☕The Bees Knees

Lady Rockets soccer go for glory, Irishtown Bend Update, Totally Rad Vintage Fest

November 08, 2024

Welcome to the Westside Buzz and happy Friday! We’re kind of like that friend who always knows the cool things going on around town. All Westside, twice a week.

In today’s newsletter we will discuss:

Bay Woman’s Soccer Eyes State Title
Prepping for Cleveland Pizza Week
Fast Food Fish and Chips Resurgence

Things we will not be discussing:

Any politics EVER! (except when discussing what is on my Mt. Rushmore of Halloween candy: Reese’s, Sour Patch Kids, Skittles, Butterfinger)

Here we go!

— the Briggses

The Digest

🍀 Irishtown Bend Update

Things are moving forward with the proposed 25 acres of greenspace known as Irishtown Bend Park. One of my favorite parts of the proposal is a boardwalk that can be seen from the video rendering.

Proposed Irishtown Bend Project

One of my hard and fast rules is you don’t get your hopes up about the upcoming Browns season and the same goes for proposed projects downtown.

However, it does seem like there is a lot of momentum in the flats with the construction of the Thunderbird Apartments and the plans for the new Cavs Riverfront training facility.

🎣 Don’t Call It A Comeback

Growing up on the west side this restaurant sign is seared into my brain. What are fish and chips? Who is Arthur Treacher? Has anyone actually stepped inside one of these places…The parking lot was always empty.

Photo by Eric Gibson | 📍 Arthur Treacher’s Cuyahoga Falls

There was a time when Arthur Treacher’s Fish and Chips were everywhere. Like construction barrels in the Summer or midges in the Fall. After a random childhood flashback of that iconic yellow sign, I got on the Google to see what happened to them. I was shocked to learn that there were once 600 of them in the US!

As you can imagine there aren’t many of them left. As of 2022 there was only 1 left in Cuyahoga Falls. It stuck around like that one sock to the side of the dryer. That was until a local fried and breaded cod enthusiast made Cleveland proud.

Local developer George Simon bought the last location in 2022 and then reopened the recently closed location in Garfield Heights. Simon already has a third location in Cleveland Heights picked out and is aiming for a fourth by the end of next year.

I’m dying to know if any of you have ever eaten at one of these back in the day.

Cleveland loves a comeback story. I am looking forward to seeing these around town for years to come.

Foodie Corner

🍕CPW

In four short days, our national nightmare will be over. We will no longer have to wait for Cleveland Pizza Week 2024!

From November 11-17, the top pizza joints from all around Cleveland (Including about 15 from the Westside) will be offering up mouthwatering specials and exciting new takes on ‘za.

Check out the Bees Knees from Saucy Brew Works to prepare you for what’s to come. This special 10” pie can only be had during CPW. To me, this looks…pretty cool (Miley Cyrus.gif).

Saucy Brew Works | 📍 2885 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Close Call

Jaja and Pioneer in Ohio City are closed until further notice after a vehicle ran into the building on Halloween. Luckily everyone inside was okay.

If you haven’t had the chance to make it to Jaja, it is well worth the trip. The decor alone is enough to transport you to an airy evening in Buenos Aires. Try the Burnt Carrot with Chevre and thank us later!

Jaja | 📍 2050 Gehring Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113

🍲 Soup to nuts

It’s that time of year. People decorating for Christmas way too early…just kidding!

Mason’s Creamery transforms from serving amazing ice cream to delicious ramen. Check out their menu for all the tasty featured menu items.

Jodie and I are certified broth-heads yet still haven’t been able to make it here to try the ramen. The ice cream is fantastic, so I can only imagine what the soup tastes like. If you’ve tried it let us know what you thought!

Old School Pizza & Wings by Parker's is opening a new event space at 449 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake, accommodating up to 120 guests with menu options from both Old School and Parker’s Grille.

This holiday season, the space will transform into a Christmas Vacation-themed pop-up bar, Griswolds, featuring festive cocktails and movie-inspired treats.

Around the Corner always has its sidebar decked out in gaudy Christmas decorations with nonstop Christmas karaoke. I really enjoy stopping in here every holiday season, but I don’t know how many more times I can hear amatuer renditions of “All I want for Christmas is You”.

📅 Save the Date

The Rocky River Education Foundation has set a date for its 2025 Gala Fundraiser. On March 22, 2025, Dust off your bowties and gowns and get down for education.

