Short Takes

The full April 21 column is packed with so much information today and it lives here on our website but here are the highlights worth your morning coffee.

Avon

Rumor mill: It’s been a strong rumor for a few years that Chick-fil-A is coming to Avon. The ‘rumor’ may be gaining a little more validity as the owner at the Rocky River location is telling employees that Avon will be getting a Chick-fil-A on the current City Hall (36080 Chester Road) property. City Hall is moving to the former Village School building on Detroit Road (date unavailable).

I have reached out to Avon officials several times over the years to confirm the ‘rumors,’ but until actual development plans are submitted to the city to construct a Chick-fil-A, city officials remain tight-lipped. Stay tuned to Short Takes to stay ‘in the know’ to find out if the ‘rumor’ is official.

Fireworks show: The Lake Erie Crushers, in partnership with VacationLand Federal Credit Union, are offering a special, limited ticket offer - the Opening Day Fireworks Field Pass May 8. Tickets

Avon Lake

Playtime: After several years of planning and construction, city officials are finally ready to officially reopen the Avon Lake Play Space (ALPS) at Bleser Park, 32800 Electric Blvd. A special ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. April 24.

The new ALPS features new playground equipment, a fitness loop, a four seasons sledding hill, and Laker’s Lookout, an elevated seating area offering views of Lake Erie.

Phase 2 of the ALPS project was completed in late 2025. The first two phases of the ALPS project were made possible in part through sponsors’ support and grant funding, including a $350,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and a $69,816 grant from the ODNR NatureWorks program.

Sponsorship opportunities are available through the Avon Lake Friends of the Parks. For information, call or email.

Bay Village

In memory: It’s been one year since Bay High School lacrosse player Dylan Veselic was accidentally struck by a shot on goal, and tragically passed away.

His memory and legacy live on through the Play for Dylan Community Fest set to take place from noon to 5 p.m. April 26 at Bay Memorial Stadium, 29230 Wolf Road.

The free family-friendly event will feature coed lacrosse scrimmages, children’s games, live music, food trucks and concessions. The event will culminate with the dedication of the Dylan Veselic Memorial Locker Room.

Proceeds raised in conjunction with the Play for Dylan Community Fest will go to establish the Dylan Veselic Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund will be administered by the Bay Village Education Foundation.

North Ridgeville

Trail expansion: In recognition of  Earth Day, the Lorain County Metro Parks will celebrate the opening of Sandy Ridge West, an expansion of Sandy Ridge Reservation, with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. April 22, at 7020 Case Road.

Guests will be able to check out the newly constructed trails and restored natural habitats designed to enhance wildlife conservation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation opportunities within the reservation.

The project also included extensive invasive species removal, habitat restoration, and the establishment of native vegetation designed to support pollinators and local wildlife while improving long-term ecosystem health, according to the press release.

Rocky River

Mayor’s update: During the city’s April 13 Legislative Meeting, Mayor Pamela Bobst advised that:

• Arbor Day Planting will take place at 10 a.m. April 28.

• The city’s Little League Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. May 2 at City Hall.

• The USS Cleveland is making its way to port in Cleveland and it will be coming as close to shore as possible May 9. Residents are encouraged to gather at Rocky River Park and Bradstreet’s Landing as 1,000 honor flags will be distributed to welcome the crew home.

The ship will be commissioned May 16 in Cleveland's North Coast harbor downtown. This will mark the first time in 250 years that a U.S. Navy warship will be commissioned in the State of Ohio.

Westlake

Another possible school: Tonight (at 6:45 p.m. April 21 at City Hall) at the city’s Planning, Zoning and Legislative Committee will discuss granting a conditional use permit application from Amar Shah for a proposed Goddard School building at 25075 Detroit Road (across from Serpentini Chevrolet).  

Community Blend

Tick Season in Ohio is Becoming Serious

Lyme disease cases in the state have exploded, rising from just 40 reported cases in 2010 to 2,819 in 2025. That’s a huge increase in unwanted passengers. Like getting in an uber and realizing the driver brought a friend.

Ohio health officials say blacklegged ticks are finding the state increasingly comfortable, thanks to warmer temperatures, more humidity, milder winters, and more people spending time in wooded areas.

