Featured Stories

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!
Reflections on year one: Ronayne looks back on his first year as County Executive
In his first year as Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has made strides in environmental stewardship, community development, and social justice—with a focus on improving services and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the county.
Access for all: Playhouse Square’s sensory-friendly performances foster inclusion
For more than a decade, Playhouse Square has hosted Sensory-Friendly Programming designed to increase access and inclusion for children and adults of all ages, perspectives, and abilities, including those with autism.
Rust Belt Fibershed Symposium: Weaving sustainability into textiles
Rust Belt Fibershed will convene textile artists, farmers, and community members at 78th Street Studios this weekend for its first annual Rust Belt Fibershed Symposium to discuss the potential of a place-based, soil-to-soil textile system.
Photos: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Cleveland Museum of Art
With offices and government buildings closed on Monday, Jan. 15 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Cleveland Museum of Art’s galleries were open to everyone—offering art activities and entertainment to honor and celebrate the work and lessons of the Rev. Dr. King. FreshWater managing photographer Bob Perkoski was there to capture the day in photos.
Earl Pike: A legacy of service and community building in Slavic Village
As University Settlement's Earl Pike prepares to "pivot" from his role as executive director, he shares his thoughts on the work he's done in Slavic Village and what his next role will be.
Inspired works: Cuyahoga Arts & Culture awards first-time grants to 13 organizations
In November, Cuyahoga Arts & Culture awarded more than $10 million in grants to 300 arts organizations. This year, 13 of those organizations are first-time grant recipients. We look at four of those arts groups: The Foundry, Center for Employment Opportunities, Museum of Creative Human Art, and John Carroll University's Peace, Justice and Human Rights program.
Lighting the way: Bold leadership is a must-have for Cleveland manufacturers
Cleveland's manufacturers need to double their efforts in preparing for the high-tech future, warns MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp, and leadership is the linchpin in embracing Industry 4.0 so the region remains a manufacturing leader. Wooster-based Midway Swiss Turn is setting the example.