Together With Chris Schlenkerman and the Collaborative Home Sales Group

Just listed in Bay

This 4-bed, 2-bath home blends original charm with modern upgrades. Starting with hardwood floors and a wood-burning fireplace that makes these Ohio winter evenings feel extra comfortable.

The kitchen features granite countertops, full appliance set, and easy flow into the dining area. French doors open to a bright three-season room, perfect for winding down or sipping your favorite hot beverage with a book.

Out back, there’s space you’ll actually use: a paver patio, a pro-grade basketball hoop, and a covered side patio. The newer garage includes electric, a door opener, and bonus hangout or storage space.

Other highlights: a professionally installed invisible fence, major updates already handled, and a partially finished basement that’s ready to be your home office, gym, or playroom.

4 bed | 2 bath | 1,539 sq ft | $425,000

BHHS Professional Realty, alongside the collaborative HOME SALES Group

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Short Takes

Avon

New businesses coming: New year, new list of businesses coming to the city including another Mexican restaurant. Cilantro Taqueria will open its seventh location in the space formerly occupied by Anytime Fitness.

The owners are hoping to open in late March or early April hopefully in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

Other new businesses coming include Balance Pilates in Nagel Crossings, Degree Wellness (former McConnell Meats space), Pizza 216 (former Avon Brewing Company location), QuickMed Urgent Care, and Gerber Collision & Glass.

Safety grant: The Avon Local School district was awarded $18,985 from the Attorney General. The grant will allow the district to acquire safety materials, tools and training that supports both students, staff and community members. Possible safety materials may include cameras, access controls, communication tools and training for best practices, and vulnerability scanning.

Avon Lake

Snowman contest: Do you wanna build a snowman for a chance to win a prize? The city’s annual Snowman Contest is back. Get outside, get creative, and show us your best frosty friend.

To enter, simply snap a photo of your snowman and email it before March 1, along with your family name.

Possible tax increase: City Council members are discussing the possibility of placing a levy on the ballot for an additional 0.40% income tax (five years) to provide funds for the purpose of maintaining, repairing and improving city streets  and city bridges; installing traffic signals, as well as acquiring vehicles and equipment for city departments.  

It is also Council’s intent to cease collection (if the levy passes) of the existing 1.5-mill (value) property tax levy for the purpose of police, fire, street maintenance and parks and recreation services, commencing with tax year 2026 (collection year 2027), until its expiration in tax year 2029 (collection year 2030).

Bay Village

Snowy run: The annual Snowball Run & Walk is a cool community event to raise money for Bay schools athletes and teams. This year’s event takes place at 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at Bay High School, 29230 Wolf Road.

Registration is available online.

Concert canceled: BAYarts recently announced the scheduled Blues DeVille Jan. 23 concert has been postponed. A new date has not been posted.

SOUPer Bowl: The BAYarts SOUPer Bowl raises funds for the Karen Ryel Ceramic Arts & Education Center. Each ticket includes a one-of-a-kind handmade bowl created by BAYarts faculty and students and the opportunity to sample amazing soups made by local makers and chefs. All ages are welcome to attend the Feb. 7 event which takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at BAYarts, 28795 Lake Road.

Soup makers are still needed for the event.  Whether you’re a professional chef, a home-kitchen pro, or have a beloved family recipe to share, you can compete for the coveted BAYarts SOUPer Bowl prize. Contact Linda for more information.

North Ridgeville

‍Chicken Paprikash fundraiser: In a new twist for the new year, the Senior Center is swapping out spaghetti for chicken Paprikash, the perfect comfort food for winter weather.

The fundraiser takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Senior Center, 7327 Avon Belden Road. The event is supported by the Rotary Club of North Ridgeville. More details on the event.

Rocky River

Library grant: The Rocky River Public Library has received a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Conservation and Preservation Grant from the State Library of Ohio.

The grant will fund the restoration of multiple pieces in the Cowan Pottery Museum collection. After their restoration, the pieces and documentation of the restoration process will be on display in an upcoming 2026 exhibit.

The Cowan Pottery Museum will have three of its flower frog figurines restored over the course of the next six months.

Westlake

Winter market: Shop the indoor North Union Farmers Market at Crocker Park, 9 Main Street (former Bar Louie space) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday from now until March 28.

Also at Crocker Park, sports fashion and footwear retailer JD Sports recently opened in the former Apple storefront location.

