🏙️ Community Blend

Autonomous Boats Sighted on Lake Erie

If you see a tiny futuristic sailboat cruising around Lake Erie, don’t panic.

The Coast Guard basically added “remote monitoring” to Lake Erie. Hopefully they won’t be asking us to reset its router.

The fancy new thing is called a Saildrone.

The U.S. Coast Guard will use it to monitor areas crews can’t always reach while they’re busy with search and rescue, harbor security, and marine events.

These 33-foot drones use wind power, radar, cameras, and sensors to scan the lake for suspicious vessels, fishing violations, and changing conditions that could help during rescues.

They can stay on the water for months at a time, which is impressive considering I need a nap after one long afternoon on a boat.

For Westsiders heading out from Cleveland, Rocky River, Avon Lake, Vermilion, or Marblehead, it means a safer experience due to more eyes on the water.

🗞️ Short Takes

Avon

Animal rescue: Kudos to Avon firefighters Ryan Saleet, Andy Schaefer, Cory Furnas  and Captain Mike Panehal for recently rescuing a brood of ducklings that fell into a storm drain near Avon Middle School. The ducklings were eventually reunited with their parents. Here’s the video of the happy reunion.

On-air talent: Congratulations to Avon High School Class of 2022 graduate Sydney Brown, named a Gracie Award recipient in the On-Air Talent category from the Alliance for Women in Media. Brown graduated from Kent State University May 9 and will be working as a multimedia journalist at WKBN-TV, a Nexstar station in Youngstown.

Avon Lake

Pet parade, dog show: As part of the city’s 250 Jubilee celebration, the Kiwanis Club is hosting the Golden Paw Awards and Parade May 30.

The parade of participants steps off at 4 p.m. at the former Erieview Elementary School building, 32630 Electric Blvd., followed by friendly competitions, music dog-friendly vendors onsite.  

Online registration is now available.

Second location: Since taking over ownership of John Christ Winery, Zech and Brittney Laughbaum have been doing amazing things with the space. Now they are branching out and opening a second location in the Westpark neighborhood at Kamms Corner in the former Working Class Brewery space, 17448 Lorain Avenue.

According to the owners, this isn’t just another taproom. The location will serve as the new home base for brewing all the beer, cider, seltzers, plus offer a fully immersive taproom and restaurant experience. Follow Laughing Bomb Brewery on Facebook.

Bay Village

Spring cleaning?: Register online to sell your items during the Bay Village Community Yard Sale which takes place May 30. Proceeds benefit Bay Middle School PTSA.

North Ridgeville

Saving lives: The fire department recently received Silver recognition through the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline EMS program. The national initiative recognizes ‘excellence in prehospital care for patients experiencing heart attacks and strokes.’

Name change: In addition to the change in ownership announced  in Short Takes last week, Between the Bun Bar & Grill is now renamed Buns and Brews Sportsbar and Grill, 34445 Center Ridge Road.

Coffee chat: Mayor Kevin Corcoran’s next Coffee and Conversation will take place from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. May 15 at City Hall, 7307 Avon Belden Road.

This month’s guest speaker is Sam Meluch from the North Ridgeville Heart & Sole Collaborative.

Rocky River

Fore!: The Back Nine, 21633 Center Ridge Road, is opening June 27. In advance of the opening, demos begin May 15. Reserve your spot for just $25. The location offers state-of-the-art golf simulators, including the WellPutt Big Tilt XL dynamic putting green.

The Back Nine simulators are open 24/7, which makes it an attractive options for those who love the game day or night.

Westlake

New business: Grateful Heart Wellness recently opened at 24350 Center Ridge Road. The location offers yoga, Zumba, pilates and other wellness classes and workshops.

Grand opening: Residents are invited to gather for the grand opening of the new Recreation Center Park Athletic Fields and playground, 28955 Hilliard Blvd. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at noon May 16. The event will feature a DJ, inflatables, snacks and beverages, and other activities.

The complex was made possible through levy funds approved by residents in 2017. The fields will serve Westlake Youth Soccer, Football, Softball, and Baseball, as well as other local athletic programs. The expanded playground includes shaded seating areas, accessible pathways, and dedicated play zones for children of all ages.

📸 Seen on the Westside

Down Goes Anderson!

We’ve been hearing plenty of buzz about Easy Out, the new east Lakewood sports bar with retro vibes, elevated bar food, and the kind of patio built for Westside summer nights.

Besides the menu, the real reason Cleveland sports fans may need to make the trip?

The mural out back.

Easy Out’s patio now features a mural by Aaron “OKPants” Sechrist capturing one of the most instantly iconic Cleveland sports moments of the last decade: José Ramírez dropping Tim Anderson.

Back in August 2023, tensions were already simmering between the Guardians and White Sox after Anderson made a hard tag on Brayan Rocchio the night before. The next game, José ripped a ball down the right-field line and hustled into second like his life depended on it.

Waiting there again: Tim Anderson.

Words were exchanged. Fingers were pointed. Gloves were dropped. And then Cleveland’s favorite baseball player turned into a mini Mike Tyson for roughly six seconds.

Anderson swung. José ducked. Then José landed the punch that launched a thousand group chats.

Tom Hamilton’s legendary call said it best: “Down goes Anderson!”

Now, that moment lives forever on the back patio of a Lakewood bar. As all great civic landmarks should.

We haven’t been to Easy Out yet, but they just dropped a brunch burrito that looks insane.

Plan your pilgrimage to Easy Out soon! No dodging punches necessary.

🐦 Sighted

Swainson’s Thrush 📍 Sandy Ridge Reservation

Recently sighted at the Sandy Ridge Reservation by a Ranger ornithologist, the Swainson’s Thrush is set apart from other thrushes by the clearly defined spots on the upper chest. Much like all of us, they get a bit smudgier toward the belly.

🍽️ Business & Restaurant News

The Galley Opening This Summer 📍 E. 55 Marina

Look, we're all guilty of it. May comes around, you swear this is the year you'll rent a kayak, take a sailing lesson, or guilt your one friend who has a boat into taking you out. If that pattern sounds familiar, Cleveland Metroparks just gave you a much lower-commitment option.

Here's what's happening: Cleveland Metroparks is opening a year-round restaurant inside the Patrick S. Parker Community Sailing Center at Edgewater — and it's not your standard "beachside concession stand with delusions of grandeur" situation.

What's on the menu:

• Brunch heavy-hitters: chicken and waffles, a smokehouse platter for two that arrives like a Jenga tower of smoked meats (chicken, ribs, sausage, pork, the works)

• Craft cocktails with a Cleveland skyline chaser

• Outdoor terrace for private events and live music

But here's the thing: This isn't just a patio play. The sailing center itself is designed to get more people actually on Lake Erie, not just Instagramming it from the shore. Think: sailing lessons, water access programs, the whole democratizing-the-lake vibe.

Learn more: Check out the full video and menu previews