Together With Chris Schlenkerman and the Collaborative Home Sales Group

Why the right agent matters more than the market

A Lake Ave home sat on the market for nearly a year. Multiple attempts. No traction. Plenty of frustration.

When the seller brought in Chris Schlenkerman, they didn’t start by dropping the price. They started by changing the plan.

Chris focused on how buyers actually experience a home listing today, which is a vivid online presentation, a clear marketing strategy, video walk-throughs, thoughtful staging, and a few minor updates that made a real difference. Within two weeks (and after a couple open houses), the home was under contract.

That result wasn’t luck. It came from understanding buyer behavior, knowing how to create momentum, and having the experience to position a home properly from day one.

Anyone can list a house. Selling it for its best value takes planning, know-how, and experience.

BHHS Professional Realty, alongside the collaborative HOME SALES Group

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Community Blend

Cleveland Microwave

Often times, Jodie will stumble across some random, funny, deeply unserious thing the internet has decided to care a lot about. (She keeps me young.)
Bonus points if the trend happens organically.
Extra, extra bonus points if it happens in Cleveland.

Which brings us to this tale.

It all started when someone in the Cleveland subreddit noticed something unusual: an abandoned microwave… sitting calmly on a park bench. No explanation.

Think Forest Gump, but if he could heat up your hot pocket.

A Reddit user began posting daily updates. Same microwave. Same bench. Different conditions. Snow accumulating. Snow melting. The microwave, unmoved. Unbothered. Almost defiant.

What followed is internet gold.

After about a week, the comments section fully lost the plot — in the best way. Armchair detectives emerged. Amateur sleuths analyzed background trees, bench styles, and snow patterns like they were solving the Zodiac case. The original poster intentionally kept the location vague, turning the whole thing into a citywide scavenger hunt.

Once the microwave’s true location was finally discovered, Clevelanders did what Clevelanders do best: they showed up.

People made pilgrimages to visit the lonely appliance. Photos were taken. Respect was paid. Some brought offerings like they were the Three Wise Men, but with a slightly more Midwest flair. Christmas ornaments. Cookies. Umbrellas. Even other appliances, because no one should sit alone on a park bench in December.

And because this is Cleveland, the joke somehow turned generous. Donations were made to the Cleveland Food Bank. A microwave on a bench had successfully united strangers and done some good.

After ten days, the microwave was finally moved. Gone, but never forgotten.

It didn’t solve world peace. It didn’t fix traffic on I-90. But for ten days, it gave Clevelanders something silly to rally around — a shared inside joke that reminded us how fun this city can be when we lean into the weird.

Rest easy, bench microwave. You brought us together. And that’s no small thing.

Short Takes on the Westside

Happy Holidays!

Avon

Soccer brand unveiling: Get ready to cheer on the Leviathan next summer as the name and logo won the public vote for the new Lorain County USL2 soccer team coming to ForeFront Field (formerly named Crushers Stadium). League representatives, Crushers owners, city officials, sponsors, guests, and community members recently gathered at Cameo Pizza (inside T3 Performance adjacent to the stadium), for the official announcement and unveiling.

Leviathan is a sea serpent demon noted in theology and mythology.

Iced over: The owners of 808 Shaved Ice posted recently on social media that their Fairview Park 808 will not reopen in 2026.

Fairview was the first 808 location, opening in 2017. No single reason for the closure was given, but the owners did note that, like nearly all small businesses, they face challenges that force them to make difficult decisions.

The Avon and Strongsville locations will not be affected by the news.

Noon Year’s Eve: Families can ring in the New Year a little earlier during the annual Noon Year's Eve celebration at the Avon Branch Library, 37485 Harvest Drive, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Dec. 31.

Crushing it: The Lake Erie Crushers have extended the contract for field manager Jared Lemieux into the 2027 season.

Lemieux joined the Crushers in 2023, and in 2024 he led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in five years.

He became the first manager in Lake Erie Crushers history to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. He was also inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame in 2024.

The Lake Erie Crushers will open their 17th season at newly named ForeFront Field on May 8 in a playoff rematch against the Schaumburg Boomers. For information on season ticket memberships

Avon Lake

New job: In the Dec. 15 edition of Short Takes I mentioned that a change in leadership is taking place at Avon Lake High School (ALHS) as assistant principal Adam Slabodnick will be the new principal effective Jan. 5.

It was mentioned that current principal Mike May recently accepted a position in another school district, but the district was not mentioned in the Avon Lake Superintendent’s online newsletter. May has been principal at ALHS since 2020.

We now know that May was recently approved for an administrative role as the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Facilitator at Bedford High School.

As part of the district’s continued cost cutting initiatives, Avon Lake High School will not be replacing Slabodnick’s assistant principal role and will now have only two assistant principals (Dr. Brad Cocco and Maria Gingo).

Pick your favorite: It’s time to hop in the car, turn on the holiday tunes, and take a festive drive around the city to check out the entries in the city’s Deck the House contest.

Vote for your favorite display now through Jan. 4. One vote per email address. Select your favorite

Shout-outs: Commander Mike Schrull and the Legionnaires of Avon Lake American Legion Post 211 recently presented a $5,000 donation check to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the three Lorain Police officers and their families affected by last summer’s tragic ambush and shooting. With this contribution, combined with donations from the Post 211 American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of American Legion, and Riders, each officer and the wife of Officer Phillip Wagner received a total of $10,000 in support.

