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

📰 Local News: 📰 Neon-Green Façade Sparks City Debate as Krazy Bins Opens

🤝 Mentor Schools Organize Donation Drive for Park House Fire Victims

🌳 Mentor Opens Applications for Tree Commission Position Through 2027

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Wellness Wednesday: 🏃🏻‍♂️‍➡️ Don’t Hibernate This Winter: Easy Ways to Stay Active (Even From Your Couch)

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Cleveland Heights Tops Cardinals in Key Conference Clash

🏈 Browns Move Forward Without David Njoku After Nine Seasons in Cleveland

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Krazy Bins opened in Mentor on Feb. 6, but a $13,000 exterior paint job prompted last-minute scrutiny from city officials and a lengthy Planning Commission discussion over zoning and design standards.

The discount retailer at 7723 Mentor Ave. features a neon-green storefront that drew questions the night before opening. Commissioners debated whether the painted façade should be classified as architectural design or counted as signage under city code.

Planning staff determined that the green background behind the store’s lettering could be considered part of the sign, potentially pushing the business beyond allowable signage limits. City officials noted that similar interpretations have been applied in past cases at other retail locations.

Staff also raised concerns that the bold color does not align with surrounding businesses in the plaza and conflicts with city design standards. They recommended repainting the exterior in a neutral color consistent with neighboring storefronts.

The store owner explained that the repainting followed necessary building repairs and that further changes could add significant cost beyond the initial investment.

City legal staff confirmed that the green background may legally be considered signage and cautioned that reducing the painted area would not automatically remove the need for a zoning variance, depending on final measurements.

Rather than requiring a full repaint, commissioners discussed compromise options. The approved plan allows the green paint to remain only as a frame around the store’s lettering, with green accents around the entrance and window frames also permitted.

The Planning Commission unanimously approved the project with conditions requiring the green façade to either match the building’s existing color scheme or function solely as a sign background. Krazy Bins remains open while modifications are made.

Read a Summary of the full City Council Meeting on our website mentorlocalbuzz.com

Mentor Public Schools and local parent volunteers have organized a donation drive to support families displaced by a fire at the Park House Apartments, including students enrolled in the district.

The fire occurred Jan. 31 at the 72-unit apartment complex. School officials estimate that about 70 families were displaced, including roughly 10 families with children attending Ridge Elementary School.

In response, the Mentor Public Schools Family Resource Center, working with the Ridge Elementary PTA, launched a donation effort to help affected families meet immediate needs. The drive is focused on food and essential household items, with organizers noting that clothing and shoes are not needed at this time.

Requested food donations include non-perishable items, pop-top foods, ready-to-eat meals, cereal, instant oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly, shelf-stable milk, snacks, and food storage supplies such as containers and zip-top bags.

The center is also collecting hygiene products, feminine hygiene items, cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, microwavable dishes, storage containers, totes, reusable bags, and paper goods including paper towels, plates, plastic silverware, trash bags, toilet paper and tissues.

Donations are being accepted on the Mentor High School campus during scheduled drop-off times. Organizers noted that parking lots are busiest during afternoon student dismissal and encouraged donors to plan accordingly.

Families impacted by the fire may schedule appointments with the Family Resource Center to select needed items during school hours and select evenings. Those with questions or who need to arrange an alternate drop-off time can contact the center directly.

Read Full Article at cleveland.com

The City of Mentor is seeking a qualified resident to serve on its Tree Commission as part of the Mentor Street Tree Program. The open volunteer position is for one registered elector of the city who will complete the remainder of a four-year term running through December 31, 2027.

Applicants must submit both an application and a résumé to the Clerk of Council in accordance with the city’s code of ordinances. Materials may be submitted by email, mail, or delivered in person to the Clerk of Council’s office at Mentor City Hall.

