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- ☕ The Rocky River Happy Hour Guide & a Smelly Plant
☕ The Rocky River Happy Hour Guide & a Smelly Plant
Plus Ponies and Pilates at Baker Creek Estate and the Taste of River
TGIF, Westsiders.
I hope everyone enjoyed Wednesday night's fireworks spectacular, also known as the first real summer storm of the season. Mother Nature said "free light show" and we said "we'll take it."
Also, in my most dad voice possible: man, did we need the rain.
Here’s some Westside news and events to electrify your weekend:
A list of no-cost outdoor fitness classes
We drank our way through Rocky River
A rare flower is blooming at the zoo
See you out there!
—The Briggses
Our longtime community partners like Chris Schlenkerman keep The Buzz fun and free.
Together With Chris Schlenkerman and the Collaborative HOME SALES Group
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Updated kitchen with granite countertops and sleek appliances
Large island perfect for entertaining, morning coffee, or easy weeknight dinners
Two spacious bedrooms and two full baths
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2 bed | 2 bath | 1,377 sq ft | $249,000
BHHS Professional Realty, alongside the collaborative HOME SALES Group
*Sponsored Content. To keep TWB fun and no-cost to you, we partner with local businesses
Community Blend
Corpse Flower in Bloom 📍 Cleveland Zoo
Amorphophallus titanum [Credit: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo]
Halley's Comet. The World Cup. A Browns winning season. Add one more to the list of rare phenomena: the oddly stunning flower currently blooming at the zoo.
Cronus — the zoo's corpse flower — started blooming yesterday morning, which means today is your one shot. These things bloom once every 2 to 7 years and the show lasts somewhere between 24 and 48 hours, so this is very much a "go now or wait until your kids are in college" situation.
According to those who were there when the zoo opened Thursday morning, the line was 100 people deep. And when the line is longer than than the one for the flamingos, it’s a big deal.
Here are some tidbits you can impress your friends with:
The smell is the whole point. It's called a corpse flower because the bloom reeks like something rotting, all to lure in pollinators. I wouldn’t expect a Corpse Flower candle at Bed Bath and Beyond anytime soon.
According to groundskeeper Emily Anne Lomax, the plant actually generates its own heat to vaporize its odor to cast a wide net. Evolution is a number game.
Cronus is currently about four feet tall and uses something called an inflorescence — a whole cluster of flowers on one stem — to maximize its odds of making seeds.
Go see it today if you can!
Buzz Night Out
The Official Rocky River Happy Hour Guide
One of the big perks of working at The Westside Buzz: being able to walk into a bar at 4 PM on a weekday and call it "work."
And since I turned 39 (which I insist is firmly mid-30s, while Jodie rolls her eyes), finding a great happy hour and still getting home early is basically the dream.
So we did the research for you. We tested apps. Sampled cocktails and mocktails.
We pushed ourselves until we couldn’t stomach another mozzarella stick.
The result? The most up-to-date, in-depth Rocky River Happy Hour Guide on the internet.
Now this list isn’t complete. Because at a Westside happy hour, the job isn’t finished until the clock strikes 6 PM.
We want to hear from you… Who did we miss? What dishes are we sleeping on?
Westside Workouts
Looking for Accessible Fitness Classes?
Comb through the list of no-cost/donation-based outdoor yoga and pilates classes above.
Here is a small snippet of what you can expect:
Monday - Yoga for EveryBODY | Edgewater Beach @ 10 AM
Tuesday - Pilates in the Park CLE | Lakewood Park @ 7 AM
Thursday - Cleveland Health & Social Club: Pilates | Solstice Steps @ 5 PM
Saturday - Yoga & Pilates | North Union Farmers Market @ 12 PM
Sunday - Free Zumba | North Coast Yards @ 4 PM
Westside Wins
Nine Seconds to Make Rocky River History
The Rocky River boys lacrosse team won their first-ever state title.
The junior midfielder Michael Bebie buried the game-winner with the clock nearly hitting zero Saturday, capping a wild fourth-quarter rally and a 9-8 win over Bishop Watterson.
Down 7-4 with seven minutes left, the Pirates channeled their inner 2016 Cavs.
Four straight goals, a Watterson answer, then Bebie scooped a loose ball off the crease and finished one-on-one. "We are all gas, no brakes," he said.
Goalie Gordon Hudson kept them alive through a three-and-a-half-hour rain delay and a 39-17 shot deficit, stacking 13 saves. Bebie, headed to St. Bonaventure, closed his Pirate career with four goals.
