When Michael Walton bought a hoop house for his city farm, he envisioned an urban barn-raising of sorts. He put out a call for volunteers, and soon had 30 people who offered to help.

Yet by noon on the big day, only 10 were left. The next day, there were five. Two days later, the group had been wheedled down to three hardy souls. And still the hoop house wasn't completed.

Frustrated, Walton and his coworkers began to ask themselves: Is this really the best product available? And then, rather than wait for an answer, the team set out to design a better model themselves. That's how Tunnel Vision Hoops, a startup manufacturer of retractable all-weather domes for growing crops, was born.

"We thought we'd just build a few each summer, make some pizza money and go on our way," Walton told the audience at a recent entrepreneurial showcase organized by Local Food Cleveland, a group whose mission is to help grow the local food movement in Northeast Ohio. "Yet when we really started looking at the design, that's when we decided to launch our business."

Tunnel Vision's all-weather high tunnels represent an improvement over existing designs, say owners Michael Walton, Carlton Jackson and Todd Alexander. They feature dome-shaped ends that help them to withstand strong winds, systems for collecting rainwater that can be used for irrigating plants, retractable end walls that allow for venting, and entrances on the sides rather than the ends, making it easier to move from one tunnel to another.

Since launching last year, Tunnel Vision has sold structures to Case Western Reserve University's Squire Valleyview Farm and the Cleveland Botanical Garden's Green Corps program. In its first six months, the company did over $80,000 in sales.

The company also has a division called We Dig the City that is intended for backyard gardens. These tunnels start at 10 feet long and are priced at $2,000, including installation.

Tunnel Vision's long-term goal is to aid the local food movement and keep more of our food dollars in Northeast Ohio by making the region a year-round growing center.


Source: Tunnel Vision Hoops
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Although jewelry maker Heather Moore moved into her rehabbed Midtown studio earlier this year, she's still getting used to her spacious new digs.

Maybe that's because she's spent the last 11 years running her fast-growing business out of her house. Granted, it was no ordinary home office: the Cleveland Institute of Art grad bought her great-grandmother's estate, a rambling Heights mansion, after moving back from New York City in 1999.

"We just couldn't grow anymore -- I had 45 employees working out of my house," says Moore, whose company, Heather B. Moore Jewelry, specializes in custom-made, personalized jewelry that she sells to more than 150 retailers around the world. "The workshop was in the basement, while sales and marketing were in the attic. If we needed to have a private conversation, we had to use one of my kids' bedrooms."

To accommodate her growth, Moore recently bought and renovated a former crane-making factory at 4502 Prospect Avenue, bringing 45 new jobs to Cleveland. In her renovation, Moore reused as much of the building as she could, including leftover crane parts that were repurposed into a dining room table that now graces the large kitchen.

Moore's building renovation included removing ceilings to create a lofted second-floor office, installing new windows, and turning an old garage door into a light-filled window. Future plans include an art gallery, new patio and roof garden.

When asked about her decision to relocate to Midtown, Moore says, "There's so much industry in Cleveland that you can take advantage of. A lot of what we do mixes old school techniques with newer technologies, so this is a great place to be."

Heather B. Moore Jewelry has become known not only for its work -- Moore builds relationships with her clients to draw out their stories and create highly personalized jewelry -- but also for its sustainable business model. The company uses 100-percent recycled materials in their products.

Now that she's settled into her new studio, Moore is soaking up the extra legroom -- and she also doesn't mind the short commute. "It's seven minutes from my house," she says.


Source: Heather Moore
Writer: Lee Chilcote

From the Warehouse District to Tremont, artists have been harbingers of neighborhood comebacks. Now a new program aims to use artist-based development as the centerpiece for one lucky neighborhood's turnaround.

The Community Partnership for Arts and Culture (CPAC) on Monday announced the launch of Artists in Residence, a new program that seeks to create improvements in one city neighborhood by offering incentives for artists who live and work there.

The program is being funded in part through a $250,000 grant from Leveraging Investments in Creativity's Creative Communities Challenge Grant Program, a one-time competitive grant program made possible through the support of the Kresge Foundation.

"Artists play a key role in the strength and vitality of Cleveland neighborhoods," said Tom Schorgl, CPAC President, in a press release. "By leveraging artists' skills and the extraordinary leadership of Cleveland's community development sector, we will work to make Cleveland's neighborhoods even more creative, more sustainable and more equitable."

The two-year, $500,000 pilot program will provide a small loan program for artists buying or rehabbing homes in the target area, a small grant program to support artists' work in carrying out community-based projects, and artist homeownership services such as credit counseling and saving programs.

A panel of arts, community development and planning experts will select the target neighborhood through a competitive process. Community development corporations serving Cleveland neighborhoods can apply through April 25th. CPAC hopes to announce the winning neighborhood by July 1st.

CPAC is a nonprofit arts and culture service organization that works to strengthen Greater Cleveland's arts and culture sector. Some of its programs include the Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute, a business training course addressing the needs of working artists, and From Rust Belt to Artist Belt, a conference series that examines the role of artists in the redevelopment of industrial cities.


Source: Community Partnership for Arts and Culture
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Making buildings more energy efficient may not sound sexy, but once owners begin to save money on their utility bills, it gets a lot sexier, said Andrew Watterson, Cleveland's Chief of Sustainability, at last week's forum at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University (CSU).

"Every dollar saved from energy-efficiency measures has an impact not only on the environment but also on your pocketbook," Watterson said at the event, entitled "Sustainable Cleveland 2019: Celebrating Energy-Efficiency in 2011."

The forum was held to highlight efforts that are boosting the energy-efficiency of homes and buildings in Cleveland. Sustainable Cleveland 2019, a citywide effort to build a sustainable economy here by 2019, has chosen the theme of energy efficiency for this year. Sustainable Cleveland 2019 organizers hope that events like the one held last week will educate the public and spur efforts towards energy efficiency.

Nathan Engstrom, CSU's Campus Sustainability Coordinator, highlighted the university's commitment to making the campus more energy-efficient. "In recent years, we've completed an audit of every building on campus, and we're expecting to realize a 40-percent savings on our utility costs over a 10-year period, plus a 14-percent overall return on our investment," Engstrom said.

CSU has begun implementing 93 different energy efficiency measures, Engstrom said, including building automation, energy efficient lighting, and more efficient mechanical systems. "This is a wonderful story that we can tell to our students," added Engstrom. "We're on track to reduce consumption by 47-percent within 10 years, and to reduce emissions by 45-percent."


Source: Nathan Engstrom, Andrew Watterson
Writer: Lee Chilcote

A soon-to-launch program from Cleveland's Office of Sustainability will provide energy audits and retrofits that will make older homes more energy-efficient. The program, which is funded in part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), is intended to spur the market for green retrofits.

"There's not enough scale or demand yet to support an industry here, but we think there's an opportunity for a public or nonprofit entity to stimulate the marketplace," said Paul Ettorre, regional manager for Key Bank Community Lending and co-chair of the effort, at a forum on energy-efficiency at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

Here's how the Energy $aver Pilot Program would work: Applicants must be residents of Cleveland and owner-occupants of their homes. They would pay $100 for an in-depth energy efficiency audit (the market-rate audit price is in the $250 to $300 range), resulting in a thorough list of measures that would improve the home's energy efficiency.

If a customer agrees to retrofit their homes, they could secure incentives such as reimbursement of the audit fee, a 20-percent credit towards measures that pay for themselves within 10 years, and low-interest financing of the cost of repairs.

Once a customer moves ahead, program staff would help him or her to select an experienced contractor. An average retrofit is estimated to cost about $6,000. The retrofits would focus primarily on items such as insulation, air sealing, HVAC repair and replacement, lighting and hot water tanks. Homeowners who wish to complete a comprehensive rehab will be able to do so using the program.

After the retrofit is done, auditors would return to the home to review the measures and ensure that the job had been completed properly. Organizers expect the Energy $aver Pilot Program to launch this year.


Source: Paul Ettorre
Writer: Lee Chilcote

The picturesque Doan Brook meanders through Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights, providing walkers and joggers with a scenic backdrop. Yet the section that flows through Cleveland's Rockefeller Park remains boxed in by crumbling stone walls.

This year, a $2.5 million project to restore these portions of the Doan Brook will finally get started. The project will remove failing stone walls and concrete dams for nearly a half-mile, allowing the stream to flow more naturally while improving water quality and increasing fish populations.

"This project could serve as a model for other communities that are seeking to create healthier streams in urban areas," says Victoria Mills, Executive Director of the nonprofit Doan Brook Watershed Partnership.

The Doan Brook project was originally slated to receive $5.5 million, but was scaled back after bids came in over budget. The new plan addresses these concerns by creating natural terraces that improve drainage and reduce flooding without threatening portions of the gardens. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) will manage the design and construction process.

Although the project is smaller in scale than originally envisioned, Mills is excited about its impact. "I am hopeful that it will spur more improvement projects in Rockefeller Park, including a new master plan," she says.

The Doan Brook improvement project was conceived in 2001, when the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the city to restore the brook to compensate for the loss of 88 acres of wetland and more than a mile of Abram Creek at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Abram Creek was destroyed to allow for a new runway to be built. The EPA required the city to complete $15 million in restoration projects, most of which have now been completed.

The brook is rare among Cleveland's urban streams because much of it remains above ground. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership was formed in 2001 to coordinate the preservation efforts of the cities of Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Cleveland and interested citizens. Over the years, Doan Brook has developed an active constituency dedicated to its renewal. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership will hold a clean-up day on April 17th. To register call 216-321-5935 x 237 or visit the website.

The $2.5 million project will also remove some invasive species and allow limited access to the brook, but will not address flooding.


Source: Victoria Mills
Writer: Lee Chilcote

The Rag Refinery, a new store that offers gently used, recycled fashions at affordable prices, just opened at 3904 Lorain Avenue in Ohio City. Owner Leigh Ring also manages Pink Eye Gallery in the same space, where she often rolls out the racks to host art openings.

"Our focus is on vintage shoes, clothing and accessories, and we invite customers to sell or trade-in their former favorites for cash or store credit," says Ring. "Our customers want to outfit themselves in creative and unique ways."

Ring chose Lorain Ave. because of the proliferation of affordable vacant spaces and because Ohio City is a draw for her customers. "With the help of Palookaville Chili next door and places like Open Yoga Gallery, we hope to be a part of the revitalization that's happening here," says Ring.

The Rag Refinery is currently open on Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. However, Ring plans to extend her hours to match those of Palookaville Chili's April 20th opening. "There will be an open hallway between the Rag Refinery and Palookaville so that customers can both browse the shop and have a bite to eat," explains Ring.

Ring is energized by the small-scale redevelopment trend she sees on Lorain. "There is already a draw for antiques and vintage here, but my hope is that more restaurants and shops choose Lorain, joining together to make the street more walkable."

She also sees her store's mission of recycled fashions contributing to the sustainability movement. "By recycling and reusing clothing and keeping it out of our landfills, we're doing our part," says Ring.


Source: Leigh Ring
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Imagine this: A $10,000 solar-energy system powering an entire elementary school in Africa, providing enough juice for laptop computers and overhead lights. Christopher Clark, founder of Sunflower Solutions, has proved that this feat is not only possible, but also is an efficient, cost-effective way to bring power to the Third World.

Recently, Sunflower Solutions moved to Shaker LaunchHouse, a former auto dealership turned business incubator in Shaker Heights. Created with just $60,000 in seed funding, the company is in its first year of producing manually trackable solar power systems. These systems allow users to move panels by hand as the sun moves across the sky, obtaining up to 42 percent more power.

Sunflower has sold its systems to nonprofit organizations in six countries, including India, Kenya and Nigeria, and Clark says the company will achieve profitability this year.

Clark first developed the idea when he was a business major at Miami University of Ohio. "I was helping some engineers develop a water pump for a village without electricity in Mali," he says. "They installed it, and then realized that the water was too deep underground for a hand pump. If they'd used an electric pump, it could have worked, yet there was no electricity for miles around."

The solution was solar power. Yet while trackable solar systems have been around for decades, most of them move automatically and are expensive. Clark's invention is the first manual system. "It's hard to do anything about poverty, health care and education in the Third World without basic electricity, yet two billion people in the world don't have it," says Clark. "This system allows nonprofits and charities to purchase a better, lower-cost system."

Sunflower Solutions' products are made locally by South Shore Controls in Cleveland and Perry, Ohio. As his business grows, Clark hopes to market his products to a wider audience, allowing his system to reach even more people in the developing world.

This summer, Clevelanders will be able to see the power of Clark's invention firsthand. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is installing a system on its campus; the Metroparks Zoo is also interested.

Clark was selected as one of the speakers for the April 15th TEDxCLE conference, where he will talk about "electricity as a basic right."


Source: Christopher Clark
Writer: Lee Chilcote

A large map on the wall of Crafty Goodness, a new Lakewood store that sells goods from artisans that live in Northeast Ohio, provides a visual reminder of the store's mission. It pinpoints all of the different communities where the items are made, stressing the owners' commitment to the buy local movement.

"We wanted to create a store that would offer an alternative to big box retail for people that want to buy local," says Chris Sorenson, a potter who joined with artists Joanna and Matthew Orgovan to open the store at 15621 Madison Avenue.

Crafty Goodness got its start as a modern arts and crafts show that was held in Seven Hills in 2009. The success of that show inspired its creators to set up a bricks and mortar store, and a year and a half later, Crafty Goodness was born. The store, which opened in March, will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, April 9th.

In addition to items such as clothing, home décor, jewelry, book bags, cards and notebooks, Crafty Goodness features an extensive art gallery on the walls, with more than 60 artists from seven Northeast Ohio counties represented. The owners selected Lakewood because of the community's commitment to the arts and small, local businesses.

Despite being only 750 square feet, Crafty Goodness offers a wide array of merchandise. Sorenson plans to continue hosting the annual craft show and hopes to find a space in Lakewood for this year's event.

Crafty Goodness also hosts a variety of classes, including jewelry making, needle arts and vegan baking, for consumers of all ages. The majority of the classes, which run about two hours and are affordably priced in the $20-35 range, are presented in a make-and-take format, which lets participants go home with an original work of art.

Source: Chris Sorenson
Writer: Lee Chilcote

The idea behind Urban Infant came to Eric Eichhorn when his sister Kelly Friedl had her first child. "All of the baby gear had ducks, bunnies or bears on it," he recalls. "I wanted to get beyond pink and blue to something that had solid, hip colors and was edgy."

Eichhorn and Friedl, who lived in Chicago, dreamed of products that would be geared towards parents "making the conscious decision to raise kids in an urban environment," Eichhorn explains. Friedl's expertise in graphic design combined with Eichhorn's business background led to the formation, in 2001, of Urban Infant.

Today, the Urban Infant has taken on a life of its own and sales are growing. In January, the partners leased a workshop in the 78th Street Studios, a complex of creative-minded businesses in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood. "We used to work out of our homes and closets, but then we went to an L.A. trade show, got a rep and began to expand," explains Eichhorn, who moved to Cleveland in 2004.

The Urban Infant's biggest seller is the Tot Cot, an all-in-one pillow, blanket and bed sheet that makes naptime simple for toddlers attending daycare or preschool. The Tot Cot's bedding is made of recycled PET plastic bottles. "It's cool to give someone something that has a previous life," says Eichhorn, who has made sustainability a core aspect of the business.

The Urban Infant also recently created a line of washable bibs made from recycled plastic bags. The bibs, each of which is unique and handmade, feature slogans such as "Thank You" and "American Greetings" (where Eichhorn now works as a business consultant). Priced at $18, the bibs are available at boutiques and museum stores across the country, as well as online.

The bibs are created by fusing together layers of plastic bags using a heat press. Eichhorn regularly scours the recycling bin at Dave's Supermarket in Ohio City for bags, ignoring strange looks from passers-by. He has also enlisted his friends in foreign countries to help collect bags, especially unusual ones.

Although Eichhorn and Friedl have yet to quit their day jobs, Urban Infant has gained a following. In January, the company's products were featured in Parenting magazine and on the Today Show.

Eichhorn and his wife recently celebrated the birth of their daughter Essa. Despite not getting enough sleep, Eichhorn is already working on several new product lines. And now that he has a child of his own, he's even more dialed in to the needs of urban parents.


