AROUND TOWN

Garden Club Scholarship

Applications are now being accepted for a $1,000 scholarship through the Avon Garden Club. The scholarship is available to high school seniors loive in Avon who will be majoring in Agriculture, Botany, Forestry, Horticulture, Landscaping, or Natural Resources are eligible for this scholarship.  Applications must be postmarked no later than April 7, 2023.  Mail the completed application to the Avon Garden Club Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 213, Avon, OH 44011. For complete eligibility information and application, interested students should contact their high school’s guidance counselor or email avongcscholarship@gmail.com.

‘All Shook Up’

Avon High School’s Drama Club and Thespian Troupe will present the musical “All Shook Up”, a tribute to the music, and inspired by Elvis Presley, at the Avon Performing Arts Center. Showtimes are 7 p.m. March 10 and 11 and 2 p.m. March 12. The center is inside Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Road. Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens. Add $3 for tickets at the door. To buy tickets online, go to locallevelevents.com/events/details/24509.

Corned beef dinner

The Knights of Columbus St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef Dinner-To-Go is cooked and served by Genuine Irish Leprechauns. Cost is $18 for: a corned beef sandwich with swiss cheese on rye; kosher dill pickle, cole slaw; horseradish; mustard; and cake. Contact Pete at 440-465-4946 or at pcatanese7@gmail.com or John at 440-725-7369 or john.pabin@gmail.com with #meals and pick up time from 4-7 p.m. March 17 at Father Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road. Since only a limited number of meals are prepared, pre-orders are strongly recommended. 

March Republican breakfast

The Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club Friends March Breakfast will feature Marty Gallagher, board member of the Lorain County Port Authority. He will speak about the county’s Midway Mall purchase project. The meeting is 8-9 a.m. March 1 at the Sugar Creek Restaurant, corner of Detroit-Abbe roads, Sheffield Village Plaza. Bring guests. Attendees are responsible for their meals.

Republican Club meeting

Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted will speak at the Avon-Avon Lake Republican Club  at 6 p.m. March 9. He will discuss Lorain County’s role in “High-Tech Manufacturing Opportunities.” Also speaking are Ohio Representatives Gayle Manning and Dick Stein on issues surrounding the Ohio Speaker of the House. The meeting will be at the Knights of Columbus Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Road. The club meets on the second Thursday of each month. Snacks and Refreshments will be available. Members free and guests $5.

Sundays at the library

The newly renovated Avon Branch library has established Sunday hours. The library at 37485 Harvest Drive, is now open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. The branch of the Lorain Public Library System will keep Sunday hours between September through May, but will be closed Sundays in June, July and August.

‘Knights at the Races’

“Knights at the Races” is March 25 at Knights of Columbus Father Ragan Hall at 1783 Moore Road. Doors open at 5 p.m. and races at 7 p.m. Cash bar, side boards, prizes & Chinese raffle. Tickets are $25 a person for dinner and access to betting. Checks may be mailed to Father Ragan Hall, P.O. Box 224, Avon, OH 44011. Make Payable to Fr. Ragan Council #3269. For information or reservations, call Pete Catanese at 440-465-4946. RSVP by March 7 with your name, the number attending, phone number, email address and check.

AVON LAKE

Dance Showcase

The Avon Lake High School Dance Team is hosting its 12th annual Dance Team Live Showcase at 6 p.m. March 13, at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Road. The event features a night of dance from area teams and local dance studios. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students and seniors; and free for children under 4 years old. Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the showcase.

Month-long event,

including author visit

Avon Lake Public Library, in partnership with Avon Lake City Schools, are holding a month-long event inspired by the January 2022 Reese’s Book Club pick book “Honor” by best-selling Indian-American journalist, critic, and novelist Thrity Umrigar. Approximately a dozen programs will be held at the Avon Lake Public Library starting today through the end of March. The highlight will be March 30, with two opportunities to hear Umrigar speak first at the Avon Lake High School Performing Arts Center (PAC), 1399 Lear Industrial Parkway,at 1 p.m. and at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., at 7 p.m. Registration is required. Free tickets are required and are first-come, first-served. For more information and to register, go to alpl.org/honor. 

Award Nominations Sought

Community Resource Services, an Avon Lake volunteer organization dedicated to assisting economically disadvantaged Avon and Avon Lake residents, is taking applications for its fourth annual John T. Shook Award until March 15. The award, which is named for a CRS board member who died in 2018, recognizes an individual or group that embodies John Shook’s commitment to volunteerism. The award winner will be announced at a charity ball on April 22. For information and nomination forms, go to www.aalcrs.org/john-t-shook-award, email aalcrs@aalcrs.org or phone 440-933-5639.

BAY VILLAGE

Historical Society fundraiser

“Plate it Forward,” a fundraiser for the Bay Village Historical Society, is 5-9 p.m. Tuesday at Houlihan’s Westlake, 25651 Detroit Road. A total of 15% - 20% of all food proceeds will be donated to Bay Village Historical Society when diners mention the fundraiser.

Night for Nature fundraiser

Enjoy up-close encounters with our animal ambassadors, visit a planetarium, and see animal programs and wildlife rehabilitation efforts as part of a fundraiser titled  “A Night for Nature” at 6 p.m. April 28 at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road. A $150 ticket includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, and a three-course dinner.

Internship opportunity

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, offers college students the opportunity to gain unique experiences in the fields of astronomy, education, and wildlife. Applications are currently being accepted for the Astronomy and Space Science Education internship and Wildlife internship now through Tuesday. Interns are paid and may qualify for course credit. Call 440-871-2900 for more information.

Chat with the superintendent

Coffee Chats with Superintendent Scot Prebles are open to anyone wishing to ask questions or share their thoughts about the school district. The upcoming Coffee Chat dates are:

  • 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 31, at Cuyahoga County Public Library-

    Bay Village, 27400 Wolf Road

  • 7:30-8:30 a.m. May 5 at Mojos, 600 Dover Center Road

Historical fundraiser

“Plate it Forward”: Help support the Bay Village Historical Society by dining at Houlihan's, 25651 Detroit Road, Westlake, between 5-9 p.m. Tuesday. Mention

“Bay Village Historical Society” and 15% to 20% of all proceeds goes to support the society. 

BAYarts dance

A Mother-Son dance is being held at BAYarts, 28795 Lake Road, from 6-8 p.m. March 11. It will be held in the Sally Otto Gallery (Playhouse). There will be photo ops, a make-and-take picture frame craft, cookies, juice and dancing. Tickets are $15 and available at https://secure.givelively.org/event/bayarts/mother-son-dance. Space is limited. The event benefits the restoration of the 130-year-old Fuller House. 

FAIRVIEW PARK

Citizen of Year nominations

The Fairview Park Community Council is accepting nominations for the 2023 Fairview Park Citizen of the Year. Nomination forms are available at https://www.fairviewpark.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/CitizenoftheYearNominationForm2023-Fill-in-Form.pdf as well as at Fairview Park City Hall, the Gemini Center, the Senior Center, the Fairview Park Library and PJ’s Day Spa. Nomination forms must be postmarked by March 24. The recipient will be chosen by a panel of our five most recent Citizens of the Year.  Fairview Park Community Council will honor the recipient at its annual Citizen of the Year recognition dinner at 6:30 p.m. May 3, at the Fairview Park Senior Center.  Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable items for donation to the Fairview Park Hunger Center. This dinner is the  Fairview Park Community Council’s sole fundraiser. Anyone wishing to donate to the raffle may call Denise Devine at 440-343-5389 to make arrangements to pick up your donation, no later than April 26. Citizen of the Year will be announced in April along with more information for this year’s dinner event.

LAKEWOOD

Beck Center fundraising

After five years, the 90-year-old Beck Center for the Arts is  almost done with the largest capital campaign in its history. The campaign will enable greater ADA accessibility, energy efficiency, and functionality of our campus. A donor has offered to match up to $150,000 of new or increased gifts to the campaign, by March 10. For more information, go to BeckCenter.org and make a gift.

