April 21, 2026
Short Takes on the Westside by Julie Short
Garage sale weekend: Avon’s Citywide Garage Sale is June 27-28. Sign up online to list your sale for free.
Closed again: Sim Sim Mediterranean Grill, 35956 Detroit Road (Avon Commons) is closed again. This time the sign on the door mentions renovations as the reason for the closure. The restaurant has opened and closed a few times for various reasons since opening three years ago.
Dive in: Online registration is now open for the Avon Swim Club’s summer season. The deadline is May 25.
New swimmer evaluation is from 9 to 11 a.m. June 4. First day of practice is June 8 at the Avon Aquatic Facility, 36225 Detroit Road.
Paper shred: Gather up your sensitive documents to be securely shredded onsite from 9 a.m. to noon May 2 at City Hall, 36080 Chester Road. The event is for residents only.
Fireworks show: The Lake Erie Crushers, in partnership with VacationLand Federal Credit Union, are offering a special, limited ticket offer - the Opening Day Fireworks Field Pass May 8.
Fans are welcome onto the field following the Lake Erie Crushers baseball game for a postgame fireworks show. Fans can purchase a Fireworks Field Pass - which includes an Opening Day game ticket plus access to watch the postgame fireworks display from the playing field - for $8 (fans are welcome to bring a blanket). During the game, fans can also enjoy the first Dollar Dog Night of the season.
To purchase the Opening Day Fireworks Field Pass, click here.
In other Lake Erie Crushers news…The organizations will host a Ribbon Cutting event celebrating the naming rights agreement for ForeFront Field, Home of the Lake Erie Crushers, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. April 28, at 2009 Baseball Blvd.
ForeFront Field is scheduled to host more than 200 events for the 2026 calendar year, including 51 Crushers games, seven Lorain County Leviathan (soccer) games, the Summer Crush Concert Series, Tacos and Tequila, The FEST, among others.
Shout-out: Mayor Bryan Jensen recently recognized Eileen Zeman with a Certificate of Recognition for her record breaking attendance at the Senior Center, with participation in over 1500 events and counting.
Rumor mill: It’s been a strong rumor for a few years that Chick-fil-A is coming to Avon. The ‘rumor’ may be gaining a little more validity as the owner at the Rocky River location is telling employees that Avon will be getting a Chick-fil-A on the current City Hall (36080 Chester Road) property. City Hall is moving to the former Village School building on Detroit Road (date unavailable).
I have reached out to Avon officials several times over the years to confirm the ‘rumors,’ but until actual development plans are submitted to the city to construct a Chick-fil-A, city officials remain tight-lipped. Stay tuned to Short Takes to stay ‘in the know’ to find out if the ‘rumor’ is official.
Playtime: After several years of planning and construction, city officials are finally ready to officially reopen the Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) at Bleser Park, 32800 Electric Blvd. A special ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. April 24.
Originally built by volunteers in the mid-1990s, ALPS was an all-wooden playground that was removed in 2021 due to safety concerns, despite being well-maintained over the years.
The new ALPS features new playground equipment, a fitness loop, a four seasons sledding hill, and Laker’s Lookout, an elevated seating area offering views of Lake Erie.
Phase 2 of the ALPS project was completed in late 2025. The first two phases of the ALPS project were made possible in part through sponsors’ support and grant funding, including a $350,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and a $69,816 grant from the ODNR NatureWorks program.
There are possible future phases that may include a challenge course, an adult fitness area, and additional play features. Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Avon Lake Friends of the Parks. For information, call 440-930-4130 or email alrec@avonlake.org.
Power plant update: City Council recently introduced legislation amending the city’s zoning code to create a mixed-use overlay district along the lakefront at the former Power Plant, as well as rezoning several acres of land, to create a special commerce district.
A public hearing will take place during City Council’s meeting at 7 p.m. April 27 at City Hall,150 Avon Belden Road, for the community to hear an update, as well as ask questions.
Democrats meeting: The Avon Lake Democrats Club will meet at 7 p.m. April 28 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. The meeting will feature a discussion of the state of the city.
Cover your head: City Council recently passed an ordinance that requires children under 18-years-old to wear a protective helmet that meets the safety standards established by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Society for Testing and Materials when operating an e-bike or riding an e-bike as a passenger. This requirement applies to Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes.
Free licenses: City bicycle licenses are free for residents and are non-expiring. Having a license helps police easily return bicycles to their owner if a bicycle is lost or stolen.
The licenses are available at the police department, 32855 Walker Road. Bring your bicycle’s make, model, and serial number.
Fishing derby: The Avon Lake Boat Club’s annual free Spring Fishing Derby (kids age 15 and under) will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 2 at Walker Road Park, 31621 Walker Road.
Participants can keep all the trout they catch. Avon Lake Boat Club members will onsite to clean the fish (all other fish must be released).
Measuring stations will be around the pond to track catches. Free pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, and drinks, courtesy of the Avon Lake Boat Club, will be available while supplies last.
