Free Fun Friday events for March 22, 2013

NORTHEAST Ohio - NewsChannel 5 and newsnet5.com are helping you find free, fun events taking place each and every Friday.

Below is a list of Free Fun Friday events you, your family, and friends can take part in today Friday March 22, 2013.

Art & Exhibits
Quilts 2013 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark

When: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark|-8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland

Details: The exhibit runs now through Wednesday, March 27. For more information, call the Lake Metroparks Farmpark at (440) 256-2122.

Cleveland Metroparks Art Display: Watercolors of Cleveland Metroparks

When: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: CanalWay Center|-4524 East 49th Street, Cleveland

Details: Join staff at the Cleveland Metroparks Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation for an exhibit of watercolor works by Nancy Notarianni and her adult students of Cleveland and the city’s parks. This exhibit runs through April 30. For more information call the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation at (216) 206-1000.

Capital Punishment in Ohio

When: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Justice Center Cleveland Police Museum|-1300 Ontario Street, Cleveland

Details: Join staff at the Cleveland Police Museum for a look at the history of the capital punishment in Ohio. Learn about Ohio’s first electric chair, coined “Old Sparky,” which was used to execute 312 prisoners between 1897 and 1963. For more information, call the Cleveland Police Museum at (216) 623-5055.

discARTed Recycle Art Exhibition

When: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Geauga Park District The West Woods|-9465 Kinsman Road, Russell Township

Details: Join the staff at the Geauga Park District as they host an exhibition featuring artwork created from discarded and discovered materials. Much of the artwork is for sale. Vote on your favorite pieces now through March 31st. For more information, call the Geauga Park District at (440) 286-9516.

 

Community

PNC Fairfax Community Scrap Book: Church History Pictures

When: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Where: PNC Fairfax Connection|-8220 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland

Details: Join the community of Cleveland for this week’s The Community Scrap Book session centered around the Fairfax area church history pictures. This event is designed to help preserve and share the story of the Fairfax neighborhood. Bring your family photos and heirlooms and help contribute to this electronic, interactive Google map of the Fairfax neighborhood. For more information, call the PNC Fairfax Connection center at (216) 391-4677.

Church Street Ministries Benefit Fair

When: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Church Street Ministries|-398 West Bagley Road Berea

Details: Join members of the Church Street Ministries as they show you how to file for 21 different programs offered by the Ohio Benefit Bank. For more information, call the Church Street Ministries at (440) 826-4603.

Buster’s Boutique Pet Shelter Sale & Benefit

When: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where: Rocky River Memorial Hall|-21016 Hilliard Boulevard, Rocky River

Details: Join Buster’s Boutique staff as they host a sale and benefit event for the Parma pet shelter. Buster’s Boutique, LTD, will donate 20% of its profits from this event to the non-profitm no-kill shelter. Animals are not allowed in the boutique. For more information, call Michelle at (440) 655-4385.

Tax Help

Liberty Tax Service Healthy Living Appreciation Week

When: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where: Liberty Tax Service|-34301 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville

Details: Join Liberty Tax Service professionals for help filing your taxes now through Sunday, February 24. Liberty Tax Service professionals will prepare taxes for the following groups of people for free in the following weeks:

·         Healthy Living Appreciation Week: March 18 - 24

·         Volunteer and Nonprofit Appreciation Week: March 25-31

For more information, call the North Ridgeville Liberty Tax Service at (440) 327-0445.

AARP Free Tax Aide Help

When: Call for specific times

Where: Barton Senior Center|-14300 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood

Details: Join AARP tax aides for help with filing your free electronic tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers will help all attendants. You do not have to be an AARP member to receive this free service. Bring your photo ID and social security card with you. If possible, also bring last year’s tax return. For more information, call the Barton Senior Center at (216) 221-3400 or visit AARP’s website .

AARP Free Tax Aide Help

When: Call for specific times

Where: Lakewood Senior Center|-16024 Madison Avenue, Lakewood

Details: Join AARP tax aides for help with filing your free electronic tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers will help all attendants. You do not have to be an AARP member to receive this free service. Bring your photo ID and social security card with you. If possible, also bring last year’s tax return. For more information, call the Lakewood

Senior Center at (216) 228-7482 or visit AARP’s website .

