ARTS

BRENT KIRBY’S 10X3: Bop Stop (2920 Detroit Ave.) is proud to present 10×3, a songwriter/band showcase hosted by Brent Kirby on the first and third Wednesday of each month from 7pm-10pm. It is a pre-arranged open mic, showcasing 10 songwriters/bands, presenting 3 songs each, with at least 2 of the songs required to be originals. This month’s events will be held on February 5 and February 19. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged at the door. The event will also be livestreamed on Bop Stop’s Facebook page at showtime.

ST. PAUL’S STREET STUDIO, 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, February 22^nd, at St. Paul’s Community Church, 4427 Franklin. Join in to share music, poetry/spoken word in a peaceful atmosphere of respect. You are welcome to add your voice or simply listen and provide support. Piano, mics, drums, and acoustic guitars provided along with an encouraging circle to listen. For more information, contact Ian Heisey at heisey2140@sbcglobal.net or at 216-973-1486.

MUSIC AT MAIN – ANDREW MCMANUS TRIO: In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, join us as the Andrew McManus Trio performs on the third floor of the downtown library (325 Superior Ave. NE), from 2 pm to 3 pm on Saturday, March 1. Andrew is joined by Tessa Thistlethwaite on fiddle and Mark Whalen Jr. on percussion.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

BLACK BUSINESS EXPO: Case Western Reserve University will host its third annual Black Business Expo on Wednesday, February 12 from noon to 6 pm in Tinkham Veale University Center’s Ballroom (11038 Bellflower Rd) on the Case campus. This expo will highlight Black businesses around Greater Cleveland, while giving vendors the resources needed to enhance their business. The event will be open to the public.

BLACK HISTORY DINNER: Get ready for a night of celebrating Black history, culture, and achievements at our 7th Annual Black History Dinner, from 12:30 pm to 3 pm at The Harvard Square Center (13510 Harvard Ave) on Sunday, February 23. To reserve your spot, visit tinyurl.com/harvardsquaredinner.

FREE JAZZ CONCERT: The Theron Brown Group, one of the hottest jazz groups in all of Ohio, returns to perform on Saturday, February 1 at 2 pm in honor of Black History Month on the third floor of the Main Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave. NE)

COMMUNITY

OHIO IMMIGRANT ALLIANCE has created a website for Ohio immigrants, service providers, and concerned community members, OhioIsHome.org, because Ohio is our home and we are building community together. We have resources for mental wellness; beautiful art made by immigrants; guides for accessing legal help and working with attorneys; as well as information for agencies and service providers so they can stay focused on their core missions, rather than becoming arms of the immigration police. OhioIsHome.org is available in English, French, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese with resources in multiple other languages. Many organizations contributed to the site. Special thanks to the Refugee Immigrant and Mental Health Coalition of Ohio; Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE); Attorney Farhad Sethna; and Informed Immigrant for creating many of these resources. The website also includes ways for individuals to report abuses of human and civil rights across Ohio; find a local or regional immigration coalition; donate to support OHIA; request a speaker; and more.

FREE CHORE SERVICE: During the winter months, staff members from Cleveland’s Department of Aging are available to do limited indoor chores for Cleveland seniors and adults with disabilities. The appointments are one hour in duration. There is no charge for this service, but we ask that you provide your own cleaning supplies and equipment. Some tasks we can help with: sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming, cleaning the stove or refrigerator, dusting, and cleaning the bathroom. Some things we don’t do: fold laundry, change bed linens or clean bedrooms, painting, or electrical work. This is not an exhaustive list. To learn more, call 216-664-3998 or 216-664-4694.

FREE LIFEGUARD TRAINING: The City of Cleveland is offering free lifeguard training classes at the Michael Zone Recreation Center (6301 Lorain Ave.) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from February 4 through April 18. To learn more or to sign up, visit https://tinyurl.com/michaelzone.

POLICING COMMITTEE MEETINGS are an opportunity to regularly engage with local Cleveland police commanders and officers to identify problems, learn about available resources, and discuss ways to improve your community. The First District Policing Committee hosts its meetings on the first Thursday of each month at 6 pm at St. Ignatius of Antioch (10205 Lorain Ave.), in the cafeteria. It will host its next meeting on Thursday, February 6. The Second District Policing Committee meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 pm at Bridge CLE at 3389 Fulton Rd. (on the northeast corner of Trowbridge and Fulton). It will host its next meeting on Tuesday, February 11.

ST. PAUL’S ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: Mark your calendar for this year’s annual meeting with a potluck lunch after our usual 10:30 am worship, on Sunday, February 2 at St. Paul’s Community Church (4427 Franklin Blvd). Hear reports from staff, council, and ministry teams. Vote in a new slate for church council. Reflect on and celebrate the past year of church life.

COMMUNITY GUIDE

THE PLAIN PRESS will publish its annual Community Guide in the March issue. The guide offers free listings of the names and phone numbers of nonprofit organizations and government agencies serving the neighborhoods that the Plain Press covers. If you know of a nonprofit organization that has changed its name, changed its phone number, or was not listed in last year’s guide, please email us at plainpress@gmail.com, or leave a phone message at 216-621-3060.

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.

ENERGY ASSISTANCE

HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE WINTER CRISIS PROGRAM: Assistance is available thru March 31 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, or at or below 25% fuel may also be eligible. Cuyahoga County residents can call 216-350-8008 to make an appointment, or they can schedule an appointment online at 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 energyhelp.ohio.gov.

ENVIRONMENT

LIGHTS FOR LIONS: Do you have broken or used holiday lights and extension cords? Now thru February 8, donate them to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to help protect lions and cheetahs in Tanzania through its partner Lion Landscapes. Please do not include any packaging. You can drop off the items at the main entrance of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way (you don’t need a Zoo ticket to drop them off) or at the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, 4750 East 131 Street in Garfield Heights.

HEALTH

THE CARE RESPONSE PILOT has launched in Cleveland zip codes 44102 and 44105. Care Response is a health-first program that has specialized unarmed teams, including a licensed mental health professional and a peer support specialist responding to mental health and addiction crises in the community. Residents in these zip codes may dial 988 to access these crisis services. If the trained dispatcher determines the call is a mental health crisis and there is no risk to individual or public safety, only the care response team will respond, not police. 988 will dispatch a mental health expert and a person with lived experience to assist the person experiencing the crisis, in the community. The program is available from 7 am to 5 pm (24/7 availability is coming soon).

HOUSING

CLEVELAND HOUSING COURT has a neighborhood kiosk at the South Branch Library 3096 Scranton Road. Attend housing court hearings without traveling downtown. Walk-ins welcome starting at 10 a.m. To learn more: cpl.org/legal and clevelandhousingcourt.org, or call Cleveland Housing Court Bailiff Department at 216-664-4765.

FREE EVICTION HELP: You may qualify for free legal representation at your eviction hearing if you have at least one minor child in your household and meet income guidelines. Call the Legal Aid Society at 216-861-5835 or apply online at lasclev.org to find out if you are eligible for free legal help. The sooner you call, the more a lawyer can do for you.

IF YOU NEED SHELTER contact  Cuyahoga County’s Coordinated Intake office at 216-674-6700. Hours of operation: 8 am – 8 pm, Monday – Friday. After hours and weekends please call 2-1-1 for an on-call Coordinated Intake representative. If it is after hours women in need of assistance may also go directly to Norma Herr Women’s Center, 2227 Payne Avenue, and staff will assist you in contacting Coordinated Intake the following day.

LIBRARIES

CHESS CLUB THURSDAYS: Children and teens are welcome to join us for lively matches and friendly competitions that will sharpen your skills and challenge your intellect, every Thursday at the Jefferson Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (850 Jefferson Ave) from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Beginners are welcome! No registration is required. Just drop in and play.

FAMILY SPACE: Families with children ages 0-5, play, learn and grow together with your library. FamilySpace is a special play area and dedicated staff connecting you to resources in the community. Carnegie West Branch (1900 Fulton Rd). For more information, dates and times visit cpl.org/familyspace or call 216-623-7114.

FREE GENEALOGY CLINIC: The Cleveland Public Library’s Genealogy Clinics are informal sessions that allow you to drop in to receive help with your family history and genealogy projects from library staff and expert volunteers from the African American Genealogical Society of Cleveland. Join us anytime between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm on select dates on the 6th floor of the Louis Stokes wing of the Main Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (525 Superior Ave). Free and open to all! Those new to genealogy, please arrive by 10:45 to take advantage of our group instruction for beginners. The next clinic will be Saturday, February 8. Questions? Call 216-623-2864.

