Thrive in Southwest Michigan

Join 20,000 of your closest neighbors and friends in downtown Kalamazoo on Saturday, November 23 to celebrate 62 years of holiday festivities! Ignite your holiday spirit and kick off the holiday season at the Maple Hill Holiday Parade! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gJhJ9_j9 Photo courtesy of Maple Hill Holiday Parade

Looking for something fun to do in Benton Harbor? Make plans now to attend a free concert with a unique twist! Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Department presents the Pop/Rock and Jazz Band Concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 20 at the Mendel Center. What's the twist? This concert brings the audience into the experience through seating on stage with the performers. Tickets are not required for this free general admission event.?Learn more at the link below. https://lnkd.in/g-ZZGDFx Article and photo courtesy of MoodyontheMarket.com

@wmumedicine and Corewell Health Lakeland Graduate Medical Education have announced a new partnership for students in the medical field. The partnership gives medical students the opportunity to complete their core and advance clinical rotations with experienced physicians at three hospitals in Southwest Michigan: Corewell Health-St. Joseph Hospital, Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals-Niles Hospital, and Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital. Find out more about this incredible opportunity for the next generation of physicians at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gbkDB6kD

After two decades of vacancy, the iconic Cass County Administration building has been painstakingly restored through the incredible work of our partners: construction firm ELITE COMPANIES, architect Intersect Studio, and owner's representative PlazaCorp Realty Advisors, Inc. Working closely with the skilled trades and Cass County, Michigan Government administrators, they've preserved history while embracing the future, revitalizing this community treasure for generations to come. Plus, the work was completed just in time for the community to celebrate its 125th anniversary with a public open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, October 11! Check out the full story and see the incredible transformation at the link below! ELITE Companies: Restoring a 125-Year-Old Landmark, Revitalizing a Community - FIRST & 42 https://hubs.ly/Q02VtM640 #HistoricRestoration #CommunityRevitalization #125YearsStrong #CassCounty #Construction #Architecture #skilledtrades #CommunityGrowth

A Halloween Party with a carousel, The Sanderson Sister witches, a magician, and other eerie-ristable activities? Yes, please! Make plans now to attend the Third Annual Halloween Boo Bash at Silver Beach Center in St. Joseph on October 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gt9DPZyC Article and image courtesy of MoodyontheMarket.com

Southwest Michigan's first Black-owned venture capital firm made its debut with a $50 million capital commitment. It’s called Kalamazoo Forward Ventures and is made up of seven successful and community-driven men, all from Michigan. Together, they will invest the $50 million from limited partners for hungry innovators, special start-ups, and marginalized founders in Kalamazoo and throughout portions of the mitten. Learn more at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gParJYG6 Article and image courtesy of WWMT-TV News Channel 3

Exciting news for those who live in Battle Creek and love all things Italian food — Olive Garden is coming to Battle Creek! Crews began working today to construct the Italian chain's newest store near the mall on Beckley Road. A completion date has not been announced. https://lnkd.in/gRDcDjGb Article and image courtesy of WWMT-TV News Channel 3

Hard Rock International has announced plans for the development of a new hotel at the historic Gibson guitar and mandolin manufacturing site at 225 Parsons St., which is the founding location of Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co. in 1917. REVERB by Hard Rock Kalamazoo would be a destination location for visitors. Check out the link below to learn more. Article and photo courtesy of MLive.com

Big news in Berrien County! OneRepublic guitarist Zach Filkins and his wife, Lindsay, bought Karma Vista winery in Coloma after a recent visit. The vineyard and winery boasts sweeping views of the countryside and is located about 45 minutes from Kalamazoo. The winery has been renamed Filkins Vineyards. The winery offers flower arranging classes, line dancing lessons, live music, and more. See more photos at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gfPkeZwz Article and photo courtesy of MLive.com

Love cute baby animals? Looking for something fun to do? BINDER PARK ZOO in Battle Creek has welcomed a new addition to its family of zebras. Born July 15, the unnamed foal is the first-born of mother Debbie, the zoo's last foal that was born in 2018, according to Marketing Manager Allie Stoddard. Zookeepers are expected to announce the newborn's name once it is chosen. See some of the pictures at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gRTYJFa4 Article and photo courtesy of WWMT-TV News Channel 3