Fresh Water takes a closer look at CIFF's local offerings and finds a field of sunflowers, two opposite sisters and the man behind Melt's flying grilled cheese sammie.

The colorful history of May Dugan and how she embodied West Side philanthropy shimmers with the emerald green of her family's heritage.

Drink Local Drink Tap's third 4 Miles 4 Water event will be held on Saturday May 7 from 2 to 10 p.m. at the Cleveland Metroparks' Edgewater Reservation. Activities include a one-mile walk, four-mile run, free "All Things Water" festival with concert, and Guinness World Record Attempt. More than 1,500 participants are expected, including more than 500 registered runners and walkers.

Registration fees vary, but all proceeds will go to Drink Local Drink Tap's mission to preserve our fresh water resources and to have a positive impact on the global water crisis by creating more awareness and reconnecting people with the fresh water resources in their own backyards. Here are links to the participant form and the exhibitor form. There are also sponsorship opportunities.

More information is available here.

Fresh Water managing photographer Bob Perkoski rarely lets a Cleveland icon go unrecorded no matter how humble it may be.

Growing up in Ecuador, Rafael Valdivieso went against his family's tradition of embarking on a career in politics to pursue his love of the arts.

It may still be February, but March is set to come in like a lion, with a bevy of short alt films, a celebration of Leonard Bernstein and a glittering green art opening.

Joe Calabrese, CEO and General Manager of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) advocated for more transit funding in testimony on Feb. 16 at the Statehouse.

"RTA is the largest public transportation agency in Ohio. My employees, who reside in 16 of Ohio counties, serve approximately 50 million customers each year in Cuyahoga and several neighboring counties," said Calabrese in his address.

"Public transit in Ohio is a $900 million industry that supports many manufacturers, suppliers and jobs.

Public transit gets workers to work, students to school, connects important destinations, drives economic development and provides mobility to many Ohioans who have no other mobility option due to economic realities or disabilities."

Read his comments in their entirety here.
 

Fresh Water toured some of Cleveland's lesser-known places for authentic ethnic eats at an affordable price and found bibimbap, tandoori chicken and smoked brisket, just to name a few.

Social enterprises strive to not only raise money, but to also make a change in the communities and the people's lives they serve.

The non-profit ioby will open offices in Cleveland this March to help grassroots community improvement efforts get off the ground.

Beginning next Wednesday, Jan. 27^th, Gordon Square’s Capitol Theatre will launch its monthly Happy Hour cocktail party – a classic film paired with cocktails and appetizers from local restaurants.

"An evening at our Happy Hour Film Series is a great way to warm up the winter with a drink as you mix and mingle with friends both old and new," says David Huffman, director of marketing for Cleveland Cinemas.
 
The idea came about last fall when theater officials realized they were not using the full potential of the theater’s liquor license. “We were serving beer and wine, but no mixed drinks until last September,” explains Huffman. They tried out the concept with a showing of “Some Like it Hot” last summer during the brunch series. “When we were doing Sunday mornings, a lot of films wouldn’t work with brunch,” Huffman explains
 
So officials then decided to run a recurring cocktail hour series, showing a few contemporary classics. The Happy Hour Kicks off on Wednesday with “Fargo” – a nod, in part, to the Coen Brothers’ upcoming release of “Hail, Caesar!”
 
Future showings include “The Sting” in February and “Network” in March.
 
The $10 admission ($8 if you buy in advance) includes one cocktail and complimentary appetizers, catered by local restaurants.  Capitol Theatre’s current cocktail selections include a Moscow mule, whiskey sour, pomegranate gimlet, and a chipotle bloody mary, as well as beer and wine.
 
Cha Spirits and Pizza Kitchen will cater Wednesday’s showing. Toast, which catered the trial run in September, will be at the February event and Luxe will cater the March film.
 
Drinks and appetizers are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Patrons are welcome to refill their beverages before the showings.
 
The Happy Hour series is in addition to the Capitol’s regular Wednesday happy hours, which offers a $1 discount on drinks from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Whether the mild winter continues or Jack Frost breathes chilly air over us and lays a snowy blanket beneath us, the Cleveland Metroparks offers a host of activities for people of all ages and abilities throughout the winter months.
 

A long time in the planning, the W. 73rd Street underpass gives Detroit Shoreway residents east access to lakefront gems.