Good News November 2017

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November 2017

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

remember when

For over 60 years, Athena Book Shop was an oasis for booklovers in downtown Kalamazoo. Athena had its humble beginnings in a small shop located in the basement of the Marlborough Building (471 West South Street).

Athena Books was known for their warm personal service and for catering to the unique downtown market – even offering free downtown delivery.

A bookmark that I found in the Athena Book Shop file at the Kalamazoo library touted their services, including: telephone orders, special orders, out-of-print search, mailing, special programs for educators, high school & college students & senior citizens.

This long-standing bookstore was operated by a handful of different owners and in a variety of downtown locations over the years.

1944-1979 Owned by Bernice & Dale Johnson, and located in Marlborough Building 1979 Purchased by Bill & Jo Farley, who moved it to the northeast

corner of Westnedge Ave. & Lovell St. (343 S. Westnedge) 1983 Purchased by Linda Hilton & Mary Kelemen 1984 Moved to the Kalamazoo Mall, in the Century Plaza Building 1987 Purchased by final owner, George Hebben 1997 Moved to its final location at 154. S. Kalamazoo Mall (where Spirit of Kalamazoo presently resides) At the final location, the Soup Kettle, owned by Dave Komatz, was next door and opened into Athena Books.

I enjoyed this unique business duo for many years, while working downtown – having a bowl of homemade soup and a stroll through Athena Book Shop on my lunch break.

Athena became the center point for readers and writers alike. Often hosting public events, such as book readings, discussions & signings for local authors and visiting authors to promote their books, poetry readings, story-time for preschool children and participating in Art Hops.

They specialized in offering a

Marlborough Building unique book selection including: new age books and music, children’s books and books for students. Business books for computer, technical and medical were available to order.

Athena was able to search one of the largest book distributors in the world-Baker & Taylor.

Unfortunately, as they say, “All good things must come to an end,” and in July 2005, The Soup Kettle closed its doors, followed by Athena Books, in November of that same year. Owner, George Hebben, whose business relied heavily on walk-in traffic, cites a combination of reasons for the bookstore’s demise in an

article published by the Kalamazoo Gazette on 10/18/05, written by Al Jones. Hebben cites lower walkin traffic due to fewer downtown workers, city roads being torn up, the demolition and rebuilding of the former Gilmore’s parking ramp, higher gas prices and the very hot summer weather as reasons for the store’s closing.

Kalamazoo lost a cornerstone of the downtown business community with the closing of Athena Book Shop.

Jackie Merriam

Welcome to the Good News Paper This past month has been a time to celebrate some important milestones in my family. My grandson started kindergarten, my step-dad celebrated his 90th birthday and my niece finished her breast cancer treatments.

The word milestone is defined as: a series of numbered markers placed along a road or boundary at intervals of one mile, providing reference points along the road – much like the milestones along our life journey, marking significant events in our lives.

I couldn’t have been any prouder of my grandson on his first day of kindergarten.

Five of us were there to witness this milestone, taking pictures and waiting for the bus to arrive to whisk him off to a new adventure.

When the bus arrived, he excitedly hopped on the bus with confidence and walked all the way to the back of the bus – waving out the window from the back seat.

My step-dad tried to discourage my siblings and I from traveling to celebrate his

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90th year. He has always been a humble man that doesn’t enjoy the limelight. However, we didn’t let him deter our efforts and he enjoyed the family gathering together for his 90th birthday milestone.

My sweet, adorable and brave 33-yearold niece celebrated life and beating cancer after a yearlong battle fighting this disease.

She faced her diagnosis and treatment with strength and determination and even kept her wonderful sense of humor in tact. This unexpected event has definitely become a milestone in her life.

Milestones come in all shapes and sizessome are planned for, while others can be very unexpected. Be sure to celebrate all of the milestones along your life’s journey!

Jackie Merriam

Photo taken at The Potting Shed in Chelsea, MI

Graphic Designer: Lauren Ellis Editor and Publisher: Jackie Merriam (269) 217-0977 - goodnews.jackie@gmail.com Like us on Facebook!

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3

November 2017

GOOD NEWS

the creation of a bird-friendly environment

gardening

The creation of a bird-friendly environment that provides food, water and shelter is crucial to the existence of our wild bird population. Caring for our feathered-friends is an educational and enjoyable activity for the entire family that brings beauty and song to our lives.

Shelter

Benefits of Wild Birds

Birds are great guests to have in your yard, garden or landscape, and they provide more benefits than many homeowners and gardeners realize. Wild birds can…

Control insects by feasting on both flying and crawling insects, as well as spiders, slugs, snails and other creepycrawlies.

Pollinate plants by flitting from flower to flower as they seek out insects or eat seeds, taking pollen along between blooms.

Manage weeds as they consume copious amounts of weed seeds before the seeds ever have a chance to sprout.

Control rodents when raptors visit the yard in search of mice, rats, gophers, voles or other unwanted pests.

Attracting Backyard Birds Fortunately, it is easy to attract a wide variety of backyard birds when you offer them what they need most – food, water and shelter.

Food for Birds

Wild birds rely on both natural and supplemental food supplies so it is important to consider both when birdscaping. Feeding the birds is most important in the winter when natural food is scarcer, but they also enjoy visiting feeders at any time of year.

Migratory birds require additional food in the spring and fall as they pass through the region and nesting

birds will utilize feeders in the summer.

Tips: Provide a variety of natural foods for birds by planting berry bushes, seed-bearing flowers, nectar-rich flowers and sunflowers. Leave windfall fruit on the ground for birds to nibble.

Add supplemental feeders to your yard, such as birdseed feeders, suet feeders and nectar feeders. Clean feeders weekly to avoid mold that can be dangerous to birds, and be sure feeders are full when birds need them most.

Water

Improve your backyard bird habitat by adding water. Birds require a constant supply of clean water for drinking and bathing. This is especially important in late summer, when water is scarce, and in the winter, when it is frequently frozen.

Tips: Place bird baths in a protected

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location safe from predators, and keep the baths filled at all times so a fresh supply of water is constantly available.

Scrub off algae as soon as it is appears and thoroughly was the birdbath each week to minimize feces contamination or other messes in the water.

Provide motion for greater attraction by using a bubbler, wiggler, dripper or fountain. Birds will see the sparkles of the moving water and will hear the splashes from great distances, so more birds will visit.

Use Mosquito Dunks to safely prevent mosquito larvae in warm weather. A clean birdbath with moving water will also harbor fewer insects.

Add an outdoor-safe submersible heater to the bath in winter to keep the water liquid instead of frozen, or consider using a fully heated birdbath during the coldest months.

Open Mon.-Fri. 5:30am-2pm Sat. 6am-1pm, Sun 7am-2pm Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001

To learn more about these fascinating feathered friends, come to Wedel’s Wild Bird Event on November 3 & 4. There will be birds to see from the Lake Milton Raptor Education Center as well as many birding seminars. Go to wedels.com to see information and a schedule.

Terrie Schwartz Wedel›s Nursery, Florist & Garden Center

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It is important to offer safe and comfortable shelter for your wild birds to nurture their young, protect them from predators and shield them from the elements. Planting evergreen trees and shrubs and providing bird houses, along with roosting boxes and pockets, are all beneficial additions to your birdscape.

Tips: Choose both deciduous and evergreen landscaping trees and shrubs to offer birds different types of shelter in all seasons.

Minimize pruning to give birds denser, more secure shelter to take advantage of when they feel threatened.

Plant in layers and create thicketlike pockets or corridors in your landscape so birds can move around freely without feeling exposed.

Supplement the shelter in your yard with good quality birdhouses, winter roost boxes or nesting pockets to give birds even more options to stay safe and secure.

When you meet birds’ needs for food, water and shelter, your birdscape will soon be home to a fun and friendly flock of backyard birds.

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

home decor thanks-for-giving

For me, November marks the beginning of the holiday season. It’s an exciting and festive time of year where we transform our homes with twinkling lights, enjoy the warmth of crackling logs in the fireplace and the sounds of laughter of friends and family.

The Thanksgiving meal, although holds historical significance also holds very personal meaning and traditions for us all. For me, it’s a time to reflect on all that I’m thankful for and a time to celebrate another year of life, the day I joined this world.

My dear my mother, to this day, jokes that I was her Turkey that year.

Decorating the home was always a special experience each year at our home and got everyone in the mood for the upcoming season and is a tradition we hold dear.

Although the beauty of decorations are important, changing the feel of your home should include all of the senses. If you are looking for some fresh ideas for decorating your home this holiday season, here are a few creative ideas.

Warm Twinkling Lights When it comes to making a home feel warm, inviting and festive, lighting is critical. The warm light emitted from a burning fire or a flickering candle literally emits warmth and immediately transforms the feeling in a room, but some of us don’t have the luxury of a fireplace and burning candles isn’t always practical or safe.

Consider taking severals strands of

battery operated LED lights (in a a warm white) and fill a glass container.

You could take a series of three large hurricanes and add a strand to each.

It doesn’t need to be neatly placed inside, in this case messier is better.

Place the hurricanes in a series on your table or scattered throughout the room. It will create a warm ambience and is an easy way to add a little lighting.

Intoxicating Holiday Aromas Although store shelves are stocked with aromatic oils, diffusers and holiday candles,

there is one tradition from my childhood that I continue to do to this day and so does my mother. We take a cinnamon stick, clove and sometimes an orange peel and place in a small pot of water, bring to a boil and then let simmer. The aromas that permeate throughout the house immediately transform your home into a festive holiday experience.

Layers of Warmth Now that colder months are upon us, consider adding layers of texture and warmth to your home much like you would the clothes on your back. Place cozy blankets and throws in a large basket in your living room that are easily accessible. Place comfy toss pillows in holiday metallics or earthy velvety textures or faux fur to add an element of warmth and softness.

Consider changing out area rugs for longer pile shag rugs. Visually they are warm, inviting and make sprawl-

ing out on the floor a comfortable option when your holiday guests exceed your seating capacity. Plus, they are so comfy underfoot!

Whether you are hosting for a large group or spend the holidays on your own, transforming your home in celebration will transform your mood and inspire in you the spirit of the holidays. Giving thanks and sharing Gods love is what this season is all about - paying it forward to those in need, showing and sharing gratitude with those you love and giving thanks to our God above.

Wishing you a blessed holiday filled with compassion, love and sharing this holiday season!

Julie Hite-Neilitz of HITE HOUSE Home Furnishings www.hite-house.com 6360 Stadium Drive

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

Training: of the person by the pet The volunteers of Kalamazoo Animal Rescue are owned by furry friends, and fur people have excellent skills in training. We may not always follow the rules given to us by our fellow humans, but the pets easily train us in our lives. No matter the education—high school, technical school, or master’s degree; no matter the career— pharmaceutical, engineering, librarian or retired; no matter the hobbies—cooking, traveling, photography or sports; we are all capable of being molded by our furry buddies.

The following are lessons learned by our volunteers from their pets and fosters:

My cat has trained me to give her treats every time I put a book down.

It started just at night, but now she stays near whenever I have a book in hand, awaiting her treat. ~ Kim B. When our dog barks at the end of his dinner, he has my husband trained to scrape the remaining food from around the inside edge of his bowl and hand feed it to him. ~ Kat M. Our two cats will stretch up to me with their arms high because they want hugs and cuddles.

While I sit on the sofa, my Pit Bull

will come to me and bark.

Depending on what he wants, he has a different bark. ~ Susan C.

My cat Heidi has trained me to turn on the faucet in the bathroom for her to drink fresh water.

My dogs Princess and Oscar have trained me to feed one first and the second dog across the room. ~ Candy B. After eating breakfast, our dog wants out in the backyard. Immediately after coming inside, she wants her first playtime. She will “dance” in place until we play.

When our cat wants fresh cold water, she goes to the water fountain and meows until I add two ice cubes; only then will she drink. ~ Carl B. My cat has trained me that if I need a hug, just pick him up and he will reach his arms out and wrap them around my neck.

My cat has trained me that when it’s bedtime, we better head to bed.

Otherwise she will pace around me until we do. ~ Anna V. Our dog, Apollo, has trained me to give him a treat (or two or three) before I go to work. He has also trained us to bring a toy home from the store

each time we get groceries. ~ Kelly At my advanced age I wake up in the morning wishing I could stay in bed, but knowing my fosters need me to let them out and have breakfast ...

I get up ... they are waiting for me.

They know when I feed them that four of them get fed first and they wait patiently while I feed the others by hand.

I feed dinner between 4:30 and 5 p.m. daily. If I am reading or watching TV, and I’ve passed the time, they sound the alarm with their barks saying, “Mom, it’s dinner time!” ~ Dusty R. My tuxedo Moe has trained my husband and me to pick him up in order to chase a bug that’s just out of

his reach! He’ll see a bug and come find us and cry until we pick him up and take him to the bug so he can catch it!

Our other cat, Chloe, has us trained to give her cuddles when we get home! She always greets us at the door and will follow us around purring/meowing until we pick her up!

It’s sweet! :) ~ Justine If you’re a pet owner, I’m sure you can think of many examples of how your pet has trained you.

Kim Bourner & Volunteers of KAR Reprinted with permission from the Kalamazoo Animal Rescue Newsletter, Fall 2017.

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

cold weather means e g a t n i V classic movies

November is here and it’s time to get ready for colder weather and shorter days. This might mean spending more time inside with family and friends, or just on your own, and that’s a good thing! During the winter months, I look forward to catching up on some of the classics. You might think I’m referring to literature, and that’s great too, but in this case I’m all about the movies! There are many, so let’s take a look at just a few to keep you entertained during the winter months and beyond. Grab your favorite blanket and person(s), some good munchies and get ready to settle in!

If you want to go waaay back, take a look at Phantom of the Opera, released November 15, 1925. It is based on the novel by French writer Gaston Leroux and features a young soprano who becomes the obsession of a

disfigured musical genius. This was later made into a musical written

by Andrew Lloyd Weber and that’s fabulous too.

If you’re in the mood for some vintage slapstick comedy, check out the 1936 Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times. It offers a slapstick skewering of industrial America and is considered Charles Chaplin’s last silent film. Another classic from the ‘30’s is It Happened One Night, a screwball comedy that won all five major Academy Awards for 1934, starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

In the 1940’s Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman were all the rage, and the movie classic Casablanca proved it! This turned out to be one of America’s most beloved films, captivating wartime adventure and romance. Another successful Bogart film The Maltese Falcon, suspenseful and brilliantly cast, is a showcase for Bogart at his finest. We can’t leave the ‘40’s without mentioning Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant, all featured in The Philadelphia

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Most of us are familiar with the name Alfred Hitchcock, and for good reason. Just a few of his films include Vertigo, The Rear Window, Dial M for Murder and North by Northwest.

Alfred Hitchcock was an English director and filmmaker known as the “Master of Suspense” and often had cameo appearances in his films. His films featured big stars such as Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. His biggest commercial success was Psycho, which he directed in 1960 and won his fifth nomination for Best Director at the Academy Awards. One of my 1950’s favorites is Rebel Without a Cause, starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, a melodrama featuring insight into ‘50’s juvenile attitude and angst.

The 1960’s brings us to The Beatles, and the 1964 movie A Hard Day’s Night. This film has proven itself to be a rock and roll movie classic and features The Beatles as themselves, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison.

The Hustler is another 1960’s classic, featuring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason who give iconic performances in this dark, morally complex tale of redemption. One more Alfred

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Hitchcock is the 1963 film, The Birds, where he turns birds into one of the most terrifying villains in horror history!

Last, but certainly not least, are a couple of the Christmas classics. A White Christmas, starring Rosemary Clooney, Vera- Ellen, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, is a story of Christmas, romance and friendship during the post WWII era. It is a Paramount Pictures film and was the first to be released in Vista Vision, featuring songs by Erving Berlin. If you like singing and dancing, you’ll love this! Another Christmas classic is the 1946 fantasy comedy drama, It’s a Wonderful Life, featuring Jimmy Stewart. This film is based on the story “The greatest Gift”, written

by Philip Van Doren Stern in 1939.

Despite a slow start at the box office, it is considered one of the most critically acclaimed films ever made.

There are so many amazing and wonderful movies over the years, and these are just a very few. For more check out “100 Best Classic Movies of All Time” online site, and get ready for some serious winter warmth and entertainment. Vintage love to you all!

Carry

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

The top books published this month that librarians across the country love The Rules of Magic: A Novel

by Alice Hoffman

Seven Days of Us: A Novel

by Francesca Hornak

“The Rules of Magic is the prequel to Hoffman’s Practical Magic. Here we learn the background of sisters Franny, Jet, and their brother Vincent. The story begins with all three as teens, ostracized for being witches. Their mother sets up rules designed to suppress their natural ability. When the siblings are sent to visit their aunt they learn family secrets and find out who they truly are. I was enraptured by this fabulous book, which is filled with magic and charm.”

“The Birch family will be spending the Christmas holiday in quarantine, thanks to eldest daughter Olivia’s recent relief work in a disease-infested Liberia. She has returned to England but must be in quarantine for seven days. This family has not ever spent that much time in each other’s company.

Each person has secrets that are slowly revealed over the course of the seven days. It is particularly interesting to watch them become the family that they should have been all along: supportive and loving. An enjoyable read.”

Terri Smith, Cornelia Habersham County Library, Cornelia, GA

We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True

by Gabrielle Union

“Union writes with such heart and energy that it really does feel like she’s talking to you while you share one (or several) bottles of wine. She touches on so many topics, including infidelity, women’s sexual health, and teaching young black men to protect themselves in a world that fears them. She also manages to talk about multiple famous people without sounding fawning, with the exception of Prince, which makes sense because…it’s Prince. I thoroughly enjoyed this title and can’t wait to put it in the hands of others.”

Lisa Hoffman, Bloomfield Public Library, Bloomfield, NJ

Cheryl Braud, Iberia Public Library, New Iberia, LA

Uncommon Type: Some Stories

by Tom Hanks

“Hanks writes about characters that he would love to play in the movies, had they been written. This collection of stories holds a myriad of emotions, settings, and time periods with two common threads: the typewriter and uncommonly normal men and women. You love the characters because you have something in common with all of them – some win, some lose, some are heroic and some timid, but they are all borne of the human existence and go largely unnoticed. Hank’s charm and wit come through.”

Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, Austin, TX

For book recommendations from your Kalamazoo Public Library Staff go to www.kpl.gov/blog/

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9

November 2017

GOOD NEWS

In Search of our Super-Powers A Mother and Daughter Adventure Series

Homeward Boundary Let

Jane: I like my gravel driveway.

It’s a little bumpy and tricky to plow in the winter, but we only need to dress it with a layer of stones every ten years for the entire cost of upkeep. Grass grows between the tire paths, but that’s easy to mow. We have a small, poured concrete pad in front of the garage, and a brick sidewalk to the front door, so mud doesn’t come into the house on a rainy day. Overall, the rustic, textured appeal provides me with a solid place to drive and few issues.

Every so often, an asphalt company leaves a brochure in our screen door, offering to smooth out the driveway with solid, black tarmac, and I wonder why I am not tempted to make my driveway look like the street?

Ellen: Driveways are the natural entrance and exit point to our homes.

The gravel drive my mom likes so well runs most of the length of one side of the lot, ending in a gentle slope to the street. When we were young and training our dog Trixie the boundaries of her new home, we would march her down the driveway and command her to sit at the end of it. “Home” we’d say, emphasizing the start and finish of our little world every time we crossed onto the stones, “Home.”

I’m not sure how much that subtle

training worked; Trixie still ran away a lot. But she always came back, breaking into a jaunty trot as she crossed back across the driveway into the yard. Ignoring our worried faces she would bump us with her nose as if to say, “See? Home.”

Vacations began and ended at that boundary. The stresses of long school days would ease as the car turned off the street. Neighbors, trick-ortreaters, UPS men, they all used it.

Sometimes we’d have to go out and shovel to keep it clear, or shuffle cars to get everyone in and out on time. It has always been an important nexus, a meeting point, and a goodbye place.

Lots of us will be venturing forth from our own to more distant driveways this holiday season. Some of us will have to turn back after a few blocks, run back up the drive to check the door. Some might say a small prayer for safety as they start off. Some might be happy to see it in the rearview. Whether it takes a long drive, or a flight before we get there, eventually we’ll be walking up another driveway and breathing a deep contented sigh. It almost seems like a miracle how good reaching that driveway makes you feel.

