In this Mentor Local Buzz Issue…

☁️ Mentor Weather - Party Sunny and Colder, 26 degrees

❓ Trivia Question - Answer at the end of the newsletter.

🗓️ Events for the Week

 📰 Project Hope's Innovative Approach to Empowering Homeless

 🎣 Ohio Welcomes Spring with Statewide Rainbow Trout Stocking

 📰 Lake County Increases Water Bill Discount for Seniors to 30%

💻 Mentor Public Library Unveils Free Computer Skill Workshops

 📰 EVENT SHOWCASE: Dinosaur-Themed Cookie Contest at Mentor's 25 Year Celebration of the KidShow in March!

 🏀 Nina Rodriguez Leads Mentor Girls to Sectional Win

 🏀 Mentor Boys Triumph in Double Overtime, Claim 6th Straight GCC

 🤣🤣 Something Funny

 💡 Business Spotlight - We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply 
Are you interested in advertising in our newsletter? Call or email us today at 440-368-8765 / [email protected].

Question: What is unique about the East Branch of the Chagrin River regarding its environmental significance?

A) It is the only river in Ohio that flows north and south simultaneously due to a geological anomaly.
B) It has been designated as a State Scenic River for its exceptional water quality and scenic beauty.
C) It is home to a rare species of freshwater coral found nowhere else in the world.
D) The river's watershed is the site of the oldest meteorite impact crater in the United States.

(Answer Below)

February 24th

• Mentor Job Fair - 10am at the Mentor Municipal Center. Go to this website cityofmentor.com for more information.

• Cleveland Auto Show - I-X Center - Feb 23 through March 3. See this link for additional details.

• CATS - The Fine Arts Assoc. in Willoughby. All Fridays & Saturdays Feb 16 - Mar 3, 2024. Visit the Fine Arts Assoc. website for details.

• Cleveland Tattoo Arts Festival - Cleveland Convention Center (Friday - Sunday) - More Info

• Drake & J. Cole @ Rock Mortgage Fieldhouse @ 8pm - More Info

February 25th

• Pub Crawl Continues - Choose between Nora’s Public House or The Wild Goose, both in downtown Willoughby.

• Cleveland Tattoo Arts Festival - Cleveland Convention Center (Friday - Sunday) - More Info

March 1st

• Photos & Visits with Bunny - Great Lakes Mall - at 2pm. More info

📰 Project Hope's Innovative Approach to Empowering Lake County's Homeless

Project Hope for the Homeless unveiled its Welcome Home Center, designed to assist guests in transitioning to new homes by offering essential household items. This initiative emphasizes dignity and choice, supported by a community-funded campaign that raised $108,000. Located in Lake County, the shelter continues to play a crucial role in aiding the homeless.

Project Hope for the Homeless, situated in Painesville Township, stands as Lake County's sole emergency shelter. It has a capacity of 50 beds and has aided over 9,000 individuals since its inception. In 2023 alone, the shelter served 323 guests, including 43 children, with 85% successfully transitioning to safe shelter or behavioral health treatment within an average span of 36 days.

Read the Story at The News-Herald

🎣 Ohio Welcomes Spring with Statewide Rainbow Trout Stocking

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is welcoming the spring season with an exciting announcement for fishing enthusiasts. Beginning March 13th, ODNR will distribute 85,000 rainbow trout across 95 different locations throughout Ohio, creating a perfect setting for both novice and experienced anglers to engage in memorable fishing expeditions.

Where to Cast Your Line:

Ohioans from all regions will have easy access to trout-stocked waters but here’s what we found in our area:

• Northeast Ohio: Beartown Lake, Brushwood Lake, Little Turtle Pond, Munroe Falls Lake, Rowland Nature Preserve Lake, and Westlake Nature Center Pond

Plan Your Trip:

ODNR has made it simple for anglers to find stocking locations, dates, and updates on weather conditions by visiting wildohio.gov or calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. Additionally, some locations will celebrate stocking day with special events, such as youth-only fishing days, adding to the community spirit and excitement.

Read More for all the Details at Ohiodnr.gov

📰 Lake County Increases Water Bill Discount for Seniors to 30%

Lake County's Board of Commissioners and Department of Utilities have approved an increase in the discount for water and sewer bills for qualifying seniors from 25% to 30%, in response to economic challenges and inflation. This enhanced discount builds on a previous rate reduction initiative and aims to offer further financial relief to the elderly community.

Read the Announcement at LakeCountyOhio.gov

💻 Mentor Public Library Unveils Free Computer Skill Workshops for February

The Mentor Public Library is set to enrich the community this month by offering an array of six complimentary computer classes at its Main Branch, located at 8215 Mentor Ave. These educational sessions are designed to cater to various levels of computer proficiency, from basic internet navigation to more advanced Microsoft Office skills.

• Basic Internet (Feb 27, 2 p.m.): Focuses on fundamental internet search techniques. Requires mouse and typing skills.

• Excel I (Feb 27, 6:30 p.m.): Introduces worksheet creation, basic formulas, simple formatting, and printing options. Prior Microsoft Word experience recommended.

• Basic Email (Feb 28, 2 p.m.): Teaches email management, including sending, replying, labeling, archiving, and attaching files.

• Excel II (Feb 28, 6:30 p.m.): Advances into formula and function creation, error troubleshooting, and advanced printing features.

• Microsoft PowerPoint (Feb 29, 2 p.m.): Guides users through presentation creation, formatting, and design basics.

• Excel III (Feb 29, 6:30 p.m.): Covers more complex functions like column and row adjustments, conditional formatting, and chart creation and formatting.

Registration is essential for these no-cost classes. Sign up via the library’s website at www.mentorpl.org or by phone at 440-255-8811, ext. 1.

📰 Dinosaur-Themed Cookie Contest at Mentor's 25 Year Celebration of the KidShow in March!

The "Roar Like a Dinosaur" Cookie Art Contest, part of the 25th Year Celebration of the KidShow and sponsored by the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, invites baking enthusiasts to showcase their creativity with dinosaur-themed cookies. This unique competition, set for March 23rd at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, Ohio, offers participants a platform to display their cookie artistry, with a chance to win prizes and recognition. Entries, which can include up to three decorated cookies, will be judged on appearance, emphasizing creativity and imagination within the prehistoric theme.

Here are the details:

Theme: “Roar Like a Dinosaur”
Entry Fee: $25
Submission Deadline for Entry Form: March 20, 2024
Cookie Submission: 10:30am-11:00am; March 23 at the top of the Round 1 Concourse inside Great Lakes Mall
Judging Criteria: Cookies will be judged solely on their appearance as taste will not be a factor in judging

Prizes:
Most Creative Cookie Art Designer: $100, Top Award Recognition and Bragging Rights
Winner by Popular Vote: Congratulatory Gift Basket
Both Category Winners: Announced and highlighted online, included on the KidShow website with a link to their site and written up in a press release.

To enter the contest, please fill out and email your entry form to [email protected] by March 20th. Make payment payable to ProMark Enterprises LLC and mail it to PO Box 146 Mentor, Ohio 44061 or Venmo.

Please see the Cookie Contest Entry Form Here

🏀 Nina Rodriguez Leads Mentor Girls to First Sectional Win Since 2019-20

Mentor's girls basketball team clinched their first sectional title since the 2019-20 season, overcoming Green with a 54-51 victory in the Division I sectional final. Nina Rodriguez led with 21 points, contributing to the team's comeback from an early deficit. The win was celebrated with an ice bucket celebration for their coach, signifying the end of a playoff victory drought and setting the stage for a semifinal against Louisville.
Congratulations to the Mentor High School girls basketball team!!

Read More at YahooSports

🏀 Mentor Boys Triumph in Double Overtime to Claim Sixth Straight GCC

The Mentor Cardinals clinched the Greater Cleveland Conference (GCC) title for the sixth consecutive year with an electrifying 89-84 victory over the Brunswick Blue Devils in double overtime on February 23. The game, marked by its high stakes and intense moments, saw Mentor overcoming a late three-point deficit with less than two minutes in regulation, thanks to Kobe Frasure-Azzano's critical scoring.

Brunswick's Tommy Morgan tied the game to force overtime, only for Mentor to surge ahead again, fueled by Makel Harrison's aggressive play. Despite Brunswick's persistent efforts to tie the game, Mentor's strategic play and successful free throws by Frasure-Azzano and Matt Biddell in the second overtime sealed their victory.

Ian Ioppolo, who battled illness, stepped up to deliver an exceptional performance. Ioppolo finished with a staggering 30 points and 14 rebounds, showcasing his versatility and determination.

Mentor's ability to execute under pressure was further exemplified by Frasure-Azzano's post moves and clutch free throws, along with Harrison's all-around contribution of 13 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Brunswick, however, did not go down without a fight, with Quinn Barnett leading their scoring with 32 points, supported by Trey Drexler and Tommy Morgan.

The victory not only underscores Mentor's dominance in the GCC but also sets a high bar for their performance in upcoming games, including their regular-season finale against Uniontown Lake.

TRIVIA ANSWER

Correct Answer: B) It has been designated as a State Scenic River for its exceptional water quality and scenic beauty.

The Chagrin River, including its East Branch, is recognized for its environmental significance, with parts of it designated as a State Scenic River by Ohio due to its outstanding natural characteristics, water quality, and ecological diversity. This designation helps protect and preserve the river for future generations.

🤣🤣 Something Funny 🤣🤣