Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
BORGESS HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER
Chip Pick Up & Late Registration 4-8 p.m.
Sponsor Expo 4-8 p.m.
Warm up for Kids Fun Run 5:30 p.m.
Meijer Kids Fun Run 6 p.m.
Motivational Mile 6:05 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
BORGESS HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER
Chip Pick Up & Late Registration 6:30 a.m.
Late registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race.
National City Half Marathon 8:15 a.m.
5K Run 8:35 a.m.
5K Judged Racewalk 8:40 a.m.
Participants must wear shorts or plain, non-patterned tights. USATF members also compete for Michigan Men’s and Women’s State Championship 5K Road Race.
Priority Health 5K Walk 8:45 a.m.
Strollers and wagons are welcome in this non-competitive event, but no pets.
Check back here after the races to get results.
BORGESS HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER
Chip Pick Up & Late Registration 4-8 p.m.
Sponsor Expo 4-8 p.m.
Warm up for Kids Fun Run 5:30 p.m.
Meijer Kids Fun Run 6 p.m.
Motivational Mile 6:05 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
BORGESS HEALTH & FITNESS CENTER
Chip Pick Up & Late Registration 6:30 a.m.
Late registration closes 30 minutes prior to each race.
National City Half Marathon 8:15 a.m.
5K Run 8:35 a.m.
5K Judged Racewalk 8:40 a.m.
Participants must wear shorts or plain, non-patterned tights. USATF members also compete for Michigan Men’s and Women’s State Championship 5K Road Race.
Priority Health 5K Walk 8:45 a.m.
Strollers and wagons are welcome in this non-competitive event, but no pets.
Check back here after the races to get results.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
You Can Have Your Cake...
I tightened my lips in frustration as I smoothed the bright white icing around the cake for the thirtieth time. How could two layers of moist cake, bound by a sweet fruit filling, look like something I pulled of out my plastic Easy-Bake Oven in the 1980’s? After my first day of cake-decorating class, I brought home an edible tribute to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. My face still contorts when I think about it.
When the same friend who talked me into running half-marathons convinced me to take up decorating cakes, we were beyond optimistic. We dreamt of all the possibilities: we could make cakes for weddings, then open our own bakery, move on to become wedding planners and finally inspire a new reality show for the Food Network. But by the time we boxed up our first confused creation, we bid our sky-high aspirations farewell and settled for the fact that we were just learning a new hobby.
Internet news sites are overloaded with articles claiming to give the secret to job satisfaction. Every article offers the same bottom line—job satisfaction is derived from doing what you love. Many recommend taking your hobby, or what makes you unique, and then selling it to the world. This is easier said than done, especially when your hobbies include collecting PEZ dispensers and speaking in a British accent.
My lopsided cake taught me that we all have inherent gifts and abilities—and icing cakes was not mine. Sure, the cake was delicious and I’ve gone on to make a few more creative and comedic desserts in my spare time. But the search for job satisfaction will continue until I can combine thoughtfulness, creativity and passion all in a day’s work...and excel at it. Because I refuse to settle, the process of trial and error keeps my life interesting. I now have a huge box of cake decorating supplies. I’m starting to realize that maybe all I need is a pen and paper.
What’s next? My friend and I are thinking dance lessons. Maybe we’ll get in some music videos, do a stint on Broadway followed by a few seasons on Dancing with the Stars. Or maybe we’ll just learn a few moves and be the life of the next party. We won’t know unless we try!
When the same friend who talked me into running half-marathons convinced me to take up decorating cakes, we were beyond optimistic. We dreamt of all the possibilities: we could make cakes for weddings, then open our own bakery, move on to become wedding planners and finally inspire a new reality show for the Food Network. But by the time we boxed up our first confused creation, we bid our sky-high aspirations farewell and settled for the fact that we were just learning a new hobby.
Internet news sites are overloaded with articles claiming to give the secret to job satisfaction. Every article offers the same bottom line—job satisfaction is derived from doing what you love. Many recommend taking your hobby, or what makes you unique, and then selling it to the world. This is easier said than done, especially when your hobbies include collecting PEZ dispensers and speaking in a British accent.
My lopsided cake taught me that we all have inherent gifts and abilities—and icing cakes was not mine. Sure, the cake was delicious and I’ve gone on to make a few more creative and comedic desserts in my spare time. But the search for job satisfaction will continue until I can combine thoughtfulness, creativity and passion all in a day’s work...and excel at it. Because I refuse to settle, the process of trial and error keeps my life interesting. I now have a huge box of cake decorating supplies. I’m starting to realize that maybe all I need is a pen and paper.
What’s next? My friend and I are thinking dance lessons. Maybe we’ll get in some music videos, do a stint on Broadway followed by a few seasons on Dancing with the Stars. Or maybe we’ll just learn a few moves and be the life of the next party. We won’t know unless we try!
Is The Promise Working?
The question has been posed all over the country, but it sounds the same at home: "Is the Kalamazoo Promise working?"
Mercifully, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research is working hard to wrestle the question to the ground. But, as suspected, the answer to the question is "too soon to tell."
As an economic development strategy, the Promise is aimed squarely at the number one issue facing Kalamazoo County -- although historically the problem has had other names -- and that's the survival of the urban core. With the Kalamazoo Public Schools district enjoying enrollment increases, there are some obvious short-term positives, but educators are also concerned about some win-lose scenarios among local school districts. Notably, districts like Portage and Parchment have answered the bell to make sure their residents support their own school systems.
There are also issues related to the achievement of under-prepared high school graduates struggling in colleges and universities. So, the mentoring and support systems, which have flourished since the announcement, are being expanded to help older students -- and younger ones, including pre-schoolers, too. But, talk with Promise Administrator Robert Jorth about some of the success stories he's already seen with students headed off to college, and he'll tell you it's more about data. "Very inspiring," he offers. "Very inspiring."
In the end, most likely, there will be too many variables to determine if it was downtown development, improved education, infusion of capital into the cultural infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, emphasis on healthy lifestyles, business incentives or some of the above that made the difference. Sure you can provide a link to leafy vegetables, or lack thereof, and cancer rates, but was that the only factor? No, just wait for the next study on exercise, air pollution, and so on. Cause and effect, at the community level, is a sticky wicket.
Just the same, the principles behind the Promise -- understanding the value of education and doing something about it -- continues, two and a half years after the announcement of the Promise. Leaders from other communities will visit Kalamazoo this summer to compare notes on their own efforts and a better understanding of the power of the Promise. For more information on that conference, go to PromiseNet.2008
Looking for data on what researchers know so far, and the types of things they're studying? Go to Scorecard.
Mercifully, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research is working hard to wrestle the question to the ground. But, as suspected, the answer to the question is "too soon to tell."
As an economic development strategy, the Promise is aimed squarely at the number one issue facing Kalamazoo County -- although historically the problem has had other names -- and that's the survival of the urban core. With the Kalamazoo Public Schools district enjoying enrollment increases, there are some obvious short-term positives, but educators are also concerned about some win-lose scenarios among local school districts. Notably, districts like Portage and Parchment have answered the bell to make sure their residents support their own school systems.
There are also issues related to the achievement of under-prepared high school graduates struggling in colleges and universities. So, the mentoring and support systems, which have flourished since the announcement, are being expanded to help older students -- and younger ones, including pre-schoolers, too. But, talk with Promise Administrator Robert Jorth about some of the success stories he's already seen with students headed off to college, and he'll tell you it's more about data. "Very inspiring," he offers. "Very inspiring."
In the end, most likely, there will be too many variables to determine if it was downtown development, improved education, infusion of capital into the cultural infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, emphasis on healthy lifestyles, business incentives or some of the above that made the difference. Sure you can provide a link to leafy vegetables, or lack thereof, and cancer rates, but was that the only factor? No, just wait for the next study on exercise, air pollution, and so on. Cause and effect, at the community level, is a sticky wicket.
Just the same, the principles behind the Promise -- understanding the value of education and doing something about it -- continues, two and a half years after the announcement of the Promise. Leaders from other communities will visit Kalamazoo this summer to compare notes on their own efforts and a better understanding of the power of the Promise. For more information on that conference, go to PromiseNet.2008
Looking for data on what researchers know so far, and the types of things they're studying? Go to Scorecard.
Featured Leader: Bill Parfet
It won't escape people's attention that William Upjohn Parfet is the great-grandson of William Erastus Upjohn when news of MPI Research expansion into downtown Kalamazoo is announced.But few people will know what was on Bill Parfet's mind when he bought the troubled labs in 1995, a company beset with financial and public relations problems, a firm worth arguably $6 million.
Fewer still might have forecast success. But a career manager at Upjohn at the time, where Parfet had risen to President and Vice Chairman -- but where he was told he could go no higher -- predicted the "young" Parfet, son of long-time CEO R.T. Parfet, would make good.
"I've worked for 26 different managers at Upjohn in my career," the manager said in 1995, "and Bill was the most dynamic, most transformational of any, and believe me, there were a lot of good ones."
Parfet is too positive to view a return to the old Upjohn buildings downtown with a full head of steam as revenge for not being tapped for the top job. Additionally, he didn't lament that Kalamazoo was going to hell in a handbasket when big corporations, including Upjohn successor organizations, began their exit.
Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and built something that W.E. Upjohn would have been proud of.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Mother's Day in Kalamazoo
Mother’s Day Weekend at Henderson Castle
Kalamazoo’s historic Henderson Castle will host a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 10 at 12:00-2:15 p.m. or 3:00-5:15 p.m. The tea will include a ballet in the castle’s ballroom and a tour of the building. Price is $40 per person and advance reservations are required. For further questions or to make reservations, call 269.343.9242.
Henderson Castle will host a Brunch Buffet on Sunday, May 11 from 12:00-2:15 p.m. and a dinner buffet from 3:00-5:15 p.m. The cost is $46 per person and includes the buffet, a ballet in the castle’s ballroom and a tour of the building. Advance reservations are required. For reservations or inquiries, call 269.343.9242.
Mother’s Day Buffet at Full City Café
For over 15 years, the Full City Café has featured some Kalamazoo’s most unique and seasonally changing menus. The café features foods prepared fresh from whole foods at two locations: 7878 Oakland Drive and 2026 Parkview Avenue.
The 2026 Parkview location will feature a Mother’s Day Buffet on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For pricing details and to preview the menu, visit Full City Café.
Mother’s Day with Mother Nature
The Kalamazoo Nature Center is holding a special golf cart tour on Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. The Mother’s Day tour will chauffer participants through the Pioneer Woods to observe wildflowers. In addition to regular admission (if applicable), the cost is $5 per person. Participants are asked to park in the DeLano Homestead parking lot, located at 555 W. E Avenue. Registration and payment for this event is required by May 7. To register, call 269.381.1574 ext. 0. For more information, visit the Kalamazoo Nature Center online.
Happy Mother’s Day from Millennium Group
Millennium Group Restaurants will feature special holiday menus throughout the day on May 11.
Black Swan
Located at 3501 Greenleaf Boulevard in Kalamazoo, the Black Swan will feature a Mother’s Day Menu from noon to 6 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call 269.375.2105.
Epic Bistro
Located at 359 S. Burdick in downtown Kalamazoo, Epic Bistro will add a special “pick three” feature, which offers Chef’s selection and wine pairings, to their a la carte menu. To make reservations call 269.342.1300.
The Union
Located at 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, The Union will feature live jazz and a holiday menu from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call 269.384.6756.
