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Hello Kalamazoo! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Indigenous elders in residence at WMU, cats and cookies, and K-Wings Green Ice + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Kalamazoo protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Cultural teachings nurture well-being: WMU has welcomed Indigenous leaders Robin Greymountain and Shannon Martin as its first elders in residence. They will offer office hours and share teachings on campus over the next year — learn about the new program.

Springtime family fun ahead: Kalamazoo’s annual egg hunt will return to Mayors’ Riverfront Park on April 4, with two afternoon hunts, age-split fields, candy prizes, games, and bunny photo ops — see times and age groups.

Public input opportunity announced: Kalamazoo drivers, construction on US-131 between I-94 and Stadium Drive began March 2 and runs five months. MDOT’s $13.4 million upgrade targets safety and traffic, with completion expected mid-September — see how to get involved.

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.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Learn backyard birding basics with Audubon
• Discover waterfowl at Duck Day
• Get cozy at 50+ queer Wicked screening
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Weeknight pie win: Craving a midweek slice that tastes like someone fussed over it? At Grand Traverse Pie Company – Portage, pies are baked fresh daily, with hot coffee, buttery quiche, and hearty pot pies ready when dinner needs a shortcut, so your Wednesday feels a little more like Sunday.

Fresh blooms without fuss: For a quick color lift or total mood reset, VanderSalm’s Flower Shop & Garden Center offers thoughtful, locally crafted arrangements and easygoing plants that feel personal, not pressured. Whether planned ahead or chosen on the spot, their designer’s choice pieces nail the details and deliver cheer.

Chalk up, Kalamazoo: Midweek slump? Climb Kalamazoo delivers a quick reset with 10,500 square feet, frequently refreshed routes, bouldering, top rope, and a Kilter Board to hone your send. New folks welcome, and Intro to Climbing keeps it low-pressure and actually fun.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 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 →

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 →

Thinning hair? It only gets worse: A few months ago, I noticed my ponytail getting thinner. I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, etc.) but mostly just hoped it would fix itself… until I learned that active follicles can permanently go dormant if you don’t do something about it. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Check out my favorite online options →

📆 Fun for the whole fam

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.

👣 Wild Wanderers Five Senses Walk @ Portman Nature Preserve (Mattawan) | Thursday (3/12) at 10:00 AM – Grab the kids and head to Paw Paw for a Five Senses Walk, a playful hike where they use sight, sound, touch, and smell to explore, not taste. Free with just 20 spots, so register, adults tag along, dogs stay home, and no restrooms.

🐱 Cats and Cookies! @ Kzoo Cat Cafe and Rescue | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – If you needed a socially acceptable excuse to buy Thin Mints in bulk, Kzoo Cat Cafe has you covered. Cuddle adoptable cats while local Girl Scout troops sling cookies, and feel smug supporting two good causes. Different troops rotate in, same irresistible combo.

🦁 Storybooks In The Zoo @ Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo, MI | Saturday (3/14) at 1:00 PM – Downtown Kalamazoo turns into a storybook stroll, so after the St. Paddy’s parade, grab a library-card passport and wander stop to stop. Local shops host readings, pop-ups, and surprises, so you can entertain the kids, support literacy, and rack up steps without thinking.

🏒 K-Wings Green Ice @ Wings Event Center | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 PM – Green Ice is back, and the K-Wings are squaring off against the Indy Fuel on that gloriously shamrock-colored sheet. Expect loud cheers, a little nostalgia, and plenty of hometown pride. Hosted by SMB&T and Union City Rotary, tickets are $12 from any Union City Rotarian.

🍀 Leprechaun Trap Craft & Open Gym @ The Little Gym of Kalamazoo (Portage) | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – If your kid has more St. Paddy’s energy than coffee can handle, let them build a leprechaun trap, then run it off in open gym. We supply boxes, glitter, and mischief. It’s $20 per child with a 10% member discount, text 269-205-8472 to sign up.

🎳 PC Baseball Team Bowling Fundraiser @ Revel & Roll West | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – If you’ve been itching to show the kids how bowling looked before bumpers, the PCHS baseball boosters are taking over the lanes for a family fundraiser. Players bowl free, family can buy games, plus a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, and snack bar fuel.

🛼 St. Patrick’s Day Skate @ Rollerworld | Tuesday (3/17) at 6:30 PM – Channel your inner middle school rink legend at Rollerworld’s St. Patrick’s Day Skate, where the carpet still glows and the DJ still knows the crowd-pleasers. Ten bucks gets you in, rental extra, no coupons, no freebies, just laps, laughs, and questionable green attire.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Kalamazoo report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 59°F – Low: 27°F – Precip: 82%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy. High near 59, with temperatures falling to around 40 in the afternoon. West wind 6 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible. Later: A chance of rain and snow showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 27, with temperatures rising to around 29 overnight. Northwest wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 43°F – Low: 35°F – Precip: 5%

Sunny, with a high near 43. West northwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: A slight chance of rain showers between 8pm and 11pm, then rain and snow showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. South southwest wind 5 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

This house is wild

This sprawling all-brick ranch walkout sits on a beautifully treed 0.75-acre fenced lot in a coveted neighborhood. Two private main-floor ensuite bedrooms rest at opposite ends for maximum privacy. ADA-friendly design includes a ramped entry and roll-in shower. The expansive walkout lower level is party-ready. A whole-home generator and oversized 3-car garage complete the package, with ample upside.

Take a peek inside →