NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio -- Work continues on the renovations to the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Road.
Last month, the temporary wall was removed, revealing the new and improved children’s area. There is still some work to be done there, but it is minor.
Guests will notice the fun new murals that were recently painted, as well as the addition of new furniture.
According to library officials, the most difficult part of the renovation is yet to come.
The circulation desk has been removed, as well as the carpet from the central area of the building. Painting is currently taking place and the lighting will be replaced soon. A large new service desk will also be installed.
Last week, the entire adult collection, teen collection and some of the children’s collection was moved to the south end of the library.
A temporary mobile circulation station has been set up, and everything in meeting rooms A and B was packed up and moved out so that the construction crew can paint and lay new carpet.
New shelving will be assembled and put in place this week, and library staff will begin unpacking the children’s collection and start to shelve and reassemble the children’s area.
According to Jennifer Black, director of marketing and public relations for the Lorain Public Library System, the renovations are on schedule, but an exact completion date is not yet available.
She said there are lots of variables regarding furniture deliveries, technology installation and other construction-related issues that could arise.
“We are tentatively planning a public open house the first weekend of June,” she said. “More details will come later.
“For now, programming has resumed and story times are in full swing.”
Upcoming library programs include a presentation from the OSU Extension of Lorain County regarding attracting wildlife.
Guests will learn about our impact on the environment and how we can try to transform our properties to be more wildlife friendly.
The program takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 24.
And the Lorain County Historical Society will offer an overview of impactful events that shaped the history of Lorain County and North Ridgeville, during a presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. April 30.
Pre-registration is required. Go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.
AVON
Museum opens: The Wilbur Cahoon House Museum, 2940 Stoney Ridge Road, is now open for tours this season.
The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays.
Wilbur Cahoon and his family were the first to settle in Avon.
Construction season: Pavement repairs and the resurfacing of Long Road are currently taking place.
Both lanes will be open, but there will be periodic delays. Anticipated completion date is July 1 (weather permitting).
Please plan accordingly. Traffic in the area may be heavy during Avon Middle School arrival and dismissal times.
Training tower: City Council members recently approved amending the Special Use Permit to allow for the construction and installation of a 672-square-foot, three-story fire training facility behind the fire station on Detroit Road.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the training tower was never constructed and the original Special Use Permit had expired.
Craft show: The Avon Avant-Garde Art & Craft show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (April 20) at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive.
The show features a variety of items from various local Northeast Ohio vendors, including crafts, plants, jewelry and home decor.
A portion of this year’s Avant-Garde event sales will be donated to the local nonprofit Prayers from Maria. The organization’s mission is to provide childhood cancer patients with support and push funding for brain cancer research for children.
Admission is $3, with children younger than 12 admitted free. Food trucks will also be onsite.
For more information, go to avantgardeshows.com.
Upcoming library events: Learn to read dog body language from a local trainer with a master’s certification in dog aggression during a presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday (April 20) at the Avon Branch Library, 37485 Harvest Drive.
Pre-registration is required. Go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.
Also, discover what goes into the planning and maintenance of the Myrtle S. Holden Wildflower Garden at the Holden Arboretum during a “Gardening with Native Plants” event from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the library.
Pre-registration is required. Go to LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.
Story Time in the Woods is back. The first event of the season is from 10:30 to 11 a.m. April 26 at the Every Child’s Playground, 36265 Detroit Road.
Dress for the weather and bring a blanket to sit on. Additional upcoming story times are May 10 and May 24.
Church crosses: A few weeks ago, I included information in Short Takes regarding Avon United Methodist Church, 37711 Detroit Road, making and distributing Peace crosses for the Easter season.
If you were unable to pick up a cross, you are in luck. Church officials have been busy making more, and 300 will be available free to the public at 10 a.m. Sunday (April 21).
Condolences: After coming back from vacation, I was sad to learn that Joe Adorno had passed away April 5.