LAKEWOOD/ROCKY RIVER

Rotary Foundation

offering five scholarships

The Lakewood/Rocky River Rotary Foundation is offering high school seniors grants for study at any accredited post-high school educational institution. Five grants of $3,000 will be awarded toward the cost of one year’s tuition. Applicants must be a member of the 2023 graduating class of any accredited high school; be a resident of the Lakewood or Rocky River school district; show a record of academic success in his/her high school career; have applied to a specific college, university, community or junior college, or trade or professional school; and have no direct relationship to a current or honorary Rotarian.

Applications must be received by 3 p.m. Monday, April 3. The awards will be presented on June 5. Required information must be submitted on the application form that can be downloaded at https://www.lakewoodrockyriverrotary.org. Guidelines for submitting the application, as well as other criteria, are included.

NORTH OLMSTED

Kindergarten Information Night

Registration for kindergarten is coming up. Virtual information night is 6:30 p.m. March 21 via zoom and 6:30 p.m. April 4 at Birch Primary School, 24100 Palm Drive. Parents with an incoming kindergarten student should attend one of the kindergarten information nights. Families only need to attend one. This is for parents only and students should not attend. To register, go tohttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBmsiTCLxen_lw4xGQSEEfsKLiaXIDy3NbrQNqZr8pWaQbhA/viewform(found on the school district website).

Women’s Club scholarship

The North Olmsted Junior Women’s Club (NOJWC) is offering a $2,000 scholarship to women over the age of 24 who are pursuing a college degree or health/technology/vocational certification. Applications and information about the scholarship are available at the NOJWC website:

https://northolmsted.wixsite.com/nojwc/scholarships. Visit the North Olmsted Junior Women’s Facebook page for a link to the information. Applications must be submitted by March 31. The recipient will be informed after April 30.

Citizen Of The Year

Applications for North Olmsted’s annual Citizen of the Year award will be accepted through April 7 on the city’s website, www.north-olmsted.com. Nominees must be at least 18 years and a current resident of North Olmsted for a minimum of  five years. Nominees must have made a contribution to the betterment of North Olmsted in at least two of the four areas: church, school, civic or recreation. The nominee must not have received monetary reimbursement for the contributions cited.

State of the City address

Mayor Nicole Dailey Jones will give her first state of the city address at 7 p.m. March 9 at the  Springvale Ballroom at the Springvale Golf Course,  5871 Canterbury Road. The event is open to the public and doors to the Springvale Ballroom open at 6:30 p.m. Jones and her staff will be on-hand afterward to answer questions from the public.

Business Development luncheon

The North Olmsted Chamber of Commerce and the city will host local business owners for an “Economic Development Summit” 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. March 16 at  the Springvale Ballroom at the Springvale Golf Course, 5871 Canterbury Road. Special guest speaker is Bruce Sylvestor, the Senior Director of Site Strategies for Team NEO, which is a business development group serving 18 Northeast Ohio counties. His focus is on implementing a regional sites strategy that leads to job creation and an increase in capital investment.Mayor Daley Jones will host the annual luncheon and also speak. Tickets are $40 pre-registration and $45 at the door. Contact Maria Sabala, director@nolmstedchamber.org or 440-777-3368

Free tax preparation

The North Olmsted Senior Center, 28114 Lorain Road, is partnering with the CHN Housing Partners and Cuyahoga EITC Coalition to offer free tax preparation to residents making up to $60,000. The preparations are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. March 30 and 31. Appointments are required. Individuals and families earning less than $60,000 a year qualify for free tax preparation services. The Cuyahoga EITC Coalition has been assisting residents since 2005 as part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Appointments will be available beginning March 1. Call the Senior Center main line at 440-777-8100 to make an appointment. Learn more at refundohio.org. 

Stability class

A new Silver Sneaker Stability class is being offered from 2:15-3 p.m. every Friday at the Senior Center, 5200 Dover Center Road. The class is designed to increase mobility and add flexibility and is helpful to those with the effects of Parkinson’s Disease or Multiple Sclerosis. Classes are free for Silver Sneakers members or $4 per class.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE

Free anti-theft Hyundai software

In response to the increasing number of Hyundai vehicles targeted by thieves, the car company has started rolling out a free anti-theft software upgrade that prevents certain Hyundai vehicles from being started in ways recently popularized on social media channels. Follow the link for more information: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3768

Until owners can get this upgrade Hyundai Motors USA has provided the North Ridgeville Police Department free steering wheel locks to distribute to local residents. Anyone owning or leasing a Hyundai vehicle that was produced prior to November 2021 that has a key ignition may not have the necessary engine immobilizer that deters vehicle thieves. If you live in North Ridgeville and own a Hyundai, go to the police station, 7307 Avon Belden Road, with proof of ownership to claim your free steering wheel lock.

ROCKY RIVER

Internet safety

Kensington Intermediate School and Goldwood Primary School are hosting an Internet Safety Presentation at 6:30 p.m. March 8 in the Rocky River High School auditorium, 20951 Detroit Road. The evening will feature presentations from Erin Pontikos (GPS counselor), Melissa Liberatore (KIS counselor), Neil Czaplicki (School Resource Officer) and Jamey Pfahl (KIS technology teacher) and topics covered will include safety, communication, cyber-bullying, scamming and hacking, gaming and social media use.

Superintendent chat

The Rocky River City School District will host a Coffee Chat with Superintendent Michael Shoaf from 5:15-6:30 p.m., April 20 in the Beach School Professional Development Center, 1101 Morewood Parkway. This casual drop-in event is designed to give parents/guardians and community members an opportunity to meet the superintendent, learn more about the important activities and events happening around the district and ask any questions you may have.

St. Patrick’s Day celebration

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Rocky River Senior Center with The New Barleycorn Irish Folk Singers at 1:30 p.m., March 9. Enjoy Irish music, storytelling and a lively Sing-a-long with Alec DeGabriele and John Delaney. Tickets are $12 for Program only, a catered lunch by Italian Creations is available for $25 with a choice of either Corned Beef & Cabbage or Seared Salmon. The RRSC is located at 21014 Hilliard Blvd. in the City Hall Complex. Call 440-333-6660 for more information or to register.

Camp registration

Summer Day Camp registration begins at 9 a.m. today. Parents will be able to sign up for all nine weeks with one click at https://www.rrcity.com/recinfo. Registration can be online or in-person. Additional spots may be available for week-by-week booking as well. Cost is $145 a week for a Civic Center member; $160 for a Rocky River resident; $195 for a non-resident. Before and after care is $28 a week or $7 a day.

WESTLAKE

Clague Playhouse

Tickets are on sale for “Ada & the Engine,” playing March 17 through April 8 at the Clague Playhouse, 1371 Clague Road. As the British Industrial Revolution dawns, young Ada Byron Lovelace (daughter of the flamboyant and notorious Lord Byron) sees the boundless creative potential in the “analytic engines” of her friend and soulmate Charles Babbage, inventor of the first mechanical computer. Ada envisions a whole new world where art and information converge — a world she might not live to see. A music-laced story of love, friendship, and the edgiest dreams of the future. Performances are 8 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $21 for adults, $20 for seniors (60+), and $13 for students (any age with a valid ID). For more information, call 440-331-0403. The box office is open 1-6 p.m.

Musical evening

The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra (Victor Liva, conductor; Shuai Wang, piano soloist) will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Cleveland State University — Waetjen Auditorium and at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Westlake Performing Arts Center, 27830 Hilliard Blvd. The orchestra will be performing: Schumann: Concerto Piano Concerto in A minor; Debussy: Nocturnes (I. Nuages, II. Fêtes); and Copland: Four Dance Episodes from the Rodeo ballet. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.clevephil.org or at the door.

