Short Takes on the Westside, February 3: Tacos and Tequila announces headliners, Arthur's Shoe Tree is closing, and Westlake's Mayoral legacy lives on

Avon

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Tacos, tequila and music: After a great debut last year, the Tacos & Tequila Festival is returning to ForeFront Field (home of the Lake Erie Crushers) July 25.

Headlined by Shaggy, this year’s lineup also features Chamillionaire, XZibit, Trina, Ying Yang Twins, Bubba Sparxxx, and Murphy Lee, delivering the hits that defined an era and the ultimate throwback day party for Cleveland.

Early ticket buyers can lock in General Admission for just $49 and VIP for $99, available only while supplies last. Once these tiers sell out, prices will increase.

VIP tickets include early entry, access to elevated viewing areas, private bars, and exclusive drink inclusions. Bottle Service tables and group packages are also available.

Tickers are currently available for purchase online.

Scholarship available: The Avon Garden Club is inviting high school seniors (Avon residents) to apply for its annual $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship is open to students majoring in a course of study that aligns with the Avon Garden Club’s mission of stewardship of the earth and its natural resources.

The postmark deadline for submitting the completed application by mail is March 16. For more information, click here.

Republican club meeting: Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club will meet at 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road. Lorain County Sheriff Jack Hall will provide a brief overview of the accomplishments and challenges during his first year in office. Also speaking is Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger, who is now a candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court. Refreshments will be available. Guest cost is $5.

Garden club meeting: The Avon Garden Club will meet Feb. 17 in the Orchid Room at Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road. Summit County Master Gardener Lee Paulson will present, “Women Who Impacted Horticulture and the Environment.”

Doors open at 6:30 pm with the free program starting at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.

Play ball!: City Council recently voted unanimously to approve funding for upgrades at Little League and Veterans parks. Avon Little League presented the City of Avon with a check for $75,000 to cover the cost of the new batting cages, through a donation from the Ford Motor Company.

Skating nationals: Avon Middle School student Katie Coffey and Avon High School student Skylar Pelphrey, along with their teammates, have earned the opportunity to compete at 2026 U.S. Synchronized Skating Nationals in Salt Lake City (March 4-7), the highest level of competition in the sport.

To make a donation for travel and other expenses, click here.

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Avon Lake

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New ownership: After announcing last year the pizza shop was struggling, Pizza Cutter (33501 Lake Road) owners recently announced they sold the business to the Edacious team, owners of Edacious Kitchen and Bar and Goonie's Dog Shop.  

The pizza shop has a new phone number, call 440-653-9248.

Nominations needed: Applications for the 2026 Avon Lake Community Council’s Citizen of the Year and Project of the Year are now being accepted. Both nominations are for individuals or groups that have shown significant involvement in and dedication to the community of Avon Lake.

Nominees for Citizen of the Year must be an Avon Lake resident who has provided significant community service as a volunteer, without monetary reward. The nominee may, but is not required to, belong to a service organization.

The Project of the Year nominees may be an individual or a group. The award is given to a project which merits community-wide recognition for its positive impact on the community and residents of Avon Lake.

The deadline for submissions is March 31. Nomination forms are available at Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.; Avon Lake City Hall, 150 Avon Belden Road; and the city’s website.

Completed nomination forms can be emailed to Martin O’Donnell at mofenway@gmail.com or mailed to: Martin O'Donnell, Citizen/Project of the Year, 560 Brennans Court, Avon Lake, OH 44012.

Citizen and Project of the Year Award winners will be honored at a special event in Avon Lake Public Library in the spring.

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Bay Village

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Closing up shop: After 60 years in business, the current owners of Arthur's Shoe Tree, 27235 Wolf Road, announced they are closing the store at the end of the month.

A portion of the social media post reads, “We have done everything we could as a single storefront-brick and mortar, to survive the many hurdles and roadblocks within our industry for 11 years.

But sadly that fight to stay afloat must come to an end and we will be closing our hometown store "Arthur's Shoe Tree" at the end of February.

We will miss the ability to truly help others and serve the community, especially our seniors, infants, special needs, and disabled customers who often cannot find the care they need in a big box and online world.

This is more than heart breaking. It's devastating right down to our souls. But the decision was not made lightly.”

The store will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and everything inside will be on sale including the furniture, rugs, and signage.

Safety first: University Hospitals St. John Medical Center has partnered with local fire departments to offer a free car seat safety program with trained and certified Child Safety Passenger Technicians (CPST). The goal is to ensure parents and caregivers are educated and comfortable operating and installing the car seat themselves.

