Karin Connelly Rice

Intergenerational Playscape brings folks of all ages together for innovative play

Oversized chess and checkers boards, a concrete ping-pong table, and a figure-eight walking track are just a few features of Cleveland's newest playland for kids—and kids at heart. As of this Thursday, Oct. 19, a group of people spanning multiple generations will have a new place to play, learn, and socialize when Cleveland Neighborhood Progress (CNP) dedicates its Intergenerational Playscape and Garden on the front yard of St. Luke’s Pointe in the Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood.

The playscape is one of the final steps in the transformation of the historic St. Luke’s hospital building campus, which has truly become an intergenerational learning center. Read about the dedication ceremony here.

Multi-faceted: Océanne to bring sparkle and flair to Gordon Square

After a decade of creating one-of-a-kind jewelry in her Art Craft Building studio on Superior Avenue, Anne Harrill felt it was time to share her love of the craft on a more personal level.

So Harrill went in search of a space that could incorporate both her studio and a retail storefront. She found the perfect space in the former Trunk Collective space—800 square feet at 6515 Detroit Ave. in the heart of the Gordon Square Arts District. Find out when you can shop at Harrill's new store here.

New location, new exhibits: Children’s Museum will open November 6

More space, more outdoor areas, and more exhibits add up to an all-new wonderland for Cleveland's kiddos. After closing the doors to its University Circle location nearly two years ago, the Children’s Museum of Cleveland will re-open on Monday, Nov. 6 in its new location. Get the details on the new exhibits and amenities here.

Like a boss: Boss Dog to open after extensive overhaul of Lee Road spot
It’s been more than 18 months since brothers Josh and Jason Sweet bought the former Lemon Grass restaurant space at 2178 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. But this month, Boss Dog Brewing Company will finally open the doors to its 10-barrel brewhouse and restaurant.

Find out all the details and exactly when Boss Dog's doors will open here.
Cuyahoga Arts & Culture seeks diversity and equity in next decade
As CAC enters its second decade, the organization is taking an in-depth look at how it invests nearly $15 million annually to make Cuyahoga County a more vibrant place to work, live, and play.
Same vibe, different location at new Parnell’s on Cedar Hill

When the iconic Charles Stewart Parnell's Pub closed on Sept. 20 after two decades on Lee Road, regulars came out to party and toast good memories of the place.

Patrons knew it was not a farewell, but a celebration of what is to come with the new location at 12425 Cedar Road in the former Ten Thousand Villages space on Cedar Hill.

When is the new location opening? Find out here.

Local artists help beautify NEORSD green infrastructure project in Buckeye

Buckeye trees rooted to Woodland Hills / water flows as cascading streams / Lake Erie awaits clean raindrops” reads a passage of Dawn Arrington’s poem, which will be inscribed on a wall along E. 104th Street within the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s (NEORSD) Buckeye Green Infrastructure project.

Set for completion by January 2018, the project is part of Project Clean Lake—a 25-year plan to reduce pollution in Lake Erie by four billion gallons per year. Learn about the public artists involved in the project here.

Have a slice and read a good book at the new home of Visible Voice and Crust Pizza Kitchen

While some people may see a morbid link to it, the fact that the Komorowski building at 2258 Professor Ave. in Tremont used to be a funeral home has never creeped out the building’s new owner Dave Ferrante.

“From the moment I bought it, I never experienced any negative feelings,” he says. “It has a peaceful feel to it. And the positive part is I got 26 parking spots.”

Ferrante bought the building last year to re-open Visible Voice Books, which had closed three years ago. Read about Visible Voice's re-opening in a new location with Crust Pizza here.

Who’s Hiring in CLE: JACK Casino, BlueBridge Networks, JumpStart…
Welcome to the latest edition of Fresh Water Cleveland's “who’s hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for and how to apply.

Find out who's hiring in Cleveland here.
Ohio City BBQ will soon bring a touch of Memphis to Cleveland
For weeks, curious and hungry pedestrians have been popping into the new Ohio City BBQ, only to be turned away by owner Nav Singh, who assures the Memphis-style barbeque joint will be opening any day now in the former Ohio City Tattoo space at 3829 Lorain Ave.

Find out when Ohio City BBQ will open and what the menu holds in store here.
Harness Cycle’s historic downtown digs open today
Fresh on the heels of the long-awaited opening of Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar comes another establishment in the historic Garfield Building that fans have been anticipating. Today Harness Cycle's second location opens next door on the corner of E. 6th Street and Euclid Avenue.

Read more about the downtown version of the Hingetown spinning studio here.
Future so bright: Five public art projects brightening Cleveland's landscape
Fresh Water scoured the city in search of public art. It didn't take us long to find five new public art installments that add a little character and color to the skyline. Check them out here.
Author taps nostalgic memories and history in ‘Lost Cleveland’ book

As a third-generation Clevelander and a Plain Dealer arts and entertainment reporter, Laura DeMarco has heard her fair share of Cleveland stories that begin with “Remember when Cleveland used to be…”

In fact, most lifelong Clevelanders wax sentimental whenever places like Euclid Beach Park, Higbee’s, or Municipal Stadium come up in conversation. So much so, that DeMarco decided to write a book about these gone, and sometimes forgotten, places. Lost Cleveland will be celebrated at a book launch at Prosperity Social Club on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Read about the found places in DeMarco's book here.

Harbor Verandas project is next step in lakefront community living downtown

For decades, the hot topic among Clevelanders has been “what to do with the city’s lakefront,” comparing Cleveland’s lakefront use, or lack thereof, to other Great Lakes cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, and even Buffalo.

With the groundbreaking of Harbor Verandas at North Coast Harbor last Tuesday, Aug. 29, the City of Cleveland and Cumberland Development are proving that lakefront community living is a feasible reality.

Cumberland CEO Dick Pace says the development of North Coast Harbor as a mixed-use community has been a concept in the making since the 80s when George Voinovich was mayor and backed a lakefront development plan.

Read about how North Coast Harbor is taking shape as a lakefront community here.

Tremont’s Olney mansion and gallery coming back to life
Despite its storied past as a historic grand mansion and Cleveland's first public art museum, Olney House & Gallery has long sat abandoned at 2241 W. 14th St. in Tremont—until now. A comprehensive restoration effort is almost complete, bringing the two buildings back to their original 1800s glory. Read about the restoration process here.
Negative Space celebrates a new, larger arts oasis with its Saturday grand opening
Artists’ shows, open mic nights, jam sessions, and sketch nights: for the past six years, Negative Space has established itself as a non-profit creative oasis for artists, musicians, and community supporters at E. 39th Street and Superior Avenue in AsiaTown.

On Saturday, the studios and gallery will double down by moving into a warehouse space twice the size of its original home—and it just happens to be right next door at 3820 Superior Ave. At 4,000 square feet, the space is­ capable of housing even more art and entertainment.

Read more about the new Negative Space here.
Five Chain Reaction winners will set up shop in Slavic Village
After spending the summer pitching their businesses to investors in the Cleveland Chain Reaction project, Fox 8's morning show, Kickin’ It With Kenny announced this morning the six winning companies that will set up shop in the Slavic Village neighborhood.

Find out who the winner are here.
An extra helping hand for foster care children with extra-special needs
Most children who come into Cuyahoga County's foster care program have been traumatized to some degree. But for kids who are LGBTQ or have intellectual developmental disabilities and are victims of violence, the trauma can be even greater. These programs aim to help those young people with special circumstances thrive in foster care and life. 
Who’s Hiring in CLE: Cleveland Foundation, Music Box Supper Club, Cleveland Restoration Society…
Welcome to the latest edition of Fresh Water's “who’s hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply. Find out who's hiring here.
Old Brooklyn winery offers wine, truth and bocce in its vineyard offerings
The first incarnation of Vino Veritas was a successful restaurant and wine bar in the heart of Little Italy—even ranking on the 2015 Cleveland Hot List as a top wine bar. But by 2016, owner Anthony Nunes Insana had set his sights on a bigger picture for his wines, which he had been making in the basement of his Little Italy establishment.

Opportunity presented itself when Insana stumbled upon Rising Harvest Farms, a 2.3-acre plot of land in Old Brooklyn. "I found the property by myself, driving around," Insana says. "I started talking to Rising Harvest Farms and they wanted out." Insana swiftly started making plans for Vino Veritas Cellars, securing a one-year lease for the land from Cuyahoga Land Bank last September. In February, Insana made it official by signing a 25-year lease to buy the former Rising Harvest property, and he had the land re-zoned as a vineyard and winery.
 
With its grand opening last Thursday, Aug. 3, Vino Veritas Cellars officially became Cleveland’s first fully functional, federally bonded winery and vineyard. Learn more about it here.