April 2019
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
Remember When
GULL LAKE CAFE “Friends, Food & Fun” and “Casual Fine Dining on the Bay of Gull Lake,” were two of the Gull Lake Café slogans that they delivered upon each and every time you visited. The Café’ opened in June 1990 by Vince Continenza and was located at 12503 East D Avenue in Richland (formerly the Anchor Inn). Living in Richland, my family and I were regulars at the Café, where the atmosphere was lively and the food was top-notch. A few of my favorite dishes were the Leslie Cut, a 6 oz. top sirloin that was topped with an onion ring and was served with the best béarnaise sauce I’ve ever tasted, along with a delicious twice baked potato. The Mushroom Chicken served over linguine was another favorite of mine and was a Café signature dish. The warm goat cheese salad, with field greens tossed with bacon-garlic vinaigrette, topped with broiled goat cheese with crushed black peppercorns, can still make me salivate just thinking of it. Another Café signature dish was the Baseball Cut steak; a 12 oz. steak cut between the top sirloin and the New York strip that resembled a baseball. The Café served Certified Angus Prime Beef. Vince’s favorite comment was “you can taste the difference.” Vince cut all of the steaks by hand, ensuring the quality. The
Café was also the first restaurant in the area to serve Otto’s Chicken at the insistence of Vince’s wife Cindy - all natural product with no growth promotants or hormones. Vince liked to say “ Gary Otto does to chicken what we do to steaks.” The Café Sunday and holiday brunches were the best in the region. There were tables full of fresh fruits, hot breakfast and dinner entrées, a raw bar, made-to-order omelets, a Prime Rib carving table and to top it all off a dessert and pastry table. A Bloody Mary Bar was also offered for an additional fee. Many celebrations were held at the Gull Lake Café - weddings and receptions, baby showers, anniversaries…you get the picture. They offered everything from casual buffets to fine dining options at the Café and catering off-site as well. During the winter months, Vince got creative to draw people into the restaurant. Dinner Theatre Shows were great fun, with performers from the Barn Theatre and the WMU Theatre department. The last year the Café was open, it was awarded the 10th best entertainment venue in Kalamazoo County. Not to mention Hot Dog Saturday’s and weeknight & weekend dinner specials. The Gull Lake Café was much more than fine dining, it was a
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gathering place where you could reconnect, unwind and escape the daily pressures. Locals enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere and the camaraderie of sharing a drink or a meal with others in the community. Some of the regulars even had a dish named after them. One regular, Elmer Duff, was not only my favorite, but also the favorite of many employees and customers alike. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and an involved community member, who sat in the same spot at the bar each night to enjoy dinner and companionship. Elmer also had his own designated parking spot just steps away from the front door. Employees of the Gull Lake Café enjoyed being part of the Café family. In fact, a former worker, Michael Bacon, started a Facebook page (Gull Lake Café POWs) to stay connected with former employees and some people that loved to frequent the Café to reminisce. They also pulled together a 12-year reunion a few summers ago and had a wonderful turn out, including Vince, Cindy and their son, Nathan, who also worked at the Café. Bacon posted on the site, “The Gull Lake Café was the best job I ever had. It was a great group of people
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and we knew how to have a wonderful time and to be good to each other.” It was a perfect job for high school and college students. Many lasting friendships and relationships began at the Gull Lake Café, resulting in at least a handful of marriages that I’m aware of, including my daughter and son-in-law, (Lauren & Ryan Fleming). Sadly, the Gull Lake Café’s closing and Vince’s last call was on November 13, 2005. Vince moved south to start a new restaurant, and is the owner of a highly successful restaurant called the Ironwood Café, located in Pinehurst, North Carolina. You can visit their website at ironwoodpinehurst.com. Vince would love for you to stop by and reminisce. Jackie Merriam
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
gardening benefits of turf grass
The benefits of turf grass as a ground cover are numerous and often undeclared or overlooked. In recent years, turf has gotten a bad reputation due to the belief that a beautiful lawn requires a lot of hard work and overuse of dangerous chemicals. This is a misconception and the benefits of turf can far outweigh the concerns, particularly when you care for your turf properly and responsibly. The following is a list of the many advantages that our lawns provide. This list was provided by and may be found, along with other helpful turf information, at www.TheLawnInstitute.org.
Fun Facts
• 55 sq. ft. of turfgrass provides oxy- -gen for one person for an entire day
• The average front lawn has the cooling effect of 8.5 tons of air con ditioning • Lawn areas in the US store up to 37 billion tons of carbon
Environmental Benefits
• Cools the Air • Produces Oxygen • Filters Air & Reduces Pollution • Captures & Suppresses Dust • Recharges & Filters Groundwater Supply • Reduces Storm Water Runoff • Controls Soil Erosion • Retains and Sequesters Carbon • Assists Decomposition of Pollut ants • Restores Soil Quality
Community & Human Health Benefits
Economic Benefits
• Increases Property Values • Reduces Home Cooling Costs • Enhances Community Pride • Provides a Low-Cost Ground • Offers a Natural Playing Surface Cover for Recreation • Serves as a Fire Barrier • Provides a Safe Surface & Reduces With so many benefits to healthy, Injuries luxurious turf, won’t you give your • Promotes Outdoor Activity & lawn another chance? We can help Exercise – from suggestions for revitalizing • Improves Physical & Mental a weak lawn to proper mowing tips Health to fighting weeds and pests, plus all • Relieves Stress the tools, seed, fertilizers and amend• Lowers Allergy-Related Problems ments you need to improve your • Dissipates Heat & Cools the En lawn – our experts can help you make vironment the most of every square inch of your • Reduces Glare turf! • Diminishes Noise Pollution • Minimizes Nuisance Pests Terrie Schwartz • Compliments Overall Landscaping Wedel’s Nursery, Florist & • Preserves Natural Wildlife Habitat Garden Center
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This month marks my mom’s 85th birthday. I am full of gratitude for the
person she is and for the life lessons she has taught me over the years. My mom ( Jessica), daughter of Scottish immigrants, grew up on a farm on the east side of the state during the Great Depression in 1934. My grandmother and the kids manned the farm, while my grandfather left for work each Monday and didn’t return until Friday each week. He handed his paycheck over to my grandmother and in return she gave him 5 cents for his weekly beer. I believe her birth year and heritage greatly influenced the lessons on money she taught her family - leading by example. Some would call her thrifty, while others might even go so far as far as say-
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ing she’s cheap. That wouldn’t bother her - she would take it as a compliment. My mom, the mother of seven, in the early years made all of our clothing (and our dolls too.) We’re not talking basic things here – she even made those adorable vintage wool coats & hats kids wore back in the day. She is also a whiz at whipping up a meal on a shoestring that her kids and grandkids still make for their families. She is a wonderful baker – making breads and cookies from scratch, and oh those pies…especially her tart cherry pie, which was often my requested birthday dessert. My mom comes from a long line of strong women and has taught me
Call (269) 217-1339 volumes about facing adversity – again, leading by example. She’s not one to wallow in her misfortunes, rather gets to work to improve the situation. With all those children and a divorce to boot, she had her share of challenges. Her “can do” attitude and strength have rubbed off on me and gotten me through many of life’s greatest challenges. On this month of my Mom’s 85th birthday, I give a huge shout out to one amazing women. Thanks for everything you do and who you are – I love you mom! Jackie Merriam
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
Thrift, Vintage, Antiques, Repurposed, Artisan & Hand Made
sat., april 27 Come celebrate Local Yarn Store Day with us! There will be special LYS Day discounts, door prizes, and treats. Yarn party! www.localyarnstoreday.com
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If you would like to share your unique business with thousands of readers please contact Jackie Merriam at goodnews.jackie@gmail.com or (269) 217-0977
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
home decor Home staging tips BEFORE
If you’re thinking of placing your home for sale this spring or summer, make sure you’ve done everything you can to achieve the best offers possible. Believe it or not, making a few cosmetic changes, deep cleaning and getting tidy and organized can make a big difference in the number and size of the offers as well as how quickly it sells.
