(Plain Press June 2024)

ARTS

FREE OPEN STUDIO at Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave) on Saturday, June 15 from 1-3 pm. Make jewelry with our teaching artist Leigh Brooklyn, in part of our Cultural Exploration series. For more information, visit arthouseinc.org.

PARADE THE CIRCLE: The 32nd Annual Parade the Circle and Circle Village is BACK to kick off summer Saturday, June 8. The Circle Village runs from 10 am to 4 pm, and the parade  begins at noon at the north entrance of the Cleveland Museum of Art. For more information, visit clevelandart.org/events/parade-circle.

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, June 22. For more information, contact Ian Heisey at 216-973-1486 or heisey2140@sbcglobal.net.

URGENT ART FUND: SPACES offers project-based support through the Urgent Art Fund to Cuyahoga County artists/collectives for the creation of “urgent art” that is socially, politically, and/or culturally responsive. In addition to financial support—$4,000 awarded to 12 artists/collectives—SPACES will provide grant recipients access to on-site art production facilities, mentorship, and network opportunities, an artist-level SPACES ArtsPass membership and Assembly for the Arts membership. Cycle Two applications will be accepted from May 20-July 22, 2024. Visit theurgentartfund.org to apply.

EDUCATION

ASL CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS: Embark on a journey of communication and inclusivity with this free 8-week American Sign Language (ASL) class at the Jefferson Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (850 Jefferson Ave). The experienced and passionate ASL instructor will guide you through the fundamentals of ASL. Classes will be held in person Mondays from 5 pm-6 pm, starting on June 3. Registration is required and space is limited. Register at https://rb.gy/qnk9n6. 

FAMILY CAFE: Families of school-age children, educators, and community members are invited to this free conversation to address educational disparities and collaboratively develop solutions. This event is sponsored by the Cleveland Transformation Alliance and will be held on Thursday, June 27 from 4:30 pm-5:30 pm at the Fulton Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (3545 Fulton Rd).

FREE SEWING CLASSES: Esperanza Threads (1370 W 69 St.) offers free intensive training in industrial sewing throughout the year for both hobbyists and people looking to learn a marketable skill to improve their job prospects. We require 100% participation and offer a stipend program for low-income individuals. We offer a 4-week and 8-week course. For more information or to sign up for a course, visit esperanzathreads.org/sewing-classes. 

COMMUNITY

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 Sunday, June 9 and Sunday, June 23. 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.

OBCDC MEMBERSHIP: The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation is welcoming new members! This FREE membership is the opportunity to join an organization that helps to make the neighborhood of Old Brooklyn “A Great Place to Grow.” Membership serves as a great entry point to learn more about the organization, volunteer, join a committee, vote on new and returning Board of Directors, and become a Board Member yourself. Sign up at oldbrooklyn.com/membership.

EVENTS

CASE BOOK SALE:  The ACE Book Sale is held each year during the 1st weekend after Memorial Day in Adelbert Gym (2128 Adelbert Rd.) on the campus of Case Western Reserve University. One of the region’s largest book sales, it features tens of thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, and rare books available for purchase. Admission is free, and the sale runs from Saturday, June 1 to Tuesday, June 4 from noon to 5 pm, except on Tuesday which is from 9 am to noon. 

THE CLEVELAND BAZAAR, Cleveland’s longest-running indie craft fair, returns this summer to Market Square Park (across the street from the West Side Market) for monthly pop-up markets. Come browse crafts and goods for sale from your favorite local artists. Typically held on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10 am-4 pm, this month’s events will be on Saturday, June 1 and Saturday, June 15. For more information, visit clevelandbazaar.org.

EDGEWATER NEIGHBORFEST CANCELED: Northwest Neighborhoods will not produce its Edgewater NeighborFest in 2024. After many months of planning, our nonprofit has neither the funding nor staff capacity to execute a festival-scale event like we did in 2021-2023.

