What’s shaking, Westsiders? Welcome to a very special edition of The Westside Buzz. We have officially made it to Cleveland Guardians season! Food tastes better, music sounds clearer and we are one step closer to glorious Summer.

Today we’re buzzing on:

• 🐶 The second round of Mutt Madness

• 🤠 A small biz spotlight

• 🎸 Today we remember a Cleveland rock n’ roll legend

Plus, 15 fun things to do this week!

Best,

—The Briggses

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

🤠 Leona’s Custom Hats | Lakewood

Brad and Shay Fishbaugh started Leona’s Custom Hats to bring Western style to the Midwest. They aren’t just selling hats, they are on a mission to create one-of-a-kind products and craft experiences that will last a lifetime. Born from a transformative trip to the Western United States, each hat tells a story of creativity, individual style, and local craftsmanship.

Here’s where to find them:

• 📍 Make an appointment to visit them at the Screw Factory

• 🎈 Find them at pop-ups across the westside

• 🎊 Hire them for a private hat-making party at your house or events.

Mark your calendars for their upcoming "Cowboy Chic" event on April 19th where a collection of local makers will be showing off their Western style.

I’m not sure I can pull off wearing a felt hat (Jodie is shaking her head resoundingly, no), but rest assured I’m going to try.

COMMUNITY BLEND

Film lovers and makers ascend upon Cleveland | Playhouse Square

Hey film lovers! The 49th Cleveland International Film Festival is kicking off with some serious excitement, and it's way more than just another movie event. Under new executive director Hermione Malone, CIFF is reimagining itself with a carefully curated lineup of 104 feature films and 198 shorts from 60 countries.

What makes this festival truly special is how it's become a beloved local tradition that filmmakers and audiences adore. With over 300 filmmakers and guests coming to town, the CIFF is a chance for Cleveland to show off to the rest of the world. From a fun Family Day with discounted tickets and a cereal bar to the new Marketplace@CIFF featuring local artisans, this festival is all about bringing people together.

Bring Driver’s Ed back to schools? | Ohio

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is proposing a $50 million plan to reintroduce driver education in high schools. The goal is to address a dangerous trend where families delay driver training due to the cost until their children turn 18 (when it's no longer required).

This decision has had deadly consequences - a 2022 study shows 18 and 19-year-olds are more likely to die in crashes than younger teens who receive formal training, suggesting that skipping driver education puts new drivers at risk.

Those professional driving lessons aren't just about learning how to parallel park (not to brag, but I am THE best parallel parker in Cleveland). They're about understanding road safety, anticipating potential risks, and developing the kind of muscle memory that keeps you and everyone around you safe.

Speaking for myself, it concerns me that not all young drivers are receiving the same amount of driving education before getting their driver’s license. This issue is very important because we all know a friend, cousin, or co-worker who’s been affected by traffic accidents.

🐕 MUTT MADNESS

The inaugural Mutt Madness competition is off and running. We were overwhelmed with user submissions of cute pups across the Westside, but sadly, we had to limit the field to 64 worthy good boys and girls.

Westside Buzz Nation got to the polls and voted in droves on 32 matchups between the cutest dogs from Avon to Cleveland. We had everything from close calls to blowouts, and buzzer-beaters to no doubters.

We are looking forward to a few powerhouse matchups next round like Benny the Golden vs. Maverick the Bernese and Jeter the Doodle vs. Moose the Lab. You better not leave George hanging around too long, he might just be poised to win the whole dang thing!

Featured Matchups 👇

Going forward: Each newsletter will signal the start of the next round. Today is the Round of 32.

How to vote: 1) Click the VOTE NOW link located above and below. 2) Click the ‘Start Voting’ button on the website. 3) You must vote on every matchup for your vote to count. 4) If you are on mobile, you must scroll down to see each dog in the matchup.

🙋‍♀️ We apologize for the difficulties people had voting. We could only find 1 website plugin that allowed us to run this voting style bracket and we have zero web skills 🤣

The winning pup will receive a $50 gift certificate to the local pet store of their choice AND a professional photo shoot. May the best dog win!

🎸 MICHAEL STANLEY DAY

Rocker’s legacy is celebrated every March 25th

Here we go again!

When Cleveland Rock legend, Michael Stanley, passed away in 2021, Cleveland City Council quickly voted to designate March 25th as Michael Stanley Day. The man who headlined the band with his namesake still holds the record for packing Blossom with 74,404 people over Aug. 25, 26, 30, and 31, 1982!

After the band disbanded in 1987 following their label dropping them, Stanley reinvented himself as a beloved local media personality, winning Emmys as a TV host on "PM Magazine" and becoming a fixture on WNCX radio for 30 years. Throughout his career, Stanley remained Cleveland's musical heart and soul, continuing to perform and record until his death from lung cancer in 2021 at age 72.

BUSINESS CLOSING

Cork & Barrel Wine Bar calling it quits | Avon

This kind of news stinks.

Cork and Barrel Wine Bar and Restaurant has announced they're closing their doors for good on April 19th citing a dramatic drop in sales over the past year. They wrote on Facebook, “Despite being on the verge of profitability, they've reached a point where they simply can't continue.”

The owners are planning some farewell events and sales in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for those details if you're a fan. Despite the sadness, they're expressing immense gratitude for the meaningful friendships they've formed with customers over the years and are asking everyone to keep "Drinking Wine!" even after they're gone. I don't know about you, but I always feel a little pang when a local spot closes. Get there to support Cork & Barrel before they permanently close their doors!

📰 WESTSIDE POUR OVER

What’s Brewing?

🌲 Berea: The Landing Cannabis dispensary is opening its 6th location and 2nd in Cleveland in Berea. They are targeting an Early May grand opening pending state approvals. 📍 1097 W. Bagley Road, Berea 👉 Cleveland.com 

🦌 Bay Village: Join Lake Erie Nature & Science Center for an unforgettable evening of wildlife wonder and philanthropy at "A Night for Nature" on Friday, April 4, 2025. Your $200 ticket not only gets you delicious hors d'oeuvres, wine, and dinner, but also supports critical education and wildlife rehabilitation programs. (21+ only) 👉 More Info

Play Ball!: The Cleveland Guardians will open their season versus the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, March 27 at 4:10 p.m. Tanner Bibee will get the opening day start fresh off a brand new contract. 👉 ESPN Cleveland

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Weather

Tuesday

46 🌡️ 31 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 W 10-13 mph

Wednesday

42 🌡️ 32 | 🌤 | 10% | 💨 NW 11-14 mph

Thursday

53 🌡️ 43 | 🌦 | 30% | 💨 W 6-13 mph

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 39ºF}

That’s it for today, Westsiders. If you can share this with one friend who makes the best cookies, that would mean the world to us.

Until Friday,

—The Briggses