Monday, April 27, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

Investing in core neighborhoods: Kalamazoo sold a Northside lot for $500 to Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, which plans five single-family homes. The houses will be sold to low-income buyers, strengthening affordable options -- read the full story.

Community-driven planning in action: Downtown Kalamazoo’s week-long Design It! series starts tomorrow, bringing hands-on workshops, walks, panels, and open houses April 28 through May 4 as part of the Imagine KalamazOO 2035 process -- check out the full lineup.

Family flavors, masterful technique: Than Oo, a new Asian bistro in Comstock Township, is now open with sushi, ramen, hibachi, and bento boxes in a cozy space inspired by the owner's Myanmar-to-Japan journey -- see offerings, prices, and story.

The bill everyone over 50 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.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Treasure hunt, upgraded: Garden House Vintage Market is 10,000 square feet of curated vintage, antiques, and fresh home-and-garden goodness, from ironstone to Swan Creek candles to a plant-filled garden room with rain chains and wind chimes. Pop in this week when the decluttering mood hits... then leave happily re-cluttered.

Downtown movie night, upgraded: KP Cinemas revives downtown moviegoing with 10 digital auditoriums, plush recliners, and simple reserved seating. From Flashback Cinema classics to Fathom special events, it’s an easy, ultra-cozy night out right here in Kalamazoo, on any night, without the hassle.

Local scoops and swag: Consider this your friendly nudge to swing by The Spirit of Kalamazoo for a cone, a caffeine boost, and some Michigan-themed pride. Chill on the patio, pick up a Kzoo tee that actually fits, and pretend you only came for "just ice cream."

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

Selling your house doesn't have to take months: If you need to sell quickly — because you're downsizing, relocating, or just ready to close this chapter — Liz helps seniors sell their houses fast. As-is. No repairs, no showings, no drawn-out back-and-forth. You pick the closing date. *See how it works →

Unknown-number calls aren't random: Scammers don't just pick numbers out of a hat. They pay data brokers a few bucks and get everything they need to harass you, trick you, rob you, or steal your identity outright. Incogni removes all of your personal info from these data broker sites and keeps an eye out to make sure it stays gone for good. *Get protected →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

💎 2026 Kalamazoo Rock, Mineral, Gem, and Fossil Show @ Kalamazoo County Expo Center | Friday (5/1) at 2:00 PM – Whether you can spot a fluorite from a feldspar or just like sparkly things, Kalamazoo hosts one of Michigan’s biggest gatherings of rock, mineral, gem, and fossil fans. Browse 50 vendors, trade stories, maybe adopt a trilobite. It beats reorganizing the garage.

🌵 Succulent Planting Event @ Lawton Ridge Winery | Friday (5/1) at 4:00 PM – Trade doomscrolling for dirt and a glass of something local. Make and take a succulent planter with Austhof Farms along the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail, $25 per person, limited spots, so reserve early. Low-maintenance plants, local sips, and maximum smugness.

🌿 Spring Clean-Up & Garlic Mustard Pull @ Asylum Lake Preserve | Saturday (5/2) at 10:00 AM – Trade your to-do list for a cleanup at Asylum Lake Preserve, where Team Litter faces Team Garlic Mustard and bags get tallied like March Madness. Meet at the Drake Road trailhead, all welcome, tools, gloves, and bags provided. Wear long sleeves, and claim bragging rights.

🎉 Community Fun Fest @ Lighthouse Community Church | Saturday (5/2) at 11:00 AM – Kid energy to burn? Lighthouse Community Church’s Community Fun Fest packs free pony rides, bouncy houses, a dunk tank, and police and fire trucks to explore. Catch up with neighbors, buy a hot dog or a cookie, and support Missional Chaplains.

💐 Mother's Day Fusing @ Peepers Stained Glass | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – Skip the brunch stampede and make a Mother’s Day keepsake instead, a guided glass-fusing class where you and your crew design an 8x8 sun-catcher with rods, stringers, and frit. No experience needed, ages 10+ welcome with an adult, materials included, $60, space is limited.

🍷 Make It! Bar Set Series: Stemless Wine Glass @ Glass Art Kalamazoo | Saturday (5/2) at 12:00 PM – If your cabinet's a museum of mismatched stemware, upgrade it by making your own stemless wine glass at a beginner glassblowing class. Gather hot glass, add color, shape it, with a pro guiding you. $75 covers entry, supplies, and one brag-worthy, sip-ready souvenir.

🎶 Right in the Eye @ Chenery Auditorium | Saturday (5/2) at 2:00 PM – Trade the usual cartoons for real movie magic as Georges Méliès silent shorts get a live soundtrack, lighting, and plenty of wow. Three musicians hop between 50 oddball instruments, kids five and up stay rapt, and you rack up culture points without yawns.

Set on 11.56 acres in the heart of Oshtemo, this 2025-built estate pairs serene seclusion with Kalamazoo convenience. The 5-bed, 3.5-bath layout features towering windows, two massive covered porches that run the length of the home, and a full unfinished basement. A fully equipped in-law suite supports multigenerational living, and new ADU zoning invites smart future expansion.