In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

🌤️ Mentor Weather - Cloudy, Windy. - Temps 56-58

 🎉 Mentor Live Events - 50+ Live Events. Events Added Daily

 📰 Mentor to Honor Veterans in Ceremony Featuring Wounded Warriors

 📰 Veterans Day 2024: Free Meals and Discounts Across the U.S. for Veterans

🚍 Lake County Veterans Ride Free on Laketran & Geauga Transit Nov. 11-16

 📰 Mentor Police Food Drive Collects $2,000, Fills Cruisers with Food

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Real Estate: 👋 Boost Your Mortgage Approval Odds with These Key Financial Tips

🏘️ Featured New Home Listings for Sale in Mentor, Ohio (44060)

 🏐 Lake Catholic Cougars Dominate, Claim Another State Championship

 🏁 NASCAR Mourns the Loss of Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, Age 86

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

👉👉 Put Your Local Business in the Spotlight! Click Here

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Nov 11-12

Complete list of events and all the details in the link above “Mentor Live Events”. New Events Added Daily.

See All the Upcoming Events Here at:
Mentor Live Events!
50+ Event Dates

📰 Mentor to Honor Veterans in Ceremony Featuring Advocate for Wounded Warriors

The City of Mentor will hold its annual Veterans Day ceremony today, November 11, at precisely 11:11 a.m., at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery memorial promenade, located at 6881 Hopkins Road. The observance will pay tribute to all U.S. veterans for their dedication and service to the country, continuing a tradition that began as Armistice Day in 1919 and later evolved into Veterans Day in 1954.

This year’s keynote speaker is Cindy Parsons from the Wounded Warrior Project, who brings personal insight into the sacrifices and challenges faced by military families. Cindy’s son, Shane, suffered severe injuries during combat in Iraq in 2006, prompting her to leave her nursing career to become his full-time caregiver for over a decade. Her experiences fueled her advocacy work, including her support for the Caregiver and Veteran Omnibus Health Service Act of 2010, which expanded resources for caregivers of injured service members.

The ceremony is open to the public, and veterans' groups are encouraged to participate. For those who cannot attend, the event will be recorded and later broadcast on the Mentor Channel. In case of bad weather, the ceremony will move to the Mentor Senior Center at 8484 Munson Road.

📰 Veterans Day 2024: Free Meals and Discounts Across the U.S. for Veterans

This Veterans Day, restaurants and retailers across the U.S. are offering discounts and free items as a way to thank veterans and active-duty service members. Most businesses require valid military identification, and deals may vary by location, so it’s best to call ahead to confirm.

Food and Beverage Offers

• Applebee’s: Free meal from a special menu on Nov. 11 for dine-in only.

• BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Free Chocolate Chunk Pizooki and a coupon for a free appetizer valid from Nov. 12 to Dec. 31.

• Buffalo Wild Wings: Free order of 10 boneless wings with valid ID.

• California Pizza Kitchen: Complimentary beverage and entrée from a special menu; includes a BOGO coupon valid from Nov. 12-25.

• Chick-fil-A: Free breakfast chicken biscuit or original chicken sandwich.

• Chili’s: Free meal for dine-in guests.

• Dave & Buster’s: Free entrée up to $20 and a $10 Power Card.

• Dunkin’: Free donut in-store.

• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Free coffee with in-store purchase.

• Firehouse Subs: Free combo with a medium sub, chips or cookie, and a drink.

• Golden Corral: Free dinner for veterans on Nov. 11 from 5 p.m. to closing.

• Krispy Kreme: Free coffee and doughnut.

• Little Caesars: Free Lunch Combo with pizza and drink from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Olive Garden: Complimentary entrée from a special menu for dine-in.

• Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage with entrée purchase.

• Red Lobster: Free Veteran’s Shrimp & Chips with sides.

• Red Robin: Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Side.

• Starbucks: Free tall brewed coffee for veterans, military members, and spouses.

• Texas Roadhouse: Special menu or meal voucher redeemable until May 30, 2025.

Retail Discounts

• Home Depot: 10% discount on all in-store purchases throughout November.

• IKEA: 15% off home furnishings from Nov. 10-22 with valid ID.

• Target: 10% off for active-duty members, veterans, and families on two transactions through Nov. 11.

See the Full Story at fox8.com

🚍 Lake County Veterans Ride Free on Laketran & Geauga Transit Nov. 11-16, and More

Laketran and Geauga Transit will offer free transportation to veterans from November 11-16 to honor their service. Veterans simply need to inform drivers or reservation staff of their status to receive the free rides. Laketran also provides year-round reduced fares and a specialized Veterans Medical Transportation service for veterans needing access to medical care.

For More Information on this Free Service, visit laketran.com
Other Reduced Fare Programs
Learn About Other Free or Discounted Services Offered to Veterans Here

📰 Mentor Police Annual Food Drive Collects $2,000, Fills Cruisers with Food Donations

The Mentor Police Department’s eleventh Fill-a-Cruiser Food Drive collected food and nearly $2,000 in donations, filling three cruisers to support local food pantries. The drive helps supply holiday meals to families in need, a critical effort as Ohio faces rising food insecurity. See the video in the link below.

