You may know The Cricket for darts, its 90-foot cherrywood bar or comedy upstairs, but don't overlook the pizza.

For this week's Tasty Times review, Stu stopped in for a business meeting and ordered a large Supreme, swapping the green peppers for hot peppers to give it a little more kick.

The verdict was easy: fantastic tavern style pizza with crispy edges and plenty of toppings.

Server Tabby also stood out for providing exactly the right balance of friendly, attentive service without interrupting the business conversation.

A quiet mid-afternoon visit also showed another side of this downtown Battle Creek favorite: it can be a surprisingly comfortable place for an informal business meetup.

Between the food, darts, famous bar, upstairs events and comedy, The Cricket is much more than a nightlife stop.

Charitable Union's annual Winter Gear Drive is underway through October 15, collecting new and gently used coats, boots, snow pants, hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for people across Calhoun County.

Last year, the organization distributed more than 11,000 winter-weather items to children, adults, seniors and people experiencing homelessness.

This year, adult coats, boots and snow pants are especially needed, along with several children's sizes.

Donations can be made at Charitable Union and participating collection sites around Battle Creek, Albion, Athens, Homer and Marshall.

Businesses, churches and community groups can also host mini drives, while financial gifts help fill gaps in specific sizes.

The collection will also help stock Charitable Union's Coats for Kids event during the week of October 28.

Battle Creek's Pak Mail has transitioned to new ownership after roughly 30 years of serving the community.

New owner Andy McClish says he plans to continue the location's established shipping and office services while introducing more customers to specialized freight options.

The business remains at 30 Columbia Avenue East, Suite F1.

October brings several special reasons to visit the American Museum of Magic in downtown Marshall, from its regular Saturday presentations to an after-dark lantern tour and a pair of Houdini-themed Halloween programs.

The October 17 lantern tour offers a limited-capacity evening experience inside the museum, while October 31 brings both a noon Houdini seance and an evening Magic Speaker Series program focused on the legendary escape artist.

Because tickets, capacity and general visiting hours can vary by program, readers should check the museum's current event information or contact the museum before making the trip.

Marshall's SkeletonFest kickoff may be over, but the main attraction is sticking around. More than 80 costumed skeleton displays remain downtown through October, giving visitors plenty of time to enjoy the seasonal fun at their own pace.

A walk through downtown can be a quick fall outing or part of a longer Marshall visit, with plenty of opportunities for photos, family fun and stops at local businesses along the way.

Other October attractions, including programs at the American Museum of Magic and performances at the Franke Center, can also be paired with a SkeletonFest visit. Check individual schedules and hours before heading out.

Hallow's Eve Hell 2026 is bringing more than live metal to The Music Factory in Battle Creek on October 24.

The event will also collect requested toiletries for Love Thy Neighbor, including toilet paper, toothbrushes, face wipes, travel-size soap and travel-size shampoo. The evening is also expected to include a costume contest, food truck and silent auction.

Readers can check the organizer's current ticket page and lineup before heading out, then bring a few new personal-care items to help support the community collection.

Young local performers are taking the stage at the Franke Center for the Arts as Trolls the Musical Jr. comes to Marshall October 22 through 25.

The kindergarten-through-fifth-grade production offers three 7 p.m. evening performances Thursday through Saturday, followed by a 2:30 p.m. Sunday matinee, giving families several ways to fit the show into their weekend.

The colorful youth production is also a chance to support young performers and introduce children to live theater. Readers can check the Franke Center's official production page for current tickets, seating and show details.

A retail trade group is seeking a replacement for Michigan's store-based bottle-return system.

The proposal has not changed shoppers' current return rights; our guide separates the campaign from the rules that apply today.