Short Takes on the Westside, December 9: Avon, city of champions. Happy trails in North Ridgeville and more

Bay Village

Treasurer resigns: The Bay Village City Schools are searching for a new treasurer after Meghan Rohde recently announced she will step down from her position, effective mid-January, 2026. Rohde will become the new treasurer for the Lakewood City Schools next month.

She has been with the district since April of 2021.

Festive decorations: Make it a point to visit the Rose Hill Museum, 27715 Lake Road, this holiday season. The decorations are beautiful and there is also a model train display. The museum is open free of charge from 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 21. Museum guides will be dressed in period costumes.

The museum gift shop will be open and stocked with signature Bay Village gifts.

Oh deer!: Police Chief Robert Gillespie recently reported to City Council that the Deer Culling program has started at bait sites, and the culling process is also underway.

Parking fines: The Food for Fines Program will be accepting canned food instead of cash for payment of overnight parking tickets now through New Year’s Day.

Drone program: City officials recently voted to authorize the filing of an application to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) for the City of Bay Village to apply for selection as a pilot site for the Drones for First Responders (DRF) Pilot Program.

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Avon

City of champions: Congratulations to the Avon High School for going back-to-back and winning the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division II State Football Championship last weekend. This completes a hat trick of state championships as the school won volleyball and boys soccer championships last month.  

Recycling contest: The Lorain County Solid Waste Management District is having a contest for local schools. The contest involves collecting clean plastic grocery bags. The SAVE Club (Students of Avon Who Value the Environment) at Avon High School is participating in the contest.

Donation boxes are located at Avon High School, City Hall, Avon Senior Center, Graffiti Wearhouse, and the Avon Branch Library. The contest runs through Dec. 31. The school that collects the highest weight of plastic bags will win an item made of recycled plastic, such as a bench or a picnic table.

New businesses: I first reported in April that Jack Frost Donuts will be opening in Olde Avon Village (next to Strip Steakhouse). The popular donut shop officially unveiled their announcement to the public with a sign at the recent holiday Candlelight Wine Walk last weekend. There are still details to be worked out, but they plan to open in early 2026.

Face Forward Aesthetics recently opened in French Creek Square, 36040 Detroit Road. The medspa offers botox, skin rejuvenation treatments, fillers and other services.

Biggby Coffee, 36500 Detroit Road, is scheduled to open Dec. 16.

A coffee location is also planned for Avon Lake in early 2026 in the former Rio Coffee space on Walker Road.

Name change: Local watering hole, Frank and Ellie's Place, has been under new ownership for a while. The popular destination now has a new name, Olde Avon Tavern, 37111 Detroit Road.

The throwback bar is still cash only, and offers the best $3 burger you will ever have.

Soccer brand unveiling: After a public vote to name the new Lorain County USL2 soccer team coming to ForeFront Field (formerly named Crushers Stadium), a brand unveiling featuring name and badge will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9 at Cameo Pizza (inside T3 Performance), 1945 Recreation Lane.

Christmas display: Step into the Warm Winter Wishes display now through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24-25) at Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road. The conservatory is daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $2 (ages 3+).

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Avon Lake

Deck the halls: As you’re dashing through the snow this holiday season, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department encourages you to keep your eyes peeled for some festive friends around town during the annual Holiday Scavenger Hunt.

From now through Dec. 28, 18 holiday-themed characters will be hiding at public buildings and other spots throughout the city. Each one is easily visible from your vehicle, so there is no need to get out of the car (reminder public parks close at dusk).

A form is available online to match each character to its location, and submit your completed form for a chance to win a prize.

Click here for more details.

The department is also sponsoring a Snowman contest and a holiday light display contest. All of the details are on the department’s website.

Summer season: The weather outside may be frightful, but city officials are already thinking about the summer. Food truck applications are now open for 2026 events throughout the community.  

Calling all food truck vendors — Avon Lake is planning another exciting year of concerts and community events in the city, and would love for you to be part of it. The application deadline is Dec. 15. Submitting an application for multiple dates does not guarantee placement on those dates. Each year, city officials aim to feature a mix of our returning favorites along with a few new food trucks to provide variety for residents.

To apply, click here.

Power plant vote: After months of discussions, City Council members voted 6-1 to approve purchasing 23-acres of the former power plant property. The city is planning to use the property for mixed-use development, including a lakefront public park.

Ward 1 councilman Rob Shahmir cast the lone ‘no’ vote and has been vocal regarding the power plant and many of the decisions made by the city.

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North Ridgeville

Cozy new room: The North Ridgeville Police Department recently opened a newly designed soft interview room, made possible through Project Beloved, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering sexual assault survivors.

The space was transformed to offer warmth and comfort during the reporting process, and features cozy furnishings. A special touch includes wall canvases with photos taken by Megan Getrum, a victim and amateur photographer whose work now brings serenity to interview rooms across the country.

Coffee with a cop: Come enjoy a warm cup of coffee, connect with neighbors and get to know the officers who serve the city during Coffee with a Cop from 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 22 at Italian Coffee, 34960 Center Ridge Road.

Happy trails: The Lorain County Metro Parks new walking trails at Sandy Ridge West, located off Case Road, are now open. The land was acquired to create a new section of the reservation, with long-term plans to connect it to the main Sandy Ridge area. The project expands recreation opportunities and continues the partnership between the city and Metro Parks.

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Rocky River

New boutique: Eleanor and Hobbs, featuring a curated collection of contemporary women's clothing, accessories and home goods, recently opened at 19350 Detroit Road.  

Art show: The Rocky River Public Library Foundation will host an Art Show fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at the library.

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Westlake

Photo exhibit: Join Barbara Pennington at the opening reception for the photo collection from her third photo journal book, "The Extraordinary Ones," from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 12 at The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health’s Center for Artful Living, 26633 Detroit Road.

The exhibit will be on display through January 2026 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The exhibit includes the heartwarming stories of 37 families facing the unknown and ultimately the joyful path of living with Down
Syndrome.

Happy anniversary: Celebrate Westlake Porter Public Library’s 141st anniversary with coffee, cocoa and cookies in the lobby from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 15.

Going to the dogs: The Second Annual Berner Festive Frolic is happening from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 at Crocker Park.

A parade begins at 3:15 p.m. Bring your Bernese Mountain Dog dressed in festive holiday gear and strut down Main Street in the annual Frolic Parade.

Guests can enjoy pictures with Santa, shop exhibitors, enjoy coffee and donuts, listen to carolers, and enter to win raffle baskets.

Registration is required due to event size, click here.

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