May 5, 2026
Short Takes on the Westside by Julie Short
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Cilantro opening soon: A few months ago I first reported Cilantro Taqueria is coming to the space formerly occupied by Anytime Fitness at 35516 Detroit Road behind Mitchell’s Ice Cream.
The owners had hoped to be open to celebrate Cinco De Mayo. They are now hoping to open around May 18. As with any new business, especially restaurants, it’s tough to pinpoint an actual date due to inspections, licenses, etc., but it’s getting closer to opening.
Rebrand: Little Meraki Market, 34970 Detroit Road, is now Meraki House. According to the owner, the rebrand ‘better reflects our new space and vision, featuring our wine bar and expanded small bites menu.’
Visitors can stop in during business hours for a cocktail, a glass of wine, or charcuterie. Space is also available to rent for special events.
Disability assistance: The Avon Police Department recently announced participation in the Blue Envelope Program, a voluntary tool designed to assist drivers with conditions that might require extra communication or accommodations during a traffic stop—such as Autism, Dementia, anxiety, or other physical disabilities.
Residents can pick up a Blue Envelope packet in the police department’s lobby, 36145 Detroit Road, during regular business hours.
Business showcase: The free North Coast Business Showcase will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. May 13 at the Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive. Emcee for the event is Avon’s own WEWS-TV5 Meteorologist Trent Magill.
Nearly 40 local businesses will be onsite offering services from home repair and remodeling, to landscaping and outdoor living.
Pre-register for the showcase and you'll be eligible to win one of 30 door prizes.
Spring market: The second annual Spring Green Market features interactive demonstrations, hands-on activities, and learning experiences regarding sustainability. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at the Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road.
Fore!: The Avon Football Golf Outing, presented by Richard’s Tree Service, begins at 8 a.m. (registration) June 14 at Bob-o-Link Golf Course, 4141 Center Road.
Registration fee is $500 for a foursome or $125 for an individual golfer to be placed on a team.
The event includes donuts and coffee, food at the turn, dinner, beer, coffee and water.
Expert advice: Avon High School physics students were recently treated to a special demonstration from 2024 world champion boomerang thrower, Logan Broadbent, as the classes prepare for a boomerang construction project.
Plant sale: Stop by the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to noon May 9 at the Avon Lake Goddard School, 430 Avon Belden Road.
Club members have dug up plants from Civic Gardens and their own gardens to sell during the event, which is a great time to purchase a plant(s) for Mother’s Day.
Memorial service: The community is invited to gather at 9 a.m. May 11 at the Safety Center, 32855 Walker Road, for the annual Peace Officers Memorial Service.
Patriotic concert: Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with TrueNorth Cultural Arts during a Patriotic Concert at 7:30 p.m. May 16 at Avon Lake Presbyterian Church, 32340 Electric Blvd.
The concert is free and there will be an offering to help offset costs.
A special tribute will take place for all who have served in the military to stand and be recognized.
Walk this way: Bay High School’s Key Club is once again partnering with the Thirst Project to host their annual Walk For Water fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. May 15 at Bay High School, 29230 Wolf Road. Participants are invited to run or walk the 3.75-mile route, representative of the average distance families in developing countries walk daily to get water. The event also features games, food trucks, and raffles.
Fun run: Online registration is now open the 16th Annual May in Bay 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run is at 8:30 a.m. May 23 at Bay High School. Proceeds benefit Bay High School PTSA’s Mental Health & Wellness Program, as well as supporting initiatives including student mental health and wellness programs, learning environments, and student leadership training.
Director departing: Lake Erie Nature & Science Center Executive Director Catherine Timko recently announced that she will be leaving her role as of May 21, and will be named President and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition as of May 26.
Timko joined Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in January 2010. Under her leadership, the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center successfully completed a $4 million campaign for the endowment fund, upgraded the permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility, transformed the Schuele Planetarium, and recently completed a $1.9 million transformation of the outdoor Wildlife Gardens.
The Board of Directors will begin the search for a new Executive Director immediately.
Best of the best: Congratulations to the Bay Village Historical Society, winner of the 2025 Ohio Museum Association's Award of Achievement for Best Education and Outreach for an organization with an annual operating budget under $500,000 for their summer program, Pioneer Days, Recreating the Past.
Online registration is now open for this year’s program which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon July 20-24 at the Bay Village Police Station (drop-off/pick-up) and Cahoon Memorial Park.
In between owners: After three years in business, the owners of Between the Bun Bar & Grill, 34445 Center Ridge Road, have made the bittersweet decision to sell the restaurant.
Owners John and Lacia Rutherford completely transformed the building that sat empty for years, and created an inviting space for families and groups to gather.
