It's time to scare away winter this weekend with the Cleveland Kurentovanje Festival—when the mythical Kurenti appear, their bells loudly ringing as they dance around a bonfire to chase winter away and welcome spring at the Slovenian National House in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Y-Haven Theatre Project—a collaboration between YMCA of Greater Cleveland and Cleveland Public Theatre—will present "Troubled Waters," a play based on the lives of Y-Haven Treatment and Recovery Center residents.

The Cleveland Botanical Garden will be bursting with color on Saturday, Jan. 27 through Sunday, March 17 with Holden Forests & Gardens' annual flower show, Orchids Forever: Golden Hour. Tickets are on sale now and registration is open for classes and activities for every age and interest.

The Cleveland Museum of Art will celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 15 with its regular free admission, hands-on art activities, and entertainment from WOVU 95.9 FM's DJ Kristyles and Humbly Submitted—all to learn from each other, celebrate humanity, exchange ideas, and spur creativity in a space for reflection.

In the conclusion of his series "The Cardalians," Ralph Horner reflects on his experiences with his friends from Cardale, Pennsylvania who settled in Glenville and Collinwood in the 1950s. Horner then wraps the series up with a personal note.

Ralph Horner recalls his time as a young man in the 1950s, spending time with Glenville residents from Cardale, Pennsylvania at Otto's Bar and the Bowl-a-Rama in Collinwood.

Ralph Horner recalls his time as a young man in the 1950s, spending time with Glenville residents from Cardale, Pennsylvania at Otto's Bar and the Bowl-a-Rama in Collinwood.

The Cleveland Ballet will open "The Nutcracker" this Thursday at the Connor Palace in Playhouse Square. FreshWater contributor Tricia Chaves attended a recent rehearsal to witness the behind-the-scenes preparations.

Come celebrate the upcoming Winter Solstice this Friday at the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes' Luminary Walk & Holiday Market. Enjoy the luminaries on the All Peoples' Trail, then warm up with hot mulled Syrah or blackberry merlot hot chocolate from Cleveland Urban Winery, and shop with local vendors and artists for your holiday shopping needs.

Canalway is already well into planning for its third Annual Towpath Trail Lantern Parade in March, and the organization has put out a call to community artists to submit proposals for creating large-scale lanterns made from recycled materials.

"The Cardalians" is Ralph Horner’s third series of essays, recalling his days in the 1950s as a young man near Cleveland’s Glenville and Collinwood neighborhoods, and the large population of residents who came to Cleveland from Cardale, Pennsylvania.

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History is offering an immersive experience with the broadcast of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" in surround sound, paired with breathtaking views of the cosmos in the Shafran Planetarium.

The Cleveland Museum of Art will celebrate 50 years of hip-hop this Friday with MIX: Beat Street—featuring a lineup of seven DJs, food, and cocktails, and access to all CMA exhibits with the purchase of a MIX ticket.

This holiday season Steve Presser's Big Fun—the nostalgic store selling vintage toys, gag gifts, old-time candy, and funky jewelry—is returning to Coventry Village as a pop-up shop in the store's original location.

The Cleveland Orchestra is in the festive spirit and getting ready for its first-ever Winter Spree fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 5 at Severance Music Center. The event features a variety of local vendors, Orchestra performances of selections from "The Nutcracker" and "The Snow Maiden" and dinner in the Bogomolny-Kozerefski Grand Foyer.

Last week, the Global Shapers Community Cleveland Hub celebrated with Black Environmental Leaders its 10th year of working toward improving the climate and changing the community for the better at its 4C: Climate and Community Champions Celebration at the Pivot Center for Art, Dance and Expression.

While the holidays can be a wonderful time with family and other loved ones to celebrate the season, sometimes everyone needs an escape. The Kimpton Scofield offers family suites for respite and quality downtime to recharge.

Cleveland Restaurant Week is in full swing, brought to you by Cleveland Independents and running through Saturday, Nov. 18. Get out and enjoy special three-course, prix fixe dinners created by more than 30 locally-owned, independent restaurants. Mallorca Restaurant owner Laurie Torres gives FreshWater readers the scoop on what's on the menu.

Ralph Horner recalls the ethnic mix of the residents living in the Goodrich-Kirtland Park neighborhood in the 1950s, reaching racial harmony, and his discovery of photos of his old neighborhood at the Cleveland Public Library.

Ralph Horner reflects on coming of age in the old neighborhood, and how culture and experiences influenced the different paths he and his friends chose in life.