Learn with Jo-Ann at Their FREE Demos in October

Jo-Ann Fabrics stores are hosting FREE demos on select Saturdays in October, where you can learn about the lastest products in the crafting world and sometimes make a craft to take home! The schedule is as follows:

October 9th
11am-1pm  Elmer's Paint Markers Haunted House
1-3pm  Wilton Halloween Foodcrafting
3-5pm  Clover Loom Hair Accessories

October 16th
11am-1pm  Aleene's Fabric Fusion
1-3pm  Kids' Halloween Make It-Take It
3-5pm  Dritz No-Sew Project

To find a store near you, visit www.Joann.com/stores. And in case a coupon would come in handy, you can print one here http://printable-coupons.blogspot.com/2005/12/jo-ann-coupons.html.

FREE Monthly All Ages Open Studio at the Art House in Cleveland

Open Studios are held on the third Saturday of every month from  1-3 pm. Enjoy spending time with your family as you make individual pieces or family art works. Each month has a theme and Art House provides the materials. Make an adventure of it by exploring your imagination and using those creative images to form your art work. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

October 16 - Maskmaking
December 18 - Holiday projects

The Art House is located at 3119 Denison Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44109. Visit their website for more information! http://www.arthouseinc.org/index.shtml

Buy one Entree and Get one FREE! at Bronte Bistro in Legacy Village

Use the attached coupon to purchase one entree (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) and get the second FREE! Coupon is good through 10/15. Bronte Bistro is located in Joseph Beth Booksellers at Legacy Village. Check out their upcoming FREE events to see what's going on and make a day of it! Enjoy! http://www.josephbeth.com/AdultEvents.aspx

Print out the coupon here: http://www.josephbeth.com/Bronte/cleveland-special.html

Fall Foilage Fest at Mapleside Farms

Come out and enjoy our magnificent view of the colorful countryside on October 9 & 10 from 10 am-6 pm. Admission is FREE, but most of the activities carry a small fee. Enjoy wagon rides, a corn maze, and lots of yummy food! View the flyer here http://www.mapleside.com/fallfoliagefest10.pdf.

Meet an Animal at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center

Every month at the LERSC in Bay Village, you can have a close encounter with a wild animal for FREE! This program takes place on select Saturdays at 3 pm and is open to all ages. The remaining schedule for this fall is as follows:

Venomous Snakes
October 16
Come and be introduced to the world of venomous snakes. See live examples of Ohio’s 3 venomous snakes (Yes! Ohio has venomous snakes!) and learn the facts and fallacies surrounding them.

Tarantula!
October 30
Big, Creepy, and Hairy! Sounds like the makings of a monster movie. This program will focus on the often-misunderstood Tarantula and conclude with an opportunity to have it crawl across your hands and to look into its eyes…all eight of them!

Visit http://www.lensc.org/education/child-family/FamilyPrograms-Education.aspx for other family friendly programs and events!

Target First FREE Thursdays at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History

Through Thursday, March 3, 2011, visitors to The Cleveland Museum of Natural History will enjoy FREE admission on the first Thursday of each month. Free admission does not apply to school or other groups. Bring the family for a fun-filled day exploring our permanent exhibits and watching the action in our outdoor galleries, where owls, bobcats, otters and more are busy all year long! 2010 Target Free First Thursdays:

October 7, 2010
November 4, 2010
December 2, 2010
January 6, 2011
February 3, 2011
March 3, 2011

http://www.cmnh.org/site/ClassesandPrograms/SpecialEvents/TargetFreeFirstThursdays.aspx

Columbus Day Parade in Little Italy

The Annual Columbus Day Parade in Little Italy (on Columbus Day, October 11) is a true celebration of Italian American heritage. The parade is hosted by The Order of Italian Sons and Daughters of America and held in the Little Italy. Restaurants and shops are open during the event for extended fun. The parade kicks off at noon at the intersection of Murray Hill Road and Cornell Road and winds its way along Mayfield Road. Little Italy has a website that highlights all the upcoming events including the parade and art walks.
http://clevelandlittleitaly.com/events/

Bay Village Bicentennial on 10/10/10

A full weekend of FREE activities has been planned to celebrate Bay Village's 200th anniversary, the weekend of October 10, or "10.10.10." Mark your calendar for the "Family Fun Day" in Cahoon Memorial Park on Saturday, October 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (food, games, demonstrations and children's activities in Cahoon Memorial Park all day, plus encampment groups with demonstrations and re-enactments in the Cahoon Creek valley), and Sunday, October 10, for the grand parade and official "Lighting of Bay" ceremonies from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. There will be continuous FREE trolley shuttle service from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Cahoon Memorial Park to activities at the library, BAYarts, Lake Erie Nature & Science enter and Lakeside Cemetery. View the LENSC Itinerary here for other fun FREE-bees http://www.lensc.org/documents/BayBicentennial.pdf. Visit http://baybicentennial.com/?page=itinerary to view the complete weekend itinerary and for other details. Enjoy!

Your Guide Nature Centers in the Cleveland Area

There are several Nature Centers in the Cleveland area, many of which are located in the Cleveland Metroparks. Nature and Visitor Centers are Cleveland Metroparks gateways to outdoor discovery. Come and ask questions, experience "touch and feel" exhibits, and go outside to see the plants and animals that make up Cleveland Metroparks. Naturalists are available to provide information and guide visitors to nearby trails. Nature centers are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Except Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). All of Cleveland Metroparks nature and visitor centers offer a diverse array of outdoor education programs for all ages. Located in Brecksville, Cuyahoga Heights, Garfield Heights, Mayfield Village, and North Olmsted, the centers are FREE and open to the public. All programs are also provided FREE of charge. Visit here for center descriptions and programming.

The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is located at 2600 South Park Boulevard, Cleveland, 44120.  The center is located within a section of the Shaker Parklands that includes six natural habitats -- lake, stream, marsh, field, ravine and forest. To experience these fascinating habitats, take a walk along one of two beautiful trails. The center also has many exhibits, occasional art shows, and activity tables for children and adults. Hours of operation are Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Trails are open from dawn till dusk. The center is FREE and open to the public. Visit here for more details and upcoming events.

The Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is located in Bay Village. The center teaches the wonders of wildlife through our live animal exhibits, our wildlife education programs and our rehabilitation services. They have outdoor and indoor display areas for our public visitors to view both local wildlife and exotic/domestic animals. You can visit the beautiful red fox, magnificent bald eagle, 9-foot boa constrictor and many other creatures during Center hours: Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center has a wide variety of educational programs available for all ages as well as a planetarium that also has programs for children and families alike. The center is FREE and open to the public. Visit here for more details.

Mums, Music, and More at the Annual Barberton Mum Fest This Weekend

The 20th Annual Barberton Mum Fest featuring MUMS, MUSIC and MORE! 20,000 mums in full bloom - more than one million blooms, plus FREE ADMISSION, Fabulous Food, FREE Musical Entertainment, Historical Displays, Kid's Place, Water Ski Shows, Canoe Races, Arts and Crafts, and Sand Sculpting.
It all takes place this weekend, September 25 & 26, from 10am-6pm at Lake Anna Park. See the link below for directions and the schedule of events, and enjoy!

http://www.cityofbarberton.com/govt/MumFest/

Murray Hill Art Walk, October 1-3

It’s that time for the year’s second Art Walk in Little Italy! Wine, Dine and Shop your way through the famous galleries in Little Italy for three full days! Meet visiting artists from around the world and local artists. Receptions, entertainment and beautiful art all weekend starting Friday, October first. Valet parking starts Friday night on Mayfield Rd. for visitor’s convenience. This event is FREE, and the Art Walk hours are as follows:

Friday, October 1: Noon to 9PM
Saturday, October 2: Noon to 9PM
Sunday, October 3: Noon to 6PM

Visit the webiste for more details, and enjoy! http://clevelandlittleitaly.com/art-walk/

