Anyone who set foot in the Beachland Ballroom last Saturday might have thought the rumors of print media's demise have been greatly exaggerated. At the sold-out Concert for Truth, more than 450 people gathered to show their support for local journalism and those who bring us the news every day. The event featured 11 local musicians who volunteered their time and talents to raise about $5,000 for the 24 Plain Dealer employees who are being laid off after March.

It’s never easy when a loved one is hospitalized—often, the family caregivers forget to care for themselves. With more than 2,000 Orthodox Jewish families living in the Cleveland area—the majority of whom live in Cleveland Heights, University Heights, and the Green Road area of Beachwood—the tenets of their faith can make a hospital stay particularly hard. The new Bikur Cholim room at MetroHealth's Cleveland Heights campus is helping to make the experience easier for all. 

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is known by all for his work in the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s through nonviolence and civil disobedience. Many people in Cleveland, however, may not be aware of how often King came through Cleveland in the 1960s—and the lasting influence he had on the city. From civil rights and Christianity to politics and school sit-ins, King was a well-known presence in Cleveland.

Jeff King believes in doing things right the first time. That philosophy may have put him and his business partner, Brad Poe, more than a year behind schedule in opening the new Kensington Pub (2260 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights), but King says they are finally ready to open.

For Scott Robertson, every flower he uses in his creations is a work of art reflecting his own personal spin on design. “I think what we do here is really floral art, because we don’t just throw things in a vase,” he says of his new Stems Fleur floral and gift boutique in Cleveland Heights. “We mix traditional and really clean, modern looks, and people are starting to recognize our work.”
 

Cleveland Heights sisters Maya and Nina Serna haven’t even completed high school, and keep a busy academic and social schedule, but in their spare time they've spent the last two years developing an app specifically to help students who are homeschoolers like themselves.

Tucked away amid the urban hustle and bustle of commuters driving through Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights is one of Cleveland’s little-known natural wonders: Doan Brook. Now bordered by Coventry Road, Fairhill Road, and North Park Boulevard, the 15,000-year-old bluestone tributary to Lake Erie originated as the glaciers retreated from the region. Today, there are hiking trails that meander around the 8.4-mile brook, showing off a bit of Northeast Ohio’s natural state—yet most people don’t even know these trails exist.

It’s only been one week since Linda McFadden opened Lee Road Dog Grooming, but she has already built a customer base and potential customers are stopping in. After all, it’s hard to miss the hand-painted pictures of a ladylike pup donning a flowered hat and the pink and purple hues that adorn the small storefront on one of the newest additions to the Cedar-Lee District.

Welcome to the latest edition of FreshWater Cleveland's “Who’s Hiring” series, where we feature growing companies with open positions, what they’re looking for, and how to apply. This installment includes jobs from FutureHeights, Honeycomb, MAGNET, Cooper's Hawk, Advanced School Staffing, and FreshWater Cleveland. Click here for the freshest job opportunities fit to print.
 

Fresh Water's monthly "Free Stamp" feature rounds up the freshest free events in Cleveland.

More than 100 gatherings took place yesterday as part of Cleveland Foundation’s second annual Common Ground event—a series of meaningful community conversations across Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties. FreshWater Cleveland was honored to host its own installment: “Who are the people in your neighborhood?” Hosted at the Baseball Heritage Museum, the conversation was geared at connecting with neighborhood changemakers and helping bring their stories to the forefront.

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.

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.

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.

The Pinecrest site at I-271 and Harvard Road is buzzing with activity as construction workers keep moving—even through yesterday’s snow and frigid wind—toward the rolling opening of the $230 million mixed-use development on 58 acres in Orange Village. New additions include Silverspot Cinema, Graeter's Ice Cream, and Sweeties Big Fun, a surprise joint venture between Big Fun toy store and B.A. Sweetie Candy Company.

A drive through Shaker Heights, Bratenahl, Lakewood, or any number of cities in Greater Cleveland will confirm what most loyal residents of the Land already know: Cleveland has no shortage of one-of-a-kind homes. Take a virtual tour through a converted firehouse, a Downton Abbey doppelganger, and more via our carefully curated list.

Cleveland Restaurant Week may be winding down, but there's still plenty of time to get your culinary kicks in the 216. Check out our list of the top five bites to bookmark for optimal enjoyment.

Two development projects in Cleveland Heights are moving the city forward in its master plan to create growth and strong business districts within the city. The Top of the Hill multi-use project is moving ahead, while the city just began soliciting ideas for a vacant plot of land on Lee Road. Read about both projects here.

The historic 1904 mansion that overlooks University Circle and was home to the College Club of Cleveland for the past 61 years will soon be converted into 10 apartments, with an additional four apartments in the carriage house and 13 townhomes on the 1.8-acre property at 2348 Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights.