Hey there! Welcome to a piping-hot edition of The Westside Buzz. The only thing hotter than my French press coffee is the Cleveland Cavaliers. 33 - 4! Let’s Go Cavs!

Today we are buzzing on:

• 🤓 We gathered the best trivia nights on the west side

• 👨‍🚒 The Cleveland Fire Department saves the day

• 📅 A double-stuffed, jam-packed weekend event calendar in the CLE

Let’s make it a legendary day.

Cheers,

—The Briggses

Community Blend

🚒 Quick Response

Thank goodness for the Cleveland Fire Department. They responded to a call at the Metroparks Rainforest exhibit to find the exterior ablaze. They quickly contained the fire and saved the entire building from turning to ash.

The fire was caused by workers using a torch to cut metal before igniting a patch of dry vegetation outside the building. There were no injuries to people or animals. Thank you CFD!

Whoa, There

🐢 Starting Tuesday, North Olmsted is beefing up enforcement in school zones after a rise in complaints about reckless driving. In December, motorists were caught on camera ignoring a crossing guard and blasting through crosswalks…c’mon people!

The police will be cracking down. If there’s a pedestrian in the crosswalk, you must yield. School zones mean 20 mph when kids are around, and flashing yellow lights signal extra caution.

"It’s all about paying attention," says Detective Lieutenant Matt Beck, reminding us that kids can be unpredictable. The choice is simple—stop for a few extra seconds, or face a hefty fine. Be safe out there North Olmsted!

Big Steps

A three-year-old Immy Synk is lighting up the Achievement Centers for Children in Westlake with her determination and infectious smile. After years of searching for answers, her family discovered she has Angelman syndrome, a rare neurogenetic disorder.

Enter ACC’s intensive therapy program, where Immy worked tirelessly with specialists and recently took her first independent steps, leaving her mom and her team in awe.

Thank you to the ACC team for providing hope and doing wonderful things for this family and the community.

Encourage

🏒 At Winterhurst Ice Arena, New Year’s Eve wasn’t just about confetti. It was about redefining the future of girls’ hockey.

The Ohio Hockey Project (OHP), founded by Cleveland native and pro player Russ Sinkewich, has created a game-changing space for girls to train, learn, and thrive. Joined by Olympic legends Shannon Szabados and Brianne McLaughlin-Bittle, these girls are building confidence and breaking barriers.

Give Back

The Greater Cleveland YMCAs, led by the Lakewood YMCA turned membership into meaningful change with its recent campaign.

🧼 Here was the deal… they would waive the joining fees (up to $100!) for new members who donated hygiene products to local shelters.

Each of the 11 branches partnered with a shelter, with the Lakewood branch choosing the Renee Jones Empowerment Center, ensuring the campaign directly impacted neighborhoods in need.

@TheWestsideBuzz

Trivia, Anyone?

🙋 We gathered some of the West Side’s best trivia nights and posted them to our Instagram. Any suggestions? Comment on our post on Instagram.

🚨 If you love trivia, head over to our Instagram and give us a follow! It helps us tremendously 🙏

thewestsidebuzz

View more on Instagram

Business

🥪 Everything Must Go

Melt in Lakewood will hold one final celebration of life from 12 PM - 6 PM on January 17 - 19. The celebration was announced on their Facebook Page where they invited patrons “to have a last drink with us, while you peruse for your favorite decoration.” I think I’m still full from the sandwich I ate there in 2015.

🍻 Pour one out for Melt and grab some cool memorabilia.

Puffs

Recreational marijuana sales in Ohio reached $242 mm in the first 5 months since sales began on August 6th, 2024. There are 124 dual-use dispensaries in Ohio, but only 3 on the west side. All three of them are in Lakewood.

Customers pay a 10% tax on all marijuana sales, which means over $24 million will go to programs previously earmarked to receive the funds. Let’s wait until the dust settles on where and how the funds are allocated before we pat ourselves on the back too hard.

🥳 Weekend Events

Friday, January 10th

TJ Miller @ Hilarities

📍 11001 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106

🕕 Friday, January 10th | 7:30PM

Jim Jefferies: Son of a Carpenter @ Playhouse Square, KeyBank State Theatre

📍 2067 E 14th St, Cleveland

🕕 Friday, January 10th | 7:30PM

Fundraiser for the Foundry @ The Foundry Lakewood

📍 11729 Detroit Ave, Lakewood

🕕 Friday, January 10th | 7 PM

Quitters Day ½ Apps @ Sibling Revelry

📍 29305 Clemens Rd, Westlake

🕕 Friday, January 10th | 12 - 8 PM

Pajama Party @ Taps & Tails

📍 1901 Train Ave, Cleveland

🕕 Friday, January 10th | 6 - 9 PM

Saturday, January 11th

History That Doesn't Suck with Professor Greg Jackson @ Playhouse Square, Hanna Theatre

📍 2067 E 14th St, Cleveland

🕕 Saturday, January 11th | 7:30PM

Good Point! Powerpoint Improv Party @ Imposters Theatre

📍 4828 Lorain Ave, Cleveland

🕕 Saturday, January 11th | 7:30 PM

Night Owl Men’s 6s & Women’s 4s A/BB Level Volleyball @ Mulberry’s

📍 2316 Mulberry Ave, Cleveland

🕕 Saturday, January 11th | 4 PM

Sunday, January 12th

Yoga and Brunch @ YogaSix Fairview Park

📍 3166 Westgate Mall Drive Fairview Park

🕕 Sunday, January 12th | 12:30 PM

Golden Retriever Meetup @ Taps & Tails

📍 1901 Train Ave, Cleveland

🕕 Sunday, January 12th | 4 - 7 PM

French Macarons Baking Class @ Annie’s Signature Sweets 

📍 1433 W Bagley Rd Ste 250, Berea

🕕 Sunday, January 12th | 11 AM

Take & Make Crochet Class Verbena Free Spirited Shoppe

📍 1434 West 29th Street Cleveland

🕕 Sunday, January 12th | 12 PM

Mutts in a Rutt Bingo Fundraiser  Plank Road Tavern

📍 16719 Detroit Avenue Lakewood

🕕 Sunday, January 12th | 12 PM

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday, January 10th

• Cleveland Monsters vs. Laval Rocket | RoMoFiHo 7 PM

• Nocturnal | The Foundry 9 PM

• Faction | Time Warp Bar 9 PM

• Neil Diamond Tribute | Music Box SC 7:30 PM

• Life of Pi | Connor Palace 7:30 PM

Saturday, January 11th

• Ventana | Agora Theatre 7 PM

• Thunderstruck - A Tribute to AC/DC | House of Blues 7 PM

• Spazmatics | Time Warp Bar 9 PM

• Crawley & Sofranko | Gormley’s 8 PM

• Gimme Sugar & Mister Breeze | Music Box CH 8 PM

• Life of Pi | Connor Palace 7:30 PM

• Floyd Nation | MGM Northfield Park 8 PM

• Swamps of Jersey | Backstage Bar 9 PM

Weather

Friday

26 🌡️ 21 | 🌨 | 30% | 💨 S 7-10 mph | 🌊 1 to 3 feet (10 - 15 knots)

Saturday

30 🌡️ 18 | 🌨 | 60% | 💨 W 11-17 mph | 🌊 2 to 4 feet (15 - 20 knots)

Sunday

31 🌡️ 23 | 🌥 | 30% | 💨 SW 10-18 mph | 🌊 1 to 3 feet (15 - 20 knots)

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 34ºF}

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

Thanks for your support of our small business!

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses