This summer, Ben Franklin Community Garden once again invites the community to enjoy live music in one of Cleveland’s most peaceful and welcoming outdoor spaces. Nestled in the heart of Old Brooklyn, the Garden’s annual Music Series returns with an eclectic lineup of Northeast Ohio performers spanning Americana, jazz, brass band, singer-songwriter, classical fusion, and global sounds.

Concerts take place on the first and third Saturdays from June through September, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. Due to the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the first July concert will be held on Friday, July 3. In the event of rain, concerts will move to Sunday at 2 p.m. (except the July 3 performance, which has no rain date).

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and relax among the trees, flowers, and garden paths while enjoying an evening of free live music in a unique community setting.

Ben Franklin Community Garden is located at 1905 Spring Road, behind Benjamin Franklin Elementary School between Broadview Road and the Jennings Freeway (176). Parking is available in the school lot. The garden is wheelchair accessible; anyone needing additional accessibility information is encouraged to contact Mark Tapajna at 216-276-1183.

Whether you’re discovering the garden for the first  time or returning for another season, the Music Series offers a wonderful way to spend a summer evening while experiencing the creativity and talent of local musicians — and it’s all free.

2026 Music Series lineup

June 6 – Hey Mavis.  This acclaimed Northcoast Americana quartet blends heartfelt vocals, honest songwriting, blazing instrumental solos, and undeniable onstage chemistry into a rich tapestry of contemporary roots music.

June 20 – Zerbo Brothers.  Drawing from West African, North American, and global traditions, the Zerbo Brothers create a vibrant blend of old and new music shaped by thousands of miles of travel and musical exploration.

FRIDAY, July 3 – Opus 216.  From classical and French café jazz to hip hop, Irish fiddle, and original compositions, Opus 216 delivers virtuosic, genre-crossing performances with style and versatility. No rain date for this performance only.

July 18 – Da Land Brass Band.  Cleveland’s own original brass band brings New Orleans roots, heavy funk grooves, original tunes, and inventive takes on classics for an energetic performance that keeps audiences moving.

Aug 1 – John Orsini Jazz Quintet.  Featuring some of Cleveland’s finest jazz musicians, this seasoned quintet performs classic jazz from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s with sophistication, swing, and timeless style.

Aug 15 – The Rhondas.  Led by three female vocalists and instrumentalists, The Rhondas perform originals and covers ranging from sweet and soulful to bold and danceable, blending rich harmonies with playful energy.

Sep 5 – Women Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring Liz Bullock & Jessica Sikon.   Liz Bullock blends folk, blues, soul, and jazz with powerful vocals, while Jessica Sikon pairs ethereal harmonies and moving melodies with indie pop, rock, and cosmic country influences.

Sept 19 – Classical Fusion Showcase featuring Arleigh Savage & Eri Snowden.  Cellist and singer-songwriter Eri Snowden-Rodriguez layers cello with effects pedals to create immersive soundscapes, while bassoonist Arleigh Savage crafts haunting original music through looping and inventive sonic textures.

For more information, visit BenFranklinCommunityGarden.org or follow us on social media for updates.

alling all clevelanders 🥳🥳

thank you for one incredible year in this community, i truly couldnt have done it without each of you.

to celebrate, im throwing another party!! there will be games, prizes, pottery (on sale!!), and more!

no rsvp needed, everyone's invited :)

august 1st from 2-6p!
2030 W Schaaf Rd in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood!

Hip and knee pain can gradually make routine movements more difficult, limiting independence and preventing people from staying active. For those whose symptoms no longer respond to conservative treatments, joint replacement surgery may offer lasting pain relief and improved function.

Anas Saleh, MD, Orthopedic Surgeon, discussed key topics related to joint replacement, including:
• Common signs that indicate surgery may be the right next step
• The patient journey from preparation through recovery
• Innovative surgical techniques and rehabilitation strategies designed to support faster healing and better mobility

Attendees may submit questions ahead of time. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Can't attend live? You should still register! We'll send out the recording after the webinar to all registrants.

Register now at https://www.metrohealth.org/en/community/health-talks/relieving-joint-pain-your-path-to-replacement-and-recovery/

Every 3rd Monday of the month, Old Brooklyn community members gather at St. James Lutheran Church to connect and hear from community partners who provide resource to improve quality of life.

In 2025, along with hearing from the 2nd District Police Officers, fire department, and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s office, they are looking forward to hearing from various partners and city/county departments like Aging, Building and Housing, Traffic and Engineering, and the County Scam Squad.

Feel free to bring a neighbor!

Questions? Want to be added to their monthly email? Please call or text 216-469-3781.

Get ready for our 3rd annual Music and Arts Festival Fundraiser! This great community event brings everyone together in our 150 year old cemetery to celebrate local artist, musicians, and business owners. Food trucks will be present! Raffle baskets! Silent Auction baskets! You do not want to miss this event!

Gather your crew and join us at one of our Family Fun Days this summer!

Grab a hot dog off the grill and enjoy live music and kid-friendly activities like face painting, giant Jenga, balloons, and more. Plus, free lead testing!

This summer, Ben Franklin Community Garden once again invites the community to enjoy live music in one of Cleveland’s most peaceful and welcoming outdoor spaces. Nestled in the heart of Old Brooklyn, the Garden’s annual Music Series returns with an eclectic lineup of Northeast Ohio performers spanning Americana, jazz, brass band, singer-songwriter, classical fusion, and global sounds.

Concerts take place on the first and third Saturdays from June through September, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. Due to the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the first July concert will be held on Friday, July 3. In the event of rain, concerts will move to Sunday at 2 p.m. (except the July 3 performance, which has no rain date).

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and relax among the trees, flowers, and garden paths while enjoying an evening of free live music in a unique community setting.

Ben Franklin Community Garden is located at 1905 Spring Road, behind Benjamin Franklin Elementary School between Broadview Road and the Jennings Freeway (176). Parking is available in the school lot. The garden is wheelchair accessible; anyone needing additional accessibility information is encouraged to contact Mark Tapajna at 216-276-1183.

Whether you’re discovering the garden for the first  time or returning for another season, the Music Series offers a wonderful way to spend a summer evening while experiencing the creativity and talent of local musicians — and it’s all free.

2026 Music Series lineup

June 6 – Hey Mavis.  This acclaimed Northcoast Americana quartet blends heartfelt vocals, honest songwriting, blazing instrumental solos, and undeniable onstage chemistry into a rich tapestry of contemporary roots music.

June 20 – Zerbo Brothers.  Drawing from West African, North American, and global traditions, the Zerbo Brothers create a vibrant blend of old and new music shaped by thousands of miles of travel and musical exploration.

FRIDAY, July 3 – Opus 216.  From classical and French café jazz to hip hop, Irish fiddle, and original compositions, Opus 216 delivers virtuosic, genre-crossing performances with style and versatility. No rain date for this performance only.

July 18 – Da Land Brass Band.  Cleveland’s own original brass band brings New Orleans roots, heavy funk grooves, original tunes, and inventive takes on classics for an energetic performance that keeps audiences moving.

Aug 1 – John Orsini Jazz Quintet.  Featuring some of Cleveland’s finest jazz musicians, this seasoned quintet performs classic jazz from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s with sophistication, swing, and timeless style.

Aug 15 – The Rhondas.  Led by three female vocalists and instrumentalists, The Rhondas perform originals and covers ranging from sweet and soulful to bold and danceable, blending rich harmonies with playful energy.

Sep 5 – Women Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring Liz Bullock & Jessica Sikon.   Liz Bullock blends folk, blues, soul, and jazz with powerful vocals, while Jessica Sikon pairs ethereal harmonies and moving melodies with indie pop, rock, and cosmic country influences.

Sept 19 – Classical Fusion Showcase featuring Arleigh Savage & Eri Snowden.  Cellist and singer-songwriter Eri Snowden-Rodriguez layers cello with effects pedals to create immersive soundscapes, while bassoonist Arleigh Savage crafts haunting original music through looping and inventive sonic textures.

For more information, visit BenFranklinCommunityGarden.org or follow us on social media for updates.

Community Clean Ups help to beautify and maintain our neighborhood! By joining us, you're helping to keep the streets and sidewalks looking clean and landscaped. It also improves the walkability of sidewalks and provides a clean community for everyone who calls Old Brooklyn home!

Learn more and sign up here

Geek peeps!! It's that time of year, we're so excited to celebrate our third year with all of you. This year we're switching some things up. The first 100 peeps will receive a FREE FrankieLynn Hot Dogs and a Geek Peek t-shirt. We will also have a free stamp Pokemon craft and a Hobby Mixer Event.

We will have $1 raffle tickets and all proceeds will go towards the Cleveland Health and Wellness Center. We have partnered with them and are raising funds help provide mental health and social therapy to teenagers the age range of 14-17. Their program called Story Quest allows teenagers to participate in D&D driven sessions that focus on building social skills, improve communication, and practice conflict resolution. The sessions use empirically based methods including DBT and will be run by a licensed therapist.

Cleveland Health and Wellness Center is still looking for teenager who would be a good fit for this program. If you know a good candidate, then please reach out via the information on the flyer.

See you all on Friday, July 10th for the celebration 😁🤘

Join the Second District Cleveland Police Commander, Supervisors and Officers at the Second District’s monthly community meeting. Meetings are an opportunity to regularly engage with local CDP officers to identify problems, learn about available resources, and ways to be involved with activities that improve your community. These meetings are open to the public. All are welcome!

Learn more here

GardenWalk Cleveland is a Fun, Relaxing Way To:

• Explore the Cleveland neighborhoods on the tour in 2026.

• See an enormous variety of private home gardens, community gardens and public green spaces. Over 375 Gardens in 2024!!

• Meet other gardeners and visitors to share and learn gardening tips and lore.

• Pick up a guide at various neighborhood locations (to be determined) or  download a pdf of the maps in early July. You can also use your smart phone to navigate the online maps.

How to Enjoy GardenWalk (It’s Free!):

• Plan to attend Saturday, July 11 and/or Sunday, July 12 from 10 am to 5 pm.

• Pick Up a GardenWalk Guide and/or use the maps on our website. The QR code with each map in this guide will point your smartphone directly to each neighborhood map.

• Choose a garden where you want to start, see as many or as few gardens as you like. Often (but not always) the gardener will be in their garden to greet you and tell you more about their garden and neighborhood.

• Ride your Bike with Bike Cleveland!

• Remember to be positive–gardeners are proud of their gardens and the work they have done, please respond accordingly!

• We love dogs, but please leave your pooch at home.

If it looks like rain, bring your umbrella, because this is a rain or shine event!

Learn more here

Legal Aid partners with the Cleveland Public Library to enhance understanding of the law by hosting a free Legal Advice Clinic at a different library branch each month. Spread the word - click here for a PDF flyer about this event.

Have a legal question?  Legal Aid has answers!

Visit a Legal Advice Clinic to chat with an attorney for brief advice about a civil legal problem related to money, housing, family, employment or other issues. This free clinic is first-come, first-served, no appointments needed. If the clinic is at capacity, those who arrive after the check-in hour may be referred to a future clinic. Please bring all important paperwork with you.

Special thanks to volunteers from Squire Patton Boggs who are helping with this clinic!

Curious about what to expect? Review our Frequently Asked Questions here: Legal Advice Clinic FAQs

Apply for Free Legal Help (and learn about the process): Legal Aid Application.

Info Lines for Quick Questions:

• For housing issues - call our Tenant Info Line (216-861-5955 or 440-210-4533).

• For employment, student loans, or other economic issues - call our Economic Justice Info Line (216-861-5899 or 440-210-4532).

Councilman Harsh hosts community meetings about various topics. OBCDC will also be there to share Old Brooklyn updates and chat with attendees.

This summer, we're turning our focus to lawn and trees! A healthy, well-shaded yard can make a big difference in life. It can boost property values, lower energy bills, and increase quality of life!

A great place to start is composting!

Come learn from the Rust Belt Riders and Tilth Soil, for a workshop on how to compost at home. This workshop will cover the basics of home composting:
- What is compost?
- How do you make it?
- What the heck is going on in my compost pile?
- How do I fix my compost?
- What is good compost?

As well as composting methods, building the perfect detritivore ecosystem, the most common mistakes and understanding the importance of composting.

Whether you are new to composting or have been composting for years this workshop will arm you with information that will surely improve your efforts or give you the confidence to start!

Note: Compost workshops 1 and 2 will cover roughly the same material.

Location: Varies by workshop but will be located in Old Brooklyn.
Address will be sent once a ticket is purchased.

Tickets: $10 per class

Attendees at each class will receive one free tool to help with the skill taught.

(Scholarships are available for low- and moderate-income individuals. Contact ashtonm@oldbrooklyn.com for questions)

Questions following are required for the sponsors of these programs so we can continue to provide these excellent resources.

Sponsored by Huntington Bank

This summer, Ben Franklin Community Garden once again invites the community to enjoy live music in one of Cleveland’s most peaceful and welcoming outdoor spaces. Nestled in the heart of Old Brooklyn, the Garden’s annual Music Series returns with an eclectic lineup of Northeast Ohio performers spanning Americana, jazz, brass band, singer-songwriter, classical fusion, and global sounds.

