🌱 New Autism Learning Center In Portage + Reactions To Arena Project

Good morning, everybody. It's me, Michelle Paul, your host of the Kalamazoo-Portage Patch newsletter — here to explain everything you need to know about what's happening in our community today.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Rain and a thunderstorm. High: 60 Low: 41.
• Saturday: Showers of rain and snow. High: 45 Low: 24.

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

1. Total Spectrum, a learning center that serves children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, recently opened its newest location in Portage at 7895 Currier Dr. The center also has a location in Kalamazoo, but that facility had reached the point where it could no longer accept new clients due to demand. The new Portage center offers both on-site and in-home services six days per week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is currently open to accepting new patients. (MLive.com)
2. The Kalamazoo community is reacting to last week's announcement of a $300 million downtown arena that would be privately funded by the economic group Southwest Michigan First. Some community members expressed hope that the new project would bring new jobs into the area both during construction and after completion, while other residents believe that the community's desires for the area are being ignored and expressed concern about the traffic and parking that large events at the arena would cause. (MLive.com)
3. The Kazoo 48 Film Festival is back in Kalamazoo for another year. The festival, which challenges both amateur and professional filmmakers to create a movie within 48 hours, is set to kick off today at 6:00 p.m. with submissions due by 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, Apr. 2. The finished movies will be featured during a special screening event on Apr. 20 at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. (Kalamazoo)

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Today and tomorrow in Kalamazoo-Portage:

Friday, March 31

• Smart Cycling At Portage Parks & Recreation Building (1:00 PM)
• Vintage In The Zoo Presents: Night Shop + Vintage + Handmade Pop-Up Market At Loui's Trophy House (5:00 PM)
• Come Out For Queer Theatre: A Benefit Storytelling Event For Queer Theatre Kalamazoo At Crawlspace Comedy Theatre (7:00 PM)

Saturday, April 1

• Children's Eco Story Time At Bee Joyful Shop (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Looking for a great place to eat? Check out A Thai Cafe in Portage! The family-run restaurant offers many traditional Thai dishes as well as bubble tea, their newest offering. (MLive.com)
• The Bike Portage Rental Program is set to open this weekend on Saturday, Apr. 1. Use the Movatic app to rent a bike at any Bike Portage bike station on the Portage Creek Bicentennial Park Trail. Learn more here. (The City of Portage MI via Facebook)
• It's that time of year to go hunting for eggs! Don't miss Kalamazoo's Annual Egg Hunt on Saturday, Apr. 8 at Mayors' Riverfront Park. Register for the event here. (The City of Kalamazoo, Michigan via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today. See you all soon for another 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.