Avon, Ohio
Buckle up your patience as city officials are advising drivers that they will begin to see activity in and around the Detroit Road/State Route 83 (Center Road) intersection as crews begin preparations for the upcoming
construction project
to widen the roadways.
The tentative start date is July 21. Expect major delays and please use caution when driving in the area.
The project includes improvements to the Healthway Drive, French Creek Square, Old Center Road, Avon Commons Drive, and City Centre intersections; the addition of a through lane on Detroit Road from 580 feet west of Healthway Drive to 800 feet east of Avon Commons Drive; the addition of a through lane on Center Road from 1,270 feet south of Detroit Road to 800 feet north of Detroit Road; the widening of the Detroit Road and Center Road intersection to accommodate a dedicated right turn lane in all directions, two dedicated left turn lanes on Center Road in both directions, two dedicated left turn lanes on Detroit Road in the east direction, one dedicated left turn lane on Detroit Road in the west direction, and the installation of a traffic signal system at the State Route 83 and City Centre West Drive intersection.
The City of Avon was awarded $4.6 million in ODOT Safety Program funds and a $1.5 million Congressional Earmark to assist with the construction costs in the estimated $9 million of construction and construction administration costs.
The estimated project construction completion date is Oct. 31, 2026.
Pickleball fundraiser:
The Pickleball Summer Showdown, benefiting the Avon High School tennis and lacrosse teams, takes place Aug. 8-10 at the Joyce Buick GMC Courts at Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Road.
The fun weekend includes a pickleball competition, food trucks and prizes.
Entry fee is $50 per player. To register, go to
pickleballtournaments.com/tournaments/avon-pickleball-summer-showdown
.
Golf outing:
The fifth annual Mike Bird Golf Classic takes place at 9:30 a.m. Aug. 17 at Bob-O-Link Golf Course, 4141 Center Road.
Bird passed away in 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer. His two sons are students at Avon High School.
The Mike Bird Fund was created in his memory and is dedicated to “Fighting Back at Cancer” and aims to raise money for cancer research and patient/family support organizations.
Since 2021, $111,000 has been donated to the Cleveland Clinic (for prostate cancer research), The Prostate Cancer Foundation, and the Village Project, which provides meals for cancer patients and their families.
To register for the golf outing, go to
mikebirdfund.org
.
Craft show applications:
Vendor applications are currently being accepted for the 2025 Fall Avon-Garde Art & Craft Show Sept. 14 at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive.
The show features artisans and crafters selling their items. Admission is free to the public to attend.
To apply, go to
avantgardeshows.com
and click the vendor portal tab.
For more information regarding Avant-Garde Art & Craft Shows, go to
avantgardeshows.com
.
Leaving the nest:
Avon High School intervention specialist and coach, Collin Bryant is leaving the district to become the new athletic director at Westlake High School.
Calendar approved:
It’s never too early to plan for another school year. The Avon Local Schools Board of Education recently approved the 2026-2027 school calendar.
The first day of school is Aug. 19, 2026, and the last day is May 28, 2027 (before Memorial Day).
New signage:
Officials from the Avon Local Schools are requesting City Council (meeting is July 14) amend the Special Use Permit to allow for the installation of a new LED sign to be installed at the new entrance to the high school, 37545 Detroit Road.
Shout-out:
Congratulations to Avon Police Department Patrolman and Avon Middle School School Resource Officer (SRO). He was recently recognized by the Ohio School Resource Officers Association for meeting all the requirements and receiving his Master SRO Accreditation.
AVON LAKE
New hours:
Pizza Cutter, 33501 Lake Road, owners recently announced new hours which include no longer being open for lunch. The new hours are from 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and closed on Tuesdays. To order online, go to
pizza-cutter.com
.
Church summer bash:
The Church of the Open Door’s annual Summer Bash takes place from noon to 3 p.m. July 26 at Learwood Middle School, 340 Lear Road.
The community event features activities for all ages with live music and food.
Bikes available:
Not only are books available at the Avon Lake Public Library (ALPL), 32649 Electric Blvd., but you can also check out bikes with your library card.
