care & make-up, bath salts and candles) Baby and kids (nursery, apparel, accessories, books, cards), and a unique selection of cards. They also offer prefix and custom curated gift boxes to ship anywhere, with free shipping on all orders over $100. Owners, Christina DeNooyer Oropeza and Marco Oropeza, began their business in 2015 by launching their online business, Curate Chicago, specializing in curated gift boxes with an assortment of products for your home, lifestyle and little ones. They have continually expanded their website offerings and sales have continued to grow. In 2016, they began offering pop-up shops in downtown Kalamazoo and at the Kalamazoo Country Club to test the market. The pop-up shops were a great success. In early October, the Oropeza’s dream of expanding to include a brick and mortar store came to fruition when they opened their downtown Kalamazoo location at 116 W. South Street (next to Something’s Brewing Coffee Shop). Christina, who grew up in the Kalamazoo area, said “We are pleased to divide the week between our home in Chicago and our business in Kalamazoo. We are able to enjoy the best of both worlds. Seeing our family
FF
and nephews weekly is an added bonus.” Marco has a position as a business and strategy consultant in Chicago. He is involved in Curate & Co. as well – offering his strategic abilities and knack for looking at the big picture. Christina previously worked as an assistant buyer for Bloomingdale’s in New York and in the store management program in Chicago. Her strengths lie in merchandising and managing the small details. What a perfect combination. They welcome the opportunity to host events, private parties and to collaborate with other businesses in their new space. For example, they have partnered with Kelsey Chrystal Pellowe (owner of Kelsey Cakes &
GOOD NEWS
Cookies) to feature an assortment of her gourmet cookies every Thursday and for special events. Crafting nights at Curate & Co. are monthly creative workshops featuring local makers. These events serve to foster creative connections and provide an outlet to share skills and shine, while giving back to the community. A few upcoming events include: Flower Arrangement Centerpieces on November 20th at 6pm (make your own Thanksgiving table centerpiece and ideas for an unforgettable holiday table) and Holiday Make-up Workshop (great holiday looks that transition from your workday to evening parties). Reserve your
spot and purchase tickets ahead on their website at www. curateandcompany.com. Stop into Curate & Co. from 10am – 6pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Located at 116 W. South St., in downtown Kalamazoo (next to Something’s Brewing Café). Phone (269) 903-2985. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@curateandcokzoo) to keep up to date on the latest happenings Jackie Merriam
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December 2017
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local handprint. Small michigan brands with huge community impact.
Local Handprint is about people who make a community impact. Not just the people behind the brands, but the people in this state who are loyal to those brands because they care about this greater good. Facebook: Local Handprint, Website: Handmadekalamazoo.com/ Local-Handprint, Instagram: Local_Handprint. Read and Write Kalamazoo (RAWK) is a nonprofit organization based in Kalamazoo, Michigan,
devoted to nurturing intellectual and creative confidence in youth in Kalamazoo County through creative writing workshops, community partnerships and reading-themed events. RAWK brings a supportive community around young people to give them safe and positive spaces to learn and grow. Through the investment of the adults around them, young people begin to hear and know their own minds and voices and enact agency in their own lives. RAWK acts as a touchstone for families throughout the preschool and school years to foster a culture of literacy. “I like to write because you get to express your feelings and you get to be creative in it, and you can write in
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someone else’s perspective.” — Jamara, RAWKstar student RAWK just announced that they are now offering all of their programs at no cost to students! In the past, their programs were on a pay-what-youcan basis. Emily Kastner, founder and executive director at RAWK says, “As we continue looking for ways to grow and build access and equity within our community, making this step makes a lot of sense for us as an organization. We celebrate diverse voices of the youth in our community, and are honored to provide spaces to cultivate growth for the youth we serve within our programming. As an organization that strives to provide opportunities for
youth to read and write in fun and innovative ways, we want to be able to give all of our youth the opportunity to learn and grow with us.” Through an array of programs from their ‘Secret Book Club’ to writing workshops and in-school programs that support classroom teachers and provide one-on-one with students, Read and Write Kalamazoo is RAWKing it with huge local impact for the children in our community. Learn more about programs, the expansion in to a new storefront in the Vine neighborhood, and calls for volunteers and support at readandwritekzoo.org. Melissa Al-Azzawi of Handmade Kalamazoo
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
parenting how to make the holidays incredible! I love the movie, the Incredibles: Superheroes – parents, kids, men, women, boys, and girls – with human qualities and difficulties, all of them struggling to move forward as individuals and as a family supporting their individual uniqueness. The parents encourage each other to be all of who they can be, together. It makes a great lesson for how life isn’t always easy-going even for Superheroes. Isn’t that what we try to be as parents – superheroes? Super moms and dads? Especially when the holidays come: we want to include the most interesting activities, meet with ALL family members (even weird Aunt Matilda that we never see otherwise), buy all the trendy gadgets, electronics, and STUFF that our kids cannot live without. All of this has merit – even the visit with Aunt Matilda - for building moral character, social and intellectual skills. We want to give our kids all those special toys, gadgets, etc. that will make their heart sing. But so many? And will their heart sing for very long? When I think back on the holidays with my son, and when I was a child, I have little memory of what gifts we gave or what I received, but I do remember explicitly the experiences we shared. Not rotating, random
big groups of people (usually adults mostly ignoring children) but the special outings that were just us (or special family members) and just fun. Like hunting for the perfect, abandoned tree on Christmas Eve. Or hot chocolate and Sweetwater Donuts at midnight. Or a traditional holiday gathering that makes the season incredible. But when there is too much - too many outings, too many activities and parties - families get burned out. The special gets all smashed together and the chance for incredible is lost. Better to simplify
and select those activities that get to the heart of who you are as a family. Let’s think about the spendingspree at the holidays season for gifts and gifts and more gifts. Do you know that toddlers most prefer the box and the wrapping paper to anything inside? (I’m just saying!) Older kiddos are bound to look at a toy and set it aside, and move on to the next glittering surprise. Better to limit the joy to what the child can understand and maybe just one toy in which they can engage ageappropriately.
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For school-age children, one blogger* (*https://www. simplemost.com/heres-parentsspend-less-money-toys-morefamily-vacations/) suggested that parents consider putting holiday spending toward just one toy and family vacations. It doesn’t have to be Disney World! Three days at a small lake cottage; a camping trip to the national dunes; a road trip to Indianapolis Children’s Museum, St. Louis City Park, or Toledo Zoo are all incredible experiences that build family relationships, self-confidence and self-esteem, open communication, and knowledge. If that seems impossible for your budget or your children’s tolerance, then what about day trips to a local lake to fish, to the Nature Center, to the Children’s Museum, or the Air Zoo? Wrap up pictures of places in boxes, or a clue to where the vacation might be in several boxes like a mystery tour. This holiday, consider the gift that ‘keeps on giving’: find a cool getaway, put your electronics out-ofcommission, head out together, and give your family an incredible memory. Dr. Susan Carter, Phd LP is a Registered Play Therapist, Supervisor in private practice at Center for Change and Growth, PLC in Kalamazoo.
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
New children’s book guides children
to seek nutrition first!
Motivated after reading an article in The New England Journal of Medicine* that stated, “For the first time in recorded history, our current children›s generation is expected to have a shorter life span than their parents generation,” food columnist, author, wife and grandmother, Laura Kurella, felt compelled to do something to help change that statistic. “Knowing what a huge role food plays in our overall health,” Kurella said, “made me realize just how imperative it is that we begin to educate our children – at earlier ages – on the importance of nutrition and the crucial role it plays in our lives and our health. “I wanted to create something that would make this valuable message ‘stick’ with them for life so I took the approach of explaining the ‘why’ behind making better food choices in a cheerful, colorful and hopefully memorable way!” Titled, “A Delicious Day at Mrs. K’s,” the lead character, Mrs. K, is an
homage to Kurella’s own mother, who takes it upon herself in the story to explain the importance of nutrition, the fundamental role it plays and where it is found - after discovering that the children are unaware. “Some of the dialogue in the book was actually ripped from the pages of my own life experiences with my grandchildren,” Kurella said with a chuckle. “In
fact, my grandchildren helped shape this book in many ways!”
