Avon, Ohio
All I can say is, ‘WOW’, the expansion of the Avon Branch Library is going to be amazing. It will be a true gem in our city.
Avon Branch Library officials outline possible inclusions in the expansion of the library during an online Town Hall meeting.
Back in April, voters approved a 2.0-mill additional money levy (Issue 12) set to generate $1.9 million per year for the next 20 years (beginning in 2021) for renovations and expansion of the existing Avon Branch Library on Harvest Drive, as well as generate operating funds for the library to expand services, materials and hours.
Since then, officials have been busy selecting the construction management company and architects that will work to complete the project.
Last week a renovation Town Hall was conducted via Zoom meeting to give an update to the public on where things stand with the expansion plans and to offer the community a chance to vote on certain features to possibly be located in the expanded Avon Branch Library.
The Town Hall was led by Jason Nolde, project manager with GPD Group, the firm hired by officials to work on the project. Nolde brings a wealth of knowledge to the project with more than 20 years of experience designing for public buildings. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at the Westlake Porter Public Library.
I watched the Town Hall presentation and was impressed at the attention to detail. Before Issue 12 was placed on the ballot, library officials did their due diligence to provide the public with information as to the ideas for the expansion and possible items to be added to the library. Officials sought input from residents and took those ideas to the architects to start the design process. The process has been long, but in the end, a wonderful space for the community to enjoy will be constructed.
During the Town Hall, Nolde outlined several key areas, based on prior community input, proposed for the expansion. The areas include Children’s Theme, Technology Innovation, and Creator Lab/Maker Space.
He also noted that one of the goals is to expand the resources available at the library, i.e. expanding book collections. Creating additional meeting spaces and integrating more technology, as well as the addition of a small cafe, were also outlined.
Within the Children’s Theme portion of the presentation, Nolde showcased possible design elements including incorporating Avon’s rich agricultural heritage into the design, as well as a water element theme, butterfly sanctuary theme, or a children’s books element.
The Technology Innovation highlights include the possible addition of a children’s education interactive floor, lobby interactive feature wall, virtual reality area, eSports lab, and immersive or interactive storytelling area.
Possible ideas for the Creator Lab/Maker Space include a coding class/demonstration kitchen, 3D printer/laser cutter/ CNC machine (computer control) area, small business incubator, and YouTube/Podcast studio.
Library officials are currently soliciting input from the community and offering the opportunity to vote online or in person at the library. This week the public is invited to come to the library and vote on which item(s) they would like to see in the newly expanded portion (Short Takes posts online early, then runs the Sun Sentinel on Thursday). Voting is open online until Thanksgiving Day. If you miss voting by Thanksgiving, a new poll link will be shared later in the week. To follow the library, go to lorainpubliclibrary.org/avon-branch-updates.
To download the Townhall, go to tinyurl.com/yyoy8mjd. If you wish to vote for items, go to menti.com. Codes for each section are: Children’s Theme, 3938115; Technology Innovation, 6010863; and Creator Lab/Maker Space, 2487824.
AVON
Santa letters: It’s time to mail those letters to the Big Guy at the North Pole. Santa’s elves just delivered Santa’s North Pole mailbox to Olde Avon Village, 36840 Detroit Road (in front of Christmas Sail shed). Children are encouraged to deliver their letter to Santa by Dec. 8 to allow for enough response time. Please make sure your letter is in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Also, make sure to include your ‘wish’ item.
Curbside leaf collection: You still have a few more days to clean up leaves from your yard. City workers will pick up leaves (weather permitting) through Dec. 4. Workers make continuous runs throughout the city. Residents are reminded to rake all leaves to the front lawn, not in the street. After Dec. 4, put leaves in brown bags and put out on bulk trash day.
AVON LAKE
Deepest sympathy: Sad to hear the news of the passing of former Avon Lake Ward 3 Councilman Gary Izo Nov. 21. He was elected to council on Nov. 5, 2019, for a four-year term. In August, he announced his resignation during a council meeting and explained he was diagnosed early this year with a “debilitating medical condition.”
He served as chairman of the city’s Sewer Committee, and was assigned to the Economic Development Committee, Natural Resources, Environmental and Public Media Committee, and Walker Road Ad Hoc Committee. Prior to that, he served on the Zoning Board of Appeals from March 28, 2018 until he resigned, effective Dec. 31, 2019, to accept the elected position of councilman. He also served on the 2019 Comprehensive Land Use Plan’s Strategic Team and was involved in the 2020 Land Use Implementation Planning Team.
