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

📰 Local News: 🎵 Big Al & The Hitmen Bring High-Energy Show to Billy’s Martini Bar

📰 Regional Educators Gather in Mentor for Adolescent Literacy Summit

📰 Mentor Opens 2026 Event Sponsorships to Local and Regional Businesses

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Pet Corner: 🐶 What’s in Your Dog’s Bowl? The Best Foods for Every Stage

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Merrill’s Career Night Powers Cavs Past Wizards

🏀 Lake Catholic Falls to CVCA in Home Conference Matchup

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Big Al & The Hitmen are set to take the stage at Billy’s – A Cappelli Martini Bar for a three-hour performance packed with energy and crowd favorites. The event is TONIGHT from 7-10pm.

Known for their high-octane shows, the band blends modern country hits with timeless rock classics, adding their own country twist to familiar songs. Their performances are designed to keep audiences singing along, dancing and fully engaged from start to finish.

With years of live experience and a wide range of musical influences, Big Al & The Hitmen have built a reputation for delivering versatile, crowd-pleasing sets. From country anthems to rock staples — and even unexpected favorites — the group brings enthusiasm and charisma every time they perform.

Fans can stay updated on upcoming shows by texting BIGAL to (216) 400-5676 or visiting bigalcle.com.

See the Facebook Event

The Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve hosted its Adolescent Literacy Summit on Feb. 3, bringing together middle and high school educators to strengthen literacy instruction and support adolescent readers.

Held at Mentor Public Schools’ Paradigm Building, the free event featured local, state and national experts who shared evidence-based strategies and practical tools to improve reading outcomes in secondary classrooms.

Educators from Willoughby-Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Riverside, West Geauga and Berkshire took part in panel discussions, highlighting successful initiatives and ongoing literacy challenges across the region.

The service center partnered with Amplify Education to connect Science of Reading research with classroom practice, emphasizing alignment between instruction and assessment to guide data-driven decisions.

Sessions addressed Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plans in middle school and preparation for expanded high school literacy requirements. Organizers said participants left with actionable resources to implement in their districts.

Superintendent Jennifer Felker noted the summit reflects the agency’s commitment to research-based professional learning and thanked Mentor Public Schools for hosting. Kelly Moran, director of instructional programs, said the strategies shared aim to help districts build confident, capable adolescent readers.

Organizers emphasized collaboration and a shared goal of improving literacy outcomes for all students.

See the website for ESC of the Western Reserve

The City of Mentor is inviting businesses to take part in its lineup of family-friendly events that unite the community and highlight why Mentor remains one of Northeast Ohio’s most desirable places to live, work, and visit.

More than 150,000 people attended free city events last year, demonstrating the strong support and broad appeal these gatherings continue to generate. City officials credit much of that success to the partnership and generosity of corporate sponsors.

From the high-energy Mentor Rocks summer concert series to art receptions at the Wildwood Cultural Center, the city’s calendar offers varied opportunities for businesses to connect with a loyal and engaged audience. Organizers remain focused on delivering memorable experiences while providing meaningful visibility and value for sponsors.

Businesses interested in participating can review the 2026 Mentor Event Sponsorship Packet for details. Sponsorships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with commitments due by April 15, 2026. Final payment must be submitted by May 1, 2025.

For additional information or to reserve placement, contact Communications Officer Ante Logarusic at 440-974-5794 or [email protected].

Download 2026 Mentor Event Sponsorship Packet

Choosing the right dog food can be overwhelming, with options ranging from grain-free and organic to canned and breed-specific formulas. Veterinarians say the key is focusing on balanced nutrition rather than trendy labels. A high-quality diet supports healthy weight, immune function and overall well-being, making it one of the most important responsibilities of pet ownership.

Experts recommend starting with the nutritional adequacy statement on the packaging. Look for food labeled “complete and balanced” under standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). While AAFCO establishes guidelines, it does not approve or certify brands.

The ingredient list can also offer insight. Ingredients are listed by weight, with the first three making up the largest portion of the formula. However, veterinarians stress that nutrient content matters more than individual ingredients. Feeding guidelines and calorie counts (kcal per cup or can) help determine proper portions, which is critical since obesity remains the most common nutrition-related issue in dogs.

A dog’s size, age and activity level should guide food selection. Puppies require formulas that support growth and development, while adult and senior dogs have different calorie and nutrient needs. Large and giant breeds may benefit from diets formulated to support joint health.

Among top veterinarian-informed picks for 2026:

Ultimately, experts agree that choosing food tailored to your dog’s life stage and maintaining proper portion control matter more than marketing claims.

Read the Full Article at nbcnews.com

Sam Merrill scored a career-high 32 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Washington Wizards 138-113 in James Harden’s first home game in wine and gold.

Donovan Mitchell added 30 points for his 28th 30-point performance of the season, while Jarrett Allen contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. Cleveland extended its winning streak to five games and has now won 10 of its last 11. It also marked the fifth time this season the Cavaliers led from start to finish.

Harden finished with 13 points and 11 assists in 28 minutes, earning his second double-double in three games since the Feb. 4 trade. Despite shooting just 1 of 4 from the field, he converted consistently at the free-throw line.

Washington, which has lost three straight and four of five, was led by Kyshawn George with 17 points and Jamir Watkins with 16.

Cleveland has now won 15 straight games against the Wizards dating back to 2022, the second-longest streak against a single opponent in franchise history.

Merrill was dominant early, scoring 26 first-half points while making all nine of his shots, including seven from three-point range. He finished 11 of 12 from the field as the Cavaliers pulled away in the second half after withstanding a brief Washington surge.

The Wizards host Indiana on Feb. 19, while the Cavaliers welcome Brooklyn the same night.

Read More, See Highlights at espn.com

The Lake Catholic Cougars boys basketball team fell to Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 69-52 in a home conference matchup last night.

With the loss, the Cougars drop to 5-15 overall and 1-10 in conference play. No individual statistics were available at the time of publication.

Lake Catholic will look to bounce back Friday, Feb. 13, when the Cougars travel to face Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, which enters the matchup with an 8-10 record.

Husky Framed by Cat… “Wait Brah, let me explain”