Filled with a cute cast of colorful characters, which are modeled after her own grandchildren, Kurella confessed that she worked on this project – off and on - for over three years before being able to bring it to final edit completion. “I sought a lot of advice on its content,” Kurella said, “and I picked the brains of everyone from pre-school and elementary teachers to children in the pre-k through 2nd grade age group. I was also got a tremendous amount of support with the editing of its rhyming text from my dear friend, Anne Sutton of Sturgis, Michigan, who helped me smooth out the text and give it a much-improved polish to its rhyming flow!” Vibrantly-illustrated by Nevada illustrator, Glenn Richards, every
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page pops with colorful characters designed to help children of all colors identify with them. By combining their efforts, Kurella said their goal was to create a book that could be self-published so that it could be offered at both U.S.A. print cost as well as retail - depending on the circumstance - to enable it to reach as many children as possible, including through the process of donations to libraries, which Kurella is currently self-funding. “My hope is that this project will generate outside interest and support to help fund distribution to as many libraries and children as possible so this valuable message can be far-
reaching,” she said. “After all, the greatest gift any of us can give is to make a positive difference in the lives of others. My hope is that this book – and all of my other efforts - will do just that!” Offering a clearer understanding of the power of food, Kurella’s K -2 geared children’s book is sure to help inspire readers of all ages to seek nutrition first! Offering the book in many formats and with special tools for teachers, A Delicious Day at Mrs. K’s is available through select outlets and directly at: Laurakurella,com.
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
Recipes A New Cran-i-tude!
Cranberries, and their incredibly crisp, crimson color, have long been an attractive way to dress up our holiday table but, contrary to what we might think their eye-appeal is not what
likely attracted them to the holiday table. In fact, it wasn’t a table-scaper that set them there, but rather the Native American Indians, who had been using wild cranberries for everything
from cooking to dyes to medicine – long before any pilgrims came along! Here now are a couple of creative ways Ocean Spray is sharing with us to add some incredible cranberries
to every day – along with my own favorite way to sauce these berries ENJOY! Laura Kurella
Cranberry Brie Appetizer Bites Laura’s Sublime Cranberry Sauce
-12 ounces fresh cranberries -1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice -1/4 cup fresh orange juice -1/4 cup pure maple syrup -1/4 cup honey -2 ounces gold rum (optional) In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, combine berries, juice, maple syrup and honey. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 20
minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in rum, if using, then bring to a final boil. Remove from heat and serve or store, covered and refrigerated, until use. Approximate servings per recipe: 6. Nutrition per serving: Calories 146; Fat 0g; Sodium 2 mg; Potassium 178 mg; Carbohydrates 29g; Fiber 2g; Sugar 24g; Protein 0.2g.
-1/4 cup sugar -1/4 cup water -1 1/4 cups Ocean Spray® Fresh or Frozen Cranberries -1 teaspoon lemon juice -1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel -25 3 1/4-inch square wonton wrappers -1 8-ounce Brie round cut into 24 -3/4-inch cubes Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 24 miniature-muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray. Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Add cranberries; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer about 3 to 4 minutes or until cranberries pop and mixture thickens slightly, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in
lemon juice and peel. Press 1 wonton wrapper gently into each muffin cup, allowing ends to extend above. Spray edges of wonton wrappers with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until bottoms of cups are beginning to brown. Place 1 cube of Brie in each cup; place sheet of aluminum foil over each pan to prevent excessive browning. Bake 3 to 5 minutes or until Brie is soft. Remove from oven; top each with about 1 teaspoon cranberry mixture. Approximate servings per recipe: 24. Nutrition per serving: Calories 133; Fat 3g; Sodium 228 mg; Potassium 48 mg; Carbohydrates 22g; Fiber 1g; Sugar 2g; Protein 4g.
