When Knez Homes broke ground last spring on the first phase of Breakwater Bluffs (high-end townhomes on the shores of Lake Erie at W. 58th Street and Breakwater Boulevard), the Gordon Square Arts District was just coming into the spotlight as one of Cleveland’s hot new redeveloped neighborhoods. A little more than a year after construction began, Breakwater Bluffs completed phase one about two months ago—featuring five traditional homes (known as The Bluffs) and nine townhomes (known as Skyline).

When the bowling and bocce balls start rolling this weekend at the new Pinstripes at Pinecrest, it will also mark a homecoming for owner Dale Schwartz as he opens the doors to his 10^th location. Memories of bowling at the iconic Pepper Lanes—now replaced with Eton Chagrin—helped spawn the idea to create his classic bowling, bocce, and bistro chains across the country, and Schwartz is thrilled to return to his roots.

University Hospitals has opened the doors to its new 40,000-square-foot, three-story community healthcare facility: the UH Rainbow Center for Women and Children. Located at the corner of Euclid Avenue and E. 59^th Street, the center will follow a unique healthcare model that will not only offer complete medical care to patients, but also serve as a community resource to meet the demands of the neighborhood.

For more than 100 years, officials at United Way of Greater Cleveland have worked tirelessly to make sure local children get a quality education; help residents find food, shelter, and transportation; find jobs for those seeking to rise out of poverty; and tackle prevalent issues around health, substance abuse, and violence. Through all their work, the United Way acknowledges who the true heroes are in the organization’s mission: the people of Cleveland. This evening, the organization recognized those “superheroes” by urging the community to come fly their hero capes at a thank-you event in Public Square.

Kids in Cleveland’s neighborhoods don’t always get a chance to experience all nature has to offer in the summer months. Officials in Old Brooklyn want to change that factor and introduce elementary school students to the abundance of beauty in their own backyards with the brand-new Crooked River Exploration Camp, which will showcase all Cuyahoga Valley National Park has to offer.

Although Ohio ranks fourth in the country for reports of human trafficking cases, there are just six beds available in Cleveland for rescued victims of modern-day slavery—and all six beds are in Cleveland’s Salvation Army Zelma George Family Shelter. Starting in July, Cleveland will have a total of 18 beds for human trafficking victims—thanks to a joint effort by the Hue Jackson Foundation and the Salvation Army Northeast Ohio Division.

A historic U.S. Coast Guard station is now serving a new purpose following Cleveland Metroparks' first phase of renovations on the 1940 three-building complex. Situated on West Pier at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on Whiskey Island, the station is now home to some of The Foundry’s sailing programs and the Metroparks' learn-to-sail classes, as well as an ideal location to appreciate Lake Erie’s beauty.

Almost 20 percent of Clevelanders are over age 60, with another 15 percent between 50 and 60 years old. Cleveland’s population is aging, and with that comes the need for comprehensive healthcare. Chicago-based Oak Street Health is answering that call with plans to open three healthcare centers this fall in medically underserved Cleveland neighborhoods.

For the fifth year in a row, the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland West Park Corps is waging war on food deserts in the West Park neighborhood by partnering with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank for its first Free Produce Giveaway of the summer. The West Park branch of the Salvation Army will give away 24,000 pounds of fresh produce on Friday, June 15, at its offices (12645 Lorain Ave.) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For 80 years, Cain Park in Cleveland Heights has entertained audiences under the stars with quality theatre, nationally-known musical and comedy acts, and arts showcases. Read our retrospective of the outdoor amphitheater's history and highlights here.

Even through the popular retailer has stores in more than 85 cities nationwide, West Elm's arrival in Cleveland has a local spin. In addition to its selection of home goods and decor, the 11,000 square feet store carries a selection of goods from eight Ohio makers—five of which are based in the Cleveland area—and boasts a décor that gives a nod to Cleveland’s manufacturing history.

Throwing anything down a sewer is the equivalent of throwing that item—be it dog waste, motor oil, lawn fertilizer, or other contaminants—into Lake Erie itself. The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership wants residents to keep in mind that Lake Erie actually does begin on their streets, no matter how far from the shores they are, and they're taking the first step with a Storm Drain Stenciling project slated for Saturday, June 16.

After more than a decade of planning, the Hemlock Creek Trail in Independence is finally becoming a reality, with a public groundbreaking planned for this Saturday, June 2. The 1.7-mile asphalt Hemlock Creek trail’s western terminus will begin at Brecksville Road and Selig Drive in Independence, traverse through parts of historic Independence and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and ultimately meet up with the Towpath Trail at its eastern terminus.

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.

Fraternal twins Rachel and Sarah Gross always dreamed of going into business together. “From the time we were young, we always planned business ideas,” recalls Rachel. “Our first idea was to open a snack shop on the [Brainard] circle near our house.” Last December, their long-held dream came true when they took ownership of Bialy's, a beloved bagel shop in University Heights.

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.

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.

On Saturday, Praxis Fiber Workshop welcomed local volunteers to help with the inaugural planting of a new natural dye garden at its Collinwood-based facility. The quarter-acre garden will eventually consist mainly of 3,000 indigo plants, says Praxis executive director Jessica Pinsky. Although it looks like basil while growing, the plant is most commonly used as a natural—and less polluting—way to dye blue denim.