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☕ Cat IDs and Walk the Lakefront
Plus take a tour of Heinen's with their wellness team
Happy Friday, Westsiders.
This Sunday at noon we are having a fun casual Mutt Meetup at Terrestrial Brewing Company. We would love to meet you and your pups…Also come hang on a beautiful patio overlooking Edgewater even if you dont have a dog. Just bring your lovely self.
We love hearing from you all through email and in person. We want to have more in person meetups this year. Hold us to it!
Today on The Buzz:
Cleveland restaurants strive for one star?
North Olmsted’s loss is Avon’s gain
53 things to do this weekend on the Westside
Have a great weekend,
—The Briggses
Mutt Madness
And Then There Was Two…
What a Mutt Madness season it’s been. We are so lucky to have such a fun community of pet lovers who always show up to raise money for our local organizations who are so selfless.
The only thing left to do is decide who you like between the final two!
Your final matchup is:
Voting is now open on our website:
Want to double your vote?
Instagram votes count too! 👀 Keep an eye out on our Instagram stories around 11 AM.
Community Blend
⭐ Cleveland Restaurants Strive For One Star
Cleveland has always talked a big game about its food scene. Now it’s being graded — like that high school final you definitely studied for.
Today, MICHELIN announced its new American Great Lakes edition, a regional guide that will cover six cities: Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Pittsburgh. Translation: the people behind those little stars are now paying close attention to what’s happening on plates around town.
MICHELIN’s anonymous inspectors are already out in the field, booking reservations and scouting restaurants across the region. The full inaugural selection won’t be revealed until 2027, when the first American Great Lakes ceremony takes place.
Here’s what’s happening:
Cleveland is now officially in MICHELIN territory. That puts the city in the same conversation as five other major Great Lakes markets.
Inspectors are already dining anonymously. These undercover eaters are like air marshalls — they’re among us and we haven’t the slightest clue.
The first guide drops in 2027. That’s when we’ll find out which local spots make the cut.
Why it matters:
For Cleveland, this is bigger than bragging rights. A MICHELIN presence can raise a city’s profile, drive food tourism, and send new customers through restaurant doors. Destination Cleveland is already framing it that way: as a chance to strengthen the city’s reputation and give local restaurants a meaningful boost.
Big picture: Now that Cleveland restaurants can earn MICHELIN stars, it might attract talented chefs to our city in hopes earning the coveted star. Excited to see!
Which Westside restaurant do YOU think deserves a MICHELIN star? |
Lakewood Cat Tracking
Here at the Buzz, we are known for our Mutt Madness, but we are also obsessed with all things feline. Heck, our co-editor Carl and his sister Birdie have us wrapped tightly around their paws.
If you fall into the same category, this is something you need to know about.
The Merlin Project, is a new neighborhood cat ID initiative designed to help people figure out whether a roaming cat is lost, owned, or being cared for by someone nearby.
The idea comes from Merlin, a friendly Lakewood cat who was deeply loved by his family and known for wandering up to neighbors like he was making his rounds. But one day, he approached the wrong person — and disappeared. Because Merlin wasn’t microchipped, his family never got him back.
Here’s how the project works:
Create a profile for your indoor cat or a community cat you care for
Search the map to see whether a wandering cat already has a home
Post updates if a cat is missing, found, or injured
Because sometimes a “stray” is actually someone’s beloved pet.
Westside Pour Over
Lakewood - The city sponsored free tree giveaway was a real popular program this year. Signups were supposed to be open until the 26th, but they’re all out. But you can enter your email to join the waiting list and they will let you know if anymore open back up.
North Ridgeville - Ranger High School students got their murals selected to be part of the state’s official Murals Across Ohio celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary. (Via 19 News)
Lakewood - A FirstEnergy customer was billed $840 and she uses mostly solar power. Turns out, she was mistakenly billed for a streetlight.
Mark Your Calendar
Mutt Meetup SUNDAY, April 12 at Noon 📍 Terrestrial Brewing, Battery Bark
📢 SUNDAY, APRIL 12 at noon at Terrestrial Brewing we want to meet you and your mutt!