The Tree Commission plays a key role in supporting and guiding the city’s urban forestry efforts, helping maintain Mentor’s tree canopy and promote responsible planting and care throughout the community. Interested residents are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

See the City’s Original Post
Download Application

Ice and snow and cold, oh my! Winter is definitely upon us and that means most of us
feel like hibernating. With the sun setting before dinner time (on the rare days that it
actually can be seen), our bodies find themselves feeling tired and sluggish more hours
of the day than not. But don’t let the cold winter months be an excuse to forgo being
active.   Even if you decide to stay home as much as you can to avoid the cold
temperatures, you can “stay active”.
In addition to the physical benefits of exercise, the endorphins released while being
active can help combat the winter blues. If you don’t know where to start, you can find
beginner and low impact exercise videos and books at the library. There are even more
virtual options for a fitness class than ever before.
Endurance activities will get you breathing heavier and increase your heart rate. Take 5
minutes to climb up and down stairs, trying to increase how many flights you can do or
adding 30 more seconds each day. Turn on some music and dance for calorie burning
and a great stress reliever!   
The worst thing to do is to sit for long hours, so if you are binging a Netflix series, be
sure to get up in between each episode and walk around the house. Try to count your

steps and don’t sit back down until you have reached over 250. Increase the number
each time you leave your comfy couch. 
 Of course, if the temps aren’t below freezing and there is no snow or ice on the ground,
there is no excuse for taking a walk outdoors. Go when it is still light outside, wear
proper footwear and layer your clothing (preferably wicking material to keep moisture
away from your body).  
Above all else, don’t despair, summer is actually going to be back again someday!

By Karen Martin | The Wellness Connection | thewellnessc.com  [email protected]
440-796-2179

Cleveland Heights kept its momentum rolling with a 75-68 conference victory over visiting Mentor, building off its recent win at the Chet Mason Invitational.

The Tigers, now 11-8 on the season, delivered a balanced offensive performance led by Jamell Stephens and Deon Solomon. Stephens finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Solomon poured in 19 points. Jhayce Boyd contributed 15 points, and Charles Butler made his presence felt on the boards with 10 rebounds.

Mentor, which falls to 13-5, came out strong and held a 23-21 advantage after the first quarter. However, Cleveland Heights surged ahead by halftime and maintained control through the second half, outscoring the Cardinals the rest of the way to secure the win.

Sophomore guard Jack Kennedy led Mentor with 22 points. Senior forward Tony Katava added 16 points, and Tommy Pavcic chipped in 13.

Mentor will look to bounce back when it travels to Brunswick on Friday, Feb. 13. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

A fan favorite, David Njoku’s nine-year career with the Cleveland Browns has come to an end as the veteran tight end prepares to enter NFL free agency. His departure marks another major change for a franchise already navigating a period of transition following the Super Bowl.

Njoku is one of several longtime Browns facing uncertain futures, along with offensive linemen Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. Bitonio is weighing retirement, while speculation about Njoku’s return faded after Cleveland moved on from head coach Kevin Stefanski and hired offensive-minded Todd Monken. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz also departed, leaving Monken to reshape both sides of the roster.

Through a social media post reflecting on his career, Njoku confirmed he will not return to Cleveland, expressing appreciation for the organization, his teammates, and the city he called home.

Selected 29th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami, Njoku entered the league as a raw but highly athletic prospect. He went on to play 118 games for the Browns, totaling 384 receptions, 4,062 yards, and 34 touchdowns. His standout season came in 2023, when he recorded 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns, earning his lone Pro Bowl selection.

Njoku’s career was often affected by injuries and inconsistent quarterback play, limiting his ability to fully capitalize on his physical gifts. He played a full 16-game season only four times during his tenure.

Now nearing age 30, Njoku becomes a free agent for the first time after playing under the franchise tag in 2022. Although he is leaving the roster, void years in his contract mean his departure will still impact Cleveland’s salary cap, with the option to reduce that hit using a post–June 1 designation.

See the Full Article at dawgsbynature.com

Both of you were caught cheatin’ on your diet!! Hey now!