The concerning trend:

• Cuyahoga County reported 60 Lyme cases in the one-year period ending April 8.

• The highest county totals were in Belmont (229), Jefferson (212), and Tuscarawas (198).

• Experts say expanding forests, more development near natural areas, and higher outdoor activity are all helping drive more human-tick encounters.

Lyme disease is highly treatable if caught early, but it can become debilitating if ignored.

The catch: Lyme is not the only concern. Ohio is also seeing more lone star ticks, which can trigger alpha-gal syndrome — an allergy to red meat.

Here are some helpful tips to stay tick-free this summer.

Animal News

Scuba Just Got Immortalized in Watercolor

Congrats to Scuba and her human Megan for crushing the 2026 Mutt Madness bracket! Their prize? A one-of-a-kind, hand-painted watercolor portrait by Pat Geyser that now hangs as proof that Scuba is, in fact, the goodest girl on the Westside.

Want your own mutt masterpiece? Get in touch with Pat here! Get your dog or cat our of your camera roll and onto a wall for all to see.

Some dogs chase balls 📍 North Ridgeville

The Brittany spaniel is now safely back home in North Ridgeville after a very unusual trip to Animal Clinic Northview. In what has only been done before in Looney Tunes, Benny chased a mouse straight into a tractor tailpipe.

His owners had to saw the pipe off the tractor and bring him in with the tailpipe still attached. It then took clinic staff, three North Ridgeville firefighters, and even some quick-helping AutoZone workers a few hours to free him. (Cleveland 19)

Buzz Night Out

A Parisian Night at La Ville Lumière

Confession: We got invited to a media night at La Villa Lumière in Clifton, and now we're very excited about going back.

LVL is the kind of place that belongs on that Notes app list titled "Places We Actually Need To Go".

It's perfect for those rare evenings where you're not in a rush, you leave your phones in the car, and you eat the way you do on a European vacation — slowly, intentionally, like time doesn't exist.

We were there to tour Chef Kevin O'Connell's new menu and cocktail list. Everything screams approachable fine dining.

Here's what stopped us mid-bite:

Coquilles Saint-Jacques — scallops over parsnip puree and pancetta, finished with microgreens. Jodie and I love making scallops at home. Ours don't come close. Chef Kevin's version? Charred to perfection on the outside, melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.

Porc, Two Ways — loin sous vide and crispy belly with glazed heirloom carrots and smoked mustard caviar. This dish has a Cleveland twist on a French fine dining staple, and it works. The belly alone could've been the whole plate and we would've been happy.

Then Chef Kevin came out and said something that stuck: Cleveland is a special place where the community feels a stewardship and a connection to the food scene because of how we grew up in tight-knit families. Sitting there, surrounded by Westsiders who drove to Clifton on a weeknight to support a chef doing ambitious work — you could feel it.

The conversation

We got seated next to Ben and Julia Kowalczyk (@beardandbroad on Instagram) and the conversation didn't stop for the entire two-hour meal. Like a José Ramírez homer to right field — the best dialogues feel effortless.

The verdict? We'll be back. And next time, we're sitting on the patio.

Check LVL's menu and make a reservation.

🍽️ Business & Restaurant News

Parallel Universe Bookstore📍 Ohio City

Cleveland's only 100% sci-fi and fantasy bookstore is now open in Hingetown. Owner Craig Senatore curated a specialty shop focused on science fiction, fantasy, romantasy, and role-playing games — with a personal concierge approach to recommendations. The shop also hosts monthly D&D learn-to-play sessions and features a used books section upstairs. Located at 1436 W. 28th Street, open Wed-Sun.

Cleveland Brewery Heads West

Collision Bend Brewing is opening its third Northeast Ohio location this summer inside the new Lorain Ohio KartPlex at 2000 Root Road. The brewpub will sit on the second floor of the 100,000-square-foot complex, overlooking a public rental track where karts can hit 50 mph.

The Lorain spot will include a 6,000-square-foot taproom, its own five-barrel brewing system, and a menu designed to differ from the brewery’s Cleveland and Euclid locations.

The catch: the brewing license is still being finalized.