An Artisan Among Us
neighborsIf you consult a dictionary for the definition of “artisan”, you would see the following: “ar•ti•san (noun) – skilled craftsperson, somebody who is skilled at a craft.” Precede this noun with the adjective, “unique”, and you have the description of an individual tucked away in a rural setting within the greater Battle Creek area…a very “unique artisan”. With only approximately 200 people in the world actively practicing in his craft, this community member has been described by one of his customers as possibly being among the top 5 crafters in his profession worldwide.
Read moreDisasters! Are We Prepared?
neighborsSevere weather ripping through parts of the south recently spawned tornadoes resulting in injury and fatalities. It certainly begs the question, “Is this a precursor to what we can expect from the tornado season this year?”
Read moreRomancing the Skin – A Spotlight on Local Business
neighborsIt may be a personal question, but what kind of soap do you use? Do you know the content of the soap that is being absorbed through your skin? Can you pronounce the ingredients in your soap? If not, you may want to meet local business entrepreneur, Kelly Dempsey, owner of Romancing the Skin, a business of natural skin care and beauty products produced locally by the owner herself.
Read moreHockey Rink Lowers Drop-in Rate In Response to User Feedback
neighborsLunch time drop-in hockey at the Revolution Arena, 75 Houston St, was in danger of being rebranded as "drop-off" hockey this year due the drop in the number of players showing up to play.
Read moreThe story behind one downtown building
neighborsEver wonder what the story of a vacant building is? Here’s the story of one Michigan Avenue building from the owner’s perspective.
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Good Food Battle Creek Meets At The Hive
neighborsThe Community House at 104 Calhoun St was this month’s site for the regularly scheduled meeting of the Good Food Battle Creek (GFBC) coalition. The site, sometimes referred to as “The Hive”, was indeed abuzz with a broad spectrum of participants to include the Kellogg Foundation, Calhoun County Conservation, Bronson Hospital Food Management, The Battle Creek Public Schools (BCPS), The Food and Water Watch, Environmental Health, The Clean Waters Project, Spout Urban Farms, Michigan State University (MSU), CS Mott Group for Sustainable Agriculture, and a regional farmer representing local food production. The group was creating answers to issues, seemingly drawn from the headlines of the day, from a uniquely Battle Creek perspective; food production and distribution.
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God’s Kitchen
neighborsIf The First Congregational church kitchen is indeed not already God’s kitchen it certainly serves the “God’s Kitchen” charitable organization as such Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays beginning at 2 PM. That’s the when 8 to 15 volunteers gather to begin preparing 300 meals to be served at the First Baptist Church, 80 E Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, Monday through Friday between 4:30 and 7:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall (rear entrance). On Monday and Wednesdays the meals are prepared in First Baptist’s kitchen.
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The Last Newsie
neighborsA lot of things have changed in Battle Creek over the last 50 or so years; downtown theaters and department stores, Eaton and Clark Equipment, and tours of Post just to name a few. For most of us these changes happen gradually enough so that they go by without much notice. It is only in moments of nostalgia that we contemplate the magnitude of their loss and are saddened. But if on returning to Battle Creek on a Sunday morning, after years of absence, and in passing the corner of Van Buren and Capital, you might come to believe that the touchstones of your past were still in place in old Battle Creek.
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Downtown Construction. Where We’ve Been & Where We’re Headed.
neighborsIf you live in Michigan, no doubt, you have used or heard the statement; “there are two seasons in Michigan….winter and construction.” This statement has never been truer than it is right now in downtown as construction downtown has weathered spring, summer and now, fall.
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Can You Say “Chuseok”? - In Search of A Community
From Korea to Battle Creek, many journeys have been made, many stories are yet to be told.
The genesis of the story is sparked by something that a Korean friend of mine said to me.
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