LEGALWORKS AT THE LIBRARY: LegalWorks is a non-profit organization that provides legal consultation and assistance for qualified, low-income youth and adults in underserved communities. Areas of assistance focus on legal issues that prevent people from moving forward in their lives, including expungements, sealing records, obtaining certificates of qualified employment, clearing outstanding warrants, restoring driving privileges, and other select legal matters. Assistance is available at the Fulton Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (3545 Fulton Rd.) on Tuesdays from noon to 3 pm. By appointment only! Register at cpl.libcal.com/appointments/LegalWorksFulton or call 216-623-6969.

FAMILY MOVIE FRIDAY: Join us for the delightful animated film Lilo and Stitch, and find out what it means to belong to a family, on Friday, February 28 from 3 pm to 5:30 pm at the Eastman Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (11602 Lorain Ave).  Fresh popped popcorn will be provided to all in attendance.

RESOURCES

FREE STATE IDS: Ohioans 17 and older are now eligible for a free state ID if they don’t have a valid driver’s license. To obtain a new ID, visit your local BMV and bring along documents that confirm your basic information, like name, address, date of birth and social security number. When it’s time to renew your free state ID, you can either visit the BMV or do it online. To renew or to see a full list of documents you’ll need to bring, visit bmv.ohio.gov.

LINKING EMPLOYMENT, ABILITIES AND POTENTIAL (LEAP) works to advance a society of equal opportunity for all persons, regardless of disability. For more information visit http://www.leapinfo.org , call 216-696-2716 or email info@leapinfo.org.

TAXES

AARP TAX PREPARATION ASSISTANCE: Volunteers from AARP will be on hand at various locations in the Cleveland area to help seniors and most other individuals file federal and state tax forms for free. Visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide to find a list of 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! To find additional locations or to schedule an appointment, visit refundohio.org or call 2-1-1.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR SENIORS: County Council unanimously approved a new Taxpayer Assistance Program that will pay up to $10,000 in delinquent property taxes for seniors, to help them avoid foreclosure. The program then pairs homeowners with a financial counselor to either prevent them from falling behind again or help them plan for more stable housing. To qualify, residents must: Be 70 or older and with a household income of less than $70,000 a year, be actively delinquent on their property taxes, and be in their homes for at least three years and commit to remaining there three years after. The limited funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. To apply, visit https://chnhousingpartners.org/taxpayer-assistance/.

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/visit. Proof of residency is required upon arrival.

ROCK HALL’S CLE VIP PROGRAM offers current Cleveland residents free admission to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The free CLE VIP tickets are available online only, at rockhall.com/ticketing, and upon arrival at the museum you must show proof of residency such as a driver’s license, state ID, or photo ID with a City of Cleveland address. Children under 18 without an ID may gain entrance with their parent or guardian. Limited to five minors (without ID) per one adult admission. 

SMASH BROS. SMASHDOWN: Join us for a weekly tournament-style marathon of the Super Smash Brothers video game every Tuesday from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the Jefferson Branch of the Cleveland Public Library (850 Jefferson Ave.) Scores will be compiled and lead to a winner-take-all finale on May 20. The event is intended for children and teens aged 18 and under.

VOLUNTEERING

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL is seeking volunteers to help put on the 49th edition of the festival, which will run from March 27 to April 5 primarily at Playhouse Square (1501 Euclid Ave.). A wide variety of opportunities and shift times are available, and volunteers typically receive two free vouchers (which can be exchanged to see any film at the festival) for each shift they work. For more information and to sign up, visit clevelandfilm.org/support/volunteer.

CLEVELAND PUBLIC THEATRE is seeking volunteer ushers and assistants to help out at their upcoming shows and special events. Most performances are held at the main CPT campus (6415 Detroit Ave.), in the evening hours. When volunteering at a performance, volunteers are welcome to watch the performance after they’ve finished their duties. For more information, visit cptonline.org/support/volunteer  or contact Jabri Johnson at jjohnson@cptonline.org  or 216-631-2727 (ext. 215).