Fieldstone Grill
Located at 3970 W. Centre Street, Fieldstone Grill will offer a Mother’s Day buffet brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The cost is $24.99 per person and $7.99 for children ages 2-10. Call 269.321.8480 for reservations and questions.
Mother’s Day during The Gilmore Keyboard Festival
Treat mom to a world-class jazz performance during The Gilmore Keyboard Festival on Sunday, May 11 at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. Featured performer and jazz-vocalist Kurt Elling has been highlighted on CNN, NPR and CBS Sunday Morning. Down Beat Critic’s Poll named him Male Vocalist of the Year 8 times and according to Jazz Review, “Elling may be the greatest male jazz singer of all time.” Elling will perform with his trio at Williams Theatre in the Gilmore Theatre Complex, located on the campus of WMU. To purchase tickets or to learn about additional Gilmore events scheduled for May 11, visit The Gilmore Keyboard Festival online.
Kalamazoo’s historic Henderson Castle will host a Mother’s Day Tea on Saturday, May 10 at 12:00-2:15 p.m. or 3:00-5:15 p.m. The tea will include a ballet in the castle’s ballroom and a tour of the building. Price is $40 per person and advance reservations are required. For further questions or to make reservations, call 269.343.9242.
Henderson Castle will host a Brunch Buffet on Sunday, May 11 from 12:00-2:15 p.m. and a dinner buffet from 3:00-5:15 p.m. The cost is $46 per person and includes the buffet, a ballet in the castle’s ballroom and a tour of the building. Advance reservations are required. For reservations or inquiries, call 269.343.9242.
Mother’s Day Buffet at Full City Café
For over 15 years, the Full City Café has featured some Kalamazoo’s most unique and seasonally changing menus. The café features foods prepared fresh from whole foods at two locations: 7878 Oakland Drive and 2026 Parkview Avenue.
The 2026 Parkview location will feature a Mother’s Day Buffet on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For pricing details and to preview the menu, visit Full City Café.
Mother’s Day with Mother Nature
The Kalamazoo Nature Center is holding a special golf cart tour on Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. The Mother’s Day tour will chauffer participants through the Pioneer Woods to observe wildflowers. In addition to regular admission (if applicable), the cost is $5 per person. Participants are asked to park in the DeLano Homestead parking lot, located at 555 W. E Avenue. Registration and payment for this event is required by May 7. To register, call 269.381.1574 ext. 0. For more information, visit the Kalamazoo Nature Center online.
Happy Mother’s Day from Millennium Group
Millennium Group Restaurants will feature special holiday menus throughout the day on May 11.
Black Swan
Located at 3501 Greenleaf Boulevard in Kalamazoo, the Black Swan will feature a Mother’s Day Menu from noon to 6 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call 269.375.2105.
Epic Bistro
Located at 359 S. Burdick in downtown Kalamazoo, Epic Bistro will add a special “pick three” feature, which offers Chef’s selection and wine pairings, to their a la carte menu. To make reservations call 269.342.1300.
The Union
Located at 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall, The Union will feature live jazz and a holiday menu from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information or to make reservations, call 269.384.6756.
Fieldstone Grill
Located at 3970 W. Centre Street, Fieldstone Grill will offer a Mother’s Day buffet brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. The cost is $24.99 per person and $7.99 for children ages 2-10. Call 269.321.8480 for reservations and questions.
Mother’s Day during The Gilmore Keyboard Festival
Treat mom to a world-class jazz performance during The Gilmore Keyboard Festival on Sunday, May 11 at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. Featured performer and jazz-vocalist Kurt Elling has been highlighted on CNN, NPR and CBS Sunday Morning. Down Beat Critic’s Poll named him Male Vocalist of the Year 8 times and according to Jazz Review, “Elling may be the greatest male jazz singer of all time.” Elling will perform with his trio at Williams Theatre in the Gilmore Theatre Complex, located on the campus of WMU. To purchase tickets or to learn about additional Gilmore events scheduled for May 11, visit The Gilmore Keyboard Festival online.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Green Clean
This week’s tip: Reduce your use of packaging materials.
• Limit your use of bottled water. Research shows that the quality is not necessarily better than tap water. Furthermore, America’s use of plastic water bottles requires the use of more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel approximately 100,000 US cars for a year.
• Buy bulk products. It saves CO2 and money that would be wasted in the packaging process. If everyone bought 15% of their groceries in bulk, it would be equivalent to taking more than 850,000 cars off the road for a year.
• Buy concentrated products – they require less packaging and less energy to transport.
• When it’s time for gifts, consider a gift of an activity, class, or service. There’s no packaging involved at all!
• Limit your use of bottled water. Research shows that the quality is not necessarily better than tap water. Furthermore, America’s use of plastic water bottles requires the use of more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel approximately 100,000 US cars for a year.
• Buy bulk products. It saves CO2 and money that would be wasted in the packaging process. If everyone bought 15% of their groceries in bulk, it would be equivalent to taking more than 850,000 cars off the road for a year.
• Buy concentrated products – they require less packaging and less energy to transport.
• When it’s time for gifts, consider a gift of an activity, class, or service. There’s no packaging involved at all!
Get Ready, Get Set, Get Local!
The City of Kalamazoo’s Farmer’s Market will kick off another delicious season Saturday, May 3. The market features locally grown fresh produce, plants & flowers, meats, baked goods and hand-made crafts.
Located at 1204 Bank Street, between Lake Street and Stockbridge Avenue, the City of Kalamazoo’s Farmer’s market operates 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The market will open every Saturday until November 29.
According to the Michigan Farmer’s Market Association, everyone can benefit from a farmers market. Farmers benefit from the opportunity to develop local, loyal customers and maximize profits as they eliminate the “middle man.” Communities benefit as farmers markets support the local economy and the viability of area farmers. Finally, consumers can benefit from knowing the source of all the fresh, flavorful produce and goods made available at a farmers market.
For shopping tips and more information about farmer’s markets, visit the Michigan Farmer’s Market Web Site.
For more information on the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market call 269.337.8899 or 269.337.8191.
You Can Have Fun Helping the Boys & Girls
One of the most successful fund-raising events in Kalamazoo County, from the outside, looks pretty ordinary -- it’s “just” a golf outing. But this golf outing is no ordinary event, thanks to a dedicated volunteer crew, dozens of gener-ous sponsors, hundreds of golfers and a special cause.
Filling three golf courses, the event enjoys much of its success because the cost of each additional golfer goes down. But the success also depends on those who pay their part with program ads, which start at $25, tee sponsorships, corporate sponsorships and golfers. The goal is to raise more than $50,000 every year.
There’s still time to get involved at almost any level, according to Greta Faworski, who can be reached at 349-4485, extension 109. Give her a call. Or visit bgckzoo.org and download a registration form.
Filling three golf courses, the event enjoys much of its success because the cost of each additional golfer goes down. But the success also depends on those who pay their part with program ads, which start at $25, tee sponsorships, corporate sponsorships and golfers. The goal is to raise more than $50,000 every year.
There’s still time to get involved at almost any level, according to Greta Faworski, who can be reached at 349-4485, extension 109. Give her a call. Or visit bgckzoo.org and download a registration form.
TEXAS CORRAL/BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
Annual Golf Outing
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008
Annual Golf Outing
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2008
Pine View Golf Course
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
Shotgun start at 11:00 a.m.
Angels Crossing Golf Club
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Shotgun start at 10:00 a.m.
(Yes, it’s a different start time than Pine View.)
Dinner/Program
3:30 at Pine View Golf Course Pavilion for players from both courses.
In the event nine holes isn’t completed, the rain date is Thursday, May 30, 2008 (see details when you register, not that we’re planning on rain).
Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
Shotgun start at 11:00 a.m.
Angels Crossing Golf Club
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Shotgun start at 10:00 a.m.
(Yes, it’s a different start time than Pine View.)
Dinner/Program
3:30 at Pine View Golf Course Pavilion for players from both courses.
In the event nine holes isn’t completed, the rain date is Thursday, May 30, 2008 (see details when you register, not that we’re planning on rain).
Positive News for Kalamazoo Youth
Positive news is spreading all over town—and area youngsters have a reason to celebrate. After lengthy review and careful planning, the Boys & Girls Clubs partnered with the Douglass Community Association to open a new unit there in late March.
The Boys & Girls Clubs are drop-in facilities that provide free educational and recreational programs for area youth. The Club offers family support, outreach, tutoring and mentoring for members and their parents.
With the help and support of numerous community organizations, the Douglass unit provides after-school and Saturday programming that include new opportunities for recreation, education and the arts. About 35 boys and girls are attending the new unit each day.
“The partnership is a special opportunity for our organization and a step in the right direction for this community.” said Boys & Girls Clubs Executive Director Robert Ezelle. “We believe we can make an impact with our programming.”
According to Tim Terrentine, Executive Director at Douglass, “the partnership enhances the services we provide. The activity center improves our outreach and helps us to establish an even stronger tie with the community.”
Douglass provides comprehensive community services to persons of all ages and backgrounds. While the services provided by both agencies complement each other, they remain autonomous and operate separately. Boys & Girls Clubs also continues to operate
its Lake Street unit and its summer camp near Hastings.
Douglass and the Boys & Girls Clubs are working closely with Kalamazoo Public Schools, law enforcement officials, the City of Kalamazoo, homeless shelters, Juvenile Court and the Hispanic American Council to recruit and serve new members.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo has been serving youth in the greater Kalamazoo area since 1953. Every program offered by the Boys & Girls Clubs helps young people in Kalamazoo to develop a strong moral compass that guides them towards a successful future. Each day the organization serves roughly 130 youth. During 2007, 339 young people became new members of the Boys & Girls Clubs at the Lake Street unit.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Featured Leader: Bobby Hopewell
Kalamazoo mayors keep high profiles as a matter of duty, but this time of year -- issuing the State of the City address -- they get extra attention.Hopewell's upbeat message this year -- that we will be remembered for "our coming together and our innovative spirit to creating the possible" -- is part of his plan to accentuate the positive while addressing the well-known challenges of the city.
"I realize I may just have two years, so I'm going to do what's in my heart," he said privately regarding the community role that has taken its toll on an already busy schedule. In addition to responding to citizen requests and attending scores of public events, Hopewell is also reaching out to other private and governmental leaders to see what they expect from the city, and to see what he can do as mayor.
He has shown a particular interest in the neighborhoods and the schools, regardless of their formal association with the city government. "We either rise together, or fall together," he has been saying.
Hopewell is mindful that his predecessors, Hannah McKinney and Robert Jones, were exceptionally positive in their approach to city issues, and accepts the fact that a mayor has an informal leadership role in the larger community.
As he has said to audiences of late: "I believe our will and tanacity gives us every possibility to make this place we call home . . . even better."
You're My Hero!
A fireman may fearlessly enter a burning building to retrieve the family pet. Meanwhile, a lifeguard may brave unfriendly waters to rescue a swimmer from the grips of a rip current. I’m positive that on a universal scale, both individuals would be considered quite brave. We would celebrate them as heroes.
The question is, however, must you always defeat death and preserve life to earn a badge for courage? I greatly respect and admire heroes—ordinary people who have conquered extraordinary feats. But I also think that some recognition is due to the unsung hero in each of us. Sometimes the inner-satisfaction gained from conquering a small, personal feat is greater than any outward recognition.
For over 150 years my family has farmed the same plot of land on the west side of Kalamazoo. My great-grandmother had twin boys in the midst of the Great Depression. She gave birth at home and her doctor was compensated in potatoes. I never had the privilege to meet the tough woman who was my great-grandmother. She was no Franklin Roosevelt, but without a doubt her courage and strength has stretched generations.
For a farmer, the land is their lifeblood. Most of my family is surprisingly sheepish (no pun intended) around water. Imagine me, a young student enchanted by French language and culture—who longed to see Europe but couldn’t bear the thought of flying over a vast ocean. After three years of yearning contemplation, I packed a few pairs of clothes and a journal into my backpack. Like a timid person peering over the edge of the high-dive, I dove into the deep end. I boarded a plane to Europe and didn’t return for two months.
The fear of heights is called acrophobia. Imagine the satisfaction attained when someone with this condition conquers his or her apprehension by hang-gliding, parachuting or simply climbing a ladder. Years after my journey abroad, I continue to pat myself on the back. I had the courage to face a fear, and each day I’m rewarded with an appetite for culture, beauty and adventure. Like many others who overcome personal obstacles, I don’t need a medal. But I do feel convicted by the great-grandmother I never knew, and what I really need is for my courage and strength to endure for generations. If my mantra is “2008 is going to be great,” then consider me focused on the next fear.
The question is, however, must you always defeat death and preserve life to earn a badge for courage? I greatly respect and admire heroes—ordinary people who have conquered extraordinary feats. But I also think that some recognition is due to the unsung hero in each of us. Sometimes the inner-satisfaction gained from conquering a small, personal feat is greater than any outward recognition.
For over 150 years my family has farmed the same plot of land on the west side of Kalamazoo. My great-grandmother had twin boys in the midst of the Great Depression. She gave birth at home and her doctor was compensated in potatoes. I never had the privilege to meet the tough woman who was my great-grandmother. She was no Franklin Roosevelt, but without a doubt her courage and strength has stretched generations.
For a farmer, the land is their lifeblood. Most of my family is surprisingly sheepish (no pun intended) around water. Imagine me, a young student enchanted by French language and culture—who longed to see Europe but couldn’t bear the thought of flying over a vast ocean. After three years of yearning contemplation, I packed a few pairs of clothes and a journal into my backpack. Like a timid person peering over the edge of the high-dive, I dove into the deep end. I boarded a plane to Europe and didn’t return for two months.
The fear of heights is called acrophobia. Imagine the satisfaction attained when someone with this condition conquers his or her apprehension by hang-gliding, parachuting or simply climbing a ladder. Years after my journey abroad, I continue to pat myself on the back. I had the courage to face a fear, and each day I’m rewarded with an appetite for culture, beauty and adventure. Like many others who overcome personal obstacles, I don’t need a medal. But I do feel convicted by the great-grandmother I never knew, and what I really need is for my courage and strength to endure for generations. If my mantra is “2008 is going to be great,” then consider me focused on the next fear.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wrestling Bios
Thomas E. Krepps
Tom Krepp’s achievements as a young athlete gave way to his continued success as a high school and college wrestling coach. Voted Ravenna High School’s “Most Valuable Athlete” in 1966, Krepps earned varsity letters in football, baseball and wrestling. He served four years on Northern Michigan University’s wrestling team where he was team captain and a two time NCAA qualifier.
Krepps’ coaching career began in 1972, where he was an assistant wrestling coach for St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisconsin. After two seasons he moved to Michigan and coached one year at Marlette High School before serving as the head wrestling coach for Grandville High School. During his 23 years at Grandville High School, Krepps won an impressive 19 Conference Championships, 21 District Championships, 9 Regional Championships, 1 State-Runner up Finish and 1 State Championship. He coached 9 state champions, 51 all-state wrestlers, 2 high school All Americans and 3 NCAA/NJCAA All Americans. As a head coach, Krepps’ record was 426-58-5.
In 1998, Krepps retired from high school coaching before becoming a Co-Head Wresting coach for Grand Valley State University. During his 4 years at GVSU, Krepps coached 48 All American wrestlers and 11 National Champions. His teams won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships in 2001 and 2002.
Krepps’ coaching accomplishments earned him a spot on the USA Wrestling Coaches All Time Winning List Top 25 and Michigan High School Athletic Association Top 10 Winningest Coaches. In 2001 the NCWA awarded Tom Krepps as “National Coach of the Year.”
Richard M. Bay
A native of Waukegan, Illinois, Rick Bay had an impressive athletic career. In high school Bay was a three-time state wrestling champion, an all-state quarterback, an All-Chicago area baseball player and was named the Illinois High School “Athlete of the Year” as a senior. He attended the University of Michigan where he was a two-time Big Ten Champion.
After graduation, Bay coached for this Alma Mater and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1974 after his squad was named runner-up in the NCAA. Bay left his coaching position to work for the University of Michigan Alumni Association, where he was later appointed executive director. Under his talents the Michigan Alumni Association was named the most outstanding organization of its kind in 1978.
Following his service to the Michigan Alumni Association, Bay served as Athletic Director and facilitated the transformation of athletic departments at the University of Oregon, The Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota. He worked for Major League Baseball when he served as Vice President and COO of the New York Yankees and later President and COO of the Cleveland Indians. Under Bays’ leadership, the Cleveland Indians were named Major League Baseball’s “Organization of the Year’ for the first time in franchise history. After serving as the Director of Athletic at San Diego State University, where Bay helped to fund a baseball stadium, softball stadium and athletic center, he reactivated his consulting career as a private consultant.
Rod Rapp
Many of Rod Rapp’s outstanding achievements can be traced to wrestling. An early leader and advocate for promoting wrestling in the state of Michigan, Rapp began his career as a wrestling coach at Mt. Pleasant High School in 1964.
