July 13, 2026
Outdoor market: Shop dozens of local vendors, listen to jazz music, get a free chair massage (from 5:30 to 7 p.m.) and support Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) and the APL during the Heart of Avon Outdoor Market from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. July 15 (rain or shine) at the corner of Detroit and Stoney Ridge roads. Papa Sal’s Kitchen food trucks will also have food available for purchase.
The next market will take place Aug. 5.
New business opening, some closed: Clover & Canvas Needlepoint recently opened at 36840 Detroit Road in Olde Avon Village (above Wild Iris).
Clover & Canvas was created to bring a fresh, welcoming, and modern needlepoint experience to the westside. The goal for the owner, North Ridgeville resident Annette Baert, is to create a place where beginners and experienced stitchers alike can gather, learn, create, and build community through needlepoint.
In addition to offering hand-painted canvases, threads, and accessories, she will be hosting classes, stitch nights, and special events throughout the year.
Businesses in the area that have closed include Sim Sim Mediterranean Grill and GNC in Avon Commons.
It was sad to hear that a longstanding business in Avon has permanently closed. Since 1975, Duraclean Restoration and Cleaning Services had been a staple in Avon and throughout the area.
Upcoming library events: The Largely Literary Theater Company offers a tribute to the writing and writers who inspired the cause of American independence to adopt a constitutional republic in order to form a more perfect union during a special presentation from 2 to 3 p.m. July 25 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive. Pre-registration is available online.
SAT Bootcamp: Join College Now to gain invaluable insights into the SAT’s format and content, arming students with the knowledge they need to succeed during a presentation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 27-28 at the library. Pre-registration is required and is available online.
Save the date: Celebrate Avon High School’s (AHS) Centennial Anniversary, honoring all alumni 1925 – 2025, during a special reunion event Aug. 29 at ForeFront Field (home of the Lake Erie Crushers).
Tickets will go on sale tomorrow (July 15). Tickets and sponsorships will be available through the Lake Erie Crushers website.
Live entertainment includes Paul Pope & Robbie Rist featuring Bill March and Don Krueger, as well as the Avon Electric Orchestra from AHS.
This is a once in a lifetime, multi-generational event honors and welcomes all AHS alumni, as well as past and present faculty and administrators.
All proceeds from the AHS Centennial Celebration will benefit the Avon Athletic Boosters, Avon Band and Orchestra Boosters, Avon Choir and Drama Boosters, and the AHS Alumni Foundation.
Contact ahs100th@gmail.com.
Generous donation: Kudos to Joyce Buick GMC for donating $10,000 to the Amy Mihaljevic Fund, which was established to fund DNA testing in hopes of finally solving the case. The 10-year-old from Bay Village disappeared in October 1989 and was later found murdered.
Planning Commission updates, grocery store coming: During this week’s Planning Commission meeting at 7 p.m. July 15 at City Hall, 36080 Chester Road, Biggby Coffee, 36500 Detroit Road, is requesting a positive recommendation to City Council for approval of an amendment to their Special Use Permit to allow the installation of a fenced outdoor seating area.
CBLH Designs on behalf of University Hospitals, is requesting a positive recommendation to City Council for approval of an amendment to their Special Use Permit for construction of a 2,300-sq.-ft. single story building addition to the Seidman Cancer Center, 2075 Healthway Drive.
Stonegate LLC is requesting a positive recommendation to City Council for the rezoning of 33294 Detroit (former Nagle Farms stand area) from R-1 (Residential Single Family) to C-1 (Neighborhood Business).
The City of Avon is requesting approval of a General Development Plan for the construction of a 15,885-sq.-ft. Fire Station No. 2 on Middleton Road on westside of Nagel Road between Middleton and Detroit roads south of Meijer.
As first reported in Short Takes June 30, a Sprouts Farmers Market is planned for 35130 Chester Road (northwest corner at Jaycox Road across from the new Speedway). I have more details as representatives are making a presentation during this week’s Planning Commission meeting requesting approval of a General Development Plan for the construction of a 23,273-sq.-ft. grocery store and a 16,362-sq.-ft retail building with associated parking and site improvements.
Sprouts Farmers Market is one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. Sprouts offers an assortment of products that inspire wellness naturally, including organic, gluten-free, plant-based and non-GMO favorites. Headquartered in Phoenix, Sprouts employs approximately 36,000 team members and operates more than 480 stores in 25 states nationwide, according to a press release. There are currently no locations in Ohio, although one is slated to open in Columbus in 2028.
Tiny art show, eagle prints: The Tiny Art show at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., runs now through July 29.
Another art display at the library is from the Avon Lake Bald Eagles Nest followers and includes photos from the eagles nest at Redwood Elementary School, as well as images of eagles from other local nests. Some of the images are available for sale.
The show runs through July 29.
Resignation: After nearly two years on the job, the city’s finance director, Beth Krosse, is stepping down (effective July 29). She plans to work part-time until a replacement is named.
Raise your glass: Pour on the Shore, formerly known as the Avon Lake Beer Fest, benefiting the Avon Lake Athletic Boosters, is now a two-day event at Miller Road Park, 33760 Lake Road. The July 31-Aug. 1 event includes beer, wine, live music, food, vendors, and games. For the first time ever, there will be a fireworks show Aug. 1.
Tickets are available online.
Tax credit: City Council is considering legislation to reduce the allowable municipal income tax credit for taxes paid to other municipalities from 1.50% to 0.50% beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The change would generate the revenue needed to fix and maintain roadways and infrastructure, but it is not an easy decision. The city has offered a 100% income tax credit for residents who work in other cities since 1992.
Mayor Mark Spaetzel has shared with City Council that his preference is for the income tax credit issue to go to the November ballot because it represents a significant change for residents who work outside Avon Lake. He feels strongly that voters should have the chance to weigh in.
City Council members are carefully considering the issue. The mayor agrees with City Council that the city needs to align its revenue with today's costs; where he disagrees is how best to do it. Regardless of how City Council decides to move forward, the city administration remains committed to providing residents with transparent information, according to information posted in the city’s recent newsletter.
Concert and market: Shop dozens of vendors during the CLE Market, as well as listen to sounds of Kingfish from 4 to 8 p.m. July 16 at Veterans' Memorial Park, 32756 Lake Road.
Save the date: Fall registration for both kids and adult programs at BAYarts opens at 9 a.m. Aug. 11.
Thursday Markets at BAYarts continue from 4 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 13.
Safe routes to school: City officials have released a draft of the 2026 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Travel Plan. The updated plan outlines proposed safety upgrades for students walking and biking to school.
Because these plans must be updated every five years to reflect current conditions, the 2026 update expands the safety network to include Bay High School, alongside a continued focus on other Bay Village Schools.
The city and school district want to hear from parents, caregivers, students, and all residents. The feedback is essential to helping prioritize the infrastructure projects and safety programs.
The first step is for everyone to review the proposed safety improvements in the Draft 2026 School Travel Plan. The next step is to take a short, seven-question online survey to let officials know what projects are the top priority.
Bay Days feedback: It was another glorious Bay Days weekend in the community. The Kiwanis Club strives to make Bay Days an awesome event and many have shared great ideas over the past 75 years. The club is looking for suggestions to help plan for a successful Bay Days 2027. A survey is available online.
Art fest: The annual Teal Art Fest is from 1 to 6 p.m. July 18 at South Central Park, 7565 Avon Belden Road. The mission of the artfest is to showcase local students in northeast Ohio and young adult artists' exceptional talents. The free-to-the-public festival is packed with live entertainment, kid-friendly activities, and a gallery exhibiting locally curated artistic expressions.
From now through July 20, the Teal Art exhibit featuring artwork by students in grades K–12, college students, and adult artists will be on display at the North Ridgeville Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.
Another event taking place is the Teal Concert featuring an indoor celebration of stage performances from 6 to 8 p.m. July 17 at Lake Ridge Academy, 37501 Center Ridge Road.
Recycling containers: Visitors may have noticed fishing line recycling containers placed around the lake at South Central Park. For anglers and park users, the containers provide a mechanism for old and used lines to be disposed of properly and not endanger wildlife.
The containers were constructed by Sheila Woidke’s seventh- and eighth-grade students at North Ridgeville Ranger High Tech Academy.
City updates: During Mayor Kevin Corcoran’s recent Coffee & Conversation with residents, he updated attendees on some projects around town including State Route 83 and Chestnut Ridge Road. The project also includes a waterline replacement and ODOT would fund most of the roundabout, while the city would be responsible for the waterline cost. Bids came back high, so city officials are continuing to evaluate next steps.
Additional updates include…The city applied for a grant for sidewalks on Bagley Road but was not selected. City officials plan to reapply.
During the conversation, a question was raised about a possible roundabout at Mills and Lear Nagle roads. Current conversations with Avon city officials have focused on paving and also the possibility of returning the intersection to stop signs.
