Good morning, and happy Friday Buzz Nation! The only newsletter that reads and replies to every email our awesome community sends us…Even you, Joe. 😉

Today we are buzzing on:

• 🤼‍♀️ NEO is leading the way for High School Women’s Wrestling

• 📈 Kindergarten cost comparison

• 🏭 A resurgence in the Flats has us feeling nicey

Take a deep breath and say it with me now…Only 54 more days until Guardians Opening Day!

Have a great weekend!

—The Briggses

Community Blend

High School Girls’ Wrestling popularity is surging | Avon Lake

Girls wrestling is experiencing unprecedented growth in high schools across the country, with Ohio as a prime example of this trend. What started in 2020 with around 20 teams has grown to over 63 schools in Ohio.

Nationally, it is the fastest-growing high school sport, according to the AP.

The benefits for young women participating in wrestling are significant and multifaceted:

• Personal Development: Athletes report improved self-discipline and better eating habits, which extend beyond sports into their academic lives.

• Academic Performance: Students note feeling more prepared and less stressed about academic challenges like midterms, suggesting the sport helps build valuable life skills.

• Growing Opportunities: The sport's expansion has led to more collegiate opportunities, with Division One wrestling now available for girls.

• Competitive Growth: The field has become increasingly competitive, with some tournaments now featuring up to 64 participants in a bracket, compared to just 16 a few years ago.

Avon Lake is rallying around their Shoregals Wrestling team. As one student-athlete put it, women are "starting to glow" as they discover what they're capable of through wrestling. This suggests that supporting our communities’ interest in women’s wrestling could provide them valuable opportunities for athletic and personal growth. Full Story 👉 HERE

More information on Avon Lake Girls Wrestling 👉 HERE

🐶 Featured Adoptable Dog of the week | Cleveland

Dip, a 4-year-old terrier mix, has been patiently waiting for over a year at the Cleveland APL. She’s fun-loving and affectionate but would prefer a home without small children or cats.

The Cleveland APL is having a Valentine’s Day special event with discounted adoption fees, games, and unlimited boops. Check out the event 👉 HERE

Kindergarten Cost Comparison | Westside

On Tuesday, we covered the rising costs of all-day kindergarten in Avon Lake. It created a lot of buzz and got us thinking. How does that stack up with other west-side suburbs?

👇Check out our Instagram post below to see how your city stacks up!👇

🍃 Parks and Rec

Rocky River is interested in public input as it seeks grant money for a trail connecting the Senior Center to the Rec Center. River is applying to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant program, which helps cities enhance recreation areas.

🏫 Where: Rocky River City Hall

🕛 When: February 19th @ 9 AM

🧠 Trivia

📊 Business

🧵 Joann Fabrics to close 33 Ohio stores | North Olmsted

The North Olmsted Joann Fabrics store is among 33 Ohio locations slated to close as part of the company's bankruptcy proceedings, though the Elyria and Middleburg Heights stores will remain open for now. This closure will significantly impact local crafters and sewists on Cleveland's west side, particularly those who rely on the North Olmsted location for their fabric and craft supplies.

The closures are part of a larger bankruptcy reorganization affecting over 500 Joann stores nationwide, with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners (the same company that recently purchased Big Lots) positioned as the likely buyer. These changes reflect broader challenges in retail, though Joann continues to seek alternative buyers who might save more locations.

🍻 Great Lakes Brewing and a Flats resurgence? | Flats

Our friends at NEOtrans Blog have learned that Great Lakes Brewing Company is going forward with plans to make a big investment in the Flats. Last year, GLBC abandoned plans to build a 200,000-square-foot brewery and canning facility in Avon.

With GLBC, Brewdog, Thunderbird, and Irishtown Bend Park all coming to life in the flats it begs the question. Are we in for a golden age of the Flats?

☕ Last Sips

🏀 The Cavs enter All-Star break on four-game win streak

The Cavs crush the Wolves and De’Andre Hunter’s debut. | Raptor’s Coach calls out Tristan Thompson for dunk in blowout

February in Cleveland History

On February 15th, 1861 Abraham Lincoln spoke from a balcony at Superior and East 6th Street. Excited onlookers poured into the streets, braving rain, snow, and mud to catch a glimpse of the newly elected President.

It’s good to know that Cleveland’s tough attitude dates back to the horse and buggy. You gotta be tough if you want to make it here!

Happenings

Friday, February 14th

Opening Night: Waitress The Musical Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre Program Collaboration @ The Beck Center

📍 17801 Detroit Ave, Lakewood 🕕 7:30 PM

Couples Beginner Salsa: Dirty Dancing Valentine’s Day @ Lesalsa Dance

📍 17108 Detroit Ave, Lakewood 🕕 7 PM

LOVED UP! Valentine’s Drag Show @ Brewnuts

📍 6501 Detroit Ave, Cleveland 🕕 7 PM

Saturday, February 15th

Stupid Cupid Music Bingo @ West Park Station

📍 17015 Lorain Ave, Cleveland 🕕 12:00 PM

Lake Erie Labrador Retriever Rescue’s “Lab’s, Love & Links” @ West Bank Golf Club

📍2111 Center St Unit D, Cleveland 🕕 12:00 PM

Sunday, February 16th

RomCom Trivia @ Great Lakes Brewery

📍 2516 Market Ave, Cleveland 🕕 12:00 PM

Mommy & Me "Valentine's Tea"  @ Little Birdie Wine Nest

📍 6060 Broadview Road, Parma 🕕 1:00 PM

"Out of the Box" gallery show closing @ Creative Space Avon

📍 33760 Lear Industrial Parkway Avon 🕕 1:00 PM

🎷 Live Entertainment

Friday

Tricky Dick’s Be Mine Bash | Time Warp, Westlake 9:30 PM

Chad Hoffman | Beerhead, Avon 7 PM

Olivia Van Goor | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 9 PM

Crawley & Sofranko | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

Colin Doussault’s Blues Project | Backstage Bar, Westpark 8:30

Decapitated, Incantation, Darkest Hour, Exmortus | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 5:30 PM

Justin Bieber Night | House of Blues, Cleveland 8:30 PM

Valentine’s Dance Party | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM

Saturday

Sinatra & Gershwin, With Love | Music Box Club, Flats 7 PM

Cuyahoga Slim | The Fairview Tavern, Fairview Park 9 PM

Abrepaso Flamenco's Tablao | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM

Katy & OC | Gormley’s, Rocky River 8 PM

Badfish: Tribute to Sublime | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM

MUZZ | Mercury Music Lounge, Lakewood 8 PM

Dark Wave Dance Club (Cure Night) | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM

Weather

Friday

26 🌡️ 24 | 🌤🌨 | 80% | 💨 W 5-9 mph

Saturday

38 🌡️ 28 | 🌨☔ | 100% | 💨 S 8-11 mph

Sunday

32 🌡️ 13 | 🌨 3 to 5 inches | 90% | 💨 NW 10 mph

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

^{Weather courtesy of the National Weather Service}

Share this with a Westsider who has read every Harry Potter book. It would mean the world to us.

Have a great weekend,

—The Briggses