COMMUNITY BLEND

Construction on The Pit has begun 📍 Lakewood

On Wednesday morning, work trucks and construction crews rolled onto the site — a sight so many Lakewood residents had given up hope of ever seeing. For nearly a decade, the empty lot that once held Lakewood Hospital has sat in limbo, tied up by two developers and more city meetings than anyone dares count.

The new project, valued at $115 million, will transform 5.7 acres in the heart of downtown into a mixed-use hub.

So yes — seeing actual dirt move is almost unbelievable. And if you need further proof that construction has truly started? Just look for the row of random men in ball caps leaning against the chain-link fence, each offering their unsolicited expertise on excavation methods and concrete curing times. When they show up, you know it’s real.

Inaugural Grand and Glorious Tree Contest Winner Announced 📍 Bay Village

Bay Village just proved the Westside takes its trees as seriously as touchdowns and tailgating…mainly tailgating, considering the Browns’ start to the season.

The City Tree Commission held the first-ever Grand and Glorious Tree Contest, where citizens nominated their favorite trees in the city.

Residents went to the polls, and after a heated battle of Oaks vs. Maples vs. Magnolias, one leafy legend stood above the rest.

The winner? A jaw-dropping Loebner Magnolia, now officially crowned Bay’s first-ever Grand and Glorious Tree. Big shoutout to Eileen and Jerry Jarc, the green-thumb MVPs who raised this beauty.

As fall colors start popping, keep your eyes peeled—because the 2026 nominations are already open. Got a tree that makes people stop and stare? The Bay Village Tree Commission wants to hear from you!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

The Food Truck Challenge Turns 10 📍 Westlake

Calling all foodies, families, and fun-seekers — the Food Truck Challenge is back for its 10th year at Crocker Park, and this year’s celebration is bigger, tastier, and more exciting than ever!

What to Expect:

• 20+ of Cleveland’s best food trucks serving up exclusive dishes made just for the event

• Live music all afternoon on the Main Stage at Center Street

• Celebrity judges crowning “Best of…” winners

• You get to vote! Cast your ballot for the People’s Choice Award by 3 PM

This is a food lover’s dream — whether you’re craving lobster rolls, cupcakes, hibachi, or something totally new, you’ll find it here.

CLEVELAND HISTORY

The Night Cleveland Caught Beatlemania

This past Monday marked one of the most electric days in Cleveland history. On Sept. 15, 1964, the Beatles stormed into town, packing the Cleveland Public Hall with more than 11,000 screaming fans. The moment the first chord hit, the building erupted into pandemonium—tears, shrieks, fainting spells, and a tidal wave of Beatlemania that shook the city to its core.

But the show didn’t just give Cleveland teenagers a night they’d never forget. It set off two decisions that forever altered Cleveland’s story.

The first came from a wide-eyed 16-year-old in the front row, Janice Mitchell. Spellbound by the Fab Four, she decided that one concert wasn’t enough. Days later, she and a friend bought one-way tickets from Hopkins Airport straight to England, determined to chase another glimpse of John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

What followed was front-page news across the globe: frantic parents, panicked officials, and a pair of Cleveland teens turned international runaways. Twenty-three days later, Mitchell was escorted back home—her adventure over, but her name etched into Beatlemania lore.

And the chaos didn’t stop there. Just weeks later, on November 3, 1964, the Rolling Stones took the same stage at Public Hall. In the frenzy, a 17-year-old girl toppled from the balcony—an accident that only deepened fears about rock and roll’s unruly grip on Cleveland’s youth.

Cleveland’s mayor at the time, Ralph S. Locher, wasn’t about to let this moment fade quietly. He saw an opportunity to make an example of these girls and, more importantly, to send a message to every youth in the city.

🧠 Trivia Time:

ANIMAL OF THE WEEK

Panda is ready to be your goober 📍 City Dogs

Panda is a 2.5-year-old pittie terrier mix with personality to spare. Playful, affectionate, and always ready for belly rubs, he’s the kind of pup who’ll keep you smiling. He also loves romping with other dogs—making him the perfect mix of goofball energy and snuggle buddy.

Bonus: he knows how to sit, does his business outside like a true professional, and is ready to trade kennel life for couch cuddles. Looking for your next best bud? Panda’s ready to roll.

BUZZSTRIP