In this Issue of: Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌧️ Weather: Showers & Possibly Heavy Rain, Temps Falling in PM - Temps 60-62

 📢 Local Events from Mentor & the Area: MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events!

 📰 Local News: 🥽 Mentor Launches $7M Civic Center Park Revamp with New Courts, Slides, and Pool Complex

 📰 Mentor Retail Vacancy Rises Slightly but Holds Strong Year-Over-Year

 📰 Mentor Senior Center Garage Sale Returns April 26 with Over 70 Vendors

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Food & Recipes: 🥪 The Ultimate Monte Cristo: A Sweet and Savory Brunch Classic

 🥗 The Best Pasta Salad Is Here — And It's a Must-Make 💛

⚾ Sports: 🎣 Anglers Celebrate Spring Surge in Walleye and Steelhead Runs

 🏀 Cavaliers Beat Knicks, Match Second-Best Season in Team History

⚾ Ramirez Belts Three Homers as Guardians Snap Skid vs. Angels

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us! 

Contact Mentor Local Buzz - [email protected] - 440-256-6115

👉 Events in Mentor & the Area!
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Featured Event for April 5

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MentorLocalEvents.com/Events

🥽 Mentor Launches $7M Civic Center Park Revamp with New Courts, Slides, and Pool Complex

Major Upgrades Coming to Mentor Civic Center Park in 2025

Significant enhancements are underway at Mentor Civic Center Park, with construction already beginning on projects outlined during the recent State of the City address. These improvements reflect a $7 million investment aimed at modernizing the city’s most popular recreational destination.

New Courts and Parking Lot Replace Skatepark
The first visible changes include the removal of trees and the clearing of the skatepark area along Munson Road. This space will soon be home to two full-size basketball courts and a 152-space parking lot. The current basketball court will be converted into three additional pickleball courts, expanding opportunities for active recreation.

The new parking lot is designed to enhance accessibility for daily visitors and large crowds attending events at the adjacent Civic Amphitheater. Work on the lot is expected to be completed by summer.

New Waterslides Arrive for Summer 2025
Construction is also set to begin this spring on a 42-foot-tall waterslide tower with three separate slides. This major upgrade to the Civic Center Pool is anticipated to open later this summer, adding a high-energy element to the city’s water recreation offerings.

Pool Complex to Be Rebuilt After Swim Season
Following the conclusion of the 2025 swim season, demolition will begin on the existing Civic Center Pool buildings. They will be replaced by a new series of interconnected structures that include modern restrooms and locker rooms, a concession stand, covered eating areas, and other updated amenities. The design will follow a themed architectural style inspired by the Civic Amphitheater, creating a cohesive look across the campus.

Plans also call for the expansion of the pool pad and splash pad area, replacing outdated facilities built in 1981 with more accessible, family-friendly spaces. The new footprint is intended to support long-term community use and improve the overall experience for swimmers and parkgoers alike.

A Vision for the Future of Community Recreation
These projects are designed to address the evolving needs of Mentor residents—offering more recreational options, better accessibility, and improved support for community events. The enhancements to Civic Center Park aim to create opportunities for families and athletes of all ages to stay active, healthy, and engaged throughout the year.

From upgraded courts to exciting water features and a revitalized pool complex, the transformation of Civic Center Park will leave a lasting impact on the community. To learn more about the plans, residents are encouraged to watch the 2025 State of the City Address.

For More Information Visit cityofmentor.com. Including 2025 State of the City Address which includes additional details

📰 Mentor Retail Vacancy Rises Slightly but Holds Strong Year-Over-Year

Mentor Maintains Largest Share of Lake County Retail Market in Q1 2025

The Cleveland 1st Quarter 2025 Retail Market Report, compiled by CoStar, tracks nearly 199 million square feet of retail space across eight Northeast Ohio counties. The regional vacancy rate stands at 4.2%.

Lake County accounts for about 18 million square feet spread across 1,430 buildings, with the City of Mentor representing 44% of that total—roughly 8 million square feet. The county’s vacancy rate remains at 4.5%, unchanged from last quarter and down from 5.7% a year ago.

Mentor reported a retail vacancy rate of 6.7% in the first quarter, up 0.1% from the previous quarter but slightly lower than the adjusted rate from early 2024.

Among the largest available spaces in Mentor are:

• 7721-7723 Mentor Avenue (64,500 sq. ft.)

• 7960-8000 Plaza Boulevard (41,264 sq. ft.)

• 7797-7885 Mentor Avenue (24,282 sq. ft.)

The data highlights a stable retail market in Lake County with ongoing opportunities in Mentor for new tenants or redevelopment.

Prepared by the City of Mentor, Planning & Development Department, April 2025.

📰 Mentor Senior Center Garage Sale Returns April 26 with Over 70 Vendors

Mentor Senior Center to Host Popular Garage Sale Event on April 26

Mark you calendar! The Mentor Senior Center is set to welcome crowds once again for its highly anticipated garage sale on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Drawing over 1,000 visitors annually, the event has become a community favorite for bargain hunters looking to score deals and discover hidden treasures.

With more than 70 vendors participating, this year’s sale promises a wide variety of items, from household goods to unique finds. All vendor spaces have already sold out, reflecting the event’s popularity. In addition to shopping, attendees can enjoy hot food concessions throughout the day.

The event is free and open to the public—no senior center membership is required to attend. The Mentor Senior Center is located at 8484 Munson Road in Mentor.

For more information, call (440) 974-5725.

Source: cityofmentor.com 

🥪 The Ultimate Monte Cristo: A Sweet and Savory Brunch Classic

Can’t decide between breakfast and lunch? Have you ever had a Monte Cristo? The Monte Cristo sandwich is the ultimate brunch solution — indulgent, satisfying, and irresistibly delicious. This classic favorite layers savory ham and gooey Swiss cheese between slices of golden French toast, then finishes with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar for the perfect sweet-and-savory bite. Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking to impress at brunch, this sandwich delivers on all fronts.

🥗 The Best Pasta Salad Is Here — And It's a Must-Make 💛

Looking for the perfect dish to brighten up your summer table? This pasta salad is a sunshine-filled crowd-pleaser — light, flavorful, and bursting with seasonal ingredients. Whether you're headed to a picnic, BBQ, or just need an easy weeknight side, this is the best pasta salad for 2025. 💛

Get the full recipe at spoonfulofsi.com!

🎣 Anglers Celebrate Spring Surge in Walleye and Steelhead Runs

Spring Rains Boost Fishing Hopes Across Northeast Ohio

Anglers across Northeast Ohio are embracing this week’s heavy rain, which is expected to improve fishing conditions across the region. While muddy rivers may delay immediate success, rising water levels and warmer temperatures should help trigger spring runs.

Walleye and Steelhead Runs Underway
Walleye are beginning to move into the Maumee and Sandusky Rivers to spawn. Though early action has been moderate, the added water flow is expected to bring in more fish. Anglers are using traditional rigs with floating jig heads and twister tails.

Steelhead fishing has been slower due to cold, dry conditions earlier this year. However, better action is anticipated in rivers like the Rocky, Vermilion, Chagrin, Grand, and Conneaut Creek. Spin and fly anglers are targeting trout using spawn bags, egg beads, and streamers near the river bottom.

Other Spring Species Active
Smallmouth bass and white suckers are also making their spawning runs. Bass are hitting on diving plugs and spinners, while suckers are being caught with dough balls and corn.

Trout Stocking Adjusted
Due to high water, the Cleveland Metroparks stocked 900 pounds of rainbow trout in Wallace Lake instead of the East Branch of the Rocky River. That location is expected to be stocked in two weeks.

Barbie Rod Derby Reels in Big Win
A record 218 participants competed in the Rocky River’s quirky Barbie Rod Steelhead Derby, using child-sized rods to land trophy trout. Jason Lawson of Lorain won with a 29-inch steelhead. The event raised $16,400 for the Cleveland Metroparks Fishing Fund.

Walleye Collection Nets Success
Ohio wildlife crews collected eggs and sperm from about 1,800 walleye at Mosquito Creek Reservoir for hatcheries in Senecaville and Hebron, which will produce fish for stocking in area lakes.

Read the Full Article at cleveland.com

🏀 Cavaliers Beat Knicks, Match Second-Best Season in Team History

The Cleveland Cavaliers rolled past the New York Knicks 124-105 on Wednesday night, securing their 61st win of the season — matching the 2009–10 squad for the second-most wins in franchise history. Donovan Mitchell led with 27 points, and Jarrett Allen added 21 in the home victory.

The Cavaliers now hold a five-game lead atop the Eastern Conference after Boston’s loss to Miami, with six games remaining in the regular season.

Cleveland trailed 60-53 at halftime but shifted momentum in the third quarter. Tied at 83, the Cavs went on a 15-2 run that stretched into the fourth, highlighted by Isaac Okoro’s steal and layup that put them up 89-83.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks but also turned the ball over seven times. OG Anunoby added 23 points. Jalen Brunson remains out, but he’s been cleared to return soon.

Cleveland has now scored 120+ points 44 times this season — a team record. Allen continues to shine at home, hitting 31 of 34 shots over the last three games. Dean Wade sat out due to illness.

⚾ Ramirez Belts Three Homers as Guardians Snap Skid vs. Angels

The Cleveland Guardians ended a three-game losing streak with a 9-6 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night, powered by a three-home run performance from José Ramirez.

Ramirez started the scoring with a solo homer in the first, added a two-run shot in the fifth to tie the game, and capped his night with another solo blast in the ninth. He finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs scored.

Bryan Rocchio also had a strong night, driving in three runs, including a go-ahead two-run single in the sixth inning. Kyle Manzardo added a sacrifice fly to stretch the lead.

Starter Gavin Williams struggled in his second outing of the season, lasting just three innings and allowing four runs (two earned). The bullpen picked him up with five strong innings from Jakob Junis, Tim Herrin, Cade Smith, Paul Sewald, and Hunter Gaddis, who combined to hold the Angels scoreless until the ninth.

Emmanuel Clase gave up two runs in the final frame, including a solo homer, as his early-season struggles continued, but he closed out the win. The Guardians move to 3-4, while the Angels fall to 4-3.

See Highlights at mlb.com

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

This right here. What the what?