The Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit has created the equivalent of 1,729 full-time jobs since 2011 and generated more than $400 million in economic impact - and Northeast Ohio has had a starring role in all of it.

This Saturday, Feb. 27, from 2 – 5 p.m., the City of Cleveland, former Ward 3 Councilman Joe Cimperman and Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority will present "Road to Hope" at Lakeview Terrace Community Center, 1290 West 25th St.

"Road to Hope" will feature a full program of theatre, dance, music, spoken word and multimedia performance created by Northeast Ohio artists. The program is one of a series of free performing arts events that celebrate hope, honor Cleveland’s Underground Railroad history and addresses modern day struggles for freedom and justice. Activities will take place in six Cleveland-area neighborhoods from January through June 2016, produced in conjunction with Cleveland Public Theatre’s third annual Station Hope celebration on April 30 at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
 
"Road to Hope" will give audience members a “sneak peek” of Station Hope, including short excerpts from larger performances, discussion and collaborative activities that address some of the most important issues of our time. Performances will be followed by a community meal.

This event is free and open to the public. Complete details are available here.
 

The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA), in collaboration with Cuyahoga Arts and Culture is holding a series of free "Lunch on Friday" events, in which CIA invites the public to spend a lunch hour learning about the latest in art and design. Each lecture features a variety of artists and designers from around the world, including CIA faculty and visiting artists. The lectures are from 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. at the Peter B. Lewis Theater at CIA.
 
Notably, there's free pizza.
 
This Friday, Feb. 26, the subject will be "Walking the Talk of Engagement." Come and hear from some of the many CIA faculty members who are connecting their classes to professional engagement beyond the classroom. What are these "engaged practice" classes about? Why are these faculty members interested in this type of teaching? What is the benefit to students?
 
Get all the details and the full speaker line up here.
 

While summer may feel far away, college students will be returning home with their requisite manbuns and proclivity to wear slippers as shoes in a blink. They will soon join area high school juniors and seniors, who are already eyeing residential couches with plans to become one with them from June through August.

It does not have to be this way.

On Sunday March 6 and Saturday March 19 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Cleveland Metroparks invites those students, along with anyone interested in seasonal employment, to attend a job fair. The two events will be held at Stillwater Place, 3900 Wildlife Way in the Metroparks Zoo. Opportunities include food service jobs, camp counselor slots, maintenance positions and many others.

Complete details and registration information are available here.

Enrollment for the 2016/2017 school year is underway and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) has new tools to ease the process including an enrollment portal that allows prospective families to create an account, explore schools and submit their choices online.

Per CMSD: "Choosing the right school matters. CSMD has launched a new and improved school choice portal that empowers all families, whether they attend a district school or not, to make school choices right now. Families can visit ChooseCMSD.org where they can learn about new school options, compare school characteristics, and choose the schools that are right for their family in a matter of minutes."
 
CMSD also invites enrolling families to take a short survey so it can best serve its constituency in making choices for the 2016-17 school year. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete.
 

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.

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 contributor Nikki Delamotte for Thrillist:

"Admit it, you’re probably reading this while you’re bored at your desk avoiding work, listening to "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta" on your headphones and trying not to go all Office Space on the printer. As you're waiting around for your conference call with that cranky client, scrolling through Twitter one more time, and trying to minimize the screen before your boss realizes you’re watching that cat video (again), feel free to lust after 11 of the sickest jobs in the rock and roll city."

Take her advice and get her entire list of cool CLE gigs here.

The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland is raffling off a Chanel dark red quilted lambskin new medium Boy Bag that retails for $5,200. Tickets are $20 each, with three for $50. The winning ticket will be pulled at the group's annual "All About The Bag" fashion benefit on Feb. 25. Winner does not have to be present to win. 
 
Get all the details 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.

From lumber to antique books and vintage guitars, local businesses share their secrets to success amid big box competition, financial pressures and changing times.

A "fish shelf"  designed to stabilize about 300 feet of riverfront on the Lakewood bank of the Rocky River is on track for completion this fall.

Last June, the City of Lakewood received a $123,000 grant from the Ohio EPA for streambank restoration and construction of the shelf, which will be comprised of former sound barrier walls or other repurposed concrete construction materials, notes city engineer Mark Papke.

The fish shelf will be built near the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, close to the Lakewood Animal Shelter off Metropark Drive. Bidding will begin in April while construction on the approximately $204,000 venture is scheduled for June. Lakewood will pay $82,000 toward the project cost.

The portion of the riverbank slated for restoration is unstable and eroding rapidly, says Papke. "The trees there have fallen into the river," he says. "There's no vegetation at all now."

While the fish shelf won't replace the 15 feet of land lost to erosion over the last several years, it will protect the bank from further damage, Papke says. In addition, the shelf will prevent the influx of phosphorous-laden sediment into the river. Phosphorous, a primary plant nutrient, is known to play a role in creating potentially damaging algae.

Meanwhile, new trees and shrubs will serve the dual purpose of beautifying and further firming up the space. Gaps in the rubble can provide a habitat for additional greenery as well as animal life.

If planners have their way, the fish shelf will also be site a for sport fishing. The water around the proposed shelf is already known for steelhead trout.

"We met a couple of fishermen last week to show them the plans," says Papke. "They appreciate the chance to have better access to the river."

Partner organization Cleveland Metroparks will conduct a survey prior to and following construction to determine if the enterprise can attract even more fish to the area, Papke says.

City officials estimate the fish shelf to be ready by October. Papke is confident the project will be both an environmental and civic boon for the region.

"It's giving us an opportunity to stabilize the bank and provide a nice place for fishing," he says.