New Portage farmers market has a name
The city of Portage has broken ground on its new farmers market and has decided who will get the naming rights. It will be called the Portage Zhang Farmers Market to acknowledge the $1 million gift toward its construction from Charles and Lynn Zhang.
Mayor Patricia Randall said the new facility will share parking, restrooms, and other facilities that already exist at City Hall and the Portage Zhang Senior Center, a decision made to reduce the cost of the project. The Portage City Council voted earlier this month to buy the materials needed to construct the pavilions and it chose the contractor this week. The market is scheduled to open sometime next year. – John McNeill, NowKalamazoo
Workshops planned to help residents avoid foreclosure
One way Kalamazoo County has prevented people from becoming homeless is by helping them avoid foreclosure for non-payment of taxes. A special session is planned this week to help those who may be having trouble now. The county’s new foreclosure prevention specialist, Sarah Shule, called it a community resource fair. The first session will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Northside Association for Community Development.
Schuler said the treasurer’s office is hitting the road over the next four months with events at Oakland Neighborhood Association (Nov. 6), Comstock Township (Nov. 12), Richland Community Center (Nov. 13), Northside Association For Community Development (Nov. 17), the Vine Neighborhood Association (Nov. 19), Edison Neighborhood Association (Dec. 3), South County Community Services (Dec. 10), and Portage City Hall (Dec. 11). – John McNeill, NowKalamazoo
Kzoo city manager meet-and-greet tonight
Kalamazoo city leaders will introduce the top four contenders for the city manager position during events this week. The first will be a meet and greet at the Catalyst Center from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Members of the public will get to interact with candidates directly, though they’re asked to save their comments for a city commission meeting next Monday…