See? Home Jane & Ellen Knuth

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November 2017

Adrianne’s Boutique is a wonderful addition to the downtown Kalamazoo business scene. Offering fun, comfortable and affordable women’s clothing in sizes - Small through 3XL. The boutique offers sweaters, tunics, leggings, cardigans, jackets, sweatshirts, jeans, dresses and much more, all hand selected by owner, Adrianne Merkling, to offer shoppers a variety of styles to choose from at prices they can afford - prices range from $6 $60. Solid & patterned leggings are available for only $10-$15 (child size leggings are also on hand).

In addition to clothing items and accessories (gloves, hats, scarves, shawls….), Adrianne’s Boutique offers wonderful gift items produced in Michigan, including: Sassy Olive headbands, goats milk soaps & lotions by The Vintage Tub out of Ludington, soy candles by Bundles of

Soy out of Grand Rapids and hooded sweatshirts screen printed locally by Perzonal Platez & More. A few of the more popular sweatshirt slogans are: “I’m Freaking Cold”, and “Kinda Classy, Kinda Hood.”

Adrianne graduated from WMU with a Biomedical Science degree and began working as an analytical flavor chemist until the company moved its operations closer to their factory in Switzerland, Adrianne took a little time off to spend with her three boys, Silas, Cameron and Jamison, before becoming a LuLaRoe Clothing Consultant. Before long Adrianne wanted to operate her own business and opened The Mobile Boutique by Adrianne Merkling in a 16-passenger bus that was converted to a mobile boutique by her talented husband, Justin. She held private parties and attended community events, including Lunchtime Live and

GOOD NEWS

participated in the sidewalk sales in downtown Kalamazoo, through out the summer. Word spread fast about her clothing business and before long she realized that she needed a brick and mortar store. When a storefront became available in a prominent location on the downtown mall, she jumped at the opportunity. And the rest, as they say, “is history.” Adrianne’s Boutique officially opened its doors on October 1st.

Adrianne enjoys interacting with people and loves the energetic atmosphere of Downtown Kalamazoo.

“Being located downtown makes me feel more involved in the community,” she says. The community has welcomed her with open arms and she has been hearing plenty of positive feedback regarding her selection, prices and size ranges.

The store is open 7 days a week - Monday 10:30-5pm, Tuesday-

Saturday 10:30am-6pm and Sunday Noon-4pm. Stop in this month during Art Hop, after the Holiday Parade, check out her specials on Black Friday or stop in the next day on Small Business Saturday. You can also shop online at adriannesboutique.com.

Gift cards are available for in-store and online purchases. Frequent shoppers are rewarded with a free pair of leggings after 10 purchases.

Earn free clothing by hosting a private party or a Ladies Night Out event for your friends.

Adrianne’s Boutique is located at 245 South Kalamazoo Mall. For more information call 267-6924, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

Jackie Merriam

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Holiday-themed workshops: ◆ Sunday, 11/5: Glass Ornaments 10a-3p ◆ Friday, 11/17: Greeting Card Printmaking 6-9p ◆ Thursday, 12/7 Wreath Design 6-8p ◆ Monday, 12/11 Holiday Arrangement 6-8p

Art classes for all ages and abilities begin in January

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November 2017

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GOOD NEWS

Spiders, Mosquitos & Flies, Oh My!

What am I? Am I a citizen scientist? A backyard naturalist? Nature enthusiast? Biophile? (Someone who is attracted to the living world) A nemophilist? (Someone who’s fond of forests)? Or, as a Facebook friend referred to me, a nature girl? I’ve found all these great names for myself, but it’s just that... I love nature.

On foot, on a bicycle, or just plain ‘forest bathing’ as the Japanese call it, I love to get out there. And no, ‘forest bathing’ doesn’t mean taking a bath in the forest! :) It just means taking in the forest atmosphere for health, or shinrin-yoku.

Michigan is the prettiest state in the country in my humble opinion.

There’s nowhere else that has our unique blend of seasons, forests, wildlife, and five inland seas. When I’m in the woods, I like to get up close to things to see all the little details, not just look at the trees, but look close up at the bark, the insects, leaves, and sometimes the unique fungi. I post on Facebook the nature photos I’ve taken along the miles of trails and parks that crisscross Kalamazoo County. But this summer one segment of nature seemed to stand out more than the others, and that was... the SPIDERS. Have you noticed this summer we seem to have grown a super-sized assortment of bulging arachnids? Starting with the jumbo spider that wove her web across the stairs on the side of our deck. I love

nature, but please! I just can’t seem to get past feeling squeamish when it comes to spiders. I didn’t use those stairs for part of this summer.

Several of us compared spider sizes this summer just as enthusiastically as deer hunters count the points on bucks. And maybe the size of the spiders this year has something to do with a minor mystery that we and other locals have noticed. Where have the masses of mosquitoes and flies been this year? We only used insect repellant a couple of times this summer, when we usually go through a bottle or two in one season. Well,

of course I know the answer to that burning question - the well-fed jumbo spiders picked off the mosquitoes and flies! In that case, Mrs. Spi-

der, you can stay on my deck as long as you like. I won’t use those stairs next summer either, if you promise to save me money on insect repellent again. Truthfully now, I don’t really believe that all the huge spiders were the real reason my summer seemed to be insect free. But.... what was the reason? The wetlands on three sides of our house seemed to have enough water for most of the summer. Despite a little less rain this year, we’ve had dry years before and still had a respectable amount of mosquitoes.

Any entomologists out there that can

shed some light on this question?

Spiders and insects aside, I still can’t decide on the right moniker for myself. Probably the best one would be ‘nature enthusiast’. But I can’t worry about names right now. I have to scurry outside and enjoy Michigan’s amazing fall weather and give in to my biophilic and neophilistic nature to enjoy the psithurism and petrichor of Michigan. You should too. :) 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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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

local handprint. Small michigan brands with huge community impact.

Local Handprint is about people who make a community impact. Not just the people behind the brands, but the people in this state who are loyal to those brands because they care about this greater good.

program requires grocery stores to purchase locally. Over the past five years, just from within their store, they’ve channeled $2.5M in local purchasing back into the local farm and food economy, with that same amount of local commerce annually likely coursing through the Kalamazoo Farmers Market alone. And they do all of this while being cognizant of social and environmental impacts, and while striving hard to be one of the best local employers.

“We try to feature local businesses and products in our store as much as possible,” said Chris. About 28% of the products available for purchase at PFC Grocery & Deli come from local vendors, producers, and farmers. That’s 104 local businesses with products on the shelves, which is up from 95 last year.

PFC is in business to innovate and transform how our community feeds itself. That’s big local impact!

Facebook: Local Handprint, Website: Handmadekalamazoo.com/ Local-Handprint, Instagram: Local_Handprint.

PFC Grocery & Deli’s core philosophy is that they exist to provide access for all to food that is healthy for people and the economy. It’s this mindset that has led them into plenty of community engagement projects over the years. Their most recent, called Change for Change, allows customers the option of rounding up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar (or more) and donating that change to whichever nonprofit is featured that month. To date, they’ve raised nearly $20,000 benefiting eight Kalamazoo non-profit organizations.

