Delicious traditions: SoCo Tahini brings bold flavors to CLE

Karin Connelly RiceWednesday, August 17, 2022

Dana Harary always searched for the tahini she loved when she came from Israel to Cleveland visit her mother. Now living in Northeast Ohio, she and her partners founded SoCo Tahini—with flavors so good, even chef Doug Katz uses it at Zhug.

Breaking Ground

Who’s Hiring in the #CLE: LAND studio, Refugee Response, Metroparks, FreshWater, and more

FreshWater StaffWednesday, August 17, 2022

Need a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for.

Street Level

The bust of philosopher and statesman Johan Vilhelm Snellman is among those in the Finnish Garden (1958) and was the first addition to the Cultural Gardens in nearly two decades. Dedicated September 14, 1958.

Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens: A landscape of diversity, the middle years

Lauren R. PaciniTuesday, August 16, 2022

Only five Cultural Gardens were created in the last part of the 20^th Century, compared to the 14 created between 1930 and 1940. Lauren Pacini chronicles this period of Cleveland Cultural Gardens history in this second installment of this four-part series.

Buzz

Wild Ride: Asian Lantern Festival extended; nighttime biking event returns to close festival

Fresh Water StaffTuesday, August 16, 2022

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has extended the Asian Lantern Festival and is bringing back Wild Ride, a one-night event at the close of the festival when guests can ride their bikes through the Zoo for one last look at the illuminated lanterns.

Buzz

Fulton Rd. in the Ohio City Neighborhood

Community Development

#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on Fulton Road

Bob PerkoskiMonday, August 15, 2022

FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.

Feature Story

A man with a mission: Rev. Stephen Blonder Adams has big plans for the Old Stone Church

Karin Connelly RiceThursday, August 11, 2022

The Rev. Stephen C. Blonder Adams has a history with the Old Stone Church. Now, as the new head pastor, he wants to make sure everyone knows the church is open and welcoming to all, and is the heart of the Cleveland community.

Breaking Ground

The Union Club: Celebrating 150 years of elite social membership

Tom MatowitzThursday, August 11, 2022

Established in 1872, the Union Club is one of the oldest social clubs in Cleveland—still standing tall on Euclid Avenue on the eve of its 150th birthday. Founding members included Cleveland notables such as Samuel Mather.

Street Level

Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens: A landscape of diversity, the early years

Lauren R. PaciniThursday, August 11, 2022

In 1916, The Cleveland Cultural Gardens was established in Rockefeller Park in University Circle when the Shakespeare Garden was dedicated. Lauren Pacini chronicles the history of the Botanical Gardens in this four-part series.

Breaking Ground

Completed! First house purchased in LMM’s Breaking New Ground project ready for tenants

Karin Connelly RiceWednesday, August 10, 2022

After nearly three years, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry last week celebrated the completion of renovations on the very first house purchased in its Breaking New Ground Campaign—a $4 million-plus initiative to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness in Cleveland.

Street Level

In Quincy Garden artist Abigail DeVille created an outdoor installation of semi-figurative and abstract sculptures that references the tradition of African American yard art.

Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows: FRONT Triennial drawing intrigue in NEO

Karin Connelly RiceWednesday, August 10, 2022

The 2022 FRONT International Cleveland Triennial for Contemporary Art is in full swing, with 100 world renowned artists at 30 sites in three NEO cities. Here are some don't miss highlights to check out when attending FRONT.

Buzz

Arts and Culture

#CLEative Groove: Meet Teraza Kandah, creator and collector of all things eclectic

Jen Jones DonatelliWednesday, August 10, 2022

Our #CLEative Groove series features Q&A profiles on our city’s creative makers and shakers! Read on for our next installment with collector and creator Teraza Kandah.

Breaking Ground

TryTech smart apartments are refurbished units to meet the daily requirements of people with DD

High-tech living: Assistive technology apartments are a boon for Clevelanders with disabilities

Douglas J. GuthTuesday, August 9, 2022

The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities and North Coast Community Homes have partnered to create four assistive technology apartments in Lakewood to helps people with disabilities determine if independent living—with some high-tech help—is the right choice for them.

Buzz

Larchmere Boulevard in the Buckeye - Shaker neighborhood

Community Development

#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on Larchmere Boulevard

Bob PerkoskiMonday, August 8, 2022

FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.

Feature Story

A new project called Innovation Square is set to bring a mixed-use, mixed-income area along the Opportunity Corridor on Cleveland’s southeast side.

Innovation Square set to bring jobs, housing, and a bright future to Fairfax

Douglas J. GuthThursday, August 4, 2022

The Innovation Square project is set to bring a mixed-use, mixed-income district along the Opportunity Corridor on Cleveland’s southeast side. Along with the new Meijer grocery story, neighborhood residents, business owners, and officials see potential for Fairfax to become an emerging, thriving neighborhood.

Feature Story

From 2013 to 2019, demand for behavioral health services rose 353% statewide

Help Wanted: Shortage of mental health workers stresses agencies, patients

Tiffany AlexanderThursday, August 4, 2022

Unprecedented demand for mental health workers and a sparse employee pipeline are adding stress to Ohio’s already strained behavioral health system—potentially putting pressure on other health systems or having detrimental effects on those needing services. The experts have some solutions.

Street Level

Metroparks Trail Challenge: Garfield Park Reservation, an urban greenspace with a hidden waterfall

Erin O'BrienThursday, August 4, 2022

Despite the massive $7 million renovation project at Garfield Park Reservation, FreshWater's Erin O'Brien was able to navigate the park entrance, without using her GPS, and discover the history and the natural wonders this stretch of the Metroparks Trail Challenge had to offer.

Breaking Ground

Castles in the sand: Annual American Institute of Architects Sand Festival returns to Edgewater

Karin Connelly RiceWednesday, August 3, 2022

After a two-year hiatus, the popular Sand Festival—with architects and designers executing their designs in sand at Edgewater Beach—returns this weekend. In addition to a volleyball tournament, there's even a sand pile this year for the amateurs to get involved.

Street Level

Keep on trucking: Meet the machines at Legacy Village this weekend

Karin Connelly RiceWednesday, August 3, 2022

Kids and adults alike can get close and personal with vehicles and machines of all makes and sizes at Meet the Machines at Legacy Village this weekend.

Street Level

Free Stamp: All things free in the #CLE for August 2022

FreshWater StaffTuesday, August 2, 2022

The best things in life are free, indeed, and our monthly “Free Stamp” feature rounds up all the free #CLE events that get our "stamp" of approval.

Buzz

West 25th Street in the Clark - Fulton Neighborhood

Community Development

#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot in Clark-Fulton

Bob PerkoskiMonday, August 1, 2022

FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.

Feature Story

Hip-hop hits Severance Hall this weekend when Lords of the Land take to the streets

Karin Connelly RiceThursday, July 28, 2022

Lords of the Land II Hip-Hop and Street Dance Festival returns for the second year, this time at Severance Hall, to elevate the culture, comradery, and history of street dance.

Breaking Ground

Don’s Lighthouse: The North Coast legacy created by a German immigrant and entrepreneur

Tom MatowitzThursday, July 28, 2022

Cleveland Masterworks: In the early 1900s Otto and Elma Poschke made their mark in Cleveland running a refreshment stand at Edgewater Park. That stand evolved into a restaurant that would eventually become Don's Lighthouse Inn—still a hotspot today in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Breaking Ground

"Sun and Moon" by Alicia Vasquez and "Three Goddesses" by Carmen Joachimsmeyer-Gordon

Painting the Town: Shaker Arts Council adds seven artist-designed utility boxes to its tour

Karin Connelly RiceThursday, July 28, 2022

Shaker Arts Council has selected seven new artists' designs to wrap utility boxes around its Rapid Green Line public art tour in Shaker Heights.

Street Level

Harmonia, representing the traditional music of Eastern Europe

Tour the world with music, dance with Cultural Gardens Federation’s World on Stage series

FreshWater StaffThursday, July 28, 2022

The Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation is giving Cleveland the sounds of the world this summer with its free World on Stage series, running through Sept. 11 at the Centennial Peace Plaza and amphitheater in University Circle.

Breaking Ground

Rendering of what the Birdcap mural will look like at Stella Maris

Making it pop: International artist arrives in Cleveland to paint Stella Maris mural

Karin Connelly RiceWednesday, July 27, 2022

International mural artist Birdcap is in Cleveland this week, painting one of his unique murals on the side of the Stella Maris building in the Flats.

