September 19, 2026
Mills Road resurfacing: Information regarding the resurfacing of Mills Road is included in the North Ridgeville section below.
Merit scholars: Officials from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation recently released the list of students named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program. The more than 16,000 high school seniors nationwide represent less than 1% of the nation's high school seniors. Results are based on performance on the 2025 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Area students making the grade include Caleb Ludlow and Collin O’Donnell from Avon High School; Naomi Morris, Avon Lake High School; Andrew Kelly, Bay High School; Conrad Reilly, Rocky River High School; and Nathan Grimes and Colson Milovich, Westlake High School.
Safe drivers: An AARP Safe Driver Course will take place from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the Senior Center, 36784 Detroit Road. Participants will learn important facts about the effects of medication on driving, how to reduce driver distractions, maintaining proper distance behind another car, proper use of new technology found in cars today, and other driving information. When you take the AARP Smart Driver course, you may be eligible for a multi-year discount on your auto insurance. This course has 30 minutes for lunch and participants must bring their own. Cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. To register, call 440-223-9703.
Tech help: Seniors can get help with their technology from Avon High School student Alex Cecil. He will be at the Senior Center from 3:15 to 4 p.m. Sept. 21. He will also be there once a month (every third Monday starting in October).
Planning Commission updates: Members will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at City Hall, 36080 Chester Road. Items worth noting on the agenda include Akron Children’s Hospital, Center Road (north of Bentley Park subdivision) requesting approval of a Lot Split for the 14.4905-acre property located on Center Road. The proposed Lot Split would create Parcel A, consisting of 12.4644 acres, and Parcel B, consisting of 2.0275 acres.
Representatives from Avon Professional Building Inc., 36465-36475 Detroit Road, are requesting approval of a Lot Split and Consolidation for the properties located at 36465 Detroit Road (0.2306) and 36475 Detroit Road (0.6169 acres).
New high school entrance: Due primarily to traffic safety concerns and traffic capacity constraints at the Stoney Ridge and Kinzel roads intersection, City Council members are currently discussing plans to reconstruct the intersection and roadways. The proposed project further includes storm sewer improvements necessary to address drainage deficiencies within the project area and will serve as the outlet point for an improved storm sewer system along Stoney Ridge Road that will be constructed in future projects.
The proposed project further includes the creation of a new dedicated entrance driveway serving Avon High School in order to improve car and pedestrian safety and traffic flow to and from the school, while also reducing traffic volumes on the Detroit Road corridor. The proposed project will also begin implementation of the master plan for the Traxler Family Arboretum, furthering the recreational, educational, and open space assets available to residents.
Homecoming: The Avon Local Schools will celebrate Homecoming Sept. 24-26 with a variety of theme days during the week leading up to the football game (Sept. 25) and dance (Sept. 26).
The highlight for the week is the annual Homecoming Parade at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 24 which steps off from the high school parking lot, 37545 Detroit Road, and travels east to Stoney Ridge Road then turns south on the way to the Avon Early Learning Center, 3075 Stoney Ridge Road.
The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned prior to the home football game against Berea-Midpark.
Parade
Magical display: Explore “Bewitched,” the fall conservatory mini-display at the Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road, featuring interpretive plant displays inspired by pop-culture favorites from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily now through Oct. 31. Conservatory admission is $4. Members and children ages 2 and under are free.
Another beverage option: Daboba recently opened at 720 Avon Belden Road (near former Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes space). Menu includes Brown Sugar Boba, Fresh Milk Tea, Fruit Tea, frappes, and other goodies.
New board member: Members of the Avon Lake City Schools Board of Education will vote Sept. 15 to appoint current (at the time of writing Short Takes Sept. 13) Ward 1 City Councilman Rob Shahmir to the Board of Education to finish out the term vacated by Jim Stobe who stepped down last month.
I reached out to Shahmir for confirmation/clarification on the appointment and the City Council seat which as of writing this column Sept. 13 he had not submitted his resignation from City Council, but I didn’t hear back in time for my column deadline.
The city’s charter states that, “No member of Council shall hold any other public office with the Municipality or employment with the Municipality."
Shahmir was elected to City Council in November 2023. The term expires Dec. 31, 2027.
County Pull-Tab Challenge: Gather up and save your beverage pull-tabs for the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District’s County-wide Pull-Tab Challenge in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio.
The friendly countywide competition is to see which community can collect the most aluminum pull tabs by Dec. 30. Place your tabs in a clean container and drop them off at the Avon Lake Fire Department, 32811 Walker Road.