Final tally: 19-0. Perfect season, first banner, and hopefully one “get-out-of-detention” card for the whole squad.
Avon Eagles Join an Exclusive List
Business & Restaurant News
Deano’s Trattoria Opens 📍 Strongsville
Expect prime steaks, fine wines, and flashy outfits at the new Deano’s Trattoria in Strongsville.
The same folks behind Dean Martin’s Lanning’s are bringing that same pizzazz to the former Italian Village location.
Buzzstrip
Pat nails it in this week’s Buzzstrip.
Which side of the tracks do you fall on?Are you excited about the Big Boy 4014? |
What’s Happenin’, Westsiders?
Friday, June 12
Majic Happy Hour - Goodtime III, Downtown Cleveland | 6:30 PM - 8 PM
An '80s-themed cruise with music, dancing, and enough nostalgia to make you wonder where your old mixtapes went. Set Sail
Front Porch Concert Series - Lakewood Public Library | 7 PM - 8:30 PM
This week's free concert features Brady Lorince, an up-and-coming Northeast Ohio singer-songwriter. The library steps make for a pretty great place to catch an artist on the rise.
Music Bingo: Taylor's Rehearsal Party - The Wine Room & Tavern, Avon | 7 PM - 11 PM
A Taylor Swift-themed music bingo night with themed drinks and plenty of chances to prove you know every era by heart. Pick your era
Saturday, June 13
Pulses & Plants - River Plant Co., Rocky River | 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
A relaxed mat pilates class surrounded by houseplants, plus everyone heads home with a small succulent. Take root
Saturday Sip & Shop Craft Event - Klingshirn Winery, Avon Lake | 10 AM - 2 PM
Shop local vendors while helping raise money for Friendship APL during this winery pop-up. For the paws
Her Market - Forever Golden, Lakewood | 10 AM - 4 PM
This pop-up brings together women-owned businesses from across Northeast Ohio for an afternoon of shopping local. Charmed community
Namaste on the Square - Public Square, Downtown Cleveland | 10:15 AM - 11 AM
Roll out your mat for the first of the free outdoor yoga classes in the heart of downtown. Downtown Downward Dogs
Ponies & Pilates - Baker Creek Equestrian Estate, Columbia Station | 11 AM - 1 PM
A mat pilates class with horses grazing nearby might be one of the more peaceful ways to spend a Saturday morning. Stick around afterward to meet the horses and take in the scenery. Stable & Stretch
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Rock Doc Film Festival - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland | 11 AM - 11:15 PM
The Rock Hall's first documentary festival features music films, filmmaker conversations, and rarely seen archival footage. Rock & Roll the credits
Birdtown Picnic 2026 - Madison Park, Lakewood | 12 PM - 2:30 PM
This free neighborhood picnic brings together local organizations, family activities, and plenty of Birdtown pride. Meet the Neighbors
Blueberry Lemon Cake Two-Day Baking Class - Annie's Signature Sweets, Berea | 11 AM - 3 PM (2nd Class on Sunday)
Learn to make a blueberry lemon cake from scratch, including homemade jam and lemon buttercream. Whisk Away
Taste of River 2026 - Linda Street, Rocky River | 4 PM - 9 PM
After drawing more than 7,000 people last year, Taste of River returns with local restaurant favorites, family activities, and an evening spent eating your way through downtown Rocky River.
Uncorked: Cleveland - Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland | 7 PM - 11 PM
More than 100 wines, after-hours access to the Science Center, and food trucks make this one of the bigger summer nights downtown. Raise a Glass
Sunday, June 14
LÁSKA Pride Festival - Lakewood Dental Group, Lakewood | 11 AM - 7 PM
A free Pride celebration with local vendors, food trucks, live art, yard games, and an open mic throughout the day.
