WESTLAKE, Ohio – Brian Thompson, an attorney and a member of Westlake Historical Society, will share his life experiences growing up in war-torn Europe during World War II and its aftermath at the historical society’s general meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Community Room at the Westlake Recreation Center, 28955 Hilliard Blvd.
A native of England, Thompson also will share some of the history of Yorkshire, where he was born.
He came alone to the United States as an immigrant at age 16. Thompson said he knew no one when he arrived, but he found the country to be “wonderful, and the people most welcoming and helpful.” He recognized the opportunities that were available and took advantage of them. During his presentation, Thompson will discuss these opportunities and his life as an immigrant in the 1950s and 1960s. He also will relate some of the experiences of early settlers in Ohio and Cleveland’s early times.
Thompson will sign copies of his autobiography, “If I Settle on the Far Side of the Sea.”
Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit westlakeohiohistory.org, or call 216-848-0680.
Antiques and toys: Bay Village Women’s Club will sponsor its 48th annual Antiques Show and Vintage Toy Display 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 26 at Bay High School, 29230 Wolf Road.
Shop for antiques from mid-century through the 1970s, including vintage jewelry, toys, military and household items and more. Prices range from a few dollars to high-end pieces like Cowan pottery. There also will be some real wood furniture, including painted, distressed and repurposed pieces, as well as a display of vintage toys.
There will be free jewelry appraisals 1-3 p.m. Feb. 25 and free antiques appraisals 1-3 p.m. Feb. 26. A $5 donation funds BHS scholarships. Children younger than 12 admitted free.
For more information, visit baywomensclub.org. Dealer spaces are available; call 440-334-7539.
Celebrity bartender: Jamie Mason, director of Rocky River Public Library, will be a celebrity bartender at the River Dog Cafe 6-11 p.m. Feb. 18. The River Dog is at 19900 Detroit Road, Rocky River.
Five percent of all sales and all bar tips will be donated to Friends of Rocky River Public Library to help fund programming at the library.
For more information, visit facebook.com/events/238983079889776/.
Honorees: Connecting for Kids will honor five people who helped fulfill the organization’s mission to provide education and support to families with concerns about their children. The honorees will be recognized at the Westlake-based organization’s annual fundraiser, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Ahern Catering & Banquet Center, 726 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake.
Those being honored are:
- Mariel Krakowiak of Olmsted Falls, parent of the year. Ellen Spear was honored by Connecting for Kids. Photo provided by Connecting for Kids.
- Ellen Spear of Lakewood, speech language pathologist and co-owner, Lakeshore Speech Therapy LLC.
- Jackson Bolognia and Tom Kuemerle of Avon Lake, beyond the bench award winners.
- Meghan Barlow of Avon Lake, pediatric psychologist, board member of the year.
Fundraiser tickets are $75 and include heavy appetizers, drinks, dessert and entertainment. For more information or to reserve a ticket, visit connectingforkids.org.2017fundraiser, email info@connectingforkids.org or call 440-250-5563.
Avoiding frauds, scams: The Bay Village Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library will offer a program aimed at helping senior citizens (and others) avoid frauds and scams at 11 a.m. Feb. 17. The library is at 502 Cahoon Road.
Learn about the latest scams targeting seniors from Bob Davis, a representative of the Ohio Attorney General’s office, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Seniors, age 60 and older, are 15 percent of the population, yet they attract 30 percent of reported fraud.
Campus visits: The Westshore Campus of Cuyahoga Community College will offer campus visits 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m. on Presidents Day, Feb. 20.
The free sessions will include an enrollment presentation and campus tour offering prospective students a chance to learn about the degree and certificate programs Tri-C offers.
The Westshore Campus is at 31001 Clemens Road, Westlake. Visit tri-c.edu/visit for information or to register.
Dems meet: Westlake Democratic Club will meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Western Cuyahoga County Lodge FOP Hall #25, 26145 Center Ridge Road, Westlake.
A speaker from ACLU Ohio will discuss “Resisting the Trump Agenda.”
Parking and entrance are at the rear of the building. Beverages will be provided; bring a snack to share.
Call 440-892-3430 for more information.
Tax help: The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program offers free, individualized tax preparation for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, especially those age 60 and older. Assistance is available at the Bay Village Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library, 502 Cahoon Road. Stop in at the library during regular branch hours to schedule an appointment.
Rising Stars: Westlake-Westshore Arts Council will sponsor a musical program featuring the talents of two Baldwin Wallace University music theater students at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road.
This is the fifth year for the “Catch a Rising Star . . . Baldwin Wallace Music Theater in Recital” program, which is offered free.
Featured will be Dan Hoy, a third-year music theater student, who will demonstrate his vocal and dance talent. Accompanying him will be pianist Alyssa Thompson, a senior studying music direction in the music theater program, with an emphasis on conducting and composition. They will take questions from the audience after the performance.
Tri-C tax clinics: Cuyahoga Community College will offer free personal income tax filing services at Corporate College West, 25425 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, to qualified taxpayers with a 2016 earned income of less than $64,000.
The clinics will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesdays through April 5. Walk-in assistance will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis,
Returns will be prepared and filed by IRS-certified tax preparers while the taxpayer waits. Participants must bring a current photo ID, Social Security cards for each adult and child listed on the return, all 2016 tax documents, sources, of income, support for deductions and credits being sought, health care verification, prior year tax returns and bank account information to arrange for direct deposit of any refund. Those filing jointly must both be present if e-filing.
The clinics also will be offered at the Metropolitan Campus in Cleveland, Western Campus in Parma and Eastern Campus in Highland Hills. For times, dates and eligibility requirements at these sites, visit tri-c.edu/taxhelp.
Other free tax preparation sites can be found at irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep.
Information, please: Readers are invited to share information about themselves, their families and friends, organizations, church events, etc. from Bay Village, Rocky River and Westlake for the West Shore Chatter column, which I write on a freelance basis. Awards, honors, milestone birthdays or anniversaries and other items are welcome. Submit information at least 10 days before the requested publication date to carolkovach@hotmail.com.
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