News Release:

KALAMAZOO, MI – This is a busy time for Kalamazoo in Bloom, who is getting ready to plant flowers in Kalamazoo and Portage as part of their annual planting season. Since 1984, Kalamazoo in Bloom has highlighted the area’s world renowned hot bedding industry, first with flower festivals under the name of Kalamazoo County Flowerfest, and now with community planting days.

Hundreds of volunteers are recruited from schools to garden clubs, to help plant over 90,000 flowers across the community, and to plant familiar structures, the peacock in Kalamazoo’s Bronson Park and the canoe on S. Westnedge, across from Old Westnedge Avenue in Portage.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WZZM) - Mother's Day weekend features many eclectic events for you to enjoy.  So, here's What's Happening around west Michigan.

Saturday night, Dance in the Annex and ArtPeers present an evening of modern dance featuring live, local and original music at Wealthy Theatre starting at 7 p.m.

Organizers have put together this unique show incorporating close to 50 local artists.

They call it "Trip the Light".

(WZZM) - Amtrak service from Pontiac to Chicago is returning to normal after several weeks of service interruption.  Work is finishing up on track lines between Kalamazoo and Porter, Indiana that will allow trains to travel 110 miles-per-hour.  "There are a few sections that still have 40 mile-per-hour slowdowns, but for the most part the line is back up to speed," said MDOT spokeswoman Janet Foran.

The state is expected to complete the purchase of 135 miles of track between Dearborn and Kalamazoo this summer.  The aim is to get speeds on that section up to 110 miles-per-hour in the future.

A slow section of track between Porter, Indiana and Chicago is receiving a $3.2 million dollar federal grant to speed up passenger travel times.

Passengers with Amtrak reservations should confirm train times at Amtrak's website.