In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

🌨️ Weather - Afternoon Rain Showers - Temps 50-54

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

🏴‍☠️ Mentor Police Bolster Porch Piracy Protections Amid Holiday Deliveries

 💈 Mentor Barbershop’s Fundraiser Supports Wigs for Kids with Family Fun

⛸️ Family-Friendly Winter Fun Awaits at Mentor Ice Arena

⭐ Local Business Spotlight: Knock Off’s Grub & Pub: Reviving a Legacy of House-Made Comfort and Community

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Real Estate: 🏘️ Refinance Boom Drives Growth in Mortgage Applications

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

 🏀 Mentor’s Halftime Lead Slips Away in 97-85 Loss to Massillon

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us!

👉 Mentor Live Events 👈
Dec 16-17

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 Police Bolster Porch Piracy Protections Amid Holiday Deliveries

With holiday season deliveries on the rise, the Mentor Police Department is intensifying its efforts to combat the growing threat of porch piracy. To protect residents from package theft, the department is deploying various measures, including surveillance systems, unmarked patrols, and GPS-enabled "bait boxes."

As part of this initiative, the department is also encouraging community involvement to bolster safety. Residents are advised to take proactive steps to secure their deliveries, such as tracking packages, retrieving them promptly, and installing security cameras. Additionally, citizens are urged to monitor their neighborhoods, note suspicious activity, and provide detailed descriptions of vehicles or individuals involved in thefts.

The police emphasized that those caught stealing packages face serious consequences, including up to six months in jail, even for first offenses. Anyone experiencing a theft or witnessing suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the police at 440-255-1234.

These combined efforts aim to ensure a safer and more secure holiday season for the community.

💈 Mentor Barbershop’s Fundraiser Supports Wigs for Kids with Family Fun

Nicki’s Barbershop in Mentor raised $500 for Wigs for Kids during its annual fundraiser. Owner Johnny Huszczo and his young granddaughters made balloon animals and served popcorn to customers, who generously supported the event. This year marks the second in what the barbershop hopes will be a long-running tradition of helping charitable organizations.

See Article at Wigs for Kids

⛸️ Family-Friendly Winter Fun Awaits at Mentor Ice Arena

For more than 40 years, the Mentor Ice Arena has been a cornerstone of the community, offering events and activities for all ages. With two regulation-sized rinks, a studio rink, locker rooms, a pro shop, a snack bar, and event spaces, it remains a favorite destination for both residents and visitors.

Open skate sessions are available nearly all year and are especially popular during winter, with extended hours during Mentor Schools’ winter break. Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for youth, with skate rentals available for $4 (sizes youth 8 to adult 14). Helmets are required for children under 11, and skate aids are available for kids 8 and under in the studio rink.

The arena boasts Ohio’s second most popular "Learn to Skate" program, serving more than 400 participants. It also offers space rentals for parties, tournaments, and other events.

For more details, visit mentoricearena.com or call (440) 974-5730 to plan your visit.

🍗 Knock Off’s Grub & Pub: Reviving a Legacy of House-Made Comfort and Community

Len and Dee Merriman return to their roots with scratch-made meals, live entertainment, and a vision for a more connected Willoughby.

On a busy corner of Lakeshore Boulevard, Knock Off’s Grub & Pub is bringing fresh energy to the local dining scene. Reopened in 2024 by owners Len and Dee Merriman, the restaurant combines house-made comfort food with a focus on community, entertainment, and old-fashioned hospitality.

For the Merrimans, Knock Off’s is more than a business—it’s a homecoming. Over a decade ago, they owned a popular restaurant in the very same space, running it for 13 years before moving on. But the pull to return was strong. “This end of town just doesn’t have enough dining choices,” Len Merriman said. “We wanted to change that and show people what real, fresh cooking looks like.”

Fresh, Handcrafted Delights: Discover Knock Off’s Signature Menu

That commitment to quality is evident in every dish. Knock Off’s menu highlights homemade items like slow-roasted pot roast, scratch-made soups, and hand-breaded chicken. “A lot of restaurants buy frozen, but we take the time to make everything here,” Len explained. “When people come in, they deserve food that’s made right, not just reheated.”

Signature offerings like Lake perch, all-you-can-eat crab, and the exclusive “Jumbo Whole Wing” are already earning the restaurant a loyal following. Even appetizers get the handcrafted touch, with favorites like jalapeño cheese egg rolls and house-made spinach dip drawing rave reviews.

More Than a Meal: Knock Off's Community Spirit and Entertainment Hub

Knock Off’s also stands out as an entertainment destination. With live music, karaoke nights, trivia, bingo, and a Queen of Hearts drawing every Tuesday, there’s always something happening. The Queen of Hearts event even supports local nonprofits, with a portion of the pot donated to two community organizations.

“We’ve always been about more than just food,” Dee Merriman said. “Giving back is part of who we are.” That philosophy extends to their plans for a community garden on a nearby vacant lot, where the restaurant hopes to grow fresh produce to use in dishes and share with local families. It’s a natural extension of the Merrimans’ long-standing commitment to service; since 2012, they’ve operated a volunteer-run nonprofit that assists people in need across three counties.

