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- ☕ Mutts, Meteors, and $1 Million Raised
☕ Mutts, Meteors, and $1 Million Raised
Happy Friday, Westsiders.
This is one of my favorite days on the entire calendar year. The Westside Buzz Mutt Madness contest to determine who has the cutest pup on the Westside, kicks off today!
Let’s pull back the curtain and show you what Buzz HQ has looked like this past week.
We put out the call to Buzz Nation last Friday to submit the best photo of your dog and enter them into the contest.
We got 110 submissions in the first 24 hours!!!
Westsiders clearly love our pooches. Read below to see more details and vote!
Today, we’re buzzing on:
1 year of Buzzstrip comics (Thanks Patrick!)
Bay Village kids raised how much?!
Ohio changes tune on intoxicating hemp
Have a great weekend,
—The Briggses
Mutt Madness
Welcome to Mutt Madness 2026!
We are only voting on round 1 today!
As stated in the introduction, we received a lot of entries in a short amount of time. We did our best to make sure every entry and pup was paid the utmost attention to, but I am sure we made a mistake or two somewhere.
I’m sure we made some mistakes. We sincerely apologize if we did!
As an added challenge, Jodie thought it would be great to give back to many of the rescue organizations that a lot of our dogs come from. We told everyone that if a receipt of a donation to an animal rescue organization accompanied your entry, you get a golden paw on your pups voting card.
We have seen over 50 donations and close to $1,000 donated to local shelters! Buzz Nation truly came through!
🐾Dogs who donated to local animal organizations have a golden paw on their photo and a (GP) next to their name.🐾
This year, the winner will take home a prize pack worthy of the world’s bestest boy or girl. It will be a combination of bragging rights, a trophy, gift pack from local pet stores…maybe even a 1 of 1 painting of your pooch!
WE ARE ONLY VOTING ON ROUND 1 TODAY!
Community Blend
Westside Kids Are About to Make History 📍 Bay Village
There is a stat that will wreck you before 9 a.m. on a Friday, and here it is: Bay High School students have raised over $1 million — cumulatively — for blood cancer research.
This year's seven-week "It Takes A Village" campaign for Blood Cancer United raised a total of $245,747! This amazing, community fundraising drive is inspired by classmates who have faced blood cancer themselves.
Seen here looking at the weather forecast for St. Patrick’s Day [Credit: BVHS]
Principal Jason Martin didn't just cheer from the sidelines — he sat in a chair at the "Shave to Save" assembly and let students take the clippers to his head.
A Bay Village documentarian is capturing the whole journey on film.
Here's what makes this one hit differently:
Bay students have run this campaign for years — this push brings them to the cumulative $1 million mark
The school's "It Takes A Village" team competed for the Student Visionary of the Year title for Blood Cancer United
When a high school community rallies like this — shaved heads, documentary crews, a principal in the chair — it's not a fundraiser anymore. It's a statement about who Bay Village is.
Meteor
Typical Cleveland Five Day Forecast
[Credit: Reddit User]
Tuesday was truly a where were you? kind of day. A freaking meteor landed in northeast Ohio and it put the entirety of Cleveland and surrounding states into a tizzy.
NASA confirms the boom was a 17,000 pound meteor that was traveling 44,000 miles per hour, which sounds like it would cause a devastating amount of destruction, but it turns out that most of it broke up 27 miles above Lake Erie.
I was in the car jamming out to the new Harry Styles album listening to a podcast so I didn’t hear anything! My phone lit up like the shooting star itself and for the next 2 hours it was all we could talk about at the office.
Where were you when the meteor hit? And what did you think it was?We want to hear your stories! |
🍵 The Long Steep
GLBC line of THC Seltzers
Starting today, a new Ohio law bans the sale of many hemp-derived intoxicating products—including THC seltzers—at bars and breweries. The move follows a failed effort to delay the law, leaving businesses with about 24 hours to sell or scrap remaining inventory.
These drinks have quietly become a real revenue stream for hip hangouts. At Jukebox in Ohio City, THC seltzers account for nearly 10% of total sales.
Here’s what’s changing:
Where you can buy: THC beverages will now be limited to state-licensed dispensaries
Immediate impact: Bars and breweries must pull products almost overnight
Business hit: Operators say it’s a meaningful revenue loss (and growing category)
Legal fight: Multiple lawsuits are underway, with a possible Ohio Supreme Court decision soon
Why it matters: This isn’t just about drinks—it’s about a fast-growing “alcohol alternative” market getting rerouted overnight.