Feature Story

County Executive Armond Budish speaks to a resident during the event in the Central neighborhood in mid-August 2021

Central ripple: One year later, Central residents still await full effects of Central Surge

Conor MorrisWednesday, July 27, 2022

It’s been more than a year since Cuyahoga County executive Armond Budish announced a “surge” of support to lift up the Central neighborhood in Cleveland. Some residents say they’ve noticed little material change. Where does the surge plan go from here?

Breaking Ground

The Liminis in Tremont will get a new mural by Fade Resistant ArtistThe Liminis in Tremont will get a new mural by Fade Resistant Artist

Standout performance: New murals get convergence-continuum Theater noticed

Karin Connelly RiceTuesday, July 26, 2022

For 20 years convergence-continuum Theater Company has staged timely productions in a nondescript building on Scranton Road in Tremont. This week, the little theater comes to life with two new murals by Graffiti HeArt artist Miguel Garcia, aka Fade ResistantArtist.

Feature Story

Tesia McDonald, a Central neighborhood resident, must walk at least 30 minutes to the nearest grocery store, a difficult task considering she’s shopping for her four children. She’s seen here with a kitten she’s raising.

Food desert: Central residents long for a grocery store as negotiations drag on

Conor MorrisTuesday, July 26, 2022

Many Cleveland neighborhoods—almost 60% according to one estimate—are not in close proximity to a grocery store, effectively stranding people access to fresh and healthy food. The Central neighborhood is no different. What’s being done about it?

Buzz

Community Development

#StreetsofCLE: Snapshot on East 9th Street and Prospect Avenue

Bob PerkoskiMonday, July 25, 2022

FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski provides a peek into the everyday lives of Clevelanders going about their business in the neighborhoods and on the streets of Cleveland.

Breaking Ground

Who’s Hiring in the #CLE: Karamu House, Cleveland Food Bank, YMCA, and more

FreshWater StaffMonday, July 25, 2022

Need a job? Check out the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for.

Street Level

Inspired by a true story, OASIS tells the story of Noel, a young Frenchman in the 1950’s sent for reserve military duty in the dunes of Algeria, very far from home.

BorderLight International Theatre + Fringe Festival has returned to Cleveland

Karin Connelly RiceThursday, July 21, 2022

BorderLight International Theatre + Fringe Festival, with performances and entrainments for all tastes and age groups, is now live in downtown Cleveland through Sunday.

Feature Story

Bouncing back through Arts & Culture: CAC annual report highlights resilience in the arts

Karin Connelly RiceThursday, July 21, 2022

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture in July released its 2021 annual report, showing resilience, support, and hope for arts and cultural organizations in Cuyahoga County—despite the struggles during the ongoing pandemic.

Feature Story

CIA’s Reinberger Gallery includes Jacolby Satterwhite’s Reifying Desire Seven – Dawn, an immersive virtual reality arcade.

Oh, Gods of Dust and Rainbows: A week into the FRONT Triennial, a photo essay

Bob PerkoskiThursday, July 21, 2022

FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski has been out at all 2022 FRONT Triennial Cleveland sites this week, capturing the art and the awe of the massive show. Check out what you're in store for!

View All Stories

FreshWater Cleveland and the Northeast Ohio Solutions Journalism Collaborative (NEO SoJo) have created this helpful How to Apply for Utility Assistance guide and made it available to the public. Click here to download the free guide.

Featured Focus

#PeopleofCLE Read Article

Northeast Ohio is changing. These are the people shaping its future. Follow us on Instagram @freshwatercle

Photo: #PeopleofCLE Nicky Grusenmeyer

Stories for #PeopleofCLE

#PeopleofCLE: Darin, graphic artist

Dana ShugrueTuesday, March 16, 2021

#PeopleofCLE: Nicole, photographer

Dana ShugrueTuesday, March 2, 2021

#PeopleofCLE: Erich, urban farmer

Dana ShugrueTuesday, February 16, 2021

View All #PeopleofCLE Stories

Featured Place

Downtown Read Article

During the day, downtown Cleveland functions as the governmental, commercial and legal nucleus of Cuyahoga County. Daily, tens of thousands of people commute here to work at law firms, banks, insurance companies and in municipal offices. At the end of the day, many of those people get in cars or hop ...