Happy Friday, Westsiders! Welcome to the time of year in Cleveland where one day can be 72 and sunny, and the next can snow. The current forecast for Guardians Opening Day (One of my favorite days of the year) is a high of 35 with snow. I am begging everyone to do whatever you can. Think warm thoughts. Kneel at the altar of Jobu if you have to.

Today we’re buzzing on:

• 🏆 Bay Village Citizen of the Year

• 🦮 Mutt Madness Final Four

• 🧀 Local company cuts the cheese

Let’s make it a great day,

—The Briggses

SMALL BUSINESS

Company cuts the cheese to focus on mustard | Old Brooklyn

After eight years in business, Old Brooklyn Cheese Co. will close its doors on April 19 due to a significant 50% decline in business over the past year. The silver lining is that owner Michael Januska's partnership with celebrity chef Michael Symon has transformed their artisanal mustards into "POP Mustards," which they've rebranded as "the caviar of mustard."

The newly branded mustards have secured distribution deals with major retailers like Sprouts, Meijer, and potentially Costco, giving this Cleveland creation a chance at nationwide recognition. (Full Story by Douglas Trattner 👉 Here)

COMMUNITY BLEND

2025 Bay Village Citizen of the Year is… | Bay Village

Mark Kevesdy has been announced as Bay Village's 2025 Citizen of the Year! He is the kind of neighbor we all wish we had. Coming in last was my neighbor Carl, who always blows his leaves on my lawn…thanks Carl!

Mark, the dedicated sixth-grade math teacher at Bay Middle School, heard a simple message on a true-crime podcast—"If we do nothing, then nothing will get done"—and turned it into remarkable community action.

What started with flyers on telephone poles has blossomed into the annual Amy Mihaljevic Memorial Run & Walk, which raised over $20,000 last year alone to help solve the decades-old murder case of young Amy.

As if that weren't enough, there's more to this everyday hero! When Mark noticed a Ukrainian refugee student struggling in his school, he didn’t sit idly by. Using translation apps to overcome language barriers, he launched a GoFundMe that raised $15,000 in just three weeks and even secured rent-free housing for a year for the family through a friend. As Mark humbly puts it, "Sometimes we can just be a spark, but it takes a community to be the fire behind change for good."

Congratulations, Mark! You are the embodiment of Westside values that we can all learn from. Full Story 👉 HERE

Bike Lakewood social ride | Lakewood

Looking for a fun group bike ride?

🚲 Here's the scoop on the upcoming Bike Lakewood Social Ride:

📍 Starting Point: Madison Park Pavilion in Lakewood

🕕 Date & Time: Wednesday, April 9th at 6:00 PM (come early)

🧭 Route: A leisurely 6-8 mile ride through Lakewood, ending at Doc Lanky's bar (📍 15609 Madison Avenue)

Difficulty: Super beginner-friendly! It's a "no-drop" ride, meaning nobody gets left behind for any reason

These social rides happen all year round, so come out soon. Click here for the full calendar via the Lakewood Observer.

CONSTRUCTION

Blue Abyss project underway | Brook Park

If you are unfamiliar with the $250 million Blue Abyss Facility project in Brook Park, let’s get you up to speed. Blue Abyss, a UK-based company, is building a cutting-edge extreme-environment research, development, and training center. They’re building one of the deepest research pools (150 - 170 feet deep) to attract researchers and simulate the environment in space.

One thing you probably didn’t expect is that they are using horses to start building the project. Yes, you read that right!

Since the planned pool is so deep, it must go through extra levels of EPA approval. In order to get off on the right foot hoof with the project, Blue Abyss is able to start clearing the land without heavy machinery.

This is an exciting project that should solidify Cleveland as an aeronautical hub for years to come. It’s fun to think that horses helped pave the way.

🐕 MUTT MADNESS

Ladies and gentlemen of Buzz Nation, we are excited and privileged to announce the Mutt Madness 2025 Final Four!

Here are the matchups:

I don’t know about you, Buzz Nation, but I am torn on who to vote for! I just want to give each pup a good luck boop on the nose. We are blown away by the thousands of votes already cast in this year’s Mutt Madness. Thank you for making this such a special event!

FEATURED EVENT

The Ben Caskey '22 Memorial Scholarship honors the remarkable life of a young man who, despite being born with a heart condition that gave him just two heart chambers and misplaced organs, lived his 22 years with extraordinary positivity and zest for life. This scholarship supports Baldwin Wallace University students who embody Ben's inspiring spirit, facing life's challenges with courage and kindness while maintaining that special sparkle that makes everyone around them feel a little more blessed just for knowing them.

On Saturday, April 5th, at the Winchester, come celebrate with live music, great food, and high spirits. LEARN MORE

🧠 TRIVIA

April Trivia Winners! We had 380 people correctly guess at least 1 April trivia question correctly. But two Buzzers bested the rest and answered all 4 correctly!

Thank you all for your participation and we will email the winners directly.

The Buzz Strip

For more of Patrick’s work, check out GeyserArt.com and follow him on Instagram: @GeyserArt.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Kids Corner

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday

Dueling Pianos with Cleveland Keys! | Music Box CH, Flats 8 PM

Motown & More with Nitebridge | Music Box SC, Flats 7:30 PM

Carlo De Rosa Trio Featuring Luis Perdomo and Adam Cruz | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM

Custy & McNamara | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

The Erie Cats | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30 PM

ABBAFAB - Abba Tribute | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 8 PM

Twelfth Night | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 7:30 PM

Brent Kirby | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM

The Brokes – A Tribute to The Strokes | The Winchester, Lakewood 7 PM

4 Locos | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM

Saturday

Eagles Tribute by Out of Eden | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM

Drew Angus and His Band | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

Crawley & Sofranko | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

WORLD ZEN'D | Backstage Bar, Westpark 9 PM

The Rapscallions Live Album Recording | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 7 PM

Twelfth Night | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 1:30 & 7:30 PM

Dan Pyne | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM

Serious Nature – Fourth Annual Ben Caskey ’22 Memorial Benefit Concert | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM

Faction | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM

Sunday

Reggae Brunch with Shākē Ground | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM

MAGIC Brunch with David Anthony | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM

Yacht Rock Brunch | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 11 AM

Judah& the Lion | House of Blues, Cleveland 6:30 PM

Weather

Friday

49 🌡️ 46 | 🌧 | 90% | 💨 NE 7-14 mph

Saturday

64 🌡️ 38 | 🌧 | 90% | 💨 S 14-16 mph

Sunday

42 🌡️ 33 | 🌥 | 50% | 💨 N 7-14 mph

Monday

50 🌡️ 29 | 🌧 | 50% | 💨 NW 8-15 mph

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 42ºF}

^{Weather courtesy of the National Weather Service}

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses