We honestly can’t believe it. What started as a way for Jodie and me to keep our friends and family informed about fun things happening on the westside officially has over 12,000 active community members!

We are growing, having fun, and have a huge year planned. We can’t thank you enough!

If you have an event or business and would like to partner with The Westside Buzz to amplify your message, send us an email.

On this TGIF, we are buzzing on:

• 🎾 Westside pickleball surging

• ❓ We have a February trivia winner

• 📲 Beware of Turnpike Toll scam

We’re heading to Ellicottville, New York for Mardi Gras this weekend. We hope today’s newsletter makes your day just a little bit better.

Best,

—The Briggses

COMMUNITY BLEND

Pickleball popularity across Cleveland | Westside

Westsiders now have multiple places where they can dink, drop, and step into the kitchen all year round.

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America because it’s fun, approachable, and can be played at any age. As evidenced, the website where I found that statistic, Pickleheads, gets over 500,000 monthly visits!

My four amazing Aunts have a standing time each week that they play. They look forward to it all week. But let me be clear—when these pickleball warriors step onto that court, it's nothing short of gladiatorial combat. The gentle smiles disappear as they battle for neighborhood supremacy and family bragging rights.

Here are two of the best places to play pickleball on the westside:

Cleveland Premier Pickleball | 33625 Pin Oak Parkway, Avon Lake

CPP is truly a premier facility. They have 15 total courts, including championship courts, tons of space to hang out and socialize in a fun and welcoming atmosphere. People rave about the friendly staff and the state-of-the-art facilities.

If you are interested in open play or becoming a member 👉 Click Here

Cleveland Pickleball Center | 12400 Crossburn Ave Cleveland

The Cleveland Pickleball Center is the newest, dedicated pickleball facility. Cleveland entrepreneur and Parm Councilman, Rob Euerle converted a vacant 1940s-era building in the Puritas neighborhood into a 10-court state-of-the-art facility.

For current schedule and more information 👉 Click Here

Who knows, maybe we’ll host a Westside Buzz pickleball meetup 🤷‍♂️🤔

HELP Foundation grows | Lakewood

The HELP foundation empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through adult daycare, vocational programs, and more. They are finishing an expansion of the Lakewood location and are inviting the community to come and see the new space.

🕒 When: March 27th, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:30 PM

📍 Where: 18228 Sloane Avenue, Lakewood

In honor of Developmental Disability Awareness Month this March, we're making an effort to spotlight the amazing organizations that champion, support, and empower these wonderful members of our community.

Turnpike toll Scam

Is there anything worse than spotting an official-looking envelope in your mail? You tear it open with one eye closed, just praying that whatever fine or bill enclosed is small: "Please be under $100, please be under $100..."

Speaking of heart-stopping moments, these text scams about unpaid tolls are getting out of control lately! Before you go frantically searching your glove box for old receipts, the Ohio Turnpike Commission has officially confirmed what we suspected. The threatening texts demanding toll payments are total scams! 

They want everyone to know they'll NEVER text you about unpaid tolls.

🧠 TRIVIA

Last month, hundreds of you answered our trivia questions, but only one stood above the rest. JBuzzard outwitted and outlasted the rest of Buzz Nation by correctly guessing 3 out of the 4 February questions.

For their mastery, they will receive this official Westside Buzz crewneck sweater.

Jodie and I each have one and you simply can’t get us to wear anything else.

Now that the stakes have been upped, here is the first trivia question for March:

WESTSIDE POUR OVER

What’s Brewing?

🧶 Greater Cleveland: Joann, the Hudson-based crafting retailer, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January and despite initial plans to keep stores running, announced in February it would close all locations across 49 states after GA Group acquired its assets. Loyal craft enthusiasts are devastated. I have seen plenty of customers sharing emotional testimonials about empty shelves and the end of a beloved shopping tradition. Full Story 👉 HERE

🥪 West 25th: Little Cloud Sandwiches is a woman-owned sandwich shop opening up later this month right next to Bookhouse Brewing. Jodie and I are certified sandwich connaisseurs (we have ever changing opinions about ‘the perfect bite’) and this place looks like it’s going to be Buzz-worthy. Check out their Instagram 👉 HERE

🎉 Lakewood: Get ready for NIGHT AT THE ROXY at Mahall’s on March 20th, where Yelp Cleveland's biggest party of the year brings together Northeast Ohio's finest women-owned businesses for complimentary tastings, drinks, entertainment, and more. The grand event supports Collaborate Cleveland. RSVP now to secure your spot on the pink carpet for this dazzling celebration featuring 30+ incredible local businesses. Info and RSVP 👉 HERE

🐕‍🦺 Cleveland: Looking for a teddy bear in dog form? You should adopt Bear, a 7-year-old Rottweiler mix who loves belly rubs and spreading joy wherever he goes. If you need a smile today, or want more info on adopting Bear, click 👉 HERE

🏞 PARKS AND REC

North Coast Yard announced | Downtown

Cleveland's new North Coast Yard is transforming a slice of depressing lakefront parking into a vibrant temporary public space that'll have you actually excited to visit! This pop-up park will feature basketball and tennis courts where you can show off your skills, plus a stage for live music performances that'll make summer evenings magical.

If they pull this off, it will be a great place to hang this summer. It will help to prove that the lakefront north of the current Browns Stadium can turn into a safe and vibrant park.

The coolest part might be the shipping containers lining the space that'll serve food and drinks, with potential plans for a roller skating rink too – all opening this June so Clevelanders don't have to wait until 2027 for lakefront fun! Check out 👉 Mark Oprea’s article in the Scene for more.

Friday

Check out our Instagram for a list of the Westside’s best Friday Fish Frys 👇

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday

Boaterhead | Time Warp, Westlake 8:30 PM

Cleveland Monsters vs. Hershey Bears | Rocket Arena 7 PM

Tom Petty Tribute | Music Box, Flats 7:30 PM

Jim Snidero Trio | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

Custy & McNamara | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

Larry Haws and the Octopus From Louisiana | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30 PM

Nocturnal | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 9 PM

Houndmouth | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM

Faye Webster | Agora Theatre 8 PM

Chest Fever Presents: The Best of The Band | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM

Saturday

Trailer Park Ninjas | Time Warp, Westlake 9 PM

Ana Popovic | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM

Tweed | Music Box SC, Flats 7:30 PM

Cleveland Monsters vs. Hershey Bears | Rocket Arena 4 PM

Joel Harrison and Anthems of Unity | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM

SUB:SONIC | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 5:30 PM

StakHouse | House of Blues, Cleveland 6 PM

Andrew McManus | Gormley’s 8 PM

Strutter: Kiss Tribute | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM

We Them One's Comedy Tour | Wolstein Center 8 PM

Sunday

Fleetwood Mac Tribute Brunch | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM

Weather

Friday

40 🌡️ 27 | 🌨 | 70% | 💨 W 8-13 mph

Saturday

34 🌡️ 29 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 NW 8-10 mph

Sunday

43 🌡️ 36 | 🌤 | 0% | 💨 W 7-10 mph

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 33ºF Waves omitted due to the lake being mostly ice-covered.}

^{Weather courtesy of the National Weather Service}

Forward this email to someone who always makes you laugh.

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses