ROCKY RIVER, Ohio -- Summer is right around the corner, and it’s never too early to start planning your summer activities.
One event to consider attending is the popular Sunflower Wine Festival, supporting the Prayers from Maria Foundation, set to take place from 4 to 11 p.m. July 12 on Depot Street in Rocky River.
Tickets are on sale now.
Garden wristbands presale is $60/individual general admission. Price increases to $75/individual general admission the day of the event (ticket availability not guaranteed day of event in case of sell-out).
The Garden wristband entitles the purchaser to 10 2-ounce pours of wine or 10 4-ounce pours of craft beer (or combination thereof) between 4 and 9 p.m.
VIP wristbands are $250 and entitle the purchaser to exclusive access to a private VIP tent with a complimentary bar, food and seating.
The VIP wristbands includes admission to the Wine and Beer Gardens for unlimited tastings of wine and/or craft beer and participation in all street activities.
Limited quantities of the VIP wristbands will be sold.
A Festival Street wristband is a $20 required cover charge for admission to the event. Purchasers will not be admitted into the Wine and Beer gardens, but can partake in street activities, including the street bars, Maria’s Shop and the food court.
This option is ideal for designated drivers, children and those who prefer the cash bar.
Guests who purchase a Garden or VIP wristband will receive a wine glass to use and take home.
All wristbands will be available for pickup on the day of the event at festival check-in.
You must be 21 or older to purchase Garden wristbands and to enter the wine and beer gardens.
The final online ticket price may include a mandatory processing fee.
Limited edition wine tumblers are also available for purchase online for $25 (plus a $3.45 fee). The 12-ounce wine tumbler is double-wall insulated, with a clear splash-proof lid. It is ideal to keep drinks cold on a hot summer day.
Help with fundraising efforts by donating to the auction at the Sunflower Soiree (separate event) this summer. Items can range from restaurant gift cards and sought-after merchandise to event tickets.
Email ddawson@prayersfrommaria.org with your donation.
Looking for more ways to get involved this summer? Sign up to receive emails about the foundation’s upcoming volunteer opportunities.
Join a list of more than 500 active volunteers to make memories this summer, meet new people and help make a difference.
For more information, go to ow.ly/OU5B50VuNJm.
For more information or to purchase festival tickets, go to prayersfrommaria.org.
BAY VILLAGE
Photography exhibit: An opening reception for the “Moments in the Spotlight: The Music Photography of Anastasia Pantsios,” will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. April 19 in the Sally Otto Gallery (Playhouse) at BAYarts, 28795 Lake Road.
“Moments in the Spotlight” tells the story of Pantsios’ journey through rock ‘n’ roll with her camera -- a journey that coincided with rock music’s influential era.
It touches on the highlights of her career, including special shots that define her artistry, and the artists who shaped her personal musical tastes.
The show puts a special emphasis on women in music, who faced obstacles in a male-dominated sector, which reflected Pantsios’ own as a photographer, according to a press release.
The exhibit also features work by local photographers Joe Kleon, Denyce Renee and Judie Vegh, curated by Pantsios.
The exhibit runs through June 13. Gallery open hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays. To view the work outside of these hours, visit the main building and access will be provided from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Yoga fundraiser: The Friends of BAYarts auxiliary board will host a sensory yoga fundraiser at 11 a.m. May 4 at the Sullivan Family Auditorium, 28795 Lake Road.
The event will raise funds for the future Sensory Garden at BAYarts.
Led by experienced instructor and Friends of BAYarts volunteer Rita Beckstrom, the slow-paced, all-levels restorative yoga practice will be enhanced by soothing aromatherapy and tranquil live piano music by Anna Cornett.
After class, guests will be offered complimentary refreshments and exclusive event perks, including a special discount on permanent jewelry by local designer Into the Pines Jewelry, Oliveda skincare samples and product discounts, plus the chance to win a curated wellness gift basket courtesy of Hope Yoga.
To purchase tickets, go to bayarts.net.
To learn more about the Sensory Garden project, go to bayarts.net/garden.
News from the schools: Last week, the Bay Village Tree Conservancy, Bartlett Tree Experts, Bay Village High School’s Project Earth and Key Club students helped bring the "One School. One Book" program to life at Normandy Elementary School.
Students and staff all read the book “Lucy’s Lab: Nuts About Science,” by Michelle Houts.
Second-graders learned how to measure living trees to estimate their age. The oldest one found on school property was a 171-year-old white oak.
Later in the week, the group planted a 5-year-old white oak to wrap up the week and celebrate the program.
Students took home some goodies and a pin oak sapling to plant.
If you’re interested in planting a tree this spring, check out the tree sale at bvtrees.org for half-off retail pricing.
-- Congratulations to Normandy Elementary School first-grader Georgia Rusnak, recently selected to compete in the State of Ohio Gymnastics Championship.
She was crowned state champion in the vault and balance beam individual events and was named the all-around champion.
Her team also earned first place.
Shout-out: Congratulations to Maynard Bauer, 50-year Bay Village Kiwanian member, on receiving the George F. Hixson Fellowship, which honors members who have contributed significantly to Kiwanis’ rich history.
