Stories

Out-of-the-box kindness: Give Box CLE brings the Little Free Pantry idea to Cleveland
Just a few months ago, Give Box CLE was an idea. Now, six of the Little Free Library-style boxes are painted and ready to be installed throughout Cleveland’s East Side neighborhoods—but instead of books, they offer non-perishable goods, personal care items, toiletries, and other daily necessities.
CLE native Dale Schwartz comes home to open his 10th Pinstripes location
When the bowling and bocce balls start rolling this weekend at the new Pinstripes at Pinecrest, it will also mark a homecoming for owner Dale Schwartz as he opens the doors to his 10th location. Memories of bowling at the iconic Pepper Lanes—now replaced with Eton Chagrin—helped spawn the idea to create his classic bowling, bocce, and bistro chains across the country, and Schwartz is thrilled to return to his roots.
New UH medical center on the leading edge of community healthcare in Midtown
University Hospitals has opened the doors to its new 40,000-square-foot, three-story community healthcare facility: the UH Rainbow Center for Women and Children. Located at the corner of Euclid Avenue and E. 59th Street, the center will follow a unique healthcare model that will not only offer complete medical care to patients, but also serve as a community resource to meet the demands of the neighborhood.
Introducing the #Fresh10: Meet Cleveland's newest crop of rising entrepreneurs
It's Young Professionals Week here in Cleveland, and what better time than to highlight rising stars who are helping to put Cleveland on the map? Introducing FreshWater's first-ever #Fresh10, a group of talented professionals under 34 years old all making their mark on The Land—and beyond. Find out who made the list here.
Heroes unite in Public Square to mark major fundraising milestone for United Way
For more than 100 years, officials at United Way of Greater Cleveland have worked tirelessly to make sure local children get a quality education; help residents find food, shelter, and transportation; find jobs for those seeking to rise out of poverty; and tackle prevalent issues around health, substance abuse, and violence. Through all their work, the United Way acknowledges who the true heroes are in the organization’s mission: the people of Cleveland. This evening, the organization recognized those “superheroes” by urging the community to come fly their hero capes at a thank-you event in Public Square.
Old Brooklyn's Crooked River Exploration Camp will connect city kids to CVNP
Kids in Cleveland’s neighborhoods don’t always get a chance to experience all nature has to offer in the summer months. Officials in Old Brooklyn want to change that factor and introduce elementary school students to the abundance of beauty in their own backyards with the brand-new Crooked River Exploration Camp, which will showcase all Cuyahoga Valley National Park has to offer.
Days to remember: Canalway Partners celebrates our city's rich past with Cleveland History Days
In 1969, Cleveland became the butt of jokes when an infamous burning river attracted national attention. Beyond the punchline, the incident on the Cuyahoga became the precipice of the country’s environmental movement—inspiring Earth Day, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the passage of the Clean Water Act. This is just one example of how Cleveland has impacted the nation, and the first Cleveland History Days celebrates that legacy (and so much more).
Who's Hiring in CLE: United Way, Cleveland Clinic, OSU Extension, General Electric, CWRU, Contempo
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 edition includes jobs from United Way, Cleveland Clinic, OSU Extension, General Electric, Case Western Reserve, Contempo Cleveland, and more. Click here for the freshest opportunities fit to print.
FreshWater finds Common Ground with neighborhood changemakers
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.
Summer on the Cuyahoga is on a mission to attract more college grads to Cleveland
Earlier this month, Jon Pinney gave a highly charged talk at the City Club in which he made numerous points about the need to ramp up Cleveland’s economic development—among them that cities like Columbus and Philadelphia have targeted programs for attracting and retaining talent, while Cleveland has no such initiative in place.

Eric McGarvey has some news for him: there is a program that does exactly that, and it’s been around since 2003. The program is called Summer on the Cuyahoga, and so far, it’s prompted more than 160 college students to call Cleveland home.
Hue Jackson wants to make the world a safer place for human trafficking victims—starting with CLE
Although Ohio ranks fourth in the country for reports of human trafficking cases, there are just six beds available in Cleveland for rescued victims of modern-day slavery—and all six beds are in Cleveland’s Salvation Army Zelma George Family Shelter. Starting in July, Cleveland will have a total of 18 beds for human trafficking victims—thanks to a joint effort by the Hue Jackson Foundation and the Salvation Army Northeast Ohio Division.
Metroparks sails into a new era with first phase completion of historic Coast Guard complex
A historic U.S. Coast Guard station is now serving a new purpose following Cleveland Metroparks' first phase of renovations on the 1940 three-building complex. Situated on West Pier at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River on Whiskey Island, the station is now home to some of The Foundry’s sailing programs and the Metroparks' learn-to-sail classes, as well as an ideal location to appreciate Lake Erie’s beauty.
How "Cleveland" are you? Common Room Theatre has the hilarious answer.
Standup comedian Ramon Rivas II—named one of Comedy Central’s “Comics to Watch”—has said that “the Cleveland comedy scene has never been more abundant.” So does Cleveland really need another comedy troupe? Ryan Santa and Beau Buccilli answer that question with a resounding yes, and they’re launching a new company, Common Room Theatre, to prove it.
Conservation meets action at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo with new Asian Highlands
Going to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo can often feel like visiting another world—and that feeling is now even more amplified, thanks to the recent debut of the Asian Highlands. The $5.8 million addition to the Zoo highlights species such as Amur and snow leopards, red pandas, and takin (a type of goat-antelope that is new to the Zoo).
Cleveland's baby boomers will soon have better healthcare in the neighborhoods that need it most
Almost 20 percent of Clevelanders are over age 60, with another 15 percent between 50 and 60 years old. Cleveland’s population is aging, and with that comes the need for comprehensive healthcare. Chicago-based Oak Street Health is answering that call with plans to open three healthcare centers this fall in medically underserved Cleveland neighborhoods.
This CLE-based care line could change the game for mental health support and opioid recovery
After the tragic suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, social media turned into a barrage of crisis hotline numbers and pleas for people struggling with mental health issues or addiction to “reach out.” But what if there was another option? A care line designed to build community and prevent people from ending up in “crisis” situations in the first place, aka ASSISTCommunities.
Greener pastures: A new generation of farmers is taking the reins in Cleveland
A new generation of farmers is taking shape, both in Cleveland and around the country. According to the latest Census of Agriculture, the number of farmers under 35 years old is increasing for only the second time in the last century. Meet four young Clevelanders who are venturing outside the city limits to pursue new agricultural adventures: Carl Harp Nursery, Bellwether Farm, and Frayed Knot Farm.
Join FreshWater Cleveland for a Common Ground conversation on June 24
On June 24, Clevelanders will convene at various points around the city for conversation, connection, and cuisine as part of the Cleveland Foundation's annual Common Ground initiative. This year's prompt is: "Why does place matter?" FreshWater Cleveland seeks to answer that question with a Common Ground lunch at League Park, and we'd love for our readers to join us!
Beyond the campfire: 6 unique summer camps for Cleveland youth
Ahhh, to be a kid again—if only to experience the ridiculously cool summer camps available around Cleveland. From golf games to wizardly fun, these six camps go well beyond the traditional to offer unique and unforgettable experiences for local youth.
Salvation Army fights the war on hunger in West Park with produce distribution
For the fifth year in a row, the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland West Park Corps is waging war on food deserts in the West Park neighborhood by partnering with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank for its first Free Produce Giveaway of the summer. The West Park branch of the Salvation Army will give away 24,000 pounds of fresh produce on Friday, June 15, at its offices (12645 Lorain Ave.) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.