ADVOCACY

THE CDC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM is currently accepting applications for its next round of workshops. It is open to current or aspiring leaders in the community development corporation sector of Cleveland. To learn more or to apply, visit cdclp.org/apply. The application deadline is Friday, August 2 at 5 pm.

IRTF SUMMER SOLIDARITY SOCIAL: The InterReligious Task Force on Central America will be back with our annual Summer Solidarity Social, in partnership with our neighbors at St. Paul’s Community Church (4427 Franklin Blvd). Join us outdoors on Friday, August 11, 6:30-8:30 pm for live music, heavy refreshments, and reports from El Salvador and Chiapas. Free-will donations accepted. Food. Music. Fun for all ages.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (NLDP)is an eleven-month, sixteen-session leadership training program for engaged community leaders. The program is designed for residents of Cleveland or its inner ring suburbs who are actively involved in improving the neighborhoods of Cleveland. Since 2006, NLDP has worked to enhance the leadership abilities of engaged community leaders and, as of June 2024, has over 300 graduates. To learn more or to apply, visit nldpcleveland.com/apply. The application deadline is Wednesday, August 14 at 5 pm. Questions? Call 216-776-6170 or email info@nldpcleveland.com. 

ARTS

ART IN THE GARDEN: Join Art House Inc. at Shalom Tranquility Community Garden (3789 W. 39th St.) to make mosaics and connect with nature on Saturday, August 10 from 2:30 pm to 4 pm. Register now at arthouseinc.org.

CARVED, a theater adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s classic Pinocchio, will be performed by the student performers of the Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) Sunday, August 4 at 7 pm at the Cleveland Public Theatre (6415 Detroit Ave). The play tells the story of an enchanted stick that is carved into existence by a grief-ridden woodworker. Seeing the human world through new eyes, this mystical being goes on an adventure to discover what it means to be “real” inside of a world filled with twists and tangles. The performance is free and open to the public.

COMMUNITY CULTURE NIGHT WITH EVA KWONG: Come hear Eva Kwong, a talented ceramics artist born in Hong Kong, talk about her story as a professional artist on Thursday, August 22 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at Art House Inc. (3119 Denison Ave). Known for colorful vessels and ceramic sculptures, large and small, Kwong is  currently an associate professor at Kent State University. Inspired by organic forms and colors seen in nature, her work can be found all over the U.S., including in Atlanta, Georgia, downtown Columbus, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Questions? Visit arthouseinc.org.

INCANTATIONS, an art exhibition focused on queer artists who engage with process-centered art, includes drawings and collage-based paintings alongside paintings, textiles, prints, and sculptures by Ajdin Kulić (Cleveland), E.E. Ikeler (New York), Fidencio Fifield-Perez (Minneapolis), Leeza Meksin (New York), Sarana Mehra (Los Angeles), and R Kauff (Cleveland). Incantations runs thru August 24 at Zygote Press (1410 E 30th St). This project is supported by The Satellite Fund, administered by SPACES and funded by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Regional Regranting Program.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival will present King Lear on Sunday, August 4 at 4 pm at Lincoln Park (1200 Starkweather Ave.) in Tremont. Most audience members bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets for themselves. Feel free to pack a picnic and come early! Most locations have a rain space, but if a performance is canceled for whatever reason, notifications will be sent through our social media outlets and posted on our home page, clevelandshakespeare.org. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

SYMPHONY AT SUNSET: Sunday evenings, 7:30-9pm until August 25, OPUS 216 will perform FREE mixed chamber music as the sun sets in Downtown Cleveland. Symphony at Sunset takes place at Superior Hill Park (1007 W Superior Ave) every Sunday, with the exception of July 28 and August 25, which will be located at Worthington Yards Courtyard (800 W St. Clair Ave). Learn more and see the lineup at downtowncleveland.com/summer-music.

