🌱 March Is Climate Emergency Month + Commendable Kids Program

Good morning, friends! I'm back in your inbox this morning with your fresh edition of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter. Here are all the things you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Mostly sunny. High: 44 Low: 26.
• Thursday: Mostly cloudy. High: 45 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories today in Kalamazoo-Portage:

1. The Kalamazoo City Commission approved an official measure to recognize March 2023 as climate emergency month during the commission's Monday night meeting on Mar. 6. The city commission's proclamation comes in support of Western Michigan University's Climate Change Working Group, which previously declared March as climate emergency month and had asked the city to support its efforts. (WKZO)
2. Kalamazoo Public Safety's Community Policing Unit is seeking youth to feature in its Commendable Kids Program. The program aims to help form positive relationships between police and youth in the community in a safe environment. Eligible students are those elementary aged through high school age. (Kalamazoo)
3. Portage Public Schools announced that its students who are already receiving reduced-price meals will be eligible to get breakfast and lunch for free starting Mar. 1. The measure was approved by the school board on Feb. 27 and will use the Food Service Program's budget surplus of nearly $1 million to fund the cost of the meals, which is estimated to cost $12,000. (MLive.com)

Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Wednesday, March 8

• Lucky Gnome At Wine And Canvas (6:00 PM)
• Virtual Reality Night At Kalamazoo Public Library (5:00 PM)

Thursday, March 9

• March Playdate At Zion Lutheran Church (9:00 AM)
• Blood Drive At Douglass Community Association (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The 2023 Portage Farmers Market is looking for vendors! Submit a vendor application for this year's event here. (WKZO)
• The 2023 Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo is coming up this weekend. The expo begins on Friday, Mar. 10 and runs through Sunday, Mar. 12 at the Kalamazoo Expo Center. (WHTC)
• Don't miss the St. Patrick's Day Parade this weekend! The parade kickoff on Saturday, Mar. 11 is at 11:00 a.m. in Downtown Kalamazoo and will feature the 2023 Grand Marshal Kalamazoo Liam the Leprechaun. (Downtown Kalamazoo via Facebook)

That's it for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with a new update!

— Michelle Paul

About me: Michelle Paul is a Utah-based writer and photographer with a professional background in content management and registered nursing. When not working on projects ranging from photo editing to copywriting, they enjoy traveling, video games, and expanding their skills.