Civics, Political Theater, Music all on tap this evening

With the sun out and a wintry blast on the way this weekend, Clevelanders should probably make a point of getting out this Hump Day. And there is no shortage of choices, whether you want to wear either your civic hat or your favorite foot tappers.

Rev. Dr. Stephen Rowan,
pastor of Bethany Baptist Church and
chairman of the Cleveland Foundation,
is UBF keynote speaker.

For starters, there are the annual meetings of the United Black Fund and the Phillis Wheatley Association we wrote about here. 

Then today we received word of an important discussion taking place tonight from 6-8PM at John Adams HS, where Cleveland councilman Zack Reed is hosting a follow up session on the search for solutions for violence. Speakers include Cleveland Chief of Police Calvin Williams, Deputy Chief Deon McCauley and county sheriff Clifford Pinkney. Students from Adams and Warrensville Hts. HS will also participate.

Reed continues to be looked at askance for his past troubles and his thirst for publicity, but few of his peers work as hard to engage constituents and city residents in the civic space. Reed appreciates that chronic violence is a public health issue. We are glad that he keeps beating that drum.

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Finally, if you care for unpredictable theater, you might want to attend the regularly scheduled meeting of the East Cleveland City Council, starting at 6:30pm. In the wake of yesterday’s vote recalling both Mayor Gary Norton and Council President Thomas Wheeler, who knows who will show or what will happen. It seems to us they are both entitled to stay in place until the Board of Elections certifies the results later this month, but some folks are sure to want them to have vacated the premises by last midnight. East Cleveland City Hall, 14340 Euclid Ave.

After all that civic engagement, treat yourself to cool music and hot beverages at Coffee Phix, 4485 Mayfield Road, where you can enjoy the reggae vibes of Carlos Jones. You might be used to him as a member of I-Tal and First Light, or as the leader of Carlos Jones & the P.L.U.S Band, but tonight he will be doing his solo acoustic thing.

Coffee Phix is a place you should know about. Stop in and let owner Jackie Larkins know you heard about her spot from The Real Deal! Jones plays from 7:30p-9p. Coffee Phix is at 4485 Mayfield, just east of Green. Free parking in the rear.