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September 2017
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
remember when Char-STEAK
For over thirty years, Char Steak in downtown Kalamazoo never closed its doors. The steakhouse was open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 1960 through the early 1990’s. It was a popular restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a great place to grab a late night snack. Char Steak was located at
160 W. Michigan Ave., at the corner of Rose & Michigan – where the Radisson Plaza is now located. Owned & operated by Pete Stamos, who even met his wife, Julie, at Char Steak, who was a waitress at the restaurant. Many remember Stamos’ friendly person-
ality - chatting with the customers and going from table to table to ask if they were enjoying their meal. Customers enjoyed their hamburger baskets, steak with baked potato and salad for only $2.99 (at one time) and the daily specials that were a feast of home cooked favorites like Salisbury steak or meatloaf dinner with all the fixings. When Stamos agreed to lease the property to the Hilton Hotel Company, the Char Steak restaurant was relocated a block north on the corner of Rose Street and W. Water Street (where KVCC now stands). The location was then razed in the early 1990’s. A contributor on the popular Vanished Kalamazoo website fondly remembers running into the Harlem Globetrotters at Char Steak before one of their shows – Meadowlark Lemon and the others showed up while her family was enjoying their meal. One of the Globetrotters even changed a light bulb in the ladies
room for them before leaving (without a ladder)! After Char Steak, Stamos went on to own a variety of local businesses, including restaurants, bars, a wholesale meat company and a food delivery service. Sadly, Pete Stamos passed away in 2015 at the age of 79. However, his legacy lives on each Christmas at the restaurant his son, Steve Stamos, owns -The Blue Dolphin. They serve free meals to anyone in the community that wants to come. This festive tradition began in the late 70’s when Pete owned the Rex Café because he didn’t want anyone to ever spend the holiday alone. Jackie Merriam On a side note: the 1968 Char Steak softball team won the Fast Pitch City Championship at the Douglas fields.
Welcome to the Good News Paper Have you ever wondered how many of the obscure national holidays got started? It used to be that an event had to be truly momentous to warrant a new holiday, but these days, all that’s needed to create a commemorative day is a good imagination and an online submission. You can have a special day or month recognized annually, or even a unique product or service. Simply submit a request to nationaldaycalendar.com/ register.a.national-day. The website states: “After acceptance you will receive: A press release stating the new designation, annual inclusion in the daily post on website, Facebook and Twitter, A professional framed certificate proclaiming your national day and inclusion in our radio update heard on hundreds of radio stations in the USA.” There’s much to celebrate in the month of September. How
about National Chicken Boy Day, celebrate this 22- foot tall chicken holding a bucket of chicken that was a famous landmark along Route 66 by wishing him a Happy Birthday on social media (September 1). Don’t forget to celebrate National Grandma Moses Day by appreciating her renowned American Folk art (September 7). This one caught my eye, National Ants On A Log Day, which has nothing to do with ants. It is actually a popular 1950’s snack made by spreading peanut butter on celery and placing raisins (ants) on top. I’m looking forward to celebrating National Chocolate Milkshake Day (September 12) – someone has to do it! The time frame for acceptance and to appear on the calendar is usually only 2 weeks. They now have over 1,200 national days. Apparently, the demand has been great and they are behind on processing, because the website states: “Due to a substantial backlog, we are only accepting applications from companies and organizations at this time.” What are you waiting for? Get started today on your own national day and bring your company or cause special recognition each year! Jackie Merriam
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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.
September 2017
3
GOOD NEWS
gardening
need to improve your summer stressed lawn? The first signs of autumn signal the beginning of lawn improvement time. There are several reasons why late summer and early autumn are the best time of the year for reconditioning established turf and planting new lawns. Number one is that weed activity slows down. There are fewer weed seeds that germinate in the autumn. Number two, as the soil cools down, new grass seedlings root in better. Plus, grass plants multiply in the autumn, especially if we feed them correctly, to help fill in thin and bare spots. Some preliminary work and planning now will enable us to get the most out of the time and materials that we apply in August to improve our lawns. First, let’s look over the lawn area carefully. Are there coarse grasses or creeping bent grasses that need to be eradicated before grass seed is sown? If so, spray Kill-Zall on these areas. Two applications of Kill-Zall ten days apart will kill all undesirable grasses, roots and all.
Are there broadleaf weeds in your lawn that are competing with the turf ? If so, now is the time to apply Weed Free Zone Broadleaf Weed Killer to rid the turf of dandelions, buckhorn, and other competing broadleaf weeds. Two applications ten days apart will do the job. For best results, add spreader sticker in weed sprays. Before applying any weed or grass killers, be sure to irrigate well twenty-four hours ahead of time. The brown mat of dead grass next to the soil is called thatch. Healthy turf will usually have a one-half to one-inch layer of thatch. Older lawns should be examined to determine if the thatch layer is too deep. If dethatching is called for, this is the best time of year, just before reseeding, to do it. Next year, begin a thatch control program with one or two feedings of organic Grass Magic. Is the lawn uneven, or are there bumpy or low spots? Now is the time to level the yard, use a soil, sand and
peat mix to fill in any low spots. In a few days, the soil will have settled and you will be ready for seeding. Bring a soil sample in to Wedel’s for free soil testing so that you will know how to condition the soil before reseeding. Don’t guess – it’s worth the extra care so that good, healthy roots will develop deep into the soil. It’s important to work the proper amount of lime, gypsum, Soil Conditioner, and organic matter into the soil to start and maintain a good turf. Lawn soil pH should be kept close to 6 ½ by the use of ground limestone or Soil Sulfur. Heavy clay soils should have generous amounts of Clay Soil Conditioner and gypsum worked in to a depth of five inches to improve soil structure and to increase circulation of moisture and air to the root zone resulting in improved root development. Established lawns with heavy, poorly drained soil that tends to compact and provide a poor root environment should have the same
soil conditioners applied. Instead of a rototiller, use a soil coring machine or spike disk aerator to enable the soil conditioners to penetrate the heavy soil. Amending poor soil structure will greatly enhance turf quality. Wedel’s is carrying a new grass seed that is perfect for overseeding. Jaguar lawn seed is an improved variety that is disease-resistant and durable. It will do very well in full sun or partly shady locations. The Lawn Pros at Wedel’s will be happy to discuss which seed type will be ideal for your lawn with you. Now is the time to begin your lawn improvement project. Using these proven methods will ensure your success. For personal help to improve your lawn, be sure to visit with the Lawn Pros at Wedel’s. George Wedel Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
Thrift, Vintage, Antiques, Repurposed, Artisan & Hand Made Decorate with Timeless Style
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September 2017
home decor
5
GOOD NEWS
stay ahead of the holiday rush
September is here and summer feels like summer is slipping away. The sights, sounds and smells of autumn are in the air. Cooler crisp night air, the sounds of evening football games and the falling leaves all signify change is on its way and may put you in the mood for the upcoming holiday season. If you haven’t started preparing your home for the holidays, it isn’t too early.