Source: Eric Eichhorn
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Palookaville Chili, a new restaurant set to open next month in Ohio City, is seeking to reeducate your taste buds. Owner and budding chef Ian P.E., who says he makes "a mean pot of chili," offers a blunt description of what will set his place apart.

"This is gourmet chili, not the slop you'll find at most places," boasts P.E., who lived in San Francisco before returning to Cleveland in 2007. "Most chili is tomato-based and uses ground beef and cinnamon, whereas our beef is cubed, and we use cumin, dried chilis and poblano peppers. It's based off classic Southwestern cuisine and pretty spicy."

Most of the menu items at Palookaville, which will be open for lunch and dinner, are affordably priced in the $5 to $9 range. Some of the menu choices include chicken verde with fresh poblano and tomatillo, a spicy vegan chili with garbanzo beans, and a rotating special. Toppings include sour cream, onions, cheese and peppers. The menu will also include chili dogs, chili-cheese nachos, and tacos.

P.E. is an artist and entrepreneur who grew up in Cleveland's south suburbs. In 2008 he founded the arts publication Pink Eye Magazine with his girlfriend Leigh Ring to fill a void in local arts coverage, yet all the while he dreamed of opening his own restaurant. Frustrated by the lack of quality chili in his hometown, he decided to create his own brand. "There isn't another place in Cleveland to get authentic chili," he claims.

P.E. isn't worried that the vacant storefronts and slow pace of redevelopment along Lorain will deter patrons. He believes his restaurant will benefit from being close to Ohio City's Market District, which is fast becoming a hub for local food entrepreneurs.

"Cleveland is a great place for entrepreneurs, and Lorain is cheap," he says. "In the past, no one had the balls to put something here."


Source: Ian P.E.
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Brian Cook stands in the oval-shaped dining room of an apartment at Ludlow Castle, a signature Tudor-style building off Shaker Square. The distinctive room has hardwood floors and opens up to a sunken living room with wood-burning fireplace and a wall of windows overlooking the street.

"My wife would kill for an oval-shaped dining room like this," Cook says, "and for the closet space in these units."

The neighborhoods of Shaker Square have long been a popular draw for individuals and families that are seeking the conveniences and amenities of apartment living. Now, a Cleveland real estate developer is restoring and rejuvenating many of the apartment buildings on North and South Moreland, a densely populated apartment corridor.

Cook represents Crossroads Property Management, a real estate management and development firm owned by Paul Gabrail. CPM operates 14 buildings on North and South Moreland between Larchmere Boulevard and Buckeye Road -- a concentration of over 300 units, or nearly half of the total units on these two blocks. Over the past few years, the owner has steadily upgraded and improved these apartments.

"We want our buildings to set the tone for the street," says Cook.

Asked why he has chosen the Shaker Square area to focus on, Cook cites the fact that he and his wife are homeowners who are raising a family in nearby Shaker Heights. "I believe that Shaker Square and the surrounding neighborhoods have to stay strong," Cook says. "We have a great city neighborhood -- a dense, walkable community with affordable housing that's close to public transit."

The redevelopment of North and South Moreland apartment buildings is a sound investment, Cook and Gabrail argue, since the neighborhood continues to attract apartment dwellers and maintain relatively low vacancy rates. Tenants range from the "Meds and Eds" of University Circle to downtown-commuting professionals and long-time neighborhood residents seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Cook is confident that his buildings will hold their value and prove successful over time. As the quality of the properties have been improved, he and Gabrail have been able to increase rents and improve resident-retention rates, thus garnering a more professional tenant base while maintaining the economic diversity of the neighborhood.

"These properties were built very well and the improvements we are doing will secure their place in the market for many years to come," Cook says.


Source: Brian Cook
Writer: Lee Chilcote

At first, John Campanelli didn't tell his wife. No, he doesn't have an obsession with pricey Cuban cigars or engage in secret Friday-night poker nights. Rather, he had hatched a plan to raise chickens.

"My wife thought I was crazy at first, but chickens are easier to take care of than cats -- and they're the only pet that makes you breakfast," Campanelli told an audience of 200 during last week's Local Food Cleveland forum on raising backyard livestock.

