December 2019 Community Board

The Plain Press Community Board is a listing of a variety of free activities and resources for neighborhoods served by the Plain Press. Printing for it is sponsored by Organize! Ohio through donations from readers and supporters.

ARTS/MUSIC/THEATRE

BOP STOP EXHIBIT: Local artist No Numbers’ Photos of Devotion A series of photographs encompassing the artist’s vision of love entitled, Zēlos ‘Devotion to What You Love’ By No Numbers. The exhibit’s opening night at 2920 Detroit Avenue on December 8, 2019, from 2 to 7 pm and runs for 90 days. No Numbers, is the artistic name for Arron Bound, who is a staff photographer for the 2019 Cleveland Photo Fest, Ohio City native, and is taking a non-traditional approach to unveiling art. The opening night performers and the pieces are a reflection of the artist’s understanding of love.

CLE PHOTO FEST: Group Show, titled OFF THE WALL at Doubting Thomas Gallery,856 Jefferson Avenue in the Tremont neighborhood, from December 13, 2019 to January 12, 2020. Opening December 13, 6-10 p.m.

FREE QUIRE CLEVELAND CONCERT: Friday, December 20, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 10205 Lorain Ave. A freewill offering will be taken. Questions: info@quirecleveland.org or 216-223-8854.

MUSIC NEAR THE MARKET: Featuring Cleveland’s world-famous Beckerath Organ. Every Wednesday, 12:15-12:45 p.m. Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, W. 30^th and Lorain Avenue.

SPACES, at 2900 Detroit Avenue, offers free gallery admission. Its hours are Tuesday through Friday from Noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays- open until 8 p.m. Free gallery tours available upon request.

WALKABOUT TREMONT is held every second Friday from 6 to 10 pm.  For more information, visit walkabouttremont.com

78^TH STREET STUDIOS, 1300 W. 78^th Street. Art Opening for over 50 studios and galleries every 3^rd Friday of every month, 5-9 p.m. 78streetstudios.com.

MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CLEVELAND (MOCA) at 11400 Euclid Avenue is now offering the public free daily admission. Hours are Tuesday – Thursday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. MOCA Saturdays: different activities each week to engage and explore. Family Fun provided by PNC.

COMMUNITY

NEIGHBORUPCLE CITYWIDE NETWORK NIGHT: Thursday, December 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Tech Hive 6815 Euclid Ave. Dinner starts at 5:30 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA SITES FOR OHIO CITY NEIGHBORHOOD: #OHCNeighborGames2019; #OHCCommunityConversation2019; Facebook: Ohio City incorporated; Twitter:@OhioCityTweets; and Instagram: @OhioCityInc.

NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP CLEVELAND is recruiting members for its next class that will run from January thru May of 2020. For an application and more information about the program call 216-658-1358 or email michelle@neighborhoodleadership.org.

CONSUMER

2020 EXTERIOR PAINT PROGRAM: Contact the City of Cleveland Community Development Department, 601 Lakeside, Room 302, for an application and income eligibility requirements. Applications are due by February 28, 2020.

REPORT SCAMS: Call the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM (7226). Hang up if a caller threatens you with arrest or property seizure, claims to be a grandchild or loved one in trouble with the law; asks you to wire money, mail cash or pay with gift cards; if a repair person calls out of the blue and wants to “fix” your computer.

DOES YOUR HOME HAVE A SMOKE ALARM? If not, call the operation Save-A-Life 24-hour hotline at 216-361-5535 to apply for FREE smoke alarms.

DONATIONS

ALUMINUM CANS FOR BURNED CHILDREN (ACBC): Instead of throwing aluminum cans out or placing them on your curb, collect them and take them to your local fire station. This will help benefit a pediatric burn survivor or prevent a child from a burn injury. For more information about ACBC call 216-883-6633 or visit www.acbcohio.org.

EDUCATION

MEETING ABOUT WEST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL: Thursday, December 5 from 6-8 p.m. at Garrett Morgan High School, 4016 Woodbine Avenue. The Cleveland Metropolitan School District administration will update the community on academic program planning for two high schools within the new West Side High School campus.

GORDON SQUARE COMPUTER LAB: Free classes Tuesdays from 10am to 4pm; Thursdays from 11am to 6 pm, and alternating either Friday 1-5 pm OR Saturday 9-11am. For more information or to register, call Digital Literacy Coordinator Alicia Greasby at 219-961-4242 ext. 235.

METRO WEST COMPUTER LAB: Free classes on Mondays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m; Fridays from 1-5 p.m.; and every other Saturday from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. at 3167 Fulton Road, Third Floor, Suite 303. For more information and to register call Digital Literacy Coordinator Alicia Greasby at 216-961-9073 ext. 235.

FREE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING FOR YOUR STUDENTS: The Red Cross is offering FREE youth disaster preparedness presentations for elementary-aged students. The 30-to-60-minute classroom-based presentations are designed for students in grades K-5. To learn more about the program or schedule a presentation contact: John.Gareis@redcross.org or visit redcross.org/youthprep.

COLLEGE NOW Greater Cleveland on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Carnegie West Branch Library, 1900 Fulton Road: College Now assists adults with student loan debt, starting a degree program, returning to college to finish a degree, finding scholarships, financial aid and much more.  Contact CoLean Williams, Adult Programs Specialist, to schedule an appointment: CWilliams@collegenowgc.org 216.635.0182.

FREE COURSES: Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Aspire offers free courses to help you improve your academic skills, prepare for the workforce, work towards High School Equivalent (HSE)/GED Test Preparation, and prepare for a job, college or training. High school graduates are welcome if they meet testing requirements. Register online on the 15^th and 30^th of each month at www.tri-c.edu/aspire. (If the 15^th or 30^th is on a weekend or holiday, registration will be on the following weekday. You must attend orientation to enroll.) For more information and a complete list of classes and resources visit: www.tri-c.edu/aspire.

WORKFORCE 360°: Do you need your GED or High School Diploma? Are you 18 to 24 years old? Are you a resident of Cuyahoga County and eligible to work in the United States? If so, OhioGuidestone offers a program for you. The program includes: paid training; GED Assistance; help creating a resume and preparing for interviews; financial literacy training; leadership training; transportation assistance; help finding a job; help with healthcare, child care, housing, food assistance, and legal needs; help with additional education; Occupational Training in customer service, hospitality, culinary, and health care; support for one year following program completion.  Orientations held every Tuesday at 10 a.m. For more information or to sign up call 440-260-6813 or email Nicole.Buongiorno@OhioGuidestone.org or visit Workforce 360° Center, 3235 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

LEARN TO SPEAK ENGLISH FOR FREE: Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Aspire offers English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education (IELCE) courses for free. Register online on the 15^th and 30^th of each month at www.tri-c.edu/aspire. (If the 15^th or 30^th is on a weekend or holiday, registration will be on the following weekday. You must attend orientation to enroll.) For more information and a complete list of classes and resources visit: www.tri-c.edu/aspire.

EMPLOYMENT

WEST SIDE CATHOLIC CENTER WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT JOBS PROGRAM: The program runs from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday thru Friday for a period of eight weeks. All jobseekers are guaranteed job offers in the area of their interest and may exit the program prior to the eight weeks upon accepting an employment opportunity. We assist with obtaining childcare vouchers and provide childcare in the interim. We assist with bus tickets for all SNAP eligible individuals. Work clothes, interview clothes and all supplies needed for class are provided for free. A free lunch is provided after class. Those individuals who are interested or need additional hours for SNAP will have a choice of two exploratory introductions to either FOOD SERVICE or MANUFACTURING. Question or registration…..call Frank Johanek   216-631-4741  ext. 167

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU employment recruiter will be at the Carnegie West Branch Library, 1900 Fulton, on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Recruiting Assistant John Wagner will provide information and answer questions about current, local, part-time job opportunities with the Census Bureau.  The Census Bureau offers great pay and hours to fit your schedule.

ENVIRONMENT

THE PLASTIC REDUCTION WORKING GROUP will be meeting on Thursday, December 5^th at 10am at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, 4750 W. 131^ST Street in Garfield Heights.  Diane Bickett, Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, will give us an overview of the marketing and education campaign for the County’s bag ban.

FESTIVALS

WINTERTIDE AT GORDON SQUARE: a free, all-ages, arts-infused festival returning to the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood 2-6pm on Saturday, December 14, 2019. Presented by Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization (DSCDO) in collaboration with Cleveland Public Theatre (CPT), this event mixes holiday merriment with artistic wonder. Main stage, fire pits, and beer garden are at West 65th Street and Detroit Avenue. The free Kid Zone at Near West Theatre includes hands-on activities and photos with Santa, and a free trolley whisks you to Cleveland Bazaar’s handmade holiday market at 78th Street Studios and back. Visit dscdo.org for festival updates and map (coming soon). Share with #WINTERTIDE, and follow @detroitshoreway and @CPTCLE on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

FOOD

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY branches now serve free meals to children age 18 and under Monday thru Friday from 3:30 -4:30 p.m.

FREE FRESH PRODUCE: Joseph Gallagher School, 6601 Franklin Blvd., Thursday, December 5, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

FREE FRESH PRODUCE: Marion C. Seltzer School, 1468 W. 98^th Street: 4-6 p.m. on Friday, December 6^th.

FREE FRESH PRODUCE: Calvary Reformed Church, 1918 W. 65, Saturday, December 7 from 9:30 a.m. – Noon.

FREE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION: MetroHealth and Cleveland Food Bank will continue free produce distribution through the end of this year. Patients, community members or anyone in need of fresh food can stop by for a bag of produce. Just bring your ID (driver’s license, state ID card, etc.) and your own bags. Distribution will occur from 10 a.m. – Noon on Tuesday December 17 at the Outpatient Pavilion (first floor, near pharmacy) at MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 MetroHealth Drive

FREE FRESH PRODUCE: Cudell Recreation Center, Thursday, December 19 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

FREE FRESH PRODUCE: Villa Mercede, 1331 W. 70^th, Friday, December 20, 1-3 p.m.

FREE FRESH PRODUCE: New Beginning Ministries, 2060 W. 65^th Street, Saturday December 21, 10 a.m. until noon.

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK: Call 216-738-7239, or visit GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org for food assistance. Apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if you are under sixty (limits are higher for persons age 60 or older or persons receiving disability assistance) and your monthly family income is $1,316 or less for a one-person household; $1,784 or less for a two person household; $2,252 or less for a three person household; 2,720 or less for a four person household. Add $453 for each additional household member.   For information about Food Stamps (SNAP) applications, food pantries, free produce, and hot meals text FOOD to 63566.

HEALTH

OVERCOMING TRAUMA: Getting Past the Past, Join Us for an Evening of Art and Healing Dialogue. Wednesday, December 11, 2019 5:30-7:00pm at Riverview Welcome Center, 1701 West 25^th Street, RSVP: https://events.clevelandclinic.org/detail-page.html?event=6314. Questions Janice gonzalj5@ccf.org 216-696-7223

WANT TO STOP SMOKING: Information on how to stop and where to get help can be found at: www.healthycle.org/ditchtobacco.

NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Lifeline is FREE, confidential and always available.

IMMIGRATION

IMMIGRATION DETAINEES IN NORTHEAST OHIO: If you need legal assistance with an immigration matter and cannot afford an attorney, Legal Aid may be able to help. Call the Legal Aid’s Detention Project at 888-817-3777.

HOLIDAY PARTY

COFFEE WITH THE COPS AND SANTA: Third Annual Holiday Party, Bring the kids to meet Santa & his beautiful elves and receive a gift and warm cup of cheer. Enjoy music, caroling, conversation and holiday cheer with our community leaders, caregivers, cops, councilpersons. Thursday, December 12, 2019 10:30 am- 12:30 pm. Lutheran Hospital Cafeteria 1730 West 25^th Street, CLE 44113 Questions Janice gonzalj5@ccf.org 216-696-7223.

LIBRARIES

REIMAGINING JEFFERSON BRANCH: Offer your input on Tuesday, December 3 or Friday December 13 from 4-7 pm

MEETINGS

CUDELL IMPROVEMENT BOARD MEETING: 9821 Lorain Avenue, Tuesday, December 3, 5:45 p.m.

FIRST DISTRICT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING: Thursday, December 5^th at 7 p.m. at St. Ignatius of Antioch School Cafeteria, 10205 Lorain Avenue.

SECOND DISTRICT POLICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING: Tuesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m. at Applewood Center gym, 3518 W. 25^th. (Enter gym via Daisy Avenue entrance).