Garden Club updates: Avon on the Lake Garden Club is hosting a free public Horticultural Specialty Flower Show from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 19-20 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. The show will highlight many blooms, as well as photography. Judging for the show will be held before the show opens on Saturday.
The next event the club is hosting is the annual art show featuring paintings, photography, knitting, collage, sea glass and other art mediums from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 23 at the library.
Shred day: Gather up your sensitive documents and other papers to be shredded from 9 a.m. to noon (or until the trucks are full) Sept. 26 at Weiss Field, 33401 Webber Road.
Run fundraiser: The annual Run for Sewa takes place at 9 a.m. Sept. 27 at Weiss Field, 33401 Webber Road. Proceeds from the event benefit ASPIRE after-school tutoring and mentorship programs for Cleveland youth.
Homecoming: There are a host of activities planned to celebrate Homecoming beginning with the home football game Oct. 2, and the parade and dance Oct. 3.
In partnership with the City of Avon Lake, the annual parade steps off at 10:30 a.m. and will take a different route due to construction in the area. This year's parade will begin from the Avon Lake High School North Parking Lot, 175 Avon Belden Road and travel south on State Route 83. From there, the parade will turn right onto Redwood Blvd., then right onto Parkview Drive. The route will continue north along Parkview until it becomes Glenview Drive, ending in the Ellen Trivanovich Aquatic Center parking lot at Bleser Park.
School district officials encourage any school, club, or sport to march in the parade, ride in a car or make a fun float. The homecoming dance theme is Rio Carnival (Tropical), though you do not have to use that theme for your floats. Registration deadline is Sept. 18 online.
The Avon Lake Kiwanis (ALKC) will be hosting a free Fall Fest at Bleser Park immediately after the Homecoming Parade until 1 p.m. Activities include pumpkin decorating, horse-drawn wagon rides, face painting, antique cars, prize raffles, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit the ALKC's scholarship fund.
If you have additional questions regarding Homecoming, email Tori Rudkin at Tori.Rudkin@alcsoh.org
The kick off to Homecoming weekend will be the North Coast Rotary’s Great Pizza Bake Off from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1 at Avon Lake High School. Sample pizza from shops around the area. Tickets (available online) for adults and teens are $12 each; youth tickets (ages 6 – 12) are $6 each, and children under age 6 are free.
In partnership with Avon Lake’s Environmental Advisory Board and Rust Belt Riders Composting, this year’s fundraiser will be an environmentally-friendly and zero-waste event. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about small steps to take at home to be more environmentally responsible.
Boo by the Woods: Set your alarms! Tickets for the 13th Annual Boo By The Woods go on sale online to Avon Lake residents at 9 a.m. Sept. 16 (tomorrow) with a limit of 10 tickets per household. This event sells out every year so act fact! The event takes place Oct. 17 at the library.
Coffee chat: Join school district Superintendent Scot Prebles’ first Coffee Chat for the new school year from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Sept. 30 at Mojo’s, 600 Dover Center Road.
Painting party: BAYarts, 28795 Lake Road, invites plein air artists from across the region to capture the beauty of the lakeside campus, Huntington Reservation, and Huntington Beach during the 2026 Artistic by Nature Plein Air Paint Out Oct. 2-4. The event is open to artists ages 18 and older and celebrates the spontaneous spirit of creating art outdoors. Register in person.
Judging is Nicole Maye Luga and awards include $500 Best of Show, along with prizes for first, second and third places; Nocturne Paint, and Quick Paint. Awards will be presented during the Artist Reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 4. A $45 registration fee covers administrative costs, juror fees, and prizes.
Donation: Bay Village City Schools Care Coordinator, Megan Basel, recently accepted a $2,000 check from Bay Village Kiwanis President, Anita Bauknecht, for the Kiwanis Kindness Fund.
The fund lends support to children in crisis situations or in need of a little extra assistance, and is administered through the District’s Care Coordinator. Bay Kiwanis has donated over $40,000 to the schools this past service year.
Recycling, shredding event: Drive up, drop off and dispose of unwanted recyclable materials responsibly (proof of residency may be required) from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at the Bay Village Service Department, 31300 Naigle Road.
Library celebration: Celebrate 125 years of discovery and learning at the North Ridgeville Library during an anniversary open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 19, 35700 Bainbridge Road. Light refreshments will be served.
Construction projects: Two roadway improvement projects are scheduled to begin this week including Mills Road resurfacing. The City of Avon and its contractor, Specialized Construction, Inc., will resurface the entire 3.7-mile stretch of Mills Road from the City of Westlake corporation limits to the peanut roundabout.
