Featured Stories

From darkness to light: Photographer Jason Toth uses art as a therapeutic comeback
Jason Toth's photo of a willow tree at Edgewater Beach in 2022 sparked a transformative journey as he dealt with his POTS diagnosis. Two years later the former marketing exec has a booming career in Photographic Pop Art and currently has an exhibit at Kaiser Gallery in HIngetown.
Our CIFF48 picks: Two films with local connections
With hundreds of feature and short films to choose from at the upcoming Cleveland International Film Festival, We chose two films with Cleveland ties to highlight: "What's Next," the story on a 101-year-old physician, and "American Delivery," a documentary on the vital work of nurses in addressing the country's maternal mortality epidemic—especially at The Metrohealth System and Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.
Lee Harvard transformation: Community vision a vital facet of neighborhood master plan
In Cleveland's Lee-Harvard neighborhood, a collaborative effort between the Harvard Community Services Center, residents, local organizations like Classic Cuisine Catering, and Ward 1 officials are beginning to execute Lee-Harvard Community Master Plan to drive revitalization.
Slam Dunk: CMNH hosts summer exhibit on Cleveland’s favorite large fossil
For a limited time, visitors to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History can view the "Discovering Dunkleosteus terrelli" exhibit and the learn the story behind the discovery of the armored fish that lived about 360 million years ago and is affectionately known as "Dunk."
Vision in focus: Aura at Innovation Square opens in Fairfax
After years of planning and collaborating, the next step in Fairfax Renaissance Development Corporation's Innovation Square Neighborhood Plan—Aura at Innovation Square—became a reality this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
He’s 23 and in an Ohio Prison for exposing someone to HIV—even though he couldn’t transmit the virus
Ohio has six laws that criminalize living with HIV—leading to at least 200 prosecutions in recent years. Caymir Weaver—born with HIV and 23 years old—is one of them.
Shelter from the storm: LMM Men’s homeless shelter gets renovations, additional semi-private beds
The Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry announced that the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter is opening a newly renovated addition to the largest homeless shelter in Ohio. The new shelter will have about 400 beds with more personal space and more privacy.
Striking a chord with aging: Afi-Odelia Scruggs leads Music Settlement’s Creative Aging program
For several years, The Music Settlement staff members searched for new ways to serve aging adults through music. In January, the organization launched its Creative Aging department. Headed by teacher, coach, musician, and journalist Afi-Odelia Scruggs, four programs are designed to provide the profound health benefits music therapy can yield.
A different shade of green: Readers Garden adorns Shaker Library lawn
On March 1, LAND studio and Shaker Heights Public Library unveiled The Readers Garden, a public art installation by landscape architect Haemee Han, that features a reading porch of five clusters of larger-than-life books written by 13 local authors with ties to Shaker and the Cleveland area. The project celebrates Shaker's diversity and rich culture of reading and writing.
Come Together: South Euclid looks for vendor to make healthy eats at Bexley Park
The City of South Euclid has more than 60 acres of parks in its four square miles, each with a wealth of recreation options. South Euclid Parks and Recreation director Daniel Subwick wants to add healthy eating to the menu at Bexley Park—the city's largest and most popular park.
Citizens making change: A look at the 2024 Accelerate winners
Lakewood City Schools teacher Laura Balliett's pitch for The Cool School Comics won the grand prize at the 10th annual Accelerate: Citizens Make Change competition last Thursday, Feb. 22. Twenty-six entrepreneurs presented their business concepts. Read about the winners and their pitches here.
Ode to Joy: Jon Batiste treats intimate audience to music mix
Award-winning, multi-talented Jon Batiste treated an intimate sold-out crowd of 700 people to a variety of melodies and sounds during his hour-long performance at Cleveland Museum of Art's Gartner Auditorium this past Sunday. Bob Perkoski captured some of the magic.
A few good founders: New physical products the focus of manufacturing-based venture fund
Ohio-focused Advanced Manufacturing Fund, a collaborative effort between MAGNET, JumpStart, and a group of private stakeholders, works with a variety of early-stage physical product and manufacturing ventures like—SweatID, Insitu Foods, and Octet Scientific—puts great ideas on the fast-track to success.
A chaotic evening with villains: An account of Playhouse Square’s 2024 Jump Back Ball
As a youngster, Addie Balester participated in many of Playhouse Square Education Department's programs. As an adult, she experienced her first Jump Back Ball last week, hosted by Playhouse Square Partners. She shares her experiences during the themed evening of Villains Unleashed: A Night of Chaos.
Entering totality: CMNH astronomers celebrate the solar eclipse
The long-awaited total solar eclipse sweeps across Cleveland in April with the opportunity to witness a once-in-a-lifetime event like no other. Astronomers at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History are especially excited to share their knowledge and plenty of fun activities and events for guests of all ages.
Helping hands: EDWINS founder travels the world feeding refugees
EDWINS founder Brandon Chrostowski is on a seemingly endless mission to feed and help people around to who are in need—from the homeless in Cleveland to Ukrainian and Israeli refugees. Earlier this month he traveled to Djibouti, Africa to cook for people living in a refugee camp in Ali Addeh.
Community ties: Local makers anchor Meijer Fairfax Market
Business is booming for three local entrepreneurs at the new Meijer Fairfax Market. Read the stories of Desira Sallee of D’s Sweet Treats & More, Andrea Catlin of Catlin Naturals, and Charlotte Peachie Tufts of O Taste & C as they find retail success.
Unleash the villains: Playhouse Square Partners team plans for Jump Back Ball
For more than seven months, the Playhouse Square Partners young professional group has been planning, plotting, and building sets for the organization's annual Jump Back Ball—an evening of dancing, drinks, and music to raise money for Playhouse Square's Education Department. This year's theme is "Villains Unleashed: A Night of Chaos." Find out more about what goes into the planning of this signature event.
Neighborhood uplifted: Meijer Fairfax Market an oasis in a food desert, focuses on local makers
Almost a month after opening, Meijer Fairfax Market is the new hot spot for fresh, affordable food and local goods, while the partnership between Fairfax Renaissance Development, Cleveland Clinic, the City of Cleveland, Fairmount Properties, and Meijer, inc. is bringing the Innovation Square Neighborhood Plan to life—with the market, Medley apartments, The Aura at Innovation Square all coming together.
Orchids Forever: Golden Hour in photos
Orchids Forever: Golden Hour, Holden Forests & Gardens' annual flower show, opened last weekend at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Managing editor Bob Perkoski captured some of the vibrant colors of the orchids. Get your tickets to the exhibits and classes today!