Crocker Park Block Party & Crocker Bark 5K - Crocker Park, Westlake | 11 AM - 3 PM
Touch-a-Truck, K-9 demonstrations, face painting, food trucks, and family activities take over Crocker Park for one of the West Side's biggest summer kickoffs. Early risers can also catch the Crocker Bark 5K and 1-Mile Walk benefiting the Westlake K-9 Unit. Dog days of summer
Yoga on the Patio at Flight Cleveland - Flight Cleveland, Gordon Square | 1 PM
Take an all-levels yoga class on the patio, then stick around for a complimentary drink afterward. Sip & Stretch
Summer Book Swap - Madison Park, Lakewood | 3:30 PM
Bring a few books you've finished and head home with a few you haven't. Turn the Page
Free Zumba Sundays - North Coast Yard, Downtown Cleveland | 4 PM - 5 PM
Get a workout in with this free outdoor Zumba class overlooking the lakefront. Dance It Out
Mini & Me Wellness Club - Free Hearts, Ohio City | 6 PM - 7 PM
Adults get a guided pilates and yoga session while little ones have their own yoga class and craft time. Move Together
Westlake Summer Concert Series - Clague Park, Westlake | 6:30 PM - 8 PM
Wrap up the weekend with a free outdoor concert from The Blues Hippies, just add a lawn chair.
Conditions |
|---|
Sunrise: 5:53 AM |
Sunset: 9:02 PM |
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent 🌘 |
🎷 Live Entertainment
Friday
Olivia Rodrigo Fan Day | Rock Hall, Cleveland 10 AM
Neil Goetze|Rocky River Wine Bar, Rocky River 6 PM
FM Project Band | Whisky Island 7 PM
Electric Badger | Front Street Social, Berea 7:00 PM
Phantom Planet & Augustana | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
House of BurlesCLE: God Is a Woman | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7:30 PM
The Great Gatsby | Connor Palace, Playhouse 7:30 PM
The Small Things & Back and Forth | The Local, Strongsville 8:00 PM
FM77 | Tony K’s, Berea 8:00 PM
The Cranberries Tribute by Linger | Music Box SC, Flats 8 PM
Cleveland Jazz Orchestra Little Big Band Tribute to Ken Peplowski (Featuring Mark Vinci) | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM
Wreking Crue – The Motley Crue Experience | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
Hot Mess: A Night of Party Anthems | Mahall’s, Lakewood 9 PM
Kentucky Thunder | Backstage Bar, Westpark 9 PM
Live and Local featuring Bridge the Gap | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Drag Night at CODA: Trans Pride Fundraiser | Coda, 8 PM
Saturday
Rock Doc Film Festival | Rock Hall, Cleveland 11 AM
Adrienne Leska – Acoustic Brunch Show | The Winchester, Lakewood 12 PM
Eastwind | Whisky Island 1 PM
Voice Variations | The Local, Strongsville 1:00 PM
The Great Gatsby | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1:30 & 7:30 PM
Sean Walsh |Rocky River Wine Bar, Rocky River 6 PM
Born Without Bones (w/ Equipment, Mud Whale) | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7:00 PM
Devn 7 Band | Whisky Island 7 PM
Josiah and the Bonnevilles | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
Video Game Symphony – Level Up! | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Rock Generation (with Vice City) | The Local, Strongsville 8:00 PM
Sugar Daddys | Tony K’s, Berea 8:00 PM
Third Law Collective | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM
House of BurlesCLE: God Is a Woman | Mahall’s, Lakewood 5:30 & 8:30 PM
Party at Napoli's | Backstage Bar, Westpark 9 PM
Live and Local featuring Motor City Gold | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Family Values – Nu Metal Live Band Karaoke | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM
Sunday
Drag Me Out to Brunch presented by OUT | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 10 AM
National Bourbon Day | The Local, Strongsville 11:00 AM
Beatles Brunch with The George Martins | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM
Honky Tonk Angels Brunch | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM
PRIDE Drag Bingo Brunch! | The Winchester, Lakewood 12:30 PM
The Great Gatsby | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1 & 6:30 PM
Boaterhead | Whisky Island 2:30 PM
Reggae Sundays: The Flex Crew | Music Box SC, Flats 4 PM
Madison Cummins | Rocky River Wine Bar, Rocky River 6 PM
Kenny Mason: American Bulldawg Tour (w/ FearDorian) | Mahall’s, Lakewood 6:30 PM
Country Gongbang | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
Royal & the Serpent | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
HUNKS – The Show | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
Weather
Friday
78🌡️ 67 | ☀️| 30% | 💨 W 13-15 mph
Saturday
86 🌡️ 70 | ☀️ | 70% | 💨 W 8 mph
Sunday
82 🌡️ 58 | 🌧️ | 90% | 💨 N 5-8 mph
Monday
74 🌡️ 59 | ☀️ | 3% | 💨 E 5-7 mph
That’s it for this Friday Buzz, Westsiders. What shows are you watching? Jodie and I just finished The Rooster on HBO.
—The Briggses