VIDEO GAME SYMPHONY: Join us outside at the Eastman Reading Garden next to the downtown library (325 Superior Ave NE) as the Video Game Symphony performs smash hits from video games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, Halo, Final Fantasy, and Skyrim in all their symphonic glory. Saturday, August 3 at 2 pm.

ASSISTANCE

FREE LAUNDRY DAYS: BQ Washland (6912 Lorain Ave) is providing FREE laundry service for those in need on the third Thursday of every month, 1-3pm and 6-8pm. This month, the free laundry day will be on Thursday, August 15. For more information, contact St. Paul’s Community Church at 216-651-6250 or office@stpaulscommunityucc.org.

HEAP SUMMER CRISIS PROGRAM is accepting applications now thru September 30. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) Summer Crisis Program is a one-time benefit that can help pay electric utility bills (up to $500), purchase air conditioners or fans, or repair central air conditioning units during the summer months. For more information and to see if you qualify, contact the Department of Senior Adult Services (DSAS) Information Services Unit at 216-420-670 or visit energyhelp.ohio.gov.

HOME REPAIR ASSISTANCE: If you are a homeowner of Detroit Shoreway, Cudell, Edgewater or West Boulevard who is 60 years or older or permanently disabled and need help with home repairs, Northwest Neighborhoods can help. Contact our Healthy Homes Coordinator, Kena, at kchappell@nwneighborhoods.org or  216-961-4242 x223. Kena can help match your project with available home repair resources, like our $500 Senior Home Repair Assistance Program. Visit nwneighborhoods.org/home-resources for more information.

COMMUNITY

BARBERSHOP BOOKS: Start the school year on a new page with a fresh cut! Cleveland Public Library and Barbershop Books are teaming up to stock reading areas at select barbershops and salons with fun books recommended by kids for young Black readers, grades K-7. Visit cpl.org/barbershopbooks for more information and a list of participating locations.

BLOOD DRIVE: Give the gift of life by donating blood at the Lorain branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave.) Saturday, August 31 from 10 am to 3 pm. To sign up, go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter the code “LORAIN BRANCH” or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

CLEVELAND MOVES: The City of Cleveland is launching Cleveland Moves, a 5-year multimodal transportation plan to help guide future initiatives that make the city better to walk, scoot, cycle, and ride through. We need your help to get this right. You can subscribe to our email list, attend events, and add feedback to our interactive map by visiting clevelandohio.gov/cleveland-moves.

COMMUNITY MOVIE NIGHT: Free movie night, crafts and snacks for children and families at the Baltic Children’s Park (at the corner of W. 108th St. and Baltic Rd), Friday August 16, from 7 pm to 10 pm. Movie title: to be announced. If it rains, the event will be rescheduled to Friday, August 23.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY WELCOME CENTER is a multi-service center serving residents who are immigrants, refugees, and those with limited English proficiency. Individuals and families can receive help with language services, public benefits, education, jobs, housing, legal issues, and more. The center is located at 4261 Fulton Parkway and is open Tuesday thru Thursday, 9 am-4 pm. Call  216-635-2931.

FIX-IT CLE: Have a broken item or piece of clothing that needs repair? Come to one of our free workshops where coaches help you fix it, while also teaching you skills that you can use to make future repairs yourself. This month, join us on Saturday, August 17 from noon to 4 pm at the South Brooklyn library (4303 Pearl Rd.) or on Monday, August 26 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the CWRU Sears think[box] (11201 Cedar Ave). Please note that these are drop-in events. You can drop in at any time during the allotted hours and stay as long as you’d like. For more info, visit bit.ly/FixitCLE.

NEIGHBORHOOD-WIDE SALE: On Saturday, August 3, dozens of residents will have garage sales or yard sales, in the Clifton-Baltic area of the Edgewater neighborhood from 8 am to 2 pm and along West Blvd. between Madison Ave. and Lorain Ave. from 10 am to 3 pm.

NEIGHBOR UP ACTION GRANT: Do you and your neighbors have a project that would make a positive difference in your neighborhood? Neighbor Up Action Grants of up to $5,000 are now available, and the next application deadline is Monday, August 12. Visit neighborupcle.org/grant-overview for more information.