If you’re considering and entertaining a joyous home improvements to holidays time instead of a stressful nightmare. spruce up your interior, Setting September is a good Expectations time to start to ensure you are Set yourself up for success with ahead of the holiday rush. Because many homeowners plan to entertain over the holidays, it’s a common time of year for home improvements, making it difficult to find available help.
If you are thinking of ordering a new piece of furniture, order now. Many custom furniture makers take anywhere from 8-10 weeks to deliver special order. Plus, everyone wants their furniture before the holidays so demand is high. Getting your order in early ensures you’ll have yours in time.
expectations that are reasonable. Chances are you are not going to build a brand new dream house fully furnished and decorated by Thanksgiving Day if you start now. But your chances certainly improve the sooner you begin planning, which is why September is a great month to start thinking and planning if you haven’t already started. Also, be mindful of how much improving can be accomplished given your budget and your timeline. Ask yourself what is necessary and what is not. It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement and lose sight of your overall goal as well as your budget.
Home improvements no matter how big or small can be chaotic and stressful - simply because improvements cause a disruption to your normal living environment and routine. This is especially true close to the holidays because our commitments and schedules seem to explode with activity. With proper planning, you can avoid the stress surrounding home improvements and make your
Its no secret, in the world of home improvement, things often seem to take longer than expected. Instead of hoping for the best outcome, prepare for the worst. That doesn’t mean you settle for shabby work or less than desirable results. It means that timelines can change because things don’t always go as planned. Sometimes
Furniture Beat the rush
Avoid the Stress
Understand Realistic Timelines
structural or mechanical problems are uncovered during home improvements, which extend and delay project completion. If the timeline seems too good to be true, trust your gut. Ask your builder/contractor, designer or yourself (if its a do-it-yourself kind of project) and reevaluate the projected timeline to see if something was initially overlooked. Prepare yourself for a longer timeline than promised or planned and budget time accordingly by padding the timeline to ensure your project is finished well in advance of your absolute deadline.
Know When to Ask for Help
Home improvement projects can appear seemingly simple when the process is depicted on television and is magically finished within a half hour program. Often it’s a little
more complicated and timely than it appears, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying. If you find yourself mid process wishing you had hired a professional, help is near. However, during the holiday rush you might be hard pressed to find available help, all the more reason to get a head start. Whether you need help or not, fall is an exciting time of year for change. If you plan on embarking on decorating your home for the holidays, no matter how big or small, we are here to help! Julie Hite-Neilitz of HITE HOUSE Home Furnishings www.hite-house.com 6360 Stadium Drive
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September 2017
Have you ever been completely mystified by some behavior your pet has suddenly and unexpectedly showed?
Sometimes our pets’ surprise us, and the changes seem to come out of nowhere to disrupt Holmes as he solves a mystery, making observations and trying to find explanations. There are some logical steps you can pursue to help in this search for answers, however. Ready? Grab your deerstalker cap and your large magnifying glass and let’s start sleuthing! In general, our pets want our approval and love, so a negative change in behavior that causes your animal companion to lose your approval is distressing to both of you. Sometimes things that we take for granted can be very stressful for animals that crave stability and routine. Here are to pet behavior issues and some tips
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GOOD NEWS
solving pet behavior issues
for dealing with them. • One very common and obvious reason for a behavioral change for the worse is a new health issue. A great place to start your analysis of the root cause for a modification in your pet’s normal behavior is with a visit to your veterinary healthcare professional. Sudden aggression or other negative behaviors may indicate the existence of health problems. Your veterinarian can help you explore the possibilities and rule out potential causes. Ask yourself whether some change in your normal routine has impacted your pet. For example, a new pet added to the household, a new family member, or a change in your daily routine will cause stress for your pet. Be prepared to give plenty of reassurance to current pets when adding a new pet (or child or change in household routine) to the mix. Sometimes territories must be revised and a pecking order established all over again when someone new comes into the family. Large doses of love and
attention will help your four-legged friend adjust to the new situation. Never physically punish a pet that is exhibiting objectionable behavior. Striking a pet will be interpreted by him or her as an attack rather than as discipline given with love. If your pet feels frightened of you, your influence will be diminished and the negative behavior is likely to grow worse. Your pet under- stands a timeout or withdrawal of attention for bad behavior but physical punishment is just frightening, as the person they depend on suddenly and inexplicably becomes an enemy. • Reward good behavior in your canine or feline friend. Praise, treats, and other coveted responses from you are a great way to reinforce desired behaviors. Be patient, though, because even the most intelligent and intuitive animal has a learning curve and needs time to learn and understand your expectations. • Be consistent. Always discourage an unwanted behavior—don’t give
it a pass sometimes and a negative response at other times. Inconsistency causes confusion and is likely to result in frustration for both you and your furry friend. • Finally, invest some time in researching the behavior you want to prevent and see what the experts have to say about solving the problem. There is plenty of wisdom to be gleaned from the advice of specialists in animal behavior and also from consulting your veterinarian about problems and solutions. Your furry companion wants to give and receive love but needs you to understand how a situation appears from their perspective. A little detective work on your part can help to avoid misunderstandings and lead to peace and harmony in your home. Karen Jensen Reprinted with permission from the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue Newsletter, Fall 2016.
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
Vintage Pants are back! Well, it’s time to wear the pants again. Summer is winding down and fall is on its way. If you love summer like I do, this is sad news, but there are some perks, like being able to sport some fabulous vintage pants! The first pair of trousers worn by a woman dates back to 1919 when Luisa Capetillo from Puerto Rico boldly challenged societal norms and wore pants in public. She was arrested, but later charges were dropped. In America, women began wearing various styles of pants in the early 1920’s and ’30’s. Hollywood actresses Marlene Dietrich and Katherine Hepburn helped make this style a hit during the 1930’s and during the Second World War many women joined the work force and wore their husband’s trousers or military type uniform pants. In the 1920’s a woman could get away with wearing knickers, but only as sportswear. It was usually a wool knee length knicker paired with a
tweed shirt, knee high socks and lace-up shoes. This was still pushing the envelope and often banned in certain areas. A more feminine pant was the beach pajama, very wide leg pants paired with a matching top. The 1930’s showed off the widest legged pants that were often flowing and luxurious. Because of rationing during World War Two, beach pajamas were no longer made in the 1940’s. The fashion transitioned to sturdy cotton and denim pants and overalls were modified from men’s work clothes so that women could wear them in the work force. The mid-late 1940’s was all about Swing music and fashion focused on teen culture. Pant legs started getting narrower and it’s the first time jeans for women are introduced! By the 1950’s women were able to really enjoy wearing pants. The first woman to wear pants on TV was Mary Tyler Moore on the Dick Van
1951 denim jeans with a wide but getting thinner fit.