WCA: An ‘epic’ musical

The Aeneid, an epic poem written by the Roman poet Virgil in the times of Caesar Augustus, is the inspiration for the latest musical production at Westside Christian Academy High School. Students have taken the poem and written an original musical titled “Aeneid The Musical.” Students helped compose and write eight original songs. The show will make its debut March 16-18 at WCA (23096 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, OH 44145). Tickets are $10. Hours are 7 p.m., March 16-17, and 6 p.m. March 18.  Tickets are general admission for each performance and include both main floor and balcony seating. Doors open a half hour prior to performance times. Tickets are available at https://www.westsideacademy.org/drama/.

Heart raffle

Community West Foundation and Cleveland Clinic Avon, Fairview, and Lutheran Hospitals will hold the 19th Annual Straight from the Heart Raffle where participants could win $100,000. This year’s raffle has 40 prizes including a Harley Davidson motorcycle, a Sea-Doo, a trip to Hawaii, jewelry and Apple electronics. Straight from the Heart proceeds support cardiac services and heart healthy initiatives for Cleveland Clinic’s Avon, Fairview and Lutheran Hospitals and surrounding communities. For a full list of prizes and to purchase tickets, visit HeartRaffle.org. Tickets are $100 each or three for $200. Winners will be announced Friday. Contact Community West Foundation at 440-360-7370 with questions. 

WESTSHORE

Seasonal jobs

Cleveland Metroparks is hiring for a wide variety of seasonal positions in preparation for the 2023 spring and summer season. The park district’s annual seasonal job fair is 10 a.m.-noon, March 11, at Stillwater Place in Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland. Jobs include opportunities at 18 park reservations, golf courses, dining, retail, marinas and the zoo. Cleveland Metroparks provides competitive wages, access to employee activities and discounts. Seasonal positions are available for ages 16 and up and most positions offer a 40-hour workweek with employment dates ranging from spring through mid-October.

Interested applicants can visit clevelandmetroparks.com/careers to learn more about available positions. Attendees are asked to pre-register at http://clevelandmetroparks.com/JobFair2023.

Contest to name K-9 puppies

Help name Cleveland Metroparks Police Department’s two new members of its police force – a male Belgian Malinois puppy and a male German Shepherd puppy. For the next two weeks, you can cast a vote online with a donation at clevelandmetroparks.com/k9naming. Your donation will support Cleveland Metroparks K-9 unit and provide the puppies with the necessary tools and equipment for success as well as enrichment for their other fellow K-9 officers Creed and Jett.

Herb Guild offers scholarship

The Herb Guild Garden Club is offering a $1,600 scholarship to graduating high school seniors, as well as Lorain County Community College and Cuyahoga Community College current freshmen and sophomore students. Applicants must be residents of the State of Ohio and U.S. citizens (international or foreign exchange students are not eligible). Only students with a proposed academic study in agriculture, agriscience, botany, culinary arts, environmental science, forestry, greenhouse and nursery management, horticulture, landscaping, and natural resource management are eligible for this scholarship. Go to the Herb Guild website theherbguild.org for an application or call Karol Polkinghorn at 440-554-7755. Deadline for applying April 5.

Orchid show

The Cleveland Botanical Garden’s 17th annual flower show “Orchids Forever” is through March 12. The show will include more than 3,000 flowers from all over the world, with more than 100 unique types of Orchids. Tickets for members and non-members are: ages 13 and up, $19; ages 3-12, $13; 2 and under, free. Hours are: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesdays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays; noon-5 p.m. Sundays; closed on Mondays (open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 20).

Women-over-25 scholarship

College Club West is offering scholarships for 2023-24 academic year to women who are residents of the Greater Cleveland area. Applicants must already be pursuing a four-year undergraduate or graduate degree in any area of study. Scholarships with a minimum of $2,000 will be awarded to women who are 25 years and older, based on financial needs, career goals, and academic records. Deadline is March 18. The scholarship application, eligibility requirements and application process can be found at collegeclubwest.org/scholarships or inquires to ccwscholarship@gmail.com