Hello Kalamazoo! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Downtown street conversion, a new ice cream shop, and Touch-A-Truck Night + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Downtown streets set for change: Downtown Kalamazoo’s $20 million two-way conversion is expected to begin in early July at Park Street. A video previews traffic shifts, Michigan Avenue parking changes, and removal of bike lanes -- see what’s planned downtown.
Sweet spot for dessert lovers: Midnight Melt opened on West Main in Kalamazoo, serving inventive ice cream flavors and handcrafted milkshakes. Early buzz is strong, and fans say the new shop is worth the trip -- taste the new ice cream.
County climate blueprint: Kalamazoo County is taking public comments on a 71-page Climate Action Master Plan detailing vulnerabilities and 85 recommended actions to improve air quality. Feedback is open now through July 16 -- read the full plan.
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.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Pretty paths, easy wins: Crane Park brings you a 10-acre garden vibe with winding pathways, picnic-worthy spots, tennis and pickleball courts, and a legit Tree Walk for bonus nature points. Swing by this week to reset your brain, sneak in some movement, and casually humble your friends.
Bring on the buzzers: Kalamazoo Game Show Experience, LLC turns your crew night this week into a live game show with buzzers, fast-paced rounds, and all the hype, so team hangs, birthdays, and reunions feel epic without planning headaches... just bragging rights.
Green-thumb boost: If your porch, yard, or windowsill needs a glow up, River Street Flowerland has the kind of sprawling greenhouses, hardy perennials, happy houseplants, and straight-shooting advice that actually works in Kalamazoo’s mood-swing weather, so you come home with plants that live.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎉 Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo's Fourth Anniversary Celebration @ Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo | Thursday (6/25) at 11:00 AM – Adam, Allison, and the Bricks & Minifigs Kalamazoo crew are throwing a fourth birthday with discounts, treats, giveaways, spin-the-wheel, and surprise guests. Bring the kids, or pretend you’re shopping for them while rebuilding your childhood. Toast your haul like the seasoned local you are.
🎬 Summer Cinema: Superman @ Frays Park | Friday (6/26) at 6:00 PM – Ready to feel like a kid again, without the tights? Frays Park is hosting a free Friday night screening of Superman, plus music and a Youth Entrepreneur Fair showing off Kalamazoo kids' hustle, so pack the blankets, the snacks, and your nostalgic commentary.
🚚 Touch-A-Truck Night @ Honor Credit Union Stadium | Friday (6/26) at 6:30 PM – Touch-A-Truck Night is rolling into the ballpark with Kalamazoo’s biggest, loudest rigs, perfect for small humans who think horn volume is a personality. Let them climb, snap photos, and stay for postgame fireworks, plus a $20 package with a Growlers hard hat.
🐟 Fish of Michigan Guided Hike @ Kalamazoo Nature Center | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Whether you can tell a darter from a drum, or think fish comes in sticks, this guided KNC hike strolls from the Visitor Center to the Kalamazoo River to meet 130-plus finned neighbors. Starts at front desk, included with admission, members free, and all ages.
🥞 Summer 26 Charity Pancake Breakfast @ The Old Skool Bar | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Think brunch tastes better when it helps the neighbors? The Saturday charity pancake spread dishes an $11.99 self-serve plate with pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit, seconds encouraged, and all breakfast profits heading straight to a rotating Kalamazoo nonprofit, drinks extra, smiles included.
🧺 Annual Picnic and Bike Parade @ Southside Park | Saturday (6/27) at 12:00 PM – Pack a blanket and dust off the spokes for the neighborhood's third Annual Picnic and Bike Parade. There are tunes, food, and bike-decorating stations, then a victory lap around the block, free and family-friendly, like a block party with training wheels for grown-ups.
✏ How to Draw Sat Morning Cartoons @ LFG Gaming Bar | Saturday (6/27) at 3:00 PM – Relive your Saturday morning glory days, minus the cereal sugar crash, with a laid-back cartoon drawing class taught by our pal Devon. It happens every Saturday, no sign-up needed, $30 a pop or $100 for four, and yes, your doodles finally count as culture.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Kalamazoo report Weather forecastToday — High: 76°F — Low: 57°F — Precip: 45%
A chance of rain showers between 3pm and 5pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. South southwest wind 0 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South southwest wind 3 to 7 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 77°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 19%
A slight chance of rain showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West southwest wind 3 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of rain showers after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55. This house is wildThis 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath Oshtemo estate stretches across more than an acre of secluded land with a long list of standout perks. Wood floors, a wall of windows, gas fireplace, chef’s kitchen, and spa-like primary suite set the tone, while the walkout lower level, waterfall, gazebo, putting green, and 3-car garage bring the fun.
Take a peek inside → |
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