Clean & Organize
Let’s face it, we all have clutter and it’s a lot easier to overlook your own than it is someone else’s mess. Getting your home spick and span is a mostly obvious essential first step. However, it’s not just as simple as running the vacuum and cleaning kitchen counters – this should be a deep clean where all surfaces high and low, including windows, trim, baseboards, cupboards, bannisters and carpets are fresh and clean. Closets and drawers should be organized.
Less is More
Everyone wants and desires adequate storage, if you’re drawers and closets are messy and spilling over it’s a red flag and sure sign your home doesn’t offer adequate storage. Remove this potential red flag from a potential buyer’s mind by reducing the volume of stuff in your drawers and closets by at least 30-50%. Purchase affordable and decorative baskets and bins to further organize within, which adds a level of sophistication. Plus, this process gives you a
AFTER head start on moving day - it provides you the opportunity to purge stuff you don’t want to take with you and a head start on packing up the rest.
Affordable Upgrades
Fresh paint alone can make a huge impact on how your home presents to a potential buyer. Use airy neutral airy colors that will appeal to a larger audience. A few good neutral colors to consider are Revere Pewter or Shale by Benjamin Moore or Big Chill by Sherwin Williams. Don’t forget your ceilings and your trim, which will make a dramatic impact on your overall feel. A fresh crisp white trim and ceiling may even be more important than your wall colors.
ers and everyone wants a spa like feel for their master bathroom, regardless of how big or small their budget or home needs are. The best way to achieve a spa like feel is by creating a crisp clean appearance. If you have dingy grout lines, but can’t afford a complete upgrade, simply use a grout paint pen that will actually paint the grout lines leaving them fresh and crisp looking. You may have to push up your sleeves and it may be a bit time consuming, but it is an affordable solution and the result can be remarkable. Use crisp white towels, a white shower curtain and minimal accessories. The brighter and cleaner the bathroom feels, the more spa like it will feel. If your vanity has a dated base, update with a fresh coat of cabinet paint and new hardware. Ugly old faucet? A new faucet
is a relatively inexpensive investment that will provide a huge return on how your bathroom feels in the end. In the Kitchen, the same holds true. If you can make a few updates like fresh hardware, a new faucet and even a new backsplash can make a world of difference.
Leave it to a Pro – Help is Here!
Every home is different and will need a different level of refreshing and updates, but if you are getting ready to place your home on the market and think you could use a professional opinion on what to do, I’m happy to help. Every home can benefit from a few staging pointers and updates big or small from a professional - the investment pays for itself in top dollar offers! Julie Hite-Neilitz of HITE HOUSE Home Furnishings www.hite-house.com | 6360 Stadium Drive
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April 2019
pets
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GOOD NEWS
declawing: some things to consider
One of the most contentious issues a cat owner faces today is declawing.
While nobody wants to have their house shredded by a persistently clawing feline friend, there are solutions to this issue beyond the drastic and often problem-generating declaw surgery. Kalamazoo Animal Rescue is concerned for the health and well being of all the cats
and kittens in their care and they work with pet owners to find less severe yet effective solutions to the problem of clawing. Here are some considerations to keep in mind: • Declawing isn’t a simple and painless procedure for a cat, as many believe. Rather than being a permanent mani/ pedi, declawing is similar to removing the end of your fingers at the last joint. Yes, the claws are gone but there may be post-surgical pain and
abnormal paw functions, which can lead to non-use of the litter box or biting. • Cats can be trained to claw appropriately on scratching posts or pads instead of furniture. Providing scratch pads or posts, encouraging their use, and making furniture less attractive will direct your kitty pal toward an appropriate place to engage in this normal feline behavior. • Discouraging the use of furniture for scratching can include covering a scratching target spot with a heavy blanket or towel, spraying with a cat repellent, and keeping doors closed to areas where the cat isn’t welcome. There are also specific new products to help with this issue, such as Feliscratch. • Claw caps are another solution to clawing. Here the cat’s claws are cov-
ered with plastic caps, which must be replaced periodically. The caps make the claws unable to dig into fabric or wood. They can even be a “fashion statement” for a well-groomed kitty. • Patience, persistence, and claw trimming will go a long way toward keeping your fur baby’s claws under control and away from damaging your home. Declawing is an irreversible surgical procedure that leaves your cat with very limited ability to defend his/ herself should she ever get outside. Please consider all of the alternatives to give your kitty a long and happy life as your furry best friend. By Karren Jensen March 2018 Kalamazoo Animal Rescue Newsletter reprinted with permission from KAR.
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ARTS & CRAFT SALE APRIL 27& APRIL 28 9am-4pm
10am-4pm
Kalamazoo Expo Center 2900 Lake St., Kalamazoo
120 Exhibitors
Free Admission & Free Parking Same promoter as Christmas at Wing’s Show A few vendor spots are still available 1396 E. Gull Lake Dr., Hickory Corners – 731-2005
Eagle Take Flight Promotions – EagleTakeFlight.com For more information contact Bev at 349-1185, craftshows@charter.net
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April 2019
Vintage
It’s officially spring and that means Easter is right around the corner. There are many Easter traditions, but one of the most exciting vintage traditions is the New York City Easter Parade. In the late 1800’s, New York’s churches began decorating their sanctuaries with Easter flowers. People would walk from church to
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Easter Parade!
church to see the spring bouquets, and so began the NYC Easter Parade. As the practice grew in popularity, the displays grew more extravagant and carried over into the world of fashion. Those who attended churches incorporated these values into their Easter outfits. By the 1880’s, the Easter Parade had become *the* event for fashion and religious observance around the country. Participants would get decked out in their new high fashion clothing and try to outdo each other with their extravagant outfits, walking from church to church to show them off. Not everyone was a huge fan of this display of wealth and beauty. Many worried about the focus on material beauty and possessions rather than religious beliefs and traditions. During the Great Depression, unemployed workers protested the parade by wearing worn out sack clothes and carrying banners. One protester compared the cost of a single Fifth Ave. gown to a year’s worth of welfare relief for one family. In 1933, Erving Berlin
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wrote the song ‘Easter Parade’, which became the basis for the film “Easter Parade” fifteen years later. This made the Easter bonnet even more popular, and the bigger the better! By the 1950’s the religious elements of the parade had faded and it had become a pageant of frolicking frocks with no apparent beginning, ending or purpose. Today, the Easter Parade takes place on 5th Avenue in Manhattan from 10am-4pm on Easter Sunday. Anyone may participate and all are encouraged to dress up in their finest and wildest vintage or creative fashion inventions. What are you wearing this Easter season? Here are a few photos through the years to help give you some vintage inspiration! Happy Easter, everyone! Jayne Gulliver Owner of J-Bird Vintage, 511 W. Vine, Kalamazoo
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
The top books published this month that librarians across the country love Queenie
The Last Woman in the Forest
by Candice Carty-Williams
by Diane Les Becquets
“A suspenseful, surprising story that begins with every woman’s worst nightmare–a breakdown on a lonely road in the middle of the night and a bad feeling about the handsome guy who stops to help. This kick-in-the-gut start leads to a more thoughtful mystery with a big twist. Recommended for fans of Lee Child.”
“Queenie, a 25-year-old British-Jamaican woman, struggles to have a sense of purpose after being dumped by her white boyfriend. This humorous and timely debut sheds light on society’s fetishization of black women and its impact on family, relationships and mental health.”
Patricia Uttaro, Monroe County Library System, Monroe, NY
Molly Riportella, Westwood Public Library, Westwood, MA
My Lovely Wife
The Bird King
“An incredible, dark, twisty psychological thriller with two of the most seemingly normal but disturbingly depraved people you will read about in fiction. This brilliant debut needs to be at the top of your must-read list. For readers who like taut suspense and works by Gillian Flynn, B.A. Paris, and Mary Kubica.”
“Lush and wonderful language, characters, and worldbuilding make this an enjoyable read for fans of historical fantasy. The relationship between concubine Fatima and mapmaker Hassan is multifaceted and compelling. A good choice for readers who liked Uprooted and City of Brass.”
Rachel Reeves, Weatherford Public Library, Weatherford, TX
Nora Walsh, Princeton Public Library, Princeton, NJ
by G. Willow Wilson
by Samantha Downing
For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/ KPL_GoodNews_RT2019Ad.pdf
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2:41 PM
Reading Together 2019
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Meet the Author:
Angie Thomas
Wednesday, April 17 | 7 pm Chenery Auditorium 714 S. Westnedge Ave. | Kalamazoo, MI
readingtogether.us Premium seating for youth will be available until 6:50 pm, after which it will be released to the general public. The author will sign her books following the event. bookbug/this is a bookstore will sell copies of The Hate You Give and On the Come Up at the event.
kpl.gov
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series The Cold Facts of Office Work
Ellen: I’ve heard it said that the reason office buildings keep the temperatures set low is out of consideration for those workers who run hot. As they are clad in full business suits, the adage goes that it’s much easier for those of us who are cold to add a sweater rather then for them to remove a jacket. Though I see the logic in this, understanding the situation hasn’t helped me maintain a comfortable
core body heat while at work. Today I have a blanket, an extra sweater, and an electric kettle at my desk, all to help me warm up. I take comfort that it’s not just me; the other day while I was wearing my fingerless gloves to type out email, I snap chatted the scene to my family group. Within minutes my sister confirmed that she too was wearing her gloves at work— and she lives in Atlanta! There are many helpful products
available on Amazon and in stores for people facing our plight. Electric lap blankets, hand warmers that plug into computers via USB, and quick at-your-desk exercises meant to get the blood pumping. Clearly a lot of people struggle with this. Perhaps we’re not meant to stay stationary in front of a computer for this long? My circulatory system certainly doesn’t seem up to the task.
them for hours at a stretch. They are curious, active, and happy feet when I am walking on them, but if I sit too long, they turn into peevish tyrants. Ellen gave me some slippers made in Japan. Who knew that Japanese floors are icy cold? These were a distinct improvement, but not the final cure. My doctor, after listening to my story of numb, tingling feet, checked for anemia and ordered B-12 shots. It is helping a little. My husband is glad because he was getting way too warm building those fires in the summer.
Jane: I work at home in a room adjoining the fireplace chimney. My husband builds a fire nearly every cold day, and tends it, especially while I am at my computer. I dress Jane & Ellen Knuth in multiple layers of shirts and fleece sweaters, wool-blend socks, slippers, and thick jeans. The room is always warm enough to keep my fingers comfortable. My nose may get chilly, but there is no need for a hat. Before beginning work, I heat a microwaveable rice-filled flannel bag, wrap it in a blanket, and enrobe both feet with it. But my toes will begin to freeze up after less than an hour. They get so cold that they ache and stiffen. Within an hour, both legs, up past the ankles, are numb. This happens winter, spring, summer, and fall. I blame it on our concrete slab floors, but I suspect it is largely because my TUESDAY, MARCH 12 feet are offended that I do not need
FAITH BOOK CLUB
Read Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior and discuss with others; 7pm.
SATURDAY, APRIL 6 OPENING RECEPTION & POETRY AWARDS Juror Denise Miller will read some of her own poetry followed by presentation of poetry awards; doors open at 5pm with awards at 6pm.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7 OPEN FOR VIEWING
Celebra
Present Bondar 6pm.
We
Migration: Traveling Mercies open for self-guided viewing through May 1: Sundays 11am-noon; Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm; Fri 9am–noon or by appointment.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13 MONARCH STATION Chad Hughson, from Hidden Savanna Nurseries, will share ideal plants and yard conditions for building a monarch waystation in your own backyard; 10:30am to 11:30am.
SUNDAY, APRIL 14 ORCHESTRA ROUH
Westminster Art Festival
TUESDAY, MARCH 12 FAITH BOOK CLUB
Read Barbara Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior and A CELEBRATION OF ART, EARTH CARE & FAITH discuss with others; 7pm.
APRIL 6 - MAY 1
Westminster Presbyterian Church SATURDAY, APRIL 6 westminsterartfestival.org • (269)344-3966
OPENING RECEPTION & POETRY AWARDS
Juror Denise Miller will read some of her own
Formed through the Kalamazoo Symphony, children of refugee families recently settled in our area gather together as an orchestra of hope and spirit (rouh); concert at 3pm followed by KSO petting zoo.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21 EASTER WORSHIP Celebrate us at 9:30am. ThisEaster years with Westminster Art Festival
invites everyone to explore
FRIDAY, APRIL 26 MIGRATION.
