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Metroparks to hold seasonal job fair
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.
CMSD offers new enrollment portal, survey
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.
 
The Hard Rock to serve up free dinners to Leap Year "leaplings"
Approximately 200,000 Leap Year babies in the United States celebrate their real birthday once every four years on Feb. 29. This year, if they do so at the area's Hard Rock Cafes' downtown or Northfield Park locations, they'll receive a free entree from Hard Rock Cafe’s "Leaplings Eat Free" menu, items on which include Twisted Mac, Chicken & Cheese; the Veggie Leggie and the Hickory-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich among others.
 
Get all the details here.
An artistic journey from Ecuador to Cleveland Heights
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.
Fresh Water taps Erin O'Brien as new managing editor
Long-time Fresh Water contributor Erin O'Brien will now helm the publication.
March to come in like a lion - at least culturally speaking
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.
Zack Bruell named a semifinalist for 2016 James Beard Award
The James Beard Foundation announced today its list of Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for the 26th annual James Beard Foundation Awards.

Selected from a list of more than 20,000 online entries, the prestigious group of semifinalists in 21 categories represents a wide range of culinary talent, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations in ten different regions across the U.S.

Bruell and his restaurant Parallax are named in the "Best Chef, Great Lakes" category. Read the entire release here.
 
Calabrese advocates for transit funding at Statehouse
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.
 
Shaker to celebrate Historic Preservation Month with photo contest
Known for its tree-lined streets, opulent houses and sense of community, Shaker Heights officials are asking people to share their views of the city in a photo.
 
In honor of National Preservation Month in May, the Shaker Heights Landmark Commission is having its fourth annual Preservation Month Photo Contest.
 
“We look at it as a fun way to celebrate the community,” says Ann Klavora, principal planner in Shaker’s planning department. “We’re asking for both residents and non-residents – anyone who likes Shaker – to show what makes Shaker a special place to them.”
 
Photos will be accepted in three categories: architecture/building; landscape/nature; and community. Last year, a “unique perspective” category was created for Shaker resident Peter Miller’s submission of four photos of Horseshoe Lake taken with a drone.
 
You need not be a pro to submit a photo, Klavora says, or have a drone. “Whatever strikes someone’s fancy,” she says. “We get submissions from folks who are clearly professional photographers and folks who are clearly not professionals. We’ve gotten all sorts of pictures.”
 
Klavora says communities all around the country hold similar events and projects to celebrate National Preservation Month. “We thought this was a fun way of celebrating,” she says. “You don’t have to go to a meeting, you just have to take the picture.”
 
The photo contest in free to enter. Submissions will be accepted until midnight on March 31. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges from the Landmark Commission and will be announced on May 1. The winners will receive name credit for their photos, which will appear on Shaker's Facebook page, and the city will use the photos for social media.
Hemlock Trail set to make all the right connections
A multi-purpose trail planned for the City of Independence will serve as a connecting point with the Towpath Trail while also catalyzing the region economically, planners say.

Construction of Hemlock Trail is scheduled for the first quarter of 2017 following a $500,000 grant the project received from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Clean Ohio Trails fund. The money will cover a portion of the venture while Independence officials make plans to raise the remaining $1.1 million, says city engineer Donald Ramm.

Partner group West Creek Conservancy, which helped with the grant effort, has been approaching trail advocates for single donations. Meanwhile, the city will call on local foundations to garner additional dollars, says Ramm.

Urgency is the watchword moving forward, as the ODNR grant must be used within 18 months of signing. Engineering for the $3.4 million path began last year and should be completed by the end of 2016. Construction bidding will commence early next year, with work starting in spring 2017. If all goes as planned, the trail will open to the public in 2018.

When complete, the 1.7-mile Hemlock Trail will begin at the intersection of Brecksville Road and Selig Drive, ending  at the Towpath Trail connection on Canal Road in Valley View.  That linkage is significant for a population base that currently has no easy means of accessing the iconic 85-mile track, Ramm says.

"We're excited about it," he says. "Hemlock Trail will be a major link for our residents to get from the center of town to Towpath Trail."

The 10-foot-wide path, designed to cross through private, industrial and national park properties, will have room for both bikers and joggers. Four or five bridges will be built along the trail's snake-like course, along with space for up to 15 parking spots.

Giving Independence residents a new place to walk, run and bike can have a positive impact on local economic development as well, believe supporters.  Officials view Hemlock Trail as one piece of an amenities package that can attract people from outside the region and bolster a downtown redevelopment plan now in the preliminary planning stage.

"As a community asset, the path is going to be significant to the city," says Ramm. 
It's Time to Talk Essay on Race: Adaora Nzelibe Schmiedl
Adaora Nzelibe Schmiedl, Director of Development and Marketing for Towards Employment, responds to the question, “Why is an open and honest discussion about race important to you and your community?” in the following essay, which was one of two winners in a contest sponsored by Fresh Water and the YWCA Greater Cleveland as part of that organization's second annual It’s Time to Talk Forum on Race event.
It's Time to Talk Essay on Race: Tim Zaun
Tim Zaun, Associate Teacher Counselor for the Positive Education Program (PEP) at the PEP Prentiss Center for Autism, responds to the question, “Why is an open and honest discussion about race important to you and your community?” in the following essay, which was one of two winners in a contest sponsored by Fresh Water and the YWCA Greater Cleveland as part of that organization's second annual It’s Time to Talk Forum on Race event.
Valerie Mayen returns to Project Runway
Local fashion maven Valerie Mayen has returned to Project Runway as an All-Star. The show, which debuted Feb. 11, airs at 9 p.m. EST on Lifetime.

When asked, "What makes you All-Star material?"

The humble Mayen replied, "Honestly…I’m not sure. I feel uneasy saying that I’m an All Star. Who decides that? What’s the criteria? I’m a hard worker and I think I have some interesting ideas and I execute them well. If that makes an All  Star, then call me an All Star. It’s an honor to be one… I just hope I can live up to the name."

Read the whole Q&A here.
 
These are the coolest jobs in Cleveland
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.
Hunger Network to raffle luxe handbag
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.

 
Dive into Cleveland's culinary consciousness with five ethnic hot spots
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.