State Rep. Margaret O'Brien, R-Portage, will host an upcoming town hall event designed to answer questions and seek input on local government issues affected by state policy.

The town hall takes place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, at the Michigan Technical Education Center in the Groves of Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The center is located at 7107 Elm Valley Drive in Kalamazoo.

O'Brien has invited State Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Ann Arbor, chair of the House Committee on Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs.

"It's critical that state government maintain a productive dialogue with local governments and the residents for whom we all work," O'Brien said. "As a key committee chair, Rep. Ouimet graciously agreed to travel to our community and offer his expertise on the subject. I am grateful for his participation."

O'Brien said local feedback is invaluable to the work of the committee.

The SBA, along with the Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center and SCORE mentors will host a free Meet the Lenders Forum on May 24th from 9 a.m. to Noon at Haworth College of Business, 3110 Schneider Hall, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, at Western Michigan University.   The session is open to prospective and existing business owners who are seeking funding to start or expand a business.  Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to meet with multiple lenders in one location, at one time, to discuss lending criteria, loan products, and alternative lending options.

Twelve young musicians, selected from an applicant pool of 117 from around the globe, will be in Kalamazoo May 19 for the 37th Annual Stulberg International String Competition.

These twelve semifinalists, who are younger than 20 years old, perform two works: a piece of their choice and a solo composition by J.S. Bach for a panel of judges from the Julliard String Quartet. The semifinal performances take place at the Dalton Recital Hall, Western Michigan University from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. After the judges make their decisions, the six finalists will perform beginning at 8 p.m. Prizes range from $500 to $5,000 and include performances with regional orchestras. Admission to the semi-finals is free. Admission to the finals is $10 adults and $5 students. Tickets are available through the Stulberg office at (269)343-2776 and at the door.