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- ☕ Lake Erie's Latest Surprise
☕ Lake Erie's Latest Surprise
Plant Nerds, Cuyahoga Cruises, and Community Power
Good morning, Buzz Nation.
Here’s something I didn’t expect to do Wednesday night: Play volleyball, rescue a rhinestone-collared kitten, and run a full-scale feline reunion operation.
I got home, shut the car door, and heard it—tiny meows from under a parked car. Out walks a fearless little diva in a velvet collar, rubbing up on my legs like we’d known each other since day one. No hesitation. Just: “I need some help, human.”
Lucky for this little Diva (as Jodie and I started calling her), I made myself a makeshift weighted vest by stuffing my backpack with Friskies canned cat food. Ridiculous, I know.
At this point, we made two quick moves:
Posted her to The Buzz socials
Took her to the Rocky River PD to scan for a chip
Within 20 minutes, you—Buzz Nation—came through! A handful of readers recognized her, connected the dots, and helped reunite Diva with her family.
Moral of the story?
Always keep cat food in your bag.
And never underestimate the power of a tight-knit, weirdly responsive local email newsletter community.
Today we’re buzzing on:
💪 A community rallies around a beloved Westsider
💦 A freshwater Jellyfish?
🎲 A hilarious but all too accurate Buzzstrip
Let’s keep the good times (and the good deeds) rolling into the weekend!
—The Briggses
COMMUNITY BLEND
Westside Rallies Around Beloved Timmy 📍 Lakewood
One of the most beautiful things about living on Cleveland’s Westside is how the communities show up for each other — especially when someone we love is facing a hard road.
Timmy, a familiar face and beloved figure at the Lakewood Giant Eagle, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery to remove it.
If you’ve ever shopped there, you’ve likely been met with Timmy’s huge smile and warm hello. He’s the kind of person who makes a quick grocery run feel like a visit with an old friend. He’s more than an employee; he’s a bright spot in so many people’s day.
This week, the Lakewood community gathered in the Giant Eagle parking lot to show Timmy and his family just how loved they are. And the best news? A post from yesterday updating everyone on his surgery stated, “Everything went great. They got it all!”
Moments like these remind us that kindness is contagious. That’s what makes Westside neighbors more than just neighbors…it makes us family.
BREWERY NEWS
Terrestrial Brewing isn’t going anywhere 📍 Battery Park
After buying the Battery Park property out of insolvency, Brew Kettle's ownership is aiming to pour cash into renovations: a new deck, patio, and upgraded event space overlooking Lake Erie.
A deal to sell the space fell through, but Terrestrial lives on—with its beer, dog-friendly patio, and local fanbase intact.
The owner is now looking for a new restaurant group to take over the neighboring space and turn it into a destination spot that can also serve Terrestrial patrons.
The play: Keep the vibe, upgrade the experience. Build something locals (and their dogs) won’t shut up about.
WESTSIDE POUR OVER
📈 Downtown: According to Crain’s, the new Cleveland WNBA franchise has already secured 5,000 season ticket deposits. Early data shows some exciting momentum from young female fans, which shows that the franchise is hitting the right spot at the right time.
🚤 Flats: A new water taxi called the Harbor Hopper is now shuttling Clevelanders across the Cuyahoga, offering a fun, easy way to hop between hotspots like BrewDog, Collision Bend, and the Flats.
🐖 Lorain: Sweet Pork Wilson’s, a West Side BBQ favorite, is taking over the former Jackalope spot on Lorain’s waterfront and will open Labor Day weekend with lakeside views and smoked meats in tow.
NATURE
Freshwater Jellyfish Caught on Camera 📍 Lake Erie
Turns out, tiny freshwater jellyfish are actually a thing — and one was just spotted (and caught on video!) by a neighbor in Erie.
These penny-sized creatures are incredibly rare, harmless to humans, and originally from China’s Yangtze River, but have quietly made their way into North American lakes and ponds since the early 1900s.
They’re nearly impossible to find, so consider this a once-in-a-blue-lake sighting — and a fun reminder that our local waters are full of surprises!
🧠 TRIVIA
For all the green thumbs and plant nerds out there, today’s trivia comes from the super-talented Emily Kloss, aka The Cleveland Plant Doctor.
Built in 1905, which Cleveland site was originally intended to grow plants for city landscaping, but eveolved into a public botanical treasure? |
Emily is running a giveaway on her 👉 Instagram right now that ends on August 3rd.
Prizes include:
A Cleveland-friendly houseplant, professionally potted with a ceramic cover pot
A custom care guide for up to 18 of your plants
A virtual plant doctoring visit up to 20 minutes
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Fundraiser for Furry Friends 📍 Bay Village
Mark your calendars for Bark in the Park, a tail-waggin’ good time hosted by The Lindsay Team and BAYarts on Friday, August 16, from 12–3 PM at the scenic BAYarts campus.