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health December 2017
I thought I’d get a running start on the Easter holiday or perhaps we could decorate some eggs for Christmas. So, this article will be about the roller coaster ride on the science regarding the nutritional value of eggs. Remember the time when consuming eggs came with a yellow caution as to raising the level of LDL (bad guy) cholesterol? The culprits were thought to be the yolks. So, let’s start by really knowing what’s in an egg. One egg has 72 calories, 5 grams of fat (1.5 grams saturated), 70 milligrams of sodium, and 6 grams of protein. The yolk contains all the fat and cholesterol, most of the calories, and nearly half of the protein, as well as zinc, B vitamins (including riboflavin and folate), vitamin A, iron, choline, and other nutrients. “Designer eggs” from chickens fed special diets, usually contain more vitamin E, and omega-3 fats. But it’s questionable if they are worth their higher cost. For example, eggs that claim to be rich in omega-3 fats, contain only a small amount compared to fatty fish, such as salmon. Brown eggs are not more nutritious than white eggs. Different breeds lay eggs with different shell colors. Orpington hens lay brown eggs, Leghorns lay white eggs and some breeds even lay blue or green eggs (with or without ham). Get it; green eggs and
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so, what’s eggsactly the deal with eggs? ham? Yolk color depends on what the hens ate. Wheat and barley produce a light yolk, corn a medium yellow yolk and marigold petals a deep yellow. Frequently, though not always, darker yellow yolks may have more omega-3’s. The term “organic” on an egg carton means that the chickens were fed an organic diet, not that the eggs are necessarily more nutritious. Now that we know what we’re talking about, what’s the skinny on nutritional benefits and health. Eggs have had a bad reputation because of their high cholesterol content. But dietary cholesterol found in animal fat has relatively little effect on blood cholesterol in most people, saturated fats and trans fats are the bigger culprits. And even in people who do respond to dietary cholesterol, some egg studies have shown that dietary cholesterol causes the body to increase HDL (good guy) cholesterol, along with LDL (bad guy) cholesterol, possibly helping to offset adverse effects. A small study conducted by the University of Connecticut found that when healthy young adults went from no eggs to 3 eggs per day, they had increases in large-sized LDL particles as well as improvements in
HDL composition which makes it more effective in removing cholesterol in cells. More significantly, eggs do not appear to contribute to heart disease. A pivotal 1999 observational study of nearly 120,000 people found no association between egg intake, up to 7 per week on average, and heart disease, except for those with diabetes. Nor did it find a link between eggs and strokes. In light of these findings, the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans no longer include an upper limit for cholesterol intake. In fact, the guidelines specify that a healthy diet
GOOD NEWS
embraces a variety of protein rich food, including eggs. CAUTION: We’re talking about eggs, not bacon, biscuits, sausage, cheese, and butter, which normally accompany eggs as part of the typical American breakfast. That’s when good eggs go bad. So next article will probably be about how to stuff Easter stockings with fruitcake. Enjoy the holidays. Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal Trainer.
December 2017
EAT
The Rooster’s Call delivers on their slogan, “Good Mornings Start Here!” Walking through the door you’re greeted by their friendly staff and welcomed into a warm, country kitchen atmosphere - complete with
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THE ROOSTER’S CALL
red and white checkered curtains. Our server, Erin, was a delight and we enjoyed conversing with her throughout our meal. She was quick to take our drink orders and I was happy that they served fresh brewed iced tea and my boyfriend enjoyed the rich Guatemalan Blend Coffee. The menu offers a nice mixture of healthy breakfast choices, spicy options and mouth watering sweet dishes. We chose a healthy create your own omelet, and the two junior pancakes offered as a side choice. Both were delicious and filling. The pancakes were perfect – slightly crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. Customer breakfast favorites include: biscuits & gravy (made from scratch), Tater Tot skillets and avocado toast. Breakfast specials for the month of November include pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin French toast; both served with their secret pumpkin spread that I have personally tasted – yum! Lunch favorites include: the olive
burger and the California Reuben. Owner, Cheryl Schmitt, teaches business classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and at Parchment High School (one of her students even designed the restaurant’s logo). Her husband, David, encouraged her to open the restaurant while she was working on another business plan to teach her students how to start a business. Cheryl has always enjoyed working with the public and has been involved in the restaurant business in some capacity for her life. With Cheryl’s busy teaching schedule, she has entrusted her daughter, Valerie, to manage the restaurant.
Valerie has worked in the restaurant business since she was just 14 years old. The children’s menu offers a variety of kid-friendly choices – menu items starting at only $2.49. Stop in and warm up with some down home comfort food today! The Rooster’s Call serves breakfast and lunch daily from 6am-2pm, with early morning specials Monday-Friday from 6-10am. They are located at 6050 Gull Road in Kalamazoo. They can be reached by phone at 775-1601. For the latest specials, follow their Facebook page. Jackie Merriam
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December 2017
GOOD NEWS
While the Garden Sleeps...
If you’ve been diligently tending a food plot over the past eleven months, you may find that you now have more free time on your hands. With cold and snow comes a reprieve from a lot of outdoor chores, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore your food plot completely. December is a fantastic time to make sure your yearly pruning is complete because it’s also an ideal time to clean, sharpen and oil your garden tools. If you’re still harvesting cold weather crops, be sure to give them an extra protective cover, like straw, to keep them cozy and productive. If you feed birds be sure your
feeders are clean and filled to keep these year-round garden-pest police in your yard throughout the winter. If there are areas in your yard that you’d like to convert into planting space, consider putting down a couple layers of cardboard or newspaper and cover with a generous layer of wood chips to kill grass, weeds, and other vegetation before spring. When the weather warms in March or April you can put fresh dirt over the top before adding plants or seeds without needing to till the space. Indoor projects can move to the top of your to-do list over the next three months. Rooms that need
ENVIRONMENT Have a White & Green Christmas
painting, furniture that needs building, walls that have been begging for a little décor – these are easily tackled when warm weather and sunshine aren’t luring you outdoors. Planning next year’s garden or homestead purchases can officially begin, too. My big purchase this year was a wheel hoe, which saved me an enormous amount of time and energy in the garden. I’m eyeing a produce scale for 2018 to compute just how much my homegrown food is saving my family in grocery costs each year. If you celebrate the holiday season by giving gifts to friends and family, consider gifting what you grew or
made. Canned goodies, personalized baking mixes, homemade seed paper, a curated windowsill herb garden – these all make thoughtful gifts. If homemade gifts aren’t your gig, make an effort to support local businesses as you shop. For the sake of being eco-friendly, let newsprint, jute and small sprigs of pine serve as this year’s gift-wrapping. I hope this holiday season is one of happiness and health for you and your family. Cheers! Meg Gernaat is a Kalamazoo native growing what she can on her almost-acre of land. See what she’s up to at WestEHomestead.com.
Let’s have a white AND green Christmas this year! Think of all of the waste that you produce during the holidays and how you can cut back. Instead of buying new wrapping paper, consider using reusable bags or newspaper. If you do use wrapping paper, recycle or save it! Where there’s gift giving, there’s usually food. Do you serve food on paper or plastic plates, with disposable utensils? Even though using real plates and silverware requires doing the dishes after the festivities, the landfills will thank you. Also, be sure to replace any old Christmas lights with LEDs. Not only do LEDs use less energy, they will save you money in the process,
helping you to afford that perfect gift for someone. Don’t forget, New Year’s is right around the corner. As we come into 2018, reflect on your lifestyle this past year. Are there small changes you can make to your everyday life to help the environment? It’s those small changes that add up to make a large impact.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~Mahatma Gandhi
Happy holidays and a happy New Year! Judy Smith Heidelberg University Student
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December 2017
Through December 24 Santa’s Workshop Epic Center, downtown Kalamazoo Thurs. & Fri. 4-8pm, Sat 11am-6pm, Sun. Noon-4pm, 344-0795 Through January 7, 2018 Exhibit: Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990 Through January 14 Exhibit: Hateful Things: Jim Crow Museum Of Racist Memorabilia traveling exhibit Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990 Fri., & Sat., December 1-2 Holiday Gifts & Greens Sale by the Kalamazoo Garden Council Kalamazoo County Expo Center Fri.9am-6pm, Sat. 9am-1pm, 383-8778 Friday, December 1 Connect Kalamazoo (Community Conversations) Eastside Neighborhood Association Noon-4pm, 254-8224 Fri., & Sat., December 1-2 Holiday Art Sale Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fri. 4-8pm, Sat. 9am-3pm, 349-7775 Friday, December 1 Artist, Mark Brotebeck Featuring original portraits of musicians and Gibson Guitar art, 5-9pm Music: Buckwheat Blues, 7-10pm Boatyard Brewing Co., 226-0300 Friday, December 1 Art Hop - Downtown Kalamazoo & In the Vine Neighborhood 5-8pm, 342-5059 Friday, December 1 Visual Experience: Reclaiming Humanness; Historical Journey of Black Women As Reluctant Heroes 1781-present, 5pm Music: Kalamazoo Mandolin & Guitar, 6pm Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 373-7990 Friday, December 1 Plainwell Tree Lighting Celebration Downtown Plainwell, 7-7:30pm Fridays, December 1,8,15 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7-10pm,, pattifleningmusic.com Sat. & Sun., December 2-3 Christmas Craft Show Wings Event Center, 349-1185 Sat. 9am-4pm, Sun. 10am-4pm Saturday, December 2 Vicksburg Historical Society Fundraiser Depot Museum in Vicksburg 9am-5pm, 649-1733 Saturday, December 2 Annual Christmas Bazaar St. Andrew Comm. Church, Kal. 9am-3pm, 3491173 Saturdays, December 2,9,16,23,30 Music: BenJammin’ and Analisa Educational entertainers & Kids breakfast Old Dog Tavern, 10-11am, 381-5677 Saturdays, December 2,9,16,23,30 Reading Rangers – Indoors Schrier Park, Portage 10am-Noon, 329-4522
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Saturday, December 2 Plainwell Christmas Parade Downtown Plainwell (Main St.) 1-1:30pm, 685-3152
Thursday, December 7 Music: Tom Duffield O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666
Wednesday, December 13 Music: Carrie McFerrin O’Duffy’s Pub. 8-10pm, 344-5666
Saturday, December 2 Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration Celery Flats Historical Area, Portage 6-8pm, 329-4522
Fri. Dec. 8 – Sun. Dec. 10 K-9 Fanciers Dog Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center Fri.3-11, Sat.8-5, Sun. 8-4
Thursday, December 14 Family Night @ W.K. Kellogg Manor House in Hickory Corners 5:30-7:30pm, 671-2400
Saturday, December 2,9,16 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7pm, pattiflemingmusic.com
Friday, December 8 Teen Night: pizza, pop, art & friends Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 6-8pm, 349-7775
Thursday, December 14 Brewer Newsmaker Series Focus: Paw Paw Brewing Co. Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill 6-7:30pm, 350-4598
Saturday, December 2 Kalamazoo Community Chorale Concert: And All The Town Be Merry! 7:30pm First United Methodist Church, Kalamazoo Sundays, December 3,10.17,24 Bell’s Eccentric Café - Team Trivia Doors open at 5pm Trivia 6-8pm, 382-2332 Sundays, December 3,10,17,24 Professional Blues Jam Old Dog Tavern, 6-9pm, 381-5677 Mondays, December 4,11,18 Euchre Tournament Arcadia Brewing, Kalamazoo 7-11pm, 276-0458 Tues. & Wed., Dec. 5,6,12,13,19,20,26,27 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Antique Market Kalamazoo County Expo Center 8am-2pm, 383-8681 Tuesday, December 5 Talk: Creating Sculpture in Ibadan, Nigeria with Al LaVergne Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Tuesdays, December 5,12,19 Sanctuary Yoga – Explore the practices Associated with