(Plain Press April 2024)

ARTS

CALL FOR ARTISTS:  In honor of the total solar eclipse on April 8, Summit Artspace is hosting the exhibition In the Shadow: Artwork from the Total Solar Eclipse. Beginning April 5, artists can submit artwork in all media directly inspired by the total solar eclipse or any artwork inspired by celestial bodies and events. The exhibition will run from May 24 to June 15 at the Welcome Gallery and Hallways of the Summit Artspace. Artists who live, work, or attend school in Summit and contiguous counties (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Medina, Portage, Stark, or Wayne County) are eligible. It is free to apply, and the submission deadline is Friday, May 3. Visit summitartspace.org for more information.

MEET THE AUTHOR:  Explore Cleveland’s spooky past with local historian and author of Lost Ghost Stories of Cleveland, William Krejci, as we investigate our city’s ghostly legends and urban lore, downtown at the Main Library of the Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave) on Saturday, April 6 at 12 pm. Book signing to follow.

POETRY READINGS: In honor of National Poetry Month, this April the Ohio Center for the Book is hosting two poetry readings featuring Ohio poets at the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave). Lindsay Turner and Noah Falck will share a selection of their works on Saturday, April 20, followed by Stephanie Ginese and Taylor Byas on Saturday, April 27. Both events will be from 4 pm to 5 pm in the Literature Department on the second floor of the downtown library.

ST. PAUL’S STREET STUDIO: Missing a chance to play live music or share poetry in person? Check out the St. Paul’s Street Studio and join us to share music/spoken word in a peaceful atmosphere of respect. We provide a piano, drums, acoustic guitars, and microphones…and an encouraging circle of listeners. All are welcome! The event is held at St. Paul’s Community Church, 4427 Franklin Blvd from 1 pm – 2:30 pm in the sanctuary. This month’s session is on Saturday, April 27. For more information, contact Ian Heisey at 216-973-1486 or heisey2140@sbcglobal.net.

SUMMER OF SISTERHOOD, sponsored by the West Side Community House (9300 Lorain Ave.),offers a safe space for girls ages 10 to 18 years old to explore their creativity and express themselves through art, including singing, dancing, acting, creative writing, and fashion design.  The program runs Monday through Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm, from June 3 to August 2. For more information, contact Kelli Price at kprice@wschouse.org or 216-771-7297 ex 315. Or visit wschouse.org/summer-of-sisterhood-application-2024 to apply.

CAREERS

FREE JOB TRAINING: If you are a SNAP benefit recipient, you are eligible to receive free education and job training. Contact the Workforce Opportunity Resource Center at Cuyahoga Job and Family Services for more information: 216-987-6578.

JOB CORPS offers free, hands-on training, campus living, meals, supplies, and a supportive community to 16- to 24-year-olds looking to jumpstart a career. Visit jobcorps.gov or call 800-733-JOBS (5627) for more information.

OHIO MEANS JOBS offers career coaching, help with applying for jobs, computer skills training, help with creating resumes and more. The job center at 1910 Carnegie Ave. is open Monday thru Friday from 8 am-4:30 pm. Call 216-777-8200 or visit omjcc.us for more information.

THE SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM, sponsored by Youth Opportunities Unlimited, helps students in 8th thru 12th grade find a summer job so they can learn and earn some money! Earn $13.50 an hour for up to 25 hours per week. Applications due by May 1. Visit www.youcle.org/syep for more information or to apply.

COMMUNITY

CUYAHOGA COUNTY DEMOCRATIC SENIOR CITIZENS CAUCUS will hold their monthly meeting on April 6 at 12:30 p.m. at 3615 Superior Avenue. State Representative Sean P. Brennan will speak on Environmental Issues and give an update on the Statehouse. Brennan is the sponsor of a bill to repeal HB6. Parking available on Superior or on lot off E. 36^th. Wheelchair accessible. Questions call Co-Chair Pam Mason at 216-268-9658.

GET GRAPHIC! COMICS DISCUSSION: Join us on the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm at Bookhouse Brewing (1526 W 25 St.) for this discussion group focused on comics and graphic novels. On Thursday, April 4, we will discuss One! Hundred! Demons! by Lynda Barry. On Thursday, May 2 we will discuss Fun Home by Alison Bechdel.

QUEER PARENT SUPPORT GROUP: Sponsored by the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, Building A Village is a support group for queer parents with children 10 and under. The group is an opportunity for parents to build social connections and give and receive support while their children participate in age-appropriate social programming . The group meets every fourth Saturday of the month from 10:30 am – 12 pm at the LGBT Center (6705 Detroit Ave.). This month’s meeting will be Saturday, April 27.

TREMONT THINK AND DRINK: Join us for an engaging book discussion while enjoying your favorite beverage at Lincoln Park Pub (2609 W 14 St)  Monday, April 15 at 7 pm. This month, we will be discussing Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep.

WOMEN’S GROUP: the women’s outreach center at Franklin Circle Church (1688 Fulton Rd.) offers a variety of activities, including art therapy, poetry/book discussion, yoga therapy, crochet and knitting, and field trips. The group is held Wednesdays from 2 pm-4 pm. Please enter at the side door, on Fulton Rd.

ECLIPSE EVENTS

ECLIPSE: Cleveland and its surrounding area will experience a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. The eclipse will start at 1:59 pm, reach its maximum at 3:15 pm and end at 4:20 p.m. Experts warn that looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent eye damage and recommend that you wear ISO-compliant eclipse glasses to protect your eyes. For more information about the eclipse, including how to view it safely, visit cmnh.org/solar-eclipse-2024.

TOTAL ECLIPSE FEST: The Great Lakes Science Center and its partners NASA’s Glenn Research Center and the Cleveland Orchestra will host a free, 3-day festival in honor of the total solar eclipse at North Coast Harbor in downtown Cleveland from Saturday, April 6 to Monday, April 8.This outdoor, family-friendly science and arts festival will feature free concerts, performances, speakers, and hands-on science activities with community partners, from 10 am-5 pm each day. Admission is free and a ticket is not required. For a full list of activities, dates and times, visit greatscience.com.

TOTAL ON THE OVAL:  The Cleveland Museum of Natural History and the University Circle community are hosting a family-friendly community watch party for the eclipse at Wade Oval on Monday, April 8. Enjoy live music, hands-on activities, and more as we gear up for the event of a lifetime. The museum will be open from 10am–2pm with special programs and activities. After 2 pm, the party moves outside as we use ISO-compliant eclipse glasses to safely watch the Total Solar Eclipse. The entire Total on the Oval event runs from 10 am–4:30 pm.

ENVIRONMENT

EARTH DAY CLEAN UP: In honor of Earth Day, the Brooklyn Centre Collective will host a clean up of the Shalom and Tranquility Garden

(3789 West 39th St) from 9 am-12 pm on Saturday, April 20. Open to the public. Lunch is always served.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEROES is a free after-school field science experience for middle and high school students run by Case Western Reserve University’s Leonard Gelfand STEM Center (10900 Euclid Ave). Self-motivated participants will engage in real science with the guidance of experts, collecting and analyzing environmental data in the Lake Erie watershed. Participants will be selected in a competitive application and interview process. Completed applications are due June 30. For more information, visit gelfand.case.edu or contact Kathryn Kwiatkowski: Kmk21@case.edu, 216-368-5075.

FREE TREE PLANTINGS: Residents of the Old Brooklyn neighborhood are eligible to have a tree planted in their lawns at no charge, thanks to the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation. Each tree will be professionally and responsibly planted by a planting team throughout 2024. Visit oldbrooklyn.com/tree or contact Hope at HopeF@oldbrooklyn.com or 216-459-1000 x206 to learn more.

FESTIVALS

DYNGUS DAY: Packed with authentic ethnic food, music, bier, and dancing, Dyngus Day is a city-wide celebration of Polish culture and traditions on Monday, April 1 from 10 am to 8 pm, centered around the Gordon Square Arts District. This year, the event will return to being an outdoor event, closing off several blocks of Detroit Ave.

THE NCAA WOMEN’S FINAL FOUR will take place at Rocket Mortgage Field House from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7. While it is a ticketed event, there will also be a variety of related free events, including live music, opportunities to meet players and staff, and giveaways. For a full list of events, visit clevelandncaawff.com.

