Good morning Westsiders! Today’s newsletter is for everyone on Santa’s nice list.

On this beautiful Friday before the holidays, we are buzzing on:

• 🎥 Cleveland landmarks on the big screen

• 🎁 Browns player spreads holiday cheer

• 🕺 A packed weekend event calendar

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Mine?…”Buddy the Elf, what’s your favorite color?”

Happy Friday!

—The Briggses

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AUBURN STUDIO

Are you attending a wedding this upcoming year? Have you been searching for a go-to person for your tailoring and alterations?

We are thrilled to partner with Kelly at Auburn Studio because she is the only person we trust for our tailoring and alteration needs. Auburn Studio is located in the heart of Lakewood across from Merry Arts.

Kelly has been professionally tailoring and creating custom pieces since returning home from studying fashion design in London.

In a time of fast fashion, she focuses on creating intentional pieces with a personal touch that will last a lifetime. Creating your dream, bespoke piece of formalwear has never been more within reach.

• 🧥 Tailoring

• 📏 Alterations

• 👗 Custom, Handcrafted Pieces

Support a woman-owned business and West Side entrepreneur and contact her today!

The Blend

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it was filmed in The Land!

If you happened to catch the movie trailer for the new Superman that dropped Yesterday, you might notice some familiar places!

As most Clevelanders know, the Superman character was created by Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1933 while they attended Glenville High.

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m always proud to see our historic landmarks on the big screen. Superman is headed for the big screen on July 11th, 2025.

Lakewood pit development plans a go

Get ready, Lakewood! The long-awaited transformation of the old Lakewood Hospital site is finally official. The Downtown Lakewood development site, lovingly referred to ‘The Pit’, is set to break ground in August 2025. This $119 million project will bring 305 new housing units, including 20% affordable housing, plus 25,000 square feet of retail and a 17,000-square-foot public plaza.

Mayor Meghan George calls it "a development we can all be proud of," and it's poised to boost Lakewood's walkable downtown with vibrant community spaces and historic preservation of the Curtis Block.

The only downside I can think of is that CASTO Communities, a Columbus-based developer, will lead this ambitious build. If you’ve ever cruised through Columbus and spotted those cookie-cutter apartment complexes, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

If CASTO Communities is able to preserve the authentic feel of historic downtown Lakewood this project is a win for everyone.

Construction will progress north to south, and within 40 months, Lakewood will see this game-changing development fully realized. Buckle up, west side—big things are coming!

Browns player spreads holiday cheer

Browns Defensive End, Ogbo Okoronkwo teamed up with the Boys and Girls Club and Raising Canes in North Olmsted to give away 100 bikes to local children. “Anything we can do for the community really warms my heart. I’m just glad I can put a smile on their faces”

There’s nothing better than seeing your favorite pro athletes give back to West Side communities. Cheers to Ogbo for taking time out of his season to put smiles on deserving kids’ faces.

📸 Buzz Around Town

Tag @TheWestsideBuzz on Instagram to get your photo featured in the Buzz!

Congratulations to Instagram user and Buzzer @capture_and_release_imaging_!

🍦 You won a $50 gift certificate to Mitchell’s Homemade Ice Cream. They commented on our Instagram post with the correct location of Tuesday’s photo.

Asked

🏀 Pro Basketball

Your Cleveland Cavaliers are in first place, well-rested, and getting healthy. Much like my Greek yogurt with granola in the morning, that’s a recipe for success.

After not qualifying for the NBA Cup, the Cavs were granted a break in their schedule that was sorely needed. It’s a long season and the health of the team leading into the playoffs is an important variable in the championship equation.

Here is their weekend schedule…Let’s Go Cavs!

Friday

Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) at Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4) @ 7:30 PM on NBATV

Saturday

Philadelphia 76ers (8-16) at Cleveland Cavaliers (23-4) @ 8 PM on Fanduel Sports Ohio

⚽ Pro Soccer

Messi Comes to Cleveland: Crew vs. Inter Miami at Browns Stadium

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! No not that kind of goat.