WATCH or Read More on this story at news5cleveland.com

👋 Boost Your Mortgage Approval Odds with These Key Financial Tips

To increase your chances of mortgage approval, focus on three key financial areas: credit score, income and debt ratios, and savings. Prospective homebuyers generally find approval easier when they maintain strong profiles in each of these areas, though weaknesses in one can often be balanced by strengths in others.

Mortgage Loan Types and Their Approval Criteria

1. Conventional Loans
Backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, conventional loans typically require a minimum FICO score of 620 and a down payment starting at 3%. While these loans are popular, borrowers with high debt-to-income ratios might need a larger down payment or reserves.

2. FHA Loans
Designed for those with lower credit scores, FHA loans often accept borrowers with scores as low as 580 (3.5% down payment) or even 500 (10% down payment). However, consistent payment history is crucial.

3. VA Loans
Available to eligible veterans and service members, VA loans are more flexible, generally allowing for lower credit scores and minimal down payments.

Steps to Improve Mortgage Approval Odds

If current debt levels or credit scores prevent immediate approval, it’s wise to prepare by saving for a down payment and reducing debt. Practicing these habits also offers an advantage in managing monthly housing expenses once approved.

Factors That Impact Approval:

• Down Payment: A 3-5% down payment is typical, although VA loans may require no money down.

• Credit Score: FHA loans start at 580, while conventional loans typically need at least 620.

• Debt-to-Income Ratio: Lenders assess monthly debts versus income; a lower ratio makes approval easier.

Borrowers should explore options with lenders, as requirements can vary widely, and seek pre-approval to better understand borrowing limits before starting a home search.

Read the Full Article Here at themortgagereports.com

🏘️ Featured New Home Listings for Sale in Mentor, Ohio (44060)

5692 Primavera Dr., Mentor, OH. 44060
4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 3,526 Sqft., 0.54 Acre Lot
Sale Price $489,900
Listed by: Amanda Alafi Brokered by Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Llc
Link to Property Listing

6939 Appleton Ct., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,032 Sqft., 0.34 Acre Lot
Sale Price $385,000
Listed by: Candace Edmonds Brokered by Keller Williams Grt Cleve Ne
Link to Property Listing

7619 Crimson Ct., Mentor, OH 44060
5 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 2,928 Sqft., 0.39 Acre Lot
Sale Price $375,000
Listed by: Mary Kunka Brokered by RE/MAX Crossroads Properties
Link to Property Listing

6451 Antoinette Dr., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1.5 Baths, ??? Sqft., 8,276 Sqft. Lot
Sale Price $229,900
Listed by: William Bissett Brokered by Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Llc
Link to Property Listing

6201 Iroquois Trl., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1.5 Bath, 1,309 Sqft., 0.31 Acre Lot
Sale Price $189,000
Listed by: Lindsey Griffith Phillips Brokered by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Professional Realty
Link to Property Listing

Link to Other Listings in Mentor or Zip Code 44060

🏐 Lake Catholic Cougars Dominate in Final Match to Claim Another State Championship

Lake Catholic High School’s volleyball team clinched their third consecutive state title in a decisive victory over Franklin Bishop Fenwick during the 2024 OHSAA Division V state finals. Despite facing an early challenge and dropping their first set of the entire postseason, the Cougars regrouped to triumph in four sets: 25-18, 18-25, 25-14, and 25-20, claiming their fourth state championship in school history.

Led by sophomore outside hitter Ahnna Bergant, who recorded 16 kills, Lake Catholic’s balanced offensive strategy proved difficult for Fenwick to counter. Senior Ava Budrys Rini contributed 12 kills, while her sister, Avery Budrys Rini, tallied 10 kills and sealed the fourth set with three crucial aces. The Cougars’ solid service game, responsible for a total of 13 aces, dominated the final set, disrupting Fenwick’s rhythm and giving Lake Catholic control of the match. Senior Natalya Bergant added 11 kills to round out the Cougars’ well-distributed attack, underscoring the team's depth and cohesion.

Following a loss in the second set, the Cougars reset with stronger defensive plays in the third set, executing six of their 10 blocks to regain momentum. The team’s disciplined approach kept Fenwick’s hitters under pressure, forcing multiple errors and shifting control back to Lake Catholic.

The team’s determination, skillful play, and unity have cemented their reputation as a powerhouse in Ohio high school volleyball.

Read Full Article at cleveland.com

🏁 NASCAR Mourns the Loss of Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, Age 86

NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison, founder of the “Alabama Gang” and a legendary driver with 85 career wins, passed away at 86. Known for his record-breaking career and key role in NASCAR history, Allison’s legacy lives on as a fan favorite and one of the sport’s all-time greats.

*Per the US Census Bureau in 2022. A majority of those veterans are of the Vietnam War era, and are men over the age of 75. (Source: www.statista.com)

🤣 Something Funny 🤣