ROCKY RIVER
Egg hunt: The Kiwanis Club is hosting an Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. April 19 (while supplies last) outside at Rocky River City Hall Park, 21012 Hilliard Blvd., by the gazebo and playground area (rain or shine).
The Easter Bunny will also be hopping in for a visit.
Craft show: Hometown Vendors is hosting its fourth annual Spring into Summer Craft & Vendor Show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 at Rocky River Memorial Hall, 21016 Hilliard Blvd.
Admission is free.
For more information on being a vendor, email hometownvendors@outlook.com.
Senior Center updates: Work continues on the renovations to the Senior Center, 21014 Hilliard Blvd.
This month, structural steel erection started on the north addition. The fitness area and the south addition (Lecture Hall) will follow.
Framing and sheathing of the additions will come next, with the roofing scheduled to be added in May.
-- Save the date for the Senior Resources Health Fair from 9:30 to 11 a.m. May 15.
A host of different agencies and organizations will be available to provide valuable information to all attendees.
Guests will learn about independent and assisted living, in-home care, elder care law, funeral planning, hospice and palliative care, memory care and long-term care.
A free continental breakfast, courtesy of O’Neill Healthcare, will also be offered.
-- Did you know the Senior Center offers a pantry filled with food and paper products for Rocky River residents in need?
The pantry is stocked with a variety of items, including packaged meals, boxed potatoes, peanut butter, jelly, cereal, paper products and more.
The pantry also has low-sodium options for those with special dietary needs.
Items are available at no cost for Rocky River residents who are registered with the Senior Center.
For more information, contact Mary Hildebrandt at 440-333-6664.
This month, the Senior Center is looking for donations of personal care items (toilet paper, paper towels, toothpaste, etc).
All donations can be dropped off at the front desk from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the week.
News from the schools: Rocky River High School seniors Andi Sadiku and Harper Washio recently received the West Shore Career-Technical District Outstanding Student Award in Community-Based Program.
Andi and Harper were among the students who were honored as top performers in their career-technical programs.
Each student was chosen for their exemplary accomplishments in the classroom, school activities, clubs, athletics and service in the community.
Students exemplify traits of leadership, dedication, responsibility, caring, community involvement and initiative, according to a press release.
West Shore districts include Bay Village, Lakewood, Rocky River and Westlake.
-- Rocky River High School’s Team River for a Cure recently concluded its fundraising campaign for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by raising more than $127,000 for the fight against cancer.
It was the second-largest total among Northeast Ohio teams.
Led by Addison Crane, Reese Levinson and Clara Rollins, Team River for a Cure used the seven-week campaign to raise funds and help contribute to the overall total of $1.4 million raised by Cleveland-area students this year.
Shout-out: After serving the community for nearly 34 years, Rocky River police Lt. Ron Flowers recently retired.
Hired in 1991 as a patrol officer, he served as a field training officer, marine patrol officer,and on the Westshore Enforcement Bureau SWAT Team.
In 2011, he was promoted to sergeant and in 2020 to lieutenant.
In his supervisory roles, he coordinated OC/pepper spray training and was the field training coordinator.
Flowers also served as the jail administrator and was responsible for implementing policy and opening the new jail in 2022.
Congratulations and thank you for your service.
WESTLAKE
New website: The West Shore Chamber of Commerce, serving Bay Village, Westlake and the surrounding areas, recently unveiled a new website design.
The new site provides improved access to member resources, events and updates.
The refreshed platform reflects the chamber’s commitment to serving and supporting the business community.
To view the site, go to westshorechamber.org.
Inclusive summer camps: Have you started your summer camp search for your kids yet? Connecting for Kids now offers an Inclusive Summer Program Directory.
The website brings together camps and programs from across Northeast Ohio. Parents can search by age, region, program length and other items.
For more information, go to connectingforkids.org/summer.
Free trees: The City of Westlake, in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, is currently offering free trees to residents.
Supplies are limited. To reserve your free tree, go to get.arborday.org/cityofwestlake.
Dick’s update: With the recent opening of the new Dick’s Sporting Goods store at 35521 Chester Road in Avon, many are wondering when the Dick’s store in Crocker Park will close.
According to Stacie Schmidt, Stark Enterprises’ vice president of marketing, it was the end of Dick’s 20-year lease. The final date isn’t yet set.
“We are working on finding the perfect replacement tenant for the space and have multiple suitors to bring a fresh new brand or experience,” she said in an email.
Music teacher award: Thank you to everyone who voted for Hilary Patriok, Westlake High School’s director of instrumental music, who was nominated for The (Barry) Manilow Music Teacher Award.
District officials recently announced that Patriok won the honor and the music program will receive $5,000.
She will also be recognized during Manilow’s upcoming concert in Cleveland June 5.
Shout-out: Congratulations to the Westlake High School Academic Challenge Team for winning the WEWS TV-5 competition last weekend.
Schools competing with Westlake included Shaker Heights and Trinity high schools.
The Westlake team members are Neel Gupta, Rishabh Ranjan, Will McLoney and Sujith Aring. Advisers are Ray Mohr and Kristen Novak.
Westlake’s team ended up with 770 points and currently leads with the highest score of the year in the weekly quiz show competition.
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. Read Short Takes online at https://www.cleveland.com/topic/westlake. Follow me on X (Twitter) @jshortavon.
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