HEALTH

FREE SMOKE ALARMS are available to Cleveland residents thru Operation Save-A-Life, a program of the American Red Cross and Cleveland Fire Department. The smoke alarms are installed by Cleveland firefighters at no cost to the resident. To apply, call the 24-hour hotline at 216-361-5535. Please note that the application and installation process may take up to 90 days.

HELP ME GROW, an initiative of the Ohio Department of Health, offers free home visits to pregnant mothers and parents of young children. Our caring and professional visitors can help you plan a healthy pregnancy, share tips to help keep your child healthy and safe, answer your questions, and help you find resources that meet your needs. To learn more or to sign up for this voluntary program, visit helpmegrow.org/HomeVisiting.

THE MINORITY MEN’S HEALTH FAIR, sponsored by MetroHealth, will offer free health screenings, wellness sessions, guest speakers, and a job fair on Saturday, April 27 at the Tri-C Metro Campus (2900 Community College Ave.) from 11 am to 4 pm. It’s your chance – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation – to make a commitment to better health. For more information, including registration, call 216-957-3862.

OPIOID CRISIS GRANT PROPOSALS: The OneOhio Recovery Foundation, a charitable organization charged with distributing a portion of Ohio’s opioid settlement funds, is now accepting grant applications from Ohio-based organizations, including non-profits, for-profits, and government entities, who are on the frontlines of Ohio’s opioid battle. Organizations working to advance substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by Friday, May 3. Visit OneOhioFoundation.com/grants to learn more.

HOMELESS

WESTSIDE HOMELESS CONGRESS: The Homeless Congress, sponsored by the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH), is made up of unhoused/homeless residents that come together to solve local problems in the homeless community. Please join us the second Tuesday of every month at noon at St. Paul’s Community Church (4427 Franklin Blvd.) This month’s meeting is on Tuesday, April 9. A limited amount of bus passes will be given out to participants at the end of the meeting. Questions? Call NEOCH at 216-432-0504 or email josiah@neoch.org.

LIBRARIES

YOUNG SCHOLARS’ ACADEMY is a kindergarten readiness program for children ages 4-6 (entering kindergarten Fall 2024) and their parent(s) or other adult family member.  The lessons are based on the Ohio Department of Education Learning Standards and are engaging for scholars while providing parents with researched-based tips that support learning opportunities at home. The sessions will take place in person for 10 consecutive weeks on Wednesdays from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm at the Lorain Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave.), starting April 24. To register, visit tinyurl.com/mvj4mcnm. Questions? Call 216-623-7114.

0 TO 3: READ TO ME! Literacy begins at birth and every parent can learn and use simple, researched-based techniques to build language and literacy skills right from the start. Check out the Cleveland Public Library’s new collection of programs designed especially for children from birth to age 3 (36 months) and parents or other adult family members. Cpl.org/readtome. Questions? Call 216-623-7114. This program is made possible with a grant from the Bruening Foundation.

CELEBRATE EID at the Cleveland Public Library on Saturday, April 13, Noon to 2 p.m., Eastman Branch, 11602 Lorain Avenue: Food. Entertainment. Activities and more. To register visit: CPL.org/EID.

STRESSED?  If you are having trouble juggling the challenges in your life, Sahaja Meditation can help you manage stress, master your emotions and find solutions to your problems. Cleveland Public Library, Fulton Branch, 3545 Fulton Road, Saturdays from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Free of charge.

PAINT AWAY!! Life has you down? Stressed out? Something giving you some anxiety? Need a break? Come paint away whatever life is throwing at you. Supplies provided while they last. April 24 and May 22^nd at 4:30 p.m. at Fulton Branch Library, 3545 Fulton Road. 216-623-6969.

TAXES

AARP TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE: Volunteers from AARP will be on hand to help seniors and most other individuals file federal and state tax forms for free, every Friday until April 12 at the West Park Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (3805 W 157th St). Registration required. Call 216-623-7102 to check eligibility and schedule an appointment. Visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide to find additional locations and to review the list of documents you will need to bring to your appointment in order to complete your tax return.

FREE TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE is also available at various Cuyahoga EITC Coalition community locations, including the Clark Branch of Dollar Bank (3115 W. 25 St.), the Gordon Square Arcade (6516 Detroit Ave.) and The Centers’ Gordon Square location (5209 Detroit Ave). By appointment only! For additional locations or to schedule an appointment, visit refundohio.org or call 2-1-1.