Big picture: Ohio just redrew the line on where THC belongs—and local businesses are the ones adjusting in real time.
Westside Pour Over
🐕 Strongsville - Speaking of Mutt Madness, the city will build a 4.5 acre dog park next to or part of Volunteer Park on Lunn Road. ($)
🧑⚖️ Downtown - Rich Paul sues Klutch Cannabis over trademark infringement.
🛟 Bay Village - The BVFD bought a jet ski with a trailer to assist with water rescues in Lake Erie ($)
🌠 Olmsted Falls - Dr. Jim Lloyd went viral for finding and releasing security camera the footage of the meteor streaking across the sky.
🍽️ Business & Restaurant News
Two of the hottest restaurants on the Westside, Amba and Rosy’s, often have us waiting outside for 30 minutes or so. It would be great if there was a place nearby to get a nice drink before hand. Well we will suffer no longer.
Bar at the Creative Hangars opens tomorrow at happy hour at 2808 Church Ave., joining the growing Hingetown lineup. The space—one of the semi-circle hangar buildings—has been through a few versions since 2022 and is now part of a larger reboot of the Church + State corner.
Here’s the setup:
~45 seats across two levels (small, intentional)
Focus: oysters + martinis
Menu: shrimp cocktail, tuna tartare, lobster rolls
Extras: oysters Rockefeller, lobster nachos, champagne slushies
Our View: Hingetown keeps getting better at the “in-between”—not quite dinner, not just drinks, but exactly what you need while you wait (or decide not to). Also if you’re looking for non-alch options, check out Verbena Free Spirited!
What’s Happening, Westsiders?
Friday, March 20
Third Friday Art Walk – 78th Street Studios, Battery Park | 5–9 PM
Studios open their doors for an evening of gallery hopping, artist meet-and-greets, and plenty of creative inspiration. Grab a drink upstairs and wander the building’s maze of art spaces.
Prologue x Kyuu-Juu Chef Collaboration Dinner – Bartleby, Ohio City | 6–9 PM
Two chefs join forces for a nine-course tasting blending culinary styles in an intimate dinner setting. Reservations recommended for this one. Nine-course night
Absolute Intense Wrestling: Gauntlet for the Gold 19 – Globe Iron, The Flats | 6:30 PM
Cleveland’s indie wrestling scene brings the drama with a high-energy night of matches and crowd reactions. Not exactly subtle entertainment. Let’s wrestle
Zara Larsson: Midnight Sun Tour – Agora Theatre, Downtown | 7 PM
The Swedish pop star brings her latest tour to Cleveland for a night of chart-topping hits and high-energy pop.
Cleveland Home & Remodeling Show – IX Center | 10 AM–8 PM (runs through Sunday)
Hundreds of home improvement ideas, design inspiration, and renovation experts all under one roof. A dangerous place if you’ve been thinking about redoing the kitchen. Home inspo
Saturday, March 21
Hermes Half a Half Marathon – Emerald Necklace Marina | 8 AM
A unique 6.5-mile race designed to test pacing and shake off the winter training rust. Bonus motivation: proceeds support Hunger Network. Run the half
Rocky River Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show – Rocky River Memorial Hall | 10 AM–4 PM
A large showcase of artists and makers selling handmade goods from jewelry and décor to original artwork. A portion of proceeds benefits Wigs for Kids.