Bring your own pole and gear, or you can borrow a fishing pole (valid ID required until pole is returned. Erie Outfitters will provide night crawlers.
Pre-registration is required, click here. The registration deadline is noon May 1.
In memory: It’s been one year since Bay High School lacrosse player Dylan Veselic was accidentally struck by a shot on goal, and tragically passed away.
His memory and legacy live on through the Play for Dylan Community Fest set to take place from noon to 5 p.m. April 26 at Bay Memorial Stadium, 29230 Wolf Road.
The free family-friendly event will feature coed lacrosse scrimmages, children’s games, live music, food trucks and concessions. The event will culminate with the dedication of the Dylan Veselic Memorial Locker Room.
Proceeds raised in conjunction with the Play for Dylan Community Fest will go to establish the Dylan Veselic Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund will be administered by the Bay Village Education Foundation.
Garden Club: Learn about native plants in your garden during a presentation from the Bay Village Garden Club at 11:30 a.m. April 27 at Bay United Methodist Church, 29931 Lake Road.
Trail expansion: In recognition of Earth Day, the Lorain County Metro Parks will celebrate the opening of Sandy Ridge West, an expansion of Sandy Ridge Reservation, with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. April 22, at 7020 Case Road.
Guests will be able to check out the newly constructed trails and restored natural habitats designed to enhance wildlife conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation opportunities within the reservation.
The project also included extensive invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and the establishment of native vegetation designed to support pollinators and local wildlife while improving long-term ecosystem health, according to the press release.
State of the city: In case you weren't able to attend the State of North Ridgeville, you can find the presentation online. It’s full of lots of information from city officials and the school district and is worth reading.
Memorial Day parade: The city’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony is set for 9:45 a.m. May 25. The Parade steps off from the Senior Center (Bainbridge Road) and proceeds east to Ranger Stadium for a ceremony honoring our fallen heroes.
To participate in the parade, register on Facebook.
Planning Commission update: Nicholas R. Dubecky, Integrated Outdoor Living, LLC, recently presented plans for construction of a new 6,000-sq- ft commercial building with associated site improvements for use as a hair salon (Madison Avenue Salon, LLC). The property is next to Walgreens and is currently zoned B-3 Highway Commercial District.
Yard sale: If you are currently spring cleaning, decluttering or downsizing consider donating your gently used items for the Horizon Project Yard Sale Fundraiser.
Donations are now being accepted for the upcoming June 4–6 Yard Sale fundraiser, which helps provide food and clothing to children in Lorain County.
Items can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Hope for the Soul Ministries, 34881 Center Ridge Road (bin in lobby).
Upcoming library events: Local poets are welcome to perform their original poems during an open mic event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 28 at 35700 Bainbridge Road. Winners of the Toni Morrison Poetry Contest will also be announced.
Pre-registration required, click here.
- The American Red Cross will host a Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 at the library. Appointments are needed and can be scheduled online or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
- Before television and the internet, most Americans got their news on the radio. Learn the history of radio during a presentation from 2 to 3:30 p.m. May 2 at the library.
Planning stages: The city officials are set to approve a contract, in an amount not to exceed $249,597 (paid from the Capital Improvement Fund), with BerryDunn for the development of a Rocky River Recreation Strategic Plan.
Mayor’s update: During the city’s April 13 Legislative Meeting, Mayor Pamela Bobst advised that the Arbor Day Planting will take place at 10 a.m. April 28.
- The city’s Little League Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. May 2 at City Hall.
- The USS Cleveland is making its way to port in Cleveland and it will be coming as close to shore as possible May 9. Residents are encouraged to gather at Rocky River Park and Bradstreet’s Landing as 1,000 honor flags will be distributed to welcome the crew home.
The ship will be commissioned May 16 in Cleveland's North Coast harbor downtown. This will mark the first time in 250 years that a U.S. Navy warship will be commissioned in the State of Ohio.
Another possible school: Tonight (at 6:45 p.m. April 21 at City Hall) at the city’s Planning, Zoning and Legislative Committee will discuss granting a conditional use permit application from Amar Shah for a proposed Goddard School building at 25075 Detroit Road (across from Serpentini Chevrolet).
Healthy options: Community Shared Agricultures (CSAs) are organizations that curate a “share” of produce from local farms. People can go to a certain location to pick up a bag of produce once a week.
Area locations include for pick up include:
City Fresh - Thursdays 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road
Fresh Fork Market - Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m. at St John Medical Center, 29000 Center Ridge Road
Murray Hill Farm CSA - Wednesdays at 5 p.m. at Michael’s Craft store parking lot, 1499 Columbia Road
Art on display: A special exhibit and sale of Kathe Lisy’s colorful mixed-media art runs through the end of May at The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation’s Center for Artful Living, 26633 Detroit Road.
The exhibit titled, “Beyond the Backyard: No Batteries Needed,” is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All sales will benefit The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health.
Lisy is a retired art teacher who finds inspiration in the beauty of everyday moments.
