Tigers and Leopards, OH MY!

PLUS: Curated Events, A STEM Summer, and Princess City Parks

April 18, 2025

Happy Friday Morning! This newsletter is for the newbies, the lifers, the townies, and the domers.

In today’s digest:

  • Tigers and Leopards, OH MY!

  • The Garage is Coming to and End

  • Cat Lady Pub Crawl

  • Disc Golf in the Dark

This issue is 1,059 words, a 4-minute read.

The Digest

🐯 Big Cats Are Getting Bigger

The Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend is embarking on an ambitious expansion to enhance its big cat habitats. Following the successful opening of the Wilma and Peter Veldman Family Lion Habitat in 2023, which houses a pride of African lions—Kembe, Shaba, and Shtuko—the zoo is now focusing on constructing a new, expansive habitat for Amur tigers. This development is part of the zoo's broader initiative to modernize enclosures, moving away from traditional cages to more naturalistic environments that promote animal welfare and offer immersive experiences for visitors.

The upcoming tiger habitat will span approximately 1.5 acres and support breeding programs for tigers and leopards, contributing to global conservation efforts.

This project has been bolstered by a $1 million state READI grant and is slated for completion in 2026.

With attendance reaching a record 360,000 visitors in 2024, the zoo anticipates surpassing 400,000 visitors in 2025, solidifying its status as a premier destination in the region.

Check out all the details here

The Garage Will Be Playing Its Last Game

Source: South Bend Tribune

​The Garage Arcade Bar, a popular retro gaming and nightlife spot in South Bend's East Bank neighborhood, will close at the end of April after nearly five years in business. Located at 503 E. Colfax Ave., the bar became a local favorite for its nostalgic arcade games and vibrant atmosphere.

While the owners have not publicly disclosed the reason for the closure, the space is expected to be repurposed for a new business.

Fans of The Garage have until the end of the month to visit one last time before the games are officially over. Details

Can’t Find Parking Downtown?

​South Bend's new Wayne Street parking garage at 119 Wayne St. has officially opened, adding 400 public parking spaces to the downtown area. This brings the total number of city-owned garages downtown to four, complementing existing on-street parking options.

For those who’ve ever circled the block more times than they care to admit, the new garage might just be the parking miracle you've been hoping for — and it’s right across the street from New Finnies (NEWFS) for the 21+ readers! Details

The Happenings

Curated picks 📆 

🐈 Crazy Cat Lady Pub Crawl

​On April 26, South Bend's Crazy Cat Lady Pub Crawl invites feline fans to don their best cat-themed attire for a night of drinks and fun. The event kicks off at The Cat Lady Café and features stops at several downtown bars, with prizes awarded for the most creative costumes.

Check out the details

⛳️ Glow-in-the-dark Disc Golf

Experience the thrill of Glow Golf—Nighttime Disc Golfing on Saturday, April 19, from 8 to 10 p.m. at Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park in Osceola. For just $15 per team, enjoy an evening of glowing discs, illuminated baskets, and friendly competition under the stars. This event is hosted by the St. Joseph Valley Disc Golf Club and St. Joseph County Parks.

Check out the details

More events

A mix of things happening this weekend and into next week!

🪴 Plant & Sip Succulent Garden: Participants will design a succulent arrangement with guidance from botany stylists. The event is 21+ and requires Tickets.

​🌞 Belt One Out at Sun King: Sun King Mishawaka is hosting Friday Night Karaoke on April 18 from 6–10 p.m., featuring crowd-voted prizes, great beer, and smash burgers. Details

😂 Stand-Up Comedy: Minneapolis-based comedian Ahmed Khalaf will headline two shows at Stockroom East in South Bend on Friday, April 18, as part of the inaugural Stockroom Standup Series. ​Tickets

✨ Pom Poms & Pleats: The Charles Black Community Center and South Bend Venues, Parks & Arts are hosting "Pom Poms & Pleats" on April 17 at the Century Center Convention Center, a cheerleading-themed event for girls aged 3 to 10 featuring creative activity stations. Details

🐰 The Easter Bunny Has Arrived: The Easter Bunny is available for photos at University Park Mall in Mishawaka through April 19. Details

✨Coming soon✨

If you’re like me and love planning ahead, mark your calendar for these future events!

🎧 DJ GINO: Get ready to dance the night away as DJ Gino J brings his high-energy beats to the Spring Fling Party at Four Winds South Bend on Saturday, May 17. (Details)

🧪 A STEM Summer: IU South Bend is offering free summer STEM workshops for students and teachers. (Details)

👨‍🎓 Journey to College Summit: IU South Bend is hosting the free Journey to College Summit on April 26, offering families insights on college credit, financial aid, and more. Details

​🌺 Botany Shop Market: The Season Opener Maker Market at The Lot Next Door in South Bend on April 26 celebrates gardening and outdoor living with local vendors, free admission, and free parkingDetails

🚲 First Fridays: Downtown South Bend's May First Fridays event, "Pedals & Petals," on May 2 from 5–9 p.m., will feature cycling activities, plant-themed events, live music, food, and free shuttle service. ​Details

Rapid Fire Hits

Quick headlines and things to know from all around 🌐

Traffic Pains Easing: The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) will hold a public meeting on April 24 to present plans for a diverging diamond interchange near the GM battery plant to improve traffic flow. (Details)

For the Mishawaka Pals: Mishawaka's 1st District will host a public meeting on Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at St. Bavo Parish (Seventh and West streets), where Parks Superintendent Phil Blasko will provide updates on Rose Park improvements and other local projects. ​ (Details)

Lineworkers Honored: ​South Bend celebrated National Lineworker Appreciation Day by honoring local lineworkers at a special event held at the South Bend Service Center, recognizing their dedication to providing safe and reliable energy to the community. (Details)

Happy Friday! See you around the Bend!

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