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☕ This Burke Lakefront thing is gaining steam
Today in Cleveland History and a wild Burke Lakefront update.
What’s up, Westsiders?
Dick Van Dyke turns 100 tomorrow. To celebrate, theatres around town are screening a new feature-length tribute to one of the most beloved entertainers of all time.
I have fond memories of watching The Dick Van Dyke Show at my grandma’s house. The slapstick. The charm. The fact that he somehow made tripping over furniture feel like ballet.
Careful where you walk while reading today’s Buzz. (Real DvD fans know…)
Today we’re buzzing on:
A nail in the coffin for Burke?
Today in Cleveland history
Larder Supply opens
We hope you have a great weekend. See you out there!
—The Briggses
Before we dive in, let’s hear about what is happening at NUIQ Wellness Lounge and Med Spa.
Together With NUIQ Med Spa & Wellness Lounge
A wellness end-of-year event
Next Wednesday evening (Dec 17), our friends at NUIQ are hosting an end-of-year celebration with a live Q&A, wellness insights, and a curated vendor market. It’s a great chance to learn, explore, and get personalized guidance for whatever season of life your body is in.
Jodie and I never miss a NUIQ event, mostly because they make wellness feel fun and welcoming. Their space is stunning, their team is genuinely kind, and it’s one of the few places you can ask real questions about things like Dysport, dermaplaning, or wellness lab testing without feeling overwhelmed.
Jodie recently did their nine-marker wellness lab test — quick, painless — and walked out with a clear plan that actually felt doable. And me? I might get a little Bro-tox.
If you haven’t visited their wellness compound yet, it includes PureFyx (smoothies + healthy meals) and SoulSpace, where saunas, cold plunges, and red-light therapy make self-care feel like something you actually look forward to.
Community Blend
From foes to friends?
Burke Lakefront Airport has become one of those things most Clevelanders love to hate. It’s right up there with hangnails and dentist appointments.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Mayor Justin Bibb and Dee and Jimmy Haslam — two unlikely compatriots — are now lobbying on the national stage to shut the little airport down. The mayor has support from the city, and the Haslams have the ear of key folks in Washington, including U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
Most Clevelanders agree those 450 acres of prime lakefront could be put to better use than hosting a fledgling airport with dwindling traffic. And it’s kind of wild to think that something we once wrote off as impossible is suddenly picking up real momentum, all because two unexpected partners are pushing in the same direction.
Lakewood Parks Volunteers: You Rock
Last week, the Lakewood Parks team threw a well-deserved dinner bash to thank the amazing folks who keep our trails walkable, our plants thriving, and our events running like clockwork.
Let’s talk numbers:
10,000+ feet of trail repaired
300+ hours supporting education programs
400 hours on park patrol
Seeds collected from 40+ native plant species
200+ willows live-staked (aka tree CPR)
And that’s just scratching the surface.
In total, volunteers gave over 3,000 hours of their time this year. That’s like one person working 40-hour weeks for 18 months — without even asking for a paycheck.
🏆 Award shoutouts:
• Don – Volunteer of the Year
• Brett – Rookie of the Year
• Karen – Jack-of-all-Trades
• Wild Ones Front Range Chapter – Collaborator of the Year
Hippie Chicks catered the meal.
📍Clements Center hosted the event.
Lakewood parks wouldn’t be the same without these everyday heroes.
If you see a volunteer out there, give ’em a high five (or a warm “thank you” if that’s more your style).
Today(ish) in Cleveland History
December 15, 1978
Not to bring the mood down, but I think it’s worth exploring how far Cleveland has come economically.
On December 15, 1978, the City of Cleveland became the first major U.S. city to default on its loans since the Great Depression. Things were bad. Like Harry and Marv from Home Alone levels of incompetence.
A former city official tasked with auditing the city’s books described them as “a bloody mess.”
The failure to repay those loans turned Cleveland into a national punchline for years, even though the alternative was laying off around 2,000 essential city workers. The city eventually passed a few bond issues to cover the debt, but the damage was already done.
