May 26, 2026
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Short Takes on the Westside by Julie Short
Go fish!: The Lions Club annual free Fishing Derby takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. (registration opens at 7:30 a.m.) June 6 at Northgate Park, 2155 Eaton Drive. Participants are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food donation to benefit Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS).
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Bait will be provided. Bring your own fishing rod.
Lunch time: The Orchid Café at the Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road, is now open for lunch this summer season. Hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays -Fridays.
The Butterfly House opens June 21.
In other news from the Preserve, free summer outdoor concerts return at 6 p.m. on select Thursday evenings now through August. A complete schedule of Lorain County Metro Parks concerts is available online.
Radio show host presentation: The Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club welcomes media personality Bob Frantz at 5 p.m. June 11 in Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road.
Current events and the impacts of conservative positions on midterm elections will be discussed. Refreshments will be available and guest cost is $5.
Summer reading: The Lorain Public Library System’s summer reading challenge theme is “Unearth A Story.” Stop by the library (Avon and North Ridgeville are included) for dinosaur-themed programs and activities.
The challenge runs June 8 to Aug. 8 with gameboards available to be downloaded from the library’s website or picked up at any of the branches.
Fight series: Summer attractions continue at ForeFront Field, home of the Lake Erie Crushers, as the Legends Fight Series (LFS), a local professional mixed martial arts promotion, recently announced Friday Night Fights.
The three-event outdoor mixed martial arts series will take place June 5, July 31, and Aug. 28.
Next month’s event will feature multiple bouts across multiple weight classes, with a full fight card to be announced in the coming weeks. Gates open at 6 p.m. with the first bout beginning at 7 p.m.. General admission tickets start at $30 and are available online.
Democrats meeting: The Avon Democratic Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. June 11 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive. The featured speaker will be Joe Miller, candidate for Ohio Senate – District 13.
Traffic shift: Interstate 90 westbound, from just west of State Route 83 to just east of State Route 254, has been switched into its new traffic pattern. Westbound traffic is shifted into a crossover pattern. Drivers should use the right lane only to exit to State Route 611 and State Route 254. All other drivers should use the left lane to reach the State Route 57 exit and the Ohio Turnpike. Additional information regarding the construction project is available online.
Helmet law: Children under the age of 16-years-old are now required to wear a helmet (chin strap properly fastened) when they ride a motorized bike/moped, electric bicycle, scooter, and low speed micromobility device. The device can also not operate at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour. Whoever violates these requirements is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
Out of gas: City Council members recently voted to impose a temporary moratorium (through May 11, 2027) on the development of new gas stations in the city.
The moratorium specifies the “consideration of any application to establish a business, (through rezoning or otherwise), develop land, and/or construct any building, structure or use any existing building or structure, change the use of an existing building or structure, any one of which would enable the establishment of a fueling station, such as gasoline, diesel and EV charging stations.”
Uprooting: Paper Crane Botanicals’, 690 Avon Belden Road, owner Bridget Murphy, a 2016 graduate of Bay High School, recently announced on social media that she is closing the two-year-old business June 1.
A storewide sale is underway. Murphy will be hosting a pop-up event with other small business owners this weekend. Follow on Facebook for more details.
Moving forward: After hours and hours of discussion, City Council voted (4-3) last week to approve legislation for a lakefront mixed-use overlay district with regards to the redevelopment of the former power plant site on Lake Road.
A list of frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding the former power plant site is available online.
Summer hours: The Avon Lake Public Library is now closed on Sundays through Labor Day. A complete list of summer programs is available online.
Car sales: The Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership, 33725 Walker Road, was recently purchased by online used-vehicle retailer Carvana.
Save the date: The annual Hooks for Hunger tournament will take place June 27. Registration is currently available at Erie Outfitters, 5404 E Lake Road, Sheffield Lake. Payment is due at registration. Cost is $150 per team and includes entry in big walleye and big sheepshead pot of $2,500. The event supports Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services - CRS.
Life savers: City workers recently completed the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at five local parks:
Bleser Park - freestanding pedestal across from the public restrooms.
Miller Road Park - on a wooden trellis along the paved path and near the gazebo on the east end of the park.
Walker Road Park - mounted to the north facing wall of the pavilion where the picnic tables are located.
Weiss Field - mounted to the wall of the concession stand.
Veterans' Memorial Park - mounted to the exterior wall of the Lake House on the east end of the building.
Balloon drop: Just in time for graduation season, the Balloon Studio, 660 Dover Center Road (Dover Commons) is now open.
Music matters: Donate an instrument and change a life. Music Matters is hosting an instrument drop (new or used) off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 30 at Bay High School, 29230 Wolf Road. Band, orchestra, and keyboard instruments in playable or repairable condition are acceptable items. Pianos and organs cannot be accepted.
Book sale: The Friends of the Bay Village Branch Library will host a Book Sale from June 4-7 at the library, 27400 Wolf Road. Hours are from 5 to 8:45 p.m. June 4; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 5-6; and from 1 to 3 p.m. June 7. Shoppers should bring their own bag to fill for a donation amount of your choice. The sale includes books for all ages as well as DVDs, CDs, puzzles and other items.
Old glory on display: Celebrate the country's 250th birthday by displaying a flag at your home. The Kiwanis Club is offering assistance to residents with mounting your flag and/or providing you with a flag to display. Donations benefit the American Legion Bay Village Post #385.
A form is available online for residents.
Republican club meeting: The North Ridgeville Republican Club will gather for a picnic from 6 to 8 p.m. June 4 at the South Central Park, Pavilion 1, 7565 Avon Belden Road.
The club will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, utensils, condiments, plates and ice. Guests should RSVP and include what side dish they are bringing to share. Call Kim Withrow at 440-506-3754 by May 28.
New director: The city’s chamber of Commerce recently named Amy Hosler as its new executive director. Her civic involvement includes the Historical Society and Corn Festival, among other activities.
Fourth of July: Memorial Day is over, now it’s time to plan for the Fourth of July. Tickets are currently available online for the annual Freedom Festival at Victory Park Ohio, 7777 Victory Lane, July 3.
Celebrating America: In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the city’s Arts Council is sponsoring a craft project for children (grades K-8) to decorate a flowerpot (while supplies last) from 2 to 4 p.m. May 29 at the library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.
Each child will also be given a baggie with potting soil and a flower to put in their newly decorated flowerpot.
In other Art Council news…Installation of officers for 2026-2027 were recently announced. Congratulations to President Ludina Mills, Vice President Georgann Blair, Secretary Chandra Muzumdar, and Treasurer Nancy Bowman. The Arts Council meets the third Monday of each month (except August), at 6 p.m. at the library.
Military care packages: In partnership with VFW Post 9871, the Senior Center is collecting names and mailing addresses for active duty service members as part of an upcoming care package effort.
Residents with a loved one currently serving are asked to call 440-490-2056 to submit their information by June 15.
Scavenger hunt: It’s time for the annual Community Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by the city’s Heart & Sole Health Collaborative. The free event runs June 6-20. Teams will compete for gift card prizes. Additional information is available online.
Video series: Now in its second season on Amazon Prime, “Off-Campus” is a series adapted from the bestselling “Off-Campus” book series by author Elle Kennedy and is about a college hockey player and a music major.
Rocky River’s own Emmy St. Pierre (Class of 2018) is a staff writer for the series.
School news: The Rocky River Board of Education recently approved the resignation of Jason Crowe, Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations. Crowe was named the treasurer at Auburn Career Center.
The school district’s current Director of Educational Technology Patrick Coleman, will transition into the role of Executive Director of Human Resources and Operations.
Summer fun: There is no shortage of things to do this summer at Crocker Park, including checking out the newly expanded Arhaus showroom that recently opened in the former Burntwood Tavern restaurant space.
The 6th annual Crocker Park Block Party returns June 14. The celebration spotlights the city’s police, fire, and other safety services, featuring interactive vehicle displays.
The North Union Farmers Market returns every Saturday at the corner of Detroit and Crocker roads until the end of November/
Movies in the Park presented by Birchwood School of Hawken start May 27.
A complete list of summer events is available online.
Summer reading: Westlake Porter Public Library’s annual Summer Library Challenge begins June 1 and continues through Aug. 1. This year’s theme is “Stars and Stories,” in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
In addition to reading, participants can complete challenges and take part in special programs, including the annual STEAM Week (July 20-24).
Registration is available online.
Community center honors: The National Council on Aging (NCOA), through its National Institute of Senior Centers, has named the Westlake Community Services’ Bloom, Brush & Bravo program in the café an Honorable Mention in the 2026 Programs of Excellence Awards in the Visibility and Communications category — one of only 11 honorable mentions selected from senior centers across the country.
Blooming competition: The Westlake in Bloom Community Beautification Competition is open to residents and businesses and celebrates creativity through gardens of all sizes.
This year’s event includes a patriotic category in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, encouraging participants to incorporate red, white, and blue themes into their designs.
Entry forms are available at City Hall, the Recreation Center, Porter Public Library, and local garden centers, or can be downloaded online. The deadline to submit an entry form is 4 p.m. on June 26, with judging scheduled for July 6–10.
Beautiful music: For the sixth year in a row, the Westlake City School district has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education Award from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation.
Bravo!: Several Westlake High School students earned honors in Le Grand Concours, the National French Contest. From Levels 1 through 5, 102 students participated in the national challenge, and 17 earned Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals, placing them among the top French scholars in the country.