ART AWARDS Through works of art and poetry, Presentation of visual arts awards by the Jurorearth, Karen show us this movement about Bondarchuk; doors open at 5pm with awards connect it to the refugee crisis at 6pm. brought about by violence or famine
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April 2019
We are looking forward to Unraveling the Mysteries for the 7th annual MSU Science Festival. Presenters are ready to dazzle, delight, educate, and inform, reaching beyond science to include technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) and the important role they play shaping our future and everyday lives. With over 200 activities planned statewide, there’s something for everyone! Here are the free local events in the Kalamazoo Area.
Open House: Sustaining the Vision at W.K. Kellogg Manor House and Bird Sanctuary,
Sunday, April 7, 11am-4pm In celebration of W.K. Kellogg’s birthday and his land gift to MSU that created the Kellogg Biological
Station, enjoy free admission to the Manor House and Bird Sanctuary. Docents will pose as the 1920’s residents of Eagle Heights, the original name of the Kellogg Manor House. Character portrayals include W.K. Kellogg, Dr. Carrie Stains, Sister Hester, and others. Self-guided tours of the Manor House and free admission to hiking on the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary trails are offered.
Statewide Astronomy Night, Friday, April 12, 4-8:30pm Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N. Rose, Kalamazoo The Kalamazoo Valley Museum will participate in Statewide As-
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tronomy Night (SWAN). Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in a number of astronomy-related activities and planetarium shows, free of charge, that are suitable for any age. Among the events planned are featured talks about Michigan’s ties to the space program and tips on how to photograph the night sky. In addition, families can learn how to stargaze in their backyards, see a planetarium show or take in a children’s show in our theater.
Unraveling Earth And Space Science Mysteries, Saturday,
April 13, 10am-4pm Kalamazoo Valley Museum, 230 N. Rose, Kalamazoo Visit the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and enjoy hands-on activities that will help to unravel mysteries such as why eclipses occur, what causes the seasons, and how scientists search for distant planets. Be sure to check out “Math Moves!” from the Science Museum of Minnesota.
An Evening at the Air Zoo, Wednesday, April 17, 6-8pm Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, 6151 Portage Rd., Portage
Enjoy a free night of family fun. Hands-on science activities, flight simulators, amusement park rides, aerospace and science exhibits, World War II airplane restoration activities, and much more during this free evening at the Air Zoo! Some of the hands-on activities include: creating make-n-take paper copters, playing at the slime table, exploring the electricity table, and building amazing structures and contraptions with the Imagination Playground and Keva Planks. Venues around the state of Michigan will open their doors to help people see and connect with the beauty and science that lies overhead. Events and other sites participating in Michigan State’s Science Festival and SWAN can be found at http:// sciencefestival.msu.edu/
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April 2019
Don’t Move – Improve, is the motto at DeHaan Remodeling Specialists. Offering you the quality you desire and people you can trust – providing professional remodeling services in this area for forty years! Have you always longed for a larger kitchen, room addition, finished lower level, larger bath, etc.? Before you leave the home you love, consider customizing your home instead of moving. “Remodeling can cost less than buying a new home. Plus,
your family can stay in the neighborhood you love, keep your school and friends and add value to your property,” says, Robert DeHaan, owner of DeHaan Remodeling Specialists, who has been helping residents of southwest Michigan reinvent their homes. Robert and his three sons, Branden, Jorden and Austen and the team at DeHaan Remodeling are ready to offer professional advice and bring your remodeling dreams to life. They can
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help you customize your home with kitchen and bathroom remodeling, room additions, finishing lower levels, closet organization and other remodeling projects. They are certified Aging In Place Specialists, making your home a safe haven as you age by removing bathtubs and replacing them with easy access showers complete with benches and grab bars and other conveniences to suit your families needs. DeHaan Remodeling also has EPA Lead-Safe Certification. The company is trained to work on homes containing lead paint giving your family peace of mind. Popular trends in the remodeling industry at this time, according to Branden, Production Manager include: Vinyl Plank Flooring that is durable, waterproof and is offered in many finishes including rustic handscraped finishes. Vinyl is also softer
and quieter under foot than wood. Quartz and granite countertops are also a popular choice for counters in the kitchen and bathroom. White or grey painted, or stained hickory Shaker Cabinetry is also on trend for kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. DeHaan Remodeling Specialists take pride in a job well done - complete customer satisfaction is their ultimate goal and they are proud of their many satisfied, repeat customers. If you have a remodeling project that you’re thinking of, contact DeHaan Remodeling Specialists. They are located at 2805 West Main Street in Kalamazoo – call for an appointment at 269-343-3757. For more information visit their website at dehaanremodeling.com. Jackie Merriam
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
Mysterious Beach Egg Found at Lake Michigan
What is this object that I brought back from the shore of Lake Michigan? I know for a fact what it is but I want you to guess. Ok, you give up? Well then, I’ll tell you. It’s a Pressie egg. “What in the world is a Pressie Egg,” you may ask. “Shhhh... there’s a baby Pressie inside of it and it’s sleeping.” When the wind and wave conditions are just right, all Michiganders know for a fact that eggs of the Great Lakes monster Pressie get washed up on Lake Michigan’s shore. It’s true!
Lore has it that Michigan has several interesting and friendly monsters roaming the state: Pressie, a Lake Superior monster that’s been sighted from time to time in Lake Michigan; Big Foot, who’s sighted, well, just about everywhere; and Dog Man, who seems to like dwelling more in the northern parts of the state. Since my beach egg was found along shore, I know it’s from the water dwelling Pressie. Since you still look puzzled, I’ll have to tell you what this really is. These egg-shaped objects are balls of
fibrous plant material that has fallen into the lake, gotten tumbled into balls by waves, and scoured by sand. The egg shape is formed by being rolled up the beach in front of waves. But isn’t it much more fun to believe that I own an authentic Michigan monster egg rather than a ball of flotsam? When I picked up my Pressie egg, my husband Rick’s first comment was, “It looks like it’s full of BUGS!” Hardly. By the time these beach eggs have been washed and scoured by the lake, there’s not much edible plant material left to attract bugs. After it dries out, I’ll be putting my Pressie egg into a nature themed parlor dome that I’m filling with items like interesting seed pods, gnarled twisted vine stems, and lake pebbles.
Are you planning a camping trip in Michigan this summer? You just never know what you’ll see peeking in your tent on a dark night, do you. Maybe you’ll bring home your own Michigan monster egg. Then you can tell me just what we’re all going to do when these things hatch! ;) *If you’d like to read more about Pressie, go here: http://cryptidchronicles.tumblr.com/ post/26501197906/pressie-the-lakesuperior-sea-serpent Ann Murray is an award winning commercial illustrator who has illustrated 7 children’s books for local authors. Recently a collaborative story she and her husband wrote won first place in a short story anthology.
