The Diva Page By Lori

It's... it's... the Kalamazoo Communities in Schools BLITZ.

The kids are going back to school today and some have a stronger support system than others.  Some have no support system.  Some kids virtually raise themselves.

Can you be a positive influence on a child?  Consider becoming a tutor or mentor with the Kalamazoo Public Schools.  The time commitment is only one hour a week. Training is provided.  You pick your school, the subject and the age of the students.

200 wonderful people are signed on for this school year.  Coco Cook tells 590/96.5 WKZO that they'd like 600...or more.

Contact www.kcis.org to get information on making a difference in a child's life.

You just know that people are tsk tsking the horrible story about the girl doing a header off a balcony at a frat party and saying , "Kids these days."

This morning I had the pleasure of meeting a WMU student who started a non-profit organization called "Take Life By the Page".  Ashley McIntyre hopes to encourage healthy coping strategies and educational growth within the homeless community through reading.

People are encouraged to bring used or new books, new notebooks or journals and writing supplies to The Parkview Hills Clubhouse, Fifth Third Bank on Greenleaf Blvd and the Vallar Salon on Centre Avenue in Portage.

To contact Ashley: takelifebythepage@gmail.com

Today...11am-1pm...at the new Simple Treasures store on S. Westnedge near the pedestrian bridge.  Find some treasures with proceeds going to the Kalamazoo Deacon's Conference.

Gas & Groceries...TODAY...Harding's in Parchment.  11-1!  See you there!

Let's see if you can get even closer than Norma Radke of Portage did at our last Gas & Groceries event.  Norma guess was only 27 cents shy of the actual retail value.  I'll be at the West Main GOODWILL today 11-1:00.  You could fill your larder with groceries from Harding's and your gas tank with $50 in gas from West Main Shell.

My baby turned 18 yesterday and was threatening to get pierced and tatooed while I was at work.  She also could have: bought cigarettes, bought a gun, bought lottery tickets, gambled in certain tribal casinos, bought porn, joined the army and gotten married.

Phew!  When I came home she was only watching "Jersey Shore".  I should consider myself fortunate.

See you at Hearthside Senior Apartments for another round of Gas & Groceries today @ 11:00.  Take E. Centre to Currier Dr. (Dairy Queen on corner).  We'll have groceries from Harding's.  You guess how much they're worth.  Closest without going over wins not only the groceries but a $50 gas card from West Main Shell.

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation is celebrating 85 years of helping others.  Over 1300 people are expected at a celebration at Chenery Auditorium Thursday night. And of course THE POTLUCK PALS are taking the party into the holidays as we join with KCF for our fundraiser.  Friday @ midnight is the deadline to vote for your favorite non-profit organization.  The top 12 will each get a fundraiser and matching $ from The Kalamazoo Community Foundation.

"MONY MONY"..."CRIMSON AND CLOVER"..."CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION"...DRAGGIN' THE LINE"...24 gold singles, 9 platinum albums, 100 million records sold worldwide.

Did you know that Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells is from NILES? They're having a big party for him in his hometown tomorrow:

4:30-6:30 He'll be signing his best-selling book "ME, THE MOB AND THE MUSIC" at Majerek's Reader's World.

6:45-7:30 Reception at Niles High School

7:30-8:30 Homecoming in the auditorium.  Tommy will talk about his life in Niles and his book

I LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE his music.  And I love that he is from our area.

I heard from Joe this morning.  He was cleaning out his desk at The City of Parchment and found a couple of long-lost items he would like to reunite with their owners: a class ring from Kalamazoo Central-1987-Pamela G. Miller and a Citizen's watch engraved with the name Daniel Moore 5/5/91.  These items were found in Kindleberger Park.  If you know who they belong to, call Parchment city hall @ 349-3785.

This week is the busiest week of the year in Kalamazoo.  It's also the turning point of the summer.  "Ack!  The Tennis Tournament!  Summer is over!"  "Oh no!  The Fair!  Farewell summer!" "Softball? Sayonara summer."

In a way, it has seemed really long since this year April was more like May.  All the flowering trees that usually are in full bloom in mid-May were already resplendent at the beginning of April.  That, and the fact that we actually HAD summer weather this year makes it feel like it was a long summer. At the same time, when this week rolls around, I always think about the things I SWORE I'd do this summer.

I'd better get a move on. Time's a wastin'.

Cast yours today for your favorite non-profit organization in the promotions/slider @ wkzo.com.  This year, The Kalamazoo Community Foundation will be MATCHING the money raised by my Potluck Pals at Christmas.  There are some clear front-runners right now.  Don't leave your pet cause behind!  Voting ends at midnight August 20.