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CHAGRIN VALLEY, Ohio -- Valley Art Center’s annual juried art exhibition opens for viewing this weekend. Now in its 54th year, it is the longest running juried exhibition of its kind in Northeast Ohio. An opening reception is planned for 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 in the Bowen Gallery at 155 Bell St. in Chagrin Falls. Included is the work of 50 area artists selected from nearly 500 submissions. It represents a range of materials and styles including paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, fiber and more. The art center will award about $3,500 in cash prizes for first, second and third place winners along with the best in show and community-sponsored prizes. This year’s jurors bring their different perspectives to the selection. They Include Pita Brooks, director of operations at SPACES Gallery, Benjamin Lambert, Berea-based ceramic artist and educator and Susan Snipes, interdisciplinary artist and director of Understory at 78th Street Studios. The exhibit is on view through Dec. 17. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free and open to the public. Area poets will respond to the visual arts on display with original poems written about them Thursday, Dec. 12 in a program titled Ekphrastacy: Artists Talk + Poets Respond, giving a lyrical voice to the visual arts. Contact valleyartcenter.org or 440-247-7507. The eyes of a cartoonist: The Chagrin History Center invites the public 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 to a free program on the witty and satirical cartoons of Bill Watterson centered around his hometown of Chagrin Falls. Historian John Bourisseau will look at the more humorous side of the town presented in Watterson’s early work published 1976 to 1979 in the Chagrin Valley Herald. Watterson is famous for his playful Calvin and Hobbes cartoons in syndication 1985 -1995. Light refreshments will be served. An RSVP is required to attend. Contact admin@chagrinhistory.org or 440-247-4695. The history center is located at 87 East Washington St. in Chagrin Falls. Sip and shop: The Chagrin Falls shopping and restaurant district will be an active scene 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8 teeming with shoppers during the annual Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce Sip & Shop event. Participants can discover new merchants and gain access to discounts and deals. Registered shoppers will use their tasting cup to sample an exclusive beverage offered while they visit locations. They will also receive a swag bag containing coupons and give-away items from sponsors and merchants. There will be additional contests and prizes, as well as a gift card package prize in a passport drawing. Registration is required and tickets are limited. The cost is $35. Contact cvcc.org for details. Learn about Humble Design: Temple Emanu El’s Advocacy Committee invites you learn about Humble Design Cleveland at its 6:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 shabbat services. Jennifer Arenschield, development manager, will give an overview of the group’s mission and the impact it is making, as well as how people can help. The organization is a nonprofit with a warehouse in Solon that furnishes homes for families and veterans emerging from homelessness. At a rate of three per week it has transformed 450 empty houses into homes with donated furniture and household goods at no cost to the families served. The temple is located at 4545 Brainard Rd. in Orange Village. Blood Drives: The Geauga YMCA is hosting a blood drive 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13 for the American Red Cross. Walk-in donors are welcome during that time at the multi-purpose room, 12460 Bass Lake Rd. in Chardon. You can also register at redcrossblood.org under find a drive. The procedure takes about one hour and can save up to three lives. Temple Israel Ner Tamid’ in Mayfield Heights is also holding a blood drive 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23 through Vitalant in partnership with American friends of Magen David Adom, Israel’s emergency services system. The drive will be held at the temple, 1732 Lander Rd. in Mayfield Heights. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 105 pounds and be in good general health. Walk-ins are welcome or register at vitalant.org with blood drive code 100563148 or call 877-258-4825. To post you news and events contact Rusek at jcooperrusek@gmail.com.
