Who doesn't love block parties? Well, the Hessler Street Fair is the block party of the summer! Hessler Road (one block north of Euclid Avenue and Mayfield Road in University Circle), a one-block residential brick street, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Nearby Hessler Court is the only remaining wood-block (wooden pavement) street in Cleveland. The first festival took place in 1969 and it was held each year until 1984; it resumed in 1995 as a fundraiser for the Hessler Neighborhood Association, formed in 1969 to save the neighborhood from being bulldozed for student dormitories and parking lots. Be thankful. If it had been turned into a, yawn, parking lot, you'd miss all the live music: acts like Revelry, Early Girl, Natural Facts, the Hessler poetry contest winners, Ryann Guitar Anderson, Mo Mojo Mama, Jim Volk, Crossties, George Foley and His Rhythm, Tiny Alice (picture, circa 1970), Alex Bevan, Councilman Kevin Conwell and Footprints, the Alan Greene Band featuring Mr. Stress, Mifune, Ron Bean and the Hessler All-Stars, JiMiller Band, and Carlos Jones and the P.L.U.S. Band. This event is run entirely by volunteers from the neighborhood and their friends to help preserve and benefit the street and residential neighborhood of Hessler. It starts at noon and rolls right into dusk. Go to hesslerstreetfair.com for info. — Jara Anton

THURSDAY, MAY 15

Middle East peace program

Many experts think the key to peace in the Middle East isn't the occupation of Iraq or trading bluster with Iran, but coming up with a viable way for Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace. Feelings are heated as each makes its case for the ground they think is rightfully theirs, and in this country, sadly, extremist factions have tried to silence frank discussion. Cleveland Peace Action has been sponsoring a series of discussions featuring knowledgeable panelists with differing viewpoints. The final program, at 7 tonight at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library (2345 Lee Rd.), deals with "Next Steps in the Search for Middle East Peace." It's free; go to clevelandpeaceaction.org for info. — Anastasia Pantsios

FRIDAY, MAY 16

Art of the Cupcake

You may have thought the only cupcake options were chocolate and yellow cake with different types of sprinkles. Apparently not. Gourmet cupcake shop Main Street Cupcakes (238 N. Main St., Hudson, 330.342.0833) has over 100 different types with 12-20 on tap any given day, with flavors such as mimosa, cup of java and root beer float. This cupcake cornucopia inspired local artist Shannon Casey to paint "portraits" of some of the more unique varieties, with thick, yummy impasto standing in for the frosting. These paintings will be on display at Main Street Cupcakes from noon-3 p.m. today when Casey will be at the shop to do charcoal portraits of customers for $35. What you spend on cupcakes is up to you. — AP

Defending the Caveman

It would easy to confuse Defending the Caveman with TV producers apologizing for that network sitcom spun off from the insurance commercials with the Neanderthal dudes. "There was a WGA writers strike and this was all we could come up with!" But, in fact, Caveman is the record-holder for longest-running one-man Broadway show, an outgrowth of a stand-up routine by Rob Becker, playing crazy mix-em-ups with anthropology, prehistory, mythology and "relationships" and ending up with something surprisingly profound to say about the male-female condition, relationships and the origin of wedlock (and, unlike the guy who does those Mars/Venus things, Becker's managed to stay married to the same woman). In the touring version at Playhouse Square's Ohio Theatre this weekend, Canadian actor Michael Van Osch plays the latter-day caveman. Performances are at 8 tonight and 5 and 8:30 p.m. tomorrow. Tickets: $35-$45. Call 216.241.6000. — Charles Cassady Jr.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

Ledge Pool and Recreation Area Open House

Hard to believe but it's time to dig those bathing suits out of the back of the closet and see if they still fit. Soon pools around the region will be in full swing. From noon-4 p.m. today the Ledge Pool and Recreation Area at the Cleveland Metroparks' Hinckley Reservation (1151 Ledge Rd., Hinckley Township) is holding an open house so people can check out the facilities (including its 80-by-100-foot heated pool, volleyball and basketball courts, picnicking and concession facilities and fishing areas), purchase season passes, sign up for swimming lessons, reserve picnic shelters and have free refreshments. The pool opens for the season May 24. Call 440.331.8111 for info. — AP

Tattoo: A Concert to Honor Bravery, Dedication & Sacrifice

Whether the police are in the headlines for a heroic criminal bust or charges of abuse, it's clear they have a difficult job that requires quick thinking under often murky circumstances. The Cleveland Police Museum and the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Society both honor officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The two groups have linked up to host a benefit concert called Tattoo: A Concert to Honor Bravery, Dedication & Sacrifice. It should be a spectacular evening with pipes and drums bands from police departments in New York, Chicago, Ottawa and Cleveland, as well as the US Marine Corps' Quantico Band performing at the Plain Dealer Pavilion starting at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10-$25. Go to policememorialsociety.com for info. — AP

YABBA DABBA DUDE - Defending the Caveman, at the Ohio Theatre.