Affectionately referred to as “NachoAverageJoe,” Adorno was the owner and chef at Borikén Joe’s Taco Shop, 36795 Detroit Road.
He also owned Borikén Juke Joint in Lorain, 401 Broadway Ave.
Loyal customers had been posting on social media asking why the taco shop had been closed. On March 8, he posted a video update on the restaurant’s Facebook page mentioning that he appreciated all of the support and explained that the restaurant was going to be closed for a few weeks because he was dealing with some health issues, specifically with his heart.
His doctors advised that he have heart surgery. He continued to thank his employees and noted that he intended to come back strong.
He said it would be a life-changing procedure and a scary one.
It is unknown publicly what happened between that March 8 post and the time of his passing, but he will be missed by so many who loved his passion for life and his culinary skills.
I often stopped into the taco shop for lunch and we chatted about all the growth in Avon and how much Joe loved being part of the community.
Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
AVON LAKE
Democrats Club events: The Avon Lake Democrats Club is providing two opportunities to sign the nonpartisan petition to put the “Citizens Not Politicians” anti-gerrymandering amendment on the November ballot.
The drive-thru signing events will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 21 and May 19 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.
The Avon Lake Democrats Club meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Old Firehouse Community Center, 100 Avon Belden Road.
The next meeting is April 23.
Paving project: Roadwork will begin April 22 (weather permitting) on Walker Road, from Jaycox Road and working west to Avon Pointe Avenue, then at Ambleside Drive working to Moore Road.
Walker Road will remain open during the project, with traffic and access maintained for the duration.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of July. Please use caution when driving in the area.
Garage and Bake Sale: The Holy Spirit Ladies Guild’s annual Garage and Bake Sale takes place from 9 a.m. to 7 pm. April 25 and 9 a.m. to noon April 26 at the Father Mosovsky Hall, 410 Lear Road.
A large selection of clothing, household goods, furniture, books, toys, collectibles and homemade baked goods will be available for purchase.
Arbor Day: The city’s 2024 Arbor Day Proclamation Celebration will be at 2 p.m. April 25 at the Safety Center, 32855 Walker Road.
This year, at least four trees will be planted and dedicated.
Thank you Sue Newcomb, Michael Ferguson at Ed Tomko Jeep and Chad at Yard Works for donating the trees.
DiscoveryWorks renovations: Preparations for construction will begin officially May 1 on the DiscoveryWorks (DW) reimagination and renovation project at the Avon Lake Public Library.
Until that time, DW will be open through the end of the day on April 30.
After that time, the library will be offering Take Home Science backpacks, Brown Bag Science kits, plus new and additional “DiscoveryWorks Unplugged” programming this summer that takes place outside of the normal DW space.
For more information on the project and how you can donate, go to alpl.org/discovery.
Fishing derby: Registration is now open for the city’s annual Fishing Derby at Walker Road Park.
The free event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will soon be stocking the pond with rainbow trout that you can catch and keep.
Avon Lake Boat Club members will be available to clean the trout for participants. All other fish must be released.
This event is made possible by the Avon Lake Boat Club, Avon Lake Recreation Department, Ohio Division of Wildlife, Erie Outfitters and Cabela’s.
For more information, go to avonlakeoh.myrec.com.
Mother’s Day gifts: Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) will be distributing special gift bags for Mother’s Day.
The bags will be filled with specialty items such as gourmet cookies and chocolates, tea, notecards, manicure accessories, hand lotion, etc.
CRS is seeking donations for items. If you would like to donate toward the program, drop off your donations at the CRS office, 33479 Lake Road, by May 3.
The CRS Board of Directors is also seeking a high school student from Avon Lake High School to serve as the student representative to the board.
The applicant should be a sophomore or junior entering the 2024-2025 school year. The position is for a two- or three-year term. Deadline to apply is May 1.