Get a Passport & Travel the Outdoors at the Cleveland Metroparks "Outdoor Odyssey"

Kids can pick up a “passport” and travel recreation discoveries at the FREE, annual Cleveland Metroparks “Outdoor Odyssey” event along the Ohio & Erie Canal in Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights on Saturday, October 9th, from 12-4pm. Young visitors can experience the great outdoors with a variety of fun activities, including fishing, golf putting and chipping, outdoor skills and demonstrations, nature crafts, and more! Basic fishing skills and techniques will be taught along the canal. Children can learn what types of bait the fish enjoy and how to bait their hook properly. A variety of nature and environmental organizations will be on hand with activities and displays to enjoy, too. And, live animal presentations by Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

Calling All Kids 12 and Under! Print out and color in the Outdoor Odyssey logo and redeem the finished coloring page at The Big Show Catering concession stand at Bug City for a FREE treat! And, redeem the attached coupon to The Big Show catering concession stand for $1 Hot Dogs at Outdoor Odyssey! Visit
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/outdoor%20odyssey.asp for more information & to print the coloring page. Enjoy!

Archiver's Is Now Offering FREE Friday and Saturday Crops

It’s the best place to work on your projects—and it's FREE! Come to Archiver’s Fridays or Saturdays from 5-11pm for six uninterrupted hours of scrapbooking and socializing. Pay a $5 reservation fee to save your spot (seats will fill up fast!) and when you arrive, you’ll receive a $5 merchandise voucher to use that night. Grab your friends, or come alone and meet new friends. Reserve your spot today! Visit http://www.archiversonline.com/stores/calendars to check out your local store's calendar and see what other fun and FREE classes they have available! Ohio locations include Akron, Mason, Columbus, and North Olmsted.

FallFest: A FREE 18th Century Festival in the Cleveland Metroparks

No radio, cell phones, TV, Playstation, not even telephones – how did colonial people get by? Experience a day-in-the-life of an 18th century colony at the free “FallFest: 18th Century Festival”. Enjoy a variety of hands-on early settlers arts and crafts, including: candle dipping, quilting, stenciling, quill pen writing, reed ornaments, carding wool, dying wool with natural dyes, and more. Event-goers can also sample a variety of 18th century traditional foods, such as fresh-pressed apple cider, butter, cornbread, honey, and more.

Sunday, September 26
11 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Meadows Picnic Area
Brecksville Reservation • Brecksville

Calling All Kids 12 and Under! Print out and color in the FallFest logo coloring page and redeem the finished coloring page at The Big Show Catering concession stand at FallFest for a FREE treat! And, redeem the attached coupon to The Big Show catering concession stand for a Buy One Hot Dog, and Get One FREE at FallFest! Visit http://www.clemetparks.com/events/fall_fest2.asp for the coloring page and other details.

Enjoy a FREE Nature Walk with Your Toddler in the Metroparks

Stroller Science: All things yellow will be what we are looking for today. Bring your precious little one out to discover and explore the wonderful world of bees, flowers, leaves and bugs.

September 28
10:15 - 11:15 a.m. North Chagrin Nature Center
Ages: 2 years & under with adult
Register beginning September 1
440-473-3370
http://www.clemetparks.com/events/programs/months_progs.asp#25

Music at Main: A Monthly Live and FREE Concert Series at the Public Library

Live and FREE: These are the hallmarks of the Music at Main concert series, a presentation of the Cleveland Public Library Fine Arts Department. Music at Main leverages the beauty of our library’s public performance spaces and the talent of musicians from every point on the musical spectrum. Performance venues include the Louis Stokes Wing auditorium and the Eastman Reading Garden. Stop by to absorb the sounds of ensembles, pianists, cellists, quartets and trios, marimba, concert bands, vocalists, and guitarists.

For the next event, The Fine Arts Department is pleased to present:

Joshua Rzepka, trumpet
David Thomas, piano
Saturday, October 2, 2 p.m.
3rd floor lobby Main Library

Performing original compositions as well as jazz standards from Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Antonio Carlos Jobim and more. This program is FREE and open to all ages. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend! For more information call 216-623-2848 or visit http://www.cpl.org/EventsClasses/MusicatMain.aspx.

