🏙️ Community Blend

Blocked By James! 📍 Downtown

Ten years ago, the Cavs ended 52 years of Cleveland heartbreak in one impossible night. Grown men cried tears of joy and strangers embraced.

Now the city, the Cavs, and Downtown Cleveland Inc. are immortalizing it — a court next to Rocket Arena celebrating the greatest comeback the Finals has ever seen.

June 19, 2016. If you're from here, you don't need the date explained. Around here, our teams aren't just something we watch — they're stitched into who we are, the thing that binds family and friends and total strangers together.

Being downtown when the game 7 clock hit zero was pandemonium. I remember high fiving strangers until the wee hours of the night.

Now that season, the team, and the memories all Clevelanders have of that night will be cemented onto the court next to Rocket Arena for all to see.

The court is expected to be completed any day.

🗞️ Short Takes

Short Takes on the Westside by Julie Short. We can’t fit everything into the email newsletter so you can find the full column on our website.

Avon

‍Open swim: The city’s annual Splash Party at the Avon Aquatic Facility, 36265 Detroit Road, will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 3 and is free for residents and season pass holders. Open swim starts June 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

City Hall update: For those who still may not know, City Hall is relocating to the former Village School building at 36600 Detroit Road. The city’s building department has already moved to the new location. Kudos to city officials for seeing an opportunity to save an historical building in the community. Full update

Avon Lake

Mobile food pantry: Avon Lake High School and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio are hosting a pop up Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry from 4 to 5:30 p.m. June 2 at the high school, 175 Avon Belden Road.

Boating anniversary: Founded by World War II veterans, the Avon Lake Boat Club (ALBS) is celebrating more than 75 years as part of the community. An Open House will take place from noon to 3 p.m. June 13 at the club, corner of State Route 83 and Lake Road.

Boat and kayak rides will be available for guests, as well as light snacks direct from Lake Erie.

In addition to providing boat and kayak rack storage, ALBC hosts social events and activities throughout the year. The Open House event is part of the Avon Lake 250 Jubilee. A list of additional Jubilee events is available online.

More Avon Lake Short Takes

Bay Village

Excellence award: Congratulations to Bay Village City Schools Superintendent Scot Prebles, recipient of this year’s Jennings Superintendent Award of Excellence from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. The award recognizes ‘outstanding leadership, vision and the meaningful impact made on the district and across the broader educational community.’

North Ridgeville

Summer concerts: Grab your blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a summer concert on the lawn at the South Central Park Gazebo, 7565 Avon Belden Road.

The first concert is at 5 p.m. June 7 and features the 45 RPM Band (classic rock, R&B, country) The food trucks onsite are Off the Griddle and Bone-Appetit Creamery. New this year, beer sales (cash only) will be available in a designated area.

The next concert is at 6 p.m. June 21 with Funkology (Motown, country, disco, classic rock). Smashby’s and Bone-Appetit Creamery will have food for sale.

A complete list of concerts is available on the city’s website.

Rocky River

Foodies unite: The Chamber of Commerce’s annual Taste of River, presented by Peak and Valley Roofing and Tri-C Westshore Campus, takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. June 13 on Linda Street. The event features food, music, drinks and family-friendly activities.

Westlake

Historical passport tour: As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the city is launching a Westlake Historical Marker Tour.

If residents visit all seven historical markers throughout the city by Aug. 31 and track the visits via the interactive Westlake Passport, they will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 Crocker Park gift card.

💎 Hidden Gem

Earth Bistro: The Westside's Vegan-Friendly Gem 📍 Cleveland

A friend’s recommendation is a powerful thing.

One person tells you a place is great, you nod politely and file it away. Three people tell you, and it’s not if but when you will make the trip.

That was us with Earth Bistro Cafe on Clifton Boulevard.

For years, I’ve passed that quiet little awning without thinking twice. Turns out, half the Westside has been enjoying a hidden gem while I drove by unaware.

Owners Carlos and Luis Castro have been running Earth Bistro for nearly 13 years, and it has all the good neighborhood spot ingredients: warm welcome, big flavor, dry humor, and one of the most vegan-friendly menus in the city.

Luis had us cracking up immediately, and there’s something about a restaurant owner who can make you smile before the food even arrives that makes you want to come back again and again…

Earth Bistro is known for vegan options, and almost anything on the menu can be made vegan. Our vegan friends tell us that is extremely rare.

They’re famous for their Cuban-style guacamole with grilled pineapple and plantains.

I ordered the crispy chicken sandwich, and it was fantastic. The chicken tasted ridiculously fresh, juicy, and hand breaded. It was also not hurting for ingredients.

I had to unhinge my jaw like a snake to get a full bite. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the unique coleslaw on top gave it the perfect cool, crunchy finish.

Luis and his brother are very humble. But staying in business for 13 years is no accident. They are also known for their weekend brunch, which means we’ll be back very soon. This breakfast grilled cheese has my name on it.

So yes, we finally get it.

Earth Bistro Cafe is warm, quirky, delicious, and absolutely worth pulling over for.

Check out the Google reviews

Local Baseball

The Lakewood Rangers men’s baseball team finished their season undefeated!

They won their second consecutive district title by scoring 8 runs in the 6th inning during Saturday’s game against Wadsworth.

Maxpreps has them ranked as Ohio’s 6th best team.

Coach Grant Graves says, “Our superpower as a team is our consistency and our ability to show up”. After statement wins against St. Eds and St. Ignatius, the players believe they can win it all. As they should!

The Rangers now head to Gilmour Academy for the Regional semi-final to face off against Shaker Heights Wednesday, June 3. Tickets

Go Rangers!

Business & Restaurant News

RRBC is officially back 📍 Rocky River

After a fire and 11 long months of rebuilding, the longtime Rocky River gathering spot is reopening its doors with full hearts, Asian nachos, and taps pouring 4 house beers by brewer Steve Kessler and 5 guest brews.

Since 1998, RRBC has been one of those places where birthdays, team dinners, weeknight beers, family meals, and “just one drink” plans have all found a home.

The brewery thanked the community for every message, memory, visit, and kind word during the rebuild. They also shared deep gratitude for the firefighters and fire stations whose quick response helped keep the damage from becoming a total loss.

Leave them some love on Facebook.

Now, the lights are back on.

Doors opened yesterday and RRBC is ready to welcome everyone home.

Anyone know if they have happy hour? If so, Jodie and I will put together a fun review.