Karin Connelly Rice

Cover up: Shaker Heights utility box designs continue into fifth year
The utility boxes in Shaker Heights get more colorful each year as high school students and artists create vinyl box covers in vibrant designs. 
High School principal’s Black literacy initiative wins Accelerate civic pitch competition

John Marshall principal Sara Kidner wants to improve literacy and promote teaching as a future career field among young Black males with paid internships for Black high school students to read to younger students.

People for Trees: Holden Forests & Gardens launches plan to save Cleveland's tree canopy
Holden Forests & Gardens urges everyone to pledge to plant a tree in its People for Trees initiative—with the goal of planting 15,000 new trees in the Forest City by 2025.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture Support for Artists grants help creatives shine their brightest
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture implemented its Support for Artists grants in 2019 to ensure it supported more underrepresented and historically marginalized artists. Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center is one organization that uses the grants to ensure Latinx creatives are funded, celebrated, and supported.
First three historical marker sites chosen for the African American Civil Rights Trail
The location of the first three markers on the 10-stop African American Civil Rights Trail have been decided. Find out where they will be and why these sites were chosen. 
Made in the CLE: LAND studio celebrates 10th birthday with locally-made gifts to donors
LAND studio is 10 years old this year, and the organization is celebrating with a premium program that offers creations by local artists as thank you gifts for donations.
Breaking New Ground: LMM continues its mission to end homelessness
With its Breaking New Ground campaign in full gear, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry plans to place seven families in permanent homes this year—well on its way to the goal of securing 20 units by 2024.
Leading from Behind: Seven students honor seven leaders through art projects
The Van Aken District is celebrating Black History Month with a unique student exhibit featuring some prominent, yet seldom recognized, Black women in history.
The Tree: Nature and the arts meet with new sculpture at Nature Center’s All People’s Trail
Artist Erik Neff's sculpture at the gateway to the All People's Trail in the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is an example of fine art meeting nature—exemplifying the beauty in both forms. 
Word of mouth: Documentary to record oral histories of Chinese-Americans in Cleveland
A group of filmmakers is putting together a documentary on Cleveland's Asian-American history—before those memories and moments are lost forever. 
Share the Bread: Orlando Baking and Hunger Network team up to feed struggling restaurant workers
With the restaurant industry in trouble, the Orlando Baking Company—a fixture in Cleveland since 1904—is working with the Hunger Network to raise money, and food, for the area's foodservice industry staff who have been hit the hardest.
Food withdrawal: GO Buddha makes plant-based eating as easy as going to the ATM
Joshua Ingraham is blending his background in functional medicine and his culinary skills to serve vegan snacks and meals 24/7 at a self-serve  kiosk in his GO Buddha restaurant. 
Geiger’s calling it quits downtown, for now
The Geiger's Stores family yesterday announced they will officially close the doors on its downtown Cleveland location—unable to continue with the lack of downtown activity because of COVID-19. 
It’s time to chase away winter with the annual Slovenian Kurentovanje festival
Shake your bells and chase away winter at the 8th annual Kurentovanje—a Slovenian festival centered around the mythical Kurent, who is believed to usher in spring with its supernatural powers.
Close Encounters: Heights Arts, Cleveland Orchestra, Bop Stop team up for virtual concert series
Heights Arts is about to launch it's 15th Close Encounters concert series—this year in a virtual format, partnering with Bop Stop. 
Cleveland Shops: Discounted gift certificates urge folks shop local retailers
The Cleveland Shops quarterly sale offers gift certificates with great savings at local retailers. But there's a limited supply, so act fast!
Mindful munching: New vegan restaurant adapts to growing lifestyle trends
Practicing mindfulness is a tool used to reduce stress and anxiety. Andrew Taylor-Shaut is promoting mindful eating through his new vegan restaurant SomethinGood to Eat in Larchmere. 
A day of reflection: History Center, University Circle recognize MLK with exhibits, programs
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Western Reserve Historical Society and other University Circle institutions are hosting online events and programs to spend the holiday reflecting, learning, and serving. 
Historic Barton Deming house welcomes folks to the 'Euclid Avenue of the Heights'
Welcoming people to Cleveland Heights, the Barton Deming Mansion was once the cornerstone of the Euclid Golf development along Fairmount Boulevard—also known as "The Euclid Avenue of the Heights."  
Karamu House to present virtual variety program in celebration of MLK
To celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 18, Karamu House will stream a variety show of vocal and original African dance performances that pay tribute to the work of King and recognize the current struggles that Black America continues to face.