Three years into rearing his backyard brood, Campanelli says, "My wife agrees it's the best thing we've ever done -- maybe even better than having kids."

Not only is raising chickens fun and relatively easy, but backyard eggs are fresher, healthier and tastier than their supermarket counterparts, Campanelli explained. He touted other benefits too, such as using chicken droppings as garden fertilizer. Chickens also help rid your yard of insects, are great with people and kids and provide hours of entertainment. "I'm convinced that [chickens] are the reason most rural Americans don't have high speed Internet," he joked.

In 2009, the City of Cleveland passed progressive "chicks and bees" legislation that allows residents to keep chickens, ducks, rabbits and beehives (but not roosters, geese or turkeys). A typical residential lot is allowed no more than six small animals and two hives.

For those interested in raising chickens, Campanelli suggested doing some online research (he cited Backyard Chickens), educating yourself on municipal zoning laws and contacting your neighbors ahead of time to avoid complaints.

While chickens are not high-maintenance, noisy or expensive, they do require food, water and a good coop that is cleaned regularly. Would-be chicken farmers should also learn which breeds are known as being cold hardy, better with people and producing tastier eggs.

For hold-outs who aren't yet convinced that raising yardbirds is now mainstream, look no further than the local bookstore, Campanelli said. Right next to the wedding planning guides in the how-to section is where you'll find "Raising Backyard Chickens for Dummies."


Source: John Campanelli
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Beekeeping can be a life-changing experience that lowers stress, fosters a greater connection with nature, and promotes biodiversity in your neighborhood. Oh yeah, and it provides a near-endless supply of delicious honey.

Yet raising bees is not always easy, and backyard beekeepers must spend time with their bees every day.

"If you don't pay close attention, you could lose the swarm through pests or disease, " Karen Wishner, President of the Greater Cleveland Beekeepers Association, told a crowd of 200 people at last week's Local Food Cleveland forum on raising backyard livestock.

If you are a first time beekeeper, Wishner recommends taking classes or reading articles to educate yourself, as well as joining a local beekeepers association. The first step is to find a location for the hive. It should be located near a windbreak, facing the morning sun and in a partially shaded location. Beekeepers also need easy access to water and enough room to navigate around the hive.

Start-up costs include purchasing new equipment for the hive, buying the bees, and purchasing a veil, hive tool and smoker. Once you obtain a hive, Wishner recommends paying close attention to its progress, keeping an eye out for damage and checking for the queen. A typical hive will yield one or two combs in the first year, and by the second or third year, it can produce three to four gallons of honey.

Many people find beekeeping therapeutic because bees, by their very nature, require their keepers to stay calm and peaceful. "Minimizing stress is the name of the game; that's what bees like," Wishner said.

Beekeeping is permitted in many communities in Northeast Ohio. In 2009, the City of Cleveland passed progressive legislation that allows residents to raise chickens and bees in limited numbers. On a typical residential lot in Cleveland, two hives are permitted. Wishner recommended that anyone interested in backyard beekeeping consult their local municipal officials before purchasing a hive.

For those interested in learning more about backyard beekeeping, the Northeast Ohio Honeybee Conference will take place on Saturday, May 21st at Baldwin Wallace College, Wishner said. The conference, which costs $25, is open to the public.


Source: Karen Wishner
Writer: Lee Chilcote

A packed house at Monday night's Local Food Cleveland meeting on raising backyard livestock demonstrated growing interest in raising chickens, bees and other animals in urban neighborhoods across Northeast Ohio.

When audience members at the Great Lakes Brewing Company's Tasting Room in Ohio City were asked by event organizer Peter McDermott if they currently were raising backyard livestock or were planning on it, approximately two-thirds raised their hands.

Two years ago, Cleveland City Council passed progressive "chicks and bees" legislation that allowed city residents to raise and keep certain farm animals and bees. Other municipalities in Northeast Ohio also allow residents to keep backyard livestock. Presenters urged audience members to consult their local zoning code and contact their local zoning officials with questions.

