Social Change

this weekend in cleveland: makers markets galore & much more
Check out a local holiday market, let Lolly the Trolley be your designated driver or join a book binding workshop. Your weekend, planned.
police-community partnerships offer way to improve neighborhood safety
Dozens of communities across the U.S. have formed effective, ongoing partnerships with the police that have improved safety and trust.
city ambassadors: 7 people changing the conversation about cleveland
Our city seems to be constantly in the spotlight these days, for our innovations as well as our challenges. Meet a group of leaders who are redefining the narrative of our city and pushing us to collectively move forward.
the cleveland flea holiday gift guide
Twelve makers share something they’re excited to bring to The Flea this weekend.
ch police partner with cedar lee businesses, focus on community policing
The Cleveland Heights Police Department has long had a reputation for doling out too many speeding and parking tickets, but new leadership is partnering with businesses and making community policing a focus.
five can't miss events in five cleveland neighborhoods
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.
gay games pumped $52m into regional economy, study says
the cleveland foundation's final centennial gift is a day of family fun
discover cleveland's neighborhoods through cle city life tours
Cleveland Neighborhood Progress has announced that it will be hosting two CLE City Life tours on Saturday, November 29th and Saturday, December 27th.

"Cleveland Neighborhood Progress is pleased to offer citywide bus tours to introduce (or re-introduce) you to some of the coolest and most unique places to live in Northeast Ohio," the website states. "Join us and see why Tremont and Ohio City receive so much publicity. We’ll  show you why University Circle is considered the most intellectual square mile in the nation. And you’ll understand why demand is so high for Downtown living options. All this and more!"

The cost of the tour is $12. You can register here.
the diverse language of food: a guide to ethnic markets
Cleveland's ethnic diversity is represented in the city's markets. Replete with dazzling items and intriguing people, they offer a taste of home for newcomers and exotic flavors for the rest of us.
the cleveland flea thrives as small business incubator
Since its launch 18 months ago, the Flea has helped dozens of new businesses to flourish. Perhaps its greatest success is the tight knit and supportive community of makers that it has cultivated.
home for the holidays: a guide to the november flea
Our friends at the Cleveland Flea created this November market guide full of beautiful imagery showcasing the event's artisan vendors. Check it out, then stop by this weekend for the real thing!
cle orchestra selects slavic village as the site of its next 'at home' residency
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced that its next neighborhood residency will take place in Broadway Slavic Village.

From the press release:

"'The Cleveland Orchestra At Home in Broadway Slavic Village' will consist of community activities, musical performances, and education presentations throughout the community in Spring 2015.

Broadway Slavic Village was chosen because it is a Cleveland neighborhood that symbolizes both the history and the future of Cleveland. The Broadway Historic District at the intersection of E. 55th street has ethnic roots in the Czech and Polish communities with rich musical heritages.  Broadway Slavic Village was once the center of the foreclosure crisis, but today it is a national leader in reimagining urban land use and is home to people of all ages, races, and income levels, active families, young professionals and empty nesters.

The centerpiece of the Orchestra's neighborhood residency in Broadway Slavic Village will be a free, public Cleveland Orchestra concert on Friday evening, April 10, 2015 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church. The residency activities will also include solo and chamber performances in unique locations, education programs at local schools, and a series of new artistic collaborations with neighborhood arts and cultural organizations."
east meets west: a new generation of businesses bridging the old divide
Ask a millennial about the east-west divide and their eyebrows usually rise and knit over their black frame glasses. These days, west side shops are popping up on the east side, while east side institutions are making inroads west.
university circle a powerful player in the innovation economy (video)
University Circle Inc.'s recent annual meeting highlighted examples of successful innovation within the district, from Piccadilly Artisan Creamery's liquid nitrogen-fueled ice cream to healthcare startups spinning out of BioEnterprise.
university circle inks deal with zipcar, the world's leading carsharing network
At the University Circle Incorporated (UCI) annual meeting last week, President Chris Ronayne touted the district's roots in innovation as well as impressive present-day growth. In short, University Circle is now returning full circle and has become an area that's not only rife with arts institutions and top schools, but is also spinning out some of the region's fastest-growing companies and ideas.

Ronayne also stated that innovation begins and ends, in many ways, with connectivity, something that University Circle has in spades. "The key to innovation is density, connectivity, diversity and experience," he said. "Creating an environment that is inspiring and pulls people together."

Now University Circle is about to get even better connected thanks to a new partnership with Zipcar, the world's leading carshare company. Initially, four vehicles will be available for lease in designated parking spots in the garage at 1980 Ford Road and the University Circle Inc. Lot at 10831 Magnolia Drive. The cars, which will be available 24/7 on demand, can be leased for as low as $7.50 per hour and $69 per day with gas, insurance and up to 180 miles of driving per day included in the rate. College students age 18 and older as well as community members age 21 and older will be able to take advantage of the program.

“As University Circle continues to grow, so does its need for innovative transportation,” said Ronayne in a release. “Partnering with Zipcar allows us to address this need by giving students, employees, and community members access to vehicles on a short term basis. It’s a great, sustainable solution.”

Community members, students and businesses can join Zipcar here. The Occasional Driving Plan is available for $60 a year or $6 a month, allowing users access to the four Zipcar’s in University Circle as well as more than 10,000 vehicles worldwide. UCI has also helped to establish a special university rate -- college students, faculty and staff at participating universities in the area can join for just $25 to use a set of wheels for as little as an hour or for several days.
 
There's also a Zipcar for Business program for local businesses that offers discounted driving rates Monday through Friday. The goal of this program is to help businesses save cash, meet sustainability goals, and reduce parking needs by providing employees with access to the cars as a way to get around town.

Users can employ their smartphones to make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicle, and even honk the horn to locate their vehicle. Reservations are available over the phone or through Zipcar's website.