Together with First Federal Lakewood

Win Monsters Tickets for Your Crew

Our good friends at First Federal Lakewood are sending 10 Westsiders to the Cleveland Monsters game on March 29.

Each winner will receive 6 tickets — so you can bring the whole crew.

Want to cheer on the Monsters as they go for another Calder Cup run? Here’s how to enter:

🤜 Follow First Federal Lakewood on Facebook and/or Instagram
🩷 Like the giveaway post
🏒 Tag a friend in the comments who you want to go to the game with.

Enter on both platforms to increase your chances!

^{Official Rules}

🏞️ Metroparks

2026 Metroparks Trail Challenge

If you’re like me, you bought hiking boots during COVID with good intentions... and never really used them.

The 2026 Trail Challenge is back! The concept is simple: complete 10 designated trails in 10 different Metroparks reservations between March 1 and September 30, and you’ll earn this year’s sticker and prize.

It’s part fitness goal, part scavenger hunt, part excuse to explore parts of the park system you’ve never seen.

Here’s how it works:

• 10 trails, 10 reservations — hike, bike, paddle, run, skate, or walk.

• New for 2026: Attend up to 5 MetroHealth “Be SimplyWell” Health Talks in place of trails (each counts as one).

• Track digitally or on paper — progress saves as you go.

• Bonus points: Visit all 18 reservations and score a 25% off Nature Shop coupon.

Prizes are available April 1–October 31 (while supplies last) at any of the five Nature Centers.

Here at the Buzz, we’re big fans of the Metroparks. I’m not ashamed to admit we’ve been trying to get them to sponsor thi newsletter for a while now.

🙏 Simple ask…If you do sign up for a digital route sheet, tell them you heard about it on The Westside Buzz!

Community Blend

Cleveland Wants to Hear From You

What should 450 acres of lakefront become?

For a city built on a great lake, we’ve done an impressive job of… not utilizing it.

But our “wait- ‘til next year” motto might actually turn into something real.

City leaders and the North Coast Waterfront Development Corp. have launched a public feedback process to reimagine the future of Burke Lakefront Airport. And no—this is separate from the Browns stadium site, which sits on about 25 acres and is set for demolition in 2029.

This time, the focus is much bigger. Think nearly 500 acres of prime waterfront land.

Here’s what’s happening:

• Public input phase: The city is collecting ideas for the next 90–120 days (and possibly longer if strong responses keep rolling in).

• Three filters: Any proposal will be judged on economic impact, public access, and whether it’s actually financeable.

• Ideas on the table: Public beaches, golf attractions, expanded marinas, hospitality spaces—and more.

• Public forum: The “Sound of Ideas Community Tour” hits Burke on March 4 (6–7:30 PM), featuring speakers on both sides of the airport debate.

Why it matters: This isn’t a small redevelopment. Our generation can decide one of the defining moves for Cleveland this century. Make your voice heard!

Short Takes

The full column lives on our new website but here are the highlights worth your morning coffee.

Avon

Figure skating competition: Congratulations to Avon Middle School student Katie Coffey who earned an opportunity to compete this week at the 2026 U.S. Synchronized Skating Nationals in Salt Lake City.

High school musical: Support the arts in our schools by attending a performance of “Shrek” at Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Road. Show times and dates are 7 p.m. March 6-7; and 2 p.m. March 8. Tickets can be purchased online with reserved and general admission seating available.

Academic challenge: Set your DVRs or make plans to watch Avon High School compete on the Academic Challenge game show. The Eagles will take on students from Beachwood and Walsh Jesuit high schools. Airdate is WEWS TV 5 at 11:30 AM 3.14.

Avon Lake

Book sale: The Avon Lake Public Library is hosting a Used Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 14, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15 at the library.

Hundreds of gently used books (best sellers, fiction, mysteries, science fiction, non-fiction, kids books, cook books, etc.), movies, and other items will be available for purchase.

All proceeds benefit library programs, events, and other activities.