Another organization in the community making a difference is the Avon Lake Historical Society. For the fourth consecutive year, the group provided a hot Christmas lunch for the city employees including members of the Avon Lake Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, and City Administration.

Bay Village

Fairytale fundraiser: Get ready for a night of enchantment and magical memories at the Anniversary Gala for the Fairytale Foundation, a non-profit founded by Bay High School alum Stephanie Jordan, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Cleveland Yacht Club, 200 Yacht Club Drive, Rocky River.

This year, the Fairytale Foundation is celebrating 10 years of service in Northeast Ohio. The organization currently has 60 active volunteers, ages 14-22, from Bay Village and the surrounding communities. The volunteers perform at Wish Visits, private birthdays, and public celebrations (Bay Days) to help bring a little magic to the community.

The Gala event begins with character photo ops and light appetizers. A buffet dinner will follow with a cash bar (2 drinks complementary with ticket). A silent auction, dancing and other activities are also included.

Support the magic and more information on tickets

Citizen, project of the year: Do you know of a resident that goes above and beyond for the community? Or a project that has impacted the city?

The Bay Village Community Council (BVCC) has opened the nomination period for the 2026 Citizen and Project of the Year honors. The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 9.

More info on the full column

North Ridgeville

City Council appointment: Lifelong resident Kate Rogerson was recently appointed to the vacant Ward 1 City Council seat (replacing Holly Swenk who is now serving as a Council-At-Large representative). The 2005 graduate of North Ridgeville High School is involved in many activities and organizations in the community.

She is the daughter of the late Dennis Boose who served on City Council (Ward 2) prior to his passing in 2023.

Blood drive: Give the gift that keeps on giving by making an appointment to give blood during the American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 26 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.

Appointments are needed and can be scheduled online or call

Niko’s closing: After nearly two years in business, Niko’s Gyros To-Go, 34167 Center Ridge Road, will close Dec. 31. The owners posted on social media that the lease is up and they have made the ‘difficult decision not to renew it.’

They also noted that they are ‘actively exploring opportunities to expand into a new location.’ A location is currently planned for Brunswick.

All gift cards purchased may still be used at our Broadview Heights location.

Noon Year’s Eve: Ring in 2026 with music, dancing and a special countdown for a ball drop at noon for families to celebrate Noon Year's Eve from 11 a.m. to noon Dec. 31 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library.

Rocky River

New Year’s resolution: Kick off a better you for the New Year by attending the community-wide free Health and Wellness Fair at the Rocky River Recreation Center, 21016 Hilliard Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 3.

The event is designed to promote health, fitness, and family togetherness; and features activities and resources for all ages including fitness demonstrations, wellness booths, kids' activities, and activities.

Chili cook-off: Do you have the best chili recipe? Consider entering the Senior Center’s 9th Annual Chili Cook-off set to take place at noon Jan. 16.

Chili tasting includes small servings of homemade recipes. Registration is free and open to all interested chefs. Chili must be your own homemade recipe (store bought chili is strictly prohibited) and quantity must fill a six-quart crock pot to ensure enough for samples and judging.

Advance tickets sales to sample the delicious recipes are $10 for residents, and $11 non-residents. Proceeds benefit services, programs and activities at the Rocky River Senior Center. Deadline to purchase tickets Jan. 9.

If you are interested in making chili for the event, there is a sign up sheet at the front desk, 21014 Hilliard Blvd.

Westlake

Solar power: Cuyahoga County officials recently gathered at the home of new solar homeowner Robert Button to celebrate the 500th installation of solar panels through the county’s Residential Solar Co-op program.

Since 2016, the county has worked with national nonprofit Solar United Neighbors to educate homeowners about solar energy and help them through the installation process.

The 500 installations represent 3.6 megawatts of clean energy. More importantly, this work is projected to save these families more than $19 million on energy costs over the next 25 years, according to the press release.

Shout-out: The Westlake Educational Foundation has awarded $22,570 in grants to enhance educational opportunities within the schools. Funds will provide equipment for the high school’s Sensory room, enhancements to the outdoor classroom space at the middle school, transformations in the middle and intermediate schools’ libraries, flexible seating options at the intermediate school, and a STEM experience at the elementary school.

📸 @TheWestsideBuzz

A few weeks ago, we told you about a new children’s bookstore opening in Lakewood called The Wandering Lantern. Here’s a fun peek inside the shop. We also teamed up with owner Emily for a giveaway featuring a $130 gift basket she generously donated — which is just one of the perks of following The Buzz on Instagram.

And if some of the décor inside The Wandering Lantern looks familiar, that’s because the Malley family donated pieces from the recently renovated Lakewood Malley’s store.

New Restaurant

New Vinnie Cimino joint 📍 Hingetown

A new restaurant called Rosy is opening in Hingetown this January.

Chef Vinnie Cimino (of Cordelia fame) is diving into his roots with a menu inspired by the coastal flavors of Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia — think Adriatic seaside meets Ohio-grown ingredients.

There’ll be open-fire cooking, old-world techniques, and dishes that somehow manage to feel both hyper-local and centuries old.

Here is a Hingetown date night suggestion curated by TWB. Dinner: Rosy. After Dinner Drink: All Saints. Feeling frisky?: Tina’s for karaoke.