FATHERHOOD CONFERENCE: Registration is now open for the 18th Annual Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Conference on Friday, June 14 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (1260 Euclid Avenue). You can register at Fatherhood Initiative Conference Registration (cuyahogacounty.gov) The conference will consist of a Resource Fair, an Opening Plenary Session, a Town Hall Meeting, an Awards Luncheon and Educational Workshops. The keynote speaker for this year’s Awards Luncheon is Dr. Michael A. Baston who is President of Cuyahoga Community College. The conference runs from 8 am to 4 pm. All events are free with registration. Questions? Call 216-348-3967.

GATHER CLE (formerly the Community Builder Conferences) is a day-long summit for resident leaders sponsored by the Community Relations Board of the City of Cleveland that returns this year after being interrupted by the pandemic. It will be on Saturday, June 29 at Cleveland Public Auditorium (500 Lakeside Ave. E).  Come participate in community-led workshops and learning circles. Cleveland residents of all ages, cultures, and identities are invited to learn together and share best practices around a range of topics. Questions? Contact Michael McDonald at 216-664-3293.

JUNETEENTH FREEDOM FEST: Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery on June 19, 1865 – the day when all African Americans were freed from slavery. Cleveland’s Juneteenth Freedom Fest, sponsored by MetroHealth, will start on Friday, June 14 with a Fashion in Arts showcase and fireworks finale from 6 pm to 11 pm then continue on  Saturday, June 15  from 11 am to 7  pm. It is a city-wide, family-friendly event but is centered around Mall C in Downtown Cleveland (300 St. Clair Ave). Visit juneteenthcle.com for more information. 

PRIDE IN THE CLE returns on Saturday, June 1, from 11 am to 6 pm, centered around Malls B and C downton (300 St. Clair Ave). Attendees can look forward to a variety of activities, including a vibrant march through Downtown Cleveland, live performances, entertainment, food, drinks, and vendor booths. Visit downtowncleveland.com/events/pride-in-the-cle for more information.

SLOW ROLL CLEVELAND: Slow Roll is a mass happening, a leisurely paced parade of bikes through the nooks and corners of our city. Our 10-mile rides each Monday night throughout the warmer months attract hundreds of riders of diverse backgrounds and experience levels. We’re fully supported by Slow Roll’s one and only Squad: a crack unit of yellow-shirted volunteers who keep the ride safe and running smoothly each week. This month’s rides include: June 3 at Edgewater Park, June 8 in Slavic Village, June 17 in Lee-Harvard, and June 24 at Public Square. Visit slowrollcleveland.org for more information.

SUMMER SOLSTICE ON THE BRIDGE: In honor of the summer solstice, Cuyahoga County will open the lower level of the Veterans Memorial Bridge (aka the Detroit-Superior Bridge) for a two-day public art event on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22. The event will feature live music and an art installation by Cleveland artist Chuck Karnak. The County intends for this event to serve as a step toward opening the lower level to the public more often, perhaps year round.

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.

WARD 14 DUMPSTER DAYS: In an effort to keep our neighborhoods clean, beginning in May, dumpsters will be placed in Ward 14 neighborhoods for residents to discard trash from their yards, garages, and streets. (Dumpsters are for residents only. No commercial debris please!) This month, a dumpster will be available at W 73 St and Neville Ave (NW corner lot) on Monday, June 3 and in the parking lot of Lincoln West High School (3202 W 30 St) on Monday, June 17. Older residents and residents with disabilities can apply for curbside pick-up of large/bulky items at https://rb.gy/cwmzbn.

HEALTH

DOG-FRIENDLY YOGA: Bring your four-legged friends to these bi-monthy, donation-based yoga sessions at City Goods (1442 W 28 St). Held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from May through September at 6:30 pm, this month’s sessions will be on June 5 and June 19. Questions? Email venturepawz@gmail.com. 

