EVENTS ENCORE Birds and Coffee Chat Online — Grab your morning beverage and learn about a new bird species in Southwest Michigan, 10 a.m. May 12; registration required.
Geo Mystery Tours — Geocaching experience with a different mystery revealed each month, May 1, various Portage park locations; registration required at portagemi.gov.
Other Venues
Mom to Mom Sale — Shop for gently used maternity wear and children’s items, including clothing, toys, books and furniture, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. May 1, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake St., 269-903-5820.
Binder Park Zoo — Opens May 1 for the season; for hours and Covid-19 guidelines visit binderparkzoo.org. Audubon Society of Kalamazoo — Weekly bird walks at Kal-Haven Trail, meet at the caboose on 10th Street for a 2.5-mile walk to the marsh at 8th Street, 8 a.m. Tuesdays, kalamazooaudubon.org. Garlic Mustard Pull — Learn to identify, remove and dispose of this invasive plant, 9 a.m.–noon May 2, 8, 16 & 30, Lexington Green Park, 4750 Pittsford St., portagemi.gov.
When Worlds Collide: Galaxy Collisions and Their Aftermath — Eric F. Bell, professor of astronomy at the University of Michigan, discusses recent, historical and potential galaxy collisions, presented by the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, 7–9:15 p.m. May 7, via Zoom; register at kasonline.org. MISCELLANEOUS Kalamazoo Farmers Market – Featuring fresh produce, meats and artisan wares in a new, temporary location, 7 a.m.–2 p.m., Saturdays, beginning May 1 (additional days starting in June), Mayors’ Riverfront Park, 251 Mills St., pfcmarkets.com.
Kalamazoo Music Instrument Swap — Buy, sell, network and share, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. May 2, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 269-383-8778. Southwest Michigan Bridal Show — Vendors and resources for planning a wedding or special event, 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. May 2, Wings Event Center, 3600 Vanrick Drive, swmichiganbridalshow.com. Friday at the Flats — Local food trucks and vendors, 4–8 p.m. May 7, Celery Flats Pavilion, 7335 Garden Lane, portagemi.gov. "Fresh on Q" Farmers Market –8 a.m.–noon. Saturdays, starting May 8, 7110 West Q Ave., texastownship.org/community/farmers-market. Autos & Eats on the Alley — Outdoor event for car enthusiasts, with music and food for purchase, 5–9 p.m. May 8, Bates Alley, 200 E. Michigan Ave., downtownkalamazoo.org. Smart Cycling — Learn to ride your bike safely, with information on maintenance, riding in traffic
and more, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. May 9, Portage City Hall, 7900 S. Westnedge Ave.; registration required at portagemi.gov. Portage Farmers Market —10 a.m.–2 p.m. Sundays, starting May 9, Portage City Hall, portagemi.gov/643/ Farmers-Market. Home-Made Marshmallows & Hot Cocoa Bombs — Cooking class for beginning and intermediatelevel cooks, 6 p.m. May 12, Stuart Manor, 7340 Garden Lane; registration required at portagemi.gov. Virtual Baking Show — Join Chef Cory Barrett and Kalamazoo Valley Community College President L. Marshall Washington in this cooking demonstration to raise funds for student scholarships, 7 p.m. May 13, kvcc.edu/foundation. Open Roads Adult Open Bike Shop — Bring your bike to tune it up and make repairs, with tools and guidance provided, 3–6 p.m. May 14, Open Roads Bike Program, 1523 Riverview Drive, Suite B, openroadsbike.org. Kalamazoo Antique Toy Show — Antique and collectible toys for sale, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. May 15, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 269-383-8778. Lanterns on the Lake — Light up the lake with a lantern honoring a loved one or float words of hope and encouragement, 8–9:30 p.m. May 15, Ramona Park, 8600 S. Sprinkle Road; registration required at portagemi.gov. Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo — Buy, sell or trade a variety of reptiles, amphibians and small mammals, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. May 22, Kalamazoo County Expo Center, kalamazooreptileexpo.com. Bike-opoly — Test your bike safety knowledge with a game-board-style interactive trail you can bike on, 1–4 p.m. May 22, Celery Flats, 7335 Garden Lane, portagemi.gov. Paddlesports Sampler — Learn about and experience a variety of watercraft, from kayaks and canoes to stand-up paddleboards, 6 p.m. May 25 (also June 8 and 22), Ramona Park; registration required at portagemi.gov.
WMed Live: A Decade of Celebration — A livestreamed, virtual gala celebrating the WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine’s first 10 years and the retirement of founding dean Hal B. Jenson, 3:30 p.m. May 27, med.wmich.edu/wmedlive 2021. Adult Pickleball Clinic — A course for beginners, 5:30 p.m. May 27, Ramona Park; registration required at portagemi.gov. Movies in the Park — Watch The Goonies from your car, 9 p.m. May 28, Ramona Park; registration required at portagemi.gov. A Makers Tour: Walking Tour of a Downtown Kalamazoo Winery, Distillery and Brewery — Meet some of the colorful personalities and flavors behind downtown Kalamazoo’s craft beverages, with samples, guided tastings or tours, glassware and a goody bag, noon–4 p.m. May 29, beginning at Shakespeare’s Pub, 241 E. Kalamazoo Ave.; registration and ticket information at discoverkalamazoo.com.
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