Tibetan Buddhism People’s Church on 10th St.., Kalamazoo 7-8:30pm, 944-1575 Tuesdays, December 5,12,19,26 Pub Trivia Night Arcadia Brewing, 8-10pm, 276-0458 Tuesdays, December 5,12,19,26 Open Microphone Night Hosted by Steve Pesch & The DOC! Old Dog Tavern 8pm-midnight, 381-5677 Wednesdays, December 6,13,20 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 5:30-8:30pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Wednesday, December 6 Music: Whisky Before Breakfast O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Wednesdays, December 6,13,20,27 Weekly Comedy Show/Open mic. Harvey’s on the Mall 9-11pm (for ages 21+), 760-6251 Thurs., Dec. 7- Sat. Dec. 9 Scholastic Book Fairs Warehouse Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center Thurs.11-7, Fri.9-7, Sat. 8-4 Thursdays, December 7,14,21,28 Crafty Needles - Knitting Night Boatyard Brewing Co. 4-9pm, 226-0300 Thursdays, December 7,14,21,28 Singer/Songwriter Night Boatyard Brewing Co., 226-0300 Sign up 6pm. Performances 7-11pm
Friday, December 8 Music: Benedict Dolly Rockers Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Fridays, Dec. 8 & Dec. 15 Christmas at the MI Flywheelers Museum 06285 68th St. (East of South Haven) 6-8:30pm, 639-2010 Saturday, December 9 Christmas Expo & Craft Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-4pm, 903-5820 Saturday, December 9 LulaZoo –LuLaRoe Clothing Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-3pm, 903-5820 Saturday, December 9 Buy Local Art & Gift Show Kalamazoo Nature Center 9am-4pm, 381-1574 Saturday, December 9 Art Detectives, Ages 4-8 w/adult Story, art & a project 11am, 349-7775 Saturday, December 9 Candy Cane Hunt Homer Stryker Field, Kalamazoo Noon-2pm, 337-8006 Saturday, December 9 Holiday Open House cookies, cider, KSO Jazz Trio, live reindeer & More! Comstock Community Library 1-3pm, 345-0136 Sunday, December 10 Kalamazoo Record & CD Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 11am-4pm, (734) 604-2540 Sunday, December 10 Sound Waves and Wave Properties Kalamazoo Valley Museum Stryker Theatre, 1:30pm, 373-7990 Monday, December 11 Music: Holiday Favorites w/ Meredith Arwady Westminster Presbyterian Church 7pm, 344-3966, donations accepted Tuesday, December 12 Talk: Curator Karla Niehus Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, December 13 Book Discussion: The Painted Kiss by Elizabeth Hickey Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2pm, 349-7775 Wednesday, December 13 Happy Our Art Canvas Painting Registration required, space is limited Comstock Township Library 6pm, 345-0136
Thursday, December 14 Music: Megan Dooley O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, December 15 Ugly Sweater Party, 4-11pm Music: Steve Pesch, 7-10pm Boatyard Brewing Co., 226-0300 Saturday, December 16 Evergreens For The Holidays Learn about Evergreens & make a decoration to take home Celery Flats Grain Elevator, Portage 10am-11:30pm, 329-4522 Saturday, December 16 Holiday Indoor Flea & Antique Market Kalamazoo County Expo Center 10am-3pm, 383-8761 Sunday, December 17 Mindfulness Meditation Down Dog Yoga Center 1-3pm, 993-2486 Wednesday, December 20 Music: Out of Favor Boys O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, December 22 Music: Darcy Jones Boatyard Brewing Co. 7:30-10:30pm, 226-0300 Saturday, December 23 The Eve Before The Eve Party Music: Robert Rolfe Feddersen Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Sunday, December 24 Special Beer Releases Boatyard Brewing Co. 1-4pm, 226-0300 Wednesday, December 27 Adam Mellema, stories Kalamazoo Valley Museum Mary Jane Stryker Theater Noon, 373-7990 Wednesday, December 27 Music: Joe Wang and The Test Pilots O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, December 29 Joe Reily, music Kalamazoo Valley Museum Mary Jane Stryker Theater Noon, 373-7990 Friday, December 29 Nature Circuit Training (outdoors) Celery Flats Grain Elevator, Portage Noon-1pm, 329-4522 Friday, December 29 Music: Amaze & Blue Boatyard Brewing Co. 8-10:30pm, 226-0300