Sushi School – Sora, The Flats | 12–2 PM
Learn to roll uramaki, hosomaki, and temaki with guidance from Sora’s sushi chef. Your creations double as lunch. Roll with it
The Soft Girl Era: Floral Workshop – Wyne Bar, Gordon Square | 3–4:30 PM
A relaxed floral design workshop where guests create their own arrangement while enjoying wine and music. Equal parts craft session and self-care moment. Bloom time
Sunday, March 22
Annie’s Signature Sweets Brownie Cookie Baking Class – Annie’s Signature Sweets, Berea | 11 AM–2 PM
A hands-on baking class where you’ll make fudge brownie cookies from scratch and head home with everything you create. Sweet skills included. Bake day
Ice Cream with the Easter Bunny – Malley’s Chocolate, Lakewood & North Olmsted | 12–4 PM
A spring-themed afternoon featuring sundaes, photos with the Easter Bunny, coloring pages, and a golden egg hunt. Bring the kids… and a camera. Sweet visit
Conditions |
|---|
Sunrise: 7:29 AM |
Sunset: 7:39 PM |
Moon Phase: New Moon 🌚 |
🎷 Live Entertainment
Friday
Absolute Intense Wrestling Gauntlet For The Gold 19 | Globe Iron 6:30 PM
The Summer Set | House of Blues, Cleveland 6 PM
Handel’s Messiah Cleveland Ballet | | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 10:30 AM & 7 PM
Custard Pie | The Local, Strongsville 7 PM
Brianna Bell | Front Street Social, Berea 7 PM
Midnight Sun Tour 2026 Zara Larsson Amelia Moore | Agora Theatre, Cleveland 7 PM
Macbeth | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Water For Elephants | Connor Palace, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Aretha Franklin Tribute by Thornetta Davis | Music Box SC, Flats 7:30 PM
Peace Frog * The Music of The Doors | Music Box CH, Flats 8 PM
Flyover Collective: Miles and Coltrane Tribute | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM
Memory Lane - Live Emo Cover Band | Mahall’s, Lakewood 8 PM
Formerly Candace x Card Reader x Rorschach | Coda, 8 PM
The Sugar Mules & The Asheville Mountain Boys | The Winchester, Lakewood 8 PM
Tricky Dick and the Cover-Ups | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM
Live & Local Featuring Dan Pyne | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Foundation Room Presents Teddy Eisenberg & Sleazus | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
MCR Vs Paramore - Emo Night | Mahall’s, Lakewood 9:30 PM
Tyler Reid | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 10 PM
Jazz Jam Session | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 10 PM
Saturday
Grateful Dead Brunch W/ Into The Blue | The Winchester, Lakewood 1 PM
Water For Elephants | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1:30 & 7:30 PM
Macbeth | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 1:30 PM
Def Leggend | The Local, Strongsville 6 PM
Handel’s Messiah Cleveland Ballet | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 7 PM
Fit For An Autopsy | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7 PM
Secondhand Serenade: Awake 20 year Anniversary | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7 PM
Bob Marley Celebration with The Ark Band & Carlos Jones | Music Box CH, Flats 7:30 PM
Macbeth | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 7:30 PM
Quenton Rubin | Outdated View | Coda, 8 PM
Odyssey & Company w/ The Band with No Name | Music Box SC, Flats 8 PM
Nik Bärtsch's Ronin | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 8 PM
San Holo Lodrom | Globe, Iron 8:30 PM
That 80’s Band | Time Warp Bar, Westlake 9 PM
Dark Wave Dance Cave | The Winchester, Lakewood 9 PM
Live & Local Featuring Ohio Drifters | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Foundation Room Presents About Last Night | House of Blues, Cleveland 9 PM
Tyler Reid | Welcome to the Farm, Flats 10 PM
Sunday
Drag Brunch Featuring Veranda L'Ni & Friends | Music Box CH, Flats 12 PM
Yacht Rock Brunch with Still Standing | Music Box SC, Flats 12 PM
Water For Elephants | Connor Palace, Playhouse 1 & 6:30 PM
Handel’s Messiah Cleveland Ballet | Keybank State Theatre, Playhouse 2 PM
Macbeth | Hanna Theatre, Playhouse 3 PM
Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra Recital and Wine Tasting Fundraiser | The Bop Stop, Cleveland 3 PM
Our Lady Peace: W/Special Guests The Verve Pipe | House of Blues, Cleveland 6:30 PM
RAILROAD EARTH | Globe Iron 6:30 PM
Archangel | Mahall’s, Lakewood 7 PM
The Local Voice | The Local, Strongsville 7 PM
Buffalo Traffic Jam | House of Blues, Cleveland 7 PM
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack | The Winchester, Lakewood 7 PM
Weather
Friday
60 🌡️ 37 | 🌧️ | 60% | 💨 S 16 mph
Saturday
55 🌡️ 44 | ⛅ | 50% | 💨 N 3-6 mph
Sunday
68 🌡️ 34 | ⛅🌧️ | 50% | 💨 S 7-14 mph
Monday
41 🌡️ 29 | ⛅ | 80% | 💨 N 15 mph
That’s it for today, Westsiders.
Have a great weekend,
—The Briggses