FreshWater owner and managing editor Karin Connelly Rice reflects on the mission that first brought her to the publication 15 years ago, why she remains committed to the publication, and how community support helps sustain independent local journalism and FreshWater Cleveland.

Kelly Boland Nagusky and her daughter, Hannah, went on a SCUBA adventure in Roatan, Honduras that delivered unforgettable dives, breathtaking marine life, and a long-awaited octopus encounter. But the trip's most memorable moment didn't happen underwater—it happened after they unpacked at home.

For 25 years, 78th Street Studios has evolved from a former industrial warehouse into one of Cleveland's premier creative hubs. Owner Dan Bush reflects on creating a community where artists, entrepreneurs, and makers continue to find inspiration, collaboration, and a place to belong.

Ten years after its dramatic redesign, Cleveland's Public Square has emerged to be the vibrant gathering place planners envisioned. As Downtown Cleveland, Inc. celebrates the anniversary, leaders are looking ahead with expanded programming, continued improvements, and a long-term vision of keeping the city's "living room" active year-round.

EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute has expanded its culinary campus with the opening of EDWINS Oyster Bar in Cleveland Heights. Inspired by Parisian oyster bars, the new restaurant offers premium seafood while creating hands-on training opportunities for formerly incarcerated students learning advanced culinary and hospitality skills.

Cleveland Public Theatre's Student Theatre Enrichment Program (STEP) gives young artists more than a summer theater experience—they write, build, and perform an original production while developing professional skills and confidence. This year's free outdoor tour, 'Getting Back to Once Upon a Time,' brings student-created theater directly into Cleveland neighborhoods.

For 25 years, Inlet Dance Theatre has embraced a mission of "using dance to further people." Inlet founder Bill Wade reflects on the philosophy that shaped the company, its nationally touring productions, and its commitment to community-centered artistry as they prepare for a Cain Park celebration.

A new $21 million supportive housing development in Lorain will create 62 affordable apartments—including 12 reserved for veterans—while offering wraparound services designed to help residents achieve long-term housing stability and independence.

The handcrafted displays, interactive exhibits, live performances, and cultural experiences at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Asian Lantern Festival create a colorful summer tradition. FreshWater writer and photographer Elizabeth Hille captures the event in a 22-photo essay—highlighting this year's most memorable scenes.

At Cleveland Public Theatre's monthly Dark Room sessions, unfinished scripts come to life through volunteer readers and audience feedback—giving playwrights a collaborative space to refine new work while building a creative community.

Applications are now open to local residents and CDC leaders for two free Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation programs. The NLDP and  CDCLDP offer training, coaching, and networking to emerging neighborhood champions.

The Salvation Army's West Park Corps and the Greater Cleveland Food Bank will distribute more than 12,000 pounds of fresh produce this Friday, July 17, in a monthly program that serves hundreds of  individuals and families.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and partners  will host the sold-out eighth annual "A Taste of Black Cleveland: The Food Showcase 8.0" tonight at Rocket Arena, featuring tastings from 28 Black-owned restaurants, chefs, caterers, dessert makers, and food trucks while celebrating Cleveland's Black culinary community.

FreshWater Cleveland continues to celebrate the power of independent journalism. Since 2010, our independent newsroom has been telling the stories of Cleveland's neighborhoods through community-centered, solutions-focused reporting. Learn why your support matters.

Canalway Partners is hosting outdoor summer programming at Canal Basin Park with free bike rides, Shakespeare Festival performances, music, and volunteer events through September—encouraging Clevelanders to experience the city's historic riverfront.

A week of airport tours, flight instruction, and hands-on learning gives NEO students a taste of careers in aviation and aerospace through the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals' ACE Academy Cleveland.

Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is investing $1.66 million in the city's 18 Community Development Corporations (CDC)s to strengthen staffing, operations, and organizational capacity—recognizing that healthy neighborhood organizations are essential to long-term revitalization.

Go beyond the glowing displays at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Asian Lantern Festival and get to know the artisans from Zigong, China, whose centuries-old craft combines handmade tradition with modern technology to create one of the city's most popular summer experiences.

Artist Jordan "Wongface" Wong's new public art installation "Welcome Home," transforms the side of Siam Cafe into a neighborhood gateway and a vibrant celebration of AsiaTown's culture, history and future with symbols and messages.

The BorderLight Theatre and Fringe Festival returns to Playhouse Square with more free programming, stronger partnerships with Cleveland artists, and a lineup of international productions that aim to bring new audiences together through theatre, music, dance, and performance.