Bring your pup and come hang out up at the Terrestrial patio with us. We are down to our final 2 mutts in the contest, but we would love to meet all of the contestants who made this year’s Mutt Madness a huge success!
Buzzstrip
Pat Geyser, the immensely talented artist who makes the weekly Buzzstrips, does incredible watercolor paintings. He is doing a 1 of 1 painting for the winning pup of Mutt Madness! Check out his work.
🍽️ Business & Restaurant News
Avon Wins Luxury Dealer Over North Olmsted 📍 Westside
Sometimes the biggest win for one suburb starts as a missed opportunity for another.
That’s the story here: Avon landed a major luxury auto campus, while North Olmsted lost the chance to keep it.
Rafih Auto Group is moving forward with a $60 million dealership campus in Avon, where it plans to relocate its Mercedes-Benz and Porsche stores from North Olmsted to a 20-acre site near Lear Road and I-90. The goal is to open by the end of 2027.
What changed:
It was supposed to go to Great Northern. Rafih wanted to redevelop the old Sears site into a luxury dealership hub.
That plan got blocked. An old mall ownership agreement required multiple approvals, and at least one owner said no.
Avon stepped in. Now the project is headed to a site visible from I-90, where about 90,000 vehicles pass daily.
Why it matters:
For Avon, this is another sign the city’s growth plan is working. For North Olmsted, it’s a tough loss. A grocery store may still replace Sears—but that’s not the same as keeping a high-profile luxury brand investment in town.
Zoom Out: Avon keeps gaining momentum, and North Olmsted just watched a marquee project drive away.
What’s Happening, Westsiders?
Friday, April 10
Bob Dylan: Rough And Rowdy Ways Tour – Playhouse Square, Downtown | 8 PM
A living legend takes the stage with that unmistakable voice and decades-deep catalog. One of those “you’ll be glad you went” kind of nights. Like a rolling stone
The Cleveland Market: Vintage Edition – Tenk West Bank, The Flats | 6-9 PM (Runs til Sunday)
A full weekend of curated vintage, streetwear, and one-of-a-kind finds, plus local brands, food, and drinks. The ticketed preview night gets you first dibs, then doors open wide for the rest of the weekend. Dig for the good stuff
Saturday, April 11
Run the Land: East vs. West – Great Lakes Brewing Co., Ohio City | 8:30 AM
Pick your side and hit the pavement with distances for every level, all leading back to a well-earned post-run beer. Is it obvious what side we would be running for? Rep the west
Dinosaur Adventure – Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds | 9 AM–7 PM (Runs til Sunday)
A family-friendly exhibit packed with life-sized, moving dinosaurs and hands-on activities for kids. Expect plenty of “whoa” moments (and maybe a few tiny roars). Jurassic weekend
Midwest Cactus & Succulent Society Show & Sale – Cleveland Botanical Garden | 10 AM–5 PM (Runs til Sun)
Rows of cacti, succulents, and plant finds you didn’t know you needed. A great activity for the collectors or just plant-curious browsers.