Meet, Greet, and Charity

Have Winter Coats to Donate?

Want to Come to a Cavs Game and Meet Us?

Community Blend

Paw Patrol: Joggers and First Responders Save the Day 📍 Bay Village

Bay Village first responders went above and beyond recently after a house fire broke out on East Oakland Road. Joggers spotted smoke and a dog in distress inside, prompting police to quickly break through a window to pull the dog out and perform CPR.

Firefighters from Bay Village and nearby cities rushed to the scene and rescued a second dog, also reviving it with CPR before both pets were taken to an animal hospital. The homeowner confirmed she wasn’t home but had three dogs and a turtle inside. While two dogs were saved thanks to heroic efforts, the turtle and third dog sadly did not survive.

🗓️ Mark Your Calendars

Cleveland Espresso Martini Fest 📍 Detroit Shoreway

If you have been to a bar in the last 2 years, you know that the Espresso Martini is having a moment. If you can’t get enough of the electric, boozy creation that hits like a strong static cling shock, boy do we have an event for you.

The inaugural Cleveland Espresso Martini Festival is scheduled for 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12 at The Venues at 78th Street Studios. VIP ticketholders gain entry at 5:30 p.m.

12 different cocktail creators from well known Cleveland establishments will be facing off to see who makes the best Espresso ‘tini in town. More information on how to get buzzed

Dinosaur Exhibit 📍 Avon

Miller Nature Preserve, 2739 Center Road, is currently closed due to routine maintenance. When it opens Feb. 1, it will be invaded by dinosaurs. The Conservatory is currently being transformed into a prehistoric paradise. Visitors will be able to explore life-size dinosaur replicas, artifacts, and hands-on activities.

The dinosaur exhibit runs Feb. 1–Mar. 1 and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $4 admission. It’s free for Conservatory members and children ages 2 and under.

🗓️ Local Arts & Culture

Zombie Nation

Have kids that are obsessed with devices?

The Westlake Council of PTAs are sponsoring a special screening of the documentary film "Screenagers" at 7 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Westlake High School Performing Arts Center (PAC), 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

Guests will learn about the challenges that school-aged children, parents and educators are facing in today’s digital world, and discover practical strategies to help support children's mental health and well-being.

More information on the event best suited for parents and guardians of students in grade K-6.

Love, Loss & Laundry Machines

Clague Playhouse is staging Maytag Virgin from Jan. 30–Feb. 22—a southern slow-burn romance about a grieving Alabama schoolteacher and the charming new neighbor next door. (Think Steel Magnolias meets You've Got Mail, with more emotional depth and fewer AOL screen names.)

Showtimes are 7:30pm Thurs–Sat and 2pm on Sundays, with post-show talkbacks on Jan. 31, Feb. 8, and Feb. 14 if you want to dish with the director and cast.

Tickets available online or via the box office

🍽️ Business & Restaurant News

Easy Out Bar opening 📍 Lakewood

The owners of Spotted Owl, Prosperity Social Club, Good Company, and Old 86, are bringing a new Sports Bar to the east end of Lakewood called Easy Out. I know what youre thinking, Lakewood needs more bars like my Subaru needs more dried salt on it.

Will Hollingsworth’s hospitality group saw a rare opportunity to open in a iconic spot in an iconic neighborhood and jumper at the chance. It will be located in the space once occupied by The Ohio Inn (11822 Detroit Ave) where patrons can look forward to amples screens, classic cleveland memorobilia, unique takes on stadium fare, and “dad” beer.

They’re aiming to be opened by Super Bowl Sunday. Full story in Cleveland Magazine.

Nature and Curiosity

Jodie and I were driving back from Little Italy down the shoreway and glanced over at Edgewater and gazed at the lake. At first my mind went imaging an 80 degree summer day and feeling like we couldn’t be farther from that point.

Then Jodie asked a great question. How often does Lake Erie completely freeze over? So we did what any curious person in 2026 does — we went to the library googled it.

What we found was very interesting to a weather nerd like myself.

Even though Lake Erie is the southernmost Great Lake, it averages more ice cover because it is the shallowest. Smart folks like Joseph Atkinson, director of the Great Lakes Program at University of Buffalo describes this is thermal intertia. The higher the thermal inertia the more resistant to temperature change. Lake Erie has the lowest value of the Great Lakes, therefore, it tends to freeze fastest.

Enough fancy science jargon. Let’s get to the good stuff, Briggs.