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Work wear and sport wear Dyke Show; this helped popularize wearing pants as everyday fashion. Two of the most popular styles in the 1950’s were the capris and the cigarette pants. Both pants had high waists and flat fronts with side or back zippers. They had full hips and were slim fitting through the legs. Capris ended below the knee and cigarette pants ended just above the ankle. These are both popular styles today and can be found in black, to bold bright colors or funky patterns. These trends carried over into the 1960’s, but the ‘60’s amped it up with even brighter designs and colors. You’ll find wild and bright stripes, plaids, flowers and tribal prints. These are always fun to run across when searching for great vintage and look fabulous today even 50+ years later! The late 1960’s hippie flower child look with the flare or bell-bottom pant carried over to 1970’s with more flower patterns and boho prints. Women in the 1970’s entered the work force in droves and pant styles ranged from daywear to work wear to high fashion. A sense of mascu-
line style entered the fashion world with films like “Annie Hall”; starring Diane Keaton wearing fitted vests with a man’s styled shirt and necktie. Blue jeans also took over the fashion scene, ranging from bellbottoms to embroidered to patched and sequined. Stars such as Cher, David Bowie and Iggy Pop set the trends for wild and way out fashion. Designers like Calvin Klein, Jordache and Sassoon were status symbols and disco introduced a whole new world of fashion. This all carried over into the 80’s where jeans dominated and designer’s names were branded across the back pockets. And through all this, Levi’s jeans ruled and continue to lead denim fashion trends today. As you can see, there’s lots of great fashion to be found in the vintage pant world! May you stumble upon the perfect pair that fits your life and style and inspires you to continue the story and make it your own! Jayne Gulliver Owner of J-Bird Vintage, 511 W. Vine, Kalamazoo
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
The top books published this month that librarians across the country love Glass Houses: A Novel by Louise Penny
Young Jane Young: A Novel by Gabrielle Zevin
“A new threat arises in Three Pines as a mysterious masked figure stands watch on the village green. ‘It’ refuses to communicate in any way, which is just the start of another thrilling adventure in this long-running series. Gamache is still trying to restore the Sûretû du Quûbec back to what it was before it was corrupted under the previous regime. Choices are made that will forever change our hero in ways we can only begin to imagine. The next book can’t get here fast enough.”
“Aviva Grossman was involved in a relationship with her boss, who just happened to be a member of Congress. She becomes ostracized as her name is associated with scandal and reinvents herself as Jane Young. She has a daughter, Ruby, who decides to run away to look for her father. Ruby learns things are not always what they seem. I loved Zevin’s engaging style. The characters are flawed and real. You are rooting for them until the end.”
Joseph Jones, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Brooklyn, OH
Audra Bartholomew, Bossier Parish Library, Bossier City, LA
How to Find Love in a Bookshop
Reincarnation Blues: A Novel
“When Emilia’s father dies, she returns to her small English village, takes over his beloved bookshop, and begins working through both her grief and the myriad renovations and changes the store needs. The author weaves stories of multiple village residents and their romantic travails and triumphs. I admired the well-crafted nature of this story, with the interwoven storylines offering wide variety without becoming scattered or straining to remain believably interrelated. All in all, just lovely.”
“A witty and fascinating look at reincarnation. Milo has been reincarnated more than any other human. He’s been enjoying his lives and grown wise without quite achieving perfection, the ultimate goal. He is absolutely in love with Death, who’d rather just be called Suzi and ultimately would like to settle down and run a candle shop. Unfortunately, he comes to find out there’s actually a limit on how many chances you get at perfection. A moving and lovely story about love, meditation, the journey of life, and becoming the best person you can be.”
by Veronica Henry
Carol Reich, Hillsboro Public Library, Hillsboro, OR
by Michael Poore
Jessica Trotter, Capital District Libraries, Lansing, MI
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/
Fall is just around the corner!
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series Animal Super Powers Jane: My friend Becky claims that cats smell better than dogs. Another friend argues that horses smell better than cats. I have a sensitive nose and prefer not to smell any of them. But I still love seeing animals. Even if smells or allergies prevent a person from owning a pet, we can still enjoy watching a hummingbird at a feeder or a bunny going lippityloppity across the lawn. This year, I have counted 38 species on my one little acre half a mile away from the intersection of I-94 and US 131. All of these fine creatures brought me joy: Deer, raccoon, opossum, bats, fox squirrel, black squirrel, red squirrel, rabbit, chipmunk, mole, mallard, Canada goose, sharp-shinned hawk, red-tailed hawk, kestrel, crow, robin, blue jay, cardinal, chickadee, goldfinch, house finch, tufted titmouse, nuthatch, sparrows, mourning dove, wren, catbird, cowbird, rose breasted grosbeak, downy woodpecker, flicker, junco, hummingbird, eastern tree frog, toad, dogs, and cats. Ellen: My life in a large metro area means I see far fewer wild critters than I did growing up in Portage. I’m not at a good point in my life to commit to a pet, so my daily real-
ity is sadly devoid of wet noses and tiny paws. I manage by enjoying the site of others in the neighborhood walking their dogs, or stopping by the local cat café, but there’s still a yearning. One day, my boyfriend and I were strolling downtown trying to decide on a place for brunch. Outside one of the eateries was a hastily erected “kissing booth.” “Free kisses and hugs,” the sign read, “I’m being socialized!” Curious, we ventured closer and there was a dapper, tail-wagging, little mutt dressed in his finest with a bow tie hooked on his collar. His young minder beckoned us closer. “Would you like a kiss? We’re getting him ready for adoption and want him to meet as many people as possible.” Oh, such rapture! The puppy cheerily greeted us in exchange for some petting and we were left with wet chins and huge smiles on our faces. In subsequent weeks, we returned, eager to greet each new kissing-booth pup. A simple concept but it brings such joy! It’s easy to take animals for granted, wild or tame, but there are few beings in this world more capable of effortlessly loving and being loved. I can’t think of a better superpower. Jane & Ellen Knuth
Polish Night thursday 5-9pm Traditional Polish items including Handmade Pierogie and Kolaczki
sauerbraten saturday We Deliver! Order at eatstreet.com
410 S. Burdick St. • Kalamazoo 269-532-5245 Tues.-Thurs.11-3pm & 5-9pm • Friday & Sat. 11-3pm & 5-10pm
10
September 2017
GOOD NEWS
Petticoat Patriots:
How Michigan Women Won the Vote
The Ladies’ Library Association (LLA) of Kalamazoo in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area (LWVKA) will host the exhibit “Petticoat Patriots: How Michigan Women Won the Vote” from September 12 through 19 at the LLA, 333 S. Park St. in Kalamazoo. The exhibit is on loan from the Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame in Lansing, MI. The Center created the exhibit in 2010 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote. The exhibit explores the history of women’s suffrage in Michigan and features the stories of more than 20 Michigan women who became leading suffragists. Michigan played a major role in women’s suffrage. It was the second state to place women’s suffrage on the ballot and one of the first three states to ratify the 19th Amendment. Many national suffrage leaders came from Michigan. Of the women featured in the exhibit, three come from Ka-
Spring Flowering Bulbs arriving at Wedel’s
from the Netherlands by Sept. 8th!
lamazoo: Olympia Brown, Caroline Bartlett Crane and Lucinda Hinsdale Stone; and two from Battle Creek: Sojourner Truth and Mary Wilson. “Petticoat Patriots: How Michigan Women Won the Vote” will engage visitors of all ages with stories and images on 18 panels. The exhibit features interactive elements, including a “voting booth” for visitors to exercise their suffrage, a dialogue wall for visitors to explore current barriers to women’s full participation in the political arena, and an Honor Roll for visitors to record the names of suffragists in their own families and communities. A description of the panels is attached. The exhibit will be open free of charge to the public thanks to support from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the League of Women Voters of the Kalamazoo Area on the following days and times at the LLA’s historic home, 333 S. Park St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Tues., Sept. 12 – 12pm to 7:30 pm Wed., Sept. 13 – 12 pm to 7:30 pm Thurs., Sept. 14 – 12pm to 7:30 pm Fri. Sept. 15 – 12pm to 7:30 pm
Autumn Festival & Kids Days Sept. 22nd & 23rd at Wedel’s
Petting Zoo • Face Painting Wagon Rides • Straw Maze Pumpkin Catapult
Over 300 Bulb Varieties Sold in bulk so you can get just the amount you want. Wedel’s carries all the flowering bulbs you’ll need for your dream garden.