NEWS COVERAGE SURVEY

READER INPUT SOUGHT ON NEWS COVERAGE: Imagine that you wanted to cover the most important story in our community as deeply and creatively as you possibly could. Imagine that you had the resources of a dozen newsrooms at your disposal, from newspapers to radio to television. What would you want to cover, and how? That’s not just a hypothetical question, and we’d love to hear your answer. More than a dozen news organizations in northeast Ohio, including our own, are considering creation of a collaborative news organization. Together, the members of this news collaborative would take on maybe one topic for up to a year, aimed at finding solutions to persistent problems. We’ve discussed a wide range of potential issues, from public safety to public housing. We’ve talked about the risks of gentrification, and the hazards of continued decay in our cities. The need for better social services, and the risks of higher taxes. The need to reduce infant mortality rates, and the need to improve quality of care for senior citizens. But, mostly, we’ve talked about our need to stay closer to the people we serve. So, one of the first steps we’re taking is to ask what matters most to you, because we realize that you may have ideas we haven’t even thought of. So, what’s on your mind? What are you most concerned about? What do you worry about, or hope to go better, in your life here in northeast Ohio? If you’d like to help advise us, please fill out the brief survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NEOTopics. Or drop me a note to the Plain Press at plainpress@gmail.com.

POLITICS

BREAK THE GRIP OF THE TWO-PARTY SYSTEM: Labor and Community for an Independent Political Party, Saturday, December 7, 2019, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. at Middleburg Heights Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library, 16699 Bagley Road. 5-8 p.m. Dinner with speakers at the Brew Garden, 18590 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights. Topics will include Medicare for All, Endless regime change wars and deadly sanctions vs. international working-class solidarity, forced migration and deportation. Sponsored by the Labor Education & Arts Project, in cooperation with Labor and Community for an Independent Party.

RECREATION
LINCOLN WEST SCHOOL AS A NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE, 3202 W. 30th: Free night recreation and community programming. Open 6-8 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on days when school is in session thru March of 2020. Free space for community groups for meetings and extracurricular programs. Programs available for residents include: arts & crafts, basketball open gym, batting cage, cooking class, indoor track, Near West Rec, soccer, tutoring, weight room & Zumba. For more information visit neighborhoodleadership.org. Site coordinator is Michelle Cruz. For more information visit www.neighborhoodleadership.org.

NEAR WEST RECREATION will have registration for basketball for youths ages 7-17 thru December 18^th. The league will run from January 13 thru March 13. For more information email Keri Palma at kpalma@ohiocity.org.

SERVICES

RENEE JONES EMPOWERMENT CENTER, 3764 W. 25^th Street, Suite 200.: Restoring the lives of Human Trafficking Victims through holistic services and advocacy. Services include therapy, case management, life skills, employment assistance, weekly support groups and more. Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:30-8:30 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. To make an appointment call 216- 417-0823. For more information visit: www.rjecempower.org or email: rjones@rjecempower.org.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER’S LATINA PROJECT offers culturally sensitive services that take into consideration the realities of the Latino life. Services provided in Spanish and free of charge include information about legal rights & Justice System Advocacy, personal assistance & escort, counseling services, weekly Spanish-speaking Support Group/childcare and more. For more information call 216-229-2420 or visit www.dvcac.org.

VOLUNTEERS

BILINGUAL TUTORS NEEDED FOR SPANISH SPEAKERS TAKING THE GED, Tuesdays & Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at Seeds of Literacy,3104 W. 25^th Street. Seeds of Literacy offers FREE one-to-one GED tutoring to adults in Cleveland. In association with Esperanza, Seeds of Literacy has expanded its services to include tutoring for Spanish-speaking adults in the Clark-Fulton community. Bilingual volunteer tutors are needed. Curriculum, practice tests and tutoring will be conducted in Spanish. Training for tutors will be provided. For more information visit http://www.seedsofliteracy.org, or to volunteer call 216-661-7950 or email: SHARON@SEEDSOFLITERACY.ORG.

CASA of Cuyahoga County, a program of Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County, needs volunteers to advocate for children who have been neglected and abused. CASAs are everyday citizens who are appointed by the Court to advocate for the safety and well-being of children and represent the children’s best interests. CASAs are trained to investigate, facilitate, advocate, and monitor one or two cases at a time to help the Court make the best decision for a safe, caring, and permanent home for children involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Those interested in becoming a CASA, please visit cfadvocates.org or call 216.443.3377 for more information.

GIRLTREK: a public health movement for Black women and girls, is training 3000 neighborhood captains to hold 1,000 walks in neighborhoods around the country in 2019. To sign up to participate email lead@girltrek.org.