Around Town

Tag @thewestsidebuzz in your photos to have them featured in a future newsletter!

@jodiegip on IG submitted this beauty 📍 Hilliard Blvd and Valley Parkway

Tag @thewestsidebuzz to have your photo featured in the next installment!

⚽Women’s Soccer State Playoffs Recap

The Bay Women’s soccer team beat River 4-1 to take home the State Semifinal over their rivals. The Lady Rockets take on fellow northeastern Ohio team Highland at the Historic Crew Stadium on Saturday at 1 PM. Click here to see their full road to the state finals.

🚀GO BAY!

🏈Friday Night Lights

Olmsted Falls (8-3) @ Avon (11-0) Friday @ 7 PM

No. 1 seeded Avon rolled over No. 16 North Olmsted in the first round of the Division II playoffs. They take on the 8-3 Olmsted Falls Bulldogs, who took care of 9-seeded Steele in their first-round matchup. Click here to see Avon’s road to the regional quarterfinal.

Napoleon (6-5) @ Bay (7-4) Friday @ 7 PM

5 Seeded Bay’s powerful running game led the charge in their convincing victory last week. They host 13th-seeded Napoleon on Friday night. Click here to see Bay’s road to the regional quarterfinal.

Lexington (6-5) @ Rocky River (8-3) Friday @ 7 PM

The Pirates rolled over Holy Name to earn the right to take on the Lexington Minutemen. The winner will face the winner of Central Catholic versus Revere. Click here to see River’s road to the regional quarterfinal.

What’s Going On?

What is happening around the west side this weekend?

🏀 NBA Hoops

In case you haven’t heard, the Cleveland Cavaliers are off to their best start in franchise history! After a gutsy win in New Orleans over the Pelicans, they host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors on Friday at 7 PM.

Everyone’s favorite sports network Bally’s was bought out by sports betting company Fanduel over the off-season. The Cavs look to be serious title contenders so it might be worth ponying up the $20/month for the streaming package.

Live Music Schedule

Friday, November 8th

The Ultimate Doors: A Tribute to the Doors | Cleveland Masonic Auditorium 7 PM

Jessie Murph | The Agora 7 PM

Old Skool | Time Warp Bar 8 PM

THE WIDDLER - ZERO G TOUR | The Winchester 8 PM

Josh Donato | Backstage Bar 7 PM

Saturday, November 9th

Ballinoch Duo | 5 Points Coffee and Tea 10 AM

The Spazmatics | Time Warp Bar 8 PM

Chayla Hope & CYO's Lo-Fi Mix Tape | The Agora 7 PM

Sky’s The Limit | Backstage Bar 7 PM

Business News

Everything Must Go

I’m always looking for a deal. Especially when it comes to appliances and home furnishings.

I audibly gasped when I heard that American Freight was going out of business. They sell less-than-perfect big-ticket items at deep discounts. If you don’t mind the side of a brand-new stove having a dent, then this is your Super Bowl.

Clearance sales started this week so head there soon before the items get picked over!

Totally Rad Vintage Fest

📍 1 I-X Center Dr, Cleveland, OH 44135

Bust out your Walkman and neon short shorts! The Totally Rad Vintage Fest takes over the IX Center this weekend.

Check out vendors selling vintage clothes, toys, home furnishings, and maybe that Wham! cassette tape you let your bestie borrow in 1984.

Early bird tickets will run you $25, but you’ll get the first crack at the goods before the doors open.

Civil News

🍂Leaf Pickup

Picture this: You wake up with the Autumn sun as it shines through golden yellow leaves. You wrap your hands around your favorite warm beverage and take that first sip. Life is good. You then realize you have to pick up all of those tiny things and drag them to the curb.

Here is the leaf collection schedule for each Westsiders city:

Avon Lake - Round 2 Began 10.28

Avon - Begins 11.4 - 12.15 (weather permitting)

Bay Village - Now through December

Fairview Park - 10.30 - 12.15 (weather permitting)

Lakewood - Begins 11.4 - 12.20 (weather permitting)

North Olmsted - No specific schedule. Try to cover the area every 7 to 12 days

Olmsted Falls - 10.15 - 11.30

Rocky River - Begins 11.4 - 12.15 (weather permitting)

Westlake - 10.21 - 12.15 (weather permitting)