In the past 10 years, PFC has partnered to launch two area non-profits, Fair Food Matters which creates opportunities for area youth to get their hands in the soil, and Can-Do

Melissa Al-Azzawi of Handmade Kalamazoo

Kitchen, which works with entrepreneurs to launch food businesses.

They have brought SNAP access and then the Double Up Food Bucks program to area farmers markets.

Most recently, in partnership with the Hunger-Free Community Coalition, they’ve helped bring Double Up Food Bucks access to three Kalamazoo grocers, including the PFC. This

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

parental Permission slip Please take this permission slip and hold on to it. You will need it. Some day. Maybe not today, but some day.

You have my permission to have a bad day. You have my permission to get upset over spilled milk.

There will come a day when you are looking around and thinking “Does what I just did make me a bad parent?” Did you cut down rocking and singing before bedtime to 12 minutes from 15 minutes? Did you not go in their room after they were crying for 3 minutes because maybe, just maybe, this time they really needed something besides a cup of milk, one more hug, shifting the curtains to the right one inch, etc.?

We are programmed as parents that as soon as our children are born that we second-guess ourselves daily.

Some days we lay in bed at night and take a mental note of “parenting fails” we had for the day.

I forgot to pack lunch I didn’t wait until she was ALL the way in the school before pulling out of the car line I picked him up from after-school care with 1 minute to spare We missed soccer practice because I didn’t check my calendar Those are permission slip days. You have permission to have hiccups. Perfection is not a goal. It’s a pipe dream.

As parents, there is no report card.

There is no quality auditor checking boxes if we have the best bedtime

routine or chore chart with stickers.

I have heard so many times, “Why can’t kids come with a how-to manual?” That’s easy. Because they are just too many brands and models of them to make that many manuals! No, Really... It’s actually because they are tiny humans and not robots.

We ask for help when we need it and we try our best. It’s not a parenting fail if you need help, whether paid or unpaid. The stigma surrounding professional help for parenting is often what feeds this guilt and frustration parents often have. Do I seek help

or is this just like any other kid this age? So, you set off to Google articles about kids doing the same things.

And then it leads to another article then to a blog then to a professional study. Then your head is spinning and you are convinced that you must be the worst parent in the world because you did not do steps 1 through 18 of how to raise a happy, healthy child from that random parenting blog written by a professional writer who may or may not even have children.

You have my permission to only check off 6 of those 18 steps. You

have my permission to delete that bookmark from your browser and never reference it again. If you are doing your best even on the worst days then you are doing just fine.

And when that day comes when you need to use that permission slip, hand it in guilt-free and rest well. You’ve got this!

Arlene Kemp, LMSW Integrated Behavioral Health Psychological Services Kalamazoo

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

West oshtemo grange Celebrates 100 Years!

W.W. Deal started the local West Oshtemo Grange in 1917. The Grange, also known as Order of Patrons in Husbandry, was the first major farm organization and began in 1867. The original purpose of this organization was to raise the occupational level of agriculture to those of other industries.

Originally, the local West Oshtemo Grange unit met in a church, across the street from where their building was being erected at 3234 North 3rd Street in Oshtemo Township.

The Grange was completed four years later in 1921. Unfortunately fire demolished the building in 1936. However, this time it took just 90 days to have the new building constructed. In 1980 the Grange building was purchased by Oshtemo Township with an agreement that the West Oshtemo Grange could continue to meet there.

The building has recently gone through major renovations and has just reopened. The total project cost was approximately $350,000, according to the Oshtemo Charter Township Parks Director, Karen High. “A small addition was constructed at the front of the building with an elevator and new stairs. A barrier-free unisex restroom was added to the upper level. The restrooms in the lower level were reconfigured so they are now barrier free. The stairs at the rear of the building were also replaced - old stairs were steep and uneven.

Windows in the lower level were replaced to allow more natural light,” said High.

The Grange is the nation’s oldest national agricultural organization, with grassroots units established in 3,600 local communities in 37 states. Its 300,000 members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including

economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. It was formed in the years following the American Civil War to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation’s farm population. Over the past 137 years, it has evolved to include non-farm rural families and communities.

The Grange is also a fraternal order known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, hence the “P of H” on the organization’s logo. Founding members determined that a fraternal organization would be best able to combine loyalty and democratic ideals to provide service to others. The Grange was one of the first formal groups to admit women to membership on the basis of equality with men. It remains so today.

The local West Oshtemo Grange has met on the first Friday of every month since its inception - missing only one meeting over the past 100 years, due to a massive snowstorm that made roads impassable, according to West Oshtemo Grange President, Gene Rhodes (A.K.A. Gene The Pumpkin Man). The Oshtemo Grange holds a local acoustic Jam Session on the 3rd Friday of each month at 6:30pm. The Jam Sessions began 12 years ago and continue to

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meet monthly. This is a community event and is open for the public. The next session takes place in the newly renovated, barrier-free Grange Hall on Friday, November 17th.

Please come out for the Oshtemo Grange Hall Open House and Reopening Celebration on Saturday, November 11th, beginning at 4pm.

The Community potluck starts at 5:30pm, followed by a Reopening Ceremony at 6:30pm and country dancing from 7-10:30pm with music by the Brook Farm String Band courtesy of Country Dancing in Kalamazoo.

Jackie Merriam

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

Recipes The Splendor of Squash One of the most marvelous things we don’t consider enough is how versatile, colorful and flavorful winter squash is to consume!

Grouped according to when it is harvested – summer or winter – winter squash always has a skin that is thick, inedible, durable and tough. On the inside you will also find a hollow cavity containing hard seeds.

These attributes make winter squash a good keeper and also one we can use

for table decoration, too!

Offering a dense flesh, winter squash contain many nutrients, most especially vitamin A, which studies have shown may help protect against emphysema and decrease the incidence of lung cancer.

Winter squash also contains folate, which has been shown to reduce the incidence of birth defects when consumed by women before and during pregnancy.

Buttery-Sweet Acorn Bowls

1 acorn squash 1/4-cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1-teaspoon ground Saigon cinnamon 1/8-teaspoon ground nutmeg, to taste 1/8-teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste Split squash in half, scoop out seeds and fibers. Place in a steamer pot with a tight-fitting lid and steam until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place halves in

a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle each halve with equal amounts of sugar, spices, and salt. Drizzle with equal amounts of melted butter then bake until squash is tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Finish under broiler for 2 minutes, if desired.

Approximate servings per recipe: 2.

Nutrition per serving: Calories 260; Fat 10g; Sodium 210mg; Potassium 781 mg; Carbohydrates 41g; Fiber 4g; Sugar 17g; Protein 2g.

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Additionally, folate also helps reduce the incidence of colon cancer and can help prevent heart attacks by working against elements that tend to break down our blood vessel structures.

Ranging anywhere from ebony to ivory, petite to poundage and savory to sweet, there are many members of the winter squash genus and each one is guaranteed to bring its own unique, palate personality to your plate!

Winter squash is a good keeper so,

you can use them to decorate – if kept in a cool, dry place – until while you decide on which one and which way you’d like to eat them and the rind, if cleaned and kept intact, can also be used as a unique serving bowl, too!

Here now are some quick and delicious ways to indulge in the splendor of squash - Enjoy!

Laura Kurella

Super-Simple Spaghetti Squash

1 medium spaghetti squash 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2-cup butter Salt and pepper Cayenne pepper Cut the squash in half. Scoop out seeds and throw them away.

Put squash in a baking dish, face down, pour 1/2 an inch of water in

pan and bake about an 1-hour at 350 degrees. Take a fork and scrape the inside of the squash into strings, letting them fall into a serving bowl. Toss with Parmesan cheese and butter. Salt and pepper, to taste. Return to shells for serving, if desired. Calories 158; Fat 9g; Carbohydrates 0.5g; Protein 5g.

Sweet Roasted Butternut Squash

Juice of one lemon Juice of one orange 1-tablespoon sugar 1-teaspoon tarragon 1-tablespoon butter 1/4-teaspoon pepper 3 -1 pound sweet dumpling squash Tarragon sprigs for garnish Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, combine juices, sugar, 1-teaspoon tarragon, butter, and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer

until reduced to half. Remove from heat and keep warm. Cut squash into quarters. Remove seeds and stringy pulp. Place cut side down on cookie sheet and bake 30 minutes. Scrape sides of squash with fork then drizzle sauce over before serving. Garnish with tarragon sprig if desired.

Servings per recipe: 6. Nutritional facts per serving: Calories 101; Fat 2g; Carbohydrates 22g; Fiber 2g; Protein 2g.

Sweet-Roasted Butternut Squash 1 medium butternut squash 1/2-cup brown sugar 6 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scrub squash rind then cut lengthwise into quarters. Scoop out seeds. Place squash on a baking sheet, rind side down, and spray flesh with cooking

spray. Sprinkle flesh with salt, pepper and brown sugar then dab with butter. Bake for 30 minutes or until fork tender.

Approximate servings per recipe: 4. Per serving: Calories 360; Fat 18g; Sodium168mg; Carbohydrates 50g; Fiber 6g; Sugar 30g; Protein 3g.

health November 2017

Well here we are, back for another crack at the pop quiz. I hope that Part 1 was informative and fun at the same time. For those of you who scored poorly, here’s another chance.

For those of you who got a perfect score, please send me your resume.

Here we go.

1.Which is the surest way to get enough vitamin D? a) Drink a glass of milk everyday b)Take a daily supplement c)Eat an egg every day d) Spend 30 minutes a day outdoors e.)Eat a daily yogurt 2. Exercise is LEAST likely to prevent: a) Breast cancer b) Cataracts c) Colds d) Colon cancer e) Esophageal cancer 3. Caffeine in MOST likely to lower your risk of: a) Type 2 diabetes b) Pancreatic cancer c) Parkinson’s disease d) High blood pressure e) Irregular heartbeat 4. Which is the LEAST likely to lower your risk of cataracts? a) Not smoking b) Eating leafy greens c) Taking a multivitamin d) Taking high doses of vitamin C

16

pop quiz part 2

e) Wearing sunglasses year round 5. Which is LEAST likely to keep pre-diabetes from becoming diabetes a) Taking a multivitamin b) Exercising c) Cutting carbs d) Losing excess weight e) Drinking coffee 6. Saturated fat has been linked to all but ONE of these problems. Which one? a) Heart attack b) Breast cancer c) Belly fat d) Type 2 diabetes e) Arthritis 7. In the best of studies, high doses of antioxidant supplements lowered the risk of: a) Heart disease b) Advanced macular degeneration c) Stroke d) Colon cancer e) Lung cancer 8. Four of these 5 supplements FAILED to prevent memory loss.

Which one is still being tested in a major trial? a) Prevagen b) Vitamin E c) DHA d) Ginkgo e) Vitamin D Answers:

GOOD NEWS

#1. Adults need 600 International Units (IU) a day and 800 IU after the age 70. Therefor the answer is: a daily supplement. #2. The answer is colds. People who exercise also have a lower risk of cancers of the bladder, kidney, liver, lung, stomach, and uterus. #3. The answer is Parkinson’s disease. But it must be regular coffee, not decaf. #4. There is evidence for all, except vitamin C. #5. Weight loss and exercise are backed by the strongest evidence

#6. The answer is arthritis. The evidence is strongest for heart attack. #7. The answer is advanced macular degeneration. #8. The answer is vitamin D. On a personal note, I have been part of a 5 year Vital Study the results of which will be available in 2018.

Had enough of tests? I agree.

Till next time, Ken Dettloff ACE Certified Personal Trainer.

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GOOD NEWS

United Through Food November is the month to let the food you’ve harvested from your garden bring people together to steep in autumn’s enchantment. Even if your garden plot stopped adding sustenance to your plate months ago, it’s still a wonderful time to whip up favorite family recipes. This is the season of giving and, for me, one that’s synonymous with food.

I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by great chefs. My mother and grandmother’s Italian traditions ensured frigid days were staved off with piping hot pans of lasagna smothered in homemade sauce, and holiday tables were dressed with roasts, garlicy vegetables and cannoli.

My dad was continuously fixing big pots of seasonal soups and chilis, always factoring that me or my brother

would wander in with a friend or two around dinnertime.

Just because cool weather and cozy comfort food have rolled, that doesn’t mean there’s not still work to be done. Harvest Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, kale and cabbage.

Continue to thin tender greens that thrive in cooler weather. Mulch what needs extra protection from the cold. And when that’s done, kick up your feet and enjoy an inspirational book (I recommend Farm City: The Education of an Urban Farmer by Novella Carpenter or The Dirty Life

by Kristin Kimball).

Now’s the time to start jotting down your ambitions for 2018. When you come home from a trip to the grocery store, take inventory of the produce you purchased. Start mak

As the earth begins its descent into

ing a list of what you’d like to take a shot at growing next year. Foods like squashes, potatoes, onions, and garlic – these have a long storage life after harvest and are relatively easy to grow. Jars of pickles, crushed tomatoes, jams and jellies – these are just a few edibles that can be made with home-grown fruits and veggies with kitchen tools you likely already have on hand. Learn how to build a simple hoop house or cold frame to extend your growing season. Now’s the time to dream.

winter slumber, take time to slow down and celebrate the one thing that truly unites us all: food.

Happy holiday season, all!

Meg Gernaat is a Kalamazoo native growing what she can on her almostacre of land. See what she’s up to at WestEHomestead.com.