FREE FAMILY MEDITATION: Join us for a free family meditation session on the first Sunday of each month from 10:30 am-11 am at the Songtsen Gampo Buddhist Center in Lakewood (14023 Madison Ave).  Every month will be based on a particular theme, such as Cultivating Joy, and will include a short meditation session and a family-friendly practice to continue at home. Children of all ages are welcome. Cushions and chairs are provided, and slip-on shoes are recommended. This month’s session will be on Sunday, June 2. For more information, visit buddhistcleveland.org/family-meditation.

YOGA AT EDGEWATER: The Studio Cleveland will offer outdoor, donation-based yoga for Every BODY at Edgewater Beach every week from May 26 through September 29. Every Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday at 10 am. Two sessions on Saturdays, at 8 am and 10 am. On Wednesdays, our sessions will be at 6:30 pm under the iconic willow tree near the beach. Visit thestudiocleveland.com for more information.

LIBRARIES

MUSIC AT MAIN: Join us for a celebration of Pride Month as it kicks off with Cleveland singer/songwriter Diana Chittester. Saturday, June 1 at 2 pm in the Eastman Reading Garden at the main library of the Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave).
SPIRITS OF INNOVATION: Join master blender and innovator Victoria Eady Butler for a special Juneteenth celebration as we explore the untold history of African American distillers and her groundbreaking work to bring diversity and innovation to the spirits industry, Thursday, June 13 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Louis Stokes Wing of the downtown library (525 Superior Ave). Registration is required. Visit tinyurl.com/4hbeh4tz to register. 

SUMMER PROGRAMS

THE KIDS NATURE LUNCH AND LEARN SERIES, sponsored by the Cleveland Metroparks, will feature a mobile nature center, Nature Tracks and educational themes including hands-on learning about birds, mammals, insects, reptiles and amphibians, fish and trees. The Lunch and Learn will be at Lakefront Reservation near Edgewater Beach on Fridays from June 7 to August 9 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm. Free lunch will be provided for youth ages 18 and under as part of Greater Cleveland Food Bank’s Summer Feeding program while supplies last. Free books  for youths will be provided by the Cleveland Book Bank.

FREE SUMMER ART CAMPS at Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave) for youth and families. June 10-13: Cubist Creations with Chris Young (morning) and Nature Art: The Seen and Unseen with Heather Molecke (afternoon). June 24-27: ARTventures in the Garden with Meri Ruble (morning) and 3D Art and Crafts with Leigh Brooklyn (afternoon) July 8-11: Creative Kids: Felting & Collage with Rahamel Lockett (morning) and Hybrid Watercolor Landscape Painting with Chi-Irena Wong (afternoon). July 22-25: Garden pARTy with Meri Ruble (morning) and Hybrid Eco Fashion Design with Chi-Irena Wong (afternoon). Register now at arthouseinc.org.

THE METANOIA SUMMER PROJECT will be from June 11 to July 31. This summer, we will be operating out of St. Paul Community Church (4427 Franklin Blvd.) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 am to 1 pm. We will be offering our guests educational resources, narcan training, mindfulness practices, art therapy, and other exciting activities. Visit metanoiaproject.org for more information.

SUMMER EBT PROGRAM: If your student receives SNAP, Ohio Works First cash assistance, free or reduced price meals, and/or is enrolled in Medicaid in a family earning 185% FPL or less, your student will be automatically enrolled in the Summer EBT program and you do not need to fill out an application. If your student will not be automatically enrolled based on the above criteria, but you believe your children are eligible, you can apply for Summer EBT at sebt.ohio.gov.

YOUNG ADULT OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM of Youth Opportunities Unlimited offers Cuyahoga County residents ages 18-24 who are not currently in high school or college help developing the skills, training and support needed to launch a new career at no cost to you. Job readiness training. Four weeks of paid work experience (100 hours at $13 per hour) and credential training in fields such as Customer Care, IT, State Tested Nurse Aide and Construction. To register, visit youthopportunities.org or call the hotline at 216-973-0037.