In this Issue of: Mentor Local Buzz 🐝

🌤️ Weather: Partly to Mostly Cloudy - Temps 53-57

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

 📰 Local News: ⚽ Mentor’s Own David Jordan Leads Cleveland Crunch into Championship Showdown

 🌷 Spring Into Fun at Mentor-on-the-Lake Craft & Vendor Show Today!

 📰 Mentor Partners with UK MedTech Firms to Boost Global Growth

 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Special Section: Travel & Discovery: ✈️ U.S. Travel Advisory Highlights Safest and Riskiest Areas of Mexico in 2025

⚾ Sports: ⚾ Mentor Drops First Game of Season, 3-2 to GlenOak

⚾ Ortiz Shines as Guardians Stay Perfect at Home

 🥎 Lake Catholic Softball Splits Doubleheader with Erie

 🤔 Trivia Question

 🤣 Something Funny

 📢 Advertise With Us! 

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

👉 Events in Mentor & the Area!
Visit MentorLocalBuzz.com/Events
Featured Event for April 13

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MentorLocalEvents.com/Events

⚽ Mentor’s Own David Jordan Leads Cleveland Crunch into Championship Showdown

A Reader Recommended Article About a Local Sports Hero!

The Wolstein Center in downtown Cleveland is buzzing with energy this weekend as it plays host to the biggest indoor soccer event the city has seen in two decades. But for Mentor residents, the excitement hits a little closer to home—because one of their own is right at the heart of it.

David Jordan, a 2004 graduate of Mentor High School and former star of the Cardinals’ boys soccer team, is now the captain and starting defender for the Cleveland Crunch. On Friday, April 11, Jordan helped lead the Crunch to a dominant semi-final victory over Chicago in the Major League Indoor Soccer (MLIS) Finals. The win secured the Crunch a spot in the league championship game, which will be played today, Sunday, April 13, at 5:00 p.m. at the CSU Wolstein Center against a tough team from Texas.

Jordan, affectionately known by fans and teammates as “Cap’n Crunch,” proudly sports a Cap’n Crunch-themed tee shirt gifted to him years ago. That same leadership and dedication have helped cement his role as a cornerstone of the Crunch roster during the team's recent surge in success, including past league championships and this season’s run to the top seed.

This weekend’s matchup marks a homecoming of sorts not only for the Crunch, who haven't played in the Wolstein Center since their original heyday in the early 2000s, but also for several players, including Jordan. The MLIS Finals feature seven Cleveland State alumni—adding an emotional layer to the tournament being hosted in their old stomping grounds.

Now in his fifth year with the team, Jordan continues to represent the community with pride. He lives in Mentor with his wife and their three young sons, balancing family life with his passion for the sport. His return to the Cleveland soccer spotlight comes at a time when professional soccer is gaining new traction across northeast Ohio.

In fact, the MLIS Finals are just the beginning of a soccer-filled stretch in Cleveland. Next weekend, on April 19, the Columbus Crew will host Inter Miami CF—featuring international superstar Lionel Messi—at Huntington Bank Field, marking the first MLS match played in the region.

For Jordan and the Crunch, Sunday’s championship isn’t just about winning a title. It’s about showing that Cleveland—and communities like Mentor—have a place in the growing soccer landscape.

🌷 Spring Into Fun at Mentor-on-the-Lake Craft & Vendor Show Today!

Looking for a fun way to celebrate spring this weekend? Head over to the Spectacular Spring Craft and Vendor Show on Sunday, April 13th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at 7865 Plains Rd., Mentor-on-the-Lake! 🌼

Shop local, support small businesses, and discover unique handmade treasures, crafts, and goodies from a variety of vendors. Plus, if you spend at least $10 with any vendor, you’ll be entered into a drawing for a 4-pack of tickets to Pioneer Waterland—just in time for summer fun! ☀️🎟️

Bring the family, enjoy the spring vibes, and connect with your community. You can find more details at aayeohio.com. Don’t miss this bright and breezy local event!

See the Facebook Event and Flyer Here

📰 Mentor Partners with UK MedTech Firms to Boost Global Growth

Mentor, Ohio continues to build international partnerships to strengthen its economy and attract innovative businesses. This week, the City of Mentor connected with life sciences and medtech companies in the United Kingdom through a series of one-on-one meetings hosted by Medilink Midlands, a leading UK health technology network.

These meetings offered UK companies direct insight into U.S. market entry and highlighted the support Mentor provides to foreign businesses, including personalized assistance, site selection, and connections to regional resources.

“Mentor takes a concierge-style approach,” said Kevin Malecek, Director of Economic Development and International Trade. “We focus on the specific needs of each company looking to expand into the U.S.”

With over 300 manufacturers and a strong biomedical sector, Mentor is positioning itself as a strategic entry point for international innovation. The city’s commitment to building long-term relationships and offering hands-on guidance makes it an attractive option for companies aiming to grow in the U.S.

Medilink Midlands CEO Melanie Davidson praised the collaboration, noting that direct access to U.S. cities like Mentor equips UK businesses with the insight and confidence to expand successfully.

Source: City of Mentor

✈️ U.S. Travel Advisory Highlights Safest and Riskiest Areas of Mexico in 2025

Despite ongoing reports of violent crime, large portions of Mexico remain safe and welcoming for travelers. With its sun-drenched coastlines, celebrated cuisine, vibrant cities, and storied ruins, Mexico continues to draw millions of tourists each year—particularly from the United States, thanks to close proximity and accessible flights.