Wedel’s Coupon
$3
pe r
child $8 max
il y m a f per
Snacks & Meals available
Autumn is the Best Time to Plant Trees $3 Stuff-a-Scarecrow
Bring jeans, shirt, and pillowcase. We will provide straw, twine, stake & help! See wedels.com for more info
Sat., Sept. 16 – 10pm to 5 pm Sun. Sept. 17 – 1pm to 5 pm Mon., Sept. 18 – 12pm to 7:30 pm Tues., Sept. 19 – 12pm to 7:30 pm
Parking is available to those visiting the exhibit in the Ladies’ Library Association lot, on the southeast corner of W. Lovell St. and S. Park St. Jackie Merriam
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September 2017
Ever since the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market on Bank St. started having Night Markets, I make sure to go. I love shopping at night! I’m a romantic at heart and the idea of
shopping at a bustling outdoor market in the cool of the evening makes me imagine what the great outdoor caravan markets of the East might have been like in historical times. To me, the Night Market has a little touch of the Thousand and One Nights! Everyone was in a festive mood at the Night Market and there were many unique booths with goods manufactured and grown by local people with local products. Contrary to the myth that things at the market would be expensive, I found they had very reasonable prices on produce and locally manufactured items. Any mushroom lover’s out there?
We paid $10 for two beautiful bundles of fresh mushrooms. We had the mushrooms the next day and they made our mushroom-loving taste buds very happy. (Fried with fresh chopped local garlic, olive oil, S&P, vino, a pat of butter = delish!) A few of the items we bought were: Genuine Michigan copper earrings in the shape of the mitten and the upper peninsula; organic coffee; the Parmesan KaleAmazoo kale chips are really good and even though I usually hate kale, these were so good that I will be buying more (and the name cracked me up, ‘KaleAmazoo’, heh); home-made almond/peach jam; and my favorite purchase, the “Kalamazoo” fob that I’m going to wear as a pendant. The best jewelry is the jewelry made by artists IMHO, and I would have bought many more pieces of jewelry, but even I have my limits. :) And then there’s the CHEESE! I don’t need to say much about the locally made cheese because once you taste it, you will see that it is out of this world, and you WILL want more. We bought the Havarti cheese, nom nom. There were many samples given out and the food trucks had
GOOD NEWS
delicious food, or as the hub would say, the food there was “very scarfable,” his highest compliment for good food. I’d been craving the taste of a real homegrown cucumber and was happy to find them there, for only fifty cents each, just like the ones my dad used to grow. Along with sun dried tomato pizza crust, cream cheese and raisin bialys, another pair of earrings (oh, my!), and an artist-made Michigan post card, we came home with quite a fun haul. There is one Night Market left this year and that is on September 21, from 6:00-10:00 pm.
Maybe I’ll see you there for a little taste of Arabian Nights! On a side note: The daytime Kalamazoo Farmers Market is every Tuesday & Thursday through October and every Saturday through November, from 7am2pm. Ann Marcelletti-Murray
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
EAT
Peace, Love and Little Donuts (PLLD) Is a fun, loving, peace-filled place that serves fresh, made-to-order donuts. Offering 55 delicious choices. Their slogan proclaims, “The grooviest donuts this side of the Milky Way!” They have served thousands of “groovy” “far out” and “funkadelic” little donuts to their customers since opening on June 26th. Donuts are being made continuously - providing fresh donuts all day long. Some of the local favorites include Maple Bacon, Salted Caramel Macchiato and Samoa for adults. Fruity Pebbles and Dirt donuts are among some of the children’s favorites. Seasonal flavors are also available throughout the year. When I interviewed Brodie Hock, General Manager of PLLD, for this story, he graciously offered me
half dozen donuts of my choice. I mentioned that my grandkids were coming over in the evening, so he put together an assortment that we would all enjoy. The donuts were fresh, delicious and crispy – just the way a donut should be! My favorites were the Cinnamon Sugar and Samoa, while my grandkids were delighted with the S’more and Dirt donuts. The donuts range in price from 85 cents to $1.35 each. They also offer special rates for half dozen and dozens donuts. The Disco Dozen is very popular, offering a combination of choices from all 3 donut categories: Groovy (sugar, cinnamon, glazed), Far Out (frosted) and Funkadelic (frosting plus crazy toppings). Peace, Love & Little Donuts not only offers catering, but they love it! They can custom make donuts
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to coordinate with the colors and/or theme for a wedding or any special event. They would love to make your event a groovy, far out, and funkadelic hit! They brew amazing coffee and espresso by using local roasters, Sozo Coffee Roasting & Espresso Bar, located in Ionia. Sozo’s not only has superb coffee, but they are committed to purchase from farms and suppliers that are dedicated to building economy, ecology and community in their countryside’s, towns and cities. Currently, there are 32 Peace, Love & Little Donuts franchises in the USA. The HQ is located in Pittsburgh. The local PLLD of Portage franchise is part of Valley Management Group – a for-profit business owned by Valley Family Church (VFC). All profits from PLLD help to feed the hungry in South-
west Michigan by underwriting the various outreach programs of VFC including: Free FridayGroceries for people throughout SW Michigan, Love Week Acts of Service in SW Michigan, Camp Scholarships for Kids, Sponsorship of a Haiti Orphanage and more. “We are a fun, fresh and bright place that happens to have great causes tied to it as well,” says Hock. Peace Love & Little Donuts is located at 6043 South Westnedge in Portage, They are open Monday – Saturday from 6am-7pm and Sunday from 8am-2pm. They can be reached by phone at (269) 459-9938. Join thousands of others in the area by following them on Facebook at PLLDofPortage. Feed your inner hippie today! Jackie Merriam
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13
September 2017
GOOD NEWS
parenting happy talk!
Let’s face it: parenting is STRESSFUL! We feel such pressure to nurture and encourage brilliant, successful, kind, loving children. We read articles, books, and blogs about how to honor their unique personality, support their interests and talents, and how push them (just a little) academically and socially to be their best. Family, friends, and neighbors all weigh in and give their 2c about what we should be doing and shouldn’t be doing. Yikes!! Trying to wade through all this ‘helpful’ information and advice is daunting. Yet people complain that children are less well behaved, more demanding, self-entitled, and outspoken as never before. What’s a mother (or father) to do? I’m here to suggest: Happy talk. That’s right, happy talk. I mean,
saying nice things and keeping track. The ratio is 10-1: ten positive, encouraging, uplifting, self-esteembuilding comments to one more critical, correcting one. Think about starting your child’s day with, “I love seeing your eyes when you wake up.” Instead of the usual, “Get up!” Spending consistent, invested time in telling your children what is positive and true about them – everyday – is a gift that will carry them long into adulthood. Consider a YouTube video I recently enjoyed. It was of a special education teacher, working with elementary school children. He spent the first hour of every school day telling each of his students what he appreciated about them. Five minutes of positive touching comments, praise, and encouragement, face-to-face and in
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front of their peers. You can imagine the positive outcomes from the students, their academic improvement, and their enthusiasm to come to school every day. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UZ_lWr028o) Now imagine if the person who loves them most – their parent – started their day with that kind of encouraging and loving message. The response cannot even be prescribed. So here is the trick: Happy Talk consists of spending 5 minutes each morning giving your child 10 truths (or more) about their magnificent self. “I am so lucky to have you in my family. You are kind and loving. You are funny and easy to be with. I love how you sing out loud and dance to your own music. You come up with the funniest lines and just make me chuckle, not just when you say it, but
whenever I remember…” You get the idea. Like the song from South Pacific (the Broadway musical, remember?) “Happy talk keep talkin’ happy talk… talk about things you like [about me]…” Forget all that advice from friends, neighbors, and family members. You won’t need it if you just follow this one simple suggestion. Your child will be flying high, top of their game, feeling confident, well behaved, and most of all, competent, capable, and courageous. Dr. Susan M. Carter is a clinical child and family psychologist and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor in private practice in Kalamazoo.
14
September 2017
Recipes Pepper Palooza!
GOOD NEWS
The bumper crop of peppers – hot, sweet and mild – calls for recipes that make good use of this incredible crop. Here are some very pleasing ways to throw your own perky, pepper palooza – ENJOY! Laura Kurella
Smokey Pepper Sandwich
2 or more peppers, your favorite kind Avocado oil to drizzle 2 slices bread, rustic or Italian 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 slice of Muenster or Colby cheese Salt and pepper, to taste Preheat broiler. Wash then cut pepper in half lengthwise, discarding stem and seeds, if desired. Place pepper halves on a broiler pan, skin side up then drizzle with oil and place under broiler for 3-5 minutes or until deeply charred. Remove from broiler pan to a plate then place bread slices on broiler pan and place cheese slice
on one of the slices and place under broiler and cook just until cheese melts. Remove from broiler and place bread slices on plate. Spread mayonnaise on the slice of bread that does not have the cheese on it then stack pepper on top of it, creating an even layer of peppers. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cut sandwich in half then serve. Approximate servings per recipe: 1. Nutrition per serving: Calories 341; Fat 18g; Sodium 519 mg; Potassium 562 mg; Carbohydrates 30g; Fiber 6g; Sugars 13g; Protein 11g.
Spectacular Stuffed Peppers 1 pound ground red meat 1/2 cup Jasmine rice 1 small onion, minced 1-cup vegetable broth, low sodium 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 1-tablespoon soy sauce 1-tablespoon oyster sauce 1-tablespoon ground ginger 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 1/4-cup fresh orange juice 15 ounces tomato sauce Monterey jack cheese for sprin kling, if desired. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice off the stem end of peppers and reserve for later. Remove the seeds and membranes from the peppers and rinse peppers inside and out. Place peppers face up in a baking dish just
large enough to accommodate all the peppers. In mixer combine raw meat, rice, onion, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, oyster sauce, pepper, ginger, orange juice, 1-cup broth and pepper; stir until well combined. Fill each pepper with the beef mixture. Pour tomato sauce evenly over the peppers and cover the baking dish tightly. Bake for 2 hours then uncover, add shredded cheese and pepper tops (if using) and bake for an additional 15 minutes uncovered. FYI: Dish freezes well. Approximate Servings per recipe: 6. Nutrition per serving: Calories 223; Fat 10g; Sodium 315 mg; Potassium 653 mg; Magnesium 110 mg; Carbohydrates 14g; Fiber 4g; Sugar 5g; Protein 23g.
Pepper Party in a Pan 1 Flank steak, well trimmed and frozen 1-tablespoon chili powder 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1-teaspoon paprika 1-teaspoon garlic powder 1/2-teaspoon cayenne powder, optional 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1 sweet onion, sliced Favorite peppers, sweet, mild, and or hot, sliced and seeded 1-cup vegetable broth, low sodium 1 tablespoon potato starch* 1 cup Chihuahua cheese, shredded 1 package of flour tortillas, warmed Heat grill on high. Rub olive oil all over flank. Sprinkle spices over both sides of meat. Grill flank, on high flame, for five minutes on each side. Meat will not be fully cooked.
Remove to a large, warm skillet. Let steak rest for 10 minutes to tenderize and finish cooking. Remove meat to a cutting board and slice meat into very thin strips. Place skillet over high heat. Add oil, onions and peppers and cook, stirring, until they begin to caramelize slightly, about 7 minutes. Add broth and potato starch and bring to a boil. Add sliced meat and cook just until meat is heated. Remove from heat and serve with cheese and warmed tortillas. *= Makes sauce cling to meat and veggies. Approximate Servings per recipe: 6. Nutrition per serving: Calories 214; Fat 13g; Sodium 350 mg; Potassium 358 mg; Magnesium 33 mg; Carbohydrates 12g; Fiber 2g; Sugar 5g; Protein 13g.
15
September 2017
GOOD NEWS
health the big question! part 2
For those of you who read last month’s article on the “big question” and for those of you who didn’t, here is a brief summary. It turns out that our ancestors’ have a far greater effect on the quantity of food that we eat. The term “ancestors” includes grandma and grandpa, of course, but for eating issue, it means ancestors of thousands of years. It actually goes back to our hunter-gatherer ancestors. This was a time when our diet was much more varied than it is now. It was also a time when we developed a taste for sweeter foods. Bitter food was often poisonous or difficult to digest. So don’t beat yourself up if your prefer raspberries to kale. Often time food was scarce, so when people found an ample supply, they ate as much as they could, not knowing when the next source of food would be found. We have strong mechanisms in our brain to make sure we get enough calories. We didn’t need a defense mechanism against eating too much then. But we have one now, sort of. The body “tries” to warn the brain when we eat too much. Your stomach sends signals warning the brain that the stomach is getting a little distended and there is enough blood sugar in your system. In essence, it says: Stop you really don’t need more calories. So what happens? Why don’t we stop?
The answer is that the signals are slow, resembling more of a whisper than a shout. Take for example, eating a bowl of ice cream. The “fullness” signal will take a lot longer to get to the body than the immediate reward of spoonful after spoonful of ice cream. Pretty soon, there went another pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Plus, unlike our ancestors, we know exactly where another pint of ice cream is, perhaps right in our freezer. The issue here is not all food; it’s junk food that is always fighting for our attention. So are we doomed? No, there are some things we can do to resist the junk food temptations.
1. Don’t let yourself get too hungry. If you get too hungry, your stomach tells the reward neurons on your brain to be on the lookout and respond intensely to any food cues you see. Note the word “intensely” like wanting to eat the door off the refrigerator. 2. Don’t drink your calories. It’s not clear why liquid calories may not register in the feedback loop between the stomach and the brain. People eat only slightly less when they drink 150 calories with their meals. 3. Find foods that don’t cause war. For example, try hummus with carrots instead of a bag of chips. It’s really hard not to finish the entire bag of chips meaning that you have to fight with yourself. That’s too exhausting to be in a contest of willpower. 4. Address your stress. Notice the emotional triggers that can set you up to crave certain rewarding foods. If you happen to have a craving for zucchini when you’re stress, count
yourself lucky. 5. Get enough sleep. Researchers found that people who slept for 4 or 5 hours a night for 5 nights, ate more and gained weight 6. Eat slower. Take some time to savor your food and swallow completely before taking another bite. This will allow the brain and stomach signals to catch up. 7. Give yourself a break. We don’t always do what we should. All of us live in a food environment that really makes it hard for people to eat healthy all the time. If that pint of Ben and Jerry’s was simply too good, there’s always tomorrow for that cucumber sandwich on whole grain bread. Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal Trainer
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university theatre
Western Michigan University’s national award-winning Department of Theatre presents nine quality facultydirected productions this season at The University Theatre. The student productions are often recognized for their excellence. They have received top honors at the prestigious American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
WAITING TO BE INVITED
by S.M. Shephard-Massat September 22-October 8 It’s the summer of 1964 in Atlanta, Georgia and four middle-aged black women are traveling by city bus to a “whites only” eating establishment inside a downtown Atlanta department store. Their purpose is to “test” their newly acquired civil rights that outlawed segregation in eating establishments. This funny, touching play tells the story of these brave women.
THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK
Book and lyrics by John Dempsey, Music by Dana P. Rowe October 6-15 Based on the blockbuster movie of the same name, The Witches of Eastwick tells the story of three modern witches in the New England town of Eastwick where nothing ever changes. Tired of the daily doldrums, the three women use powers they never knew they had to create the man of their dreams and they get more than they bargain for.
THE CRUCIBLE
by Arthur Miller October 27-November 5 This Tony Award-winning drama about the Puritan purge of witchcraft in old Salem is both a gripping historical play and a timely parable of our contemporary society. The story focuses on a young farmer, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft. The farmer brings the girl to court to admit the lie — it is here that the monstrous course of bigotry and deceit is terrifyingly depicted.
THE GAMES AFOOT
a comedy by Ken Ludwig November 10-19 Danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering holiday-whodunit! It is December 1936 and Broadway star, William Gillette, is admired by the world for his leading role in the play, Sherlock Holmes. He has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. Gillette himself assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes to solve the mystery.
NEXT STOP, BROADWAY!
Starring Stephen Wallem November 30-December 2 The Music Theatre Performance class of 2018 will share the stage with Broadway and television star Stephen Wallem for this annual cabaret event. Stephen will work with senior
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LUCKY STIFF
Book and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty January 26-February 11 Lucky Stiff is an offbeat, hilarious, murder-mystery-musical-farce. The musical is jam-packed with mistaken identities, six million bucks in diamonds and a corpse in a wheelchair! When Harry Witherspoon is forced to take the embalmed body of his recently murdered uncle on a vacation to Monte Carlo, his mission to secure his inheritance is thrown off course by a host of quirky musical characters looking to steal his fortune.
ANGELS IN AMERICA
by Tony Kushner February 9-18 Set in 1980’s New York City, this Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores the Reagan era (set in 1985 and 1986), American history, the aids epidemic, sexuality, love, death, religion, and the meaning of community. It’s the kind of theatre that takes you through a vast array of emotions and leaves you changed. Presenting only Part One: Millennium Approaches.
GOOD NEWS
ator), this sidesplitting comedy centers around Norman Drexel and his family coping with a death in the family. As the family patriarch is dying and assorted family members come to pay their last respects—they squabble over everything. As Norman deals with loss, old acquaintances and unsettled arguments resurface with hilarious consequences.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Lyrics by Tim Rice, Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber - Directed by guest artist Patrick Cassidy April 6-15 The University Theatre is excited to welcome back 2016’s Next Stop, Broadway guest Patrick Cassidy to direct Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic rock opera recounting the last days of Jesus Christ. Order your tickets today! Single ticket pricing ranges from $20-$23, Seniors $18-$21, Students $10, WMU students only $6. Flexible Season Punch Cards are available and offer savings off the regular ticket price. Call to order at 387-6222 The University Theatre is located at 1903 W. Michigan Ave. on the WMU campus in Kalamazoo. For more information visit their website at wmutheatre.com.
FISH IN THE DARK
a comedy by Larry David March 16-25 Told through the lense of comic genius Larry David (Seinfeld cre-
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September 2017
17
GOOD NEWS
the season of giving
September is to my autumn what June is to my spring. The weather is usually pretty nice, giving way to perfect breezes and evening thunderstorms. The trees begin to showcase their gorgeous colors, and new hues begin to emerge in flowerbeds. This time of year is always bittersweet for me. I love the smell of bonfires and the sound of a far-off drum line ushering in football season, but this also means I’m beginning to collect the last bits of summer produce from my garden. Even though Old Man Winter will soon be upon us, there’s still plenty to do outdoors. This is a great time of year to tend to your compost pile (or start one if you haven’t yet). Adding grass clippings, spent produce, dead leaves, and what you cut from pruning will make an even more nutritious treat for your garden come spring. If you’ve never grown garlic before, I suggest putting at least an entire head in the ground or in a large pot to see how easy it is to grow
(break the head into separate cloves before planting). You can also sow cover crops like winter rye into the garden, or spinach seeds late in the month for an early spring crop. Autumn has long been a season of giving, and since this is a great time of year to divide overgrown perennials, think about offering some to friends and neighbors. I love to gift friends and family spare rhubarb crowns, coneflowers, daylilies, and even cloves of garlic for planting. In return I’ve been gifted bee balm, sedum, hosta, iris, and more. I think anyone with a garden full of produce feels a little energizing of the soul when they share some of their harvest with others. Passing a squash and a quart of green beans over the fence, or leaving a few beets and ears of
corn on someone’s back porch makes me think of both of my grandmothers, and a time when life was a little slower - when neighbors were like family, and the grocery store wasn’t the first place you went for a few salad fixin’s.
grown food. Take a moment to enjoy the good things in life – bonfires and football included. Meg Gernaat is a Kalamazoo native growing what she can on her almostacre of land. See what she’s up to at WestEHomestead.com.
I hope your first month of autumn is filled with family and friends gathered around tables full of home-
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September 2017
GOOD NEWS
three local Grocery stores offer double up food bucks
Park Street Market, PFC Natural Grocery & Deli, and Town & Country Supermarket will launch the healthy food incentive program Double Up Food Bucks in grocery stores starting Aug. 1. Double Up Food Bucks match the value of Bridge Card or SNAP dollars spent on fresh fruits and vegetables up to $20 a day. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps.
Eligible shoppers receive a Double Up Food Bucks credit when they purchase fresh produce and can redeem the credit at their next purchase, the next day or at a future date. “It’s a win-win-win,” says Phyllis Hepp, area coordinator for the Kalamazoo County Hunger Free Coalition.
“SNAP shoppers get double the produce for their money, farmers benefit from increased access and sales, and more food dollars stay in our local economy and strengthen our community. We know how important fresh produce is for our health, and this program makes it more affordable for a lot of people to aim to get five servings daily.” According to Hepp, more than 13 percent of Kalamazoo County households use SNAP to extend their food budgets. “This is especially critical for households with children, which make up 41 percent of SNAP customers.” All three groceries are located in the City of Kalamazoo: Park Street Market is on 512 N. Park Street, PFC Natural Grocery & Deli is on 507 Harrison Street, and Town &
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Country Supermarket is on 1824 Portage Street. “Advocates hope more grocers will apply and offer the program next year to make Double Up Food Bucks accessible in rural as well as urban areas of our county,” says Hepp. Area farmers markets have already been participating in Double Up Food Bucks. “PFC Natural Grocery & Deli helped bring Double Up Food Bucks to the Kalamazoo Farmers Market in the City of Kalamazoo back in 2011,” says Hepp. “They introduced the program here, it’s expanded to more local farmers markets and now it’s being offered in local grocery stores. All three grocers are working together and committed to making this a success in Kalamazoo County.” Fair Food Network helped develop the Double Up program for Michigan in 2009, now active at more than 200 sites across the state. More information about Fair Food Network is available at www.fairfoodnetwork. org. Additional information about
the nationwide Double Up Food Bucks is available at www.doubleupfoodbucks.org. Kalamazoo County Hunger-Free Community Coalition, initiated in 2014 to address local hunger, is a part of the nationwide Hunger Free Communities Network, with programs in every state engaging community advocates representing business, nonprofit, government, education and healthcare organizations. Learn more at http://www. hungerfreecommunities.org/hfccommunities/kalamazoo-county-hungerfree-community-coalition/. Park Street Market 269.343.8300 PFC Natural Grocery & Deli 269.342.5686
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19
September 2017
GOOD NEWS
Headbands by Brenda (& scarves too)
I met Brenda Schab, owner of Headbands by Brenda, at the Beer Week Kick-Off Party at Boatyard Brewing. Her display of brightly colored headbands and scarves caught my attention. I purchased two headbands as gifts and was surprised that the price was only $4 each. When I spoke with Brenda about her business and how she got started,
she mentioned that she bought a similar headband for her daughter as a gift to hold her hair back while running cross-country in high school. Her daughter loved it so much that she asked her mom to buy her more of them. Brenda said that she paid $10 for the headband and couldn’t justify spending that for more of them. She looked closely at the
headband and realized that she could make it. Now her daughter has all the headbands she could possibly want and Brenda began making them to sell to others – and that’s how Headbands by Brenda was born! Brenda started sewing at an early age. Her aunt from New Jersey taught her to sew and would visit each summer to sew with the family and teach new techniques. They would literally sew for days when her aunt was in town. Brenda’s love of sewing lead her to teach Home Economics for a while. The headbands are made from Spandex or Matte Jersey high quality fabrics, which make them lightweight, comfortable and easy to care for. Brenda has an eye for patterns that people love and offers all solid colors - black being the most popular. She offers three different headband designs: the classic headband, extra wide and a tube headband that is multifunctional and can be worn more than 12 different ways, from
a headband to cap to neck warmer and more. In addition, she makes dyed silk scarves and infinity scarves. Headband sizes include: adult sizes: regular and small, and a child size – sold for only $3. You can find Headbands by Brenda most weeks at the Richland Farmer’s Market each Wednesday from 3-6:30pm, through October 4th. Brenda will also be at many local craft shows. Be sure to check out her Facebook page at Headbandsby-Brenda for upcoming engagements. For special orders feel free to message her on Facebook or send an email to b.schab@aol.com. Jackie Merriam
Replace Fossil Fuels With Renewable s m r o F y g Ener We are not paying the true price of fossil fuels. The cost of the damage of the release of carbon dioxide and pollutants is not included and the federal government provides subsidies for fossil fuels. The size of these subsidies may surprise you. On a global scale, fossil fuel subsidies cost $5 trillion per year. China, the U.S., Russia, the European Union, and India represent the largest contributors to that $5 trillion in 2013, in descending order. The U.S. spent about $0.6 trillion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2013. Subsidies allow the government and businesses to continue to use fossil fuels at decreased costs, lowering the incentive to transition to renewable energy sources. Without the subsidies, there would be more financial incentive to change to renewable energy sources. In addition, taxpayers bear the brunt
of paying for subsidies. That means that U.S. citizens are paying for the continued use of fossil fuels at the expense of the expanded use of solar panels, wind farms, and other forms of renewable energy. The solution? Politics. The most important and influential decisions are made in the government. Individual actions, such as recycling, can
help make small steps toward improving the environment. However, the government and business take the most significant actions, which operate on a much larger scale. Contacting government officials and business chiefs can help push those leaders to eliminate the barriers to a transition to a more sustainable future. Senators and state representa-
tives are a good place to start. For the ambitious, large businesses are also relevant targets. When businesses and governments act more sustainably, it has far reaching effects. It’s our job to push them in that direction. Judy Smith Heidelberg University Student
FREE september EVENTS Through Sept. 2 Exhibit: Binding Wounds Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990
Mondays, September 4,11,18,25 Cruz Nights at Dean’s Ice Cream In Plainwell – Vintage cars 5pm, 685-6641
Friday, September 8 Art Hop - Downtown Kalamazoo & In the Vine Neighborhood 5-8pm, 342-5059
Through Sept. 17 Dinosaurs: Land of The Fire And Ice Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990
Tuesdays, September 5,12,19,26 Kalamazoo Farmers Market 1204 Bank St. 7am-2pm, 342-5686
Friday, September 8 Art Hop – Free Admission Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 5-8pm, 349-7775
Fridays, September 1,8,15,22,29 Lunchtime Live @ Bronson Park Food trucks, music, vendors & more! 11:30am-1:30pm, 337-8191
Tuesdays, September 5,12,19,26 Plainwell Farmers Market On M-89 & Church St. 10am-4pm, 685-6821
Friday, September 8 Music: Double Strung Kalamazoo Valley Museum 6pm, 373-7990
Friday, September 1 Music: The Hired Hands Old Dog Tavern 5-8pm, 381-5677
Tuesday, September 5 Imagine: A Picture of the Painter Howard Hodgkin (documentary) Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775
Friday, September 8 Music: The Kathy Ford Band Warner Vineyards Amphitheater 8-11pm, pattiflemingmusic.com
Fridays, September 1,8,15,22,29 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7-10pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Friday, September 1 Live Music: Benedict Dolly Rockers Boatyard Brewing Co. 7:30-10:30pm, 226-0300 Friday, September 1 Late Night Food Truck Rally 201-299 W. Water St., Kalamazoo 9 - 11:45pm, 388-2830 Saturdays September 2,9,16,23,30 Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market 1204 Bank St. 7am-2pm, 337-8899 Saturdays, September 2,9,16,23,30 Otsego Farmers Market Corner of Allegan & Kalamazoo Streets 8am-2pm, 355-8865 Saturdays, September 2,9,16,23,30 Parchment Market Live Music, Vendors & Artists Bookends in Parchment 9am-3pm, 998-0988 Saturdays, September 2,9,16,23,30 Music: BenJammin’ and Analisa Educational entertainers & Kids breakfast Old Dog Tavern 10-11am, 381-5677 Saturday, September 2 First Saturday – Central Branch Stories, activities, guests & prizes Kalamazoo Public Library 2-3:30pm, 342-9837
Tuesday, September 5 Knitting Club for teens & adults Parchment Community Library 3:30-5pm, 343-7747 Tuesdays, September 5,12,19,26 Sanctuary Yoga – Explore the practices Associated with Tibetan Buddhism 1919 Stearns Ave., Kalamazoo 7:15-8:30pm, (734) 368-8701 Tuesdays, September 5,12,19,26 Open Microphone Night Hosted by Steve Pesch & The DOC! Old Dog Tavern 8pm-midnight, 381-5677 Wednesdays, September 6,13,20,27 Cruise-Ins Gilmore Car Museum 5-8pm, 671-5089 Wednesdays, September 6,13,20,27 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 5:30-8:30pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Wednesday, September 6 Music: Whisky Before Breakfast O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Wednesdays, September 6, 13,20,27 Weekly Comedy Show/Open mic. Harvey’s on the Mall 9-11pm (for ages 21+), 760-6251 Thursdays, September 7,14,21,28 Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market 1204 Bank St. 7am-2pm
Saturdays, September 2,9,16,23,30 Music: Duffield Caron Project Old Dog Tavern 5-7pm, 381-5677
Thursdays, September 7,14,21,28 Allegan Farmers Market On Water & Cutler St. Parking lot 8am-2pm, 673-4229
Saturdays, September 2,9,16,23,30 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7-10pm, pattiflemingmusic.com
Thursdays, September 7,14,21,28 Mattawan Farmers Market Mattawan Memorial Park 4-7pm, 615-2904
Sundays, September 3,10,17,24 Portage Farmers Market Portage Senior Center 10am – 2pm, 337-8899 Sundays, September 3,10,17,24 Bell’s Eccentric Café Sunday Team Trivia Doors open at 5pm Trivia 6-8pm, 382-2332 Sundays, September 3,10,17,24 Professional Blues Jam Old Dog Tavern 6-9pm, 381-5677 Sunday, September 3 Music: Singing Crusaders Klines Resort in Three Rivers Bring lawn chairs, free ice cream social 6:30pm, 649-2514 Monday, September 4 Labor Day-Kalamazoo Valley Museum Open 1-5pm, 373-7990
Thursdays, September 7,14,21,28 Crafty Needles - Knitting Night Boatyard Brewing Co. 4-9pm, 226-0300 Thursdays, September 7,14,21,28 Singer/Songwriter Night Boatyard Brewing Co. Sign up at 6pm Performances 7-11pm 226-0300
Saturday, September 9 Art Detectives: It’s Dot Day For ages 4-8 with adult Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 11-11:45am, 349-7775 Saturday, September 9 Music: Kit LeBlanc & Paul Freeburn Warner Vineyards Amphitheater 1-4pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Sunday, September 10 Music: The Michigan Nightingales Parchment Community Library 2-3pm, 343-7747 Tues. Sept. 12 – Tues., Sept. 19 Exhibit: Petticoat Patriots: How Michigan Won the Vote Ladies Library Assoc., Kalamazoo Noon-7:30pm weekdays, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 1-5, 344-3710 Wednesday, September 13 Music: Carrie McFerrin O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, September 14 Ask-A-Lawyer Comstock Township Library 6-8pm, 345-0136, pre-register Thursday, September 14 Music: Megan Dooley O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, September 15 Live Music: Darcy Jones Boatyard Brewing Co. 7:00-10:30pm, 226-0300 Saturday, September 16 LulaZOO -1,000’s of leggings & more! Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-3pm, 903-5820 Saturday, September 16 Fall Expo & Craft Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-4pm, 903-5820 Saturday, September 16 Movie & Talk: Bottled Water: Our Health, Climate, and pollution Parchment Community Library 10:30am, 343-7747 Sat. & Sun., Sept. 16,17,23,24,30 Live Music – weather permitting VerHages Fruit Farm & Cider Mill Noon-6pm, 375-0153
Thursday, September 7 Music: Tom Duffield O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666
Sunday, September 17 Mindfulness Meditation Down Dog Yoga Center 1-3pm, 993-2486
Friday, September 8 Gazelle Sports Historic Walk Edison Neighborhood Meet at Washington Square Library 8 – 9:30am, 342-5996
Monday, September 18 Book Group: Local Author, Steven Mack Jones discusses the sources of his mysteries Parchment Community Library 6:30-7:30pm, 343-7747
Tuesday, September 19 Dancing for My Tribe, talk & photos of Potawatomi Nation Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 3497775 Wednesday, September 20 Book Discussion: A Revolution in Color: The World of John Singleton Copley Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2pm, 349-7775 Wednesday, September 20 Adult Craft: Halloween Salt Shaker Button Flowers Comstock Township Library 5:30pm, 345-0136 pre-register Wednesday, September 20 Music: Out of Favor Boys O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, September 21 Kalamazoo Night Farmers Market 1204 Bank St., Kalamazoo 6-10pm, 342-5686 Thursday, September 21 Parchment Town Hall Meeting Parchment Community Library 7pm, 343-7747 Friday, September 22 Gazelle Sports Historic Walk Dwtn. Kalamazoo Business & Industry Meet at Gazelle Sports 8 – 9:30am, 342-5996 Friday, September 22 Music: The Dow Family Band (Pop) Boatyard Brewing Co. 6:30-9:30pm, 226-0300 Saturday, September 23 Community Yard Sale Comstock Township Library 9am-1pm, 345-0136 Sat., Sept.23 & Sun., Sept. 24 Apple Festival – Arts & Crafts Vendors At VerHage Fruit Farms & Cider Mill 9am-6pm, 375-0153 Tuesday, September 26 Talk: WMU’s Richmond Center For the Visual Arts – Upcoming exhibits Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, September 27 Music: Joe Wang and The Test Pilots O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, September 29 Lunch & Movie: Roadtrip Nation- Being You Disability Network Southwest Michigan 12-1:30pm, 345-1516 Friday, September 29 A Maize & Blue Boatyard Brewing Co. 8-10:30pm, 226-0300 Saturday, September 30 Candle Relay to Benefit Community Homeworks & beat the Guinness Book of World Records- 2pm candle lighting A Fun, Family Friendly event Kalamazoo County Expo Center 11am -6pm, 998-3275, x205 Sat., Sept. 30 & Sunday Oct.1 Fall Stamp & Cover Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-3:30, 375-6188 Sat., Sept. 30 – January 7, 2018 Exhibit: Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990