March 11, 2026
If you have news/event or other information you’d like to share, please send me an email, jshortavon@gmail.com
Safety first: Safety Town registration is now open online through the Parks and Recreation Department (classes are in the summer). The popular activity is open to children who will be entering kindergarten this fall. While Safety Town is not required for kindergarten, it’s a fun and valuable way to help children build confidence and learn important safety skills.
Easter breakfast, egg hunt: The annual French Creek Foundation Easter Breakfast and Egg Hunt takes place at 9 a.m. (hunt starts at 10:30 a.m.) March 21 at Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Road.
Proceeds from the event are used to purchase flowers for the 25 cement planters French Creek Foundation installed along Detroit Road and hanging floral baskets for the poles in Avon's historic French Creek District.
The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, and beverages. Following breakfast, kids can enjoy activities and visit with the Easter Bunny.
Tickets are $10 for adults and children ages 9+, $5 for children ages 2-8, children under 2-years-old are free.
Tickets are available at Window Genie of Cleveland West, 1030 Jaycox Road (cash or check only).
More information is available online.
S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G B-E-E: Good luck to all of the students competing in the finals of the 42nd Annual Spelling Bee to be held at 6 p.m. March 12 at Northwood Middle School, Elyria. The winner will represent the Lorain County region at the 101st Scripps National Spelling Bee May 26-28 in Washington, D.C.
Area students include Sireen Essa (Avon), Stephen Higdon (Avon), Sirhaas Nimmagadda (Avon), Stephen Rodriguez (Holy Trinity), Dominic Novak (Holy Trinity), Julia Walsh (Holy Trinity), Anar Bayarbadrakh (Learwood Middle School), Grace DeBord (Learwood Middle School), and Liam Distefano (Learwood Middle School.
Moms, babies: Zelie’s Home (Cleveland) provides safety, dignity, and opportunity for mothers and their babies. Executive Director Erin Hathaway will present, “Where Moms and Babies Thrive: The Story of Zelie’s Home,” at 7 p.m. March 19 at the Knights of Columbus, Father Ragan Hall, 1783 More Road. RSVP by March 16 to rudybreglia@gmail.com. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
New playground equipment: The city’s Parks and Recreation Department, along with the Service Department, have been busy this winter at the Every Child's Playground adjacent to the Avon Pool on Detroit Road.
The Gravity Rail is currently being removed to make way for the 3-Bay ZipKrooz. Unlike the Gravity Rail, ZipKrooz is a two-way ride, eliminating the need to walk the seat back to start.
An additional play area with turf surfacing includes inclusive swings, like the Flexx Swing, and a climbing structure called the Quantis A.3.
Summer concerts: The Summer Crush Concert Series, presented by Achieve Credit Union, is returning to ForeFront Field (home of the Lake Erie Crusher) June 26-27. This year’s lineup includes E5C4P3 (“Escape”) a Journey Tribute band, and Lover- The Unofficial Eras Tour, a Taylor Swift tribute band.
E5C4P3 is performing at 7 p.m. June 26
Lover- The Unofficial Eras Tour takes the stage at 7 p.m. June 27.
Tickets are currently available online with several price options to choose from.
Chili cook-off: The annual Hooks for Hunger Chili Cook-off, benefitting Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services - CRS, takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. March 22 at the American Legion Post 211, 31972 Walker Road.
If you would like to enter a chili, contact Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters at 440-949-8934. The cost is $40 to enter and you get seven free raffle tickets.
Tickets ($10) for the event are available at Erie Outfitters, 5404 E Lake Road, Sheffield Lake.
State of the city: Mayor Mark Spaetzel will give the annual State of the City address at 7 p.m. March 25 the Avon Lake Public Library Waugmann Gallery, 32649 Electric Blvd. The event is open to the public.
Coffee capital: Grabbing a cup of coffee is taking on a whole new meaning in the city as businesses are opening up on every corner of town. New to the scene is Love Coffee Company, owned by Love Coffee Roasters founders Chris and Landry Schilla, which will open in a few weeks in the former Goonie’s Hot Dog shop space, 33473 Lake Road.
“My family and I are from Cleveland , and have been here for several generations,” said Chris. “My great grandfather on my mother’s side immigrated to the United States from Sant’Agata di Militello, Sicily in the early 1900s and owned a produce stand at the Westside Market (Cleveland). My great-grandmother is still pictured to this day in the Westside Market cafe and I often go there to see her picture etched into Cleveland’s history.
After serving honorably in the U.S. Army as a medic from 2019 to 2023, I moved back home to Avon Lake. I served full-time as a first responder, while also running a mobile coffee cart on the side with my wife.”
Love Coffee Company will be the couple’s first brick and mortar location.
Also planning to open soon is Biggby Coffee at 33388 Walker Road.
New eagle family growing: After the beloved eagles (named Stars and Stripes) that had called Redwood Elementary School home for many years left the nest last year, a new pair has since taken over.
Eagle watchers have been waiting patiently hoping the new pair would start a family soon. The wait is over and there are now two eggs in the nest.
It had been a long standing tradition at the school for students to name the eagles. Apparently this year that will not happen. School district officials explained that wildlife experts are now discouraging the practice of naming bald eagles, citing that it ‘diminishes the integrity of these national symbols and complicates conservation efforts to keep them protected.’
You can follow the nameless eagle couple on a live 24/7 eagle cam, as well as on Facebook.
Recreation program guide: The Recreation Department's 2026 Spring/Summer Program Guide is now available. Upcoming programs/events include the country's 250 Jubilee, youth summer camps, activities for seniors, concerts in the park, swim lessons, and sports.
Also in the guide is information on volunteer and seasonal employment opportunities; summer Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center hours, guidelines, and membership fees schedule; a schedule of senior activities at the Old Firehouse Community Center; and information regarding facilities rental opportunities.
Kids Closet: The Avon Lake Early Childhood PTA’s Kids Closet resale event takes place from 7 a.m. to noon March 21 at Avon Lake High School (auxiliary gym).
Yard waste pick-up: Kimble yard waste collection resumes this month. Residents are allowed to place on the curb up to two cubic yards (6-ft. wide, 3-ft. high, 3-ft. deep or approximately 14 to 16 bags) of yard waste on each collection day.
Parks feedback: City officials are gathering feedback from residents regarding parks throughout the community. Feedback will help guide future improvements, priorities, and planning for parks and facilities.
To access the survey, click here.
Luck of the Irish: Celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day holiday with an evening of Celtic Rock with Mary's Lane from 7 to 10 p.m. March 14 in the Sullivan Family Auditorium at BAYarts, 28795 Lake Road. General admission tickets are $25 and are available online.
New treasurer: Current Avon Lake City Schools Treasurer Autumn Reed was recently approved by the Bay Village City Schools Board of Education to become the district’s new treasurer. She will begin her employment April 20.
Prior to working in Avon Lake, she served as assistant treasurer for the Avon Local School District and in the Finance Department of her hometown district, Mapleton Local Schools.
Reed was appointed to replace Meghan Rohde, who served as treasurer in the schools since April 2021. Rohde took a similar role with the Lakewood City Schools in January 2026. Emily Cundiff has served as interim treasurer since Rohde’s departure from the district, and will continue in that role through Reed’s transition.
State of the City: Join Mayor Paul Koomar as he informs residents and businesses on the fiscal standing of the city, progress on major projects and outlines the focus for 2026 initiatives during the annual State of the City address at 2 p.m. March 27 at the Bay Village Library, 27400 Wolf Road.
Movie celebration: As part of America 250-Ohio, the city is partnering with Aut-O-Rama Drive-In to present, "The Goonies" April 2. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and concessions will be available for purchase.
Space is limited to the first 400 cars, so advance registration is required; your confirmation is your ticket. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to support Community Care.
To register, click here
EV charging stations: Both the L2 (slower charger) and DCFC (fast charger) EV stations are fully operational and available for public use. Stations are located by the Bainbridge Road entrance near the Senior Center. Users must download the FLO app. Tesla owners can use the stations with an adapter. To access the FLO network, click here.
Craft show: The annual Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21 at Rocky River Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Blvd.
The show features artists and crafters selling their original handmade items. Admission is $3 and children under 12 are free. A portion of proceeds will benefit local non-profit, Girls on the Run.
High school production: The Rocky River High School Drama Club presents, “Cinderella.” Show dates are March 26-28 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, click here.
Community service hours: The Westlake Historical Society is seeking student volunteers to earn community service hours at the Clague House Museum. Students interested in volunteering at the Clague House Museum should contact Lysa or Dave at the museum at 216-848-0680. There are various ways students can earn service hours with opportunities during the week and on weekends throughout the year.
Cemetery history: Did you know that many of Westlake’s earliest settlers are buried at the Evergreen Cemetery on Center Ridge Road near Crocker Road.
As Westlake celebrates roots this year as part of America’s 250th anniversary, the Westlake Historical Society is hosting a special Evergreen Cemetery tour at 1 p.m. April 25.
Volunteer actors are needed to make this event a success. This is a chance for you or your child to play the role of one of Westlake’s historical founders.
For more information on how to be part of the interactive cemetery tour, contact Mary Beth Schneidler at mbschneidler@att.net.
Student job fair: Hosted by West Shore Career-Tech, fourth annual Jobs, Trades & Apprenticeship Fair takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 26 at Westlake High School (Rotunda), 27830 Hilliard Blvd.
The event is open to all students grades 7-12 and their families (staff and neighboring districts are welcome). It’s a great opportunity for younger students to explore potential career paths and for older students to make connections as they plan their next steps after graduation.
