Buzz Night Out

The Meat Sweats and an Ohio History Lesson 📍 Avon

Confession: We’ve lived on the Westside our entire adult lives… and somehow had never eaten at Strip.

So on Saturday night, we made amends.

We grabbed two seats at the bar and promptly befriended Carl, a jolly, and bearded bartender who became our unofficial meat-shaman for the evening. Without notes, he delivered all 11 specials off the top of his head like he was reciting poetry. Beef poetry.

We drooled over the menu and placed our order. Then he told us how this place came to be.

Owner Ron Larson (historian, entrepreneur, restaurateur) built Olde Avon Village by rescuing historic barns from across Ohio and reassembling them here. The timber structure that Strip sits in? It was picked up from southern Ohio and rebuilt where it currently stands.

The Ewers and Blackwell Barns, in a nutshell:

• Built in 1851

• Hardwood lumber harvested in Central Ohio

• German-Dutch architecture

• Used to raise horses for the military during the Civil War

• Ohio actually has a program to incentivize barn reclamation projects

After some fascinating Ohio trivia, our food came.

The Caesar salad you ask? I’m not exaggerating when I say it may have been the best salad I’ve ever had. Crisp, perfectly dressed, zero sad lettuce.

We split a tomahawk steak served ruggedly on a butcher’s block — the kind of presentation that felt like The Red Wedding… minus the bloodshed.

I apologize to any vegetarians out there, but each bite was a mini religious experience.

Between the steak, the history lesson, and Carl’s performance art, it ended up being one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time.

Check out the menu. Safe to say we’ll be back.

Community Blend

Cities Change Their Tune on Skateparks 📍 Lorain

Growing up in the 90s, talks of skateparks in city council meetings usually didn’t end positively.

But in Lorain, that’s exactly what is going down.

City Council unanimously approved the sale of $600,000 in bonds to build a 17,000-square-foot skate park at Longfellow Park on the east side. And according to Safety/Service Director Rey Carrion, this isn’t a “someday” project.

“This project is going to be built this year and finished this year,” he said Monday.

Here’s how it’s getting paid for:

The total price tag comes in around $1.3 million, funded by:

• $852,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds

• A $20,000 donation from pro skateboarder Chad Muska

• The newly approved $600,000 bond issuance

Groundbreaking is expected this summer, with completion targeted for November. The park—designed by Spohn Ranch with input from local skaters and BMX riders—will sit on the old baseball field at the southern end of Longfellow Park.

The long runway

Talk of a Lorain skate park dates back to the early 1990s. This version has been in motion since 2021.

Muska, whose parents were born in Lorain, told Council the project would be “part of my life accomplishments.”

An 11-year-old BMX national champion, Huck Kurinsky, also spoke in support, crediting his own local park for launching his career.

Zoom out: Lorain isn’t just pouring concrete. It’s betting that the next Olympic hopeful might be a Westsider who currently doesn’t have a spot to practice. (Chronicle Telegram)

The COSM Get Green Light 📍 Downtown

For years, that giant parking lot by East 4th has felt like wasted potential. Like that home gym you put together during COVID.

Well, not for much longer.

The City Planning Commission just unanimously approved the design for Cosm Cleveland, a shared-reality sports and entertainment venue headed for the Gateway District. It’ll be the first phase of Bedrock’s Rock Block development between Prospect and Huron.

The headline feature: a nearly 100-foot, 12K LED dome — the largest Cosm is building among its five U.S. locations. Yes, it’s going to feel like you are going to be able to make the game-winning catch.

Plans also include a pedestrian plaza connecting East 4th to the East 6th walkway, plus trees and greenery in raised planters that can move as future phases roll out. Commissioners steered the design away from large public art installations and toward exterior lighting that better fits the building’s modern look.

Why it matters: this replaces a surface lot with a year-round attraction — and dramatically changes the feel of the downtown gateway.

Big picture: Cleveland’s not just filling space. It’s building a world-class entertainment district.

Short Takes

The full column lives on our new website but here are the highlights worth your morning coffee.

Avon

No retirement: Avon High School Principal Kristina Buller was notified by the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) that her pension benefit “would not be as she previously anticipated,” and she therefore canceled her application for retirement benefits from STRS.

She rescinded her intent to retire and expressed a desire to continue her preretirement employment under the May 20, 2025 contract (extended through July 31, 2028).

