METROPARKS

Wild Winter Lights Returns to the Zoo 📍 Cleveland

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is flipping the switch on the holidays again this year. Starting November 18, Wild Winter Lights is back for its seventh season, lighting up the zoo with more than 1.5 million lights and plenty of cozy, festive charm.

You can wander the paths on foot or stay warm in the car for the drive-through version. Along the way, you’ll spot glowing favorites like the Colorful Forest, Magical Storybook, and Santa’s North Pole Lodge, where kids can say hi and snap a photo.

There’s also a 50-foot holiday tree, free carousel rides, and a few sweet local snacks from Jack Frost Donuts and Kernels by Chrissie to keep everyone fueled.

The event runs select evenings through December 30 (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve).

It’s one of those simple winter traditions that never really gets old.

Short Takes

We are buzzing with excitement to announce the debut of Short Takes in the Westside Buzz!

Written by veteran journalist Julie A. Short, Short Takes has a large following on the Westside, having appeared in other media outlets and offering residents a wealth of information to stay ‘in the know.’

Bay Village

Rock the vote: Make your voice heard as today, Nov. 4 is Election Day! You may just see several Bay High School students serving as poll workers during the election.

They were trained by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections as part of the Board of Elections' "Future of Democracy Program." This is the third year that Bay students have participated in the Future of Democracy Program.

High flying: Congratulations Bay Middle School fifth-grader Huck Kurinsky, 10, for recently claiming his fourth consecutive USA BMX Freestyle National Championship.

Competing in the 9–10 age division in San Diego, Huck delivered a standout performance with precision and flair, capping off a remarkable year that also included his first international competition victory in Toronto, Canada, and appearances on ESPN highlighting his rapid ascent in the sport.

Deer survey: There is still time to complete the city’s 2025 Homeowner Deer Survey. The deadline is Nov. 10. Results will go directly to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to provide insight on the deer population in Bay Village and our deer culling process.

Please be careful out there, as it’s deer mating season, which occurs from mid-October through December, peaking around November, and is triggered by changes in daylight.

During this time, deer are more active, traveling farther and crossing more roads, which increases the risk of vehicle accidents.

FORE!: The much-anticipated Pin High Golf & Lounge will celebrate its grand opening Friday, Nov. 7 in the renovated Bay Lanes building, 27229 Wolf Road.

The state-of-the-art golf simulator and entertainment venue features seven high-tech simulator bays, a full bar, and private event spaces.

Avon

New businesses coming: Members of the Avon Planning Commission had a busy meeting last month hearing several presentations regarding new businesses planning to open in the city.

Westside Pancake Company, a new Mercedes Benz and Porsche automotive dealership, a medical office building, Dollar Tree, and 210,000 sq. ft. of commercial buildings are all seeking approval for construction.

Avon Lake

‘Tis the season: Halloween is over, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, but it’s never too early to get in the holiday spirit.

The City of Avon Lake and local businesses are teaming up for Shop Local, an annual campaign that offers shoppers the chance to win prizes when they purchase goods or services at participating locations.

Businesses participating in the Shop Local campaign will give out raffle tickets to their customers. From Nov. 10 through Dec. 5, prize drawings will be held at two participating businesses every weekday (excluding Thanksgiving and Black Friday). Winners will receive $50 gift cards from that business.

A list of participating businesses can be found on the city’s website.

North Ridgeville

Let’s get ready to rumble: A new indoor playground experience exclusively for children ages seven and under is preparing to open at 9 a.m. Nov. 17.

Lil’ Ranger Rumble is located at 33135 Center Ridge Road and also offers a party room.

Rocky River

Art show: The 2025 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Rocky River Memorial Hall (next to the recreation center). Admission is $3 (kids 12 and under are free). The charity supported for the event is Rose's Rescue.

Westlake

Field of dreams: The Parkside Athletic Field Complex is now open at 24525 Hilliard Blvd. The much-anticipated facility features two premier artificial turf fields designed to accommodate full-size football and soccer games.

Beyond the athletic fields, the complex includes several community amenities: A new playground for younger children, a picnic shelter for gatherings, and a combined concession stand and restroom facility to serve visitors and participants. —Julie Short

Tony’s FB Marketplace Find of the Week

We haven’t done one of these in a while. But this listing stopped me in my trac-tor…

What we have here is a John Deere mobile picnic table. Because why not?

It has a 22 HP Briggs & Stratton engine (only the best), working headlights, and comes with spare belts. I hope it comes with instructions on how the heck you drive the thing.

All for the price of $1,750.

BHHS Professional Realty | collaborative HOME SALES Group

How Westside Homes Are Selling Right Now

Chris Schlenkerman has been selling homes on the Westside for over 20 years, and he's noticed something about pricing: the homes that sell fastest are priced strategically.

"When you price high, you're putting the burden on yourself, as the seller, to prove the home is worth that much," Chris told us. "Buyers can wait you out, skip your listing, or lowball you, knowing there's little or no competition."

But when a home is priced competitively—in the lower range of fair value—the dynamic flips. Now buyers have to prove they're serious, or they'll lose out to someone else.

"That's when you get multiple offers," he said. "Buyers compete with higher bids, fewer conditions, and better terms. You end up with more negotiating power than if you'd started high."

Chris says the homes getting multiple offers right now share a few traits: they're priced right from day one, they hit the market at the right time, they have full exposure to the most possible buyers, and all the details are ready to make a first impression so buyers can move fast.

"The goal is to shift the burden from you proving value to buyers proving they're the best offer," he said. "That's the difference between sitting on the market and getting a bidding war."

Check out the full article or reach out to Chris with any questions.

^{Chris Schlenkerman has helped Westside families navigate these decisions for over 20 years.} 👉 ^{Contact him for a free consultation.}

@TheWestsideBuzz

In case you missed it, we did our best to create Halloween costumes for some Westside cities. My favorite is Lakewood.

If you aren’t following us on Instagram…you should be!

Theatre and Arts

Choreographer Comes Home 📍 Playhouse Square

Cleveland native and award-winning choreographer Dianne McIntyre is coming home — and she’s bringing her powerful new work In the Same Tongue with her.

The 80-minute performance blends dance, live music, and poetry into one mesmerizing story. It features an original score by fellow Clevelander Diedre Murray and words by celebrated playwright Ntozake Shange.

The nationally acclaimed production makes its Ohio debut on November 15 at the Mimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square. Tickets start at $12.

Adopt

Meet Freckles

She’s got the kind of personality that makes you wonder how she’s still waiting for her forever home after six whole months.

Freckles is a 6-year-old terrier-pit mix currently crashing with a loving foster through Berea Animal Rescue. She’s the definition of easygoing — equally thrilled about a backyard zoomie session or a leisurely evening stroll.

She doesn’t ask for much: just a comfy spot to nap, someone to share snacks with, and a human or two to love unconditionally.

If you’ve been looking for a sign to adopt your new best friend… this is it