CPSTs are available to check seats already installed or can help install them before a child is born. They can also answer any questions, including how long children should be in the car seat, and when to move them to a booster seat.

Free seat checks will take place at the Bay Village Fire Department, 28100 Wolf Road, from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 19 and April 16. To make an appointment, call 440-871-1214.

Art exhibition: BAYarts Annual Juried Exhibition is a community tradition, highlighting a diverse range of artwork selected by jurors and created by artists near and far.

Artists are invited to submit work for consideration from now through Feb. 21. Selected works will be featured in the exhibition opening March 13.

Women in history: Join Molly Cornwell of “Women in History” as she portrays Rebecca Nurse, accused and convicted of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692.

The Bay Village Historical Society event begins with a social at 6 p.m. Feb. 19 followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the presentation begins at 7 p.m. at the Bay Lodge, 492 Bradley Road.

The main dish of pork tenderloin will be provided by the historical society. Attendees with last names beginning with A through J should bring a side dish for 10 to share.

Those with last names beginning with K through Z should bring a dessert for 10 to share. All attendees should bring their own place setting and beverage.

Alcohol is permitted at the lodge. There will be a $10 charge at the door for non-members of the historical society. RSVP by Feb. 13 to drgbay@aol.com or call 440- 554-6355.

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North Ridgeville

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Recycling contest winners: Students and staff at North Ridgeville’s Ranger High Tech Academy collected 100 pounds of plastic bags and won the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District’s Plastic Bag Recycling Collection Contest.

Nearly 300 pounds of plastic bags were received during the month-long contest.

The school will receive a picnic table made from recycled plastic.

Coming in second place was Avon Heritage Elementary School.

Water meter project: North Ridgeville recently completed its Water Meter Replacement Project four months ahead of schedule and under budget, delivering savings for the community.

Originally expected to take up to 14 months, the project was finished in just 10 months. The project came in $1.3 million under budget. The savings will be reallocated to the city’s Water Debt Service Fund, allowing North Ridgeville to move one full year ahead in repaying the debt issued to fund this critical infrastructure upgrade.

Shout-out: Thank you to the North Ridgeville Corn Festival Committee for their $3,984 donation to the police department for two AEDs (automated external defibrillators).

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Rocky River

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Gym coming: The city’s Planning Commission recently reviewed an application for a proposed fitness gym planned for a vacant tenant space at 19630 Center Ridge Road.

Resource fair: The Western Cuyahoga County Resource Fair will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 5 at the Don Umerley Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Blvd.

The fair provides local resources for those 0-22 years-old who are experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, academic struggles, developmental delays, or disabilities.

More than 70 providers will be onsite including county agencies, community organizations and other specialty-trained providers, allowing families to get help for their children.

To register, click here, email info@connectingforkids.org or call/text: 440-570-5908.

The Lorain County Resource Fair will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. March 18, at the Lorain County Community College (LCCC) Ewing Field House, 1005 North Abbe Road, Elyria.

Shout out: Rocky River Middle School students are spreading kindness, one bracelet at a time. This winter, the school’s Kindness Committee created over 700 friendship bracelets for every student in the building. The project is a simple but meaningful way to show that everyone belongs, everyone is valued, and no one is alone.

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Westlake

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Dementia friendly: Westlake recently achieved national designation as a Dementia Friendly Community. Through partnerships with Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation and Westlake Porter Public Library, the city offers wraparound support, including arts programs and social activities.

Additionally, police and fire personnel are receiving specialized training to provide compassionate care to residents affected by dementia and their families.

Health screenings: Westlake Community Services is partnering with University Hospitals St. John Medical Center to host a Health and Wellness Screening Day from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 19 at 28975 Hilliard Blvd.

Residents can access essential screenings, including blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, depression and heart health, along with physical therapy balance assessments.

Appointments are required for these services, call 440-899-3544.

College Club luncheon: The next College Club West luncheon and general meeting will take place at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11 at Wagner’s of Westlake Event Center, 30855 Center Ridge Road.

A special program will take place featuring a Portrayal of Mae West by Women in History.

College Club West is a non-profit organization for women on the westside of Cleveland with college degrees or RNs.

RSVP here.

Longevity: Congratulations to Mayor Dennis Clough on his re-election and the start of his historic 41st year in office.

As he enters this new term, Mayor Clough cements his legacy as the longest-serving active city mayor in Ohio.

Mayor Clough will present the annual State of the City address during a luncheon sponsored by the West Shore Chamber of Commerce. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 25 at the Tri-C Westshore Campus, 31001 Clemens Road.

A link to purchase tickets will be available soon.

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