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You can find our caramels, turtles & specialty chocolates at 245 S. Kalamazoo Mall • www.cherrischocolart.com • 269-998-7339
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April 2019
parenting
It is April and we are now officially in spring; time to be outdoors. As a culture, people in America have become housebound creatures. Most of us work indoors, schools have cut recess breaks to less than 20 minutes per day, and who walks to work or school anymore? But did you know that being outdoors, freely playing in nature, is essential for children´s psychological, emotional, and physical development? I recently came upon a series of blogs at http://1000hoursoutdoors. com. This Michigan-based writer has decided to raise her children outside, her hope is for them to be outdoors 4-6 hours daily, 1000 hours in a year. Before you become cynical, listen to the reasons why and then to the howto-do it all. When a child is outdoors, there is constant possibility for sensory development: hanging upside down a (vestibular); running, climbing (proprioceptive); learning bird songs and woodland noises (auditory); understanding the identity of trees and plants (visual); playing in the snow and sand, holding a bug or a snake (tactile); eating berries and nuts (oral); smelling dirt and flowers (olfactory). In addition, free play outdoors allows children to build self-confidence, to develop character, to understand the
GOOD NEWS
wha’ts so great about the great outdoors?
world around them and the ways of nature. Let’s circle back to the goal of 1000 hours outdoors in one year. How in the world can you achieve such a monumental goal? Well, think about it. It is about 20 hours a week, so 3 hours or so a day. We now track everything from steps, calories, to carbs, workouts, reading time, screen time, why not time outdoors? We live in an area that has difficult weather winter and summer, but so what? Be prepared, bundle up, plan around it, and get those kiddos outside.
and Delano Farms just for our exploring and enjoyment. (Discoverkalamazoo.com/8 lesser-known parks & trails to discover in Kalamazoo, MI) Make the end of the day a time outdoors: Sit on the porch, walk your neighborhood, play a game in the yard, grab the dog and off you go. Turn off the TV and turn on the connection in fresh air. No time for date night? Here is the perfect alternative. Don’t hover as a parent – let your children explore and play by themselves. Encourage them to seek out what interests them alone or with their siblings or a friend. Weather is your friend. Pull on
those rain boots and grab an umbrella. Don´t forget to splash in the puddles and play in the mud. The number 1 toy of all time? A stick. The second? A box. Another? Dirt. What fun can be had with all three? (5 Best Toys of all Time www. wired.com) Plant a garden. Don’t have a spot, use your patio and some pots. Flowers, veggies, or herbs. Research shows digging in the dirt is a counterbalance for depression and kids love dirt (see above). I’ll be watching for you – outdoors! Dr. Susan Carter is a child and family psychologist and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor in private practice in a nature preserve in Kalamazoo, MI.
Here are some ideas for refocusing your time to being outdoors, both together as a family and for your kids by themselves:
Make being outdoors an extracurricular activity, as important as baseball, soccer, dance, or tennis. Take family walks, hikes, and adventures outdoors. Check out https:// kalcounty.com>parks for county parks. We have Kalamazoo Nature Center, Asylum Lake Trails, Au Sable Preserve, Kleinstuck Preserve, Chipman Preserve, Fred McLinded Nature Trails, Robert Morris Park, Eliason Nature Reserve, Bow in the Clouds Preserve, Oshtemo Township Park,
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
Celebrate Earth Month! April is Earth Month, and we’re excited about all the upcoming events and activities. There are plenty of ways to get involved – how will you take part this year? Forty-two years ago, Earth Day was established to create awareness and appreciation of our precious – and increasingly fragile – planet. Celebrated on April 22nd, Earth Day has over a billion participants around the world. Individuals, businesses, schools and governments commemorate what has been achieved and discuss what remains to be done to protect Earth. And even better news - over the years, Earth Day has evolved into Earth Week and Earth Month. Undoubtedly, the most important and exciting changes are the ones the last far beyond April. The first Earth Day, in 1970, inspired the U.S. Congress to pass and strengthen
Kalamazoo County
Clean Air and Water Acts, and to create the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor environmental issues and establish environmental policy and laws. In 1990, the first International Earth Day brought pressure on many governments to take part in the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and to tackle issues such as climate change, the growing scarcity of water and the loss of species. Earth Day has been perhaps most successful at changing behavior and attitudes, and provoking policy change. There are many free local events for you and your family to participate in to celebrate the earth this month.
Portage Green-A-Thon, Sat, April 13, 11am-3pm
The 11th annual Green-A-Thon will feature music, games, free tree seedlings, face painting, activities, give-
aways and numerous representatives from over 30 local organizations and businesses to provide entertainment and education about environmental ideas that can be utilized at home or work. Food and drink vendors will be on hand for refreshments.
Earth Day at Kalamazoo Nature Center, Sat,, April 20, 9am-5pm Free Admission all day! Kalamazoo Earth Day Festival, Bronson Park, Kalamazoo, Saturday April 20, Noon-5pm
Join us in enjoying music, art installations, and games for all ages, educa-
tional speakers, exhibits, & vendors at our yearly event! This year’s event is focused on 101,000 Acts of Green. The Bronson Park Earth Day Committee is asking for your help in meeting our goal of 101,000 Acts of Green (there are 101,000 households in Kalamazoo County).
Earth Day at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary,
Mon,, April 22, 9am-5pm
Enjoy FREE admission to the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary! Bring a friend and enjoy our beautiful planet earth! Earth Month is the perfect occasion to reflect on how to protect our planet. On Earth Day, April 22, we all stand united for a sustainable future and demand change to protect our earth.
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
health let’s test our nutrion iq?
