Plain Press Community Board

March 2021

ARTS

THE BORDERLIGHT INTERNATIONAL THEATRE & FRINGE FESTIVAL announces a call for performing artists, street and circus performers, multimedia creators and more for the 2021 event, which will feature a fully outdoor program with virtual options. BorderLight launched in 2019 as a biennial summer festival and will return to downtown Cleveland July 22-24, 2021. The festival seeks performances that are suitable for outdoor and open-air venues, as well street theatre, buskers, and virtual productions from a wide variety of genres. These include (but are not limited to): Theatre, Physical Theatre, Dance Theatre, Circus, Cabaret, Children’s Theatre, Solo Performance, Performance Art, Puppetry, Immersive Experiences, Musicals, Multimedia work, Spoken Word, Roaming Performance, Stand Up Comedy, Streamed or live-streamed digital ­­work, Audio Plays, Site-Specific performances, and more! Application deadline is March 5. Learn more and apply at: borderlightcle.org/fringe-apply-2021 

BUSINESS

DESTINATION CLEVELAND’S CLEAN COMMITTED PROGRAM asks business owners for their word to help ensure a safe and responsible reopening of Cleveland’s hospitality, entertainment and tourism industries. The program requests voluntary commitment to a standard of cleanliness practices to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. The practices were developed in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals. Business owners making the CLEAN COMMITMENT will receive materials to post that indicate their commitment and illustrate the clean practices. Join in at MYWORDMYCLE.COM or #MYWORDMYCLE

EDUCATION

CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE is offering an online Workforce Success course this spring to expand community access to education and job training during the COVID-19 outbreak. The course is designed to sharpen skills necessary to succeed in the workplace while providing an introduction to the College and its resources. It is part of the ongoing Tri-C Access Center initiative. The session begins March 17. Participants will: Earn college credit; Identify and boost employable skills; Get help with career planning, resumé writing and job searching; and Improve study, time management and problem-solving skills. Instruction materials will be available online for self-paced review, with morning and evening instructor-led sessions at designated times during the week. The Workforce Success course is open to the community and offered in partnership with Tri-C Access Center hosts. The course is offered at no cost to participants through scholarship funding. Visit tri-c.edu/accesscenters to register or learn more.

CLEVELAND TRANSFORMATION ALLIANCE can help you find your child’s best fit school. Use its interactive School Finder Tool at http://www.myCLEschool.org

IDEASTREAM EDUCATION uses a multiple-media approach that employs a variety of online and in-person learning opportunities and apps to connect children, parents and educators to quality, age-appropriate learning tools. As the Education Technology Agency serving Northeast Ohio through the Ohio Department of Education, ideastream Education provides outreach, support and instructional technology integration to more than 1,200schools and 550,000 students. Learn more at: www.ideastream.org/education.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT: The Ohio Department of Education adopted Social and Emotional Learning Standards. PBS LearningMedia has curated a collection of resources for social and emotional development that encourage children to foster positive peer and adult interactions and to manage self-expression and inner feelings. The social and emotional development resources available through PDS LearningMedia explore many areas. These interactive activities can be used to encourage and teach appropriate social behaviors, including social problem solving, self-awareness and empathy. Learn more at: www.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/preschool/social-and-emotional-development.

NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION READ ACROSS AMERICA: Join classrooms around the country reading books that celebrate diversity. Calendar at: www.readacrossamerica.org.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

CHN HOUSING PARTNERS offers federal & utility-funded programs to assist renters and homeowners with lowering energy use. Services include attic, wall and basement insulation; blower-door guided air leakage reduction; heating system repairs or replacements; health and safety testing and inspections; LED bulb installation and Energy Star refrigerator replacement. All improvements are provided based on income qualifications and a home energy inspection. To learn more please contact Community Engagement Specialist Julie Dahlhausen at 216-280-8411 or juliedahlhausen@tremontwest.org.

ENVIRONMENT

HEALTH

VACCINE LOCATION INFORMATION: Ohioans age 60 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine. Older Ohioans will be given vaccinations by local health departments, hospitals, federally-qualified health centers, and some retail pharmacies. Visit https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov/ to find a vaccine location convenient for you. Site locations are searchable by provider name, county, and ZIP code.

QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID TESTING OR SYMPTOMS?  Call the MetroHealth COVID hotline at 440-592-0843 for an immediate evaluation or visit the MetroHealth website at: www.metrohealth.org/covid-19

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL ILLNESS (NAMI) GREATER CLEVELAND offers mental health consumers and their families support, referrals or information. Call its helpline at 216-875-7776 or access the Live Chat option on their website at: namigreatercleveland.org and click on the speech bubble.

CLEVELAND RAPE CRISIS CENTER’S  24-hour crisis and support hotline – call or text at 216-619-6192 or 440-423-2020 or chat online at www.clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat . The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center offers help to you and your family – no matter how long ago you were hurt.

THE NORTHEAST OHIO BLACK HEALTH COALITION invites you to attend the Menthol Free training sessions by our partners at the Center for Black Health Equity. “Fighting for Ourselves: Menthol Free Communities” – Menthol Flavor Restriction Ordinances and Campaigns Training Series.  March dates: Monday March 8th – 12-1pm; and Monday March 22nd – 12-1pm. Use this link to register each week:   https://bit.ly/3awvNCU.

HOUSING

ATTENTION CLEVELAND TENANTS: You may qualify for free representation at your eviction hearing if you have at least one minor child in your household and meet income guidelines. Call the Right to Counsel Free Eviction Help program of the Legal Aid Society and United Way at 216-861-5835 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. M thru F. Or call 2-1-1 – available 24/7. You can also apply online at: FreeEvictionHelp.org

UTILITY RATES

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF OHIO (PUCO)’s website offers people an opportunity to compare rates and fees from gas and electric utility companies. Visit the website at: www.enerychoice.ohio.gov.

RECREATION

HALLORAN SKATING RINK has reopened offering a schedule of open ice skating and hockey skills and drills from 12;15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Schedules of times for different age groups are available at the Halloran Skating Rink front desk at 3550 W. 117^th Street. You must pre-register for all scheduled sessions and activities. Sessions are limited, so make sure you register in advance. Reservations are required. Masks must be worn at all times. Skate rentals are $1.00. Meals are served M-F from 4-5 p.m. To make a reservation call 216-644-4187.

TAX PREPARATION

GET YOUR TAXES PREPARED FOR FREE by the Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Coalition. Schedule your appointment at  refundohio.com or dial 2-1-1.

VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING

BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO seek people from all walks of life who can share 2-3 minute videos about their careers and different aspects of work life. The videos will be available to club teens, who are considering everything from going to college to entering the workforce. Your experiences and expertise can help shape their decisions and create Great Futures. There will be a different topic each month for volunteers to participate in. If you or your company are interested in being part of this Teen Corner feature on our online Cyber Club, please contact Grace Marras at gmarras@bgcneo.org

YOUTH

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED (Y.O.U.): Youths in grades 8 through 12 that are looking for a summer job can register online for the Y.O.U. Summer Employment Program at www.youthopportunities.org. 2021 Registration closes on May 1^st.  For more information call 216-776-3900.