Tri-C Walk-In Tax  Assistance

When: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Where: Tri-C West Campus |-11000 Pleasant Valley Road, Parma

Details: Join tax professionals at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) for free personal income tax filing services for those who meet eligibility requirements with an earned 2012 income of less than $60,000. Services will be offered at the following campuses:

·         Metropolitan Campus, 2900 Community College Ave., Cleveland, Saturdays, Feb. 2-March 30 (except for March 86), from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Technology Learning Center Room 155

·         Western Campus, 11000 Pleasant Valley Road., Parma, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, beginning Feb. 1 and 2 through April 5 and 6 in Room WSS G280. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

·         Corporate College West, 25425 Center Ridge Road., Westlake, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 7-April 4, except for March 84, in Room 214

·         Eastern Campus, 4250 Richmond Road, Highland Hills, from Feb. 4-April 4, by appointment only. For the Eastern Campus, contact Jin Chen at 216-987-2402.

 

Kids & Family

Westlake Come Play With Me

When: 10:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.

Where: Westlake Porter Public Library|-27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake

Details: Join Westlake Porter Public Library staff and local families for an open playtime geared toward children ages 2 to 5-years-old. This play time features age-appropriate toys, songs, and rhymes. Siblings are welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To register ahead of the event, call the West Porter Public Library at (440) 871-2600.

Westlake Porter Fiber Fanatics

When: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: Westlake Porter Public Library|-27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake

Details: Join Westlake Porter Public Library staff for a fiber craft event. Come share, socialize, and solve needle crafts. For more information, call the West Porter Public Library at (440) 871-2600.

PNC Fairfax Building Blocks: Food is Knowledge “Digestion-Where Does It Go?”

When: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Where: PNC Fairfax Connection|-8220 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland

Details: Join the community of Cleveland for this week’s PNC Fairfax Connection installment of Building Blocks: Food is Knowledge – Fun with Food Groups. Children under the age of 6 are invited to enjoy story time, arts and crafts, as well as music. For more information, call the PNC Fairfax Connection at (216) 391-4677.

Communication Temptations: How to Get Your Kid to Talk!

When: 11:30 a.m.

Where: Westlake Porter Public Library|-27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake

Details: Join Ellen Spears, M.A., CCC-SLP, from Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC., as she hosts an interactive discussion about how to tempt children to use their words. This event will include strategies to improve communication with your preschooler while focusing on ways to increase parent knowledge of simple and straightforward language-enriching activities they can do at home with their child. Cosponsored by Connecting for Kids and the West Porter Public Library, this event also includes childcare. Space is limited. To reserve a spot for you and your child, email visit connectingforkids.org , email sarahrintamaki@connectingforkids.org , or call (440) 250-5563.

Special Needs Family Fun Fridays

When: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Where: Shaker Heights Library Play and Learn station (2nd floor)|- 16500 Van Aken Boulevard, Shaker Heights

Details: Join Family Connections staff and guest at today’s Family Fun Friday session. The event features facilitated play time for children between the ages of 3 and 5 who have special needs. To learn more about the Family Fun Friday play sessions, call Family Connections at (216) 921-2023.

Westlake Hoppin’ Family Story Time!

When: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Where: Westlake Porter Public Library|-27333 Center Ridge Road, Westlake

Details: Join Westlake Porter Public Library staff and local families for a family-friendly story time. Hop into spring with this spring-themed story time that will focus on tales that will focus on frogs and bunnies. Designed for children ages 3 to 6-years-old, this event includes songs and crafts. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To register ahead of the event, call the West Porter Public Library at (440) 871-2600.

Adoptive Family Social Support Activity: Marquee Friday Music

When: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Where: Beck Center for the Arts|-17801 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood

Details: Join members of the Adoption Network for Marquee Friday Music. This family-friendly activity is designed for adoptive families. To register ahead of the event, email Ayanna.Abi-Kyles@AdoptionNetwork.org . For more information, call Ayanna Abi-Kyles at (216) 482-2331.

Family Folk Night – Work Songs & Tales

When: 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Where: Ohio Erie & Canal Reservation|-4524 E. 49th Street,

Cuyahoga Heights

Details: Join Cleveland Metroparks Historical Interpreter Foster Brown for a night of old school family-friendly fun in the form of sing-along songs. Learn about Ohio's trade history including what life was like for canal workers, railroad men, tinsmith, farmers, blacksmiths, shoemakers and more. For more information, call the Ohio Erie & Canal Reservation at (216) 206-1000.