I just knew that many of you were waiting for another opportunity to test your knowledge on nutrition. Spring is here and a world of fresh locally grown produce will be available soon. So, roll up your sleeves and see how well you do. We’ll start of with some True or False questions to get your juices going. 1. True or False: Sweet potatoes have more calories than white potatoes. 2. True or False: Spinach pasta is more healthful than regular pasta, especially if it’s made fresh, not dried. 3. True or False: Because of their calories, nuts are off-limits for people concerned with weight control. 4. True or False: “Seven-grain” and other multigrain breads are always a better choice than “whole-wheat” bread. 5. True or False: Honey, brown sugar,
and cane sugar at more nutritious than white sugar. 6. True or False: If you trim all visible fat from meats and discard poultry skin, you will eliminate most of the calories from these foods. 7. True or False: The whey (the watery part) in your yogurt or cottage cheese has almost no nutrients and should be discarded. 8. True or False: Ground beef labeled “90% lean” gets only 10% of its calories from fat. 9.True or False: Brown eggs are more nutritious than white eggs. Answers: 1. False. Sweet potatoes have about 105 calories per 4oz serving (baked), the same for white potatoes and they are even more nutritious, rich in beta carotene, vitamin C and the B
vitamin folate. 2. False. Spinach pasta contains little spinach, just enough to turn the pasta green, less than a tablespoon per cup of cooked pasta. Same holds for other pastas made with other vegetable purees, such as beets. 3. False: Nuts are less likely to promote weight gain than other foods with similar calorie counts, plus their protein and fiber make you feel full longer. 4. False. 100% whole wheat bread is always the better choice. Multi-grain breads usually contain small amounts of various grains, not all of them whole grains. 5. False. Sugar is sugar and no form offers significant nutritional advantages. Honey may include a small amount of antioxidants, but not enough to matter. 6. False. Cholesterol is found in the flesh as well as the fat. It’s in the cells of all animals and animal products. But for dietary purposes, concentrate
more on reducing saturated fats and trans fats to lower your cholesterol. 7. False. Whey contains some B vitamins and some minerals so it worth stirring back into the yogurt or cottage cheese. 8. False. This is the percentage of fat by weight, not the percentage of calories from fat. This is misleading labeling. A 4oz patty of this raw meat would have about 200 calories, half from fat (for a total of 100 calories from fat, not 20 calories as many people would assume.) False. Shell color has no effect on an egg’s nutritional content and taste. The color depends upon the breed of chicken laying the eggs. However, the feed a chicken is given does influence the egg’s national value. No breed lays more nutritious eggs than another. Well, I hope you feel a bit more enlightened and had fun. Till next time,
Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal Trainer
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April 2019
Recipes Serving us well and in many ways, chives are one of the easiest herbs to grow and one of the first to break through the earth - come spring! A member of the lily family, chives come in both onion and garlic varieties and both are often used as a perennial edging, a border plant and for culinary, herb gardens, too. Serving many purposes, the chive also offers us important health benefits as well, which include boosting our heart health, improving the strength of our bones, protecting us against various cancers, easing digestion, boosting vision and boosting our immunity, too! Offering other many unique compounds, chives have natural antibacterial qualities
Chive Talking that eliminate a wide range of bacteria, particularly those in the salmonella family, which is a blessing to our gastrointestinal system. What intrigued me most about chives is that they have been found to increase the nutrient uptake efficiency of our gut as well, which means eating them will ensure that we get as many of the nutrients from our food as possible. Offering us carotenes - lutein and zeaxanthin – chives can help reduce oxidative stress in our eyes and help delay cataracts as well. Chives can also help slow or prevent macular degeneration, which helps keep our eyes healthy and, as a mild diuretic, chives also help rid our bodies of excess toxins, salts, water, and even fat, which can make us all look and feel ohso-good!
With the onion chive offering up a mild onion flavor throughout its leaves and purple flower heads, the garlic chive also offers a mild garlic taste within its leaves and white flower heads. Loving full sun, but also growing in partial shade, chives are easy to grow, especially when planted in rich, well-drained soils and so much fresher and cheaper that its silly not to! While nothing ever beats the flavor of freshly cut chives - which is why I have a plant that I bring inside - you can store chives for later use by chopping and freezing the leaves or dehydrating the seed heads and storing them dry. While these are good measures I do have to say that for me, the best way to extend the enjoyment of chives – and their seed heads – is to use them to create dishes
GOOD NEWS
that can be stored, such as cheeses or a pesto, or flavored oils and vinegars. By doing so you will not only capture the marvelous magic of a chive in its peak, but you will also give yourself many future opportunities to indulge in its flavor – and health benefits - as well! Here now are some simple ways to extend the flavor and health benefits of this oh-so-spectacular spring-sprouting herb – ENJOY! Laura Kurella Food stylist/photographer
Perfect Chive Pesto 3 cups of chopped chives 2 small cloves of garlic 1/4-cup whole almonds, pine nuts or cashews 1/4 cup of avocado oil 1/2 a Serrano chili, optional 1 teaspoon salt or to taste Water as needed for a smooth consistency
A
Coarsely chop the chives and add to the base of a blender. Add nuts and oil and chili, if using. Stir in salt then pulse a few times. Add 3 tablespoons of water then scrape down blender. Mix as needed to obtain a smooth, soft consistency. Add more water if needed. Pesto will keep well in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks. Makes 1 1/2 cups.
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April 2019
GOOD NEWS
Chive Talking
Recipes
Chive-Infused Goat Cheese Spread Chive-Infused Oil 1 1/2 ounces (2 bunches) chives, minced 1/2 cup Avocado or organic Olive oil In a pot of boiling water, blanch minced chives in boiling water just until they turn a bright green, about 1 minute. Drain in a screen strainer and then rinse in cold water; Spread chives out in a kitchen towel to dry then transfer to a blender. In the bowl
of a blender, combine 1/4-cup oil with chives and puree until very smooth. Scrape down sides of blender to make sure to blend in all of the chives. Add remaining 1/4-cup oil then blend again. Strain, if desired, but not necessary. Recipe makes approximately 1/2cup oil. For optimal freshness, store in refrigerator.
8 ounces soft fresh goat cheese, room temperature 4 ounces Neufchatel cheese, room temperature 6 tablespoons minced fresh chives (about 1 ounce) 1 garlic clove, pressed 12 whole long fresh chives, optional garnish 1 French bread baguette, sliced, optional In medium bowl, combine goat cheese, Neufchatel cheese, minced chives and
garlic. Stir with fork until well blended. Line a small, 4 to 5-inch round bowl with plastic wrap then spoon mixture into bowl. Use plastic wrap to press mixture firmly into bowl to help it take on the shape of the bowl. Refrigerate overnight. Before serving, if desired, un-mold cheese mixture and invert onto a serving plate. Using whole chive leaves, crisscross cheese ball to form a checkerboard-like net over cheese. Surround with baguette slices, if desired, and serve. Makes 8 servings.
