KalamazooBlog.com

Kalamazoo Reading Together

In September, Kalamazoo Public Library announced the selection of Rick Bragg’s series of memoirs:

• All over but the Shoutin'
• Ava's Man
• and the recently published The Prince of Frogtown

for the 2009 Reading Together program. Readers may choose to read any one or more of the series, as all feature the same themes. Learn more about these titles and their selection.

Reading Together book discussions and a wide variety of special events will take place in March and April of 2009. Rick Bragg will visit Kalamazoo on April 14, 2009, during National Library Week to conclude this year’s program.

In its sixth year, the Reading Together program invites people of all ages from all walks of life to read and then discuss important issues raised within a series of books. Thousands of Kalamazoo county residents have participated in the previous Reading Together programs.

Also of interest:

• myKalamazoo.com Reading Together Bookstore
• Reading Together 2008
• Reading Together 2006

 

Festival of Trees

There is no better way to celebrate the holidays than by being a part of the 19th Annual Festival of Trees.  Each year over 10,000 Kalamazoo area residents usher in the holiday season during this spectacular three-day event held at the Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites at the Kalamazoo Center in downtown Kalamazoo.

As the primary fundraiser for the Junior League of Kalamazoo, Festival of Trees has raised over $1 million to support the Junior League’s ongoing commitment to building better communities in the greater Kalamazoo area through community service projects and grants since its inception in 1990.

General Admission Hours and Prices:
Saturday - 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sunday - 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Adults $4
Seniors 65+ $2
Children (2-12) $2
Children Under 2 are free

Beautifully Designed Holiday Decorations
View uniquely designed trees, from 2 feet to 7-1/2 feet tall, stunning home vignettes and centerpieces, and designer wreaths and garland.  There are more than 150 decorated items in total, all of which are for sale or raffle.

Gingerbread Village
See mouth-watering creations presented by both amateur and professional bakers.  Each structure in the gingerbread village is for sale (or available by raffle).

Gift Shop
The Festival of Trees Gift Shop offers hundreds of holiday gifts, ornaments, local artwork, children's items, home accents and the commemorative edition of the Junior League of Kalamazoo's I've got a Cook in Kalamazoo! cookbook.  With such a wide array of items available, the Festival of Trees Gift Shop is the perfect place to begin and end your holiday shopping!

Visit the Junior League's Festival of Trees information on their website.

 

Also of interest:

• Order the 2009-2010 Kalamazoo SuperBook CouponBook as a Christmas gift
• Follow this blog on Google, Yahoo, MSN or Charter
• Follow this blog via email

 

Donor's Choose

What if there were a simple way to provide students with the books, technology, and supplies that they need to learn? What if people from all walks of life could connect directly with public schools, learn about specific classroom needs, and choose how to help? Donor's Choose makes this possible.

Currently, this great service seems to be underused. As the Kalamazoo region becomes even more educational-oriented, I suspect that more educators and philanthropists will partner together working towards helping our students in our communities. Currently, there are 141 projects in Michigan.

Here's how it works...

Donor's Choose is a simple way to provide students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. At this not-for-profit web site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.

Proposals range from "Magical Math Centers" ($200) to "Big Book Bonanza" ($320), to "Cooking Across the Curriculum" ($1,100). Any individual can search such proposals by areas of interest, learn about classroom needs, and choose to fund the project(s) they find most compelling. In completing a project, donors receive a feedback package of student photos and thank-you notes, and a teacher impact letter.

Kalamazoo on YouTube

Ron Kitchens tours the Kalamazoo region of southwest Michigan.

Mall Mixers

Downtown Kalamazoo's Mixers on the Mall are a middle of the week community social after hours on Wednesdays. A blend of music, co-workers, great weather, and good times happen each Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:30 starting June 4. Save the following dates:

• June 4, 11, 18, 25
• July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
• August 6, 13, 20, 27

More details will be posted on myKalamazoo.com