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November 2017

GOOD NEWS

K’ZOO FOLKLIFE ORGANIZATION LOAVES AND FISHES BENEFIT CONCERT SAT, NOV. 18th 6:30 PM TO 10 PM (Doors Open at 6 PM)

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the K’zoo Folklife Organization in partnership with the Kalamazoo Area Loaves and Fishes Organization are pleased to present their Annual Benefit Concert. Featuring a special evening of top quality acoustic music performances, the event is designed to raise funds and food donations for needy families and individuals in the

Kalamazoo County area.

Bluegrass, Country, Folk, Barbershop, original music and more! The concert features top name local and regional performers. This year performers will include: “The Schlitz Creek Bluegrass Band” who performs a unique variety of bluegrass music that includes standard bluegrass tunes as well as a collection of refreshing

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and unusual choices for a bluegrass band.

“Borr and McFerrin” craft Folk, Americana and pop influenced songs that are original, yet reminiscent of traditional styles. “Bob Rowe and the Green Valley Boys” share joy through Folk, OldTime Country, Gospel and Pop music. “Who Hit John?” Incorporates Gypsy Jazz, Swing and European flavors into an already eclectic collage of barnstorming old time originals and traditionals. They blend old world music with a vibrant breath of excitement and soul. “4 Got 2 Shave” is a barbershop quartet whose repertoire also includes gospel, Dixieland, doo-wop and even a little pop. “The Bride of Fleckenstein” is an acoustic trio that loves to break the rules - blending influences from folk, bluegrass rock and Indy. It’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday evening!

The event will be held in the Trinity Lutheran Church located at 504

South Westnedge in Kalamazoo.

Parking is available in the rear of the church. Admission is by cash donation or by a gift of non-perishable food items.

K’zoo Folklife Mission: “To promote the presentation and preservation of multicultural, traditional and contemporary folk music, dance and arts for the education and enrichment of our community”.

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes Mission: “Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry people and engage our community in the fight to end hunger.” They provide an average of 700 people with groceries each day.

19

November 2017

GOOD NEWS

ENVIRONMENT GO GREEN THIS FALL Autumn is here and it’s the perfect time to prepare for going green!

With rain falling and plenty of snow on the way, have you ever thought about where your gutters empty? I’m guessing that when rain empties out of your gutters, it falls onto the driveway and washes down into a storm drain or into the street.

Instead of sending the water into storm drains, add an extension to your gutters to allow the water to flow into some grass. Re-routing your gutters allows the rainwater to replenish groundwater systems instead of being sent to municipalities. However, be sure to send the water away from the foundation of your house to prevent damage.

The cooler weather also means that everyone is turning up their thermostats. You don’t have to freeze yourself in your own home to help

the environment and save money. Instead, just turn the thermostat down two degrees from your normal comfortable temperature.

Humans can barely feel a two-degree temperature difference. Just this small difference over the long fall and winter months can add up to huge savings! Wearing a sweater can make up for the lower temperature in your home.

Roughly speaking, a light FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT® FOR HEALTHY LIVING FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

FOR COMMUNITY November is for thanks giving, so let’s GIVE!

For over 150 years, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has provided support and services to our local area to build healthy body, mind and spirit.

Throughout November, we’re collecting dry food-goods at both locations for THE KALAMAZOO GOSPEL MISSION, our community’s only over-night homeless shelter, to help build up its food pantry.

Please stop by and drop off your favorite healthy, dry-good food donations. Thinking to join the Y? Donate five or more items and we’ll waive the joiner fee. We’re not just a gym.

We’re a community center built up through a membership that lifts our neighbors and each other.

The Y. For All. Maple Branch 1001 W. Maple St. Kalamazoo MI 49008 269-345-9622

kzooymca.org

Portage Branch 2900 W. Centre Ave. Portage MI 49024 269-324-9622

long-sleeved sweater is worth about 2 degrees of added warmth, while a heavy sweater adds about 4 degrees.

I occasionally enjoy a nice wood fire to keep warm on fall and winter nights. If you’re like me, I have a few tips to make this practice more environmentally friendly. Be sure to use only dry firewood. While this may seem obvious, even slightly damp firewood creates a lower-temperature fire, resulting in more partially burned particulate matter (small pieces of wood, or any other material being burned, that pollute the

air) being sent through the chimney and into the atmosphere. Speaking of the chimney be sure to have it cleaned about once a year to prevent air pollution as well. Finally, never burn trash! Burning trash can release harmful particulate matter and harmful fumes.

Go out, enjoy the fall colors, and go green!

Judy Smith Heidelberg University Student

FREE November EVENTS Through January 7, 2018 Exhibit: Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990 Through January 14 Exhibit: Hateful Things: Jim Crow Museum Of Racist Memorabilia traveling exhibit Kalamazoo Valley Museum 373-7990 Tues. & Wed., Nov. 1, 7,8,14,15,21, 22,28,29 Kalamazoo Indoor Flea & Antique Market Kalamazoo County Expo Center 8am-2pm, 383-8681 Wednesday, November 1 Lunchtime Book Club: A Piece of the World Disability Network Southwest Michigan 12-1:30pm, 345-1516, x118 Wednesdays, November 1,8,15,22,29 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 5:30-8:30pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Wednesday, November 1 Music: Whisky Before Breakfast O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Wednesdays, November 1,8,15,22,29 Weekly Comedy Show/Open mic.

Harvey’s on the Mall 9-11pm (for ages 21+), 760-6251 Thursdays, November 2,9,16,23,30 Crafty Needles - Knitting Night Boatyard Brewing Co. 4-9pm, 226-0300 Thursdays, November 2,9,18,23,30 Singer/Songwriter Night Boatyard Brewing Co. Sign up at 6pm Performances 7-11pm 226-0300 Thursday, November 2 Music: Tom Duffield O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, November 3 Art Hop - Downtown Kalamazoo & In the Vine Neighborhood 5-8pm, 342-5059 Friday, November 3 Art Hop @ KIA 5-8pm, 349-7775 Friday, November 3 Art: Josh Gipson’s “Precison Productions” Music: Mechele Peters & ‘Til the Cowboys Come Home Kalamazoo Valley Museum Art 5pm, Music 6pm, 373-7990 Friday, November 3 Exhibit: Michael Dunn: Drawing on Words Kalamazoo Book Arts Center 6-9pm, 373-4938 Friday, November 3 Music: Benedict Dolly Rockers Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Fridays, November 3,10, 17 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7-10pm,, pattifleningmusic.com Saturdays, November 4,11,18,25 Kalamazoo Farmers’ Market 1204 Bank St. 7am-2pm, 337-8899 Saturday, November 4 Annual Fall Coin Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-3pm, 381-8669 Saturday, November 4 Christmas Boutique Arts & Crafts Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center 9am-3pm, 327-5373 Saturdays, November 4,11,18,25 Music: BenJammin’ and Analisa Educational entertainers & Kids breakfast Old Dog Tavern 10-11am, 381-5677 Saturday, November 4 Music: Jeff Willson Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300

Saturdays, November 4,11,18 Live Music: Potter’s Lounge 7-10pm, pattiflemingmusic.com Sundays, November 5,12,19,26 Portage Farmers Market Portage Senior Center 10am – 2pm, 337-8899 Sunday, November 5 Cooking Show with Laura Kurella Constantine High School, (LGI Room) 2pm Sunday, November 5 Meet Your Muslim Neighbors Food, conversation & more!

