Mike Granchi
Aug 14, 2026
Quote Of The Day |
"The pulse of America is not found in its loudest cities but in the quiet ambition of places that simply get things done." — Anonymous |
When most of us turn out the lights, another Kalamazoo clocks in. From hospitals and factories to highways, hotels and emergency services, meet the largely unseen workforce that keeps our community running while the rest of us sleep. Read More... |
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Kalamazoo and Portage are filled with familiar landmarks whose stories most of us have never heard. From an ancient mound and time capsule in Bronson Park to historic buildings that were actually moved to Celery Flats, we're uncovering the surprising history hiding in plain sight. Read More... |
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Kalamazoo's favorite restaurants weren't always just places to eat—they were places where life happened. From softball nights at Pappy's and the family atmosphere of La Fontanella to anniversaries and special occasions at Bravo, we look back at some beloved restaurants that may be gone, but certainly haven't been forgotten. Read More... |
Things to Do This Week
Lunchtime Live! Youth Talent Show
Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo
Portage Zhang Farmers Market
Dam Good Nature Hike
Coffee with a Cop
Friday at the Flats: Block Party
KP Vibe Pick of the Week
Friday at the Flats: Block Party A summer evening at Celery Flats, a community block party, and live entertainment sounds like a pretty good combination to us. And after reading this week's “Why Is THAT There?” story, you can check out some of those relocated historic buildings for yourself! |
Back-to-School Help for Local Families
With the new school year right around the corner, several local organizations and churches are helping families get students ready for the classroom. Here are a few opportunities to keep on your radar.
Family Health Center Back to School Bash One of the area's larger back-to-school events returns with more than 1,500 backpacks filled with school supplies planned for distribution. The event also includes free food, games, rides, activities and prizes for local families. Registration is encouraged.
Renovation Church Back-to-School Bash Renovation Church is planning a community Back-to-School Bash with school-related help and family activities. This one falls just outside this week's calendar, but families looking for assistance may want to put it on their calendars now.
New Jerusalem Community Back-to-School Event Another community back-to-school event is planned for the following weekend, with activities designed to help local students and families prepare for the new school year. Know About Another Giveaway?
Churches, nonprofits and neighborhood groups throughout the area are holding backpack and school-supply giveaways during August, and many are announced primarily through social media.
If you know of a Kalamazoo or Portage back-to-school giveaway we've missed, let KP Vibe know so we can help spread the word.
Sometimes helping a neighbor starts with simply making sure they know where to go. |
Hidden in Plain Sight: Rasa Ria
Sometimes the restaurants most worth discovering are the ones you may have driven past dozens of times without giving them a second thought.
Rasa Ria, at 1921 W. Main Street in Kalamazoo, is one of those places.
This small, family-run restaurant specializes in Indonesian and Malaysian cooking—something you won't find on every corner in Southwest Michigan. The surroundings are simple and unassuming, but that's part of the charm. This is a place where the food is clearly the star.
Local diners repeatedly recommend dishes like Beef Rendang, a deeply seasoned slow-cooked beef dish, and Nasi Goreng, Indonesian-style fried rice. The menu also includes curries, noodle dishes and other Southeast Asian specialties that make Rasa Ria a great choice when you're ready to venture beyond the usual burger, pizza or taco night.
And despite being around for years, Rasa Ria still has that wonderful hidden-gem quality—the kind of restaurant longtime residents can somehow completely miss.
So if you've driven down West Main a hundred times and never noticed it, maybe this is the week to finally stop. Sometimes one of Kalamazoo's most interesting meals is hiding right along your regular drive. |
Enjoy KP Vibe?Help Us Bring a Friend Along.
KP Vibe grows mostly one reader at a time—and we'd love your help. If you enjoyed this week's issue, would you forward it to just ONE friend, neighbor or coworker who loves Kalamazoo & Portage too?
That's it. One person.
If every reader introduced just one new person to KP Vibe, our little local community would double almost overnight.
Thanks for reading, sharing, and helping us celebrate the place we call home. See you next week! |