For more information, email CRS at aalcrs@aalcrs.org.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Ramp closed: The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission will close the on ramp to Interstate 80 eastbound at Toll Plaza 152 (North Olmsted-Cleveland) on April 17 to begin work on an Ohio Turnpike mainline bridge at milepost 152.1 eastbound that runs above the on ramp.
The eastbound off ramp on the Ohio Turnpike to Lorain Road (Ohio 10) will remain open.
Drivers planning to travel eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike who normally enter from Lorain Road will see posted detour signs: Lorain Road north to Interstate 480 east to Interstate 71 south to Toll Plaza 161 (Strongsville-Cleveland).
For more information, go to bit.ly/4aPVGep.
Sweet expansion: It’s wonderful when a business is doing so well that it expands.
Mrs. Scott’s Sweets, 34161 Center Ridge Road, opened in May 2021. Since that time, business has grown quickly.
Last week, the shop celebrated its grand reopening and official partnership with the cake pop business Jenni Pops.
“Our shop has always been a celebration of our small business community; a space where local makers can join forces to help each other rise,” owner Ashley Scott posted on Facebook.
“Although Jenni Pops has been a ‘vendor’ with us since day one, she’s officially moved in and sharing in this expansion journey with us.”
Jenni Pops + Mrs. Scott’s Sweets LLC is also continuing to support small business vendors with the addition of several new products in the shop, including fresh pasta from Cassetto Farms, pasta sauce from Stino de Napoli, breads from Berta Bread, candles from 𝑶𝒉𝒊𝒐 𝑾𝒊𝒄𝒌 𝑯𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 and home goods merchandise from Clay Collection Co.
For more information, follow Mrs. Scott’s Sweets on Facebook (facebook.com/MrsScottsSweets) or go to mrsscottssweets.com.
Safeyville registration: Families with incoming kindergartners can now register for Safetyville.
The program is sponsored by the North Ridgeville Police Department and provides a fun, educational setting where children learn safety in regard to traffic, riding the school bus, strangers, 911, fire safety and more.
The program takes place in the miniature village (across from the library), where children can practice their safety skills.
Safetyville is not a prerequisite for kindergarten. To register, go to northridgeville.recdesk.com.
Spaghetti dinner: The North Ridgeville Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road, is hosting a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. April 26, sponsored by Liston Funeral Home.
Tickets are available in advance at the senior center or at the door the day of the event. Cost is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for children 10 and younger.
Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, side salad and bread. Pop and dessert are available for $1 each. Dine-in or takeout are both available.
Proceeds benefit programs at the senior center.
Police station celebration: The community is invited to an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 to celebrate the new police station’s grand opening.
The official ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m. The event includes food trucks, guided tours, police vehicles and K9 demonstrations, as well as an opportunity to play basketball with the police officers.
The police station is located on Ranger Way, next to Fire Station No. 1 and across the street from the North Ridgeville Academic Center.
Garage sale days: Keep these dates handy, as many will keep asking.
The North Ridgeville Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau’s annual citywide Garage Sale Days are June 5-8.
The cost to participate is $5. Drive-thru registration will be held at North Ridgeville Community Care (behind Arby’s on Center Ridge Road) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 30 and 31.
For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce/Visitors Bureau at 440-327-3737.
LORAIN COUNTY
Innovation center: Lorain County Community College (LCCC) has been named a NextFlex Education and Workforce Development (EWD) Innovation Center by NextFlex.
LCCC is the first to receive this designation from the hybrid electronics manufacturing institute, according to a news release.
The EWD Innovation Center designation is reserved for NextFlex members who demonstrate leadership while making a contribution to NextFlex’s education and workforce development program.
LCCC has been a NextFlex member since 2016 and an adopter of FlexFactor -- NextFlex’s flagship K-12 STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and entrepreneurship project-based learning program since 2018.
If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout-out’, please send an email to jshortavon@aol.com. Follow me on X Twitter @jshortavon.
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