Cypress Road is nearly complete. The property owner has been actively speaking with potential businesses, but nothing has been submitted to the Planning Commission at this time. Meijer has not submitted further plans.
Council-At-large member Cali Zingale, who was in attendance for the coffee chat, later responded to a Facebook post that her takeaways from the conversation were that Meijer's current focus is the former Sears property in North Olmsted at Great Northern Mall. The North Olmsted project is experiencing approval delays.
According to Zingale, the Cypress property owner spoke with Meijer representatives last month. North Ridgeville is not Meijer's current priority, but they are waiting to see whether the North Olmsted project moves forward before determining their next steps.
Another company is actively interested in the approximately 60-acre site and is moving more quickly than Meijer. The property is large enough to accommodate multiple projects.
Golden Kernel: Do you know someone who makes the community a better place to live, work and grow? Nominate them for this year’s Golden Kernel Award from the North Ridgeville Corn Festival Committee.
The deadline to nominate is July 25 and the form is available online.
The festival committee is also seeking parade participants. This year's parade theme is America 250. All participating units are encouraged to incorporate the theme. Registration is available online and the deadline is July 31.
The Corn Festival is Aug. 7-9 at South Central Park.
New director: The North Ridgeville City Schools Board of Education recently appointed Stacy Rocco as the district's next director of curriculum. She has served as the district's curriculum coordinator for the last five years leading curriculum initiatives, and working alongside teachers and administrators to improve student achievement.
As director of curriculum, Rocco will oversee the district's curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning initiatives.
Prior to joining North Ridgeville City Schools, Rocco served as a curriculum and technology teacher in the Lakewood City Schools.
Not artistic: Use your nonartistic talents to create some bad art from 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 23 at the North Ridgeville Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road. Supplies will be provided. Pre-registration is available online.
Renovations complete: Immaculate Auto Spa, 32583 Center Ridge Road, is now open after several months of renovations, new equipment installation and updates to the former car wash property.
The business offers express car wash options, extra-wide and tall self-serve bays and a pet wash with individual washing stations. The self-serve bays can accommodate larger vehicles and equipment, including trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, campers, motorcycles, landscaping vehicles and other vehicles.
Upcoming library events: The Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, is hosting a multitude of programs celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Join Cleveland Guardians Hot Dogs, Ketchup, Mustard, and Onion from 6 to 6:30 p.m. July 15 during National Hot Dog Day. The entire event is from 5 to 7 p.m. Frank & Shakes food truck will have items available for purchase.
Additional events include Cricut Cutting Class- Decorate a Drink
Sleeve from 1 to 4 p.m. July 18; Documentary- Chicken People at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13; Ohio Trivia Night from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 20; and Booked by the Chief Book Discussion- A Founding Mother from 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 27.
Church festival: Immerse yourself in Egyptian culture during the annual Egyptian Festival July 17-19 at Sts. Peter and George Coptic Church, 25800 Hilliard Blvd.
Police presence: It’s been well documented that residents and shoppers are not happy with the constant drag racing and other shenanigans at Crocker Park. For the preservation of the public health, safety and welfare, city officials entered into an agreement to assign a neighborhood police officer to be stationed at Crocker Park.
Arts and craft show: The Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show will take place during tax free weekend from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 at Market Square at Crocker Park, 239 Market Street.
Upcoming library events: Westlake Porter Public Library’s annual STEAM Week will take place July 20-24. STEAM Week focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math in a variety of programs and activities that help children prepare for the coming school year. During the week, the library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, will feature blog posts on its website about the STEAM disciplines, as well as a variety of programs for all ages.
The schedule includes Computer Quest from 2 to 3 p.m. July 20 for children in grades 3-6. Practice your mouse and keyboard skills by playing computer games. Earn tickets based on your high scores and redeem them for prizes. Registration begins July 13.
Teen Design Day and 3D Printing will take place July 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. for kids ages 11-15. Participants must have a library card and a user agreement signed by a parent on file.
3D Photography: Capturing the Depth Around Us is offered from 7 to 8:30 p.m. July 22. Learn about the many ways to take, display, and view 3D photographs from the members of the Ohio Stereo Photographic Society.
The popular annual Egg Drop will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 23. Building starts at 11 a.m. in the Porter Room, with the official drop scheduled for noon.
Program registration is available online, or by calling 440-871-2600.
Art Fest: Celebrate creativity and community at the sixth annual Westlake‑Bay Village Rotary Art Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 25 at the Westlake Porter Public Library and Westlake Elementary School, 27333 Center Ridge Road.
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