“Gary’s love for the City of Avon Lake showed in his enthusiastic participation,” said Jennifer Fenderbosch, Ward 2 councilwoman in a statement released by the city. “He was a great advocate for residents of not only Ward 3, but the entire city through his service on citywide committees. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Ann, and his family.”
Details regarding service arrangements have not yet been released (as of Sunday, Nov. 22).
Holiday fundraiser: Support the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club this holiday season by making purchases at Dean’s Greenhouse, 3984 Porter Road, Westlake. The club will receive 20 percent of all sales through Dec. 24 if you mention the club or present the flyer/coupon ticket located on the city’s website (avonlake.org). If you shop on Dec. 10 and mention the club, or present the flyer/coupon ticket, 30 percent of sales will be donated to the club.
Shout-out: Kudos to Mayor Greg Zilka. Avon Lake resident, Tera Sumpter, recently shared on Facebook that her six-year-old daughter, Hannah, has been begging for a horse for quite some time. When she told Hannah that they are not allowed to have horses in the backyard because they smell bad, her daughter said Santa would be able to find her one that smells like roses (because of course Santa is magic). When Tera said she didn’t think the city would approve, her daughter demanded to speak with the mayor. Tera convinced her to simply write a letter instead. They emailed Mayor Zilka Hannah’s letter immediately. He responded within three hours (see letter below). According to Tera, his response literally made her cry. She reached out on Facebook to thank the mayor for ‘the sweetness.’ Hannah also said, ‘I’m really happy that he told me the truth. He’s my new favorite person. And he really knows Santa?!!!!’
Dear Hannah,
Thank you for sending me a letter telling me about your Christmas wish. I might see Santa in the next few weeks and I will be sure to tell him what you would like this year.
Horses are beautiful animals. They are a Christmas wish for many young boys and girls. One problem is that they are very large and cannot fit in your house or bed. A person cannot cuddle up next to a horse and fall asleep dreaming of happy times with your family. The last time I spoke to Santa he told me that he cannot find a horse that smells like a bouquet of roses or any other flower, for that matter. He told me that he would keep looking.
Perhaps Santa will be able to find a charming toy horse that would fit in our bed and would enjoy your company. You could dress him up and have many hours of playtime with him. Your family would have so much fun watching you make up stories about him and your other toy animals. You could make your family laugh and they would also enjoy your new friend.
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely,
Gregory J. Zilka, Mayor
Bell ringers: Soon we will be hearing that familiar sound as we are out and about shopping this holiday season….the famous bells from the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign. Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services (CRS) is currently looking for volunteers to be Salvation Army bell ringers at Giant Eagle, 31990 Walker Road. Shifts run for two hours. To register, go to aalcrs.org/what-we-do/seasonal-programs.
Takeout only: Old School Pizza & Wings by Parker’s, 445 Avon Belden Road, recently opened for business, but just announced they will be offering takeout only until further notice. Carryout orders (including drinks) can be placed from 4 to 8:30 p.m. daily (closed on Tuesdays). Menu is available online, oldschoolavonlake.com. To order, call 440-961-0892.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Wind damage patrols: The wicked weather we had recently with the high winds has prompted Ohio Edison/First Energy to conduct post-wind event patrols to assess the area and inspect any possible wind damage. You will see Chesapeake Bay helicopters (CBH) overhead (weather permitting) throughout the next few weeks.
Breakfast canceled: Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in the area, the North Ridgeville High School Key Club has canceled the Pancake Breakfast with Santa event, which was scheduled to take place on Dec. 5.
Santa’s calling: The North Ridgeville Lions Club is offering families the opportunity to receive a free phone call from Santa this holiday season. To receive a phone call (one per family), register online (northridgeville.recdesk.com) or at the Parks and Recreation office, 7307 Avon Belden Road. Make sure you are registered online or at the office for this event, clicking ‘attend’ on this event does not mean you are registered. Reminder to be home during the time your call is scheduled. You will receive a confirmation email when you have been registered. If you have additional questions, email Program Supervisor, Melissa Shirley at mshirley@nridgeville.org.
Day of giving: Giving Tuesday is Dec. 1 this year. Help North Ridgeville Community Care reach its goal of $10,000. To donate, go to nrcommcare.org. If you or anyone you know is in need of Community Care services, please reach out. For more information, call 440-353-9716.
Thankful: I wish all of you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Thank you for taking the time each week to read Short Takes. If you have a news/event item or a ‘shout-out’, please send me an email. I love hearing from readers. Stay safe out there and please wear your mask, wash your hands and limit gatherings. We all need to do our part. Thank you.
If you have news/information or a story idea you’d like to share or a ‘shout out’, please send an email to jshortavon@aol.com.
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