|
Subscribe | Get featured
Rise and shine, Kalamazoo!
In today’s planning-your-week edition: Pirates of the Caribbean live in concert, a firefighter therapy dog, and a fretboard festival + all our favorite events happening over the next seven days.
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.*
|
📰 In the news
Summer celebrations forge ahead: Arcadia Creek Festival Place is getting a $3.6 million upgrade, but Kalamazoo Pride will happen June 5 and 6, with other festivals planned. The site will remain closed this summer — check out the full lineup.
Adjustments to improve driver access: Downtown Kalamazoo parking will change April 1, with some areas turning paid and others free. Premium spots near the Kalamazoo Mall will be $2 an hour to better match demand — get all the details.
Boosting firefighters’ mental health: Portage’s newest firefighter, Flora the 3-year-old black lab, was sworn in after six months of training and now serves as a 24/7 therapy dog for crews at three fire stations — learn how Flora supports crews.
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? American Hartford has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.*
Highlights this week:
|
💎 Local business spotlight
Slurp-worthy comfort tonight: When the week calls for noodles, Motea House & Ramen delivers rich tonkotsu, a legit creamy vegan bowl, and chewy noodles with bubble tea chasers. A low-key, easy win for those evenings when your kitchen feels like a suggestion, not a plan.
Make your space greener: Mason Jar Plant Shop is a cheerful downtown go-to for healthy houseplants, pretty pots, and a build-your-own terrarium bar that’s surprisingly addictive. Swing by this week to pick up something leafy and get a little plant-care pep talk from folks who actually know their stuff.
Ready to mash buttons: From Pac-Man and skee ball to Halo Fireteam Raven, the arcade at Revel & Roll West is an easy weeknight reset—grab a card, rack up tickets, then talk trash over ping pong or bowling when your thumbs need a breather.
These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.
|
🫶 We got your back
What doctors wish every 65+ adult had at home: Physicians call it “long-lie,” and it’s the real reason falls are so dangerous for older adults. It’s not a broken bone… it’s lying on the floor for hours waiting for someone to notice. We dug into the options that actually solve this problem, and one stood out. See which one →
Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →
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 →
|
📆 Our favorite events this 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.
🐦 Meet the Flock: Pigeon Walk @ Kalamazoo Nature Center | Saturday (3/21) at 2:00 PM – Trade the to-do list for a stroll at KNC, where pigeon ambassadors are holding court. Meet Henry, Gorgonzola, and Parm, discover that pigeons have personalities, who knew, then wander from the Visitor Center to the bird enclosures. Included with admission, members free.
☠ Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl Live in Concert @ Miller Auditorium | Saturday (3/21) at 7:00 PM – Kalamazoo Symphony is bringing Curse of the Black Pearl to life, playing Badelt and Zimmer’s score live while Jack, Will, and Elizabeth swashbuckle on the big screen. High-seas thrills, hometown polish, and permission to hum along like you practiced, eyeliner optional.
🎬 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.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Kalamazoo report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 33°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 98%
Rain and snow showers before noon, then snow showers and patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy. High near 33, with temperatures falling to around 26 in the afternoon. West southwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Later: Snow showers and patchy blowing snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16. West northwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
—
Tomorrow – High: 23°F – Low: 16°F – Precip: 47%
A chance of snow showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. West northwest wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Later: A slight chance of snow showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.
This house is wild
The Traditions 2800 is a traditional two-story plan with a footprint tuned for inclusive living and everyday ease. Thoughtful circulation links bright gathering spaces with quiet retreats, creating effortless flow. Generous storage is woven throughout, from clever closets to tucked-away nooks, keeping everything organized. Timeless proportions, flexible rooms, and smart space planning make daily life feel refreshingly simple.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