Over the span of 25 years at Mt. Pleasant High School, Rapp built a wrestling empire and an impressive list of accolades. Under his leadership, Mt. Pleasant won 22 out of 25 White Pine Conference titles, numerous district and regional titles and 6 team State Championships. Rapp coached 18 individual state champions and 49 medal winners. With a 301-86-1 record, Rapp was voted Coach of the Year two times. After retiring from his high school coaching career, Rapp served four years as assistant wrestling coach at Central Michigan University.
Athletes under Rapp’s direction held unique and special honors: Mike Mills—the first wrestler to win the State Championship four times; Pat Boyd—three-time State Champion who held the national record for most consecutive wins. Four of Bay’s wrestlers were voted to the High School All American Team and two were voted to the High School Dream Team.
Rod Rapp’s career was inspired by his start as a high school wrestler at Lansing Eastern. As an athlete, Rapp placed in the State Finals three times and was named Outstanding Wrestler both his junior and senior year.
Larry Powell
Larry Powell began his wrestling career at the New Mexico School of the Visually Handicapped in 1959. The following two years, Powell lived in Lake Fenton, Michigan, where no wrestling programs existed. Despite this, Powell’s interest in the sport flourished as he learned wrestling from books and workouts at Flint Southwestern. He then used his knowledge of wrestling to teach and coach his classmates in summer tournaments.
Powell spent the last two years of his high school career at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, where he was conference champion and placed in the State tournament both years. He spent an additional two years wrestling at Central Michigan University before starting a life-long career of coaching and volunteering for wrestling programs across the state of Michigan.
In 1969, Powell served as an assistant wrestling coach for Central Michigan University, where he coached four eventual All-Americans and one Olympian. For a number of years Powell also worked at Mt. Pleasant Schools as an assistant coach to Rod Rapp, where he contributed to 3 State Championships and 5 undefeated dual-meet seasons. Powell was also an assistant coach for wrestling programs at Mason High School and Dansville High School.
Powell spent nearly 20 years as a volunteer for wrestling programs at St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland, and both Eaton Rapids High School and Holt High School in Michigan. He has conducted free workshops for high school wrestler across the state of Michigan and continues to sponsor students at wrestling camps and workshops and give free lessons to wrestlers of all ages.
Tom Lehman
As an 8th grader, Tom Lehman was encouraged to wrestle by his English teacher in order to keep him out of trouble. This diversion lead to great success for Lehman, whose wrestling abilities helped Owosso High School to win three conference championships. Lehman qualified for the State Class A tournament three years and became a state champion in 1967.
While attending Western Michigan University, Lehman was a starter for their wrestling team for two seasons. During his senior year he placed second in the MAC. In 1972, Lehman began his career as a teacher and wrestling coach at Thornapple Kellogg High School. Prior to Lehman’s presence, TK’s wrestling team had never won a dual meet.
Under his leadership, Thornapple Kellogg’s wrestling team has won seventeen conference championships (14-straight from 1991-2004), nine regional championships and placed second at the state championships twice. In 1996, Lehman’s team won the State Championship. He was named Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996 and 2002. Lehman was voted Mid-West Region National Coach of the Year in 1996, and was a finalist for the National Coach of the Year.
Lehman has played an active role in the Michigan Wrestling Association. He has been a member for 36 years and has served as Vice President for 5 years. He has served as Director and Tournament Manager for the Michigan High School State Wrestling Tournament for the 11 years the tournament was held at Thornapple Kellogg High School. Lehman has been the Director of the Junior National Wrestling Team for 24 years and was the Team Leader and Coach of the 2002 USA Greco National Champions.
Jim Mooney
As a wrestler for Niles High School, Jim Mooney developed a life-long passion for the sport. After wrestling for Central Michigan University, his passion gave way to a life-long career.
Jim Mooney began teaching and coaching for Williamston Community Schools in 1962. He coached wrestling at Williamston High School for 32 years and was athletic director for 15 years. While Mooney also coached football, baseball and golf for the high school, he most enjoyed his career as a wrestling coach.
During his tenure, Mooney mentored 46 state qualifiers and produced 19 state champions. He coached state champion Tom Minkle, a former U.S. Olympian and current head wrestling coach for Michigan State University. Mooney’s teams won 9 ICL Championships, 6 district championships and 6 regional championships. He coached state runner-up teams in 1967 and 1971. In 1999, his team won the state championship. In wake of his success, the Lansing State Journal named Mooney Coach of the Year. He was also recognized as Regional Coach of the Year 6 times and Class C/Division III coach of the Year 3 times. As a head coach, Mooney's record was 305-125-3.
Mooney retired in 2006 after the MHSAA Individual State Finals. An annual tournament hosted at Williamston High School, the Jim Mooney Williamston Classic, has been known as one of the toughest regular season tournaments for the past few decades. Mooney and his wife, Barb, have three children and six grandchildren.
Tom Krepp’s achievements as a young athlete gave way to his continued success as a high school and college wrestling coach. Voted Ravenna High School’s “Most Valuable Athlete” in 1966, Krepps earned varsity letters in football, baseball and wrestling. He served four years on Northern Michigan University’s wrestling team where he was team captain and a two time NCAA qualifier.
Krepps’ coaching career began in 1972, where he was an assistant wrestling coach for St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisconsin. After two seasons he moved to Michigan and coached one year at Marlette High School before serving as the head wrestling coach for Grandville High School. During his 23 years at Grandville High School, Krepps won an impressive 19 Conference Championships, 21 District Championships, 9 Regional Championships, 1 State-Runner up Finish and 1 State Championship. He coached 9 state champions, 51 all-state wrestlers, 2 high school All Americans and 3 NCAA/NJCAA All Americans. As a head coach, Krepps’ record was 426-58-5.
In 1998, Krepps retired from high school coaching before becoming a Co-Head Wresting coach for Grand Valley State University. During his 4 years at GVSU, Krepps coached 48 All American wrestlers and 11 National Champions. His teams won the National Collegiate Wrestling Association Championships in 2001 and 2002.
