Happy Fat Tuesday, Westsiders! We’re bringing Mardi Gras vibes from NOLA to the CLE. Grab your most festive beads and fill up on Paczki because we have a great edition of The Westside Buzz for you.

Today we’re buzzing on:

• 🕺 Decades in The Flats grand opening

• 🤺 The Cavs assert their dominance

• ⚜️Some last-minute Fat Tuesday festivities

Grab your coffee – we're jumping in!

—The Briggses

COMMUNITY BLEND

🏗 Lakewood senior housing project hinges on tax credits

The former Hilliard Square Theater site in Lakewood might soon transform into something our community desperately needs.

Affordable senior housing!

Hand up, I have lived in this area for a decade and don’t remember what the old theater looked like. There has been a lot of change in Lakewood, which is exciting but can make your head spin.

Cleveland's Salus Development is working on "Barton Place Apartments," a five-story building with 63 one-bedroom units for folks 55 and older. The best part? These apartments would be priced for people earning around 60% of our area's median income, making them accessible to many seniors who want to stay close to the neighborhood they love.

What makes this project extra special is how it weaves into the fabric of Lakewood. The ground floor would become home to LakewoodAlive, a nonprofit that works tirelessly on community development. But here's the catch - this $18 million dream depends on winning competitive Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the state. The developers have submitted their application, fingers crossed! It's great to see these efforts to create inclusive, supportive communities where our seniors can thrive without breaking the bank.

📰 WESTSIDE POUR OVER

What’s Brewing

🚍 Greater Cleveland: GOGO Charters is launching an exciting Midwest Charter Network this summer, connecting Detroit to both Chicago and Cleveland with daily "luxurious" motorcoach service featuring amenities like plush seats and Wi-Fi, with fares starting at just $10. It’s not the high-speed rail that connects Chicago, Detroit, and Columbus that I’m hoping for, but it might be a good option for some. (DBusiness.com)

👜 North Olmsted: North Olmsted is gearing up for a major transformation, with new zoning that could turn Great Northern Mall into a vibrant mixed-use destination. Thanks to a $60,000 planning grant, the city is laying the groundwork for retail, office, residential, and green space—making the area more attractive for investment and setting the stage for long-term economic growth. (Cleveland.com)

🎮 Lakewood: Back in my day, video games consisted of Mario, Zelda, and pixelated princesses. How far we have come. Michael Newton is the CEO and founder of the Ethlete Lab Academy, where his vision is to create a safe space for kids to gather, game, and have fun. Whether we like it or not, careers in E-sports are popping up quicker than banana peels in Mariokart. What's really fascinating is seeing these opportunities become as common as the traditional paths we grew up with – like sports scholarships or music programs. (WKYC.com)

NIGHTLIFE

📼 Decades Grand Opening | East Bank of Flats

Are you ready to party like it's 1999? Well, on Saturday, we got a peek into the space where Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar used to be, and oh my goodness, it's been completely transformed into Decades, a super cool ‘80s and ‘90s themed bar! One step inside and you'll be transported back to the days of scrunchies, cassette tapes, and neon everything. It's like a time machine with cocktails! Full Review from our friends at 👉 Cleveland Vibes

The format for evenings keeps the energy pumping. There is a live piano show from 6:00 - 9:30 PM, then a live DJ starting at 10 PM, taking you until closing time. Grab your friends and check out the newest spot in the East Bank of the Flats!

MUSIC

🎸 Slowhand Coming to Cleveland | Rocket Arena

Eric Clapton just announced a six show US tour and the Rock and Roll City made the cut! The legendary guitarist is coming to Cleveland on September 11th, 2025 with his long time touring group to play his iconic hits like Lay Down Sally, and Layla along with a new album, “Meanwhile” that just dropped.

Tickets to the public will go on sale March 7th 👉 HERE

CAVS

😤 Cavs even season series 2-2 in Boston

After all the depressing Browns talk last week, I’ve decided to put all my focus on a team that’s kicking butt and is actually fun to root for. The Cavs went into the Boston Garden on Friday night, withstood a 25-3 run to start the game, and closed out the game to go up 7.5 games on their Eastern Conference rivals! If anyone was watching the game next to me at Dover Gardens, I sincerely apologize, I strongly dislike the Celtics.

Watch the highlights 👉 HERE

Let’s all rally around the Cavs because they are FOR REAL! Plus, it’s a heck of a lot more fun than dwelling on the dumpster fire that is the Browns.

Here is a look at their week ahead:

• Cavs @ Bulls, Tonight 8 PM

• Cavs @ Hornets, Friday 7 PM

Last-Minute Ways to Celebrate Fat Tuesday in Cleveland

Did Fat Tuesday sneak up on you? We’ve got you covered with these local spots serving up Paczki, Hurricanes, live jazz, and more. Whether you're here for the feast or the party vibes, here’s where to go and what’s happening:

Paczki Madness at Brewnuts

📍 Brewnuts, 6501 Detroit Ave, Cleveland
🕡 Opens at 6:30 AM (until sell-out, but should last all day!)

The Paczki Party starts early at Brewnuts, located in Gordon Square, where their legendary beer-infused donuts will take on a Fat Tuesday twist. Expect flavors like raspberry jam, lemon, blueberry preserves, and brownie batter—plus a special King Cake donut (topped with a lucky baby of course). Wash it down with their King Cake Latte…or perhaps a Hurricane? Whatever mood you’re in, they’ll have it all.

Paczki Day at Bigmouth Donuts

📍 Bigmouth Donuts, 19265 Detroit Road, Rocky River
🕢 Opens at 7:30 AM (until sell-out!)

First come, first served! Bigmouth will have a two-dozen limit per person (and a half-dozen limit for gluten-free orders). Flavors include blueberry cream, raspberry, Creme Brulé, and all the other classics. When they’re out, they’re out—so get there early!

Taste of New Orleans at Salmon Dave’s

📍 Salmon Dave’s, 19015 Old Lake Rd, Rocky River
🕕 Starts on Fat Tuesday, runs through April 13th

Salmon Dave’s annual Taste of New Orleans kicks off with a Fat Tuesday bash before rolling into a month-long feast. Their N’awlins Feast ($59) brings Bourbon Street straight to your plate with their prefix menu option. If you stop by during Happy Hour or all day on Sundays, you’ll get $15 off. Live jazz will be tonight from 5-9 PM, and starts up every Sunday until April 13th.

Mardi Gras Party at Bourbon Street Barrel Room

📍 Bourbon Street Barrel Room, 2393 Professor Ave, Tremont
🕦 Doors open at 11:30 AM, kitchen open until 9 PM

Tremont’s very own slice of the French Quarter was born ready for today. Expect thousands of beads and masks, a Shrimp Boil, a Crawfish Boil, King Cake, and an Abita Tap Takeover. No reservations—just show up, grab a Hurricane, and laissez les bon temps rouler!

Plan Ahead for Your Week

Weather

Tuesday

55 🌡️ 48 | ☁🌧 | 90% | 💨 S 8-13 mph

Wednesday

57 🌡️ 30 | 🌧🌨 | 90% | 💨 S 17-20 mph

Thursday

36 🌡️ 29 | 🌨 | 60% | 💨 W 20-22 mph

💧^{🌡️ Water temperature = 33ºF}

That’s a wrap, Westsiders. Keep exploring, keep supporting local, and keep in touch!

Until Friday,

—The Briggses