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⚓ The 69th Progressive Cleveland Boat Show

Yes, there will be dogs diving into water.

The 69th Progressive Cleveland Boat Show presented by Toyota Tundra docks at the I-X Center next week, running Thursday the 15th through Sunday the 18th—and it’s not just for hardcore Lake Erie captains. Whether you’re boat-curious, fishing-obsessed, or just looking for a warm indoor escape from January, there’s plenty to poke around.

Expect hundreds of vendors, boat-buying exhibits to answer all your “which one is starboard, again?” questions, fishing clinics led by seasoned anglers, a massive 5,000-gallon aquarium packed with Ohio-native fish, and dogs launching themselves off docks to catch frisbees (Canines in the Clouds).

If you’re already dreaming of summer, this is a solid way to spend a January day.

_{P.S. To keep The Buzz fun and free, we occasionally team up with local sponsors we believe in.}

Meet, Greet, and Charity

2nd Annual Warm the Westside Coat Drive With the Cavs

Now with more Cavs. More coats. And plenty of Buzz.

Last year, when The Westside Buzz was just a tiny seedling, we invited this little community to do something nice: donate coats to those in need. What followed was 100+ coats, a few drinks, lots of hugs, and some real warmth shared across the Westside.

This year, we’re going bigger—with help from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

We’re teaming up with the Cavs to host the 2nd Annual Warm the Westside Coat Drive on Monday, January 26 at Rocket Arena, and you're invited.

✅ Here’s How to Join Us:

🎟️ Step 1: Join us using our Cavs link
We’ve got two Westside Buzz seating sections:

• $62 — Standard seat

• $99 — Premium seat
  $10 from every ticket goes directly to The City Mission

🍻 Step 2: Come Early for Buzz Happy Hour
Join us at 5:00 PM for exclusive early access and a pregame Buzz mixer at the Corona Cantina. Personally, I’m 40% more comfortable with a glass in hand.

🧥 Step 3: Bring a Coat to Donate
New or gently used winter coats will go directly to local shelters serving the Westside. We’re aiming for a heaping pile of coats. ^{(Please no one jump in them pretending to be fall leaves.)}

🎁 Bonus: Raffle for premium seats
Each person gets:

• 1 entry for buying a ticket

• 1 entry for bringing a coat (max 2 entries)

We will draw a winner who then gets 4 premium Cavs seats to an upcoming game!

Let’s pack the house, give back, and warm the Westside.

Have questions or want to help? Email us

Community Blend

Is Melt Coming Back? 📍 Lakewood

It’s been a year since The Melt Bar and Grilled closed all of their 13 locations and filed for bankruptcy protections. Well if you are a fan comebacks, 2026 might be your year. The Melt official account teased that they plan to reopen. (First Abercrombie to Crocker now Melt?!)

After reading about 100 of the 1,600 comments on the post, I think I agree with the general consensus. At the original Lakewood location, hungry people would gladly wait an hour for a table (wearing a nametag that said “Lenny Kravitz”) and be delighted to order a Kevin Bacon on a Vinyl record menu and then stuff their faces until they tapped out.

After Melt expanded rapidly, it seemed as if the emphasis was more satisfying that growth and less on the high quality ingredients, funky vibe, and the die-hard fanbase that once tattooed sandwiches on their arms for discounts.

p.s. If any members of Buzz Nation sends us a picture of their Melt tattoo, we will send you a sticker

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars

Stereophonic Arrives at Playhouse Square (until Jan. 25)

The most Tony-nominated play of all time, Stereophonic, kicks off its Cleveland run at Connor Palace on January 6—and it’s a must for anyone who loves live music, backstage drama, or Fleetwood Mac-level tension.

Set in a 1976 recording studio, the play follows a rock band teetering on the edge of superstardom, blending sharp dialogue with a full-on live rock score. It’s loud, tense, and getting rave reviews for a reason.