Krepps’ coaching accomplishments earned him a spot on the USA Wrestling Coaches All Time Winning List Top 25 and Michigan High School Athletic Association Top 10 Winningest Coaches. In 2001 the NCWA awarded Tom Krepps as “National Coach of the Year.”
Richard M. Bay
A native of Waukegan, Illinois, Rick Bay had an impressive athletic career. In high school Bay was a three-time state wrestling champion, an all-state quarterback, an All-Chicago area baseball player and was named the Illinois High School “Athlete of the Year” as a senior. He attended the University of Michigan where he was a two-time Big Ten Champion.
After graduation, Bay coached for this Alma Mater and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1974 after his squad was named runner-up in the NCAA. Bay left his coaching position to work for the University of Michigan Alumni Association, where he was later appointed executive director. Under his talents the Michigan Alumni Association was named the most outstanding organization of its kind in 1978.
Following his service to the Michigan Alumni Association, Bay served as Athletic Director and facilitated the transformation of athletic departments at the University of Oregon, The Ohio State University and the University of Minnesota. He worked for Major League Baseball when he served as Vice President and COO of the New York Yankees and later President and COO of the Cleveland Indians. Under Bays’ leadership, the Cleveland Indians were named Major League Baseball’s “Organization of the Year’ for the first time in franchise history. After serving as the Director of Athletic at San Diego State University, where Bay helped to fund a baseball stadium, softball stadium and athletic center, he reactivated his consulting career as a private consultant.
Rod Rapp
Many of Rod Rapp’s outstanding achievements can be traced to wrestling. An early leader and advocate for promoting wrestling in the state of Michigan, Rapp began his career as a wrestling coach at Mt. Pleasant High School in 1964.
Over the span of 25 years at Mt. Pleasant High School, Rapp built a wrestling empire and an impressive list of accolades. Under his leadership, Mt. Pleasant won 22 out of 25 White Pine Conference titles, numerous district and regional titles and 6 team State Championships. Rapp coached 18 individual state champions and 49 medal winners. With a 301-86-1 record, Rapp was voted Coach of the Year two times. After retiring from his high school coaching career, Rapp served four years as assistant wrestling coach at Central Michigan University.
Athletes under Rapp’s direction held unique and special honors: Mike Mills—the first wrestler to win the State Championship four times; Pat Boyd—three-time State Champion who held the national record for most consecutive wins. Four of Bay’s wrestlers were voted to the High School All American Team and two were voted to the High School Dream Team.
Rod Rapp’s career was inspired by his start as a high school wrestler at Lansing Eastern. As an athlete, Rapp placed in the State Finals three times and was named Outstanding Wrestler both his junior and senior year.
Larry Powell
Larry Powell began his wrestling career at the New Mexico School of the Visually Handicapped in 1959. The following two years, Powell lived in Lake Fenton, Michigan, where no wrestling programs existed. Despite this, Powell’s interest in the sport flourished as he learned wrestling from books and workouts at Flint Southwestern. He then used his knowledge of wrestling to teach and coach his classmates in summer tournaments.
Powell spent the last two years of his high school career at the Michigan School for the Blind in Lansing, where he was conference champion and placed in the State tournament both years. He spent an additional two years wrestling at Central Michigan University before starting a life-long career of coaching and volunteering for wrestling programs across the state of Michigan.
In 1969, Powell served as an assistant wrestling coach for Central Michigan University, where he coached four eventual All-Americans and one Olympian. For a number of years Powell also worked at Mt. Pleasant Schools as an assistant coach to Rod Rapp, where he contributed to 3 State Championships and 5 undefeated dual-meet seasons. Powell was also an assistant coach for wrestling programs at Mason High School and Dansville High School.
Powell spent nearly 20 years as a volunteer for wrestling programs at St. Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland, and both Eaton Rapids High School and Holt High School in Michigan. He has conducted free workshops for high school wrestler across the state of Michigan and continues to sponsor students at wrestling camps and workshops and give free lessons to wrestlers of all ages.
Tom Lehman
As an 8th grader, Tom Lehman was encouraged to wrestle by his English teacher in order to keep him out of trouble. This diversion lead to great success for Lehman, whose wrestling abilities helped Owosso High School to win three conference championships. Lehman qualified for the State Class A tournament three years and became a state champion in 1967.
While attending Western Michigan University, Lehman was a starter for their wrestling team for two seasons. During his senior year he placed second in the MAC. In 1972, Lehman began his career as a teacher and wrestling coach at Thornapple Kellogg High School. Prior to Lehman’s presence, TK’s wrestling team had never won a dual meet.
Under his leadership, Thornapple Kellogg’s wrestling team has won seventeen conference championships (14-straight from 1991-2004), nine regional championships and placed second at the state championships twice. In 1996, Lehman’s team won the State Championship. He was named Coach of the Year in 1995, 1996 and 2002. Lehman was voted Mid-West Region National Coach of the Year in 1996, and was a finalist for the National Coach of the Year.
Lehman has played an active role in the Michigan Wrestling Association. He has been a member for 36 years and has served as Vice President for 5 years. He has served as Director and Tournament Manager for the Michigan High School State Wrestling Tournament for the 11 years the tournament was held at Thornapple Kellogg High School. Lehman has been the Director of the Junior National Wrestling Team for 24 years and was the Team Leader and Coach of the 2002 USA Greco National Champions.
Jim Mooney
As a wrestler for Niles High School, Jim Mooney developed a life-long passion for the sport. After wrestling for Central Michigan University, his passion gave way to a life-long career.
Jim Mooney began teaching and coaching for Williamston Community Schools in 1962. He coached wrestling at Williamston High School for 32 years and was athletic director for 15 years. While Mooney also coached football, baseball and golf for the high school, he most enjoyed his career as a wrestling coach.
During his tenure, Mooney mentored 46 state qualifiers and produced 19 state champions. He coached state champion Tom Minkle, a former U.S. Olympian and current head wrestling coach for Michigan State University. Mooney’s teams won 9 ICL Championships, 6 district championships and 6 regional championships. He coached state runner-up teams in 1967 and 1971. In 1999, his team won the state championship. In wake of his success, the Lansing State Journal named Mooney Coach of the Year. He was also recognized as Regional Coach of the Year 6 times and Class C/Division III coach of the Year 3 times. As a head coach, Mooney's record was 305-125-3.
Mooney retired in 2006 after the MHSAA Individual State Finals. An annual tournament hosted at Williamston High School, the Jim Mooney Williamston Classic, has been known as one of the toughest regular season tournaments for the past few decades. Mooney and his wife, Barb, have three children and six grandchildren.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Just how good will it get?
With reports that the nation is in a recession and Michigan’s economic woes mounting, there’s a glimmer of hope in the greater Kalamazoo area.
Make that five glimmers. Since the start of the new calendar year, four businesses have revealed plans for positive growth and development. AT&T, Fabri-Kal, Kaiser Aluminum and Parker Aerospace have announced that expanding their services will bring hundreds of new jobs to the area. On top of that, a startup medical device company, Monteris Medical Inc. is making noise about putting an office here.
Incredibly, community leaders are braced for even more good news in mid- to late-April, but they're keeping it under wraps to let it move through proper channels.
Some community leaders are more giddy than others, but few doubt that Kalamazoo is bucking a trend.
In February AT&T announced plans to expand its customer service center in downtown Kalamazoo. Headquartered on Lovell Street, AT&T employs 250 people. Currently, 140 positions exist for customer-service representatives. About 110 additional customer-service positions will be created as AT&T expands it services to offer residential telephone, broadband and U-Verse video service. Their new services will help the company to better compete with cable giants Comcast and Charter Communications.
Fabri-Kal,a privately held company located on Cork Street also announced expansion. The manufacturer of plastic and corn-based food packaging products has approximately 115 employees and plans to relocate to the former Mead Paper Company site, which has been vacant since 2001. As part of a $41 million expansion, Fabri-Kal plans to transform the Mead building into a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility and create 160 to 200 new jobs.
Another vacant manufacturing site in Kalamazoo, the former General Motors Corp. metal stamping plant, will see new life. Kaiser Aluminum, a $1.3 billion, California-based producer of fabricated aluminum products plans to operate an aluminum-extrusion operation at the Midlink Business Park in Comstock Township. As the new location develops, Kaiser Aluminum plans to invest $80 million in the community and bring 300 new jobs to the area within the year.
In recent months Kalamazoo’s Parker Aerospace has landed a $1 billion share of a new contract with international aircraft maker Airbus, and a $200 million pact to build controls for a new Mitsubishi airplane. Part of Cleveland-based Parker-Hannifin Corp., Parker Aerospace employs approximately 600 local workers, thanks to work the division has been doing for various companies, including Boeing, Co. While the number of new jobs has not been announced, it is expected that more engineers and manufacturers will be needed at the Kalamazoo location to support the new contracts.
As of December 2007, Kalamazoo’s unemployment rate of 5.1% sat several points below Michigan’s all time high of 7.4%. With new jobs, contracts and expansions in the area, it’s possible that Kalamazoo could lead the upswing for economic revival across the state.
Make that five glimmers. Since the start of the new calendar year, four businesses have revealed plans for positive growth and development. AT&T, Fabri-Kal, Kaiser Aluminum and Parker Aerospace have announced that expanding their services will bring hundreds of new jobs to the area. On top of that, a startup medical device company, Monteris Medical Inc. is making noise about putting an office here.
Incredibly, community leaders are braced for even more good news in mid- to late-April, but they're keeping it under wraps to let it move through proper channels.
Some community leaders are more giddy than others, but few doubt that Kalamazoo is bucking a trend.
In February AT&T announced plans to expand its customer service center in downtown Kalamazoo. Headquartered on Lovell Street, AT&T employs 250 people. Currently, 140 positions exist for customer-service representatives. About 110 additional customer-service positions will be created as AT&T expands it services to offer residential telephone, broadband and U-Verse video service. Their new services will help the company to better compete with cable giants Comcast and Charter Communications.
Fabri-Kal,a privately held company located on Cork Street also announced expansion. The manufacturer of plastic and corn-based food packaging products has approximately 115 employees and plans to relocate to the former Mead Paper Company site, which has been vacant since 2001. As part of a $41 million expansion, Fabri-Kal plans to transform the Mead building into a state-of-the-art design and manufacturing facility and create 160 to 200 new jobs.
Another vacant manufacturing site in Kalamazoo, the former General Motors Corp. metal stamping plant, will see new life. Kaiser Aluminum, a $1.3 billion, California-based producer of fabricated aluminum products plans to operate an aluminum-extrusion operation at the Midlink Business Park in Comstock Township. As the new location develops, Kaiser Aluminum plans to invest $80 million in the community and bring 300 new jobs to the area within the year.
In recent months Kalamazoo’s Parker Aerospace has landed a $1 billion share of a new contract with international aircraft maker Airbus, and a $200 million pact to build controls for a new Mitsubishi airplane. Part of Cleveland-based Parker-Hannifin Corp., Parker Aerospace employs approximately 600 local workers, thanks to work the division has been doing for various companies, including Boeing, Co. While the number of new jobs has not been announced, it is expected that more engineers and manufacturers will be needed at the Kalamazoo location to support the new contracts.
As of December 2007, Kalamazoo’s unemployment rate of 5.1% sat several points below Michigan’s all time high of 7.4%. With new jobs, contracts and expansions in the area, it’s possible that Kalamazoo could lead the upswing for economic revival across the state.
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