ARTS

DAY OF THE DEAD:  The Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) Festival will take place in Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood on Saturday November 4. Día de Muertos is a cultural tradition in Mexico and many Latin American countries to honor deceased loved ones. The event is free and family friendly and begins at 11 am, but the main programming kicks off at 3:30pm with a community procession of “Skulls & Skeletons” along Detroit Avenue starting at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415 Detroit Ave. The festivities will continue through 10 pm with live music and performance, Latin food, and visual art exhibits.

FREE CONCERT: Tweed, an Irish band weaving together traditional and contemporary music from Ireland, Scotland and England. Saturday November 4 at 2 pm, Cleveland Public Library, Main Library, 325 Superior Avenue, 3^rd Floor. 216-623-2848.

PHOTO EXHIBIT: The Cleveland Photo Fest Presents “Art of the Trade: Artists Collecting Artists Exhibition”, featuring a collection of photos from various Cleveland artists. Runs October 13 thru November 4 at doubting thomas Gallery, 856 Jefferson Ave. in Tremont.

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.

THE TRANSFORMER STATION, 1460 W. 29^th Street, now operated as a part of the Cleveland Museum of Art, is featuring two installations, “Blow” and “The Obscuring Moon”, by Japanese artist Tabaimo. Both are free to view through February 3, 2024. Fall hours are Wednesday thru Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

CONSUMER

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.

COMMUNITY

BIG CITY BOO: The City of Cleveland will host its Big City Boo, with free Halloween activities and candy, on Tuesday October 31, from 5-7pm, at all Recreation and Resource Centers, including Cudell (1910 West Blvd), Cudell Fine Arts (10013 Detroit Ave), and Zone (6301 Lorain Ave)

COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS: A news discussion group that meets on the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 9 am to 10 am at Harbor and Bridge at 4321 Bridge Ave. The next two meetings will be November 12 and November 26. The meetings are a chance to read, reflect, and respond to difficult and divisive issues. We often talk about local issues (housing, policing, politics, gentrification, etc.), and sometimes talk about more broad ones. Email Matt at harborandbridgecc@gmail.com for a copy of the article we’ll be discussing at the next meeting.

SECOND DISTRICT POLICING COMMITTEE will host its next community meeting on Tuesday November 14 at 6 pm at Bridge CLE at 3389 Fulton Rd. (on the northeast corner of Trowbridge and Fulton). The committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the same location.

TRICK-OR-TREATING will be held throughout the city of Cleveland on Halloween, Tuesday October 31, from 5 pm-7 pm.

EDUCATION

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE LESSONS AND PRACTICE: Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in St. Augustine Church Hall, 2486 W. 14^th st.

CASITA DE CORAZÓN: A playful experience where preschoolers can integrate language, culture and music. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (9:30 am-11:30 am) at St. Paul’s Community Church, at 4427 Franklin Blvd. Accepting children ages 2 1/2 to 5 years old. (Children must be able to use the toilet, without assistance). The program will be led by Carol Vang (kindergarten readiness and musikgarten) and Amelia Carreon (integration of Spanish language and culture…Preschool & Pre-K). For additional information contact Amelia Carreon at carreonamelia4427@yahoo.com or 216-651-4100.

CLEVELAND TRANSFORMATION ALLIANCE: Find the right kindergarten for your child. Visit mycleschool.org or call 216-592-2303 for more information.

ELECTION

GENERAL ELECTION will be held on November 7th, 2023. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m. A valid photo ID is required. For more information or to view a sample ballot, visit the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections website at: www.boe.cuyahogacounty.gov

EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING: There’s still time to vote early at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, at 2925 Euclid Ave. Early voting will be open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm from Wednesday November 1 to Friday November 3; from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm on Saturday November 4; and from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday November 5. A valid photo ID is required to vote.

VOTING LOCATION CHANGE: Beginning with the November 7 general election, voters who live in Ward 13 precincts G, H, and Q have been moved out of the American Legion Post 469 at 4910 Memphis Ave. They will now vote at the Estabrook Rec Center at 4125 Fulton Rd.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE

HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE WINTER CRISIS PROGRAM: Assistance is available thru March 31^st to help with home energy bills thru the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Winter Crisis Program. The program, administered by CHN Housing Partners, helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills. Ohioans who are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected from their utility service, are transferring services, establishing new services, at or below 25% fuel, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 12 months may also be eligible. Cuyahoga County residents can call (216) 350-8008 to make an appointment, or they can schedule an appointment online at www.chn.itfrontdesk.com. Appointments will be conducted by phone or video conference. For more information about the Winter Crisis Program, contact CHN Housing Partners at 216-325-1148. To be connected to a local Energy Assistance provider call (800) 282-0880 (hearing impaired clients may dial 711 for assistance) or visit www.energyhelp.ohio.gov.

ENVIRONMENT

SPOTTED LANTERNFLY: The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has designated the spotted lanternfly, a flying insect native to Asia, as an invasive species. First spotted in Pennsylvania in 2014, the insects have made their way to Ohio and have recently been seen in the Cleveland area. The insects, if left unchecked, can devastate fruit and vegetable crops. An adult spotted lanternfly has fuzzy gray wings with black dots, while younger lanternflies are bright red with black and white spots.  If you see a spotted lanternfly, take a photo of it, squash it, then report the sighting to the ODA using the Ohio Plant Pest Reporter feature on the ODA website.

FOOD

COMMUNITY SHARE-A-MEAL: Please join us for a free meal on Wednesday November 1 and Wednesday November 15 at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church, 10205 Lorain Ave. All are welcome. Join us in the cafeteria and enter through the rear door. Doors open at 4:30 pm for coffee, appetizers, and catching up with friends. Dinner will be served at 5:30 pm. A mini food pantry is available on occasion. Community meals are held the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

HEALTH

COVID-19 TESTS: Each U.S. household can now order 4 COVID-19 at-home tests shipped straight to their door at no cost. All you need to do is visit COVIDtests.gov and enter your contact information and mailing address. At-home tests, or “self-tests,” give rapid results and can be taken anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms. Visit CDC.gov to learn when to test yourself, how to use an at-home test, and what your test results mean.

FREE DENTAL CLINIC at the Huntington Convention Center (300 Lakeside Ave.) On Friday November 17 and Saturday November 18. Presented by Medworks, the clinic will provide free cleanings, fillings, extractions for all ages, adult prosthetics, and children’s sealants. Doors open at 7 am. Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. No ID or insurance required. For more information, visit medworksusa.org or call 216-231-5350.

VACCINE CLINICS: In partnership with Cleveland Department of Public Health (CDPH), the LGBT Community Center at 6705 Detroit Ave will be hosting walk-up vaccine clinics throughout the fall of 2023. We will be offering flu and MPOX vaccines. Clinics will be held from 4 pm – 7:30 pm on Wednesday November 8 and Wednesday November 22. Clinics will also be held from 10 am-12 pm on Friday November 3 and Monday November 20.

NEIGHBORHOOD FAMILY PRACTICE is offering walk-in or scheduled vaccine appointments at all seven community health center locations. To register, call 216-281-0872 for assistance.

LIBRARIES

CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY EASTMAN CAMPUS. Come and explore the newly renovated Eastman branch of the Cleveland Public Library, at 11602 Lorain Ave. The branch’s grand re-opening is Saturday October 28 at noon and will include music, family activities, free food, and more.

STREAM MOVIES FOR FREE using your Cleveland Public Library card — stream up to 20 movies per month. Just go to kanopy.com to sign up. Select Cleveland Public Library as your library. Type in your library card number. Then type in the last four digits of the library card number when asked for a pin.

PETS

STRUGGLING TO CARE FOR YOUR PET? LOST YOUR DOG? THINKING OF ADDING A NEW PUP TO YOUR FAMILY? WE CAN HELP visit www.clepups.com For lost dogs, you may also call the kennel directly at 216-664-3069. The Cleveland Kennel is located at 9203 Detroit Avenue.

RECREATION

FREE MONDAYS AT THE ZOO: On Mondays, the zoo is FREE for residents of Cuyahoga County and Hinckley Township. To confirm your residency, bring your driver’s license or state I.D. or a current utility bill with your Cuyahoga Cty. or Hinckley Twp. address along with a photo ID.

FREE SUNDAYS at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for all residents of Cleveland or East Cleveland. Please reserve your tickets in advance at CMNH.org. Proof of residency is required upon arrival.

TRANSPORTATION

THE CENTER STREET BRIDGE, which carries Center St. and the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail over the Cuyahoga River, is now open again after almost two years of construction and repairs.

FREE BUS PASSES: Pregnant or a new parent? RTA is now offering free weekly bus passes to pregnant mothers and to parents of children under one year old through its Baby on Board program. Call 216-658-1355 for more information and to sign up.