Jewel Heart West Michigan Welcomes You to Meet
Let us help you get ready for spring
Jewel Heart West Michigan Welcomes You to Meet
DEMO RINPOCHE
DEMO RINPOCHE
Geshe Lharampa degree under the supervision of H.H. the Dalai Lama
Geshe Lharampa degree under the supervision of H.H. the Dalai Lama
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Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center
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April 2019
Environment
Proposed wind farm projects have become more common in local news. DTE Energy is striving to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 2010 levels by 2020. To achieve that goal, DTE Energy has proposed multiple wind farm projects, including one near Union City and another just north of Alma. However, these projects can be met with hostility from the residents. In the town I live in, Tiffin, Ohio, residents are fiercely battling the construction of a wind farm in Seneca County. At first, the Seneca Anti-Wind Union signs that popped up all over town appalled me. I am a stark supporter of renewable energy sources and I could not understand the passionate resistance of the residents. Many anti-wind unions across the U.S. use similar arguments to defend their position. Residents complain about the flicker effect, which is
caused by the late afternoon shadow that is cast by the turbines. The flashing caused by the turbines can cause headaches and anxiety for some people, but most residents easily acclimate to the flash and many people are not home during the time of day when the flicker effect occurs. Some opponents voice their concerns over the bird and bat populations that are killed by wind turbines, but studies have shown that other man-made structures (i.e. power lines, windows), and even cats, kill just as many birds*. Another common argument is that wind turbines use valuable farmland. Although this is true, there are many examples of wind farm and agricultural land combinations across the U.S. Crops are easily planted around the turbines. It seemed that most of the arguments presented by the antiwind union were easily refuted, but then I talked to a close friend of mine,
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Wind Farm Projects
whom is part of the Seneca AntiWind Union. She opened my eyes to the most pressing concern of Seneca County residents: transparency. The residents were understandably angry with the wind company for attempting to conduct their business without community input. In fact, the companies involved did not seem interested in the community at all. The goal of the energy company was to build a wind farm and sell the energy to the highest bidder after the completion of the project. There was no guaranteed buyer and outside of taxes and direct payments to landowners, the community would not receive any additional funds from the sale of the power, or energy from the farm. A study at the University of Michigan found that when residents feel that the project process is open and fair, they are more likely to support the wind turbines. However, those residents that feel negatively about the
process only become more embittered as time goes on. Although I am still a supporter of alternative energy sources, including wind farms, I am more sympathetic to the concerns of communities affected by wind turbines. To achieve a positive outcome for the environment, communities and energy companies should be open about their respective goals and concerns. Research and respect are integral to a successful partnership in the journey to a greener future. *Please note that the death of birds and bats from wind turbines should not be entirely discounted. Recommendations by the American Bird Conservancy should be followed to prevent the deaths of endangered species. Judy Smith , Heidelberg University Student
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April 2019
be ART ful
As I celebrate my one year anniversary as a monthly contributor, I can’t help but to reflect back on this last year.
When thinking of what I have contributed, there are two reoccurring themes that I’m always happy to be reminded of and those are: Inspiration is everywhere and art is for everyone! Included below are excerpts taken from my articles over last 12 months (and maybe tweaked just a little). I hope you don’t mind being reminded of them either.
Living an artful life begins with ourselves. It is an
extension of who we are. A self-study guide in learning about what we need, what we like and what makes us happy. Art is intimate and communicates with us on a personal level though it can and perhaps should be shared and be seen by others. It is about self expressionism…showing who we are as individuals and ultimately having the confidence to be seen. We are responsible for creating our own appeal. We were all born with a gift and it is up to us to discover it, nurture it and use it. How we express ourselves is uniquely our own. Our voice is important and meant to be heard, our smile is contagious and meant to be shared and how we represent ourselves can greatly benefit one another - Because we all need each other’s gifts. Art is for everyone! It goes beyond the canvas or outside of the studio. Anyone can be an artist and we should embrace our own personal style, our identity and brand. Whether we create or are a collector of art, what is it that awakens the mind and arouses the senses? Does it evoke emotions of the heart; is it the connection, self-discovery or open mindedness that springs to life? Art goes far beyond surface beauty when we truly engage. It doesn’t necessarily have to be something we hang on our walls or sit on a table either. It can be somewhere we go, something we wear, something we eat…anything
GOOD NEWS
that makes us happy and speaks to the heart, that is art! It meets all our tastes and budgetary resources - from purchasing a piece at a gallery to finding a garage sale treasure and every area in between. Artisans, collectors and appreciators alike can find inspiration everywhere and the possibilities are only limited by our imaginations. It’s looking up, looking down, looking within and looking out. Inspired-living is in our everyday nature and urban landscapes and as we begin to really take notice of our daily surroundings, we can truly absorb it like never before as we ask ourselves: what do I see?
There is opportunity in this community for our desires, our creativity, and our purpose. Maybe we need to give ourselves consent to evolve, transform, assimilate and experiment but still appreciate
our journey and never forget our personal history. Each experience is how we become who we are and who we are meant to be. Because when we live the life we were created to live and inspiration is the ultimate tool, then the mark we make is truly the
The Rooster's Call & Enjoy Our Warm
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Friendly Atmosphere
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6050 Gull Rd. Kalamazoo (269) 775-1601
gift that keeps on giving. Thank you for this past year! Your comments, questions and photos are always welcomed and greatly appreciated. ~xo Bridget Fox
*Email me at: bridgetfoxkzoo@gmail.com *Find me on: https://www.instagram.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo https://www.facebook.com/ bridgetfoxkzoo
April 2019
FREE april EVENTS
Through April 15 Exhibit: What We Carried: Fragments And Memories from Iraq and Syria Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Through March 3 Dwtn. Kalamazoo Restaurant Week Participating Downtown Restaurants Mon., April 1 – Fri., April 5 Hands-on Spring Break Happenings Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1-4pm, 373-7990 Mondays, April 1,8,15,22,29 Cruise-In’s, 5pm-dusk Dean’s Ice Cream, Plainwell Monday, April 1 Book Group: Unsheltered By Barbara Kingsolver Parchment Community Library 6:30pm, 343-7747 Tues. & Wed., April 2,3,9,10,16, 17,23,24,30 Indoor Flea Market, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 9am-3pm, 373-5147 Tuesday, April 2 Video: More Human Than Human Kalamazoo Valley Museum Noon, 349-7775 Tuesday, April 2 & 16 Thread/Yarn/Knitting Club Parchment Community Library 3:30-5pm, 343-7747 Tuesdays, April 2,9,16,23,30 Music Bingo at Old Burdick’s Wings West Bar & Grill, Noon-7pm, 343-0032 Tuesdays, April 2,9,16,23,30 Learn Tibetan Buddhist Meditation The People’s Church, Kalamazoo 7-8:30pm, 944-1575 Tuesday, April 2 WMU Gold Company II, 7:30pm, Dalton Center Recital Hall Wednesdays, April 3,10,17,24 Music: Potter’s Lounge @ Four Points by Sheraton, 5:30-8:30pm Wednesdays, April 3,10,17,24 Meditation at Unity of Kalamazoo Church 6pm, 385-2239 Wednesdays, April 3,10,17,24 Music: Jazz Jams at The Union Downtown Kalamazoo, 7-10pm, 384-6756 Wednesdays, April 3,10,17,24 Local DJ’s Spinning the Best Vinyl Old Dog Tavern, 8pm, 903-6783 Wednesday, April 3 Music: Whiskey Before Breakfast O’Duffy’s Pub, 8-10pm, 344-5666 Wednesdays, April 3,10,17,24 Weekly Comedy Show - Open microphone Harvey’s, 9-11pm (ages 21+), 760-6251 Thursdays, April 4,11,18,25 Trivia Nights-Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-9pm, 226-0300 Friday, April 5 Memory Café-Gathering of individuals With memory loss & their caretakers Paw Paw District Library 10:30am-Noon, 657-3800 Friday, April 5 Edible Book Festival Kalamazoo Book Arts Center 4-8:30pm, 373-4938 Friday, April 5 Art Hop – Downtown Kalamazoo & in the Vine Neighborhood, 5-8pm
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Fri., Feb. 5 & Sat., April 6 Foodways Symposium 2019 The Foods We Carried: Middle Eastern Foodways in Michigan Kalamazoo Valley Museum Fri. 5-8pm, Sat. 9am-5pm Friday, April 5 Music: Dylan Tolbert Boatyard Brewing Company 7-10pm, 226-0300 Fridays, April 5,12,19,26 Music: Potter’s Lounge @ Four Points by Sheraton, 7-10pm
Thursday, April 11 Music: Tom Duffield O’Duffy’s Pub, 8-10pm, 344-5566
Friday, April 19 Music: The Dow Family Boatyard Brewing Company 6-9pm, 226-0300
Friday, April 12 Statewide Astronomy Night Kalamazoo Valley Museum 4-8:30pm, 373-7990
Saturday, April 20 Earth Day Open House Kalamazoo Nature Center 9am-5pm, 381-1574
Friday, April 12 Music: Keith Scott Boatyard Brewing Company 7-10pm, 226-0300
Saturday, April 20 Discussion: Protecting the Environment Through Recycling Parchment Community Library 10:30am, 343-7747
Saturdays, April 6,13,20,27 Bank Street Winter Market, 8am-1pm, 1157 Bank St., Kal.