Work will begin on the east end of Mills Road and move west in sections. The project is expected to be completed by early November.
As part of the work, Mills Road will temporarily close at the State Route 83/Mills Road roundabout during overnight hours. Specific closure dates and detour information will be shared in early October.
The city’s contractor, D.L. Smith Concrete, Inc., will also begin concrete pavement replacement work this week, starting in the Steinbeck Court and Miller Drive area.
Crews will begin with saw-cutting followed by concrete removal. Additional scheduling information will be shared as it becomes available.
All street replacement work included in this project is expected to be completed by May 29, 2027.
Please use caution when traveling through active work zones and watch for future updates on the city’s website.
Planning Commission updates: Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Sept. 15 in Council Chambers at City Hall, 7307 Avon Belden Road, and items on the agenda for approval include:
Firefighters Credit Union, 34500 Center Ridge Road, and Mike Kolenz, K4 Architecture, are proposing demolishing existing buildings onsite and constructing a new Firefighters Community Credit Union.
Cup of ambition: The North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce is celebrating the Queen of Country, Dolly Parton, and early literacy at Dolly's '9 to 5' Day. All proceeds directly benefit the Imagination Library Lorain County affiliate to keep local kids reading. Come out to the North Ridgeville Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road, for a cup of coffee and some donuts from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 25 for a presentation from the Lorain County Imagination Library team. Cost is $15.
Dementia Friends Education Session: The city is a Dementia Friendly Community and is hosting an education session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road, providing participants (ages 12 and older) with a basic understanding of the disease and how to communicate effectively with those suffering from the disease. Participants will receive Dementia Friends certificate upon completion. Registration is available online.
Homecoming: North Ridgeville High School will celebrate Homecoming with the football game Sept. 25 and the dance Sept. 26.
Spaghetti Dinner: Sponsored by the North Ridgeville Lions Club and benefitting the Senior Center, a Spaghetti Dinner will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Center.
Dinner includes spaghetti with meatballs, salad and garlic bread. Cost is $8 for adults; $7 for seniors, and children 10 and under are $5. Dinner is available for dine-in and take-out.
Project Safe Senior: In partnership with the city’s fire department, the Office for Older Adults is offering an outreach program designed to ensure senior citizens have working smoke alarms and basic knowledge of fire safety and planning in the home. Seniors are asked to complete a brief online survey to gauge interest.
Construction project: During City Council’s Sept. 14 meeting, members discussed an emergency ordinance authorizing the mayor and the director of public safety-service to enter into a contract with Fabrizi Trucking and Paving Company, Inc., for the Lake Road Improvement Project at a cost not to exceed $10.9 million.
Business closes, another opens: Gourmet Java Bistro, 19056 Old Detroit Road, recently closed.
Pietro's Old River Italian Steakhouse and Bar, 19070 Old Detroit Road, is now open.
Round-up: The Service Department’s special collections are coming up. A Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up will take place September 14-19 at the Westlake Service Center, 741 Bassett Road. A Scrap Tire Round-Up is also scheduled for Sept. 18-19.
The Fall Shred-It Day will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 26 at Westlake Elementary School, 27555 Center Ridge Road.
Details on the events are available on the city's website.
Deer culling: During a recent City Council meeting, Police Chief Kevin Bielozer gave a report on the city’s deer culling efforts. The program began in 2016. They have seen a 27% reduction in deer/car collisions.
Since 2016, 929 deer have been culled. The meat has been donated in all but one case. Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) grants the city permits to cull 100+ deer per year, and Westlake always meets this target. This year the city is requesting permits to cull 120 deer.
Celebrating care: An Enchanted Evening – A Celebration of Care, benefits the Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health, is from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 17 at La Centre, 25777 Detroit Road, and celebrates the 15 years the foundation has been
providing programming to inspire and improve lives of those challenged with brain health issues.
The event includes music, appetizers, cash bar, dinner and dessert, as well as a silent auction.
The celebration honors the past and current work of the foundation and the hundreds of people with dementia and their families served by the foundation since its founding in 2011.
Tickets are $150 per person, or $1,350 for a table of 10 and are available online (fees apply), or mail a check to Farrell Foundation, PO Box 450834, Westlake, OH 44145. Please indicate your dinner selection of salmon, chicken or vegetarian and, if buying a table, a list of the guests.
Reservations are due by Oct. 9, and 30% of the ticket price is tax deductible. For questions, call 440-414-0434.
