On Friday, June 7, Cleveland Neighborhood Progress will host its fifth annual Vibrant City Awards—where more than 600 people will gather at Euclid Beach Park to recognize 16 community leaders for their devotion and contributions to Cleveland's urban neighborhoods. The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and tickets are still available for the lakefront BBQ luncheon provided by Zack Bruell Events.
 

A vision 35 years in the making is hitting critical mass as the community of La Villa Hispana takes shape with a renewed sense of community and a flurry of new development. 

When it comes to sustainability, Cleveland has come a long way, baby. Not only is the city celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River Fire—and the progress the river has made in the last five decades (it's now safe to fish!)—but this year marks the culmination of Sustainable Cleveland's 10-year initiative. FreshWater's new "People, Planet, Progress: A Decade of Sustainable Cleveland" series will highlight their efforts and achievements and mark the design of a new decade.

Nobel prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz is quoted as saying, “The only sustainable prosperity is shared prosperity.” Northeast Ohio still has a long way to go on that front, though the region is working diligently to decrease the gap. FreshWater's new "CLE Means We: Advancing Equity and Inclusion in Cleveland" series will highlight innovative programs and emerging leaders driving equity and inclusion in Cleveland. Click here to learn more about it.

Greater Cleveland residents are invited to help shape a survey on how people choose between the city's various neighborhoods and living in the suburbs.

As part of our editorial calendar for FreshWater, we select a different theme to highlight each month in line with our 15 focus areas (which range from social change to technology). For March, we're turning our lens on Design + Build—find out what's on the FreshWater team's radar right now.

If you love trivia and Jeopardy, test your knowledge about local and national law. Join your neighbors at a participating library for an hour of friendly competition.

Each year, the Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage sponsors a “Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out” essay writing contest—designed to empower youth in grades six through 12 to confront issues such as racism, homophobia, ableism, and xenophobia. This Thursday, March 14, this year's winners will be announced at a special ceremony that is free and open to the public.

As part of our editorial calendar for FreshWater, we select a different theme to highlight each month in line with our 15 focus areas (which range from social change to technology). For February, we're turning our lens on Diversity + Inclusion—find out what's on the FreshWater team's radar right now.

In March, Lake County’s Deepwood Dancers are set to compete in the 2019 Special Olympic Games in Abu Dhabi—with a little help from Northeast Ohioans. The trip is being made possible entirely via donations, and they're currently running a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to make it happen.

Starting today, YWCA Greater Cleveland will distribute posters to those participating in the 2019 Women’s March taking place this Saturday, January 19, in Public Square. Signs are available for pick up at the YWCA administrative offices (4019 Prospect Avenue) before 7:00 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday, as well as from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday.

With 2019 around the corner, Sustainable Cleveland is gearing up for a monumental year. Fifty years have passed since the Cuyahoga River Fire ignited not only a Cleveland waterway, but a major environmental movement.

In 2018, Citizens Bank awarded 81 nonprofit organizations more than $1.5 million in contributions through its Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money initiative. In 2019, Citizens Bank plans to follow suit.

Got a great idea for improving Northeast Ohio? It's not too late to apply for the fifth installment of Accelerate: Citizens Make Change, a civic pitch competition slated for February 27, 2019 at the Global Center for Health Innovation.

Networking, nosh, and great beer? Yes, please! Join FreshWater editor Jen Jones Donatelli, TJ Carrie of the Cleveland Browns, Vicki Kotris of CLE Cookie Dough Co., Tony Sias of Karamu House, Greg Carlin of Play: CLE, and Danielle Rini Uva of Agnes Studio for a "Movers & Shakers" panel at Goldhorn Brewery this Thursday, November 8.

As FreshWater wraps up its inaugural On the Ground reporting series in Old Brooklyn, we're also excited to debut our first-ever video—produced in tandem with Cleveland.com. Videographer John Pana did a fantastic job weaving together three different vignettes to paint a vibrant picture of Old Brooklyn's appeal, featuring a local family, the owners of 2020 W. Schaaf Gallery (Danielle and Michael Gutierrez), and Alysha Ellis of Freshly Rooted. 

LaunchHouse's annual Bootstrap Bash will have an extra spark in 2019, thanks to the introduction of its new Spark Award. Presented in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau, The Spark Award will recognize a millennial-owned business that consistently displays character, culture, and community values.

113 years after it was first annexed by the city of Cleveland, Old Brooklyn is becoming new again. With a steadily shifting population (including rapidly growing African-American and Latino demographics) and an equally changing economic landscape (with Chain Reaction bringing at least five new businesses into the area), Old Brooklyn is entering a new era. FreshWater Cleveland is excited to cover the neighborhood’s ongoing transformation in its first-ever On the Ground community reporting initiative.

Chefs from Saucisson, Salt, Green City Growers, and more are headed to NYC for a special "Cleveland Rocks" dinner at the James Beard House on Tuesday.