CWRU's Sears think[box] is the nation's largest free public makerspace, offering equipment, materials, and mentorship in a 50,000-square feet space to students, professionals, and the community. Think[box] levels the playing field so anyone can access typically expensive tools and transform their ideas into reality.

Danielle McGough, a professional gingerbread house designer who has created holiday structures for major retailers, launched the Jolly Gingerbread Makery Pop-Up Workshop in 78th Street Studios this holiday season. Participants decorate hand-baked gingerbread houses with access to a variety of decorations and optional add-ons like LED lights and edible windows.

Care Alliance Health Center and Breakthrough Schools are partnering to host the 2025 Holiday Toy Giveback this Saturday, Dec. 13, offering free toys for children up to age 12, health screenings, and community resources at Breakthrough MidTown. The event supports families facing barriers like housing instability and limited access to resources while providing a joyful holiday experience.

Cleveland Leadership Center's annual Accelerate pitch competition offers people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to secure funding and make connections. With a deadline of December 5, the competition has helped entrepreneurs from age eight to 80 turn ideas into reality. Don't miss the deadline!

Nearly 10,000 participants from around the country braved cold, windy conditions to attend and participate in the 44th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, with many participants in costume. FreshWater's second annual Turkey Trot costume contest is now underway and today is the deadline for submissions. Voting begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 2m and the winners receive some great prizes!

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, will prepare and deliver 12,000 free turkey dinners an in-person community meal at the St. Augustine Hunger Center on Thanksgiving, addressing rising food insecurity in Northeast Ohio, where one in six people lack reliable access to food.

The Cuyahoga County Public Library's Parma-Powers branch transformed a 240-square-foot space into a dynamic Art Wall, featuring rotating exhibits from local and national artists. This initiative is an example of how libraries are adapting to meet community needs, offering not just books but also access to art, technology, and shared experiences.

The Cleveland Silent Film Festival & Colloquium (CSFF) wrapped up its 2025 fall viewing series of silent films set to live musical accompaniment. CSFF board member and seasoned entertainment writer David S. Cohen reflects on the impact of live music, and the talented accompanists' work, have on these classic silent films.

Tickets and sponsorships are now on sale for the Cleveland Restoration Society's 2025 Benefit on Friday, Nov. 21. The event will feature guided tours of two historic churches, highlighting the organization's work with Sacred Landmarks throughout Cleveland. Pentecostal Church of Christ, an example of successful preservation efforts, and the University Circle United Methodist Church, which may soon see adaptive reuse, are the featured Sacred Landmarks.

The 20th annual "Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park" was held on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Cleveland Metroparks Euclid Beach Park, celebrating the legacy of the amusement park that operated from 1895 to 1969. Visitors enjoyed vintage car displays, historical exhibits, rides in the Euclid Beach Rocket Car, and nostalgic treats while exploring artifacts and memories from the park's heyday.

Towards Employment is hosting its "Work & Reentry Experience" at the Cleveland Public Library, featuring live jazz music and personal stories from program alumni. The free event celebrates the resilience of people who have overcome challenges to achieve meaningful employment and successful reentry into society.

The Saint Luke's Foundation has plans to relocate its headquarters from its current sixth-floor offices to a new 21,000-square-foot, ground-level space in the Woodland neighborhood. Officials hope the move, will make the foundation more accessible and visible to the community it serves, with 65% of the new space dedicated to community use.

Once considered America's least connected major city, Cleveland is now bridging the digital divide through DigitalC's municipal internet program. The nonprofit has connected 6,000 households with affordable and free high-speed internet since January 2024, is on track to connect 23,500 households by 2028, and just received additional support from Google Fiber.

The Cleveland Silent Film Festival and Colloquium's fall series features five silent films from the 1920s accompanied by live music. The festival, which includes screenings at the Cleveland Museum of Art and other venues, celebrates the centennial of these classic films and the Art Deco movement with a mix of orchestral performances, chamber music, and even a metal band.

The Heights Music Hop in Cleveland Heights this year has an expanded three-day format across three business districts. The event, presented by Future Heights, features a diverse range of musical genres, family-friendly programming, and plans for future growth to accommodate the city's evolving business landscape.

Retired accountant and Youngstown native Dave Grunenwald has found a calling as an award-winning children's author. His latest book in his "Lucas & Emily" series of children's books, focuses on encouraging community service and philanthropy, and is inspired by the work of volunteers with the Cleveland Food Bank.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation presented the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit at Lyndhurst City Hall over Labor Day weekend, offering a tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. The exhibit features artifacts, audio recordings, and firsthand accounts from retired first responders.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced the birth of a male giraffe calf, born to 14-year-old mother Tuli on August 15. This birth marks a milestone in the zoo's ongoing efforts to conserve the vulnerable giraffe species. The calf will remain out of public view temporarily to allow for critical bonding time with its mother and gradual acclimation to the rest of the giraffe herd.