Payment upgrades: Upgrades are being made to the city’s online utility payment system. Residents will receive information in their March water bills regarding the new Xpress Bill Pay as the upgrade will require registration on the new site to continue online payments, effective April 1.

Tree show: The third annual Bonsai Silhouette Show takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at the Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road.

The free event includes an opportunity to explore bonsai trees, connect with knowledgeable bonsai enthusiasts, and enjoy the preserve. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the Orchid Café. Learn more

Avon Lake

School update: Plans are moving along for construction of the new grades 5-8 middle school in the Avon Lake City Schools. ThenDesign Architecture (TDA), the firm hired by the district for the building project, provided a comprehensive update on the design progress for the new school during a recent Board of Education meeting (Feb. 17).

The project remains on schedule for a 2028-2029 school year opening, and after the first construction estimate, it is on budget.

A video animation of an outside view of the new middle school is available on the district’s website; as well as project updates, and renderings of outdoor spaces and facilities.

Irish eyes are smiling: Avon Lake High School student Connor Lardie recently competed in the All-Ireland National Championships of Irish Dance in Killarney, Ireland.

He is a four-time Mid-America Regional Oireachtas Champion. Next up, Lardie is preparing to compete in the World Championships in April in Chicago.

Bay Village

Love is blind: Netflix recently released season 10 of its popular reality show, “Love Is Blind.” The all-Ohio cast features contestant Connor Spies, a 2011 Bay High School graduate.

Tony tapping in here. Jodie and I have been enamored with this all-Ohio season of Love is Blind. Connor is easy to root for and knowing that he is a Westsider makes us very proud!

North Ridgeville

Best soups: The Kiwanis Club of North Ridgeville is hosting a Soup Cook-off and Basket Raffle fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. March 7 at Fields United Methodist Church, 34077 Lorain Road.

The event features soup samples from community members, city officials, service organizations, local businesses and others. Meals include soup, salad, roll, dessert and beverage.

Tickets are available at the door. For presale call here

Dedicated to service: Congratulations to Sgt. Matt Downing on his well-deserved retirement. He began serving in the city’s police department in 1998. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Navy for 11 years active and 32 years reserve until he retired as a Command Master Chief.

He has filled many roles in the department including Range Officer, Field Training Officer, in charge of our Active Threat Training, ELCERT Commander, and Training Officer.

Rocky River

Trail extension: The Ohio Controlling Board approved $148K in Clean Ohio Trail Fund Grants for the purpose of constructing a trail around the Rocky River Senior Center.

Westlake

Post-pandemic kids: Parents are invited to attend a conversation on the lasting effects of COVID-19 on kids’ anxiety, social development and emotional well-being from Rob Adams, of Barlow & Adams Behavioral Health, at 6:30 p.m. March 12 at the Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. The event is hosted by Connecting for Kids.

Non-profit Spotlight

Feed CLE Free Community Breakfast

Some Sunday mornings are for sleeping in.
Others are for showing up.

Sudnay March 1, Feed CLE is hosting its next Free Community Breakfast — a walk-up event where anyone can grab a hot meal, no questions asked, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The mission is simple: feed neighbors with warmth and dignity. Because in a city this tight-knit, no one should be hungry.

Here’s what’s happening:

• 🍳 Free breakfast, walk-up style. Come to the front door, grab a meal, stay and connect.

• 🚗 Limited home delivery. Reserved strictly for neighbors who are homebound, elderly, disabled, or without transportation.

• 📍 Strict delivery radius. Volunteer drivers are keeping routes tight to ensure meals stay hot and on time.

Where is it?

📍 3725 West 138th Street

What they need:

• Food donations (eggs, pancake mix, milk)

• Serving ware and paper plates

• Trash bags for cleanup

• Or just… you. Sitting at a table.

Feel like giving? Here’s more information.

🍽️ Business & Restaurant News

Deano’s Trattoria 📍 Strongsville

Remember the Italian Village?

The Strongsville staple, which opened in 1994 and closed on Jan. 1, 2025, is getting a full revival courtesy of the team behind the rebirth of Dean Martin’s Lanning’s in Akron. After a brief concept detour, Amore Restaurant Group stepped in and is transforming the space into a new Italian-forward destination.

Deano’s Trattoria will be a nod to the “King of Cool” who was born in Ohio.

What to expect:

• Elevated Italian dishes

• Steaks and classic cocktails

• A lounge-style vibe

📍 16605 Pearl Rd
Opening: Spring 2026