Children get FREE Admission to the Zoo with a Teddy Bear

Teddy bear need a check-up? Then bring your fluffy friend to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to receive the latest in teddy bear care. The Zoo's third annual Teddy Bear Day celebrates the best bear care (for personal teddy bears and the Zoo's real bears). Kids with a teddy bear (or plush animal of any species) receive FREE Zoo admission with a paid adult. This Saturday, September 25, from 10am-5pm only. Special activities take place from 10am-2pm at the Steffee Center for Zoological Medicine (unless otherwise noted). See the link for the Activity Schedule! Enjoy!

http://www.clemetzoo.com/events/event.asp?event_id=51

FREE Monthly Art Activity at the Beck Center

Bring your children for Super Saturdays from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Beck Center. In partnership with several community organizations, the Beck Center offers a FREE, hands-on arts experience for ages 10 and under. The upcoming schedule is as follows:

October 16 with Beck Center Visual Arts
November 6 with Cleveland Botanical Garden
December 11 with Usbourne Books
January 22 with Cleveland Artists Foundation.

Thank you Missy at the Beck Center for your comment! Visit their site for details about other outstanding classes and programs! http://beckcenter.org/

Fall Fashion & FREE Flick at Southpark Mall

When you spend $200 or more on Fall Fashion starting Thursday, September 9th, you will receive 2 free Cinemark Movie Tickets. Present your same-day receipts and a valid e-mail address to the Shopping Concierge on the Lower Level near JCPenney to receive your free movie tickets. Offer is valid for a limited time. One pair of tickets per customer for total receipts presented. Must be at least 19 years old to participate. Now granted, you have to spend $200 to get the tickets, so this is really only "free" for the people who were going to do that anyways! Enjoy!

Join the New Balance 'inMOTION' Walking Program and Get a Discount on Shoes

Schedule an hour a week to walk with friends for FREE every Tuesday night at 6 pm at the New Balance Store in Great Northern mall. The commitment is a 2 mile walk, which will be around the mall in nice weather and inside when it's rainy or cold. Over time, New Balance fitness staff will record your weight. At the end of the promotion in December, you will receive a discount of $1 per pound lost. So, if you lose 25lbs total, you'll receive a $25 discount on your New Balance purchase. New walkers are joining every week, so try it out this Tuesday because it really is never too late to start with this program. Indulge your wellness today. Call 440-734-7391 for details. Or visit New Balance, located in the Dillard's wing near Starbucks.

7th Annual Fall Festival in Old Brooklyn on September 25th

Come join hundreds of other Clevelanders for a completely FREE Fall Festival at Grace Church in Old Brooklyn on Saturday, September 25 from 12-4 pm. Lunch, games, and music are all FREE for kids and adults alike, so bring your friends and family for some fun! This year's event features bouncy houses, arts and crafts, basketball, balloon animals, haircuts, massages, and more! Grace church is located at 2503 Broadview Rd, Cleveland OH 44109. Enjoy!

Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Septemeber 18 & 19

"Children and adults enjoy this annual event where community members join professional artists in using the walkways around the Fine Arts Garden as a colorful canvas. Begun in 1990, our festival is a modern expression of a Renaissance tradition from 16th-century Italy, in which beggars copied paintings of the Madonna by Raphael and his contemporaries, using chalk on the plazas outside cathedrals. Watching the chalk artists and enjoying the entertainment is FREE." See the link for more details, and enjoy!
http://www.clevelandart.org/

FREE Admission to Cleveland's Ingenuity Fest

September 24-26 at the Detroit Superior Bridge. "The Ingenuity Festival is Cleveland’s annual weekend-long celebration of art and technology, designed for audiences of any age and experience, staged in Downtown Cleveland. Prominent international masters present original works alongside the finest of Northeast Ohio’s performing and visual artists. High technology firms and major colleges and universities are presented alongside acclaimed artists to create a dazzling display of exciting and immersive new work. Ingenuity pushes boundaries, creating a unique festival experience that draws and celebrates diversity, and involves the audience as both spectator and participant." See the link for the schedule and more details.
http://ingenuitycleveland.com/

FREE Halloween Bands for Westfield Family Members at Southpark Mall

"Starting Saturday, September 25 - October 30, present your WFamily Card at Shopping Concierge and receive a Halloween Shaped Band. One shape per week, one band per child. Child must be present. While supplies last."

