From a team of cyclists turning trash into earthen gold, to one man who helps kids tumble into a brighter future, Cleveland's social innovators kindle projects that are illuminating people and places across the city.

Any beer lover in Cleveland is painfully aware that the growth of the craft brewery industry leaves little time to try all of the available options. Bob and Shelle Campbell solve that problem with the Cleveland Brew Bus – a 22-seat party bus that takes riders on tasting tours of Cleveland’s most popular breweries.
 
Started in June 2013 by the Campbells, the tasting tour takes riders on a five-hour tour of three local breweries. Each stop features three to four sample sized beers and the opportunity of order food. While on the bus, tour coordinator Leslie Basalla educates and entertains riders with brewery and beer facts.
 
“Every tour is a little different,” Basalla explains. “We have home brewers, craft brewers and people just along to have fun. We play to the varying levels of knowledge.”
 
Basalla, who is in the process of buying the business along with boyfriend Brian McCafferty from the Campbells, joined Brew Bus after serving as front of house manager for Market Garden Brewery. Basalla is a certified beer steward through the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.
 
There were about seven breweries on the tour list when Basalla joined the business in 2014, and that list has grown exponentially as Cleveland’s brewery scene has grown. “There are new breweries opening up constantly,” she says. “We’re adding one brewery about every two months. It’s a small community where everyone knows each other.” Recent additions include Platform Beer Co. and Brick and Barrel.
 
Tours are primarily in Cleveland and the suburbs, but the Brew Bus occasionally will travel to Akron and Lake County for tastings. Private tours are available as well, although Basalla recommends people call at least two months in advance from July through October to book a Saturday night. “Sundays are wide open,” says Basalla. “If you have at least 10 people and you want a tour, I’ll give you a tour any day of the week.”
 
Tickets for public tours can be purchased on the Cleveland Brew Bus website.

New research suggests that innovation districts, whose growth is fueled by anchor institutions, companies and startups working in close proximity to one another, may be growing faster than traditional downtowns.

Downtown's residential population has doubled over the last 15 years. Now a new report is serving as a guide for Cleveland's growth, with an emphasis on investments -- from mini-parks to signage to massive mixed-use developments -- aiming to better connect residents with downtown.

Downtown is booming with new development, but getting around can sometimes be a challenge. Now key investments are in the works that will make it a much more livable, inviting place.

The millennials and baby boomers driving a resurgence in downtown living are seeking an amenity-rich environment with retail options. Getting to that point won't be easy, but plans are already well underway.

Check out a local holiday market, let Lolly the Trolley be your designated driver or join a book binding workshop. Your weekend, planned.

Northeast Ohio has emerged from the recession with a much stronger economy, yet we must accelerate the pace of job creation. Here are five Cleveland companies leading the charge.

Twelve makers share something they’re excited to bring to The Flea this weekend.

Just after marking its one-year anniversary in business, PrestoFresh Grocery, which delivers groceries out of Zagara’s Marketplace in Cleveland Heights to all of Cuyahoga County and parts of Lorain, Lake, Summit and Portage Counties, has doubled its business and is expanding again.

Founder Steve DeMoulpied says that sales have grown by 115 percent during the first year. He has 15 employees – eight on staff and seven contractors – and is currently hiring order preppers, pickers, packers and drivers.

Now PrestoFresh is expanding its services to include wellness and nutrition expert Amy Jamieson-Petonic, AKA Amy J.

Amy J. will write a free monthly blog for all PrestoFresh newsletter registrants. Amy J. looks for foods that keep her clients energized and healthy throughout the year and she even adds humor and science to her blogs. This month’s topic is “Top 5 Foods for Health & Happiness This Holiday Season.”
 
DeMoulpied has a background in health and wellness and he knew when he started PrestoFresh that he wanted to incorporate that component into his services. “We thought we could do more than just deliver groceries,” he says. “We thought we could be a foundation for other things. We make it easier for people to access high quality foods. The first little step in that direction is to think about what else we can do from a health and wellness standpoint.” The link will be in PrestoFresh’s bi-weekly newsletter.
 
Amy J. will offer her wellness consulting from her website, making it easier for PrestoFresh customers to find and select the products that make the most sense for their personal nutrition goals.
 
PrestoFresh and Amy J. are also cross-promoting each other. PrestoFresh customers can use their rewards points for a free 30-minute consultation with Amy J., while customers who sign up for two months of coaching with Amy J. will receive free delivery during that period.

Rocked by a pair of senseless tragedies, Cedar Lee merchants say they can't remember a sadder year. Yet they say their community has been painted in an unfair light. Crime is down overall, many merchants are thriving and street improvements are in the works.

Whether you life on the east side or west side, there are plenty of opportunities this weekend to explore new neighborhoods and try new things. Learn to swing dance, try a new beer and visit a museum you’ve never been to for free -- it's all within an arm's reach.