Saturday, April 13 Earth/Space Science Mysteries Kalamazoo Valley Museum 10am-4pm, (517) 355-0143
Saturday, April 6 – May 1 Westminster Juried Art Festival “Migration: Traveling Mercies” Westminster Presbyterian Church 1515 Helen Ave., Portage, Sun. 11-12, Mon.-Thurs. 9am-4pm, Fri. 9-12
Saturday, April 13 Monarch Station Workshop Make your yard a monarch waystation Westminster Pres. Church, Portage 10:30-11:30am, 344-3966
Saturday, April 6 Kal. Numismatic Coin Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-3pm, 491-0962 Saturdays, April 6,13,20,27 Music: BenJammin’ and Analisa Educational entertainers & Kids breakfast Old Dog Tavern, 10-11am, 381-5677 Saturday, April 6 Stories, activities, guests & prizes Kalamazoo Public Library - Central 2-3:30pm, 342-9837 Saturday, April 6 Westminster Juried Art Festival Opening Reception & Poetry Awards Westminster Pres. Church, Portage Doors open at 5pm, awards 6pm Saturdays, April 6,13,20,27 Music: Potter’s Lounge @ Four Points by Sheraton 7-10pm Sunday, April 7 Open House & Tours W.K. Kellogg Manor House 11am-4pm, 671-2400 Sunday, April 7 Open House & free Admission Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 11am-4pm, 671-2510 Sundays, April 7,14,21,28 Bell’s Eccentric Café - Team Trivia Doors open 5, Trivia 6-8pm, 382-2332 Sundays, April 7,14,21,28 Professional Blues Jam Old Dog Tavern, 6-9pm, 381-5677 Sunday, April 7 WMU Advanced Jazz Ensemble And Gold Company, 7:30pm Dalton Center Recital Hall Tuesday, April 9 Talk: Art School Residents, Pt. 3 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, April 10 Book Discussion: The Lost Sketchbook of Edgar Degas Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2pm, 349-7775 Wednesday, April 10 “Thriver-Health Talks” Ascension Borgess Health Club 5:30-7pm, 381-1986 Wednesday, April 10 Music: Carrie McFerrin O’Duffy’s Pub, 8-10pm, 344-5666
GOOD NEWS
Saturday, April 13 Art Detectives: Explore Colors For Ages 4-8 with an adult Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 10:30am, 349-7775 Saturday, April 13 Green-A-Thon – Fun for the family Music, games face painting & more! Celery Flats Park, Portage 11am-3pm, 329-4511 Saturday, April 13 Wenke Greenhouses Tours 2525 North 30th St., Kalamazoo 2 Tours: 10-11am & 12:30-1:30pm Saturday, April 13 WMU Choral Showcase, 8pm Dalton Center Recital Hall Sunday, April 14 Talk: Most Unusual Products Of The Upjohn Company Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Sunday, April 14 Live Music: Blendings Parchment Community Library 2pm, 343-7747 Sunday, April 14 Westminster Art Festival Concert Orchestra Rouh & Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra petting zoo Westminster Pres. Church, Portage 3pm, 344-3966 Tuesday, April 16 Video, Sky Ladder: The Art of Caiguo-Quiang, Part 1 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, April 17 Lunch & Learn Movie: Infinitely Polar Bear Disability Network Southwest Michigan 11:30am-1:30pm, 345-1516 Wednesday, April 17 An Evening at the Air Zoo Air Zoo Aerospace/Science Museum 6-8pm, 382-6555 Wednesday, April 17 Music: Out of Favor Boys O’Duffy’s Pub, 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, April 18 Town Hall Meeting Parchment Community Library 6:30-7:30pm, 343-7747 Thursday, April 18 Music: Megan Dooley O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666
Saturday, April 20 Gemini in Concert – Create, Play & stories about musical instruments For children on the autism spectrum And their families Kalamazoo Valley Museum 11am, 373-7990 Saturday, April 20 Kalamazoo Earth Day Festival Music, art, games, vendors, More! Bronson Park, Kalamazoo Noon-5pm, 381-1574 Saturday, April 20 Egg Hunt - Mayors Riverfront Park, Kalamazoo 2-4pm, 337-8191 Monday, April 22 Earth Day Open House Kellogg Bird Sanctuary 9am-5pm, 671-2510 Monday, April 22 Mystery Book Club: The Man in The Crooked Hat by Harry Dolan Parchment Community Library 6:30pm, 343-7737 Tuesday, April 23 Talk: Art School Residents, Pt. 4 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, April 24 GLAMA, 7pm, Boatyard Brewing, 226-0300 Friday, April 26 Westminster Art Festival Awards Westminster Pres. Church, Portage Doors open at 5pm, awards 6pm Friday, April 26 Music: St. Joe Jack Boatyard Brewing Company 7-10pm, 226-0300 Sat., April 27 & Sun. April 28 27th Annual Arts & Crafts Sale Kalamazoo County Expo Center Sat. 9-4, Sun. 10-4, 349-1185 Sat., April 27 – Sun., Apr. 28 Kazoopex Stamp & Cover Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 10am-3pm, 375-6188 Saturday, April 27 Gilmore Baby Grands, featuring Kate Liu, Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Branch, 10:30-11:30am Sunday, April 28 Kalamazoo Record & CD Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 11am-4pm, (734) 604-2540 Sunday, April 28 From Undercover to OutFront: The Story of Kalamazoo LGBTQ Comm. Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Tuesday, April 30 Video, Sky Ladder: The Art of Caiguo-Quiang, Part 2 Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775