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Hi Kalamazoo, hope you’re having a great weekend!

In today’s in-case-you-missed-it edition: Nine specialty Oberons, free parking hours extended, and a pysanky egg workshop + the top stories from this week & a sneak peek at next week.

From today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz: Many Michigan drivers end up paying higher auto insurance premiums because they don’t shop around enough. The same driver with the same car can get wildly different quotes from different insurers, so it truly pays to compare. Their free tool makes it easy.*

📰 Most-clicked stories this week

Nine specialty Oberons debut: Bell’s Brewery will celebrate Oberon Day on March 23 in Kalamazoo, with Oberon Light returning year-round and a sports-themed party at Eccentric Cafe featuring WMU Pep Band and local mascots — get all the Oberon Day details.

New approach to downtown parking: Free parking on the Kalamazoo Mall now runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. New kiosks are active, and 90 minutes are still free in city-owned ramps — see what’s changed and why.

Noise wall also planned: Construction is underway at the I-94 and U.S. 131 interchange on a $13 million project adding a lane from westbound I-94 to northbound U.S. 131. Completion expected by September 2026 — see what’s planned and when.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*

Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*

All the crowd favorites:

• Shop vintage with live vinyl tunes
• Hunt hidden eggs across downtown Kalamazoo
• Create traditional Ukrainian pysanky eggs

💎 This week’s top finds

Nostalgia meets new fun: At Uncle Buddy’s Toy Stash, retro favorites mingle with screen-free, educational picks and delightfully goofy finds, all curated to spark grins from toddlers to kid-ults. Expect old-school charm, fresh discoveries, and the kind of surprise you didn’t know you needed until curiosity nudges you.

Weeknight takeout upgrade: On “I’m not cooking” nights, Chinn Chinn delivers wok-tossed noodles, saucy stir-fries, and crisp little starters that somehow vanish on the drive home. Local, reliable, and big on flavor… the kind of menu that makes takeout feel like a small favor to yourself.

Stash refresh, anyone? Quilts Plus fuels Kalamazoo makers with fresh prints, handy kits, and just-right notions, plus ongoing classes and block-of-the-month fun when your sewjo needs a nudge. It’s browse, stitch, repeat… and before you know it, a new project might just pick you.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements — they’re the local spots your fellow readers clicked on most this week.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Paying full price is officially optional: Blu Dot just marked down dozens of their best sofas, beds, dining tables, outdoor pieces, and lighting by as much as 60%. Not because something’s wrong with them, but because every great design eventually has to make room for the next one. The deals change daily, so it’s always a new adventure. *See what’s on sale today →

Most people have no idea what’s happening inside their body: Not because the data doesn’t exist, but because no one’s collecting it. Routine annual checkups miss things like body composition, biological age, and the biomarkers that can help predict long-term patterns. The good news? HumeHealth offers tools to help you track all of that at home for less than the cost of a specialist visit. *Use code NEW20 to save 20% →

Something in your house is about to break: It might be your AC, your water heater, your fridge… doesn’t matter. Every major appliance has an expiration date, and when it goes, you’ll be staring down a repair bill that can climb into the thousands fast. An AHS home warranty covers these types of surprises + *select plans are $150 off right now →

📆 Sneak peek at next week

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🎸 Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival @ Kalamazoo Valley Museum | Friday (3/20) at 6:00 PM – Head to the Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival and spot Kazoo Books holding court with a table of freshly arrived music reads, from guitar lore to theory, all pulled from a recent windfall. Better than another pedal, and perfect for the couch, coffee, or bourbon.

🛍 Kalamazoo Winter Market @ Kalamazoo Farmers Market | Saturday (3/21) at 8:00 AM – Think you know winter produce? The Kalamazoo Winter Market proves February can taste fresh, with local greens, crusty bread, and artisan goods that outclass big-box impulse buys. Swing by Harrison on Saturday mornings, warm your hands on coffee, and stock up.

🧹 Oshtemo Parks Trash Sweep @ Oshtemo Township Park | Saturday (3/21) at 9:00 AM – Kicking off park season, Oshtemo Township Park is hosting a no-frills trash sweep, the kind of spring cleaning we might actually finish. Grabbers, bags, gloves, and vests are provided, or bring your own. Enjoy the thaw, meet neighbors, and leave the park looking smugly tidy.

🥚 Learn to Make Pysanky Eggs! @ Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church | Saturday (3/21) at 10:00 AM – Skip the supermarket dye kits and try your hand at pysanky, the old-school Ukrainian way. No experience needed, just a steady-ish hand, a candle, and the patience you swore you had. Kids can join, with parents close enough to intercept any wax adventures.

🌿 Paint & Plant Herb Garden Workshop @ Westside Garden Center | Saturday (3/21) at 11:00 AM – Kick off spring the right way, with paint-splattered hands and a windowsill that earns its keep. Decorate a chunky wood planter or three terra cotta pots, then fill them with fresh herbs, even if your basil thinks you’re unreliable. First come, $30, while supplies last.

🔨 Annual Auction and Soiree @ Presidential Brewing Company (Portage) | Saturday (3/21) at 1:00 PM – Nothing says grown-up wild like an afternoon soiree in comfy pants. Swing by Presidential Brewing for free-entry trivia, cold beer, and an online auction stacked with vacation stays, gear, and goodies, plus 50/50 raffle and a lottery board. Family friendly, competitive, and couch-bidding approved.

🎬 Winter Hygge Queer Film Festival: “Wicked” (2024) @ OutFront Kalamazoo | Sunday (3/22) at 12:45 PM – Consider this your cozy detour to Oz: the Seasons 50+ crew is nesting at OutFront Kalamazoo for a queer Wicked screening. Popcorn and drinks are handled, you bring blankets, pillows, and your best pointy hat. Low drama, high comfort, plenty of cackles, minimal standing.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Kalamazoo report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 66°F – Low: 26°F – Precip: 58%

Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 66. South southeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers before 11pm, then showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am, then rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 26. South southwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 33°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 88%

Rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. West southwest wind 17 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible. Later: Snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Most popular house this week

Contemporary farmhouse style meets new-build polish in a neighborhood with Mattawan schools and Texas Township taxes. Main level spotlights a chef’s kitchen with large island and walk-in pantry. Upstairs features a loft and primary suite. A finished daylight basement adds a family room, workout area, fifth bedroom, and full bath. Screened porch, patio, deep yard, plus pickleball, basketball, and playground.

Take a peek inside →