Still, I think moments like this help shape Cleveland’s character and culture — use it as a reminder that when things go wrong, we come together, we adapt, and never give up.
Feedback and Such
Real or fake?
Based on our very scientific findings from Monday’s poll, 74% of Buzz Nation prefers fake Christmas Trees over the real thing. I’m going to share one response that hit the nail on the head from our perspective:
Shoutout Kay for this response
Dinner Club?
Hundreds of you were interested in the Spice Hospitality Group’s Plated Landscape dinners. This got us thinking — would you all be interested in a Westside Buzz Dinner Club? Share a meal together, get to know some cool people, have some laughs…maybe even an after-party.
Want to join The Dinner Club? |
Adopt
New Business
Larder Supply opens down the block 📍 Hingetown
Something new is simmering in Hingetown. Just steps from Larder Delicatessen, Jeremy and Allie Umansky have quietly opened Larder Supply — a culinary hangout focused on education, restoration, and good knives.
They originally planned a retail store, but shifted gears after steep import duties made gear pricing a little…unappetizing. Now it’s all about hands-on events and skill sharing.
🗓 First up: a knife-sharpening open house this Sunday, Dec. 15. Bring your dullest blades — it’s $7 per knife, while you wait.
🔪 Next: a knife skills class from 2 to 3 PM Sunday, Dec. 28. Learn how to slice, dice, mince, and Julienne.
From there, they’re rolling out their workshop schedule with experiences exploring fermentation, miso, meat curing, butchery, cocktails, and more. Guest instructors include fermentation expert Rich Shih (Koji Alchemy) and James Beard Award-winning author Danny Childs (Slow Drinks). How does one become a fermentation expert? Asking for a friend.
They’re also launching a “Larder Line” of restored knives, cast iron, and vintage kitchen tools — gear that’s already seen decades of use, and still has plenty of life left.
Jodie and I have been watching A LOT of Food Network, so we got these fancy stainless steel pans. Fingers crossed that they have an event for taking care of them soon!
Buzzstrip
What’s Happening, Westsiders?
👨👩👧👦=Family Friendly
Leather Wallet Workshop — The White Moon Soap Co., Lakewood | 4–6:30 PM
Learn beginner leather crafting and walk out with a wallet that says “I made this,” even if your fingers say otherwise. Hands-on-ish.
Public Square Cheer Garden — Public Square, Downtown | 5–10 PM
Skating, fire pits, warm drinks, and light shows that make downtown feel a little bit magical again.
Winter Wine Fest — Wyne Tasting Bar, Gordon Square | 6:30–8:30 PM
Wines, pizza, music, and a DJ set — pretty much the full holiday mood board in one evening. Cheers to that.
Sleigh Bells & Nightcaps: Cleveland Keys Dueling Pianos — The Elliot, Tremont | 8 PM
A holiday dueling-pianos show inside a festive speakeasy, aka the perfect night for singing louder than you should. Belt it out.
The Ohio City Singers — The Winchester, Lakewood | 8 PM
A beloved holiday band taking over The Winchester with a full December-worthy set.
5 Point’s Holiday Market — 5 Point’s Coffee & Tea, West Park | 9 AM–1 PM
Baked goods, handmade finds, vintage treasures, and Santa squeezing in time for photos.
Christkindl Market (Day 1) — Mahalls, Lakewood | Saturday & Sunday 11 AM–7 PM
Mahalls transforms into a European-style 2-day holiday market with vendors, mugs, Glühwein, and bowling if you need to settle a family dispute.
December Brunch Bingo — Lago East Bank, The Flats | 10:30 AM–1 PM
Brunch + bingo + bottomless mimosas = the only math we care about this weekend. B-4 you ask… yes.
*Vital’s Christmas Village — Vital Pilates, Lakewood | 10 AM–2 PM
Local vendors, warm drinks, and festive browsing in a Pilates studio where, for once, you won’t be asked to plank. No sweat shopping
9th Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl: Lakewood — Starts at Around The Corner | 1–9 PM
Pick a crawl group, roam Lakewood, and show off the sweater you bought ironically but now wear unironically. Crawl Responsibly
Sip Into the Season — The Wine Room & Tavern, Avon | 4–7 PM
20 wines or 12 craft beer tastings with live music makes a solid combo for easing into Saturday evening. Clink clink.
Alexa Faye Beauty: Aspen Glam Grand Opening Party — Rocky River | 6–10 PM
A glam new studio opening with photo moments, champagne, and vendors who know their way around a good beauty glow. Shine on.
Christmas Vintage Market — The Madison, Cleveland | 11 AM–5 PM
A 10,000+ square foot vintage market filled with clothing, collectibles, and holiday gems you didn’t know you needed until now. One-of-a-kind
Taylor Swift Trivia — Great Lakes Brewing Co., Ohio City | 12 PM
Gather your Swiftie crew and prepare for unnecessary competitiveness.
Heartfelt Holiday Crafting Workshop — Evangeline & Co., Ohio City | 12–2:30 PM
Choose a craft, sip cocoa, and make something you’ll be proud to give — or keep for yourself. Handmade
🎷 Live Entertainment
Friday
The Nutcracker Cleveland Ballet | Connor Palace, Playhouse 11:30 AM & 7 PM
Gates To Hell | Mahall’s, Lakewood 6 PM
Absolute Intense Wrestling: Cultivate | Mahall’s, Lakewood 6:30 PM
O'Doyle Rules | Front Street Social, Berea 7 PM
Jareth Marlow | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 7 PM
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical | KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse 7 PM
Steve Kortyka and Matt Bott Present: The Hall of Fame Big Band Holiday Show | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
Polka Night Before Christmas | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM
A Motown Christmas | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Buck Naked Band | The Local, Strongsville 8 PM
The Ohio City Singers | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
Fireside | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30 PM
Live & Local Featuring Bridge The GAP | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Foundation Room Presents Frida & The Mann | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Trailer Park Ninjas | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM
XCXMAS: A Charli XCX Holiday Dance Party | Mahall’s, Lakewood 10 PM
Whisky Bound | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 10 PM
Saturday
Polka Brunch with Santa & Krampus | Music Box CH, Flats 11 AM
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM
The Nutcracker Cleveland Ballet | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1 PM & 7 PM
A Motown Christmas | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 2 PM & 7:30 PM
Polka Brunch with Santa & Krampus | Music Box CH, Flats 3 PM
Rivers Of Nihil | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7 PM
Gary Ho Ho Hoey 30th Anniversary Tour | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
Live & Local Featuring Dan Pyne | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Foundation Room Presents Frida & The Mann | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Bronx Country With Poison Whiskey | The Local, Strongsville 8 PM
ABBA Tribute with Super Troupers | Music Box CH, Flats 8 PM
Chris Coles and Friends | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM
Wold Zen'd | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30 PM
Disco Inferno | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM
Whisky Bound | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 10 PM
Sunday
Donation-Based Christmas Yoga | The Winchester, Lakewood 10:45 AM
Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 11 AM, 3 PM & 7 PM
Beatles Brunch with The Sunrise Jones | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM
The Nutcracker Cleveland Ballet | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1 PM
A Motown Christmas | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 3 PM
Brady Lorince w/ Esoteria | The Winchester, Lakewood 6 PM
The Music of Luther Vandross & Stevie Wonder | Music Box CH, Flats 7 PM
Chestnuts Roasting: A Cozy Christmas with Bryan Eng| The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
Young Culture | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7 PM
Weather
Friday
32 🌡️ 22 | 🌤 | 50% | 💨 SW 5-7 mph 🌊 1 foot or less
Saturday
29 🌡️ 14 | 🌤🌨 | 70% | 💨 W 14 mph 🌊 2 foot or less
Sunday
25 🌡️ 17 | 🌨 | 80% | 💨 SW 8-10 mph 🌊 2 foot or less
Monday
25 🌡️ 18 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 W 5-7 mph 🌊 1 foot or less
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 38ºF
That’s it for today, Westsiders. Don’t be a Grinch, share us with a friend!
Have a great weekend,
—The Briggses