Just away from the intersection of Oakland Avenue and Winchell quietly sits the Kleinstuck Preserve. Truly a natural gem in the heart of Kalamazoo, the Preserve is a destination for neighbors, wildlife and many species of plants. Over the winter months, the Stewards of Kleinstuck, have embarked on a long range plan to help rejuvenate the Preserve and restore many of the native plants and forestation.
Fit MI is a self-directed fitness program designed to increase your level of physical activity and do your part to improve the health of your community. Bring the kids! Or form a team at work, church, school, or in your neighborhood. Compete for recognition. It's more fun to do as a team. Consider all of the moving activities that can be done to improve our health.
Register online to participate. There is no fee. You will be immediately connected to other Fit MI movers.
The 2008 Kalamazoo Borgess Run for the Health of It series of races takes place on April 25 and 26. Learn more about the 2008 races including a 5K/half marathon, 5K walk, Kids Fun Run, 5K Racewalk and a Motivational Mile. Visit www.BorgessRun.com for more details.
The annual Southwest Michigan Race for the Cure is scheduled at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place on May 17, 2008 from 7:30-11:30. Take part in this annual event that aims to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment.
ThingsTaDo.com recently emerged in Kalamazoo offering a selection of information such as hotels, dining, sports, health & beauty, organizations and services. Like myKalamazoo.com, it's one more way to learn about all that the greater Kalamazoo area has to offer.
The greater Kalamazoo area has many community resources for all residents of the county and surrounding areas. There are community organizations that benefit the lives of the area's youth, senior citizens, disabled citizens and many others. There are community groups who are interested in religion, sports, fitness, books and more. Please use the comments to include information about your organization that adds to our "cool community".
Girls on the Run is more than a program. It is a philosophy – a way of being. Girls on the Run is a life-changing character development program for girls in third, fourth and fifth grade (ages 8-12) that uses the power of running to teach every girl about her personal power and the importance of being healthy and active. The after-school program combines training to participate in a running event with self-esteem enhancing, uplifting workouts and a community service project. The teams - which consist of 8 to 15 girls - meet two times per week right after school for an hour and a half. Most teams begin meeting at about 3:30 or 3:45 pm. We do have some community organizations with teams that meet in the evening (6 pm or later).
The goal of the program is to encourage positive emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical development. Furthermore, we encourage participants to talk with their family every day about what is going on with them. The 10-week curriculum attempts to help each girl find and stay true to her REAL self.
Your help is needed for the upcoming 5K Celebration on June 7. Learn more how you can help.
The Southwest Michigan Komen Race for the Cure® is the signature event for the Komen Southwest Michigan Affiliate and is organized by a large committee of volunteers. The Southwest Michigan Race is one of over 112 Komen Race for the Cure Events held in either the US or overseas.
Each Race and affiliate keeps 75% of the money they raise to fund local programs for local women and their families. All Komen Race for the Cure events include a 5K run and a 5K Walk and most have special Survivor Recognition ceremonies to honor the many breast cancer survivors who come out to participate.
Participants in the Komen Southwest Michigan Race for the Cure® include individual runners and walkers along with many teams of family members, co-workers, neighbors, friends and even breast cancer survivor support groups. In fact the teams account for a large percentage of the participants. Join the Race for the Cure at Arcadia Creek Festival Site, downtown Kalamazoo, Saturday, May 19, 2007. You can walk, run, or sleep in. The festivities will begin at 7:00 a.m. Learn more about donating time or money to the Kalamazoo area Race.
Roof Sit 2007 is designed to raise awareness of the problem of child abuse and neglect and to raise money to support programs at The Community Healing Centers (formerly the Guidance Clinic) that treat children who have been abused as well as programs that work to prevent child abuse. The children who receive these services live right here in our community and need our help. The 2007 Roof Sit is scheduled for June 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Enjoyed by more than 90,000 outdoor enthusiasts annually, the 34.5 mile linear Kal-Haven Trail State Park extends from South Haven, on the shores of Lake Michigan, to the northwest suburbs of the City of Kalamazoo. The trail is built on the abandoned Kalamazoo & South Haven Railroad which existed from 1870 to 1970. The right-of-way was purchased by the DNR in 1987, and the trail opened in 1991.
The trail passes through the towns of Grand Junction, Bloomingdale, Gobles and Kendall where restaurants and other amenities are available for trail users. A wide range of activities are available to trail users: biking, hiking, birding and horseback riding (on an adjacent trail between Bloomingdale and Kibbie); winter activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is permitted when the snow depth is greater than four inches.
Saturday, May 12, 2007 is the date of the next Trail Blazer. The purpose of the Trail Blazer, a bicycle ride between South Haven and Kalamazoo, both on and off the trail, is to raise money to fund projects along the trail and to provide a pleasant experience for all bikers.