The couple’s passion for food has deep roots. Len began his culinary career at age 14, working at Taco Bell and Bob’s Big Boy. Over the years, he gained experience at restaurants like Chi-Chi’s, where he was a trainer, and fine dining establishments like Pineridge Country Club, where he honed his skills as a chef’s assistant. But owning his own restaurant was always the dream. “Food brings people together,” he said. “Seeing someone enjoy something you’ve made is the best feeling in the world.”

Knock Off’s: Serving Up Culinary Excellence and Community Spirit

Knock Off’s is designed to be a welcoming place for everyone. The kid-friendly restaurant offers both bar seating and a separate dining area, creating a space that feels as inviting for families as it does for groups of friends. Plans to expand the patio to include a covered area will allow guests to enjoy outdoor seating year-round.

The Merrimans have made connecting with the community a priority, offering exclusive deals and updates through their website and social media channels. “We want to stay engaged,” Dee said. “It’s not just about running a restaurant; it’s about being part of something bigger.”

That connection goes beyond their doors. Knock Off’s is planning to increase its involvement in hosting fundraisers and benefits for those in need, with upcoming plans to partner with another nonprofit on a winter wiffle ball challenge in January. “We want this space to be more than just a place to eat,” Len said. “We want it to be a place where the community comes together.”

As Knock Off’s Grub & Pub settles into its second chapter, it’s clear the Merrimans have found the recipe for success: fresh, handcrafted food served with a side of heart. “When you come here, you know the food’s going to be great,” Len said. “But more than that, we hope people feel at home.”

For more information, visit www.knockspub.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Better yet, come and visit Knock Offs Grub & Pub at 38464 Lakeshore Blvd, Willoughby, Ohio 44094.

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🏘️ Refinance Boom Drives Growth in Mortgage Applications

Mortgage application volume climbed 5.4% for the week ending Dec. 6, driven by a surge in refinancing activity, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Refinances soared by 27%, marking a bright spot for lenders as they approach 2025. The increase comes amid a consistent decline in mortgage rates, with 30-year fixed loans averaging 6.67%, down from 6.85% the prior week.

Although purchase applications fell 4% week-over-week, they remained 4% higher than the same time in 2023, reflecting ongoing demand supported by gradual inventory growth. However, the rise in refinances reduced the share of purchase applications to 53.2%. Refinances now account for 46.8% of all mortgage applications, an increase of 8.1 percentage points.

Adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) activity dipped to 5.3%, while government-backed loans gained traction. FHA loans rose to 16.5% of applications, and VA loans increased to 16.3%. USDA loans stayed flat at 0.4%.

The average interest rate for 30-year conforming loans dropped to 6.67%, while 30-year jumbo loans saw a slight decline to 6.79%. Fifteen-year loan rates held steady at 6.12%, and 5/1 ARMs plummeted to 5.81%. Meanwhile, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced higher 2025 conforming loan limits of $806,500, reflecting rising home prices and affordability challenges. The FHA will similarly raise its loan thresholds to a maximum of $1,209,750.

Read More at housingwire.com

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

6558 Inland Shores Dr., Mentor, OH. 44060
4 Beds, 3 Baths, 3,062 Sqft. 0.38 Acre Lot
Sale Price $499,900
Listed by: Angelo Joseph Marrali Brokered by Howard Hanna - Mentor
Link to Property Listing

7224 Maple St., Mentor, OH 44060
4 Beds, 4 Baths, 5,414 Sqft., 1 Acre Lot
Sale Price $399,850
Listed by: DEBORAH DYNES Brokered by COLDWELL BANKER SCHMIDT REALTY
Link to Property Listing

7185 Maples St., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 2 Baths, 2,100 Sqft., 1.7 Acre Lot
Sale Price $329,500
Listed by: Charles D Madalie Brokered by ListWithFreedom.com Inc.
Link to Property Listing

8183 Concord Dr., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1.5 Baths, 1,120 Sqft. 0.7 Acre Lot
Sale Price $265,000
Listed by: Lyndi Gesiorski Brokered by Exp Realty, Llc.
Link to Property Listing

4877 Wake Robin Rd., Mentor, OH 44060
3 Beds, 1 Bath, 891 Sqft. 7,200 Sqft. Lot
Sale Price $159,900
Listed by: Brenda Niemi of The Niemi Team Brokered by Homesmart Real Estate Momentum Llc
Link to Property Listing

Link to Other Listings in Zip Code 44060

🏀 Mentor’s Halftime Lead Slips Away in 97-85 Loss to Massillon

Mentor Falls to Massillon in High-Scoring Hall of Fame Hoops Hardwood Classic

The Mentor boys basketball team couldn’t overcome Massillon’s relentless pace, falling 97-85 in a hard-fought Hall of Fame Hoops Hardwood Classic matchup.

Mentor stayed competitive early, limiting Massillon’s high-powered offense to a manageable 24-19 lead after the first quarter. By the second, the Cardinals’ defense tightened, holding the Tigers to just 17 points and edging out a 42-41 advantage at halftime.

However, Massillon seized control in the third quarter with a game-changing 13-0 run. Despite efforts to slow the Tigers, Mentor struggled to match their speed and intensity as Massillon poured in 32 points during the quarter.

Mentor found it difficult to counter Massillon’s aggressive press and precision offense, particularly as Gio Jackson Jr. and Chris Knight combined for 50 points. Though Mentor battled throughout, the Tigers’ momentum in the second half proved insurmountable.

Read More at ohsfbmedia.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