However, concerns about safety persist. Incidents involving organized crime have affected some high-profile areas, including Cancún on the Caribbean coast and parts of Baja California on the Pacific side. In January 2025, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico specifically warned travelers to avoid the state of Tamaulipas, citing escalating violence in cities like Reynosa and Rio Bravo, including frequent gun battles and increased use of improvised explosive devices by criminal groups.

Still, Mexico is vast, and many regions remain far removed from these dangers. Popular resort zones generally maintain lower crime levels, and the U.S. State Department offers detailed, region-specific guidance to help travelers make informed choices.

Safest Regions to Visit in 2025

The U.S. State Department currently advises that travelers “exercise normal precautions” in two states: Campeche and Yucatán. These Gulf coast areas are among the most secure in the country, with Yucatán drawing steady tourism thanks to destinations like Chichén Itzá and the cultural hub of Mérida.

Seventeen other states have been issued a “Level 2” travel advisory—recommending travelers "exercise increased caution" due to crime. This classification is the same applied to countries like France and the United Kingdom. Popular travel destinations under this advisory include:

• Baja California Sur (home to Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo)

• Mexico City

• Nayarit (including the beach town of Sayulita)

• Oaxaca (featuring Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido)

• Quintana Roo (encompassing Cancún, Tulum, and Cozumel)

Additional states in this category include Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Durango, Hidalgo, Mexico State, Nuevo León, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz.

Areas with Elevated Risk

Travelers are urged to reconsider visiting several states due to heightened violence. These include Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora. While some of these areas, like Puerto Vallarta and San Miguel de Allende, are well-known tourist spots, local crime levels have prompted increased warnings.

Meanwhile, six states—Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas—carry a “Do Not Travel” advisory. These areas face serious security threats from organized crime, including kidnapping and armed conflict.

Smart Travel Tips for Visiting Mexico

Regardless of destination, travelers can take proactive steps to stay safe:

• Avoid bars and clubs, especially when traveling alone.

• Share your itinerary and location updates with someone you trust.

• Use apps that enhance personal safety and provide location tracking.

• Avoid displaying wealth, including cash and expensive accessories.

• Register with the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time alerts and ensure access to emergency assistance if needed.

Mexico remains a destination of rich experiences and unforgettable beauty. With thoughtful planning and attention to official advisories, visitors can still enjoy a safe and memorable trip in 2025.

Read the Full Article at Frommers.com

⚾ Mentor Drops First Game of Season, 3-2 to GlenOak

Mentor fell to 4-1 on the season after a 3-2 home loss to GlenOak on April 12. The Cardinals held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 but gave up late runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Missing key players Jack Vanhimbergen and Johnny Prentice due to injuries, Mentor relied on an inexperienced pitching staff. Senior Pat Collins started strong, delivering a two-out RBI single in the first to score Austin Van Huss. GlenOak tied it in the third on a sacrifice fly.

Mentor regained the lead in the bottom of the third when Van Huss singled, advanced on a bunt, and scored on Jake McCartney’s single.

Collins exited in the fourth after two walks, with junior Will Link taking over. GlenOak tied the game in the sixth after a triple and a balk. The go-ahead run came in the seventh on an RBI groundout.

GlenOak’s John Hamilton shut down Mentor over the final four innings, allowing just one base runner and striking out five. Van Huss finished with two hits and two runs for the Cardinals.

Mentor used three pitchers—Collins, Link, and Dom Valeri—who allowed five hits and five walks with five strikeouts.

The Cardinals travel to Shaker Heights on April 14 to begin conference play.

⚾ Ortiz Shines as Guardians Stay Perfect at Home

Luis Ortiz delivered a dominant home debut for the Cleveland Guardians, striking out 10 and allowing just one hit over 5 2/3 innings in a 6-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night. The win extended Cleveland’s streak to five and improved their home record to 5-0 for the first time since 2002.

Ortiz, acquired from Pittsburgh in December, allowed only a solo homer to Vinnie Pasquantino in the fourth. It was just the Royals' seventh home run of the season. Ortiz exited after issuing a walk in the sixth, but left with a 2-1 lead.

Gabriel Arias had a big night, driving in a run with a single and later homering in the sixth—his third of the season, all against Kansas City. José Ramirez added a sacrifice fly, and Cleveland padded the lead with three more runs in the seventh.

Kansas City managed only two hits through eight innings but rallied in the ninth with four straight singles off closer Emmanuel Clase, scoring twice before Cleveland closed it out.

Royals starter Mike Lorenzen took the loss, giving up two runs in five innings.

Up Next:
Cleveland’s Ben Lively (0-1, 4.40 ERA) will start Sunday’s series finale against Royals lefty Cole Ragans (0-0, 2.81 ERA).

Read the Full Article at foxsports.com

🥎 Lake Catholic Softball Splits Doubleheader with Erie

The Lake Catholic Cougars softball team split a Saturday doubleheader with the Erie (PA) Royals.

In Game 1, the Cougars earned a 13-7 victory behind a balanced offensive effort. Sophia Iannini and Raegan Kvoriak each had 2 hits in the game with Alexis Hollowell having the only extra base hit with a triple in the game. Lake Catholic took advantage of walks and aggressive base running with seven stolen bases. Lizzie Bammerlin pitched a complete game to earn the win. She had 13 strike outs in the game.

In Game 2, Erie’s offense exploded for 14 runs in the second inning to take control and win 16-6. Lake Catholic used four pitchers in the loss. Sophia Iannini had a strong showing at the plate, going 2-for-2, while Olivia Kitchen recorded the team’s only extra-base hit with a double.

The Cougars move to 1-2 on the season. Lake Catholic softball returns to action Monday with a road game at Notre Dame Cathedral Latin. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Source: Google

🤣 Something Funny 🤣

There’s always one….