Short Takes on the Westside: Thanksgiving Week 2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bay Village

Fire station renovations: Progress continues on plans for renovations of the city’s fire station which was built in 1972. Architectural plans have been completed, and final costs are being calculated for review and approval by city officials and City Council.

The interior and exterior of the building will be completely renovated. Crew quarters, training areas and storage on the north end of the building will be rebuilt along with adding a small addition to the southwest end of the building. These improvements will bring the station up to 2025 standards of safety and excellence for our firefighter paramedics. Renderings of the completed station are shown below.  

Avon

Children’s book: Inspired by her own dogs, “Murphy and Malla: Snow Day Shenanigans,” written by Avon native Rachel R. Kreeger, is a cozy tale of friendship, and offers gentle lessons about kindness and cooperation.

The book is perfect for bedtime or classroom story time, and will make a great Christmas gift. It’s available on Amazon. ‍

Beautiful music: Congratulations to the Avon High School A Cappella groups, Chromatics and Unaccompanied. They both, for the second year in a row, qualified for a quarterfinal in the International Championship for high school A Cappella. Only 255 groups from across the entire country have moved on to this stage. ‍

Building up for sale: The owners of Bar Nova confirmed that while the building may be up for sale, they have no plans to close the restaurant. The business is not changing. Just the landlord.‍

New league: The United Soccer League recently announced that Lorain County will be home to a new USL League Two club next year that will play at ForeFront Field, home of the Lake Erie Crushers.

The organization began an online voting campaign, allowing fans to choose between four options for the club’s future name, logo, and colors.

To learn more about the Lorain County club, click here. ‍

Candlelight walk, tree lighting: It’s the most wonderful time of the year as Avon ushers in the holiday season with the annual Candlelight Walk from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 in Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Road. For just $20, guests can stroll through the shops while sipping on wine and enjoying food samples.

Head back over to Olde Avon Village from 1-3 p.m. Dec. 7 as Santa’s in a pickle. Help find all of Santa’s gherkins placed throughout the Village (one pickle find per family). Enjoy snacks, prizes, and a visit with the jolly man himself.

The city’s annual Tree Lighting Festival will take place from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Avon Aquatic Facility, 36265 Detroit Road. The parade begins at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting set to take place at 5:15 p.m. A complete schedule of activities is available on the French Creek Foundation’s website. ‍

Holiday pop up: There are plenty of places in the area to enjoy some holiday cheer this season. One of the festive pop ups is the Winter Wonderland at the Wine Room, 35840 Chester Road. Sip festive cocktails and Christmas beers. There is also live music every weekend.  

Give back this holiday season and order the “Frosty Way” drink as the owner will be donating $1 for every drink purchased to the United Way of Greater Lorain County. Cheers!‍

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Avon Lake

Who done it?: The Avon Lake High School Drama Club is bringing “Clue” to the high school stage. Grab your friends, enjoy the laughs, and see if you can solve the mystery.

Show dates are at 7 p.m. Dec. 4-6; and 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road.

To purchase tickets, click here. ‍

Eagle cameras: There is a new pair of eagles in the nest at Redwood Elementary School. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources found a period of dormant activity for a team to install new cabling for the cameras perched over the nest.

Special thanks to Lescher Tree Care for donating their time and services to run the necessary infrastructure, and re-install the cameras, all funded from Eagle Calendar sales.

Previous cameras had been damaged and non-functional from harsh Ohio weather. For the first time in the last two years, we can all enjoy watching the Eagles. Also, thank you Avon Lake City Schools staff for assisting with the camera installation and maintenance. ‍

Huge donation: Kudos to the Avon Lake American Legion Post 211 for donating $10,000 to Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS). The money will go a long way this holiday season to help those in need. CRS assists low income families from Avon Lake and Avon with food, car repair, short term assistance on rent and utilities, school supplies, etc. This is the second straight year of this donation.‍

Christmas craft/vendor show: Shop local vendors for the perfect gift this holiday season at the Christmas by the Lake sponsored by Avon Lake High School PTA from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road. Admission is $3.‍

Thrift store: Purple Warrior Thrift, 33686 Walker Road, recently opened to raise funds for the fight against cancer.

According to the owner, it’s a place where people can donate their unused items in support of an important cause. All of the profits from our store will be donated to charitable organizations working to defeat cancer.

Purple Warrior Thrift Store offers a large selection of women’s and men’s shirts, pants, blazers, coats, hoodies, dresses, shirts, shoes, children’s apparel, and accessories like jewelry and purses. The store also features a miscellaneous room where visitors will find housewares, small appliances, home decor, holiday decorations, toys, sporting goods, hardware, and other treasures.‍

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North Ridgeville

Holiday on the Ridge: Kick off for the annual Holiday on the Ridge begins at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at North Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Road.

There are 28 participating locations including craft shows, business open houses, special events and the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at South Central Park from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is sponsored by the North Ridgeville Visitors Bureau. For a full list of activities, click here. ‍

Magical lights: Immerse yourself in the wonder of the season with Magic of Lights Wonderland Walk, a new reimagined walk-through experience at Victory Park Ohio, 7777 Victory Lane. Stroll through a festive display of holiday scenes, characters, and digital animations. For more information, including cost, click here. ‍

Theater production: The historic Olde Towne Hall Theatre is presenting, “Without a Clue,” at the Grafton Ghost Light Theatre, 1111 Elm St. Grafton.  

Opening night is at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Additional shows include at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, and Dec. 12-13; and 2 p.m. Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. To purchase tickets, click here.

Rocky River

Take a trip under the sea: There is still time to join Ariel and her friends for a trip under the sea during Magnificat High School’s production of “The Little Mermaid.” Upcoming shows include at 7 p.m. Nov. 28; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 29; and 2 p.m. Nov. 30. To purchase tickets, click here.

‍Police academy: The Rocky River Police Department will host its next Citizen Police Academy beginning Jan. 6 and continuing for 12 consecutive Tuesdays through March 24, concluding with a graduation ceremony.

Classes will be held at the Rocky River Police Department from 6:30 p.m. to approximately 9:30 to 10 p.m. The Academy will feature a variety of topics, including Special Services, an overview of the Municipal and Common Pleas courts, crime prevention, domestic violence and stalking, firearms, use of force, police legitimacy and procedural justice, crime scene investigation and processing, drug abuse, and others.

Applications are available at the Rocky River Police Department, Rocky River City Hall, or by email request to Chief George Lichman at glichman@rockyriverohio.gov. The application deadline is Dec. 16 and space in the Academy is limited. For more information, call 440-799-8208.

‍New board member: Deborah Huff has been appointed to the Rocky River Public Library Board of Trustees by the Rocky River City Schools Board of Education. She will fulfill the remainder of the term left open by Jill James, which concludes in 2028.

Huff brings a wealth of experience through her service on numerous advisory boards in northeast Ohio including Fairview Hospital Community Advisory Board, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and as an executive member of the Ohio Association of Senior Centers.

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Westlake

Dementia friendly: The city has been welcomed into the Dementia Friendly America network. "Dementia Friendly Westlake" unites the city, Westlake Porter Library, Westlake Community Services Center, The Carolyn L. Farrell Foundation for Brain Health, and the city’s police and fire departments to create a more supportive community for residents living with dementia and their care partners. The goal is ensuring dementia is met with understanding rather than fear.

‍Nostalgic shopping: Toys “R” Us is popping up at Crocker Park (next to the Gap) this holiday season. Relive the nostalgia and create magical memories with your family. The store is now open through early January.

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