The majority of livestock owners in Cleveland tend chickens (not roosters) for eggs or bees for honey, said McDermott, a Network Weaver with Entrepreneurs for Sustainability (E4S). While raising goats, pigs and other animals is also permitted in some places, those animals typically require more land than is available on urban lots.

Despite the growing interest in urban farming and backyard livestock in U.S. cities, many municipalities lag behind. Some zoning codes prohibit or strictly limit keeping chickens, bees and other animals, while others do not address the issue. Presenters urged audience members to educate themselves -- in many Northeast Ohio communities, despite assumptions to the contrary, raising chickens and bees is permitted in some form.

McDermott cited a plethora of benefits to keeping backyard livestock, including saving money on groceries, providing healthy, locally produced foods to residents, and income generation for owners who sell eggs and other products to neighbors or through local markets.

As the local foods movement in Northeast Ohio continues to expand, McDermott challenged audience members to consciously support the infrastructure needed to sustain it, including educating wary public officials at the state and local level.

"Studies show that local food is potentially a $15 billion economy in Northeast Ohio, and in recent years, we've seen a fifteen- to twenty-percent increase per year in local farmers' markets," said McDermott. "The question is, can the market for local foods support continued expansion? Our group is interested in accelerating the progress."


Source: Peter McDermott
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Homeowners were taking out equity loans with alarming abandon just a few years ago, yet now many are reluctant to invest money in their homes. "With housing values falling, demand for home repair loans has also fallen," says Larry Slenczka, Vice President of Community Development for Dollar Bank.

Yet Dollar Bank continues to finance home rehabs through a partnership with Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH), a nonprofit whose mission is to revitalize Cleveland neighborhoods through home repair lending.

"CASH has been successful in identifying projects driven by investors," says Slenczka. "Their transactions tend to be very solid loans that have a very low default rate." CASH offers investors and owner-occupants a reduced interest rate. Currently, that interest rate is 2.6%.

Even as the average homeowner sits on the sidelines, some rehabbers are jumping in and finding deals. And the glut of vacant properties in Cleveland has presented an opportunity for savvy investors; while foreclosure rates nationwide reached their lowest level in four years last month, Cleveland still has a backlog of empty homes.

Yet while it seems anyone with a credit card can snap up a cheap foreclosure -- plumbing optional, of course -- that's just the beginning of the process. Getting a loan is no simple feat. Struggling with unsold inventories, many banks are cautious about lending to investors, while others aren't lending at all.

That's where CASH comes in. The nonprofit's partnerships with Dollar Bank and other lenders help owners get financing. In addition to offering a reduced rate, CASH helps owners to pick a contractor, develop a list of repairs, and inspect the work.

"Everybody wins," says Slenczka. "The neighborhood benefits from reinvestment, the benefits from private investment, and the bank benefits from a healthy market return."


Source: Larry Slenczka
Writer: Lee Chilcote

Greater Clevelanders are fortunate to live near an abundant source of fresh water. Lake Erie and the Great Lakes contain one-fifth of the world's fresh water supply. Many places in the world are not so lucky -- in fact, more people die each year from contaminated water than from all forms of violence and war combined.

This month, a group of environmental artists are taking over a vacant space at Tower City Center to create an art display on the importance of water. The exhibit, which will be displayed during the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), from March 24 to April 3, is being organized as part of World Water Day events for Sustainable Cleveland 2019, an effort to create a green economy in Cleveland by 2019.

The sculpture, which will be crafted from decorated two-liter bottles, will educate Clevelanders about the importance of water conservation, and will also raise funds for a water well that will serve an elementary school in rural Uganda. The school, St. Charles Elementary School, is a sister school to Carl and Louis Stokes Central Academy, a K-8 public school in Cleveland.

For the project, 150 students at Stokes Academy will carry their own two-liter bottle of water with them on a bus from their school to Tower City on World Water Day, which takes place Tuesday, March 22nd. It's a gesture of solidarity with their pen pals in Uganda, who each fill their own bottles and carry them to school on a daily basis. The artists will also travel to the school to educate students on the importance of water.

Lead artist Nicole McGee and other project leaders will also work with Stokes students to help them decorate the two-liter bottles to represent the meaning of water in their lives.


Source: Nicole McGee
Writer: Lee Chilcote