September 25 – Cat
October 2 – Witch Hat
October 10 – Pumpkin
October 17 – Bat
October 24 – Ghost
October 30 – Candy Corn

"Westfield's WFamily program makes shopping EASY for parents, and FUN for the kids. Enjoy the great retail offers, special family events and activities, terrific amenities, and helpful shopping guides that make Westfield SouthPark a wonderful destination for the whole family." Don't have a WFamily Card? Sign up FREE online today at http://westfield.com/southpark/wfamily/JoinToday.html!

FREE Monthly Sing Along and Craft Time Fun at Great Northern Mall

"Make plans to visit Playtown at Westfield Great Northern on the first Thursday of every month at 10am for this special family event. Miss Tara from The Beck Center for the Arts will conduct a 20-minute singalong followed by a Westfield craft activity. Most activities are geared toward the 5 & under crowd and all are FREE of charge with no reservation necessary. Songs & crafts are typically chosen to match holiday or seasonal themes. Activities wrap up by 11am. This monthly event presents a wonderful opportunity to expose your child to the arts & music, as Miss Tara leads the children through songs using guitar, voice, sign language & body movement. Tara Griest is the Associate Director of Creative Arts Therapies at The Beck Center and has led the program since its inception in 2005."

Enjoy the View at FREE Local Art Festivals This Fall

Fall Art Festival at Crocker Park, September 18 & 19
"Grab your favorite sweater and your favorite pal and celebrate the change of season with Crocker Park as it introduces the Crocker Park Fall Fest & Fine Art Fair, Saturday, September 18, 10am-7pm & Sunday, September 19, 11am-5pm. The unique and charming Crocker Park is at the intersection of Crocker and Detroit Roads in Westlake. The Fall Fest will feature a wine tasting, fresh apple cider, a fun clam bake, a special fall farmers market, children’s activities and a fine art fair with artist demonstrations all in the unique setting of the elegant Crocker Park. It’s a weekend of fun, food, wine, art, fashion, music and more!" Admission and parking are FREE.

2010 Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival, September 18 & 19
"The Twelfth Annual Tremont Arts and Cultural Festival returns to Lincoln Park. The weekend Festival is comprised of four categories or program areas which include: Children's-hands-on arts, historical, and educational projects; Community-area non-profit organizations presenting material about their mission and services; Cultural-food sales by Tremont churches, other non-profit organizations, and Tremont restaurants reflecting the ethnic diversity of the neighborhood; and sales of paintings, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, and photographs created by Tremont and Northeast Ohio artists. The Festival will also have music and dance performances both Saturday and Sunday on one main stage located near Kenilworth Avenue between West 14th Street and West 11th Street. Admission to the festival is FREE." See the link for a schedule of events.
http://www.merrickhouse.org/tacf

Art in the Village II at Legacy Village, September 25 & 26
Saturday, September 25 – 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday, September 26 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
"Art in the Village is back for a fall appearance! Don’t miss an eclectic mix of the nation’s most talented artist, who will collectively display millions of dollars in artwork. The artists, juried by an independent panel of expert judges, are hand-selected from hundreds of applicants based on quality and diversity. Admission and parking are FREE."

2010 Tremont ArtWalk
This event has taken place all year on the second friday of each month from 6-10 pm, and the remaining dates for this year are October 8, November 12, and December 10. Many galleries and studios that normally keep restricted hours are open for ArtWalk. There is usually music or other performance art. Tremont is rich in fine dining and pub life. For those who prefer a quieter experience, many galleries are open the following day (Saturday).