I’m Possible Games founders plan to open café, donations requested: Short Takes on Avon,

AVON, Ohio — The Kane family from Avon is proving anything is possible.

When I saw their posts on social media regarding the opening of a board game café established to ‘build a community of acceptance, encouragement and awareness for individuals of special abilities’, I knew I had to write about it so more people can be informed of the family’s efforts seeking donations to support the endeavor.

The café is going to be called – I’m Possible Games. According to founder Robin Kane, the mission is to provide an opportunity for ‘employment growth, support, and socialization; to build a community where everyone will Come for the Games and Stay for the Smiles.’

“My husband, Michael, and I have lived in Avon for 26 years, raised our four children here (Sean, Shannon, Shea and Shelby), and are now hoping to start a business in Avon,” she posted on Facebook. “Our youngest child, Shelby, has participated in the Avon special education program since she started preschool at age three. We have come to realize that when special education students leave high school, they lose all access to the people who have meant so much to their lives for so many years. Their teachers, administrators and classmates are no longer there for them each day. Their socialization is gone. With this in mind, we have decided to open a board game café to bring jobs to Avon for individuals, like Shelby, with special abilities. There are so few employment opportunities for these individuals, yet they have so much to offer. If you have ever had the chance to spend time with someone with special abilities, you would understand how much they have to provide all of us.”

I’m Possible Games café will serve hearty appetizers and drinks (alcohol, too, provided the owners can obtain a liquor license). The family is currently in the process of finding a location in Avon.

“After visiting a local board game cafe, we decided it was something we could model a business after, and Shelby and her peers could work at,” said Kane. “It’s a simple idea with many possibilities for individuals who don’t have a lot of other options.”

I hope everyone reading this column rallies around this project (share the link on your social media) and supports this business. What the Kanes are doing is truly amazing. We need more businesses like this in our community/world, so please spread the word. To donate to the cause, go to gofund.me/eb2ca23a.

AVON

New restaurants coming: The city’s Planning Commission agenda this month includes a presentation from Jeffrey Lonchor of CESO, Inc representing the Benchmark Group requesting approval of a new 3,567-square- foot City Barbeque restaurant with drive-thru and outdoor patio to be located on a sublot of the Chester Road Development north of Ashley Furniture.

City Barbeque is a Columbus-based chain restaurant with more than 50 locations across eight states, including locations in Strongsville and Beachwood. For more information, go to citybbq.com.

It also appears the vacant IHOP location at Avon Commons is going to be filled with a new restaurant soon. Michael Tomsik representing Mezquite is requesting approval of the site plan and the recommendation to city council to create a Special Use Permit to include an outdoor patio with seating at 35846 Detroit Road (IHOP address). I will follow up with an update on the new restaurant in a future Short Takes.

Pickleball courts: Planning Commission’s monthly agenda also includes a presentation from Bill Fishleigh, director of operations for the Avon Local Schools, requesting approval of the site plan to include additional tennis courts, pickleball courts, and lighting at the high school.

Pancake breakfast: Boy Scout Troop 462′s Annual Pancake Breakfast takes place from 8 a.m. to noon March 27 at the Holy Trinity School gym, 2610 Nagel Road. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for Seniors (60+), children ages 3-10 are $3, and children under 3 (pancakes only) are free. The scouts are also selling their own products: Maple syrup (8 oz.) is $12, Special Reserve Maple syrup (16 oz.) is $25, Early Morning Pancake Mix is $10, and Cornbread and Muffin Mix is $10.

Baseball camps: Registration is now open for the Avon High School Youth Baseball spring and summer camps for boys grades K-6. The camps will focus on the fundamentals of throwing, fielding, base running, catching, hitting, and pitching. The spring camp runs April 18-20 at T3 Performance, 1965 Recreation Lane. Summer camp is June 27-30 at Veterans Memorial Park, 3701 Veterans Memorial Parkway. To register, go to cityofavon.org and click on the Park & Recreation tab.

Babysitting course: The Safe Sitter course is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The instructor-led class is filled with games and role-playing exercises. Students will also use mannequins to practice rescue skills such as choking rescue and CPR. The course is from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 20 at Avon Isle, 37080 Detroit Road. Cost is $50. Students should bring a sack lunch. Face masks required for students and instructors. Both payment and registration must be submitted to enroll in the class. To register, call Rachel Farinelli with University Hospitals at 216-983-1110 or email [email protected].

Librarian honored: The Ohio Educational Library Media Association (OELMA) named Kelly Gonzalez, media specialist at Avon Heritage Elementary School, the recipient of the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month Award in February.

According to information from the publishing company, the Rosen Publishing Ohio School Librarian of the Month recognizes one school librarian a month who designs, develops, and implements a collaborative lesson plan and/or programming that empowers student learning. This award spotlights the importance of both the school library community and librarian, and the pivotal role each plays in transforming learning throughout students’ K-12 education.

Gonzalez will have the opportunity to select a free set of books for the school library from Rosen Publishing Company. She will also be recognized at the upcoming 2022 OELMA Conference.

Duck Tape Festival update: The theme for this year’s Avon Heritage Duck Tape Festival is “Knock it out of the Park.” After a two-year hiatus, the festival is back and runs June 16-18 at Mercy Health Stadium. Organizers are still looking for new committee members, email [email protected].

Lawyer honored: The Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) recently recognized area attorneys for 50 and 65 years of service to the community and the legal profession. Serving 50 years is Avon resident Troy R. Brown, counsel at the firm of Singerman, Mills, Desberg & Kauntz Co. LPA (Beachwood) where his practice focuses on the representation of clients involved in acquiring, developing, financing, building, leasing and operating commercial real estate.

Art awards: Mayor Bryan Jensen has selected his monthly Mayor’s Choice Awards honoring student artists throughout the city. March winners include: Alex Garretson (grade 5, Holy Trinity), Olivia Wisniewski (grade 3, Holy Trinity), Julianne Hindman (grade 10, Avon High School), and Nick LaCivita (grade 8, Avon Middle School).

Shout-out: Holy Trinity student Katie Sandy was the runner-up at the Lorain County Spelling Bee finals.

AVON LAKE

Significant trees: Learn about the three trees that provided a focal point for understanding events in the early history of Ohio during a free presentation titled, “Significant Trees of Ohio’s Settlement,” presented by Beryl Prusinoski from 1 to 2 p.m. March 21 in the Waughman Gallery at Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. The event is sponsored by the Avon Lake Historical Society.

Teen job fair: Do you know a teenager looking for a job? A Teen Job Fair will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. March 31 at the Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd. The library is partnering with OhioMeansJobs Lorain County to connect employers with prospective employees ages 16-18 who are looking for general information about jobs. No registration is necessary. Employers represented at the job fair include Marc’s, Lowe’s, Cedar Point, Home Depot, the Lake Erie Crushers, Play Cleveland, Culver’s, Cleveland Zoo, French Creek Family YMCA, Main Event, McDonald’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Walmart. The library will also be looking to hire for student pages and recruiting volunteer youth. For more information, go to alpl.librarymarket.com/events/teen-job-fair.

Knockers project extension: The Knitted Knockers Project at the Avon Lake Public Library has been extended through May 1. There are still approximately 60 kits available for knitting or crocheting, as well as additional skeins for those who only need the yarn to complete additional Knockers. To date, more than350 kits have been distributed, and the library has received back well over 600 Knitted Knockers….