St. Brigid’s Light the Land Festival at Forest City Brewing (Saturday, January 31 | 12-4 PM)

Inspired by the Celtic holiday of Imbolc and the legacy of St. Brigid, this winter gathering blends creativity, community, and a little mysticism.

Expect lantern-making, Brigid’s crosses, live music, artisan vendors, seasonal eats, and some feel-good wellness rituals to help you shake off the January gloom.

Westside Pour Over

Flats - Cleveland-based Onyx gym eyes luxury opening in the Flats ^($)

Lakewood - Small business owner in need of signage? Non-profit LakewoodAlive can help!

North Ridgeville - 2025 Housing growth falls to 26 year low, when just 102 housing permits were approved.

Fun Finds

190 Year old treasure found at garage sale

Cleveland Reddit user wazu7 shows off what they bought back in the 90s for $5. It looks to be an original map of Cleveland and Ohio City from 1836. Here is a more high res duplicate for observation purposes.

Some cool things I noticed:

• The population of Cleveland was designated between “East or West of the Cuyahoga” (total about 6,500)

• The Stage Road Bridge to Detroit at this point was so dangerous that many people chose to ford the river near the beach

• The Old Cuyahoga River used to meander west before being straightened out for easier shipping in 1827. Hence the part of the river known today as “Old River”

  

• This sketch shows workers digging up the hill where Hooples stands today to build the Columbus Street Bridge. Pretty cool!

We apologize if you all aren’t true map-heads like us. Does anyone have any cool historical objects they might want to share? We would love to write about more cool things from Cleveland’s storied past.

🍽️ Business & Restaurant News

Tick Tock Tavern to Become Safar, a Modern Indian Fusion Spot 📍 Cleveland

The 80-year-old Tick Tock Tavern—once a staple on the Cleveland-Lakewood border—is being transformed into Safar, an upscale Indian fusion restaurant set to open January 28.

Owner Saravanan “Babu” Chandrababu (of Sausalito on Ninth and Sausalito at the Kirtlander) has turned the former dive bar into a three-room dining experience featuring modern Indian cuisine, craft cocktails, and a speakeasy-style lounge.

The name “Safar,” which means “journey” in Hindi, reflects Chandrababu’s own culinary path and the international team he’s assembled: Executive Chef Omar Jones, Chef Chetan Camble (an India native by way of San Francisco), and NYC mixologist Rohit Gawali, who relocated to Cleveland for the role.

The Palazzo Is Throwing a Six-Course Truffle Dinner 📍 West Blvd

On January 28 at 6:30pm, The Palazzo—a hidden gem on Cleveland’s west side—is hosting a six-course Italian black truffle dinner featuring the prized winter delicacy in every single dish.

Chef and owner Rafael Zaloshnja, who spent 14 years in Verona, Italy, will spotlight seasonal black truffles in creations like:

• Pear-stuffed pasta pillows with truffle cream (Jodie and I often wake each other up in the middle of the night to talk about these)

• Seared scallops topped with fresh truffle

• Filet mignon with a butter-poached lobster tail and (yes) more truffle

• A final course of truffle cream-filled cannoli

The $125 dinner (plus tax + gratuity) celebrates the earthy, chocolatey, hazelnut-rich flavors of the winter truffle at its seasonal peak.

🦁 Metroparks & Nature

Winter Wonder Weekends Are Back at the Zoo

And yes, the carousel is free. Again.

Starting January 16 through March 8, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is bringing back Winter Wonder Weekends—aka the only time of year where you can watch an elephant take a bath, ride a carousel for free, and warm up on a heated shuttle… all before lunch.

Here’s what’s happening every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:

• Heated Zoo Loop shuttle connecting you to all the indoor exhibits

• Guided walks through Wilderness Trek

• Up-close animal moments like elephant baths and keeper chats (think tigers, koalas, primates, and pinnipeds)

• Family-friendly extras like story time at Wolf Lodge and a Stuffed Animal Clinic presented by MetroHealth

Basically: fewer crowds, more fur, and a great way to tire out your kids before 2pm.

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