On April 19, 2025, the Columbus Crew will face the GOAT(Greatest of All Time), Lionel Messi, and Inter Miami at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, marking a massive showdown in MLS history. This is a rare chance to see arguably one of the best footballers of all time up close in live action.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 14, with early access for Crew season ticket holders starting Jan. 6.

The game promises to be a clash of titans, with the Crew’s MVP contender Cucho Hernandez and reigning MLS Defender of the Year Steven Moreira squaring off against Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets. With a history of tight battles last season, this match is shaping up to be an epic spectacle for soccer fans across Ohio. Don't miss it!

Weekend Event Calendar

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 ^{= Family Friendly}

Friday, December 20th

Couples and Bourbon 📍 14221 Madison Avenue, Lakewood

• 🕕: 7:30 PM-9 PM

Mr. Grinch Crushed Glass Workshop 📍 34970 Detroit Rd, Suite #240, Avon, OH

• 🕕: 6 PM

Saturday, December 21st

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Frozen Fun at Tower City 📍 230 W. Huron St., Cleveland

• 🕕: 12 PM–4 PM

Holiday Sing-a-long with Cleveland Cocktail Choir 📍 6501 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland

• 🕕: 7:30 PM–9:30 PM

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 West Side Market Home for the Holidays 📍 1979 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH

• 🕕: 8 AM–5 PM

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Scuba Claus Merry Meet & Greet 📍 2000 Sycamore Street, Cleveland

• 🕕: 8 AM–10 AM

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy 📍 The Elliot 1415 Kenilworth Avenue, Cleveland

• 🕕: 12 PM–10 PM

Santacon 📍 East Bank of the Flats

• 🕕: 1:30 PM–9 PM

Countess Luann de Lesseps Xmas Show 📍 Agora Theatre

• 🕕: 8 PM

A Cleveland Christmas Comedy Show 📍 Market Ave Wine Bar 2521 Market Avenue,f Cleveland

• 🕕: 8 PM

Sunday, December 22nd

Christmas Carol Night w/ Mike Petrone 📍 Johnny’s 1406 W 6th St, Cleveland

• 🕕: 5 PM

A Christmas Story Run 📍 Rowley Inn 1104 Rowley Ave, Cleveland

• 🕕: 9 AM

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday, December 20th

• Bufflehead | Backstage Bar 8:30 PM

• Tomorrows Ghosts | The Winchester 8 PM

• The Fab Four: USA Meets the Beatles | MGM Northfield 8 PM

• Old Skool | Time Warp Bar 9 PM

• Bone Thugs-N-Harmony | House of Blues 7 PM

• The Nutcracker | Connor Palace 7 PM

• A Christmas with C.S. Lewis | Hanna Theatre 7:30 PM

• Katy & OC | Gormley’s 8 PM

• 4LOCOS & Metal Edge | Local Bar 8 PM

• Charles Geil and His Ghost Band | Beerhead Avon 8 PM

Saturday, December 21st

• Maiden Voyage Holiday Show | Backstage Bar 9 PM

• Jim Brickman | Hanna Theatre 2 & 8 PM

• The Nutcracker | Connor Palace 1 & 7 PM

• Who’s Bad - Michael Jackson Tribute | House of Blues 7 PM

• Neil Young Tribute | Brothers Lounge 8 PM

• Crawley & Sofranko | Gormleys 8 PM

• Dark Wave Dance Cave | The Winchester 9 PM

• Tony Shultz Acoustic | ZZs Big Top 8 PM

Weather

Friday

36 🌡️ 25 | 🌨 | 80% | 💨 SE 5-13 mph | 🌊 1 to 3 feet (15 - 20 knots)

Saturday

28 🌡️ 20 | 🌨 | 60% | 💨 NW 16 mph | 🌊 3 to 5 feet, subsiding to 1 to 3 feet (15-20 knots)

Sunday

26 🌡️ 16 | ☁ | 20% | 💨 NW 5-7 mph | 🌊 2 feet or less (5-10 knots)

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 40ºF}

^{Temperature readings are based on Friday forecasts for Lake Erie off Cleveland.}

We love bringing you the best of the west side. Your support means everything to us!

If you have any feedback for us, positive or constructive, we would value it immensely.

Have a great weekend,

The Briggses