The restaurant won Best Burger in Lorain County two years in a row, received Business of the Year, and supports the community through fundraisers, as well as helping with school lunch funds.
The Rutherfords recently posted on social media that ‘running a restaurant is not just a job. It is early mornings, late nights, long days, constant pressure, and showing up no matter what is going on in your life. It is 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and for the last three years, we gave it everything we had.’
The couple have two children which they would like to spend more time with. They also announced their next chapter, Breaker To Bulb Electrical Services. As a state licensed electrical safety inspector and now a licensed electrician, John is excited and ready to get started on this next journey.
The new owner is retired factory worker Herschel Lambert, who once worked in a pizza shop several years ago.
According to the Rutherfords, the new owner may change the name of the restaurant and put ‘his own little twist’ on the business. The ownership deal is in the transition phase and should be finalised in the next week or so.
On the move: North Ridgeville City Schools’ current Director of Curriculum and Instruction Heather Miller will be leaving the district this summer to become the director of curriculum and instruction for the Orange City Schools, effective Aug. 1.
New ownership: Celebrate the grand re-opening of Alfie’s Laser & Engraving (formerly Laser Pics & Gifts), 31966 Center Ridge Road, now under new ownership, from noon to 3 p.m. May 9. Hot dogs, snacks, popcorn and a free gift (while supplies last) will be available for guests.
Beautiful day: It’s that time of year to start spring clean-up and fixing up the community. Lorain County Beautiful Day takes place from 9 a.m. to noon May 16 It’s an opportunity for residents to get involved. If you or your organizations are interested in contributing throughout the morning, contact Kevin Fougerousse at 440-490-2051 or via email kfougerousse@nridgeville.gov.
Discover the Ridge: It’s time to Discover the Ridge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16. The annual free event, presented by the North Ridgeville Visitors Bureau, highlights the people and businesses throughout the community.
Join the kick-off celebration at 10 a.m. at KLT Insurance, 6480 Pitts Blvd. The VFW Color Guard will perform a flag ceremony. It’s also a chance to check out the new murals created by North Ridgeville High School students and sample food from local restaurants.
Fields United Methodist Church, 34077 Lorain Road, is also hosting its fourth annual Junk-In-Your-Trunk and Plant Sale (rain or shine) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
It’s also the perfect time to celebrate Worcester’s 100th year in business. Shop for deals in the parts department and the feed store from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 16 at 34200 Lorain Road. Vendors will also be set up and there will be food and drinks available for purchase onsite.
For more information regarding Discover the Ridge and a complete list of participants, click here.
Plant sale: The Garden Club of North Ridgeville’s annual Plant and Bake Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16 at South Central Park, Pavilion #1, 7565 Avon Belden Road. The perennial plants from members’ own gardens will be available for purchase.
Residents are also invited to join the club for its next meeting at 6 p.m. June 9 at Sandy Ridge Reservation, 6195 Otten Road, where guest speaker Fran Wilhelm from the Herb Guild will present, “Creating a Spice Wreath.”
Scholar honors: North Ridgeville High School student Jaina Cormack, member of the Olmsted Hayburners, was recently selected as one of five Ohio 4-H members for the National 4-H Roth Scholars Program.
Smart money: The city’s finance department recently received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFO) award from the Auditor of State’s Office.
There are 17 separate indicators, and Rocky River received the highest possible grade or level on all 17.
Beautiful music: For the 10th consecutive year, the Rocky River City Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from the NAMM Foundation for its support and commitment to music education.
Be kind: In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the city has joined the United States of Kindness, a national movement to complete 250 Acts of Kindness and encourage kindness across the community throughout the year.
City officials will highlight acts of kindness already happening, while also encouraging new acts of kindness among employees, partners, and the community.
If you have an act of kindness you would like to share, email tarundel@cityofwestlake.org.
Leadership honors: Mayor Dennis Clough was recently honored as the inaugural recipient of the Tri-C Westshore Community Engagement Award at the Westshore Community Leadership Exchange breakfast, hosted at Cuyahoga Community College's Westshore Campus.
Senior connections: The 10th annual Living in the Digital World Senior Expo & Conference takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 14 at the Tri-C Westshore Campus, 31001 Clemens Road.
The free expo and conference offers several resources available to help seniors stay connected and continue learning through digital literacy. Workshop topics include AI digital learning, as well as a panel discussion regarding Digital Asset Estate Planning: How to Legally Protect Your Digital Footprint.
For more information, click here.
New business: Just in time for summer pedicure season, The Nail Artisans recently opened at 26457 Center Ridge Road offering a host of nail services. Appointments are available online.