Walk the Lakefront: E. 55th to Gordon Park – East 55th Marina, Cleveland | 10 AM–1 PM
A guided 3-mile lakefront walk with a local historian, mixing fresh air with a little Cleveland backstory. Easy pace, scenic views, and a few “did you know?” moments along the way. Lake breeze + local lore
Take a Club Fx™ Store Tour with Heinen’s Wellness Team – Heinen’s Avon | 10–11 AM
Walk the aisles with a wellness expert and get a little clarity on what’s actually worth tossing in your cart. You’ll leave with ideas, samples, and maybe a new grocery routine. Shop smarter
LASKA Lakewood Community Market – Mike’s Barber Shop, Lakewood | 11 AM–7 PM
A full day of local vendors, food trucks, live art, and entertainment tucked into the LASKA lot. Easy stop to shop small and see what the neighborhood’s been up to. Local finds + local flavor
Secret Garden Birdhouse Workshop – Willow Run Market, Lakewood | 1 PM
Build and finish your own vintage-style birdhouse with layered textures and spring details. You’ll leave with something that looks straight out of a garden catalog. Get your birding app ready
Pet Portrait: Customizable Sip & String Workshop – Little Birdie Wine Nest, Parma | 4 PM
Turn your pet into string art while sipping something good along the way. Beginner-friendly and equal parts crafty and cute. String along
Purrlates™ x Euclid Animal Shelter Event – Sunaya Studios | 5–7 PM
A beginner-friendly Pilates class with adoptable cats roaming the room. Stretch a little, meet some furry personalities, and support a local shelter. Cats and core
Sunday, April 12
Let’s Sing Taylor (Unofficial Tribute Show) – The Agora, Midtown | 4 PM
A full set of Taylor’s biggest hits, built for singing along from start to finish. Lean into your era and don’t hold back. Screaming the bridge encouraged
Conditions |
|---|
Sunrise: 6:55 AM |
Sunset: 8:02 PM |
Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous 🌘 |
🎷 Live Entertainment
Friday
Wallice | Mahall’s, Lakewood 6 PM
Country Redford | The Local, Strongsville 7 PM
Trista and The Dreamers | Front Street Social, Berea 7 PM
The Runarounds: The Minivan Tour | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
Donna The Buffalo Feel-Good Groovy Americana | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM
Two Mile Moon x Connor Mclaren x Joe Brown | Coda, 8 PM
90s Rockfest | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
BOB DYLAN "Rough and Rowdy Ways" Tour | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 8 PM
Selwyn Birchwood | Music Box SC, Flats 8 PM
Brass Queens | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM
Club 1BD Cleveland Ft. DJ David and Arty Furtado | Globe, Iron 8 PM
Live & Local Featuring The Brakes | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Funk Factory | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Disco Inferno | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM
Sounthbound | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 10 PM
Happy Harmonies | Mahall’s, Lakewood 10 PM
Saturday
Grateful Dead Brunch W/ Into The Blue | The Winchester, Lakewood 1 PM
Much Love' 10 Year Anniversary Tour | Agora Theatre, Cleveland 6 PM
Straight On - Heart Tribute Band | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
Shayfer James | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7 PM
Don't Forget Me' Eddie Cochran: The Official Documentary Screening | Rock Hall, Cleveland 7 PM
Jam Machine & 4 Locos | The Local, Strongsville 7 PM
No Exit Presents: The Either/Orchestra Co-Presenting with Heights Arts | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
ABACAB – The Music of Genesis, Phil Collins, and Peter Gabriel | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM
I'd Like to go Home Now | Dead In the Water | Twin Division | Coda, 8 PM
DUUNES W/ Rellick & Cruze Campo | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
PETE CORREALE As I Was Saying | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 8 PM
Rumours (Fleetwood Mac Tribute) | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM
Live & Local Featuring Brent Kirby | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Bridge The Gap | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Sounthbound | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 10 PM
Sunday
Sunday Brunch W/ Ray Flanagan | The Winchester, Lakewood 12 PM
Elton John Tribute Brunch with Tommy Lee Thompson | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM
Sassy’s Sunday Gospel Drag Brunch & Sing Along! | The Winchester, Lakewood 12 :30 PM
Let's Sing Taylor | Agora Theatre, Cleveland 3 PM
Carly Cosgrove | Mahall’s, Lakewood 6:30 PM
MNH³ and Friends: A Recital & Family Celebration | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 7 PM
The Local Voice | The Local, Strongsville 7 PM
ABACAB – The Music of Genesis, Phil Collins, and Peter Gabriel | Music Box CH, Flats 7 PM
Weather
Friday
65 🌡️ 40 | 🌧️ | 80% | 💨 SW 10-13 mph
Saturday
52 🌡️ 43 | ☀️ | 10% | 💨 NE 8 mph
Sunday
74 🌡️ 61 | ⛅ | 10% | 💨 S 7-14 mph
Monday
75 🌡️ 61 | ⛅🌧️ | 50% | 💨 SW 5-8 mph
That’s it for today, Westsiders. Today’s Buzz was a little brief because Jodie and I took our Dads to The Masters! It was one of the best experiences of our lives and getting to check off a bucket list item with our fathers made it extra special. See you Sunday!
Have a great weekend,
—The Briggses