March 17, 2026
Short Takes on the Westside by Julie Short
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Time to make the donuts: The wait is over, Jack Frost Donuts will open in Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Road (next to Strip Steakhouse) March 21. The grand opening festivities will take place from 9 to 11 a.m. featuring freebies, giveaways, and donuts.
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The donut shop will open at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday during the opening weekend. After the opening weekend, the new location will move to its
regular hours of 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
For future updates and announcements, follow Jack Frost Donuts on social media.
Go Eagles!: If your child is interested in being involved in Avon Youth Cheer this fall, plan to attend an informational meeting at 7 p.m. March 25 at Heritage Elementary School (South library), 35600 Bentley Drive.
The program is open to all Avon students who will be in grades 3-6 this fall.
If you have any questions, email avonyouthcheer@gmail.com.
We’re all in this together: The Avon Middle School Drama Club presents, Disney's "High School Musical Jr," at 7 p.m. March 27; and at 2 p.m. March 28 at the Avon Performing Arts Center, 37545 Detroit Road. Tickets are available online.
Shop closes: After one year in business, Brushin’ & Blushin’ Upcycled and Custom Furniture Boutique has closed in the French Creek District, 36795 Detroit Road (next to Jet’s Pizza).
The owner posted on Facebook that the family is moving to Florida.
The boutique shop specialized in refinishing furniture and kitchen cabinets, as well as interior and exterior painting services.
Historic transportation: The Avon Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. April 2 at the Avon Olde Town Hall, corner of Detroit and Stoney Ridge roads.
This month’s program is “Historic Railways & Trolley of Lorain County,” presented by Dr. Charles “Eddie” Herdendorf III, a geologist, oceanographer and professor emeritus of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University.
The meeting is open to the public.
Democrats meeting: The Avon Democratic Club is hosting a Candidate Forum meeting at 6:30 p.m. April 9 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive.
Featured participants include: Daniel Burket, U.S. House of Representative OH-District 5 candidate; Martin Heberling, U.S. House of Representative OH-District 5 candidate; Brian Baker, Lorain County Commissioner candidate; Carolyn White, Lorain County Commissioner candidate; Mike Baker, Ohio State Representative, District 52 candidate; and Graig Bansek, Ohio State Representative District 52 candidate.
Everything is possible: Enjoy some quality time with the family during a pop-up game night anytime between 6 to 8 p.m. March 18 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.
Hosted by I'm Possible Games, a Lorain County non-profit that aims to build a space where people of all abilities can interact free of expectations and fun for all.
Egg hunt: The annual Towne Center Community Campus Easter Egg Hunt takes place March 28 at Weiss Field, 33401 Webber Road.
Photos with the Easter Bunny are from 10:15 to 11 a.m. The Egg Hunt will start at exactly 10:30 a.m. The event will be held rain or shine. Bring your own basket or bag for the eggs.
New bike shop: Encore Cycles is opening today (March 17) at 296 Moore Road. It offers recreational products for the entire family.
Avon Lake resident Dan Sirkin owned a similar shop in Solon for 21 years. He sold the building in 2024 with full plans to start a new chapter in Avon Lake.
Free gunlocks: The police department has partnered with Project Childsafe to supply free gunlocks to residents who may need one. The locks are available and can be picked up (upon request) in the front lobby of the police station, 32855 Walker Road.
Women’s History Month: The League of Women Voters Lorain County will host a special free screening of HBO’s historical drama, “Iron Jawed Angels” at 1:30 p.m. March 22 at the Avon Lake Public Library. Refreshments will be available for a donation.
The proceeds will support future educational programs of the League of Women Voters.
The drama features Alice Paul (Hilary Swank) and Lucy Burns' (Frances O'Connor) radical fight for the 19th Amendment. It highlights their hunger strikes, imprisonment, and, notably, the "iron-jawed" label given for their courageous activism.
Avon/Avon Lake area members meet monthly at the Avon Lake Public Library. For more information, click here.
Hear from the candidates: The Avon Lake Democrats Club will host a “Meet the Candidates” night at 7 p.m. March 24 at the Avon Lake Public Library.
Invited guests include Daniel Burket, Brian Shaver, Scott Tabor, and Martin Heberling, running for U.S. Congress, 5th District; Matt Lundy and Dan Nutt, for State Representative, 53rd District; and Carolyn Y. White and Brian Baker, for Lorain County Commissioner.
The community is welcome to meet these Democratic candidates for the May 5 Primary/Special Election.
The deadline to register to vote in the election is April 6, and In-Person Early voting begins April 7 at the Lorain County Board of Elections, 1985 N Ridge Road, East, Lorain.