SATURDAY ACTIVITY AND LUNCH PROGRAM: Join us Saturday, August 3 at Bethany Presbyterian Church (6415 W. Clinton) from 11 am – 1 pm for a free meal and activity for kids ages 5-12. (Parents or guardians are welcome to stay.) Pre-registration is required. Call Rev. Robin Schreiber at 216-651-2693.

EVENTS

BELIEVE IN CLE YOGA: Experience the powerful force of breathing and moving together on the plaza of the Rock Hall (1100 East 9th St). Gather your people and come lay your mat down on Friday, August 30 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. This FREE giant yoga even includes an all-levels Vinyasa Yoga practice, loads of inspiration and a DJ.

CITY MARKET AT CITY GOODS: Meander among the arched structures of City Goods (1442 West 28th St.) as you enjoy music from local musicians, sip on handcrafted cocktails, eat local treats, and shop 25+ permanent local retail brands and a unique lineup of pop-up vendors. The event is held the second Saturday of each month, May-October. This month’s event will be on Saturday, August 10 from 10 am to 4 pm. Visit citygoodscle.com/citymarket2024 for more information.

CLEVELAND SAND FESTIVAL: Join us Saturday, August 3 from 8 am to  4 pm at Edgewater Beach for our annual sand festival, featuring a volleyball tournament and an elaborate sand castle construction competition. Sponsored by the American Institute of Architects, this free event aims to promote public awareness of the role architects play, while raising funds for the ACE (Architecture Construction Engineering) Mentor Program, which provides scholarships to high school and college students pursuing careers in these industries.

GREEN COUCH SCREENING: Join Neighbor Up for a free screening of episode 6 of the Green Couch Series Wednesday, August 14th at Neighborhood Connections (1971 E 66th St). The Green Couch series is an archive of interviews of people in the community discussing the value of preserving and protecting the region’s natural resources. This episode features Five Sankofa, Franklin Reading Garden and Kareemah Rose and discusses the power of community land ownership and sovereignty, preserving what is here/was there when the neighborhood is changing around it.

PUERTO RICAN PARADE: The 54th Annual Puerto Rican Parade of Greater Cleveland will kick off at 11 am on Sunday, August 4. Starting at the intersection of Scranton Rd. and Seymour Ave., the parade will proceed southbound on Scranton Rd. and make its way to Valentine Ave.For more information, visit puertoricanparade.org.

TRI-CLE will return on Sunday, August 18 with triathlon and multisport races at Edgewater Park and along the Shoreway (Route 2). Please expect road detours that day. Interested runners of any ability are welcome to join a FREE preview run on Wednesday, July 31. For more information, visit rockrollrun.com.

LIBRARIES

JUNGLE TERRY: Children and families are invited to come meet Jungle Terry and his animal friends on Wednesday, August 7 from 4 pm to 5 pm at the Lorain branch of the Cleveland Public Library (8216 Lorain Ave).

WRITERS AND READERS WITH VIVIAN TU: Join personal finance guru and author of Rich AF, Vivian Tu, as she shares her tips and secrets to building wealth Thursday, August 1 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm at the Eastman Reading Garden outside the main branch of the Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave NE). Vivian’s straight-talking, girlfriend-to-girlfriend approach will resonate if you want financial freedom. Please note: Seating is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Some visitors may be seated in overflow seating areas with simulcast. Register now at cpl.libcal.com/event/12151688.

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. To find the next 0 to 3 event in your area, visit your local library or go to Cpl.org/readtome. Questions? Call 216-623-7114. This program is made possible with a grant from the Bruening Foundation.

TRANSPORTATION

W 117-MADISON STATION CLOSED: The W 117-Madison station of RTA’s Red Line will be closed until further notice for repairs to the 70-year-old bridge. Bus service will continue at the station (#25 Madison and #78 W 117) and nearby (#26 Detroit). All other Red Line stations will be in service during these repairs.