For more information

Safety first: Safety Town registration opens online at 9 a.m. March 4 (classes are in the summer). The popular activity is open to children who will be entering Kindergarten this fall. While Safety Town is not required for kindergarten, it’s a fun and valuable way to help your child build confidence and learn important safety skills.

New this year, students now have the option to register their bicycles for free with the Avon Lake Police Department. Bike registration helps officers quickly identify and return lost or stolen bicycles to their owners. More information

Bay Village

Preschool perspective: Join pediatric psychologist Dr. Meghan Barlow as she talks about how to help parents better understand their preschooler's behavior and learn practical strategies to guide it in positive directions during a special presentation, “Big Feelings, Little Kids: Guiding Preschool Behavior with Confidence and Calm,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 12 at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road. Tickets and more info

High school musical: The Bay High School Drama Department takes to the high seas March 26-29 for “Anything Goes!”

North Ridgeville

Opa (again): After closing for nearly two months, Niko’s To Go, 34167 Center Ridge Road, is under new management and has re-opened.

Another business opening in town is the UPS Store, 34297 Center Ridge Road (Giant Eagle Plaza).

Arts scholarships: The North Ridgeville Arts Council is offering two $1,500 scholarships to a 2026 graduating senior attending college with plans to study some form of the arts.

The first Scholarship, “The Artistic Endeavor Award” will be for a graduate of North Ridgeville High School. The second scholarship “Arts Scholarship Award” will be offered to a graduate of any other accredited high school, and the applicant must also be an established resident of North Ridgeville. The deadline for both scholarships is March 9. Apply

Rocky River

Brewing again: There’s been a lot happening behind the scenes as the Rocky River Brewing Company is gearing up for its grand reopening in a few weeks after a fire closed the restaurant last summer.

In preparation for the reopening, the restaurant is hiring. To apply

In other business news: Mayor Pamela Bobst recently announced that University Hospitals will be building new offices in the Planet Fitness space at the back of Beachcliff Market Square on Detroit Road. The space will be 15,000 square feet and the renovation has an estimated valuation of $5.4 million. The new location will house Orthopedics and a Harrington Heart and Vascular Institute, along with other offices.

Westlake

New Mexican restaurant: The wait is finally over as Lopez Taqueria will celebrate its soft opening at 4 p.m. March 3 at 27020 Center Ridge Road. Follow on Facebook.

Good news: The Westlake High School spring musical, "Newsies," will take place March 19-22 at the high school, 27830 Hilliard Blvd. Presale tickets will be available online starting March 6. Tickets are also $12 at the door.

Local Sports

Westsider Hopes to Hear His Name on Draft Night 📍 Strongsville

As Browns fans, you have to be two things:

1. An eternal optimist (I WILL see the Browns in the Super Bowl before I die)

2. A glutton for punishment

The NFL draft is the time of year we have hope and optimism. This year, a Westsider might be able to give us good reason to be.

Blake Miller, the 6’6”, 315-pound right tackle from Strongsville, is projected to be one of the first offensive linemen off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft after a standout career at Clemson.

Here’s why scouts are paying attention:

• Durability: 3,755 career snaps, 54 starts at Clemson.

• Size + movement: Built like an NFL tackle, moves like one too.

• Preparation: Grinds the tape and played both ways growing up

• Local ties: The former Mustang met with the Browns at the Combine.

TL:DR: It’s rare to see a Westsider with real top-of-the-draft potential—so whether he lands in Cleveland or not, Blake Miller is the kind of player who makes you proud to say you’re from here.

Mark Your Calendar

Brave the Buzz 7 📍 Westlake

Some fundraisers sell cookies. This one shaves heads and gives hope.

On March 16, St. Bernadette School will host Brave the Buzz 7, its fundraising event supporting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. The story behind how it started truly makes it special.

Brave the Buzz began after former student Michael Orbany bravely battled medulloblastoma. His strength left a mark on the entire school. In 2014, 136 students shaved their heads in his honor and raised $64,000 for childhood cancer research.

Michael passed away later that year, but his impact didn’t.

Since then, students have raised more than $430,000—selling handmade bracelets, 3D-printed creations, and, of course, volunteering to go bald.

Donate and mark your calendar.