The new book LGBTQ Cleveland showcases over 150 photos depicting five decades of Cleveland's LGBTQ history (including some by FreshWater's own Bob Perkoski). But along with a vibrant collection of images, local voices and stories shine through—thanks to author Ken Schneck's dogged efforts to bring them to light.

Barbara Moore has been legally blind her entire life, but that didn't stop her from teaching herself to sew. Moore still remembers the day she took the measurements of a comforter in a store, went home with her sewing machine, fabric, a yard stick, and chalk and made her own comforter on the living room floor. For the past 16 years, Moore has put that knowledge to good use as a seamstress at Vocational Guidance Services, sewing buttons and buttonholes on women’s military trousers.

Some people may instantly think of Seattle—the birthplace of Starbucks—when they discuss leaders of the national coffee scene. Others might point to trendy newcomers like Portland or major metropolitan cities like New York and San Francisco. But there’s a potent coffee scene percolating right here in Cleveland, with new java stops cropping up almost as quickly as breweries and restaurants.

Our "Fresh Take" series invites Clevelanders to share their insights and opinions on issues and topics that matter in their neighborhoods, professions, schools, and civic life. This installment is from Daybreak Yoga owner Dawn Rivers, who is working to make the yoga scene a more inclusive place to be.

In Susan Joyner’s painting “Darkest Before Dawn,” a city skyline looms, dark and ominous against a gloomy witching-hour sky. Electrical lines criss-cross against the outline of grey clouds. But beyond the darkened buildings and the vast night sky, there’s a glimpse of sunrise: a sliver of hope. Change is imminent.

The painting is one of many artworks on display at the Cleveland Justice Center throughout May as part of a special exhibit that seeks to dispel myths about mental health conditions in Cuyahoga County and beyond.

The Make Your Mark on Moreland project will utilize public art to not only enhance the neighborhood, but also to honor the people and events that have shaped Shaker Heights' Moreland neighborhood. Artists Scott Goss and Charlotte Lees have been chosen to bring their proposals for gateways and historical markers to life. Find out more about the progress of this vibrant initiative here.

Festival season kicked off last weekend with a rousing "Konnichiwa!" Check out our photos of the best of the 2018 Cleveland Asian Festival.

Northeast Ohio’s rich history can often be traced in the homes and buildings erected by those who created a booming manufacturing, textile, and banking industry a century ago. Today, a dedicated group of historians, architects, and construction companies works to preserve those structures and the stories behind them. This week, the Cleveland Restoration Society and the American Institute of Architects Cleveland recognized their efforts with the annual Celebration of Preservation.

There is an undercurrent of pride running through the city’s historic garment district, led in part by GBX Group. In March, GBX moved its headquarters from the historic Edwin Hotel to the Daffy Dan's building at 2101 Superior Ave. The company has spent the past 18 months renovating the 1913-built five-story building, transforming it into a state-of-the-art headquarters—and now other projects are poised to follow suit.

Heavy rain didn't stop more than 1,400 Clevelanders from attending the "VNTG Modern" open house last weekend at a Gates Mills mansion. Revelers noshed on light bites from chef Zack Bruell, enjoyed live piano music, and sipped champagne while exploring the sprawling estate. Not only was the 14,231-square-foot mansion for sale—but so were all the furnishings inside, straight from the Tyler Village showroom of VNTG Home.

Almost 50,000 people are expected at the annual Cleveland Asian Festival this weekend—offering great exposure to growing small businesses that operate a booth during the two-day celebration of everything AsiaTown has to offer. 

Welcome to the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply. This edition includes jobs from Near West Theatre, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center, Promise Academy, West of Venus, and more. Click here for the freshest opportunities fit to print.

Businesses like City Diner and Vino Veritas Winery are just a few that have popped up in Old Brooklyn in the last 16 months—and now, thanks to Cleveland Chain Reaction, five more businesses will set up shop this year with the announcement that Old Brooklyn will be the location of this year’s business competition.

At 10 a.m. on a Thursday, a group of veterans has gathered in the TV room at the VA Domiciliary in Glenville. These veterans grew up in different cities in varying socio-economic settings. They served in different wars and suffer from different challenges: addiction, depression, homelessness, loneliness, PTSD. Today, they have one thing in common: “The Smiling People” by Ray Bradbury.

Sporting a shirt that says “Shiitake Happens,” it’s clear that Steve Solomon has a lot to say about mushrooms—and he visited Cowell & Hubbard on Monday to do just that. As a culinary strategist for the Mushroom Council, Solomon is helping to lead the charge behind the Blended Burger Project, a James Beard Foundation contest that advocates a new type of burger melding ground meat and chopped mushrooms.

While browsing The Wandering Wardrobe's online boutique last spring, Maria LeFebre stumbled upon a shirt screen-printed with the slogan “Support Your Local Girl Gang.” The second-grade teacher had never heard the phrase before, but it resonated with her and she promptly purchased the garment. More than just a style statement, LeFebre took her shirt’s message as a call to action, and a personal mantra that prompted her to create Cleveland’s first online hub of women-owned businesses: Your Local Girl Gang.