Concerts take place on the first and third Saturdays from June through September, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. Due to the Fourth of July holiday weekend, the first July concert will be held on Friday, July 3. In the event of rain, concerts will move to Sunday at 2 p.m. (except the July 3 performance, which has no rain date).

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and relax among the trees, flowers, and garden paths while enjoying an evening of free live music in a unique community setting.

Ben Franklin Community Garden is located at 1905 Spring Road, behind Benjamin Franklin Elementary School between Broadview Road and the Jennings Freeway (176). Parking is available in the school lot. The garden is wheelchair accessible; anyone needing additional accessibility information is encouraged to contact Mark Tapajna at 216-276-1183.

Whether you’re discovering the garden for the first  time or returning for another season, the Music Series offers a wonderful way to spend a summer evening while experiencing the creativity and talent of local musicians — and it’s all free.

2026 Music Series lineup

June 6 – Hey Mavis.  This acclaimed Northcoast Americana quartet blends heartfelt vocals, honest songwriting, blazing instrumental solos, and undeniable onstage chemistry into a rich tapestry of contemporary roots music.

June 20 – Zerbo Brothers.  Drawing from West African, North American, and global traditions, the Zerbo Brothers create a vibrant blend of old and new music shaped by thousands of miles of travel and musical exploration.

FRIDAY, July 3 – Opus 216.  From classical and French café jazz to hip hop, Irish fiddle, and original compositions, Opus 216 delivers virtuosic, genre-crossing performances with style and versatility. No rain date for this performance only.

July 18 – Da Land Brass Band.  Cleveland’s own original brass band brings New Orleans roots, heavy funk grooves, original tunes, and inventive takes on classics for an energetic performance that keeps audiences moving.

Aug 1 – John Orsini Jazz Quintet.  Featuring some of Cleveland’s finest jazz musicians, this seasoned quintet performs classic jazz from the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s with sophistication, swing, and timeless style.

Aug 15 – The Rhondas.  Led by three female vocalists and instrumentalists, The Rhondas perform originals and covers ranging from sweet and soulful to bold and danceable, blending rich harmonies with playful energy.

Sep 5 – Women Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring Liz Bullock & Jessica Sikon.   Liz Bullock blends folk, blues, soul, and jazz with powerful vocals, while Jessica Sikon pairs ethereal harmonies and moving melodies with indie pop, rock, and cosmic country influences.

Sept 19 – Classical Fusion Showcase featuring Arleigh Savage & Eri Snowden.  Cellist and singer-songwriter Eri Snowden-Rodriguez layers cello with effects pedals to create immersive soundscapes, while bassoonist Arleigh Savage crafts haunting original music through looping and inventive sonic textures.

For more information, visit BenFranklinCommunityGarden.org or follow us on social media for updates.

Are everyday tasks, like folding laundry or carrying groceries, feeling harder to complete? Strengthening your hands and wrists helps to prevent overuse injuries, improve your grip, and support your independence so you can move through daily tasks with ease.

Join Adrienne Lee, MD, Orthopedics for our BeSimplyWell Health Talk where you will learn practical tips designed to help build strength, reduce pain, and make you more confident in your daily activities.

Register today and submit your questions at metrohealth.org/health-talks.

Looking for a fun way to spend your Tuesday morning? 🎵 Come watch the Rose Center for Old Brooklyn's Summer Concert on June 30 from 10:00-10:30 a.m. They have been practicing throughout the year and are excited to share what they've learned. 📍 Rose Center - Old Brooklyn 3100 Devonshire Rd.

Explore the history and evolution of historic Old Brooklyn, where each building and street corner tells a story of the past. Just as layers of rock reveal the Earth’s history, the neighborhood’s story unfolds through the gradual accumulation of cultural, architectural, and social change.

From early settlements to modern development, each phase has added a distinct layer—shaping the community seen today. Along the way, the tour includes a stop at Brookmere Cemetery, offering a reflective look at the individuals and families whose lives are part of Old Brooklyn’s enduring story—and wraps up with a “sweet” stop at a neighborhood bakery.

PARKING available in Brooklyn Dental Group parking lot at 4163 Pearl Road.

REGISTER FOR TOUR

Gather your crew and join us at one of our Family Fun Days this summer!

Grab a hot dog off the grill and enjoy live music and kid-friendly activities like face painting, giant Jenga, balloons, and more. Plus, free lead testing!

Join us Friday June 26th at 6pm for Video Games, Open Gym, & did we mention ICE CREAM!
Game Nights are completely free & open to all.
Enter through the side door on Behrwald Ave.
Parking is available in the lot behind the building.