BRECKSVILLE, Ohio – The Empty Bowl Project returns to Cuyahoga Valley Career Center to combat hunger. The Broadview Heights Lions Club and Brecksville Kiwanis are teaming up once again to host this special fundraiser dedicated to fighting hunger in the local community. This event will take place at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, 8001 Brecksville Rd. on Tuesday, March 4, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. For a $15 donation, attendees will enjoy a simple meal of soup, salad, bread, and beverages while receiving a handcrafted bowl to take home as a lasting reminder of the ongoing issue of food insecurity. A table sponsorship option is also available for $25. The Empty Bowls movement is a global initiative started by The Imagine Render Group, aiming to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief. Locally, all proceeds from the event will support the Brecksville Food Pantry and South Hills Lend-A-Hand Food Bank, ensuring direct assistance to those in need. Tickets for this meaningful evening can be purchased at Star Sports and Broadview Chiropractic & Health. For more details, contact Eric Geyer, 440-724-2461, erickgeyer@gmail.com or Kevin Krcmar, 440-590-2380, klkrcmar@gmail.com. Highest point: Did you know that the city of Broadview Heights can claim the highest point in Cuyahoga County – elevation 1,287 ft.? There’s even a sign. It is located east of the Seneca Golf Course sign on Broadview Road in Broadview Heights. Check it out. Kindness challenge: North Royalton Elementary School participated in The Great Kindness Challenge in late January, joining more than 41,000 schools worldwide in promoting random acts of kindness. Last year’s challenge generated over one billion kind acts in just one week. “The Great Kindness Challenge perfectly aligns with our school’s values of fostering compassion and community,” said Principal Kirk Pavelich. “Seeing our students embrace kindness and understand how their small actions can create big ripples of positive change is truly inspiring.” To celebrate, NRES hosted a Kindness Spirit Week with daily themes: - Monday: “Let it Snow Kindness” - Students wore snowflake-themed clothing - Tuesday: “Spread Kindness Like Confetti” - Kind message apparel day - Wednesday: “Dreaming of a Kinder World” - PJs and comfort wear - Thursday: “Kindness Rocks!” - Rock your favorite outfit - Friday: “Kindness is the Bear Way” - Show school pride in purple and gold In addition, the second, third and fourth-grade Kindness Council made kindness paper snowflakes. They also made special appearances on the morning announcements to share a kindness challenge and quote of the day. School counselors Jennifer Nemeth, Beth Kleem, and Dana Kesselem encouraged families to use provided checklists to track and discuss kind acts with their children at home, making the challenge a meaningful family experience. Musical theater: Beck Center for the Arts announces another fabulous collaboration with the Baldwin Wallace University Music Theatre program. This season, Waitress is on the menu. Nominated for 2016 Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Original Score, Beck Center’s collaboration production with BWMT is full of local talent. Directed by Victoria Bussert, music direction by Matthew Webb, and choreography by Lauren Marousek, the cast of Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre students is excited to be able to perform this extraordinary show. This is the story of Jenna, the titular waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Based on the 2007 movie of the same name, Waitress features a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and music and lyrics by Grammy Award® winner Sara Bareilles (“Love Song,” “Brave”). Director Victoria Bussert says, “I have always been a big fan of the original film. Seeing how it was adapted to the stage was a truly thrilling theatrical experience. It is an honor to have the opportunity to ‘bake’ our own unique production at Beck Center.” Tickets start at $15 Smart Seats to $41 each, available at 216-521-2540 and www.beckcenter.org. Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Preview performances are 7:30 p.m. the Thursday before opening night, with general admission seating for just $15. Smart Seats are available for each performance at just $15 per person. Performances are at the Senney Theatre in Beck Center for the Arts located at 17801 Detroit Ave. Lakewood, just ten minutes west of downtown Cleveland. Free onsite parking is available. For more information on the 2024-2025 Professional Theater Season, visit www.beckcenter.org. Basketball clinic: North Royalton Middle School students experienced an exciting day at Cleveland State University on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Led by teacher Dean Chuppa and coordinating teachers AnneMarie Kish, Kami Likovic, and Michelle Sutyak, students with adaptive needs and their peer partners participated in the Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball Clinic. The event featured interactive stations where students developed basketball skills, including shooting, dribbling, passing, and defensive techniques. Between basketball drills, participants enjoyed additional activities like corn hole, putt putt, mini bowling, and video games, creating a fun and inclusive environment for all students. Garden club: Renee Boronka, Director of Conservation, Education & Outreach with Western Reserve Land Conservancy, will speak at the Thursday, March 13 meeting of the Emerald Necklace Garden Club. Members will learn about the organization’s nearly 30 years of improving landscapes and environments, connecting people with their environments and sustaining landscapes for current and future generations. Guests are always welcome at meetings, which are monthly on the second Thursday at 9:15 a.m. at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9201 Brecksville Rd. Brecksville. Find more information at www.EmeraldNecklaceGardenClub.org and visit the club Facebook page for events and interesting gardening posts from other organizations. Library lineup: The following events are presented by the Cuyahoga County Public Library Strongsville Branch. Call 440-238-5530 or visit www.cuyahogalibrary.org to register and for more event information. The Strongsville Branch Library is located at 18700 Westwood Dr. Easy Cheesy Treat - ages 3 - 5 with a caregiver, Friday, Feb. 21, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Bring your child with you while you learn how to make a spreadable curd cheese. A big mouse will read to the children and help them make a craft. Everyone will sample the cheese on bread and take home the recipe.Read Around the World - Saturday, Feb. 22, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.The Strongsville Kiwanis Club sponsors this annual event for all ages. Each child attending can choose a new book to take home. No registration is needed for this free event. Members of Kiwanis will be available to read books to the children. The St. Joseph and John’s Builder’s Club members will perform puppet shows throughout the event. There will also be face painting, storytelling, and light refreshments.Monday Afternoon Book Discussion - Monday, February 24, 2:30 p.m. The Monday Afternoon Book Discussion meets in the library on the 4th Monday of each month. No registration is required. All adults interested in reading and discussing great book are welcome. The next discussion title will be The Golden Gate by Amy Chua. Copies of the book will be available for check-out at the circulation desk. Meet Author Lisa Unger - Wednesday, February 26,7:00 p.m.Tiny Tots Playtime - ages 2 and under with adult caregiver, Friday, February 28, 11:00 a.m. - noon. Come and experience free play with your tiny tot for fifteen minutes or an entire hour. All types of toys will be available for an enjoyable experience. Read more news from the Sun Star Courier here. Let the Brecksville, Broadview Heights, North Royalton and Strongsville communities know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at shirleymac48@att.net.