Parchment Community Library 4-6:30pm, 343-7747 Sundays, November 5,12,19,26 Bell’s Eccentric Café Sunday Team Trivia Doors open at 5pm Trivia 6-8pm, 382-2332 Sundays, November 5,12,19,26 Professional Blues Jam Old Dog Tavern 6-9pm, 381-5677 Sunday, November 5 Music The Three Divas Westminster Presbyterian Church 7pm, 344-3966, donations accepted Monday, November 6 Book Group: A Gentleman in Moscow Parchment Community Library 6:30pm, 343-7747 Mondays, November 6,13,20,27 Euchre Tournament Arcadia Brewing, Kalamazoo 7-11pm, 276-0458 Tuesdays, November 7,14,21,28 Sanctuary Yoga – Explore the practices Associated with Tibetan Buddhism 1919 Stearns Ave., Kalamazoo 7:15-8:30pm, (734) 368-8701 Tuesday, November 7 Knitting Club Parchment Community Library 3:30-5p, 343-7747 Tuesdays, November 7,14,21,28 Pub Trivia Night Arcadia Brewing, Kalamazoo 8-10pm, 276-0458 Tuesdays, November 7,14,21,28 Open Microphone Night Hosted by Steve Pesch & The DOC! Old Dog Tavern 8pm-midnight, 381-5677 Tuesday, November 7 Talk: War Memorials as Art Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775 Wednesday, November 8 Music: Carrie McFerrin O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Thursday, November 9 Balsamic Cocktails with a mixologist from Grand Traverse Distillery The Pantry On Tap, Portage 6:30pm, Must RSVP 978-6641 Thursday, November 9 Music: Megan Dooley O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666 Friday, November 10 Teen Night: pizza, pop, art & friends Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 6-8pm, 349-7775 Friday, November 10 Music: The Coz Effect Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Saturday, November 11 Annual Holiday Bazaar Crosstown Pkwy Senior Apts., Kal. 9am-3pm, (616) 334-5290 Saturday, November 11 Annual Arts & Craft Show Dowagiac Middle School 9am-3pm, 580-2331

Saturday, November 11 Kalamazoo Holiday Parade Downtown Kalamazoo 10:45am-1pm Saturday, November 11 Art Detectives: I’m an Artist Story, art & a project Ages 4-8 w/adult 11am, 349-7775 Saturday, November 11 Share The Love: After the parade Stop in to create gifts for loved ones Kalamazoo Valley Museum Noon-4pm, 373-7990 Sunday, November 12 Wind Energy With Tom Sutton Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Sunday, November 12 Live Music: Pine Lake Parchment Community Library 2pm, 343-7747 Sunday, November 12 WMU Symphony Orchestra Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 349-7759 Monday, November 13 Concert: WMU Electroacoustic Surround Sound Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 806-6597

Saturday, November 18 Christmas Bazaar Evergreen North Apartments, 5700 Vintage Ln., Kal. 10am-2pm, 352-1466 Saturday, November 18 Coffee, donuts & discussion with Lecia Brooks of Southern Poverty Law Center Kalamazoo Valley Museum 10:30am, 373-7990 Saturday, November 18 Front Page Discussion: Refugees Parchment Community Library 10:30am, 343-7747 Saturday, November 18 Loaves & Fishes Benefit Concert Trinity Lutheran Church, Kalamazoo $ Donation or non-perishable food item 6:30 – 10pm, 209-0371 Saturday, November 18 Music: The Coz Effect Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Sunday, November 19 Mindfulness Meditation Down Dog Yoga Center 1-3pm, 993-2486 Sunday, November 19 WMU Symphonic & Concert Bands Miller Auditorium 3pm, 806-6597

Tuesday, November 14 Talk: The Value of Art in Medicine Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775

Monday, November 20 Mystery Book Club: Sweet Revenge Parchment Community Library 6:30-7:30pm, 343-7747

Wednesday, November 15 Book Discussion: Chasing Portraits Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2pm, 349-7775

Monday, November 20 WMU Horn Choir Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 387-4667

Wednesday, November 15 Adult Craft, Peppermint Bath Bombs Comstock Township Library 5:30pm, 345-0135, Register ahead!

Tuesday, November 21 Video: History of Art in Three Colors Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Noon, 349-7775

Wednesday, November 15 Music: Out of Favor Boys O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666

Tuesday, November 21 WMU Guest Artist Recital: Parallax Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 387-4667

Thurs., - Sat., November 16-18 Weavers & Fiber Artists, 383-8778 Kalamazoo County Expo Center Thurs. 5-8pm, Fri 9am-8pm, Sat. 9am-4pm

Wednesday, November 22 Music: Joe Wang and The Test Pilots O’Duffy’s Pub 8-10pm, 344-5666

Thursday, November 16 Town Hall Meeting Parchment Community Library 7pm, 343-7747 Thursday, November 16 Guest Artist Recital: Robert Satterlee, Piano Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 387-4667 Friday, November 17 Lunch & Movie: Including Samuel Disability Network Southwest Michigan 12-12:30pm, 345-1516, x120 Fri. & Sat., November 17 & 18 Festival of Trees-trees, wreaths & gingerbread houses - Lawton Community Center Fri. 12-8pm, Sat. 10am-10pm, 655-8000 Friday, November 17 Poetry Reading: Z.G. Tomaszewski and Kaveh Akbar Kalamazoo Book Arts Center 7-8:30pm, 373-4938

Friday, November 24 Gift Book Sale - Friends Bookstore at Kalamazoo Public Library 10am-4pm, 553-7820 Friday, November 24 Tree Lighting Ceremony Bronson Park in Downtown Kalamazoo 5-7:30pm, 337-8006 Friday, November 24 Music: Amaze & Blue Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300 Sunday, November 26 Talk: Kalamazoo’s 1918 Influenza Epidemic Kalamazoo Valley Museum 1:30pm, 373-7990 Tuesday, November 28 Talk: Introducing the Richmond Produce Design and Innovation Institute Noon, 349-7775

Friday, November 17 Music: Steve Pesch Boatyard Brewing Co. 7-10pm, 226-0300

Wednesday, November 29 Meet the Artists Night W.K. Kellogg Manor House 6:30-8:30pm, 671-2400

Sat. & Sun., November 18-19 Holiday Expo and Craft Show Kalamazoo County Expo Center Sat. 9am-4pm, Sun. 10am-4pm, 383-8778

Thursday, November 30 Soap Making – Registration required Parchment Community Library 6:30pm, 343-7747

Saturday, November 18 Holiday Art Show & Sale Second Reformed Church 9am-4pm,

Thursday, November 30 WMU Guest Artist Recital: Meredith Arwady, Contralto Dalton Center Recital Hall 7:30pm, 387-4667