Citizen, project of the year: Village Bicycle Cooperative (VBC) volunteer Bob Piccirilli has been named the Bay Village Citizen of the Year. He has dedicated significant time, talent, and resources to improving the quality of life in both Bay Village and throughout the Cleveland area.
Bay Days, brought to you by the Kiwanis Club, received Project of the Year honors.
Student ambassador: Congratulations to Bay Middle School fifth-grader Noah Cronin, one of 116 students nationwide selected to attend the Tourette Association of America’s Ambassador training in Washington, DC to meet with lawmakers to advocate for greater support.
Coffee chat: Join Bay Village City Schools Superintendent Scot Prebles for his next Coffee Chat from 6 to 7 p.m. March 25 at the Board of Education office, 377 Dover Center Road.
Bunny breakfast: The Lions Club will be hosting its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 8 to 11 a.m. March 28 at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Road.
For a $10 donation (per person, children under 5-years-old are free), guests will receive all-you-can-eat pancakes, as well as scrambled eggs and two sausage links. Beverages are also included.
Children will receive a free coloring book and chocolate Easter bunny (while supplies last).
More Easter fun: The Rotary Club’s annual free Easter Egg Hunt (ages 1-9) will take place at 1 p.m. March 28 at Ranger Stadium, 34600 Bainbridge Road. In partnership with celebrating America 250-OH North Ridgeville, the club has several surprises planned for this year’s egg hunt.
Gates open at 12:30 p.m. (event is rain or shine).
Grief support: In partnership with OhioGuidestone, North Ridgeville City Schools will be hosting two Community & Grief Support Sessions for anyone who has been impacted by recent trauma or loss.
Each session will begin with a brief presentation highlighting available resources and support services, followed by small-group breakout discussions to provide space for connection, reflection, and shared support.
The first session is at 6 p.m. March 26 in the North Ridgeville High School Media Center, 34600 Bainbridge Road.
The next session is at 6 p.m. April 23 in the North Ridgeville High School Multipurpose Room.
Leaf collection: The early start to winter made fall yard cleanup challenging. Mayor Pam Bobst recently advised that from March 30 to April 3, city crews will have one last pass for leaf collection and yard waste from the tree lawn. They do not traditionally do spring pick up, but this year residents can put loose yard waste and leaves on the tree lawn within this window, and it will get picked up.
Center Ridge Gateway improvement project: City Council recently awarded the Center Ridge Road Gateway Improvement Project to Perk Company, Inc. Construction is expected to begin this spring.
The project includes resurfacing, full-depth concrete and curb repairs, high-visibility ladder-style crosswalks, new curb ramps, and updated pavement markings along Center Ridge Road from Spencer Road to Wooster Road — approximately 1.5 miles through the cities of Rocky River and Fairview Park.
Additional improvements include upgraded traffic and pedestrian signals, new controllers, improved signal synchronization between Spencer Road and Pease Drive, and new signal masts and mast arms where needed to enhance safety and traffic flow. The project will also feature aesthetic and green space enhancements between Spencer Road and Goldwood Primary School, including boulevard treatments and gateway signage.
City Council also awarded the Goldwood School traffic signal project to Perram Electric, Inc. Construction of the new signal at the Goldwood School egress is also expected to also begin this spring and will improve safety for pedestrians and drivers.
New restaurant: Hangry Joe’s, a fast-casual hot chicken concept with a menu built around Nashville-style chicken, is opening next month in Crocker Park, 242 Main Street (former Hot Chicken Takeover space).
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Easter Bunny photos: Bring the kids for free Easter Bunny photos at Crocker Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 28 inside Barnes & Noble (second floor). Pets are welcome, too.
Easter egg hunt: The Westlake Town Criers annual free Westlake City Easter Egg Hunt and Candy Scramble will again be held at the Clague Park playground area (corner of Clague Road and Hilliard Blvd.), March 28.
There will be two candy scrambles. The first at 1 p.m. for children ages 4 through 6, and the second at 1:30 p.m. for children ages 7 through 10.
For children ages 3 and under, there will be a noncompetitive Easter Egg Hunt where the children will hunt for eggs that they can redeem for candy and prizes.
There will also be Easter bunnies available for pictures, as well as refreshments and face painting courtesy of the Westlake High School National Honor Society.
Upcoming library events: High school students and eighth-graders can prepare for the SAT by taking an SAT practice test. Sylvan Learning will be at the Westlake Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, to simulate the exact environment for taking the SAT from 10 a.m. to noon March 21. Bring your own calculator and a No. 2 pencil.
The Westlake High School Crochet Club and Westlake Porter Public Library invite local yarn enthusiasts to contribute crocheted or knitted wildflowers and pollinators to a community wildflower garden on display from April 19 through mid-May in the library's lobby.
Item drop off is March 18-22. Please register online for all library events.