Angels of Lake View and Other Sculptures

Local cartoonist John "Derf" Backderf once did an all-dialogue-overheard strip about the regular Angels of Lake View guided tours at Lake View Cemetery (12316 Euclid Ave.). At the conclusion a miffed patron complained that she thought the public would meet real angels - not stone statues. So two conclusions we can draw (1): Angels of Lake View, from 10 a.m.-noon today and 2-4 p.m. tomorrow, is only about sculpture, people, just sculpture, with Cleveland Museum of Art historian Dale Hilton pointing out the meanings and symbolism of the various tomb and mausoleum décor. And (2): Derf hangs out at angel tours for material? Doesn't seem to mesh with his nihilistic image. The tour costs $5, and reservations are required; phone 216.421.2665. For info go to lakeviewcemetery.com. — CC

Kite Festival

"Let's go fly a kite, up to the highest height, let's go fly a kite and send it soaring..." Those who've seen the Disney movie Mary Poppins will recall the happy-family-flying-kites-together, film-ending scene. It may seem low-tech for today's family, but there's still something about a brightly colored kite dancing in the wind that should captivate kids. The third annual Cuyahoga Falls Kids Kite Festival at the Field on Portage Trail from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today will give kids the opportunity to make a kite and try it out in low-key, just-for-fun games and contests. There'll be a big-top tent where kids can buy kite kits and assemble and decorate them (or purchase a pre-made kite) and then fly it in the adjoining field (weather permitting). Kite-making and games in the tent will take place regardless of weather. It's free, with charges for kite kits, food and some contests. Call 330.703.1183 or go to thedanedofunation.org for info. — AP

Weekend in Ohio City

Okay, here's a housing crisis we can deal with: calling 216.781.3222 to get on board the Weekend in Ohio City tour. Ohio City homes tours started 20 years ago to promote neighborhood living in houses spanning the latest in luxury amenities and Victorian-age structures. For 2008 the tour is divided into two nights, a progressive food-and-wine tasting from 5-midnight this evening, stretched over six Ohio City domiciles, featuring dishes from Ohio City restaurants, and beginning and ending at the new art exhibit in Lutheran Hospital lobby. From10 a.m.-4 p.m. tomorrow, the tour goes to eight favorite homes from past tours (but without the food). Saturday tickets are $125; a bargain $15 in advance ($20 at the door) on Sunday. For details see ohiocity.com. — CC

SUNDAY, MAY 18

OCAMP annual tea

Want to socialize with other environmentally aware folks and help the cause as well? Come to the sixth annual OCAMP (Ohio Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides) spring tea benefit from 2-6 p.m. today at 14215 Larchmere Blvd., Shaker Hts. EcoCity Cleveland's David Beach and alternative energy activist Harvey Wasserman are featured speakers and poet Maj Ragain will read. The event promises "surprise" speakers as well. Refreshments will be provided by the Mustard Seed Café and Phoenix Coffee and Tea. Call 216.291.3424 for info. — AP

Cleveland Rocks and Runs Marathon

Get around, get around, they get around. The 31st annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K race is Cleveland's main running event. Either that or they were just the first to register clevelandmarathon.com, and since I never move away from the computer screen, this impresses me to no end. The 2008 Marathon starts at 7:35 this morning at East 13th and St. Clair and goes through the heart of downtown, with a rock 'n' roll party at the finish line. It's an all-weekend footfest now, with a free-to-the-public Marathon Expo at the Cleveland Convention Center (500 Lakeside Ave.), with vendors and guest lecturers dispensing health and fitness advice from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, May 16 and 11 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday, May 17. For registration and full schedule, go to the Web site or call 800.467.3826. — CC

MONDAY, MAY 19

Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Sing Out

Attorneys, judges, politicians, business executives, all gathered in one room - to sing. It might sound like a potential train wreck but we've been assured that the 100-plus members of the Rape Crisis Center Sing Out Choir have all been vetted for their ability to carry a tune. The biennial event, which raises awareness and money to combat sexual assault, will feature prominent locals such as Pepper Pike Mayor Bruce Akers, Cleveland Law Director (and former mayoral candidate) Robert Triozzi and Beck Center CEO Lucinda Einhouse, as well as teachers, police officers, laywers and community activists. This year's event will honor two prominent women who've been in the forefront of fighting sexual violence: Judge K.J. Montgomery and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. It takes place at the Cleveland Play House (8500 Euclid Ave.) with a VIP dinner at 5:30 p.m., performance at 7 and dessert reception at 8:30. Tickets: VIP $250, performance and dessert only, $100. Call 216.619.6194, ext. 107. — AP