Patrons must be at least 18-years-old, have a valid ALPL library card, wear a bicycle helmet, and sign and date the library bike agreement.
For more information, go to
alpl.org
.
Cafe opening:
Elysium Cafe opens July 15 in the former Gitta’s Table and Wine Shop historic building, 32457 Lake Road.
The new cafe offers crepes, toasts, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and coffee.
For more information, follow on
.
Democrats meeting:
The Avon Lake Democrats Club will meet at 7 p.m. July 22 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.
Guest speaker will be Dee Vickers Baker, director of civic engagement and outreach for Lorain County Urban League.
For more information, go to avonlakedemocrats.com.
Behavior specialists:
Aurelia Behavioral Academy, 32730 Walker Road, Suite J-2, will celebrate its grand opening with an Open House from 2 to 5 p.m. July 25 and an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 3:30 p.m.
The Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) center features board certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) who develop and oversee individualized treatment plans, conduct caregiver support meetings, and supervise dedicated registered behavior technicians (RBTs) and behavior technicians (BTs) who work directly with clients to implement ABA therapy, according to the press release.
For more information, go to
aurelia4aba.com
.
Vendor market:
The inaugural Stop 65 Market and Concert at the historic Beach Park Station Plaza, 33489 Lake Road, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. July 30.
In addition to shopping, eating, drinking and enjoying a free concert from the Square Cats, the event supports Love-A-Stray, Avon Lake Historical Society, and Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS).
High school reunion:
The Avon Lake Class of 1975 is organizing its 50th reunion and is searching for classmates. Email
.
The reunion weekend takes place Aug. 22-23.
For more information, follow
Avon Lake Ohio Class of 1975
on
.
Shout-out:
Congratulations to Joe Matuscak, recipient of the PuroClean Emergency Restoration Superhero Award.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Patio opening:
Italian Coffee, 34960 Center Ridge Road (behind CVS) is celebrating the grand opening of a new patio from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 20. Guests will be treated to a free gelato with every purchase.
School apparel:
Able Not Label is back in business this month. Stop by the storefront, 34100 Center Ridge Road, to place your custom order or shop the rack for Ranger gear from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Able Not Label is run by North Ridgeville High School students with varying abilities.
Fresh produce available:
Heart and Sole will once again offer Fresh Produce Pick‑Ups from 2 to 3 p.m. Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26; and Sept. 2 and 9 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.
For more information, go to
facebook.com/nrheartandsole
,
nrheartandsole.com
or email
.
Summer concert:
Funkology (Motown to Country, Disco and Classic Rock) will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. July 27 at the South Central Park Gazebo.
Dementia presentation:
Learn how a healthy lifestyle impacts dementia during a presentation by Ashleigh Koenig of Vitalia North Olmsted at 1 p.m. July 28 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road.
The registration deadline is July 25. Call 440-490-2056.
Introduction to bees:
Join the Lorain County Beekeeper Association to learn about honey production and the importance of bees as pollinators during a presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. July 21 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library.
Pre-registration is required, go to
LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs
.
LORAIN COUNTY
County fair:
The 179th Lorain County Fair takes place Aug. 17-24 in Wellington (23000 Fairgrounds Road). The event is Ohio’s second-largest county fair.
Entertainment headliners include Cheap Trick and Lonestar.
The Aug. 20 Kids Day will be packed with activities including COSI Science Live on stage (12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.), an Ice Cream Eating contest (1:30 p.m.), and Believe Dream Dare Princess Parties (3 to 5 p.m.).
Fair hours are from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 17-24. Gate admission is $10, children 8 and under are free. Senior citizens (65+) are free all day Aug. 21.
The first day is Aug. 17 because of harness racing at 4 p.m. It is a free day and commercial vendors/rides/exhibits will not be set up. Tickets for the concerts and other larger events have separate admission fees. All service animals are permitted. Pets, comfort and emotional support animals are prohibited. Parking is free.
For more information, go to
loraincountyfair.com
.
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. Read Short Takes online at
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. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.