 

Music

University of Akron Student Tubist Katie Wittenbrook

When: 8:00 p.m.

Where: Guzzetta Recital Hall|- 157 University Avenue, Akron

Details: Join student tubist Katie Wittenbrook at the University of Akron Guzzetta Recital Hall as she performs a recital. For more information, call the Guzzetta Recital Hall at (330) 865-0501.

No Exit featuring Flutist Carlton Vickers

When: 8:00 p.m.

Where: CSU Drinko Recital hall|-2001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland

Details: Join members of No Exit for a new musica ensemble of works by Andrew Rindfleisch, Brian Ferneyhough, Alberto Ginastera and Matthew Ivic along with flutist Carlton Vickers. For more information, call the Cleveland State University Drinko Recital Hall at (216) 4515806.

 

Outdoors

Cleveland Metroparks CanalWay Center Hunt of the Month: Salamander

When: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: CanalWay Center|-4524 East 49th Street, Cleveland

Details: Join members of the Cleveland Metroparks for this month's CanalWay Hunt. As the salamanders march through Brecksville, take a hike and find 20 hidden salamanders throughout the park. For more information on the hunt, call the CanalWay Center at (216) 206-1000.

Cleveland Metroparks Snakes of the World

When: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Where: CanalWay Center|-4524 East 49th Street, Cleveland

Details: Join members of the Cleveland Metroparks to learn about the snakes of the world. Come learn about the historic symbolism of snakes, as well as their natural history. Throughout the month live snakes will also be on display at the CanalWay Center. The exhibit runs now through Sunday, March 31. For more information on the hunt, call the CanalWay Center at (216) 206-1000.

Summit County MetroParks Waterfowl Watch

When: 9:00 a.m.

Where: Towpath Trail Summit Lake|-2928 Riverview Road, Akron

Details: Join a Summit County MetroParks naturalist for a morning of bird watching. Check out ducks, geese, and other waterfowl during their migration. Bring your binoculars or a spotting scope. For more information, call the Summit County MetroParks at (330) 867-5511.

Cleveland Metroparks Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Grow

When: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Where: CanalWay Center|-4524 East 49 ^th Street, Cuyahoga Heights

Details: Join a Clevleand Metroparks naturalist for a celebration of spring in the form of a discussion of kinds of seeds people have planted and eaten over time. This event is designed for children ages three- to five-years-old, and includes crafts and games. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To register ahead of the event, call the CanalWay Center at (216) 206-1000.

Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Education for Homeschoolers: Maple Sugaring

When: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: North Chagrin Nature Center|-3037 Som Center Road, Willoughby

Details: Join a Cleveland Metroparks naturalist for an inside lesson on maple sugaring. Learn about the tools used to collect sap and the process of maple sugaring. This event is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 12 and features a roughly two mile hike. To register ahead of the event, call the North Chagrin Nature Center at (440) 473-3370.

Summit County MetroParks Kinderealm: Frogs & Toads

When: 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m.

Where: F. A. Seiberling Nature Center|- 1828 Smith Road, Akron

Details: Join a Summit County MetroParks naturalist for a celebration of spring with an up close look at frogs and toads. This event is designed for children ages 3 to 6. All children must be accompanied by an adult. To register ahead of the event, call the Summit County MetroParks at (330) 865-8065.

Cleveland Metroparks World Water Day Exploration

When: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Where: West Creek Reservation|- West Ridgewood Drive, Parma

Details: Join a Cleveland Metropark Naturalist Debra Shankland for a celebration of World Water Day in the form of exploration. Learn how scientists interpret urban streams and respond to changes in the landscape. This event includes a hike to West Creek’s high-tech water monitoring sites. Guests should meet at Keystone Picnic Area in West Creek Reservation at 1:30 p.m

Cleveland Metroparks Amphibian Adventures

When: 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where: Look About Lodge|-37374 Miles Road, Bentleyville

Details: Join Cleveland Metropark Naturalist Carly Martin for a nighttime search for amphibians. This event includes a one-and-a-half mile hike that may travel through some mud. Dress appropriately. Guests should meet at the Look About Lodge at 7 p.m.