Now in its third year, this fundraiser supports both local arts and local pups—with proceeds going to BAYarts and Mutts in a Rut.
Bring your furry friend (on a leash, please—no retractables!) and enjoy an afternoon of community, cuteness, and feel-good fun by the lake.
BUZZSTRIP
What’s going on with our Guards?!?
Pat has been on fire lately with his art. Support his work here
WHAT’S HAPPENING, WESTSIDERS?
Featured Event
👨👩👧👦=Family Friendly
Friday, August 1st |
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12th Annual Yoga Rocks: Believe in CLE Roll out your mat by the lake for Cleveland’s biggest outdoor yoga event. Hosted outside the Rock Hall, this high-energy gathering is all about community and movement. Registration & $5 donation required, namaste! |
MIX: Gatsby |
👨👩👧👦 Cleveland Polish Festival |
FRRRIDDDAAAYYY with Bill Squire |
Saturday, August 2nd |
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Barre & Brews |
SIP 25: A Journey Through the Glass |
2025 Rocky River Women's Club Garden Tour |
👨👩👧👦 48th Annual Lakewood Arts Festival |
Tiki Tarot & Craft |
👨👩👧👦 Cleveland Puerto Rican Parade & Festival |
Boots 'N Beats |
Sunday, August 3rd |
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Yoga in the Park with Hope Yoga |
Flight Cleveland's Summer Spectacular |
Cleveland Bazaar in Market Square Cleveland Bazaar brings a curated lineup of local makers, artists, and creatives to Ohio City. Shop handmade goods and support small businesses! |
Cle Market Rocky River Shop small and support local at this seasonal maker’s market featuring artisans, food producers, and creatives from across Northeast Ohio. |
Symphony at Sunset |
🎷 Live Entertainment
Friday
Lunch by The Lake: Sierra Delaine | Rock Hall, Cleveland 12 PM
Believe In Cle | Rock Hall, Cleveland 5 PM
Eclipse | Whiskey Island 7 PM
ELLISE - The Pretty Evil Tour | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
Wild Rivers - Verygently | Globe, Iron 7 PM
Kimberly Akimbo | Connor Palace, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Stones & Skynyrd with Gimme Sugar & Mister Breeze Band | Music Box SC, Flats 7:30 PM
Vultan, Dark Secret, Galactic Reptile, & High Early | The Winchester, Lakewood 7:30 PM
Libcor | Naked Eye | Twink Priest | Coda, 8 PM
Knucklehead | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30 PM
Jazz Jam Session | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 10 PM
Saturday
FM Project Steely and Tribute | Whiskey Island 1 PM
Lunch by The Lake: Hannah Tramonte | Rock Hall, Cleveland 5 PM
An Evening with Vince Gill | KeyBank State Theatre, Playhouse 7 PM
Diamond Project Neil Diamond Tribute | Whiskey Island 7 PM
Bobby Selvaggio & Red Rhinoceros Live Recording | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
Kimberly Akimbo | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1:30 & 7:30 PM
The Cars Tribute by Moving In Stereo | Music Box SC, Flats 7:30 PM
Natalie Tenenbaum: The Piano // Re-Imagined | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Kelly & Matt | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM
Boots 'N Beats (18 & Over Only - Valid ID Required) | House of Blues, Cleveland 8 PM
Wexford | Mentally Distrakted | Frantic Nancys | Coda, 8 PM
Terranoct, Befallen, Druparia, & Sachiel | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
The Yacht Rockerz | Backstage Bar, Westpark 9 PM
Sunday
Janis Joplin Brunch | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM
(Un)Classical Brunch with OPUS 216 | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM
Reggae Sundays: Umojah Nation | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM
Disco Inferno | Whiskey Island 2 PM
Irish Trad Music Session | Gormley's Pub, Rocky River 5 PM
Lunch by The Lake: Lex Moda | Rock Hall, Cleveland 5 PM
Kimberly Akimbo | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1 & 6:30 PM
Sunny Side, 7 Piece Jazz Band from New Orleans | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
Ivywalker, Outrun Infinity, & Singled Out | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
Weather
Friday
76 🌡️ 60 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 NE 10-14 mph 🌊 3 to 5 feet, subsiding to 2 to 4 feet
Saturday
78 🌡️ 61 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 E 6-9 mph 🌊 2 feet or less
Sunday
81 🌡️ 64 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 E 5-7 mph 🌊 1 foot or less
Monday
83 🌡️ 66 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 SE 5-7 mph 🌊 1 foot or less
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 77ºF
That’s it for today, Westsiders.
Until Friday,
—The Briggses
ONE WESTSIDERS REVIEW
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