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

📰 Local News: 📰 ‘State of the City’ Highlights Growth, Safety and Patriotism

🍅 Mentor Farmers Market Returns with Expanded 2026 Lineup

🖥️ Mentor Public Library Expands Access to Technology Training

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Event Spotlight: 📅 Chocolate for Grown Ups Event Sweetens Heart Health Month

🏀 Sports: 🏀 Mentor Lady Cardinals Roll Past Lorain, Advance to District Final

🏒 Mentor Hockey’s Season Ends in 3-2 Quarterfinal Loss to Shaker

🤔 Trivia Question

🤣 Something Funny

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

Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak delivered the 2026 State of the City address on Feb. 24 at Paradigm, tying the city’s progress to the nation’s 250th anniversary and encouraging residents to embrace a renewed spirit of civic pride.

He reported significant public safety improvements in 2025, including notable declines in overall crime, thefts and traffic accidents. Violent crime remained well below national averages. Police credited proactive enforcement, advanced investigative technology and regional task force partnerships. Fire officials expanded public education efforts, reaching thousands of residents, while several officers were recognized for life-saving rescues. The city also invested in new safety equipment and is preparing to implement Next Generation 911 technology.

Economically, Mentor continues to show strength, with low commercial and industrial vacancy rates and more than 50 new businesses opening in 2025. Additional retail and entertainment developments are expected this year.

Filipiak outlined one of the city’s most ambitious construction periods in decades, including marina upgrades, park improvements, a new spray park, an observation tower at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve, Fire Station 3 and a Municipal Annex. Roadwork and traffic upgrades totaling millions of dollars are also planned, many supported by grant funding, allowing the city to avoid new debt.

With millions of visitors, strong recreation participation and large community event attendance, Filipiak said Mentor enters the America 250 celebration in a position of strength and continued growth.

The Mentor Farmers Market will return for the 2026 season at Eleanor B. Garfield Park, bringing fresh produce, handmade goods and expanded special events to the community.

The weekly market will run Fridays from 2 to 6 p.m., June 12 through Sept. 11, at the park on Mentor Avenue. Shoppers can browse more than 30 vendors offering locally grown fruits and vegetables, baked goods, honey and handcrafted items from area farmers and artisans.

The season begins with an Early Bird Market on May 16, giving visitors access to spring produce and early harvest selections ahead of the regular schedule.

Several themed events are planned throughout the summer. Fantastic Fridays on June 27, July 25 and Aug. 29 will feature additional arts and crafts vendors, live demonstrations and music. Lil’ Entrepreneur Days on July 3 and Aug. 7 will spotlight young creators ages 17 and under selling handmade crafts and artwork with adult supervision.

The market will close out the year with a Harvest Market on Oct. 3, celebrating fall produce and seasonal favorites.

For More Information visit cityofmentor.com

Mentor Public Library will offer four free computer classes in March at its Lake Branch, giving residents the chance to build and strengthen essential technology skills.

The classes include:

• Basic Email — 2 p.m. March 3. Covers how to send and reply to messages, attach files, and organize emails using labels and archive features.

• Word 1 — 6:30 p.m. March 3. An introduction to Microsoft Word, including how to create, open, and save documents, plus basic text formatting.

• Basic Computers and Internet Searching — 6:30 p.m. March 4. Focuses on fundamental computer use and effective web searching.

• Word 2 — 6:30 p.m. March 4. An intermediate course exploring quick-access and mini toolbars, along with tools such as the thesaurus and spelling and grammar check.

All classes are free, but registration is required and opens two weeks before each session. Residents can sign up at www.mentorpl.org or call the Lake Branch at 440-257-2512.

The Lake Branch is located at 5642 Andrews Road in Mentor-on-the-Lake.

The library also offers free online Microsoft software courses through its LinkedIn Learning database. More information is available at www.mentorpl.org/linkedinlearning.

Back to Basics in Eastlake is inviting the community to experience chocolate in a new way with its upcoming event, Chocolate for Grown Ups, set for Friday, February 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

Hosted at 35742 Vine Street, the $50 workshop aims to transform how people think about chocolate — shifting the focus from sugary indulgence to a more intentional and nourishing experience. The evening highlights real cacao and its long history as a heart-supportive, circulation-enhancing, and mood-lifting food.

Participants will learn the differences between authentic cacao and modern candy chocolate, while exploring how quality ingredients, proper preparation, and thoughtful pairings can make chocolate more meaningful and satisfying.

During the hands-on portion of the workshop, guests will prepare and enjoy rich drinking chocolate made with high-quality cacao, warming spices, and carefully selected herbs that support circulation and relaxation. The session also includes guidance on incorporating chocolate into daily life as an occasional ritual that promotes calm and connection rather than habit.

Attendees will leave with recipes, pairing ideas, and a deeper understanding of cacao’s potential benefits. The cozy evening offers a balanced blend of education and enjoyment, serving as a fitting close to Heart Health Month by emphasizing that pleasure and wellness can work hand in hand.

Sign up for Tickets

Mentor’s Lady Cardinals delivered a commanding performance Wednesday night, overwhelming the Lorain Titans 68-30 in OHSAA Girls Basketball State Championship action. The victory pushes Mentor’s impressive season record to 22-1 and sends the team forward with strong momentum heading into the postseason’s next round.

The Lady Cardinals controlled the game on both ends of the floor. McKinney led the team on the boards with nine rebounds and posted a game-best efficiency rating of +24. Rodriguez powered the offense with 18 points while also tallying five steals in a disruptive defensive effort. McClintock directed the attack with five assists, and Eisert contributed defensively with a key block.

With confidence building, Mentor now turns its focus to Saturday’s District Final matchup against Whitmer. The game tips off at 4 p.m. at Valley Forge High School, where a win would secure a trip to the Regional Semifinal. The Lady Cardinals’ dominant season continues to showcase their depth, discipline, and championship aspirations.

Mentor’s postseason run ended Feb. 21 at Kent State Ice Arena with a 3-2 loss to rival Shaker Heights in a Kent District quarterfinal.

The Cardinals, who had reached three straight district finals, closed the season at 22-10-2 after a tight contest decided early in the third period.

Shaker built a 2-0 lead before Mentor answered in the second period. Austin Andrews set up A.J. Trobenter to cut the deficit, and Rowan Jakupca followed with an unassisted goal to tie the game at 2-2 heading into the third.

Shaker reclaimed the lead five minutes into the final period and held off Mentor’s push. The Cardinals outshot the Red Raiders and created late pressure, including a 6-on-4 opportunity in the closing seconds, but could not find the equalizer.

The defeat closes one of the most successful four-year stretches in program history. The senior class departs with 93 wins, three district final appearances and two Baron Cup I championships, leaving a strong foundation for the future.

Mommy’s coming… LOL!